RRHS Update - Week of 11/2/2026

Registration for all sports has opened for the 26-27 school year. Please use the link below to register your student athlete for any sport they are going to try out for this year. You will need to upload the VHSL physical form as well. Tryouts for the winter season will begin on November 9th, 2026. Winter Tryout schedule below:

LCPS Registration Instructions for Parents - Google Docs

Winter Tryout Times/Dates:

Gymnastics - Tuesday - Thursday, 7 a.m. Aux Gym.

Wrestling - Monday 11/9, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday - Friday at 4:30 p.m. Wrestling Room.

Girls Basketball - Monday 11/9 - Wednesday 11/11, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Main/Aux Gym.

Swim - Tuesday 11/10 and Thursday 11/12, 7:45 p.m. - 9:15 p.m. Please report to the pool by 7:30 p.m. Ashburn Pool.

Winter Cheer - Interest meeting 11/5 at 4:30 p.m. Meet in the cafeteria. Tryouts will be Tuesday 11/10 and Thursday 11/12 from 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. In the cafeteria.

Winter Track - Tuesday-Thursday (11/10-11/12) after school from 4:30-6pm, on the Track. We will be outside, please dress appropriately.

Boys Basketball:

Varsity Boys

Monday 11/9: 12:00-2:15pm MGYM

Tuesday 11/10: 4:30-6:30pm MGYM

Wednesday 11/11: 4:30-6:30pm MGYM

JV Boys

Monday 11/9: 2:15-4:15pm MGYM

Tuesday 11/10: 4:30-6:00 AUX

Wednesday 11/11: 4:30-6:00 AUX

Freshmen Boys

Monday 11/9: 4:15-6:00pm MGYM

Tuesday 11/10: 6:00-7:30pm AUX

Wednesday 11/11: 6:00-7:30pm AUX

The AP Registration Deadline is THIS FRIDAY, November 6th!

This is a reminder that the deadline for registering for an AP exam is this Friday, November 6, 2026, at 3:00 PM. Any exams that are registered for after November 6, 2026, at 3:00 PM may be subject to a $40 late fee, per LCPS. Students should have enrolled in their AP Course and indicated their exam decision via the College Board website (MyAP) during class time. Please confirm with your student that they have enrolled in their AP course and indicated their exam decision by asking them to log in to their College Board account at https://apstudents.collegeboard.org.

If your student attends The Academies of Loudoun, please read this before registering for AP exams. Exam payments should be made to the school locations in which your student is scheduled to take the exams.

For additional information, please click here or reach out to Mrs. Blessing.

As we approach course scheduling for the 2027–2028 school year, we want to highlight the vital partnership between students, families, and our school team. Teacher’s course recommendations are one of the most effective tools we have to help students find the right level of challenge and succeed.

Looking at our data thus far of course request changes, 58% of students requesting a change were in a class that was not recommended by their teacher.

The most common reasons for these requests were that the course was too difficult, the student felt overwhelmed, and/or they needed better balance in their schedule. Furthermore, this data only reflects formal requests; it does not capture the many verbal requests we were unable to accommodate due to filled course capacities or because the change would require adjustments to other courses and teachers in the student’s schedule. Trusting teacher and counselor recommendations during initial course selection helps ensure students start the year in the right placement where they can thrive without unnecessary stress.

When planning next year's schedule, we encourage students and families to keep balance and teacher recommendations at the center of their decision-making. High schoolers navigate many competing priorities—rigorous coursework, extracurricular activities, family and work commitments, and personal time.

End of Marking Period 1

Parents, please make certain your student is up to date on all of their assignments. Teachers are in professional development on Monday and Tuesday but available for questions concerning missing work. Report cards are available in ParentVUE on 11/10 at 4pm.

DEC Cards and Behind The Wheel Instruction

We now have a Driving Instructor assigned to Rock Ridge with limited availability. Please check the website for further details. You can also sign up for private lessons with local companies.

Students who plan to complete Behind the Wheel will need to meet the following criteria:

1. Hold a valid VA driver’s permit for at least 9 months.
2. Earned a passing grade in Driver’s Education course in 10th grade PE and have the DEC card.
3. Students and Parents have attended the 90-minute mandatory “Partners for Safe Teen Driving” presentation.
4. Completed and signed the 45-hour driving log.

Please see Ms. Grainger and Ms. Purov in the counseling office to get your DEC Card. You can come before school or between classes with your Learners Permit. Any questions can be emailed to: liz.grainger@lcps.org or yogita.purov@lcps.org

From the EL Department:

Rock Ridge High School EL Committee has met and determined EL students' participation level in the district assessments for the school year 2026-2027. Considerations were given to the EL’s level of English proficiency, level of prior schooling in the native country or home language, and level of schooling in the United States. Students' input was documented via a survey and discussed by the EL committee. The EL Department at RRH is offering opportunities for parent input and clarification via in-person meetings (first come-first served) on November 2 between 9-12 pm in room 1407. A copy of selected accommodations will be sent home with your student on November 5.

Contact our administrators or the EL Department Chair Margareta.Cernev@lcps.org for additional support.

EQUITY: Fostering Community and Belonging

Key Observances in November

American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month

November, also known as Native American Heritage Month, honors the cultures, histories, traditions, and contributions of Native and Indigenous peoples.

National Military Family Appreciation Month

Observed in November, this month honors military families across all branches for their unique service and sacrifices in supporting loved ones in uniform.

Veterans Day

Celebrated on November 11, the WWI armistice anniversary, Veterans Day—originally Armistice Day—honors those who served and died for the country.

Transgender Awareness Week

Held November 13–19, this week raises awareness through education, advocacy, and personal stories, leading into Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20.

Religious Celebrations:

• Birth of the Báb (Baháʼí, Nov. 10)

• Birth of Bahá’u’lláh (Baháʼí, Nov. 11)

Reminder: Equity is hosting a food drive starting on the 4th, please view the flyer attached!

HELP NEEDED FOR OUR ANNUAL TEACHER APPRECIATION THANKSGIVING LUNCH ON NOV. 18

On Nov. 18 we will be hosting our annual Thanksgiving lunch for our faculty and staff. We would love the help of some parent volunteers to set up for the event, keep the lunch running smoothly (helping to replenish food/put food out for different lunch shifts) and clean up after the event. If you are able to help with this, please sign up for a shift here. You can sign up for more than one time slot if you would like. Any and all help is greatly appreciated! If you have any questions, please contact Michelle.Prince@lcps.org.

CHICAGO: Teen Edition

Our winter mainstage this school year is Chicago: Teen Edition. In “Roaring Twenties” Chicago, chorine Roxie Hart murders a faithless lover and convinces her hapless husband, Amos, to take the rap... until he finds out he's been duped and turns on Roxie. Convicted and sent to death row, Roxie and another "Merry Murderess," Velma Kelly, vie for the spotlight and the headlines, ultimately joining forces in search of the "American Dream": fame, fortune, and acquittal.

Join us in December to witness this scandalous tail!

Click this link to purchase your tickets NOW: https://rrhstheatre.booktix.com/

Enjoy award-winning student journalism by accessing The Blaze, RRHS’ student-run news site. This month we covered RRTA’s talent show and the recent ASVAB test. We also profiled a Rock Ridge alum who was recently named a Pulitzer finalist.

Follow us on Instagram @ “rockridgehsnews” for breaking news stories and additional photos.

From your Family Liaison,

RRHS Thanksgiving Drive

This holiday season, Rock Ridge High School is partnering with Loudoun Hunger Relief to assemble 12 Thanksgiving baskets for our local RRHS families in need. Help us add an extra holiday treat to the tables by donating non-perishable items like chips, cookies, pancake/brownie mixes, cereal, Ramen noodles, granola bars, or candy. Please sign up using our sign up genius and drop off your donations at RRHS between November 1st and November 14th. Thank you for helping us make a meaningful difference this Thanksgiving!

Dulles South Free Clothing Event:

The Dulles South Neighborhood Closet is holding its next Free Clothing Event on Saturday, November 7, from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (42530 Tall Cedars Parkway, Chantilly, VA). Guest registration is required and remains open for all Loudoun County residents through November 1. If your family would like to attend or if you want to learn more, please visit dullescloset.org to reserve your spot!

Save the date - Dulles South Food Pantry Thanksgiving Food Drive:

If your family needs assistance this holiday season, the Dulles South Food Pantry will hold its annual Thanksgiving Distribution on Tuesday, November 17th and Wednesday, November 18th at 24757 Arcola Mills Dr. in Dulles. Registered families will receive traditional Thanksgiving dinner fixings, frozen meats, fresh bread, dessert, produce, milk, eggs, and dry goods for at least four days of meals. Appointments are required and must be booked by Friday, November 13th—please schedule yours as soon as possible by calling 703-507-2795 x1 or emailing appointments@dsfp.org. Please note that the pantry will be closed for food distribution from November 19th through November 29th.