News from the Nest
Issue #244, October 23rd, 2026
Students at RULH Elementary School enjoyed an exciting week of music education, exploring rhythm, composition, and cultural traditions through engaging, hands-on activities.
Fourth Through Sixth Graders Become Music Composers
Students in grades 4–6 had the opportunity to become composers during their music classes this week. Working with partners, students created their own original eight-beat rhythmic compositions using body percussion and rhythmic patterns they have been studying and practicing in class.
After completing their compositions, students presented their creations to their classmates. The entire class then performed each rhythm together, allowing students to experience the excitement of bringing their original musical ideas to life. The activity encouraged creativity, collaboration, and musical expression while reinforcing important concepts in rhythm and composition.
Third Graders Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month Through Traditional Mexican Dance
Meanwhile, RULH third-grade students celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month by learning the traditional Mexican folk dance Los Machetes. Originating in Jalisco, Mexico, Los Machetes is a traditional folk dance that highlights elements of Mexican culture and heritage. Traditionally performed by both men and women, the dance features men demonstrating their skill and coordination through movements involving machetes, while women perform graceful movements in colorful, flowing skirts. The dance celebrates both strength and elegance through music and movement. Before learning the dance, students discussed its cultural origins, historical significance, and the traditions it represents.
For their classroom performance, students used rhythm sticks to safely recreate the movements traditionally performed with machetes. They danced to the traditional Los Machetes music performed by Mariachi Vargas, combining rhythm, coordination, and cultural appreciation into an engaging learning experience.
These activities provided RULH students with meaningful opportunities to develop their musical abilities, express their creativity, work collaboratively, and gain a greater appreciation for cultural traditions from around the world. RULH Local Schools – Together We Soar!
In preparation for their first novel of the year, 10th-grade students in Ms. Alexander's class worked together to create mind maps on the question "What makes a good leader?" They discussed specific traits, definitions, examples, and how each trait connected to the main question. This assignment and question laid the groundwork for the essential question they will be exploring during the novel unit.
Southern Hills Career and Technical Center Ambassador Team and Mrs. Susan Roades visited RULH Jr./Sr. High School on Thursday, October 22nd, to present the available career and technical programs to sophomores. Sophomores will visit the CTC in November. It’s one of the pathways available to Blue Jay students to ensure they are successful pre and post graduation. Thank you SCHCTC Ambassador Team!
Every year RULH Elementary and Jr./Sr. High School celebrate Red Ribbon Week! Red Ribbon Week highlights the importance of living a drug-free life. It presents an opportunity for parents, educators, and communities to reinforce the drug-free messages they share with their children throughout the year.
Lots of fun activities are scheduled for this year's Red Ribbon Week at RULH Elementary (to be held from Monday, October 26th through Friday, October 30th). Please read below for a schedule of activities.
Jr./Sr. High School Red Ribbon Week Themes - October 26th - 30th
Monday, October 26th - Wear Red Against Drugs
Tuesday, October 27th - Dress Your Grade Day: 7th & 8th Grade - Superheroes, Freshman - Babies, Sophomores - Teenagers, Juniors - Adults, Seniors - Senior Citizens
Wednesday, October 28th - Neon - Shine Bright without drugs
Thursday, October 29th - Meme Day - Laugh at Drugs
Friday, October 30th- Costume Day - Scary away Drugs
The RULH Elementary Red Ribbon Week Schedule is on the flyer pictured below,
The annual RULH High School FCCLA Canned Food Drive began on Thursday, October 15th. The FCCLA's goal is to collect more than 2000 items this year for for the RULH School Pantry. Please read the flyer below for details on how to participate!
