Principal's Weekly Update #17
Week 7 – Second Quarter | December 14, 2025
Week of December 15-19, 2025
Good afternoon Pirate Families,
As we move steadily toward the end of the semester, I want to take a moment to celebrate our students, staff, and community for another outstanding week at Riverside. With roughly two weeks remaining before final exams, our focus remains strong on finishing the semester with purpose, pride, and Pirate excellence.
Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership and support. Riverside is truly a special place because of our students, families, and faculty/staff working together.
Have a wonderful week ahead, and as always—Once a Pirate, Always a Pirate!
Warm regards,
Dr. Gloria Woods-Weeks
Coming Up
Monday, December 22nd - Teacher Workday/ No Students
Monday, December 22nd - January 2nd - Winter Break for Students
January 1st - Holiday
January 2nd - Teacher Workday
January 5th - School Resumes at the regular time
Celebrations & Shout-Outs
- Shout-out to the RHS Cheerleaders, Dance Team, and Marching Band for representing the Riverside community at the Durham Holiday Parade on Saturday.
- Bravo and Kudos to Ms. Duncan and the RHS Dance Department for a wonderful performance of Alladin on Friday night.
- Shout out to Ms. Boliek and the RHS Chorus for their holiday choral performance at the Governor's Mansion on Friday night.
- Thank you to the Croasdale Garden Club for partnering with Mr. Lea’s, Ms. Owens’ and Mr. Crutchfield’s classes to make Gingerbread houses.
- Shout out to the RHS Bands for performing and meeting with students at the Brogden Pep Rally on Wednesday.
- Academic Excellence Spotlight: Congratulations to our Advanced Placement team for earning the Durham Public Schools' AP Academic Excellence Award for the 2024-25 school year.
- Shout out to JROTC and Ms. Bardonille for their efforts in supporting the Adopt-A-Family program this holiday season.
Senior Information
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Attention January Graduates:
All students scheduled to graduate in January are required to attend an important meeting in the Media Center this Wednesday, December 17, at the beginning of 3rd period. This meeting is mandatory to ensure you receive important information for both graduation and the ceremony (if applicable). Topics will include graduation attire, ticket requests, and accessible seating. Please contact your counselor Mrs. Atlas, or Mrs. Boliek with questions.
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Here is some important news for the final opportunity for SENIORS to have their portraits in the yearbook.
Seniors must report at their appointment times only.
The session will be during school hours on December 16.
Senior's appointment times have been shared with their homeroom teachers.
The session is from 9:30 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
The session will be in the lower level gym.
THIS IS THE LAST CHANCE FOR SENIORS TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED FOR THE 2026 EDITION OF THE HELM.
Senior Make Up Day FINAL TIME FOR THE YEARBOOK (1).docx
Upcoming Events & Important Announcements
- FAFSA Workshop for Students & Families Monday, December 15 | 5:00–6:00 PM in the Media
Center (register here) -
Tri-M Honor Society Book Drive: Tri-M is collecting books for Book Harvest through Friday, January 16. Donate new or gently used children’s books (ages 0-18) in English and/or Spanish. The collection bin is located outside the media center. Also accepting online donations. See flyer for details.
Make-up Senior portraits will be Tuesday, December 16 from 9:30 a.m. - 3 pm; please see your homeroom teacher for details on making an appointment.
- Chorus Holiday Concert - December 16 7 pm
- Band Winter Concert - December 18 at 7 pm
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NHS students will be in the cafeteria during all three lunches on Tuesdays to provide tutoring during regular school weeks. 🙂
- 2025 Fall Semester Exam Schedule: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1M-oyVktvmPo6KX2oqkAAveM_TYUq4PDY/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115153751107231573564&rtpof=true&sd=true
PTA Update
Monday Dec. 15 - Thursday Dec. 18: Elmo’s Spirit Mursday 4 DPS! This is slightly
different than the usual dine-in because Elmo's Diner focuses on Monday-Thursday (i.e., Mursday) and it is open only for breakfast and lunch (7AM - 3PM). Dine-in only. Please enjoy breakfast and/or lunch next week at this Durham institution!
Help us celebrate our RHS staff! Wednesday, December 17th Riverside PTA is hosting a Holiday Treat Day for our amazing staff. This is an annual event that our staff looks forward to. It is an all day, free flowing social time so we need ALOT of goodies. Please see the Sign-Up Genius Link in your PTA email, on Facebook, and on Instagram to sign up to donate a yummy treat. All goodies are welcome and appreciated. Donations can be dropped at the main office on Tuesday, December 16th or the morning of Wednesday, December 17th. THANK YOU!!!!
This Week in Athletics
Wednesday, 12/18 – Wrestling vs. East Chapel Hill
Let’s pack the gym, bring the energy, and show our Pirate Pride from the very start!The RHS Athletics Department will host a Winter Sports Symposium at 9:45 a.m. in the cafeteria
Wednesday, 12/18 – Winter Sports Symposium
Volunteer Sign-Up Link:
https://www.riversideathleticzone.com/page/d2d602e4-3219-4f9b-b4eb-16257f1d27e8
Contact the coaches below for preseason workout information:
- Indoor Track & Field: Jason_Smoots@dpsnc.net
- Men's Basketball: Christopher_Mayshack@dpsnc.net
- Women's Basketball: Barry_Garrett@dpsnc.net
- Swim & Dive: Stephanie_Ball@dpsnc.net
- Wrestling: Grabiel.Soto11@gmail.com
Ticket to Play for Winter Sports
A new digital process is now in place!
Scan the QR code on the Sports Medicine Room door to request your digital ticket.
Please remember: all prospective athletes must have a completed Dragonfly profile to participate.Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities
Do you or someone you know have a local business?
We’d love to showcase your logo throughout Riverside High School!The RHS Athletic Booster Club offers several sponsorship packages.
See the attached flyer for details, or contact the Booster Club for more information.Stay Connected
The Athletics Department has a brand-new mobile app!
Click the link from your mobile device to download from Apple App Store or Google Play and stay up to date on all things Pirate Athletics.
Inspirational Quote of the Week
“The holiday season reminds us that the greatest gifts are time together, kindness shared, and hope for what’s ahead.”
Stay Connected
Follow Riverside High School on social media for updates, celebrations, and reminders!
📸 Instagram: @riversidepirates | 💻 Website: www.dpsnc.net/riverside
Happy Holidays, Pirates! Roll Pirates Roll!
--Dr. Woods-Weeks, Principal