Bears Newsletter, Week of 5/25/26

Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing ten percent or more of the academic year for any reason, including excused absences, unexcused absences, and suspensions. Based on a 180-day school year, that means approximately 18 days per year or 2 to 3 days per month. Regular attendance is a significant factor in a student’s success.

RHS current chronic absenteeism rate is 22.05%. Our goal is less than 15%.

Please visit the VDOE website for more information.

We are working on incentives for students with good attendance. Please get to school and get to class on time! Please look at this handout for additional guidance for going to school.

• Memorial Day - Monday, May 25, 2026 - No School
• Early Release Day - Thursday, May 28, 2026
• Early Release Day - Friday, May 29, 2026 (Last day of school)

Students with medication in the clinic, please plan for a parent/guardian to pick up remaining medication by 2:00 pm on Wednesday, May 27 as the last two days of school are half days for students. If you do not wish to pick up the medication and would like it disposed of, please notify Nurse Wade by phone or email rwade@spotsylvania.k12.va.us.

**Seniors please plan to pick up medications no later than Friday, May 15**

For 26-27 school year, all students age 16 or older are required to have their meningococcal vaccination series completed. Please schedule this with your family doctor or contact the Spotsylvania Health Department at 540-507-7400 to make an appointment (no charge for vaccinations for enrolled students). Vaccines are also available through most pharmacies (check your insurance for coverage) and as walk-ins at Patient First in Central Park.

Religious exemptions forms are also available on the Spotsylvania County Public Schools website and must be signed/stamped/sealed by a notary.

Please turn in your updated immunization record in person to the front office, via fax to 540-548-2965 or email rwade@spotsylvania.k12.va.us prior to the start of the 26-27 school year.

Parents/guardians of students interested in enrolling in a Dual Enrollment (DE) course for the 2026–2027 school year are required to attend a mandatory information session with their student. Attendance at one of these sessions is necessary for student participation in the DE program next year.

Sessions are currently scheduled for:

• May 27
• June 2

All sessions will be held from 6:00–7:00 PM and will last approximately one hour.

Please use the link below to register for one of the available sessions. We appreciate your partnership in ensuring students are prepared for the expectations of Dual Enrollment coursework.

Mandatory DE Session Sign Up

If you are planning to take a Dual Enrollment Class next year, I need you to complete the DE Enrollment Process. Do NOT reapply if you were enrolled in DE courses at Germanna during Fall 2025–Spring 2026.

Apply to Germanna Community College
• Apply online at www.germanna.edu. Click Apply at the top of the page

After submitting your application:
• You will receive a 7-digit Germanna ID number and username. Save both for future use. You will also need to email me Mr Dolan your 7-digit Germanna ID number.
• Ignore instructions about a Parent/Guardian Certification form (parent approval happens later)

Need help applying?
Contact Noor Syeda, Dual Enrollment Academic Advisor nsyeda@germanna.edu

Please complete this ASAP. Do not forget to send your Germanna ID to Mr Dolan.

Registration for Virtual Virginia summer courses is now open. Students interested in taking a new course over the summer through Virtual Virginia should visit the Counseling Office to pick up a green special permission form. The completed form should indicate the desired course and session.

• Cohort 1: June 2 – July 10

• Cohort 2: June 16 – July 24

All courses are asynchronous. The cost per course is $375.

These courses are asynchronous and last about 6 weeks. Students should be prepared to complete approximately 4–5 hours of work per day. Please indicate on the form which session you would like to enroll in, as not all courses are offered during each session.

To be a Bear in Good Standing, students must meet minimum expectations in three areas:

• Attendance

• Behavior

• Grades

Students who are not meeting these expectations, and thus are not in good standing, will not be allowed certain privileges until the problem areas have improved.

***Please reach out to your alpha administrator for attendance recovery options.***

10:30 am Varsity Girls Tennis Regional Semi-Finals @ Riverbend High School

2:00 pm Varsity Boys Tennis Regional Semi-Finals @ Riverbend High School

TBD - Varsity Boys Track Regional @ John Champe High School

TBD - Girls and Boys Varsity Regional Finals

TBD - Varsity Boys Track Regional @ John Champe High School

5:30 pm Varsity Girls Lacrosse Regional @ Riverbend High School

7:30 pm Varsity Boys Lacrosse Regional @ Riverbend High School

Families are able to access student dues or fees online. For your reference, high school fees can be accessed here. (Not yet registered? View the SchoolCash Online Registration Instructions).

Dues are as follows:

• Senior - $25

• Junior - $15

• Sophomore - $10

• Freshman - $10

View Riverbend High School's breakfast and lunch menus, powered by Nutrislice.

Check out the Parent Resource Center Monthly Newsletters for upcoming events, sessions, and meetings: https://www.spotsylvania.k12.va.us/o/cfps/page/monthly-newsletters

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to your child's Assistant Principal or School Counselor. Your child's administrator or counselor can be determined by the first letter of their last name:

Principal Contact Information:

Ms. Elliott

Assistant Principal Contact Information:

Mr. Farley: Students with the last names A-D

Mrs. Stiffler: Students with the last names E-K

Mr. Nicely: Students with the last names L-Ra

Mr. Gebhardt: Students with the last names Re-Z

Athletic Director Contact Information:

Mr. Lohr

School Counselor Contact Information:

Mrs. Kennedy: Students with the last names A-C

Mrs. Rolling: Students with the last names D-F

Mrs. Powell: Students with the last names G-K

Ms. Taylor: Students with the last names L-N

Mr. Dolan: Students with the last names O-Se

Mrs. Shaffer: Students with the last names Sh-Z

Instructional Coordinator Contact Information:

Mrs. Bywaters Ext 5318

Attendance Contact Information:

Ms. Liming

Website: https://www.spotsylvania.k12.va.us/o/riverbend

Location: 12301 Spotswood Furnace Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22407

Phone: 540-548-4051