On March 2, the PTSO held their monthly meeting. They discussed affinity resources like the Minority Student Achievement Advisory Committee (MSAAC), goals within the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) that target cultural identity, the rising fentanyl crisis, teacher appreciation week plans, and the “RISE To” summit. 

Minority Student Achievement Advisory Committee (MSAAC)

Rock Ridge delegate for the Minority Student Achievement Advisory Committee, Niama Hoake, appeared at the meeting to report on the equity plan along with the status of affinity groups within and around LCPS. Affinity groups are groups of students, staff, and/or faculty that are connected by certain aspects like culture or purpose to create common spaces that connect ethnicity, religion, and ideologies. 

Rock Ridge has 12 affinity groups throughout the school currently, and plans on creating more as more people join with more experiences from students from all backgrounds. 

Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)

The Special Education Advisory Committee helps and empowers special education students to reach their goals through high school and beyond. At this meeting, the SEAC gave their report at the school board meeting going over things they were doing at their previous meetings such as coming up with, and writing new individualized educational plan (IEP) goals as well as setting dates for new meetings. They also mentioned the SEAC awards which will be taking place on June 6, and a survey that will be sent out at the end of March regarding the meeting.  

The SEAC also brought up the United Sound, a class in which students in music classes can mentor other peers on how to play instruments. The PTSO recognized the great work that all the teachers that work with special education children are doing. They also reminded parents about resources for special education students such as:  the March 8 mental health and wellness seminar series, the March 9 diploma options and graduation requirements for students with IEPs, the Mar. 16 mental health and wellness parent seminar series “Culture, Identity and Mental Help: What Families Need to Know,” and the March 18 summer activity resource fair. All of these activities were held in the LCPS admin building.

Fentanyl Crisis

Fentanyl is a highly addictive opioid that is toxic even by skin contact. Throughout Loudoun County, fentanyl is becoming seemingly easier to obtain among high school students. To combat this, principal John Duellman and PTSO president Tiffany Ahmed are trying to get the whole staff trained to administer Narcan, also known as Naloxone, the antidote to fentanyl. Staff will go through a short virtual training to learn about administering Narcan, learn the signs of opioid intoxication in a student, and receive certification.

Ahmed was concerned about the crisis. “Kids’ brains are developing; it’s natural to be curious, it’s natural to be rebellious, it’s natural to do a lot of different things,”  Ahmed said.  “Even coming across things that they are not anticipating: experimental, accidental, or whatever. It doesn’t even have to be ingested, it’s that toxic; it’s just becoming that much more common and accessible, unfortunately.”

Teacher Appreciation Week 

As a follow up to the last meeting’s status on Teacher Appreciation Week, the PTSO went over the budget, ideas, and other schematics of Teacher Appreciation Week. The budget this year ranged from 3,000 dollars upward (if there are donations from parents and the community), and gifts could range from anything like snacks and supply carts to breakfast and lunches. Although not set in stone yet, the PTSO now has a rough plan for what they would like to do for the teachers this coming Teacher Appreciation Week.

“RISE To” Summit

Berg is holding a summit on March 25 dedicated to problems that concern women. The summit includes a keynote speaker Kate Kelly. Kelly’s focus is on supporting, advocating for, and educating women and various other marginalized groups. The event includes a panel of activists providing education and resources directed for affected groups. There will be students that take Berg’s Women and Gender studies class, four panelists, and multiple organizations involved. Their goal is to distribute knowledge for what students can do to be involved with issues they’re passionate about, while also educating the audience on what their achievements are. The event will start at 9:30 a.m., and end at 3 p.m..