🌞 Open 🌞 Announcements

Thanks to everyone for taking safety seriously at Open. Most of us feel safe here, but last week's school tragedy -- and potential tragedies still to come -- means we're not safe as a society. I'm hoping our conversation can shift from hardening schools to hardening public resolve to demand common sense change. Notice these Open students protesting in 2018 after the Parkland, FL shooting. Sadly, six years later little has changed. Therefore, in accordance with Virginia law, we will conduct another lock down drill by the end of the week. Two more will occur this school year.

If the enhanced security within our building helps students and families feel safer, then we are grateful. Our new security team has been truly wonderful and our students continue to impress me with their patience and flexibility. To learn more about RPS and Crisis Preparedness, see the attached guide. Unfortunately, we know that community violence is an even greater threat to the lives of our young people in Richmond. Therefore, when students leave the building during lunch they are expected to travel in groups and always be aware of their surroundings. I also recommend that parents connect to their child's phone, so their location is always available.

To discuss issues like this and learn how you can support Open, please join us this Tuesday for our first PTSA Meeting of the year at 6:30 pm in Room 107. This will be preceeded by an International Travel Interest Meeting at 6 pm to learn about summer 2025 trips to Iceland and Guatemala. Please join us if you can!

This week students will sign up for Thursday Electives in a special Family Meeting on Thursday. We have a fantastic line-up of courses including those facilitated by former Open students and VCU Honors students. Please plan your selections now, and remember that some courses may be repeated in the spring. Thanks to Saskia Price, our Annual Substitute, for helping coordinate this effort!

Continue reading for On the Horizon events, Student Opportunities, and Senior Updates. May the week be as brilliant as the sun!

With love and gratitude,

Clary Carleton, Principal

Apply for the Election Day Page Program! The program is for students ages 16-17. It is an opportunity to shadow election officers, learn about the elections process, and earn volunteer hours. Complete this form. See FAQs below!

Get some volunteer hours and meet our Oregon Hill Neighbors at Cleanup & Weeding Day at Pleasants Park, 772 Albermarle St. Saturday, September 21.

As a reminder, all Open students are expected to complete 30 individual volunteer hours each year. Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Brigette Newberry bnewberr@rvaschools.net if you need help identifying a non-profit organization that needs support.

• 9/15, Hispanic Heritage Month begins

• 9/16-17, James River Boat Trip (9th grade Biology, PAY HERE)
  

• 9/17, Visit from Professor Don Audelino Sac Coyoy

• 9/19, Back to School Night, 5:45 - 7:45 pm
• 9/25, Senior Parent Night: 6:00 - 7:00 pm
• 10/7, APES Canoing Field Trip
• 10/7, GiSTEM Field Trip
• 10/8, PTSA Meeting
• 10/10, PSAT (Grades 10 & 11)

Meet with Micah

All seniors are required to meet with Micah to review graduation requirements and discuss post-high school plans. Every senior is expected to schedule and attend their meeting. SIGN UP HERE if you haven't already.

Senior Project

The Senior Project is another way to distinguish yourself as you apply for college or any other post-secondary experience. Please review the requirements and see the linked examples from former students. If you're not sure where to start, just ask!

College Visits

We are lucky to have so many college reps visit our school so seniors can explore options. Students must have permission from their teacher to attend if they have a class during the time of the visit. Please plan accordingly.

• Sept. 10 @ 2:45-Wake Forest University
• Sept. 11 @ 1:45-Vanderbilt University & @ 2:45-Randolph College
• Sept. 17 @ 1:45-Davidson College & @ 2:45-Mary Baldwin University
• Sept. 18 @ 1:45-Virginia Commonwealth University & @ 2:45-Massachusetts Institute Technology
• Sept. 24 @ 1:45-Longwood University & @ 2:45-The University of Virginia
• Sept. 25 @ 2:45-Virginia Tech

Senior Dues

Pay for these at Online School Payments.

Future Center

Josh White is our Future Center Navigator and is here to help all students consider post-secondary options. He will be available on Fridays in the Student Lounge and can be reached at jwhite11@rvaschools.net.

GRASP

Amy Swierczewsk is our GRASP Advisor or the "go to" for all things FAFSA and financial aid. She will be available on Mondays beginning on Sept 30 in the Resource Room.

Helpful Websites

• Big Future College Search/Quiz
• Explore Colleges from Common App
• Big Future Scholarship Search
• Scholly Scholarship Search

Please plan to join us at Open on Tuesday, September 10 at 6:30 pm. We look forward to welcoming some new faces!

Email: cwashing@rvaschools.net
Website: https://ohs.rvaschools.net/
Location: 600 South Pine Street, Richmond, VA, USA
Phone: 8047804661
Instagram: @openhighrva

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialopenhighschoolpage/

Merchandise Store: https://tinyurl.com/nfp5yzay

Online School Payments: https://tinyurl.com/54kc4d9y

PTSA: https://ohsrva.ptboard.com/