RHS Rams Corner News

Dear Students and Families,

As we celebrate Black History Month, let us take this opportunity to reflect on the countless contributions and achievements of Black individuals throughout history. From trailblazers in science, art, politics, and civil rights, to those who have shaped our communities and culture in profound ways, Black history is American history.

This month is not just a time to learn about the past, but to be inspired by the ongoing efforts of many who continue to make a difference. We encourage students to explore the stories of resilience, innovation, and leadership that have defined generations, and to recognize the importance of diversity, equality, and inclusion in all aspects of life.

Together, let us honor these remarkable individuals and their legacies, while committing to build a future where everyone’s voice is heard and valued.

Happy Black History Month!

Rockville High School recognized Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., (MLK) with a week of service to make a difference. Student Volunteers created friendship bracelets for Shady Grove Hospital and Valentine cards for Elder Care Residents. All volunteers earned SSL Hours.

Achieving Collegiate Excellence and Success (ACES) is a collaborative effort among Montgomery County Public Schools, Montgomery College, and the Universities at Shady Grove, designed to provide students with a seamless and supportive pathway to a bachelor’s degree.

Sophomores:

• We received 200 applications!!! Yay!! Application is closed

ACES Juniors:

• Students participated in all workshops, and they are in the process of creating their college list.
• Junior Parent Night is February 20th via Zoom. Parents, please check your email. The link has been sent.

ACES Seniors:

• 100 % of Students created their MDCAPS Account and applied to Montgomery College.
• 95% of students applied to at least two or more universities
• Two students matched with the Posse Foundation

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is the nation’s longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens. We are proud to share that artists from Rockville High School have won NINE regional art awards this year.

Honorable Mentions: Maddie Pankowski and Liza Thatch for Editorial Cartoons

Silver Keys: Basil Lin, Addie Silvestro, and Maddie Smedberg for Editorial Cartoons

Gold Keys: Ariana Arturo, Nabeel Chen, and Ashley Quesenberry for Editorial Cartoons and Ariana Arturo also earned a Gold Key for her Painting.

Gold Keys Artworks will advance to the national level of competition for scholarships!

Congratulations to our Ram Artists!

Registration for Spring Sports opens February 1st via Parent Vue - upload the student physical during registration.

A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to our Rockville HIgh School Poms Team for winning the Spirit Award and placing 2nd at the Montgomery County Annual Poms Competition!!!

Job Well Done and we are PROUD OF YOU!!!!

Rockville High School is excited to partner with the Montgomery County Career Advising Program (MoCoCAP) to offer grade 9 students an opportunity to visit a regional university on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. Early exposure to college can assist students in making more informed decisions about their post-secondary plans and further students' development toward college, career, and community readiness.

Rockville High School grade 9 students may choose between a field trip to Johns Hopkins University or participating in asynchronous Virtual College Tours via myMCPS classroom. However, please note that space is limited (250 students) for the in-person field trip opportunity and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis upon return of the field trip permission form to the Main Office.

Here is the link to the field trip permission slip. The deadline to return permission forms is Wednesday, February 19, 2025.

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Fern Duarte at Fernanda_D_RomeroDuarte@mcpsmd.org or

Mr. Sidney Hankerson at Sidney_A_Hankerson@mcpsmd.org

Mark your calendars! The spring musical opens next month. Don’t miss the opening weekend of The Addams Family on March 28 and 29 at 7pm.

Meetings for the Class of 2025 were held on January 28th (for parents) and January 30th (for students). Here is a link to the Senior Meeting slide deck presentation and the Class of 2025 Important Dates sheet.

The RHS Class of 2025 Commencement Ceremony will be held on Monday, June 9, 2025 at 9am at UMBC. Graduates are responsible for their own transportation to and from the ceremony.

Mandatory rehearsal for graduating seniors will be on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 from 9am-12pm at RHS. An optional Senior Celebration will be held for graduating seniors following the rehearsal.

Please continue to check the RHS Class of 2025 Information and Announcements page on the RHS website for additional updates related to graduation and special events for the Class of 2025.

There are many amazing things happening during the school day to support the learning of our students! At times, some students need some extra support to master new learning. MCPS has gathered resources that are free or low cost to families. These resources directly align with our curriculum used to teach our students each day. Let us know if you have any questions about your student’s academic progress.

Family Resources

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.

The 2025 RHS Winter Formal is happening on February 22nd from 7-10 pm! Look out for opportunities to purchase your tickets on School Cash Online! Formal, semi-formal, or business casual attire is encouraged.

I want to encourage everyone to approach the month with a focus on growth, positivity, and productivity. It’s a great time to help your child set new goals, maintain a strong work ethic, and stay engaged with learning, both inside and outside the classroom. Together, let’s stress the importance of making this month a productive one by supporting each other in our academic and personal growth.

Whether it’s you continuing to encourage your child to build on academic progress, embrace new opportunities, or foster positive relationships, we can all play a part in creating an environment that encourages student success.

Let’s all approach challenges with resilience and celebrate the small victories along the way.

Here’s to a month of progress, positivity, and purpose!

Warmly,

Principal Pyles

Next Edition: March 2025