RRHS Update - Week of 9/6/22
No School 9/5/22 - Happy Labor Day!
Back to School Night is LIVE and in person for all grades 9/8/22 at 6:30PM. We will have an opportunity to meet teachers and walk schedules. See you then!
Parent Partners - PLEASE READ!
Organization
Agendas were provided to all RRHS students. These are a great way to organize and record upcoming assessments in order to prepare and plan ahead.
Absenteeism
We have noted a pattern of absenteeism on tests dates and dates of summative assessments. At times these patterns can denote a students who is overwhelmed of trying to gain an edge and commit and honor code violation. We will be in close contact in order to support students as it is often a sign of students who are overextended.
Honor Code
The RRHS Honor Code has been revisited and is adjusted to be a more effective teaching tool with higher accountability. The administration of Rock Ridge reviewed this with all classes emphasizing the long term impact on grades, honor societies, college acceptance, etc.
This Week in Advisory!
This Week in Athletics!
Tuesday, September 6th
Volleyball vs. Stone Bridge, 9th/JV starting at 5:45 p.m. Varsity starting at 7:00 p.m.
9th Football vs. Champe, 5:45 p.m.
Wednesday September 7th
Golf vs. Loudoun Valley, 4 p.m. Early Release at 2:15 p.m.
Thursday September 8th
Golf vs. Tuscarora, 3 p.m. Early Release at 1:30 p.m.
Volleyball @ Tuscarora, 9th/JV starting at 5:45 p.m. Varsity starting at 7:00 p.m. Early Release at 3:45 p.m. Bus departs at 4:15 p.m.
Friday September 9th
Varsity Football/Cheer @ Hampshire, 7 p.m. Early Release at 2:30 p.m. Bus departs at 3:00 p.m.
Field Hockey @ Justice Tournament. Early Release at 12:30 p.m. Bus departs at 1 p.m.
Saturday, September 10th
Field Hockey @ Justice Tournament. Bus departs at 9 a.m.
Class Pictures!
UNDERCLASSMEN PICTURES SEPTEMBER 7 & 8
Ninth, tenth and eleventh graders will have their pictures taken for the yearbook and IDs on September 7 & 8. Ninth and tenth graders will go to the photographer with their PE teacher and eleventh graders will go to the photographer with their English teacher. If students do not have a PE class, they can go to the photographer during their study hall, or from 9:00-9:20. Pictures will be available approximately two weeks following our school's photo day. Save time and Pre-order online here: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1000945119
For questions about ordering please email underclass@vosphoto.com
LAST SENIOR PICTURES- SEPT. 26 & 27
The last round of senior make up pictures is Sept. 26 & 27. More information will be coming. However, if you have not gotten your senior picture taken, please save the date! **This is the last opportunity for senior portraits at the school**
The attire for the school’s yearbook pose will be in the traditional Tuxedos and Drapes. Tuxedo and Drapes will be provided. In addition to the yearbook session they also offer sessions that include casual/personality portraits and cap and gown portraits. Please follow the link below to choose your session type and appointment time. https://pickatime.com/vosphoto/RockRidge2023
If you have any questions please email seniors@vosphoto.com (please put school name in subject line)
School Counseling News!
Counselors are available during each Lunch Shift. Please see the table next to the main gym if you have questions.
Counselor Assignments 2022-23
Seniors
Tuesday September 13 at 6:30pm in the Auditorium will be Senior Parent Night. We will cover the college process and life beyond Rock Ridge.
Mandatory Senior Advisement Meeting
Students may now schedule their mandatory Senior
Advisement Meeting with their assigned School Counselor. Meetings will run from September
7th-October 14th. Review the document below to see what to expect from the Senior Meeting
(includes transcript request procedure). Mandatory Senior Advisement meeting document
Schedule your appointment with your counselor
Upcoming College and Career visits
You must sign up via Naviance so you either receive a hall pass or a link to the virtual visit.
Go to Naviance Student to see the list of colleges or click this link College & Career Representatives @ RRHS – Google link.
*NOTE: These visits are geared to Seniors and Juniors ONLY if their academic workload permit
LCPS College Fair held at Independence HS -9/25: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm –Register for the LCPS College Fair! This is good for all students 9-12 to attend
Scheduling
In the next few weeks student may begin to feel overwhelmed or start to panic about the courses they are in. Returning to school can be stressful as classes get more into a routine. If your student believes a course level is too difficult start by reaching out to the teacher. One test or one paper is not enough of a reason to change a course. It can take several week for students to find their rhythm to balancing the new school year. It is okay to work through some of these early struggles and allow our student to find success. It also takes time for teachers to discover the strengths and weakness of students to be able to help the students grow.
Please see the e-mail from Mrs. Marchante through Naviance with all the Counseling News and College and Career info.
Phoenix Peak School Store - Get Your Gear NOW!
School Store – Updated Hours & Payments
The Phoenix Peak will have new hours this upcoming school year. We will be open every morning from 9:00 AM – 9:20 AM. We will also be open during Brain Break every Tuesday & Thursday.
The Phoenix Peak has received a new payment device and is now able to take credit card & Apple / Google pay! However, we can only accept Visa & Mastercard payments.
From Our Nurse!
Attention parents/guardians of 10th graders, students new to LCPS and those students returning to LCPS after an extended absence, this week, September 7 and September 8, your students will be screened for vision and hearing. Please remind them to wear their contacts/glasses and to bring reading glasses if they have them. If you have questions or concerns, feel free to reach out either by email, Robyn.wisti@lcps.org or calling the health office at 703-996-2106
AP Test Registration
AP Exam Registration
Rock Ridge is excited to offer AP exams to our eligible students in the Spring of 2023. To register for AP exams, students need to be enrolled in the AP Classroom section for their AP class. This can only be done by using a code provided by the AP Teacher or our AP Coordinator, Mrs. Blessing. RRHS AP teachers will guide students in joining AP Classroom and registering for the AP exam during class time.
Please use this one-pager to access information about testing dates, fees, and important deadlines. The registration deadline for all AP exams in LCPS is Friday, November 4th. Registrations and drops after this date will incur a $40 fee per exam.
More information about College Board testing can be found on the RRHS Testing Website.
Get Your Yearbook and Senior Ad!
SENIOR ADS ON SALE NOW- SPACE IS LIMITED- EARLY BIRD PRICING ENDS OCT. 28
Want the perfect way to showcase those baby pictures you’ve been saving and let your senior know how proud of them you are? Place a senior/baby ad in this year’s yearbook to commemorate all their hard work and success!
Ad space is available now and must be purchased online. You can go to www.yearbookforever.com to choose your ad size, upload your pictures and message, and pay for the ad. The yearbook staff will design the ad and send parents a proof. Ad space is limited and available on a first-come, first serve basis. Once the ads are sold out, we cannot accommodate any more. Enter coupon code SENIORS23 for the early bird discount.
YEARBOOKS ON SALE NOW- LOWEST PRICE OF THE YEAR!
Save $20 and buy your yearbooks now! They are on sale for $65. They can be purchased online at www.yearbookforever.com The price will go up to $75 on 10/31, to $80 on 3/20 and then to $85 in May.
MAP Testing Information
MAP Testing in Algebra 1 and Geometry Classes
MAP Growth testing for Algebra 1 and Geometry students will begin this week during classes on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 6th and 7th. Students and families will receive specific test day information for their class from their math teacher. Please be sure to come to math class with a charged Chromebook!
LCPS administers NWEA’s MAP Growth tests to determine their instructional readiness level and measure academic growth throughout the school year and from year to year. Scores on these tests will have no impact on a student’s course grade.
MAP Growth tests are unique in that they adapt to your student’s level of learning. If your student answers a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next one is easier. This results in a detailed picture of what your student knows and is ready to learn—whether it is on, above, or below their typical grade level expectations. Since MAP Growth tests provide immediate and accurate information about your student’s learning, it enables teachers to personalize instruction to meet students’ needs at all levels of content knowledge.
Following each testing period, you will receive a Student Progress report, available in ParentVUE, showing your student’s growth.
We are truly excited to focus on your student’s individual growth and achievement. For more information about the MAP Growth test, visit: https://www.lcps.org/Page/217792
Read THE BLAZE - our award winning publication!
The Blaze is our award-winning student news publication of Rock Ridge High School. We publish articles of a wide variety of genres, including news, opinion, arts & entertainment, sports, and multimedia about ongoing events in our community. Coverage ranges from profiles of star student athletes, to opinion pieces on Hollywood’s “Reboot Fever,” to coverage of the annual Prom dance. We also provide additional coverage of school events on Instagram and Twitter. Our published articles can be found on our website, https://theblazerrhs.com. Additionally, we publish three issues of our newsmagazine each year, during the fall, winter, and spring seasons. Digital copies are available on our website, and print copies are sent to sponsors of The Blaze. Follow us on social media @rockridgehsnews for up-to-date information about events at the Rock!
Senior Parking - Still Available
SENIOR RESERVED PARKING SPOTS AVAILABLE
We have 13 pre-painted parking spots that can be purchased for $40 for interested seniors. Purchasing the pre-painted spot will ensure that the student has a RESERVED spot for the entire year. If a student does not have a reserved spot, they will be able to park in any unpainted spot. If you would like one of these spots, please email Ms. Menna at michelle.menna@lcps.org. Spots will be available on a first-come, first served basis.
PTSO News!
PTSO MEMBERSHIP & NO HASSLES FUNDRAISER!
Join the PTSO & partner with us as we do our part to allow our Phoenix to RISE with a renewed focus on increasing engagement!
STUDENTS / FAMILIES - $35 membership fee + free magnet – JOIN HERE!
· Options available to donate more as these funds determine the scope of projects the PTSO can promote.
TEACHERS / STAFF - $10 membership fee + free magnet – JOIN HERE!
NEW PTSO MAGNET – FREE with Membership!
SEE BELOW!
STAY IN TOUCH!
School Newsletter: Weekly Sunday “SMORE” email from Principal Duellman
Social Media: Follow & Like Us!
Facebook: Rock Ridge High School PTSO
Instagram: Rockridge_PTSO
Website: www.RRHSPTSO.org (updates in progress)
Remind App: Join here to connect to our @rrhsptso group for updates and reminders
Monthly Meetings: 1st Thursday every Month, 7 – 8 PM
In Person at RRHS in the Library
Virtual option also available – Click Here to Join
Apple Calendar: Click Here to add PTSO meetings to your Apple Calendar
Google Calendar: Click Here to add PTSO meetings to your Google Calendar
PTSO COMMITTEES & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
· Please join the PTSO to support Rock Ridge High School students, staff, and families!
· Signing up is not a rigid commitment but allows for flexibility to join as you are able.
· See the attached form to learn more and sign up now! (link permissions updated)
Questions, ideas, concerns or want to get involved, please reach out to the PTSO: President@rrhsptso.org
1K & 5K FUNDRAISERS with BEST RUNNERS USA
The PTSO is proud to partner with Best Runners USA in support of their 10th Annual Run for Charity 1K & 5K event.
WHEN: Saturday, September 10, 2022, 8 AM
WHERE: Arcola Elementary School - 41740 Tall Cedars Pkwy, Aldie, VA 20105
WHAT TO DO: REGISTER the whole family with the referral code "ROCKRIDGE”
WHY: 100% registration fee collected with this referral code will be donated back to the RRHS PTSO!
· The top 3 schools from the Nova region to bring 100+ registrations will be offered a further grant for supporting Best Runners.
5K FUNDRAISER with ASHA JYOTHI
The PTSO is proud to partner with Asha Jyothi in support of their 14th Annual 5K Run / Walk event.
WHEN: Sunday, September 18, 2022, at 8 AM
WHERE: Fairfax Corner – 4250 Fairfax Corner Ave, Fairfax VA 22030
WHAT TO DO: REGISTER the whole family with the referral code "ROCKRIDGE”
WHY: Funds collected with this referral code will be donated back to the RRHS PTSO!
SAFETY AND SECURITY
LCPS Safety and Security and SAFE2TALK APP
Need Assistance?
Safety and Security Officers and Contacts:
Mr. Todd Kinkead Lead Safety and Security Officer - email -todd.kinkead@lcps.org
Mr. Devon Brown Safety and Security Officer - email - devon.brown@lcps.org
Parking Message
Please us this LINK to complete and submit a student parking pass application. The form needs to completed in full and parent approval is required. There are no parking fees this year and students should be parking in the student lot (A-5) in front of the school. All other parking lots are by special exception only for a specific purpose. The passes will be distributed during the lunch blocks. Seek out Mr. Kinkead or Mr. Brown who can verify your approval and distribute the pass.