March RACHS News

The HS Schedule Committee has been meeting since November researching different types of bell schedules with the intended goal of finding the optimal schedule that maximizes educational opportunities for students. We are seeking feedback from students, guardians and staff on three different versions. Your feedback will help guide what the bell schedule at the HS will be in the future. Our deadline is March 10th - please fill out the survey today!

Jackson R. for 9th Grade:

Adelina R. for 12th grade:

Congratulations to Jay G for making it as a finalist in the National Merit Scholarship competition! This is one of the highest academic honors a high school student can achieve as less than 1% of students in the country make it this far. Jay is now in the running for one of the Merit Scholarships awarded to finalists in the Spring. Fantastic job Jay!

Congrats to our sectional champions listed below!

• Varsity Cheer
• Haley C - Indoor Track 300m and 600m
• Evan C - Indoor Track 55m and 300m
• Rylan R, Bryce O, Jayden H and Evan C - Indoor Track 4x200m Relay
• Peyton C - Swimming 50m and 100m Freestyle

Varsity Cheer, Haley C, Evan C and Peyton C qualified for the State Championship Tournament in their respective events this weekend. Way to represent and make Gananda PROUD!

In addition to them, we had Cooper G and Hunter V both hit the 1,000pt milestone for their Varsity Basketball careers! Cooper also set the career scoring record for boys basketball, as a Junior. Definitely an impressive feat!

Gananda is committed to supporting all students as they plan for life after high school. Whether students are pursuing a four-year college, military service, trades, or direct entry into the workforce, we provide structured guidance and individualized support.

College Bootcamp (For Students Planning to Attend a 4-Year College/University)

Juniors intending to apply to a four-year college or university will participate in an 8-session College Bootcamp. Mrs. Kelleher and Mrs. Narum will guide students step-by-step through the entire college application process, providing clear direction and hands-on support.

Bootcamp sessions will include:

• Completing the Common Application step-by-step

• Brainstorming and developing strong college essay topics

• Resume creation and updating

• How to professionally request letters of recommendation

• Understanding the FAFSA and financial aid process

• Requirements for qualifying for Gananda Dollars for Scholars scholarships

• How to read and understand a college award letter

• Comparing college cost of attendance to make informed financial decisions

This structured approach is designed to reduce stress, increase confidence, and ensure students stay organized throughout senior year.

Individualized Planning for Other Post-Secondary Pathways

School counselors will also meet individually with students who are interested in pursuing alternative pathways after graduation.

These meetings will support students exploring:

• Military service

• Skilled trades

• Direct entry into the workforce

• Apprenticeship programs

• Certificate or technical training programs

Counselors will assist students with understanding requirements, application processes, timelines, certifications, and next steps to ensure each student develops a clear, achievable post-graduation plan.

Our goal is for every junior to leave their senior year with a well-defined, confident plan for their future!

Gananda’s Ruben A. Cirillo High School has earned Bronze recognition on the 2025 AP School Honor Roll!

Equally impressive? We were one of the few schools on the Honor Roll in all of Wayne County!

How did we earn this distinction?

-RACHS had 40% of seniors who took at least one AP Exam during high school

- 38% of seniors scoring a three or higher on at least one AP Exam

- and 5% of seniors who took five or more AP Exams!

Congratulations!

February 7th over 300 students from grades 7-12 participated in the Wayne County Music Educators Association All-County Band auditions at Newark High School. Each student had to memorize scales, perform two prepared excerpts, and tackle a short section of sight-reading. They performed in front of trained adjudicators, who rated them on seven different categories. It’s no small feat to compete in such an event as it requires tremendous courage, dedication, and hard work.

Congratulations to the following students who earned a spot in this year’s WCMEA All-County Band, which will take place March 20th-21st at Sodus High School:

Sr. High All-County Band Members:

• Claire Dohse - Clarinet (1st Seat)
• Joscelyn Erhardt - Bari Sax (2nd Seat)
• Mason Strausser - Tuba (4th Seat)

On Friday Feb 6th, Citizens of the World club from the high school spent the day volunteering at Foodlink. Foodlink's mission is to end hunger and build healthier communities. The members of the club spent the day organizing food items for donation to local food pantries.

Ms. Courtney's chemistry class explored the Chemistry of the Olympics. Each student or pair chose a topic, researched how it related to chemistry topics we have learned about, and prepared a poster to share that information with the school community.

The Junior Class is invited to attend the National College Fair on Monday, March 16th at the Riverside Convention Center. During this field trip, students will have approximately one hour to circulate through the fair and meet directly with admissions representatives from colleges and universities across the country. This is a valuable opportunity to ask questions about majors, campus life, admissions expectations, and financial aid, while gathering materials and making personal connections that can help guide post–high school planning. Whether students already have specific schools in mind or are just beginning to explore their options, the National College Fair is an important step in the college exploration process. Permission slips to attend are required.

• Brain Injury Awareness Month: Raises awareness about brain health and safety, especially important for student-athletes.

We have the dates set for the trip to Paris/Barcelona next spring. Please refer to the Trip Itinerary linked below. There is a $200 discount if you sign up before March 15, 2026. We are starting a fundraiser through The Giving Bean on Monday, March 2 through the 16th. Please contact me if your student would like to participate in the fundraiser even if they are not currently signed up for the trip.

Trip Itinerary

Invitation Link to sign up

There are two payment plans available for the trip:

PAYMENT METHODS:

E-Z PAY BILLING

Automatic monthly withdrawals deducted

from either your checking account or credit card

(4% fee for credit card)

NO deposit

30-day final payment deadline (3/3/2027)

More time to pay means lower monthly

payments!

CONVENIENCE BILLING

Pay when you choose, as long as you pay in

full by the final payment deadline

$495 deposit

110-day final payment deadline (12/13/2026)

Pay by check mailed to the passports office

or by credit card online (4% fee for credit card)

Please let me know if you have any questions! Mrs. F-N

Make a Difference in a Student’s Life — Right Here in Our Community

Did you know that Gananda Dollars for Scholars is a donor-designated organization through United Way?

That means you can support local Gananda students directly through your workplace campaign!

If you work in Wayne, Monroe, Ontario, or surrounding counties, your employer may participate in the United Way campaign. When completing your pledge, simply designate your donation to:

Gananda Dollars for Scholars

Donor ID #3323

Even small payroll deductions add up to BIG impact for our students pursuing higher education.

And don’t forget to ask your employer if they match charitable contributions — your gift could go even further!

Thank you for helping us invest in the future of Gananda students.

Spring Recess is March 30th through April 3rd.

You can also click on the buttons below that will take you directly to the Instructional Calendar and Daily Schedules.

If you have not received an invitation to join ParentSquare from your students school, please contact the main office of their building.

Absences need to be reported to the school health office by the parent/guardian of the student. This may be done so online by completing this form.

Respectfully,

Dr. Christopher J. Whipple, Principal

cwhipple@gananda.org

Mrs. Nickie Mereness, Assistant Principal

nmereness@gananda.org

(315) 986-3521, 8, 3154