Principal’s Update
1/4/2010
Happy New Year!! I hope that you enjoyed your winter break!! The end of the semester is fast approaching. We will have mid-term exams Jan 19 – Jan 22. Our Ninth Grade Team as well as many other teachers will be holding mid-term study sessions during classes prior to mid-term exams. Look for review packets in the near future. We are also about to start the scheduling process for next year. Students will be receiving scheduling information next Monday, January 11. All scheduling information must be returned to 1st period teachers by Friday, January 15th. This coming Thursday we will have a Parent Information Night on scheduling for our incoming 9th grade parents, starting at 7 PM in the Auditorium. Check out the guidance update for more information. Senior parents, the end is in sight. Watch for important information in the near future. Have a great week.
H1N1 Clinic
H1N1 clinic has been rescheduled. It will be on Tuesday January 5th. Our nurse asks that you email her if your child has received the vaccine, so that she can remove the name off her roster. marisa_maravi@hcpss.org
Attention All Ninth Grade Health Parents:
As per the information you received in your son's/daughter's Health Education grading policy in August: Family Life and Human Sexuality: IMPORTANT INFO!!!
Family Life Education is a part of the 9th grade health curriculum. Parents have the right to exclude their child from this portion of the health curriculum. In order to exclude your son or daughter, you should visit the teacher’s web page, download the exclusion form and send it in to school with your child. NO OTHER NOTIFICATION WILL BE GIVEN CONCERNING THE FAMILY LIFE CURRICULUM.
This is the only notice that will be sent out. Family Life Education will begin the week of January 6th.
Please return any exclusion forms by January 6th to your son's/daughter's health teacher.
SCHEDULING INFORMATION:
What’s New in the CTE Department?
With scheduling so close, the CTE (Career Technology Education) department would like to share the following:
Business and Computer Management Systems (BCMS)
Software Apps I will count for the Tech Ed credit for seniors only
Now Honors status
Principles of Marketing 565M
Advanced Marketing 564M
Accounting I 5601
Accounting II 560M
Career Research and Development (CRD)
CRD I and Site-based Work Experience will be offered in summer school this summer.
Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS)
Food and Nutrition Technology will count for the Tech Ed credit for seniors only
Now Honors status
Child Development 6531
Teaching as a Profession 6534
New Course
Foundations of Fashion and Interior Design 6556
Satisfies Fine Arts graduation requirement and replaces Fashion Technology 6555
Technology Education
Don’t forget that Pre-Engineering starts in ninth grade
Now GT Status
Digital Electronics 686M
Computer Integrated Manufacturing 685M
Engineering Design and Development 687M
Career Academies
Has you child signed up for their Career Academy yet? If not, please do so today. Career academies at River Hill are (alpha order):
Accounting Academy
Business Management Academy
Computer Programming Academy
Culinary Art Academy
Early Childhood Development
Pre Engineering Academy
Teacher Academy
Additional Academies are offered @ the ARL; checkout the www.hcpss.org
Note – articulation information is available for select courses. See a CTE Staff member or guidance for more information.
Music Scheduling
BE A PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER!
The Music Program is looking for people just like you...
Does your son or daughter sing along with an iPod or drum on the kitchen table? Does your home resemble a music store with all the instruments, cds and “Rock Band” accessories lying around? Encourage your young budding musician to channel that love of music by becoming a member of the River Hill Music Program. Many students assume that if they didn't begin music lessons (or stick with them!) in elementary school, it's too late for them to learn or that there is no place for them in the high school music program. NOT TRUE! The River Hill Music Program offers a wide range of courses for non-traditional music students as well as the typical courses in Band, Choir, Orchestra, Percussion, Jazz, and Music Theory. We also offer Piano and Guitar courses ranging from beginner to advanced levels that allow students to explore different styles from rock to classical. Our most popular new course, Music Technology (I and II), utilizes cutting edge technology (in our state-of-the-art lab) to teach students how to create and record their own music. We also hope to create a "Rock Band" course that will teach our garage band friends how to write music and lyrics, work as a creative team, and produce a functional CD.
For a complete listing of music course descriptions/audition requirements, please visit our website at www.riverhillmusic.org and follow the link to Future Students. For more information, please contact M. Joseph Fischer, Director of Bands, at joe_fischer@hcpss.org
BLU FUNDRAISER
RHHS Black Leadership Union‚ (BLU)
Midterm Madness Care Packages
Before you know it, your child, student or friend will be taking midterm exams. Let that special person know that you are thinking about him/her during midterms by sending them a BLU hand packed care package filled with energizing goodies, study tips and materials as well as a personalized note from you.
The cost of the Midterm Madness Care Package is $10.00 (please make all checks payable to RHHS-BLU Midterm Madness). Proceeds will help BLU fund community outreach activities, and purchase supplies and educational materials as well as provide a book scholarship to a deserving graduating club member. Your support is greatly appreciated! All orders must be placed by Monday, January 11, 2010.
Order forms may be received and returned in Student Services with Ms. Danise McEneaney, the Student Services Secretary. Packages will be delivered Friday, January 15, 2010 during 6th period (for students who are out of the building, packages will be delivered 5th period).
*Example Package Contents: Energy Bar, Juice or Water, Fruit, Snack Size Cereal, Post It Notes, Fruit Snack, Highlighters, Mechanical Pencils, RHHS Study Tips, Airheads, Butter Popcorn, Lipton Tea Bags.
*Package contents will depend on availability, but students will have the same number of items as listed above.
WINTER DANCE
Winter Semi-formal Dance
Saturday, January 16, 2010
7:30 - 10:30 in the cafeteria
Tickets are $10 and will be sold Monday, Jan. 11- Friday, Jan. 15.
Attire is semi-formal (same style as homecoming with a winter twist - holiday ties, etc.)
CLASS OF 2010
Attention all Artistic Seniors: We are in search of someone who would like to submit an entry for the Class of 2010 Senior "Tile" that will be hung in the Dining Center after graduation. If you would like to considered please enter your idea(s) on a 8x11 sheet of paper to the box that will be located in the Main Office. All entries are due no later than 1/29/2010. Let’s make it better than the class of 2009! If you have any questions please see your class sponsors: Ms. Noecker or Ms. Lauer.
GT INFORMATION NIGHT
This Wednesday, January 6th, the Gifted & Talented Information Night is taking place at 7:30 pm, in the Information Center.
Come hear what the Gifted & Talented Research Programs have to offer your child. Hear from students in both the Independent Research as well as the Inter/Mentor Program
Within the last five years students in the River Hill Gifted and Talented Research programs have been:
Selected as Intel Semi-finalists
Published in national scientific and art publications
Presented at conferences in San Francisco, Boston and Tokyo
Created & produced original CD’s on the national market
Produced & financed an ongoing county wide film festival
Wrote, performed, & produced a one man theatrical show
Created several musical arrangements that have been performed by the faculty at Peabody!
Every year in May we collect data on how Students, Parents and Community members rate the River Hill Gifted & Talented Research Programs. The first decade of data is in!
97% of the River Hill Gifted & Talented Research parents felt their child was appropriately challenged by the program and, if given the choice, would sign them up for another year!
100% of the greater business and academic community members who have participated are interested in mentoring another River Hill Gifted and Talented Intern/Mentor student!
Over 90% of the mentor students selected the Gifted and Talented Research Program as their most educational class in high school!
Bring your son or daughter to hear about this wonderful opportunity
Wednesday, January 6th, 7:30 pm, in the Information Center!
FROM OUR SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
The Center for Women in Information Technology (CWIT) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) would like your help in spreading the word about an event coming up in February. As part of its mission to encourage and support women to be leaders in Engineering and Information Technology fields, CWIT is hosting a two-day, overnight event for academically talented females who are juniors in high school and excel in math and science.
The event is called "Bits and Bytes" and will be held over President's Day weekend, February 14-15, 2010. The purpose of this FREE event is to engage high school girls in the college atmosphere and expose them to the possibilities open to them in Engineering or IT majors in college. Along with in-depth exposure to life as a college student and UMBC as an institution, the students will participate in an Engineering or IT design competition (for prizes) and will interact with current college students involved in the CWIT Scholars Program, including staying overnight in a residence hall on campus and attending a college class with one of the CWIT students.
If any students you work with seem to fit the purpose of Bits and Bytes, I encourage you to pass this information on to them so they can apply - you can email or give them the attached flier so they know how to apply. You may nominate as many girls as you feel would benefit from this program and are qualified according to the following criteria:
Female
Junior standing in high school
3.0/4.0 GPA or higher
Strong in mathematics and science
Desire to learn
Display leadership qualities
The ladies nominated need to complete the application (http://spreadsheets.google.
Science and Engineering Apprentice Program (SEAP)
Sponsored by the Army medical Research and Material Command, Federal Laboratories, George Washington University
SEAP places academically talented high school students with interest in science and mathematics in Department of Defense laboratories for an 8 week period during the summer. The program provides paid apprenticeships for high school students. Students are assigned to a laboratory and participate with a scientist or engineer who serves as a mentor in the participating federal laboratory.
APPLY ONLINE: www.usaeop.com Students must send a copy of their transcript to:
M. Phillips, Program Director
Science and Engineering Apprentice Programs
School of Engineering and Applied Science
The George Washington University
1776 G Street, NW, LL, Room 171
Smith Summer Science and Engineering Program for Girls
The Smith Summer Science and Engineering Program (SSEP) is a four-week residential program for exceptional young women with strong interests in science, engineering and medicine. Each July, select high school students from across the country and abroad come to Smith College to do hands-on research with Smith faculty in the life and physical sciences and in engineering. Groups of up to 16 students work alongside Smith faculty members who are assisted by undergraduate interns. Informal lectures in the laboratory and field provide students with the basis for asking experimental questions, and then they learn how to conduct real experiments.
SSEP is open to academically talented girls who will enter grades 9, 10, 11 or 12 in fall 2009. Enrollment in the program is limited to ensure the quality of the academic experience. The SSEP has a selective admissions process, based on academic performance in middle and/or high school, a written essay and a teacher recommendation. Students need not have taken advanced science courses but must have a strong record of academic achievement, a high level of motivation and a willingness to explore.
Application Materials:
Completed SSEP Application Form (pdf)
Written Essay (1-2 typed, double-spaced pages) See essay instructions on the SSEP application form.
Completed Teacher Recommendation Form (pdf) Please give the form to a teacher who knows you well.
A current school transcript (You may send this with your application materials or request that your school mail it separately.)
http://www.smith.edu/
J. Craig Venter Institute Internship 2010
The J. Craig Venter Institute is a not-for-profit research institute dedicated to the advancement of the science of genomics; the understanding of its implications for society; and the communication of those results to the scientific community, the public, and policymakers. Founded by J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., the Institute is home to more than 400 scientists and staff with expertise in human and evolutionary biology, genetics, bioinformatics/informatics, high-throughput DNA sequencing, information technology, functional genomics, and genomic and environmental policy research.
Eligibility:
High school students must be at least 16 years old by one month prior to the start of their internship and have preferably completed their junior year. A 'B' average is required as well as a strong interest in the selected career.
Application:
Online Application
A Resume
An essay addressing the following topics:
What interests you in science (or specialized area) and why?
How does the Internship support your interest and professional goals?
What strengths would your bring to the Internship?
Let us know something about yourself that we might not learn from the rest of this application.
Current high school or college transcripts as appropriate (does not have to be official)
Two recommendation letters from teachers or former mentors.
APPLY ONLINE: http://www.jcvi.org/
NASA Internship Opportunities for Science
Please check out the Goddard (NASA SPACE FLIGHT CENTER) Opportunities Site.
http://education.gsfc.nasa.
Look under the “opportunities” tab.
STUDENT SERVICES UPDATE
The River Hill High School Student Services Office collected about 120 items (food, drinks, personal items) during the week of December 14th for care packages that were sent out to troops serving overseas. Thank you to all students, families, and staff who donated items or made cards for this cause. Packages were sent out to two United States Army units and one United States Marine Corps unit. One of the army units includes a River Hill alumni. A special thanks goes out to senior, Kendall Auth, who put up signs, set up the donation boxes, and packed items in the care packages as well as Anna Demaree who assisted Kendall with the packing of items in the packages. Thanks again to all who donated items or made cards for our troops.
What: 9th Grade Parent Orientation for High School Registration
When: January 7, 2010 (Thursday), 7PM
Where: RHHS- Auditorium
Please join us for an evening program to discuss the course registration process for 9th grade and to hear about the electives that 9th graders are eligible to register for. We will present course offerings in Business, Family and Consumer Sciences, Art, Drama, Music, PE / Dance and Technology. We will also share information about auditions for performing arts classes, such as band, madrigals and orchestra.
Information will be shared about specialized programs that are available to students at RHHS and at the ARL (Career Academies, Mentor, Independent Research).
Hopefully by the end of the evening parents will know what is being offered to their children, how to correctly fill out the registration sheet, and who to contact at RHHS if they have questions along the way.
Our counselors will be presenting similar information to students when they visit the middle schools in January 2010.
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.
Coffee with Guidance: On Friday, January 29 at 9am the Student Services office will be hosting a coffee with guidance. This is an opportunity for you to hear about upcoming guidance programs, meet our staff and ask questions. If you are interested in attending please RSVP to Mr. Vangeli at pvangeli@hcpss.org.
The Elijah Cummings Youth Program in Israel: This is an outstanding educational opportunity for students who are currently enrolled in 10th grade and live in or attend school in Maryland’s 7th Congressional District. This is the 13th year that the Congressman has sponsored this exceptional program in partnership with the Baltimore Jewish Council. Candidates apply in their sophomore year and throughout their junior and senior year, participate in a monthly leadership development skills program and travel to Israel during the summer of 2011 following the completion of their junior year of high school. Our goal is to have 5 students apply for this program. Please see Mr. Vangeli for an application or if you have questions. The application deadline is March 26, 2010.
Veterinary Medical College Career Fair and Information sessions: On March 14, 2010 the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges will be hosting a Veterinary Medical College Career Fair and information sessions from 2pm-5pm at the Westin Alexandria, 400 Courthouse Square, Alexandria, VA 22314. There will be guest speakers, admissions directors, administrators, and alumni who will tell you about the endless career opportunities in veterinary medicine. The fair is open to the public and free of charge. For more information go to http://www.aavmc.org/DVM/
Save the date---Military Information Night: River Hill High School will be hosting a County-wide Military Night on Wednesday, March 24 from 7pm-9pm. The Military Night will take place in the Cafeteria and Media Center. Representatives from the five Military Academies, private and state sponsored military colleges, enlistment recruiters, ROTC, and the Howard County JROTC programs at Atholton, Howard, and Oakland Mills will be present and will be manning tables to distribute information. In addition, representatives of Senator Cardin, Senator Mikulski and Congressman Cummings office will be on hand to discuss the nomination process for the Military Academies. We will also have representatives of the Military Academies discussing their application processes.
Scholarships:
Carson Scholars Scholarship: The Carson Scholars Fund aims to recognize and reward students in grade 4-11 who earn the highest level of academic achievement, and also display strong humanitarian qualities. Winners are designated as “Carson Scholars” and receive $1,000 scholarship awards that are invested for college. To be considered for nomination students must: Be enrolled in grades 4-11, previous winners in the 12th grade may participate, Have a GPA of 3.75 or above on a 4.0 scale in the following academic subjects: English, Reading, Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign Languages. Please note: Applicant may only submit fall 2009, 1st Quarter grades and/or 2nd Quarter if available. No previous year is accepted. Demonstrate humanitarian qualities in school and community through school programs and/or community service above and beyond what is required. Community Service is unpaid, volunteer work that benefits individuals, groups, or non-profit organizations and the volunteer work must demonstrate unique accomplishments such as: organizing a student group visit to a nursing home.
If interested in being nominated please provide a resume and a personal statement explaining your humanitarian qualities (as mentioned above) to Mrs. Pizzo in guidance by January 7.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
You can find a calendar of all our events at:
http://web02.hcpss.org/school_
Hope to see you out supporting the Hawks!! Go Hawks!!