Dear Parents,
Today began our midterm exam week with the 4A exam. We continue with periods 1 and 2 tomorrow, 3 and 4B on Thursday and periods 5 and 6 on Friday. Students will be dismissed at 11:10 the rest of the week. Please encourage your students to take advantage of the time in the afternoon to prepare for their exams.
The following news is provided to help keep you informed:
Kudos
Congratulations to River Hill Senior Alex Wang, who was recently named
an Intel Semifinalist. The Intel Science Talent Search (Intel STS)
is the nation's most prestigious pre-college science competition.
Alumni of STS have made extraordinary contributions to science and
hold more than 100 of the world's most coveted science and math honors,
including seven Nobel Prizes and four National Medals of Science.
The Intel STS recognizes 300 students and their schools as semifinalists
each year - 1,839 applicants in 2012. Alex's work entitled, "Flatfield
Analysis of Fluorescent Microscope Images," was performed at
the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) under the
direction of Dr. Kiran Bhadriraju.
Congratulations as well to Stephen Chen for being the county winner on the University of Maryland Math exam. Over 2300 students took the first part of the test. Only 280 students moved on to the second part. Stephen finished ranked 15th out of the 280 and was the top scorer in all of Howard County. In addition, Stephen has been an instrumental part of the math team for the past three years. The team just placed first at their last county meet and Stephen is currently individually ranked 3rd in the county.
RETURN THOSE COURSE SCHEDULING FORMSCourse scheduling forms were due last week. If your son or daughter didn’t turn in the form, please return it ASAP. It’s important that counselors enter that data in a timely fashion, so they can also meet with students to ensure your child gets the courses he/she wants and needs.
Front Office Drop-Off Procedures
Recently, there has been an increase in items being dropped off for delivery to students. We want to continue to be able to provide excellent service to you and your students; however, in order to balance this service with other needs in the front office and the school in general, we will be instituting several changes to the drop off procedures. Please see below for specific directions regarding lunch and homework drop-off:
Lunch Drop-Off
1. Sign in on the visitor log in the front office.
2. Complete the drop off log for the student; please write "cafeteria" in the item field
3. Take the lunch to the cafeteria and place it on the "Lunch Drop Off" table located in the front of the cafeteria on the left-hand side.
4. Sign out on the visitor log in the front office.
Homework Drop Off
Let a secretary know that you have work that your student needs to
submit.
Please fill out the homework drop off slip (student’s name, teacher’s
name, drop-off date).
Work items for a student (homework or projects) will be placed in the
mailbox of the teacher who is requiring the work.
Thanks for your help in implementing these changes!
Obligations
When visiting school please check the list of obligations posted in the front lobby. We are currently missing textbooks, sports uniforms, band uniforms and emergency cards. These obligations must be cleared. If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Lockhoff in the front office.
Class of 2012 Senior Teacher of the Year Voting
The time has come for the Class of 2012 to vote for the Senior Teacher of the year.
Voting will end: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 11:59 PM
To vote visit http://vote.riverhillsga.org and login using the account credentials below:
Your Username is the same as your Aspen and computer account: Ex. bsmith1234First Initial of your First Name
First 5 digits of your Last Name
Last 4 digits of your student ID number
Your Password is: hawks
If you have account issues, please email: vote@riverhillsga.org
New!!! HYPE Street Team from Howard County Rec’s and Parks
The Howard County Youth Promoting Events (HYPE) Street Team is an initiative through Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks. Our goal is to market teen programs and special events and to create new fun ideas for teens. Simply click the link below and take a look at our upcoming events.
For more details, click here: Hype Street Team E-Newsletter
Women’s Science Forum
The Space Telescope Science Institute will be hosting a 2012 Women's Science Forum. Girls in grades 6-12 are invited to take part in hands on activities related to science and engineering. To register, please visit:
http://www.stsci.edu/institute/conference/youthae
STEM 2020 ChallengeThe Air Force is sponsoring an effort to increase awareness and emphasize the importance of STEM careers in our youth communities. This year the United States Air Force is issuing the “STEM 2020 Challenge,” an essay contest aimed at building awareness of STEM. Students in grades 6-12, educators, and college students are invited to participate. Essay contest winners will have the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C., receive a tour of the Pentagon, and fly advanced Jet Simulators. Essays are due by Jan 20, 2012. Detailed guidance can be found at: http://www.rs.af.mil/recruiteronline/story.asp?id=123283787
LEADERSHIP U
Are you interested in making a difference? Consider joining Leadership U Class of 2012. Leadership U is an exciting leadership development, teambuilding and community service opportunity for high school students. This four-month program involves: (1) a week-long summer session of hands-on learning and interactive activities, (2) Completion of a team community service project, (3) Participation in ‘Shadow Day’ where students have the opportunity to spend a day with a business or community leader. This program is for current high school sophomores with leadership potential, a desire to learn with others, and with an interest for the community. Come to learn more and speak to some of our grads at one of our information sessions: January 25 at Central Library, January 31st at Miller Library or February 9th at Hammond HS. - all from 7-8 pm. Parents and students are encouraged to attend. Applications and information are available in the Guidance Office or at www.leadershiphc.org. Applications are due Friday, March 9, 2012.
Helping the Unemployed--- RHFBLA's Dress For SuccessRiver Hill FBLA is partnering up with the men of the Helping Up Mission and the women of Suited to Succeed to distribute business attire to the unemployed of Baltimore. If you have any used, unwanted business attire that you would like to donate, please place it in the box outside the front office. Also, if you would like to use your workplace as a collection site for RHFBLA's business-attire drive please contact Natalie Tran at NTran@rhfbla.org and also if you have any questions/ concerns please contact Natalie.
Girls Engineering Outreach Program
February 4, 2012 on the Widener Campus in Chester, PA
Girls in grades 9 -12 are invited to spend the day participating in hands on lab activities with volunteers from Widener's School of Engineering and from the Philadelphia section of the Society of Women Engineers. The Camp is offered free of charge to all high school girls, but preregistration is required and enrollment is limited, so apply early!
For more information go to:
http://www.widener.edu/academics/collegesandschools/engineering/outreachprograms/hsgirlsminicamp
2012 GRADUATION SPEECH AUDITIONSThe Class of ’12 is offering students the opportunity to speak the 2012 Graduation. There are two categories of speeches. Please choose one:
The Keynote. The Speaker will deliver the main student speech during
graduation. You must prepare a two-minute speech that includes/centers
around the theme cited below:
Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time
we fall. Confucius
The Reflection. Up to two students can give this speech. This speech
pertains to memories and events that shaped your class’ reflections
about high school. In order to audition, you or your group must prepare
a two-minute speech.
You may audition for only one category. The auditions will begin at
11:30 on Wednesday, January 18, 2012. You will present your speech
for a panel of faculty and teachers. Make sure your speech contains
an introduction, body, and conclusion. You will be evaluated in five
categories:
Introduction
Body
Conclusion
Delivery
Overall Impact
The order of auditions is first come, first serve, so sign up early. It’s recommended you polish your writing and practice your speech before hand. Enjoy this opportunity and remember: have fun with it!THE SIGN UP SHEET WILL BE POSTED IN THE INFORMATION CENTER AT 11:10 ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18TH.
Please contact Ms. Sasser (Rm. 141) or Mr. DiFato (Rm. 222)
John_difato@hcpss.org
msasser@hcpss.orh
FBLA – Looking for Judges
River Hill FBLA is currently looking for professionals that are interested in judging the nine performance competitive events offered at the upcoming Maryland FBLA Region 9 Leadership Conference. The conference will take place from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM at River Hill High School on Saturday, February 11, 2012. Judges should be present for the on-site orientation at 9:00 AM and the entirety of the judging process (10:00 AM - 2:00 PM). If you are interested in judging please fill out the Judging Interest Form found here: http://www.rhfbla.org/MDFBLAR9/judges.html If you have any questions, please email:
kurt.anderson@mdfbla.org.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
The NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP) application process has begun for the 2012. They are looking to bring in the most highly qualified students from diverse backgrounds that are extremely motivated and passionate about conducting biomedical research.
The NIA would like to encourage your students to apply to the SIP. The NIH SIP application website went live on Wednesday, November 15,
Here are some helpful links:1. SIP application: https://www.training.nih.gov/programs/sip. Application process began November 15, 2011!
2. NIA research areas: (http://www.grc.nia.nih.gov/offices.htm).
3. NIA Summer Program details: (http://www.grc.nia.nih.gov/students/summeropps.htm)
4. 2012 NIH Community College Summer Enrichment Program
(https://www.training.nih.gov/ccsep_home_page)
I sincerely hope that you will share the above information and will have students apply for a summer training position at the NIA. If you have any questions, please call me on (410) 558-8121 or 1-800-681-7685 ext. 8121.
JROTC TIMELINE FOR TRANSFERS TO HOWARD, OAKLAND MILLS, OR ATHOLTON HIGH SCHOOLS
January 20, 2012 Last day for parents to call school to schedule an appointment for an interview with the JROTC Instructor and School Administrator.
January 27, 2012 Interview must be completed by the JROTC Instructor and School Administrator.
January 30, 2012 School Administrator/JROTC instructor sends approvals, denials, wait list to the Student Reassignment Office.
February 6, 2012 Student Reassignment Office sends letters of approval/denial to parents in the mail. Copies of the letters will be sent to JROTC instructors, registrars, school administrators.
February 17, 2012 Approved OOD JROTC students must have requested an appointment for registration at OOD School.February 24, 2012 The School Administrator/JROTC Instructor/Registrar informs the geographical home school registrar/school administrator of those students who have not registered.
For students requesting JROTC after the January 20, 2012 deadline:
• In-county students – NO, may be eligible to apply the following year.
• Out-of-county students moving in during current school year or summer - NO, may be eligible to apply the following year.
• Out-of-county students moving in during current school year or summer/ALREADY IN JROTC program – YES, if the following criteria are met:
• Space is available in the JROTC program
• Student was enrolled in JROTC at the time of transfer OR, if enrolling during the summer, student must have been enrolled in JROTC in previous semester
• Recommendation from the JROTC Instructor at the previous school is received
• Interview with the JROTC Instructor and Administrator has been completed
Science – STEM opportunity- 2012 Kavli Science video contestKavli “Save the World Through Science & Engineering” Video Contest - The Kavli Foundation is challenging Grades 6-12 students across the world to brainstorm and share their ideas! Students worldwide are invited to submit entries to the 2012 video contest, with cash awards and prizes for the top entries. The best videos will be shown at the Festival Expo during April 27-29, 2012, where hundreds of thousands of science fans are expected to gather in Washington, D.C. The first place winner will also receive a travel stipend to attend the Expo.
http://www.usasciencefestival.org/2012festival/contests/kavli-video-contest.
Former Triadelphia Ridge Students and Families
We are putting in a brick garden at Triadelphia Ridge Elementary School. This is the perfect opportunity to leave a lasting mark at Triadelphia Ridge Elementary School. Purchasing a “brick” to go in the brick garden is easy. Log on to our website: http:/tres.hcpss.org. We will be building the “brick garden” in spring 2012. Proceeds from the project will support teacher initiatives with technology and environmental instruction. Thank you for your support.
State and Local Health Insurance Programs
If you or someone you know needs health insurance or would like to find out more information about state and local health insurance programs, a staff member at the Door to HealthCare would be happy to help. Located in the Health Department at 7178 Columbia Gateway Drive, the Door to HealthCare is open Monday-Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm. Our staff is ready to answer your questions about program eligibility and application status, help you apply to health care programs, collect any documents missing from your application, and help connect you with doctors who will accept your insurance. If you are unsure what program you may be eligible for, you may call us to make an appointment to complete an electronic application with a staff member. For more information, visit our website at www.healthyhowardmd.org or call us at 410.988.3737 ext. 10.
Lena Bloom Hershkovitz, MPH
Eligibility Services Manager
Healthy Howard, Inc.
lhershkovitz@healthyhowardplan.org
410.988.3737 ext. 12
Calendar of Events
As always, you can find a calendar of all our events at:
http://web02.hcpss.org/school_calendars/FAV1-000974A7
Hope to see you out supporting River Hill!! Go Hawks!!
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