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Superintendent's Message
Dear RBHS Students, Families, Staff, and Community,
The end of the first semester is just a week away. The students and staff have worked extremely hard this semester, and winter break will be a welcome change allowing for rest and enjoyment of downtime. During this winter break, I would like to wish the entire RB community a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season.
Below are some recent items of interest from our District.
Cordially,
Kevin Skinkis, Ed.D
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2018-19 School Calendar Amendment
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The 2018-19 school calendar was amended by the Board of Education at its regular meeting on December 11, 2018, to compensate for the snow day on November 26, 2018. First semester (final exams) will
be extended
through Friday, December 21, 2018. This date
was originally scheduled
as the first day of winter break. Holding final exams on December 21, 2018, will offset the snow day and keep the instructional days in each semester consistent to the original Board-approved calendar. Make-up exam periods will
be held
in the event a family had travel plans previously scheduled for December 21, 2018.
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As reported last month, the plans have been finalized for the replacement of the original air-handling unit in the pool area. The expected implementation is May through July 4, 2019. Just a reminder: the pool will need to be closed during that time. The Coaches and Aquatics Director are aware of this work schedule and are making adjustments to the summer camps and swim lessons. Our goal is to have the pool open for use after the July 4 holiday.
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As reported during the previous months, we are continuing to work with Cook County Commissioner Jeff Tobolski, Superintendent of Cook County Forest Preserve District Arnold Randall, and Chicago Zoological President-CEO Stuart Strahl to negotiate an agreement for sole access of the athletic fields to the north of the high school. More information will be shared as the process continues.
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At the December Board meeting, a DRAFT of the 2019-20 school calendar was presented to the Board of Education for a first read. This calendar has been reviewed with the feeder school superintendents to align winter and spring breaks. The Board will approve the final calendar in January.
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The Board approved the 2018 Levy at the December Board meeting. The Levy is the projected amount of tax dollars needed to operate the School District next year. District 208 falls under the tax-cap legislation (PTEL); therefore, the School District's levy is expected to increase by last year's Consumer Price Index (approximately 2.1 percent).
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2018-20 Enrollment and Staffing
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At the November Board meeting, enrollment and staffing projections were presented by the Administration. Student enrollment is expected to increase to approximately 1700 students for the 2019-20 school year. The certified staff is projected to increase from 104.6 to 106.6 full-time positions.
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Due to the winter break, the Board of Education had only one meeting in December. The next meeting will be on January 8, 2019, in Conference Room 201 beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Information regarding Board meetings can be found on the RB website under the Board of Education tab or watch the meetings on
www.rbtv.tv
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Principal's Message
It is hard to believe that the end of the semester is already here! As final exams rapidly approach, please encourage your student to begin preparing for these exams. One great resource available to all students is the Homework Hangout in the cafeteria from 3:05 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Mondays - Thursdays. National Honors Society students are there to provide tutoring to any student that would like some assistance. More information about the new first semester final exam schedule and this resource is provided below.
The faculty and staff wish you a safe and peaceful holiday season.
Kristin Smetana
Principal
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Final Exam Schedule/Make-Up Snow Day
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The final exam schedule for the first semester is listed below. No final examinations or final summative assessments may be administered before regularly scheduled exams. Students may not be excused from this obligation by the classroom teacher.
As a reminder, the Homework Hangout is open from
3:05 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Mondays-Thursdays. NHS tutors will be available
for students who would like some extra assistance preparing for final exams.
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DATE
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PERIOD
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TIME
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Tuesday, December 18
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Period 1
Period 2
Make-up
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8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
9:45 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
11:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
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Wednesday, December 19
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Period 3
Period 4
Make-up
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8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
9:45 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
11:15 a.m.- 1:15 p.m.
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Thursday, December 20
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Period 5
Period 6
Make-up
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8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
9:45 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
11:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
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Friday, December 21
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Period 7
Make-up
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8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
9:45 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
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Student Services Events and Information
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College Aid Planning Night with Joe Orsolini from College Aid Planner
Tuesday, January 22, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium
Future Bulldog Night for Incoming Freshmen & Parents
Wednesday, January 9, 2019, at 7:00 p.m.
Students from the class of 2023 will receive their results from the placement exam and their recommended placements for freshman year. Additionally, parents and students will have the opportunity to speak with Instructional Coaches from each department, receive information about the registration process and course selection, and schedule their registration appointment time for Saturday, January 26, 2019.
Students and parents will also be able to learn about the programs available to them at RB and have a chance to meet with our students who are already involved in athletics and activities. Various clubs and non-sport activities will be spread throughout the halls, and the Field House will have displays of all of the athletic programs offered at RB. You will be able to talk with teachers, coaches, and administrators about our full range of offerings.
Incoming Freshman Registration and Course Selection Day
Saturday, January 26, 2019, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (By scheduled appointment)
Parents will submit registration materials, and students will register for classes. Instructional Coaches and counselors will be available to answer questions about placements and elective opportunities.
Local Scholarship Applications for Seniors
The local scholarship applications will be available on the Student Services website on February 1, 2019. You can access the applications by clicking here. The deadline for most applications is March 8, 2019, although a few scholarships have a different deadline. Please see your counselor with any questions.
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During Microsoft's annual Skype-a-Thon in November, hundreds of thousands of students from 102 countries connected with each other to
 travel virtually 23,629,655 miles. More than 150 RB students joined in this global experience, where they toured a volcano in El Salvador, played a mystery Skype game with students in Nigeria, and chatted with a National Geographic explorer and Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist in India.
Teachers also are finding other ways to enrich their students' classroom experiences. Students in Aubrey Prince's Madrigals class participated in a virtual Hangout with composer Jake Runestad. To prepare for their concert, the students performed Runestad's piece, Alleluia. Students also had the opportunity to receive feedback from Runestad on their performance and talk more in-depth about the composition of the piece.
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Testing Information
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Upcoming Winter National ACT and SAT Exam Registration Deadlines
Students interested in taking either the national ACT in February or SAT in March may do so at any neighboring school that will be hosting the exam on those dates. RB will not be hosting either of those national test dates.
The national ACT will be offered on February 9, 2019. Interested students should register by January 11 at www.actstudent.org.
PSAT Results
RBHS will also hand out paper copies of the scores and return test booklets to each student that took the PSAT sometime in January. Students should listen to announcements for the hand out date and expect to receive a follow-up email to confirm this information as well.
For testing-related questions, please contact Marc Helgeson, Testing Director, at helgesonm@rbhs208.net. |
Important Yearbook Information
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Senior ads are due December 31. Go to
www.jostensadservice.com
to design and order your ad. Use this opportunity to recognize your senior's accomplishments and show your pride.
Senior quotes and superlative votes are due December 14 in room 262.
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The Bulldog Book Club met on December 13 before school and discussed
 A List of Cages by Robin Roe. The heartbreaking novel was nominated for the 2019 Lincoln Award (a teen readers' choice award). The club has also picked out their own January reads,
The Thousandth Floor
by Katharine McGee and
Wolf by Wolf
by Ryan Graudin.
Don't stop reading and enjoying great books just because school isn't in session for winter break! Students can check out books from the library to have over winter break.
RBLibrary has regular hours and is OPEN during all days of finals, so come hang out for a place to study, relax, check out a book, or play a game!
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PTO and NHS Sponsor Martin Luther King Day of Service
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The Martin Luther King Day of Service will be held on Monday, January 21, 2019, in the Student Cafeteria. The event is sponsored by the PTO and NHS. The goal is to build 150 basic survival kits to help the homeless. They are seeking donations of the following items:
- New adult-sized gloves, hats, socks, hand/foot warmers
- Soap, toothpaste/toothbrush, deodorant, shampoo/conditioner
- Hand lotion, lip balm
- Small bottles of water
- Non-perishable food items: fruit/granola bars, hard candy, nuts, fruit cups
- Tax deductible monetary donations via PayPal will be used to purchase additional items
Items can be dropped off at RBHS, local grade and middle schools, and the following local organizations: Riverside Library, Brookfield Library, and North Riverside Commons with designated MLK Day of Service Donation Boxes from December 15 - January 15. Click the link for more information about MLK Service Day.
Support PTO Fundraiser and Give Back to Students
Get a Jump on Your Holiday Shopping and Support the PTO! The PTO has  teamed up with Sue Gersch, RB Parent of Grace (Junior), Ben (Freshmen), and Sam (Freshmen), to offer you the opportunity to double dip this holiday season when you purchase Tupperware. Simply purchase some gifts for others or get a jump on that New Year's resolution to get yourself organized, and 15 percent of your purchase will go to the PTO.To do so, click this link, register and get shopping.
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Extracurricular Activities Update
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Acceptance Week
 Because October was National Bullying Prevention Month, RB recognized October 29 - November 2 as "Acceptance Week." The purpose was to support and celebrate our diverse community and foster a culture of acceptance. Listed below are the activities that students and staff were encouraged to participate in throughout the week.
Monday: Make a Friend Monday
In support of Acceptance Week, teachers were asked to encourage students to work with a new partner or group during in-class work time. Students who "made a new friend" were rewarded with HERO points for their efforts! Students also had the opportunity to earn HERO points for doing so during their lunch period in the cafeteria.
Tuesday: Talk It Out Tuesday
Peer mediation was offered all day in Student Services for students to work out any conflict they may have had with a peer. 
What were the kinds of conflicts/issues that were referred to peer mediation?
- Gossip and rumors
- Name calling
- Friendship problems
- Teasing
- Exclusion
During lunch periods, students had the opportunity to reflect on what Acceptance Week meant to them. HERO points were awarded for participation.
Wednesday: Worry Free Wednesday
 In the morning, positive affirmation post-it notes were handed out to students as they entered the building. During lunch, students pledged to participate in a daylong social media blackout on Friday.
Thursday: Thinking About You Thursday
Students wrote candy grams with positive/encouraging messages to their friends during lunch periods in the cafeteria. Candy Grams were delivered to students on Friday.
Friday: Forgiveness Friday 
An anonymous sorry box was in the lunchroom during all periods in which students were able to write and deposit an anonymous note to a peer. Apology notes were delivered to students Friday afternoon.
Chess Team
Congratulations to the RB Chess Team for taking third place at the Argo invite on Saturday, November 17. The Bulldogs beat three tough teams with their only loss coming to the eventual champion, Nequa Valley.
 Sophomore Peter Giannetos and junior Rokas Lukosevicius both went undefeated and won their respective boards in the team tournament.
Freshman Neil Kinnan won all five of his matches and won the individual open tournament.
The Bulldogs are now 6 - 4 after the first month and a half of the season.
Student Association
On Friday, November 2, Mr. Mannon and Mrs. Koehler, along with ten Student Association representatives, attended the Illinois Student Activity Director Fall Conference at Lake Zurich High School. The students spent the day collaborating and engaging in leadership conversations and events  with students from over 25 area high schools. It was a great day for all that attended.
The first of two annual blood drives was a huge success with a total of 104 pints donated!! This means up to 312 lives are helped with this blood. The next drive is scheduled for Wednesday, February 20. SA and Ms. Czajka collected treats and other care package items for current military troops following Halloween. The candy and supplies totaled over 200 lbs. and was to be sent overseas to an RB Grad serving in Afghanistan, as well as additional platoons.
Following the all-school Veterans Day celebration, SA and Ms. Mynaugh and her A.P. Statistics students helped organize Cards for the Troops. Students and staff helped write almost 400 holiday cards that will be given to the USO of Illinois, who will distribute them both to domestic and overseas troops. And finally, SA donated completely filled Thanksgiving Baskets created by various clubs, classes, and staff members for people in need. We collected enough food and gift cards to assist 19 families have a Happy Thanksgiving!!
Currently
we are working on Santa Anonymous, where again numerous clubs, classes, and staff members are involved in purchasing gifts for community members with intellectual disabilities. Gifts will be delivered on December 13. We are also running a Coat, Hat, Scarf, Mittens, and Blanket drive. Our goal is 200 items.
Students are welcome to join SA at any time throughout the year. We meet every Wednesday at 7:20 a.m. in Room 201.
Veterans Day Activities
This year the RB Football program wanted to help lead the school once again in showing support for veterans and in giving back to honor their  service. On October 12, the football game was designated as Military Appreciation Night. Current and past members of the military were invited to join the players on the field for the National Anthem and were honored for their service. The band, poms, and cheerleaders had special performances to honor the military. In the days leading up to the game and during the game, several fundraisers took place. These fundraisers included a Red White and Jeans Day for Faculty and Staff, Split the Pot, the sale of wristbands by the football team, yellow ribbons sold by the cheerleaders at the football game, and donations at the gate to raise funds for the Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital. All fundraisers were combined, and at the Veterans Day Assembly on November 9, the Bulldog Football coaches and players presented a check for $2,600.17 to Hines VA. In addition, several members of the RB Football Program volunteered for the Hines VA Hospital Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony on Saturday, November 10, to help the veterans celebrate their special day.
This year we did not want to stop there! A West Point graduate and RB Alum contacted us about his current deployment in Afghanistan and asked if we could help raise the spirit of his troops. Student Association immediately addressed this challenge and ran a candy drive. In just over one week over 200 pounds of candy was collected as well as donations of toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, and lip balm. These comfort items were sent to troops in Afghanistan and to an airbase on the border of Turkey and Syria with enough left for the USO to stock their centers for the military at the airports.
Math Team
On Saturday, December 1, RB hosted the Metro Suburban Conference Math Competition. Our mathletes did an outstanding job! They improved last year's overall score by 52 points! 
In Algebra 1, Felix Jacquet took 5th, Madelyn Wren took 4th, Caroline Marrero took 3rd, Grayson Pacourek took 2nd, and Ethan Dimaano took 1st place. As a team, the Algebra 1 team of these top scorers and Claire Schroeder took 1st place.
In Geometry, Ryan Lach took 10th, Isabella Linarez took 6th, Peter Giannetos took 4th, and Cain Gonzalez took 2nd place. As a team, the Geometry team of these top scorers, as well as Jack Jameson and Xavier Ramirez, took 1st place.
In Algebra 2, Jacqueline DiMonte took 9th, Danny Kawiecki and Will O'Brien tied for 6th, Ryan Power took 3rd, and Josh Turner took 1st place. As a team, the Geometry team of these top scorers as well as Grace Di Bartolomeo, Claire Kawiecki, and Ben Udelson took 1st place.
In Pre-Calculus, Joe Kawiecki and Luka Malovic tied for 6th, and Joey Vitek took 3rd place. As a team, the Pre-Calculus team of these top scorers as well as David Keen, Michael Kusz, Andres Resto, and Elise Wojack took 2nd place.
The Freshman/Sophomore 8-Person Team of Ethan Dimaano, Caroline Marrero, Grayson Pacourek, Madelyn Wren, Cain Gonzalez, Jack Jameson, Ryan Lach, and Isabella Linarez took 1st place.
The Junior/Senior 8-Person Team of Grace Di Bartolomeo, Danny Kawiecki, Will O'Brien, Ryan Power, Michael Kusz, Luka Malovic, Joey Vitek, and Elise Wojack took 1st place.
The Calculator Team of Felix Jacquet, Peter Giannetos, Jacqueline DiMonte, Joe Kawiecki, and Andres Resto took 1st place.
The Freshman/Sophomore 2-Person Team of Claire Schroeder and Xavier Ramirez took 2nd place.
Overall, the RB team took 1st place!
Speech Team
 The RBHS Speech team participated in the Ram Yam Tournament at Reavis High School on Saturday, November 17.
Jovanis Prodanich got 3rd place in Original Comedy, and Teresa Godinez got 5th place in Prose. Way to go Bulldogs!
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Information from the Office of Student Affairs
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The positive behavior and support program through Hero held its  first-semester raffle on December 6. Over 75 students entered the raffle to win a 2019 Chicago Blackhawks Winter Classic Jersey using positive HERO points they received from the staff. The winner of the raffle was Joe Shelven! Congratulations Joe, keep up the great work, positive attitude, and leadership you provide to RB!
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Athletic Department Update
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Winter Sports are in full swing:
- Boys Basketball started the season off by winning the RBHS Bill VandeMerkt Thanksgiving Tournament.
- Girls Basketball closed the month of November with a three-game winning streak.
- Wrestling opened their season at Lyons Township High School and recently hosted the Bulldog Quad meet on December 1.
- Girls Gymnastics opened up their season with performances against Hinsdale South High School and Morton High School.
- Boys Swimming had its season opening meet December 1 at the Maine East Invite.
- Poms took 2nd place (out of 21 teams) at the Andrew High School Invitational.
- Competitive Cheer is off to a strong start with a solid performance at Carl Sandburg High School. The Junior Varsity Cheer squad earned a spot at the Illinois Cheerleading Coaches Association Championship Competition (Springfield, IL, January 5-6).
 To help keep the Bulldog Community informed on athletic events & news, follow us on TWITTER,
@rbhsathletics.
The Riverside Brookfield High School Athletic Boosters are always appreciative of help. Please consider joining the Boosters; all of their funds go directly to RB Athletics. You can register for membership online at
https://www.rbsportsboosters.com/. All members are invited to the monthly Booster meetings that fall on the 3rd Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in the Alumni Lounge. Upcoming Booster Meeting Dates: 1/17, 2/21, 3/21, 4/18, and 5/16.
Our Athletic Website, http://il.8to18.com/RBHS, continues to grow with many links and school forms for parents and community. Please check it out at http://il.8to18.com/RBHS and sign up now for e-mail alerts from the Athletic Department regarding important information pertaining to our athletic contests.
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Illinois State Deans' Association - 2018 R.O.S.E. Award Recipient 
David Sibley, Dean of Students, was given the R.O.S.E. (Recognition of Service Endeavors) Award from the Illinois State Deans' Association. It is an honor bestowed upon ISDA members who have contributed to the organization through a specific program, personal achievement, leadership, creativity, workmanship, and the inspiration of others that results in significant promotion of the organization.
National Board Certification
On Saturday, December 1, five RB teachers learned that they earned their National Board Certification. These teachers are now among the ranks of the 118,000 teachers nationwide who have successfully completed their National Board Certification. National Board Certification is a two-year process and remains the most respected professional certification that exists in K-12 education.
To become a National Board Certified Teacher, participants must demonstrate standards-based evidence of the positive impact they have on student learning through samples of their students' work and videos of their teaching along with written analyses of both. Additionally, teachers must provide evidence that showcases their ability to serve as effective and reflective practitioners. Finally, teachers must sit for an exam that assesses their content knowledge through essay-style questions.
Congratulations to the following teachers who have earned their National Board Certification:
- James Baum (Music Teacher and Band Director)
- Marc Helgeson (English Teacher and Newspaper Teacher/Sponsor)
- Allison Marsh (English Teacher and Yearbook Teacher/Sponsor)
- Bridget Wilmot (English Teacher and Instructional Technology Coordinator)
- Suzanne Zimmerman (Visual Arts)
James Baum Marc Helgensen Allison Marsh
Bridget Wilmot Suzanne Zimmerman
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Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart Commitment to Service Award
Volunteers make a difference in individual lives as well as communities. To recognize these efforts, the Sheriff's Office of Cook County annually sponsors the Sheriff's Office Commitment to Service Award. This award was given to residents of Cook County in grades 9 - 12, who have provided meaningful volunteer service to their communities. A minimum of 100 hours of voluntary (unpaid) community service is required to qualify for this award. The following RB students received this award.
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Stefhanie Arreguin
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Kaitlin Krivak
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Jessica Bajerek
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Madeleine Meehan
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Michael Ciszewski
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Peyton Murray
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Nina Corrigan
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Sophia Ramirez
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Rowan Elwart
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Joshua Ranft
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Jatzirit Hernandez
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Conor Raymond
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Robert Holubek
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Anna Stivers
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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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December 18
Final Exams
Periods 1 and 2
December 19
Final Exams
Periods 3 and 4
December 20
Final Exams
Periods 5 and 6
December 21
Final Exam
Period 7
December 21
End of 2nd Quarter / 1st Semester
December 23 - January 4
Winter Break
January 7
Classes Resume
January 8
Board of Education Meeting
7:00 p.m.
Room 201
January 9
Future Bulldog Night
7:00 p.m.
January 14
PTO Meeting
7:00 p.m.
Room 201
January 14
Music Sponsors Meeting
7:00 p.m.
Band Room
January 17
Booster Club Meeting
7:00 p.m.
Alumni Lounge
January 21
Martin Luther King Holiday
No School
January 21
MLK Service Day
8:30 a.m.
Student Cafeteria
January 22
Financial Planning for College
7:00 p.m.
Auditorium
January 22
Board of Education Meeting
7:00 p.m.
Room 201
January 26
Freshman Registration
8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
(By appointment)
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220x1286
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Contact Us
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(708) 442-7500
newsletter@rbhs208.net
See our website to contact individual staff members.
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