APRIL 7, 2023 EDition

Athletic Awards Night and Senior Academic Awards Ceremonies


Athletic Awards Ceremony will be held on Monday, May 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the RV Gymnasium.  Invites will be sent out for this event at a later date.


Senior Academic Scholarship and Awards Ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 18 at 6:30 p.m. at RVHS. Students who would like to be recognized may RSVP and provide scholarship information beginning today via this form (must be logged in to their school Google account).  This link is also available on the RVHS Graduation website.  

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 

Upcoming SAT/ PSAT 9/ PSAT 10

Juniors- Wednesday, April 12 is the school day SAT.  All Juniors should arrive to school by 7:15 with pencils, a calculator, and a student ID or a state-issued ID or drivers license. Testing will begin promptly at 7:30 a.m. and will end at approximately 11:30 a.m. for students who are testing with standard timing. If students are signed up for the essay portion of the SAT, this will add an additional hour on to the testing time.  At the conclusion of testing, lunch will be available, alternate activities will be available in the gym if necessary and buses will run.  All Juniors should check their assigned testing room in the lobby beginning Monday, April 11.  Freshmen, Sophomores, and Seniors do not have school on this day. For more information about College Board assessments, see this flyer.  If you have other questions about SAT school day testing, please contact your counselor or grade-level administrator.


Freshmen and Sophomores- Thursday, April 13 is PSAT 8/9 and PSAT 10.  All Freshmen and Sophomores should arrive to school by 7:15 a.m. with pencils, a calculator, and a student ID.  Testing will begin promptly at 7:30 and will end by 11:00 for students who are testing with standard timing. At the conclusion of testing, lunch will be available,  alternate activities will be available in the gym if necessary and buses will run.  All Freshmen and Sophomores should check their assigned testing room in the lobby beginning Monday, April 11. Juniors and Seniors do not have school on this day.  For more information about PSAT 8/9 and PSAT 10, see this flyer.  If you have other questions about PSAT 8/9 or PSAT 10, please contact your counselor or grade-level administrator. 

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 Performs at RMCGA State Championships

Come see the Winter Guard perform at their state competition this Saturday at 4:55 p.m. at the Ritchie Center at DU. Tickets are $25 and the link can be found on the music website or

https://rmcga.ticketleap.com/rmcga-state-championships23/

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. 

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!

Wishes Come True!

 Ralston Valley's adorable Wish Kid, Sawyer, leaves Monday for her Wish trip to Disney World!  This picture was sent from the Make-A-Wish office, at her send-off party, have a great time Sawyer!

athletics 

Congratulations to Ralston Valley Track and Field on being Arvada City Champions.  The team competed great overall, winning the Sprint Medley, 100m (Jaiden King), 4x100 (boys and girls), 4x200 (boys and girls), 400m (Gianni Lombardi), 200m (Gabby Hartman and Gianni Lombardi), 300m hurdles (Kyle Phipps), high jump (Augden Tacha) (tied the school record), pole vault (Dutch Neuweiler), long jump (Kelle Hickman), shot put (Ella Brooks and Devin Strong), and discus (Jazmine Blattner).  


GLAX was snowed out on Tuesday and had a great battle with Cherokee Trail last night before falling to the Cougars 15-10.  Despite having to play the entire second half a player down, the Mustangs kept it close, scoring 7 goals in the final frame.  Thank you to the BLAX boys that came out and supported Good luck tomorrow at Cheyenne Mountain.


Soccer will eventually have a normal week.  They were the only sport to play on Tuesday in the snow.  Evergreen played 5 and 6 back on defense all game hoping to keep us out of goal, but in the 76th minute, Raleigh Greason put home a PK and the Mustangs came through with the 1-0 victory.  They have three games this coming week, playing Pomona (Tues), Columbine (Fri), and Monarch (Sat).  Good luck this coming week.


BLAX battled the wind last Friday to play a game at NAAC against Green Mountain coming away with a 10-8 victory over the Rams.  Denver South is up tomorrow and then Mullen and Chatfield next week.  Good luck BLAX.


Tennis is hosting a big tournament today and tomorrow.  Come out to the Arvada Tennis Center and Ralston Valley to check out some of the best competition in the state of Colorado.  Good luck to our Tennis players.


Baseball got snowed out on Tuesday for the game against Boulder.  That game has been rescheduled to April 19th.  The celebration for Coach Madden's 300th victory has been moved to today following our game against Smoky Hill.


Swim and Dive are at VMAC this weekend for a big swim meet.  Our divers started the meet last night.  Personal bests from Colby Garrison and Caleb Folman.  Colby set a new Ralston Valley diving record with 481.35 points.  A record that stood for over 15 years.  


Our golfers had their first league meet of the year at Willis Case on Monday.  Congratulations to Addie Hines on her third-place finish to start the Jeffco season.

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 4/10/23

Monday, Apr. 10th - Silver Day

Tuesday, Apr. 11th- White Day 

Wednesday, Apr. 12th- Testing Day - SAT, 11th grade only attend

Thursday, Apr. 13th- Testing Day - PSAT, 9th and 10th grade only attend 

Friday, Apr. 14th - Blue Day

Advisement Corner

Ninth Grade Advisement

On Monday, April 10th, the ninth graders will continue to focus on how to manage stress and anxiety. The students will head outside to do a mindfulness walk. The objective of this is to have students settle into their environment and be present within the current moment. Towards the end of class, students will pause and reflect as a whole group. 


Students will also look through their planners to make sure they are up to date, and fill in any last minute details or reminders to help them have a successful week.  

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.  Click here to access the Interest Form and for more information.   

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.

Upcoming College Visits

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

University of Colorado Boulder - Monday, Apr 10 9:30 a.m.

Western Colorado University - Friday, Apr 14 1:00 p.m.

Community College Information Nights

Red Rocks Community College is hosting multiple information nights next week, Wednesday - Friday, in the evenings.  Activities include a campus tour, student panel, alumni speaker, and information on financial aid, admissions, and clubs.  Click here for more information and to RSVP. 

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: 

Cameron Holland Scholarship due April 14, 2023

Fairmount Elementary PTA Scholarship due April 14, 2023

Manning Middle School PTA Scholarship due April 14, 2023

West Woods Elementary PTSA Scholarship due April 14, 2023

Lisa Nelson Memorial Scholarship due May 8, 2023

Free Summer Journalism Workshop

The Colorado Sun is hosting its Rise and Shine Journalism Workshop this summer from June 12-16 in the mornings.  This free, virtual workshop is for students who are interested in pursuing a career in journalism and media.  For more information and to register, click here.

Work for Jeffco this Summer!

Jeffco's School Age Enrichment Program (SAE) needs counselors for their summer camp programs.  The camps are offered at eight elementary schools, including Three Creeks and Westwoods!  For information on pay and how to apply, click here.

Free Drivers Education Training

Calling all potential drivers in need of FREE Drivers Education Training! Centura Health is partnering with the AAA Insurance Foundation to provide scholarships for students who would like to obtain their driver's permit. Attached are the student application and a flowchart explaining the steps for getting a driver's license. Applications are reviewed monthly by the grant committee and application deadlines are March 31, April 30, or May 31.   

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

Spring Break Work at Habitat for Humanity

While some students were traveling or relaxing during spring break, Mustang Junior Jack Schwartz was hard at work building houses.  Mr. Cengia connected him with the Miller Homes Wheat Ridge site for Habitat for Humanity, and Jack did some awesome community service, great job! 

Jewelry Artists in the Creative Process

Freshmen Pyper Meyers and Brianna Brewster, two of Ms. Muniz's Beginning Jewelry students, are learning how to form metal wire using heat.   You can see some great student art work at the  Jeffco Annual High School Art Show, running April 7 - May 7 at the Arvada Center.

Congratulations to Senior Makenna Stone and Freshman Jordan St. Louis Sanchez, whose photography work won a Purchase Award, and will be displayed in district buildings.

German Club Celebrates the Season

This week during ICE, members of Deutschklub painted eggs for the class "Osterbaum", Easter tree.  This is an Easter / springtime tradition in German-speaking countries, even if families do not celebrate Easter.

Administration

Calendar

Important Links