Hello, Ram families! 

I hope you are doing well.  I think about you all very often.  I surely wish there were a way to see you.  I have been in education over 30 years and still cannot wrap my head around not seeing students in the building on the first day of school...something I’ve cherished for a long time. 

VERY IMPORTANT RE. STUDENT LOG-INS and POWERSCHOOL ACCESS 

The most important thing you can do now (definitely before Aug. 5th) to prepare for the start of the year is to have your RAM SHOW YOU that he or she can log into the WAKE ID PORTAL.  They have to go through the portal to get to the work that will be assigned to them and to access email.  More than ever, these electronic contacts will be critical to our function during the pandemic. 

Parents will also need access to Parent Portal in Powerschool to be able to monitor student grades.  

To facilitate distribution of this information, we are going to allot time on August 13th and 14th for families to come to school to:  pick up hard copies of student schedules (only if needed), request the student’s Wake ID, set up an account for the Parent Portal.  We are planning to do this from 10-11:30 AM on each day.  All must follow social distancing practices and wear masks when you come to campus. 

SENIOR PORTRAITS BACK AT RHS 

I know some of you were able to get slots this week at Wakefield.  We got a surprise call this week and Strawbridge is willing to come back to RHS on Thursday, August 6th, and Friday, August 7th, to allow more students to get pictures taken.  Please make sure you look at the Strawbridge site and sign up for an opening.  Remember that the sitting fee is due at the time of arrival.  Pictures are set up in the first floor Commons.  Students check in near the Ram mural on the first floor. 

START OF SCHOOL YEAR - Plan B Transition 

Soooo… this orientation period is going to be interesting.  We are brainstorming the many things that need to be done to really hit the ground running.  We will have materials to distribute and families who need devices will need to get devices. We will need to contact families to ensure that all of the contact information in Powerschool is correct.  We will need to make sure all teachers have their platforms set up and show students how to access their online classroom.  We continue to smooth out schedules given that some things have to shift to support Virtual Academy.  Eventually, we will say that what you see in Powerschool IS your schedule.  We also know that some families may not yet have Powerschool access and may need a paper schedule to know which teachers and classes they have. 

We will message a variety of ways to let you know the bell schedule, the distribution schedule, the call for clarification schedule and so on.  What I want to make sure you understand is that during the week of August 17th, we will have times that students will need to log on or families need to complete tasks to allow us to start learning efficiently and effectively.  I will provide this information in more detail.  Please make sure you are watching your email, our website, our Twitter feed and Talking Points.  We want to take care of you and will.  We just need you to look and listen for our contacts. 

I can tell you that we are setting up a schedule that will mimic a normal school day in many ways with time for breaks to stand, go to the restroom, get something to eat and so on.  Students are going to need a place to sit and focus while they are in live sessions with the teachers and when they are working independently on materials that must be submitted.  I have learned that earbuds have become a dear friend in the many, many online meetings I have attended during the pandemic.  As you purchase devices or other things to support virtual learning, I suggest something to help students focus on the sound as well as the picture. 

REGARDING VIRTUAL ACADEMY 

As you know, the second round to opt into Virtual Academy closed on Wednesday at 5 PM.  Some people have reached out after the fact.  I cannot add students to the Virtual Academy.  This was a function of WCPSS data collection and the deadline was firm. 

For those who chose VA, make sure you are following the WCPSS Virtual Academy website.  Most especially, make sure you view the Virtual Open House video if you have not already done so. 

Also, I will be sending an email confirmation to all families who registered for Virtual Academy via School Messenger to your personal email account.  If you registered for VA, please make sure that you receive the email.  We have created this contact list based on the information we got from the registration spreadsheet. 

THINKING ABOUT ATHLETICS 

We are all wondering about what might happen, right?  I want regular school and regular activities as soon as is reasonable, but who knows when that might be.  States around us are doing different things.  Just this week, VA announced that they hope to run abbreviated seasons after winter break.  I know this learning season is going to be quite different.  What I want to remind aspiring athletes is that academics for first semester will impact eligibility for the sports that would fall second semester.  I am thinking forward now, because I want to play ball and I want all of our aspiring athletes to be eligible! 

REPEAT 

FRESHMAN ACADEMY 

As you well know, we usually have a Ram Camp for incoming students.  It is really sad to know that we cannot celebrate the arrival of our new students on campus this year as this event is a great kick-off to the year.  We will have a video closer to the start of the year to help freshmen transition to high school.  We are thinking at this point that we will do something on August 12th, but that date is subject to change.  There are so many moving parts right now that we do not want to get too far in front of the year and then have to change direction.  Mr. Garland, AP over Freshman Academy, has established the new Freshman Academy Twitter handle.  Please make sure you follow @RHSRamsFA.   

REVISIONS TO REQUEST FOR SENIOR WORK RELEASE 

Due to the potential impact of COVID-19 on internship opportunities in the 2020-2021 school year, students can request up to two total periods for partial day early release  for the 2020-2021 school year only and for seniors only.  Keep in mind that approval will be partially based on scheduling of required courses for graduation.  We must meet these requirements.  Please indicate below what you are applying for: 

• 4th period in the fall only 
• 3rd and 4th period in the fall 
• 4th period in the fall and the spring 
• 3rd and 4th period in the spring 
• 4th period in the spring 

We are adding the application to our school website.  Go to the homepage and watch for the request to come up on the rotating banner.  You will find the form by clicking on the associated graphic for partial day early release.  These will be due by August 17th. 

APPLICATIONS FOR MIDYEAR GRADUATION 

We have extended the deadline to August 17th to apply for mid-year graduation. 

VERY IMPORTANT RE. VACCINATIONS - Rising Seniors Meningococcal Requirement  - Updated: 

State law requires rising seniors to have the meningococcal booster before starting senior year.  In many cases, this information is on record with your child's pediatrician.  We have a very large number of rising seniors who do not have the booster record on file with us.  For this reason, we are going to need to collect records from families as soon as possible to clear this requirement.  It is important to note that an appointment card will not suffice to keep students in school.  If you cannot produce a shot record, please make arrangements now, we all know it takes a while before you will be able to see the doctor with your child.  We will make contacts to families who need to produce a record.  If you want to mail a copy of the shot record to Rolesville High School to the attention of Jane Stever to assure your child is not on the list, you are invited to do so immediately.  You may also send an email to jstever@wcpss.net with a photo or scan of the shot record. For your reference, you may find more information about the requirement on the NC Dept. of Health and Human Services website. http://www.wakegov.com/humanservices/publichealth/Pages/clinics.aspx 

PARKING/LUNCH PASSES 

We are still waiting on more decisions regarding these.  I will share as soon as I know. 

Masks:  Anyone who comes to school and requests to enter MUST wear a mask. Otherwise, we cannot allow admittance.  You must also follow social distancing protocols.  While we have not opened schools for general business, there are a couple of reasons that people have had to report to school.  We will let you know of changes to both general opening of the school and wearing of masks. 

Federal Student Aid for College:  While you are home for summer, it is a good time to familiarize yourself with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). More information can be found at this step-by-step guide. 

AP Summer Assignments:  All students who are registered for AP classes next year need to be SURE you know what you need to do over the summer to prepare for AP classes.  There might be slight changes to the requirements, so you need to know what your teacher has posted.  Please make sure you look at the summer assignment information at https://www.wcpss.net/Page/34342 sooner than later!!! 

The Rolesville Athletic Club (RAC) is a volunteer-based organization devoted to providing our student-athletes at Rolesville High School with the best equipment, facilities and opportunities available.  Monthly meetings are held on the first Monday at 6:30 pm in the Rolesville High School Media Center (2nd Floor). Currently, we are having online video meetings. 

We need YOUR help as we continue to grow and improve the Rolesville High School athletic program into one of the best in the state of North Carolina.  One way to support the Rolesville Athletic Club is by volunteering in one of the Club Committees: Apparel and Merchandise; Communication; Concessions; Facilities; Fundraising and Sponsorship; and Membership. 

The Rolesville Athletic Club includes dedicated administrators, coaches, parents/guardians, teachers and community businesses and members who together raise monetary funds each year.  Our various fundraisers have included the Boston Butt Sale, Chicken Plate Sale, Golf Tournament at Zebulon Country Club, and Ram Walk. 

Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and visit our website!  

Driver Education:  A few of you have asked about Drivers Eligibility Certificates.  We now have a procedure for 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 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. Address must be verified for the NC Real ID. 

Staying Healthy:  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. 

Stay healthy and Ram Strong!     

Best, 

Mrs. Lassiter