SUNDAY LETTER - SEPTEMBER 13, 2015
MESSAGE FROM HEAD OF SCHOOL
My BackPack
 
Our new assignment and grade management system, My Backpack, is up and running. I encourage you to use the portal to keep an eye on your son's or daughter's progress. Teachers post homework and other assignments on My Backpack. Instructions for accessing the system are below. Students have already received instructions on how to use the system, and every student now has an RHP or Renaissance email address that allows them access. Codes that might spur conversations at home include M, which means an assignment is missing, or NTI, which means it has not been turned in. "M" counts as zero until the assignment is turned in under the teacher's timeline guidelines. NTI does not count as zero but still needs to be turned in.
 
I am looking forward to seeing all grade 5-11 parents at this coming Wednesday's Grade Level Parent Night here on campus. The evening, which begins with a meal at 6:00 p.m., focuses on "everything except academics" on our campus: the upcoming outdoor education trips, advisory communications, Parent Association events, etc. Most importantly the evening provides an opportunity to connect with other parents, new and returning, in your grade.
 
Peter McCormack
Head of School
MY BACKPACK
There is also a link to My BackPack on the front page of both the RHP and Renaissance websites.

Username
Returning families logged into My BackPack to submit re-enrollment contracts. New families logged into My BackPack to submit applications. Therefore, your username and password should be set up. The username should be your first initial and last name (Example: hramirez). 

Password
If you have forgotten your password, click the "I Forgot My Username/Password" link and follow the instructions.

If you are still having trouble logging in, contact Yesela Tadeo at ytadeo@rollinghillsprep.org.

Academic Info
Once you are logged in, you can check your student's homework assignments and comments from teachers as shown in this photo.


Contact Information To update your contact information, click on Enrollment/Re-Enrollment under the My Forms/Documents menu. Please make sure that your email addresses and phone numbers are correct.  
NO ASP ON MONDAY
Monday is a no homework night in observation of Rosh Hashana.
Therefore, there is no ASP on Monday. 
NO PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES, BOXED WATER IS BETTER!

For several years now, we have banned disposable plastic bottles on campus. Their manufacture and disposal are very bad for the environment. Kelly's Korner has started using eco-friendlier water boxes, so you may now order water with Kelly's lunches again. Even better... provide your child with a reusable bottle to fill up from the cooled water fountains on school and reduce the carbon footprint to almost zero.
PICTURE DAY
PICTURE DAY FOR GRADES 10-12 IS ON THURSDAY

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.
  
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!
WHO'S THAT TRAFFIC GUY?
That's RHP parent/alumni parent Mike Collins directing traffic for us each and every morning. Mike helps keep traffic flowing, most importantly off of the street and smoothly onto campus and relies on everyone's courteous cooperation to keep things running efficiently and safely.
 
Morning traffic guidelines are as follows:




  • All vehicles must CLEARLY DISPLAY an RHP or Renaissance decal on the back of the car. This is a city requirement. ("Clearly display" does not mean behind tinted glass)
  • There is no drop-off or pick up on the street, and please do not cut through side streets on the other side of PV Drive North to get to school. Also a city requirement.
  • Drive slowly on campus. "Drive as if your son or daughter goes to school here!"
  • Grade 8-12 drop-off is in front of the flagpole. Resist the temptation to let students out before the double gates as this backs up traffic behind you.
  • Grade 5-7 drop off can be in the West Wing parking lot if preferred (draw up parallel to the curb, ignoring the parking lines, so that you do not then have to back into oncoming traffic).
  • If you need to park and get out before 8:00 a.m., then do so in the main lot or behind the football posts so we can keep the West Wing lot clear for drop-off.
  • Turn RIGHT ONLY out of the campus onto PV Drive North.
There are two main times for afternoon pickup:
  • 3:30 p.m. (except Friday, which is 2:15 for middle school and 2:30 for upper school): Wait in the football field or West Wing lots. Have your student meet you there or text you from the flagpole. No vehicle queuing by the flagpole. Immediate pickup only (the student is right there waiting to hop in).
  • 5:15 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays for those in the After School Program. Pickup from the flagpole, the main lot, or (for grades 5-7) West Wing lot.
Thank you for your cooperation in making traffic on and around campus legal, efficient, and safe. 
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.
ROBOTICS BEGINS 2015-2015 WITH INCREASED NUMBERS
The success of the robotics teams in last year's competition has created great energy for the 2015-2016 robotics season. Our numbers have increased from 18 participants in the First Tech Challenge to 27 students at this point. The robotics program encourages students to consider STEM careers and solve real-life challenges. Students interact with professional engineers in the robotics program and we are open to having any RHP parent volunteer in our program. We could use the help of engineers, computer programmers, or any parent who wants to take part in an amazing program. If you are interested, please email Bob Cloer at bcloer@rollinghillsprep.org.
 
MEET THE LEADERS OF THE PARENT ASSOCIATION

Hi! My name is Robyne Freels and I currently have a son, Ian Grindle, 10th grade, in his 3rd year at Renaissance and a daughter, Kennedy Grindle, 8th grade, is in her second year at Rolling Hills Prep. I also have a 24 year old daughter who lives in Bend, Oregon. I have been an active volunteer since 2013 as a GAP, Hospitality Coordinator, Social Coordinator and love selling pizza on Mondays.
Hi, my name is Shari Runnells and I have been a part of the Husky Family since 2008. I currently have a daughter, Sierra, in upper school as a freshman and a recent graduate, Gary, who is attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, majoring in mechanical engineering. I am very active in our community and some of my previous involvement includes pizza Mondays, helping hands and last year's 12th Grade GAP.
 
We are looking forward to a successful and fun year! Feel free to contact us anytime at parentassociation@rollinghillsprep.org.
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.
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.
SERVICE LEARNING OPPORTUNITY: PEDAL FOR PUCKS

On Sunday, September 20, the LA Kings and Cycle House are sponsoring Pedal for Pucks, an indoor cycling fundraiser benefiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Five Huskies have volunteered to participate!

Team RHP and Renaissance School Huskies

Christopher Kent

Estefani Hernandez

Isabella Berouty

Mia Ek

Skylar Holcombe


Our team will be cycling from 9am-2pm at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo. You can earn service learning hours by going to the event and cheering on our team! There will be festivities inside and outside the venue and some of the Kings' players will be there. You can earn up to 3 hours of service for attending the event.

To sign up to go to this event, please contact Heather Ramirez at hramirez@rollinghillsprep.org by Thursday, September 17.

Also, you can support our team by donating on their team page.
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.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow us on social media for announcements and pictures!

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
Toilet paper timeline in Renaissance

Hanging out at break

Working on the Nature Walk

Alumnus Josh Caine poses by his class's senior gift with Alumni Director Brian Knigin during his visit to campus on September 11

Our football team was introduced at the Pep Rally on Friday

First home football game











Check out our Facebook to see more pictures.
SENIOR SPEECH: AMBER PATTERSON
Now let me start off by saying that, when sitting down to write this speech, I drew a blank. I absolutely had no idea what to write about. But I thought about it, and I feel most senior speeches consist of a life lesson or an experience someone went through that was life changing. Me? I am a pretty basic white girl, or so I've been told about a million times. I have never gone through something tragic or traumatic that made me a different person than who I am today. I've always been the goof ball who says what's on her mind without thinking it through beforehand. I've always loved to burp and blow it on Emily who is sitting next to me in class, just to see her reaction. It never gets old.  I absolutely would die to have a Mini Cooper and am in love with food. My parents rag on me constantly because I'll be in the middle of breakfast and am already in the process of planning lunch and dinner. The money I spent at Gen and Paradise Bowls probably could have funded a small country. Some people may think all these things I love are silly and stupid or maybe even childish, but I love the person I am and am pleased with the person I am becoming...

Click here to read the rest of Amber's speech.  
UPCOMING EVENTS
SCHOOL EVENTS
ATHLETICS
COLLEGE COUNSELING
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 19
Service Learning: Coastal Clean Up Day

September 20
Service Learning: Pedal for Pucks

September 22
Field Trip: 10th Grade Art Students to LACMA

September 24
Back to School Night
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
September 14
Rep. Visit: Concordia, 9am

Rep Visit: Marymount California University, 12:30pm

September 18
Rep. Visit: Washington University, 1pm

September 22
Rep. Visit: Augustana College, 9:30am
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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