RALSTON VALLEY NEWS

OCTOBER 13, 2023 EDition

PSAT-NMSQT Recap

The fall administration of the PSAT-NMSQT was a success with nearly 95% of 9th-11th graders participating on Wednesday.  Thank you for encouraging your student to be prepared that day with their charged Chromebook and for encouraging them to do their best!  The spring administration for SAT/PSAT will take place on April 16-17 at RVHS.  

Pick-up and Drop-off Safety

Please be aware of students in the crosswalk at 80th and Alkire at pick-up and drop-off times, as there have been close calls with cars nearly hitting pedestrians.  Thank you for helping keep our kids safe. 

Classes Added to Students' Schedules


The RVHS community works together to ensure high levels of learning for all.  Over the course of the last few weeks, a few adjustments were made to students' schedules to support these efforts.   


A class titled 'Tutorial' has been added during I.C.E. for each of a student's teachers.  This placeholder course facilitates the taking of attendance for required, additional support for students earning a D or F in a class.  Beginning September 12, students earning a D or F are required to attend I.C.E. during the portion dedicated to the class in which they are earning a D or F (a detailed I.C.E. schedule is included in this newsletter and on the school website.)

  

Additionally, another class titled 'Standardized Test Prep' has been added to students' schedules under Block 8.  This is NOT a new course for students to attend but is a placeholder course that is being used to effectively roster students for the SSIS SEL screener. Information regarding this screener was sent to households earlier this week.

Hazel Health Information for Families

Jeffco Public Schools has partnered with Hazel Health, Inc. to provide a telehealth extension of mental and physical health supports to Jeffco students enrolled at district-managed schools, through evidence-based, culturally responsive, on-demand integrated healthcare services, accessed at home with a legal parent/guardian. Visit the Hazel Health webpage for more information about accessing services for your student, opting out, etc. 

Class of 2024: Cap & Gown and Graduation Orders 

Preparations for the graduation ceremony celebrating the Class of 2024 are already underway.

All seniors should have received an order packet at school on Wednesday (10/4) at the Senior Class Meeting to take home and review.  Additional packets are available in the Main Office for those seniors who still need one.

Can I Order Online? Yes. Jostens will accept online orders through October 29th. Place online orders using this link.

Who Do I Contact for Questions? Please contact our Jostens representatives directly with any questions at nils.erickson.office@jostens.com or by calling 303.985.0095.

Academic Awards for 2022-2023 School Year


Invitations have been sent to students who will be receiving an Academic Award or Letter for their achievements during the 2022-2023 school year.  We are asking students who will be attending Academic Awards to RSVP by October 13th, and to arrive no later than 6:30 p.m. on Monday, October 23rd, so that we can get students prepared and lined up for the program. 


Criteria

Awards are received at the beginning of the school year for the previous year’s accomplishments.

If you have questions please reach out to heather.nigut@jeffco.k12.co.us 

activities 

National Honor Society Collects for "Packs of Hope"

Zayne Yeager inspires RVHS students to bring in toys and toiletries for a "Packs of Hope" foster care supply drive he is leading for NHS.  Donations will be accepted through October 15th.

RV PTSA Fundraiser at Freedom Street Social 


Come out for dinner on October 17th, and support the RV PTSA! Freedom Street Social will donate 15% of your total purchase, when you mention that you are from Ralston Valley when ordering.  

RV Mountain Bike Team


The Ralston Valley Mountain Bike team finished up their regular season with the Chalk Creek Challenge in Nathrop last Sunday. Not only was this the last race of the regular season, this was the Platte Division Championships. Clara Appel continued her domination of the Sophomore Girls field, taking a fourth commanding win in a row, securing the division championship, and punching her ticket to State Championships. Mia Ryder followed her a few minutes later to complete a RV 1-2 sweep; her best result of the season. She also secured a berth at State. Livia Grau and Eliza Kardys both had strong races to secure their tickets to State in the JV Girls and Freshman Girls category respectively. In the Division overall, Jack Kardys' aggressive and crafty racing gained him 5th place in JV Boys, while Cavin Dougherty's speed and tenacity netted him 5th in Sophomore Boys. Corben Pollock & August Yousse, team captains, spent the whole race together and ended with an exciting finish sprint. Special shout-outs go to Nick Brown, August Yousse, Oliver Yousse, and Corben Pollock who finished their Legacy year, meaning that they raced all four years of high school. Well done all! The team will now reset and get a slightly smaller squad ready for the State Championships race in Glenwood Springs October 21-22 .

Trick or Treat Street

Join us on Friday, October 27th, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. for the annual Trick-or-Treat Street at Ralston Valley!  Admission: One canned food or personal care item for the Arvada Food Bank or cash donation for RV National Honor Society.  Please use the entrance east of the Main Doors in the Staff Parking Lot.  After walking through the halls collecting candy from our students, little ones can play carnival games in our cafeteria.  

Good Luck Marching Band

We wish the RV Marching Band the best of luck as they compete in the Monarch Marching Festival this weekend as preparation for regionals on Monday, October 16th!  They compete at 7:00p.m. on Monday night at Littleton Public Schools Stadium.  Go get 'em Mustangs!  

RVHS Choir gave a great performance Wednesday at their fall concert, "The Music of Life".

athletics 

Athletic Updates


Tennis finished their season with a strong showing at state.  All seven lines qualified and represented themselves and the program well.  Very proud of a great season.  


Flag Football plays in the state champion tournament tomorrow at the Broncos Training Facility.  The first game begins at 10:30, with the Championship Game taking place around 2:00.  Good luck Mustangs.


Boys Soccer is still undefeated and looking to lock up the league title on Tuesday when they host Valor at the NAAC.  With only three regular season games remaining (Bear Creek, Valor, and Columbine), the Mustangs are looking to finish the season strong.  


Softball plays at 10:00 tomorrow morning against Mountain Vista at Regionals.  The Mustangs are hoping to get two wins at Horizon to move on to next week's State Tournament.  


Volleyball beat Chatfield last week to remain undefeated in league play.  Their game against Valor next Wednesday is shaping up to be a league championship game.  The Mustangs play a tough Mountain Vista team tonight at the Mustang Range.  


Cross County had their league championship on Wednesday.  For the first time since 2006, the boys are Jeffco League Champions.  Congratulations!!!  The girls had a strong showing, finishing third.  1st Team All-Conference Honors go to Owen Eicher, Keaton Westly, Ashton Rasmussen, and Ainsley Kelver.  Second Team Honors to Frank Venezia, Waverly Puckett, and Eliana DiManna.  Honorable Mention to Nate Eskenazi.  


Football said goodbye to a long time league foe on Thursday night when they beat Pomona 48-9.  Pomona is moving down to 3A next year for football, marking the end of a great rivalry.  Next Friday, the Mustangs will travel to Jeffco Stadium for a huge match-up with Chatfield.  The winner is still alive in the quest for the league title. 


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

All game times have been moved back by one hour for tomorrow's flag football championships.

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 

October 16 - 20, 2023

Monday, Oct. 16th  - Silver Day

Tuesday, Oct. 17th  - White Day

Wednesday, Oct. 18th - Blue Day

Thursday, Oct. 19th  - Staff Development Day - No school for students 

Friday, Oct. 20th - Fall Break - No School

Advisement Corner

Advisement

No Advisement this week due to PSAT testing.

Next week in Advisement, our 9th graders will learn note taking strategies using 'Make it Stick' strategies.

Our 10th-grade students will attend a presentation by Kari Eckert, who is the CEO of Robbie’s Hope. Students will build off the learning from last year's SOS (Signs of Suicide) program, specifically to ACT (Acknowledge, Care and Tell a trusted adult) if they are concerned about themselves or a friend. Parents received communication regarding this through School Messenger.

Counseling Department

RVHS Financial Aid Night

Financial aid night is designed for parents of college-bound students in the class of 2024, but is open to all RV families.  Attendees will learn about upcoming changes to the financial aid process happening this year.  There will also be an overview of the many ways families can finance a college education, including need-based and merit-based aid.

Our presenter is Brooke Geraghty, Senior Admissions Counselor at Colorado Mesa University.  Ms. Geraghty has a wealth of knowledge and experience at private and public universities that she will share with families.

Date: Wednesday, October 25, 2023

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

Place: RVHS Library

Colorado Free Application Days - NEXT WEEK!

Is your senior applying to a college or university in Colorado?  From Tuesday, October 17 to Thursday, October 19, 2023, students will be able to apply to any public college or university in-state and many private institutions in Colorado for FREE.  For a list of colleges as well as instructions on how to apply for free, click here.

AP Exam Information - FEES DUES NEXT WEEK!

The $98 exam fee for AP testing was posted to student fee accounts on Infinite Campus this week.  The AP exam fees are due on Wednesday, October 18.  After October 18, a $25 late fee will be added.  These fee deadlines are set to ensure adherence to the College Board's practice of handling AP registration and exam logistics in the fall rather than the spring, which was common practice until changes were instituted a few years ago.  Please direct any questions or concerns about AP exam fees or deadlines to Mr. Merkel (Counselor) at scott.merkel@jeffco.k12.co.us. 

Upcoming College Visits

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

Northwestern University - Monday, Oct. 16 - 9:30 a.m.

Oklahoma State University, Main Campus - Monday, Oct. 16 - 11:30 a.m.

University of Colorado, Boulder - Monday, Oct. 16 - 1:00 p.m.

Fort Lewis College - Wednesday, Oct. 18 - 1:00 p.m.

University of Nebraska, Lincoln - Tuesday, Oct. 24 - 9:30 a.m.

Texas Christian University - Tuesday, Oct. 24 - 1:00 p.m.

Texas A&M University, College Station - Wednesday, Oct. 25 - 1:00 p.m.

Louisiana State University - Thursday, Oct. 26 - 9:30 a.m.

Colorado Christian University - Thursday, Oct. 26 - 11:30 a.m.

University of Alabama - Friday, Oct. 27 - 11:30 a.m.

Upcoming College Fairs

Multiple College Fairs are happening around the Denver Metro area and virtually:

NACAC Virtual College Fairs


Date: Sunday, October 15, 2023

Time: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.


Date: Sunday, November 12, 2023

Time: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

NACAC National College Fair - Denver


Date: Sunday, November 5, 2023

Time: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Place: Colorado Convention Center

Free Virtual Financial Aid Events

uAspire is offering multiple, free virtual events to assist students and families through the financial aid process.  Upcoming topics include Scholarship Basics, Affording College 101, and a FAFSA Walkthrough.  For a complete list of topics and dates, click here.

RVHS Peer Counseling Podcast

The Inside Out podcast is where our RV Peer Counselors dive into the world of mental health with a fresh perspective and a dose of positivity!  Join us as we take the mic to discuss the real stuff that impacts our minds and hearts.  From tackling burnout to taming anxiety, listen for insightful discussions, relatable anecdotes, and a dash of inspiration – all wrapped up in a podcast that's as dynamic as you are. This is Inside Out, where we're turning mental health into an open conversation, one episode at a time. 

 ralston valley HAPPENINGS

Picasso in Spanish 3

As part of  their unit on fine arts, Spanish 3 students explored Pablo Picasso's famous painting - "Guernica".   Below is a picture of the painting for reference, and the students as they re-enact his famous masterpiece that reflected the terrors of the Spanish Civil War in 1939.

French Classes Use Music to Learn Language

French 3 students learned a French children's song then taught it to their classmates. This group used kazoos, elephant ears and spider webs to help teach their songs. 

Child Development Studies Embryology

Child Development students are making embryology cookies while learning about cell division during conception to begin their prenatal development unit.

Biology Students Make Model Cells

Mr. Newman's Biology students make hands-on models of cells using art and craft supplies.  They were able to colorfully represent the different components of the cell and membrane.

Engineering 4 Lends a Helping Hand

Our Engineering 4 - STEM Capstone students are busy designing an adaptive product to assist people with physical disabilities. They will spend the semester going through the engineering design process with our industry partner Darin Spain (Engineer from Ball Aerospace) to produce a prototype. You can see in the picture below some of their initial design concepts as well as them modeling their idea in our 3D CAD software SolidWorks.

SSN Classroom at Anderson Farms

Students in Ms. Davidson's Significant Special Needs class enjoyed a harvest time field trip to Anderson Farms. The rides, games, corn maze and wagon ride to the pumpkin patch was a lot of fun for all.

Ralston Valley Staff Member is a Marathon Man

Shout out to Math teacher Mike Cengia for representing Ralston Valley and Colorado at the Chicago Marathon last week!

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