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Superintendent's Message
Dear RBHS Students, Families, Staff, and Community,
At the September Board of Education meeting, the building administration reported on the progress of the benchmarks affiliated with the District's "academic achievement and school culture" goal. Benchmarks include ACT scores, AP exam performance, graduation rate, student engagement, and attendance.
We are optimistic about the strong culture of achievement and student engagement at RB. The Class of 2014 achieved a composite ACT score of 22.5. Student enrollment and performance in AP classes at RB continue to improve based on the College Board's annual report. It is too early to quantify definitively how much student attendance has improved, but we are encouraged by the initial indicators. Student engagement is also improving as demonstrated by the number of students involved in sports or an extra-curricular activity. RB faculty and staff have been working diligently to help students strengthen their relationship to the school through regular, on-time attendance and by participating in school activities.
More information on Board of Education meetings and clips of these presentations can be viewed at www.rbtv.tv.
Cordially,
Kevin Skinkis, Ed.D.
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Graduation Venue
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The District is preparing to begin construction on its facilities west of Golf Road this spring (March 1 - August 1), which means the stadium will be unavailable for graduation. The administration investigated offsite venues and reported back to the Board of Education. Based on that discussion and the feasibility of using an off-site venue, it was determined that graduation will be held at RB in the main gym. There will also be video feeds for additional guests in both the auditorium and little theater. More information will follow in the upcoming months related to tickets, times, and other details.
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Life Safety/Capital Improvement Projects
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Members of the Board of Education and the Superintendent are interviewing construction management firms to assist the District with the Life Safety/Capital Improvement projects that will start to be addressed this spring. A formal recommendation is expected to be made to the Board of Education in October.
High School Parking
We are continuing discussions with the Cook County Forest Preserve and the Chicago Zoological Society with the purpose of coming to an agreement regarding parking for the high school.
Here is a conceptual drawing that the Board of Education is
 strongly considering. The drawing addresses feedback and input the Board has
received from stakeholders over several
months in relation to parking, tennis courts,
track, field, stadium, locker rooms, and concessions/restrooms. Several specific details are still being researched, with a tentative plan for schematic drawings to be brought to the Board of Education for a vote in October/November.
For more information on Board of Education meetings, please check the RB website under the Board of Education tab or you can watch the meetings on www.rbtv.tv.
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Pool - Ventilation
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A majority of the work related to installing a supplemental air handling unit over the pool's spectator area has been completed. The roof-top unit will be mounted to the roof on a student non-attendance day in October. The District's engineer believes this should address the inconsistent airflow that has plagued the pool since it opened.
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Principal's Message
 Ever evolving technology in a world of new social media apps, such as Streetchat, provides frequent opportunities for instant and not always positive communication. As you reinforce positive behavior expectations for your sons and daughters, please be reminded--new apps can be downloaded on your child's phone in a minute. Continue to engage in conversation with them about responsible use of social media, and please, be aware of the apps they are using. In partnership, we will also continue to address this issue and further reinforce the positive use of technology during the upcoming Internet Safety Day on November 3. Mark your calendars for Thursday, October 23, for parent-teacher conferences. Reports cards will be available at conferences, and parents will have an opportunity to hear teacher feedback about student academic and behavior performance in order to celebrate accomplishments and encourage student efforts to improve. Parent training and support for Schoology, our learning management system, will also be available during parent-teacher conferences. Additionally, on-line resources to assist parents with logging onto and navigating Schoology are available on the school's website. More detailed information regarding October 23 was emailed home and is posted on the school's website. With the end of first quarter rapidly approaching on Friday, October 10, encourage your student to check their grades on Skyward and give his or her best effort to end the quarter strongly. Kristin Smetana |
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Bullying Lesson for Freshman
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On Wednesday, October 22, the Student Services Department will show
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Bully Official Trailer #1
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a compelling documentary titled Bully to the freshman class. This powerful
documentary addresses the reality of bullying in schools, highlights the negative ripple effect it has on family systems and communities, and inspires hope for a less violent future. The content of this film is rated PG-13 and includes intense thematic material, disturbing content, and some strong language all involving students and bullying.
Social workers and school psychologists will provide pre-and post-lessons before and after the movie that directly connect to the Illinois Social Emotional Learning Standards and support the Illinois Anti-Bullying Statute, which mandates that school districts make suitable provisions for instruction on bullying prevention. Parents will receive more information in a Skyward blast and will have the opportunity to opt their students out from viewing the movie.
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Junior Practice for the ACT
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All RB juniors will take a practice ACT test in the school's gymnasium periods 1 - 4B on Wednesday, October 22. Regardless of the student's regular lunch period, all juniors will eat C lunch on this day in the gymnasium. The purpose of this test is to provide juniors with an opportunity to practice taking an ACT prior to the official ACT test on March 3, which includes a writing section. All juniors will also take another practice ACT during the second semester.
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Banned Books Week
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 During the week of September 22 - September 26, the library celebrated Banned Books Week. The purpose of the week was to celebrate the freedom to read and to raise awareness about the problem of book censorship in the United States. As part of the week's activities, staff members and student leaders went to Banned Books Jail where they read books that have been banned throughout history.
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Alumni Achievement Medal Recipients Selected
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The Alumni Achievement Medal recipients have been chosen. They include Paul Bronsteader (class of 1988), Gregg Potter (class of 1978), and Ronald Slaby (class of 1962). The awards will be presented at a dinner on Thursday, October 9, 2014. More information on the recipients can be found on the RB website.
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Upcoming Student Services Events
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College Planning Tips for Sophomore Parents
October 14 at 7:00 in the Auditorium
Jim Franko will give some helpful tips to parents of sophomores on college admission and financial aid.
2015-2016 Course Selection Process
Course selection for the 2015-16 school year will begin in early November. Small group pre-course selection meetings and individual registration appointments with counselors will occur during the following weeks. More information regarding the course selection process will be shared with parents and students in October.
Pre-Registration Meetings with Counselors
November 5 & 6 Sophomores - Class of 2017
November 24 & 25 Freshmen - Class of 2018
December 15 & 16 Juniors - Class of 2016
Registration Appointments with Counselors
November 10 - 21 Sophomores - Class of 2017
December 1 - 12 Freshmen - Class of 2018
January 5 - 16 Juniors - Class of 2016
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Student Recognition
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(Photo credit: Teresa J. Potasiak, Manager Community Relations, Office of Illinois State Comptroller, Judy Baar Topinka)
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This was RB's 21st showing in Chicago's Von Steuben Day Parade. The RB Color Guard, Marching Band, and German Club took to Lincoln Avenue and marched for thousands of fans. Many thanks to all the parents who volunteered to make this event a success, as well as those who made the pilgrimage down to watch the parade! Among the crowd this year were Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner, and State Comptroller Judy Barr-Topinka, pictured left.
National Merit Recognition
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced the names of approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the 60th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. This nationwide group of semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors. These seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for scholarships that will be offered next spring. Additionally, about 34,000 students were also recognized for their score on the PSAT/NMSQT, which was among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the competition. Congratulations to the following students:
- Lana Hermann, semifinalist
- Lucia Adami, commended student
- David Bell, commended student
- David Buksa, commended student
- Robert Peugh, commended student
Student Artist Designs Police Decal
Rebecca Burke, an AP art student, designed an official patch for the Riverside Police Department for use on their uniforms. Congratulations to Rebecca for her contribution to our local law enforcement agency.
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Excellence and Ethics
in Education
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Important Dates
Please check our website for the dates and locations of all performances and events.
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October 10
First Quarter Ends
October 13
Columbus Day No School October 147 p.m College Planning Tips for Sophomores
Auditorium
October 158 a.m. PSAT Exam
East Gym
October 22
Periods 1 -- 4B
Practice ACT for Juniors
Gymnasium
October 23
Noon -- 4 p.m.
5:30 p.m. -- 8:30 p.m.
Parent Teacher Conferences
(Non-attendance for students)
October 24
Teacher Institute
(Non-attendance for students)
October 26
7 a.m. -- 1:30 p.m.
National ACT Test
October 29
8 a.m. -- 3:05 p.m
Blood Drive
Alumni Lounge
October 30
7 p.m.
Fall Band and Orchestra Concert
Auditorium
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Contact Us
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See our website for individual staff email addresses
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