RHS Weekly Update #6

Greetings Pirate Families,

I hope this message finds you well. Congratulations to Riverside Athletics, as our athletic department was recognized as an Ejection-Free school for the 2024-2025 sports season.

As we enter the sixth week of school, I want to thank you for your continued partnership in ensuring our students remain focused, supported, and prepared for success. Together, we are living out our Riverside core values of Pride, Integrity, Relationships, Accountability, Teaching & Learning, and Empowerment every single day.

As a reminder, first semester benchmarks are quickly approaching, and it is critical that all students are present and prepared to test. These assessments give us valuable information about how well students are mastering the content and help us determine where we need to focus instruction to ensure success for every student. Our goal is to reach a 95% participation rate so that we have an accurate picture of what is needed to ensure success for every student. Lets work together to ensure the success for all our students.

Important Reminders:

• Attendance Matters: Consistent attendance is key to academic success. Please help us by making sure your student is present and on time daily.
• Progress Reports: Progress reports were distributed last week. If you have any questions about your child’s progress, please reach out to their teachers or counselor.
• Panorama Survey: The window for the Panorama student survey remains open until October 17. This is an important opportunity for students to share their voice and shape the future of our school.

The Office of Public Affairs is planning a webinar for parents to assist in signing up for Rooms, the district’s new two-way communications tool. The webinar will show families how to download the district app, how to sign up for Rooms, how to turn on notifications, and how to troubleshoot issues. The webinar will be offered four times:

• Oct. 2nd at 12:00 p.m.
• Oct. 2nd at 6:00 p.m.
• Oct. 23rd at 12:00 p.m.
• Oct. 23rd at 6:00 p.m.

Live translation will be provided. Follow-up support will also be offered for those who continue to need assistance. More details will be provided on social media and in the Weekly SPARK newsletter, including a link for the webinar once it is confirmed.

An inspiring and impactful event organized by the North Carolina Society of Hispanic Professionals (NCSHP) in partnership with North Carolina Central University (NCCU).

This year’s event will take place on:

📅 Saturday, October 4, 2025
🕗 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM
📍 NC Central University Student Center
500 Nelson Street, Durham, NC 27707

This free event is open to students, families, and educators from across North Carolina.

What to Expect:

🎓 Campus Tours of NCCU

🏫 Meet College Representatives

📝 College Admissions Information

💰 Understanding the Cost of College

🧾 FAFSA Help

📘 Navigating the Educational System

📚 What is Early College?

🎓 What is the College Promise?

🎤 Student Panel: Real Talk

Mi éxito, La universidad - Register here

Please save the date and join us for a day filled with opportunities, inspiration, and resources to help students achieve their dreams.

If you have any questions or require assistance, please contact Karolanelson@thencshp.org.

A virtual Governor’s School Family Interest Session will be held on Tuesday, September 30th at 6:30 p.m. for 10th and 11th grade students & families. The North Carolina Governor's School is a four-week summer residential program for academically and artistically talented high school students, integrating academic disciplines, the arts, and unique courses.

For more information, visit NC Governor’s School at https://www.dpi.nc.gov/students-families/enhanced-opportunities/north-carolina-governors-school

The University of North Carolina System will be hosting Virtual Open House sessions on October 6th, 7th, 13th, and 14th. Check out what they have to offer! The website is go.northcarolina.edu/ open house.

Senior Parent & Student Information Night
RHS Student Services will host a Senior Parent and Student Information Night on October 13 at 6:00 p.m. in the Media Center.

Come get important information to help your student successfully navigate their senior year! Topics will include: graduation requirements, post-secondary options, Durham Tech offerings, FAFSA details, and more.

Sophomore/Junior Parent & Student Information Night
RHS Student Services will also host a Sophomore/Junior Parent and Student Information Night on November 17 at 6:00 p.m. in the Media Center.

Please mark your calendars—we look forward to seeing you there!

SENIORS!!! We want to make sure you have an opportunity to take advantage of an upcoming event.

Tuesday, September 30th, we will be sponsoring a field trip for SENIORS ONLY to attend the DPS College Fair being held at the Durham Marriott City Center. We will depart from Riverside High School at 10:30 a.m. and return at 12:30 p.m.. Registration and permission forms can be found on the Class of 2026 Canvas page in the Announcements section. If for any reason it is not feasible to attend during the day, please note that the College Fair will be open to the general public from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. as well.

Click link below t access calendar of events:

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

The first SEMESTER MOY benchmark windows for high schools with block/semester courses are coming up soon!

Windows:

• Traditional Calendar BLOCK/SEMESTER HS = October 6-10

Changes to the ACT

· Students will receive a standalone score for each section of the ACT. However, only English, Reading, and Math will be used for the composite score. Students will receive a STEM score based on Math and Science. As a reminder, the minimum composite score is 17.

The Panorama SEL Survey is conducted twice per year with all students in grades 3-12. The Fall survey window opens for traditional students on Monday, September 15, 2025, and closes on Friday, October 17, 2025. Our goal for participation is 95 %. Students govern yourselves accordingly.

Winter Sports – Preseason Information
Students interested in playing a winter sport should reach out directly to the appropriate coach for information on preseason workouts:

• 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

Team Picture day for all Fall sports will be September 30th during the day. See your coach for time and location.

Ticket to Play – Winter Sports

We are excited to roll out a new digital Ticket to Play process. Athletes can request their ticket using the QR code posted on the Sports Medicine Room door. Please remember that all prospective athletes must still have a completed DragonFly profile in order to participate.

This Week in Athletics

• Women’s Volleyball – Mon. 9/29: Felton Grove @ Riverside | 5:00 PM / 6:15 PM
• Women's Volleyball - Thurs. 10/2: Southern Durham @ Riverside | 5:00 PM / 6:15 PM
• Women’s Tennis – No home contest
• Cross Country – Sat. 10/4: WakeMed Multi-School Meet | 8:00 AM
• Field Hockey – Mon. 9/29: Chapel Hill @ Riverside | 6:00 PM
• Football – Thurs. 10/2: JV Football Hillside @ Riverside 6:00 PM
  • 10/3 Varsity Football Riverside @ Hillside 7:00

• Women’s Flag Football – Mon. 9/29 |6:00 PM / Riverside @ Southern Durham 6 PM

  Wed. 10/1: Riverside Host supersite

Southern vs. Northern 6:00 pm

DSA vs. Riverside 7:00 pm

Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities

Do you or someone you know have connections to a local business? Several sponsorship packages are available, and we’d love to proudly display your logo throughout Riverside High School. Please see the attached flyer sponsorship packages and contact the contact Booster Club for more details.

The Athletics Department has a brand new (Apple Link & Google Play Link)

· Please click the following link from your mobile device to be taken to either Apple or Google Play to download the app now: (Apple Link & Google Play Link)

To continue ensuring health assessment and immunization compliance, it is important that we follow state policy and requirements. Our school nurse is working closely with our Data Manager to confirm that all students are up to date with immunizations and health assessments.

The first round of compliance checks has been completed, and Fifteen-Day Letters will be sent home for students who are not yet in compliance. Please note, state law allows only 30 days before non-compliant students are subject to school exclusion, which will result in absences and suspension from school until requirements are met.

We appreciate your cooperation in this important effort to maintain a safe and healthy learning environment for all students. If you have questions, please contact our school nurse or Data Manager for assistance.

Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.

Thank you for all you do to support Riverside High School. Let’s continue to reset, refocus, and reignite our Pirate Pride as we move closer to the end of the first quarter.

With Pirate Pride, Roll Pirates Roll!

Dr. Gloria Woods-Weeks
Principal