Parents,

Test scores are not a purpose, they are a result. To have purpose means the things we do are of real value to others. I adapted this quote from Simon Sinek. I like Simon. If a student were to leave Rangeview High School after four years, having been proficient on TCAP and scored a 24 on the ACT, in the eyes of some he or she would be successful. However, what if the same student did not attend his or her junior or senior prom, did not participate in athletics, never joined a club, or never had the joy of looking forward to seeing his or her favorite teacher, would that student still be considered successful?

Without a doubt yes, but what opportunities were missed along the way? What experiences did that student not have, both for memories and for learning sake? Recently one of the assistant principals came into my office and profoundly stated that “our student athletes have a higher GPA than the rest of the student body.” Having been an athletic director for nine years, I already knew this uncommonly known truth, but I was glad he discovered it on his own. I am not suggesting that athletics is more important than academics, but rather that athletics, activities, clubs, etc. provide an opportunity for students to connect to our school. Additionally, participating in athletics and activities is fun, and fun is one of the main reasons students come to school. This becomes bait on the hook for learning.

Consider these facts about female students who are involved in athletics and school activities:

Have a greater sense of confidence, self-esteem and pride Are less likely to get involved in drugs, less likely to get pregnant,

and more likely to graduate from high school Have a more positive body image Are less likely to be involved in an abusive relationship Graduate from college at a higher rate

As you begin to help plan your students schedule for next year,

consider their involvement in activities beyond the classroom.

A Letter to Families from Principal Fay

Letter from Principal Fay APS Bond and Levy Program MESA Club: Art Department Updates and News One School… Many Cultures Rangeview Student ICAP Progress Stellar Xplorers, at it Again Rangeview Student Takes on Civil Rights Girls in STEM AP Exam Information WL: RHS students grab their passports and see the world

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2

2 3 3 4

4

4 5 6 6

Registration for the 2016-2017 School Year’

Is Your Students Graduating? Driven by love: Brother’s illness inspires student to pursue medical career

7 7 8-9

Calendar Dates for the 2015-2016 School Year

8

Rangeview High Rangeview High SchoolSchool

FEBRUARY 2016 Volume 2, Issue 6

We develop and honor the curiosity of our students by uncovering their passion and motivation to learn in a fun and relevant

environment, creating dynamic citizens who will strengthen their community and add to the narrative of Rangeview High School.

In This Issue:

Rangeview High School Parent Newsletter—Volume 2, Issue 3

2

APS Bond and Mill Levy Programs $41 million in savings and interest to the bond program to fund more projects. APS mill levy overrides provide nearly $30 mil-lion annually to fund educational programs that accelerate learning for every APS student, every day. Mill levy funds benefit students in a num-ber of ways such as additional preschool oppor-tunities, math and literacy classes, increased course choices at middle and high schools, and classroom technology improvements.

To learn more, view the report at bond.aurorak12.org.

The 2015-16 Bond and Mill Levy Community Re-port is now avail-able on the APS website. Bond and mill levy pro-grams approved by voters in 2008 and 2012 benefit every student in the district.

The $215 million bond program has funded im-provements at every APS school with projects rang-ing from new and remodeled schools to roof re-pairs and security improvements. Due to careful financial management, APS has added more than

Members of Rangeview High School’s MESA (Mathematics, En-gineering, Science Achievement) club are spending afternoons con-

structing underwater remotely-operated vehicles in preparation for this year’s Sea Perch competi-tion to be held in March.

The competition, sponsored by the US Navy, involves the de-sign, construction and operation of a vehicle designed to maneuver underwater and perform rescue operations. Mr. Petry, the club’s advisor, obtained the materials for the competition by attending a workshop at the University of Den-ver. “The Morgridge Family Foun-dation conducts a STEM workshop at DU every year” Petry tells us “And the US Navy provides materi-als and mentors for the competi-

tion”. He adds that students love the hands-on construction, and have learned many skills such as wiring, soldering and using power tools.

“I think we have a good

chance!” he muses, “But, in a

sense, we’ve already won.”

MESA Club: Building Remotely Oper-

ated Vehicles and Exploring Greatness

3

Rangeview High School Parent Newsletter—Volume 1, Issue 3

Art Department Updates and News

Rangeview. It is estimated that 3000 schools will

be submitting designs into this contest, and our

students are thrilled at the opportunity to submit

a collaborative designs.

For students who would like to join in the fun, please

see Ms. Manciu or Ms. Ryan in the Art Department

Things are kicking in to full gear in the art depart-ment! AP design students, Alan Carballo Tejeda and Casey Claycomb, recently submitted their portfolios into The Scholastics Art Competition - one of the most competitive art competitions in the state.

NAHS has some new spring projects underway;

one of which is the Vans Shoe Competition. The club

registered for the competition and will be donated

four different styles of Vans shoes to decorate and

submit to the competition. Students will be receiv-

ing the official shoes in February and submitting

their finished designs in April. Students have already

started practicing and brainstorming designs! This

project is not just limited to NAHS students, it has

been extended to the art classes as well so there can

be more talented and creative minds representing

One School...Many Cultures

Please join us to celebrate the many different cultures at Rangeview High School. There with be a light dinner with a cultural flair provided for all participants, thanks to a Title VII grant and a donation from the Aurora Schools Federal Credit Union. There will be student performances, a community resource fair and workshops available for parents and students. More detailed information will be shared as we get closer to the event. We hope you can join us.

If you are interested in helping with one of the committees, we would love to have some volun-teers. Please contact the appropriate committee chair below to see how you can be involved.

Committees: Entertainment/Performances – Terri Marshall – 303-326-1860 tdmarshall@aps.k12.co.us Art/Advertising Committee – Molly Thompson – 303-695-6848 x64011 mdthompson@aps.k12.co.us Food – Ashante Craig – 303-695-6848 x26920 abcraig@aps.k12.co.us Resource Fair/Speakers – Ann Atencio -303-326-1885 aaatencio@aps.k12.co.us

Two NAHS members practicing design ideas on some white sneakers

for the Vans Shoe Competition.

Rangeview High School Parent Newsletter—Volume 2, Issue 3

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Rangeview Student ICAP Progress Each year students complete a

portion of their Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP). Throughout this multi-year pro-cess, students explore career and post-secondary options while gaining an understanding of the skills and knowledge needed in order to achieve their post-secondary career and academic goals. Students in each grade level are assigned a set of tasks to com-plete in Naviance throughout the school year. Counselors and teachers are guiding students as they complete their tasks. Parents are encouraged to discuss the ICAP with their students. At this time, the tasks listed here should be completed or in progress. These tasks should be completed

by the end of 3rd Quarter, March 10th. During 3rd Quarter, all stu-dents will be assigned the Finan-cial Planning Survey task through their math classes. Also, students in grades 9-11 will complete a High School Academic Plan in Infinite Campus. These tasks will need to be completed by the end of the school year. 12th graders will have a Graduation Survey to complete during 4th quarter, be-fore May 17th.

9th Grade District Grade 9 PWR Goal

Setting Survey (completed) Career Cluster (completed) Create a Resume (in progress)

10th Grade District Grade 10 PWR Goal

Setting Survey (completed) Strengths Explorer

(completed) Add Colleges to My List

(completed) Create a Resume (in progress)

11th Grade District Grade 11 PWR Goal

Setting Survey (completed) Create/Upload Resume (in

progress) Upload Personal Statement (in

progress)

12th Grade District Grade 12 PWR Goal

Setting Survey (completed) Apply to College (completed) Upload Resume (in progress)

Mr. Brown’s incredi-ble, defending state champion Stellar Xplor-ers team is at it again! The satellite-orbit de-signers have completed two practice competi-tions in preparation for April’s National Champi-onship. The budding aerospace engineers de-sign orbits for satellites using state-of-the-art

software. The software, used widely in industry, allows students to de-sign orbits that provide line-of-site exposure to on the ground targets, also allowing those tar-gets to receive transmis-sions of television and other signals. Their de-signs also help the satel-lites detect and avoid space junk! Two more qualifying tournaments are scheduled on Janu-ary 14th and February 4th. The team will also par-ticipate in several hands-on workshops in Colora-do Springs in February

Stellar Xplorers, at it Again and March. Our intrepid explorers are assisted in their endeavors by Lt. Chris Dong of Buckley Space Command. The national tournament will be held in Colorado Springs on April 11th.

Junior, Jasmine Sanchez was selected to partici-pate in the City of Auro-ra’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration televised student forum. The forum was held on January 13, 2016 at 7p, in

the Channel 8 facility in the Aurora Municipal Center building. Sanchez along with stu-dents from Gateway and Hinkley High School discussed the impact of civil rights education and the civil rights is-sues they encounter and see unfold in the world around them.

To view this powerful fo-rum log on to auroratv.org and select the community category.

Rangeview Student Takes on Civil Rights

Rangeview High School Parent Newsletter—Volume 2, Issue 3

6

Advanced Placement Exam Information Advanced Placement Exam Schedule 2015-16 AP Bulletin 2015-16 AP Parent Letter 15-16 AP exam schedule2 2015-16 AP Exam Order form CCA Centre Tech Map

Students must be prompt. They will not be allowed into the testing room once the exam has begun. If a student will not be at the exam, please email kmhirsch@aps.k12.co.us

Students should bring #2 pen-cils, blue or black ball point pens, a picture I.D., and calcula-tors with extra batteries (for those exams that require a calcu-lator). Proctors will not have cal-culators to loan to students.

Through college-level AP courses and through AP Exams, you have the opportunity to earn credit or advanced standing at most of the nation's colleges and universities. The only requirements are a strong curiosity about the subject you plan

to study and the willingness to work hard. Here are just a few rea-sons to sign up: Gain the Edge in College Prepa-ration Get a head start on college-level

work. Improve your writing skills and

sharpen your problem-solving techniques.

Develop the study habits neces-sary for tackling rigorous course work.

Stand Out in the College Admis-sions Process

Demonstrate your maturity and readiness for college.

Show your willingness to push yourself to the limit.

Emphasize your commitment to academic excellence.

Broaden Your Intellectual Hori-zons

Explore the world from a varie-ty of perspectives, most im-portantly your own.

Study subjects in greater depth and detail.

Assume the responsibility of reasoning, analyzing, and under-standing for yourself. How do I get CCA credit for my AP exam scores?

To receive credit, you must re-quest that the College Board send your official AP score report to the college of your choice, either at the time of testing or afterward through a score report request.

To have your scores sent after testing, go to collegeboard.org. You will need to create a College Board account to request your scores be sent to CCA or any other college. Once logged in, click the uppermost AP tab. $15 fee.

Once your scores arrive at CCA they are not automatically added to your transcript. Go to http://www.ccaurora.edu/getting-started/transfer-in/form and sub-mit. It will be up to you to regular-ly check your “My CCA” account to see what courses you have been awarded credit.

The World Language

Department is gearing up

for some international

travel! This May, after we

have finished the school-

year, Madame Bradford

will be leading a group of

students to France. On

this trip the group will

explore Paris, take the

TGV train down to the

south of France and dis-

cover the beauty, archi-

tecture and wonderful

way of life along the Med-

iterranean. Students will

also spend a day in Mona-

co, visiting the royal pal-

ace and people watching

in the exciting city of

Monte Carlo. The oppor-

tunity to use the language

that students are learning

allow Spanish speakers to

practice in Spain and

French speakers to prac-

tice in Morocco, and for

students who only speak

English will have oppor-

tunities to take part in

this trip and enjoy learn-

ing about different cul-

tures.

For more information con-

tact Melissa Bradford:

mabradford@aps.k12.co.us

in the classroom is price-

less, and will greatly en-

hance their speaking abil-

ities. In addition to a

summer trip to France the

World Language Depart-

ment is also planning an-

other trip for Spring

Break 2017. This Spring

Break trip to Spain and

Morocco will provide

Rangeview students with

the thrill of a lifetime.

This multilingual trip will

WL: RHS students grab their passports and see the world

7

Rangeview High School Parent Newsletter—Volume 1, Issue 3

Registration for the 2016-2017 School Year The registration process for

next year will be different. This years current 9th-11th graders will select their course sections (periods) and teachers. In order to accommodate this change, the timeline for the registration pro-cess is different. The following is a general timeline for the process.

Feb. 12th – Electives Fair- 2:45-3:21PM- Students, Come learn about electives classes that are available to you in the different content areas.

Feb. 18th – 11th Grade SLO/Advisory day

March 1st – 10th Grade SLO/Advisory day

March 3rd – 9th Grade SLO/Advisory day During SLO/Advisory days the

Course Request Window will open. On these days students will meet with their assigned counse-lors and enter course requests in-to Infinite Campus. This does not include the section (period) or teacher choices. Parents are en-couraged to discuss requests. Ad-justments to requests can be made until the Course Request Window closes.

End of March- Course Request Window Closes

April- Students will meet with a counselor to select sections (class periods) and teachers for their requested courses.

May- Students and parents are asked to review the finalized schedule. ** Changes may occur to a sched-ule if a student fails a course re-

quired for graduation and a sub-stitution is needed.**

Registration for Current 8th Graders (Next year’s 9th Graders)

Mid Feb.- Middle School teach-ers will recommend students for their core courses

Mid to late Feb.- 8th Graders will receive course selection sheets for electives and return them to their School Counselor.

March-April- RHS staff will en-ter course requests and recom-mendations into Infinite Campus and schedules will be created.

BETTY FIN AID NIGHT IS YOUR STUDENT GRADUATING!

Do you need to complete your students financial aid application (FAFSA) to help pay for college. On Wednesday, Feb 24th from 4

pm -7 pm and on Friday Feb 26th 10 am -1 pm you can receive help filling out this application. We will have financial aid expert in

the building to walking parents and students through the process step by step. These workshops will be held at Rangeview High

School in the Post Grad Center.

To sign up for an appointment, contact Ms. Gessesse at BTGESSESSE@aps.k12.co.us or 303-695-6838

What you need to bring to complete your FAFSA:

Social Security Numbers: Student must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident to submit FAFSA.

Parent’s number if U.S. Citizen (U.S. Citizenship not required to sign FAFSA) Your alien registration or permanent resident card (if you are not a US Citizen)

2015 W-2 Forms and other records of money earned last year (parent & student) 2015 Federal Income Tax Return (parents & student)

If you have not filed your 2015 taxes yet, bring your 2014 tax form.

2015 untaxed income & other income records (parents & student) Any untaxed income and/or benefits received (i.e. SNAP, TANF, WIC, Free/Reduced Lunch)

Social Security benefits (SSI)

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Veterans benefits

Child Support paid or received

Checking and savings account balances (parents & student) Investment records – including real estate, rental property, certificates of deposit, stocks,

bonds,

529 College Savings Plans, UGMA/UTMA’s

Net worth of Business and Farm (if applicable) Birthdates: Month/Day/Year (parent & student) Driver’s license or Colorado ID Number (student) Date of parents’ marriage, legal separation or divorce ***Required on application

Rangeview High School Parent Newsletter—Volume 2, Issue 3

8

Driven by love: Brother’s illness inspires student to pursue medical career

Jada Boyd spent most of her ninth-grade year at the hos-pital with her older brother, who suffered from a severe liver dis-

ease and potentially cancerous colon polyps. She was with her brother through-out his serious illness, a liver transplant and,

eventually, his full re-covery.

During many days and nights at Children’s Hospital Colorado, the teenager watched her brother’s primary doc-tor in awe.

“She and her team cared about our family and had a meaningful relationship with us,” recalled Boyd, from Au-rora, Colo. “I knew then that I wanted to be-come a doctor to pro-vide that for others.”

Six years later, Boyd is a CSU junior majoring in biomedical sciences, with medical school in her sights. Her capabilities as a young scientist recent-ly gained national ku-dos, when Boyd be-came the only college student from Colorado to earn an award at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Stu-dents in Seattle. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

Calendar Dates for 2015-2016 School Year

February 25-27 7 PM

Rangeview Performing Arts Presents: Spamalot

March 10, 2016 6 –8 PM

The Culture of Rangeview

May 7, 2016 Prom

May 7, 2016 After Prom

May 17, 2016 Senior Check out

May 19, 2016 Senior Split

May 24, 2016 2PM Ritchie Center, Univ. of Denver

Graduation

Upcoming Activities

February 15 PRESIDENTS' DAY – No Clas-ses

March 10 Third Quarter Ends

March 11 Teacher Workday – No Classes

March 28 - Apr. 1 SPRING BREAK

May 24 Graduation – No Classes

May 26 Fourth Quarter Ends - Last Day of School

May 27 Teacher Workday

Rangeview Important Upcoming Dates

Picture of Rangeview Class of 2013 Jada Boyd Source:

Award-worthy cancer research

Boyd conducted undergraduate research in cancer; she was among more than 1,700 college students from across the country to present research findings at the conference, sponsored by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences in November. She was honored for an outstanding presentation in cancer biology, with an award sponsored bySt. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Boyd’s achievements exemplify what can happen when talented minority students receive opportuni-ties and encouragement in STEM disciplines – an important effort at CSU and at other research insti-tutions nationwide.

“It was a big deal,” Juan Lucas Argueso, Boyd’s mentor and an assistant professor in the Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, said of her success. “The quality of the presentations at the conference was very high. This was an impressive and well-deserved achievement for Jada.”

Boyd used yeast cell models to investigate mechanisms responsible for chromosome translocations, which are abnormalities caused by rearrangement of chromosome parts. This relocation of genetic material is commonly seen in cancer cells. So understanding how translocations occur could be central to preventing some cancers.

Researching mechanisms in translocations is “kind of like uncovering the behind-the-scenes work of a magic trick,” Boyd said.

“Studying mutations allows us a glimpse into the deep inner workings of cancer,” she said. “I see this research as contributing to a better understanding of how mutations occur, which could eventually help us learn to prevent or minimize them. And since cancer effects so many people, this research is cru-cial and close to my heart.”

Boyd started her research efforts by volunteering in a laboratory that studies the use of specialized radiation in cancer treatment. From there, she earned a Cancer Research Summer Fellowship from the University of Colorado Cancer Center and began working in Argueso’s research laboratory alongside Victoria Harcy, a doctoral candidate in the CSU Cell and Molecular Biology program.

“It’s been neat to watch Jada gain understanding, confidence, and independence in the lab,” Harcy said.

Boyd, in turn, compliments her mentors: “They helped me stay on this path, even when it got hard and I had moments of doubt – and I’ll never forget that.”

A future in helping people

The biomedical sciences student will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in December, then ex-pects to move on to medical school.

“My parents taught me that by helping one person, you can help a lot of people,” Boyd said. “That’s what I’m most looking forward to about being a physician. No matter what type of medicine I go into, I want to build positive relationships with my patients and provide great care. People trust medical professionals and come to them baring all – and being able to figure out how best to help someone is the most gratifying thing in the world.”

Read more about Boyd’s research here. (http://source.colostate.edu/driven-by-love-brothers-illness-inspires-student-to-pursue-medical-career/)

Biomedical sciences student Jada Boyd practices piano in the Lory Student Center. The aspiring physician has been an active community volunteer and member of Premedica Club. (source: http://source.colostate.edu)