RRHS Update - Week of 10/26/2026

End of Marking Period 1

Wednesday, October 28th is the end of the grading period. Please make certain your student is up to date on all of their assignments before Wednesday.

Virginia Space Grant Consortium

Today is the last day for your students to apply to our opportunities designed to inspire and prepare them for careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. These programs are offered with support from NASA and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

1. Virginia Space Coast Scholars (VSCS) – 10th grade students – VSCS explores the launch platforms at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility. This online course introduces students to orbital and suborbital flight. Selected scholars who successfully complete the course may be invited to a residential summer academy at Wallops Island. https://vsgc.odu.edu/spacecoast

2. Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS) – 11th and 12th grade students – VASTS is an interactive online course focusing on NASA’s human spaceflight missions. Selected scholars who successfully complete the course may be invited to attend a residential summer academy at NASA’s Langley Research Center. https://vsgc.odu.edu/vasts

3. Virginia Earth System Science Scholars (VESSS) – 11th and 12th grade students – VESSS focuses on using NASA’s Earth-observing satellites to investigate our planet’s complex systems. Selected scholars who successfully complete the course may be invited to a residential summer academy at NASA’s Langley Research Center. https://vsgc.odu.edu/vesss

   Each program is: free of charge to students; delivered online, with flexible scheduling for accessibility; designed to foster 21st-century skills including teamwork, research, and problem-solving; taught and mentored by STEM professionals and educators.
   

The AP Registration Deadline is Friday, November 6th!

This is a reminder that the deadline for registering for an AP exam is November 6, 2026, at 3:00 PM. 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. Any exams that are registered for after November 6, 2026, at 3:00 PM may be subject to a $40 late fee.

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.

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

Rock Ridge High School – English Learner (EL) Assessment Information

The Rock Ridge High School EL Committee has reviewed student eligibility, participation, and accommodations for the 2026–2027 district assessments. Decisions were based on English proficiency, educational background, and student input.

Eligible students may receive accommodations such as extended time, audio support, or bilingual/English dictionaries. A copy of each student's approved accommodations will be sent home on November 5.

Parents are invited to provide input or ask questions during an in-person session on November 2, from 9:00 a.m. to noon, in Room 1407.

For additional information, please contact school administration or EL Department Chair Margareta Cernev at Margareta.Cernev@lcps.org.

Enjoy award-winning student journalism by accessing The Blaze, RRHS’ student-run news site. This month we reported on the homecoming pep rally and Rock Ridge’s new Astronomy class. We also featured our Athlete of the Week, Joel Smith.

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

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and students at Rock Ridge High School are helping raise awareness about the importance of online safety and digital security!

Students across all three levels of our Cybersecurity program have been putting their knowledge and creativity into action by developing public service announcements for the Rock Ridge community.

• Introductory Cybersecurity students designed informative flyers that will be displayed throughout the school.

• Intermediate Cybersecurity students created engaging social media posts to share important cybersecurity tips and promote safe online practices.

• Advanced Cybersecurity students produced two brief podcasts, each approximately 90–120 seconds long, highlighting important cybersecurity topics.

These student-led projects provide an excellent opportunity for students to apply their classroom learning to real-world situations while educating others about cybersecurity.

We are proud of our Phoenix students for using their skills, creativity, and knowledge to make a positive impact on our school community!

Monday October 26th

9th Girls and Varsity Boys Volleyball vs. Tuscarora, 5:30 p.m.

JV Girls and Varsity Girls Volleyball vs. Tuscarora, 7 p.m.

9/10 Football vs. Heritage, 6 p.m.

Tuesday October 27th

9th Girls and Varsity Girls Volleyball vs. Heritage, 5:30 p.m.

JV Girls and Varsity Boys Volleyball vs. Heritage, 7 p.m.

Wednesday October 28th

Region Cross Country @ Oatlands, 1 p.m. Early Release at 11 a.m. Bus departs at 11:30 a.m.

Region Cheer @ Broad Run, 6 p.m. Early Release at 3:30 p.m. Bus departs at 4:30 p.m.

Thursday October 29th

Varsity Football vs. Heritage, 7 p.m. Senior Night

The Equity Committee is hosting a Food Drive!

From November 4th through November 13th, students may submit non-perishable food items directly to their Advisory teacher. On the following Monday, all contributions will be collected and tallied for each classroom. The top-donating Advisory class from each level (one upper-level and one lower-level class) will be awarded a Doughnut and Hot Chocolate celebration.

Parents: Please encourage and assist your student to participate and support our collective effort to foster an empathetic and inclusive community for all families celebrating this season.

Celebrating 20 Years of Excellence at Rosa Lee Carter Elementary & Stone Hill Middle School!

This year marks a special milestone for both Rosa Lee Carter Elementary School and Stone Hill Middle School as we celebrate 20 years of serving our community! As part of these celebrations, both schools are creating commemorative slideshows that capture the memories, friendships, achievements, and experiences that have shaped our school communities over the past two decades.

Rosa Lee Carter Elementary School is collecting photos from throughout its 20-year history, including kindergarten celebrations, classroom activities, field days, performances, special events, and photos of former students who are now attending Stone Hill Middle School, Rock Ridge High School, college, or beyond.

Likewise, Stone Hill Middle School is seeking photos from current and former students, families, staff members, and community members that highlight memorable moments from the school's first 20 years. Whether it's school events, athletic competitions, performances, field trips, spirit days, classroom activities, or candid memories with friends and staff, we'd love to include them in our anniversary slideshow.

Together, these photos will help tell the story of two schools that have grown alongside our community and positively impacted countless students and families over the last 20 years.

Please send your photos to:

• Rosa Lee Carter Elementary School: uzma.askari@lcps.org
• Stone Hill Middle School: rohini.tohan@lcps.org

Thank you for helping us celebrate the people, memories, and moments that have made both Rosa Lee Carter Elementary School and Stone Hill Middle School such special places over the past 20 years. We look forward to honoring the rich history and traditions of our schools through these special anniversary celebrations!