Home

Principal's Newsletter
10/16/12

 

 

Dear Parents,

Sorry I didn’t get the news out yesterday.  I was not in school.  Hopefully, the delay doesn’t prevent you from taking advantage of some of these great events coming up.

The following news is provided to help keep you informed:

Safe Driving Seminar TONIGHT

We have scheduled an additional Safe Driving Seminar on October 16th at 7pm in the River Hill media center.  All students

 

PSAT- This Wednesday

This is a reminder that all 10th and 11th grade students (and a few 9th) will be taking the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) on Wednesday, October 12, starting at 7:25am. The PSAT is a "no fault" practice test to prepare students for the SAT.   In addition, the PSAT is used as the qualifying examination for the National Merit Scholarship for 11th grade students.  Please encourage your student/s to get a good night's rest, eat a healthy breakfast and get to school a few minutes early on Wednesday.  Once the exam has begun, students will not be allowed to enter the classroom and participate in the examination.  Please be advised that students do not need a calculator to complete the math portion of the examination but they are allowed to bring a calculator (basic, scientific or graphing) if they would like.  The PSAT guidelines prohibit students from using their cell phones, laptops or other electronic devices during the exam.  Students must bring their own calculator as we do not have calculators to lend and students are not allowed to share calculators during the exam. 

Students should bring:

1.  Two #2 pencils

2.  Calculator (basic, scientific or graphing)

Seniors have a great opportunity to receive assistance with their college applications or to have their essays reviewed!  Seniors who signed up for help should report to the Information Center the morning of the 17th.  Teachers will meet with unscheduled students if time permits on a first come – first served basis.  Please bring two copies or rough drafts ready for review/assistance.   With a parent note, you may leave and go on a college visit after your essay has been reviewed or you have worked on your applications. 

If your son or daughter is choosing to take advantage of this day for college visits, please be sure to send in an excuse note to Mrs. Chambers no later than Monday October 22nd.  If we don’t have a note by Monday, the absence will be marked as unexcused.

River Hill Tuesdays

 

The Boosters are hosting fundraiser nights at Ruby Tuesday throughout the month of October.  That’s right—it’s River Hill Tuesday at Ruby Tuesday.  Come out for lunch or dinner on 10/23, 10/30, and 11/1 and River Hill Boosters will receive 20% of the profits on all “coupon orders.”  Yes, you must present the special River Hill Flyer, which is available on the school’s website.

 

Free Information, Education and Entertainment

A Howard County Public Library card is your free ticket to a wide range of information, education, and entertainment. With it you can access books, magazines, CD's, DVD's, and the Internet. Library databases and FREE online homework assistance are some of the valuable services that are provided for students. We are asking you as parents and guardians to encourage your children to secure a library card so that they can have all these terrific resources at their fingertips.

We also would like to tell you about our River Hill High Media Resources page, which is accessible by going to web.hcpss.org/~michael_ahr . This is also available on River Hill's official website,www2.hcpss.org/rhhs.  Here you will find links to all of our online subscription databases, including Gale Student Resource Center, CultureGrams, SIRS Knowledge Source, World Book Online, ABC-CLIO, Summer Reading Lists, and the Howard County Public Library.  Students can conduct research using periodicals and reference sources without leaving their home computer!  Please note: a password is required to access these subscription databases from home; students should see a media staff member for a list of passwords.

Your River Hill High School Media Staff

Yearbook News

 

Parents of Seniors:

 

We need your help! Please send in one baby picture of your child to rhhsyrbk@gmail.com. We are using these pictures in the senior portrait section of the yearbook to further incorporate this year’s theme of ‘Then and Now’. The baby picture will also be used in the senior slideshow at the end of the year.

 

Sending the pictures electronically is preferred, but if for some reason you can’t send the picture to our yearbook Gmail account, please contact Kristin Mitchell at kristin_mitchell@hcpss.org so that you can make an appointment to have your picture scanned here at the school.

 

We really want to have everyone’s baby picture for the yearbook and slideshow, so please send them in as soon as possible.

 

Thanks you for your support!

 

Sincerely,

 

The Talon Yearbook Staff

FOOD ON THE 15th

 

Did you know there are families right here in the RHHS community that need your help?  RHHS stocks a food pantry to support families in need who are connected to the River Hill community.  Some donations to the RHHS Food Pantry are forwarded on to the Howard County Food Bank to support the larger community.  Donations of food items and toiletries are greatly appreciated. 

Please send in donations during the week of the 15th, there will be a bin in front of the main office.  Needed items include:  canned goods, such as juices, fruits, vegetables (e.g. all types, including Asian veges), canned meats (e.g. chicken, tuna, fish), boxed goods (cereals, rice, pasta, noodle soup), and toiletries, (deodorants, toothpaste, toothbrushes in adult and children sizes, shampoo).  No bottles or glass items please.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

 

Senior Night

Boys' Varsity Soccer's Senior Night on Tuesday, October 16th at 5:30, with introduction of Seniors beginning at approximately 5:20pm. Come watch and cheer on the Boys Soccer team while they take on Centennial at RHHS stadium.

 

Military Information Night

 

River Hill High School will be hosting the 4th annual Howard County Public Schools Military Information Night program on Thursday, March 14, 2013 from 6pm-9pm. The program will take place in both our Cafeteria and our Media Center. In the Cafeteria, tables will be set up so that individual institutions can display materials and talk to attendees. In the Media Center there will be discussions regarding the process of applying to the United States Military Academies. The program is open to all students who live in Howard County.

Coat Drive!!!

 

Please donate your gently used coats, hats, scarves and gloves to help those in need right here in Howard County!!

The PTA Council of Howard County (PTACHC) in cooperation with the HCPSS Pupil Personnel Workers (PPWs) is sponsoring a coat drive to provide winter coat, hats, scarves, and gloves to students in our school communities (and their families) who are in need.

ITEMS NEEDED:  New or gently used boys, girls, teens and adult sizes of coats, hats, and gloves (must be clean, all zippers and buttons work, and ready to wear).

Please put your items in the box in the front lobby of RHHS. We will continue to collect these items through Oct. 31. 

If you have any questions, email Patti Fisher fishfam2000@yahoo.com

 

Upcoming PTSA Event:

 

October 18, 2012

Ms Jocelyn Martin

Study Skills - VERY VALUABLE

This workshop for parents will give practical suggestions for helping students with Study Skills, Organization & Time Management. It will help parents to enable their children to work independently. This program is especially helpful for 9th & 10th grade parents!

Media Center 7 – 9

 

Street Smarts of Maryland, Drive Education at RHHS

Next Class runs from 10/16/2012 - 10/30/2012. 

Street Smarts of Maryland provides their students with several course options with the goal of making each student a safer driver in all types of roadway conditions. Their curriculum is defensive driving based and the majority of their instructors are either active or retired law enforcement officers.

The River Hill High School's Boosters will receive a $25.00 tuition referral for each student that enrolls in the program. Classes are held directly after school from 3:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. If your child needs drivers education, please support the Boosters and enroll your child in one of these afternoon sessions at the school.

The Street Smarts program boosts the following:

*Certified MVA Instructors

*Over 200 Years of Combined Law Enforcement Experience

*Thirty (30) hours of Classroom Instruction

*Standard or Advanced Behind the Wheel Instruction

* No Wait Time for Behind the Wheel Lessons

Street Smarts of Maryland has earned the following endorsements:

*Howard County Police Officers Association

*Howard County Retired Police Officers Association

*Maryland State Police- F.O P. Lodge # 69

*Howard County Professional Firefighters Association

Street Smarts of Maryland has also been named as a national safe driving adviser to Progressive Insurance and has also partnered with the Ford Motor Company "Driving Skills for Life Program". 

FALL/WINTER 2012 SCHEDULE:

DATES: 10/16/2012 - 10/302012

No class 10-19-2012

DATES: 12/03/12 - 12/14/12

DATES: 01/28/12 - 02/08/12

DATES:03/11-12 - 03-22-12

 

To register for any session on-line, please visit the Street Smarts website at: www.StreetSmartsMD.com

To register by Phone, please call their office at 443-355-4238

RHHS Student Directory

 

Don’t be left out of the RHHS Student Directory! Directory deadline extended to Oct. 20, 2012

Go to www.riverhill.org ; click on the “PTSA link”; click on Membership/Directory. You do not have to join PTSA to be included in the Student Directory.

JOIN PTSA!

 

Go to www.riverhill.org ; click on the “PTSA link” ; click on Membership/Directory

Print confirmation screen and place it in an envelope with payment (by check, please)

Mail/deliver to RHHS PTSA, 12101 Route 108, Clarksville, MD 21029

Thanks for supporting the PTSA!

FREE MONEY for River Hill Students

Please re-register your Giant grocery card. Our students receive money when you simply use your Giant Rewards card. Giant's A+ Bonus Bucks School ID - 03336

Target shoppers - carrying a REDcard Visa saves you 5% on purchases and benefits River Hill students with FREE MONEY. Last year, 40 families = $1,089.13. More families, more FREE MONEY. School ID - 112030 HYPERLINK

"http://www.target.com/redcard/benefits-target-rewards"www.target.com/redcard/benefits-target-rewards__

River Hill - Box Tops for Education

Look around your house on a variety of products and see if you can clip these pieces and send them our way.  A list of all participating products can be found at:

 http://www.boxtops4education.com

Please help the River Hill Math team by turning in box top for education pieces. As our community service project, the Math team’s goal is to collect $100 worth of box tops and then gift the money to a local elementary school.  Box tops can only be cashed in by a K-8 school.  You might be surprised how many you have laying around the house.

Box Tops can be turned in to Mrs. de la Mar’s mailbox or to Room 256.

 

Arts Compeition

This is the 43rd year of this rewarding National celebration of the arts for children grades K-12. Over the years River Hill has been successful in sending many works of Art onto Nationals and we hope to do the same this year. Students keep in mind there are 6 divisions- Visual Arts, Dance Choreography, Film, Photography, Musical Composition, and Literature. New this year is a Special Artist Division. Our theme this year is "the Magic of the Moment". Details and forms will be available in the front office from Oct 9-Nov 9. Please get started on your entries and if there are questions visit pta.org or email reflectionsrhhs@gmail.com. Good Luck!

ALL PARENTS: SIGN UP TODAY!

SEND YOUR EMAIL TO: info@hcdrugfree.org

What is HC DrugFree?

HC DrugFree is a nonprofit in Howard County contracted by the Howard County Health Department to provide substance abuse prevention services. We empower the community to eliminate the abuse and illegal use of alcohol and other drugs among youth. We provide referrals for counseling and substance abuse treatment options. For more information, or to speak to someone confidentially, call our Executive Director, Joan Webb Scornaienchi, at 443-325-0040 or email joan@hcdrugfree.org.

 

What does HC DrugFree do?

In collaboration with partner organizations and through outreach, HC DrugFree provides educational programs and resources to parents, youth, educators and the community in both English and Spanish. For a listing of the programs we offer, visit our website and click on Programs Available. The Program & Events Calendar on our website is regularly updated with upcoming programs.

 

Where can I find HC DrugFree?

 

HC DrugFree

Wilde Lake Village Center

10451 Twin Rivers Road, Suite 404

Columbia, MD 21044

www.hcdrugfree.org

 443-325-0040

 

What can I do?

  • Go to our website: www.hcdrugfree.org and join our mailing list to receive program updates, information and up-to-the minute statements from teens. 
  • Volunteer to be your school’s HC DrugFree PTA/PTSA representative.
  • Join one of our committees (see Committees page on website).
  • Attend our programs throughout the year and provide us with feedback.
  • Participate in Parent Focus Groups which will be announced on our website and through email.
  • Encourage your high school aged children to participate in our Teen Advisory Council which meets once a month. See the Teen Advisory Council page on our website. Community service hours are available
  • Donate $25 to become a Friend of HC DrugFree and have your name listed on our website.

PARTNERS

Howard County Health Department • PTA Council of Howard County 

Howard County Police Department • Howard County Public School System

Howard County Library • Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services

ALL OUR SERVICES ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!!!!

 

Have you joined the Boosters yet? 

 

The River Hill High School Boosters is a non-profit organization unrelated to the PTSA whose mission is to promote and support participation, intellectual growth, sportsmanship, and improvement in all extra-curricular activities, building the foundation for an enriching high school experience for every student. Booster club members are committed to providing their time and assist in raising supplemental financial support for activities as needs arise with the assistance from the faculty & staff, parents, students, alumni, community, and corporate sponsorship. Active participation and financial support are critical for success.

 

Membership is only $25 and it is easy to join by clicking the following link:

http://riverhill.org/directory/bindex.php.  After becoming a member you can also purchase a Hawk Card for $25 which gets you a free hot dog and soda at every River Hill home game this year…football, soccer, basketball, etc.  Our meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 in the Media Center.  Any questions?  Contact Tonette Matsunaga, Boosters President, at

tmatsunaga3566@gmail.com.

 

SAFE HOME PLEDGE

 

PTSA knows it is not always easy to talk to other parents or our kids about making good choices when it comes to drugs and alcohol. Research shows that parents, who set clear rules, monitor their teen's activities, and who provide a safe environment will greatly lower the risk that their children will be involved in using alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.

Make YOUR House a SAFE HOME!

TAKE THE PLEDGE through the PTSA Participation Online Form at RIVERHILL.ORG when you enter your School Directory info.

If you have any questions about Safe Home, please contact

Barbara Moseman, 301-854-1406, jemoseman@aol.com. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.       

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!!

 



 

 
s

 

\n