The school is hosting four information sessions in the Auditorium for Parents and Students to learn about the proposed A/B Block Scheduling for next school year. Please note that the change to block scheduling is pending budget approval. Also note that school hours are changing next year to 8:20am-3:30pm. Please plan on attending one of the meetings:
                            Monday, April 14, 7pm
                            Thursday, April 17, 2:30pm
                            Monday, April 21, 10am
                            Wednesday, April 23, 5:30pm

                            A/B Block Information Brochure
                       

Second Annual Art Auction Fundraiser for Team Summer Thursday, April 17, 5:30pm

The National Art Honor Society invites the public to the Second Annual Art Show and Silent Auction to benefit Team Summer. Team Summer, founded by Summer Dale during her battle with cancer, assists teens coping with cancer.  Learn more about Team Summer and the Art Auction  The fundraiser will take place in the Auditorium Lobby from 5:30-7pm. Guests are encouraged to remain for the spring SPAVA immediately following the conclusion of the fundraiser.

SPAVA Thursday, April 17, 7pm

The spring Showcase of Performing and Visual Arts (SPAVA) takes place on Thursday evening, April 17.  Students from all Fine Art disciplines transform the lobby into a gallery of displays, performances and presentations. The event, which began in 2001, recognizes artistically gifted and talented students. Student actors, singers, and instrumentalists perform throughout the evening. SPAVA is free and open to the community.

Extended Learning Days Underway
To make up instruction time lost to snow days, teachers are providing after school sessions to cover material necessary to take the End of Course Tests (EOCT) in eight subject areas:  Algebra, American Literature, Biology, Economics, Geometry, 9th Grade Literature, Physical Science, and US History. Additionally, Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) teachers are offering a combination of before and after school, and a few Saturday classes, to students.
                                 View schedules and sign up information

Honors Awards Breakfast Schedule

Held in the Auditorium Lobby, the department breakfasts run from 7:45am-8:30am. Students being recognized will receive an invitation to the event.

• Tuesday, April 22, Counseling Center
• Wednesday, April 23, World Languages
• Friday, April 25, Career Tech & Business 
• Monday, April 28, Math
• Tuesday, April 29, Science
• Wednesday, April 30, Social Studies
• Thursday, May 1, Health & PE, Language Arts & ESOL
  
• Thursday, May 8, AP & IB Arts

Washington Post 2014 Most Challenging High School Rank: #10 in Georgia

According to The Washington Post, Riverwood is one of the hardest high schools in the state, ranked second among all Fulton County high schools and tenth overall in Georgia. The challenge index score is the number of college-level tests given in 2013 divided by the number of last year's graduates. Congratulations to the students and teachers for their hard work.

   View The Washington Post 2014 rankings/report

State Winners in PTA Reflections Competition
Congratulations to Senior Nicholas Hayden and Sophomore Amelia Holley for their award winning entries in the 2013-14 Reflections contest.  Reflections, sponsored by the National PTA, is an annual arts-recognition and achievement program for students. Students from all over the country submit original works of art responding to a designated theme. This year’s theme was “Believe, Dream, Inspire….”   Categories include: Music, Film, Dance, Literature, Visual Arts, and Photography.  Nicholas Hayden won second place in the Film/Video production category and advances to the National competition; Amelia Holley received an Honorable Mention for her original Music Composition. The president of the National PTA, as well as the Georgia PTA president, were among the dignitaries attending the awards recognition ceremony at the High Museum of Art on Sunday, March 23.

Five Raider Artists Chosen for Prestigious Art Exhibition April 11-13

Congratulations to the five Raiders who have artwork on display at the 2014 Atlanta Dogwood Festival: Jonah Blumenthal, Neale Madden, Mary Petzer, Kimia Shahrokhi and Courtney Weinhoff.  The Atlanta High School Art Exhibition selects only 117 pieces from 700 submissions to display at Community Center at Piedmont Park. The AHSAE is one of the premier high school art exhibitions in the area selecting from among talented young artists throughout Atlanta and Georgia.  Learn More

Faculty Honors for Smith and Alford
Sheri Smith, Career Tech department chair, received a scholarship to participate in this summer's Knowledge at Wharton Education Seminar. Mrs. Smith will attend the June 16-18 seminar in San Francisco. Social Studies teacher Kali Alford received a scholarship from the Kennesaw State University's Instructional Technology Department. Mr. Alford will attend the International Society for Technology in Education Conference June 28-July 1 at the World Congress Center. Congratulations to both of these outstanding teachers.

Alana Owens to Play Tennis at Birmingham-Southern College

Congratulations to Alana Owens for receiving a scholarship from Birmingham-Southern College. She will play tennis for the Panthers next year. Owens has been a four year starter on the Lady Raiders tennis team and serves as co-captain for the 2014 season. She is the fourth member of the Class of 2014 to make a commitment to a college athletic program.

View the list of Senior Raiders who will be playing college sports next year

Japanese Students visit from Chienkan High School Monday, March 24, 2014

The KAKEHASHI project (the Bridge for Tomorrow), sponsored by the Japanese Government, funded reciprocal visits between Riverwood and Chienkan High School. During the summer of 2013, 16 Riverwood students went to Japan as guests of the Japanese Government.

In the reciprocal visit, Japanese High School students came to Riverwood in March 2014 to learn about high school in the United States.

In Atlanta, the exchange of ideas and cultures happened throughout the visit, beginning with the Japanese students’ presentations in the Auditorium about their high school experiences and traditions. Attending a variety of elective classes engaged both the visiting and host students and encouraged sincere interactions.  View a photo gallery and learn more about the KAKEHASHI project

Successful Spring for Science Olympiad Team

In its first Regional competition, the newly formed Science Olympiad Team finished fourth overall on March 1, 2014. Held at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, the Raiders brought home several awards. The fourth place Regional finish qualified the team to advance to the State competition at Southern Polytechnic State University on March 22.

  Learn more about the Science Olympiad Team and their season in the News & Media Gallery

Interact Peace Pole Dedication March 21, 2014

On March 21, 2014, students and Rotarians dedicated the recently installed Rotary Peace pole in the Global Garden in front of the School. The inscription on the pole reads "May Peace Prevail on Earth.”  The Raider Peace Pole is the third in the Sandy Springs community and joins the list of many others on the Atlanta Peace Trail.

Read more about the Raider Peace Pole

2014-15 Academic Catalog and Scheduling
The registration and course selection process for next year's classes is underway. 

To learn more about the process and timelines for this year, visit the Academic Catalog & Scheduling Page

Raiders Win Awards at FBLA State Leadership Conference; Seven Qualify for Nationals

The Hyatt Regency Atlanta hosted the 2014 Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Leadership Conference. 33 members of the Raider FBLA Chapter participated in workshops and competitions with other outstanding high school students from across the state during the March 14-16 event, and seven Raiders qualified to advance to the National FBLA Conference this summer.
       Read the list of winners in the News & Media Gallery

Radio Team Wins Third Place at State Competition

Congratulations to team of Freshman Gordon Hunter and Sophomore Christopher Johnson for their third place finish in the Audio and Radio Announcer Competition at this year's SkillsUSA Conference. The 2014 SkillsUSA State Leadership Conference took place at the Georgia International Convention Center. Alanis Arirama, Brentson Buckner, Jamews Budden, Christopher Johnson, Hunter Gordon, James Madden and Aleksa Veselinovic represented the Raiders SkillsUSA club at the March 13-15 event. (Hunter Gordon pictured)

Raiders Attend Japanese Academic Challenge & Speech Contest

Emory University hosted the Annual Japan Academic Challenge and Japanese Speech Contest on March 1, 2014. Eighteen Raiders participated in this year's event and brought home two third place awards and one second place award. In the Speech contest, Alex Boylston faced university students from Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.  

                          View the list of teams and awards in the News & Media Gallery

French Immersion Camp at Rock Eagle February 21-23, 2014

Congratulations to the students selected to attend this year's French Immersion Camp in February:  Margaret Beckley, Maria Bueno, Megan Cahill, Emory Cecil, Suleima Millan, Joelle Osta, Michel Osta, Ryan Roels, Jessica Shainker, Jennifer Valente Ocampo, and Miranda Whipple. They traveled to Rock Eagle Camp for a three-day, total French immersion experience consisting of workshops relating to French culture, music, art, sports, theater, dance, and cuisine. These eleven students, along with faculty sponsors Michelle Bohlen and Holly Fitchette, spent the entire weekend singing, dancing, cooking, playing "Pay-tonk," and especially ------ speaking ONLY FRENCH!

Sophomore Callaway Powlus Selected to All-State Reading Chorus

Congratulations to Callaway Powlus for being selected to the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) Reading Chorus. She is the first Raider ever selected for this prestigious event. Powlus will take part in the All-State event on April 19 at Kennesaw State University under the direction of Conductor Dr. Leslie Blackwell.

2013-14 Teacher of the Year & Professional of the Year

Congratulations to Sandra Bradley for being named Riverwood's 2013-14 Teacher of the Year. A member of the Math Department, Ms. Bradley currently teaches Accelerated Geometry and Advanced Algebra. She has taught for twelve years, all in Fulton County, and is heavily involved in professional development. Also known as "Coach Bradley," she has been part of the Lady Raider Soccer Program since she joined the faculty, and is the Head JV girls coach.

Congratulations to Olivia Gonzalez for being named Riverwood's 2013-14 Professional of the Year. An active member of the Counseling Center for the past six years, she serves as the bilingual parent liaison. Ms Gonzalez coordinates activities and programs for Latino students and parents both at the school and in the community, serves as an interpreter and translator for teachers in the building, and sits on the school's Governance Council. The Central Learning Community voted Ms. Gonzalez the CLC Employee of the Year; she is now one of four finalists for the Fulton County Schools Employee of the Year.

Foundation Sponsors Successful Career Fair

More than 85 area businesses, organizations and schools participated in this year's Career Fair organized by the Riverwood Foundation. The half-day event on Friday, March 7, reached every student with a gym full of possibilities:  a variety of post-graduate options, relevant career advice, as well as summer job and internship opportunities.  2014 Career Fair Photo Gallery

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International Journal Publishes Science Fair Project
The International Journal of Sports Science and Engineering published Sophomore Pascal Acree's science fair project in its March 2013 edition. Acree's project, which he undertook during his Freshman year, studied tennis racquet parameters in relation to a junior (youth) tennis player's swing.

A tennis player since elementary school, Acree was concerned about the optimal age to transition to an adult sized racquet.

Advanced Placement Test Results Earn Honors

The Georgia Department of Education named Riverwood an AP Merit School, an AP STEM Achievement School, and an AP STEM School based on Spring 2013 AP test scores.  Congratulations to the students and teachers for their hard work.
                      Read more in the News & Media Gallery

Two Advance in National Merit Achievement Scholar Qualifying
Of the six students named in the fall as semi-finalists, two are now finalists. Congratulations to Christina Rhaney and India Smith for this outstanding accomplishment. They join an elite group of approximately 1,300 high school seniors from across the country as finalists for academic scholarships. Scholarship notifications will be made in early spring. 

Visit www.nationalmerit.org/nasp.php for more information.

2013-14 STAR Student and Teacher Announced
Congratulations to Ben Dolder, Riverwood’s 2013-14 STAR Student. The Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program honors Georgia's outstanding high school seniors and the teachers who have been most instrumental in their academic development. Each high school STAR Student names a STAR Teacher; Ben’s STAR teacher is Language Arts faculty member Diane Kopkas. To obtain the STAR nomination, high school seniors must have the highest score on a single test date on the three-part SAT taken through the November test date of their senior year and be in the top ten percent, or top ten students, of their class based on grade point average.
              Read more in the News & Media Gallery

REMINDER:  Driveway Access Behind School is Off Limits
Parents and Students cannot use the driveway adjacent to the gymnasiums and behind the school at any time.  The access is for emergency vehicles only.  Parents, please pick up students at the front circle near the main entrance to the school.  After school hours, once the bus lane is clear, students may be picked up at the sidewalk near the entrance to the gyms.

Santoro Voted Region 7-AAAAA Athletic Director of the Year

Congratulations to Athletic Director Mike Santoro for being selected the Region 7-AAAAA Athletic Director of the Year by the High School principals in the region.

Four Posse Scholars in Class of 2014
Congratulations to Seniors Alexis Bailey, Mae Davis, Ammar Haque and India Smith for being chosen 2014 Posse Scholars. The Posse Foundation honored them at a reception at the Fox Theatre Egyptian Ballroom in December.  Each Posse Scholar receives a four year, full tuition scholarship from the Foundation. Alexis Bailey and Ammar Haque will attend Texas A&M University; Mae Davis and India Smith will attend Boston University.  Read the January 9, 2014 article in the Sandy Springs Patch

Seniors Dolder and Vear named National Merit Semifinalists
Congratulations to Seniors Benjamin Dolder and Edward Vear for being selected as semifinalists in the 2014 National Merit Scholarship Program. They were identified through exceptionally high scores on the PSAT, which they took as juniors. As semifinalists, the students now must fulfill several requirements in order to advance to the finalist round. They must have a record of high academic performance, be endorsed and recommended by their school leadership, and earn SAT scores that confirm their earlier qualifying test performance. The students must also complete a detailed scholarship application, which includes an essay and information about participation and leadership in school and community activities. Finalists are named in the winter; scholarship winners in the spring.

Dana Munson named Georgia Art Teacher of the Year

Congratulations to faculty member Dana Munson for being named the 2013-14 Georgia Art Educator of the Year by the Georgia Art Education Association. She will accept this honor at the October GAEA convention in Savannah.

  

A/B Block Scheduling Information Sessions for Parents & Students:  April 14 - April 23
                       learn more

Visit the Principal's Notes Page to keep up with the latest news from Dr. Shaw:
  

​Fundraisers & Service Projects
​Art Show & Silent Auction to benefit Team Summer Thursday, April 17, 5:30-7pm Auditorium Lobby Free and Open to the Public Learn more about Team Summer and the Art Auction
​Braves Raffle Tickets $10 Raffle tickets support the Lady Raider Lacrosse program. On sale thru April 23, 2014. Winner receives 4 tickets in the Braves Owner's Box to a 2014 regular season Braves game at Turner Field, VIP parking pass, and access to the 755 Club. Order form and details HERE
​Local Merchant Discount Cards $10 Discount Cards support the Boys Soccer program. Available through May 1, 2014. Participating merchants and order info
​Raider Pride Magnets $5 Magnets support the Lady Raider Volleyball program. Available in the school front office, or from Coach Leigh Hudson

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