RHS Rams Corner News

Each December, I take a moment to reflect on the values that make this time of year so meaningful. For me, it’s a time to focus on giving, releasing the negativity that has built up over the year, and looking ahead to the possibilities the future holds. It’s also an opportunity to cherish quality moments with loved ones. As the proud principal of Rockville High School, I believe it is crucial to reinforce these values and inspire our students to carry them forward into their lives.

The spirit of giving lies at the core of this season, and it is about much more than material gifts. It’s about fostering empathy, kindness, and compassion in our children and teaching them to pass those qualities on to others. We should encourage them to take part in acts of service and generosity, whether it’s volunteering at a local charity (to earn SSL hours for graduation), helping a neighbor, or offering a hand to a peer or staff member. By collectively nurturing a sense of giving, we empower our students to make a positive difference in their communities and help build a more compassionate and inclusive society.

As we reflect on the past year, it’s a time to identify personal growth in our children and remind them that the new year offers a fresh start. This is a perfect opportunity for meaningful conversations about improvement and goal-setting for the year ahead. Let’s encourage our children to celebrate their accomplishments, acknowledge their challenges, and envision becoming the best version of themselves. Let’s guide them in understanding the power of resilience and determination as they approach the new year with renewed purpose and optimism.

Finally, as we embrace all that the December season brings, we must not lose sight of the importance of spending quality time with family and friends. In a world full of distractions, it’s vital to create space for authentic connections and meaningful conversations. I challenge you to encourage your children to disconnect from technology and embrace the joy of face-to-face interactions—whether it’s laughing, talking, singing, dancing, or playing a board game. These moments create lasting memories and strengthen the bonds that unite us.

This December, I challenge all of us to fully embrace the season of giving, focus on positivity, and make the most of quality time with family and friends.

Winter Sports are in full swing! Check out our website to attend some events! Our winter sports kick off was on Friday, December 6th. Please find the full winter sports' athletic schedule on the

RHS athletics website.

‘Tis the season for a Winter Concert! Come see the Chamber Choir, Concert Choir, and newly-minted Vocal Point Acapella perform on December 9th at 7pm! Admittance is free of charge - all you have to do is go right to the auditorium and take your seat. Spread the word!

Seniors, whether you’re in the process of hearing back from colleges or have not quite made a decision about your next steps, there is something for you to do in the College and Career Center.

All through the month of December we will be working on Regular Decision and Montgomery College applications. Stop in during lunch for help.

The FAFSA is out! It is time to apply for financial aid. Make sure you complete the FAFSA to be eligible for grants, scholarships, and loans. I encourage all to attend the FAFSA completion night on December 4, 2024 from 5:30-7:30PM with MC financial aid. Registration is required.

Lastly, as you begin to hear back from Colleges and receive scholarship information, make sure to update Naviance with the college decision and put the offered scholarship into the following spreadsheet: bit.ly/Scholarships25

Check out the Instagram page to take a tour of 9 Baltimore Colleges and Universities @rhscollege_and_career

MOCO CAP!

12/17- Meet a Pro Event with Marriott Hotels Event Planner

(Both during lunch, students must sign up, announcements to come)

ACES IS CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW STUDENTS (10TH) APPLICATIONS

https://aces.montgomerycollege.edu/form2025/

There will be no PTSA meeting in December or January. But that doesn't mean we aren't busy at work.

Save the date for the 2nd Annual Mom Prom on Wednesday January 22nd.

Send a donation of thanks to the amazing Staff here at Rockville. Your donation goes to support our Winter Lunch provided by the PTSA. https://forms.gle/Do3eviMfo1XVyYjK9

The PTSA is looking for parents who understand the importance of advocacy to run the Executive Board for 25-26 school year. All of our officers are either graduating their students or coming to the end of their term via our Bylaws. Without new parent leadership, the PTSA will disband and we will not have an advocacy wing in our parent organizations. If you would like to know more please email Anna Pfaff for details, anna.l.pfaff@gmail.com

Join the RHS NAACP Parent Council – Advocating for Excellence!

The RHS NAACP Parent Council held its first virtual meeting on Tuesday, November 12. Thank you to Principal ReShonda Pyles and PTSA President Anna Pfaff for sharing their updates and commitment to supporting our scholars' success.

Our mission is simple yet powerful: to empower Black parents and students at Rockville High School and across MCPS. We share resources, provide guidance, and advocate for the highest quality education, creating a space for collaboration and solutions.

Save the date for our next meeting on January 28 at 7 PM—more details to come in the new year! Stay connected and be part of this vital journey by signing up here: Stay Connected.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at rhsnaacpparentcouncil@gmail.com. Together, let’s ensure our scholars thrive!

Sincerely,
Dru Ealons, RHS NAACP Parent Council Representative
Bidemi Carrol, Co-Representative
Deborah Jordan, Co-Representative

Thank you, Ramily, for joining us last Monday, November 25th, for parent-teacher and counselor conferences. Not including walk-ins, we hosted more than 850 conferences throughout the day in-person and virtually! If you were unable to connect with one or more teachers during the conference window, please email them individually and set up a time to meet.

Parents, if you attended the event and have not completed the feedback form, please do so no later than Friday, December 13th. We look forward to your feedback to make this event even better next year!

Students who took the PSAT on October 16, 2024 or during the make-up should access their College Board accounts to retrieve their PSAT test scores.

To help prepare students for college and career, as well as to help maintain safety and security in the school building, all RHS students will be required to have their school IDs on their person when on school property. These student IDs also will be used by students for check-in/check-out processes during the school day, such as for initial arrival to school and late arrivals throughout the school day.

Students are expected to comply with staff requests to show their student IDs, and staff will be required to wear their staff IDs visibly displayed during the school day.

Tue, December 3
Winter Concert: Band/Orchestra

Wed, December 4
Financial Aid Assistance Night

Fri, December 6
Pep Rally

Mon, December 9
Winter Concert: Chorus

Wed, December 11
Boosters Meeting
Cluster IB Meeting

Thu, December 12
Winter Concert: Jazz

Wed, December 18
ASL Bingo

Mon, December 23
Winter Break—No school for students and teachers

• In December, students will continue with wellness activities and Leader in Me (LiM) lessons, as well as :

  • 12/04 - is an Academic Support Day and Wellness Block 7 with a required Personal Body Safety Lesson. A separate email regarding Personal Body Safety will be sent to families with additional details.

  • 12/11 - is Wellness Block 8 with a Leader in Me Student Ambassador training in the cafeteria for select students

  • 12/18 - is Wellness Block 1 and a Leader in Me lesson for all students, led by the LiM Student Ambassadors

  
  

  Looking Ahead to January and Course Registration during Wellness Block:

  On 01/08, students will engage in part 1 of the Course Registration process for 2025-26 classes. On 01/15, students will select their courses for the 2025-26 school year in part 2 of Course Registration. Information on Course Registration will be shared in the January newsletter, posted to the school website, and emailed to all families in late December/early January.

  
  

In conclusion, December serves as a powerful reminder of the values that bind us together—giving, kindness, resilience, and meaningful connections. As we close out the year, let’s take this opportunity to not only reflect on our growth but to also inspire our children to carry these lessons with them into the future. By embracing the spirit of giving, focusing on personal growth, and prioritizing quality time with loved ones, we can create a season of lasting impact. Let us carry these values forward beyond the holidays, fostering a community of compassion, hope, and purpose throughout the year.

Thank you for being an integral part of our high school RAM'ily! I wish you all a memorable season of giving, positivity, and embracing time with those whom you love!

Principal Pyles

Next Edition: January 2025