RHS Weekly Update #13

Greetings Pirate Families,

We hope you had a restful weekend and are ready for another productive and engaging week at Riverside as we enter the fourth week of the second quarter. Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting student success, growth, and well-being. Below you’ll find important celebrations and upcoming events for the week ahead.

With Pirate Pride,

Dr. Gloria Woods-Weeks, Principal

We are proud to highlight the accomplishments and service of our talented students and staff. Be sure to visit the RHS website to view photos!

JROTC Service Recognition
A huge shout-out to our JROTC cadets for volunteering with the Lions Club and other community organizations on Veterans Day. Your commitment to service embodies the spirit of Riverside.

NC Honors Chorus Achievements
Congratulations to the following students for being selected to the North Carolina Honors Chorus, the highest recognition a choral singer can receive in the state:
Annie Sanderlin, Nailah Bolden, Benjamin Davis, David May, and Adrian Juarez Pineda.
We are exceptionally proud of your dedication and talent.

Fall Chorus Concert Excellence
Bravo to Ms. Boliek and the entire RHS Chorus for a wonderful Fall Concert on Thursday evening. Thank you for sharing your hard work and musical artistry with our school community.

(Photo credit: J. Boudwin)

Altered Bell Schedule – Monday & Tuesday

Due to EOC Benchmarks, Monday and Tuesday will follow modified bell schedules:

Monday

• Homeroom: 9:15–9:25
• 1st Period (with lunch): 9:30–1:00
• 3rd Period: 1:05–4:15

Tuesday

• Homeroom: 9:15–9:25
• 2nd Period (with lunch): 9:30–1:00
• 4th Period: 1:05–4:15

Please encourage students to arrive on time and bring fully charged devices.

Benchmarks for EOC Courses – Monday, November 17–21
Benchmarks for all EOC courses will take place November 17–21. Our goal is a 95% participation rate, and we need every student enrolled in an EOC course to complete their benchmark. With fewer than 30 days remaining in the quarter, this assessment is essential for monitoring progress and planning next steps for student success.

ACT WorkKeys – Tuesday, November 18

All 12th-grade CTE concentrators, including PLTW students, JROTC seniors, and any senior enrolled in an advanced or honors CTE class—will take the ACT WorkKeys assessment on Tuesday, November 18.

• Room assignments are posted in the A/B hallway.
• Students must bring a charged laptop.
• More information is available on the RHS website.

Sophomore/Junior Parent Information Night

Hosted by RHS Student Services
Learn about graduation requirements, GPA, career development plans, and key information to support your student through high school.

Location: Media Center
Date: Monday, November 17, 2025 at 6:00 PM

AIG Virtual Information Session – Monday, November 17 at 6:30 PM

Welcome event for:

• Freshman AIG students
• Students newly identified as AIG this year
• The link is here. We hope you can join us!

A virtual link will also be shared on the RHS website. We look forward to connecting with you!

RHS Talent Show – Tuesday, November 18 at 7 PM

Join us for an evening of student and staff performances!
Suggested donation: $5
We hope to see you there for a fun and inspiring night of talent.

Underclassmen Make-Up Photos – Thursday, November 20

Students who missed picture day will have an opportunity to take make-up photos on Thursday, November 20.

RHS Holiday Drive (PTA)

Our PTA is launching the RHS Holiday Drive to support our hardworking staff this season including our bus drivers, custodial staff, instructional assistants, and cafeteria crew with turkeys, gift cards, and more! These groups are easily overlooked, and they are so crucial to the smooth operation of our schools. Please help us show our appreciation to these employees by donating for this cause. You can find donation information on the Riverside High School PTA website, Instagram and Facebook. Visit the school website for details and ways to contribute.

• https://www.dpsnc.net/o/riverside/article/2534729

For more updates, resources, and event details, please visit the Durham Riverside High School website

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Parent Survey from Ms. K, College Adviser

Hello everyone! My name is Ms. K, and I’m the college adviser at Riverside. I’d love your feedback on what information or events would be most helpful for you regarding the college process.
Click below to complete the parent survey.

https://forms.office.com/r/0Vwcdi7ccA

Click link below to access calendar of events:

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

• This Week in Athletics

  • We’re excited to tip off the winter sports season this Friday night with a home basketball showdown against Orange High School! Let’s pack the gym, bring the energy, and show our Pirate Pride from the very start. Please help us spread the word throughout our community.

  • As always, 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 Link: https://www.riversideathleticzone.com/page/d2d602e4-3219-4f9b-b4eb-16257f1d27e8

Interested in Winter Sports?

Contact the coaches below for preseason workout information:

• 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

Ticket to Play for Winter Sports

A new digital process is now in place!
Scan the QR code on the Sports Medicine Room door to request your digital ticket.
Please remember: all prospective athletes must have a completed Dragonfly profile to participate.

Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities

Do you or someone you know have a local business?
We’d love to showcase your logo throughout Riverside High School!

The RHS Athletic Booster Club offers several sponsorship packages.
See the attached flyer for details, or contact the Booster Club for more information.

Stay Connected

The Athletics Department has a brand-new mobile app!
Click the link from your mobile device to download from Apple App Store or Google Play and stay up to date on all things Pirate Athletics.

“Believe you can, and you’re already halfway there.” — Theodore Roosevelt

Stay Connected

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

Have a splendid week, Pirates! Roll Pirates Roll!

--Dr. Woods-Weeks, Principal