Principal's Weekly Update #25

Good afternoon, Pirate Families,

Happy Week 6 of the third quarter! We are moving steadily through the semester, and this is a pivotal time for maintaining focus, strengthening routines, and reinforcing our shared commitment to excellence. Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

As we move forward, our focus remains on our core values: Pride, Integrity, Relationships, Accountability, Teaching and Learning, and Empowerment. These values guide how we learn, how we lead, and how we treat one another. When students demonstrate respect for their peers and teachers, take responsibility for their learning, and act with integrity, even when no one is watching, they position themselves for long-term success.

This week, we are emphasizing the importance of “keeping the main thing the main thing.” The main thing is student learning. That means:

· Arriving to school and class on time

· Being present and engaged

· Completing assignments with effort and care

· Preparing for upcoming assessments and benchmarks

· Limiting distractions and honoring school expectations

With progress reports and testing windows approaching, every instructional minute matters. We encourage families to continue checking grades, monitoring attendance, and having regular conversations with your student(s) about their goals.

Inspirational Quote of the Week:

“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” — Frederick Douglass

Black History Month reminds us that progress is born from courage, resilience, and unwavering belief in justice. Let us honor the legacy of those who paved the way by committing ourselves to excellence, equity, and purposeful action every single day.

Warm regards,
Dr. Woods-Weeks
Principal

Get a head start on ACT success! Riverside High School is offering ACT Test Prep sessions designed to boost confidence and sharpen skills before test day.

Sessions will run February 23 – March 4.
Spots are limited, so register soon:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040B4CAAAC2FA6F49-62031940-mmact#/

Please contact Ms. McKoy with any questions.

• Congratulations to senior Stephanie Diaz-Mendosa on winning her second consecutive NCHSAA Wrestling Individual State Championship in Greensboro this weekend! What an incredible accomplishment and testament to her dedication and hard work.
• Congratulations to senior Juleah Somers on signing her NCAA Letter of Intent to attend and play softball at Bates College in Maine. We are proud of you and excited for your next chapter!
• Shout-out to Major Bond, Major McPherson, and our JROTC leadership team for hosting an outstanding district Military Ball with JROTC students from Northern and Hillside. Thank you for representing Riverside with excellence.
• Thank you to the coaches, students, and families who participated in the Athletics Campus Clean-Up this weekend. Your efforts to beautify our campus do not go unnoticed!
• Congratulations to our Track & Field athletes for their strong performances at this year’s NCHSAA State Indoor Track and Field Championships. Your commitment and perseverance continue to make us proud.
• Shout-out to the RHS Dance Program for the tremendous opportunity to participate in a masterclass with the National Dance Theatre of Jamaica. What an enriching and inspiring experience!

February 23

• Progress Reports Distributed
• Senior Parent Night

February 24

• ACT WorkKeys for 12th Grade CTE Concentrators

March 5

• ACT Administration for All 11th Graders

Attention Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors:

Are you interested in taking college courses tuition-free while in high school during the Summer/Fall 2026 semester?

If so, sign up for a CCP Enrollment Interest Meeting (held virtually via Zoom). Attendance at one session is mandatory to participate in CCP. During the meeting, you will learn about:

• Available pathways
• Admission requirements
• Application process
• Important deadlines

If you are currently enrolled in CCP, you do not need to attend another session.

For questions, please contact:
Mr. Jones, Durham Tech Liaison
jonest@durhamtech.edu
919-943-1696

Upcoming College Rep Visits to Riverside

Feb 24 - Barton College (room 245) 10-11 AM

FAFSA Priority Deadline for many colleges is March 1, 2026.

· FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This allows you to qualify for financial aid. You will NOT receive money to help pay for college if you do not complete this form.

· Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

o STUDENT: Create an FSA ID, which is a username and password.

§ https://studentaid.gov/

§ You will fill out the 2026-2027 form using 2024 tax return information

o PARENT: Create your own FSA ID (username and password)

§ Your student will invite you to complete the rest of their form once they have completed their section

§ You will fill out the 2026-2027 form using 2024 tax return information

o Both you and your parents will need a username and password.

§ Don't know who would be considered your parent for the form. Check out this helpful tool: https://studentaid.gov/fafsa-apply/parents

Senior Parent Night – Monday, February 23 5:30-7:00 p.m. in the Media Center

· Senior Parent Night will provide graduation updates and ensure seniors are prepared for their next steps.

· College, Durham Tech pathways, and workforce options will be discussed. FAFSA workshop at the end.

· Spanish Translation will be provided

· Food will be provided

Upcoming Opportunity Fair

Friday, April 10, 2026

Location: Emily K Center

Link: https://www.emilyk.org/opportunity-fair

The Opportunity Fair is a free college and career fair, highlighting pathways through community college, trade school, military, and employment. This event will feature short-term certificates and credential programs that students can earn after high school, as well as entry-level opportunities with local employers. Flyer Attached

Schedule:

DPS seniors: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

9th-11th grade and non-DPS students: 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

College Acceptances and Scholarships

Have your student submit their college acceptances and scholarships here to be featured.

FAFSA February Raffle!

Have you completed FAFSA? Have your student fill out this form to be entered into a raffle to win Beats headphones, Apple AirPods, or an iPad!!!!

Check out my newsletter for upcoming events, scholarships, deadlines, and important information.

My newsletter has a bunch of local scholarships!

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

More scholarships: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cakZ7HmEDPJDLx70_xz0G7EyelkIff1mUYksZnBPs_4/edit?usp=sharing

WANT TO ATTEND A FIELD TRIP!

Riverside High School will be going to NC Central University on March 24th. This is for current juniors and seniors. Link to sign up: https://forms.office.com/r/TU6tRuSeDf

Congratulations to Stephanie Diaz‑Mendoza, who captured her second state wrestling title last Friday night. She closed out the championship with a first‑period pin, improving her outstanding season record to 29–1.

Congratulations as well to our Track & Field athletes for an excellent showing at last week’s state championship meet.

• Alex Gray placed 3rd in the 1600m run.
• The Girls 4x800m relay earned a strong 4th‑place finish.

Great job to all our Pirate athletes who represented Riverside at the state meet!

Upcoming Contests

This Week in Athletics

2/24

• Men’s Basketball hosts South Central – 6:00 PM
  Pirates, we need you there—let’s pack the gym and support our team in the playoffs!

2/25

• Men’s Tennis hosts Research Triangle High – 4:30 PM
• Men’s Lacrosse hosts Roxboro Community School – 6:00 PM

2/26

• Women’s Soccer hosts Ravenscroft – 6:00 PM (Varsity Only)
• Men’s Basketball – 2nd Round of NCHSAA Playoffs (TBD)

2/27

• Women’s Soccer hosts Orange High School – 5:00 PM & 6:45 PM

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 fantastic week, Pirates! Roll Pirates Roll!

--Dr. Woods-Weeks, Principal