🌞 Open 🌞 Announcements

“We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community… Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own.” Cesar Chavez

Hope everyone has had a relaxing Labor Day holiday. It's a short week, but let's make it a great one by being intentional about our actions and generous with our thoughts. Here are just a few updates:

ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE

A few morning buses continue to arrive late, and we thank everyone for their patience and flexibility. Now that our screening process is more efficient, we ask all tardy students (aside from bus riders) to report to the office before first period for a tardy pass. We have 5 buses moving through the narrow streets so please avoid double-parking on Pine Street. when you can. Please also pay attention to the stop sign and look out for pedestrians. After-School Clubs continue and all are welcome to join at any time. Students must provide their own transportation for all after-school programming which ends at 4:30 PM when the building closes.

LUNCH

The VA Housing Cafe will now be available to students on Tuesdays, Wedesdays, and Fridays regardless of grade level. To avoid overcrowding we ask students to stagger their entrance between 11:40-12:00. Only students intending to purchase food are allowed to visit. Please remember to clean up tables, push in chairs, say please, and say thank you.

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

Juniors and seniors can now apply to the Open chapter of the National Honor Society. Please read the Guidelines carefuly and submit Activity Form if you qualify. If you have questions, please see Micah, the NHS Advisor.

LOCKDOWN DRILL

This week we will be conducting a Lockdown drill in accordance with Virginia law. The purpose of the drill is to practice our safety lockdown drill protocols in the event there is any potential danger outside or inside our building. During the drill, no one will be allowed to enter or leave the building.

COMMUNICATION

Get Remind notifications on your phone if you don't already have by texting @openhig to 81010. All students should have joined our school-wide Google Classroom with this invite code as well as the Counselor Connection Google Classroom with this invite code. Announcements and opportunities are regulary posted on these sites, so get in the habit of checking your email for notifications.

Continue reading for On the Horizon events, Senior Updates, and Student Opportunities. Enjoy the short week!

With love and gratitude,

Clary Carleton, Principal

• 9/10, Travel Interest Meeting, 6:00 pm

• 9/10, Monthly PTSA Meeting, 6:30 pm

• 9/16-17, James River Boat Trip (9th grade Biology, PAY HERE)
  

• 9/17, Visit from Professor Don Audelino Sac Coyoy

• 9/19, Back to School Night, 5:45 - 7:45 pm
• 9/25, Senior Parent Night: 6:00 - 7:00 pm

Climate Justice Club Interest Meeting

Wednesday, 9/4

LUNCH, Room 106

Find out how you can be part of a

larger movement to save our planet!

Seniors will be allowed to use their personal devices during their free periods in the designated areas of the student lounge and the landings. Seniors will only be allowed to use their personal devices in AP Research and specifically-directed assignments from teachers. Seniors are expected to use their Chromebooks at all other times.

Meet with Micah

All seniors are required to meet with Micah to review graduation requirements and discuss post-high school plans. Every senior is expected to schedule and attend their meeting. SIGN UP HERE if you haven't already.

Senior Project

The Senior Project is another way to distinguish yourself as you apply for college or any other post-secondary experience. Please review the requirements and see the linked examples from former students. If you're not sure where to start, just ask!

College Visits

We are lucky to have so many college reps visit our school so seniors can explore options. Students must have permission from their teacher to attend if they have a class during the time of the visit. Please plan accordingly.

• Sept. 6 @ 1:45-Spelman College
• Sept. 10 @ 2:45-Wake Forest University
• Sept. 11 @ 1:45-Vanderbilt University & @ 2:45-Randolph College
• Sept. 17 @ 1:45-Davidson College & @ 2:45-Mary Baldwin University
• Sept. 18 @ 1:45-Virginia Commonwealth University & @ 2:45-Massachusetts Institute Technology
• Sept. 24 @ 1:45-Longwood University & @ 2:45-The University of Virginia
• Sept. 25 @ 2:45-Virginia Tech

Senior Dues

Pay for these at Online School Payments.

Future Center

Josh White is our Future Center Navigator and is here to help all students consider post-secondary options. He will be available on Fridays in the Student Lounge and can be reached at jwhite11@rvaschools.net.

GRASP

Amy Swierczewsk is our GRASP Advisor or the "go to" for all things FAFSA and financial aid. She will be available on Mondays beginning on Sept 30 in the Resource Room.

Helpful Websites

• Big Future College Search/Quiz
• Explore Colleges from Common App
• Big Future Scholarship Search
• Scholly Scholarship Search

Teen Center Program (Boys & Girls Club)

• Start Date: September 16th
• Hours of Operation: Monday – Thursday from 3:30 PM – 7:00 PM (Closed on Fridays)
• Grade-Level Requirement: 9th – 12th grade students
• Transportation: We provide pick-ups from these schools at dismissal – Highland Springs, Franklin Military, John Marshall, Huguenot, George Wythe (Richmond School of Arts), Varina, Armstrong, RISE Academy, Open High, & Henrico. If your teen’s school is not listed, they can still attend the Teen Center and all members must be picked up from the Teen Center by 7 PM.
• Cost: Free!!
• Program Offerings: Cooking, Hair Braiding, Forensics/Engineering, Furniture Design, Expressive Sculpting, SPARC (Acting), Social & Emotional Learning, & Sports/Health. Please register here using this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BGCMR2425

Youth L.E.A.D.S. and the Youth Empowerment Council for youth in grades 9 – 12 are new programs designed to empower and equip the next generation of leaders in our community, offering unique opportunities for growth, civic engagement, and impactful change. Please use this link to register: https://bit.ly/yestofall. Applications will be open from September 2nd to September 20th.

• Virginia Space Coast Scholars (VSCS) – 10th Grade: Apply to VSCS Here
• Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS) – 11th & 12th Grade: Apply to VASTS HERE
• Virginia Earth System Science Scholars (VESSS) – 11th & 12th Grade: Apply to VESSS HERE

Please plan to join us at Open on Tuesday, September 10 at 6:30 pm. We look forward to welcoming some new faces!

Email: cwashing@rvaschools.net
Website: https://ohs.rvaschools.net/
Location: 600 South Pine Street, Richmond, VA, USA
Phone: 8047804661
Instagram: @openhighrva

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialopenhighschoolpage/

Merchandise Store: https://tinyurl.com/nfp5yzay

Online School Payments: https://tinyurl.com/54kc4d9y

PTSA: https://ohsrva.ptboard.com/