RHHS Wildcats News You Can Use

Wildcats!

What an incredible start to the school year! We are grateful to the many families who took time to share feedback about our new campus and the opening days at RHHS. The overall response has been strongly positive, while also giving us valuable insights to guide future improvements.

Key Takeaways from Parent Feedback

• Overall Satisfaction: 85% agreed or strongly agreed RHHS made a strong, positive start.
• Open House: Avg. rating 3.4/4—welcoming staff and clean facilities; suggestions for more time, and better wayfinding.
• First Days of School: Avg. rating 3.25/4—students felt safe and supported; noted areas for improvement included arrival/dismissal, lunch flow, and bus capacity.

Progress Since Opening

• Arrival/Dismissal: Now worlds faster, with lines cleared well before the bell.
• Cafeteria Flow: New routines mean shorter waits and more time to eat.
• Future Improvements: Clearer signage and more targeted engagement at future Open Houses.

Next Steps

I have already reached out to families who shared contact information to address concerns directly. For others, please know that I welcome any additional questions, concerns, or feedback. I am always happy to connect by email, phone, or in person—my number one priority is student support, and I want the RHHS experience to be nothing short of amazing.

This first full week has been filled with highlights—from the high level of engagement in our classrooms, to extracurricular programs hitting their stride, to making history by hosting our inaugural volleyball match in the RHHS Arena. Looking ahead, we are counting down to Friday, August 22, 2025, when football, band, and cheer will take the field for the first time in our new stadium in front of the home crowd. Get your tickets here: Buy Tickets Now

As we prepare for this milestone, a reminder that OpenGate screening and the clear bag policy will be in effect. For smooth entry and a great fan experience, please:

• Use only clear bags (small clutches 4.5" x 6.5" allowed).
• Leave outside food, cups, and beverages at home or in your car.
• Keep prohibited items away from campus to ensure a quick, safe flow into the stadium.

Together, we are building incredible momentum—not only around athletics and events, but across the entire school. As we roll into mid-August, let’s carry the same energy, focus, and positivity that we began with on August 6th. I also want to encourage every parent to help their child engage outside the four walls of the classroom. Whether it’s athletics, fine arts, clubs, or other organizations, being part of a team teaches accountability, responsibility, and builds the relationships that put the cherry on top of the high school experience.

I encourage all parents to check PowerSchool regularly for grades, attendance, and updates, and to stay actively engaged in your student’s life—the most important predictor of their success. Together we can move mountains, and I could not be more excited for all that this year has in store at our new address: 500 Wildcat Blvd.

See ya, Love ya, Bye!

Bivins

Juniors & Seniors: The 2026 U.S. Senate Youth Program application window is open from August 11 until September 30. The application, program criteria, and informational brochures are found on the Excellence Recognitions USSYP webpage www.gadoe.org/USSYP . Applications are due by September 30 at 5:00 p.m. To apply, you must meet all program qualifications as outlined by the U.S. Senate Youth Program.

Application Link: Apply for the 2026 U.S. Senate Youth Program

Verification Forms: Signed Verification Forms Print verification forms linked. Obtain appropriate signatures and upload the signed forms to the student's application. Electronic signatures will not be accepted.

Student Application Guidance: U.S. Senate Youth Program Application Guidance Brochure​

2026 U.S. Senate Youth Program Brochure

Additional questions: Email Ms. Miles

Additional Information: Application | Student Advisory Council Webpage

Deadline: September 5, 2025 at 5 p.m.

Contact: Kimberly Wetzel, students@doe.k12.ga.us

Richmond Hill High School HOSA is partnering with The Blood Connection to sponsor a blood drive on 8/28/2025, from 8:00 AM- 1:00 PM. Each donor will receive $30 in Donor Rewards! Each blood donation saves up to 3 lives! Donors need to be at least 16 years old (16-year-olds need a permission slip, which will be at the blood drive), weigh at least 110 pounds, have an ID, and be in general good health. The blood drive will be in the upstairs healthcare lab ( Room 2337).

To sign up to donate please follow the link:

https://donate.thebloodconnection.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/288973

Walk ins welcome but it is best to sign up and secure a spot!

We wanted to inform you about an upcoming event that requires your attention and preparation. The Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) has been scheduled to take place on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at Richmond Hill High School.

Details of the PSAT Test:

Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Time: 7:30 a.m

Location: Richmond Hill High School

The PSAT is an essential assessment that offers students an opportunity to practice for the SAT, assess their academic strengths and areas for improvement, and potentially qualify them for National Merit Scholarship programs. It is an invaluable tool that provides insight into college readiness and offers a chance to experience a standardized testing environment.

Who takes the test?

10th Graders (Required): All sophomores are registered by the school and are required to take the test free of charge.

11th Graders (Optional): 11th graders may register as a junior for consideration to enter the National Merit® Scholarship Program, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships.The cost for Juniors is $20 and they may register with the following link:

PSAT Junior Registration

The deadline for Junior registration is Friday, August 29, 2025. The deadline for payment in My Payments Plus is September 5, 2025, by 3:00 p.m.

We understand the significance of the PSAT in your educational journey and encourage you to approach it with a positive and focused mindset. For any questions or concerns regarding the PSAT administration, please feel free to contact our school's PSAT testing coordinator, Kelli Waldrop, at kwaldrop@bryan.k12.ga.us.

At the age of 16, Georgia requires that your student receive the booster to the MCV4 vaccine.

If they do not receive the MCV4 booster on or after the age of 16, their immunization record, Certificate of Immunization (Form 3231), will expire.

If you have not already scheduled an appointment for your student to get their vaccines updated, please contact your healthcare provider or the Bryan County Health Department at 912-756-2611 to arrange the MCV4 booster.

Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial illness that affects the brain and causes shock, coma and death within hours of the first symptoms. Georgia law requires students be vaccinated against this disease.

Please provide an updated copy of the Certificate of Immunization (Form 3231) once the MCV4 booster is completed. This document will become a part of your student’s permanent record once it is received by the RHHS clinic staff.

Contact your healthcare provider or the Bryan County Health Department with any questions related to the MCV4 Booster.

We know staff members at RHHS go the extra mile - we want to hear about it! When a staff member makes you/your student feel special or does something exceptional, YOU can give them a shoutout and in return, the PBIS team will send them a treat!

School times

7:30am-2:25pm/Buildings open at 7am

• Daily Bell Schedule
• A/B Schedule

Office Hours

7:00am-3:00pm

Certificates of Enrollment

Drivers License

Learners Permit

Car-rider/parent drop-off information - Click Here

• If you are dropping off a car rider, please stay in the right lane and keep the left lane open when entering the round-a-bout for our student drivers.
• When dropping your child off in the morning and when picking them up in the afternoon, we kindly ask that you pull all the way down to the sidewalk right before the student parking lot B entry and ensure that your child is ready to unload as soon as you stop. This will allow for us to clear Belfast Keller and keep traffic rolling. Is it further than curbside drop-off? Yes. Is it going to allow for more cars to drop off at once? Yes. Is it a safe alternative? Absolutely. We appreciate you working with us so we can clear the car line in a timely fashion.
• If I arrive with my child prior to the 7am opening of school can they disembark from the car? Yes. We would appreciate you going ahead and letting them out. They are welcome to wait outside in the front of the school or step into the air conditioned foyer of the building prior to all-staff arrival.

Bus rider information- Bryan County Transportation Services

School nutrition information-

School Cafe - Online Payment Portal - https://www.schoolcafe.com/dashboard

Students

• Breakfast - $2.50
• Lunch - $4.00

Staff

• Breakfast - $2.75
• Lunch - $5.00

Visitors

• Lunch - $5.25

Questions regarding remaining lunch balances should be directed to Alisa Vallbracht (School Nutrition Director) avallbracht@bryan.k12.ga.us/912-459-5121

Nurse/Clinic information-

Nurses: Taryn Parker (tparker@bryan.k12.ga.us) and Caitlyn Matias (cmatias@bryan.k12.ga.us)

If you should need to discuss health information at length, please call to schedule a meeting. All clinic forms are available HERE. Inhalers and epi pens that are carried by the student must have forms completed by their physician.

Website: https://www.bryan.k12.ga.us/o/RHHS
Location: 500 Wildcat Blvd. Richmond Hill, GA 31324
Phone: 912-459-5151
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richmondhillhigh
Twitter: @RichmondHill_HS