Principal's Weekly Update #30

Greetings Pirate Families,

As we close out another strong week at Riverside High School, we want to take a moment to wish each of you a safe, restful, and well-deserved Spring Break. Please remember that there will be no school from Monday, March 30 through Friday, April 3. We look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready to finish the school year strong.

Spring Break is a wonderful opportunity to pause, recharge, and reset. We encourage our students, staff, and families to take this time to rest, reflect, and enjoy meaningful moments together.

Inspirational Thought:
"Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes… including you."

Take care, be safe, and we will see you back on campus soon!

With appreciation,

Dr. Gloria Woods-Weeks
Principal

• The RHS school building will be closed to the public March 30 - April 3 for Spring Break.
• Friday, March 27 was the final day of Quarter 3; report cards will be distributed on April 13.
• An Overview of the Course Registration Process for the 2026-27 School Year is linked here and available on the RHS website.
• A reminder that the application window for Riverside's National Honor Society closes on Sunday, March 29th at 11:59 pm.

Prom tickets are now available for purchase online:
https://osp.osmsinc.com/DurhamNC/BVModules/CategoryTemplates/Detailed%20List%20with%20Properties/Category.aspx?categoryid=BG102

· Spring Musical – Mary Poppins
A spoonful of sugar and a whole lot of talent! Our students are bringing the magic of Mary Poppins to the stage for this year’s spring musical. Mark your calendars and join us for this practically perfect performance on April 16, 17, and 18 at 7:00 p.m.
DPS employees receive free admission.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/14Ag8MXxRKdtDH94KmXX49kH2D_1mcUUV/view?usp=sharing

• Congratulations to the following students on their acceptance to the 2026 session of the NC Governor’s School:
Front row (left to right): Mira Riffer (English), Soka Rosette (Math), Annabelle Sanderlin (Choral), and Chora Whelan Carnes (Math).
Back row (left to right): Jacob Brennan (Social Science), Olive Ashkenes (English), Benjamin Davis (Choral), and Oliver Ambrusfield (Math).

• Shout-out to Ms. Smith and the Invest in Girls Club for participating in this week’s Invest in Girls Career Day at Fidelity Investments in Durham.

• Shout-out to Ms. Swaim and Destino Success for hosting a competitive 5x5 soccer tournament, and congratulations to the winning team!

• From March 21–24, twenty-four Riverside Chorus students traveled to New York City and had the incredible opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall as part of an invitation-only choral festival. Congratulations to Ms. Boliek and these students for their hard work and for representing Riverside on the national stage.

• Congratulations to Ms. Moore and the RHS Orchestra! Both the intermediate and advanced orchestras earned superior ratings at their Music Performance Assessment last week.

• Congratulations to Majors Bond and Master Sgt. McPherson and our JROTC team for their performance at the McMichael Phoenix Fall Firebird Fiasco Raider Competition in Mayodan, NC.

• Shout-out to Ms. Taylor and the cast of Mary Poppins, who had the opportunity to attend a master class led by cast members of the Broadway show Stereophonic, currently playing at DPAC.

Riverside, this is what excellence looks like—talent, dedication, and pride in everything you do. Let’s continue to lift each other up and finish strong.

Updates from our College Counselor Ms. K

· Senior Decision Day Volunteer Request: Hey Parents! I am planning a Decision Day celebration for seniors on April 30th during 1st period. This is to recognize all their hard work and celebrate their post-graduation plans. I am looking for volunteers to help set up the day before, assist on the day of, and break down after the event. Please sign up at the link below if you would like to volunteer!

· https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0448AAAE28AAFBC16-62900126-decision

· Decision Day: Please have your students register to attend Decision Day. All students must register to be able to attend! Here is the link for students: https://forms.gle/B2j3FxQW27LjCzHN9

·

Parents: Please make sure you and your students have completed FAFSA (through studentaid.gov) if your student is planning on attending college, university, trade school, or community college. FAFSA is necessary to receive financial aid, including scholarships, grants, work study, and loans. If you do not complete FAFSA, you will not receive financial aid to help pay for college. If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to Ms. K. Email: osk3@duke.edu

Upcoming events in April:

· April FAFSA office hours: Come get help on FAFSA and understanding your financial aid letter

• Thursday April 9: Lunch A, B, & C in media Center
• Thursday April 16: Lunch A, B, & C in media Center
• Thursday April 23: Lunch A, B, & C in media Center

· PRIZES EVERY WEEK THE MONTH OF April FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE COMPLETED FAFSA (If you have already completed, you can enter the raffle by filling out the form) (raffle entry)

· Check out my newsletter for SCHOLARSHIPS, upcoming events, and helpful information.

· https://docs.google.com/document/d/1skBzvx-KMGqiLjElJRODLcNw1_N8j7wCF47njoPv9Vs/edit?tab=t.0

· College Acceptances and Scholarships - Have your student submit their college acceptances and scholarships here to be featured.

Upcoming Opportunity Fair

Friday, April 10, 2026

Location: Emily K Center

Link: https://www.emilyk.org/opportunity-fair

The Opportunity Fair is a free college and career fair, highlighting pathways through community college, trade school, military, and employment. This event will feature short-term certificates and credential programs that students can earn after high school, as well as entry-level opportunities with local employers. Flyer Attached

Schedule:

DPS seniors: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

9th-11th grade and non-DPS students: 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

College Acceptances and Scholarships

Have your student submit their college acceptances and scholarships here to be featured.

My newsletter has a bunch of local scholarships!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1skBzvx-KMGqiLjElJRODLcNw1_N8j7wCF47njoPv9Vs/edit?usp=sharing

More scholarships: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cakZ7HmEDPJDLx70_xz0G7EyelkIff1mUYksZnBPs_4/edit?usp=sharing

Volunteer: Our athletics programs depend heavily on volunteers to help with game day entry, concessions, etc., during all home game day events for all sports. Please consider taking the time to VOLUNTEER HERE!

Keep our Kids in the Game Donation: Help us keep our students competing on 30 Varsity & Junior Varsity teams at Riverside by donating during this special fundraiser. Your gift of $203 provides the equivalent of the expense for one student to participate in one season this year. Did you know that Durham Public Schools only provides 14% ($15,000) of the funding needed to run our Athletics program at Riverside? The other 86% of the funding comes from ticket sales, sponsorships and fundraisers. That means the Athletics Department and the Booster Club need to produce over $89,000 in revenue this year to support our students. 100% of donations through this effort will go directly to the Booster Club to help our kids. ALL gifts make a difference. DONATE HERE!

Corporate Sponsorships: Do you or someone you know have connections to a local business? A number of sponsorship packages are available and we would love to proudly display your logo all over Riverside High School! Please see the attachment and contact the Booster Club for more information!

Stay Connected

Follow Riverside High School on social media for updates, celebrations, and reminders!
📸 Instagram: @riversidepirates | 💻 Website: www.dpsnc.net/riverside

Make it a great week, Pirates! Roll Pirates Roll!

--Dr. Woods-Weeks, Principal