Principal's Weekly Update #22

Good afternoon, Pirate Families,

As we move into the third week of the third quarter, we remain focused on keeping "the main thing the main thing." Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership and support of our students and staff.

Inspirational Thought for the Week

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." — Nelson Mandela

Warm regards,

Dr. Gloria Woods-Weeks

Please join me in congratulating our 2025-2026 Beginning Teacher of the Year, Mr. Anik Sen. Good luck to you Mr. Sen as you advance to the next level of the competition.

School Closed – Monday, February 2

Due to hazardous conditions caused by this weekend’s winter weather, Durham Public Schools will be closed on Monday, February 2 for students and staff. All facilities will be closed and all activities and events are canceled.

Please continue to monitor the DPS website and social media for updates. Thank you, stay safe, and have a good evening.

Report cards will be distributed this week. Please take time to review your student’s progress and reach out to teachers or counselors if you have questions or need additional support.

Students are reminded to arrive on time each day and be prepared for learning with all required materials.

Please continue to check our school website and communications for upcoming activities, meetings, and important dates.

Additional details and reminders will be shared as events approach.

The next RHS PTA meeting is this Tuesday, February 3 at 6:30 in the Media Center, weather permitting. We will send a follow up email if the meeting is cancelled.

Bull City in Black HBCU Showcase

February 7, 2026

12-3 PM

Location: Emily K Center

Link: https://www.emilyk.org/hbcu

Don't miss out on the opportunity to speak to HBCU admission representatives and alumni, learn about navigating college as a first-generation student, and afford an HBCU education.

Flyer attached

The following HBCUs were present last year:

Bennett College, Fayetteville State University, Hampton University, Livingstone College, Morehouse College, Norfolk State University, North Carolina A&T State University, Paine College, Shaw University, Spelman College, Virginia State University, Voorhees College, Wilberforce University

Winter Viking Showcase Bus Trip to Elizabeth City State University

· Saturday February 7th

· Cost: $25 for students, $35 for parents

· Open to high school students, grades 9-12

· Trip Includes: round-trip transportation, campus tour, lunch, admissions to basketball game, admissions, and student life information

· Pick up location: Tower Shopping Center (Raleigh, NC)

· Departure time: 5:30 AM

· Flyer attached: https://www.rdw-ecsu.org/bus-trip-application

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

Track & Field – Indoor Conference Championships
Congratulations to the following members of the Riverside Track & Field team who competed in the Indoor Conference Championships last week. We are proud of their outstanding performances:

• Girls 4x800m Relay – Conference Champions: Anastas Willis, Eloise Egger, Elodie Page, Baylis Healy
• Boys 4x800m Relay – 2nd Place: Charlie Kruse, Zack Abrams-Garrett, Mannix O'Neill, Alex Gray
• Boys 4x200m Relay – 4th Place: Rafsan Chowdhury, Greg Gatt, Ahmad Wilcox, Jordan Harrell
• Girls 4x400m Relay – 4th Place: Eloise Egger, Willa Domina, Nora Heffernan, Annabel Kruse
• Boys 4x400m Relay – 2nd Place: Rafsan Chowdhury, Jordan Harrell, Kiwi Void, Matthew Brew

Individual Highlights

• 55m Hurdles: 5th – Annabel Kruse; 6th – Jairus Mathieu
• 1600m: Conference Champions – Elodie Page & Alex Gray; Runner-Up – Eloise Egger; 5th – Ayyub El-Genk; 6th – Willa Domina
• 500m: 3rd – Jordan Harrell; 6th – Matthew Brew
• 1000m: Runner-Up – Baylis Healy; 3rd – Jamal Middleton; 4th – Anastas Willis & Charlie Kruse; 6th – Mannix O'Neill
• 300m: 4th – Ahmad Wilcox; 6th – Rafsan Chowdhury
• 3200m: Conference Champion – Alex Gray; 3rd – Elodie Page; 5th – Ayyub El-Genk; 6th – Mason Riggs & Gwyneth Bernhardt
• Pole Vault: 3rd – Allison Lewek
• High Jump: 3rd – Isabella Balin
• Triple Jump: 6th – Kenneth Bryant

Both Girls and Boys teams finished 4th overall—great work, Pirates!

Swimming – State Championship Qualifiers

Best of luck to the following Swim Team members who automatically advanced to the 7A State Championships this week:

Sarah Wilcox, Isla Heit, Aubrey Mitchell, Aidan Cone, Abraham Smith, Connor McNulty, Lysander Mihaly, Richard Rutherford, Evelyn Walters.

Alternates: Liesl Rehder, Marjorie Horton, and JP Hanczaryk.

Upcoming Athletic Events

• 2/3 – Basketball vs. Southern Durham (Weather Pending)
  JV: 5:00 PM | Varsity Girls: 6:30 PM | Varsity Boys: 8:00 PM
• 2/6 – Basketball vs. East Chapel Hill
  JV: 5:00 PM | Varsity Girls: 6:30 PM | Varsity Boys: 8:00 PM
  Middle School Night

Riverside Athletics Canned Food Drive
Please consider supporting the Food Bank of Durham by donating to Riverside Athletics’ canned food drive. Donation boxes will be in the front lobby near the Riverside Nike backdrop, and items will be accepted all next week.

Raffle Reminder:
Bring 10 canned food items to either Friday night game and enter a raffle for a free Riverside Nike sweatshirt. The drawing will be held at halftime on Friday night.

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