FEBRUARY 23, 2024 EDition

Perceptions of Public Safety Jobs & Career Opportunities

Jeffco Public Schools is seeking to understand student & family interest in public safety jobs that could be explored through a high school career pathway program. These survey results will help the school district to develop a program that meets student needs & prepares them for a variety of well-paying jobs in public safety. The survey closes on Tuesday, March 5.   www.jps.click/public-safety                                                            

 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.  Friday, Feb. 23 is the final day to complete the survey. The Panorama Family Survey can be accessed here.

Senior Bulletin

Be sure to check your inbox for detailed information related to the following:

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 

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 accessed at home with a parent/guardian. 

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

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.

activities 

Orchestra Clinic

Dr. Brandon Matthews, Director of Orchestra at Metropolitan State University -  Denver, joined Ms. Watts' students for a clinic with both concert orchestra and chamber orchestra. It is great to have universities close by that help our students get better, and this was a great learning opportunity for our musicians. 

Another beautiful performance on Wednesday night by the Mustang choir.

Day Without Hate 2024


A Day Without Hate is a student-led, grassroots organization that promotes nonviolence, respect, and unity within our schools.  Help your child join his/her fellow students district-wide to help end school violence and promote peace.   By encouraging students to be tolerant, friendly and kind, and teaching them that there are non-violent solutions to problems, hopefully as a community we can create a better world.  

Use this LINK to order your 2024 Day Without Hate Shirt. Please complete the form and send your student with a CASH payment.  Forms can be returned to the Ralston Valley Main Office by Friday, March 8th.  Your child will receive his/her shirt by the week of April 15th and can be worn on Thursday, April 25th for Jeffco students or Friday, April 27th for other districts.

Senior Yard Signs Now Available 

Order your class of 2024 Senior Yard Signs here - 

 https://rvseniorsigntest.itemorder.com/

All orders are processed once the store closes on March 11, 2024. Purchased signs will be available for pick up on April 3, 2024 at the Parent Graduation Meeting. Proceeds go to Ralston Valley After Prom. 

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. 

athletics 

Playoffs

Girls and Boys Basketball both qualified for this weekend's Sweet 16 in the 6A Basketball Tournament.  Kailey Townsend was fouled as she tipped in a shot with 5.1 to play and made the free throw to seal the 33-30 victory over Chaparral on Tuesday.  Gritty team defense and a balanced offensive attack propelled the Boys over Arapahoe.

Tonight, the Girls have a 7:00 date at Horizon. Tomorrow, the boys have a 1:00 date at Eaglecrest.  Victories will move the teams to the Denver Coliseum on Thursday for the quarterfinals.  Good luck Mustangs.

Hockey will start their post season run tonight at South Suburban against Mountain Vista.  Good luck.

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

Congratulation to Senior Lincoln Gregerson!!!

Lincoln is Ralston Valley's first individual State Wrestling Champion.  Lincoln won the 132 pound weight class in dominant fashion.  He pinned his first three opponents and shut out his opponent from Ponderosa in the finals 5-0.  A member of the 100 win club and three- time State placer, Lincoln has been a leader on and off the mat.  We congratulate him on all of his accomplishments and wish him the best of luck as he continues his wrestling career during is appointment to  the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.

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 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 

February 26 - March 1, 2024

Monday, Feb. 26th - Silver Day 

Tuesday, Feb. 27th - White Day

Wednesday, Feb. 28th -  Blue Day

Thursday, Feb. 29th - White Day 

Friday, Mar. 1st  - Blue Day

Counseling Department

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

Jeffco PTA Scholarship

Current Jeffco seniors are invited to apply for the Jeffco PTA scholarship.  Applicants will need to demonstarte community involvement and advocacy and share how they intend to be involved in their community in the future.  For information and the application, click here.  The deadline to apply is March 31, 2024.

The Manning School PTA Scholarship

Current seniors who attended The Manning School in 7th and 8th grades are eligible to apply for their PTA scholarhsip.  Students must have at least a 3.0 GPA and meet other award criteria.  For information and the application, click here.  The deadline to apply is April 12, 2024.

JCCA Student Scholarship

The Jefferson County Counselor Association is offering a scholarship of $1,000 to a Jeffco senior.  Students must have a 2.5 GPA and be willing to share a story of how a school counselor postivitely impacted them in school.  Click here for the application - the deadline to apply is April 1, 2024.

Upcoming College Visits

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

Iowa State University - Wednesday, Feb. 28 - 9:30 a.m.

Colorado Mesa Univeristy - Wednesday, Feb. 28 - 11:30 a.m.

Kansas State University - Friday, Mar. 1 - 2:00 p.m.

University of Nevada, Las Vegas - Tuesday, Mar. 5 - 11:30 a.m.

University of Utah - Wednesday, Mar. 6 - 1:00 p.m.

University of St. Thomas - Thursday, Mar. 7 - 1:00 p.m.

 Advisement Corner 

Advisement 

In Advisement next week, 9th grade students will meet with their MMP Leaders and work on Test Taking Strategies - What Works For You? They will spend time discussing strategies that best support them during assessments. 

In 10th grade Advisement, students will share their Student Led Presentations. The goal of this activity is for students to take the time to think about their experiences and how those experiences impact their daily life and future; essentially, their identity. By sharing these experiences with peers, they will begin to develop a sense of empathy and community as they listen to the different ways people see the world.   

 ralston valley HAPPENINGS

Adaptive Athletics Hockey Tournament

Ms. Davidson's Significant Special Needs students had a great time at the Adaptive Athletics Tournament held at Standley Lake High School.  They played against Pomona students, and scored lots of goals!

Here, they are working with students in RV's chapter of Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) to make Valentines for their families and friends.

Chemistry Labs Experiment with Gases

Ms. Geinitz's Chemistry students are hard at work determining the molar volume of gases.

German Students' Night at the Opera

Last night, German students and parents along with Frau Blum attended the dress rehearsal of Wagner's "Der Fliegende Holländer" (The Flying Dutchman) at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in Denver. It was the first time at the opera for some of them, and the group was blown away by the music and the staging!

Baking & Pastry Study Desserts


Baking & Pastry students are studying specialty desserts and this week we prepared a baked custard. Students tempered the eggs, then baked the custard in a water bath to prevent curdling. On day 2, students learned how to use a butane torch to brûlée their crème brûlée! Next we will be making cream puffs, pudding, and ice cream! 

Mask Making in Ceramics

Ms. Munoz's Ceramics students are making impressions of their faces.

Super Bowl Dip-Off Before Kickoff

RV staff conducted a taste test and awarded Math teacher Mr. Pangallo first prize in their Dip-Off Before Kickoff competition last week.

Geometry in Construction Classes Chicken Coops for Sale

This semester's final project for the Geometry in Construction class involves students building chicken coops. The students will apply their mathematical and construction skills to construct coops that comfortably accommodate four chickens, with a maximum capacity of six. This hands-on project exemplifies how geometry can be utilized to solve real-world problems. 

The coops will be available for sale at $750.00 each.  The proceeds from the sales contribute to funding supplies for the program next year. The anticipated finish date for the coops is the week of May 20th, a perfect time for the chicks to be moved into their new permanent home and enjoy the Colorado summer.  An example of what the chicken coops will look like is provided below. 

**We have discovered that the previous link was not working, we apologize for any inconvenience, it has now been fixed, please click here to sign up.  

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