Thursday, January 30, 2014

PTSA Valentines Day Sales


Send a Valentine to your student on Friday, February 14.  PTSA will sell chocolate covered strawberries, IB Nuts & Fruits passion pretzels and bags of candy.  Order forms are available here

RBHS Global Village is Coming!


On Friday, March 7, 9:00-11:00 a.m. the RBHS Commons will be transformed into a microcosm of the world with booths from more than 20 cultures. Native dancing, storytelling, artifacts, international foods, and clothing are part of the atmosphere of multicultural experiences at Global Village. In addition, our Culinary Arts classes will provide tastes of foods from around the globe!  This Epcot-like presentation is coordinated and directed by our students. Global Village is the culminating event in a week of events and activities including an international fashion show, international art displays, and international dance performances.

Stay in Touch With the "Infobruin"

You can receive the "Daily Student Bulletin" via email daily by subscribing to the "infobruin."  Click here to subscribe.

Friday, January 24, 2014

Preppin' the ACT


ACT Prep Sessions

The next before/after school ACT Prep sessions will be held  on Jan. 27- 31st and Feb. 3-6th.  The cost is $20 and students must sign up and pay at the front desk of Guidance.  The before/after school test prep sessions allow students to take an ACT section (English, Math, Reading, Science) after school and then receive tutoring/test prep for that content area the following morning.  For example, Monday afternoon students will take the English section of the ACT and then Tuesday morning, they will receive English tutoring and test prep from an English teacher; Wednesday the students would take the math section of the ACT and receive math tutoring on Thursday morning, etc.  Space is limited, so come by Guidance for more information ASAP and an application form.


The next Super Saturday ACT Prep will be held on Saturday, April 5 at 7:45 a.m. at RBHS. The cost is $20 and students can sign up in Guidance.  Super Saturdays are one, full-day ACT test preparation opportunity.  Students have an opportunity to take a practice ACT test as well as learn test taking strategies, techniques and study skills from each of the content area teachers. 

In order to make this preparation available to all students, students are asked to sign up for only one of the ACT prep opportunities.

Back to the Future

Enrollment for 2014-2015
It's hard to believe that even though we're only 2 weeks into the semester, it's time to plan for next year!  Freshman, Sophomores, and Juniors received enrollment materials the week of January 13th through Bruin Block and U.S. Studies. Current 8th graders received enrollment materials when counselors visited the middle schools the week of January 13th.   Enrollment forms and registration guides were given to students, and counselors  met with classes to answer student questions.  Students should pay close attention to the details about the courses in the registration guide and should discuss their choices with teachers, parents and counselors. Enrollment forms are due January 24th and students should enter their course requests into HomeAccess by January 24th. 

After signed enrollment forms have been turned in and students have completed their requests on Home Access, counselors will meet with juniors (rising Seniors) during AUT/ARC or befor/after school to go over course requests and make sure students have selected the appropriate courses and credits to fulfill graduation and post-secondary admission requirements.  Counselors will be available through Bruin Block and Advisory during the week of January 27th to meet with Freshman and Sophomores if students have questions about courses for next year or credits needed for graduation. 

Student Volunteer Corps Classes
Students interested in enrolling in a Student Volunteer Corps class for next year must complete an application form by January 24. This is a great opportunity for students to ““give back”” to RBHS and/or the community and still earn elective credit. Students must apply and receive approval prior to enrollment.  Classes include: Advisory Mentor (interview required), Media Center Student Assistant (written approval required), Mentor/Tutor (interview required), Office Assistant (approval required), and Teacher Assistant. Several have limited openings. Applications will be available in the Guidance office. Students may only take one (1) Student Volunteer Corps class per semester.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Let's Get Down to the Nitty GRITty in 2014!


Wikipedia has the following definition for GRIT:

perseverance and passion for long-term goals

Synonyms for GRIT:


"perseverance," "hardiness," "resilience,” “ambition,” “need for achievement” and "conscientiousness"


I encourage you to access the Wikipedia page. Also, check out this article from Wired magazine and this fantastic TED Talk from Angela Lee Duckworth on GRIT.


Why?  We find ourselves at the beginning of a new semester and a new calendar year and the slate is clean. Too often we set our expectations for success in any area of life based on what we believe are a predetermined set of competencies. These abilities are sometimes the reason we (and others) think we should be successful.  For instance, if you've been told you are smart, then the expectation for academic achievement is high. It also works the other way.  If the messages in your life tell you that you are not intellectually gifted, then the expectation for success in school is fairly low.

The truth of success and achievement is, that if you believe that your success is tied to your fixed abilities, your access to growth, learning, and achievement is extremely limited.  In fact, those who decide they can achieve at high levels by working hard and staying committed to their goals, find greater degrees of success than predicted.

Academic success is a function of how committed we are to achieving our goals.  Choosing to cast aside whatever limitations you or others perceive you to have and being determined to achieve is the key to learning and growing.  This commitment requires action.  If you commit to becoming a successful student, then being a student needs to become a priority in your life.  This includes committing time outside of school DAILY for your academics, COMMUNICATING with your teachers on a consistent basis, SEEKING assistance when needed, and OWNING your understanding.

Is this the year in which you will decide to show the GRIT and determination needed to achieve academic success?  Is it time to start seeing yourself as a learner who has long term goals, and understanding what it takes to achieve them?  If you are a student at Rock Bridge HS, I can't think of a better environment to support and encourage you to achieve everything you choose!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Want to know more? Check out the book "Mindset" by Carol Dweck. It will make you think about how you think about yourself and your ability to do, learn, and grow.

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

RB Band Student Selected for All-State Band!

Congratulations to the following RBHS band students for being named to the All-State band!

2014 All-State Concert Band
Matt Hoeppner, 1st Chair Flute; Emily Franke, 7th Chair Flute; Emily Vu, 3rd Chair Alto Saxophone;
Stephanie Bonham, 2nd Chair Baritone Saxophone; Daniel Shapiro, 2nd Chair Trumpet;
Aaron McCray, 10th Chair Trumpet and; Stephanie Stanley, 2nd Chair Trombone

2014 All-State Honorable Mention Concert Band
Tim Diamond, 9th Chair Flute; Kerri Mathews, 1st Chair Oboe;
Greyson Holliday, 1st Chair Trombone and; Matt Orf, 3rd Chair Trombone

2014 All-State Honorable Mention Jazz Band
Jessica Klein, 1st Chair Trumpet and Stephanie Stanley, 1st Chair Trombone