ACADEMICS: November Students of the Month

At The View would like to congratulate our November Students of the Month, who were recognized with a Pizza Party and a certificate for their outstanding academic achievement on November 29th.  Our awardees were Bradley Bitz (Science), Cameron Borum (School for the Arts), Similan Chun'Ngam (English & World Languages), Camarin Crawford (JROTC), RoQuawn Dinkins (Social Studies), Chelsea Ford (Blazer Academy), Dana Fulmore (Social Studies), Jazlyn Hagins (JROTC), Haley Hawkins (AVID), Nasjha Henson (Math), Christa Joby (Science), Jalen Jones (Math), Anika Kelley (English), Zakeiyah Kelley (Health), Hunter McDaniel (P.E.), Lauren Morris (Scholars Academy), Cameron Muller (CATE), Dennis Odom (World Languages), Nahzeer Pryor (CATE), Faith Thompson (Allied Health), Joy VanKallen (English), Karl Vogl (English), Iesha Whittaker (BioHealth Magnet), and Barbara Williams (CAT). Congratulations Blazers and keep up the hard work!

ATHLETICS: Monday's Sub-Varsity Basketball Recap

It was a busy night at Ridge View on Monday night as the three sub-varsity Basketball teams took on the visiting Blythewood Bengals. The Girls JV team jumped out to a 26-1 lead at halftime before finishing off the Lady Bengals 56-9 in the opening game. The boys B-team followed with a comfortable 46-31 win. In the nightcap, the boys JV team lost 51-47 in a game that went down to the wire. All three teams will be back in action on Thursday night as they host the Spring Valley Vikings.

ATHLETICS: Bojangles' Bash Preview

Click on the image to view a preview of our upcoming Bojangles' Bash Boys Basketball Showcase courtesy of WLTX. The Bash will be held at Ridge View High School from December 8th through December 10th. For more information, visit bojanglesbash.com.

Tonight is CiCi's Pizza Night in Support of the Prom

Tonight is CiCi's Pizza Night in support of the Junior and Senior Prom. Come on out from 5-8 pm as a portion of the proceeds will help fund the Prom in the Spring.

ACTIVITIES: Winter Wishes Sistercare Project

ACTIVITIES: Zumbathon Moved to December 7th

Due to conflicting schedules this Friday night, we will be moving the Zumbathon to a new night. It will now be held on Wednesday, December 7th.

Tonight is Moe's Night Supporting Winter Wishes

Tonight is Moe's Night from 6-8 pm. Come on out and support our Winter Wishes Service Learning Project. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to our Winter Wishes program.

Winter Wishes Activities Reminder for the Week

Our Winter Wishes school-wide service project is celebrating the holidays with two more dress days this week. Wednesday will be Tacky Sweater & Sock Day and Friday will be White Out Day. Wear all white and you may also wear a hat by purchasing a sticker for $1 in the Main Hallway before school. Proceeds will go toward our Winter Wishes charities.

ATHLETICS: Spirit Bus to Friday's Football Game

If you would like to go to South Aiken for the Varsity Football playoff game this Friday night, we have 25 spots on the Cheerleaders bus available for Ridge View students, faculty and staff. The cost is $0 to ride the bus. In order to secure your spot, you must talk with Mrs. Kasavicha in the Main Office to reserve your spot. You can also email her at kkasavicha@richland2.org. The bus will be leaving at 4:30 pm on Friday from behind the gym. The only requirement to go, once Mrs. Kasavicha has confirmed your spot, is that you have $7 to purchase a ticket to the game once you arrive at South Aiken High School. Coach Porter-Nichols will check your student or staff I.D. to ensure that your name is on the travel list and you must show her that you have $7 to purchase a ticket before boarding the bus. This bus is only for Ridge View students, faculty and staff (no spouses or significant others).

ARTS: Holiday Arts Festival Next Tuesday

Our Fine Arts programs will be presenting A Holiday Arts Festival in our Large Gym on Tuesday, December 6th. Admission is $1 or one canned food item to benefit our Winter Wishes Community Service Program. This event is always well received as 300 students will be sharing their talents in a wonderful holiday celebration. The event will begin at 6 pm.

ATHLETICS: 5 Blazers Named All-Region

Our Blazers have had a great season, and our players continue to be recognized for their outstanding seasons. The following student-athletes have been named to the Region III-AAAA All-Region team: Defensive End Damani Staley, Left Tackle Cameron Muller, Athlete Latheron Rogers-Anderson, Tight End Cameron Butler, and Running Back Ali Kelley. Congratulations Blazers!

ACTIVITIES: Winter Wishes Canned Food Drive Ends Soon

The Winter Wishes Canned Food Drive this year is being partnered with our Allied Health Science Magnet with additional support from Blazer Academy. Our goal this year is to collect 10,000 items for Harvest Hope Food Bank. Individual classes are collecting cans for a class competition while cans can also be dropped off in the Front Rotunda, Student Activities. Students can also clear detention hours for tardies, I.D. violations, ECD violations & no hall pass bringing by bringing in cans (3 cans = 1 hour; 4 Ramen Noodles = 1 can). The last day for collecting cans is Tuesday, December 6th.

This Week At The View

Here is what is going on this week At The View:

Monday, November 28th

• JV Girls Basketball vs. Blythewood @ Home at 5:30 pm
• B-Team Boys Basketball vs. Blythewood @ Home at 6:45 pm
• JV Boys Basketball vs. Blythewood @ Home at 8 pm

Tuesday, November 29th

• Student of the Month Luncheon at 12:20 pm in the Multipurpose Room
• Varsity Girls Basketball vs. Blythewood @ Home at 6 pm
• Varsity Boys Basketball vs. Blythewood @ Home at 7:30 pm

Wednesday, November 30th

• Wrestling vs. Brookland-Cayce, Scott's Branch & Edisto @ Home at 6 pm

Thursday, December 1st

• JV Girls Basketball vs. Spring Valley @ Home at 5:30 pm
• Winter Wishes Foster Child Party in the Cafeteria Rotunda at 6 pm
• B-Team Boys Basketball vs. Spring Valley @ Home at 6:45 pm
• JV Boys Basketball vs. Spring Valley @ Home at 8 pm

Friday, December 2nd

• Varsity Girls Basketball vs. Spring Valley @ Home at 6 pm
• Varsity Boys Basketball vs. Spring Valley @ Home at 7:30 pm
• Varsity Football @ South Aiken at 7:30 pm in AAAA State Playoff Quarterfinal Round

Saturday, December 3rd

• Fruit Fundraiser Pickup in the Band Room from 7-11 am
• Wrestling @ Cardinal Newman at 10 am

Success At The View Tutoring Program

Do you need tutoring? Click on the image to view our Success At The View Tutoring Program for the 2016-2017 school year. This schedule includes tutoring times before school, during lunch and after school. Students can also check with their individual teachers for their tutoring times.

What's on the Cafeteria Menu this Week?

Click on the image to view the menu for Sodexo's Cross Roads Cafe located in the RVHS Cafeteria and satellite stations in the C-hall Foyer & Auditorium Foyer for the fifth week of November.

ACADEMICS: Free Standardized Test Prep

SC Virtual School is offering FREE standardized test prep for ACT, AP, SAT, and more on Shmoop. Click on the image for more information or click on the link to the registration page.

ATHLETICS: Football Team Tops Union Again

Photo Courtesy of Jeff Blake at The State

Our Ridge View Blazers football team defeated Union County 24-20  in the 2nd Round of the AAAA State Playoffs. Click on the image for all of the high school football scores from around the state courtesy of The State newspaper. The Blazers (10-2) will play at South Aiken (12-1) next Friday, December 2nd at 7:30 pm in the quarterfinal round of the playoffs. South Aiken was a 47-7 victor over York last night. Go Blazers!

ACADEMICS: WACH Fox 57 Covers CAT Trip to Disney World

WACH Fox 57 recently posted a story about our Carolina Alliance for Technology (CAT) students participating in the Youth Education Series at Disney World. Click on the image to read more about their experience.

Get the Richland Two Mobile App

The Richland Two App is a powerful and easy-to-use tool puts news and information about our district and schools directly in your hands. Using your smart phone or tablet, we hope that you will enjoy exploring the options and customizing the app to fit your needs. The app gives you access to news, meal menus, high school sports scores and information, calendars and more! Our parents will receive additional information about personalizing the app from their child's school when the school begins using it. To set up the app to follow any of our school(s):

• Go to the Apple App Store or Google Play on your device.
• Search for RICHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 and download the RICHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT TWO app.
• Open app.
• Indicate whether you will allow the app to send notifications. This selection can be changed later.
• Follow the prompts on the Welcome Screen to select your school(s).

Winter Wishes Sister Care Project

While you are out shopping and working that turkey off this weekend, please consider purchasing some travel-sized toiletries for our Winter Wishes Sister Care Project. Sister Care is a shelter for women and children leaving abusive living situations. These women often leave their home with only their most precious cargo, their children, and leave everything else behind, so receiving an intake kit with soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, and dental supplies is a blessing to them. Donations will be accepted at RVHS through December 5th. If you have any questions, please contact Nicole Walker at nwalker@richland2.org.

ATHLETICS: Football Playoff Game TONIGHT

Blazer Rangers Rifle Team Recurring Gift Fundraiser

This Tuesday, November 29th is known as Giving Tuesday, a global day of philanthropy. The Blazer Rangers Rifle Team asks that you make more than just a donation to their team, but that you make a commitment to them and the future of youth shooting sports. The team asks that you provide a small 100% tax deductible recurring monthly gift to the team. For as little as $5 per moth you can support the future of the Blazer Rangers Rifle Team, and as always, the Midway USA Foundation will match every dollar you donate each month! Help us continue to change the future of the Blazer Rangers and high school youth shooting sports. Click on the image for a quick video on how to set up your recurring gift. We thank you in advance for your generous gift. If you have any questions, please contact Major Gene England at gengland@richland2.org.

ACADEMICS: ABC Columbia Hosts Blazer Students

We would like to thank Rochelle Dean and Tyler Ryan of ABC Columbia and the rest of their team for hosting our students on November 17th as they spoke to them about their different roles in making a newscast happen.

ATHLETICS: Football Playoff Game Tomorrow Night

We hope you can travel to Union County tomorrow night as our 10-2 Ridge View Blazers take on Union County in the second round of the playoffs. The address for the Union County Stadium is 1000 Kirby St., Union, SC 29379. Travel time is approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm. Tickets are $7. Go Blazers!

ATHLETICS: Bojangles' Bash to be Featured on WLTX

WLTX News 19's Reggie Anderson has interviewed Ridge View Athletic Director and Bojangles' Bash Director Brian Rosefield along with Bojangles' Marketing Representative Joe Polek about the upcoming Bojangles' Basketball Bash. Tune in to WLTX News 19 at 6 pm for Reggie Anderson's piece on the Bojangles' Bash, which will be held at Ridge View High School on December 8-10th. Click on the image for more information about the Bash!

ATHLETICS: Athletic Department Announces Core Values

The Ridge View Athletic Coaching Staff are excited to announce that they have decided on five Core Values for Athletic Department. Our Core Values are:

1. Ownership
2. Unity
3. Service
4. Continuous Improvement
5. Truth

Our staff will be discussing these values with our student-athletes. A graphic of these Core Values, and the first of many Ridge View Athletics graphics that you can use for your electronic devices can be found at our website RidgeViewSports.com under the Blazer HQ menu or by clicking on the image.

Happy Thanksgiving

ACTIVITIES: Winter Wishes Sponsor a Foster Child Project

Student Council and AVID team up to help promote the Sponsor a Foster Child project. This year we hope to sponsor 60 children through Club, Organization, Department or individual sponsorships.  The cost is $60. We hope to bring joy to children this year and present gifts on December 1st from 6:00-7:30 pm in our Cafeteria Rotunda with food, family and fun! If you are interested in sponsoring a foster child, please contact a student council member, AVID student, or Mr. Jeffrey McMicken at jmcmicken@richland2.org.

ATHLETICS: Girls Golf Awards

Imani Belton (left) and Massiah Pace (right)

The Girls Golf Team recently held their season ending banquet. Congratulations to Imani Belton on receiving the award for the Lowest Average and Massiah Pace for receiving the Most Improved Award. Good job ladies! Keep up the good work.

ACADEMICS: Architect Speaks to Scholars Students

On November 16th, the Scholars Academy sophomores had the pleasure of getting an inside look at the life of an architect from Richland Two alumni Chris Coleman, an architect at Bowman Architects. Coleman focused on the importance of both math and creative thinking and the every day people skills required in working in the field.

ACTIVITIES: Winter Wishes Sistercare Project

REMINDER: Boys Tennis Meeting Today

Coach Gibson will be having a meeting of all boys interested in playing tennis at Ridge View this Spring today at the beginning of lunch in the small gym. Come meet the new coach and learn about the future of the Ridge View Boys Tennis Program!

ATHLETICS: Burnett to Lead Girls Soccer Program

Coach Jonathan Burnett

Jonathan Burnett has been named the new Ridge View Girls Soccer Coach. Coach Burnett has been involved in soccer for 30 years as a player and coach. He played soccer at Spartanburg High, and continued his playing career at Union College in Kentucky, where he also earned his B.S. in History and Political Science in 2006. After college, he began his coaching career at Spartanburg High as an assistant for 2007-2008 while also earning a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Converse College. He was the Head Boys Varsity Soccer Coach at Oakbrook Prep from 2008-2014. During this time, he led Oakbrook to the 2010 and 2011 SCISA AA State Championships. He has a career record of 83-23 and his teams appeared in five SCISA State Championship games in six years. Coach Burnett is in his first year as a Social Studies teacher at Ridge View. Welcome Coach Burnett.

Thanksgiving Break

This is a reminder that Richland District Two schools and offices will be closed beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, November 23rd through Friday, November 25th for our Thanksgiving Break. Schools and offices will reopen on Monday, November 28th. We hope you have a safe and enjoyable break.

Freshmen Fall Parent Newsletter

We hope our Freshmen are off to a great year. In an effort to keep our Freshmen Parents informed, click on the image to view our Freshmen Fall Parent Newsletter.

ATHLETICS: Blazer Basketball Teams Garner Preseason Honors

Kaiden Rice and Armanii Grice

Our basketball teams garnered preseason awards at last week's SCBCA Preseason Basketball Banquet. Our girls team is current ranked #2 in the state for the AAAA classification behind #1 Dreher High School while the boys team is ranked #7. Seniors Armanii Grice was also named a Top 5 Elite Female Player in the state while Senior Kaiden Rice has been named a Top 5 Senior for AAAA boys. Congratulations to both programs on these amazing preseason honors.

ATHLETICS: Lady Blazers Golf Team Receives Donation

Pictured L-R: Asisstant Coach Valerie Logan, Head Coach
Brooke Bedenbaugh, Imani Belton, Massiah Pace,
and Ridgewood Ladies President Lessette Williams

On November 7th, the Lady Blazer Golf Team was awarded a donation to their golf program from the Ridgewood Ladies Golf Club, which is a non-profit organization comprised of lady golfers seeking to encourage, promote and nurture women and young people in our community through the support they provide to various organizations. Lady Blazer Golf Assistant Coach Valerie Logan is a member of this club.

ATHLETICS: Gibson Named Boys Tennis Coach

The Ridge View Athletic Department is excited to announce that Terrence Gibson has been named the new Boys Tennis Coach. Coach Gibson is from Columbia, SC and a graduate of W.J. Keenan High School. He received his Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Virginia Commonwealth University. He has coached our girls tennis program off and on since 2009. His tennis teams have made the state playoffs for 4 of the 6 years including the last 2 years in a row. Coach Gibson also serves as coach of the Girls Basketball team, which is currently ranked #2 in the state. He has been married to Latoashia Lancaster-Gibson for 9 years and they have a son, Terrence Gibson Jr., who is 7. There will be a meeting of all boys interested in playing tennis at Ridge View tomorrow during lunch in the small gym. Congratulations Coach Gibson!

ACTIVITIES: Winter Wishes Canned Food Drive

The Winter Wishes Canned Food Drive this year is being partnered with our Allied Health Science Magnet with additional support from Blazer Academy. Our goal this year is to collect 10,000 items for Harvest Hope Food Bank. Individual classes are collecting cans for a class competition while cans can also be dropped off in the Front Rotunda, Student Activities. Students can also clear detention hours for tardies, I.D. violations, ECD violations & no hall pass bringing by bringing in cans (3 cans = 1 hour; 4 Ramen Noodles = 1 can). The last day for collecting cans is Tuesday, December 6th.

ATHLETICS: Football Advances in Playoffs After 70-47 Win

Our Ridge View Blazers have advanced to the 2nd Round of the AAAA State Playoffs after handing Wren a 70-47 drubbing. Read more about this victory courtesy of Greenville Online by clicking on the image. The Blazers will play Union County at Union County on Friday night at 7:30 pm. This will be a rematch as our Blazers previously topped Union County by a score of 33-30 in September. Union County was a 43-20 winner over Aiken in the 1st Round of the playoffs. Go Blazers!

Senior Portrait Selections Due by December 1st

Attention Seniors! Please stop by room C-63 to select your senior portrait for the yearbook. The deadline to select your portrait is Thursday, December 1st. 

This Week At The View

Here is what is going on this week At The View:

Monday, November 21

• Magnet Luncheon 11:30 am to 1 pm in the Multipurpose Room

Tuesday, November 22

• Boys Tennis Interest Meeting in the Small Gym at 12:22 pm

Wednesday, November 23

• Thanksgiving Break/No School

Thursday, November 24

• Thanksgiving Break/No School
• Thanksgiving Holiday

Friday, November 25

• Thanksgiving Break/No School
• AAAA State Playoffs 2nd Round Football Game @ Union High School at 7:30 PM

Saturday, November 26

• No Events Scheduled

RVHS Food Pantry

Mr. David Haas

The RVHS Food Pantry is a program designed to help those students who, for whatever reason, needs a meal that day in school and has yet to be serviced by the normal programs. Mr. David Haas, an English teacher, took over control of the Food Pantry in the Spring of 2016, and has done a masterful job of meeting the needs of our students. Aside from meeting the daily needs of some of our students, Mr. Haas has been successful in applying for grants to help our students. This past summer, he applied for and received a $1,500 Walmart Community Grant from Facility 34872, and more recently, he received a $500 grant from Grace Life Church. Mr. Haas is very grateful for the contributions from Grace Life Church and Walmart. Over the years, Ridge View's faculty and staff has graciously supported this program for years with monetary and food donations in order to assist students who may be slipping through the cracks in terms of getting a meal or meals. For more information about this program and how you can help, please click on the image.

What's the Cafeteria Serving this Week?

Click on the image to view the menu for Sodexo's Cross Roads Cafe located in the RVHS Cafeteria and satellite stations in the C-hall Foyer & Auditorium Foyer for the fourth week of November.

November Career Focus: Education and Training

ACTIVITIES: Winter Wishes Sistercare Project

ACADEMICS: EMT Speaks to IHS Students

Lahassanda Brown, from the Orangeburg Emergency Medical Services, spoke to the freshmen Institute for Health Sciences students about the role of an EMT and 911 operators. She described the training and education related to the field. She also shared some stories from the field.

ACADEMICS: RV Alum Speaks to P.E. Students

Left Picture: Kelif Sykes & Coach Gilmer;
Right Picture: Kelif Sykes putting students through workout.

Kelif Sykes, a 2010 graduate of RVHS, is a personal trainer at MUV Fitness on Killian Road. Kelif recently visited Coach Gilmer's Physical Education classes, and helpted the students to set fitness goals for their PBL projects. Kelif talked with the students about the importance of setting goals throughout life to maintain a healthy lifestyle. He also talked about nutrition and hydration. Kelif took the students through exercises and showed them what a personal training session would be like. Kelif is a former student of Coach Gilmer, and stated that Coach Gilmer helped inspire him to go into fitness training. He hopes to become a College Strength Coach. Coach Gilmer and his students would like to thank Kelif for helping give them an authentic PBL experience.

McRae Named Teacher of the Year

Mathematics teacher Mrs. Tina McRae has been named Ridge View's 2017-2018 Teacher of the Year. Principal Dr. Brenda Mack-Foxworth commented that "Todd Whitaker once stated that 'The best thing about being a teacher is that it matters, the hardest thing about being a teacher is that it matters every day.' This statement exemplifies Tina McRae. She is the type of teacher who builds relationships with her students and uses that caring nature to help students master mathematics standards. She demonstrates commitment to her students' success everyday for every child." 

McRae has been teaching for 27 years including 14 years at Ridge View. She started her career in Illinois before moving to South Carolina when her husband was transferred as a U.S. Navy Recruiter. During her time in Richland Two, she also spent three years as an Instruction Coach for Induction teachers. She is also a National Board Certified Teacher. Congratulations Mrs. McRae!

Blazer Career Center Newsletter

Click on the image to view the Blazer Career Center October/November 2016 Newsletter.