Rolesville HS Weekly Updates     | January 25, 2019

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Visit from K-9 Units:  K-9 exercises are run in Wake schools by the Security Department and police from the local jurisdiction in conjunction with available K-9 units.   WCPSS ran an unannounced drill under the direction of their handlers, Rolesville PD and WCPSS Security.  It ran for approximately 45 minutes. Instruction continued through the exercise.   Thanks to those who lead the exercise, staff, and students for their assistance in this smooth event.

Curriculum Night:  We will host the annual curriculum night on Wednesday, January 30th from 6-7 PM.  During this event, we have staff available to answer questions about Advanced Placement courses in addition to courses for rising freshman registration.  We will have staff in the auxiliary gym and the media center to help make registration for rising freshmen and prospective AP students clear.

Reality of Money:  We are excited to be able to offer the Reality of Money program on Wednesday, February 27th, 2019 at Rolesville High.  State Employees Credit Union representatives will sponsor this one-day financial education simulation.  With Rolesville Business Alliance and community members helping, the Reality of Money event allows students to practice making financial decisions by moving through various stations to pay for housing, transportation, and other monthly expenses.  There is no experience needed to help with this event. If you have paid bills, you are more than qualified to volunteer. Please share this invitation with your colleagues or neighbors.  We need lots of volunteers!  Volunteers are asked to arrive between 7:30 AM and 8:30 AM to receive quick training from SECU staff, in order to begin sessions for students at 9 AM.  Lunch will be provided at 12 noon. If you are able to stay all day, the sessions will end at 2 PM. If you are available for only 1 or 2 sessions, please sign up for those specific time slots.  We would love to have you participate whenever you can. When you arrive, please follow signs and greeters for parking and directions to the Auxiliary Gym. Here is the link to the Sign Up Genius for the event: http://bit.ly/rhsrealityofmoney22019

Sophomore Conferences:  We have completed two days of meetings to make sure we usher students through HS requirements.  We have one more day to go next week.

Prom Tickets:  They will be on sale for $60 on the RHS website (OSP) January 28th-February 1st.  From that price point and timeline, prices will increase through the end of March.  All students must clear fees and fines before tickets can be distributed. This includes payment of all graduation-related expenses for seniors.  I want to be sure you know in order to make plans to manage expenses.

Report Cards:  They will go home on Friday, February 1st.

Review

Senior fees and fines:  It is important that seniors pay fees and fines and return books.  We cannot release transcripts until these are cleared. Likewise, this is necessary to participate in prom and graduation activities.

From PTSA:

1. We will soon post the Sign-Up Genius for the first-semester honor roll recognition which is set for February 22nd.  We will be asking for wrapped candy, cookies, water, and juice as well as volunteers.
2. They will soon share the form for seniors who are members of PTSA to apply for the PTSA scholarship  The PTSA needs freshmen parents to volunteer to read and score the essays/applications that students submit.
3. They will also begin planning for the senior picnic and will need volunteers.  Be on the lookout for requests for help and donations in the upcoming months.
4. Planning for next year’s board needs to address this spring.  If you have an interest in a position, please contact the current board.  Facebook is an easy way to reach them.

Exam Score Delays:  Scores for English II and III will be delayed.  We accustomed to almost immediate turn-around. We expect it to take several days for the vendor to send results.  While we are hopeful it will not impact report card grades, it is very possible that this might occur. I just wanted you to be aware that this might be an issue of which we are at the mercy of the folks who score the exams.

Optimist Club Essay “When All the World’s Problems are Solved, is Optimism Still Necessary?” - January 18th (We have the information about where submissions should go.)

Juniors Take the ACT:  On February 20th, all Juniors will take the ACT for free.  The scores for this administration can count for college admissions or it can be the kick-off as the first to help students improve over scores over subsequent administration.  Remember that additional administrations must be secured and paid for by the students. We just want families to be aware that the February administration is a legitimate administration despite being free.  We will send more information as we get closer to the event.

ACT and Thinking about College Applications:  Special thanks goes out to Ms. Lucas for organizing the practice ACT and evening information session.  We had two presenters that gave us much to think about. I want to share a couple of pointers that I noted.

1. Students need to take the ACT or SAT about 3 times and need to start early enough in the Junior year to have final scores back at the start of the Senior year.
2. Students generally need to start prep for a test 3-4 months in advance and put 30 minutes 3-4 times per week into review.  Online reviews are good.
3. Students need to set a focus.  Know your weak areas and use practice materials in those areas.
4. Realize that it is going to take effort.  These tests are not supposed to be easy.
5. When you begin to try to figure out where to apply, go to the college of interest and look up the freshman class profile.  Is it a fit for you?
6. Transcripts need to show evidence of rigorous coursework, GPA, rank, and exploration.
7. Super scores made from the best subscores are usually accepted.
8. Students need to work hard to share their voice when they write the essays.  The textbook version of an essay is just plain boring.
9. If a student has to do an interview, it is important to do homework and KNOW the school info before entering the interview.
10. Know why you want to attend that school.
11. Be on the lookout for the College Fair held each March at the Raleigh Convention Center.

Regarding the SAT:  Remember that we have one onsite administration remaining for this year.  There are spots open for the March 9th administration, but they will fill up fast.  I recommend that students register asap for our location. Mr. Morales pursued this for our school this year because he wanted our students to have the chance to test where they are most comfortable.  Remember, juniors need to take care of testing and have their best results no later than around September of the Senior year. Therefore, they need to test in plenty of time going into the Senior year to be prepared for applications.  Please just think about this and do your research to prepare for timely testing. Most schools that require ACT or SAT will accept either one. Research your schools of interest to know what they require.

AP Exam Registration:  The deadline to register for AP spring exams is February 25.  See the information on the school homepage.