RALSTON VALLEY NEWS

September 1, 2023 EDition

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. 

RV National Honor Society Offering Tutoring

Mustang NHS is starting a free drop-in tutoring program for RV students every Wednesday in the school library from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.  It is open to all students, all subjects, and all levels.  Come check it out!

Classes Added to Students' Schedules


The RVHS community works together to ensure high levels of learning for all.  This week, 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 of 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.

Bell Schedule for 2023-24


As many of you are aware, our school district announced new start and end times for all Jeffco schools. At RV we have been working hard to create a bell schedule that allows us to maintain our instructional time while also keeping many of our academic intervention and enrichment opportunities in place. We are excited to share that our bell schedule for the 2023-2024 school year has been finalized and we’ve met our goal!  A huge thank you to all of the students, staff, and parents who have shared your input with us.  Your voice matters! 


Start Time: 8:15 a.m. 

End Time: 3:30 p.m. 

Thursday/White Days: Late start for all students - I.C.E begins at 9:05 a.m. 

Call for Volunteers: Baccalaureate Planning Committee 

Baccalaureate refers to a non-denominational ceremony held a few days before graduation.  Unlike the massive commencement exercise held in an arena, baccalaureate ceremonies offer a quieter, more intimate opportunity to pause and reflect on this rite of passage, hear a keynote speaker, and appreciate other student talents.  A faculty member and student speakers offer advice to the graduating class.  

Thanks to a committed group of parents, a Baccalaureate Ceremony was held for the Class of 2023.  However, we would like to begin earlier this year and establish a committee dedicated to cultivating this tradition for years to come.  

Please click here or scan the QR code to the left to express interest in volunteering to celebrate the Class of 2024.  

NOTE:  You do not need to be related to a member of the Class of 2024 to participate in the coordination of the ceremony.

Come Work in our Cafeteria!


Check out the flyer below for volunteer and employment opportunities here at RV.

Healthy School Meals for All 2023-24


Thanks to the passage of Healthy School Meals for All, meals will be available at no cost to all students.  Families are still strongly encouraged to complete a Meal Benefits Application, which helps RV with additional funding and may allow waivers for school-related fees.  For the fastest processing, online applications can be completed at: www.SchoolCafe.com/JeffcoSD 

Summer Newsletter


Our Summer Newsletter is chock full of Back-to-School information and was emailed to families on August 3. Click here to view it.

activities 

RV Mountain Bike Team


The Ralston Valley Mountain Bike Team had a fantastic showing at their first race of the season, the Cloud City Challenge in Leadville. The team nabbed four podium finishes with Clara Appel picking up the win in the Sophomore Girls category! Mia Ryder was 4th in Sophomore Girls, Cavin Dougherty was 4th in Sophomore Boys, and Jack Kardys was 2nd in JV Boys. Their efforts, plus the excellent effort from all our first-time racers, netted us 3rd place overall in the team competition. The team is looking forward to their next race in Steamboat Springs! 

Homecoming Week 2023


Save the date for Homecoming 2023, "RV in Paradise", September 16 - 22, with many different activities that bring the Ralston Valley community together!  Look for more details next week, including a calendar of events, that starts with the Lisa Nelson 5K and concludes with the Homecoming Dance on Friday, September 22nd.  

Ralston Valley PTSA

Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year.  The Ralston Valley PTSA is looking forward to another great school year supporting the students and staff at Ralston Valley.  Please take a moment and register for the PTSA by going to the PTSA website (rvptsa.digitalpto.com) and using the link on the right side.  By registering we will be able to contact you to let you know what is happening with the PTSA.

In addition to registering for the PTSA we are looking for volunteers to serve this year and hopefully beyond.  We have positions that may be ideal for parents of freshman students as they can serve for the entire time their student is at the school.  Please look at the Board page to see if there are any open positions that interest you.  Should you find a position, please email the PTSA at rvptsa@gmail.com and we can get you in touch with the previous person to get trained and pass along the needed information.

As of now, we will be having meetings in person at the school.  We will do our best to update the website with any changes to either the meeting date, time, and/or location should we need to make changes.  By registering we will have your email address and we will contact you through email with the same information should things change.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the PTSA at rvptsa@gmail.com

I look forward to seeing and/or meeting you throughout the school year.

Scott Cochran

PTSA President

Jeffco Marching Band Festival


Save the date for the Jeffco Marching Band Festival held on Saturday, September 9th, at Jeffco Stadium (6th and Kipling). It is a way to kick off the season in a relaxed environment and celebrate the students' hard work. The show starts at 4:50 p.m. and The Mustang Marching Band performs at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10.00. https://our.show/jeffcomarching2023 

Lisa Nelson 5K - 10th Anniversary


To kick off Homecoming Week 2023, we invite you to participate in the Lisa Nelson 5k on Saturday, September 16th, 8:00 a.m. This year is the 10th Anniversary of this race since starting this tradition in 2013, and we are hoping to continue it for many years to come. The Lisa Nelson 5k is a community event where we walk, jog, and run in loving memory of former Ralston Valley volleyball coach, Lisa Nelson. There will be a pancake breakfast and fun activities after the race and during the awards ceremony. We encourage all members of the community to participate in this fun event and help us celebrate this amazing woman’s life.   


Registration Forms

athletics 

Athletic Updates


Flag Football - Ralston Valley will be hosting their first-ever Flag Football Jamboree on Saturday morning.  Both our Varsity and JV Flag Football teams will play three games as part of what is sure to be an exciting morning.  The first game starts at 8:15 a.m.  Come out and support Ralston Valley's newest sport.


Boys Golf had their best league tournament of the year today at Indian Tree.  Led by Senior Makian Maydew's 72, the Mustangs tied for second with Valor by shooting 306 as a team.


Boys Soccer Remains undefeated through their first five games.  Over the last week, they earned victories over Golden (2-0) and Heritage (2-1).  They also played #4 Broomfield to a 1-1 tie last Friday.  Big week for the Mustangs next week, when they take on the defending state champions, Denver East, Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. at All-City Stadium.


Volleyball had a great crowd for their match-up against #1 Thompson Valley on Tuesday night.  The girls played hard but ultimately fell to the back-to-back state champion Eagles.  The varsity program will be at the Chaparral Showcase all weekend playing against more of the best talent the state has to offer.  Good Luck Mustangs!


Cross County is at the Lightning Invite, hosted by Legacy today.  This is their final tune-up before their biggest race of the year, next weekend at the Liberty Bell.  The team is looking to continue building momentum after their great start to the season.  


Tennis opened up league play on Tuesday at the APEX Tennis Center against rival Arvada West.  The Mustangs came through with big wins across the ladder to sweep the Wildcats 7-0.  Things are looking good as the teams get ready to head to Grand Junction next weekend for the Western Slope Invite.  This is one of the biggest regular-season tournaments in the state and Ralston Valley is looking to make a big impression.


Softball scored big victories over Rock Canyon 6-5 and Brighton 5-2 this week.  After hitting 5 home runs in last weekend's Broomfield tournament, the Mustangs are looking good at one- third of the way through their season.

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 

September 4 - 8, 2023

Monday, Sept. 4th - Labor Day Holiday, No School

Tuesday, Sept. 5th - White Day

Wednesday, Sept. 6th - Blue Day

Thursday, Sept. 7th - White Day

Friday, Sept. 8th - Blue Day

Advisement Corner

Advisement Purpose

The Ralston Valley Advisement was developed by a team of teachers, counselors, and administrators and they determined that relationships would be the foundational theme of this course.  By giving students an adult mentor that they can trust, an older peer mentor, and combining that with a community of peers, Advisement will encourage a sense of belonging that can be felt throughout their first year of high school at RV.  The collaborative team determined these key components of the Advisement curriculum: Social-emotional learning, school spirit/culture, academic support, and nuts and bolts (required tasks that are usually done during an academic class).  RV Advisement hopes to empower students to build strong relationships and to learn valuable skills to support and guide them through their time at RV and beyond. Please see the Advisement class syllabus here. 



Reminder - If your student has Advisement during ICE it will be on Thursdays from 8:15 to 9:00 a.m.

Counseling Department

Senior Seminar Update

Next week, seniors will receive more information about Senior Seminar. All seniors will participate in Senior Seminar, where they will meet with their counselor in small groups to discuss college applications and learn about multiple post-secondary pathways. Successful completion of Senior Seminar earns students 0.25 credit on their transcript. Students will begin in-person meetings in mid-September and will be notified next week of when and where their first session will be held.  

Upcoming College Visits

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

Regis University - Monday, Sept 11 - 2:00 p.m.

University of Arizona - Wednesday, Sept 13 - 1:00 p.m.

Colorado State University, Fort Collins - Thursday, Sept 14 - 11:30 a.m.

RVHS College Fair 

Save the date for RV's Fall College Fair!  More details, including a list of participating colleges, will be coming soon.

Date: Thursday, September 28, 2023

Time: 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

Place: RVHS Gymnasium

Digital SAT & PSAT Webinar

Revolution Prep is offering a FREE webinar on "Understanding the New Digital SAT & PSAT."

Date: Tuesday, September 12, 2023

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

Register: Click here

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Throughout the month of September, we will be promoting awareness, action, and education about suicide prevention.  Follow this link for resources on websites, articles, trainings, and support services regarding suicide prevention awareness.   

ralston valley happenings

Photography Students Combine Story Telling with Pictures


Students were asked to take photos of 30 different items including the elements of art and people. Some items ranged from " take a portrait" to "take a photo of something broken" or something sad, happy, joyful, orange, yellow, etc. Once they complete their photo taking,  they are  to choose their top 10 images and they must write a creative story incoporating their photos. The goal is to get them to build on their creative thinking and also develop their intentionality when taking photos to help convey a story, message, or feeling. 

Music Classes Start the Year with Area Elementary Students


Guitarist Seth Beres came to guitar class last Friday and gave a great performance. He gave a mini concert, answered a ton of questions, and gave one-on-one help! 

 

On Wednesday,  over 200 5th graders from the surrounding elementary schools came to RV to choose what instrument they want to play. RV band and orchestra students worked with these new musicians,  as they discovered how awesome it is to study and play music.

Chemistry Students Gather Evidence in Labs


Ms. Martin's Chemistry students determined whether various changes observed in labs were chemical or physical in nature based on analysis of evidence.  In Biology, sophomores Lucie Fortman and Madelyn Faust display the results from their carbohydrate identification lab.

Rocket Launch in Physics

Students are preparing to launch a rocket car in class, in order to analyze the motion of a real world example. With the data collected, they will determine the distance travelled, the velocity and the acceleration of the rocket car.

Administration

Calendar

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