February Newsletter

It is hard to believe we are already past the midpoint of the 2022-23 school year! Our second semester started on January 17, and students are busy adjusting to their new schedules, changing classes, and participating in the numerous extra and co-curricular activities Red River has to offer. Thank you to all of the students, faculty, staff, coaches, advisors, and parents who have helped make the 2022-2023 school year go well!

Red River students will be participating in the Student Engagement survey on Tuesday, February 6. This state sponsored survey will provide Red River with data on how students engage in the classroom and school during the year. Freshmen and Juniors will take the Youth Risk Behavior survey during the following week. Collecting this data allows the Grand Forks community to access federal grant funding to continue to provide activities and efforts to prevent substance abuse.

Snow Week is set for February 10-15. Please see the additional information included in this letter related to the events and schedule for the week. The Snow Ball Dance will be on Wednesday, February 15, 8:30 PM – 10:30 PM . If your son/daughter plans to bring an out-of-school guest, please be sure they pick up the Guest Pass when they buy their tickets.

The 2022-23 Course Catalog is available online at the Red River High School website: https://bit.ly/3m3ARoP . Please open and review the course options with your student(s) for next year. If you have any questions about courses for next year, please contact your counselor.

With so many upcoming tournaments and events, this would be a good time to remind your child/children that they represent Red River High School at all extracurricular events. Good sportsmanship is expected, and any infractions could result in school and/or legal consequences. Demonstrate positive Rider Pride as you cheer Red River on to victory!

Finally, please make note of the following upcoming dates:

• Wednesday, February 8 & Wednesday, February 22 - Early Release (PLC days)

• Thursday, February 9, and Tuesday, February 14 - Parent Teacher Conferences 4:00 - 7:00 pm

• No School: Thursday, February 16 and Friday, February 17 – Teacher Professional Development

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please give us a call at 746-2400. Thank you for your continued support of Red River High School.

Sincerely,

Dr. Darin J. Walters

Associate Principal

February 1st: Spring White Cards Available for Pickup

February 8th: Early Release PLC (Day ends at 1:00pm)

February 9th: Parent-Teacher Conferences 4pm-7pm

February 10-15: Snow Week (see public events below)

February 14th: Parent-Teacher Conferences 4pm-7pm

February 16th-17th: NO SCHOOL (Staff Professional Development)

February 16th-18th- STATE Wrestling

February 22nd: Early Release PLC (Day ends at 1:00pm)

February 23rd-25th- STATE Hockey (Boys)

February 24th-25th: STATE Gymnastics

February 27th: TRACK Begins

March 2nd-4th: STATE Swimming (boys) & Hockey (Girls)

March 8th: Early Release PLC (Day ends at 1:00pm)

March 9th-11th-STATE Basketball

March 10th: STATE VEX Robotics

March 13th-17th: NO SCHOOL- Spring Break/Confrence Trade Days

March 20th- Baseball & Softball Begin

March 24th: End of Quarter 3

March 27th: Soccer (Girls) Begins

March 29th: Early Release PLC (Day ends at 1:00pm)

March 31st: Quarter 3 Report Cards Emailed to Families

April 3rd: Tennis (Girls) Begins

April 7-10: NO SCHOOL- Easter Break

April 10th: Golf (Boys) Begins

Apri 12: Early Release PLC (Day ends at 1:00pm)

April 15th: STATE Speech

April 26: Early Release PLC (Day ends at 1:00pm)

April 29th: Prom

The Grand Forks Public Schools high school summer school registration form is now open! The high school summer school registration form can be located at https://bit.ly/SSHSReg23

If your student has any questions or needs assistance with registering for high school summer school, please have them speak with their school counselor.

Spring White Cards will be available for pickup beginning February 1st. All payments should be made through myschoolbucks.com. If you need more information, please click the button below.

Track & Field

Track and Field begins on Monday, Feb. 27th. Get your white cards in the office before that date. Email the boys coach, Jeff Bakke (jbakke260@mygfschools.org), or the girls coach, Adam Eckert (aeckert310@mygfschools.org), with any questions.

This past winter HOSA has been very busy! We did a toy drive for the Family Care (Pediatric) Unit at Altru Hospital. It was a great success and we delivered the toys, books, art supplies, etc. a few days before Christmas. We celebrated the Holidays by decorating Christmas cookies and looking forward to 2023!

In January, HOSA also partnered with the Red River Student Council to make stress balls for students during finals week. It was a fun activity and we learned other ways to try and cope with stress as well. Now our HOSA members are getting ready for the State Leadership Conference this Spring, studying for upcoming tests and preparing for their competitions.

The Red River HOSA Chapter is also very excited to share that Naomi Rahman, one of HOSA members, won the ND State Pin Design! Her pin will be featured at the State Leadership Conference and will be used at the HOSA International Leadership Conference. Way to go Naomi!

We are looking forward to our Mental Health Awareness Activity in February and will continue to prepare for our State Competition this Spring.

NHS applications are for students grades 10-12 with a cumulative grade point average of 3.7 (not rounded) "weighted" or higher. Red River High School is pleased to support this organization that recognizes and honors students for outstanding academic achievement. Students are eligible to apply only once during their high school career. Qualifying students will receive a letter in the mail with details of the application process.

Application packets are available in the main office February 1-10, 2023. Students who do not pick up application materials by February 10, 2023 decline their invitation.

All completed application forms are due in the main office by Friday, March 3, 2023. Students will be notified of their acceptance (or denial) after the National Honor Society Faculty Committee has reviewed all applications.

Open Communication
Talking openly and honestly with your kids is one of the most effective ways to support their
behavioral health. Whether it’s everyday topics like friends and school, or more serious topics like substance use, anxiety, or depression, it’s never too early to start the conversation. As your kids grow, your conversations may change, but they will always be centered on keeping them happy, healthy, and safe. Keep your conversations relaxed, friendly, non-judgmental, and genuine. And most importantly, be a good listener. What should I say? Visit www.parentslead.org for more information.