Happy Holidays RCHS!

As we create the final newsletter of 2023, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on another incredible year at RCHS. Our students continue to excel in and out of the classroom and impress us daily with their commitment to learning, pride in the Pirate way (AARGH!), and kindness to each other. This excellence is also modeled by our dedicated staff whose hard work, passion, and commitment to our students make RCHS a place where all can thrive. We are incredibly proud to work with and for you and hope that you have a holiday filled with love, laughter, and plenty of time to relax and recharge. We are excited for year ahead...it's going to be a fantastic 2024! With warm wishes, Mrs. Furkas & Mr. DiBrano

12/4--After School Tutoring Begins in Library, 2:45-3:45

12/6--Jr. Class PJ Day Fundraiser--NO HATS ALLOWED

12/6--Mentor Day

12/6--Senior headshots * if you missed it * 8-10 in Alumni Hall

12/6--RCHS Band & Choir Concert, 7:00 at Seitz

12/13--RTI Day

12/14--Blood Drive in gymnasium

12/18 - 12/22--Holiday Spirit Week

12/19--Board Meeting

12/20--PBIS Reward Day / Mentor Day

12/22--7th hour day; Christmas break starts at 2:40!

1/8--Classes Resume

Junior Sophie Hazelton & sophomore Hannah Guest were chosen to join Oakland University's Honor Band to learn from renowned composer, Randall Standridge & were honored to play one of his songs. Pictured are Director Pickell, Randall Standridge, Sophie Hazelton, Hannah Guest & Eli Rodd, another RCHS band member.

Students in Ms. Lince’s Government classes had the honor to meet Ms. Phipps (Wayne Integrated Health Network), Ms. Zuniga (Hegira Health), and Mr. Walker (The Guidance Center) at a Legislative Forum at Crystal Gardens on October 30, 2023. Thank you to the Southern Wayne County Chamber of Commerce for organizing the forum, and Michael Ceaser of Ceaser Capital Management, Mayor Andrew Swift, and the Soroptimist International Trenton & Downriver Area for sponsoring our three tables and lunch! The presenters spoke about mental health issues across the country. Mr. Walker told us about legislation that establishes behavioral health clinics that anyone can use without restrictions such as insurance or severity of mental issues. He explained that anxiety and depression are the most frequent symptoms for mental illness, followed by substance abuse disorders and that the LGBTQ community are most likely to commit suicide.

Ms. Phipps’ organization helps people 0-21 years and how it’s important to break down the walls of mental illness stigma, which usually manifests as brushing ‘it’ under the rug or approaching it as the ‘elephant’ in the room. Her organization partners with schools to provide an array of services and support for children. Ms. Zuniga focused on mental illness in the workplace and how adults also need mental health days. This forum gave students a framework to understand the mental health crisis and learned how organizations are addressing the problem. While statistics show that the majority of people are not getting the treatment they need, it’s encouraging to know that today’s youth do not view getting help as a bad or taboo thing, which our forum validated.

The RCHS Drama Club premiered The 39 Steps, written by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon on November 16th and 17th and had the crowd rolling in laughter! The Alfred Hitchcock farce involved multiple characters, dialects and costumes. Our students had a blast camping up on the fun and silliness the play offered, and it was a hilarious beginning to the holiday season!

on December 6 at 7:00 pm in the Seitz auditorium for the RCHS Band & Choir Concert. Our talented musicians will get you in the holiday spirit. Led by Directors Pickell and Stark, you won't be disappointed! Our band just finished a successful marching season and our choir has been working hard to prep for this special night. We hope to see you there!

Mrs. Ritter & Mr. Southward wear many hats at RCHS. In addition to managing our health, physical education and strength & conditioning classes, they also coach soccer, football, and softball, respectively. They're active in our community and bring their energy and passion for sports to the court and field daily. Both have children in RCSD and are looking forward to driving them crazy when they're at the high school.

Mrs. VanSickle has taught at RCHS for 18 years and is also a proud alum. She has one son that attends Sietz and several furbabies. Not only is she a creative art teacher, she loves photography and working in her garden. Her favorite art medium to work with is clay.

Mrs. Norwood has been at RCHS for 17 years teaching our Parenting, Nutrition, Health & Financial Literacy classes. She loves the supportive, family-like environment and wants her students to leave her classes believing that it's not about being the best; it's about being better than you were yesterday.

Students in Ms. Norwood's Nutrition classes were treated to some spooky snacks to celebrate Halloween. They assembled their masterpieces, calculated the nutritional value, then sampled their work. An engaging, tasty lesson before the sugar highs commenced!

We've had a busy, but rewarding start to this school year and we couldn't do it without your support! We hope that you all have restful break with lots of cookies & cheer! 🎄