District 208 and
Riverside Brookfield High School
Hallways
October 2020

A parent and community newsletter. 
District 208 News
Superintendent's Message

Dear RBHS Students, Families, Staff, and Community, 
 
Our staff and students have been working hard to make remote learning as effective as possible, and they are doing a great job. They are adapting daily to the intricacies of navigating virtual platforms to enhance instruction and learning. However, remote learning cannot replace the benefits of in-person learning and the social-emotional interaction students need for their overall development and well-being. Starting the week of October 19 (second quarter), students will begin to return to campus. In this blended model, teachers will continue to provide synchronous instruction on a virtual platform (Zoom/Google Meet) to the students on campus and those learning remotely. Students will have the option to attend in-person or stay remote on their assigned day(s). Parents/guardians, if your student(s) is experiencing any symptoms, please keep your child at home and have them attend class remotely.
 
We are still working through the final details of a schedule and its alignment with the District calendar; more information will be forthcoming. As a District, it is imperative we come together to support this model and make a commitment to practicing the appropriate safety precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our communities, so our students and staff are safe in their return to in-person learning.
 
Please click this link to view information about returning safely to RBHS: Committed to a Safe Return
 
Go Bulldogs!

Kevin Skinkis, Ed.D
  Board of Education News 
  • After a couple of months of intense discussion, the class rank will be replaced by the Latin Honor System. This system recognizes more students for their achievements. Class rank is still in effect for our sophomores, juniors, and seniors. The Latin Honor System begins with the class of 2024.
  • The budget for 2020-2021 has been approved with a projected deficit of approximately $1.6 million. A large portion of this deficit reflects the impact the pandemic can potentially have on the District's operating budget. More budget details can be found on the RB website.
  • The Board approved a revision to the graduation requirements. The number of credits (22) will remain the same, but specific courses unique to RB that students needed to take in order to graduate will be removed. This action will give students more options to pursue courses related to their future plans and interests. This change will be implemented in the 2021-2022 school year.
  • The Seal of Biliteracy Program will be added to our curriculum guide. This program is a state-sponsored recognition that gives students an opportunity to earn college credit and/or advanced placement in language courses at public universities by demonstrating proficiency in English and a world language. This program will be added this year.
 
  October Board Meeting
The next Board meetings will be on Tuesday, October 6, 2020 (Special meeting closed to the public), the Regular meeting on Tuesday, October 13, 2020, and the Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday, October 27, 2020. As always, information about our Board meetings can be found on the website under the Board of Education tab, or you can watch the meetings on www.rbtv.tv. 
 
RBHS News
Principal's Message                                                        
 
Greetings Bulldogs, 
 
Congratulations to the staff, students, parents, and administrators for being pioneers in Remote Learning! This new learning environment was forced upon us by a global pandemic, and yet, everyone has performed magnificently. Attendance is high, engagement is lively, and supports are reliable. Every day, students are acquiring and developing new skills such as screen sharing, collaborating in breakout rooms, and writing on PDF documents that will be beneficial beyond high school. "Thank You" teachers for preparing our students for college, the workforce, vocational school, and the military.  
 
Also, I am proud of all of the coaches, club sponsors, and students involved in extracurricular activities. It's heartwarming to see some of our students enjoying what's meaningful to them. What is more, we are working on bringing more opportunities for students.  
 
Remote learning has not been easy for everyone, and I know many are suffering. Complete online learning cannot replace the academic and social-emotional benefits of in-person learning. For many, fully online learning has created anxiety and frustration. That is why our #1 goal continues to be in-person learning, and we are working with all the stakeholders involved in making this decision. We are currently living in a fluid environment with data, situations, and guidelines changing daily, so please, continue to be patient with all of us as we strive to make sense of all of this. 
 
For current updates about what's happening at RB, follow us on social media, our website, and events.
 
With high optimism for continued success in Remote Learning, 
 
Dr. Hector Freytas
Principal
  Important Testing Information
Please see the link below for information regarding the upcoming SAT Exam for all senior students.


  Pay-to-Participate Fees
Due to the overall impact COVID-19 has had on RB families, the Board of Education approved a revised pay-to-participate fee structure for the 2020-21 school year. This revised structure is based upon shorter athletic seasons, fewer competitions for all activities, and virtual meetings for performance and competitive activities. Additionally, this revised fee structure accommodates for periods of time when a student may be sick with COVID symptoms and needs to miss part of their season. Below is the revised pay-to-participate fee structure for the 2020-21 school year.
  • First Sport $100, Second Sport $100, Third Sport $100, Fourth Sport $50
  • Performance Activity $25, Competitive Activity $50
    • Performance Activities: Fall Play, Flags -Twirlers, Improv (Shenanigans), Orchesis, and Spring Musical
    • Competitive Activities: Chess, Math Team, Robotics, Scholastic Bowl, Special Olympics, and Speech
  • Participation fees for athletics and performance/competitive extracurricular activities are capped at $350 for each student.
  • If a sport or activity does not have an official contest due to the pandemic, the District will issue a refund.
If your student is in a fall sport, half of the payment is due by
October 1. The remaining amount is due by October 31. If payments are not made by October 31, a $50 late payment fee will be assessed. Additional information regarding the due dates for all other sports and performance/competitive activities will be forthcoming.

Please contact Jen Reynolds in the Business Office at reynoldsj@rbhs208.net or (708) 442-7500 ext. 2106 if you are interested in setting up a payment plan.
  New to RB Students
What: The Writing Lab

When: Office Hours, Tuesdays-Thursdays, 2:30-3:05 p.m.

Where: Zoom Link

Who: Anyone who needs writing-related help!

The Writing Lab is up and running, virtually, during office hours,
2:30-3:05 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday. Students can click on the Zoom link above for help with anything writing-related. There will be teachers and NHS tutors available to help!

Teachers will share the link and will make students aware of this great resource!
  RB Parents Sports Club Inc.
Sports Boosters continues to support RBHS Bulldog athletes during these unprecedented times, fulfilling three-sport funding requests in the last two months alone. Given the uncertainty with the athletic schedule as well as the strain put on RBHS families due to the pandemic, Boosters opted to move to an open donation system this school year, where all Bulldog families are automatically members. Without the ability to raise funds via concessions (which is overwhelmingly their main source of revenue in a typical year) or revenue coming in from Booster memberships, Bulldog athlete parents are encouraged to contribute an open donation, in any amount, as they are able. The donation link and more information are available at the Sports Boosters website rbsportsboosters.com.

  Student Recognition
Semifinalist in the 2021 National Merit® Scholarship Program

Jack M. Jameson has been named a Semifinalist in the 2021 National Merit® Scholarship Program. About 1.5 million juniors in more than 21,000 high schools entered the 2021 competition by taking the 2019 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®). Approximately 16,000 Semifinalists throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise.

Jack will have an opportunity to continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. From the approximately 16,000 Semifinalists, about   15,000 are expected to advance to the Finalist level, and in February, they will be notified of this designation. Nearly half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title.

Commended Students in the 2021 National Merit® Scholarship Program
 
Fifteen of RB's own have been named Commended Students in the 2021 National Merit®Scholarship Program. About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. They are placed among the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2021 competition by taking the 2019 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®).

Excellence and Ethics
in Education

 
 
Important Dates

Please check our website for the dates and locations of all performances and events.
________________________
 
October 5
PTO Meeting
7:00 p.m.
Virtual
 
October 12
Columbus Day,
Non-Attendance Day
 
October 13
Board of Education Meeting
7:00 p.m.
Location TBA
 
October 14
SAT for senior students (standard testing time only)
8:15 a.m.
Grades 9-11
Non-Remote Day
 
October 15
SAT for senior students (College Board- Approved accommodations testing)
8:15 a.m.
Grades 9-11
Non-Remote Day
 
October 20
Talking with Principal Freytas
9:00 a.m.
Auditorium and via Zoom
 
October 19
Music Sponsors
7:00 p.m.
Virtual Meeting
 
October 22
Parent-Teacher Conferences
TBA
 
October 23
Institute Day
Non-Attendance Day for Students
 
October 27
Board of Education Meeting - Committee of the Whole
7:00 p.m.
Location TBA
 
November 2
PTO Meeting
7:00 p.m.
Virtual


Contact Us
(708) 442-7500
See our website to contact individual staff members. 
 
Event Calendars
Check the website for:

RBHS Calendars
Athletic Calendar