Volume 5, Issue 18 RJR PTSA NEWSLETTER Feb. 6-Feb. 12, 2012

Hi Everyone!

We want to take this time to salute the Reynolds teachers. At RJR, we have the best of the best. In case you haven’t had a chance to see the Reynolds’ teacher commitment statement, we wanted to share it with you:

As a teacher at R.J. Reynolds High School my commitment is that I will:

1. Model professional behavior.

2. Maintain an environment that promotes learning.

3. Provide productive, challenging instruction that engages all learners.

4. Collaborate and communicate.

5. Expect greatness.

Every teacher signed this commitment statement at the beginning of the year and has it hanging in their classroom. No wonder our Reynolds students stand out head and shoulders above the others… thank you teachers!

Special congratulations to our Teacher of the Year, Mr. Seth Beale. Mr. Beale has taught at Reynolds since 2003. He passionately teaches ESL students and greatly impacts his students’ lives. He is the ESL department chair, a faculty member of the School Improvement Team and the Key Club sponsor. Mr. Beale is also head of the Latino Achievers Program through the YMCA. Thank you Mr. Beale! it It is an honor to have you in the Reynolds High School family!

Getting a correct schedule in the fall starts NOW! Please note the article submitted by Student Services in this newsletter, “Spotlight on Registration.” The guidance office will be holding registration meetings for students in the auditorium this week during school hours. Meeting times are provided in the article. Parents are welcome to attend if you want to listen. Parents, please stay on top of the registration process. Talk to your children. The time is NOW!

Please join us for Acapella Jam Sat. night at 7pm in Reynolds Auditorium! Yours in black and gold, Jean Anne and Scott Semke

This week, our PTSA volunteer in the spotlight is Joan Healy. Joan is a volunteer whose gifts and talents are felt in many areas of the school. She is PTSA secretary, serves on the School Improvement Team and she is our Swim Team volunteer coordinator. In addition, Joan serves on the newly formed Student Services Committee and has helped the guidance office with a wide variety of tasks this year. This listing of activities only speaks to the many ways Joan is serving Reynolds this year. Joan and her husband, Pat, have been very involved helpful parents at Reynolds for many years, assisting with a wide variety of other projects. They have three children, Michelle (’08), Tommy (’11) and Chris, a Demon junior. Thank you Joan and Pat for generously sharing your gifts, talents and time with Reynolds High School. Parents like you make a difference for all the students at Reynolds!

Parents with College Students: Help others learn about the financial aid process

Please share your expertise with others. Ms. Brown in Student Services will be hosting a FAFSA/Financial Aid night on February 8th. She needs five parents with current college students to come and assist families with the FAFSA process. The evening will begin at 6 p.m. in computer lab 208, right near the entrance to the landing. Please let us know if you can help out: semke6@yahoo.com.

Your gift makes a difference…and every gift counts!As you all have hopefully heard by now, thanks to your incredible generosity, the Legacy Campaign contributions now total….

$119,430 from 242 donors!!While that figure is absolutely AWESOME and AMAZING, we can’t help but get a little bit greedy and think that $120,000 would sound even better! In case you thought it was too late to donate, it’s NOT! The Legacy Campaign, our students, faculty and staff would still LOVE to have your support – your donation could be THE ONE that gets us to $120,000! Please email us with Legacy questions or concerns at lkcarter@triad.rr.com.

--Lisa and Greg Carter

THANK YOU CORPORATE LEGACY GAME SPONSORS!!

Stop by the Demon Shop for your copy of the RJR cookbook, “Amid the Pines” for only $12.  Agenda books are still on sale for $3.00 – it’s not too late to get organized!  Remember…we are open Wednesdays and Fridays from 12:00 to 2:00. If you are interested in working in the shop, please contact Lisa Rowell at LSRowell@aol.com.

The RJR Nominating Committee is pleased to announce the following slate of officers for the 2012-2013 school year:

Presidents:  Lisa and William Dull1st Vice Presidents: Lisa and Greg Carter2nd Vice Presidents: Jean Anne and Scott SemkeTreasurer: David HintonSecretary: Tara Jolley

The slate was approved by the PTSA Board at the January meeting and will be voted on at the general PTSA meeting during the Reynolds Revue.  

Thanks to the nominating committee for its work in creating the slate of officers and to the parents for being willing to serve.

Reynolds Revue It’s NOT just for new students!

Current and Prospective Students and Families, Please join us on

Thursday, February 16(snow date is Tuesday, February 21)

7:00 p.m., RJR Auditorium

Come see what’s happening at RJR! Come be reminded what makes RJR great!

Teacher and Coach Meet & Greets, Counselors available for general registration questions, Activities Fair and much more….

This week's RJR Student of the Week is Kshipra Hemal.  She is being recognized by Miss Jenny of our custodial staff for her contributions to a positive culture at RJR.  Kshipra most recently took the time to thank our custodial staff for all that they do.  Congratulation and thanks for making RJR great, Kshipra!

Attention all parents of Juniors!  If you would like for your student to have an appointment with a trained parent volunteer during an elective period to help your student in various aspects of their college search, please have them fill out the brief form at the web link below. This is one of the very special benefits of your PTSA and there are many parent volunteers who have already spent time in training to be ready to assist your student.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?hl=en_US&formkey=dEJpNEVCS0VpYXk1OXRjNXU4RE9UMVE6MQ#gid=0

Registration meetings will be held in the auditorium on February 8th and 9th. During the meetings we distribute registration books, discuss valuable information about graduation requirements and course selections, and give students their registration appointment times. Yes, that's right, this year, we are registering by appointment. All students will receive an appointment time (15 minutes) that he/she will use to meet individually with his/her counselor to register for courses (more about the meeting process to come next week).

This week if you are interested in attending an information session (come hear what we are telling your students) please free to do so. Below is the schedule - I might suggest that in order to have harmony at home you pick a different session  than the one your student will be attending :) These sessions are for students but we would love to have you as our guests -

please note, we will answer student questions only at these sessions.

February 8 - 1st period - 9th grade - A-LFebruary 8 - 2nd period -9th grade - M-ZFebruary 8-  4th period - 10th grade - A-LFebruary 9  - 1st period-10th grade - M-ZFebruary 9 - 2nd period- 11th grade - A-LFebruary 9 - 4th period - 11th grade - M-Z

On February 14, the PTSA wants to “wow” our teachers again with our 2nd annual “SOUPER LUNCH”… we will need lots of volunteers to make a crock pot full of homemade soup to create a “Valentine’s Souper Lunch” for our super teachers!If you enjoy cooking and can spare a bit of your time and talent, we’d love for you to whip up a batch of your best soup to share with our teachers. Nothing says “I LOVE YOU” like a good cup of soup!For details on how to be a Cook On Call volunteer for the Souper Lunch, please email suevans002@gmail.com. Let’s make our teachers feel truly loved on Valentine’s Day!

The deadline for purchasing yearbooks has been extended. You may purchase one by going online to YearbookOrderCenter.com or by calling 1.866.287.3096.  The order number is 10595 and you will need this for either option.  Order your copy of the RJR yearbook today!

ATTENTION SENIORSCAP AND GOWN MEASUREMENTS AND PICTURES

will be taken on Feb. 15.  GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENTS

can also be ordered on Feb. 15.

Please go to the Student Services page on the RJR website and complete the student/parent contact form to receive scholarship update emails. Please complete the Resume and Scholarship form ASAP to begin being considered for scholarship opportunities.

Attention! Student ContestTop 10 Reasons Reynolds is a Great High School

Students create your own “David Letterman” style list of the top 10 reasons

R.J. Reynolds is a great high school.

Be Creative!

Submit entries via email to Lisa Dull at thedulls@triad.rr.com orNicole Beale at NBBeale@wsfcs.k12.nc.us or

deliver a hard copy to Student Services.

Entries are due Tuesday, February 7.Be sure to include your name and contact information on your entry.

Winner will be notified by Monday, February 13.

The student who submits the winning entry willreceive a collection of gift cards valued at $25

ANDhave the opportunity to present the list (“Letterman” style)

at Reynolds Revue on Thursday, February 16.

Note: Random prize drawings from all participant names on Feb. 17

Congratulations to the following RJR students who recently performed in the All-County Dance Concert!Alexus Acree Margaret Borick Kelsey HedgecockCarrie Allice Mahoney Rikki Martin Lamonica McClellanDevreauz Nash Danielle Netter Hannah SemkeAnna Snyder Elizabeth Steadman AssuntaTerry Madisyn Thomas Tiffany Wilkins

You did a beautiful job and represented Reynolds with honor and pride!!

Congratulations to the members of the winter track team who have qualified and will be competing in the state meet at UNC-CH on February 11.  We are happy to report that in addition to those who previously qualified -- Chandler Borton, Eric Royer and Dustin Sneed -- Anna Caudill and Fatima Funderburk both qualified in the 300m and Anna qualified in the triple jump at the final meet at Mt. Tabor.  All team members have worked hard throughout the winter and they are looking forward to a great spring season!

There are lots of track and field opportunities during the spring season just waiting for RJR’s talented athletes! Don’t miss your chance to join the team and coaches as they continue to work hard to take RJR to the top!

A Capella Jam for Hope will be held in Reynolds Auditorium on Saturday, Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m. Please join us!

A group of parents, led by Kathryn Spanos, is working tirelessly on having a stadium built for RJ Reynolds High School at Hanes Park. Your support is needed!The group has partnered with the Winston-Salem Foundation while completing its own non-profit status.Development of a website is in the works and should be rolled out in the next few weeks.If you cannot donate financially, your donations of time or resources are just as important and helpful.The group is looking for people who have all types of skills and experiences including writing grants, working on websites and contacting RJR alums who have moved away from Winston-Salem.

If you would like to help in any way, please contact Ms. Spanos at klspanos@bellsouth.net.

Graduation will be on Saturday, June 9th at 8:30 p.m. in the LJVM Coliseum.

Happy Birthday from the PTSA!

Mike Meeks - 4thCatherine Gray - 9thMike Holmes - 10th

YOU (and everyone else you know) are invited to the eighth annual A Cappella Jam for Hope featuring RJR Students, Alumni, and their college A Cappella groups as they raise money to support the Backpack Program of the Second Harvest Food Bank.  This program provides nutritious meals to elementary students at Brunson, Old Town, and Ashley Elementary Schools EACH WEEKEND.  Fifty students at each school are supplied with a backpack full of food each Friday and return the empty backpacks on Monday.  Many more than 50 students at each school qualify for free or reduced lunch and would benefit from this program, but there is not enough funding to provide a backpack for each student who qualifies.  Please, please help us spread the word in your schools and toyour friends, email contacts etc., encouraging people to attend. Theseperformances are always crowd pleasers. They're fast-paced,entertaining and great for the whole family. It is very upbeat withpopular music and entertaining groups. Jeffrey Griffin, who returns asEmcee, is always an audience favorite with great humor and spirit.It's a win/win situation from every perspective: great entertainmentand great outreach to the children and families in our community.Every group listed below includes the RJR Singer Alumnus who isbringing their group home to help the cause.

JT FLOETER                                          ASU LOST IN SOUNDCAMERON MOORE                                 ASU ENHARMONIXADDISON HILL & HALEY SCRUGGS     UNC CADENCE

DAVID GORELICK                                  UNC TARPEGGIOSSIERRA HAWTHORNE                      UNC ASHEVILLE FORTISSIMAMASELLIOTT FLORES DE VALGAZ             UNC WILMINGTON HI-SEAS

Plus  Winston Prep - Choiristers   andRJRHS   Syncopate, ACafellas, TrebleMakers and LowKey

JEFFREY GRIFFIN - VOICE OF THE DEMON DEACONS and CC BroadcastingInstructor will be EMCEE

TRULY we can SING A DIFFERENCE .It Costs about $300 to fund one backpack for a year. So, every 60seats is one more backpack for one more child.. we have 1960 seats atRJR Auditorium ... We could make a tremendous impact for children inour community.PLEASE, let's FILL EVERY SEAT AND FILL MANY BACKPACKS, TOO!!!.

Feb. 7 JV Girls/Boys Basketball @ West Forsyth, 5:00/6:30V Girls/Boys Basketball vs. West Forsyth, 6:00/7:30

Feb. 10 JV Girls/Boys Basketball vs. Reagan, 5:00/6:30V Girls/Boys Basketball @ Reagan, 6:00/7:30

Feb. 11 V Swimming, State Championships @ Triangle Aquatic, 9:00V Track, State Championships @ UNC, 9:00

Spring sports tryouts will begin on February 13. All athletes must have a current physical to try out. Physical forms can be downloaded at http://wsfcs.k12.nc.us/reynoldsathletics.

All girls planning to play lacrosse this spring: Optional conditioning practices are on Wednesdays from 4:30-5:30 at the SoccerPlex off North Point Blvd. (7620 Phoenix Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27106). Come if you can!

Listen to R.J. Reynolds Boys Basketball Games Live on the Internet at www.rjreynoldsbasketball.com!

Congratulations Track Stars

RJR Indoor Track 4-A State Qualifiers Chandler Borton – 3200m, 1600m and 1000m

Anna Caudill – 300m and triple jump

Fatima Funderburk – 300m

Eric Royer – 3200m

Dustin Sneed – 1600m and 1000m

Good luck at States! We are proud of you!!!!

Congratulations Swim Team Regional QualifiersWomen’s Team

Spencer Erickson Savannah Jackson Laura Johnson

Anna Grace Nicklas-Morris

Alden Caron-O’Neill Sarah Anne Semke Cory Spencer

Mens’ Team

Eric Barefoot Thomas Bullock Chris Ford Alex Fox

Ellis Geary Stan Green Peter Harrison Chris Healy

Quaid Caron-O’Neill Brian Mahan Andrew Stafford

YOU MAKE US PROUD! GO DEMONS!!!!!