PRHS Ridge News Issue 3

September 6th, 2024-2025

Issue #3

September 6: Quarter 1 Mid-point

September 12: Senior Parent Night/Financial Aid Night
September 20: Digital Learning Day

October 8 & 9: Quarter 1 Final Exams

October 10-14: Fall Break

GCPS Calendar

The halfway mark for Q1 is today, Friday, September 6th. Please check on your student's course progress. Please make sure you are checking grades in your parent portal account or your student's portal account. The quarter will end on October 9th with final exams on 10/8 and 10/9.

Directions on Parent Portal's ParentVUE

General Parent Portal information and setting up a Parent Portal Account

Starting this week Peachtree Ridge will be having PRIDE two days a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) in preparation for Lion Time starting in Quarter 2. More information will come explaining Lion Time soon.

Because we are on the block system, Peachtree Ridge has final exams four times a year: October 8 & 9, December 19 & 20, March 12 & 13, and May 20 & 21. Final exams are half days due to the importance of the assessments and to provide students with ample studying time. Students will arrive at school during regular hours, but they will leave at 11:20. The busses will take them home at this time. Also, we do not serve lunch on these days. Final Exams cannot be given early. Please remind your students that they need to bring their Chromebook fully charged for final exams.

Tuesday 10/8

1st Block Exams: 7:10 - 9:10

2nd Block Exams: 9:20 - 11:20

Wednesday 10/9

3rd Block Exams: 7:10 - 9:10

4th Block Exams: 9:20 - 11:20

Gwinnett County Public Schools utilizes several tools to ensure that student performance is communicated effectively to families. ParentVue is one tool that allows parents to view students' grades and attendance. If your child is struggling in a class, please view with your child their teachers’ eCLASS page to view supplemental materials and tutoring schedule. Additionally, please email or use ParentSquare to communicate with your child’s teacher. Early communication and support are critical for student success.

• All final exams must be completed in person. Students are not permitted to complete the course at home, completion of the course must be verified in person.
• The student has been in attendance at least 80% of the instructional days of the course. Students with chronic absenteeism do not qualify for credit recovery and must take the class over at Peachtree Ridge High School or Summer School.
• Please visit Ridge Recovery Website for detailed information about the credit recovery program: https://schools.gcpsk12.org/domain/14041

  
  

Please congratulate our TOTY Finalist for 2025.

• Jeremy Muyres
• Katie Raby
• Kathryn Wyatt

Peachtree Ridge High School is the standard of excellence in all we do. In an effort to maintain this standard, we encourage students to present themselves in a way that promotes excellence in dress. As a reminder, students viewed a video from Mr. J in PRIDE this week reminding them of these expectations for dress code. This information can be found on our school website. Please join us in this effort as dress code will be strictly enforced this year.

Regular attendance in classes is directly linked to a student's success in the course. You can monitor your child's attendance through ParentVue. When a child has an excused absence, they should bring an excuse note to the front desk on the day they return that includes their student ID number. A list of reasons that an absence can be excused along with our school attendance policy can be found on our website. https://schools.gcpsk12.org/domain/4247. Please partner with us to ensure that your child is present in each class everyday.

Students over the age of 16 can bring their updated immunization records that include the Meningitis Booster to the Counseling office. Please make sure the student writes their student ID on the 3231 form.

More information can be found on the Georgia Department of Public Health website.

PRHS Student Council would like to invite you to celebrate Peachtree Ridge’s Homecoming 2024! Homecoming Celebrations include spirit week, the Homecoming Game against Meadow Creek, and the Homecoming Dance. Please see below for information about each event.

Homecoming Spirit Week: September 9th-13th

All students and Staff are encouraged to dress up and show their spirit each day! Themes are as follows and must be school appropriate.

MONDAY

Character Day: dress up as a character - think movies/TV/books

TUESDAY

Night In vs Night Out day: Wear PJs to stay in or Dress Up to go out!

WEDNESDAY

Rhyme Without Reason day: It doesn't have to make sense, but it has to rhyme! A Chef & a Ref, Police Station & Hawaiian Vacation, Football Fan & Old Man

THURSDAY

Throwback day: Dress for a decade!

FRIDAY

Grade-level Colors: each grade wears a different color (freshman, sophomores, juniors, seniors)

Homecoming Game: Friday, September 13th at 7:30 pm

Peachtree Ridge Lions will face off against the Meadow Creek Mustangs starting at 7:30 pm.

During Halftime, join us for the presentation of the PRHS Homecoming Court and the crowing of this year’s Homecoming King and Queen.

The Homecoming Dance is September 14th.

Tickets are available on GoFan.com for $30 now until September 12th. Tickets increase to $35 after September 13th until the night of the dance. Attire is semi-formal.

• Need PRHS student ID to purchase ticket (access code is student ID)

• Students will need PHOTO ID to check in (Student Vue/driver's license or permit)

• PRHS Student may purchase 1 guest ticket

• Guests must be 14-20 years of age

• 1500 tickets are available for sale, once we reach 1500 we cannot sell any more tickets.

We look forward to celebrating with everyone! If you have any questions, please reach out to Elaine Vernon (elaine.vernon@gcpsk12.org).

This year we will offer a silent disco option in the Aux Gym homecoming during the Homecoming dance! This option is geared to students who want to control the volume of the music they hear. It is also geared towards the students who prefer other types of music than what is traditionally played in the Commons during the dance. There is no additional cost (besides your ticket) associated with this new addition to the night! K-pop, country, grunge, oldies, and something slower can be enjoyed through these headphones.

Yearbooks can be ordered at yearbookordercenter.com #25659. Order by January 31to be guaranteed a copy.

Please click on the link below for PTSA membership:

JOIN PRHS PTSA!!!

Why join the PTSA?

PTSA offers all parents and caregivers the opportunity to be engaged in their child's potential. Being a member of PTSA means that you are part of a powerful association and action plan that is focused on programs and initiatives that strengthen your child's education PTSA membership and dues support your child by funding essential educational and curriculum needs; advocating on behalf of children and educators at the local, state and national levels; and building an inclusive school community for all families. Join PTSA for your child because increasing our membership, even by one, makes it possible to provide important educational resources, speak up on important issues and create a stronger school community.

See important information (including the next meeting on Sept. 26) in the PTSA newsletter section below.

Call of Reflections Entries: This year's theme is Accepting Imperfection. Deadline for entries is September 25th.

www.scholasticimages.com

Please visit the Scholastic Images website for your custom Class Rings, Letter Jackets, Senior Packages, and Personalized Announcement orders!

Scholastic Images will be on campus throughout the year during lunches. The first date is Monday, September 16th.

Be sure to check out the PRHS Counseling Office eCLASS page. It is students' 24/7/365 resource for all things academic, career, and social/emotional related!

St. Olaf College, Northwestern University, Hamilton College, Vanderbilt University, University of Michigan, Boston University, Emory University, University of Alabama, and Georgia Southwestern State University.

Junior Parents: Mark your calendar! Junior Parent Night is scheduled for Tuesday, October 29, 2024, starting at 6:30 pm in the PRHS Theater. Important information for you and your student will be shared! We look forward to seeing you there! PRHS Counseling Team

Sports tickets can only be purchased via GoFan with a credit or debit card to home sporting events. To purchase a home ticket for games please click on PRHS GOFAN. Many other schools are also going touch-less for tickets as well. If they are using GoFan, those tickets will also be available under Peachtree Ridge.

August

AJ Muhammad – Softball

Seyon Bell – Football

Coach Joe Harrington - Football

Use this Rank One Link to see fall sport schedules.

Wednesday, September 18th

PRHS Theater

7-8pm

This meeting is for all boys and girls interested in trying out for one of the PRHS Soccer teams in 2024-25.

The PRHS boys soccer team received the United Soccer Coaches High School Team Academic Award for the 2023-24 school year for the 7th consecutive school year. The Lions soccer team had a team combined 3.7 GPA which is the highest in program history. Peachtree Ridge boys had the 3rd highest GPA out of the 7 Georgia high schools that qualified for the award (including private schools).

In addition, our Girls soccer team ALSO qualified for this academic award with a 3.8 GPA. Peachtree Ridge girls have tied for 3rd highest GPA out of the 8 Georgia high schools that qualified for the award (including private schools).

Only 33 high schools in the entire country had both men's and women's teams qualify.

Please see this news article for more information.

Boys & Girls Wrestling Interest Meeting, Friday, Aug 30, 2024 at 2:30

in the Wrestling Room or see Coach Petty (Classroom: I-201)

Link to wrestling sign-up

Please see the links below to keep up to date on all important senior dates, events, and announcements. There will be a monthly Senior Newsletter as well as the senior website and the senior google classroom.

• August 2024
• July 2024

Please mark your calendar for this important event.

Thursday, September 12, 2024, starting at 6:00 pm in the PRHS Theater. Parent Night presentation from 6:00 - 7:00 pm, followed by Financial Aid Night presentation from 7:00-8:00 pm. We look forward to seeing you there! PRHS Counseling Team

When working in your Google Drive it is important to organize your files into folder to make them easier to find. Keeping your files organized not only helps your find them later, but also helps when you eventually graduate and need to export important documents that you will want to save for the future.

Learn more about organizing your Google Drive in the video below.

Follow the GCPS Student Tech Tips Playlist for Tech Tips for more information about student Chromebooks.

Go to PTSA Store to purchase a membership for $10. This is a new PTSA webstore.

Parents, students, and teachers aren't the only ones that can join the PTSA. Did you know grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and even business owners can join the PTSA as well. There is no limit to how many family members, friends, or business owners can join. Active involvement in the PTSA allows you to stay informed about the school polices and initiatives, ensuring your voice is heard. Please consider joining today.

PRHS - Homecoming Dance - Sept 14 !!!

We need volunteers to help with coat check. Dinner is on us !!!!

Please sign up at -https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F044EA4AF2EA6FF2-51023559-homecoming

on Facebook

on Instrgram

855.CommunitySchool@gcpsk12.org

Driver's Education?

SAT/ACT Prep Classes?

Defensive Driving?

ESOL?

Summer PE/Health?

Credit Recovery?

End Zone after-school tutoring?

Facility Rental?

Contact the Community School

Calling all GCPS Seniors! The 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholar Program (USPS) nomination window is open for recognizing and honoring seniors for their academic achievements. In June 2025, selected students will receive a presidential medallion commemorating their success. Students can learn more about this program at www.gadoe.org/USPS and apply between September 2 – November 1, 2024, by 5 PM:

• Nomination Form: 2025 USPS Nomination Form
• Required Verification Forms: Click Here
• Student Informational Brochure: Click Here
• U.S. Presidential Scholars website: Click Here

The United States Senate Youth​ Program, established in 1962 by U.S. Senate Resolution, is an esteemed educational initiative offering high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge of the American political process. Each year, two students from each state are selected as delegates and participate in Washington Week. Delegates receive a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship from the Hearst Foundation to an accredited United States college or university undergraduate program of their choice. Scholarship funds are paid directly to the college or university on the​ student's behalf.

Students can access the 2025 USSYP Application and the required verification forms online. The application deadline is September 30 @ 5 PM.

Click on the button below for more information.

Peachtree Ridge Community School has five different sessions of Driver's Ed schedule for the 24-25 school year.

When does class meet?

Session 1 - Oct 16-Nov 4 - Mondays and Wednesdays, 3-8 PM in B206

10/16, 10/21, 10/23, 10/28, 10/30, 11/4

Session 2 - Jan 21-Feb 6 - Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3-8 PM in B206

1/21, 1/23, 1/28, 1/30, 2/4, 2/6

Session 3 - Mar 17-Apr 2 - Mondays and Wednesdays, 3-8 PM in B206

3/17, 3/19, 3/24, 3/26, 3/31, 4/2

Session 4 - June 2-5- Monday-Wednesday, 8AM-4PM, Thursday, 8AM-2PM, in B206

Session 5 - July 14-17 Monday-Wednesday, 8AM-4PM, Thursday, 8AM-2PM, in B206

Do I need to attend every class to earn credit for Driver's Ed?

YES! You must be present at ALL classes to earn credit.

What should I bring to class?

You will need to bring a pencil, water bottle, and dinner or a snack.

What is the deadline to register?

Please see MPP for each session’s deadlines.

When do I get to practice driving?

Students must complete 30-hours of classroom learning, log 20 hours of driving time with a parent, and be comfortable behind the wheel, BEFORE driving time can be scheduled. Driving times are based on instructor and student availability and are scheduled on a first-response basis. We strive to complete driving with students within 120 days from course completion.

What does the class cost?

$450 - in-person class plus 6 hours driving, $385 - 6 hours driving ONLY Additional driving time may be scheduled for $65/hour.

What if I have additional questions?

Contact nina.hidalgo@gcpsk12.org or visit www.gcpsk12.org/Page/26555.

We have a variety of shelf-stable pantry items and some hygiene products available for families in need.

Families are welcome to come shop our CARE closet, or we can prepare bags for them. Our office is happy to have these ready for pick-up or drop-off at a family's residence or a discrete location.

Click here to request food or hygiene items.

If you would like to learn more about the CARE Closet that was started by a former PRHS family, please visit their website: https://carecloset.org/

The End Zone offers after school study space and peer tutoring. You can learn more about the End Zone on the PRHS website. The End Zone opens Monday, August 12 and will be open Monday-Thursday, 2:30-4:30pm. We also have our End Zone Weightlifting program in the Lions' Den.

Need tutoring? Use this link to sign up for tutoring in the End Zone.

Check out the homepage of the Peachtree Ridge Website for more information from the front office at www.PeachtreeRidge.org about certificates of enrollment, drivers license documents, and transcript requests.