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SUNDAY LETTER December 18, 2016
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A MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
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Our Soul? Our Schedule!
"A forward-looking, academically rigorous college-prep school with a soul." That's one phrase I often use to describe our campus. What about that "soul," though?
Two weeks ago, I passed on feedback from our students on the rituals and traditions they consider sacred; definitely part of our soul. Last Sunday afternoon and evening, many of your sons and daughters in the upper school were sweating over review guides for trimester exams.
Academic rigor yes, but part of our soul?
Actually, yes too, because our trimester schedule allows us all, students, teachers, and staff to get some real rest after the exams are over; to spend some quality time with family. A traditional semester system does not allow such quality down-time. Students in semester schools come back in January trying to remember what they learned before the holidays and going straight into review for exams. Not the perfect plan for relaxed family time over break!
Our block schedule is built around the same theory in some ways. Four classes per day generate less fragmentation than 6, 7, or 8 shorter periods, and fewer (but we hope, deeper and more thought-provoking) homework assignments.
So, from the very soul of RHP and Renaissance, as well as from me personally . . . Happy Holidays!
And . . . Go Huskies! (University of Washington included!)
Peter McCormack
Head of School
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Winter Break / No School
Monday, December 19 - Monday, January 2
Offices will be closed from Friday, December 23 through Monday, January 2. Classes resume on Tuesday, January 3.
Life in Balance Week Presentation
Thursday, January 12 | 6:30-7:30 p.m.
MPR
Life in Balance Week: Mental Health Speaker for Parents by Ross Szabo from the
Matthew Silverman Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit public charity dedicated to raising awareness with the goals of preventing suicide and saving lives, will be on campus to speak to our students, and later in the evening, to parents.
In his presentation, 'Behind Happy Faces; Taking Charge of your Mental Health,' Ross teaches students about the complexities of mental health issues and empowers them to seek help or help their friends seek help. Most mental health challenges are highly treatable, but too often remain hidden in silence preventing people from achieving the recovery they are capable of.
Please RSVP with Emilie Padua-Douglas
epaduadouglas@rollinghillsprep.org by Monday, January 10th, 2017. Note that the evening presentation is for parents only as the students will receive the same presentation during the school day.
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No Scheduled Games This Week
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From the Parent Association
Do Your Holiday Shopping on Amazon and Benefit Our Schools!
Click here to shop on Amazon through the Rolling Hills Prep and Renaissance Schools Portal. 7% of all purchases will go towards the Parent Association to help pay for the PA sponsored events and give back to the schools. You can go to
www.rollinghillsprep.org/amazon to use the portal anytime.
Rolling Hills Prep STEAM Classes at PV on the Net
Rolling Hills Prep is excited to announce a brand new partnership with PV on the Net. For a specific group of classes, current area 8th through 12th graders are able to earn RHP high school credit for successfully completing coursework offered at the Promenade on the Peninsula site. These include the Arduino Microcomputer Basics course offered in December and the Arduino Microcomputer and Applications course in January, and more taking place later in 2017.
Arduino Microcomputer Basics (6 total hours)
December, Monday 19. Tuesday 20, Wednesday 21 6:30-8:30pm
Arduino Microcomputer and Applications (16 total hours)
Saturdays from 1:30 - 3:30
Jan 7, 14, 21, 28,
Feb 4, 11, 18, and 25
US Student Council Fundraiser
Mark your calendars for January 10th! Visit the Chipotle in Torrance from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. and show the flyer below and 50% of the proceeds will go to support Student Council activities!
Service Learning Opportunity (6 hours)
GIRLS
Empowerment & Engagement Conference for African American Girls in grades 7-12, on Saturday, January 21, 2017. The conference is aimed at providing our young women with an opportunity to learn strategies for developing leadership skills and attaining success. The event will include informative workshops, guest speaker and group sessions with plenty of opportunities to dialogue and develop leadership skills. This event will culminate with an alumni panel of independent school graduates who will share their stories and journey into collegiate life. Also, the conference will provide opportunities for networking, fellowship, and other tangible skills for the future.
Click here to register.
Click here to view the flyer.
BOYS
Save the Date: Empowerment & Engagement Conference for African American Boys February 4, 2017. WHO: African American Boys, grades 7-12 who attend Southern California independent and private schools. WHAT: The conference will include a keynote speaker, meaningful workshops, small group discussions, and the opportunity to connect and fellowship with boys of African descent who attend Southern California independent and private schools. Click here to view the flyer.
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