Register for both the Greater Denver College Fair at Mountain Vista High School and the Colorado Council College Fair at Rock Canyon High School at www.strivefair.com. You will register for each college fair separately. You can also use the QR code on the flyer.

Rock Canyon will host a Rachel's Challenge Assembly next Tuesday, September 24th during Seminar and Access. The Rachel’s Challenge mission is to "address the root causes of school violence, bullying, prejudice, and self-harm through student wellness programs that build connection, hope, and resilience. [They] improve school culture so that students are able to reach their full potential academically, socially, and emotionally" (RachelsChallenge.org). To learn more about Rachel's Challenge watch this introductory video or visit their website.

If you are a student who is passionate about sexual harassment and assault prevention, we would love for you to join SART - a club where students are trained to educate their peers on SH & SD prevention. Our first training will take place in early November. If you are interested in joining, please fill out this permission slip, and bring it to Ms. Thomsen in the counseling office.

The Counseling Team will be going into Freshmen and Junior Seminars to give "Signs of Suicide" lessons starting this week, lessons will go through September.

This year the Rock Canyon Counseling team is working to teach students about mental health and how to seek help if they are worried about themselves or a friend. All Freshman and Junior Seminars will get lessons from a counselor. We are using a program called SOS Signs of Suicide. The program teaches students about this difficult topic and encourages them to seek help.

SOS has been used by thousands of schools for over 20 years. Studies have shown that it effectively teaches students about depression and suicide while reducing the number of students’ self-reported suicide attempts.

Through the program, students learn:

• that depression is treatable, so they are encouraged to seek help

• how to identify depression and potential suicide risk in themselves or a friend

• to ACT (Acknowledge, Care and Tell a trusted adult) if concerned about themselves or a friend

• who they can turn to at school for help

Students will participate in a guided discussion about depression, suicide, and what to do if they are concerned about a friend. Following the lesson, students will complete a brief depression screening form. This form cannot provide a diagnosis of depression but does indicate whether a young person should seek help from a mental health professional.

At the end of class, students will be advised to talk to a trusted adult about any concerns the lesson has brought up.

We encourage you to visit www.mindwise.org/parents for information on warning signs for youth suicide, useful resources, and some of the key messages students will learn.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s participation in this program please contact any of our school counselors all emails can be found on the RCHS website at https://www.rockcanyonjags.com

How to Apply Video

Requirements: Students need a 3.0 GPA and to complete an online application that requires no essays, no recommendations, and no transcripts by September 30, 2024, at 5 p.m. Eastern.

The 2024-25 application is open to high school seniors until 5 p.m. Eastern on September 30, 2024. This is earlier than previous years.

See program details, a selection roadmap, and last year's Coke Scholars.

The USSYP is an educational experience for outstanding high school students interested in pursuing careers in public service. The program brings the highest-level officials from each branch of government to meet with this outstanding group of young leaders -- two high school juniors or seniors from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity -- for an intensive week-long education and leadership program. For 2025, the 63rd annual United States Senate Youth Program Washington Week is being planned for March 1-8, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Each delegate will be awarded a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate studies, with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science.

Applications are due on Wednesday, October 16th, 2024. Visit this link for more information on eligibility, Colorado’s selection process and application.