RVHS NEWSLETTER - April 14, 2023

APRIL 14, 2023 EDition

SENIOR Parents and Graduates!!

It is time for SENIOR students to start gathering up their scholarship information if they would like to be recognized at our Senior Scholarships and Awards Night on May 18, 2023. Students can use this link to submit academic scholarships (one at a time) and the required supporting documentation (must be logged in to their school google account). Please submit up to 7 scholarships NO LATER THAN APRIL 28. Athletic scholarships and awards will be recognized at a separate event on May 15.

View Invitation- RSVP required

Dress Code

As the warmer weather approaches, we would like to take this opportunity to remind our community of our school dress code. Ralston Valley places a tremendous emphasis on academics, and we feel it is critical to keep a learning environment that promotes safety and professionalism. We feel that dress is a form of self-expression, and know that different environments are appropriate for different types of dress. Please remind your student to keep their attire professional while at school by following our school dress code. For specific details or questions, you can visit our school handbook, contact the Dean, or speak to your student's grade-level Administrator.

District Accountability Committee 2023-24

DAC Application Window Closes April 21, 2023

Dear Jeffco parents and community members. The district is currently recruiting for the District Accountability Committee (DAC) for the 2023-2024 school year. The DAC is a district level accountability and advisory committee composed of members approved by the Board of Education. Membership is made up of parent representatives from all articulation areas including charter and option parents, PTA, at least one member of the business community and district staff. DAC members act in an advisory capacity on such topics as the district’s budget and unified improvement plan as provided by law. Members have the opportunity to hear updates on district issues/efforts and provide input on many topics. If you are interested in applying to join the DAC you can find the application at this link. DAC Application 2023-2024

activities

Winter Guard State Championships

Huge congratulations to our Winter Guard on their 4th place state finish last weekend! After moving up a class in the middle of the season, it was quite a way to end a remarkable year!

Celebrate Earth Day with National Honor Society

NHS will host a community recycling drive for electronics on Sunday, April 16th from 10am-1pm in the student parking lot.

Great Works Concert

The members of Shades of Blue, Chamber Orchestra and Concert Choir performed their Great Works Concert on Thursday. The concert was made up of different famous great work pieces and the evening was topped off with Shubert's Mass in G. It's always fun to perform concerts as an entire program!

Calling all Seniors! RVHS PTSA is offering a scholarship opportunity for those seniors who meet the following guidelines:

Graduating senior who has earned at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA and who is planning to continue his/her education at a post-secondary institution
Attending RVHS for two semesters as a full-time student during his/her senior year
Student is a current member of PTSA (note: you can still join for $15 online or in the Finance Office).

A total of $3,000 will be awarded to the top applicants. After reviewing the applications and interviewing selected applicants, the RVHS PTSA will determine the number of scholarships and the amounts to be awarded (for example, two $1,000 awards and two $500 awards OR any other combination for a total of $3,000). To apply, please go to the RVHS PTSA Website http://rvptsa.digitalpto.com/.

Applications are due to the front office by Friday, April 21th, 2023. Interviews for selected finalists will be early May 2023. Announcements will be made by the end of May 2023. If you have any questions, you may contact Scott Cochran, PTSA President, at rvptsa@gmail.com. Good luck to all our applicants!

PTSA scholarship application and information page http://rvptsa.digitalpto.com/

After Prom

Every year, the PTSA at Ralston Valley High School hosts a SAFE and FUN After-Prom party for all students who attend the RVHS Prom. This year's After-Prom Party is on April 29th, at the Apex Center (13150 W. 72nd Ave., Arvada) from 11:30pm - 2:00am.

This event is 100% paid for by the PTSA and is only possible with your support. Below you will find a link to a Sign-Up Genius page for items we need the night of, as well as donation slots for prizes for the students, and a place for a donation to help cover the cost of After Prom.

We would appreciate your financial support to help make this event possible. You can make a secure donation through www.zellepay.com. The email for our account is rvptsa@gmail.com or https://rvptsa.digitalpto.com click on “Join PTSA” & that will open the link for donating to After Prom.

If you have any questions or want to help with the final details to make this night a blast for our students email rvptsa@gmail.com

After Prom Sign Up Genius

With great gratitude,

RVHS PTSA After-Prom Committee

Yearbooks - Mustangs, it's time to buy your yearbook if you have not already purchased one. Yearbooks can be purchased through Infinite Campus, where you pay school fees. We are running out of copies to sell, so get yours before it's too late!

athletics

Congratulations to Ralston Valley Track and Field. Last weekend they bested 24 other teams to take home both the girls and boys championships at the Dakota Ridge Invite. Big week ahead with the Jeffco League Relays and the Mullen Track Meet tomorrow.

GLAX had a couple of good battles this week. The biggest highlight is their 11-10 victory on the road at Cheyenne Mountain. Good luck heading into league play.

Soccer started off this week with a dominant 10-0 over Pomona on Tuesday. The #8 Mustangs have a big battle with #3 Columbine tonight at NAAC. Good luck!!

BLAX had a big win in the battle of the Mustangs on Wednesday night, beating the Mullen Mustangs 16-7 in front of a great crowd at NAAC. They begin league play tonight with Chatfield at NAAC. Good chance to see BLAX and soccer at the same time if you can make it.

Tennis finished third in their Full Team Sendoff Tournament last weekend. The team is stating to peak at the right time. State is just around the corner and the Mustangs are looking to once again make a lot of noise.

Baseball has two solid wins this week. 10-0 over Far North East on Tuesday, followed by an 18-17 slugfest win over Thunder Ridge yesterday. Tomorrow’s game against Fairview has been postponed to Monday due to the expected weather.

Our golfers made a strong move up in team rankings after their second league tournament this week at Lake Arbor. They are currently sitting 10 strokes out of second and looking to make another move at the next tournament.

Jackson Zinn (class of 2018) Memorial Scholarship

Jackson Zinn was a 2018 RV athlete/graduate who loved life. He also loved golf. The two were inextricably intertwined in the life that he loved so much. The Jackson Zinn Memorial Scholarship Fund is offering a $10,000 scholarship to the RV student-athlete that best demonstrates the same kind of life Jackson embraced.

The first quality is character, Jackson won the Bobby Jones Character award his senior year on the RV golf team. He won the award due to his leadership and honesty on the golf course and his willingness to help his teammates whenever he could, both on and off the course.

The second is scrappiness, Jackson worked hard on his game every day and thrived in competition. He was extremely disciplined and practiced after every single tournament to do better. His greatest talent was his capacity to learn and improve.

The last is humility, the ability to compete at the best of your abilities and still smile and be a complete goofball at just the right time. Jackson was selfless and always put others before himself.

It is our goal with this scholarship to keep the memory and legacy of Jackson Zinn so deservedly alive. We are looking for a candidate that has these same types of attributes, is that you?

Click here to Apply

off campus policy

Due to the nature of our campus, we do not allow students to walk off campus during the school day.

9th-grade students are not allowed off campus at any point during the school day unless they leave with their parent/guardians.

If your 10th-grade student is driving, they may leave campus with parental permission. They are expected to follow local and state driving laws. Please click on this FORM to give your sophomore child the ability to leave campus with your permission.

Our campus is not closed to our 11th and 12th grade students and they may leave campus.

Schedule for The week of 4/17/23

Monday, Apr. 17th - Silver Day

Tuesday, Apr. 18th- White Day

Wednesday, Apr. 19th - Blue Day

Thursday, Apr. 20th - White Day

Friday, Apr. 21st - Blue Day

Advisement Corner

Ninth Grade Advisement

Monday, April 17th, our Peer Counselors will lead Advisement with Embracing Failure.

Students will be led through scenarios where people were able to succeed despite failure, and have various conversations about:

-Fear of failure-how that limits our ability to move forward.

-Why we should strive to have a 'try' mindset instead of a 'do' mindset.

-The difference between a fixed vs. growth mind frame.

-What is resilience?

-What are three key traits in becoming resilient?

**Self-Esteem, Psychological Flexibility, and Emotional Regulation.

-How do we build these traits by changing the narrative and perspective.

-Reflect on a few times that we have failed...what wisdom did we gain from that failure?

Counseling Department

Mustang Mentor Program Applications

We are looking for current sophomores and juniors who want to build their leadership skills and support younger students. Applications are now available for 10th and 11th graders who are interested in being a Mustang Mentor next year. The deadline to apply is Friday, April 28.

Outdoor Lab Leader Interest Form

Interested in being an Outdoor Lab Leader next year? Leaders get free meals and lodging for a week in the mountains while gaining valuble experience teaching and leading 6th graders. Leaders can earn 0.5 elective credit or 85 hours of community service. Click here to access the Interest Form and for more information.

How to Talk to Your Teen About Mental Health

This resource has been highlighted before, but we think it's worth bringing up again. Robbie's Hope created an Adult Handbook entitled "A Guide by Teens on How to Talk to Teens." It offers detailed instructions about initiating, navigating, and closing a conversation about mental health, as well as things to avoid.

Hazel Health

Jeffco has partnered with Hazel Health, a free virtual mental health support with licensed therapists. If your student needs to talk to someone about anxiety, depression, grief and loss, self-esteem, academic stress, dealing with change, bullying, or other issues, you can find more information about how to connect with Hazel Health here.

AP Testing

AP Testing will run from May 1 - May 12. All updated information including dates, times, locations and preparation tips are accessible via our website. Please contact Scott Merkel (AP Test Coordinator) via email at scott.merkel@jeffco.k12.co.us with any questions or concerns.

The Princeton Review AP Week

Beginning Sunday, the Princeton Review will be holding free virtual AP test prep sessions, including "Advanced Placement 101" and specific sessions for AP US History, AP Biology, and AP English Language. For specific dates and time and to register, click here.

Upcoming College Visits

Representatives from the following colleges will be in the RVHS Counseling Office on these dates and times:

Missouri U of Science and Technology - Tuesday, Apr 18 11:30 a.m.

Scholarships for Seniors

For our most up-to-date scholarship list, please visit the Upcoming Private Scholarships page. Here are a few highlighted, local scholarships:

Rotary Club of Arvada Vocational Grant due April 28, 2023

Rotary Club of Arvada Academic Scholarship due April 28, 2023

Peck Elementary PTA Scholarship due May 5, 2023

Lisa Nelson Memorial Scholarship due May 8, 2023

Service Academy Virtual Information Event

The Colorado Congressional Delegation is hosting a virtual information event to learn about the application and nomination process for the service academies that require a congressional nomination - US Naval Academy, US Military Academy, US Air Force Academy, and US Merchant Marine Academy. Information on US Coast Guard Academy and ROTC will also be presented. Click here for more information and to register.

Date: Monday, April 17, 2023

Time: 5:30 - 7:45 p.m.

Free Car Care and Safety Clinic

DriveSafe Driving Schools are offering free one-hour hands-on car care clinics that include how to check the oil and change a tire. They will also learn about the dangers of impaired and distracted driving. For more information and to register, click here.

Date: Firday, April 28, 20203

Times: 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. (clinics last one hour)

Place: Van Arsdale Elementary School parking lot

Resource: Robbie's Hope podcast

Each month, a group of students from RV's Student Government will be highlighting a resource for students and their caregivers:

Robbie’s Hope began producing their podcast in late 2022. The podcast targets a different audience each episode, with new episodes weekly. Linked below are a few of our podcast episodes that are specifically targeted towards parents and trusted adults; this can be a very crucial resource in better understanding your child and their mental health.

Episode 1: The story behind the Robbie’s Hope Foundation

Episode 3: Talks about the demands placed on athletes and how it can affect their mental health

Episode 7: Substance Abuse and Mental Health

ralston valley happenings

Construction is Moving Along at Ralston Valley

The state of the art library is nearly complete, with new furniture and floor to ceiling windows, giving a beautiful view of the front range foothills. Security will have a new separate vestibule by the start of the 2023-2024 school year as well.

Jeffco High School Art Exhibition at the Arvada Center

Shout out to Mustang artists! This past week, Jeffco Superintendent Tracy Dorland purchased Freshman Kayla Cooley's drawing, Blossoming into Life, and the Jefferson County School Board purchased Junior Zayne Yeager's painting, Foreign, for display at the district administration office. The exhibit is running April 7 - May 7 at the Arvada Center, come and check it out.

"Blossoming Into Life"

"Foreign"

Spring Fever in German Classes!

German students went outside on Monday to try their hand at a couple of German Easter traditions. For Eierrollen they had to roll their hard-boiled egg the furthest without breaking it. For Eierpecken, using their egg, one person hit the top of the other person's egg. The winner was the person whose egg did not break! They also got to hunt in the classroom for chocolate Easter eggs.