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Radnor High School
Newsletter
Issue 1 September 2010
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Work Hard
Be Nice
The title of my September newsletter article is our mantra for the 2010-2011 school year at Radnor High School. It is such a simple concept, and one that can virtually ensure success if followed each and every day. A person of balance can, and does, both work hard and treat others with civility. We have spent a lot of time and effort, and will continue to do so, with regard to the physical, emotional and mental well being of our students. By working with families on these issues, we help to make the student a better person and a more able learner. High School remains a time of tremendous growth, transition and inherent uncertainties that come with adolescence and, for that matter, adulthood. We have support systems in place, including our Rachel’s Challenge character education initiative which you will be hearing more about, and other emotional safety nets which your child’s guidance counselor can direct you to. We are on firm ground in providing our students with a positive framework for how they conduct their lives outside of the classroom.
We are, however, a high achieving academic high school, and the reality is we need to work hard every day to not just maintain that standing, but to move this high school forward as a top flight school of the 21st century. I truly believe we are a great high school, but we need to continue to aspire to do a better job. I, the assistant principals, the faculty and everyone else who works here in service to the community must be accountable for their actions. Our students must recognize the need to work hard on a daily basis so they can achieve their full academic potential. To many this is a given but, to others, the social fun of high school, the discoveries and sudden choices - both good and bad - and, frankly, the wealth of temptation and social networking can get in the way of the academic mission of a high school.
We will emphasize the concept of “Work Hard, Be Nice” throughout the year. If we all live by this on a daily basis we will not just maintain our standing as a great school, we will advance it, and we will all be better for it.
Last year was a great year at RHS, but we must not rest on our laurels; we need to use the positive synergy from last year as a springboard to be even better this coming year!
I am going to close each newsletter article with a quote regarding character. There is no political affiliation to good values, so please understand I am not promoting one political ideal over another. Good values run across the broad political spectrum.
“If we want our children to possess the traits of character, we need to teach what those traits are and why they deserve both admiration and allegiance.” -William Bennett, Former Secretary of Education
OPENING DAY SCHEDULE
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Freshmen and Sophomores will attend the AM session beginning at 7:30 a.m. AM bus pick-up times will be published by the Transportation Department. Students will depart the high school on buses for home at 11:30 a.m.
Juniors and Seniors will attend the PM Session beginning at 11:30 a.m. until 2:27 p.m. Pick-up times for transportation to the PM session will be four hours after the normal published times. These students will be dismissed at the regular time (2:27 p.m.). Buses will depart from the high school at 2:33 p.m.
Please note that this day is used to attend a variety of important orientation activities, including distribution of student schedules. Lunch will not be served on this day.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010 will be a full day of school.
Blocks 1 through 8 will meet and it will be a Cycle Day 1.
ATTENDANCE INFORMATION
Welcome to the Freshmen and welcome back Upperclassmen. I hope you had a wonderful summer and return to us rested and ready for an exciting year.
Here are a few reminders regarding Attendance. If you are absent, parents are asked to call the Safe Arrival Line at 610-687-5115 to report that information to the school. In addition to your call, please send in a note with students. If that note is not handed in within 3 days upon return to school, the absence is unexcused and work will not be made up.
If you are tardy to school or leaving early, a note is required to be handed in to the Attendance Office upon signing in or out of school. You will find Attendance rules and procedures in the Student Handbook. Please use the Attendance Office phone number, 610-293-0855 x3536, if you have questions regarding Attendance.
I welcome all students and parents to come to the Attendance Office anytime to pick up absence cards, ask questions about Attendance, location of classrooms, or anything else you might need. I look forward to seeing you all - don't hesitate to come and say hello. Jill Temperton
FROM FOOD SERVICES DEPARTMENT
All students, faculty and staff on behalf of the RTSD Food Service Department, I would like to welcome everyone back for another exciting school year, full of nutritious eating and healthy choices.
I would like to remind all cafeteria patrons and their families to bring in your check deposits early. Do not wait until lunch time to make your deposit. Doing so slows up the lunch lines and allows less time for you to enjoy your meal. This year deposits can be mailed in prior to the start of school. There will also be a check (no cash) deposit box available outside the cafeteria all day on September 7th and 8th. Make sure student's last name and student ID are on all checks.
Breakfast will now be $1.50. This increase is necessary due to the offsetting of increased production costs.
We are looking forward to seeing everyone back in September, Food Services Staff
GUIDANCE
SAT Information
The first SAT test for the 2010-2011 school year will take place on October 9. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR THIS DATE IS SEPTEMBER 10. Registration is available on-line at www.collegeboard.com. Registration on-line is available for next year’s SAT tests. The school code for Radnor High School is 394133 and the test center is 39-612. Students are encouraged to register early as Educational Testing Service cannot guarantee that students will be assigned their home school district.
ACT Test Dates - Actstudent.org will list the test centers and registration deadlines for these dates.
September 11, 2010
October 23, 2010
December 11, 2010
February 12, 2011
April 9, 2011
June 11, 2011
The National Date for the PSAT for the 2010-2011 school year is scheduled for October 16, 2010. Registration will take place in school during the last week in September. Registration forms will be distributed in homerooms. The test is administered at Radnor High School. All 10th and 11th grade students are strongly encouraged to register for the PSAT test.
Senior College Night - Information Meeting
Seniors and their parents/guardians are encouraged to attend this meeting on September 15, 6:45 – 8:00 p.m. at the high school. Information on the agenda will be distributed to the seniors.
RHS MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT CALCULATOR POLICY
The Mathematics Department recognizes that the understanding and the competent use of technological tools are essential and important to all our students. The department requires that ALL students own a calculator. A scientific calculator such as the TI-34 is sufficient for all courses prior to our Algebra 2-level courses. These students may own a graphing calculator, but they may not be allowed to use it on the tests and quizzes in these classes. A graphing calculator is required in all other courses (all levels of Algebra 2 and above). For most students, a calculator such as the TI-83 PLUS or the TI-84 PLUS, available in local retail outlets, is appropriate. If your child already has a TI-83 PLUS, there is no need to purchase a new TI-84 PLUS calculator. More sophisticated graphing calculators are optional and not recommended. Classroom instruction will include demonstrations with the TI-84 PLUS calculator. Since graphing calculators, except for the TI-92, are permitted on the SATs and the PSSAs, we are encouraging all students to be proficient in their use. Students will not be permitted to use a TI-92 or a similar calculator on tests and quizzes, as is the policy for the SAT/PSSA tests. Students enrolled in either AP Calculus course (AB or BC) may elect to purchase the TI-89, which has a built-in computer algebra system and is permitted on the AP exam.
The department realizes that graphing calculators are expensive. If financial considerations are a problem, please notify the classroom teacher or the department chairperson. It is recommended that you engrave your child’s name on the calculator and record the serial number from the back of the calculator. If you purchase the calculator, save the receipt, the box, the manual and the cable link. The department would appreciate it if you would send the UPC code from the box to any math teacher. These can be redeemed for FREE TI materials and equipment for use in the classroom.
Thank you, RHS Mathematics Department
CALLING ALL EMPLOYERS/EMPLOYEES
RHS is looking to provide career awareness opportunities for students by job shadowing and needs your help. As part of the job shadowing program, a student will shadow you, your co-worker or an employee to gain exposure in an occupational area of interest to them. Job shadowing provides students with the opportunity to learn about new careers by shadowing an employee through their daily activities for one unpaid day. Students witness firsthand the work environment, employability and occupational skills in practice, the value of professional training and potential career options.
If you are interested in helping to prepare our future workforce by allowing students to explore career possibilities at your place of business or would like to recommend your company as the ideal job shadowing location, please contact Eileen Mann at Radnor High School, by email at or call 610-293-0855 X3706.
CLASS OF 2011
Can you believe it? We are seniors! If want to ensure that this is your best year yet, be sure to join the “Class of 2011 Facebook page” to stay on top of all activities. If you do not have Facebook, you can always stay informed by checking
www.rtsd.org/radnorhs
click on Activities tab
click on Class of 2011
Our first activity was creating our Senior T-shirt. Thanks to all of you who submitted such creative design ideas. Our student council will now vote on the best idea and post ordering in the near future.
Our next project is, of course, painting the field house. We have chosen the theme Toy Story and are still accepting design ideas. If you would like to be one of our artists, please contact our class president, Brian Garber, as soon as possible. () Painting will begin on Monday, August 30th at 10:00 am and continue throughout the week until we are finished. We need help painting, so please come and be part of this long-standing tradition.
Important Senior Events to Remember:
September 7th – First Day begins at 11:30 am followed by Pizza Party
October 15 – Homecoming
October 28 – Senior Class Photo
November 8 – LM Week
February 18 – Mr. Radnor (senior fundraiser)
May 13- Senior Prom
June 12 – Baccalaureate
June 13 – Class Night
June 15 – Graduation
Parents: More than ever, we will need your support with the senior activities, especially the Post Prom Party. Some very exciting ideas are being discussed but we need a large support system to make these ideas a reality. If you haven’t already, contact our parent council president, Marnie Bowen, to see how you can get involved. ()
CLASS OF 2012
Dear Students and Parents of the Class of 2012,
We are beyond excited to be the new Class Advisors to the one and only Class of 2012. We met this summer with your officers and between many laughs, came up with what we believe to be a truly exciting year for all the members of this class. We will be using multiple means of communication to keep you well informed as to upcoming events. We welcome all of our parents and invite your input, energy, and presence at our Parent Council meetings. After Labor Day, we hope you will use the Class of 2012 Web site, as well as, the student-run “Class of 2012” Facebook page. Members of the class will find all the information they need to participate in events throughout the year on these two sites. Of course, you can always speak with one of your class officers: Mike Stavrakos (President), Shaan Pattni (Vice President), Paul Samboonsong (Treasurer) and Scott Rapoport (Secretary). With all the exciting events we are planning comes a lot of work as well. Junior year is a rigorous academic year and maintaining a healthy balance between your school work and extracurricular activities will present a challenge. We are confident, however, that with the support of your parents, teachers, guidance counselors and your own self-discipline that you will be successful in all your endeavors. We will need support from the entire class to make this year’s Homecoming, LM week and Junior prom a great success. The first event planned will be a Class of 2012 student dinner at Mixx in Villanova on Thursday, September 23rd. Additional information regarding time and costs will come home after the opening day of school. We hope that the remainder of the summer is just what you want it to be and we look forward to meeting you during the school year. Should you ever need to contact either one of us, please use the school e-mail and we will get back to you as quickly as we can. Panayota Kevgas and Lois Wysocki