![The Phoenix varsity volleyball team lines up for the national anthem. “We were more communicative [with each other] during this game, and I feel like we kept our energy up, especially after the first set,” senior Jessica Valdov said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DSC_0202-1200x800.jpg)
![As the referee throws the ball up for the tip-off, freshman Simone Diby leaps towards the ball to get it in Phoenix possession. Diby is a new member of the Phoenix girls basketball team, and despite it being a change, she finds it enjoyable. “It’s definitely a different experience if you’ve never played on a team, [but] I think it’s still fun.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DSC_0057-1200x662.jpg)
PTSO Discusses Bus Drivers’ Appreciation, Thanksgiving Luncheons, and More
At the Nov. 10 meeting, PTSO board members and parents discussed monthly updates and initiatives they have taken in the past month, including staff lunches and bus driver appreciation, since the last time they met.
On Nov. 3, the PTSO met to focus on staff members and the adults that contribute to improving the school community. It highlighted bus drivers, teachers, and the Parent Liaison and introduced plans for fall celebrations to appreciate the hard work everyone has been putting in.
December 8, 2022
On Nov. 3, the PTSO held their monthly meeting where board members and parents discussed updates in the school and community. They provided an update on a previous event they had earlier in the year, the Best Runners 5K. Best Runners donated a total of $1,600 to the PTSO to help fund community and school-wide events. PTSO and Best Runners are also planning on holding another 5K later this year due to the request of students who had expressed interest in this potential event.
With the support of the PTSO, administrators and teachers also recently honored the bus drivers with a customized tumbler and a breakfast reception in the library. The PTSO president expressed the generous amounts of support the bus drivers have provided to the school and the role of getting the students to and from school have been “amazing.”
In addition to sponsoring the bus driver appreciation reception and the customized tumblers, the PTSO is also sponsoring a Thanksgiving luncheon for the staff to kick off the holiday season. They will provide a variety of holiday food to show appreciation to the teachers for all the work they have put in so far this year. Financial Technician Dianne Mercil who was one of the many people who organized the annual Thanksgiving luncheon. “We decided that we need to have a luncheon for everyone to create a bond between the different departments,” Mercil said. “Most departments probably stay in their workrooms and eat together, and do their own businesses, so for Thanksgiving we try to get [everyone] together.”
Lastly, they discuss how PTSO is partnering with RRHS Parent Liaison, Sophia Saib, to request members of our community to donate grocery stores or VISA gift cards that can be used to help families in need during this holiday season.
The next PTSO meeting will be held in the library on Dec. 1.
![On Nov. 22, students and staff competed against each other during the ninth annual Student vs. Staff Volleyball Game. The game ended with a 36-30 victory for the students, marking their third consecutive win and bringing the overall series to 6-3 in favor of the students.
The game was competitive, drawing significant anticipation as the teachers sought to even the score after last year’s loss. “We kind of know the strengths of people,” social sciences teacher Steven Mobley said. “There's a lot of staff emails actually going on about it, like who wants to play where and who wants to play when. So we're communicating a lot more this year than previous years.”
While members of the staff team focused on playing strategy and communicating with each other, the students walked into the game with specific goals they wanted to achieve. “I’m not violent, [but] I want to try to get Mr. Clear, and if not him, I want to get Ms. Leach,” senior Rishit Choudhari said. “I want to see Mr. Clear upset and frowning.”
The game began with the students and staff tying with a score of 10-10 in the first set. However, the students edged ahead during the second set, having a strong lead of 25-19. The final set saw both teams exchanging points in a close contest, but the students pulled away in the final minutes to secure the 36-30 win.
Senior Mihir Peta was crowned MVP for the second time, his first after the 2022 Students vs. Staff Volleyball Game for his dedication to ensuring the student team won. “I don't want to sound cocky, but it was expected, to be honest,” Peta said. “I won it sophomore year, I should have won it junior year, but I couldn't play. So I came back for redemption senior year.”
✏️ and 📷 by Ananya Karthik, Sophie King, and Shivu Sathe](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)