TITAN TALK

Hello, Titan Community!

The 2024-25 school year is nearly upon us and, believe it or not, it's time to fully prepare for success!

We are working diligently, at the building level, and look forward to our students' arrival for the first day of school on Thursday, August 15th.

Students: set your minds on making the most of the year by establishing actionable academic goals, getting involved through our numerous extracurricular activities, and attending as many school events as possible throughout the year. The more you put into YOUR school year, the greater YOUR enjoyment and the more significant YOUR accomplishments!

Families: read through this newsletter carefully as it is a wonderful starting point for you toward assisting your Titan(s) in preparations for the 2024-25 school year. Thanks, too, for taking an active role in supporting their high school experience. From our amazing PTSO to our awesome booster organizations and more, several excellent opportunities are available for you to get involved.

See you soon and GO TITANS!!!

Josh Whitlow, Principal

Along with the Classes of 2025, 2026, and 2027, we are excited to have you join our #TitanCommunity!!!

Stay on top of what is happening at HVHS by giving us a follow on Instagram using @hvhstitans. While it is impossible to cover all activities at all times, we work hard to share as much as we can on a frequent basis!

Give our Titan Athletics Department a follow on X using @HVTitanSports to stay "in the know" where our athletic programs are concerned. Again, we cannot cover all activities at all times but work hard to give you a good sense of our student-athletes and their exciting athletic accomplishments throughout the year.

NOTE: links to both accounts are found below!

Our TITAN TRAITS are the foundation for success at HVHS and the vast majority of Titans do the right thing and make HVHS a better school.

Do YOUR part: demonstrate YOUR Titan Traits and positively contribute to OUR school climate EVERY DAY!

We encourage you to stop by and get ahead of the beginning of school rush during our Business Days set for Monday, July 29th through Thursday, August 1st as well as Monday, August 5th and from 8am to 4pm! Doing so allows you to pay fees early and, therefore, gain early access to your child's DRAFT class schedule* before the first day of school!

If stopping by to pay fees early, be sure to complete this School Fees Form. All student drivers who intend to park on school grounds must complete this Parking Application as well as purchase a parking permit. BCAT students have a separate fee for a parking permit.

Checks should be made payable to Hidden Valley High and online payments are also taken using SchoolCash Online. Information is available below for using SchoolCash Online.

*Class schedules are subject to change as we continue to balance classes and personnel needs. Additionally, draft schedules are not available until materials and equipment from prior years are returned or payment for those items is made. Examples include, but are not limited to: textbooks, library books, and laptop equipment. See Mr. Jablonski, HVHS Assistant Principal, should you have questions.

You bet! Roanoke County Public Schools will continue to use SchoolCash Online for the paying of fees online.

Visit HERE to get started with your online payment(s). You will find access to a quick startup guide, frequently asked questions, helpdesk, and link to SchoolCash Online.

NOTE: The vendor charges 10 cents per school item as well as a 4% processing fee per transaction. This is not a school fee.

Students who pay online will need to print verification and bring it to HVHS in order to pick up a draft 2024-25 schedule.

Students MAY NOT pick up a draft 2024-25 schedule if they have outstanding fees, school materials, and/or equipment to include, but not limited to: textbooks, library books, and laptop equipment.

See Mr. Jablonski, HVHS Assistant Principal, if you have questions about outstanding school materials and/or equipment.

Primary fees for the 2024-25 school year include:

School-Based Fees

PE uniform shirt only (see below): $6.95

PE uniform shorts only (see below): $8.95

PE uniform shirt and shorts (see below): $15.90

*Class dues grades 9 through 11: $15

*Class dues grade 12: $25

^Student parking high schools: $40

^Student parking BCAT: $15

All students taking physical education courses will be required to wear a gym suit provided by the school at the costs detailed above OR provide comparable clothing that meets the following criteria: gray crew neck t-shirt with no print, navy athletic shorts with at least a 7" inseam or sweats. Avoid clothing with buttons, large zippers, belts, and buckles.

*Class dues help to cover expenses such as decorations during Homecoming Spirit Week. As students continue into the next grade level, these funds move with them to the next grade level. For example, Junior funds are used to support Prom and Senior funds are used to cover the expenses of senior activities.

^Students who choose to drive to school must submit this Parking Application as well as purchase and display their parking permit. Failure to meet attendance requirements and/or other disciplinary infractions may result in the suspension of driving privileges without the expectation for a parking permit refund. Remember to complete and bring the School Fees Form with you!

Fees for Dual Enrollment classes have not yet been confirmed. It is anticipated Dual Enrollment fees will range from $172 to $344 per class depending upon the class in question.

Additional information regarding the 2024-25 RCPS fee schedule can be found HERE.

Breakfast and lunch fees are as follows:

Student Meal Prices – All Grades:

Breakfast: $1.50

Reduced Breakfast: $0.30

Lunch: $3.00

Reduced Lunch: $0.40

A la carte options will be available at all schools, as staffing and product availability allow.

Parents may make payments in the HVHS cafeteria by cash or check, or online payments will be accepted through LINQ Connect available HERE. You may also monitor activity via LINQ Connect.

NOTE: effective August 21, 2023, the credit and debit card convenience fees for all payments will be 3.95% of the transaction amount with a minimum fee of $2.85 per transaction, while ACH or eCheck transactions, if applicable, will be a flat fee of $1.80 per transaction. This is not a school fee.

Prestige Portraits continues to be our official Senior Portrait Yearbook Photographer. And HVHS is requesting every Class of 2025 Senior make an appointment with Prestige to have their senior portraits taken over the summer at your local Prestige Portrait Studio. Don’t miss out on being in the yearbook! You must be photographed by Prestige to be included in the 2024-25 yearbook. And your senior portrait is also used during the graduation ceremony!

Schedule your session visit HERE!

Senior Portraits included in your school’s yearbook will require students dressed in either a

Black Drape or a Tuxedo. Prestige Portraits will provide these outfits at the time of your session.

Please wear appropriate undergarments under these outfits. Prestige Portraits suggests a white t-shirt for the tux and something strapless to wear under the drape.

Prestige Portraits offers a wide range of sessions, and you’re sure to find one right for you!

NOTE: Prestige Portraits also offers session discounts during the summer. Use the below coupon code at checkout:

JULY15 for $15 off any July Session

AUGUST10 for $10 off any August Session

Questions? Please email Prestige Portraits at bwarea@lifetouch.com. Prestige Portraits looks forward to sharing this milestone with you and providing outstanding photography and customer service!

Students are required to have the meningococcal ACWY vaccine prior to entering 12th grade. If your child had a dose of the meningococcal vaccine around the age of 11, they would still need another dose after they turn 16 years old. A letter with this information was previously sent to parents. Please bring or send a copy of the immunization record indicating these vaccines to your child's school as soon as possible. The school must receive the immunization record prior to the start of school.

You can arrange for your child to receive this vaccine through your child’s healthcare provider or through the health department. In addition, the Health Department will be having vaccine clinics for rising 7th and 12th grade students at our schools later this summer. The schedule is below:

Roanoke County Health Department Immunization Clinics

July 29, 4-6p.m. Cave Spring Middle School (cafeteria)

July 31, 4-6p.m. William Byrd Middle School (cafeteria)

August 1, 4-6 p.m. Northside Middle School (big gym)

You may attend any of these clinics and do not need to register in advance. Please bring your student's vaccine record and your insurance card. If you are attending one of the vaccine clinics at the schools, please print and fill out the attached consent form and bring it with you to the clinic to save time. A parent or guardian must be with the student at the clinics.

The Vinton and Salem Health Departments will also be providing vaccines by appointment throughout the summer. You can contact the health department directly for details using the below information:

Salem Health Department 540-387-5530 105 E. Calhoun Street, Salem VA

Vinton Health Department 540-857-7800 227 S. Pollard St., Vinton, VA 24179

You may contact Charlene Vail at 540-562-3900 ext. 29801 with any questions you may have.

9th graders and new students are invited to visit HVHS for our 9th Grade and New Student Orientation on Monday, August 12th from 4:30pm to 5:30pm. Orientation will begin in the high school auditorium with a welcome from Mr. Whitlow before student-led tours of the building begin. Families will remain in the auditorium for a few minutes so Mr. Whitlow may share what to expect during the school year at HVHS.

All students and families are invited to visit HVHS for our Back-to-School Open House on Monday, August 12th from 4:30pm to 6:30pm.

This is an awesome opportunity for you to meet your teachers, chat with a school counselor, secure membership as part of our amazing boosters organizations, and more!

Beginning July 18th, families can log into their ParentVUE account HERE to complete the Annual Verification of their student’s information. Please complete this verification process by August 9th. Contact our front office at (540) 776-7320 if you cannot access your ParentVUE account or have any questions about the process. Thank you for meeting the deadline date of August 9th!

Research tells us dropout rates significantly correlate with school attendance. Those who regularly miss school are more likely to drop out.

Learning builds from one class meeting to the next. A day of school missed can mean more than just a day of learning lost. This can be especially true as our classes do not meet every day.

Not all absences and/or tardies are automatically excused even when a parent/guardian calls in and/or writes a note.

We need each family and each student to commit to attending school. We are here to help along the way!

Student leaders are an integral part of the work at HVHS and along with numerous student-centered groups at HVHS, support our pursuit of excellence across our many endeavors. We cannot wait to get started!

We are excited to welcome these amazing professionals to TEAM TITAN!

New full-time and shared faculty/staff:

A.J. Allen-Harmon, instructional assistant

Betty Baker, Spanish teacher (shared staff)

Kayla Beggarly, English teacher

Margaret Beshay, special education teacher

Megan Biggio, English teacher

Bionca Brown, bookkeeper

Christopher Bui, English teacher

Maggie Coffey, Dean of Students

Michael Florek, science teacher (shared staff)

Carly Graybill, English teacher (shared staff)

Jennifer Hancock, school testing coordinator

Melanie Haupt, math teacher

Steven Horn, instructional assistant

Mitchell Irvin, instructional assistant

Kellie Jeffers, special education teacher

John Overstreet, special education teacher

Leslie Williams, social studies (shared staff)

Our annual Faculty/Staff Workweek begins Monday, August 5th, and there is much to do to prepare for our students' arrival on Thursday, August 15th. We will be ready!

Not without a fully completed AND signed Virginia High School League (VHSL) Physical Form on file with Mr. Weaver, HVHS Athletic Director! Access the most up-to-date version of the VHSL Physical Form HERE as it must be used instead of older versions.

Check out the Fall HVHS athletics calendar HERE!

Purchase a Season Athletic Pass and enjoy a wonderfully economical means of access to tons of HVHS HOME sporting events! Families may purchase online at SchoolCash Online or during our Back-to-School Open House on Monday, August 12th.

The Hidden Valley High School PTSO does a tremendous amount to support our school community. From hosting faculty/staff events to raising thousands of dollars and hosting After Prom to annual scholarships and much more, our school community enjoys the best PTSO around!

Take the time to join AND support this awesome group by completing and returning the PTSO membership application found HERE along with your PTSO membership dues!

NOTE: Our website is being updated for the 2024-25 school year. Check back often and thank you for your patience as we complete updates.

The Hidden Valley High School Athletic Booster Club (HVABC) is an organization of volunteers whose interests lie in the support of our student-athletes, our coaches, and their respective athletic programs. Additionally, their role is to provide an environment that will foster school spirit, fair play, and teamwork for each student-athlete. It will work to provide an environment that will encourage the student-athlete to achieve both academic and athletic excellence.

PLEASE JOIN THE HVABC! Membership is $40 per family regardless of the number of student-athletes in the family or the number of sports being played. Your donation will go into the general fund and be used to meet the ever-growing athletic program needs. And, check out the amazing, new side x side our incredible HVABC just purchased so our Athletic Trainer can better serve our student-athletes!

Please visit our page HERE for additional information as well as access to a membership form! You may also pay for membership online using the link found HERE or the QR Code provided below!

Updated Monday, August 12, 2024

Monday, July 29th through Thursday, August 1st + Monday, August 5th

Business Days @ HVHS from 8am to 4pm

Monday, August 12th

New Student and 9th Grade Orientation beginning in the auditorium from 4:30pm to 5:30pm

Back-to-School Open House from 4:30pm to 6:30pm

Thursday, August 15th

First day of school

Monday, September 2nd

Schools closed: Labor Day

Friday, September 13th

Interim midpoint

Tuesday, September 24th

Fall pictures

Cross Country and Golf team pictures

Wednesday, September 25th

3-hour early dismissal

Thursday, September 26th

Fall pictures

Monday, September 30th

Vision/hearing screenings

Monday, October 7th through Friday, October 11th

Homecoming Week!

Friday, October 11th

End of 1st grading period

Saturday, October 12th

Homecoming dance @ HVHS from 7pm to 10pm

Monday, October 14th

Teacher workday

Wednesday, October 23rd

Report cards sent home

3-hour early dismissal for faculty PD

Tuesday, October 29th

Fall pictures makeup day

Wednesday, October 30th

3-hour early dismissal

Friday, November 1st

FINAL SENIOR PORTRAIT DAY!*

*Senior portraits must be completed by this day in order to be in the yearbook

Monday, November 4th

Schools closed: Parent-Teacher conferences

Tuesday, November 5th

Schools closed - Election day

Friday, November 15th

Interim midpoint

Wednesday, November 27th through Friday, November 29th

Schools closed: Thanksgiving holiday

Thursday, December 5th

Club photos

Wednesday, December 11th

3-hour early dismissal

Friday, December 20th

End of 2nd grading period

Monday, December 23rd through Monday, January 6th

Schools closed: Winter break + teacher workday on 1/6

Friday, February 7th

Interim midpoint

Monday, February 10th

Schools closed: Parent-Teacher conferences

Wednesday, February 26th

3-hour early dismissal for faculty PD

Thursday, March 13th

End of 3rd grading period

Friday, March 14th

Teacher workday

Monday, March 24th through Friday, March 28th

Spring break

Saturday, April 5th

Prom at Hunting Hills Country Club followed by After Prom at The Launching Pad

Thursday, April 17th

3-hour early dismissal

Friday, April 18th

Schools closed

Thursday, April 24th

Interim midpoint

Monday, May 26th

Schools closed: Memorial Day

Tuesday, May 27th

2:30pm HVHS Graduation at the Salem Civic Center

Tuesday, May 27th through Thursday, May 29th

3-hour early dismissal

Thursday, May 29th

End of 4th grading period/final day of school for 2024-25

*This calendar does not encompass all activities to include athletics, concerts, competitions, SAT/ACT testing at other schools, and the like.*

Website: https://hvhs.rcps.us/
Location: 5000 Titan Trail, Roanoke, VA 24018
Phone: (540) 776-7320