Academy of Richmond County
Weekly Newsletter
December 6, 2024
This Week at ARC π°π°π°
December 6-13 βπ₯Άβ
Friday, December 6
9:30 Jostens Senior Presentation in the cafeteria πππ
6:00 & 7:30 PM Basketball πππ v Thomson @ Thomson
Saturday, December 7
SAT Administration π
Tuesday, December 10
6:00 & 7:30 PM Basketball πππ v Cross Creek @ ARC
Wednesday, December 11
5:30 PM Wrestling π€Όπ€Όπ€Ό @ North Augusta
6:00 & 7:30 PM JV Basketball πππ v Glenn Hills @ Glenn Hills
Thursday, December 12
9:15 Extended 2nd period for Panorama π§
11:00-12:30 Jostens Senior Order Day in the media center πππ
5:30 PM Swim Jingle Jam v All Area Schools πππ»ββοΈπ @ Augusta Aquatic Center
Friday, December 13
6:00 & 7:30 PM Basketball πππ v Hephzibah @ Hephzibah
5:30 PM Wrestling π€Όπ€Όπ€Ό @ Midland Valley
Saturday, December 14
ACT Administration π
Save the Date π
Dec 16-20 Semester Exams & Makeups π―
January 20, 2025 No School-MLK Day
February 17, 2025 No School-President's Day
February 18, 2025 Asynchronous Learning π©π»βπ»
March 10, 2025 Asynchronous Learning π©π»βπ»
April 7-14, 2025 Spring Break π΄πβ³
April 18, 2025 No School-Good Friday
April 26, 2025 Prom π
May 28, 2025 Graduation 8:00 am at the Bell Auditorium π
Exam Information π§
The exam schedule is in the link below. Students who exempt exams will bring home a letter listing which exams they have exempted. A student who has exempted his or her exam does not have to report for that period.
Student Laptops π»π»π»
Laptops are still available for student check out. Insurance is $29.99, but must be purchased while the computer is still healthy. Students are expected to bring their laptops to school every day. Classroom carts are often not available because we expect all students to have their own computer at school every day. Please see the media center staff for more information about laptops, including being a day user, if preferred.
Jostens Cap and Gown Information πππ
Senior Presentation: Friday December 6, 2024 @ 9:30 AM β cafeteria
Senior Order Day: Thursday December 12, 2024 during lunch β media center
Senior Order Make Up Day: Wednesday December 18, 2024 during lunch β media center
Senior Delivery: Tuesday April 22, 2025 during lunch β media center
Senior Delivery Make Up Day: Friday May 2, 2025 during lunch β media center
Cell Phone Policy π΅π΅π΅
Cell phones, headphones, ear buds, and any other electronic devices are not permitted in the classrooms in Richmond County schools this year. We encourage students to leave them at home. If they are on campus, they must be powered OFF and completely out of sight. No text messaging, app-based communication, or social media is permitted during the school day...including through personal computers.
Emergency calls may be made in the front office. Parents may contact students by calling the main office and school office staff will relay emergency messages from parents to students. Non-emergency messages cannot be delivered during the school day. Families should discuss appointments and other activities outside of school instructional time.
The school system is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged electronic communication devices or cell phones nor will the administration or school officials investigate missing or damaged cell phones.
- First violation --> The device will be taken to the front office and the student or parent can retrieve it at 3:10 pm. It will be documented in Infinite Campus.
- Second violation --> If taken on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, the device will be taken to the front office and the parent can retrieve it on Friday at 3:10 pm. If taken on Thursday or Friday, the device will be taken to the front office and the parent can retrieve it on the following Monday at 3:10 pm. It will be documented in Infinite Campus.
- Third violation --> If taken on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, the device will be taken to the front office and the parent can retrieve it on Friday at 3:10 pm. If taken on Thursday or Friday, the device will be taken to the front office and the parent can retrieve it on the following Monday at 3:10 pm. The student will serve one day of ISS. It will be documented in Infinite Campus.
- Fourth violation --> The device will be taken to the front office and the parent can retrieve it 10 days later at 3:10 pm. The parent must schedule a conference with administration. Additionally, the student will serve 3 days of ISS. It will be documented in Infinite Campus.
- Further incidents will result in discipline deemed appropriate by administration under the circumstances.
NON-COMPLIANCE: All administrators, teachers, and staff members are authorized to confiscate cell phones, electronic communication devices and/or accessories any time a student is in violation of the policy. Refusal to surrender a device will result a two-day OUT OF SCHOOL suspension.
SAT/ACT Information ππ―π
SAT Dates
December 7--registration closed
March 8--register by Feb 21
May 3--register by Apr 18
June 7--register by May 22
ACT Test Dates
December 14-registration closed
February 8-register by Jan 3
April 5-register by Feb 28
June 14-register by May 9
July 12-register by June 6
SAT/ACT Review Day
On Wednesday, December 4, we held a very successful, very well attended SAT/ACT Review Day, thanks to Ms. Best and Ms. Fredenberg. We will host a few more of those over the course of the year and hope all registered testers will attend.
ACT Tip of the Week
The best way to prepare for the ACT is to take challenging classes in high school. However, there are test-day tips and strategies that you can use as helpful tools before and during the ACT test:
- Identify areas to improve. Use the practice test to identify the subjects that are most challenging for you.
BONUS TIP
This website is helpful for kids studying for the SAT. Students have said studying the Desmos guide a teacher posted in canvas helped them score higher on the Math portion of the SAT.
Yearbook Information πππ
Yearbook Ordering Information
2025 ARC Yearbook Ordering Information:
All orders are placed through the Jostens Website
SENIOR AD Ordering Information
Class of 2025 Ads -Deadline is Feb 7!
Visit the Jostens website to place Senior Ad Orders:
Musketeer Sports πππ©π₯π
Upcoming Sports
Boys and Girls Varsity Basketball πππ
12/6/24 6:00 & 7:30 v Thomson @ Thomson
12/10/24 6:00 & 7:30 v Cross Creek @ ARC
12/13/24 6:00 & 7:30 v Hephzibah @ Hephzibah
12/17/24 6:00 & 7:30 v Baldwin @ Baldwin
12/20/24 6:00 & 7:30 v Westside @ Westside
12/26/24 TBA Girls v North Augusta @ Laney
12/26/24 TBA Boys v Washington Co @ Laney
12/27/24 TBA Girls v North Augusta @ Laney
12/27/24 TBA Boys v Josey @ Laney
12/28/24 TBA Girls v TBA @ Laney
12/28/24 TBA Boys v Glenn Hills @ Laney
1/3/25 6:00 & 7:30 v Howard @ ARC
1/4/25 6:00 & 7:30 v Aquinas @ Aquinas
1/7/25 6:00 & 7:30 v West Laurens @ ARC
1/10/25 4:00, 5:30, 7:00 & 8:30 v Harlem @ Harlem (JV and V)
1/17/25 6:00 & 7:30 v Cross Creek @ Cross Creek
1/21/25 6:00 & 7:30 v Hephzibah @ ARC
1/24/25 6:00 & 7:30 v Baldwin @ ARC
1/28/25 6:00 & 7:30 v Westside @ ARC
1/31/25 6:00 & 7:30 v Howard @ Howard
2/4/25 6:00 & 7:30 v Aquinas @ ARC
2/7/25 6:00 & 7:30 v West Laurens @ West Laurens
Boys and Girls JV Basketball πππ
12/11/24 6:00 & 7:30 v Glenn Hills @ Glenn Hills
12/18/24 6:00 & 7:30 v Westside @ ARC
1/8/25 6:00 & 7:30 v Hephzibah @ ARC
1/10/25 4:00, 5:30, 7:00 & 8:30 v Harlem @ Harlem (JV and V)
1/11/25 12 pm v Josey @ Josey
Boys and Girls Swim πππ»ββοΈπ
12/12/24 5:30 v Jingle Jam (All Area Schools) @ Augusta Aquatic Center
1/16/25 5:30 v Aquinas, Evans, Lakeside, Westminster, Grovetown, Davidson @ Augusta Aquatic Center
1/28/25 5:30 v Aquinas, Evans, Lakeside, Westminster, Grovetown, Davidson @ Augusta Aquatic Center--SENIOR NIGHT
Boys and Girls Wrestling π€Όπ€Όπ€Ό
12/11/24 5:30 at North Augusta
12/13/24 5:30 at Midland Valley
12/16/24 5:30 at Cross Creek
12/17/24 5:30 at Burke County
12/20/24 10:00 at Westside @ Christmas Kick-off
1/6/25 5:30 at Cross Creek
1/11/25 10:00 at Harlem Area Duals
1/16/25 5:30 at Lakeside
1/21/25 5:30 at Burke County
1/28/25 5:30 at Hephzibah
2/1/25 10:00 at Westside Area Traditional
2/8/25 10:00 at Sectional Tournament
2/13/25 β 2/15/25 at State Tournament at TBA
Need some new ARC merch from Booster Club? Click here!
eSports
π Our #1 ranked Rocket League team, Musketeer Fleet, achieved a remarkable 4-0 sweep in their third-round playoff game against #5 ranked Allatoona High School in a best-of-7 matchup. Their teamwork and determination have once again propelled them forward!
Next, Musketeer Fleet will compete in Round 4 of the playoffs on Friday, December 6, at 4:00 PM, against #4 ranked Holy Innocence's Episcopal School. This critical match will take place in Room 407 at the Academy of Richmond County.
π The stakes are higher than everβthe winner of this matchup will advance to the GHSA/PlayVS Championship, to be held next week at the Bartow County Esports Arena in Cartersville, GA.
We are incredibly proud of our studentsβ hard work and success as they continue to represent our school and district at the highest level. Your continued support means so much to our team, and weβd be honored to have you join us for this pivotal moment.
Want to get involved? πππ
Booster Club
Interested in joining the Booster Club? Click the link below to complete the membership form and use this link for the PayPal account to support the booster club. Questions? Contact Booster Club President Travis Wright at travisewright2415@gmail.com or Secretary Mary Wallace Broome at mwpbroome@yahoo.com.
Need Merch?
Check this link for new Booster Club merch!
Title 1
Please check out our Title 1 Parents Right to Know Notification document.
Parents Interested in Volunteering at ARC
Anyone wanting to volunteer must follow the volunteer policies for the Richmond County School System. They must also complete the Mandated Reporter Training.
There are 3 levels of volunteers and volunteers have been cleared at the appropriate levels before working with students.
Please check in with Ms. Hawkins, our school social worker, for more information. (hawkica@boe.richmond.k12.ga.us)
Attendance Corner πππ
Attendance
If your child needs to be absent for any reason this school year, please utilize the school attendance email address: musketeerattendance@gmail.com. We are encouraging parents to provide doctor/dentist excuses, as much as possible. The RCSS code of conduct permits 5 parent notes per school year.
COVID-19
For COVID-19 related absences, please contact Nurse Tiller at TilleCu@boe.richmond.k12.ga.us. When all information is received, the attendance will be updated and teachers will receive an email informing them of the studentβs absence.
2024-2025 Updated School System Calendar πππ
Old Announcements & Reminders π§π΄
Clemson's C-CAT Program π±
The Clemson C-CAT Program is now accepting nominations for 9th and 10th grade students for their 24-25 Sessions.
Clemsonβs Challenge for Academically Talented Students (C-CATS) recruits outstanding students to participate in high-powered weekend retreats. Through team-building and academic sessions, students gain leadership skills, make lasting friendships, and improve their ability to think clearly and perform under pressure, all while having the time of their lives!
Spend the weekend exploring Clemson University while developing leadership skills and building friendships with other top performing students.
Interested? See your counselor for more information.
Mercer University's CASE program π»
Mercer University is currently seeking students who will be sophomores and juniors during the 2024-2025 academic year, Mercer Universityβs Certificate of Achievement and Service Excellence (CASE) program seeks to identify students who embody Mercerβs commitment to research and service. Two-thirds of Mercer students participate in at least one service-learning experience during their time on campus, and the CASE program will recognize students who value service both personally and as an important component of higher learning.
To be a CASE Scholar, students must hold a 3.5 GPA or higher, demonstrate continued involvement in service during high school, and submit an application form or be nominated for the program by a school counselor or teacher. Eligible nominees will then be invited to apply to the program by the Office of University Admissions. Scholars will be awarded the Certificate of Achievement and Service Excellence along with a $500 scholarship, contingent upon their acceptance and enrollment to Mercer University.
Ready to apply? Click the link below.
Senior Dues
Senior dues are due March 14th and are $80 through MySchoolBucks. It covers a fall t-shirt, spring t-shirt, and senior week activities.
Senior fall t-shirt is available for purchase for $15 separately for anyone through MySchoolBucks.
Updated grading policy
All work should be completed on time. Teachers may deduct five points per day and communicate this in the Infinite Campus gradebook. Work turned in after the learning has occurred may not be graded (no more than 5 school days from the due date). If a student continues to submit work late, a parent-teacher conference may be held to co-develop a plan of action.
Using Artificial Intelligence to complete assignments where students are asked to produce original work will be considered Academic Dishonesty.
Canvas Parent Tips π€π€π€
Can't find us in the Parent App?
Yeah, I couldn't either. While I was logged in as a parent, I went to Account. Scrolled down to QR Code for Mobile Login and there it was! Very easy...once you know what you are looking for!
HOT TIP
Switch browsers. For whatever reason, I kept clicking logout and it was keeping me logged in to my son's account. I had his account open in Chrome and had to create my account in Firefox.
Go to the parent site. Create an account. Enter one child's paring code--I suggest doing your favorite kid first....kidding! Once you are logged in, if you have multiple kids, go to Account, then down to Observing. In the box, add the pairing code from your other child and click "+Student." Voila!
Want to observe your kid's classes in Canvas?
Get the paring code from your child(ren). To do that, have them login. Go to Account. Then Settings. On the right side, there will be a button that says, "Pair with an Observer." Write this code down or take a quick pic for your child (or children if you have multiple in the school system. Do all of your children at once. It'll be easier. Also, if you are a teacher in RCSS, it was recommended to me to use a separate email account from my work email.)