RHS April 2025

 

Spotlight on Students

RHS celebrates our PBIS Students

Determination, Respect, Positivity, Including Others, Being an Engaged Learner

 

PBIS March Students

Grade 9: 

Daniel Anderson Alexis Benson Brody Dahlheimer Rylan Lande Elise Weber Caleb Whitlock

Grade 10:  

Madison Lenhart Samuel McAlpine

Grade 11:  

Locke Mccoy Kenneth Paz

Thank you for showing Royal Pride

 

Rock Candy and Ice Cream in Chemistry on March 26, 2025

Students in Chemistry class got to experience making rock candy and ice cream during their lab in March.  The results were tasty!

AJ Cha, Jacob Siedel, Sam Stephens

Hailey Pedersen, Payton Anderson

Jayden Kurtz, Sam Stokes, Jack Finke, Sawyer Josewski, Tyler Bacon

 

ISD 728 PREVENTION & SAFETY: RESOURCES for FAMILIES & PARENTS

Awkward Conversations: How to Responsibly Navigate High School Parties

Starting a conversation about drug use with your teens can be uncomfortable.  This can especially be true if you have a history of drug use or experimenting in the past.  You might wonder: how can I talk about the dangers of drug use without feeling like a hypocrite?

This issue, along with others, is tackled in a three-part video series released by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) called Awkward Conversations.  The videos focus on the awkward conversations parents and their kids sometimes have when talking about drug use.

In this episode of Awkward Conversations, the discussion focuses on how to responsibly navigate high school parties – a daunting reminder to parents that their child is growing up. 

Following the episode, three members of the Sherburne County Substance Use Prevention (SUP) Coalition kept the conversation going with a lively post-episode chat to share their thoughts, experiences, and expertise.

These members include:

• Deputy Roxanne Schreder – mom of 3
• Melissa Pribyl, Registered Nurse – mom of 2
• Jennifer Knapp, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist – mom of 2

Throughout their discussion, they addressed several commonly asked questions, such as when should you start talking to your kids about alcohol and other drug use, how do you start the conversation, and how do you set expectations and boundaries around drug use for your kids, but also let them know it’s okay to ask for help?  A detailed list of the questions discussed is provided at the end of this email.  Their discussion wraps up with party planning tips to help with hosting a teen party or if your teen is going to a party.

When you first bring up this subject, your child might be caught off guard and reluctant to engage.  But the more you do something, the easier it gets.  We hope to help make these conversations less awkward! 

Watch the episode and post chat here: https://youtu.be/QNCtYhDJQao

Visit the SUP website for additional resources, including conversation starters and other helpful videos: www.sherburnesupcoalition.org

Throughout their discussion, they addressed the following eight questions:

1. This video captured a very real-life scenario for parents and caregivers.  What stands out to you that the parents did well?
2. Were there things the parents could have done better?
3. When should I start talking to my child about alcohol and other drug use and how do I start the conversations?
4. There’s a misconception that talking about drug use [too early] will encourage the behavior; however, there is no evidence that talking about drug use will encourage youth to use.  Can you expand more on this?
5. How do you talk to your kids about alcohol and other drugs if you did them at a young age?
6. How do you set expectations and boundaries around drug use for your kids, but also let them know it’s okay to ask for help?
7. How do you respond if you find out that they were using?
8. While the couple in the video supported each other and their decisions, how do you cope with parenting differences or for those households that have a single parent situation?

• Please visit THIS SITE which contains family and parent resources to support mental health, social and emotional learning (job preparedness skills), safety, alcohol and substance abuse and more. The information on this page will be updated regularly with new resources, community events relating to these issues and other important information relating to Prevention & Safety. 
• The SUP Coalition is a community-focused coalition comprised of individuals that reside or work in Sherburne County and are committed to reducing youth substance use through community collaboration.
• SUP Coalition March Newsletter
• Substance Use Prevention

From the Counseling Office

Important Dates

April 8:

• Grade 11 Standardized Testing (ACT / ASVAB / Accuplacer)
• Digital Day for Grades 9, 10 & 12

April 14-17: MCA Reading (Grade 10)

April 22-23: MCA Math (Grade 11)

April 29-30: MCA Science (Grade 10)

May 3: Construction & Trades Career Fair @ ERX Motor Park

May 12:  Senior Scholarship Night @ RHS PAC

May 13:  Senior Decision Day

June 12-27:  Summer School (in-person @ RHS)

___________________________________________________________________________

PSEO & College Credit Opportunities

Missed the PSEO Information Meeting?  Access the recording and resources here:  

• RHS PSEO Process & Resources
• PSEO Information Meeting 2/5/25 (Video)
• PSEO Information Meeting Presentation (Slides)
• RHS College Credits Opportunities (Video) & Presentation (Slides)

Spring 2025 Testing Dates

Juniors:  FREE Test Prep!

Prepare for your April standardized test (ACT, ASVAB or Accuplacer) with these free resources:

• MCIS Test Prep (ACT & ASVAB)
• eLm: Learning Express Hub (ACT, Accuplacer, AP Advanced Placement)

Summer School @ RHS

June 12-27 (no school June 19)

• Summer School is IN-PERSON
• Students have the opportunity to make-up a maximum of 3 credits in summer school
• Summer School is for students who have failed a graduation requirement, not for students who are looking to get ahead in credits.

Construction & Trades Career Fair

Saturday, May 3, 2025 @ ERX Motor Park, Elk River

Come learn about opportunities in the construction industry.  The event is FREE - all are welcome, no registration required!  May include by not limited to:  Laborers ◇ Operators ◇ Estimators ◇ Project Manager ◇ Truck Drivers ◇ Welders ◇ Electricians ◇ Diesel Mechanics ◇ Sheet Metal Workers ◇ Lineman ◇ Utility Construction

Scrubs Camp 2025

@ Anoka Technical College

Students will participate in a variety of hands-on activities in the health care and medical field.  Students spend 2 days at Anoka Tech and the third day is a field trip to industry partner sites.  

• Grades: 9-12
• Dates: June 24-26, 9:00am-3:00pm (Other dates available at different sites)
• Cost: $150 *Scholarships Available

Thumbs Up After School Program

The program is open for any middle through high school student at absolutely no cost! The ROGERS program will be held every Wednesday from 2:15-5:00 PM! ANY teen is welcome!

Want to sign up? Have any questions? Email info@thumbsupformentalhealth.com

Main Street Family Resource Center

• NEED HELP?  Schedule an appointment HERE
• FREE RESOURCES - Information for any family in ISD728 about resources for healthcare, food, housing, mental health support and childcare services.
• FREE SUPPORT - The Family Resource Center is a place where parents can come together, talk and learn from each other.
• FREE EDUCATION - Learn practical skills about topics from parenting to managing money.
• The Family Resource Center Information Flyer

The RHS Counseling Department (Counselors assigned by Grade)

• Grade 9: Ms. Macken - shannon.macken@isd728.org
• Grade 10 (A-S): Ms. Morrison - dawn.morrison@isd728.org
• Grade 11 (A-S): Ms. Bartus - anne.bartus@isd728.org
• Grades 10-11-12 (T-Z): Mr. Miller - daniel.miller@isd728.org
• Grade 12 (A-S): Ms. Shrestha - jacy.shrestha@isd728.org
• College & Career: Ms. Handrick -lauren.handrick@isd728.org

College & Career Corner

OUTSIDE COLLEGE & CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

• CAREER PROGRAMS
• COLLEGE FAIRS & EVENTS
• SUMMER PROGRAMS

Sign up for College Visits at RHS

Grades 10-12:  Sign up HERE to attend college visits in the College & Career Center. 

• April 9 @ 1:30pm - University of St. Thomas (MN)
• April 11 @ 9:00am - Hennepin Technical College (MN) 
• April 24 @ 1:30pm - University of Wisconsin - Stout (WI)

April “Future-Planning” Tasks by Grade

Here are some resources for any college-bound student asking "What should I be doing right now?"

9th-graders

• Build an awesome summer reading list:- Start with picks from this recommended list for excellent teen reads. And consider asking your teachers what their favorite reads were in high school.
• NYT Writing Prompts for Students: If you haven’t already, start keeping a journal and use some of these questions as inspiration.

10th-graders

• Build an awesome summer reading list that includes some biographies and memoirs: Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson is a must-read and can be found at your local library.
• NYT Writing Prompts for Students: If you haven’t already, start keeping a journal and use some of these questions as inspiration.

11th-graders

• Values Exercise (video): Spend some time thinking about your core values by working through this simple exercise. Your answers may help drive how you spend your summer ahead.
• How to research colleges without visiting a campus: Learning more about colleges is an exciting and time-intensive process. Make sure to expand your search beyond your local public universities—and use your values as a guide.
• Colleges That Change Lives: As you build your college list, consider this set of 44 schools that focus on providing a personalized, student-centered experience. Listen to this podcast, and check out upcoming events.
• Explore colleges with 800+ lists: Use this fun online, searchable database from CollegeXpress, which covers everything from academic environments to school spirit.
• Think about financial fit: Experiment with the Net Price Calculator to get a rough estimate of what you might likely have to pay for college.

12th-graders

• Continue applying for scholarships. This RHS Scholarship Resources document is continually updated with new scholarship information.
• Appealing financial aid: Read up on what to do if your financial aid offer doesn’t line up with your budget. And make sure to listen to this podcast before writing an appeal letter.
• Making your final college choice: It’s decision time. You need to enroll and submit a deposit by May 1st (or a few days after, depending on the school). 

Athletics and Activities

Spring Sports

Good luck to all players and teams as they begin their seasons!

Reminder for Away Events/Games

• Most schools event/game ticket sales will be online only, ticket sales information is typically on the away schools website.
• Many schools will only allow students from the schools participating in the game to attend the game and require a Student ID to enter. Students should have their Student ID with them or be able to pull up their Student ID on their phone when attending a school event/game.
• Many schools require middle school students to be accompanied by an adult for the entire time they are at the event/game.

Sports Physical Reminder:

Sports physicals are required for students participating in sports.  Sports physicals are current for 3 years from the date of exam and must be current for the entire season. Sports Physical Dates on file can be verified on Parent Portal: (Students Name, Health Tab).

Find all RHS Athletic information at GOROGERSROYALS and X (formally Twitter) @geauxroyals