RALSTON VALLEY NEWS

August 18, 2023 EDition

Welcome to the start of the 23-24 academic school year! This has been an amazing first week, and the positive energy in the building has been contagious. On Tuesday, my heart jumped with excitement as we welcomed over 500 freshmen into the building and almost 1400 more students the following day. I want to express a heartfelt thank you to our parents, guardians, staff, community members, PTSA, Booster Clubs, Mustang Mentor Student Leaders, Student Government, RVTV, National Honor Society, Dance and Cheer for everything they did to ensure our welcome back kick off was energetic and supportive. 

I also want to thank you for entrusting us with the education of your children. We know you have a choice on where your students attend high school and are privileged you chose Ralston Valley.  We are committed to upholding the standards of excellence that Ralston Valley is known for while supporting each student so they may reach their full potential. 

As we begin the school year, I also want to highlight our unwavering commitment to creating a safe and nurturing environment for all our students. At Ralston Valley, safety remains our top priority. We understand a secure learning environment is essential for fostering academic excellence and personal growth. Over the past year, we have taken comprehensive measures to ensure the safety of our school community:

Enhanced Security Measures - We have implemented upgraded security systems, including controlled access points and regular security assessments to monitor and maintain a secure campus. Our new security vestibule requires all visitors and students entering the building to show their school IDs. I know that many will find this to be inconvenient at first, but our commitment to security is unwavering; this step is essential to keeping our students and staff safe. Thank you for encouraging your student(s) to carry their school issued ID at all times. 

 

Emergency Preparedness - Our staff is well-trained in emergency protocols, such as lockdowns, evacuations, and first-aid. Regular drills will be conducted to ensure everyone is prepared for any situation. 

 

Open Communication: Your Partnership in Safety - We believe that open communication is key to maintaining a safe school environment. If you ever have any safety-related concerns or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact our school administration. We value your input and partnership in keeping our school safe.

 

Creating a Positive School Culture - Safety isn't just about physical security; it also involves fostering a positive and inclusive school culture. We are committed to promoting kindness, respect, and empathy among our students and staff. We encourage all members of our community to contribute to an environment where everyone feels valued and supported.

 

Stay Connected - Stay updated with important school news, events, and safety information by following us on our official social media accounts and visiting our school website. Please, ensure your contact within Infinite Campus is updated and accurate.  

As we kick off another exciting school year, we look forward to nurturing the academic, emotional, and social growth of our students. Again, thank you for entrusting us with your child's education and well-being.

 

Warm regards,

Mica Buenning, Principal 

Bell Schedule for 2023-24

As many of you are aware our school district announced new start and end times for all Jeffco schools. At RV we have been working hard to create a bell schedule that allows us to maintain our instructional time while also keeping many of our academic intervention and enrichment opportunities in place. We are excited to share that our bell schedule for the 2023-2024 school year has been finalized and we’ve met our goal!  A huge thank you to all of the students, staff and parents who have shared your input with us.  Your voice matters! 


Start Time: 8:15 a.m. 

End Time: 3:30 p.m. 

Thursday/White Days: Late start for all students - I.C.E begins at 9:05 a.m. 


Come Work in our Cafeteria!

Check out the flyer below for volunteer and employment opportunities here at RV.

Class Meetings

On Thursday, August 17th, RVHS held grade-level class meetings to inform students of important expectations to ensure a successful school year.  Topics such as safety & security, the new expectations around student ID's, doors to enter and exit, dress code, and the supports available to students were discussed.  Respect was a major focus of the meeting and it was discussed how respecting each other, the adults, the building and the community makes Ralston Valley the great school that it is! 

Healthy School Meals for All 2023-24

Thanks to the passage of Healthy School Meals for All, meals will be available at no cost to all students.  Families are still strongly encouraged to complete a Meal Benefits Application, which helps RV with additional funding and may allow waivers for school-related fees.  For fastest processing, online applications can be completed at www.SchoolCafe.com/JeffcoSD .

Summer Newsletter

Our Summer Newsletter is chalked full of Back-to-School information and was emailed to families on August 3. Click here to view it.  

TechforEd Chromebook Distribution - 9th Graders

As part of Jeffco’s TechforEd program, all 9th-grade students were issued a new Lenovo 300e Chromebook as part of 9th grade orientation.  Students in grades 10-12 who are new to Jeffco schools also received a Chromebook to use throughout their time at RVHS. Returning students in grades 10-12 should continue to bring and use the Jeffco Chromebook they were issued in 9th grade or upon transfer to Jeffco. 


All students should bring their charged, school-issued Chromebook to school daily. District Chromebooks have specific apps and firewall protections to help provide our students with safe and appropriate learning devices. 

athletics 

The 2023 Fall Sport Season is here!!


Softball has started out 2-0 with victories over Rocky Mountain 5-0 and Douglas County 5-2.


Following last year's semi-final run, Boys Soccer opened the season last night with an impressive 2-0 victory over Monarch.


Volleyball will start their season on Tuesday when they welcome D'Evelyn to the Mustang Range.


Cross County has their first meet of the year tomorrow at the Gator Invite.


Tennis will host Fort Collins and then travel to Cherry Creek next week as they start a beast of a 2023 campaign.


Boys Golf is in full swing battling it out with Valor and Columbine in League Play.


Tonight, we welcome back Friday Night Lights as football travles to Moutnain Vista for a rare Week 0 game.  As one of the only 5A games in the state tonight this is sure to be a big draw.

Girls Flag Football at RV

Attention all young athletes and flag football enthusiasts! We are excited to announce that Girls Flag Football starting this fall season.  Tryouts and practices started August 9th.  Whether you're a seasoned player or new to the sport, this program is designed to cater to all skill levels and promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and personal growth. Visit the following website to get some general information and sign-up for updates: 

 sites.google.com/jeffcoschools.us/rvhsgff/home 

Maverick is Phyched for the 2023-2024 school year!!  He made his first public appearance of the year today during 7th block when he visited Ralston Valley's new Library.  See him in action tonight and all season long as he roots on the Mustangs to victory.

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 

August 21st - 25th, 2023

Monday, Aug. 21st - Silver Day

Tuesday, Aug. 22nd - White Day

Wednesday, Aug 23rd - Blue Day

Thursday, Aug. 24th - White Day

Friday, Aug. 25th - Blue Day

Advisement Corner

Purpose

The Ralston Valley Advisement was developed by a team of teachers, counselors, and administrators and they determined that relationships would be the foundational theme of this course.  By giving students an adult mentor that they can trust, an older peer mentor, and combining that with a community of peers, Advisement will encourage a sense of belonging that can be felt throughout their first year of high school at RV.  The collaborative team determined these key components of the Advisement curriculum: Social-emotional learning, school spirit/culture, academic support, and nuts and bolts (required tasks that are usually done during an academic class).  RV Advisement hopes to empower students to build strong relationships and to learn valuable skills to support and guide them through their time at RV and beyond. 

By participating in the Advisement program, students will gain a better understanding of their thoughts and feelings regarding their social-emotional well-being and learn skills that they can apply to their lives.  This will be done through lessons that will explicitly focus on a social-emotional topic that is closely aligned to CASEL (The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning) competencies:  Self-Awareness, Self- Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision-Making.  Programs supported by the RV Counseling Department will also be implemented in Advisement, including Signs of Suicide, ICAP requirements, and lessons taught by Peer Counselors.  

Students will strengthen their connection to the community of Ralston Valley by participating in the Advisement program and develop school spirit and culture. This will be done by developing strong relationships with their mentor teacher, connecting with upperclassmen, connecting with other 9th grade students in their Advisement class, participating in school-wide activities and traditions, and learning more about the history and culture of Ralston Valley.  

Students will have the opportunity to learn and apply academic and executive functioning skills that will help equip them with the skills to be successful in their academic courses.  Note-taking, communication, organization, collaboration, and study skills will be covered at different intervals throughout the school year.  Progress monitoring, goal-setting, graduation requirement awareness, and course selection will also support students' academic progress. 

It is a Pass/Fail class. You will be expected to participate in class and complete activities that will be linked to your grade. Upon meeting these expectations, you will earn .125 credits per semester for Advisement.

Attendance will be taken every Silver Day (usually Mondays).  The class is not offered on Blue/White Days.  Students cannot miss more than four class periods (excused or unexcused) in order to pass the class.  If a student missed five or more, they will automatically fail the course.  

Reminder - If your student has Advisement during ICE it will be on Thursdays from 8:15 to 9:00 a.m.

Counseling Department

New Alpha Assignments

Please welcome Steve Trezzo as the newest member of our Counseling team!  With the addition of a sixth counselor, some students may have a new counselor based on the first one to two letters of their last name.  The new alpha assignments are:

A-Cl Ms. Ali Siegert

Cm-G Mr. Scott Merkel

H-K Ms. Sarah New (formally Belmear)

L-Oe Mr. Steven Trezzo

Of-Sm Ms. Meredith Chicklas

Sn-Z Ms. Lori McGlone

Student Schedules

Now that the first week of school is complete, schedules are set and can no longer be adjusted. 

Outdoor Lab Needs Leaders!

As an Outdoor Lab leader, you will gain leadership skills and teaching experience while serving as a role model for local 6th grade students. When our leaders return from four days in the mountains, a common question is "When can I go up again?" Participants earn either 0.5 elective credits or 80 hours of community service. We are ESPECIALLY in need of more male volunteers! Leaders must be in 11th or 12th grade; 10th graders will be considered on a space-available basis. Students can stop into the counseling office for an application or more information. 

RVHS College Fair 

Save the date for RV's Fall College Fair!  More details, including a list of participating colleges, will be coming soon.

Date: Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Time: 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

Place: RVHS Gymnasium

Digital SAT & PSAT Webinar

Revolution Prep is offering a FREE webinar on "Understanding the New Digital SAT & PSAT."

Date: Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Time: 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Pacific Time

Register: Click here

ralston valley happenings

District Campus Supervisors Train in New RV Library

Jeffco Schools Superintendent Tracy Dorland welcomed district campus supervisors to their kickoff training in the beautiful new library at RVHS.

RVHS Professional Development

Ralston Valley staff come together in the library for professional learning during their first days back in school.

Welcome to the Mustang Class of 2027!

RVHS National Honor Society students spent the last few days of their summer break getting ready for the first day with the Freshmen class, on Tuesday this week.

Freshman welcome! 

Administration

Calendar

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