RA Long Weekly Newsletter

Students and staff have spent many hours working on decorating the hallways. Please be respectful of their work, do not touch, do not take, do not destroy, etc. Students choosing to disrespect the work of others will be not be able to participate in weekly activities and will be subject to disciplinary action. The easy choice: Be respectful and kind.

OCTOBER

• Thursday, October 15: PSAT Test (some sophomores and juniors who signed up)
• Friday, October 16: HOMECOMING Football Game and Dance(Dance ends 1.5 hours after game ends. (MM, Discovery, and LVA students NOT enrolled at RAL will need a Guest Pass signed off by their schools administrator for safety measures) Guest passes can be picked up in RAL's main office or Discovery HS and must be turned in by Wednesday, October 14th.
  
• Monday, October 26: Fall Choir Concert
• Thursday, October 29: FALL ARENA Conferences in cafeteria 12:30-6:30pm
• October 29 and 30: 1/2 day schedule due to Fall Conferences(school ends at 11 am)

NOVEMBER

• Sunday, November 1: Fall Back (turn clocks back 1 hour)
• Monday, November 2: Girls Bowling Tryouts Begin
• November 6 and 7 and 13-15 Mainstage Theatre Play
• Wednesday, November 11: NO SCHOOL VETERAN'S DAY
• Monday, November 16: Winter Sports Begin (Basketball, Wrestling, Swim)
• Wednesday, November 25-27 NO SCHOOL ...THANKSGIVING BREAK

The R.A. Long Social Studies Department is organizing the Veterans Day assembly. We are looking for ways to connect the R.A. Long community to our service members. These photos and information will be used for a slideshow to show at the Veteran's Day Assembly on November 10th. Please make sure the photo is school appropriate. Hard deadline for submission of Monday, October 26th.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeMdslGawAuCtQd9aRxSqg__wo8cGlVJeJuv4IcX0g8G1j6Rg/viewform?usp=header

AVID Guest Speaker Recruitment:

Part of the AVID curriculum includes having community members come and share their story with AVID students. This includes involvement in high school athletics and activities, then their educational journey beyond the halls of high school. After we receive your completed form, we will review your information and reach out.

https://forms.gle/BF1Arn5DJEFmY48A6

• NAVY ROTC Scholarship Program- Wednesday, 10/14 5th period. Learn how time and training with the military can help you with your future college goals.
• WSU Instant Decision Day- Thursday, 10/15 beginning 2nd period. (Seniors ONLY)
• US Navy ROTC Program- Tuesday, 10/20 5th period.
• University of Washington- Tuesday, 10/27 5th period.
• Gonzaga University- Monday, 11/2 6th period

• FAFSA- FAFSA is open! Ms Hunter and Ms McCrady will be visiting your civics classes soon to help with your application. We want EVERYONE to apply, even if you think you may not attend college next year. Please have your social security number and a personal email address ready.
• FAFSA Night @ LCC- Thursday, 10/15 4:00-6:00pm in the Health and Science building (the big one right across from the Longview Library). Speaking of FAFSA, if you or your adults have any questions or need help, this is the event for you! LCC staff (and me!) will be there to help you through the entire application process.
• PSAT (Juniors)- Thursday, 10/15 8:00am.
• Arena Conferences- Thursday, 10/29. Attend with your adult to check in with all of your teachers AND earn a Service to School point!

Service Opportunities

• Cowlitz Farmers Market- Every Saturday, 9am-2pm. Located across from the Cowlitz Fairgrounds, the Farmers Market is always looking for help. Grab a slip and show up!
• HOSA Blood Drive- Donate blood to earn service hours! Info and paperwork available in the STEM Lab. Learn more here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CVqgt9Sm3W-cVF_xrx2YukULdRCG6ClkH0fRwyz3dm0/edit?tab=t.0
• Jack Shack- Ms. Meyers is looking for volunteers to work in the Jack Shack during lunches. Earn Service to School hours and get job experience! Food Handlers Card is required. Get that here: https://www.foodworkercard.wa.gov/

• Mt. Solo Athletics- I have football and volleyball games to sign up for on many dates, including games today and tomorrow! All events take place at Mt. Solo Middle School. Can be used as community service or service to school.
• • Longview Fire Open House- Saturday, 10/10 9:45am-1:00pm. Join the fire department for Fire Prevention Week, helping with family activities. 740 Commerce Ave.
  • Tutoring- Ms McCrady is still looking for tutors willing to stay after school on Thursdays beginning next week. If you are strong in a subject and want to help others, please come see me to sign up.

• The Gates Scholarship- Full ride scholarship for outstanding student leaders from low-income families who plan to attend a 4-year school. 3.3+ GPA. https://www.thegatesscholarship.org/scholarship
• SigEp Scholarships- Scholarships for specific schools. See if yours is on the list! UW and EWU are available. https://sigep.org/scholarships/
• • Laurel C Gibbs Scholarship- $2,500 for a graduating senior in Cowlitz County who intends to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in engineering. https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fgibbs-olson.com%2fgibbs-scholarship%2f&c=E,1,9usCfqVWUZ0hZCiZcQxH7oBkKpeFx9uGnGinxlfDwKZS0dS6F00oDxsyyAr0zPHmqE0bE5N25kROKTl35z54zykHhyhBmgkMjHpddS8DSA,,&typo=1
  • Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship- A huge pool of prize money for graduating seniors headed to college. https://www.elks.org/scholars/scholarships/MVS.cfm
  • Cooke College Scholarship Program-
    Up to $55,000 for exceptional graduating seniors who intend to enroll in a 4 year university and can demonstrate financial need. Must have an SAT or ACT score to submit. https://www.jkcf.org/our-scholarships/college-scholarship-program/
  • American Welding Society Scholarships- $1,000 awards for graduating seniors who pursue a welding certification. https://scholarship.aws.org/applications/?_gl=1%2Aikhqrx%2A_gcl_au%2AMTU0ODQ3NDI4MC4xNzU5MjU0OTQx
  • • Washington Opportunity Career and Technical Scholarship- $1,500 per quarter of school For graduating seniors in Washington who will pursue an associates degree, certificate, or apprenticeship from an approved program. There are all sorts of eligible programs at LCC and Clark. Includes most AA degrees. Apply and check eligible programs here: https://waopportunityscholarship.org/applicants/career-technical/
    • Ron Brown Scholarships- $10,000 per year of college for Black/African American graduating seniors who excel academically and will be enrolling in a 4 year college. https://ronbrown.org/ron-brown-scholarship/
    • College is Power Scholarship- $1,000 for graduating seniors headed to college. https://www.collegeispower.com/scholarship.cfm
    • New Scholarship Search- Access Scholarships hosts hundreds of scholarships! Fill out a profile to find your matches and apply. https://accessscholarships.com/search-scholarships/

An AVID Demonstration School is a model campus that exemplifies the highest level of implementation of the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program. These schools serve as exemplary sites for other schools looking to enhance college and career readiness for their students. Here are the key characteristics of an AVID Demonstration School:

1. Strong AVID Implementation

• Fully integrates AVID strategies school-wide, not just in AVID elective classes.

• Uses WICOR (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading) strategies across all subjects.

• Maintains high expectations for all students and promotes a college-going culture.

2. School-Wide College Readiness Culture

• Encourages a college- and career-focused mindset among students, staff, and parents.

• Provides students with opportunities for college visits, career exploration, and mentoring.

• Supports students in challenging coursework, such as AP, IB, or dual enrollment classes.

3. Strong Leadership and Commitment

• Administrators, teachers, and staff actively support AVID and demonstrate its impact.

• A clear AVID Site Team is responsible for professional development and implementation.

• Regularly evaluates and refines strategies to improve student outcomes.

4. Professional Development and Collaboration

• Teachers receive ongoing training in AVID methodologies.

• Encourages collaborative teaching and professional learning communities (PLCs).

• Hosts visiting schools to demonstrate best practices in AVID strategies.

5. High Levels of Student Engagement and Achievement

• Students demonstrate strong organizational, critical thinking, and study skills.

• High levels of college acceptance and post-secondary success.

• Focuses on closing the achievement gap and increasing opportunities for underrepresented students.

6. Continuous Improvement and Innovation

• Uses data-driven decision-making to assess AVID’s impact on student success.

• Adapts AVID strategies to meet the evolving needs of students.

• Encourages student leadership and active involvement in their education.

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7. Model for Other Schools

• Serves as a learning lab for other schools implementing AVID.

• Welcomes educators for observations and training.

• Showcases best practices that can be replicated in other schools.

DRESS CODE- applies to EVERY student taking a class at RA Long. This includes Mark Morris students taking class(es) at RA Long.

The dress and appearance of students is the direct responsibility of the parents and students in collaboration. School attire should reflect an academic focus and help maintain a safe and healthy school environment. Student appearance should be neat and clean and the body must be covered from the top of the shoulder to below two inches above the knee. If in the judgment of school officials dress or appearance is disruptive, the student will be required to change into appropriate clothing or will be sent home for insubordination. Team uniforms & spirit days must comply with administrative guidelines. The following rules apply to both genders:

• No under garments showing (including sports bras)
• No spaghetti straps, backless, strapless, halter-tops, crop tops, half-shirts, low-cut tops, one-shoulder, off-shoulder or see-through clothing
• Skirts/shorts must be no more than two inches above the knee (even with leggings).
• Cuts/slashes/fraying must also occur below the fingertip line
• Any rips that show skin must be no more than two inches above the knee.
• No sagging or bagging—pants must be pulled up
• No pajama pants (tops or bottoms), slippers, costumes, blankets, or capes(flags)
• No displays (messages or pictures) that are vulgar, obscene, profane, violent, drug/alcohol/tobacco related, affiliated with gangs, discriminatory or demeaning to any person due to race, religion, ethnic group, gender or sexual orientation (including the Confederate flag or swastikas)
• Flags may not be worn as attire.
• No hats, bandanas, hairnets, head wraps, pulled-up hoods or sunglasses (exceptions for approved medical or religious reasons) If a hat is taken from a student, it will be returned on Friday after school. Hats are not to be seen in any classroom or in the hallways at any time.
• No unsafe jewelry such as spikes, long chains, etc.

1. Academic Success: Studies show that students with regular attendance perform better academically. Chronic absenteeism (missing 10% or more of school days=18 days in a school year) is linked to lower grades, higher dropout rates, and less engagement in learning.
2. Graduation Rates: Regular attendance is a strong predictor of high school graduation. Missing school frequently increases the risk of falling behind and dropping out.
3. Skill Development: Attendance fosters the development of essential life skills, such as time management, responsibility, teamwork, and communication.
4. Social Benefits: School attendance helps students build relationships with peers and teachers, contributing to emotional well-being and a sense of belonging.
5. College and Career Readiness: Students with consistent attendance are more likely to be prepared for higher education and the workforce. Employers and colleges value reliability and commitment, traits reflected in good attendance records.
6. Health and Well-Being: Chronic absenteeism can signal underlying issues like health problems, mental health challenges, or family difficulties. At school we provide access to meals, counseling, and other support systems.

Why Attendance is Important

• Consistency in Learning: Regular attendance ensures continuity in education, making it easier for students to grasp complex topics and participate in discussions.
• Preventing Gaps: Missing school can lead to gaps in knowledge that are hard to fill, affecting future learning.
• Building Habits for Life: Developing a habit of punctuality and reliability in high school prepares students for responsibilities in adulthood.

Sending students can be a bit nerve-racking at times and we understand that given the things that are happening locally and across the nation in the last few weeks. I can assure you we are doing everything in our power to make sure for 7 hours a day, that each and every one of our students are walking into a culture at RA Long that is safe and inviting. The vast majority of our students are coming to school ready to learn, ready to hang with friends, ready to have some fun, and to leave each day with a little something to feel good about.

Safety we have in place:

• A school resource officer on site: Officer Bishop.

• 50+ cameras monitoring our campus

• Teachers and Admin monitoring campus during any unstructured time.(passing time, lunches, etc)

• Doors are locked down during instructional time. Video entry/buzz in system in place and monitored for visitors.

• ALL parents/guardians MUST show ID to take a student out of school.

• In the first 8 days of school, safety drills and protocols are practiced for multiple scenarios, and monthly drills will continue to be conducted.

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In light of other "social media threat situations" toward targeted schools that are and have been occuring online across our county and the country, we continue to encourage our students to act if you HEAR/SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING ! These situations will immediately be turned over to law enforcement and investigated. To this point, our students have been doing a tremendous job of doing just that, reaching out and communicating with our administrative team.

Thank you for trusting in us to take care of your young adults on the daily !

Respectfully,

R Reeves, Principal

• Essentially this is an AFTER SCHOOL DETENTION on a Fridays for minimal infractions(swearing, horseplay, dress code violation, etc) or disruption in a classroom
• Time: 2:30-3:30 in room 115
• Failure to attend will result in 1 day suspension the following week.

Own your behavior and choices. The outcomes are up to you.

Be sure to call the Attendance Office @ 575-7113 for all absences.

Leave a voice mail stating clearly the student’s name, date, and reason for absence.

Please remember to bring photo identification when picking up

your child for any appointments

khancock1@longview.k12.wa.us

Email: rreeves@longviewschools.org
Website: https://ralong.longviewschools.com
Location: 2903 Nichols Boulevard, Longview, WA, USA
Phone: 360-575-7228
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ralhsverified

Instagram @ralonghighschool

Mr. McCabe Athletics/Activities INSTAGRAM AD_RALong

TWITTER: @AD_RALong

Tag photos w/ #RALPride