A Message from the Superintendent | |
Greetings, RIH Community!
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday filled with gratitude, good food, and quality time with family and loved ones. To ensure you see all of the newsletter content, please click the 'View Entire Message' option if it appears at the bottom.
As we enter the winter holiday season and reflect on the past year, I am incredibly grateful for the continued support and partnership of our school community.
Parents, your commitment to education and your children's growth and well-being is truly inspiring. RIH Staff, your enthusiasm and expertise in your respective craft is respected and your dedication to our district is valued. Students, you continue to inspire me every single day with your creativity, accomplishments... and energy!
I remain eager and excited for all that awaits us as we continue to work together in support of positive learning environments and a standard of excellence for all students.
I hope you each find the opportunity to seize the joy and wonder of this holiday season.
Shauna DeMarco
Superintendent of Schools
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Congratulations to Our Outstanding Educators! | |
We are thrilled to announce the winners of this year's Educator of the Year awards from RIH!
Ramapo High School
- Educator of the Year: Cynthia Vander Molen
- Support Staff Professionals of the Year: Ruth Hillas
- Educational Specialist of the Year: Sharon Katz
Indian Hills High School
- Educator of the Year: Mike Michels
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Educational Services Professional: Tyffany Mendez
- Support Staff Professionals of the Year: Connie Cheff and Rockie Christopher
These dedicated individuals have consistently gone above and beyond to provide exceptional education and support to our students. Their passion, creativity, and commitment to excellence have made a significant impact on our school communities.
Please join us in congratulating our award-winning educators!
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RIH Welcomes Prospective University Program Students and Parents to Information Night | |
The District UP Program kicked off its admissions season with a well-attended Information Night at Ramapo High School. Current UP students shared their experiences alongside faculty and administrators, showcasing the program's specialized academic pathways and enrichment opportunities. Prospective students and parents learned about UP's rigorous curriculum, cross-disciplinary approach, and college preparation advantages.
Applications are now open through December 19. For program details, visit the UP website or contact up@rih.org.
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RIH DECA Shines at Annual Roleplay Night | |
RIH DECA's Annual Roleplay Night was a resounding success! Students from both schools showcased their skills by presenting case studies to a panel of faculty and community judges. This event served as invaluable preparation for the upcoming regional DECA competition. Officers from both schools collaborated seamlessly to ensure a smooth and engaging evening for all participants. | |
Coming Soon: Academic Support Program to Help Students Succeed | |
Starting in January, students will have an opportunity to get personalized academic support through our Academic Assistance Program. This initiative connects students directly with teachers for additional help outside regular class hours.
Students can meet with teachers in person or virtually to receive targeted support in challenging subjects, get help with homework, or review difficult concepts. Whether preparing for an upcoming test or seeking to strengthen foundational skills, students will benefit from additional support.
Program details, including how to schedule sessions with teachers, will be shared soon. We look forward to supporting our students’ academic success through this valuable resource.
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Support the Schools at Upcoming Fundraisers | |
Project Graduation Class of 2027 Umbrella Sale!
$35 each. One size (64").
The sale ends December 19. Pick-up/distribution will be mid-January.
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Support the Indian Hills High School Cheer Team who will receive 20% of the total sales when this flyer is shown from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on December 6. Write FUNDRAISER in the comments when ordering on www.bubbakoos.com. | |
Craving Empanadas?
Don't miss out on the delicious empanada sale at Indian Hills! Place your order by Friday, January 3 at 2 p.m. Pick up your order on Wednesday, January 8 between 2:30 and 3:15 p.m. inside the front of the school. Empanadas are priced at $4 each, $7 for two, or $10 for three. Payment can be made with cash or check at the time of pick-up. Store empanadas in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days or freeze them for later. Reheat them in the oven or air fryer. And enjoy!
Click here to place your order.
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Calling all Braves - order your Code Blue apparel today to support the Class of 2027! Includes sweatshirts and t-shirts. Orders due by December 16. | |
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We are pleased to present a recent holiday-themed artwork by Alexa Kulhway, a talented Senior in the Honors Art program at IHHS.
"I am so proud of Alexa's accomplishments as she explores this media for the first time," said Kimberly Batti, District Visual Arts Teacher.
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Mr. Fazio's Wood Processing class is buzzing with holiday cheer! Indian Hills students are hard at work crafting a variety of festive projects, from reindeer ornaments to personalized gifts. One student is even using a bandsaw to cut out the body of a reindeer. The class is filled with creativity as students come up with unique ideas for holiday gifts. | |
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Students in the Ramapo Cooking Classes got into the holiday spirit by baking a variety of delicious pies. From classic apple pie to indulgent chocolate chip, the class explored traditional and creative flavors. The aroma of freshly baked pies filled the kitchen as students honed their baking skills. | |
Mrs. Deamer's Calculus students at Ramapo recently engaged in a unique learning experience: a walk-around murder mystery! As they navigated the classroom, students solved clues and applied the Chain Rule to uncover the culprit behind a mysterious crime. | |
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Ms. Mitchell's UP Accounting class and Mr. Heusser's Sport History class had a field day at MetLife Stadium, attending the Jets' Business Day. The students gained valuable insights into the behind-the-scenes operations of the New York Jets, learning about everything from marketing to accounting. The highlight of the day was a stadium tour, culminating in a walk on the field itself. | |
The Indian Hills Student Council, along with the Freshman and Sophomore Class Officers, hosted a Gatsby-themed dance on November 22. Students dressed in their finest flapper dresses and suits, dancing the night away to jazz music. The event was a roaring success, providing a fun-filled evening for the entire school community. | |
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Ramapo High School's UPED seniors, under the guidance of Mr. Hudak, have successfully completed their IQ Puzzle Challenge. Students applied their knowledge of research and design to create a diverse range of puzzles, tailored to different skill levels. Using V Carve software and CAD-CAM machines, they meticulously designed, tested, and refined their creations. | |
Mr. Poalillo's Biology students kicked off their genetics unit with a hands-on DNA extraction lab, where they learned to isolate DNA from biological samples. This practical experience allowed them to visualize the building blocks of life and gain a deeper understanding of genetic concepts. | |
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Ms. Fischetto's Geometry CPE students collaborate and problem-solve in an around-the-room geometry proof activity. | |
RIH ICR Special Education and Science Teachers attended workshops this week to observe Ms. Green model best practices for NGSS science instruction. The workshops encouraged collaboration and professional development. | |
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English 3AP students experimented with language by creating their own poems using the words of famous poets, later reading the original versions for comparison. | |
English 1H students conducted interdisciplinary research into the economic realities of the 1950s to contextualize the financial pressures experienced by the Younger family in Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun." | |
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Señora McLaughlin’s Spanish classes at Indian Hills celebrated el día de los muertos by creating their own Catrinas. | |
The winter sports season is in full swing at Ramapo Indian Hills!
Ramapo's Boys Bowling Team has already made a strong start, winning the 2024 Big North Conference Freedom Division Pre-Season Bowling Tournament on December 4. Congratulations to Coach Tom Jaeger and his talented team!
Indian Hills athletes began winter practices on December 2, and are eager to compete. The first ice hockey game of the season is scheduled for today, Friday, December 6 at 8:30 p.m., with Indian Hills facing off against Ramapo at the Ice Vault in Wayne.
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Stay up-to-date with the latest schedules and scores on the rSchool Today app, available for download on Apple and Google Play. | |
RHS Parents: Help Spread Holiday Cheer at the APTS Cookie Buffet | |
The Ramapo Association of Parents, Teachers, Students (APTS) will be hosting a Cookie Buffet on Friday, December 13. We are asking families to bake, or buy 3 dozen holiday cookies/treats to donate on that day. Please have them on a disposable tray. Trays will not be returned. Drop off will be between 8-10 a.m. on December 13 if you cannot make that drop off or you would like to donate $25 and the APTS will buy cookies for your family please reach out to RamapoAPTS@gmail.com. If you opt to purchase cookies, please purchase bakery holiday themed cookies or treats and not generic supermarket cookies. All those that bake, buy, or donate will be listed on a thank you sheet at the event. We hope you join us in spreading holiday cheer to our teachers and staff. They will all be able to go home with a box full of holiday treats of their chosing. Thank you!
Click here to sign up.
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Stay Connected with the FLOW Community | |
Friday, December 6 - Saturday, December 7
IHHS Theater Company Presents John Lennon & Me - 7 p.m.
Auditorium
Saturday, December 7
SAT Exam - All Day
Ramapo High School
Wednesday, December 11
IHHS FAFSA Senior Workshop - 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Indian Hills High School
Thursday, December 12
Military Fair at Ramapo - During Lunches
Ramapo High School
Saturday, December 14
ACT Exam - All Day
Indian Hills High School
Monday, December 16
RIHRHSD Board of Education Meeting
Executive Session - 7 p.m., Public Session - 8 p.m.
Ramapo High School Cafeteria
Tuesday, December 17
RHS Winter Music Concert - 7:30 p.m.
Ramapo High School
Wednesday, December 18
IHHS Winter Music Concert - 7:30 p.m.
Indian Hills High School
Thursday, December 19
Ramapo's Holiday Festival - 8:30 a.m.
Ramapo High School
Friday, December 20
Minimum Day - 11:51 a.m. Dismissal
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