RALSTON VALLEY NEWS

OCTOBER 6, 2023 EDition

PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test - Wednesday, October 11th 


Students in Grades 9-11 will take the required PSAT/NMSQT on Wednesday, October 11th from 8:15 a.m. to approximately 11:00 a.m. The assessment is now online, so students will need to bring their student ID and their fully charged, school-issued device on this day.  


Buses will run as normal and lunch will be served.  Any students who remain on campus after they have completed testing will be supervised until dismissal at 3:30 p.m.  Seniors will not attend school on this day. 


The $14 fee for the test has been placed on 9th-11th grade student accounts and can now be paid online. The fee was originally thought to be $18.  If you paid the $18 fee, $4 has been credited back to the account.   


Please click HERE for a letter regarding the required and optional data fields that students will be asked to fill out when they complete registration.  


Due to testing, the schedule for the week is the following:

Monday, Oct. 9th  - White Day

Tuesday, Oct. 10th  - Blue Day

Wednesday, Oct. 11th- PSAT Test Day, No Seniors Attend

Thursday, Oct. 12th  - White Day 

Friday, Oct. 13th - Blue Day



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. 

CMAS Science Test Reports


CMAS Science individual test reports, taken as 11th graders last year, are now in and are being passed out to current 12th graders who have a science class this year.  If your 12th-grade student does not have a science class, they can stop by the Counseling Office to pick it up.  Each test report has a QR code at the bottom which helps explain the results.  

Sophomore Parking Passes Now on Sale! 


We have completed parking pass sales for our juniors and seniors and parking passes will be on sale for sophomores, who have their driver's license, beginning September 25th.  At this time, Sophomores are asked to complete the below steps, and should only visit the security desk during their off block in order to purchase a pass.


All registration requirements must be met before obtaining a parking permit.

1. Complete the Parking Registration Form – the form will automatically be submitted directly to campus security.

2. Within a few days, the Finance Office will place a $125 parking fee on the student's Campus account, please go online and pay. 

3. Once paid, visit the security desk during the student's off block in order to purchase a pass.


All concerns regarding parking passes should be addressed with campus supervisors.


Parking will be enforced and tickets issued for vehicles without a proper parking tag.  

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!

Representatives from Jostens will be on campus this upcoming Monday (10/9) and Tuesday (10/10) during lunch for on-campus ordering of cap & gowns, graduation announcements, class jewelry and other senior spirt items.

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.

In-School Order Dates During Lunches

Why Should I Order NOW? For two days only, families can receive FREE shipping and handling on all graduation orders  over $100.00 during the in-school order days.  With that, students will receive their souvenir tassel at the time of ordering!

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 on Monday to RSVP 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 

Fall Choir Concert

Join us for our first choir concert of the year on October 11th at 7p.m. in the RVHS auditorium.  Come support our amazing RVHS singers! Tickets can be purchased HERE

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.  

athletics 

Athletic Updates


Tennis is taking all seven lines to the State competition.  The Mustangs hosted regionals on Wednesday and Thursday this week.  Six Regional Champions and one runner-up put Ralston Valley in a great position going into next week's finale.  Congratulations boys!!!


Flag Football is the top seed in this weekend's regional tournament at Trailblazer Stadium.  See the bracket below.  We would love to see all of you out there this weekend to support them.  The top four teams from each region move on to next weekend's State Championships in Dove Valley.


Boys Soccer keeps rolling.  After beating Arvada West last Friday in front of a packed NAAC, they rolled to two more league victories this week.  Tuesday saw a 2-0 victory over Chatfield that was followed up with a 9-0 win over Pomona.  Last Friday's attendance was the biggest soccer crowd in Jeffco this season, four times bigger than the next closest match.  Shout out to the future Mustangs that showed up from Edge and our Mini-Mustangs.


Softball played the toughest three game stretch any team could play this year facing the ranked number 1, 2, and 3 teams in the state last week.  Led by 4 HRs in those games by Mal Chavez, including three against Chatfield, the Mustangs played all three of them tough.  The regional draws will be released on Monday.  Good luck in the postseason!


Volleyball continued its hot streak with big wins over Dakota Ridge and cross-town rival Arvada West on Thursday. Great Job! 


Cross County is at the Pat Amado Classic today.  Come out to NAAC on Wednesday to cheer them on at the League Meet.  With a beautiful course that finishes in the soccer stadium, it is sure to be an exciting finish to the season.  Both the girls and boys teams are peaking at the right time and are hoping to have a lot of top finishers.  Good luck.


Football beat Lakewood 47-0 last Friday at Jeffco Stadium. Tonight's game against Columbine is the fourth time Ralston Valley is part of a game featuring two teams ranked in the top 5.  As the 9News Game of the Week, this is sure to be a great game. The winner will be in the driver's seat for a 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

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 9 - 13, 2023

Monday, Oct. 9th  - White Day

Tuesday, Oct. 10th  - Blue Day

Wednesday, Oct. 11th- PSAT Test Day, No Seniors Attend

Thursday, Oct. 12th  - White Day 

Friday, Oct. 13th - Blue Day

Advisement Corner

Advisement 

This week in Advisement our 9th graders were provided guidance around Signs of Suicide (SOS). Parents received communication regarding this through School Messenger. Our 10th-grade students continued to work on Developing Identity using a core values bracket. 

Reminders:

There will be no Advisement the week of October 9th, due to PSAT testing.

Counseling Department

Upcoming College Visits

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

University of Colorado, Colorado Springs - Monday, Oct 9 - 9:30 a.m.

University of California, Irvine - Monday, Oct 9 - 2:00 p.m.

University of Colorado, Denver - Tuesday, Oct 10 - 9:30 a.m.

University of St. Thomas, MN - Tuesday, Oct 10 - 1:00 p.m.

University of Oklahoma, Norman Campus - Thursday, Oct 12 - 9:30 a.m.

Northern Arizona University - Thursday, Oct 12 - 1:00 p.m.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott - Friday, Oct 13 - 11:30 a.m.

Binghamton University - Friday, Oct 13 - 2:00 p.m.

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

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

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

Upcoming College Fairs

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

College Fairs of Greater Denver


Date: Saturday, October 7, 2023

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Place: Mountain Vista High School, Highlands Ranch

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

Colorado Free Application Days

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.

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.

AP Exam Information

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. 

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

Peer Counseling Team Building

Peer Counseling students had a great time in an "Amazing Race" style escape room, building their skills set and their team structure.

AP Human Geography Studies Populations Trends

Advanced Placement Human Geography students are learning about theories of population growth and decline. Here they are using the Demographic Transition Model (DTM) to explain changes over time.  

Fine Art in Spanish

Students in Level 3 Spanish classes begin their fine arts unit by finger painting in their favorite style - realism, surrealism, abstract, or cubism.  They painted self-portraits, still lifes, and portraits, all "obra de artes", and described their works and sources of inspiration, all in Spanish.

German Club Cooks Up a Fall Fest

Ralston Valley High School's Deutschklub spent two afternoons in the kitchen this week preparing for their Herbstfest (Fall-fest).  Using German recipes, teams baked Streuselkuchen (apple crumble cake), feiner Österreichischer Pfirsichkuchen (fine Austrian peach cake), and Marmorkuchen (Marble cake). They prepared Bavarian potato salad, cucumber salad, tomato salad, Käsespätzle (cheese noodles), and sauerkraut as sides for the Bratwurst and veggie dogs.  Vielen Dank to Boulder Sausage for the sausage donation. Tables were decked out in Bavarian colors and German music added to the ambiance!

Engineering 3 Students - It's All About Scale

Architecture students are learning about site plans by mapping out the school property.  Here you see them learning how to use the architectural tools to scale down the actual size of the RV property to a blueprint-sized paper.

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