SUNDAY LETTER - SEPTEMBER 6, 2015
MESSAGE FROM HEAD OF SCHOOL
Welcome, and Welcome Back
 
It's been a week of both "bon voyages" and of "bonjours" as members of the most recent graduating class have been dropping by for one last chat before heading off to colleges and universities across the country, and as we say hello and hello again to new and returning RHP and Renaissance families beginning the 2015-2016 school year.
  • Rolling Hills Prep prides itself on being a forward looking, academically rigorous college-prep school with a soul.
  • Renaissance believes that bright students who learn differently can rise to great heights when they become empowered and confident.
At both schools we work in partnership with parents to develop in our students the "Four Pillars" of Disciplined Minds, Sound Character, Healthy Bodies, and Creative Spirits. And many more details of how we intend to achieve that this year will be forthcoming at the September 16th Grade Level Parent Night and Back to School Night on September 24th. These two nights combine to give you the full picture and all the details of what we do both inside and (just as importantly) outside our classrooms.
 
I am very much looking forward to working with you and your family this year. We often say, "Once a Husky, always a Husky," and whether you are just joining the Husky family or have been with us for many years, I extend a warm welcome to RHP's 34th year and Renaissance's 12th. We hope our relationship is both long and fruitful for you and your children.
 
Go Huskies!
 
Peter McCormack
Head of School
OUR NEW RENAISSANCE WEBSITE
MEET OUR NEW TEACHERS AND STAFF
This year, we are asking the students to push themselves, to try things they haven't tried, and to fail. When we met with Student Council, they challenged us to do the same thing... To introduce themselves to the students, the new faculty and staff were asked to rap. Check out the video here.
  
PICTURE DAY IS SEPTEMBER 10 AND 17

PICTURE DAY IS COMING UP! 

Boys:
Jackets, button-down collared shirts and ties.
 
Girls: Dresses or blouses. No plunging necklines or spaghetti straps are allowed. No bra straps showing and no bare shoulders.
 
All: No flannels, rips, or tears. This will be monitored.
 
Grades 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9
Thursday, Sept. 10 - Lunch and Y Block
 
Grades 10, 11, and 12
Thursday, Sept. 17 - Lunch and Y Block

This form must be filled out and payment made on Picture Day in order to receive your photographs.  
 
These photos are for the yearbook and ID's. Don't miss out! And don't forget to ...
 
SMILE!
MY BACKPACK
My Backpack is our new student information system that we introduced this summer. Instructions for logging on and using the system are forthcoming. Stay tuned!
PEER TUTORING
We are starting up a math peer tutoring program this year! If you are an eligible junior or senior, you can get service hours for being a peer tutor. If you are interested in getting tutored in math, you have to commit to working with a tutor once a week during an X or Y block.  Stop by Ms. Karp's room, 18b, for more information, or email her at lkarp@rollinghillsprep.org.
HUMAN SERVICES ORGANIZATION
LAST CALL for any junior interested in the Human Services Organization class offered before school this year. Please see Mr. Maher on Monday if you are interested.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Hello Parents,
As we begin our first week of PE, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Mrs. Alejandre and I am the Physical Education Director for both schools. If you have any questions in regards to PE classes and applying for exemption, feel free to email me. As we move into the first week of PE, I highly encourage your son/daughter to have two pairs of PE uniforms, a comfortable pair of running shoes, and a water bottle.

Looking forward to a great year. Thank you!
 
Mrs. Alejandre 

OUTDOOR EDUCATION
RHP and Renaissance are committed to providing a well-rounded curriculum and school experience for students as stated in the schools' Missions.  To this end, the School has scheduled an off-campus experience for all students 5th-12th grades during the week of October 5th - 8th..  The School contracts with outdoor/experiential education organizations to lead each program. School faculty and staff accompany the students as active participants and chaperones. Attendance is required for graduation.

Visit our website for more information and packing lists.
PERFORMING ARTS OFFERINGS
WE WANT TO YOU TO PLAY!!!
FALL PLAY - What's it going to be? Something that works for the numbers that sign up!  It's the old chicken and egg question! Sign up in Mrs. Goodspeed's classroom (28B) if you are interested. First meeting in Tuesday, 9/9 at 3:30pm. This does not obligate you, but puts you on the list to receive information about auditions, rehearsals, and performances

Chorus - Meets twice a week during G period (yes, you may miss P.E.!)  First meeting is Wednesday, 9/9, G block in the Music Room (28A). See Ms. Graue for details.

Voice- Meets twice a week during G period. Juniors and Seniors only.  See Ms. Graue for details!

Symphonic Band - First meeting Tuesday, 9/8, G Block in the Music Room (28A). See Ms. Lee for details.

Garage Band - Be a Rock Star!  First meeting Tuesday, 9/8, X block Music Room (or G block Drama room). See Ms. Lee for more info.

Beginning Band - Learn to play!  First meeting Thursday, 9/10, G Block in the Music Room.  See Ms. Lee for more details.

Email for questions:
Sheryl Goodspeed: sgoodspeed@rollinghillsprep.org
Cheryl Graue: cgraue@rollinghillsprep.org
Sammi Lee: slee@rollinghillsprep.org

MUSIC DEPARTMENT
1. First rehearsal schedule
Chorus - Wednesday, 9/9 G block
Symphonic Band - Tuesday, 9/8 G block
Beginning Band - Thursday, 9/10 G block
Garage Band - Tuesday, 9/8 X block

2. Instrument Demonstration
X block on Tuesday, 9/8 in MPR is an instrument demonstration. All middle school and interested upper school students are welcome!

3. Instrument donation
Attention to ex-rock, jazz and classical musicians! We always welcome any instrument donations! We are specially looking for world percussions, congas, guiros and other percussions (drum and high hat, cymbals).

If you have any questions, please contact Sammi Lee: slee@rollinghillsprep.org
SERVICE LEARNING OPPORTUNITY: COASTAL CLEANUP DAY

All Upper School students are required to complete 30 hours of service learning (community service) per year. Middle School students are required to complete 15 hours of service learning per year, including participation in several opportunities on campus. If you have any questions about service learning, contact Heather Ramirez or Yesela Tadeo.

Coastal Cleanup Day 2015
On Saturday, September 19, 9am-12pm, more than10,000 volunteers from all over Southern California will do their part to clean up their local beaches, rivers, creeks and parks. And that's just part of the picture: Coastal Cleanup Day happens all around the world-last year, it drew over 600,000 participants!

Here in L.A., Heal the Bay is proud to host over 50 cleanup sites from Malibu to Pasadena, so it's easy to participate even if you don't live near the beach. Heal the Bay seeks volunteers of all ages and physical abilities. No special equipment or experience is necessary.
 
Middle Schoolers: There is no age requirement for this event, although anyone under 13 needs to have adult supervision for the duration of the event.

All volunteers must fill out a liability waiver.

There are sites in Palos Verdes, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, and Long Beach. Click here to view the interactive map.

To volunteer for this event, contact Heather Ramirez at hramirez@rollinghillsprep.org by September 11.
AMAZON ASSOCIATE PROGRAM
We are very excited to introduce the Amazon Associate Program. By using our link to shop on Amazon, we are able to earn a referral fee for every purchase you make. You will still have to log into your Amazon account as usual but please use this link to search for items on Amazon! Feel free to share this with your friends and family!

Click here to search on Amazon.

SAVE THE DATE: MARY POPPINS
Cheryl Graue and Sammi Lee are organizing a group trip to see Mary Poppins at the Norris Theater where alumnus Mitchell Turner, RHP '12, is performing in the ensemble. Information regarding ticket ordering and transportation to follow soon.

Mary Poppins
Saturday, September 26, 2 p.m.
A Musical based on the stories of P.L. TRAVERS and the WALT DISNEY Film
Original Music and Lyrics by RICHARD M. SHERMAN and ROBERT B. SHERMAN
Book by JULIAN FELLOWES
New Songs and Additional Music and Lyrics by GEORGE STILES and ANTHONY DREWE
Co-Created by CAMERON MACKINTOSH
Produced by JAMES W. GRUESSING, JR.
Direction and Choreography by TONY MANSKER
Musical Direction by JARED SCOTT
Stage Managed by CHRIS WARREN MURRY

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INSIDE THE CLASSROOM: MR. FLAMINI'S GOV/ECON
Students were required to read and accumulate information pertaining to an assigned country that settled in the New World. After being given a couple minutes to review their homework, students, from memory, were required to match the colonization characteristics with their appropriate country. The ultimate goal was to look at the similarities and differences in the colonization of North America and how those similarities ultimately led to the French and Indian War, resulting ultimately in the American Revolution and formation of United States government.

Mr. Flamini asked students to submit their responses via text which were then projected onto the screen.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
In Friday's Middle School Music Class, it was "Show Your Instrument Day." Here is Amara demonstrating her cello to the class.

Middle school summer reading activities included poem journaling.



Friday Renaissance class



Summer reading activties



Orientation/BBQ







Check out our Facebook to see more pictures.
UPCOMING EVENTS
SCHOOL EVENTS
ATHLETICS
September 7
Labor Day
(No School, Office Closed)

September 9
First Day of ASP

September 9, 6-7:30pm
12th Grade College Night
(Parents Only)
MPR

September 10
Picture Day (Grades 5-9)

September 14-15
No Homework Night (Rosh Hashana)

September 16, 6pm
Grade Level Parent Meeting (Grades 5-11)

September 17
Picture Day (Grades 10-12)

September 18
Final Add/Drop Day (Upper School)
September 11, 3:30pm
Boys' Varsity Football vs. Crossroads, Gaudenti Field

September 12, 8am
Cross Country: Running Brave Invitational @ Santa Fe Dam Rec Area

September 15, 4:30pm
Cross Country Meet @ Cheviot Hills Park

September 17, 7pm
Girls' Varsity Volleyball vs. CAMS @ CSUDH

September 18, 3:30pm
Boys' Varsity Football @ Westmark

September 22, 3:15pm
Girls' JV Volleyball vs. Hawthorne Math & Science @ Betty Ainsworth Rec Center

September 22, 4:15pm
Girls' Varsity Volleyball vs. Hawthorne Math & Science @ Betty Ainsworth Rec Center
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Rolling Hills Prep School prides itself on being a forward-looking,
academically rigorous college-prep school with a soul.
 
Renaissance School believes that bright students who learn differently can rise to
great heights when they become empowered and confident.

Rolling Hills Preparatory and Renaissance Schools
One Rolling Hills Prep Way | San Pedro, CA 90732
T: 310-791-1101 | F: 310-373-4931