Dear Ralston Valley Community,

A heartfelt thank you for your unwavering support and boundless energy during Make-a-Wish week! We are thrilled to announce that the 2024 Make-a-Wish week at Ralston Valley was an extraordinary success.

Last year, our fundraising achievement was an impressive $92,000.00. Despite setting our goal this year at $82,500.00 the outpouring of support from our community, feeder schools, student body, and staff exceeded all expectations. Together, we rallied and raised an astounding $103,143.00—and the generosity is still pouring in.

This incredible feat allows us to grant a total of 13 wishes through the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Your dedication has not only surpassed our initial goal of 11 wishes, but has also made a lasting impact on lives, spreading joy, empathy, and compassion throughout the extended RV community.

This success is not just about financial achievement; it symbolizes the strength of our community spirit and the power of our collective efforts around making a difference. The Make-a-Wish week at Ralston Valley has become a beacon of hope, uniting us in a shared mission to make a difference in the lives of children like Scarlet Joy and many others.

As the money continues to come in, we want to express our deepest gratitude for your commitment to this community-wide service project. Your contributions have not only exceeded expectations but have also reinforced the values of empathy, compassion, and school spirit that define Ralston Valley.

Thank you Ralston Valley community, for making wishes come true and for strengthening the bonds that make our school a truly special place.

With gratitude,

Mica Buenning, Principal 

 The Panorama Family Survey offers an opportunity for parents, guardians, and families to provide feedback on barriers to engagement, school climate, school fit, school safety, and Jeffco's Strategic Plan.  The Panorama Family Survey can be accessed here.

Join us at Summit Jeffco: Empowering RV Families for Student Success!

We encourage you to attend this event that promises to empower and equip you with valuable insights to support your student's educational journey. Join us at Summit Jeffco hosted by Jeffco Public Schools on Saturday, March 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Summit Ridge Middle School.

Summit Jeffco is a unique gathering where families can connect with district and school staff, as well as experts in various fields, to explore important topics that impact our students. Discover how you can play an active role in improving your student's educational experience and foster their growth.

Summit Jeffco Event Details:

Date: Saturday, Mar 2, 2024

Time: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Location: Summit Ridge Middle School

Learn More & Register 

Drop off and pick up

It is a great time to remind everyone to be thoughtful of our neighbors 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 - 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.  

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.

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

National Honor Society  

In this month's National Honor Society meeting, students built marshmallow towers to showcase that active participation is the glue that keeps clubs running and teamwork builds positive community.  

Yearbook Orders 

Last chance to guarantee a copy of this year's yearbook! Capture the special moments and celebrate the memories of the year. Order today through the Jeffco Student Fee Payment system. 

Playoffs

Brackets will be released on Sunday for the Winter Sports Post Season.  Hockey will likely go into the playoffs as the #10 seed.  Girls Basketball will likely be seeded between #10-12.  Boys Basketball likely will also earn a top 10 seed.  Hockey will open on the road next week, while Girls Basketball is likely to host a first round game on Tuesday and the Boys Basketball team is likely to host on Wednesday.

Spring Sports Registration is Now Open

Spring sports registration is now open for the following sports: Baseball, Girls Golf, Boys & Girls Lacrosse, Girls Soccer, Boys Swim & Dive, Girls Tennis, and Track.

Deadline:

Swim & Dive, and Golf - Feb 16 @ 3:00

All Other Spring Sports - Feb 23 @ 3:00

Please visit the RV Athletics website to register.  You must have a valid athletic physical to register.

Registration Website: Spring Sports Registration

Hometown Ticketing - All Jeffco events have gone cashless this year.  When attending games at our schools or stadiums, save yourself time by purchasing your tickets ahead of time by using the link below.  You can also purchase punch passes to use for your entire family.  Punch passes will save you money on processing fees.

HOMETOWN TICKETING BOX OFFICE

CHSAA State Competitions

Congrats to our Girl's Swim and Dive team for battling out at the recent state competition!  Below are a few pictures from their time out at the VMAC, competing against the best in the state! Lillia Barlow finished in the top 20 in the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle.  Lili Neisser is in the top 20 in the 100 backstroke.  The relay teams consisting of Reagan Hoefer, Kylee Ruhser, Taylor McQuitty, and Lili Neisser finished in the top 20 in both the 200 medley relay and the 400 free relay.  Way to go girls! 

Congratulations to our entire wrestling program for their performance last weekend at Regionals!  Four wrestlers advanced to the state tournament which is currently happening at Ball Arena! Good luck to Nico Benallo, Lincoln Gregersen, Carter Coorough, and Austin Blattner!

Coach Braketa Celebrates 100th Win!

With a hard fought road win this past Monday night at Arvada West, Coach Chris Braketa was able to celebrate his 100th victory as head coach at Ralston Valley!  Congrats to Coach Braketa and his players!

Thank you Pep Band

This winter, our Pep Band was revitalized thanks to Ms. Watts and our Ralston Valley musicians!  They were able to play at six basketball games this season and provided a boost to the atmosphere and vibe of our games!  We look forward to hearing you play again in the future!  

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 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. 

College Night - Save the Date!

RVHS is hosting an upcoming college night.  While the information will be geared towards juniors and their parents, all students and families are welcome to attend.

Date: Thursday, March 14, 2024

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Place: RVHS Auditorium

Outdoor Lab Scholarship

If you are a current senior who has served as a High School Leader or Intern at Outdoor Lab, you are eligible to apply for a $2,000 scholarship!  The scholarship can be used for any college or vocational training program.  Applications are due April 14, 2024.  For more information and an application, stop by the counseling office or click here.

FAFSA Block Party

Multiple organizations are coming together to throw a "Statewide FAFSA Pop-Up Block Party."  Students can get help with their FAFSA and be entered into on-site scholarship and prize drawings - prizes are given away every 30 minutes!  There will also be a college and resource fair.  Click here for more information and to register.  Free parking will be provided upon registration.

Date: Saturday, February 17, 2024

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Place: CU Denver-Student Wellness Center, 1355 12th Street, Denver

AP Exam Fees

The $98 exam fee for spring sections of AP testing (Comparative Government and Microeconomics) was posted to student fee accounts in Infinite Campus this week.  The AP exam fees are due on Friday, February 23rd.  After that date, a $25 late fee will be added.

Please direct any questions or concerns about AP exam fees or deadlines to Mr. Merkel at scott.merkel@jeffco.k12.co.us