The High school FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics Team had its first competition last Saturday at Albany Academy! FIRST Tech Challenge Teams are challenged to design, build, program, and operate robots to compete in a head-to-head challenge in an alliance format. The team initially placed 5th out of 19 teams after their 5 qualifying matches. They then rose up from 4th place alliance captain to 2nd place, receiving a trophy after beating the number one seed! Next, the team will travel to Broadalbin Perth on January 29 to compete again to qualify for Regionals. Great job, team, and good luck at your next competition!! Thank you to Kate Robertson for providing the photos! #RCSLovestoLearn

Congratulations to Junior Alivia Ortiz! She was selected to represent RCS and Section II Athletics at the first-ever New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Girls Wrestling State Invitational! Learn more about her in the link below.

Good luck, Alivia!!

For the month of January, Middle Schooler Emma Mills, with the RCS Middle School National Junior Honor Society, are currently raising awareness and money to help find a cure for NKH! Nonketotic hyperglycinemia (NKH) is a rare genetic disorder that currently does not have a cure. This hits close to home for Emma's family, so the club worked together as a team to create the fundraiser, announcements, fliers, and more to raise awareness! All funds will go to an NKH research committee to help find a cure. So far, they have been able to raise over $300! Great job! Learn more about the fundraiser and how it got started below.

Recently, Dr. Hushmendy's University in High School (UHS) Creative Writing Class visited PBC Elementary School to share their newly finished children's picture books in a read-a-loud with several classes! The High School students have spent the last few weeks writing, designing, and creating their own stories for their children’s picture book unit and had a great time sharing them with some of our younger RCS learners and answering questions about the books! A fantastic learning experience between students of all ages at RCS!

Last week, PBC hosted its monthly PBIS Assembly and focused on the theme of being respectful to others! They hosted community guests, Sergeant Kelly & Officer Palmateer from the Coeymans Police Department, along with PBC SRO Deputy Quay, who discussed the importance of being respectful! They also played a few games and learned more about respecting the new Facility Dog, Odie! Big thank you to the special guests and the PBIS assembly committee, who works all year to organize these fun and informative assemblies! The team consists of PBC Staff, Ms. Barry, Mrs. Blair, Mr. King, Ms. LaFranier & Mr. Hilker. Learn more below!

• Class of 2024 -- Albany County Sheriffs VS. RCS Staff Basketball Game: Come watch an exciting game of basketball in the RCS High School Main Gym on Saturday, January 28, to support the Class of 2024 as they fundraise for their prom! Doors open at 5:00 p.m., and the game begins at 6:30 p.m. There will be a concession, a halftime contest, and more!
  

• Contact Information: Stephanie Krause stephaniekrause409@gmail.com

• *NEW DATE* The Class of 2025 Lights the Winter Night Walk: Enjoy an illuminated walk to a fire pit and enjoy some s'mores and hot cocoa! The event will take place at Sycamore Country Club on Saturday, March 4, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., with a $5 per person or $20 per family admission fee at the event. Price includes glow sticks, a s'mores kit, a coloring station, and your choice of a .5-mile trail or a 1-mile trail. Contact Information: Class Advisor Jennifer McCormack jmccormack@rcscsd.org

• PBC 5th Grade Student Council - Winter Hats, Gloves, & Scarves Donation Drive: The Pieter B. 5th Grade Student Council is accepting any donations of any newly purchased winter mittens, hats, and scarves for students of any grade level from December 7 through to January 27. Families/community members who donate can hang the donated items on the winter tree located in PBC Main Lobby. Students can also place any donations on the winter tree that parents/guardians donated. Students who lose these items, or need one, will be able to receive it throughout the winter season. We can't accept donations of used items due to sanitary reasons. Contact Information: Tim King tking@rcscsd.org.

• Class of 2024 -- Stadium Seat Cushions: The Class of 2024 will be selling seat cushions at soccer games, football games, and other sporting/spirit events for $15.00. The cushions come with a built-in handle and have the RCS logo printed on them. You can find representatives from the Class of 2024 at upcoming games in order to purchase. Contact Information: Class Advisor Shannon Ruso at sruso@rcscsd.org
  

• Class of 2023 -- Bottle and Can Collections: Bring your empty bottles and cans to Just Makes Cents at 2381 Route 9W in Ravena and ask them to apply your total to the Class of 2023 account. The fundraiser runs all year long. Contact Information: Class Advisor Suzette Clark at suzette.clark@rcscsd.org

Website: www.RCSCSD.org
Location: 15 Mountain Road, Ravena, NY, USA
Phone: 518-756-5200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RCSschools/