RIO MESA HIGH SCHOOL
SPARTAN UPDATE
September 30, 2016
BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT was well-attended on Tuesday,
September 27, at 6:45 p.m., in the quad. Principal Mark Contreras
welcomed guests, parents, students, faculty and staff. The
Spartan Marching Band, Cheer, and Mariachi performed for the
audience. The evening activities provided parents an opportunity
to acquaint themselves with faculty and visit classes during which
course content, instructional standards, and grading systems
were described
Special thanks to Board Member Wayne Edmonds, Assistant Superintendent Thomas McCoy, Director Child Welfare & Attendance /Truancy
Ray Gonzales, for their attendance.
ASB/LINK CREW – Link Crew treated RMHS teachers, staff and working adults to Kona Ice on Monday and Tuesday. Homecoming
Nominations went out this week and voting will take place in October for Homecoming Court! The theme for this year’s Homecoming
is “A Night in Disguise“- dance will be held on October 22. ASB held a Homecoming Expo on Friday during lunch. Dresses generously
donated from Miss Congeniality in Newbury Park and tuxes came to us from Friar Tux in Oxnard… Carl Melhorn, ASB Director/Link Crew
Coordinator/Peer Resource Advisor
LOCAL TEACHER’S 101 WAYS TO DEAL WITH STRESS GOES VIRAL – RMHS Teacher Brett Phillips was
recently featured by CBS…”Brett Phillips, a teacher at Rio Mesa High School in Oxnard, helps his students cope with
their most demanding, stress-inducing year…” http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/video/category/spoken-word-kcbstv/3550636-local-teachers-101-ways-to-dealwith-stress-goes-viral/
ENGLISH - The English1, 2 and 3CP classes have begun the writing program. Students have shown improvement from last year, and the instructions
have gone much more smoothly than year one. Well done, English teachers! In addition, the ERWC teachers are following the same writing plan,
while they prepare their students for their future college writing assessments…Ms. Joan C. O'Reilly
CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION – Hospitality & Marketing Academy – Guest Speaker Marissa
Vanderwyck, Courtyard Marriott (Oxnard) Director of Sales shared her background and how she came to be
in her career. She also discussed Market Segmentation in Hotel Sales, which was the topic covered in the
class prior to her visit…Mary Wayne, CTE Department Chair
COUNSELING – Counselors Kristene Kenney, Stephanie Ceballos, Carri McDevitt and Maricela Solano attended the California Student Aid
Commission (CSAC) Workshop at Oxnard College on Wednesday, September 28, to learn the latest in California financial aid programs.
Counselors Maricela Solano and Cuba Montero attended the CSU Counselors’ Conference in Pasadena on Thursday, September 29…Cuba
Montero, Mentor Counselor
SPECIAL PROGRAMS - Annual English Learner Meeting and Title 1 Meetings were held on Tuesday, September 27, from 5:45 to 6:20
p.m., in the cafeteria. School Site Council Parent Elections for the 2016-2018 cycle were held at Back to School Night on Tuesday,
September 27. Three new SSC Parent Members are Leslie Mitsuuchi, Christy Morey and Heidi Zahrt. Congratulations and thank you! Cuba
Montero, Special Programs Counselor
COLLEGE AND CAREER CENTER – College and Career Center Tech Sally Anderson attended presentation by the California Student Aid
Commission at Oxnard College on Wednesday, September 28, which covered financial aid updates and new changes to the FAFSA (Free
Application for Federal Student Aid). On Thursday, September 29, she attended the California State University High School Counselors
Conference at the Pasadena Convention Center. She attended various sessions and about such topics as new majors offered at CSU
campuses and how best to assist students with the application process. She also attended the CSU College Fair and gathered brochures and
materials to have on hand for RMHS students. ..Sally Anderson, College and Career Center Tech
UPCOMING EVENTS
DISTRICT SUPPER PROGRAM
Starts – Monday, October 3rd!
Rio Mesa Cafeteria offers free meals to anyone 18-years of age and younger
3:30 to 5 p.m. Shelley Ragland, Cafeteria Manager
LATE BUS - Departure Monday – Thursday from RMHS at 4:35 p.m., from front main office
ZAP (Zeroes Aren’t Permitted)
8:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. - Library
Work on homework, computer research, make-up quizzes & tests
Meet with group to plan and complete class projects or study for tests
Seniors work on college and scholarship applications and essays…David Gonzalez
ELD TUTORING AVAILABLE - MONDAY - THURSDAY - LIBRARY - 3:15 TO 4:15 P.M.
CLEDT TESTING DATES - OCTOBER 4, 5, 6 AND OCTOBER 11, 12, 13
HIGHER EDUCATION WEEK (HEW) College Events for Seniors - October 5 and 6 – Maricela Solano Lopez
NAVIANCE TRAINING (College Applications) for Seniors - October 5 and 7
PSAT TESTING – OCTOBER 19 – MINIMUM DAY SCHEDULE
All students in grades 9-11 will be taking the PSAT - Seniors will participate in Senior Activities
Please support college awareness by wearing your college gear!
FINANCIAL AID & PARENT PRESENTATION ON FAFSA 7 DREAM ACT – OCTOBER 20 – 6 – 7 P.M., RMHS LAB 25 & 34….Maricela Solano Lopez
SAT AND ACT TEST DATES AND REGISTRATION DEADLINES
SAT test on November 5 has a registration deadline of October 7
SAT test on December 3 has a registration deadline of November 3
Re-register at: http://sat.collegeboard.org/register?excmpid=MTG172ST-1-reg
ACT test on October 22 has a registration deadline of September 16
Act test on December 10 has a registration deadline of November 4
Register at: www.actstudent.org/start