ROCKY HILL HIGH SCHOOL
NEWSLETTER
April 2024
From The Principal’s Office
Dear, Parents, Guardians, Students, and Staff,
As we mark the completion of Week 31, we're keenly aware that only 9 weeks remain in the academic school year. March was a month filled with productivity, memorable moments, and fun. We get the opportunity to do that again in April. Now, as April unfolds, the pace surprisingly intensifies which means focusing on details is critical. The message from our staff to students remains steadfast: there is work yet to be accomplished. We encourage everyone to finish strong. Remember, how you end is just as crucial as how you begin. Enjoy this month's newsletter.
John Fote, Principal RHHS
School Day
Dates to Remember
Student of the Month
Technology Education: Peter Rhouddou
Music: Tyler Eigo
Science: Julian Scarzynski
Social Studies: Fiona Francis
Math: Fiona Francis
World Language: Rushil Jog
Family & Consumer Science: Joseph Morin
English: Robert Bush
Art: Peyton Robinson
P.E./Health: Jason Kieszkiel
Business: Ashley Lockwood
R.O.C.K. Nicholas Elloian
Spotlight at RHHS
Unified Sports
This past month Unified Sports at Rocky Hill High School was honored with multiple awards. This first being the renewal of their Unified National Champion School Banner that was presented at a board of ed meeting by President and CEO of special Olympics CT Mike Mason and CIAC Unified Sports Assistant Director Steve Trifone. The Banner will be added to the gym in the coming months.
The team was also honored at the Special Olympics Annual Banquet with the Spirit of Inclusion Award which is given to a select few schools that go above and beyond to promote an inclusive and supportive environment for all of its students. Rocky Hill was selected because of the many events and activities that unified sports provide in our school.
Absence Form
Tardy Policy 2024:
New policy starting 1/25/2024:
Students are allowed 10 tardies to school for the SEMESTER
On your 11th tardy students will be given a 2 hour detention which are held on Wednesdays after school
On your 12th - 14th tardy students will be given a 4 hour detention which are held on Saturdays from 8:00am - 12:00pm
On your 15th tardy and beyond bring tardy to school will result in 1 day of In-School Suspension
Any Missed Saturday detention will become 1 day of In-School Suspension
If your child is absent from school, please use the following Google Form to submit the absence to the school office. Please use the password that was sent over school messenger to access the Google Form.
Absence Form: https://forms.gle/uDtwLJqKoev2QGYJA
April Events
Red Cross Blood Drive:
Student council hosted a successful blood drive on April 3rd. Over 30 students and staff took the time out of their day to generously donate blood and support this event. Thank you to all our hard working student voulenteers that made this event a great success!
RHHS Spring Plant Sale
The RHHS Botany and UConn Horticulture students have been hard at work growing perennials, herbs, vegetables, patio planters, and Mother's Day Hanging Baskets. Plants will be available for sale on May 2 from 1-5, May 4 from 9-12, May 10 from 1-5, and May 13 - 17 from 1-2:15.
Please contact Ms. Antol with any questions or plant needs you may have. antolk@rockyhillps.com
School Wide Spring Fundraiser
The Spring Fundraiser will take place from April 15th to April 30th. Register on the website with Group ID: 1035239. Any orders placed ship directly to your home, see the flyer for other incentives for those who participate.
Do not miss out on this chance to raise funds for your class dues. You will receive an average of 40% profit. See Mrs. Bobair or Mrs. DeLucia with any questions.
Math Team
The Rocky Hill High Math Team finished strong yet again, finishing in 2nd place overall in the Capital Area Math League. Detailed results for all 6 meets are below for the 23 participating schools. The top performers on our team have moved on to compete in the State Competition on Thursday, April 4th. Additionally, the top 2 schools qualified for the New England Math Competition on April 26th, so that means Rocky Hill and South Windsor are going to Massachusetts to compete further!
But wait, there's more...a special congratulations is in order for sophomore Vedant Gosavi for earning a spot for the highly competitive annual regional math competition, ARML (American Regions Mathematics League). Only 45 students in the state of Connecticut make it to this prestigious level.
Finally, two other famous math minds at RHHS, Muktha Ramesh and Riddhi Sharma, did exceptionally well on the AMC this fall. The cutoff scores (based on national score distribution) for advancing to the next level were released and they both qualified to go on to the next level of competition, the American Invitational Mathematics Exam (AIME)!
March Events
Art Regional Awards
Each year, Connecticut Students grades 7 – 12 are invited to enter the Regional Scholastic Art Awards Competition. Each school selects a handful of works to enter into the competition in the hopes that their students can win cash awards and scholarships. Of the thousands of works submitted from across Connecticut, only a small percentage receive award recognition in the form of Gold Key, Silver Key and Honorable Mention. All Gold Key winners are automatically advanced to the National Competition which will be adjudicated in June. This year we had 7 students recognized for excellence in the Scholastic Competition.
Congratulations to our 7 students who earned awards, with a special mention to Brayden Rule, who earned the ASAP! SUMMER PHOTOGRAPHY INTENSIVE SCHOLARSHIP from the University of Hartford in addition to the Gold Medal Award.
Please see the page:
Women in Action
Rocky Hill High School held its second annual Women in Action career panel on March 7th. Over fifty students attended to listen and speak to women from fields such as law, education, journalism, and medicine. Panelists included Erin Connolly, evening news anchor for WFSB; Attorney Brooke Goff of the Goff Law Group; Jennifer Tolman, president of the nonprofit group Dignity Grows; and Dr. Zulma Toro, president of Central Connecticut State University. Students first listened to the panelists as they spoke about their working experiences, then had the opportunity to speak with them in small groups.
World language teachers, Ms. Viviana Guzmán and Ms. Lisa Urso, helped organize the event along with senior Grace DiTunno and the members of Girl Up.
(photo credits: Ashley Lockwood, RHHS sophomore)
World Language Honor Society Induction
The World Language Department was honored to induct 74 students into their respective honor societies on March 26th. Fourteen students became members of the Société Honoraire de français; five were inducted into the Societas Honoris Latina; and the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica welcomed 58 new members.
Students who were inducted into the honor societies last year assisted their advisors with welcoming the inductees. Juniors Reshmi Chowdhury, Diya Dave, Jai Gandhi, and Hansika Vipparthi recited “Le Cours du Flambeau” during the French portion. Senior Suma Dendi recited the Cursus Taedae for the Latin section. Lastly, Seniors Vaibhavi Annu, Raya Jain, and Jheel Patel recited the poem “La Lengua de La Raza” before the induction of the Spanish students.
Following the ceremony, students, parents, guardians, and staff enjoyed a light reception in the cafeteria to celebrate their accomplishments.
Societas Honoris Latina (Latin honor society)
Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica (Spanish honor society)
Société Honoraire de français (French Honor Society)
Voter Registration
Voter registration took place at Rocky Hill High School the week of March 11th. The process began with a presentation given by senior Grace DiTunno and juniors Reshmi Chowdhury, Diya Dave, and Jahnavi Keelu. Mr. Tom Pugliese and Mr. Philip Theroux, the Rocky Hill Registrars of Voters, attended the presentation to answer questions.
Students were able to register during the lunch waves on March 14th. Fifty-nine students did so, which, according to the Registrar's Office, was the highest number of students who registered to vote in the history of Rocky Hill High School.
Girl Up: Period Drive
Girl Up sponsored a period product drive throughout the month of February. Club members placed boxes in front of the school library, inside the nurse’s office, and at the Cora J. Belden Library in town. Overall, 59 boxes of products were collected, representing 1,179 individual products. Girl Up co-presidents Grace DiTunno and Reshmi Chowdhury led club members in organizing the drive, and every member was instrumental in contributing to its success.
Entrepreneurship
Mrs. Nguyen’s Entrepreneurship students were learning about legal forms of ownership and
Mrs. Bobbi Stewart, owner of Chick-fil-A on the Berlin Tpke., came in to explain to them what a
franchise is and what it takes to own one. Ms. Stewart was also kind enough to bring the
students a Chick-fil-A breakfast, which made listening to her that much easier!
Marketing
The Marketing students in Mrs. Latina's period 3 class just completed their concession stand/vendor booth projects. The students focused on planning, designing, building, and marketing their booths along with presenting their sales pitches.
RHHS Athletics
Rocky Hill Terriers
2024 Winter Season Update:
Below is the schedule for when each team will begin its regular season:
Baseball: Saturday, March 30th - Rocky Hill vs Vinal Tech (H) - 11:00 AM - Griswold MS-Rocky Hill Baseball Diamond
Softball: Saturday, March 30th - Rocky Hill vs Middletown (H) - 1:00 PM - Rocky Hill High School Softball Diamond
Boys Lacrosse: Monday, April 1st - Rocky Hill vs Maloney (H) - 4:00 PM - Rocky Hill High School McVicar Turf Field
Girls Lacrosse: Saturday, March 30th - Rocky Hill at Granby Memorial (A) - 9:00 AM - Granby Memorial High School Stadium Field
Outdoor Track & Field: Tuesday, April 2nd - Rocky Hill vs Newington (H) - 3:45 PM - Rocky Hill High School Track
Boys Tennis: Monday, April 1st - Rocky Hill at Windsor Locks (A) - 3:45 PM - Windsor Locks High School Tennis Courts
Girls Tennis: Monday, April 1st - Rocky Hill vs Windsor Locks (H) - 3:45 PM - Rocky Hill High School Tennis Courts
Joe Horvath, Athletic Director
The Nurse Says...
Emergency Medications- Please make sure all emergency medications and emergency health care plans are up to date in the Health Office. If you have not picked up your plan, please stop by the Health Office and speak with Mrs Garrahy. If you carry a medication, it must be approved by the school nurse. This needs to be done annually.
MEDICATIONS SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN IN THE CLASSROOM UNLESS APPROVED BY THE SCHOOL NURSE. THIS INCLUDES OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS SUCH AS TYLENOL OR ADVIL.
In School Illness-If a student becomes ill during the school day, they should report to the Health Office and be evaluated by a nurse. The nurse will then contact parents/guardians for proper dismissal from school.
Mandatory Physicals -10th graders, please be on the lookout for a notification from the nurse regarding your mandatory school physical. Students must submit a health assessment in either 9th or 10th grade per state requirements. If you are in need of one, a letter will be mailed home. Please submit it ASAP if you were notified. If not received by the first day of school, the student will be sent home.
Sports Physicals - Athletes, please make sure your sports physicals are up to date with the school nurse. The State of Connecticut Health Assessment Health Assessment Record record is used for the form. You are not eligible for participation if your physical has expired. Physicals can be submitted by email to garrahyr@rockyhillps.com or faxed to 860-258-7646. Also, please make sure you are registered for the sport well in advance of the season starting.
If you have any questions, please contact the nurse. Renee Garrahy, RN 860-258-7620.
Counselor Corner
RHHS School Counseling Website: https://rhhs.rockyhillps.com/guidance
RHHS School Counseling Phone: 860-258-7724
Instagram account: rhhs_schoolcounseling
Students are assigned to a counselor by last name:
A-D: Mrs. Notarangelo (notarangelos@rockyhillps.com)
E-K: Mrs. Carbutti (carbuttia@rockyhillps.com)
L-Rf: Mrs. Bikowski (bikowskih@rockyhillps.com)
Rg-Z: Mrs. Russell (russellj@rockyhillps.com)
Guidance Google Classroom Codes:
YOG 2024 (Seniors): eoanfws
YOG 2025 (Juniors): pxokhxgj
YOG 2026 (Sophomores): owc7g32
YOG 2027 (Freshmen): god6keo
YOG 2028 (8th Graders): rjmcdv7
Important Dates and Information:
April 4: Xavier and Mercy invite all students and their parents to attend the annual college fair on April 4 from 6 - 8 PM at Xavier High School in Middletown. Please see the attached flyer for more information.
April 5: RHHS Common Scholarship Application (online) deadline
April 25: NGSS testing for juniors
May 6-May 17: Advanced Placement (AP) exams
Advanced Placement Tests
Advanced Placement (AP) testing will take place between May 6 - May 17 - see schedule. Details about timing, location, etc. will be distributed closer to the testing timeframe.
2024-2025 Course Selection Process
Students chose the classes they would like to take for the 2024-2025 school year. Once the schedule is finalized, counselors will meet with students individually to review any conflicts and finalize schedules. Schedules cannot be changed after the last day of school. Some additional resources are below:
Seniors - College and Financial Aid Information
Seniors can complete the RHHS Common Scholarship Application (online) which has a deadline of April 5, 2024 (no exceptions).
School counselors automatically sent mid-year grades to any college to which seniors applied.
Please continue to check Naviance (Colleges > Scholarship List) and/or Guidance Google classrooms for scholarship opportunities. Keep checking back on a regular basis as more and more scholarships are added every day!
If you are unsure of your after-graduation plans, please make an appointment with your counselor to discuss options - whether it is college, technical/trade schools, employment or the military. Some schools are still accepting applications, including CT community colleges which are offering free tuition for next year.
PSAT Scores
Students should have received an email from the College Board with instructions on how to access their PSAT scores. Please see the PSAT 8/9 Handout and the PSAT Handout for more information. As a reminder, the school counselors do not have access to College Board accounts, so make sure you keep track of your username and password.
Summer Enrichment Opportunities
Students can check Naviance for summer enrichment opportunities by going to Naviance > Colleges > Research Colleges > Enrichment Programs. Students and families are responsible for paying applicable fees and providing transportation. Participating in summer programs can be included on a student's resume.
Financial Aid Night
A representative from CHESLA presented information about paying for college. As a reminder, the FAFSA is delayed this year and will be available in December.
Community Service
All students should be completing and documenting community service hours by submitting the Community Service Form to Guidance. Current seniors must complete at least 37.5 hours, and all other grades must complete at least 50 hours prior to graduation.
Joy the Therapy Dog:
Rocky Hill High School is working with a therapy dog program called Faithful Friends. There is a trained therapy dog in the high school each week for approximately two hours.
Students can meet with Joy on Mondays periods 7 & 8, and on Fridays periods 5 & 6. Students will need to come to Guidance to sign up if they have a study hall or lunch during these times.
Parents have been sent information on how to sign the permission form from the PowerSchool Parent Portal. No student will be allowed a session with the dog without parent/guardian permission.
Accessing the permission slip:
Class Information
Class of 2024
Senior Cup Kickballl
Thursday May 30th after school
Senior Prom
Friday May31st 6-10 at the Aqua Turf
Be on the look out for
DJ song list coming in early April
Tickets will be sold end of April/Early May
Primarily sold online
Table form will be coming out when tickets go on sale
Class Night
Monday June 3rd in the cafeteria
Get your cap, gown, tassels and yearbooks
Senior Picnic
Tuesday June 4th at the Farmington polo club
Class of 2025:
Junior Prom:
Where: Saint Clemens Castle- Portland, CT
Time: 6:00pm -10:00pm
When: Friday, May 17, 2024
Cost: $100
Prom tickets go on sale 4/15- 4/19 in room 1027
Please pay attention to the following information about class dues. All students owe $160 for class dues, which are used to help defray activity expenses such as Class Night and Senior Picnic. Since dues are applied to Senior activities, all students, regardless of when they enter RHHS, are required to pay the full amount. All students are afforded the opportunity to fundraise to reduce these dues to avoid any financial burdens that may occur. All money is placed in the Student Activity Fund, and receipts are issued upon payment of dues. Receipts are required as proof of payment. Information regarding the collection of dues and each year’s activities will be sent home by the class advisors during the first quarter.
Students will not be able to attend events such as Class Night and Senior Picnic if their dues are not paid for by the end of Quarter 3 in their senior year. While class dues total $160 for senior year activities, a payment plan of $40 per year is required. Students who are not up to date on their due payments can not participate in certain class events, such as running for a class office. Please note that dues will not be applied towards proms, and there will be additional ticket costs to cover prom expenses.
Class dues are a total of $160. To make dues more affordable, we ask that you pay $40 each year and not wait until your Senior year to pay your dues in full. However, you are more than welcome to pay them in full at any time. Cash or checks can be given to your homeroom teachers or directly to one of your advisors. Please make checks payable to RHHS SAF (your student's graduation year). You may also pay online via My Payment Plus.
Remember, to help offset this expense, and so you may choose to participate in one or more of the two school-wide fundraisers held each year. The more we sell as a whole school, the more individual profit you make.
More information on fundraisers will be coming out soon.
Class Google Classroom Codes
Seniors: fmed6wi
Juniors: 5kqlhdj
Sophomores: 5hlyeee
Freshman: cgyzyj7
Loss of Credit
Attendance regulations stipulate that a student lose credit based on the following guidelines:
Credit Recovery
Credit Recovery takes place during Saturday Detention, from 8:00am-12:00pm in the cafeteria. It is no longer offered after school. Students must sign up in the office ahead of time to be placed on the attendance list. Students who exceed the allowable number of absences in a particular class by five or fewer days can make up time in Credit Recovery. Students with lengthy, excused absences are encouraged to submit a Credit Appeals form as soon as possible.
Tutoring Lab
The Peer Tutoring Lab will officially open on Monday, October 30th! Please encourage your students to go to the lab for help during their study halls for extra help. They are welcome up to the lab any day/period that it is open (please note, as of right now, periods 7 and 8 are only open two days a week).
Writing Lab
Writing Lab
Rocky Hill High School's peer-led Writing Center has now been open for six successful months. Our 31 trained Writing Collaborators have met with student writers in over 120 appointments focused on all parts of the writing process. The Writing Center is located in the library mezzanine and is open every day, periods 1-9. Students are encouraged to make appointments and can find the link to the Writing Center website on their English class Google Classrooms.
Yearbook
New in the Library
School Bank/Store
School Store:
The marketing students have been hard at work stocking the school store with new merchandise. Feel free to stop by Tuesdays and Thursdays to check out our new products. We have new sweatpants in all sizes and engraved Stanley cups in stock. Newly designed t-shirts will be coming soon!
Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union
Student workers from Accounting and Advanced Accounting classes will be staffed in the bank during the school day for students and staff who would like to open credit union accounts. Any student who opens an account will receive a $100 dollar incentive. What a great way to start your path to financial success! Please see Mrs. Latina or Mrs. Nguyen with any questions.
Clubs & Activities
Clubs and activities are instrumental in learning that extends outside the classroom. RHHS students value the clubs and activities they are part of. To learn more about the clubs and activity opportunities, please access the clubs and activities page on our website.
List of clubs: https://rhhs.rockyhillps.com/clubsandactivities
The Broadside
The Broadside
The Broadside, the Rocky Hill High School Newspaper Club, publishes monthly editions which feature articles written by student writers. The Broadside presents a variety of opportunities to students, whether it’s strengthening your writing skills, helping run the Instagram and website, gaining leadership experience, or taking photos for the club. Every year, we also attend CCSU Journalism Day, where members are able to learn about topics such as the rights of reporters and the importance of social media from notable reporters and other high school students.
Check it out here: The Broadside
Project Graduation
Food Services
Please follow the link below, where you can view our monthly lunch menus and nutritional information
The HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) is a voluntary initiative that recognizes schools participating in the National School Lunch Program that have created healthier school environments through the promotion of nutrition and physical activity.
Notice of Non-Discrimination
The Rocky Hill Board of Education prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, marital status, military or veteran’s status, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation and past or present learning disability, physical disability, or mental disorder. The Rocky Hill Board of Education provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The Rocky Hill Board of Education guarantees compliance under Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments Acts of 1973, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991, and Connecticut General Statutes 46a-60. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Amy K. Stevenson, Director of Special Education and Pupil Personnel Services, 761 Old Main St., Rocky Hill, CT 06067, 860-258-7705. For further information on non-discrimination, please visit:
https://www.hhs.gov/ for the address and phone number of the office that serves your area, or call 1-800-421-3481.