Crew News - Pirate Edition
"Every Pirate....Every Day" Summer Pirate Edition #5
Welcome Back, RHS Families!
Greetings Pirate Families,
We are just ONE WEEK away from welcoming our students back to Riverside High School! We are excited to begin the 2026–2027 school year and look forward to another year of growth, achievement, and Pirate Pride.
As you prepare for the first day, please take a few moments to review these important reminders:
First Day of School
Monday, August 24, 2026
Students should arrive on time, prepared to learn, and ready to make this a great year. Please plan for traffic, parking, and the morning arrival process.
Important Back-to-School Reminders
- Student schedules: Students and families should review schedules carefully before the first day. Schedules are live and may change as we finalize enrollment and balance classes.
- Schedule changes: Please follow the RHS schedule change/drop-add process. Students should not make changes independently.
- School supplies: Students should come prepared with basic school supplies and any materials required by their teachers.
- Attendance: Every minute matters! Please make daily, on-time attendance a priority. Being present is the first step toward being successful.
- Transportation: Families should review transportation information and make sure students know their bus routes or transportation plans.
- Dress and school expectations: Please review the RHS/DPS student handbook and expectations before school begins.
- Chromebooks: Chromebooks will be ditributed. There is a $30 device fee that must be paid on line. Students should bring their fully charged school-issued Chromebook each day and be prepared to use technology for learning.
- Communication: Continue checking the RHS website, family messages, email, and social media for important updates throughout the school year.
Our 2026–2027 Commitment
At Riverside, we are committed to:
Every Classroom. Every Student. Every Day.
Our goal is to create a school where students experience belonging, high expectations, strong relationships, rigorous learning, and the support they need to succeed.
Parents and families are essential partners in this work. We encourage you to stay connected, communicate with your child's teachers, monitor attendance and academic progress, and celebrate your student's growth.
Riverside Pirates, the countdown is on! We can't wait to see our students back in the building and ready to Walk It, Talk It, and Live the Pirate Way!
Welcome back, RHS Families! Let's make 2026–2027 our best year yet!
Dr. Gloria Woods-Weeks
Stephanie Rose
Science Teacher
We are excited to welcome Stephanie Rose to our Riverside High School Science team. Ms. Rose looks forward to building strong relationships with students and creating a classroom environment where curiosity, collaboration, and academic growth are encouraged every day.
Get to Know Ms. Rose:
My name is Stephanie Rose, and I am an enthusiastic educator from Jamaica with experience teaching secondary school students. I am passionate about creating a positive, inclusive, and engaging learning environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed. I enjoy using creative and interactive teaching strategies to make learning meaningful and enjoyable.
Outside of teaching, I value lifelong learning, collaboration, and building positive relationships with students, parents, and colleagues. I am excited to join the Riverside High School community and look forward to contributing to the school's success while learning and growing alongside my new colleagues and students.
Thomson Jaffe
Theater Teacher
The arts are an important part of the Riverside experience, and we are thrilled to welcome Thomson Jaffe to our Theater program. Ms. Jaffe brings a passion for the performing arts and looks forward to helping students develop their creativity, confidence, collaboration skills, and love of theater.
Get to Know Mr. Jaffe:
Originally from Cohasset, MA, Thomson Jaffe earned her B.A. in Theatre and teaching certification in secondary English and Theatre from DeSales University (Center Valley, PA) in 2014.
While in college, Thomson worked as an administrative assistant with the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. She then spent 17 months with Missoula Children's Theatre, traveling the US and Canada as a tour actor/director. Between 2016 and 2022, Thomson was based out of Chicago, IL, where she worked with a large number of theatres, including the 2011 Tony Award winner for Outstanding Regional Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre Company.
After relocating to North Carolina in 2022, she served as the Theatre Arts teacher/Electives Department Chair at Thales Academy JH/HS in Apex, NC from 2022-2025 and taught 6th grade ELA at The Exploris School in downtown Raleigh, NC for the 2025-2026 school year.
She views theatre as an important tool for instilling confidence and empathy in her students. She is a proud "pawrent" of two goofy cats, a doting aunt to her young nephew, and has an impressive rubber duck collection.
Corderius Cowans
School Counselor
We are also excited to welcome Cornelius Cowan to the Riverside High School Counseling Team. Mr. Cowan will work alongside our students, families, and staff to support students' academic success, personal growth, college and career readiness, and overall high school experience.
Get to Know Mr. Cowans:
Corderius Cowans, LCPC, joins Riverside High School as a School Counselor with over 15 years of experience spanning K–12, higher education, nonprofit leadership, and mental health counseling.
A proud alumnus of Winston-Salem State University and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He holds a master’s degree in counseling and is currently pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership. Corderius is passionate about building authentic relationships with students and families. He is dedicated to helping young people thrive academically, prepare for college and careers, practice self-advocacy, and navigate key life transitions.
As a North Carolina native, he is excited to bring his student-centered and culturally responsive approach to the Riverside community. Outside of work, Corderius enjoys staying active, riding his motorcycle, listening to live music, and exploring the state after recently returning home after several years in Chicago.
Olivia Pulliam
English Teacher
Please help us welcome Olivia Pulliam to the Riverside High School English Department. Ms. Pulliam is committed to helping students find their voice, strengthen their literacy skills, and develop the critical thinking and communication skills they need for success beyond high school.
Timothy Omondi
Science Teacher
Join us in welcoming Timothy Omondi to the Riverside High School Science Department. Mr. Omondi is excited to engage students in meaningful scientific learning and to help them connect classroom concepts to the world around them.
Get to Know Mr. Omondi:
Omondi is a dedicated educator with 13 years of teaching experience in Kenya and through volunteer service in South Sudan. He holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Nairobi, earned in 2014.
As a High School Mathematics and Science Teacher, Timothy is passionate about helping students develop strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills. His teaching experience across diverse educational settings has strengthened his commitment to empowering young people through quality education.
Beyond the classroom, Timothy serves as an Assistant Athletics Coach, mentoring students in discipline, teamwork, perseverance, and leadership. He is also a Science and Engineering Fair Mentor, where he encourages students to explore scientific inquiry, innovation, creativity, and practical solutions to real-world challenges.
Through education, athletics, and STEM mentorship, Timothy is committed to inspiring young people to discover their potential, pursue excellence, and become positive contributors to their communities.
Herbert Julian Velez
Spanish Teacher
Please join us in welcoming Julian Herbert Velez to the Riverside High School World Languages team. Mr. Velez is excited to share his passion for Spanish language and culture while helping students develop communication skills, cultural awareness, and confidence.
Get to Know Mr. Velez:
I am a passionate educator and school leader with more than 14 years of experience in education. I have taught mathematics at all levels, from elementary school through university, and served as a school principal from 2020 to 2023 in Cali, Colombia. During my time as a principal, I led a public school and helped develop a bilingual school program for two years.
My greatest motivation as an educator is to make a positive difference in students’ lives. I believe education can open doors, build confidence, and provide young people with opportunities for a better future.
Outside the classroom, I enjoy serving my community as a soccer and swimming coach. I am especially passionate about swimming because I was a competitive swimmer myself. Through sports, I can mentor young people, build their confidence, and teach them important values such as discipline, teamwork, perseverance, and commitment.
Lakisha Perkins
Principal Intern
Please join me in welcoming Lakisha Perkins to the Riverside High School administrative team as our Principal Intern. Ms. Perkins will work closely with the school leadership team, staff, students, and families while gaining valuable experience in school leadership and supporting the continued growth and success of Riverside High School.
Get to Know Ms. Perkins:
With nearly two decades of classroom and coaching experience across North Carolina, Lakisha Perkins is deeply committed to empowering both educators and students.
Her journey spans roles as a K-5 elementary teacher, instructional coach, and now an administrative intern at Riverside High School. Lakisha is an ECU alumna ("Go Pirates!"), holds a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction, a Duke AIG certification, and is pursuing her Master of School Administration as an NC Principal Fellow from NCCU, all driven by her passion for collaborative school cultures and educational equity.
Latausha Simpson
Science Teacher
We are pleased to welcome Latausha Simpson to the Riverside High School Science Department. Ms. Simpson brings a passion for science and a commitment to creating engaging learning experiences that encourage students to ask questions, think critically, and explore the world around them.
Get to Know Ms. Simpson:
My name is Latausha Simpson. A jovial and warm individual who enjoys having constructive conversations with individuals no matter what their background.
I am a dedicated secondary teacher from Jamaica, who is committed to creating a positive, engaging and supportive learning environment for every student that I encounter. I strive to help students grow academically, socially and emotionally. I also take pride in collaborating with colleagues, communicating effectively with families, and continuously improving my teaching practices through professional development.
My goal is to inspire students to become confident, responsible and lifelong learners while contributing positively to our school community.
Rachael Gigliotti
Exceptional Children (EC) Teacher
Please join us in welcoming Rachel Gigliotti to the Riverside High School Exceptional Children (EC) Department. Ms. Gigliotti is excited to join the RHS family and support students in reaching their academic, personal, and postsecondary goals.
Get to Know Ms. Gigliotti:
Bio coming soon.
Schedules Are Live
Riverside High School Counseling Department are receiving requests for schedule adjustments using the RHS Drop/ Add Form SY 2026/ 2027. This information is posted on the RHS website in the 2026/27 Drop/Add Resource Guide. Due to the limited possibilities for movement between classes, students and parents are strongly encouraged to use the Google form rather than waiting to meet in person when school opens. Counselors will not be available to meet in person, but will communicate via email, phone, and, on a limited basis, Teams, but before school begins, we want to ensure that our students have the courses they need to graduate high school.
ALL schedule change requests must be submitted by August 28th at 4:15pm and MUST be submitted using the official Google form.
Schedule Changes will ONLY be Considered for the Following Reasons:
1. Seniors in need of a course required for graduation
2. Credit for a course on the schedule has already been earned
3. Course is out of sequence (e.g., Spanish II before Spanish I)
4. Student is missing a course/ has an incomplete schedule
5. Students have an unbalanced course load (all core classes or all electives in a semester)
6. Student would like to take an advanced class (ex. Scheduled for Standard English II but would like to take English II Honors)
7. Students need a schedule adjustment to accommodate Durham Tech courses
Seniors requesting independent study, late arrival, early release, or early graduation should complete the appropriate Google form or document (see below) by Friday, August 21st. Those forms are linked below and can also be found on the RHS website.
26/27 RHS Early Grad Request Form
26/27 RHS Late Arrival/ Early Release Form
26-27 TA/ Independent Study (make a copy)
COUNSELING DEPARTMENT
Portia Jacobs (Counseling Department Chair): A - K ( 9th Grade Only)
Pamela Taylor: L - Z ( 9th Grade Only)
Shellena Atlas: L- R ( 10th, 11th, 12th Grades Only)
Shannon Dorherty: E - K (10th, 11th, 12th Grades Only)
Kira Hague: A - D (10th, 11th, 12th Grades Only)
Devonya James: RJ - Z (10th, 11th, 12th Grades Only)
RIVERSIDE ATHLETICS UPDATES
Late Tryouts Still Available
The following teams are accepting late tryouts. Contact the coach directly and make sure you have submitted your Ticket to Play.
- Football: Cory_Lea@dpsnc.net
- Women’s Tennis: stevenrochkind@gmail.com
- Field Hockey: adrobo19@gmail.com
- Women’s Flag Football: ryansamuels00@gmail.com
Ticket to Play
To participate in athletics:
- Complete your student’s DragonFly profile to 100%.
- Upload all required documents, including a current physical.
- Submit the Ticket to Play Google Form once your DragonFly profile is complete.
- The Athletic Department will review your submission and contact you through the email listed in DragonFly if anything is incomplete. Make corrections and resubmit promptly.
DragonFly: https://max.dragonflyathletics.com/maxweb/max-cover/landing?orgId=5e2e5261eb8fa480a8b4ad92
Ticket to Play: https://forms.gle/J4xzSNZ2Pw5mCREn7
Need a Sports Physical?
Emerge Ortho Orthopedic Urgent Care
- Sports physicals: $25
- 120 William Penn Plaza, Durham, NC 27704 (919) 281-1854
Riverside Athletics Campus Clean-Up Day
Huge shout-out and thank you to everyone who volunteered for the fall campus clean-up
Games This Week at Riverside
Monday 8/17
Women's Tennis vs Research Triangle Charter School - 4:30
Tuesday 8/18
Women's Volleyball vs Durham School of the Arts JV 5:00 V 6:15
Thursday, 8/20
Women’s Tennis vs Jordan— 5:00 PM
Friday, 8/21
Football vs East Wake 7:00 USA Theme Night!!!
Need Riverside Gear before the School year starts? Visit the school's online store
We are excited for another great year of Riverside Athletics. Thank you for helping us ensure all student-athletes are prepared for a successful start to the fall season.