Dear Parents,

All is well on the Hill.  Our Sports, Clubs and Fine Arts programs are in full gear.  I hope to see you out supporting our students at the many events taking place over the next several weeks.  I will be having my first Principal’s coffee next Wednesday, Sept. 24^th (Change of Date) at 8:00 in the student dinning center.  Please join me to discuss all of the happenings around the school – I will also bake some doughnuts and put on a pot of coffee/tea. 

Enjoy the week!

·Special Recognition

o       Congratulations go out to Samuel Engel – National Merit Semifinalist – Sorry we omitted your name last week!!

· Note from the Health Room

Please remember to use the new email absence address to notify the school if your child is absent.

rhhsabsence@hcpss.org

Please include your child's name, the date and symptoms, especially flu like symptoms (fever 100.0 or higher, sore throat or cough.)

Also, please see the new Health Room section on the RHHS website for more information and valuable links or downloads.

· FOOD ON THE 15^th is a new River Hill initiative to try to meet the growing need in our community for food.  Currently the River Hill Food Pantry is depleted and the Howard County Food Bank has also asked for our help.  Last year, with your generous contributions we collected thousands of cans which were distributed , refugee families living in Howard County, the Howard County food Bank, the Women’s Homeless Shelter, the Domestic Violence Center, Little Sisters of the Poor, and local churches. 

Currently, we are in need of canned fruits, vegetables, soups, and juices as well as toiletries such as tooth paste and tooth brushes.  This year we are asking families to send in food on the 15^th of every month.  There will be boxes placed outside the main office for students to drop off food on their way to class. 

Your donations make a difference for hundreds of families living here in Howard County. Thank you for your help and commitment to our community.  Please contact me if you have any questions or would like to get more involved.

· Guidance Update:

Please visit the River Hill Counseling website at http://guidance.riverhill.org

Coffee with Guidance: On Friday, September 25 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.

Fall College Night:     On Wednesday, September 30 the River Hill Student Services Office will be sponsoring a Collge Night program. The program begins at 7pm in the Auditorium with information from Mr. Philip Vangeli, the Counseling Department Team Leader and then continues at 7:25pm with breakout sessions. The breakout sessions will feature information sessions on the college athletics, financial aid, Military Academy appointments, Making the most of your college visits, UMBC, UMCP, McDaniel College, Howard Community College, and College for students with disabilities. There will be an opportunjty for each participant to attend two breakout sessions. The program is open to students and parents in grades 9-12. If you have questions please contact Mr. Vangeli in the Student Services Office.

Howard County College Fair: Atholton High School will be hosting the Howard County College Fairon Sunday, October 18 1pm-4pm. Over 100 Colleges are expected to attend.

Maryland Student Page Program: River Hill High School can nominate one senior to participate in the Maryland General Assembly Student Page program. Each sel;ected page will serve two nonconsecutive weeks in either the House of Delegates or the State Senate. If you would like to be considered for this program please see Mr. Vangeli in the Counseling Office for an application. The application deadline is Friday, October 2.

Scheduling meetings with your child’s counselor: Each counselor handles their own appointment schedule. If you would like to meet with your child’s counselor you can email them or call student services at 410-313-7400 to set up an appointment. Although counselors are available on a walk-in basis, it is always best to schedule an appointment ahead of time.

Scholarships:

Jefferson Scholars Foundation Scholarship: The Jefferson Foundation seeks to find high school seniors who best exemplify excellence in the Jeffersonian ideals of leadership, scholarship, and citizenship.  Students should possess exceptional ability in leadership and scholarship and who show promise of making a significant contribution to the University community as students and to society at large as graduates. The Foundation pays directly to each recipient a stipend sufficient to cover the full cost of attending the University of Virginia.  This year the award totals $21,210 for Virginians and $43,210 for non-Virginians; the Foundation is prepared to renew the stipend each semester for four years of study at the University.  Please note that if offered the Jefferson Scholarship, the student will have until April 20 to decide whether or not to accept the award and attend the University. In order to permit each candidate to participate fully in the competition, the Jefferson Scholars Foundation does require as a condition of nomination that each nominee agree not to make application to a college or university under a binding early decision plan.  However, any senior who wishes to apply to a college or university under a non-binding early admission plan would be eligible to compete for and win the Jefferson Scholarship.  Applying for admission to the University of Virginia is highly encouraged, but not required of nominees. If interested in being nominated or would like more information please see Mrs. Pizzo in student services by October 12^th 2009 with a resume.

Upcoming College Visits: