Email Archive

SUBJECT:  📺 RioTV Selection Results

Dear Students and Families,

I’ve received a few questions about when RioTV selection results will be released, so here is a quick reminder: Results will be sent by email on Tuesday, May 12 at approximately 4:30 p.m.

With more than 160 applicants and 34 spots available, we are taking this final week to carefully review each student’s application, video, and Group Exercise performance to ensure thoughtful and fair decisions.

Thank you for your patience as we complete this process.

If you’d like to review more about how selections are made, you can visit our Selection Results page here.

Warm regards,

Mr. Ippolito

RioTV Advisor | Rio Norte Junior High School

SUBJECT:  📺 Preparing for RioTV Group Exercise interviews

Dear RioTV Candidates and Families,

Group Exercise interviews begin tomorrow! Congratulations again on taking the initiative to apply for RioTV. Whether or not you are ultimately selected, stepping forward and going through this process is something to be proud of.

I’m writing today to share a few important reminders so everything runs as smoothly as possible. If you originally indicated that you did not wish to interview but have now changed your mind, please let me know as soon as possible.

📍 Check-In Instructions:

When you arrive on campus, please check in with Mr. Ippolito first. I’ll be standing in front of the Library (marked on the campus map below).

🗓️ Group Exercise Interviews (Friday, April 24, and Monday, April 27):

• Check-in will take place from 4:00 to 4:15 p.m. Please plan to arrive by 4:15 so we can begin promptly.

• The Group Exercise will start right at 4:15 p.m. Students who arrive late may miss important instructions, so please do your best to be on time. If you run into any issues, feel free to text Mr. Ippolito at (661) 803-4921.

• We expect to finish promptly at 5:45 p.m., and students will be outside ready for pickup at that time. Please plan to arrive on time for pickup.

⚡ Final Reminders:

• Bring water and a snack if you’d like. It’s a long afternoon, and we want you to stay energized.

• Dress comfortably. This is a student-run, student-led program, so you are welcome to come dressed like yourself.

• Bring your best attitude. The Selection Committee will be looking not only at creativity and collaboration, but also kindness, adaptability, and effort. This is less about “performing” and more about showing who you are.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reply to this email. I’m doing my best to stay on top of everything, but with many emails coming in during this selection cycle, it’s possible I may have missed something. Thank you for your understanding, and I’ll see you soon.

Warm regards,

Mr. Ippolito

SUBJECT:  📺 RioTV Important Information and Next Steps

Dear RioTV Applicants and Families,

Thank you so much for your interest in being part of the RioTV team for the 2026–2027 school year. We are thrilled to have over 160 applicants this year, and we’re excited to learn more about each and every one of you. Please read to the end of this email for important information and next steps. 

What ALL CANDIDATES Should Be Doing This Week:

1. Confirm your teacher recommendation request. If you have not yet asked a teacher to complete the recommendation form, please do so immediately. Teacher recommendations may still be submitted this week.

2. Send a thank you message to your teacher. A quick email, handwritten note, or in-person thank you goes a long way. Showing gratitude matters.
3. Submit a current photo (headshot). With so many applicants, a current photo helps us connect names and faces during the selection process.

• 6th graders: Reply to this email with a recent photo

• 7th graders: Submit through the Google Classroom prompt

Group 1: Current 7th Graders Who Are Already in RioTV

Your leadership, teamwork, reliability, and growth have been part of the selection process all year. Our current 8th grade RioTV leaders and I continue to observe your work in class, and I remain in communication with your teachers.

Group 2: Current 7th Graders Not Currently in RioTV

Selection updates and interview information will be shared through Google Classroom and your Hart District Gmail account. Please check both regularly. Your Group Exercise interview is tomorrow, Monday, April 20, at lunch. We look forward to seeing you.

Group 3: Current 6th Graders Scheduled to Interview

You should have received notice of the Interview Schedule via email yesterday (Saturday, April 19). Please check the email address you used to apply, and reach out if anything is unclear. 

Group 4: Current 6th and 7th Graders Who Opted Not to Interview

If you previously opted not to interview and have changed your mind, please contact me as soon as possible. Otherwise, no further action is needed at this time. Your written responses, video submission, and teacher recommendations will still be considered as part of the selection process.

What’s Next?

Interviews will continue through April 27. After that, the Selection Committee and I will carefully review interview feedback, video submissions, teacher recommendations, and any additional information needed to make thoughtful final decisions. Final decisions will be sent via email on Tuesday, May 12. You can check out more information about selections here.

Thank you again for applying. We are excited to build another outstanding RioTV team, but we are equally committed to making this a positive experience for every applicant. We hope this process helps students build confidence, make new connections, and feel even more connected to the Rio Norte community, regardless of the outcome.

Warm regards,
Mr. Ippolito

SUBJECT:  📺 RioTV Selection Process 2026

Dear Sixth Grade RioTV candidates and families,

I’m excited to share that our Interview Schedule is now live for the 2026 spring selection process. If you requested an interview, you have been scheduled. In order to balance group sizes and timing, I assigned interviews as evenly as possible over Friday and Monday. I based these assignments on the availability that you indicated in your application. To find your interview group and time, please CLICK HERE. If your interview time doesn't work, please email me at rippolito@hartdistrict.org as soon as possible.

What Is a Group Exercise?

A Group Exercise Interview is a collaborative experience where applicants work together on a short project or challenge. The Selection Committee uses this time to observe how students:

• Communicate and listen

• Participate in a team setting

• Present ideas clearly and respectfully

You don’t need to prepare anything ahead of time. Just come ready to work with others and bring your best energy and attitude.

Didn’t Get an Interview Time?

If you believe you submitted your full application but did not receive an interview assignment, please reach out. It’s possible there was a miscommunication, a typo in your contact information, or I simply made an error. This process is intentionally flexible, and there’s still time to fix it.

What Comes Next?

Once we have finalized interview dates for all candidates, I will send one additional email in a few days with check-in instructions, reminders, and a campus map so you know exactly where to check in.

Warm regards,
Mr. Ippolito