The winter break is fast approaching and we are very busy on the Hill. Hopefully you will have a chance to come out and support our music and dance programs, by attending our winter concerts over the next two weeks. Our students do a wonderful job and they always appreciate the support of a large crowd in attendance. Our winter sports teams are off to a successful start. I hope to see you at a performance or a game.
Just a reminder, that my coffee with the Principal will be Thursday, December 17, at 8:00 a.m. in the student dining area. Please join me for a great conversation about all of the happenings at River Hill.

Special Recognition
Congratulations to our Leadership U graduates!
Chrissy Costabile
Marjorie Mazzullo
Mishiel Ayub
Throughout the past few months they have learned leadership skills and completed a service project. We are very proud of you.

Senior Class
In Need of Pictures - Senior Slide Show
Please scan a baby picture of yourself to be included in the end of the year senior slide show. Email your picture to Kate McFee at kcmcfee@yahoo.com
You can also scan and email other pictures of you and your friends to be included in the slide show to Rebecca Weisenhoff at rlweisenhoff@verizon.net

Music Department
RHHStival 2010! The River Hill High School Department of Music will once again be hosting the RHHStival, an evening of music featuring local rock bands and emerging talent. This year’s festival is scheduled for Friday, January 22, 2010 from 6:00 - 11:00 p.m. Event and Ticket information will be available in early January.
Students interested in auditioning to perform in this year’s festival need to complete an application and submit a demo recording for consideration by Wednesday, December 23, 2009. Applications are available online at www.riverhillmusic.org.

STUDENT SERVICES UPDATE
Student Assistance Program: River Hill High School participates in the Student Assistance Program. SAP is a school-based team that offers support to students, parents, and teachers. The SAP provides a systematic approach to early identification, intervention, referral, and follow-up of students whose behavior indicates patterns that may be related to the use of tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs. If you suspect that a student is using tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs you can contact the guidance office and give us the student’s name. You can make an anonymous referral. The guidance office will then investigate the report and contact the student’s parent and make appropriate referrals. Students who are referred through the Student Assistance Program are not subject to disciplinary action at the time of the referral.
College Night: The Counseling Office will be presenting a College Information Night on Tuesday, January 12, 2009 at 7pm in the Auditorium. This program is geared towards current Juniors, but is appropriate for parents and students in grades 9 and 10. Students are welcome and encouraged to attend the program. Information on College Selection, SAT exam, ACT exam, College Visits, Financial Aid, College Interview, and the Transcript Request Process will be presented.
JROTC Program: December 7, 2009 is the opening date for students to request an interview with the JROTC Instructor and the School Administrator if the JROTC program is not offered at their geographically designated school and they are interested in enrolling in the program for the 2010/2011 school year. Parents of interested students should contact Atholton, Howard or Oakland Mills High School to arrange for an interview. An interview is not a guarantee of acceptance in the program. The final date to request an interview is Friday, January 22, 2010. Requests for interviews for the JROTC program from students, who were enrolled in the Howard County Public School System during the open date for registration (December 7, 2009 – January 22, 2010), will NOT be accepted after January 22, 2010 unless the program is at risk for being eliminated due to low enrollment.

The family of Steven Dankos has made arrangements for friends and others to pay their respects on Wednesday, December 2nd, from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, 7501 Adelphi Road, Hyattsville, Maryland. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations made to River Hill High School for a future award/scholarship program. There will be a service on Thursday, December 3rd at 10:00 a.m., at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church with burial service immediately following at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. If your child is planning on attending the memorial and/or funeral services, he or she should be accompanied by a parent/guardian, as young people should not go through this experience alone and will likely need adult support during such a difficult time.

Information from our School Nurse
1) Sick Student? rhhsabsence@hcpss.org or 410-313-7120 x 143
2) H1N1 Vaccination Consent Forms
Since we do not have a scheduled date yet, we are able to continue to accept consents. Any student that has not turned one in yet and still wishes to do so may drop it off to the health room or first period.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Check out the week’s activities at the following website!!!
http://web02.hcpss.org/school_calendars/FAV1-000974A7