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Thursday, December 16, 2021, 6:30-8:00 p.m., RCHS auditorium

Film and discussion on treating and preventing toxic stress

Resilience: The Biology of Stress and the Science of Hope

Followed by a discussion led by Dorina Mattioli of Rockbridge Area Community Services

Now understood to be one of the leading causes of everything from heart disease and cancer to substance abuse and depression, extremely stressful experiences in childhood can alter brain development and have lifelong effects on health and behavior. However, as the experts and practitioners profiled in the film Resilience are proving, what’s predictable is preventable. These physicians, educators, social workers, and communities discuss the effects of divorce, abuse, and neglect and aim to use cutting-edge science to help the next generation break the cycles of adversity and disease.

See Resilience trailer here: https://kpjrfilms.co/resilience/

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RCHS statement on events of December 1 and 2, 2021:

On Wednesday, December 1, 2021, two students at Rockbridge High School displayed a Nazi swastika image on a phone and performed a Nazi Sieg Heil salute in class, while a third student photographed the incident using a phone camera. The image was then forwarded.

School administration has taken prompt action to initiate disciplinary action for this incident and is investigating to fully determine the scope of the incident and of student involvement. In the meantime, the School Board and administration want to make clear that any student engaging in antisemitic acts or any act motivated by prejudice on the basis of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, or disability will be subject to serious school discipline in accordance with law. Additionally, depending on the facts of any such incident, school personnel may determine the matter should be referred to law enforcement for investigation and evaluation.

Antisemitic behavior is threatening, disruptive, and harmful to the well-being of our students and community. Administration will not tolerate such behavior. We implore all parents and guardians to take time to address with your children the seriousness and potential consequence of such antisemitic behavior and strongly emphasize to your child that such behavior will not be tolerated. Administration appreciates the efforts of parents and guardians to work in partnership with the school division to eliminate this kind of destructive and dangerous behavior.

Also, in an unrelated incident, Rockbridge County High School administration was alerted on Thursday, December 2, 2021, around lunchtime that a student may have a weapon on school property. An immediate investigation was conducted by school administration and our School Resource Officer. A gun and ammunition were confiscated and proper reports to law enforcement were made. 

While a more thorough threat assessment is being conducted, the preliminary investigation suggests the student did not have intent to use the weapon or cause actual harm. However, bringing a weapon of any kind to school is a very serious matter and appropriate discipline will be imposed at the conclusion of all investigations and assessments. The student has been removed from school property. The division and our resource officer continue to monitor safety and security on our campuses.

Rockbridge County Public Schools takes all threats to safety very seriously and the division will not tolerate any threats or actual violence on its property. Any student bringing a weapon or making any kind of threat on school property will be subjected to discipline and possible criminal charges.

Please take this opportunity to speak with your students and family about the very serious risks associated with bringing a weapon of any kind to school, the need for every member of the school community to maintain a clear commitment to safety, and good decision-making.  Please also stress the importance of reporting any suspicious activities or actions to a staff member. This situation is an example of how being proactive and prompt in communicating with school officials can resolve potentially harmful situations.

If you have any questions, you may direct them to the school administration.  We appreciate your continued support of our students, staff, and school and collaboration with RCPS as we endeavor to maximize safety in the school environment.

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November 2021

Tutoring available

W&L students will be available to tutor virtually in the RCHS Library on Mondays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:30 PM. Also, all students enrolled in Talent Search or Dual Enrollment have access to tutor.com, which is available 24-7.

October 2021

All juniors, seniors, and parents are invited to attend our annual Rockbridge County High School FAFSA/Financial Aid Workshop. Jennifer Bodnar, Talent Search counselor, will be presenting the most current updates for us. RCHS school counselors will be contributing to the discussion as well.  We look forward to seeing you in the RCHS auditorium at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, October 13.

September 2021

Dear RCHS Families, The Pfizer COVID vaccine will be available at RCHS on Monday, October 4^th from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, in the auditorium. A second dose will be available November 1^st. This opportunity is open to students 12 and older. Registration forms are available in the high school office, and a copy is attached to this email. If you are interested in receiving a vaccine, please return your registration form to the high school office no later than Wednesday, September 29^th.

September 2021

School is in session! Thank you to the teachers and staff of RCHS for helping our kids return to full in-person learning. To a safe, learning-filled, and fun year ahead! If you aren’t already a member, please consider joining the PTSA to support our teachers and students in these challenging times. (See About Us, Join PTSA, Contact, and Help Needed! tabs.)

June 2021

Congratulations to the RCHS class of 2021! We are proud of you and wish you the very best! May the road rise to meet you.

May 2021
Dear RCHS Seniors,
We hope that you are all staying healthy and engaged during this unprecedented season. Each year the RCHS
PTSA collects nominations for the Wildcat Inspiration Award. The RCHS PTSA established
the Wildcat Inspiration Award to honor and celebrate the extraordinary commitment of school employees to
their students’ futures. We invite you to nominate ONE current or former public‐school employee for the
2021 Wildcat Inspiration Award. In times like these, it seems even more important to focus on kindness
and inspiration and we hope that you will take the time to submit a nomination.
Who is Eligible?
The special person who has touched your life may be a teacher, coach, bus driver, guidance counselor, aide,
librarian, staff member, club sponsor, custodian or administrator. The only requirement is that the nominee
be a current or former employee of the Rockbridge County or Lexington City School system during your
kindergarten through 12th grade experience.
Nomination Essay (Express your gratitude!)
In an essay of 250‐500 words, please tell us why you think this individual deserves to be honored. Please
describe the impact he or she has had on you and other students. Please include examples of specific traits of
this person, or acts of kindness or support by this person, that make him or her deserving of
a Wildcat Inspiration Award.
Please submit the following information to the RCHS PTSA at ptsarockbridge@gmail.com by May 26, 2021:
 Your name, email, phone number
 Your nominee and his/her position
 At what point in your education did this person most influence you ‐ What grade(s) were you in and
at which school is/was this nominee employed?
 Nomination essay (250‐500 words)
Selection Process
The Awards Committee will select two nominations for the 2021 Wildcat Inspiration Award. Nominations will
be evaluated according to how well they demonstrate the nominee’s impact on the student. All nominees will
receive certificates.
Celebration
We will honor the nominees with a gift bag that includes a copy of your essay, a plaque/certificate, and other
gifts. Gift bags will be hand‐delivered to the nominees and award‐winners.
Thank you in advance for your thoughtful words and encouragement for these deserving folks! Do not hesitate
to reach out to us at ptsarockbridge@gmail.com should you have any questions.
Thank you,
Megan Vaught, Chair Wildcat Inspiration Award
RCHS PTSA Board

RCHS-PTSA Senior Award

The Rockbridge County High School-PTSA has created an award to be presented to graduating RCHS-PTSA members at Senior Night, Thursday, June 3^rd.  This award ($500 each to two students) is intended to honor seniors who have worked assiduously and effectively to further the PTSA’s mission of supporting and improving the educational experience at RCHS.  These students will have helped to foster connections among the students, teachers, and families of the RCHS community, and will have been role models in helping to develop and implement programs that benefit our schools, homes, and community.

All RCHS-PTSA members* are invited to nominate one or two senior PTSA members* who they believe meet these standards.  The person who wishes to nominate shall fill out this nomination form, and submit it along with a nominating letter of up to 250 words which details why the nominee is worthy.  The completed form and letter should be submitted to Patrick Bradley (patrick_bradley@rockbridge.k12.va.us).  The deadline for submission of the nomination form and letter is Friday, May 14^th.  The Senior Award Committee of the PTSA will make the selection of the student to receive the award.

To join the PTSA use the “Join PTSA” tab above or download the PDF Form here.

RCHS PTSA General Membership 2021 Meeting
(And Teacher Wish List)

Hello!
Happy Black History Month! “A good head and good heart are always a formidable combination. But when you add to that a literate tongue or pen, then you have something very special.” Nelson Mandela.

Our PTSA General Membership  Board meeting is this Monday, February 8 at 6pm.  Please email us at ptsarockbridge@gmail.com, and we will send you the Zoom link.
Programming: We will discuss our plans for a possible panel on “All Your Questions For College,” and talk about new leadership for the PTSA in the upcoming year. We also have plans for the Senior Scholarship that we would like you to approve.

Teacher Wish List.
Our science teacher, Ms Donahue, is asking for some of these items. If you are able, please drop them off at the front office with her name on the label (and if you have time, drop a quick note to us letting us know what you dropped off, ptsarockbridge@gmail.com.) Thank you very much:
 “Anything used is perfectly wonderful and fits with my personal effort to keep items out of the land fill….
1. clipboards – used in numerous labs both inside and out. Max. needed 20
2. garden trowels – also outdoor labs. Max needed 20
3. garden gloves – same. Max needed 10
4. Salt, white vinegar, white chalk – used in labs, I use a lot.
5. Black medium tip sharpies, duct tape, masking tape, clear smoothie straws (great for coring to understand stratification). Any quantity.
6. Play-doh – I use it for labs, we demo folding and faulting rock formations. It is totally fine if the play-doh is mixed up, color is not important.
7. Containers – used please…
I need plastic containers of all shapes and sizes. I use them to have labs set-up ahead of time ( I have back-to-back classes). Right now I could really use the plastic lunch meat kind with lids, clear containers (like spinach, pumpkin seeds things, or half cake pan size).
8. Clear 2 liter soda bottles – used for stomp rockets, terrariums
9. Mason jars with lids or any clear jars of any size with lids – I will gladly wash out.
Pie in the sky items:(used is also super great)

1. Rock hammer – $34 https://www.amazon.com/Estwing-Rock-Pick-Geological-Reduction/dp/B0002OVCMO. One would be great but two would help out other earth/env teachers.
2. Digital scales – I don’t have an inexpensive source – I have one in my classroom and could really use another for labs.” 

Have a good weekend.
Look forward to seeing you!
 RCHS PTSA Executive Committee
Jen Andrews
Tinni Sen
Daniela Topasna
Megan Vaught

Spring 2021 School Reopening Plans
(And a few other items)

Dear RCHS PTSA Community,

1. Hybrid model of learning and instruction at RCHS begins Jan 19. Most details are at the RCHS website (link below).

Mr. Craft clarified a few details at the Jan RCHS PTSA meeting:
  First, if you wish to continue virtual learning, no problem.  You or your student may do so.
  Second, if you wish to switch into hybrid, please call the office at 540.463.5555 and let them know.
  Finally, if you decide to switch into, or out of, hybrid learning at any time during the semester, please let the school know. Flexibility is the name of the game!
Information on schedules, safety precautions, etc: http://rchs.rockbridge.k12.va.us/January_Hybrid_Information.pdf

Also, Connie Loughhead, our Hospitality Chair has provided this video in case you have questions about the ventilation system at the school.

2. Curriculum night is on Jan 20, 6-8 pm via Google classroom (same way as in fall). Watch the school website for links and other details.

3. The RCHS Counseling office is coordinating with the CSB Prevention Coalition to make 100 “anxiety bags” for students who may need them.  Each bag costs about $6-$8.  The bags include fidgets, color pencils, coloring pages, and other things to help students manage their anxiety and stress.  If you are able, please drop off money at the RCHS office and please mark your contribution for this project.

4. Please volunteer to serve on the Nomination Committee!
We are looking at a turnover in leadership at the PTSA. We ask 3 members to serve on the nomination committee to solicit and select their replacements. This is an important task, it is not time intensive, and a great way to serve the RCHS community. Please email us at ptsarockbridge@gmail.comif you would like to serve. 

5. February General Membership Committee
On Feb 8, 2021, we will convene our general membership committee where we will vote on our nomination committee and will provide you with updates, ask your questions and comments. Please attend!

6. If you have not already checked out our Counseling website, please do so. And sign up for their informative newsletter.

It’s MLK day tomorrow, Monday Jan 18! Here are ways to celebrate his life and legacy in our community.
https://carerockbridge.org/2021-mlk-community-stand-up
https://my.wlu.edu/office-of-inclusion-and-engagement/programs-and-events/martin-luther-king-jr-birthday-celebration

We are here to support you and advocate for you.  Please send us an email at ptsarockbridge@gmail.com, if you have any needs.

RCHS PTSA Executive Committee
Jen Andrews
Tinni Sen
Daniela Topasna
Megan Vaught

Important Points From 8/11/2020 RCSB Meeting

At yesterday’s meeting, the Rockbridge County School Board approved a recommendation that grades 2-12  go 100% virtual for the first 9 weeks. First day of school is now Tuesday, September 8, 2020.

The Board also handed out the new Face Coverings policy: http://rchs.rockbridge.k12.va.us/Face_Covering_Policy_8-11-2020.pdf

Please use the link to provide your questions in advance of the Aug 13 town hall meeting:
https://forms.gle/BH4LXu5gPh2tV2r86n advance of the zoom town hall

Town hall meeting is August 13, 2020 – 6pm, join via “ZOOM”
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Dear RCHS PTSA Community,

Please find below an excerpt from a message from the Administration regarding Fall School Reopening plans. As always, we welcome your comments at ptsarockbridge@gmail.com.

RCHS PTSA Executive Committee
Jen Andrews
Tinni Sen
Daniela Topasna
Megan Vaught
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RCPS • Student Calendar. August 2020 – June 2021
Please be aware that it may be necessary to amend this calendar at any time during the school year due to health concerns and/or the need to extend learning opportunities for students should we miss a significant number of days.

https://webmail.centurylink.net/service/home/~/?auth=co&loc=en_US&id=41706&part=4

If you shop at Kroger, please consider linking your Kroger card to our PTSA account.  Each time you shop, you will be making money for the PTSA!  Our group name is RCHS-PTSA and our ID is EM021.  To enroll, simply click on Kroger Community Rewards