Principal's Weekly Update #19

Greetings Pirate Families,

As we continue moving through an important stretch of the school year, we are grateful for your continued partnership and support. Please take a moment to review the celebrations, reminders, and upcoming events below as we prepare for exams and the close of the semester.

Warm regards,
Dr. Gloria Woods-Weeks

Exam Schedule & Expectations (EOC/CTE)

• Exam Schedule and Information
• Arrival time for EOC/CTE exams: Students should arrive at their EOC/CTE exam room prior to 9:15 a.m. with their charged student laptop on their assigned testing day(s).
• Dismissal time for EOC/CTE exams: Students will not be dismissed from EOC and CTE exam sessions until the testing session concludes for the entire school at 1:15 pm. Please do not check out any student from an EOC/CTE exam prior to 1:15 pm. If a student has a conflict prior to 1:15 pm on the morning of the assigned exam, the student should plan to take the exam on a make-up day.
• Passes to dismiss students at 1:15 pm on exam day: Students must have a signed permission form to leave school following the conclusion of the EOC/CTE testing window at 1:15 pm. Students will turn-in signed forms at the Main Lobby upon dismissal at 1:15 pm. Students without signed dismissal forms will report to their scheduled class following lunch.
• Retakes of EOC exams - Beginning this school year, students who do not score proficient on the initial EOC exam will be allowed a retake of the EOC exam. Students must return a signed permission form back to their classroom teacher to be able to retake the EOC.
• January Graduation​ Information
  - Location - Hillside High School​
  - Rehearsal - Tuesday, 1/20/26 @ 5PM​
  - Graduation - Wednesday, 1/21/26 @ 6PM​

• No School January 19 and January 20; first day of 2nd semester is Wednesday, January 21
• Information to share about schedule changes/incomplete schedules?

Important Dates

· January 12–16 – Final Exams

· January 16 – End of the Semester

· January 19 – MLK Holiday (No School)

· January 20 – Teacher Workday (No School for Students)

· January 21 – Second Semester Begins

· January 21 – Winter Graduation, 6:00–7:00 PM, Hillside High School

It's almost time for the second semester of the 2025-2026 Academic Year! As a counseling department, we are committed to helping students make thoughtful and informed course choices. The Master Schedule is based upon student course registrations, which limits the opportunity for course changes once schedules are created. Completion of this form does not guarantee that the requested change will be made. Schedule change requests will be reviewed, and decisions will be communicated to the students via their school email. Only one request form will be honored per student and changing a student's schedule to request a certain teacher is not permitted.

Valid Schedule Change Request Reasons:

• There is a hole (missing class) in the student's schedule.
• A student did not pass the prerequisite.
• The student would like to take an advanced core class.
• A student needs a schedule adjustment to accommodate Durham Tech courses.
• A senior student would like to TA or have early release/ late arrival.

The form will be sent to students via Canvas and will be available on the RHS website from Monday, January 12th at 8:15am until Wednesday, January 14th at 4:15pm.

(Photos available on the RHS website)

• Men’s Basketball Alumni Night
  Congratulations to the Men’s Basketball program for hosting its annual Alumni Night prior to a conference-opening victory over Hillside High School. Alumni from the very beginning of Riverside’s history through the Class of 2025 were in attendance—an incredible testament to Pirate pride and tradition.
• Wrestling Senior Night Recognition
  Shout-out to Thomas Crowly, Stephanie Diaz-Mendoza, Ezra Norberg, and Christopher Rowell, who were recognized on Senior Night for the wrestling team. Thank you for representing Riverside with dedication and grit.
• Student Choreography Showcase
  Applause to all of our talented dancers who delivered outstanding performances during Friday evening’s Student Choreography Showcase. Your creativity and passion were on full display.
• Track & Field Community Support
  A heartfelt thank you to legendary Olympic and St. Augustine’s track and field coach George Williams for gifting our track and field team brand-new Nike uniforms. We are deeply grateful for his continued support of Durham students.
• Read the full story here: https://www.cbs17.com/news/local-news/durham-county-news/i-cant-stop-famed-olympic-track-coach-delivers-new-uniforms-to-durham-high-schoolers/.

This is a reminder about the DPS Student Climate Survey, which we are requesting all 11th-grade students complete. The survey provides valuable feedback that helps us better understand students’ experiences and improve how we support your child’s academic and social-emotional needs.

The survey will remain open through January 16, 2026. You may click here to review the survey questions in advance.

To allow your student to participate, please complete and return the opt-in form to your child’s school. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the school directly.

Thank you for your time, cooperation, and continued partnership in supporting our students.

Click link below to access calendar of events:

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

Wrestling – Host Coach T Invitational

• Thursday, 1/16 | 4:30 PM
• Friday, 1/17 | 9:30 AM

Let’s pack the gym, bring the energy, and show our Pirate Pride from the very start!

Volunteer Opportunities

We have several volunteer opportunities available for anyone who would like to support our athletes and game-day operations. Your time and enthusiasm make a huge difference.

Volunteer Sign-Up:
https://www.riversideathleticzone.com/page/d2d602e4-3219-4f9b-b4eb-16257f1d27e8

Interested in Playing a Spring Sport?

Ticket to Play is now fully remote. Here’s what that means:

• Athletes will scan a QR code that directs them to a Google Form
  (QR code is posted on the Sports Medicine Room door)
• The form will open for Spring Sports in January
• This is a rolling process—athletes must complete all required steps through the QR code and DragonFly

Physical Requirement

• A valid physical must be on file and remain current through at least tryouts
• The oldest physical accepted must be dated 01/20/2024 or later

f you have questions, please see the Sports Medicine staff or your head coach. Let’s get ready for a great spring season!

We’re excited to kick off Winter Sports Spirit Week! Let’s show up, show out, and celebrate our Pirate athletes all week long with school spirit and pride.

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