RCHS Counselor's Corner

December 19th: Semester exams-early release (high school ONLY)

December 20th: Semester Exams-Early release

December 21st-January 5th: Winter break

January 8th: students return

December 2nd: Special Education Day

December 10th: Human Rights Day

As we close out another calendar year, we want to thank our students, parents, and staff for a great first semester. It has been busy and packed full of information and activities, but the spring looks even busier. We will continue to meet with your students to choose their courses for next year. Our website has been updated with the most recent information regarding course selections. In January we will visit our 8th graders and also host the annual Bulldog Review. Please continue to check our social media and website for important information and dates.

TSIA testing will be available (sign up only) on January 27th, using this link https://rcisd.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ekqVhmRSm18LbrE Any student wanting to be eligible for dual credit courses needs to take this test. We only have three open sign-ups scheduled at this time.

As always, please don't hesitate to contact the counseling office for help with your student.

Click on Tutorial Schedule link to view tutorial opportunities with each teacher: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Mp6lR-4c6dhYHkS6Gd3b4g8u-Tn8eywKEQWAyTSRte4/edit?usp=sharing

National Honor Society provides peer tutoring during Bulldog Block for all subject areas, students may schedule through Ehallpass.

Click here to see key testing dates for RCHS: https://docs.google.com/document/d/16l5yobMxg2tQB5-l75MK3eXe483TkEzn4F_dP0-ixbE/edit?usp=sharing

DECEMBER

• 2 Saturday: SAT

• 2 Saturday: TSIA (sign-up only)

• 5-6: MAP MOY

• Alg I and Geometry

• Make up 12/7

• 5-8: STAAR EOC Retakes

• Make up Dec 11-13

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), branded as the "Better FAFSA," is all new for 2024-25 and includes the biggest changes to the form and process in decades. Set for a delayed launch by December 31, 2023, the Better FAFSA will translate to a shorter and simpler form, increased eligibility for Pell Grants, and a reduction in verification, allowing more students access the financial aid they need to attend college.

After the 2022-2023 school year, the school must provide TFD notice upon student’s initial enrollment in high school, specifically listing the requirement that the student is responsible for providing an official copy of their assessment results and transcripts. More information can be found on the following resource pages:

TEA Webpage

THECB TFD Webpage THECB FAQ Sheet: English Spanish

19 TAC §21.52 Eligibility for Texas First Diploma

Google folder

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Tobacco Education Resource Library shared an interview with Dr. Susan Walley, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Tobacco Control and expert in the prevention of youth tobacco use and tobacco-related diseases. Topics include misperceptions of e-cigarettes, who to reach out to help quit nicotine use, and other advice. Teachers can use this interview and other lesson plan resources as activities in their classroom.

Truth Initiative teams up with actor and comedian, Chris Parnell to illustrate how vaping nicotine increases symptoms of depression and anxiety and interfere with sleep through informational videos. The information speaks to youth to engage in conversation and share tools to help encourage smoking cessation.

Use this one page parents guide when talking to your children about the dangers of Fentanyl

Contact your Counselor

Alpha House (A-Co) Kim Combest

Beta House (Cr-He) Tiffany Goff

Gamma House (Hi-Mi) Chelsea Holcomb

Delta House (Mj-R) Shannon (Lacy) Murphree

Kappa House (S-Z) Kathy Blann

Sigma House (Associates or P-tech) Tracy Glick

Student Support Counselor Matt Wheatley