RVHS NEWSLETTER - Apr. 25, 2025

April 25, 2025 EDition

Call for Volunteers: Baccalaureate Planning Committee

We need volunteers interested in planning this ceremony.

Baccalaureate refers to a non-denominational ceremony held a few days before graduation. Unlike the massive commencement exercise held in an arena, baccalaureate ceremonies offer a quieter, more intimate opportunity to pause and reflect on this rite of passage, hear a keynote speaker, and appreciate other student talents. A faculty member and student speakers offer advice to the graduating class.

Please complete and submit this form as soon as possible to volunteer in support of a Baccalaureate ceremony for the Class of 2025.

Senior Scholarship and Awards Ceremony

SENIOR Parents and Graduates!!

It is time for senior students to start gathering up their scholarship information so that they can be recognized at our Senior Scholarships and Awards Night on May 15th at 6:30 pm.

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 seven scholarships NO LATER THAN APRIL 30th.

*Athletic scholarships and awards will be recognized at a separate event on May 12th.

View Invitation and the link to the RSVP (required, by May 9th).

Senior Breakfast at Excel Academy

Excel Academy would like to invite the graduating class of 2025 back for a sendoff before starting their new journey. This is a wonderful opportunity for former Excel students to reconnect and learn what the next chapter holds for their Excel classmates.

Our teachers and staff are so proud of you and would like to celebrate your high school accomplishments and hear about your future plans as well. Breakfast snacks will be served.

Be sure to bring your driver’s license for our check-in process and click HERE to RSVP.

When: Tuesday, May 20th: 7:00-7:45 a.m. The event may take place inside and outside.
Parking: Please park on 84th Ave.

We look forward to seeing you!

Senior Sundaes at Meiklejohn Elementary

Meiklejohn Elementary invites you to Senior Sundaes on Tuesday, May 13th from 3:00 to 3:45 p.m., held in the Meiklejohn library. We will have ice cream sundaes and we look forward to seeing all of our past students.

You can RSVP at the link below:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1l51jSuc0g6M8UmrPNuWSnGXRuIWOulUCdcmi8EhD9IM/edit?pli=1

Sponsor Partnerships

Advertise your business with us! We have digital and static signage options available within a variety of sponsorship packages on our new video board in the gym. Your business logo will be displayed digitally during our home athletic contests and other events in the gym for the community and guests to see. Please reach out to Mike Ackerman or Tony Pergola for more information.

Pre-Arranged Absences

In accordance with district policy, absences of one or more days require a Pre-Arranged Absence Form . Criteria for approved absences are listed on the form, and printed copies are available in the attendance office.

Parking Information

Additional sophomore parking tags for the North (dirt) Lot are now available on a limited basis. Parents/guardians must fill out this Parking Information Form first, then the fee will then be placed on their school account. Once the form has been filled out and the fee paid, including all other fines and fees, students can pick up their parking tag from the Security Office.

Sophomores with a parking tag, please be reminded that you cannot park in the senior/junior lots, you must only park in the North Lot off of Alkire St.

Any student who wishes to park their vehicle in the RVHS student parking lots must have a parking tag. All school registration requirements must be met before obtaining a parking tag, including any fees and fines paid.

All 11th and 12th graders who have already purchased a parking tag for the main student lot can pick it up in the Finance Office. Tickets will be issued for those who do not have the appropriate parking tag. If there are no parking spaces available when they arrive, they should park in the overflow lot off of Alkire St. They cannot park illegally.

All students who park illegally or in the incorrect lot will be ticketed. Tickets must be paid in a timely manner so students can retain their parking tag.

At this time, we are sold out of parking tags for the junior/senior lot. 11th and 12th graders can fill out this FORM to be placed on a waitlist.

All concerns regarding parking passes should be addressed with campus supervisors.

Drop Off and Pick Up

It is a great time to remind everyone to be thoughtful of our neighbors and student body during drop off and pick up. We must keep the right of way clear for emergency vehicles and through traffic. With only one road to enter and exit a building this size, with this many people, the roads at the school will always be congested. There are a few things we can do as a Ralston Valley community to help make these busy times of day run as smoothly as possible.

Main Entrance - Dismissal is at 3:30 p.m. and we ask that you do not arrive to pick up your student and park in the loop before 3:00 p.m. Please be sure to pull as far forward as you can in the loop at the front of the school when dropping off or picking up your student. This helps to alleviate backups in the roundabout and get as many cars off of 80th Ave. as quickly as possible. Also, please pick up your student on the outside of the loop, not the inside. We do not want students passing in between cars as this is not safe.

Student Parking Lot - To keep our students safe, please do not park in our student parking lot while you wait to pick up your student(s) after school.

Roundabout - The roundabout is part of the road. Please do not park in the roundabout while waiting for dismissal time. This blocks the flow of eastbound traffic and prevents traffic exiting to the east from leaving campus as well. Please do not stop and pick up your student in the roundabout or on 80th Ave.

Fire Station - As traffic backs up on southbound Alkire, please be sure to leave room for our first responders to exit the firehouse safely and without obstruction. Do not block the exit of their garage.

82nd Ave. - Please pay attention to posted road signs along 82nd Ave. There are multiple speedbumps on 82nd Ave., making it necessary to go the speed limit or slower to ensure safe driving and prevent damage to your vehicle. There are also multiple No Parking signs along 82nd Ave. next to the school's property. Please do not park there to pick up your student. Finally, and most importantly, please do not park across the street and ask for your student to run across 80th Ave. to be picked up. This is highly dangerous!

Thank you for your continued diligence when driving in and around Ralston Valley.

activities

Manestage Senior Directed One-Act Plays

Thank you to our community for coming out and supporting our graduating senior theatre students on Tuesday, for their performances in their one-act plays, "Umm...I Think the Psych Teacher is Dead" and "Dark Road". They did a great job!

25th Anniversary Celebration - Planning Committee

Next Meeting: Thursday, May 8th at 6:30 p.m.

It's hard to believe but Ralston Valley High School will celebrate its 25th Anniversary this year! This significant milestone is a time to reflect on our achievements, honor our history and celebrate the continued growth and promise of our school community, including our current and future Mustangs!

We would like to extend an invitation to all members of our school community -- students, parents, current and former teachers, staff, and administration, and alumni- as well as our surrounding community, to join in planning this celebration. We believe that everyone’s ideas and input will help make this celebration truly special.

We look forward to seeing you there and hearing your ideas! Please reach out to mike.ackerman@jeffco.k12.co.us with any questions.

French National Honor Society Induction

Ralston Valley's French National Honor Society inducted and celebrated their new members in a ceremony held in the library on Thursday evening this week.

athletics

Girls Soccer - Last night, the Mustangs took down Columbine 1-0 at Lakewood Memorial Field to secure their second straight Jeffco League Title. At 9-0-3 Ralston Valley sits #2 in 5A. Next week has a trio of games starting on Monday night at NAAC with a rematch against league rival Valor. They'll finish the week at NAAC on Saturday against #12 Fairview in a makeup game from earlier this season.

Girls Tennis - The State Dual Championships started this week. The Mustangs are the defending State Champions and #1 seed. They opened up with a first round 7-0 victory over Arapahoe on Wednesday. They are currently trying to avoid the rain and get in round two against #8 Fairview. The winner of this match will get the winner of #4 Fossil Ridge and #5 Rock Canyon on May 6.

Boys Lacrosse - They don't want to talk about it but, that doesn't mean we can't. The Mustangs are 11-1 on the season, 6-0 in league, and currently ranked #5 in the State. With a win on Monday over Columbine, they can clinch the program's first ever league title. 5:00 p.m. is your start time out at NAAC on Monday. They would love to see you all out there.

Girls Lacrosse - The Mustangs ran into a couple of the state's top ranked teams this past week. They lost to #1 Valor on Tuesday and then dropped a tough game at Kent Denver on Thursday. Next week is the final week of the regular season. Ralston Valley will look to finish strong in their final three game before playoffs. They host Columbine on Tuesday and Poudre School District on Thursday before heading to Colorado Academy on Saturday.

Track and Field - The team had last weekend off to allow their upper classmen to celebrate prom. They will battle the rain this weekend at the always competitive Liberty Bell at Littleton Public Schools Stadium. Both teams are peaking at the right time, just ahead of next week's Jeffco League Championships.

Girls Golf - Back to back strong outings have the Mustangs in firm control of 5A Jeffco with one tournament to play. The final Jeffco tournament of the year will take place Thursday at Indian Tree Golf Course.

Boys Swim and Dive - As a lead up to next weekend's Jeffco League Championships, Ralston Valley dominated the Jeffco Invite. The finished the meet with 619 points. An impressive 204 points ahead of second place Columbine. Good luck next weekend at the League Meet.

Baseball - The Mustangs have won seven out of their last eight games. At 4-1 in league play, they are currently sitting third in Jeffco 5A. They will have the opportunity next week to jump up in the standings when they take on the two teams currently in front of them. They have two games against Valor at the front end of the week and will finish it up on Saturday at home against Arvada West. Before they get to those games, they will need to get by Columbine on the road tomorrow.

Ticketing has moved to GoFan for all Jeffco-hosted events. - Ticket sales to all Jeffco events are now available through GoFan. Cash is no longer accepted at the gates for admittance. You are encouraged to download the GoFan App to help you purchase tickets ahead of time for all home events. This will save you a ton of time at the gate. You can also purchase multiple tickets that are good for the rest of the school year by purchasing a punch pass. Punch passes are good for all Jeffco events, and will save you some money.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the new online ticketing system.

off campus policy

Due to the nature of our campus, we do not allow any 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 parents/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

Monday, Apr 28 - Blue Day
Tuesday, Apr. 29 - White Day
Wednesday, Apr. 30 - Blue Day
Thursday, May 1 - White Day
Friday, May 2 - Blue Day

Counseling Department

Colorado Boys State for Junior Boys

Colorado Boys State is a week-long authentic civics experience sponsored by the American Legion. The program is open to males who will have completed their junior year of high school. Attendees will learn about city, county, and state government through a non-partisan objective education approach. The program is June 1-7, 2025 at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, CO. Applications are due May 1, 2025. for more information and to apply, click here.

Colorado Girls State for Junior Girls

Colorado Girls State is a week-long civic engagement program sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary. The program is open to females who will have completed their junior year of high school. Attendees will recreate city, county, and state governments through electing leaders and write, debate, and pass laws that are relevant and timely. The program is June 9-15, 2025 at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, CO. Applications are due May 1, 2025. Click here for more information and to apply.

Sierra Elementary PTA Scholarship

The Sierra Elementary School PTA is offering up to $2,000 in scholarship awards. Awards offered will range from $500 to $1,000. Applicants must have attended Sierra Elementary for at least one year and funds may be used for post-secondary education at a two- or four-year college or university, technical school, or professional certificate program. Click here for an application. The deadline to apply is May 1, 2025.

Outdoor Lab Foundation Scholarship

The Outdoor Lab Foundation is offering three $2,000 scholarships to senior students who have served as High School Leaders or Interns at Mount Blue Sky or Windy Peak. Students can use the award at any private or public vocational training program, college, or university. Click here for the application. The deadline to apply is May 4, 2025.

Lisa Nelson Memorial Scholarship

Lisa Nelson was a physical education teacher and the head volleyball coach at Ralston Valley from 2000-2013. On March 3, 2013, she lost her life after a 2-year battle with cervical cancer. She was 43. To commemorate her life and to ensure others are touched by the legacy she left behind, the "Lisa Nelson Memorial Scholarship" has been established. This year, a Ralston Valley High School student athlete will be awarded a $5000 college scholarship in Lisa's memory. Click here to apply. The deadline to apply is May 9, 2025.

Hazel Health

Mental, social, and emotional wellness of students is a priority that we share with our community and one that we are addressing with layers of support including school counselors, social-emotional learning specialists, school psychologists, social workers along with partnerships with outside agencies like Hazel Health.

This year, we continue our partnership with Hazel Health’s Telehealth services to provide a free telehealth extension of mental and physical health support for Jeffco students enrolled at district-managed schools.

Parents/guardians may access these services on behalf of your student by visiting this webpage and following the instructions under "Steps to Access Care"

Advisement Corner

Advisement

There will be no Advisement classes next week. Classes will resume the week of May 5.

Please click HERE to access the course syllabus for Advisement which explains the purpose, key components, and expectations, including grading and attendance.

Reminder - If your student has Advisement on Thursday mornings, it will be from 8:15 to 9:00 a.m. before the start of I.C.E.

Ralston Valley Happenings

Cultural Projects in Spanish Classes

Spanish III students completed and presented research projects on important cultural aspects of the Spanish-speaking world. They re-enacted the running of the bulls in Pamplona, designed masks for the Carnaval of Barranquilla, created protest signs in honor of Cesar Chavez, had a mock food fight in honor of La Tomatina and tasted authentic culinary treats from Mexico, Argentina, and Spain.

Arvada Paramedics Help Teach Cardiovascular Unit in Science

Anatomy students tested their hematocrit (percentage of red blood cells in blood), dissected sheep hearts, and listened to a guest speaker, Arvada paramedic Mike Rolouti, discuss the electrical conduction system of the heart. He took an EKG of one student and they analyzed it.

International Quantum Day in Physics

Students in Modern Physics attended an event at the University of Denver to celebrate International Quantum Day. A few days later, they put on a poster presentation for their peers and teachers on topics related to quantum mechanics.

Mustang Students Design Instruments for Space Station Use

The RV administration team celebrated Engineering teacher Mr. Gause and Juniors Sam Iannone and Andrew Myers with certificates from NASA, for their work in the 2025 NASA Human Research Program Investigators Workshop. These future engineers designed an otoscope that will work for medical use on extended space flights. They traveled to Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, to present their project to astronauts, flight surgeons, lead engineers, and top scientists. They are also currently pursuing a patent for their work. Great job!