Roll Pirates Roll!
RHS Weekly e-Newsletter
June 6, 2014
A special thanks to Mr. Keene and his years of service. He has passed the gauntlet to me to carry on as
editor of the RHS Weekly e-Newsletter. It is my pleasure and privilege to be here and to take on this
task. This will be the last newsletter until August. Have a great summer!
Senior Awards Night
We have AWESOME students at Riverside High School and what better way to express our appreciation of our
great students than by awarding them for their hard work! Scholarships and awards were presented to seniors on
May 20, 2014. To see the web album from Senior Awards Night, click here
https://plus.google.com/photos/117492980500697365878/albums/6019789444083940017?authkey=CPKTvJDmld
2mLQ
Duke Environmental Science Summer Opportunity
The Environmental Science Summer Program at Duke is a free one-week intensive environmental science and
career preparation program for Durham county high school students. The program particularly seeks to engage
underrepresented students, but is open to all. For more information, please visit our
website: http://sites.nicholas.duke.edu/essp/.
If anyone would like to print out a hard copy application for students, they can get one
here: http://sites.nicholas.duke.edu/essp/files/2014/05/28May2014-ESSP-Application-Flyer-I.pdf
Thank you,
Nicki Cagle
Director of the Environmental Science Summer Program at Duke
SIT Seeks Parent Members
The School Improvement Team creates and monitors the School Improvement Plan, a legal document that is the
basis for all our efforts to improve student achievement and raise the level of our academics. We look at all kinds
of data, identify areas for improvement and craft a plan to address them. Parent members would join faculty,
administrators, classified staff and a student to meet once a month for a two-year term. Current parents are
rotating off and we need two or three new faces. Do something great for this school – be a part of the School
Improvement Team! If you are interested in being nominated, please contact SIT chair, Tim Brown,
Tim.Brown@dpsnc.net.
Pirate PTA
The Pirate PTA is proud to support teachers and staff throughout Riverside. This year we have recognized teachers
through the Teacher of the Month program, celebrated their dedication and service through appreciation events
at the beginning of the year and during Teacher Appreciation Week, held a mid-year supply drive and helped get
the word out about DonorsChoose projects for our teachers! BUT, the Pirate PTA could do so much more and ask
that YOU get involved in the PTA for the 2014-15 school year! There are a number of volunteer opportunities
from committee chairs to volunteering with special events. We are also still in search of a nomination for the Vice
President position. Please contact Lori von Alten at rlavalten@mindspring.com if you are interested.
Help support our teachers and students through supporting Riverside DonorsChoose projects! Ms. Gillingham, an
Exceptional Children's Teacher, has posted a project to add sewing machines to her classroom. The link for her
Donor's Choose project is http://www.donorschoose.org/msgillingham. Help fund this project and you can be a
part of a FABULOUS start for the 2014 - 2015 school year! Please spread the word, through your social media
networks, as there are many people who look to support public education. Let’s work together to be ONE
RIVERSIDE!
Whether this is your student's first year or fourth year at Riverside being involved in the Riverside PTA helps
ensure their success! To find out more ways to be involved or to simply ask a question, you can always reach
YOUR PTA at RiversidePTAinfo@gmail.com.
Mr. County ANSWERS!
This month, “Mr. County Answers” just one question:
Q: Why during second semester are some finals held before Final Exam week?
A: The non-State exams are given the option of being taken early so students can focus on state exams during
finals week. We need every teacher’s assistance in.
Do you have questions for Mr. County? This is YOUR chance to find out more about Riverside, courses, programs,
policies, extra-curricular activities and more! Each month three to five questions will be selected and answered.
Please note student or teacher-specific questions cannot be answered in this forum. Please submit your questions
to RiversidePTAInfo@gmail.com and look for the next edition of “Mr. County Answers” in the Fall!
Jennifer Bartnik
Get Involved, Stay Involved
RHS Engineering

The engineering faculty is proud to salute and wishes the very best to the following college-bound
engineering students of 2014: NC STATE: Jordan Anderson, Breonna Caldwell, Abby Chapman, Matthew
Gibson, JJ Guatno, Nick Hurley, Luke Oliver, Sam Schoeneberger, Harry Schrickx, Bill Vogel, and Shawn
Womble UNC-CHARLOTTE: Christopher Abraham, Emily Christopher, Preston Finch, Joey Hawkins, Hunter
Heilman, and Jared Poe ; UNC Chapel Hill: John Kish, Dasha Selezneva, and Neusha Zadeh; APPALACHIAN
STATE: Drew Gotwals, Laura Langston, Natalie Liller and Kayla Mitchell VIRGINIA TECH: Hannah Glisson
and Gus Hurtado; NC A&T: Steven Perry and Darius Wright; HARVEY MUDD: Emily Lane;
COLUMBIA: Cameron Roane; DENISON: Will Hibbard; WINGATE: Kory Behenna, Micah Goodwin;
HOFSTRA: Baylee Caudill; UNC-Wilmington: Hunter Moste, Will Eudy; ELON: Gabe Salvador; DURHAM
TECH: Marvin Bobbitt, Austin Sullivan; WAKE TECH: Cooper Wilson; EAST CAROLINA: Jason Bunch
and Fallon Herrera; HAYWOOD: Matthew Bostic; CAMPBELL: Bradley Hughes CAPE FEAR: Carly Davis,
Emily Eubanks, and Ryan Hennessey

We also wish the following well in their post-high-school endeavors: LDS Mission Work: Seth Close; IMG:
Ryan McLendon

The RHS Engineering Wall of Fame has been initiated in room 170. Alumni of the program notify us when
their universities become their alma maters - no matter what they major in.

Thanks Ms Privette and Mr.Velegol has offered the below info about engineering students:
Abraham Christopher - UNC-CHARLOTTE
Antunez Bryan - working
Caldwell Breonna - NCSU
Close Seth - Mission
Eubanks Emily - CAPE FEAR
Finch Preston - UNC-C
Gibson Matthew - NCSU
Glisson Hannah - VT
Goodwin Micah - Wingate
Gotwals Andrew - Appalachian State
Hawkins Joseph - UNC-CHARLOTTE
Heilman Hunter - UNC-CHARLOTTE
Hennessey Ryan - CAPE FEAR
Herrera Fallon - ECU
Hibbard William - DENISON
Hurtado Gustavo - NCSU
Kish John - UNC-CH
Lane Emily - HARVEY MUDD
Langston Laura - Appalachian State
Larroza Tiny

McLendon Ryan - Gap/IMG
Moste Hunter - UNC-W
Oliver Luke NCSU
Perry Steven NCA&T
Poe Jared UNC-CHARLOTTE
Roane Cameron - COLUMBIA
Salvador Gabe - ELON
Schoeneberger Samuel - NCSU
Schrickx Harry - NCSU
Selezneva Daria - UNC-CH
Sullivan Austin - DURHAM TECH
Velasquez Christian
Vogel William
- NCSU
Wilson Cooper - WAKE TECH
Womble Shawn - NCSU
Wright Darius Tre - NCA&T
All incoming and current PLTW students and their parents are invited to attend a Welcome (Back) Picnic
sponsored by the Riverside Engineering Parents Action Council (REPAC) on Sunday, August 24 from 3:306:00 p.m. at the large shelter of the West Point on The Eno Park in Durham on Roxboro Road. Students
may buy Riverside Engineering hoodies for $20 and T-Shirts for $10. Mark your calendars!
APES Summer Assignment!
Each student taking AP Environmental Science in the 2014-2015 school year needs to complete and turn in a
summer assignment by August 18th, regardless of the semester he or she takes the class. The assignment is
attached. Please direct questions to Emma Refvem (emma.refvem@dpsnc.net) or Jeff Harris
(jeffrey.harris@dpsnc.net).
Graduation Info
Please see the attached information sheet. Also: handicapped seating and parking request forms are available in
the front office and Mrs. Boliek’s room (103). The window for requests is May 19-30.
Reminder to 9-11th Grade Band & Orchestra Students:
--Graduation Practice (REQUIRED)
Tuesday, June 10th from 10-12 am in the RHS Band Room
--Graduation Ceremony (REQUIRED)
Wednesday, June 11th from 10am-3:30 pm
Band News
Marching Band
Due to number of conflicts that students have with the Monday, June 16th pre-summer rehearsal, we are going to
move that rehearsal to Thursday, June 12th from 6-8pm.
Here is the adjusted schedule:
Monday, June 9th 6-8pm @ RHS
Thursday, June 12th 6-8pm @ RHS
Again, these rehearsals are MANDATORY for all students interested in participating in the 2014 season.
REMINDER: All DUES MUST BE PAID BY Monday, June 16th in order to participate in Marching Band next year.
Students will also be asked to submit a commitment form and a $25 deposit, so we know how many spots to write
for in the 2014 show.
BAND CAMP DATES: August 4th-8th 8am-5pm and August 11th-15th 8am-5pm
Library News
Durham County Library will celebrate the start of Summer Reading 2014 with a kickoff at Northgate Mall on
Saturday, June 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dozens of performers and activities will be on tap, including Scrap
Exchange, Paint Savvy, North Carolina Zoo, Museum of Natural Sciences, Durham Arts Council, Mad Science,
aerialists, storytelling, face painting, balloon art, crafts, bounce houses, a video game truck and musicians.
Northgate Mall is located at 1058 W. Club Blvd. in Durham. The kickoff will take place both indoors and on the
outdoor plaza between entrances 2 and 4. The event is free and open to the public.
This year’s theme, “Fizz, Boom, Read!” provides opportunities for interactive performances and hands-on science
and technology programs at the kickoff and throughout the season. Participants of all ages will find a wide range of
activities available.
CTE News
Career and Technical Education has partnered with Microsoft Corporation to offer professional certifications to
high school students. The Riverside Business Department, provides several courses that provides students with an
opportunity to obtain their Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification. A Microsoft Office Specialist is a person
who has passed an exam administered through a Microsoft Authorized Testing Center. Users today can receive
designation as Microsoft Office Specialists in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, and Project.
The Microsoft Office Specialist certification is fundamentally different from other certifications that Microsoft
offers. People who pass the Office Specialist exams are frequently employed in professions outside of the
computer field. They are real people performing a wide variety of jobs. Whether in a large corporation or a small
office, Office Specialists use programs such as Word and Excel to function effectively as administrative assistants,
as office managers, and in many other positions that require day-to-day problem-solving skills. The Microsoft
Office System of products has helped the Office Specialist meet deadlines, impress managers, and perform work
more efficiently. Office Specialists are interested in improving their skills and increasing their opportunities. As
more and more employers begin looking for verification of employee software skills, receiving your professional
certification places you in a strong position as a more viable candidate.
2014 2nd Semester MOS Professionals are:
Excel
Brittany Little
Steven Jones
Sun “Jerry” Ming-Chi
Randy Pena
Emmanuel Tobe
Michael Farrish
Simreb Ketema
Power Point
Janea Brunson
Camia Hunt
Sharyah Bethea
Christine Evans
Atlanta Woodall
Patricia Olson
Shamar Milligan
Gary Whitaker
Karen Gibson
James Newton
Francisco Beltran Espinoza
Access
Steven Jones
Word
Christine Evans
Patricia Olson
Next Year’s Classes
From Student Services: Course Selection Documents were distributed in homerooms Wednesday, May 21st. The
Powerschool Data System produced the documents in block format rather than a list, although no assumption
should be made about 2014-2015 courses’ semester and period assignment. Students have until May 28 th to
request preferred changes for consideration by counseling staff. Considerations for preferential changes include
but are not limited to the following: limited space in desirable electives necessitates preference to upper classmen;
some classes listed on registration documents were dropped due to low interest; historical marks and elective
concentrations dictate a particular sequence or pairing of courses. Necessary changes include the following
reasons: a senior needs a course to graduate; a course is listed for which a credit has already been earned; a
course is listed out of sequence; a course must be added because of an incomplete schedule; a course was failed
and needs to be repeated. As in the past, students will receive schedules detailing classes by semester and period
prior to the start of the new school year.
Project Graduation
Project Graduation is scheduled for June 12th at the Durham Marriott City Center. Seniors and their guests can
celebrate graduation for FREE from 10 pm to 3 am. Activities include: casino games, inflatables, prizes, music and
dancing. Student MUST register to attend. For more information and to register
visit: www.projectgraduationdurham.org. For questions contact Ms. Schira in Student Services.
Project Graduation of Durham needs parent support!!! A small group of dedicated Durham citizens has been
organizing and fundraising for this event for years. As Durham has grown, our support also needs to grow. With
approximately 2000 graduates each year, we need to increase our funding for scholarships and the event
budget. As a supporter of Durham Public Schools, will you partner with us for this event?
Ways you can help:
Make a tax-deductible donation at www.projectgraduationdurham.org
Volunteer to help at Project Graduation on June 12, 2014 between 10pm and 3am, also online.
Donate gift cards, electronics, and entertainment to be raffled during the event.
Project Graduation of Durham will thank all donors with a full page ad in the Durham Herald Sun following Project
Graduation. The website will also include a list of all donors. Large donations will be recognized on our Facebook
page.
Thank you for caring for our youth and for support Project Graduation 2014!
Sports News
Riverside lacrosse news
1.) We have entered a "dead" period for athletics at Riverside: no athlete can work with a coach and/or use the
RHS facilities until after June 16th due to exams. This includes the weight room and athletic fields. The fields have
been locked, and if you are out on the field, you will be asked to leave. Focus on your exams and do your best!
2.) The East region coaches met yesterday, and we have more awards to announce:
 CJ Carpenter was voted 2nd team All-East Region and 2nd team All-State at attack. Congrats!
 Cameron McNeill was voted one of 4 Academic All-Americans from the East Region for his work on the
field and in the classroom. Congrats!
Summer Workout Schedules – Football, Basketball, Soccer, Field
Hockey
Summer Workout Schedules and Camps for Football, Men’s & Women’s Basketball, Men’s & Women’s Soccer, and
Field Hockey are posted on the booster club website, RiversideBoosters.org. Workouts are open to all interested
students, including rising freshmen.
July 29 - Parent and Athlete Information Night at 6:00 pm in the school cafeteria. Parents and all new incoming
athletes as well as returning athletes will meet with the coaches for the sports they are interested in trying out.
Eligibility requirements will be discussed. Fall, Winter, and Spring sports athletes and their parents should plan to
attend.
August 1 - Tryouts / First Practices for Cross Country, Field Hockey, Football, Men's Soccer, Volleyball, and
Women's Tennis. Contact coaches for more information about each sport.
Game schedules for Fall Sports will be posted on RiversideBoosters.org in the next few days.
The Riverside Booster Club needs parent volunteers. We have openings for 3 board members (Special Events Chair
and 2 At-large positions). We also need help with updating and maintaining our website - RiversideBoosters.org,
with selling sponsorships to area businesses, and with planning for the upcoming year.
The Booster Club proudly supports every Riverside team. This school year alone, we raised and spent more than
$18,000 to help purchase:
•
uniforms for cross country, men’s & women’s lacrosse, baseball, softball, and men’s tennis
•
training equipment for men’s & women’s basketball, men’s & women’s soccer, and football
•
backstop nets for the practice soccer field
•
a timing system for swimming
•
batting cage netting for softball
•
two protector L-screens for baseball
•
gear bags for wrestling
•
two $500 scholarships for graduating senior student-athletes
•
Our new website, RiversideBoosters.org, to publicize every team.
Thank you to the countless volunteers – parents, students, coaches and teachers – who helped make this year a
huge success. From the ice storm BBQ to the Golf Tournament, you came through to support Riverside studentathletes.
There are many more needs to address in the coming year, and we will need your help again. For more
information, watch for updates on RiversideBoosters.org or e-mail us at RollPiratesRoll@gmail.com or
RiversideBooster@gmail.com.
Phasor Soccer Camp at Riverside HS
The camp will include technical training, small-sided games, larger-sided games, and conditioning to build each
participant's complete soccer skills. Returning varsity and JV players are encouraged to attend. Open to all
students.
June 16-20, 9 AM - 12 Noon
Open to boys & girls, Rising 7th-12th Grade
$175 -- The camp brochure is attached.
Public library seeking teen volunteers
On Saturday, June 14, 2014, the Durham County Libraries will present the annual Summer Reading Kick-Off
Celebration at the Northgate Mall in Durham, from 10:00 am-1:00 pm. We are looking for volunteers from the
community to help us staff tables, direct patrons to performers, and set up/break down the event. We need
volunteers to assist us during two time slots- 10:00 am- 12 noon and 12 noon -2 p.m.
If you are available and willing to help staff this event, or have questions, contact Claudia Aleman de Toomes at
919-560-0116, caleman-toomes@dconc.gov or DeLois Cue at 919-560-0210, dcue@dconc.gov, by May 31, 2014.
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
Summer Opportunities
 Students ages 12-18: What are you doing this summer?!?!? Serve your community and earn the Mayor’s

Award! The Volunteer Center of Durham is currently registering student volunteers for this
summer. Students completing 100 or more hours of service will earn the Mayor’s Award and have their
pictures taken with the Mayor of Durham. Volunteering is a great way to build a resume or college
application and acquire letters of recommendation! Students can register at:
HandsOnTriangle.org/MayorsAward. If you have any questions, contact Meredith Yuckman at:
youth@thevolunteercenter.org.
The Environmental Science Summer Program at Duke is now accepting applications for rising Durham
Public Schools Sophomores and Juniors. The program is free of charge, with transportation and lunch
included, and provides students with real-world experience in environmental science and the opportunity
to work with Duke's career services professionals. Please visit their website to learn more about the
program: http://sites.nicholas.duke.edu/essp/.
Junior Leadership Durham
Are you a rising sophomore looking for a leadership opportunity?! Junior Leadership Durham is a leadership
development program for rising sophomores. The program is offered at no charge to current 9th grade
students. Applications can be downloaded from their website www.juniorleadershipdurham.org
College Application Help for Next Year
If you would be interested in attending a series of workshops held by peers, for peers, on Duke University's campus
regarding strategies for the college application process and help with your college essays, please complete the
following form. The workshops will be held during the start of the new school year. More details to follow soon.
Please direct any questions to as525@duke.edu.
Application form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1_z7_f5d4PhgGpZThKA18boma3AWkiq7hZy7lkKV3HxQ/viewform?usp=send_fo
rm
Recycling Program for Electronic Devices
If you have old cell phones, mp3 players/ipods, tablets/ipads, laptops, or pagers, you can recycle them
responsibly. These electronics, especially the batteries, contain harmful toxins that impact both people handling
them and the environment when not disposed of properly. The Riverside Latin Club is implementing an ongoing
initiative to recycle electronic devices no longer in use. It does not matter if the devices still work, just be sure that
they have the battery. Bring electronic devices for responsible recycling to Trailer 7.
Mock Trial Summer Camp
The Carolina Center for Civic Education will be hosting their second annual Summer Mock Trial Camps for students
in grades 9 - 12 (fall 2014).
They have three sessions this summer: in Chapel Hill, Asheville, and Fayetteville. All three camps provide Basic and
Advanced tracks, and students and teachers will have the chance to put their new skills into practice by taking part
in a trial scrimmage on the final day of camp. More information is available at http://ncmocktrial.org/camps/cccesummer-camps.
New Parent Resource
Connect With Kids is a new, valuable WebSource offering the Durham Public Schools community 24/7 access to the
most comprehensive, evidence-based video resources focused on improving the health, behavior and well-being of
students and their families. Sign up using the Durham Public Schools organization code to create your user name
and password and you are ready to go. See the attached flier.
Electronic Transcripts
As of November 13, 2013, CFNC.org’s Transcript Manager page allows currently enrolled students to send
electronic transcripts containing their current student information from PowerSchool. Please note there will be a
temporary process change for electronic transcripts until later this academic year for students who graduated in
summer 2013 or before. NC DPI is in the process of migrating historical data from NC WISE to PowerSchool. If you
graduated in summer 2013 or before, you will need to contact your high school directly to request a transcript.
Pirate Pride
Do you need spirit wear and buttons? Get your Pirate Spirit in the front office: T-shirts, $10; Buttons, $1.
Parent Portal Open!
North Carolina’s new grade and attendance system, PowerSchool, has a Parent Portal that allows parents and
guardians online access to their student’s grades and attendance. Parents will be able to give students access to
viewing their grades if they wish. Riverside’s Parent Portal opened Monday. Parents and Guardians can obtain
login information in-person with ID at the Riverside Front Desk. A Parent Portal overview can be found at the DPS
website http://www.dpsnc.net/parents/homebase and instructions are on the Riverside website.
Newsletter Archive
The Pirate’s Hook has begun archiving this newsletter in the Parent section of the RHS Website. Find “back issues”
here.
DATA Bus Serves RHS
DATA offers service to Riverside High is once an hour, Monday-Saturday (6am-7pm), on the new Route 9A. Route
9A will provide a one-seat ride from Durham Station to Riverside High School and back. A connection can be made
between Route 9A and Route 1B at Horton Rd at Guess Rd. Please visit
http://www.gotriangle.org/transit/data-schedules-maps/ for up-to-date schedules and
maps. Students with DATA ID’s ride at greatly reduced prices. ID’s are available at the Durham Bus Station,
from 8:30am-11:00am or 12:30pm to 4:30pm Monday through Friday. Applications are taken on the 1st Floor
Durham Station. Applications must provide Proof of age. Students must also have the Riverside ID as well.
Telephone # 919-485-7433
CLUBS
Riverside students can choose from a great variety of clubs. Here’s the current list:
Name
Ping-Pong
Art Club
Book Club
Prom Committee
Tri M Honors (Music)
Junior Classical League
RHS Robotics Team
French Honor Society
DECA
Harry Potter Club
SEAL
Marine Science Club
Advisor
Steve Unruhe
Blair Hartman
Mira Rahili
Lucretia Burrus
Sara Moore
Melissa Lido
Adam Davidson
Kodjo Apedji
Jon Swanson or David Norman
Emma Refvem
Emma Refvem
Emma Refvem
Student U
MVP
Young Life
Engineering Solutions
Scientifica
The Movement
Habitat for Humanity
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Code Red
SGA
Riverside Stands Up to Cancer
Science National Honor Society
Girls in Science
Riverside Model UN
FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America)
National Honor Society
Destino Success
Chess Club
GSA (Gay/Straight Alliance)
Emma Refvem
Emma Refvem
Emma Refvem
David Rodgers
Mika Hunter
Bethany Phillis
Laura Clarke
Ruth Chan/Ricardo Privette
JulieLynn Austin
Rebecca Stone
Ellen Holmes
Hayleigh Woodyard
Hayleigh Woodyard
Kim Mayo
Cyrstal Smith
Ray Rose/Joye Cordell
Fernando Campos
Robert Paton
Mary Hinson
The National Technical Honor Society
Ms. Brooks
Records Requests
Meeting Days
Tues/Thurs
Tues/Weds
Tues
1st/3rd Weds
Fridays
Tues/Thurs
Thursday
Sporadically
Fridays
Weds (e/o)
Mondays
Thursdays (1
month)
After School
Monday Nights
Tues @2:35
When needed
Weds (e/o)
Thurs (e/o)
Tuesdays Morning
Mondays
Tuesdays
Weds
Tuesday (e/o)
Wed (1month)
Tuesdays
Tuesdays
1st Mon of month
Tuesdays
Weds (e/o)
Thursdays
There is a change in procedure for requesting transcripts and records. Former students and parents should request
records or transcripts on-line: Online Student Records Request -- Visit: www.dpsnc.net / Click on Services,
followed by Records Center
Common Core Standards Information for Parents
North Carolina PTA Common Core State Standards overview
http://www.ncpta.org/parent/CommonCoreStandards.html
National PTA’s Parents’ Guide to Success
http://pta.org/4446.htm
National PTA overview of Common Core State Standards
http://pta.org/CCSSIsummary.pdf
Volunteer Opportunities
You can now to do the DPS website to view current volunteer opportunities within the district. There are a wide
range of options to fit any schedule. Click here to view.
Please send any RHS updates to add to the newsletter to lisa.lamb@dpsnc.net.
Roll Pirates Roll!
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