JAMES S. RICKARDS HIGH SCHOOL

WEEKLY LISTSERV

for the Week of 12/11/2023, posted 12/8/2023

Mr. Douglas Cook

Principal

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

Jayla Gordon and Tyson McClellan

Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dreamers and Doers Recipients

Expect great things from the Raiders!

Sincerely,

Mr. Douglas Cook, Principal

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Deborah Barnes, Ph.D.

Assistant Principal of Curriculum

ATTENTION PARENTS, GUARDIANS, AND STUDENTS,

Interim Reports for the Second Quarter are now available for view in Parents and Students FOCUS.  If you have a concern, please reach out to your child’s teacher via email.  If you have further concerns, please contact the Guidance Secretary, Ms. Nathan to schedule a parent/teacher conference by calling 850-414-5500 or send an email to [log in to unmask].

Below is the 2023-24 First Semester Exam Schedule.  Exams will be administered December 14^th-19^th.  Please note there are no early release days. 

Thursday, December 14^th and Friday, December 15^th (if needed)

7^th Period Exam

Friday, December 15^th 1st period class: 7:30-8:20 1st period exam: 8:25-10:15 2^nd  period class: 10:20-11:15 Lunch: 11:15-11:55 2^nd  period exam: 12:00-1:50

Monday, December 18^th 3^rd  period class: 7:30-8:20 3^rd  period exam: 8:25-10:15 4^th  period class: 10:20-11:15 Lunch: 11:15-11:55 4^th  period exam: 12:00-1:50

Tuesday, December 19^th 5th period class: 7:30-8:20 5th period exam: 8:25-10:15 6th period class: 10:20-11:15 Lunch: 11:15-11:55 6th period exam: 12:00-1:50

SAT and ACT Test Dates for 2023-2024

SAT
Test Date	Registration Deadline
March 9, 2024	February 23, 2024
May 4, 2024	April 19, 2024
June 1, 2024	May 16, 2024

ACT
Test Date	Registration Deadline
February 10, 2024	January 5, 2024
April 13, 2024	March 8, 2024
June 8, 2024	May 3, 2024
July 13, 2024	June 7, 2024

***Highlighted tests are held at Rickards***

Deborah G. Barnes, Ph.D.

Greatness awaits!

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Dr. J. Williams

IB Coordinator

International Baccalaureate Program

To All IB Parents and Guardians:

Here are the phone numbers and email addresses where you can reach our IB Administrative Team:

Dr. Joe Williams, IB Coordinator (850-414-5036) [log in to unmask]

Mrs. Melissa Cooper, AP Coordinator and Assistant IB Coordinator (850-414-5005) [log in to unmask]

Mrs. Victoria Williams, IB Academic Dean (850-414-5597) [log in to unmask]

IB Exam Registrations Completed: All IB Seniors and IB Juniors have been registered for their May 2024 Exams.  Dr. Williams is in the process of  distributing to the students their exam registration confirmations and information they need to log in to candidates.ibo.org – both to submit any IB external assessments due for them this year and to see their IB Exam results when they are released to students on July 6^th, 2024.  This paperwork will be distributed to students by the end of next week.  

IB and AP Exams to be held at TCC again in May 2024:  We have received confirmation from Tallahassee Community College that they will again host our IB and AP Exams this spring, and we are grateful for their support and partnership as they continue to encourage and facilitate student success at James S. Rickards High School.  Dr. Williams is still awaiting confirmation from the IB Assessment Office of his rescheduling request to resolve internal conflicts for our students within the official IB Exam schedule, and once that confirmation is received, we will post the combined IB and AP Exam schedule for parents on this listserv and distribute it to teachers and students via email and in their classrooms.

2023 IB Diplomas and Transcripts are in: The 2023 IB Diplomas and IB Transcripts have arrived from Cardiff, Wales, UK.  2023 IB graduates or their parents can pick them up from Dr. Williams in the front office at Rickards.  Please email or call ahead so Dr. Williams can leave your IB Diploma and/or IB Transcript at the front office for you, in case he is not available when you come to campus.

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Mrs. J. Goodman

Testing Coordinator

2023 Winter Testing Schedule Please note dates are subject to change. Students should bring their LCS- issued Chromebook fully charged and bring their charger.
Date	Assessment
December 11  Group A	BEST Algebra 1 EOC Retakes This test is a graduation requirement
December 12  Group B	Best Algebra 1 EOC  Retakes This test is a graduation requirement.

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Ms. K. Satchell

Saturday Academic Camp Coordinator

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Mrs. Madden

SGA Sponsor

LET'S ALL CELEBRATE BY DRESSING UP NEXT WEEK - DECEMBER 11^th – 15^th!!

Monday - Santa Day: wear ugly holiday sweaters/Santa hats

Tuesday - Candy Cane Day: wear candy cane colors (can be red/white or green/white)

Wednesday - Holiday Character Day: dress as holiday movie characters 

Thursday - Happy New Year: wear New Year’s attire – sparkly/fancy 

Friday - Pajama Day: wear pajamas 

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Ms. K. Satchell

Title 1 Compliance

The Math for Cooking

Application of math skills is important to academic success! Students who apply math skills are better prepared to master higher math concepts. The Math of Cooking is a workshop provided to Title I parents and families to emphasize the importance of real-world math and engagement in activities that create family time! This session will address essential math and life skills. We hope that you will enjoy holiday music, cooking with math, and engaging with our host Lanetra Bennett, WCTV News Anchor and Celebrity Chef - Chef Leon Brunson!

The event will be held at Amos P. Godby High School, Thursday, December 14, 2023, at 6 PM.

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BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE COMPUTER LITERACY WORKSHOP

This workshop is focused on assisting students and parents in acquiring basic computer skills, learning about safe internet usage and learning employability skills. 

Can’t join us in person but want to attend, consider joining us virtually!  The remaining sessions will include a virtual option for those unable to attend in person. 

To sign up, use this link:  https://forms.office.com/r/J62wXUKxhi

Questions?  Email Mrs. Cooper at [log in to unmask] or call the school, 850-414-5500, ext. 5005.

Mrs. Proctor

Yearbook Advisor

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Mr. Earl Hankerson

Athletic Director

Raiders Athletics

Congratulations to the Lady Raiders Soccer Team and the Lady Raider Weightlifting team for outstanding performances this week!

***If you would like to donate to Raiders Athletics, please contact Earl Hankerson, Athletic Director at [log in to unmask].

Encourage your students to be the best part of Raiders Athletics.

ONE NATION...RAIDER NATION!!!

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Mr. E. Young Director of Bands

Ms. J. Loman

Choral Director

RHS Band and Chorus Winter Concert

Tuesday, December 12^th in the RHS Auditorium – 7 PM

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Dr. P. Hall

Science Department Chair

Science Olympiad students have finished all of their competitions for the year and are now working on designing their Hoodies. Hoodies are $40 and students can customize their hoodies Tuesdays and Thursdays during December in 1921.

IB Biology- IA topics are due Monday, December 11^th in class and the IB Lab day is Saturday, January 13^th from 8 am until 4 pm in 1911/1912.

Science students are finishing up the last units of the nine weeks and preparing for their Midterms. Science classes are core classes and therefore ALL science students must take a midterm (there are no exemptions).  Students should bring a fully charged Chromebook to school for their midterms.

Knowledge November- The human brain operates on the same amount of energy as a 10W light bulb, and one brain cell can hold as much information as the Encyclopedia Britannica! The brain is also 80% water and is actually more active at night than during the day.

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The Key Club is sponsoring a non-perishable food drive for Second Harvest from December 4^th – 14^th .  We can accept any non-expired, non-perishable food items.  Please drop items off in the front office and they will be given to Ms. Fields the Key Club Sponsor.  Thank you for helping families in our community. 

***AVID/IB Monthly FOCUS – Strategies for Academic Growth***

AVID Strategy – Inquiry - Uncovering one’s understanding • Critical thinking and questioning • Exploring a variety of ways to solve problems • Engaging in thinking, learning, and discussion to inspire innovation

IB LEARNER PROFILE FOCUS – KNOWLEDGEABLE- We develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge across a range of disciplines. We engage with issues and ideas that have local and global significance.

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*SUNSHINE LAW AND PUBLIC RECORDS CAUTION: Florida has a very broad Public Records Law. Virtually all written communications to or from School Board of Leon County, Florida Personnel are public records available to the public and media upon request. E-mail sent or received on the LCSB system will be considered public and will only be withheld from disclosure if deemed confidential pursuant to State Law. Individual student records are deemed confidential.