RHS Principal's Report for Oct. 15
By Ben Bruni, Principal

Community Excellence

This past week has seen a flourish of activity at Russellville Jr./Sr. High School! We had dignitaries from Kentucky State on campus for the opening of the RJSHS nationally recognized Aquaculture project. The Tobacco Festival brought many to the campus of the school, including many of the school’s highest achieving alumni. And in the halls, teachers and students returned from the Fall Break to “Get After It” as the second quarter of the school year got underway. In each of these instances, we had members of our faculty and our community who went the extra mile for Russellville and the students that it serves. It was a great week to be a Panther and here’s to an even better one this week!

Russellville Opens National Pilot Program Aquaculture Center with KSU

A who’s-who of dignitaries from Kentucky State University were on the campus of RJSHS on Thursday as the pilot program Aquaculture joint effort between RJSHS and KSU was unveiled and put up and running. The project, which involves the cultivation of fish and plants, incorporates numerous scientific and engineering aspects, all of which are student driven by the Science students at RJSHS.

The project which has been over a year in the making and a labor of love by RHS Science teacher Tanya Mullen as well as RJSHS Art teacher Chris Holloman and RHS English teacher Bethany Hargett-Slack, affords students hands-on work with science, fish and wildlife, horticulture, and connected arts. The project is a tremendous step in the direction of affording RJSHS students educational opportunities that are tied to real world professions as well as breaking from conventional classroom models.

The Return of Giants

Saturday afternoon saw the return of some of Russellville’s most legendary folks. The R Club honored the 50 Greatest Panther Football Players of All Time as well as the Greatest team of All Time and Greatest Coach of All Time. The school gym was filled with former Panther Greats, some of whom had gone on to be Marine Corps Generals, war heroes, doctors, lawyers, business owners, teachers, principals, and many, many more leadership roles across the country. The 1950 Panther team was named the Greatest Team of all Time while Ken Barrett was honored as the school’s Greatest Coach of All Time. 

Pizza! Pizza!

Several classrooms got a surprise on Friday when pizza arrived for them! The pizza reward was from the greatest amount of class-wide STAR reading test growth for the first quarter. This was another step in the on-going effort to emphasize the importance of reading at RJSHS as well as the importance of using STAR testing as a measurement tool.

Growth!!

RJSHS teacher Conrad Reding released his “Books Read” numbers for his five Read 180/System 44 classes…his students read and passed comprehension tests for an astounding 182 books in just nine weeks! Mr. Reding’s numbers reflect the reading and academic growth mindset that RJSHS faculty has come to preach on a regular basis to students.

Club Day this Friday

Students will participate in numerous club offerings this Friday. Club participation has become an important focus at RJSHS as the school looks to expand student learning and participation beyond the conventional boundaries of academics, arts, and athletics.

Archery Meeting

On Monday of this week (10/16), there will be an Archery meeting at 6pm in the school Cafeteria

Youth Rally at Rhea

This Wednesday evening at 6 p.m., The RJSHS FCA and First Priority clubs will host a Youth Rally at Rhea Stadium. The event will be held in conjunction with Campbellsville University and will feature student speakers from past and present.

FASFA Workshop

On Wednesday of this week, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m, Seniors will have the opportunity to work on FASFA applications for Fall 2018. For more information, parents can contact Guidance Counselor Rex Booth at rex.booth@russellville.kyschools.us

SBDM Meeting this Week

The RJSHS SBDM will meet this week in the Library at 4 p.m.

Sports Happenings

The Panther Football team won 41-6 over Fulton City this past Friday. The win moved the Panthers to a record of 6-2 and 2-0 in the District. The Panthers travel to Crittenden County this Friday to play for the District Championship. A win against Crittenden would afford Russellville Home Field for all four rounds of the State Playoffs.

Panther Soccer saw three members receive All District honors. Alexis Pacheco, Brandon Johns, and Luis Pacheco were all named to the All District Team.

On Saturday, the 8^th Grade Football Team closed out a tremendous football season on Saturday as they fell to Owensboro Catholic at Lindsey Wilson College.

Russellville Volleyball will play Franklin Simpson at 6:30 on Tuesday at Todd County Central in the opening round of the 13^th District Tournament.

Coach Ken Barrett wasn’t just a star for Russellville. The Caldwell County native was inducted this past week into the Caldwell County Athletic Hall of Fame. 

Student Expectations

All classrooms in Russellville JR/SR HS have been working on creating a universal understanding of the five fundamental expectations for students at Russellville. These are:

1.     Be Kind     

2.     Show Respect     

3.     Do the right thing.        

4.     Get after it.

5.     Rep RVK.

Calendar

What’s for Breakfast and Lunch this week?

BREAKFAST ITEMS SERVED DAILY: Pop Tart choices, Cereal choices, Strawberry Bagel w/Cream Cheese, Muffins, and Fruit.

Monday- Sausage Pancake on a Stick

Tuesday – Donut Holes or Mini Pancakes

Wednesday-Sausage & Biscuit w/Jelly

Thursday-Bacon, Egg and Cheese Burrito

Friday-French Toast Sticks w/ Syrup

Lunch Menu