Has your family settled into a school routine?  At River Hill High School, the last days of summer are quickly turning into the early days of fall sports, PSAT/SAT prep, student activities, and strong academic schedules.  Our parents also have busy calendars as they balance work, family, and school.  RHHS needs you to help us so may we add a couple of To Do's to your list?

1. Family File must be updated every year on HCPSS Connect.  This information is critical in the event of an emergency, but it also enables you to connect to coursework and grades through Canvas and to attendance and report cards through Synergy.  We will be checking our family updates weekly and will begin asking your children personally to relay the message to you that all updates need to be completed as soon as possible.
2. Schedule changes should be settled by this point.  Counselors have been working tirelessly to make sure that students are in the right class so they can catch up and be successful for Quarter 1.
3. Communication links the school to home.  While every effort is made to communicate across different platforms, you may want to prioritize what works best for you.  Each of our school newsletters links to our school calendar and our school website: Monday's Weekly Calendar Post; Tuesday's Student Services Info; Wednesday's HCPSS News; Thursday's School Newsletter; and Friday's Community Connections.  Canvas is another tool that links parents to their student's courses, announcements, and student community information (HCPSS Connect).  Facebook and Twitter provide places to post on-the-spot news and pictures as student life extends throughout many school activities and well beyond the school day.
4. College applications, personal essays, and recommendations are underway.  Parents will want to help your child navigate this process.  Make sure your Senior has requested teacher recommendations and provided all of the information necessary to write an effective letter; it's a good habit to teach our teenagers that a follow-up thank you note is a professional courtesy.  The best place for students to keep their personal information about their strengths, their interests, and their accomplishments is on Naviance and they are encouraged to access this tool as they navigate college applications.  Also, on October 19, 2016, students in 9th, 10th, and 11th grades will be taking the PSAT.  Students in 12th grade are encouraged to make a college visit or they may join English teachers and counselors in the cafeteria during the morning for assistance with essays and applications.
5. If you missed Back to School Night or if you want to review the presentations, we have linked them to our website.  Just click here.
6. Talk to your child about student responsibilities.  They represent your family and our school when they are in school and when they participate in extra-curricular activities.

I also want to share a couple of school updates with you.

• Bells have been adjusted to accommodate the ARL schedule, digital education courses, and the county-wide initiative for flex-time (HawkTime).
• HawkTime will be offered every Wednesday, unless there are conflicts such as a delayed opening due to weather.  Students should use this time to balance their academic and social needs.  Teachers in every class are available to provide extra help or study sessions.
• Due to concerns for student safety and HCPSS policies, HCPSS guidelines for attendance at games were shared last week.  We still had serious issues with alcohol on school property.  As a result, students may not enter the stadium with backpacks and/or bottles of any kind.  Water will be available.  We are requesting that parents set the example as well, so we understand parents may bring a purse, but should not bring water bottles or outside drinks.
• Homecoming is just around the corner and a lot of preparation is already underway.  A calendar of events will be coming your way very soon.  Students may be talking about changes in HawkFest; RHHS will be scaling back with Class tables and Class spirit to continue the Homecoming spirit.  Club fundraising will not be a part of HawkFest and student leaders have been asked to provide alternative ideas for future events.  Parent volunteers who would like to help sponsor a club or activity with time and/or other resources are encouraged to contact the teacher sponsor or the SGA.