

Hawk News from the Principal
Week of February 12, 2024
Happy Lunar New Year!
Dear River Hill Families,
Today is Super Bowl Sunday, bringing with it a wave of excitement and anticipation for one of America's favorite sports events. This day is not just about football; it's a time when families and friends gather to enjoy the game, share food, and revel in the camaraderie that sports can bring. Super Bowl Sunday is a wonderful time to enjoy the spirit of competition and community. Let's make it a day that is memorable for all the right reasons—filled with joy, laughter, and safe, family-friendly fun.
This past week River Hill was fortunate to have been visited by two distinguished guests: the President of the National PTA, Ms. Yvonne Johnson and the President of the Freestate (Maryland) PTA, Mr. Gerrod Tyler. This memorable occasion provided a unique opportunity for our school community to showcase the exceptional efforts of our students, staff, and our very own PTA.
During their visit, the PTA Presidents met with our school’s PTA President, Ulrike Thompson and Treasurer, Cindy Newman, to engage in a meaningful dialogue about the incredible initiatives underway at River Hill. They discussed the various ways in which both the Freestate and National PTA could lend their support to amplify our school's efforts. It was a productive meeting that underscored our shared commitment to fostering an enriching educational environment for our children.
Following the meeting, we had the pleasure of taking our esteemed guests on a tour of our school. They were thoroughly impressed with facilities and the vibrant teaching and learning taking place in our classrooms. Their praise for our school's atmosphere, where every student is encouraged to explore, learn, and grow, was a testament to the hard work of our entire school community.
This visit was not only an opportunity to celebrate the current successes of River Hill but also to discuss future endeavors and how the support from both the National and Freestate PTA can further enhance our students' educational experiences. The positive feedback from the PTA Presidents has left us all feeling incredibly proud and motivated to continue our collaborative efforts in making our school a place where students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
I want to extend my deepest gratitude to our PTA President, Treasurer, and all PTA members for their unwavering support and dedication to our school. Your contributions make a significant difference in the lives of our students and in the spirit of our community.
Our student-athletes continue to make us proud with their dedication, spirit, and outstanding performances. This past month has been a whirlwind of excitement and achievement, particularly for our cheerleading squads and indoor track teams.
I had the immense pleasure of attending the Howard County Cheerleading Competition, where I witnessed our talented cheerleaders perform with exceptional skill and enthusiasm. Our Junior Varsity squad showcased their hard work and dedication, earning a well-deserved 3rd place, while our Varsity team demonstrated outstanding teamwork and precision, securing 4th place in the county.
The journey didn’t stop there; our Varsity cheerleaders advanced to the Regional Championships this past week, placing 6th among a highly competitive field. This achievement is a testament to their perseverance, teamwork, and the countless hours of practice they have dedicated. Congratulations to both our JV and Varsity cheerleading squads for a fantastic season. Your energy and commitment have truly paid off!
Our indoor track season has been nothing short of spectacular. At the county championships, our girls' team placed 3rd, showcasing the talent and determination that define River Hill athletics. The Regional Championships brought further success, with a host of our athletes qualifying for the state level. This is an incredible achievement and speaks volumes about the strength and depth of our team.
Congratulations to the following athletes who have qualified for states, and best of luck as you compete at the next level – we are still waiting for more results to know if others have qualified.
Karell Clement
Lauren Virmani
Marella Virmani
Nikita Mohan
Alyssa Mattes
Your hard work, dedication, and achievements inspire us all. As you prepare for the state championships, know that the entire River Hill community is cheering you on. We are incredibly proud of what you’ve accomplished and are excited to see you shine at states.
Congratulations to Charan Bala (11th grade) who was honored along with the other Maryland History Day award winners by Maryland Humanities at the State House in Annapolis. He was honored for his documentary about Black Wall Street. Charan got a chance to meet legislators on the state level and also got to take a private tour of the Senate Chamber led by Senator Clarence Lam!
Additionally, let’s congratulate senior Grace Li who is a Finalist in the WJZ Black History Oratory Competition. She will compete at Morgan State University on February 17th. The event will be livestreamed at 1 pm on CBS Baltimore. Best of luck Grace!
Lastly, as we step into the Lunar New Year, I am thrilled to extend my warmest wishes to all of you celebrating this significant and joyous occasion. This year, we usher in the Year of the Dragon, a symbol of strength, courage, and good fortune. It's a time for renewal, for setting aspirations for the year ahead, and for coming together with family and friends to mark the start of a promising new lunar cycle.
Walking through the halls of our beloved school, one cannot help but feel enveloped in the festive spirit, thanks to the beautiful decorations that adorn our building. These vibrant displays of reds and golds, dragons, lanterns, and couplets not only beautify our space but also serve as a bridge to the rich cultural heritage associated with the Lunar New Year. I am so grateful to our students, staff, and especially our parent community, whose efforts have transformed our school into a celebratory space that honors this important tradition.
This week, we look forward to the staff celebration organized by our parent community, a gesture that deeply touches us all. It is an opportunity for our staff to experience firsthand the cultural richness of the Lunar New Year, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for the diverse backgrounds that make up our school family. These moments of cultural exchange are invaluable, reinforcing our commitment to inclusivity and mutual respect.
The Lunar New Year is a reminder of the beauty that lies in new beginnings and the power of community. As we celebrate the Year of the Dragon, let us draw inspiration from its symbolism to approach the coming year with bravery, resilience, and optimism. May this new year bring you and your families happiness, health, and prosperity.
Thank you once again to everyone who has contributed to making our school a place where cultural traditions are celebrated and respected. Your involvement enriches our learning environment and brings us closer as a community.
Wishing you all a joyful and auspicious Lunar New Year!
Have a fantastic week!
Warmest regards,
Robert A. Motley
Principal
Junior Interview Volunteers Needed
Thursday, March 21, 2024 from 7:30 AM - 2:30 PM
The River Hill Student Services Office is recruiting community members to come in and interview our 11th grade students on Thursday, March 21, 2024 from 7:30 AM - 2:30 PM. This is a graduation requirement for all of our students in which they get to practice interviewing before a real-life job or college interview. We are looking for people across a wide variety of careers and backgrounds to come in and conduct these interviews. During the seven hours you are here you can expect to do between 10 and 15 interviews. The interviews usually last about 15 minutes and you will be given a list of questions to ask. The students will share their resumes, tell you about their background, interests, and goals, and then they will have an opportunity to ask you questions about your educational experience and career path. This is a great learning experience for students and will be very rewarding for you as well.
Coffee and light refreshments will be served in the morning starting at 7:00 AM, lunch will be served at 11:15 AM, and the interviews should be complete by the end of the school day at 2:30 PM. Please complete the RHHS Junior Interview Form if you are able assist the entire day on March 21st with the interviews. Thank you for your time and support of the Junior Interviews at River Hill High School.
SPRING SPORTS REGISTRATION
DUE BY: February 27 (DO NOT SEND DOCUMENTS VIA EMAIL; FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS)
1. Go to https://www.hcpss.org/connect/ *Do NOT use your Mobile Phone
2. Login to your HCPSS Connect Portal (Parents & Guardian MUST use the parental login. Using your students log in info. will not allow you to register); Once logged in, go to the menu on the left and click the bottom option More Options (Family File, Reports Cards, etc.). If you have more than one student make sure you have selected the student from the drop down menu at the top of the page.)
3. Click on Athletic Registration on the right hand side Menu, select the correct season: Spring;
4. Complete all of the forms: Parent Authorization Form, Sudden Cardiac Arrest Form, Concussion, please complete all additional documents. Do not skip or leave any boxes blank.
5. Physical Examination Form: Verification of an examination within 12 months of the tryout date (3/1/24) for the particular sport must be submitted in each academic year of participation. Upload ALL pages of the Physical Examination Form. Older physicals will not be accepted. https://www.hcpss.org/athletics/forms-and-guidelines/ (Physical Forms can be found here to bring to doctor’s office) If you are having trouble getting a doctor’s appointment try this: https://riverhill.membershiptoolkit.com/physicals
6. Upload a RECENT Utility bill (Dated January 1, 2024 OR later), it must be the actual bill. Older Utility bills will NOT be accepted. Utility examples: BGE, Water OR Cable Bill ONLY (Must match address the school has on file for enrollment).
**NO Cell Phone Bills, Mortgage Statements or Credit Card Bills will be accepted**
Common Errors: *For physical you enter the physical date for the upload to be successful*
· File size may be too big on downloads. Make sure document is under 4MB
· Just because forms have been submitted, that does not necessarily mean they have been accepted
· AAM will go through to ensure proper dates, signatures, boxes checked off, address matches Synergy address.
**Reminder Physicals for Athletics are different from those used to register to attend school. The Athletic Physical includes a Clearance without restrictions by Medical Staff.
Please, make sure physicals have all signatures (Parent/Guardian, Athlete, and Physician) before scanning and uploading.
**Returning Athletes-If a Student Athlete is returning from Fall to play Winter and/or Spring season and wants to use the fall physical, parent/guardian will need to click the checkbox (option to use physical on file dated) and save. Otherwise, it’ll wait for a new one to be uploaded. Reminder, returning athletes will still need to complete permission information and upload a new utility bill.
High School Athletic Registration – User Guide
Academic Eligibility for Athletics
For high school, a full-time student earns academic eligibility to participate in extracurricular activities by maintaining a 2.0 grade-point average (GPA), calculated using credit or non-credit courses, with no more than one failing grade for the marking period which governs eligibility for that activity.
*All Students: 2nd Quarter Grades are used for spring athletic eligibility
For sport-specific information, please see below. If you have general questions about the paperwork required for the winter sports season, please see below. Paperwork questions can be directed toward the head coach for each sport.
Allied Golf - Coach contact: Stephanie Stoutenborough at stephanie_stoutenborough@hcpss.org (Email for start date)
Allied Softball - Coach contact: Brian Van Deusen at brian_vandeusen@hcpss.org(Email for start date)
Baseball - Coach contact: Craig Estrin at bjbspecialties@erols.com
Boys' Lacrosse - Coach contact: Keith Gonsouland at keith_gonsouland@hcpss.org
Girls' Lacrosse - Coach contact: Amy Weinberg at amy_weinberg@hcpss.org
Outdoor Track & Field (Boys' & Girls') - Coach contact: Donnie Richmond at sprinterace1984@gmail.com & Ammera Schmidt at ammschmidt@gmail.com
Softball - Coach contact: Marni Rosenbaum at marni_rosenbaum@hcpss.org
Tennis (Boys' & Girls') - Coach contact: Kelley Pfefferkorn at kelley_pfefferkorn@hcpss.org
*What to Bring: Water bottle (large size), cleats/turf shoes (lacrosse/baseball/softball), sneakers/track shoes (tennis/track), athletic clothing for all; be prepared for outdoors and cold weather. Please contact your sport specific coaches for questions about equipment and scheduling.
*Anyone who is planning to try out for a team should be sure to check with sport specific coaches on schedules/details; once tryouts are completed, all teams will begin official team practices, scrimmages and then games. Spring sports participants should be prepared to potentially play during spring break as well. Refer to your coaches for scheduling details.
Mark Your Calendar
February 19 -- School Closed -- President's Day
March 13 -- School Closes 3 hours Early -- Wellness Day
March 25 - April 1 -- School Closed -- Spring Break
River Hill High School
Email: Robert_Motley@hcpss.org
Website: www.rhhs.hcpss.org
Location: 12101 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, MD, USA
Phone: (410) 313-7120