8/7/23 RCHS Newsletter

Fellow Jaguars,

As we reflect on 20 years of educational excellence, it is apparent that our school remains as a top high school in the county, state and nationally due to the incredible commitment of students, families, and staff. I have enjoyed looking back at the pictures from the groundbreaking ceremony in 2002 through to the 17th graduating Class of 2023. I am blessed to have started at Rock Canyon 13 years ago and I am looking forward to this year as much as any past year. I cannot wait to get our Jags back in the Jungle and I look forward to having a great time with all our traditions while growing and learning together.

Our staff have returned and are working hard to create a positive learning environment for each and every student. We thank you for your continued support and we recognize how important your support is for each student and for our entire school community.

We have a lot of information below. We thank you for your patience as we start up and as always, we'd like to remind everyone that during the first two weeks, everyone is reestablishing routines. Please give yourself extra time in the morning to arrive safely, without rushing.

It is a great day to be a Jag!

Andy Abner

Principal

• Tuesday, August 8th - Freshman & New Student Orientation - Freshman start at 7:40am / New Students 10th-12th grade 12:30-2:30pm

• Wednesday, August 9th - First day for all students (9-12) / Black Day (periods 1, 2, 3, 4)

• Thursday, August 10th - Gold Day (periods 5, S-A, 6, 7)
  

• Friday, August 11th - Jag Day (periods 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

All underclass students grades 9-11 and NEW seniors to RCHS will have pictures taken for ID's and the yearbook Tuesday, August 8th. Please see the details below. Returning students who are seniors, do not take pictures on this day.

• Freshman Only - 11:15am-1:10pm

• Incoming New Students - 12:30-2:30pm

• All other grades - 8-11am & 1:30-3:00pm Auxiliary Gym

Lifetouch Information

School Name: Rock Canyon High School

Picture Day Date: Tuesday, August 8

Picture Day ID: EVTN98QMG

8/08/23 Picture Day for All Students, except for Seniors - unless they are new this year.

8/09/23 First Day of School for ALL Students

8/11/23 Late Start 8:20am

8/14/23 Make Up Picture Day / Lifetouch

8/18/23 Late Start 8:20am

8/23/23 Parent Night / The Dangerous Truth About Today's Marijuana

8/25/23 Late Start 8:20am

8/29/23 SENIOR Breakfast / during Seminar in the courtyard / Danny's Flapjacks

8/30/23 Back to School Night - 6pm, Optional 9th grade parents info - 5:15pm

9/04/23 No School - Labor Day

9/19/23 Picture Re-Take Day / Lifetouch

9/20/23 Spirit Parade with Feeder Schools

9/21/23 Homecoming Parade / Bonfire

9/22/23 No School - Professional Development Day

9/23/23 Homecoming Dance

Jostens Onsite

• 9/26/23 Jostens Senior Meeting (during Seminar)
• 9/28/23 Jostens Sophomore Meeting (during Seminar)
• 10/3/23 Jostens Onsite - Cap & Gown, Ring Order during lunch.
• 10/4/23 Jostens Onsite - Cap & Gown, Ring Order during lunch.

School Bell Schedule & Calendar

• RCHS Color Calendar (Subject to change, please check back for updates).
• RCHS Bell Schedule

The Activities Fair will be conducted on Tuesday, August 22nd during Seminar and Access in the Commons and Gymnasium. Student leaders and sponsors of our numerous and varied Activities and Clubs will share how to become more involved in our Rock Canyon community.

*The club leaders will be setting up the fair during seminar and the students will "attend" the fair during access.

For the first time ever, you can pre-purchase your Wish Week Kit now!!

• $30 gets you your Wish Kit and access into all Wish Week events.
• This money goes towards our final donation to Make A Wish.

Purchase your Wish Week Kit here.

This is a great night to meet your students' teachers. Teachers will share an introduction of themselves and a brief summary of their courses. They will not be discussing individual students at this time.

Freshmen parents can join us from 5:15 p.m. until 5:50 p.m. in the auditorium for a special 9th grade informational session.

All parents can join us at 6:00 p.m. in the gym for a Welcome Back presentation from Principal Andy Abner.

Message from DCSD Transportation *IMPORTANT*

Dear DCSD Families of the following bus routes:

Last week, we sent a communication announcing the implementation of a rolling cancellation bus schedule with advance notice in the Douglas County School District for the 2023-2024 school year.

This means, for general education bus routes, each student’s bus route will be on for four weeks and then off for one week with this schedule rotating throughout the school year. As a reminder this rolling cancellation schedule is for general education bus routes only. Special education routes will continue as normal and will not be canceled.

***Please visit the DCSD Transportation website to view your student's bus route and rolling cancelation schedule.***

Beginning Wednesday, August 9th, RCHS will be following our traffic flow plan. There are not any new changes this year, however we have many new students and families..

Experience has shown us that it takes about two weeks for everyone to develop their morning routine. We recommend leaving early the first few days until your routine can be refined in a way that allows a safe and timely arrival.

It can take as long as 15 minutes to enter campus and complete a drop off between 7-7:45am. Likewise leaving pick up can take several minutes after your student has been picked up.

Attached you will see a satellite image of Rock Canyon and the surrounding roads. The black arrows are the parent entrance and exit for student pick up and drop off. Parents will enter from McArthur Ranch Rd. Once you arrive in the Southwest corner of the upper parking lot there will be two lanes for drop off to expedite our process.

The blue arrows are the student entrances and exits. The traffic flow plan will be the same for morning drop off and afternoon pickup. We ask that you please review this with your son or daughter if they drive to school.

Due to safety we do not allow student drop off on the east side of campus. This area is for permitted student drivers only who park in this area

Students who ride the bus should not encounter any challenges in their arrival. If they do, transportation will notify the school and we notify our staff accordingly.

We thank you in advance for your patience and support with helping our students and staff arrive safely each day.

Sincerely,

Rock Canyon High School Administration

Johnny Stack's Life & Death Story / Johnny's Ambassadors

Wednesday, August 23, 2023

6:00pm - 7:30pm

RCHS Auditorium

Doors open at 5:45pm - No registration required.

Funded by the Douglas County Community Foundation

On Tuesday, August 8, from 9:00 to 3:00 in the RC Commons, Barnes & Noble will be on-site to sell novels required for all English classes. *Credit card purchases only—no checks or cash.*

• Required novels are posted on the English department page on the RC website.

The Rock Canyon High School SAC is composed of parents, business leaders and community members from our surrounding area. This committee is charged with advising the Principal and the administration team on decisions that affect stakeholders and the overall culture and climate of Rock Canyon High School. The goal of this committee is to provide input into decisions that foster the highest quality education for the students we serve.

Notice of Election for the SAC

The School Accountability Committee (SAC) for Rock Canyon High School is looking for a new member. We need one parent at large for the committee. If you are interested in joining this committee, then please send an email to SBurnside@DCSDK12.org with a copy of your bio.

Please note this is a 2-year commitment. The RC SAC may meet as frequently as once a month for two hours. Meeting time and dates will be selected once we have elected new members.

Deadline for submission is August 14, 2023 with a community vote the following week.