Spelling Verification for Graduation Diplomas

All Seniors and Super Juniors are asked to stop by Guidance to verify the spelling of your name as soon as possible. This needs your prompt attention as diplomas will be ordered soon.

REMINDER: Holiday Arts Festival Set for December 7th

All proceeds go to the RVHS Winter Wishes service projects.

ACTIVITIES: Harvest Hope Food Drive Ends Friday

As part of the Winter Wishes service project, we are supporting Harvest Hope food bank with a canned food drive. We would appreciate your help in reaching our goal of providing Harvest Hope with 13,000 canned goods. Canned goods can be dropped off in the Main Office or your first period teacher. The third period class who collects the most items will be awarded a pizza party celebration. This collection will end on December 5th. We would like to thank everyone for their support of Winter Wishes.

ACTIVITIES: Winter Wishes Dress Up Days Reminder

This week is Winter Wishes Spirit Week. In promoting this school wide service project, the following dress up days are planned. We would love for everyone to participate.

• Monday, December 1st: Conceal Don't Feel (Tacky Sweater Day)
• Tuesday, December 2nd: Some People Are Worth Melting For (Twin Day)
• Wednesday, December 3rd: Let It Go (Pajama Day)
• Thursday, December 4th: For The First Tie In Forever (Throwback Day; $1 donation to wear a hat)
• Friday, December 5th: Olaf White Out Day (Wear all white)

Help the RVHS PTSO Accomplish Their Goals

This year the PTSO is excited to announce our new hassle-free fundraiser, SHOPAROO! Nationwide over 10,000 schools are already earning thousands of dollars through Shoparoo; and it is a great opportunity for us to really make a difference.

Shoparoo is fundraising made easy.  Everyone shops; and most people have smartphones. Pictures of your shopping receipts become cash donations for our school with the free Shoparoo app.  The great thing is all shopping receipts count.  Yes, it is that simple.  SHOP! SNAP!  EARN!  For downloading information, click on the image.

ACTIVITIES: Zumba Night

ACADEMICS: Magnet Programs Featured on WLTX

On Friday, November 21, WLTX featured our Scholars, BioHealth and Allied Health magnet programs as part of their series on American Education Week. We are extremely proud to have been chosen as the Midlands Spotlight. Click on the image to see the story.

Fall Highlights Recap Newsletter

There have been many great stories and accomplishments so far this school year. Check out our Fall Highlights of the 4A's: Academics, Arts, Activities, and Athletics by clicking on the image to read our Fall Recap Newsletter.

ACADEMICS: Magnet Students Present Lesson at Longleaf

Left: Hezekiah Branch; Right: Savannah Talledo, Deon Wallace,
Hezekiah Branch, Tajah Pinkard, Erin Walker, Cheyenne Sconzo,
 Ece Erkek, and Angel Brown

Sophomore BioHealth and Allied Health students take Project Lead the Ways Human Body Systems class. The central theme of the HBS class focuses on how the body systems work together to maintain homeostasis and good health. Students design experiments, investigate the structures and functions of body systems and build body systems using clay. Body systems are also studied in 7th grade, so our students made a presentation to 7th graders at Longleaf Middle School last week regarding the functions of different regions of the brain, and how to build regions of the brain using clay.

REMINDER: Winter Guard Yard Sale

Our Winter Guard is having a Yard Sale on Saturday, December 6th starting at 6 am in the RVHS Bus Parking Lot, located next to the Tennis Courts. Come on out ans support the Winter Guard on their upcoming season.

Kaplan Test Prep Offer

From November 28 through December 16th, Kaplan is offering $150 off all our SAT and ACT test prep courses and tutoring options. This represents their biggest savings of the year on SAT and ACT Classroom courses. For ore information, families can visit our website kaptest.co/thanks or contact Kaplan directly at 1-803-527-8378.

AP Psychology Students Participate in the Human Knot

Students in Ms. Fennel's AP Psychology students recently analyzed the thought process as part of a unit of study on cognition. The students participated in a human knot activity in which they randomly held hands in a large group. The teams had to work together and problem solve to untangle themselves, demonstrating the concept of trial and error.

REMINDER: Holiday Arts Festival

All proceeds benefit RVHS Winter Wishes community service projects.

COMMUNITY: Clinical Trials for Sanfilippo Funded

On behalf of Eliza O'Neill, the O'Neill family would like to thank everyone for raising over $1.8 million at GoFundMe to help cure Sanfilippo Syndrome by funding clinical trials for a cure. Over 33,000 people donated over the last 13 months. For more information and for a special thank you, click on the image, and click here to view special coverage on the Doctor's TV program.

ACADEMICS: Chemistry Tie-dye Shirts

Ridge View chemistry students were wearing their hand-made tie-dye shirts on Tuesday as part of their lab on organic chemistry/petroleum unit. Dyes are large organic molecules (meaning they are carbon based), and the shirts are 100% cotton, an organic polymer called cellulose. The actual dyeing, which was great fun for the students and teachers, represents a chemical reaction between the dye and the shirt. The dyes are, therefore, covalently bonded to the shirt, and will be strongly colorfast. This activity will culminate with a lab report detailing the process that the students used.

RVHS 20th Anniversary Yearbook on Sale

Do not miss the opportunity to order the Ridge View 20th Anniversary School Yearbook for $45! The price includes a hard bound color yearbook and a DVD video highlight. The deadline to place an order is Friday, February 6th. Place an order now. You may extend your payment by making a deposit as you place the order. The full payment is due by Friday, May 1, 2015. To purchase a 2014-2015 yearbook, you may:

1. Order online at http://ybpay.lifetouch.com. The RVHS yearbook code is 10274115.
2. Complete the yearbook form located on the RVHS website at http://goo.gl/Y0f2dY.

You may contact Leslie High-Washington at (803) 699-2999, ext. 385 or 363, or by e-mail at lhigh@richland2.org.

Happy Thanksgiving

ACTIVITIES: Winter Wishes Dress Up Days

Next week is Winter Wishes Spirit Week. In promoting this school wide service project, the following dress up days are planned. We would love for everyone to participate.

• Monday, December 1st: Conceal Don't Feel (Tacky Sweater Day)
• Tuesday, December 2nd: Some People Are Worth Melting For (Twin Day)
• Wednesday, December 3rd: Let It Go (Pajama Day)
• Thursday, December 4th: For The First Tie In Forever (Throwback Day; $1 donation to wear a hat)
• Friday, December 5th: Olaf White Out Day (wear all white)

ATHLETICS: Patrick Signs with Anderson

Blazer Bryce Patrick signed with Anderson University in Anderson, South Carolina as a catcher to play baseball. As a junior, Patrick helped the Blazers make it to the state playoffs. He batted .233 last year with a .382 on base percentage. Congratulations Bryce!

Senior Portrait Parent Survey

Attention parents of senior students. Please have your student complete this form if they have NOT taken a senior picture for the 2014-2015 yearbook: http://goo.gl/forms/uvoXec5NTy  

ARTS: Band Spaghetti Dinner

The Blazer Band will be hosting a Spaghetti Dinner in the RVHS Cafeteria on Tuesday, December 16th which will include meat and meatless sauces, salad, and bread. The cost is $8 for adults and $5 for children 10 and under. Dine with us or take outs are welcome.

ACTIVITIES: Foster Child Sponsorship Reminder

As part of our Winter Wishes service project, we are asking for help in sponsoring foster children in the care of Richland County's Department of Social Services. These children are ages 0-18 and cannot remain safely in their homes. Our goal is to sponsor 75 children plus Ridge View's own foster children by providing gifts from their holiday wish list. To sponsor a child, individual's or groups, needs to obtain a contract from Student Activities (or their website), and return the completed contract. Sponsors will then receive the child's name and wish list. Shop for gifts totaling $60 in addition to purchasing a teddy bear. The gifts and bear must be dropped off to Student Activities by Tuesday, December 2nd. Sponsors are invited to attend the Foster Child Party on Thursday, December 4th from 6 - 8 pm. Thank you for supporting this most worthwhile cause in making the holiday season special for these children.

ACTIVITIES: Winter Wishes Student Letter of Thanks

To Magnet students, teachers, and parents,

For the past week or so I've had the privilege of leading the Bio and Allied Health Magnet programs in creating our 2014 Winter Wishes canned good sculpture (Note: this contest was held on November 13th). Dozens of magnet students along with myself have put in several hours of community service this week preparing to make the periodic table out of donated canned goods.

I would like to extend my utmost appreciation to everyone that donated cans, helped spread the word about our project, helped wrap 150+ cans in paper, assembled our elements, painted our background, cut out our "Frozen" quote, and made construction paper trees and snowflakes, along with countless other tasks that helped make this project possible. We have collected 237 canned goods to donate to one of our Winter Wishes service projects, Harvest Hope food bank. I've attached a picture of our completed sculpture so everyone can see how our hard work payed off!

Thanks again to every Magnet parent, student, and teacher that donated their canned goods and time to make this project possible!

With much gratitude,

Emily Davidson

Note: This contest was held on November 13, 2014, and this group of students placed 3rd overall in the competition. Great job!

School Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday

This is a reminder that all schools and school district offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving holidays on Wednesday, November 26th through Sunday, November 30th. Schools and district offices will re-open on Monday, December 1st. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

REMINDER: Holiday Arts Festival

Come on out and join us. All proceeds benefit Ridge View's Winter Wishes service project.

ACADEMICS: Students of the Month

Our November Students of the Month were presented certificates on Thursday by Mr. Upchurch and Dr. Maynes on behalf of the Administration. The group was treated to a pizza party in recognition of their accomplishments. The following students were recognized: Matthew Bigg (Physical Education), Angel Brown (Allied Health Magnet), Todd Clifton (Math), Emily Davidson (Career & Technology), Bianca Delgado (World Languages), Knique Eichelberger (Fine Arts), Mackenzie Ford (Health), Brianna Gaither (English), Aaliyah Harrell (Scholars Academy), Schyler Horton (Social Studies) Kaitlyn (Career & Technology), Jackson (Christopher Kane (Math), Malika Lightbourne (World Languages), Patrick Marbut (JROTC), Andrew Marino (Social Studies), Gabriel McFarlan (School for the Arts), Keian Parks (English), Anna Grace Peterson (Bio-Health Magnet), J'Kwan Rhodes (Blazer Academy), Jasmine Roberts (JROTC), Jae'la Simmons (Science), Akila Webb (AVID), Dennis Williams (Fine Arts), DeAsia Witherspoon (Science), and Aniyah Woodard (CAT). Congratulations students!

College and Career Center News

The College and Career Center wishes everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving break! Here are some important dates to keep in mind.

• December 6: SAT Administered (check admission ticket for information, bring picture ID, and show up early!)
• December 8: Deadline for ALL transcript requests with due dates through January 9, 2015.
• December 10: How to Pay for College Night in the Media Center from 6:30 - 7:30 pm.
• December 11: Lander College Field Trip - The cost is $23 & includes lunch. Sign up in D-95.
• December 13: ACT Administered (check admission ticket for information, bring picture ID, and show up early!)

Yearbook Senior Recognition Ads

December 5th is the deadline for the submission of Senior Recognition Ads to appear in the 2014-2015 yearbook. The all color advertisement gives you the opportunity to express your love, pride and congratulations to your student as he/she prepares for graduation. Do not miss your opportunity to have your keepsake created! Here is a list of the ad prices:

• Full page: 7-10 pictures for $160
• Half page: 4-6 pictures for $90
• Quarter of a Page: 1-3 pictures for $65
• Eighth of a Page: 1 picture for $30

For more information go to http://goo.gl/Y0f2dy (0 is a zero). You may also call Mrs. Leslie High-Washington at (803) 699-2999, ext. 385 or 363, or by e-mail at lhigh@richland2.org.

ARTS: Blazers Spread Joy to The Haven

In recognition of Ridge View's 20th Anniversary, students from our drama and dance classes traveled to The Haven Assisted Living in the Summit to bring a little Blazer joy to the residents with a holiday themed performance. Our students were outstanding in their performance and produced many happy faces from the residents.  

ACTIVITIES: Canine Angels Reminder

One of the service projects that is part of Winter Wishes is our support of Canine Angels. This non-profit organizations adopts rescue dogs from overcrowded shelters and trains them to be therapy dogs for injured veterans, which help them in their battles with PTSD, night terrors, fear of crowds, irritability and anger. The goal of this service project is to raise $2,000 and 50 items such as any Purina food, dog treats, antler bones, and nyla bones. Blankets and beds are not needed at this time. Donations can be brought to the front desk or to Student Activities, and don't forget about CiCi's Pizza Night tomorrow, November 12th. CiCi's will be giving back a portion of the proceeds from that night's sale in support of Canine Angels. The Winter Wishes service project will be ending on December 10th. Thank you to everyone who has contributed thus far.

ACTIVITIES: Giving Bowl a Success

Thursday night's Giving Bowl was a huge success. As part of our Winter Wishes service project, the Giving Bowl exceeded its targeted donation of $2,000 in support of God's Storehouse. The Giving Bowl raised money by selling tickets to a soup dinner, and a silent auction for gift baskets. Soups and desserts were prepared by faculty and staff members while drama, dance and chorus students provided entertainment, and arts students made commemorative ceramic pieces and greeting cards. Congratulations to Mrs. Coppinger for winning the Soup Competition with her Shrimp Bisque, and Mrs. Kinsey for winning the Sweet Competition with her Japanese Fruit Pie. The event was organized by our Student Activities students, who would like to thank everyone who donated soups, sweets, bowls, baskets, bids, donations, and your time.

ACTIVITIES: Harvest Hope Food Drive Reminder

As part of the Winter Wishes service project, we are supporting Harvest Hope food bank with a canned food drive. We would appreciate your help in reaching our goal of providing Harvest Hope with 13,000 canned goods. Canned goods can be dropped off in the Main Office or your first period teacher. The third period class who collects the most items will be awarded a pizza party celebration. This collection will end on December 5th. We would like to thank everyone for their support of Winter Wishes.

ACADEMICS: Human Physiology Experiments

Left: Quenton Washington, Morgan Leggette & Kie'ra Royster
Right: Tobi Ariyo & Andrew Marino

What questions do you have about your body? Senior BioHealth and Allied Health magnet students have been designing and carrying out experiments based on questions regarding human physiology.

ARTS: RVHS Students Perform in District Honor Choir

Congratulations to the following students for being selected into the 2014 Richland District Two Honor Choir: Illia Dia (10th), Courtney Willis (11th), Khalia Harvey (11th), Allondra Stroman (11th), Keron Darmanie (10th) and Maya Hannah (10th). These students represented Ridge View High School in the 2014 Richland District Two Honor Choir performance on October 23rd at Richland Northeast High School.

ARTS: South Carolina ACDA Honor Choir

Two Blazer students were selected to participate in this years' SCACDA Honor Choir at Anderson University on October 10-11th. K'nique Eichelberger and Allondra Stroman were able to sing under the direction of Dr. Alicia Walker from the University of South Carolina and Dr. Joshua Oppenheim from Kansas State University. Our singers were among the top performers from high schools across the state.

ATHLETICS: Bojangles Bash to Feature Top National Players

The Bojangles' Basketball Bash is back! Come join us on December 11-13th at Ridge View High School. This national elite basketball showcase features top local teams matching up against the best teams from around the country. Come see three of the nations top 100 players: Spring Valley's PJ Dozier, Dreher's Tevin Mack and Zion Lutheran's Keith Stone. Visit bojanglesbash.com for the full schedule and join the discussion on Twitter and Instagram @bojanglesbash.

ARTS: Winter Guard Yard Sale

Our Winter Guard is having a Yard Sale on Saturday, December 6th starting at 6 am in the RVHS Bus Parking Lot, located next to the Tennis Courts. Come on out ans support the Winter Guard on their upcoming season.

ACTIVITIES: YLE Mentors at Rice Creek

L-R: Janea Diamond Brantley, Mrs. McKenny, Kiara Hayes,
Diamond Gaston, Michaela Goodwin, Kayla Jenkins,
A'Nyija Nichols, Ashante Gibbons, and Ms. Smith 

Ridge View's Young Ladies of Elegance mentoring group visited Rice Creek on November 18th to tutor 2nd grade math students. They really enjoyed the experience and cannot wait to help again in the future.

ARTS: Blazers Selected to All-State Chorus

Keron Darmanie and K'nique Eichelberger

Blazers Keron Darmanie and K'nique Eichelberger were selected to participate in the 2015 South Carolina All-State Chorus. All of our Chorus students worked very hard over the last few months in order to prepare for these auditions, which included a quintet performance and individual sight-singing. The top scoring singers from across the state will be traveling to Winthrop University in March to sing under the direction of Dr. Dan Bara, director at the University of Georgia and Dr. Denna Joseph, Choral Director at Georgia State University. Congratulations gentlemen!

ATHLETICS: Harris Signs with Lander to Play Volleyball

Senior V'Aira Harris signed a letter of intent to play volleyball and study at Lander University on Wednesday, November 12th. Congratulations V'Aira! 

ACADEMICS: Scholars Students Work to Petition Obama

On November 14th, the Scholars Academy junior research class presented their advocacy work for George Stinney, the youngest boy to be executed in American history, to students in 8th grade social studies classes. The students are working to have a petition put in front of President Obama to exonerate Stinney. For more information on how you too can get involved, visit their twitter page @supportstinney.

Provide Thanksgiving Dinner to a Family in Need

The RVHS Social Work Office is looking to supply 10 Thanksgiving dinners (serving size 4-6) to Ridge View Families. For more information, click on the image. If you are interested in adopting a family to provide them with Thanksgiving Dinner, please contact Morgan Lea Daniels, School Social Worker at modaniels@richland2.org or (803) 699-2999 extension 249. Thank you for your support during this holiday season.

ACADEMICS: CAT Field Study to FN America

Back (L-R): Andre Siler, Rahkenn Askew-Daniels, Jaylen
Phillips, Davonshae Chandler; Front (L-R): Trenequia
Chandler, Taylor Wright, Aaron Walker 

As part of the engineering track of the CAT grant, Ridge View students attended a field study at FN America, a manufacturing corporation that uses a wide variety of engineers in their facility. Students were introduced to civil engineers, industrial engineers, metallurgical engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers and production engineers. The common theme throughout the presentations was the need to stick with "the math." FN America makes 95% of the issued personal weapons for the US Army and Navy Seals. They also supply the Columbia Police Department. The students were fascinated with the production and design process. Our hope is that this amazing experience shows them the real world connection between the math in the classroom and the application in reality. A big thank you goes out the Mr. Greg Butler, CEO and his amazing staff that made this an awesome experience that our students will never forget.

ACTIVITIES: Winter Wishes Service Project

We would like to remind everyone that Ridge View's Winter Wishes school wide service project began on November 10th and will continue until December 10th. This service project is community based and has four distinct project areas that we set goals for. The project this year are sponsoring 85 foster children, collecting 13,000 canned goods, raising $2,000 for the Giving Bowl and raising $2,000 plus and additional 50 items for Canine Angels. The local organizations who benefit from this project are the Department of Social Services, Harvest Hope Food Bank, God's Storehouse and Canine Angels. If you would like to help us reach our goals, you can drop canned goods, items for Canine Angels or monetary donations off at Ridge View High School during the school hours of 8 am to 4 pm. Also, if you would like to attend tonight's Giving Bowl, which will be held from 6-7:30 pm in the cafeteria. Tickets can be purchased for $10 at the door and includes up to 4 bowls of soup, or 8 samples, bread, drink, 2 desserts, and 1 ceramic item or 1 pack of greeting cards. People can share a ticket. There will also be a silent auction for gift baskets this evening. Thank you for all of your continued support!

ACADEMICS: Magnet Students Explore Genetic Code Mystery

Freshman BioHealth and Allied Health Magnet students explore the mystery of our genetic code in their study of DNA. Students learned about the different components making up DNA and constructed models of the DNA double helix.

Centura College of Columbia Senior Day

Centura College of Columbia will be holding their Senior Day on Saturday, December 6th at 12 pm at their 7500 Two Notch Road. This event is for seniors and their families and will include VIP tours, financial aid presentations, and lunch will be provided. Come on out and learn more about earning college credits before graduation through Centura's College Start Program. To RSVP, contact LaQuinta Scott at (803) 543-8546.

ARTS: Holiday Arts Festival

Come on out and join us. All proceeds benefit Ridge View's Winter Wishes service project.

ATHLETICS: Cross Country Award Winners

Pictured is the team "breaking it down" one more time.

Congratulations to the following student-athletes who were recognized for their accomplishments at the recent Cross Country banquet.

• Most Team Spirit: Mikayala Thomas and Jermaine McIntosh
• Most Improved: Myckenzie Horton and Chris Kane
• Rookie of the Year: Amy Nguyen and Brandon Jackson
• Most Valuable Runner: Kelsey Ballou and Connor McCloskey
• Team Captain: Kelsey Ballou, Connor McCloskey and Marcel Boatwright
• Academic Award: Megan Reardon and Chris Kane

Parents, Have You Completed Your Impact Aid Form?

On Wednesday, November 12th, students received an Impact Aid Survey Form printed on blue paper. Impact Aid is a federal program designed to assist local school districts that enroll federally connected students, who are children of active duty uniformed services personnel, children who live on federal property and children whose parents work on federal property. All parents can help us by asking your child for this form to complete and sign. 

Not active military: Complete Section A and sign Section D. 
Active military or work on federal property: please follow the instructions on the form. 

If you have completed and signed the form, please make sure your child brings it to school and turns it in to their 3rd period teacher. We appreciate your assistance regarding this matter.

ACTIVITIES: Harvest Hope Food Drive Reminder

As part of the Winter Wishes service project, we are supporting Harvest Hope food bank with a canned food drive. We would appreciate your help in reaching our goal of providing Harvest Hope with 13,000 canned goods. Canned goods can be dropped off in the Main Office or your first period teacher. The third period class who collects the most items will be awarded a pizza party celebration. This collection will end on December 5th. We would like to thank everyone for their support of Winter Wishes.