Bears Newsletter, Week of 10/26/26

Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing ten percent or more of the academic year for any reason, including excused absences, unexcused absences, and suspensions. Based on a 180-day school year, that means approximately 18 days per year or 2 to 3 days per month. Regular attendance is a significant factor in a student’s success.

Our goal will continue to be less than 15% for the 2026-2027 school year.

Please visit the VDOE website for more information.

As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we want to take a moment to emphasize the importance of our instructional days and how vital consistent attendance is to student success. (Instructional Calendar 26-27). We understand that absences may occasionally be unavoidable, but we ask that families make every effort to schedule appointments, trips, or other commitments outside of the school day or during scheduled breaks. Consistent attendance not only supports student achievement, but also contributes to a positive and connected school environment.

Curious about a career that combines healthcare, wellness, and helping others? Join the Office of CTE on Thursday, October 29, during Bear Block for a Career Chat with Lisa Pape from Medical Massage Clinic.

Learn about massage therapy, helping others, and what a typical workday looks like. Discover the skills, education, and training needed to enter the field, with time to ask questions and hear career advice.

Please contact our Career Readiness Paraprofessional, Ms. Gray, to sign up.

The VDOE is offering several advanced summer programs. These programs are open to current 10th and 11th graders only, and students may only apply to one program. Students who previously attended cannot apply this year. Please review the program information below.

• The Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) Summer Residential Governor's School Program will be held at Radford University June 20-July 10, 2027. Students can apply for one of the following disciplines: Dance, Vocal Music, Instrumental Music, Theater, or Visual Arts. More information, including the application, can be found on the VPA website. The deadline for students to apply is Wednesday, November 4, 2026.

• The Academic Summer Residential Governor’s School Programs will be held at various universities across the state. Students can apply for one of the following disciplines: Agriculture; Engineering; Humanities; Marine Science; Math, Science, and Technology; and Medical and Health Science. More information, including applications and the dates of each program, can be found at the SRGS website. The deadline for students to apply is Thursday, January 7, 2027.

• World Language Academies provide students who have excelled in language with an intensive experience and unique challenge to continue their study of that language. Students can apply for one language academy: Total Immersion - French, German, or Spanish; Partial Immersion - Latin or Japanese. More information, including applications and the dates of each program, can be found at the World Language Academies website. The deadline for students to apply is Thursday, January 7, 2027.

Please contact Mrs. Wessel (ewessel@spotsylvania.k12.va.us) to receive more information about the program you are interested in. You will be pulled for an information Bear Block.

Congratulations to Piper M. of the Varsity Field Hockey team on being selected as the Athlete of the Week!

Piper scored six goals against Massaponax in our first district game and both goals against Mountain View. She also broke our high school’s all-time single-season assists record! To top off an outstanding season, Piper was named District Player of the Year!

Beyond her outstanding performance, Piper exemplifies our core values of sportsmanship, integrity, and respect. Her commitment to these values makes her a positive representative of our team and school.

Congratulations, Piper! We are proud to recognize you as Riverbend's Athlete of the Week!

Welcome to a new year of AP classes. Teachers are busy getting students enrolled in their sections of AP Classroom and students have begun to decide on whether they will be taking the AP exams for their courses.

Here are some details regarding the AP exams for this school year:

• Cost: $99 per exam - The amount may be paid in full or you can put down a $40 deposit.
• This initial payment was due on October 9, 2026.
• After this date, there will be an additional $40 late fee per exam added.
• The final balance will need to be paid by December 18, 2026. Any balances due not paid in full by this date will result in the exam(s) being cancelled and a $40 cancellation fee will be applied.

• Other fees:

• Cancellation fee - $40 per exam; any exams cancelled November - March

• Unused Exam fee - $40 per exam; for any exams not used after March

How to sign up/pay for the AP exams: Either parent/guardian or student can see Mrs. Bohnstedt in the Counseling office to fill out the AP Order Form and make their payment. The payment can be made by cash, check, ApplePay, or credit card (processing fee will be added for electronic payments). There is NO online payment available for AP exams.

AP Exam Dates for 2026-2027 (Please click this link to see the dates for the AP exams in the Spring. Remember to add them on your calendar.)

If you have any questions about the courses or exams, please reach out to your child’s AP teacher directly.

Riverbend High School is committed to addressing parent and guardian concerns in a timely, respectful, and collaborative manner. Please review the attached Parent/Guardian Complaint Resolution Process for information on how to share concerns and work toward resolution.

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is now open! Seniors and their families are encouraged to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible to help ensure they are considered for available financial aid opportunities.

Please visit FAFSA – Federal Student Aid to complete your application.

Please encourage your child to check their grades in StudentVUE at least once each week to identify and address any missing assignments or concerns early.

Students should also check their school email daily, as important information and updates are shared throughout the week.

Tuesday, October 27 - Longwood University

Thursday, October 29 - James Madison University

Friday, October 30 - Christopher Newport University

Please sign up during Bear Block.

6:00 pm Varsity Field Hockey Regional Semi-Finals vs Riverside @ Riverbend High School

6:00 pm Varsity Competition Cheer Regional Competition @ Lightridge High School

12:00 pm Boys & Girls Cross Country Regional Finals @ Oatlands

6:00 pm Varsity Field Hockey Regional Finals - TBD

SHOP DETAILS

- Sprint Shop Now: https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/BendBears2
- Store Open until October 30, 2026

Go Bears!!!

To be a Bear in Good Standing, students must meet minimum expectations in three areas:

• Attendance

• Behavior

• Grades

Students who are not meeting these expectations, and thus are not in good standing, will not be allowed certain privileges until the problem areas have improved.

The RHS PTSA is looking for your support. Your membership allows us to continue programs that fund homecoming, after-prom, scholarships for graduating seniors, and hospitality events for our teachers and staff.

There are additional ways to support the PTSA, including purchasing a Bear Card for discounts at local businesses, buying a Riverbend magnet, or donating directly to any of our programs.

Please click the links below to support our PTSA. Membership forms are also available in the school's main office or can be downloaded here: RHS Membership Form 26-27

We’re excited to introduce NEW monthly gift card raffles for our PTSA members! Each month, we’ll have two drawings—one for student members and one for staff members. All current and new members are automatically entered!

- Our first drawing will be October 27!

Not a member yet? Join for just $15, or choose a Booster Membership for $25, and you’ll be entered in the next drawing!

Visit our store to join today: https://riverbend.givebacks.com/shop

You will need the County’s code (86784) AND each of your student’s ID numbers. This ID number is found in ParentVUE / Student Info / Perm ID. For more information, click here.

Students who are 16 years of age or older are eligible to receive their second dose of the meningococcal (MCV4/MenACWY) vaccine.

Once your student receives the vaccine, please submit an updated immunization record by one of the following methods:

• Email: rwade@spotsylvania.k12.va.us
• In person: Submit the record to the front office for the school nurse.

All immunization records must be up to date prior to the start of school for in-person learning.

Families who qualify for a religious exemption may obtain the appropriate form from the county website. The original form must be notarized (stamped/sealed) and submitted to the school nurse prior to the first day of school.

If you have questions, please contact Nurse Wade via email.

SCPS follows core exclusion and re-admittance recommendations from the CDC and VDH to slow the spread of infectious illnesses. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise that students be kept home from school or child care when experiencing symptoms of a contagious or severe illness. Specifically, a student must remain home for a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher and cannot return until they have been completely fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications like Tylenol or Motrin.

For gastrointestinal illnesses, students must stay home if they vomit two or more times in a 24-hour period, or if they have diarrhea two or more times in a 24 hour period and or it is difficult to contain. To prevent the spread of communicable diseases, students with undiagnosed rashes or open, draining skin sores that are not yet crusting over require a healthcare provider's diagnosis to determine the impact on school attendance based on VDH/CDC guidelines.

Additionally, if a student is found to be unable to participate comfortably in school activities due to reported general illness or injury, the parent/guardian will be asked to pick up the student.

Students found to be ill as described above are not permitted to remain in school and may not ride the bus home Respiratory Virus Guidance (COVID-19, Flu, & RSV) In accordance with the unified CDC and VDH Respiratory Virus Guidance, SCPS utilizes a streamlined, symptom-based approach for respiratory illnesses. Students sick with a respiratory virus may return to school when both of the following are true for at least 24 hours: 1. Their symptoms are improving overall; and 2. They have not had a fever for 24 hours (and are not using fever-reducing medication). SCPS collaborates with the Rappahannock Area Health District (RAHD) to monitor and report suspected respiratory illness outbreaks.

ASVAB Test

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a multiple-aptitude battery that measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military.

ASVAB Testing Dates

Date: Tuesday, February 2, 2027

Time: 7:30 am

Location: Lecture Hall

For more information, please reach out to Mr. Dolan.

The 2026-2027 Riverbend Athletic Season is here! Be on the lookout for our season ticket plan on GoFan.Co. Download the GoFan App on your phone today. Look for the QR codes that will be posted around our school, posted online, and at our stadium/gymnasiums. Also, see the GoFan Links on our Athletics page. Below are the links for Riverbend Athletics and Season Long Digital Pass:

Riverbend High School GoFan Page - Buy Your Tickets Here

Save Money & Buy Year Long Passes

• 2026/2027 Yearlong Riverbend Student Pass - $50
• 2026/2027 Bears Individual All Season Sports Pass - $125

See our Bears sports schedule on the riverbendbearsathletics.com website or at https://www.arbiterlive.com/School/19307

Riverbend athletics will not be accepting cash at sporting events. You may buy tickets ahead of time or as you arrive at the stadium. If purchasing at the gate, RHS accepts debit/credit cards or Apple pay.

• $9 ticket General Admission ($11 for Varsity Football Games)
• 65 and older free
• 6 and under free

Friendly reminder that SCPS athletic events have a no bag policy except for small clutches (5" x 7"), diaper bags, or medical equipment bags. No pets, no balls or sports equipment, and no outside food or drinks.

Come on out and support your Bears! We hope to see you there!!!

GO BEARS!!!

Want to know more information about all things Riverbend? Be sure to like and follow Riverbend High School on Facebook!

Families are able to access student dues or fees online. For your reference, high school fees can be accessed here. (Not yet registered? View the SchoolCash Online Registration Instructions).

Dues are as follows:

• Senior - $25

• Junior - $15

• Sophomore - $10

• Freshman - $10

View Riverbend High School's breakfast and lunch menus, powered by SFE.

Absences and tardies require a written excuse upon arriving at school. Students with excessive tardiness and absences may be required to provide a doctor's note to avoid consequences. RHS is a closed campus, meaning students may not leave school grounds without parental permission. You must check out at the Attendance Office before leaving the building.

Check out the Parent Resource Center Monthly Newsletters for upcoming events, sessions, and meetings: https://www.spotsylvania.k12.va.us/o/cfps/page/monthly-newsletters

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to your child's Assistant Principal or School Counselor. Your child's administrator or counselor can be determined by the first letter of their last name:

Principal

Ms. Elliott

Assistant Principal Contact Information:

Mr. Farley: Students with the last names A-D

Mrs. Stiffler: Students with the last names E-K

Mr. Nicely: Students with the last names L-Ra

Mr. Gebhardt: Students with the last names Re-Z

Activities Director Contact Information:

Mr. Johnson-Williams

School Counselor Contact Information:

Mrs. Kennedy: Students with the last names A-C

Mrs. Rolling: Students with the last names D-F

Mrs. Powell: Students with the last names G-K

Ms. Taylor: Students with the last names L-O

Mr. Dolan: Students with the last names P-Sh

Mrs. Shaffer: Students with the last names Si-Z

Attendance Contact Information

Ms. Liming

Website: https://www.spotsylvania.k12.va.us/o/riverbend

Location: 12301 Spotswood Furnace Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22407

Phone: 540-548-4051