Dear Parents and Guardians,

Next week is a short week with Columbus Day on Monday. Wednesday, October 11 also has a special schedule for our students; please see below for details.

We encourage our parents and students to join Riordan at the Rosary Rally on Saturday! Please see this link for more information. This is an extra special event as  Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone will  consecrate the Archdiocese of San Francisco  to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. More information is available in Campus Ministry for students interested in taking the Riordan bus. And if you are attending, please wear your Riordan gear so we can show our school pride.

Finally, good luck to our athletic teams competing this weekend, and to the Band who will be playing at the Italian Heritage Parade on Sunday, and at the Fleet Week Band Challenge on Monday! They also brought home two first place awards at last week's Band Review.

Sincerely,

ARHS Administration


Last Call for Golf Sponsorships

Riordan's annual golf tournament on October 13 brings together moms, dads, alumni, and friends of the school. There are many ways to help: sign up a foursome, become an event sponsor (starting at $200), or donate a raffle item. All proceeds will support Crusader Athletics!  Register Here

Questions: Contact Director of Alumni Relations Paul Cronin at [email protected] or (415) 586-8200 ext. 357. 

General Announcements

Lunch Menu: Week of October 10

Columbus Day Holiday: No Classes on October 9

Volunteer Opportunities
There are several volunteer opportunities coming up, and we need your help! Click here to sign up to chaperone the Rosary Rally, help at the Fall Blood Drive, or assist with our Open House. Please see Athletics opportunities in the section below.

College Financial Aid Night: October 25
Senior parents and students are invited to this presentation by Riordan alumnus Edward Samayoa (formerly of Stanford University Office of Financial Aid). He will give an overview FAFSA and CSS Profile (required by most private schools). Cash For College staff will provide computer lab time for students/families interested in receiving hands-on help with filing the FAFSA.

Please note: An RSVP is required by Friday, October 13 so we can plan for the evening. The event will take place at 6:00 pm in the Library, and dinner will be provided. Those attending should read this flyer with instructions on what to bring to the event.


Please contact College Counselor Leslie Roberts for details, [email protected]. The Financial Aid section of our College Resource site has more information about applying for financial aid.

Supporting a Marianist School in Puerto Rico
Last week, Hurricane Maria dealt a terrible blow to Puerto Rico. Colegio San José, a Marianist high school there, suffered damage to their school campus, and many families are reporting significant losses. As we continue to pray for those affected, now through October 10 students and families can bring in donations to bins in the Main Office which will go to CSJ rebuilding efforts and support families in need. A little goes a long way. Please contact Mrs. Catherine Mifsud Heller if you would like to give a donation via credit card.

Drama Booster Workday: October 7
HARVEY is opening November 10! The second Drama Booster Workday is Saturday, October 7 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Sign up with Valerie O'Riordan. You can come for a few hours, or all day. Your help and enthusiasm are appreciated!

Tickets for HARVEY will be on sale soon. They are $8/adult, $5 student & senior and FREE for children 12 and under (with paying adult). 

ATTN: Knitters! We need someone to knit a couple of specialty props for the spring musical. Please email Ms. O'Riordan at [email protected] if interested.

Father Son Mass and Breakfast: October 22
This is a special event, put on by the Senior Class, that is open to all Riordan students and their fathers, grandfathers, uncles or other male role models in their life. Tickets are available in the Prep Shop through Wednesday, October 18.

Community Service Scholarship
Prudential Spirit of Community Awards are looking for individuals to recognize for outstanding volunteer service. Deadline for the online application is November 7. Awards can include up to $5,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. with a parent or guardian. Click here for eligibility information and how to apply.

Riordan International Boarding Program
In October and November, our Director of International Admissions Ms. Betta Barbosa will be traveling to Shanghai, Beijing, Dubai, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City. If you know of families with sons in these cities who would be interested in attending Riordan, please email [email protected]. More information about the fairs can be found here.

Parent Pledge
Thank you to our parents who are participating in the Parent Pledge Program. If you are interested in making a pledge, please  click here to download a pledge form, or you can register online at  www.riordangiving.com. Our goal is for each family to average $12,000 over four years. Some will do less and some will do more--what counts is that all families participate at a level that feels right and is within their means.  For questions, please don't hesitate to contact Anne Seppi, Director of Annual Giving at (415) 586-8200 ext. 217 or [email protected]

Below: Ms. YinShan Yang and students in her Mandarin courses learned about the traditions of the Moon Festival this week, and how this is celebrated across Asia. 

Special Schedule: October 11

Wednesday, October 11 will be a busy day on campus for all students. Please see below for detailed information. This day is mandatory for all students and begins at 7:45 am. All students will be dismissed approximately at 11:30 am. Students should be in regular dress.  

For Freshmen
The Class of 2021 will participate in the Assessment of Children/Youth Religious Education [ACRE]. The ACRE is designed to assist in the evaluation of our catechetical/religious education programs here at Riordan. This national assessment is part of the Theology curriculum and will be administered by the Theology Department. It does not affect the grades of the students in their coursework, but serves as a tool to provide information about areas of strength in catechetical/religious education programs as well as areas of weakness that may need additional attention or improvement on the school level. In addition to this assessment, the Freshmen will also complete a reflective exercise that will process their first quarter and set goals for their career at Riordan. All Freshmen should report to the cafeteria at 7:45 am. 
Students do not need not bring any supplies with them to school (including iPads).
 
For Sophomores and Juniors
It is National Testing Day for sophomores and juniors. All sophomores and juniors will take the PSAT, a practice test for the new SAT. For sophomores, this day will give them an idea of what taking a standardized college admissions test feels like and for juniors, they have the opportunity to potentially qualify as a National Merit Scholar. It's important for these students to get a good night sleep and eat a good breakfast. 
What to bring: A #2 pencil and a calculator. 

For Seniors
Seniors will be attending workshops related to college applications and career planning. Seniors should report to the Theatre at 7:45 am. 
What to bring: All seniors should bring their iPads or laptops to work on applications.  

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Vanessa Vincent, Director of Counseling, at [email protected].  

We thank you for your support in making this a productive day for all students!

-The Counseling Department
Athletics

Athletic Boosters Meeting: October 11
We invite those interested in volunteering with athletics to attend the next meeting on October 11 at 6:00 pm in the Lecture Hall. Contact Mike Stasko if you are interested in learning more about the Boosters, [email protected]. View athletic volunteer opportunities here.

Football Podcast
Listen to this podcast with Head Varsity Football Coach Jay'Sen Morris.
Archbishop Riordan High School
415-586-8200 | info @riordanhs.org | www.riordanhs.org