Administration
August 2010
Dear Students and Families:
Our high school faculty, staff and administration are pleased to extend a warm and personal welcome to you and your child for the current school year. It is a privilege to lead Red Bank Regional High School during these times of incredible challenge and great possibilities. Red Bank Regional was recently named one of the nation’s top performing high schools. The goal of our administration and faculty is to continue to deliver challenging course work and quality instruction that will allow you to achieve success.
September 2nd is the first day of school for students. This will be an A/B day, providing students an opportunity to meet with each of their teachers. Your schedule is posted on our website www.rbrhs.org, day two will then be an A day. To help ease the transition for our in-coming 9th grade students, RBR will hold its 9th Grade Orientation for students on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at 1pm at the high school. Information regarding orientation has been mailed to freshman parents separately and is posted on the web.
RBR provides all students with a personalized approach to learning. In their freshman year all students are assigned to one of three freshman houses, which offerscareful monitoring of student performance and attendance. In grade 10, any student not in a vocational academy has the opportunity to select The curriculum is developed with a focus on student interest, 21st century literacy and global competency skills from one of four career focus academies.
As students I ask that you take a moment and reflect on your responsibilities both in and out of the classroom. As learners you must strive to achieve your academic potential. You must help and support each other by promoting tolerance, respect and understanding. Your principal and faculty are here to support each of you and to help you reach your goals.
Students at RBR are able to participate in many activities and athletic teams. There are many opportunities for parental involvement. Some of these are listed in the enclosed bulletin. Many parents believe that high school parents do not need to be as involved, this is not true, our students need active and involved family members. I welcome your involvement as well as your questions and comments.
Please take time to thoroughly read all of the information enclosed. Forms requiring signatures should be returned by your child to their study hall teachers on the first day of school. I look forward to seeing freshmen on August 25th and all other students on September 2, 2010.
Sincerely,
Risa Clay
732-842-8000 x210
rclay@rbrhs.org
PRINCIPAL'S BULLETIN
Student Schedules
Enclosed is your new class schedule indicating class blocks, teacher names, subjects and room assignments. Also appearing on each schedule is your assigned locker and locker combination. Parents, please stress to your child the importance of keeping this information secure. Students enrolled in semester courses will note that only the first semester course appears on the enclosed schedule.
In some instances, changes have been made to a student’s elective course selections. Some changes were necessitated by scheduling conflicts. Freshman, sophomore and junior students, whose NJASK8 scores, practice HSPA or HSPA scores placed them in the “Partially Proficient” category, were assigned to a study hall that will specifically focus on the subject area of need.
QUESTIONS CONCERNING YOUR SCHEDULE CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE GUIDANCE OFFICE BEGINNING AUGUST 25, 2010.
School Calendar
Enclosed is your 2010-11 school year calendar. The faculty and administration of Red Bank Regional High School places a high priority on student attendance. The classroom experience can never be replicated when students are absent. “Make-up work” is burdensome for both the teacher and the student and typically creates a void in the student’s learning. In most cases, a student’s academic performance diminishes significantly during extended absences.
We appreciate your cooperation in scheduling family vacations and personal commitments during school holidays and after school hours. Family vacations will be recorded as “unexcused” absences. Please note that mid-term and final examinations cannot be made up if students miss them due to an unexcused absence as defined in the student handbook. Mid-term exams will take place beginning January 21, 2011. Final exams will begin June 13, 2011. These dates may change depending on inclement weather. Please be cognizant that the school has the flexibility to add days to the school calendar.
The first day of school for all students is Thursday, September 2nd. This is a full day with the first block beginning promptly at 7:35am and dismissing at 2:31pm.
Back to School Night is scheduled for Thursday, September 23rd, from 7pm- 9pm. As per past practice, there will be a delayed opening (9:30am) the next day. On Friday, September 24th students are expected to report to first block by 9:30am. All transportation pick-up times will be 2 hours later than usual.
Schedule for Opening Day: A/B Day
Our opening day, September 2nd, will be a modified A/B day with all classes having an opportunity to meet. The second day of school, September 3rd will be an A day. September 2nd Schedule
| Block 1A |
7:35-8:14 |
Lunch/Study |
11:04 – 11:39 |
| Block 2A |
8:18-8:57 |
Block 1B |
11:43 – 12:22 |
| Block3A |
9:01-9:40 |
Block 2B |
12:26 – 1:05 |
| Block 4A |
9:44-10:23 |
Block 3B |
1:09 – 1:48 |
| Lunch /Study |
10:27-11:02 |
Block 4B |
1:52 – 2:31 |
Summer Enrichment Programs
School is no longer a ten month endeavor. This summer was a busy one, with the high school filled on most days with students and staff. Our annual four-week freshman transition program had a record number of students in attendance. We continued to offer annual programs to build the skills of our English Language Learners in reading, writing and math. Special Education students also benefited from an extended school year. A very talented group of students worked together in a Visual and Performing Arts Academy hosted by RBR. An exciting addition to this year’s summer programming was the expansion of our “Pre-AP” coursework, which included our AVID students in a math and English component.
Summer Institute for Staff Development:
Highlights During the week of August 16th more than 45 staff members attended a professional development week. Workshops featured training in website design, content specific topics for math and science teachers, literacy and reading strategies for adolescents and specialized topics developed by our staff. Our Small Learning Communities Grant covered the costs for this training.
BUC Pride
This was a very busy summer for our athletic program. We hosted many tournaments, leagues, and camps in preparation for the 2010-2011 sport season. This fall should be very exciting as we move back to the A-Central Division and face schools like Holmdel and Raritan and renew the battle of Ridge Road with RFH. We are especially thankful for the hard work of our dedicated maintenance staff that were able to maintain our beautiful playing fields despite a record dry and hot summer. Good luck to all the coaches and athletes-GO BUCS!
Federally Subsidized Breakfast and Lunch Program
An application for a free or reduced school meal program is enclosed. Families meeting the income guidelines for this program are encouraged to return a completed application as soon as possible to ensure delivery of services to your child. Families completing applications may expect applications to be processed within one week from the time of submission. Students will be responsible for their own meals during the processing period. If your child was receiving federally subsidized meals in June 2010, your child will continue to receive those meals through September 30, 2010. You must reapply by September 30th to potentially receive free/reduced priced meals after that date.
For additional information and/or assistance completing this application please call Ms. Theresa Horan at 732-842-8000, extension 1202. The high school office is open every day from 7:30am–2:30pm throughout the month of August. After September 1, the high school offices are open until 3:30pm.
Universal Student ID Card
Enclosed is a flyer (freshman packets only – returning students have ID cards) explaining the use of the photograph Universal Student ID cards at the high school. All freshmen and transfer students are issued a photo ID card free of charge during the first week of school. Photo ID cards are to be carried at all times by each student. This Universal Card displays an individual bar code number for each student and permits students to use the card as a source of identification and as a means to borrow reference materials from the Media Center. In addition, the card serves as a personal debit card in the school cafeteria eliminating the need for a student to carry cash to school. Please stress to your child the importance of keeping this card in a safe and secure place on their person at all times. There is a fee for card replacement.
Yearbook Portraits for Underclassmen – Senior Make-Ups
Yearbook pictures for freshmen, sophomores and juniors are scheduled for September 22-24 in the rear of the auditorium. Seniors who missed their photo opportunities will be re-scheduled October 26 and 27. Do not miss these dates to have your photos taken for the yearbook.
Military Recruiters – Federal Legislation Requirements/Exemptions
RBRHS receives funds from the federal government under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. These funds are used in a variety of ways to provide additional help to students in greatest academic need. The law requires that districts receiving these funds must, upon request, provide military and college/university recruiters access to the names, addresses, and telephone listings of high school students. Parents and students, who wish to receive information from the military and/or colleges/universities, do not have to sign or returnthis form. If this form is not completed and returned, the district will provide the military and colleges/ universities, upon request, with the student’s name, address and telephone number. Forms are available in this mailer, the Guidance office and on the school website.
RBR Goes Green
Being mindful of the environment, we are asking that families consider receiving all notifications on- line. Report cards and progress reports will still be mailed. The opt-out request is included as a line on your child’s emergency card. All information will be accessible through the school website.
SOURCE Foundation Fundraiser
Let’s get ready for some football!! On September 16th, on our back patio, rain or shine, RBR’s The Source, our school-based youth services program, is kicking off the year with its 3rd Annual “End Zone” Backyard Bar-B-Q. This fundraiser salutes the Buccaneer football team as RBR in its home opener face-off against Matawan High School under the lights. Tickets are $15.00 for adults and $5.00 for a student/child. Details are included in this mailer and on the website.
RBREF Day At The Races
Parents are welcome to participate in the Red Bank Regional Education Foundation (RBREF) Day at the Races, Saturday, October 16th at the Monmouth Park Picnic Area. This adult-only affair will feature an exquisite buffet prepared by our own Chef Roskowinski and the RBR Culinary Club. More details are included in this mailer and on the website. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet other parents and families.
RBR Alert, now Two River Alert
A new emergency alert system powered by Roam Secure Alert Network has been implemented to contact you immediately you during a major crisis or emergency. The boroughs of Little Silver and Shrewsbury along with the school districts of Red Bank Regional, Little Silver and Shrewsbury are participating together in this shared service. This will replace the RBR alert text system. Please refer to www.tworiveralert.com for additional info and see the RBR website for sign up information.
Student Handbook
All students receive a student handbook on the first day of school. Our handbook is also available for review on our website. It is important to review student code of conduct. All students and parents/guardians are asked to sign an acknowledgement form stating that they have reviewed school policies.