Principal's Weekly Update #24

Good afternoon, Pirate Families,

This is Dr. Woods-Weeks with your weekly updates as we move through the 5th week of the third quarter. Time is moving quickly, and our Pirates continue to show up in amazing ways each day.

We look forward to another strong week ahead and appreciate your continued partnership in supporting our students’ success.

Inspirational Quote of the Week:
“Success is not about how much you have, but how much you give.” — Booker T. Washington.

Warm regards,
Dr. Woods-Weeks
Principal

February is Black History Month, a time to honor the achievements, contributions, and resilience of Black leaders past and present. Throughout the month, students will engage in learning experiences that celebrate history, culture, and excellence. We encourage families to continue these conversations at home.

• Shout-out to our basketball and cheerleader seniors as they were honored on Senior Night before defeating Northern High School 77-42 to win the Battle of the North.

• Shout-out to Mr. Nguyen, all the Red Cross Club and TSA student leaders and 42 teachers, students, and community members who volunteered to donate blood at this year’s Blood Drive.
• Thank you to our community partners the Croasdale Garden Club for working with Mr. Lea's, Mr. Crutchfield's, and Ms. Owens' classes in building pine cone birdhouses on Thursday.
• Shout-out to 11th grader Lysander Mihaly who shone in the NCHSAA 7A State Swim Meet with a 2nd place finish in the 500 freestyle and a 3rd place finish in the 100 breaststroke.

As we move through February, we are proud to celebrate our students, staff, and community partners who continue to make Riverside a place of excellence, service, and school pride. Please take a moment to review the highlights and important updates for the week ahead.

• Monday is a Teacher Workday – There will be no school for students. We appreciate your support as our staff engages in professional learning and planning
• Wednesday, February 18 - School Improvement Team Meeting at 5:00 in the Media Center
• We are officially at the midpoint of Quarter 3—this is a great time for students to check grades, complete missing work, and communicate with teachers if support is needed.
• ACCESS testing for ESL students continues this week in the Media Center
• Try-outs for Spring Sports begins the Week of Feb 16; all athletes must be cleared in Dragonfly and completed the digital Ticket to Play - please see your coach or Coach Duncan with any questions.
• RHS Athletics is hosting a campus clean-up on Saturday, Feb. 21: here is the link to sign-up: https://bit.ly/rhsspringworkday
• Senior Parent Night will be Monday, Feb. 23 from 5:30 pm to 7 pm in the Media Center.
• ACT Test Prep for 11th graders - Get a head start on ACT success! Riverside High School is offering ACT Test Prep sessions designed to boost your confidence and sharpen your skills before test day. This year, we’re excited to partner with M&M Education Group, a proven leader in student achievement, to deliver engaging and targeted preparation just for juniors. Spots are limited, so register soon: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040B4CAAAC2FA6F49-62031940-mmact#/ Sessions will take place Feb. 23rd to March 4. Please contact Ms. McKoy with any questions.
• Dual Enrollment: Attention Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors: Are you interested in taking college courses tuition-free while in high school during the summer/fall 2026 semester? If so, please sign up for a CCP Enrollment Interest Meeting here. It will be held virtually via Zoom. Attending one is mandatory to join CCP. You will learn about the various pathways, admission requirements, application process, deadlines and etc.. If you are currently enrolled in CCP, you do not need to attend another one. Please contact Mr. Jones, Durham Tech Liaison at jonest@durhamtech.edu or text or call 919-943-1696 if you have any questions. Note: rising Juniors may only start in the fall term.

• Class of 2026 Graduation Date: Graduation for the Class of 2026 is scheduled for **Friday, June 12 at 1:00 p.m. at Duke Cameron Indoor Stadium.

ACCESS testing continues this week for ESL students. Govern yourselves accordingly.

2026 Spring WorkKeys

Each year, the ACT WorkKeys assessment is administered twice a year - once in the fall and once in the spring. Schools’ 12th grade CTE concentrators must take the WorkKeys assessment during one of the windows. This year, the window for the SPRING WorkKeys assessment is February 17-March 27, 2026. Mark Your Calendar!

Upcoming College Rep Visits to Riverside

Feb 20 - University of North Carolina Greensboro (room 245) 10-11 AM

Feb 24 - Barton College (room 245) 10-11 AM

Monday February 23rd From 5:30-7 PM in Media Center - Senior Parent Night

Senior Parent Night will provide graduation updates and ensure seniors are prepared for their next steps.
College, Durham Tech pathways, and workforce options will be discussed. FAFSA workshop at the end.

-Spanish Translation will be provided

-Food will be provided

WANT TO ATTEND A FIELD TRIP!

Riverside High School will be going to NC Central University on March 24th. This is for current juniors and seniors. Link to sign up: https://forms.office.com/r/TU6tRuSeDf

Upcoming Opportunity Fair

Friday, April 10, 2026

Location: Emily K Center

Link: https://www.emilyk.org/opportunity-fair

The Opportunity Fair is a free college and career fair, highlighting pathways through community college, trade school, military, and employment. This event will feature short-term certificate and credential programs that students can earn after high school, as well as entry-level opportunities with local employers. Flyer Attached

Schedule:

DPS seniors: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

9th-11th grade and non-DPS students: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

College Acceptances and Scholarships

Have your student submit their college acceptances and scholarships here to be featured.

FAFSA February Raffle!

Have you completed FAFSA? Have your student fill out this form to be entered into a raffle to win Beats headphones, Apple AirPods, or an iPad!!!!

Check out my newsletter for upcoming events, scholarships, deadlines, and important information

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

Check out my scholarships database: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JKP0lgiizLSdfR1bWoBgL7zbLbd3ShzVk8I3_QlGr7E/edit?pli=1&gid=0#gid=0

Upcoming Opportunity Fair

Friday, April 10, 2026

Location: Emily K Center

Link: https://www.emilyk.org/opportunity-fair

The Opportunity Fair is a free college and career fair, highlighting pathways through community college, trade school, military, and employment. This event will feature short-term certificate and credential programs that students can earn after high school, as well as entry-level opportunities with local employers. Flyer Attached

Schedule:

DPS seniors: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

9th-11th grade and non-DPS students: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Mark Your Calendar and govern yourselves accordingly!

Senior Parent Night - February 23 at 5:30 in the Media Center

Congratulations to the Riverside Swim Team, who competed in the 2025–2026 High School State Championship Meet on Thursday!

• Lysander Mihaly (Junior) placed 2nd in the 500-meter freestyle and 3rd in the 100-meter breaststroke.
• Aubrey Mitchell (Senior) achieved two personal best times in the 200 IM and the 100-meter butterfly.
• Both the women’s and men’s 400-meter freestyle relay teams dropped an impressive 17 seconds from their season-best times.
• The men’s team finished 9th in the state overall.

Congratulations as well to Stephanie Diaz, who placed 2nd at the regional wrestling tournament and will compete in the 7A State Championship this week. We are proud of you!

This Week in Athletics

Monday, 2/16

• Women’s Basketball Conference Tournament – 6:00 PM @ Northern Durham
• Men’s Basketball Conference Tournament – 6:00 PM vs. East Chapel Hill
• Tryouts for all Spring Sports

Tuesday, 2/17

• Women’s/Men’s Basketball Conference Tournament – TBD

Wednesday, 2/18

• Women’s Wrestling State Championship

Thursday, 2/19

• Women’s/Men’s Basketball Conference Tournament – TBD
• Women’s Wrestling State Championship

Friday, 2/20

• Women’s Wrestling State Championship

Spring Sports & Ticket to Play Information

Spring sports officially begin Monday, February 16, 2026.

We are happy to share that Ticket to Play is now LIVE and fully online for all spring sports!

Please log in to your DragonFly account and ensure your profile is 100% complete (green circle) before February 16, 2026.

Important Reminders:

• Any required forms expiring before February 20, 2026 must be updated prior to requesting a Ticket to Play.
• Tickets to Play can only be approved once all forms are current and complete.

What Families Need to Do:

1. Register or renew your DragonFly profile and upload all required documents.
   
   
2. Complete the digital Ticket to Play registration form.
   Ticket to Play link

All communication regarding Ticket to Play will occur through DragonFly.
If there is an issue with your submission, you will be contacted directly by Mrs. Samuels-Bowes or Mr. Duncan.

If you do not receive communication prior to February 16, your athlete is clear to try out.

We kindly ask families to check email regularly, as timely responses help prevent delays in participation.

If you have any questions, please contact Athletic Director Robert Duncan at

Robert_Duncan@dpsnc.net

Go Pirates!

Volunteer Opportunities

We have several volunteer opportunities available for anyone who would like to support our athletes and game-day operations. Your time and enthusiasm make a huge difference.

Volunteer Sign-Up:
https://www.riversideathleticzone.com/page/d2d602e4-3219-4f9b-b4eb-16257f1d27e8

Interested in Playing a Spring Sport?

Ticket to Play is now fully remote. Here’s what that means:

• Athletes will scan a QR code that directs them to a Google Form
  (QR code is posted on the Sports Medicine Room door)
• The form will open for Spring Sports in January
• This is a rolling process—athletes must complete all required steps through the QR code and DragonFly

Physical Requirement

• A valid physical must be on file and remain current through at least tryouts
• The oldest physical accepted must be dated 01/20/2024 or later

f you have questions, please see the Sports Medicine staff or your head coach. Let’s get ready for a great spring season!

We’re excited to kick off Winter Sports Spirit Week! Let’s show up, show out, and celebrate our Pirate athletes all week long with school spirit and pride.

Stay Connected

Follow Riverside High School on social media for updates, celebrations, and reminders!
📸 Instagram: @riversidepirates | 💻 Website: www.dpsnc.net/riverside

Make it a fantastic week, Pirates! Roll Pirates Roll!

--Dr. Woods-Weeks, Principal