Dear Parents,
Just a reminder that May will be a month of testing. The month starts
off with AP testing and ends with the High School Assessments. Please
make sure your student is in school each day during the next few
weeks, as teachers are reviewing for these important assessments. I
do need to remind all of our students who are taking the HSAs that
they must pass these tests to graduate.
Tonight the PTSA will be holding a Dessert with the Principal,
starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Information Center. I hope you can join
me for great desserts and conversation. The following information is
being provided to help keep you informed. Have a great week.
Clarification Regarding Discretionary Days
Recently we have had many parents/students requesting to use
discretionary days for college visits, etc. Please read the policy
below to ensure your student does not get marked as absent unexcused.
Thank you in advance.
a. A written request for such absences to be lawful/excused should be
submitted in
advance to the principal/designee. – At least two days in advance.
b. Such absences may not occur during exam or state-mandated testing
periods unless authorized by the principal/designee.
c. For absences of up to 3 days per year, the principal may determine
whether the absences will be lawful/excused or unlawful/unexcused.
Such absences may include, but are not limited to, the following
events directly involving the student:
i. Visits to post-secondary institutions
ii. Participation in college orientation programs
iii. Scheduled interviews with prospective employers
iv. Special family events, including vacations/trips.
· Special Recognition
Congratulations to the following students who recently attended a
Youth Summit Leadership Conference.
Rocky Bostick
Jenna Neckritz
Sam Storey
Jay Geis
Mishiel Ayub
· Carbon Footprint
This Wednesday, April 16th, students will receive directions for your
family to calculate their carbon footprint during advisory. There are
two ways to do the calculation. The first is on-line and the URL is
located on the student worksheet. The second way is to complete the
carbon footprint part of the worksheet by hand. You will need an
energy bill to do the calculation. It's a great way to engage your
family in a discussion about energy use and discuss ways to lower your
electric bill. Next week on April 23rd we will talk about what a
carbon footprint means and easy ways to lower your bills and
footprint. There is also information about David Gershon's book, "Low
Carbon Diet" that has numerous ways to lower your energy use. Our
Ecology club members that were trained as energy auditors are still
doing FREE energy audits in our community. We've helped a lot of
people lower their bills. Mine has been cut in half! If you're
interested in receiving a free audit email slower@hcpss.org and put
ENERGY AUDIT in the subject area. Sincerely, Susan Lower
· GUIDANCE UPDATE
Montgomery County National College Fair: Wednesday, April 16
6:30pm-8:30pm at the Montgomery County Agricultural Center in
Gaithersburg. Over 300 Colleges from across the Nation will be
represented.
The Software Applications I Credit by Exam is scheduled for Tuesday,
June 17, 2008, at Long Reach High School. Only HCPSS students entering
ninth grade in the Fall 2007 or before may establish the technology
education credit required for graduation by taking and passing this
exam. An HCPSS student who is enrolled in ninth grade through twelfth
grade has the option of establishing credit for Software Applications
I by taking and passing this exam. The student may take the exam as
long as the student meets all of the following criteria: is not
currently enrolled in Software Applications I; has not previously
enrolled in the course; and has not taken this exam in the past
12-month period.
Registration is online. The online registration will begin on
Thursday, April 17, 2008, and will close when all of the seats have
been allocated. No registrations will be taken after Thursday, May
22, 2008. To register, the student should go to the website at
www2.hcpss.org/bcms. Seating for this exam is limited.
Questions should be directed to Sharon Kramer either through email at
skra mer@hcpss.org or by phone at 410-313-6797.
River Hill PTSA Scholarship:
The purpose of the River Hill High School
Parent Teacher Student Association Scholarship is to encourage young
people to further their education in an academic field pursued in
college (junior, community, or 4-year) or trade school. To be
considered for this scholarship, applicants must:
1. Be a senior attending River Hill High School.
2. Be a 2007-2008 RHHS PTSA member, along with at least one River
Hill PTSA par ent member. Student and parent's membership must be
paid by January 1, 2008.
3. Show serious effort toward good scholarship and evidence that
he/she has achieved at their level of ability.
4. Complete an application and give it to a counselor at RHHS for
his/her signature. The completed application must be received by Mrs.
Pizzo in the guidance office on or before Friday, May 2, 2008.
Consideration Criteria and Award Use: 1. The RHHS Guidance Office
will make the selections based upon experiences with the student,
academic achievement, extra-curricular activities, and quality of the
student statement. 2. Scholarships will be awarded based upon the
student's level of ability, i.e.; not all awards will go to the
students with the highest grade point average or the most
extra-curricular activities. 3. Scholarships may be used for
attendance at a 4 year college, 2 year college, or trade/ technical
school. Winners will be announced and scholarships w ill be presented
at the Senior Awards Ceremony. Scholarship checks will be mad e out
directly to the student. Five (5) scholarships in the amount of $500
each will be awarded.
River Hill Boosters Scholarship:
The Guidance Office has received the
River Hill Boosters Scholarship Application. Families must be a member
of Boosters for students to be eligible to receive a Scholarship.
Scholarships are awarded in the amount of $500.00. The application
deadline is April 18. Please read the directions carefully and submit
all documents as directed.
Junior League Scholarship – Sustainer Service Award:
It is with great pleasure that the Junior League of Baltimore, Inc.
accepts nominations for the Sustainer Service Award. Named in honor of
the League's most experienced volunteers, this award is a scholarship
in the amount of $1,000 and is given annually to a female graduating
senior who has performed outstanding volunteer service during her
public high school years. As an organization committed to promoting
voluntarism and developing the potential of women, the Junior League
believes this scholarship is an appropriate way to provide
recognition, support and reward to the voluntary activities of young
women in the greater Baltimore community. Nominations for the
Sustainer Service Award may come from any public high school
administrator, guidance staff or faculty member or from any member of
the Junior League. Neither financial need nor academic standing will
be determining factors in selecting the recipient; the sole criterion
will be the quality of the candidate's voluntary service. Nominations
must be made on the application form found in the guidance office and
returned to the Junior League office no later than April 30, 2008. The
application must be accompanied by written verification of both the
candidate's volunteer service and plans to continue her education
after high school. The winner will be notified during the first week
in May and will be invited to attend the Junior League of Baltimore's
Annual Dinner on May 13, 2008 with an adult (parent, teacher, clergy)
of her choosing. The scholarship funds will be paid directly to the
post-secondary institution to be attended by the recipient.
Sigma Phi Epsilon – Balanced Man Scholarship:
Sigma Phi Epsilon of the University of Maryland is proud to offer three scholarships to
incoming freshman, two for $250 and one for $500. These Balanced Man
Scholarships are for the exceptional young men that exemplify the
principles of a balanced life. To us, a balanced life is the
maintenance of sound mind and sound body, tempered with virtue and
diligence. This scholarship in now way obligates the applicant to join
SigEp. The only requirement for application is that the applicant be
an entering freshman male at the University of Maryland. Applications
are available in the guidance office. Applications are due by
September 19, 2008.
Howard County General Hospital – Aronson Memorial Award:
The Professional Staff of Howard County General Hospital is again
sponsoring the ARONSON MEMORIAL AWARD in memory of Barry S. Aronson,
M.D. The award is dedicated to Dr. Barry Aronson, a fellow member of
the Professional Staff, who was an enthusiast supporter and coach to
school athletes. This year the hospital is pleased to announce that
two individual $2000 scholarships will be awarded to one graduating
male and one graduating female chosen. Criteria for the award are: The
application must be completed by the applicant and returned to the
Medical Staff Services Department no later than May 1, 2008. A letter
of recommendation directed to the Aronson Memorial Award Committee
from someone knowledgeable of the applicants academic and sports
abilities. The letter must accompany the application. Applicants must
have participated in a least two varsity sports while maintaining the
highest grade point average. Applications are available in the
guidance office.
Howard County Marine Corps League Scholarship:
The Howard County Marine Corps League announces that is once again will provide two
$1,000 scholarships to highly qualified graduating applicants from
Howard County schools. Applicants should be well rounded students
with scholastic achievement, community involvement, and a desire to
make a difference in the world. Completed applications must be
received by June 1, 2008. Applications can be found in the guidance
office.