Mustang News
November 6, 2020 edition
Message from the Principal
Greetings RVHS Families,
Due to the alarming increase in COVID-19 cases within our county, on November 4 Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment alerted Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) that effective November 9 at 5 p.m., they will be moving Jefferson County to a Level Orange (Level 3) on the Dial Framework.
As of right now, we have not received information that we will be changing our Learning Model, and we plan to continue with our Hybrid Learning Model for as long as possible.
However, as I watch the numbers rise, I am reminded that the possibility of moving to a 100% Remote Learning Model is real. I truly believe that in-person learning is best for our students overall, but the safety of our students and community may cause JCPH and the Jefferson County School District to move our school to a 100% Remote Learning Model.
If this becomes reality, I assure you that we are ready! We began the school year in a 100% Remote Learning Environment and have learned a lot. I am confident that, if needed, we will transition back into this learning environment seamlessly.
If we do move to a 100% Remote Learning Environment, I’ve included a link here to our Remote Learning Plan. Notice that there are few changes as over the summer we intentionally developed a schedule that would allow us to move between learning models with the least possible disruption to our students. Due to these early efforts, no adjustment to our current bell schedule will be necessary.
As we start our third six-week grading period for the first semester, I know that no matter what learning model we utilize, our staff will work incredibly hard to provide students with the support they need. If you find your student(s) is struggling for any reason, please reach out to their counselor or grade level administrator.
We’re in this together!
Mica
Learning Preference Survey
RVHS families will have the opportunity to choose the learning model for their child(ren) for second semester through the Learning Preference Form. This form will be sent out via email and posted on our website on November 9th and will close on November 20th. A submission must be made for each child at RVHS. If a preference form is not filled out for a student, their second semester schedule will default to the learning model (Hybrid or Remote) in which they finished the first semester.
Graduation Packets
Graduation Packets were recently distributed to hybrid learners in Block Three. Seniors attending Warren Tech and 100% Remote Learners can pick-up Graduation Packets at the school between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Details and ordering information can also be accessed by clicking here.
Representatives from Jostens will be at RVHS to accept orders and answer questions from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 10 and Wednesday, November 11. Contact Mark Litzau, Graduation Committee Chairperson, with additional questions.
Jeffco Drug Intervention Services
Resources for Parents - please click on this link.
Picture Re-Takes
Lifetouch will be at RVHS for re-takes from 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 17 and Wednesday, November 18. Hybrid learners should plan on taking pictures on the day assigned to their cohort. Students engaged in 100% remote learning, should enter through the main doors and be screened. After being screened, students will be directed to the appropriate location.
Yearbooks
The 2020-2021 Ralston Valley High School yearbook is available to purchase! As the world continues to adjust to change, one thing that remains constant is the yearbook tradition. Give your student the gift of memories that will last a lifetime, documenting the story of a year they will never forget.
Don’t miss the opportunity to purchase a yearbook for your student on Jeffco Connect.
Purchase today! Price goes up December 1st.
Athletics
The Jeffco School District and the Jefferson County Public Health Department recently directed schools to NOT ALLOW SPECTATORS at athletic events. This went into effect last week, but has its first varsity level impact tonight with our game at NAAC vs. Valor Christian at 7:00 p.m. The parking lots will be closed and no spectators are allowed. Thanks for understanding as we work to follow health directives with the hope of having a full football season! You can watch the remaining RV varsity football games via live stream at each of the following links:
Season B of the CHSAA 2020-21 calendar is set to begin on January 4, 2021. We are now taking registrations for the Season B sports of competitive spirit, basketball, wrestling, ice hockey, and girls swim/dive. Please see the link to Athletic Registration on the school website. Registrations will be accepted from now until December 18, and require registration with both rSchool and BigTeams to be completed.
Snow Day Information
Jeffco Public Schools has announced a new District-Wide Remote Day for all students should conditions require a closure of our school buildings due to weather or poor travel conditions. This will allow for learning to continue at home, even when weather prohibits the opening of school buildings.
Mustang Mentor Program (MMP)
Freshmen and Students who are new to RV this year
MMP is required of all Freshman students and students who are new to RV. Attendance is taken! The two remaining MMP dates are: November 13 and December 4 from 2:00 - 2:30. Please encourage your student to participate in these final discussions.
Hybrid and Remote Learning Attendance
Students are not allowed to move from remote learning to in-person learning until the end of first semester. If your student is a Hybrid student, they are expected to attend in-person learning on their assigned days. If your student is sick and unable to attend in-person, please call the attendance line to excuse their absence. Students are encouraged to still attend remotely, even if at home ill, but a phone call to excuse the student not being present in the classroom is still required for security reasons.
Remote-only Students Lunch Option
Students who are entirely remote learners may pick up a free lunch on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons between 1:45 and 2:15. Students should come to the main front doors of the school where they will be temperature-screened, and then proceed to the cafeteria for a free grab-and-go lunch.
PTSA News
SUPPORTING STUDENTS DURING A TIME OF DISRUPTION will be the topic of discussion for the PTSA meeting on Tuesday, December 1 at 7:00 p.m. In this virtual session, we will reframe and qualify some of the social and emotional challenges facing our students. We will review some lessons learned from Semester I and some opportunities to better support our students during Semester 2. Please RSVP to this important virtual meeting by clicking on this link.
Counseling Department
National Merit Scholarship Corporation
Congratulations to the following students for earning the recognition of Commended Student by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. They are part of the approximately 34,000 of the 50,000 high scorers in the National Merit Scholarship Program due to their 2019, PSAT scores.
Jessica Alschuler
Emma Ambroziak
Pierce Blazek
Tyler Morgan
Ethan Moore
Brody Nies
Dominic Pergola
Allison Ritchie
Teagan Rooney
Sign Up for NACAC Virtual College Fairs!
Don't miss it! More than 600 colleges and universities will be online to talk with high school juniors and seniors on each of these dates this fall: Final day, Nov 8. Sign up now at virtualcollegefairs.org. Also available are NACAC Meet-Ups to find the best college fit for you, paying for college, and more.
The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) is a nonprofit organization representing nearly 14,000 counseling and admission professionals worldwide since 1937. NACAC and its members are dedicated to ethical and inclusive service to students as they make choices about their higher education future. With promotional support from: Common App.
SAT Test Results
Test results are now available for most students who tested on October 14, 2020. Students should check their email for instructions from College Board, or log in to their College Board accounts. Counselors do not have access to scores yet and do not have student’s College Board account info. Please follow the instructions or contact College Board directly at www.collegeboard.org . RVHS will upload any scores we get into student’s Naviance accounts once we receive them in the near future.
Warren Tech Applications - Now OPEN!
The 2021-2022 Application is OPEN! Priority Deadline is February 18, 2021.
Warren Tech offers over 35 state-of-the-arts programs (some brand new this year) that allow students to earn both high school and college credit. There are also opportunities to obtain industry certifications, internships, and real-world experience. Contact your counselor if you have questions.
Apply online
Warren Tech Infographic
Mental health
National Gratitude Month
November is National Gratitude Month and research shows that gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude can improve physical and psychological health, foster better sleep, enhance social connections, and help us gain perspective. In times like these, it is especially important to reconnect to the aspects of our lives that are going well, even if the list is short.
Starting next week, student leaders will be taking on the challenge of practicing more gratitude in their lives and will be sharing their experiences and recommendations with the Mustang community. We encourage you to reflect on how your family practices gratitude, and we welcome you to participate in the activities shared on the RV homepage.
Mental Health Support
Did you know that there is a robust collection of mental health resources on the Counseling Department’s website? To find them, go to the RVHS homepage, click on Counseling & Registrar, and select Social/Emotional Resources.
In addition to the resources on the Counseling website, it is also the best place to locate Counselors' contact information. On the homepage you will find our phone numbers, emails, and how to set up an appointment with us. Our doors are always open virtually and in-person.
Technology resources & Help
End-of-Life Chromebooks
A few school Chromebooks that were checked out to now 11th and 12th graders last March have reached their end-of-life and are displaying a message to that effect. If your student's Chromebook is displaying an end-of-life message, please have them bring it to the school on their next in-person day to be swapped out for a different device. Students who are 100% remote can contact the school to arrange a device swap. Please call 303-982-5600 and ask for Mrs. Jonson.
Need Tech Assistance?
Visit our Remote Learning Tech Help Page to view the status of our core tools, access how-to and troubleshooting information, and find out how to get in touch with someone ASAP for tech help.
Please encourage your students to reach out to us for tech help right away so we can get them connected ASAP. It's generally easier to troubleshoot over the phone as opposed to email, so have your student call the school at 303-982-5600 so they can be connected to someone who can assist.
Quick Reference
Administration
Principal - Ms. Buenning, (303) 982-5600
12th Asst Principal - Mr. Litzau, (303) 982-5611
11th Asst Principal - Mr. Ackerman, (303) 982-5595
10th Asst Principal - Mr. Pergola, (303) 982-5604
9th Asst Principal - Ms. Kline, (303) 982-9378
Athletics Director - Mr. Hynes, (303) 982-3563
Counselors
A - Da: Ms. Siegert, (303) 982-5639
Db - Je: Mr. Merkel, (303) 982-5602
Jf - Mi: Ms. Belmear, (303) 982-5680
Mj - Se: Ms. Weber, (303) 982- 5597
Sf - Z: Mr. Giese, (303) 982-8110
