 |
|
SUNDAY LETTER September 18, 2016
|
|
A MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
|
|
|
Summer Reading Prompts Thoughtful Advisory Discussions
All advisory groups spent an afternoon discussing the summer reading books. The
Upper School
book for grades 9-11 was A Lesson Before Dying, by Ernest J. Gaines. It tells the story of the last days and weeks of a young black man, sentenced to death after his unwitting involvement in a liquor store shootout.
The following are samples of commentary from advisors on their discussions with advisees:
"My group got into the larger question about how blacks are/were treated by the justice system vs. whites. The central theme being that this injustice probably would have never happened to Jefferson if he were white."
"We had a good discussion about modern connections. How would Grant or Jefferson have felt about the Black Lives Matter movement? What issues raised in the book have gotten better? What issues remain?"
"They also made connections with racism, building a wall, and racial profiling in our world today. If we were all speeding who would be the first driver to be pulled over? And a student questioned: Doesn't it matter what color the police officer is? That created a really interesting conversation."
"10
th
grade had a wonderful discussion on racial profiling and institutional racism. Our plan is to continue this discussion and follow up with relevant groups doing work on institutional racism today."
"11
th
grade spoke about racism and how it was easier to blame a person of color for the incident that took place rather than find out the truth and how stereotypes and misconceptions led everyone to believe that they convicted the right man."
The Middle School book, A Long Walk to Water, by Linda Sue Park, tells the true story of Salva Dut, a "Sudanese Lost Boy," and the fictional story of Nya, young village girl.
"Students seemed to really enjoy the book. They definitely had a lot to share. In fact some students even did some extensive research (on their own) on the water well today."
"We discussed the American privilege of access (for the most part) to clean water. We also discussed the importance of conserving water and we planted seeds in our minds about ways we can help increase access to potable water around the world."
"In our session, the students chose to either:
- Write an email to the author of A Long Walk to Water
- Create a six-panel comic strip about their favorite chapter, or
- Create four Instagram messages about the book, complete with hashtags"
Middle school teachers are hoping to use the water theme to inspire some service learning activities this year.
Peter McCormack
Head of School
|
Grade Level Parent Meetings: Grades 5, 6 & 7
Monday, September 19 | 6:30 p.m.
Parent Homes
Grade Level Parent Meetings: Grades 8 & 11
Tuesday, September 20 | 6:30 p.m.
Grade 8 at Parent Home
Grade 11 On Campus in the Garden
Grade Level Parent Meetings: Grades 9 & 10
Wednesday, September 21 | 6:30 p.m.
Grade 9 at Parent Home
Grade 10 in the MPR
Friday, September 23 | 6:30 p.m.
Front Lawn
"Zootopia" will be shown on the basketball court Free entrance. Guest passes are in the office for non-RHP/Ren students (2 max) Food will be served at 6:30pm until it is gone - $2 tacos, $1 drink Bring your own blankets or beach chairs. A free PouchCouch will be raffled off for anyone who attends. Get your raffle ticket this week!
Friday, September 30
Lunch | 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Front Lawn
|
Girls' Varsity Volleyball vs
California Academy of Math & Science
Tuesday, September 20| 4:00 p.m.
Cross Country v
s
California Academy of Math & Science
Tuesday, September 20| 4:30 p.m.
CSUDH
1000 E Victoria St.
Carson, CA 90747
Girls' Varsity Volleyball vs Wildwood
Friday, September 23| 3:30 p.m.
Stoner Park
Boys' Varsity Football vs. Chadwick
Saturday, September 24 | 2:00 p.m.
Chadwick School
26800 S Academy Dr.
Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA
|
Senior Speech: Sky Wang
RHP is a life changer for me and the lesson it taught me was that life is a high mountain to climb and a wonderland to explore. After coming to prep, I was encouraged to not only work hard in class but also participate in things that I actually like and was given sufficient free time to devote myself into these extracurricular activities. It is where I started soccer, art, garage band, and my student council career and tried out football, track, and math tutoring. I was a piece of plain white paper that is now colorful with all kinds of wonderful things going on.
Read More
Senior Speech: Bria Booth
My director Bethany Price taught me to be thankful for my nerves. It was the opening night of
The Sound of Music, the first musical I had a leading role in. She came up to me backstage, sensing my nerves, and told me something that would always stick with me. "Being nervous means that you care."
Read More
Service Learning Head of School List 2015-2016 Trimester III
Volunteers Needed for Muffins for the Arts
The Rolling Hills Preparatory and Renaissance Schools Performing Arts Booster Club will be selling muffins during the Tuesday break time at 9:30 am as a fundraiser. This has been quite a successful fundraiser for the club and the kids truly love it! We need volunteers to come and sell the muffins.
Click here to sign up for a slot! If you have any questions please email
[email protected].
Students: Interested in Joining Beginning Band?
The Musical Ensembles are off to a great start! The Symphonic Band is preparing to perform its first piece, the Korean Folk Tune "Arirang" for the International Day celebration. The Concert Chorus is adding two pieces "Non Nobis Domine" and "Duond Akuru" to bring choral element to what looks to be a diverse and exciting program.
We still have openings in the beginning band for those interested in playing flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone or saxophone. Please contact Mr. Rancont at
[email protected] for information on how you can be involved in this exciting group!
International Student Travel for Upper School Students:
- In March, we are returning to the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica for a program of service learning and cultural exchange. We are partnering with World Leadership School in offering this program. Contact Kathy Hagee or Alina Acosta with any questions.
- In June, we begin a partnership in Xian, China which includes homestays, service learning, work with a local public school, and an immersion in the culture of urban and rural China. This program is also through World Leadership School. Contact Eachan Holloway and Kaini Gu with questions.
- In June, students have the opportunity to see and tour a number of colleges in universities in the New England area. Burnadean Dement will lead for the second year of this successful program, offered through EF Tours, contact her with any questions.
- In August, we are offering to RHP alumni and families the chance to join Rebecca Kandel- Scott in Cuba for an Arts and Cultural Exchange. Latin Art Space, whose specialty is Cuban-American partnerships, is facilitating the program. Contact Rebecca with any questions.
From the College Counseling Office
IMPORTANT DATES & REMINDERS FOR PARENTS OF THE CLASS OF 2017
- Family meetings to discuss your student's final college list and answer questions about the college application process will begin Friday, August 26th and continue through the month of October. Click here to sign up.
- Monday, September 26th at 7:00 p.m.: Financial Aid Workshop, Part II at Chadwick School. The FAFSA application for the 2017-2018 academic year will be available October 1st, so it is important to prepare early and understand how recent changes impact the financial aid application process.
College Rep Visits:
|
September 19th
11:00 a.m. High Point University
September 20th
12:30 p.m. University of Redlands
|
|
RHP & Ren Families Connected
Reminder to check out RHP & Ren Families Connected project, a teen wellness and substance use prevention program for parents. Part of the larger South Bay Families Connected project, RHP & Ren Families Connected strives to help us all achieve our shared goal of keeping our youth on a healthy path into maturity. Please check out the galleries of local and national resources, the parent blog, the event calendar, and much much more, by
clicking here.
The link will also be located on the sidebar of the parent's page on both websites.
Be sure the view the video on the home page. It will provide you with a walk through of some of the information and opportunities to connect that are available, free of charge, to all parents. Events and new information are frequently being added, so please check back often!
|
|
Senior Alexis Finnie-Jenkins was recognized as one of San Pedro Rotary Club's Students of The Month. Alexis is a prominent artist, recipient of last year's Sportsmanship Award in Track and Field, and leader of "Cakes for Causes" on campus.
|
Phillips 66 generously donated new emergency backpacks for each of the classrooms.
|
Students gathered to check out and sign up for some of the incredible clubs that are being offered for the 2016-2017 school year.
|
Annual Fund Dunk Tank Challenge
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
