Hello, Ram families!

Before I start with new topics this week, I want to remind you that we post all of my emails to the school website in English and Spanish.  As you have opportunities, please remind other families that we post them pretty quickly, at least by the start of the week right after I send it out in School Messenger.  While we are in a difficult situation now, I really want to be able to stay closely connected with families as we move into another school year, too.  The Spanish version is posted as EL Informative de Rolesville. 

I am sure you all heard or heard about the governor’s announcement to keep school buildings closed for learning the remainder of the year.  Except for the four years that I worked in Central Services, I have spent almost my whole life in school.  I miss my people, am emotional about it on so many fronts, and look forward to the day that we can return.  Seniors, I just want you to know how much I love you and am feeling it with you right now.

FOR SENIOR FAMILIES

Regarding seniors, we have added some additional information to the FAQ this week while we still wait on answers for other questions.  Remember that the Senior FAQ is posted on the school website under STUDENTS and Graduation 2020.  We also have several updates regarding seniors here, so pay careful attention.

If any senior attended WCPSS from kindergarten through twelfth grade and believes he or she has had perfect attendance for all of those years, we need to know right away to give us time to research and respond.  Please email Mrs. Jane Stever (jstever@wcpss.net) and copy Mrs. Kelly Nilles (knilles@wcpss.net) to notify the school.

We are also making plans to distribute caps and gowns from 10 AM to 1 PM on May 13th.  This event will be a drive-through event.  Please plan to enter near the football field and drive to the front of the building.  The items will be put in the trunk of the car or through the window to provide little opportunity for contact.  Be prepared to have the student’s name written on a piece of paper that can be seen from a distance.

Student Services is asking that families please continue to send emails of college acceptance letters.  Letters can be emailed to your child’s counselor.

We are requesting that seniors who have been awarded a scholarship please take a picture of the scholarship letter and give it to your counselor as soon as you can.  We normally are asking for these via morning announcements, but we are not in a situation where we need to make a quick sweep to see where we are. It has been fun to hear from students when they have learned that they were awarded scholarships.  Truly, I have done a happy dance at my house when I have gotten the word (and I know I am not the only one).

It's not too late for seniors to apply for some of our local scholarships! The Wake Forest Rotary Club Scholarship deadline is May 1st, and the Wake Forest Kiwanis Club Scholarship is May 15th. Please check the scholarship list here for more information.  

Speaking of scholarships, our own PTSA offers a scholarship opportunity for RHS seniors who are PTSA members.  The RHS PTSA Scholarship will be awarded to one graduating senior who will attend a 2-year college and one who will attend a 4-year college  Each scholarship will be in the amount of  $500.  Winners will be selected based on community service, school involvement, and academic achievement and growth.  Applications are available in Student Services.  The application deadline is April 30th.  Please e-mail applications to  Mrs. Jacquelyn Harris, RHS Counselor, at jharris4@wcpss.net  and Rose Smart, PTSA Scholarship Committee Chair. At rosemsmart@yahoo.com. 

On Tuesday, April 28th, several universities will host a virtual college fair geared toward undecided seniors and juniors.  The fair will run from 11 AM to noon and will involve the following schools: Appalachian State University, East Carolina University, Johnson & Wales University, St. Andrews University, UNC-Greensboro, and UNC-Wilmington.  Participation will be conducted through Zoom via the following link:  

                   https://uncw.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Xyd9k-OoT3i93UrBsze0sQ 

WCPSS and Wake Tech are trying to find a way to hold a virtual parent meeting regarding classes for next year.  I do not have details, but I will share when there is a mechanism and plan to offer this session.  I just want you to be aware that WTCC is trying to make a plan to connect with parents of their future students.  More to come…

PERTAINING TO ALL GRADE LEVELS

Grading for grades 9-11:  I am sure most of you are aware of the changes determined by the State Board of Education this week.  You received an email from WCPSS today that reads:

The most significant change in the information affects students in grades 9 through 11.  They will be given a choice for how they are graded on both year-long and semester courses currently in progress: 

• A numeric grade for the course, the highest grade representing learning as of March 13 or as improved through the semester

 OR

• Pass/Withdrawal.

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction will be providing additional information on grading in the next 7-10 days. Once that information is received, we will provide more details on how grades will be handled in Wake County, in alignment with the new state-wide policy.  Meanwhile, we hope that this new policy will ultimately benefit all students regardless of their circumstances.

I am sure you will have questions in the coming days.  I will share updates as soon as I have them.

Dr. Tomlinson would like to invite parents of AP Earth and Environmental Science students to a virtual meeting Monday, April 27th, at 3 PM.   When you join the Google Meet, use nickname apesparents.

I know that most families are very aware, but I want you to make sure your AP Ram is ready to take the AP online exams.  To that end, here are the dates and times that the exams will be administered online.

May 11:  US Government and Politics @ 4PM

May 12:  Calculus AB and BC @ 2PM, Human Geography @ 4PM

May 13:  English Lit @ 2PM, European History @ 4PM

May 14:  Chemistry @ 2PM, Physics 1 @ 4PM

May 15:  US History @ 2PM

May 18:  Environmental Science @ 4PM

May 19:  Music Theory @ 12PM, Psychology @ 2PM

May 20:  English Language and Composition @ 2PM

May 21   World History @ 2PM

May 22:  Statistics @ 2PMSpanish Language @ 4PM

Mrs. Ellis, our Career Development Coordinator, asked me to share some updates with you regarding opportunities available even now.  We often remind students of these things over the daily announcements, but we need to make sure families are reading and searching out opportunities with Mrs. Ellis.

• For up-to-date Career articles, resources, and leadership & job opportunities for students, please follow @RHSCareer on Twitter.  
• There are many career and college planning resources, information about the school's Business Alliance and notifications about local Employment, Internship and Volunteer opportunities located on the RHS Career Services website: bit.ly/rhscareerservices
• Students interested in learning more about enrolling in the CTE Internship class (Fall 2020 or Spring 2021) must listen to the Internship Information Virtual Workshop recording: https://t.co/MZ4WhPGgh1?amp=1

A few of you have asked about Drivers Eligibility Certificates.  We now have a procedure for the release of certificates.  After you contact DMV and get an email with the DMV appointment information, you will forward that email to Dean Tracy Miller (temiller@wcpss.net) with a request to set up a time to get the certificate from the school.  We will only release certificates by appointment.  You will need to take a picture of the Driver Education Certificate and email it in advance of your meeting at school.  The person who contacts you to set the appointment will tell you where to email the picture of the Driver Education Certificate.  Please limit the number of people who meet with the school representative to the parent and student for whom you are requesting the certificate.  When you come to the school at your scheduled time, you must bring:

• Student’s birth certificate or passport
• Proof of address if the current address is different than the one listed on the Driver’s Education Certificate or the address listed in PowerSchool. The address must be verified for the NC Real ID.

As mentioned in the past, we will contact families regarding the pick-up of hotspots and computers upon arrival.  To those who are contacted, we ask that you arrive following our directions to make sure we have a limited number of people on site.  We also need to assure that all folks on-site follow safe health practices to protect all who are in contact.  You will see that our set-up allows for social distancing and limited opportunities for contact.

I know some of you are asking about refunds.  As best I can figure it, the county is taking this in stages.  We are preparing for field trip refunds first.  Prom refunds are on the table as we wait on the directions from the county.

Reminders from Past Weeks

I want to remind you that WCPSS also has resources listed for families who are experiencing great stressors at this time and need community support.  Those resources are at the bottom of this page.

The yearbook company has reached out to me.  We were able to pull it together to go to print and we will work out a plan to make sure that folks who bought one will get it.  We have limited copies available for purchase online.  Once these are gone, we will not be able to get additional copies.

Stay healthy and Ram Strong!  

Best,

Mrs. Lassiter