RHS Principal's Report for Nov. 19
By Ben Bruni, Principal

STAR Testing Benchmark Date on the Horizon

It’s no secret that RJSHS has gone all in on reading and math, and the STAR Test is the baseline the school is using to measure student-by-student progress. Every three weeks, many of RJSHS’s students take a progressional STAR test in reading and math to gage how they are doing. But, in two weeks, students will take the benchmark STAR Test in reading and math. These benchmark tests occur just three times throughout the year and have shown themselves to be valuable scores when analyzing and predicting reading and math proficiency as well as for developing individual student plans of action for these two areas. Dec. 4 is GAME TIME for RJSHS students! 

More Success from the RJSHS Band

Over the past two weekends of auditions for all District Band at both the Middle School and High School levels, the RJSHS Band under the direction of Brian Brown and Trevor Cardwell had 25 students audition with 16 making it in or as an alternate. That's number reflects a huge jump over the last several years for the RJSHS Band Program. Below is a list of those who were selected:

7th-8th Grade All-District Band members:

Candace Baker-4th bass clarinet

Anna Ragland-14th clarinet

Jennifer Wilkerson-11th flute

Taylor Corbin-1st alternate alto saxophone

Gracie Ann Beard-2nd alternate alto saxophone. 

9-10 Grade All-District Band members:

Madison Hyams-5th flute

Myduyen Tran-9th flute

Brandy West-16th clarinet

Noah Brown-4th euphonium & 6th trombone (He chose trombone.)

11-12 Grade All-District Band members:

Ashlee Gilbert-9th flute

Lucy Wilkinson-alternate flute

Kyran Williams-1st tenor sax

Adam Williams-9th trumpet

Austin Coursey-alternate

Brandon Johns-2nd euphonium

Zach Baker-3rd euphonium

SCK Launch Success

All of Russellville Middle School’s 8^th graders traveled to Bowling Green on Thursday of last week to participate in the SCK Launch put on by the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce and aimed at exposing students to the many professions available through career and tech ed. Pathways. This year’s SCK Launch saw more than 3,000 area students get to interact with surgical procedure demos, heavy machinery, drones, medical and health care fields, and many, many more exciting career paths. The event hosted over 40 professional career tracks, all featuring hands-on opportunities for students.

FBLA to New Orleans

Russellville Area Technology Center teacher Paulette Smith and several Russellville students headed down to the Big Easy this past week to take part in a national Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) convention. Students were able to participate in numerous FBLA activities as well as touring the French Quarter, enjoying some creole cuisine, and seeing the many sites of one of America’s most unique cities. Students who participated were Shailyn Milan, Aracely Soto-Gomez, Chloe Whitescarver, Chloe Shumate, Makayla Jefferson and Tonisha Hampton.

Future Teachers Head to Stevenson Elementary

Led by RISD Instructional Coach Sara Jennings, RHS students have a new pathway to career education. The Teacher Learning class that works through Murray State University is designed to give aspiring teachers an opportunity to learn about the profession long before they enter college. RHS is piloting the program and this year’s students got their first taste of life inside a classroom as they traveled to Stevenson Elementary to work with students there. The students currently participating in this program are: Tess Belamy, Taryn Gray, Morgan Gresham, Zay Evans, Hayley Hardesty, Carson Kash, Denarria Terry, Dominic Watson and Halle York

Aquaponics Ready to Harvest

Mrs. Tanya Mullen, Mr. Chris Holloman, and Mrs. Bethany Hargett-Slack’s vision of a fully functional aquaponics took another step in the right direction. The seeds that were planted just a month ago when the aquaponics lab launched have yielded fresh produce that is now ready for harvest. The project, which is a collaborative initiative with Kentucky State University, utilized the food cycle and scientific design to keep a continuous circle of life between fish, water, nitrogen, soil, and produce.

Student Ambassadors Inducted

Russellville’s Student Ambassador Program inducted its newest members this past week. In a ceremony with friends, family, and parents, RHS and RMS students who were selected for their outstanding leadership qualities and who completed the application submission and selection process were inducted into the Ambassador program. The program is a means by which RJSHS students provide student-led intimation and public-relations services to the city of Russellville as well as to surrounding Logan Co. businesses and enterprises. The program is now being headed by RHS teacher Juli Link and RMS teacher Heather Osborne with oversight by RHS Assistant Principal Cameron Jackson.

Below is a list of the 2017-2018 Panther Ambassadors.

Dillon Porter Signs with Brescia

On Friday, RHS had its first college athletics commitment of the 2017-18 school year, and what a special one it was! Dillon Porter signed to play baseball with Brescia in front of a full Library full of friends and family. The pitcher and first baseman will be a utility player for the Bearcats and will likely have a chance to pitch as well. Dillon’s story is particularly special given that just three years ago he was diagnosed with cancer. For two years he foug,ht it off, all the while maintaining his 4.0 GPA and participation in many organizations. Now cancer-free, Dillon is a multi-sport athlete, a member of the heralded RHS Marching Band, and participates in the National Honor Society, Beta Club, and Student Ambassadors program. As if that wasn’t enough, Dillon also takes classes at SKYCTC in Franklin, already earning several college credit hours while in high school. Congrats to Dillon!

Sports Happenings______

Upcoming Fall Sport Banquets

RHS Volleyball – Monday, November 20^th, Time TBA

RMS Football – Monday, December 4^th, 5:30pm, Russellville HS Cafeteria

Russellville Swimming participated in a Swim Invitational at Hopkinsville High School. Several Panther Swimmers set personal records during the meet. Miguel Ramirez clocked in the 50 Free at 40.34. Lupe Ramirez and Cole Celsor recorded personal bests in the 50 free, and Katie Ray Holloman did her part, earning 9 points for the team in the 50 Free Women’s. Katie Ray also took home 3 points with her performance in the 100 Free Women’s. For the men in the 100 Free, Lupe Ramirez earned the team a point while Cole Celsor earned 4 with his 1:02:99 time.   

Middle School Girls Basketball moved to 3-0 on the season with a big win over Franklin Simpson. The Boys Middle School program dropped a tough one to Drakes Creek but played well, especially given having to deal with a rash of injuries. Both teams travel to Todd County on Monday to take on Todd County Middle School.  

Russellville Cheerleaders, both the high school and the junior high teams, finished third in regional competition Saturday.

High School Basketball is underway and both the girls and boys programs scrimmage this week. The boys travel to Murray High School to scrimmage at 6pm on Tuesday, while the Girls travel to Metcalfe Co. on that same day to play at 6pm.

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 (NO SCHOOL)

Thursday-Bacon, Egg and Cheese Burrito (NO SCHOOL)

Friday-French Toast Sticks w/ Syrup (NO SCHOOL

Lunch Menu