DECember 12, 2025 EDition
DECember 12, 2025 EDition
Embedded Files
Round 1 Choice Enrollment Open
Cameron Holland Toy Drive is a Huge Success
Thank you to our entire community for your generosity for our Annual Cameron Holland Toy Drive. We were able to donate over 150 toys to Lutheran Hospital's Santa's Workshop and about $300 worth of gift cards and cash to Judi's House.
Ralston Valley PTSA - Gift Cards for Teachers and Staff
This holiday season we would like to gift our teachers and staff with gift cards. Gift cards will be delivered to teachers and staff on 12/19. Gift cards can be donated through the office by letting them know that it is for the holiday distribution. Thank you for your continued generosity and support of the hard working staff and faculty at Ralston Valley. Please click on the link below to see how you can contribute.
Ralston Valley PTSA - Dine-outs
Thank you for your support of the PTSA by participating in the recent dine-outs. Due to your efforts approximately $300 was raised during these events. The next dine-out event is on Thursday December 18 at Freedom Street Social. During that entire day make sure you mention RV PTSA and Freedom Street will donate back to the PTSA for every purchase. The PTSA would like to extend our thanks to Julie Eaton for putting these together.
It's never too late to join the PTSA, please follow this link and become a member, Join PTSA
Sponsor Partnerships
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 for more information.
Student Drop Off and Pick Up
Student 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 (closest the the sidewalk), 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 on 80th- 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 and we have shared with students that this is not permitted!
Thank you for your continued diligence when driving in and around Ralston Valley.
Traffic Reminders from Arvada Police Department
Please do NOT stop or park in the roundabout on W 80th Ave. until the car line begins to move/flow. Those waiting on the south side of W 80th Ave. just west of the roundabout need to wait there until they see the line begin to move. This usually takes a few minutes after the bell rings so please be patient. Those who attempt to stop or park in the roundabout before the line begins to move will not be allowed to stay there and will be directed to move (by continuing east) or will be ticketed by Arvada PD. This is essential for efficient traffic flow and will help the pick-up process run smoothly. It also helps to keep that area clear for emergency vehicles.
activities
activities
Make-A-Wish 2026 T-shirt Fundraiser
As a community, we have raised an incredible $634,933 over the last 14 years for Make-A-Wish Colorado, which is over 84 wishes granted. Our goal this year is to raise enough money to grant 16 wishes, which would bring our total to 100 wishes! That means we need to raise at least $120,000. More specifically, we are raising money in the name of Lily, a 10 year old girl, whose wish is to travel to Disney World to see Animal Kingdom and of course, all the Disney Princesses. For every shirt ordered, $5.50 will be donated to Colorado Make-A-Wish in honor of Lily and children like her. Shirts will be delivered to school the week of January 12th, and we ask that everyone wear this shirt on Thursday, January 22nd!
The deadline to order shirts is Sunday, January 4th.
Make-A-Wish 2026
Ralston Valley Student Government is beginning to seek donations for our 2026 Make-A-Wish Silent Auction. If you or your company would like to donate a gift certificate or other product/service to our fundraising efforts to be used on our Silent Auction platform, please reach out prior to Monday, January 12th, 2026. To find out more about our donation opportunities and sponsorship program, please contact:
Committee Chair, Benjamin Brown 2199884@jeffcoschools.us
Student Government Sponsor, Jenny Braketa: jenny.braketa@jeffco.k12.co.us
RV Holiday Concert 2025
We had two evenings of beautiful music this week, at the Ralston Valley Holiday Concert. Shout out to our talented Mustang musicians and vocalists!
Student Government Brings Holiday Cheer
A huge thank you to our RV Student Government for hosting their annual staff coffee cart in partnership with Zado Coffee. Our faculty and staff were treated to fresh coffee, warm smiles, and an impressive spread of homemade treats that truly brightened our Thursday. Your thoughtfulness, hard work, and care for our community do not go unnoticed. We are grateful for the time and heart you put into making our staff feel appreciated and celebrated. Thank you for all you do for RV!
athletics
athletics
Dance - The Ralston Valley Dance Team has officially secured back-to-back Game Day Dance State Championships! Competing on Thursday at the Denver Coliseum, the team delivered a high-energy, precision-driven performance that once again placed them in the finals against Erie for the second consecutive year. Rising to the moment, the Mustangs executed a powerful and unified routine that earned them the top spot and a second straight state title. Congratulations to Coach Mink and the entire dance team on an exceptional achievement and for continuing to elevate the standard of excellence at Ralston Valley.
Cheer - The Mustang Cheer team delivered a strong and spirited showing at Thursday’s State Championships, demonstrating the technical skill, discipline, and teamwork that have defined their season. While they did not advance to the finals, the athletes represented Ralston Valley with pride and professionalism. Congratulations to Coach Samudio and the entire team on a solid season, and best of luck as they shift their focus to preparing for Nationals in the new year.
Hockey - The Mustang Hockey team continued its strong start to the season with an impressive 7–0 win over Resurrection Christian on Friday night. Bridger Laychak led the way offensively, recording a hat trick and showcasing his continued dominance on the ice. On Saturday, the Mustangs went toe-to-toe with a talented Cherry Creek squad in a tightly contested matchup marked by excellent goaltending on both sides, ultimately falling just short in a 2–1 decision. The team is back in action tonight at 8:00 p.m. at Apex, taking on Valor Christian in what promises to be an intense and highly competitive matchup.
Girls Basketball - The Lady Mustangs continued their early-season campaign this week at the Fairview Tournament in Boulder. After a challenging opener against a highly skilled Broomfield team, the group responded with an impressive 68–39 victory over Boulder HS. Fueled by a 40-point second half, the Mustangs took full control and closed out the game with authority on both ends of the floor. They now prepare to face Evergreen in the tournament finale, a matchup that is expected to be a competitive and high-energy battle.
Boys Basketball - The Mustangs delivered an impressive performance this week in their matchup against Legend, surging to a dominant victory after trailing 24–16 at the end of the first quarter. The team’s resilience and execution stood out, led by standout performances from Frank Psaute with 22 points and Caiden Braketa with a game-high 29 points. The Mustangs now hit the road for a Saturday matchup at Doherty before closing out the semester with a home contest against Dakota Ridge on Monday.
Wrestling - The Mustang wrestlers turned in a strong performance this past week with a 45–29 dual victory over Littleton. Kellan Kirgan, Jax Nielsen, and Max Wheeler set the tone with decisive pins, while Paul Riebschlager secured a hard-fought decision to help seal the team win. The squad now shifts its focus to the weekend as they travel to Horizon to compete in a highly competitive tournament and continue building momentum early in the season.
Girls Swim and Dive - The Mustang swim and dive team dominated with a 234–68 victory over Mountain Range. Sophia Ganong punched her ticket to the state meet in both the 100 backstroke and 100 freestyle, while Lilia Barlow qualified in the 200 and 500 freestyle events. All Mustang relay teams also secured state-qualifying times, marking an outstanding early-season performance across the board.
Last weekend’s Sprint Eliminator showcased even more depth, with Kenzie Ammon, Sarai Kilgore, Laura Hanake, Sofie Cox, Abigail Hopkins, and Mira Silleck all finishing in the top five of their respective races. The team continues to build strong momentum as they pursue another championship-caliber season.
This weekend, the Mustangs will compete at Littleton High School in a dual meet, providing another valuable opportunity to test their speed and expand their list of state qualifiers.
Football - Congratulations to Coach Yanno and the Mustang football program on an incredible season and a hard-fought performance in the State Championship game. Although a talented Cherry Creek team came out on top, our boys showed tremendous heart, resilience, and pride—fighting until the very last whistle. We are proud of their commitment, toughness, and the way they represented Ralston Valley all season long. Congratulations on an outstanding year!
Tickets - Game tickets must be purchased through GoFan for all Jeffco-hosted events. Ticket sales to all Jeffco events in stadiums and in our gym are available through GoFan. Cash is not 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 to 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 money.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the online ticketing system.
Congratulations to the Mustang Dance Team, who secured back-to-back CHSAA Game Day Dance State Championships. Their precision, energy, and competitive consistency continue to set the standard across the state. This repeat title reflects the team’s exceptional work ethic, technical excellence, and commitment to representing Ralston Valley with pride.
The Boys Basketball program continued its meaningful holiday tradition by adopting four local Arvada families through its annual Adopt-A-Family initiative. With tremendous generosity, basketball families contributed more than 80 gifts, and the players came together to wrap every present with care. This effort reflects the program’s commitment to service, leadership, and making a positive impact beyond the court.
A milestone night for two of our Mustangs! Congrats to Santana Sabus and Caiden Braketa for eclipsing the 1000 point mark for their careers at Ralston Valley! Nice work!
off campus policy
off campus policy
To help keep students as safe as possible, RVHS students are not allowed to walk off campus at any time.
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, parents/guardians of 10th-grade students can give permission for their child to leave campus with the expectation that they are following the local and state driving laws. Once this form has been submitted by a parent/guardian, the student must visit the front office to obtain an 'off-campus' sticker for their Student ID.
Please click on this FORM to give your sophomore child the ability to leave campus with your permission. Students with a valid sticker can begin leaving campus during approved periods on Monday, August 25, 2025.
Our campus is not closed to our 11th and 12th grade students and they may leave campus.
Schedule for The Upcoming week
Schedule for The Upcoming week
Monday, Dec. 15 - Blue Day
Tuesday, Dec. 16 - White Day
Wednesday, Dec. 17 - Blue Day Finals
Thursday, Dec. 18 - White Day Finals
Friday, Dec. 19 - Make-Up Finals by Appointment Only
Monday, Dec. 22 - Friday, Jan. 2 - Winter Break - NO SCHOOL
Monday & Tuesday, Jan. 5 - 6 - Teacher Work Days - NO SCHOOL for Students
Wednesday, Jan. 7 - Silver Day (Students Return)
Counseling Department
Counseling Department
RVHS Alumni Panel
RVHS Alumni Panel
Recent RV alumni will share their college experiences and insight on the transition from high school to college. For the first time, we're hosting the panel in the evening so that parents can join! This is a great opportunity for current college-bound juniors and seniors, as well as the parents supporting the process.
Recent RV alumni will share their college experiences and insight on the transition from high school to college. For the first time, we're hosting the panel in the evening so that parents can join! This is a great opportunity for current college-bound juniors and seniors, as well as the parents supporting the process.
Date: Thursday, January 8, 2026
Time: 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Place: RVHS Library
Jeffco Teens Workgroup
Jeffco Teens Workgroup
Jefferson County Communities That Care (Jeffco CTC) is looking for new Jeffco teens members! Youth aged 11-22 who are interested in working to improve health, safety, and wellness in Jefferson County are encouraged to apply. Meetings are on the first Thursday of the month from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m., and students may get paid for their participation. Click here for a flier and link to the interest form.
Jefferson County Communities That Care (Jeffco CTC) is looking for new Jeffco teens members! Youth aged 11-22 who are interested in working to improve health, safety, and wellness in Jefferson County are encouraged to apply. Meetings are on the first Thursday of the month from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m., and students may get paid for their participation. Click here for a flier and link to the interest form.
Outdoor Education & Park Ranger Career Fair
Outdoor Education & Park Ranger Career Fair
The largest Outdoor Education Career Fair in Colorado will take place in January in Lakewood. Around 45 organizations, ranging from land management agencies to national parks to local guiding companies, will be in attendance. There will also be information on RRCC's Outdoor Education and Park Ranger Technology programs.
The largest Outdoor Education Career Fair in Colorado will take place in January in Lakewood. Around 45 organizations, ranging from land management agencies to national parks to local guiding companies, will be in attendance. There will also be information on RRCC's Outdoor Education and Park Ranger Technology programs.
Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Place: "The Bridge" on Red Rocks Community College Campus, 13300 West 6th Ave, Lakewood
DAR Scholarships
DAR Scholarships
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) offers multiple scholarships to students showing dedication to the pursuit of higher education. Each scholarship has it's own requirements and award amounts. The deadline to apply for any of them is January 31, 2026. Click here for a full list of scholarships.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) offers multiple scholarships to students showing dedication to the pursuit of higher education. Each scholarship has it's own requirements and award amounts. The deadline to apply for any of them is January 31, 2026. Click here for a full list of scholarships.
UNC's Future Teacher Conference
UNC's Future Teacher Conference
The University of Northern Colorado is hosting their 11th annual Future Teacher Conference with Steve Spangler as the keynote speaker. Aspiring teachers will attend presentations and workshops to learn more about the eduation field. Three attendees will be selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship to attend UNC in the fall of 2026. For more information and to register, click here.
The University of Northern Colorado is hosting their 11th annual Future Teacher Conference with Steve Spangler as the keynote speaker. Aspiring teachers will attend presentations and workshops to learn more about the eduation field. Three attendees will be selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship to attend UNC in the fall of 2026. For more information and to register, click here.
Date: Friday, February 6, 2026
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Place: UNC University Center, 2101 10th Avenue, Greeley
Girls Lead the Way STEM Conference
Girls Lead the Way STEM Conference
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) at Colorado School of Mines is hosting an event designed to introduce 9th-12th graders to STEM, engineering, and applied science at Mines. Participants will engage in interactive learning activities, attend panel discussions and connect with peers who share a passion for STEM. For more information and to register, click here.
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) at Colorado School of Mines is hosting an event designed to introduce 9th-12th graders to STEM, engineering, and applied science at Mines. Participants will engage in interactive learning activities, attend panel discussions and connect with peers who share a passion for STEM. For more information and to register, click here.
Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Place: Colorado School of Mines Green Center, 924 16th Street, Golden
Jeffco Open Space Foundation Scholarship
Jeffco Open Space Foundation Scholarship
The Jeffco Open Space Foundation is offering a scholarship to graduating seniors with an intent to study and work in the field of natural resources. The scholarship may be used for educational expenses at an institution of higher learning. For more information and a link to the application, click here. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2026.
The Jeffco Open Space Foundation is offering a scholarship to graduating seniors with an intent to study and work in the field of natural resources. The scholarship may be used for educational expenses at an institution of higher learning. For more information and a link to the application, click here. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2026.
Advisement Corner
Advisement Corner
Advisement
Please click HERE to access the course syllabus for Advisement that explains the purpose, key components, and expectations, including grading and attendance.
Advisement classes celebrated the season and the first semester with some cookie decorating!
Reminder - If your student has Advisement on Thursday mornings, it will be from 8:15 to 9:00 a.m. before the start of Access.
Ralston Valley Happenings
Ralston Valley Happenings
Mustang Merit Award Winners December 2025
Each month, Ralston Valley faculty and staff nominate a students for the Mustang Merit Award. With nearly 2,000 students in our school, being chosen for this award is a truly significant honor. Mustang Merit recipients are selected for consistently demonstrating the core values that define our community: Integrity, Respect, Inclusivity, Perseverance, Honesty, Empathy, and Motivation.
We are proud to recognize the following students as the Mustang Merit Award winners for December 2025:
Aiden Ramirez - Motivation, Nate Fortman - Motivation, Romy McGlone - Perseverance, Kyan Morris - Perseverance, Emylena Lee - Perseverance, Isabelle Duncan - Integrity, Brendan Mullen - Motivation, Blake McFarland-Schock - Motivation, Ethan Latino - Motivation, Sammi Madden - Perseverance, Andrew Busch - Motivation, Naomi Tufts - Perseverance, Ellis Thomson - Perseverance, Sam Iannone - Motivation, Maddie McGinness - Perseverance, Edoardo de Cesare - Inclusivity, Dylan Knight - Inclusivity, Taylor McQuitty - Motivation, Emily Peterson - Perseverance, Carter Mink - Motivation, Hope Wilcox - Perseverance, Avery Fitzgerald - Perseverance, Ashlynn Callahan - Motivation, Anna Bartholomew - Motivation, James Miller - Motivation, Bryce McMullen - Motivation, Yanali Gomez-Vasquez - Perseverance, Phoenix Hugger - Motivation, Sophia Ganong - Motivation, Brayden Wellman - Motivation, Audrey Woszczynski - Respect, Sadie Frith - Integrity, Audrey Kozney - Integrity, Mary Kingsbury - Integrity, Eamon VanDyke - Integrity, Allison Dossman - Empathy, Barrett Walker - Perseverance, and Reese Barry - Integrity
Congratulations to these outstanding Mustangs!
Marshmallow Challenge in Business Class
Ms. Newhouse's students in Intro to Business worked together in teams in a Marshmallow Challenge. Teams competed to build the tallest free-standing structure out of spaghetti & marshmallows. This teamwork experience taught them about roles involved in teamwork, and what it takes to innovate in the business world!
Fall of the Berlin Wall Project
For the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, German students listened to the German National Anthem, chose one of the three main objectives that Germans strive for (Einigkeit-unity, Recht- Justice, Freiheit- freedom), and wrote a poem on that objective, and then painted a brick to go with the poem. The students reflected that unity, justice, and freedom are also valued in the U.S., both in history and the present. The poems and bricks by Yanali Gomez-Vasquez, Phoenix Hugger, and Pierce Beshell-Adams were voted the best by the class.
Significant Special Needs Students Holiday Crafts
Ms. Silburn's SSN class created holiday ornaments to sell to RV staff and students at their annual craft fair. These students had the opportunity to practice their money skills, and make more friends at school. As always they were well supported by the Ralston Valley community!
Science Impromptu Caroling
Mr. Pennell's Physics students went caroling on Friday, with a holiday song about Kepler's three laws of planetary motion, sung to the tune of "Jingle Bells"!
Administration
Administration
Ms. Buenning, Principal 303-982-5600
Mr. Pergola, 9th Asst. Principal 303-982-5604
Ms. Hogan, 10th Asst. Principal 303-982-2391
Ms. Abrams, 11th Asst. Principal 303-982-9463
Ms. Young, 12th Asst. Principal 303-982-5713
Mr. Ackerman, Athletic Director 303-982-5595
Mr. Trione, Dean 303-982-7760
Important Links
Important Links
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