RJR vs the Coronavirus

Volume 13, Issue 35 | RJR PTSA NEWSLETTER | March 13, 2020

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Coronavirus Disruptions

The novel Coronavirus which causes the COVID-19 disease was declared a Global Pandemic by the World Health Organization on Wednesday. Although most people who contract the illness recover within a couple of weeks, the disease has a fatality rate at least 10 times that of influenza. The disease has spread across five continents and at least 46 states in the U.S., including North Carolina. Because of the limited number of available test kits, the exact rate of infection cannot be accurately determined at this time. There is no known cure, and there is no vaccine. The virus appears to be spreading rapidly through most communities, and is thought to be passed primarily by human contact, particularly where people gather in large groups. Obviously, this has become a matter of some concern in all Winston-Salem/Forsyth County schools.

The primary symptoms of COVID-19 include a high fever, a dry cough, and difficulty breathing. Anyone who develops all of these symptoms should stay home from work or school and call a primary care physician or health center for instructions on next steps. People with any type of respiratory illness should stay home as the first precaution.

Working closely with the North Carolina and Forsyth County Health Departments and the Centers for Disease Control, WS/FCS is making difficult decisions on a daily basis to address this crisis. There have been significant changes as a result of efforts to contain the spread of this dangerous virus.

Volunteers and visitors are now restricted from campus. Parents coming to visit children will be asked to spend time with them in private areas on campus.
All school field trips have been canceled until further notice.
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools is suspending all school-sponsored group events and gatherings. This includes but is not limited to school plays, concerts, entire school meetings, proms, and other school-sponsored activities that bring in large groups of attendees at one time. Before-school and after-school childcare programs will continue as scheduled unless otherwise noted by the provider.
The spring musical production, Into the Woods, is being performed without a live audience. Reynolds Auditorium will be unable to host any large gatherings for the foreseeable future. Links to an internet stream of the production will be provided on the front page of the RJR Website as soon as they become available.
In accordance with a decision by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, all official WS/FCS interscholastic athletics will be suspended until further notice. This includes all workouts, skill development sessions, practices and contests. This suspension will remain in effect until April 6, 2020 or as otherwise directed by the NCHSAA.

If the district eventually feels it is safest for students and staff to close schools, we have developed an Instructional Plan to provide learning opportunities that utilize our digital technology resources. As part of the plan, the district is prepared to provide mobile devices and internet hotspots, for families that need them. The resources will be available to check out for home use so learning can continue without interruption. WS/FCS Technology Services has an eLearning Survey and request form to ensure that any student who needs a mobile device and/or connectivity is provided with one, upon request, for the duration of any potential school closure. Forms can be found online, or in your school office. Please fill out the request form ONLY if these devices are needed for your student.

Keep checking this WS/FCS web page for the latest developments on COVID-19 and the school system's response.
Follow statewide Coronavirus updates from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
Follow the Forsyth County Department of Public Health website.

Support Our Drama Students

Because our spring musical, Into the Woods, cannot host a live audience this year, please consider making a donation to support our dramatic artists, who will be deprived of box-office receipts. You can donate at this link. Please help, and be as generous as possible. Watch for livestream / internet links in the RJR Headlines this weekend, in order to view the performance remotely.

Boosters Rummage Sale

RJR RUMMAGE SALE
Saturday, April 25, 2020
8am - 2pm
RJR Annex GYM

The Booster Club will hold a Reynolds Rummage Sale to raise money to benefit our athletic teams. The sale will be held April 25 in the Reynolds Auxiliary Gym. We will be collecting donations for the rummage sale on Tuesdays, 4pm - 5pm in the upper Reynolds parking lot.

For more information contact Karen Rice or Lyndsay Foster at reynoldsrummage@gmail.com.

Fall / Winter Scholar Athlete Awards

Congratulations to the Fall and Winter 2019-2020 NCHSAA Scholar Athletes and Teams!

Team Awards were given to the Fall and Winter varsity teams meeting the recognition criteria of at least a 3.1 unweighted aggregate GPA during the semester when they competed. The individual award is given to varsity athletes meeting the recognition criteria of a 3.5 weighted GPA during the semester when they competed.

See a list of all the winners on the RJR website.

The PTSA thanks and congratulates the RJR Arts faculty and their students for submitting entries in Reflections, a PTA-sponsored contest that encourages creativity and lifelong learning while offering recognition for artistic endeavors of students to enhance the quality of arts education. Ten RJR students have won awards at the county level. Seven more RJR students won first-place county honors and advanced to judging at the state level in Visual Arts, Photography, and Musical Composition.

Congratulations to Annika Bills, who won a second-place State-Level award; and McKenna Jones, who won a third-place in the State competition!

Visit the RJR website for a complete list of participants and winners.

Students of the RJR Arts faculty have received regional awards in the annual competition sponsored by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. 40% of RJR's submissions won either a gold or silver key. Almost 30% of our submissions won a gold key, while only 9% of the total regional submissions won a gold key! A complete list of regional award winners can be viewed at the Barton College Website.

Seniors and Families

Prom 2020!

When: May 2nd, 2020 from 7pm – Midnight. Dinner will be served from 7pm – 9pm.
Where: The Dash Stadium (BB&T Ballpark). 951 Ballpark Way, Winston-Salem.
View this flyer for more information about tickets, dress, guests, and rules.

. . . . . .

Seniors (and their families) should take time to read the updated Senior Info on the RJR website. Seniors are also encouraged to join the RJR Class of 2020 Instagram.

CLASS DUES ARE $45 and must be paid to Ms. Stuart or Ms. Torres in the Media Center. Payments will be collected every Tuesday and Thursday, from February 10 to April 9 (8:00am-9:00am OR 3:45pm-4:15pm). Senior dues will not be taken in the main office. Class dues help to defray the cost of the senior picnic, Class Day, graduation, cap and gown purchases, diploma covers, tassels, and the printing of the diplomas. Failure to pay class dues will result in a student’s inability to attend both the prom and the senior picnic. Any senior not in attendance at the picnic will be expected to report to afternoon classes.

Yearbook sales will be coming to a close soon. Buy your book now to avoid missing out!

To order 2019-20 yearbooks,
Visit the Yearbook Order Center
(Use RJR's Order Number - 10595)

Testing and Career Prep

The Free ASVAB

Students have an opportunity to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Test for free at R.J. Reynolds High School. This test was developed and is maintained by the United States Department of Defense, but taking the ASVAB is not a commitment to join the military. Many students take this test to help them identify strengths and weaknesses and narrow down their career options.

You can learn more about the ASVAB test at this website. The next test will be administered Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at 8:55 am in the Media Center. Register for this session by submitting this online form.

. . . . . .

ACT Academy

Students can join ACT Academy for Free! This is a great resource for students to use for ACT prep. Visit this website and enter KSG5W2 (RJR's class code) during the signup process.

Not Seeing Your News?

If parents, teachers,and students have news worth highlighting in this newsletter, send it to rjrcommunications@gmail.com. Deadline is Thursday afternoons!

March 12-14
Spring Musical
Into The Woods

March 14
SAT

March 16
Booster Club Meeting

March 18
Early Release Day
Dismissal at 1:40

March 19
RJR and Civic Orchestra Concert
Auditorium - Tentative
7:00 pm

March 27
End of Third Quarter
Key Club Follies

March 30
Teacher Professional Day
No School

Demon Athletics

March 13
JV/V Girls Lacrosse vs Davie
5:30/7:00

Baseball at Mt Tabor
6:00

Boys Lacrosse at Davie
6:30

March 14
Athletics Events Suspended
until further notice

View letter of advice for athletes from WFU/Baptist Sports Medicine

ARTS IN

ACADEMICS

Arts Event Schedule

@Rjrarts

RJR Arts

ATHLETICS

@RJRAthletics

RJR Athletics Page

For sports updates on cancellations and postponements,

Text @RJRA to 81010

to receive text updates directly to your phone!

Thanks to the loyalty of past donors and a growing number of new contributors, the Legacy Campaign continues to raise an average of over $100,000 each year in direct support of our students and faculty in pursuit of excellence. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference as we take great pride in the participation of everyone in our school community.

Visit the Legacy Campaign Website to donate!

We are truly grateful to our Legacy Corporate Sponsors!

Reynolds Athletics is proudly sponsored by

Salem Smiles