RHP/Ren Sunday Letter - January 22, 2017

SUNDAY LETTER January 22, 2017

A MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Word of Mouth is Our Strongest Messaging

So please invite your friends to next Saturday morning's all-school Open House by forwarding this flier to any families with suitable children who would benefit from a top-notch RHP education.

The Open House focuses primarily on RHP, but we will have a Renaissance information table available for those who might wish to explore in that direction. Enrollment places will be available at our main entrance points, grades 6 and 9, and also in grades 7 and 8, but are less likely in higher grades, where we anticipate wait lists.

Peter McCormack

Head of School

pmccormack@rollinghillsprep.org

UPCOMING EVENTS

Fathers' Breakfast

Wednesday, January 25 | 7:00 - 8:00 a.m.

Dads and guardians are invited to join students for breakfast and have the opportunity to visit with other dads, along with faculty and staff.

Captain Darrell Lowe, a 25 year veteran of the Santa Monica Police department will be on hand to speak to attendees about the importance of serving with purpose. RHP & REN have such a strong sense of community with an emphasis on service endeavors in the community. Captain Lowe has dedicated his life to a vocation of service and he will speak to the importance of service with a purpose; finding your passion in helping others.

Additionally, RHP & Ren will be accepting donations of gently used business attire for CLOTHES THE DEAL, a local organization that helps people get back on their feet by making sure they look sharp for their interviews. To learn more, check out www.clothesthedeal.org

Classical Night

Thursday, January 26 | 6:30 p.m.

MPR

Rolling Hills Prep and Renaissance proudly presents the annual Classical Night. This production is a recital of our talents musicians, performing as soloists, ensembles and various other musical groups. The production will begin promptly at 6:30pm. Admission is free, and light refreshments will be served. We hope to see you there supporting our outstanding musical community!

Early Dismissal

Friday, February 3 | 12:30 p.m.

Early dismissal for all students. Faculty in-service workshop.

Upper School Winter Formal: Out of This World!

Saturday, February 4 | 7:00-11:00 p.m.

DoubleTree Hotel

21333 Hawthorne Boulevard

Torrance, CA 90503

Tickets are on sale now for $70 each, and this will go up starting January 23 to $80. The last day to buy tickets is January 27. The cost of the dance covers a plated dinner, dessert, DJ for all 4 hours, and fun giveaways from Student Council. The dance is cocktail attire; suits for boys and cocktail dresses for girls, although students are welcome to dress less or more formal.

Click Here to View the Full Calendar of Events.

ATHLETIC SCHEDULE

Varsity Boys' Soccer vs New Roads

Monday, January 23 | 3:15 p.m.

Home

Varsity Girls' Basketball vs Lennox Academy

Monday, January 23 | 5:30 p.m.

Lennox Middle School

11033 Buford Ave.

Lennox, CA

Varsity Girls' Soccer vs New Roads

Tuesday, January 24| 3:15 p.m.

Home

Varsity Girls' Basketball vs Executive Prep

Tuesday, January 24 | 4:30 p.m.

Executive Prep

2814 W. Manhattan Beach Blvd.

Gardena, CA 90249

Varsity Boys' Basketball vs Lennox Academy

Tuesday, January 24 | 5:30 p.m.

Lennox Middle School

11033 Buford Ave.

Lennox, CA

Varsity Girls' Basketball vs New Roads

Thursday, January 26 | 6:30 p.m.

Home (Harbor College)

1111 Figueroa Pl

Wilmington, CA 90744

Thursday, January 26 | 8:00 p.m.

Home (Harbor College)

1111 Figueroa Pl

Wilmington, CA 90744

Varsity Boys' Basketball vs Brentwood School

Saturday, January 28 | 9:30 a.m.

Cerritos College

11110 Alondra Blvd.

Norwalk, CA 90650

Click Here to View the Full Athletic Schedule

NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Senior Speech: Mike Wu

I realized that I wanted to play music for the rest of my life; I felt that because the first thing I wanted to do every morning I woke up was to play music. Since then, I have learned to absorb different kinds of music to build a vast understanding of sound and feeling.

After a summer of practice, I became more skillful and was able to fit in more activities and performances. The guitar has become part of me like it's living in my body. When I was home, there always would be a guitar next to me so I could easily reach and play it. Playing music had really helped me to relax. My guitar became my best friend. Click here to read more.

Senior Speech: Isaac Perez

When junior year came around, I felt part of the school community and felt comfortable. I didn't feel scared to say, "Hi," or " Hello" to my teachers and classmates. I was the one now to start conversations and the one to speak up first.

Once I felt like a true member of the community, I really discovered how much I loved to be here. I discovered that it is a great place to go to school, and that it has lots of great people here I never knew on a personal level. Click here to read more.

Click here to watch the video.

Trimester 1 Head of School and Service Learning Honor Roll

Service Learning Honor Roll

RHP Middle School

RHP Upper School *Updated as of 1/20

Ren Middle School

Ren Upper School

From the Parent Association

Plea se join us for the 2016-2017 Parent Association Meetings!

Meetings are casual and all parents or guardians are automatically members. Come and see how you can be part of the decision-making process for supporting the schools!

Meetings are held at 8:15 a.m. on the second Wednesday of each month in the PA House on lower campus:

Feb. 8
Mar. 8
Apr. 12
May 10

End of Year Brunch Mtg. for Leads - May 31 (11:30)

Join Us at the Los Angeles Food Bank

Once again the Rolling Hills Prep and Renaissance Schools have the opportunity to serve at the Los Angeles Food Bank. Join us on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 8:30 to 12:30. This event is open to students (and their parents) who are over fourteen; students under eighteen must bring a waiver signed by a parent or guardian.

To register, click here and use the password

SanPedro11.

A bus will leave RHP at 7:30 and return around 1:00. There are thirty seats on the bus, so please sign up soon before the event. Parking is limited at the site so students are encouraged to take the bus.

Contact Gayle Taylor for questions at gtaylor@rollinghillsprep.org.

From the College Counseling Office

SAVE THE DATE ~ 11^th Grade Parent and Student College Night

Our 11^th Grade Parent and Student College Night will take place on Wednesday, January 25^th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to kick off our college admission orientation season during the month of February. The information presented will be a general overview of the college admission timeline and various components of college admission. Students will receive the 2017 RHP and Ren College Handbook. We recognize you are eager to give your student the best advantage in the college admission process, so in addition to our College Night, parent and student meetings will begin in February to discuss your child's specific needs and create a customized college admission plan. Please send an email to Mrs. Dyment at bdyment@rollinghillsprep.org to confirm your attendance at the College Night on January 25^th.

Service Learning Opportunity

Celebrate the love with all the ones you love - four legged and two legged! Our event features a 5k, 1 Mile Walk and expo. Partial proceeds from Paws Fur Pink benefit the National Canine Cancer Foundation and the Los Angeles Affiliate of Susan G. Komen.

The event is quickly approaching on Sunday, February 12th at Ernie Howlett Park. We are currently in need of volunteers. We have a few shifts available and can accept groups of any size. If you are interested click here.

Service Learning Opportunity (6 hours)

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.

Future City Competition

The RHP 6th graders will be competing in the Future City Competition on Saturday, January 21, 2017 in San Diego. It is an engineering competition for middle school students that is a collaboration between math and science teachers, Ms. Hancock and Ms. Begley. Students have been working on the project since November.

Pots Wanted!

Nature Walk and Fish Club graciously asks for any unwanted, unused, terra-cotta, plastic, or clay pots. These pots would be used to continue to grow the nature walk's luscious, succulent potted garden. We will give all pots a loving ho me. Please drop off pots in the nature walk area, or contact mwilkens@rollinghillsprep.org .

WEEKLY RECAP

Huskies volunteered on Saturday January 14 with the San Pedro Rotary Club to help stop hunger by packaging meals which will go on to help feed the approximately 792.5 million people who do not get the food they need to live a healthy life.	The 8th graders were surprised with a trip on the Magic Bus on Wednesday! They spent the afternoon enjoying themselves at Mulligans before coming back to campus in time for High School 101 where they received a complete rundown of the upper school experience.
Chemistry students went on a field trip to the Hyperion Water T reatment Plant on Thursday. This "Boccuzzi Bus" science field trip was sponsored by the Parents' Association.	Senior Frances Carey was recognized this week by San Pedro Rotary as one of their students of the month. Frances has designed and implemented a child literacy program and is now leading a group of USC students in implementing her program in Los Angeles.