MAY 3, 2024 EDition

SENIOR Parents and Graduates!!

Senior Scholarships and Awards Night

*Athletic scholarships and awards will be recognized at a separate event on May 13th.

Graduation Website

Teacher Appreciation Week 

Teachers spend countless hours supporting, nurturing and educating our children.

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6-10.  As a small token of our appreciation, PTSA is partnering with RV to make our teachers feel special.  Please use this link to sign up to help supply breakfast, lunch and gift cards to our amazing RV staff and let them know how thankful we are for the work that they do. Monetary donations can be made via Venmo to @marcia-Guadagni. You can drop all donations off at the main office or at the security desk before the designated day.

Senior Sundaes at Meiklejohn 

Meiklejohn Elementary invites the class of 2024 to Senior Sundaes on Tuesday, May 14th at 3:00 p.m., in the gazebo behind the Meiklejohn building.  Ice cream sundaes will be served, and they are looking forward to seeing all of their former students.

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 accessed at home with a parent/guardian.  Hazel Health will continue services over the summer. 

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 

Congrats to the RV SWE (Society of Women Engineers) Club! They collected 324 cans and participated in the 1st ever Jeffco CANstruction event by creating the Colorado State Flag out of canned food. Come check out the display in the food court of the Colorado Mills Mall. The display will be up through Mother's Day and then dismantled and given to a local food bank. Our team even won the "best meal" award! Way to go! 

Mustang instrumental musicians performing  Tuesday night at their Spring Pops Concert.

Jazz gave great performances this week, with Choir joining them for their end of year concert.

On Tuesday, April 23rd, the Speech & Debate team was lucky enough to be able to have a real member of Congress donate their time to come and meet with our debaters. Many of our students compete in mock Congressional Debate and were really excited to meet Congresswoman Patterson to learn about the process and how to become better speakers. She emphasized the importance of valuing both sides of a debate or conversation and always being willing to ask hard questions. 

athletics 

Soccer -  The girls wrapped up the 5A Jeffco title on Wednesday night by defeating Lakewood 5-0 at Lakewood Memorial Field.  Currently ranked #6, the girls are excited for their regular season finale tonight at NAAC against Arvada West at 5:00.  Playoff brackets will be released on Sunday morning.

Tennis - The #1 Mustangs went seven for seven at Regionals on Wednesday at the APEX Tennis Center.  The hosts of Region 2 won Regional Championships at all seven lines, to propel all 11 tennis players into next week's State Championships.  Before that, they have a semifinal match in the Team State Bracket with Rocky Mountain on Tuesday (3:30 at APEX).  A win will put the Mustangs into the State Championship the following Tuesday at Denver University.  Good luck.  

Swim and Dive - Having been dominant in league meets all season, the boys look to take home the 5A title this weekend at Meyers Pool.  With a new facility being built for next year, this will be the last league title handed out at the beloved complex.  The Mustangs look to close down Meyers in style.  

Girls Golf - The girls are solidifying a second place finish in league after this week's league tournament at Applewood.  They currently sit 39 strokes ahead of third place Columbine.  Addi Hines paced the Mustangs, shooting a 73.  PR's from Taylor Redman (81), and Addy Feir (87) highlighted a good day.  Rounding out the scoring, one shot off a PR was Izzi Ekborg (83) and teammate Kate Stecker (95).  Tournaments at Fox Hollow and Indian Tree next week will cap off the league portion of the season.  Good luck Mustangs.

Baseball - The Mustangs celebrated the memory of Nate Jurney on Monday during the annual game, named in his honor.  Ralston Valley's wish kid Scarlett Joy, her brother, and Ralston Valley Principal, Mrs. Buenning threw out the ceremonial first pitches to commemorate the moment. Ralston Valley went on to win the game 12-0 over Lakewood for their third straight victory.  Saturday is Senior Day at Nate Jurney Field.  11:00 is the first pitch against Dakota Ridge. 

BLAX - Following wins against Mountain Range (11-10) and Lakewood (17-9), the boys are set to finish the season strong.  They have a game tonight at NAAC against Columbine and will finish the regular season tomorrow at Golden High School.  With two more wins, they have a chance to be a top ten seed heading into next week's state playoffs.

GLAX - Finished their regular season in style.  A program that has made huge strides this season, the team got a go ahead goal from Junior Kyler Weatherred with 48 seconds to play.  Ralston Valley went on to defeat Columbine 14-13.  The team is fighting with Pine Creek for the final playoff spot.  Pine Creek plays tomorrow and the girls will know their post season fate come Sunday.  Either way, congratulations on a great season.

Track and Field - The League Championships are under way and will conclude tomorrow at Jeffco Stadium.  The defending league champ girls and boys track teams are making strong cases for the team championships again.  They will be neck and neck with Valor coming down to the last few events.  Good luck at League.

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

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 

May 6 - May 10, 2024

Monday, May 6th - Silver Day 

Tuesday, May 7th -  White Day

Wednesday, May 8th -  Blue Day

Thursday, May 9th - White Day 

Friday, May 10th  -  Blue Day

Counseling Department

Jeffco Summer School

If students failed a course and need to make it up over the summer, Jeffco is offering free credit recovery at five different sites, including Arvada West HS and Jeffco Virtual Academy.  Students must enroll for classes through Enroll Jeffco and classes will run from June 3-28.  Click here for a flier.

Upcoming Advanced Placement (AP) Exams

AP Exam season kicks off the first full week of May (May 6-10 & May 13-17).  All RVHS AP information, including exam dates and locations, can be found via the counseling website here.  If you have questions, please reach out to Scott Merkel at scott.merkel@jeffco.k12.co.us.

Senior Survey - Mandatory for all Jeffco Seniors

Jeffco requires all seniors to take the "JEFFCO Senior Exit Survey" in Naviance.  Part of the survey includes indicating to which college a student's final transcript should be sent.  Here are instructions for students to access and complete it.  The deadline is noon on Friday, May 10, 2024.  Seniors should reach out to their counselor if they have any questions.

Red Cross Babysitter's Training

Rocky Mountain CPR & First Aid offers American Red Cross Babysitter's Training Courses for 11-16 year olds.  Participants will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care safely and responsibly for children and infants.  For traning dates and to register, click here. 

St. Anthony Hospital Internship

Current 11th graders are welcome to apply for an internship at St. Anthony Hospital for fall 2024.  Students will work two, four-hour shifts per week in clinical departments like post-anesthesia care units, operating rooms, acute care floors, and/or patient transport.  Click here for more information and to complete an interest form.  

 Advisement Corner 

Advisement 

In 9th and 10th grade Advisement, students will take a class photo and review their affirmation notes from an earlier lesson. They will also start planning their final Favorite Things Advisement Celebration for Wednesday, May 15th. We will also ask students to complete an end of the year survey. The purpose of this survey is to give student voice to the activities and lessons that are presented during Advisement. 

*Please note that two make-up Advisements classes will be offered on Thursday, May 9th at 3:40 - 4:20p.m. and 4:30 - 5:20p.m. and on Monday, May 13th at 3:40 - 4:20p.m. in L1101. This is offered for students who have missed more than four advisement classes. 

 ralston valley HAPPENINGS

Statistics Tests Theories

Students in Ms. Smith's Statistics class tested their claimed distribution of car colors by comparing the RV parking lot as their observed results to their expected results.

Seniors here are performing a taste test as their final project for the year.  They will also run a Chi Square Test to compare observed results with expected results.

National German Exam Awards


German students in levels 2-Advanced Placement gathered with their parents last week to receive their National German Exam awards.  Frau Blum gave out the honor cords and Seal of Biliteracy cords to the German 12th graders for them to wear at graduation.  Ten new members were also inducted into National German Honor Society.

Student Success Center Helps Mustangs Stay on Track


With only a few more weeks in the 2023-24 school year, the Student Success Center gives kids a chance to catch up on missing assignments.

Rho Kappa Seniors Recognized

Nine graduating members of Ralston Valley Social Studies Honor Society Rho Kappa were recognized this week.  Back row:  Alexis Peterson, Dylan Graves, Emmy Pocsi, Andrei Amihalachioaie.  Front row: Sei Chen, Rachel Gillam, Bella Langmuir.  Not pictured: Jake Rodriguez-Ash and Cameron Hardin.

Breakfast in French Classes


After learning about French café terms, Madame Frie's French I students sampled tartines, a traditional breakfast snack in French cultures.  Tartines consist of a fresh baguette, butter, and jam.  Bon appetit!

Science Experiments with Tie-Dye

In preparation for a class project next week, the Science department worked on their tie-dyeing skills.

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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