September 17, 2021
Hello Huskies!

What a true joy it has been to attend and experience our back-to-school events with all of you. From our fall sports in full swing (football, cheerleading, cross country, volleyball, and (fingers-crossed) middle school soccer) to our grade level mixers to our back-to-school nights. I have so enjoyed the beginning of the school year. We rounded out our back-to-school nights with REACH’s this week and Natalia and her team did an amazing job of sharing all the good work they are doing in service of their students and families. One highlight for me was hearing about how REACH’s lead curriculum teacher, Emily Franks, is using social justice standards developed by Learning for Justice as a foundation to integrate REACH’s social thinking curriculum. 

In these first weeks of school, I have been sharing with RHP and Renaissance students at morning meetings the theme of intentionally creating a community of schools where everyone feels accepted within the community. Stanford professor Geoffrey Cohen defines belonging as, “the sense that you’re accepted and respected in a domain.” I recently listened to a podcast where Dr. Cohen was a guest and walked away with an even firmer understanding that the psychological effects of not fitting in can negatively impact student and adult performance academically and socially. I have been challenging our students and faculty to think about how we can all intentionally create spaces for all people to feel kinship within the community.

In this week’s middle school morning meeting we were talking about empathy and I asked them to think about how they react when something a classmate does makes them feel uncomfortable or is in conflict with one of their own beliefs. Do they laugh at that person? Do they try to correct that person in a negative way? Belonging doesn’t just “happen” for most people and especially not adolescents which the majority of our students are. I challenged them to remember that we all act and react according to our own feelings and that instead of reacting in a way that is either hurtful or negative perhaps trying to say something more empathetic like, “I can see this is really hard for you right now.” This simple statement can help others feel that although they may not be acting, thinking, or saying things that align with someone else that they still have value in our community. Practicing empathy is an intentional way to cultivate inclusion and acceptance both in yourself and others.

Why do I believe this theme is important to our schools? From my perspective, it resonates particularly well in a community of three schools with three distinct missions. Making sure students and faculty feel connected to each other and the community is the best way to ensure that their brains are in the best possible space to learn and work. To serve all of our students at a high level, it is imperative that we focus on intentionally creating and supporting a sense of belonging. We want all of our students to feel good about themselves and to create that same feeling for their peers. One way we can support students feeling good about themselves and others is by giving them tools and strategies to cultivate stronger communal ties around them. This ultimately allows them to be more open to the learning experiences that are provided to them.


On a totally different note, I am getting ready to launch a family book club for any and all interested parents. Please check out next Friday’s weekly letter to know the book and information on how to sign up.

It is an honor and a privilege to be serving our community of schools. I am looking forward to our upcoming Visual and Performing Arts Invitational on September 24 and 25, and our volleyball team's first game on September 22.

Go Huskies!


Amy Hollinger
She/Her/Hers
Head of Schools


Pictured Above: Today, our school clubs were out in full form for the Fall Club Showcase, which allows students to learn about the various clubs and activities around campus and get involved. We hope everyone found clubs and activities that interest them! Go Huskies!
Grade Level Mixers | REACH Parent Mixer
Join Amy Hollinger, our administrative team, and advisors and come to our 2021-2022 grade level mixers. These are virtual events that cover grade-specific information and topics like Outdoor Education. Zoom invites for these events will be sent an hour before they begin.

Mixer Dates
Listed Chronologically

12th Grade Class Mixer - Wednesday, September 22 | 6:00-7:00 PM
5th & 6th Grade Class Mixer - Monday, September 27 | 6:00-7:00 PM
7th Grade Class Mixer - Monday, September 27 | 7:00-8:00 PM
9th Grade Class Mixer - Tuesday, September 28 | 6:00-7:00 PM
11th Grade Class Mixer - Wednesday, September 29 | 6:00-7:00 PM
8th Grade Class Mixer - Thursday, September 30 | 6:00-7:00 PM
REACH Parent Mixer - Wednesday, October 6 | 6:00-7:00 PM
Tuesday Parent Coffee - September 21| 8:30 AM
Thank you to everyone who attended the Parent Coffee with Amy Hollinger this past week! We deeply appreciate your questions and comments as we navigate the 2021-2022 school year. A recording of the session is now available and you may click the button below to access it on Youtube.
Parent Coffee with Amy
Tuesday, September 21 | 8:30 AM
Hosted Virtually on Zoom

Each Tuesday, our Head of Schools, Amy Hollinger, hosts a recurring parent coffee session to address various topics relating to our schools, programs, and the safety of our students.

No RSVP is required for these parent coffees, but we will provide a question form each week in the Friday Letter to allow families to ask questions in advance. Click the button below to ask questions for next week's session.
2021 Arts Invitational
Things To Know - Read this section every week!
Co-ed Middle School Soccer Needs You! The middle school soccer team is in need of more players to join the team. This is a great opportunity for middle school students to get engaged and participate, regardless of their ability or history with soccer.

Please contact Coach Hollandsworth at LHollandsworth@RollingHillsPrep.org if you are interested! Go Huskies!
Policy Regarding All Student Absences and COVID Exposure Guideline Updates: We have published our policy and processes for excused student absences and we have updated our COVID Exposure Guidelines. You may find both policies on our Announcements and Events Details Page by clicking the button below.
After School Program - Signups Still Available: RHP students may still sign up for ASP by filling out the form linked below. Your tuition account will be billed for the services.
 
For Renaissance upper school students, ASP is already included in the tuition. For Renaissance middle school students, there is a separate fee structure, please contact Tanya Henderson at THenderson@RollingHillsPrep.org
Family Association - Volunteer Signups: Calling all volunteers! There are many opportunities to get involved with the Family Association at Rolling Hills Prep, Renaissance and REACH Schools. The Family Association works in partnership with the Schools to support our mission, and all parents and guardians are automatically a member. Even though parents are not physically on campus at this time due to COVID, there are many ways to connect and get involved. We welcome and encourage you to attend meetings and participate in whatever capacity works for you and your schedule. Volunteering is a great way to get to know the Husky community and your involvement in our events and activities, no matter how much time you are able to give, is greatly appreciated. Please let us know your area of interest by completing the volunteer form below.
The first Family Association meeting of the school year will take place Wednesday, October 13 at 5 pm on Zoom. An invite will be sent an hour before the event starts. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Sue Mathews at SMathews@RollingHillsPrep.org.
Purchase your yearbook and ads today - Early bird pricing ends 12/18: Don't forget to purchase your yearbook and yearbook ads from Balfour, the company that handles our printing. Books cost $90 until December 18 and prices will increase after that date. Additionally, you may purchase class rings and other items from their website.

Seniors - your yearbook is included in your Senior Package!
PE Uniforms - Extension: September 30 Order Deadline: New PE uniforms are here! All items can be ordered online and be delivered directly to your home via the One Stone Apparel link provided below.
 
The required attire will be shorts and a t-shirt, but there are also additional purchase options for Husky sweats, long-sleeved shirts, hoodies, and sweatshirts. The option to purchase PE attire will be available throughout the school year.

We understand that there is a delivery delay with our vendor and students are encouraged to bring shorts and a t-shirt for PE class until they arrive.
Service Learning: While students are not required to complete service-learning hours for the 2021-2022 school year, we still encourage them to participate in activities in which they can help others. Our service-learning webpage will be updated with events as they become available, and students should contact Rachel Rubin (rrubin@rollinghillsprep.org) if they find additional events that interest them.
Advisory and Grade Level Announcements
Weekly advisor letters are taking a different route this year and will be presented in the form of grade-level announcements in the Friday Letter each week. Please click the buttons below to see the general advisory update document and grade level updates.
Senior Speeches
Julia Ramirez

"We all faced uncertainty, and sometimes anxious moments, that brought about unforeseen hardships. But because we have a foundation of resilience, that steadfast mindset of getting through things despite those difficulties, we push through and we end up finding more layers within ourselves."
Counseling and Wellness Corner
Dear Parents and Guardians, 
 
We are thrilled to let you know about an exciting program taking place in your child’s classroom this school year! We have partnered with Rethink Ed to provide a methodical, research-based approach to social and emotional instruction during advisories in grades 5 through 11.  
 
Research clearly shows that social and emotional learning is a key component to positive outcomes in school. So much of students’ performance depends on their social equilibrium, their ability to build and maintain supportive relationships, and their ability to be healthy physically and psychologically. Schools that incorporate an emphasis on social and emotional education record markedly better outcomes and are better equipped to deal with a wide range of learning issues when they arise. The Rethink Ed SEL lessons and assessments focus on the Center for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning’s (CASEL’s) five core competencies that directly impact learning outcomes—self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.  
 
As part of this program, our advisors will be using a student self-assessment tool developed by the Educational Records Bureau (ERB). Students complete the assessment using a 5-point rating scale (Likert scale) for responses. 
 
Sample assessment questions include: 
  • I know how my teachers expect me to behave 
  • I work very well with other students 
  • I can concentrate in class for long periods of time 
  • When I feel sad or angry, I understand why I feel that way 
 
All assessment questions and scenarios are worded positively. Assessments are typically administered twice yearly. Often one in the fall and one in the spring. Assessments are untimed but typically take about 15 minutes to complete and will be completed on Wednesday, September 22nd during Advisory. Students with accommodations may take this assessment in the Testing Center with support. 
 
The purpose of the assessment is to identify which social and emotional skills our students have already learned and what skills they might still need to develop. Our goal is to ensure that our students are continuously developing the social and emotional skills that they need for lifelong success. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Christina Morse directly at the email address below.

Sincerely,
Christina Morse
Director of Counseling and Wellness
Rolling Hills Preparatory and Renaissance School | RollingHillsPrep.org | RenaissanceSAS.org