Parents and Students

The first quarter ends two weeks from today! Please check in with your student(s) to be sure they are on track to finish the semester strong!!  Please make plans to join us for our Parent Nights/Grade Level Informational Meetings.  All meetings will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria.  The dates for the remaining Parent Nights are below: 

Parents, below are VERY IMPORTANT REMINDER DATES:

SAT and ACT Test Dates for 2023-2024

Welcome new and returning students and parents! As James S. Rickards High School Assistant Principal of Curriculum, I feel honored to have the privilege of working closely with such an outstanding and dedicated school community! I am committed to continuing the success of every child, both academically and socially, through innocent classroom philosophy - where each child's good is discovered, cherished and protected.  Parents and guardians, I invite you to take an active role in your child’s education. It truly takes the village to raise our children. I look forward to working with you this year!

Our couple days of school have been awesome!  We have completed our scheduling process. Since we are towards the end of enrolling students for this school year, we are now working on balancing classes that are too large or too small. Therefore, requests for schedule changes will be limited and situational only.  The forms is attached to this message.  Please see below for examples of acceptable and unacceptable schedule changes.

Acceptable Schedule changes are:

• Remediation requirements according to the State of Florida law
• Transcript review for graduation requirements
• Incomplete schedule/ missing one of more periods.
• Schedule conflicts

Unacceptable Schedule changes:

• Parents requesting certain teachers
• Student has changed of mind about elective class(es)
• Student doesn’t like teacher and/or the order of classes

Our guidance counselors are working diligently reviewing schedule correction  forms and we are striving to complete the schedule correction  process by Friday, August 25, 2023.

If you have any questions about scheduling, please contact me at 850-414-5500 or e-mail our Guidance Counselors at RHS.Guidance@leonschools.net

Parents, below, are VERY IMPORTANT REMINDER DATES:

If a student needs a copy of his/her transcript, please note, this process takes up to 48 hours. If you have any additional questions or requests, Mrs. Allen, our Admission Liaison,  will be available to further assist you. Please contact Mrs. Allen at (allenm2@leonschools.net).

Students are now able to access their class schedules (and any updates) in FOCUS. If you have forgotten your password, your username, or simply cannot log into FOCUS through the ClassLink icon on the District website or the JSRHS website, please email your counselor RHS.Guidance@LeonSchools.net or call the school.  Students must be able to access their FOCUS account.

We are working around the clock to provide the safest learning environment possible for our students, teachers and staff. There is a lot of information that can be found on our school’s website. Stay informed about what is happening at Rickards High School. If you have not done so already, please take a few minutes to sign up for our weekly listserv and/ or visit our website https://www.leonschools.net/rickards. If you have additional questions, please contact the school on 850-414-5500.

Greatness awaits!

ATTENTION PARENTS, GUARDIANS, AND STUDENTS

The 2023-2024 Student Course Request forms will be available April 6, 2023 . Students who fail to complete and return their course form, courses will be selected by their assigned counselor. If you have any questions about the 2021-2022 Course Request Form, please contact Ms. Terraca Jones, Guidance Department Head, at 850-414-5500. 

Thanks to Farm Share, our food items are ready for students to grab and go. Parents, if you desire to pick up your child's food bag, please call us at 850-414-5500, prior to your arrival.  Please contact our front office to confirm the best time to pick up your food bag. 

Quarter 3 and Report Cards

Quarter 3 ended on March 10, 2023.  Reports were uploaded to FOCUS on March 29^th and are now available to view in Student and Parent Portals.  Please follow these steps in order to view your student’s report card:

1. Log in to the Parent Portal.
2. Select the tab that says “Reports” in the box.
3. There will be an option that says “Report Card”.
4. Please be sure you select the report dated 3/29 and this will be the Report Card for the 3^rd Nine Weeks.

If you have any questions about your child’s grades, please contact our Guidance Secretary at 850-414-5500, to further discuss concerns.

The 2023-2024 Student Course Request Forms will be available soon for your review. Students are expected to work with their assigned guidance counselor, to ensure they are selecting the correct courses they need to graduate. Deadlines will be announced in the near future for Student Course Request Forms submission. Please note: Students who fail to meet with their assigned counselor to complete their Course Request Form, courses will be selected by their assigned counselor. If you have any questions about the 2023-2024 Course Request Form process, please contact Ms. Terraca Jones, Guidance Department Head, at 850-414-5500. 

CRITICAL MESSAGE TO PARENTS, GUARDIANS, AND STUDENTS

Final grades for students enrolled in the following courses below were updated and entered into FOCUS during Spring Break. The final grades  will be reflected on March 28, 2023

• Mr. C. Chatman former Classes (ACCESS US HISTORY, WORLD HISTORY, ENGLISH 1-4, U SKILLS)
• Mr. Y. Dokurugu former Classes (EARTH SPACE SCIENCE AND EARTH SPACE SCIENCE HONORS)
• Mr. H. Edwards former Classes (AP BIOLOGY)
• Mr. K. Simmonds former Classes (WORLD HIST HON, AP WORLD HIST, FL PRE-IB WORLD HISTORY)

The 2023-2024 Student Course Request forms will be available in the near future. Our Guidance Counselors will work with their assigned students to select and submit their courses by the end of April 2023. Please note: Students who failed to meet with their assigned counselor, courses will be selected by their counselor. If you have any questions about the 2023-2024 Course Request Form, please contact Ms. Terraca Jones, Guidance Department Head, at 850-414-5500. 

CRITICAL MESSAGE TO PARENTS, GUARDIANS, AND STUDENTS

Final grades for students enrolled in any one of the below courses will be updated and entered into FOCUS daily, during Spring Break. The final grades in the courses below will be reflected on March 28, 2022.

• Mr. C. Chatman former Classes (ACCESS US HISTORY, WORLD HISTORY, ENGLISH 1-4, U SKILLS)
• Mr. Y. Dokurugu former Classes (EARTH SPACE SCIENCE AND EARTH SPACE SCIENCE HONORS)
• Mr. H. Edwards former Classes (AP BIOLOGY)
• Mr. K. Simmonds former Classes (WORLD HIST HON, AP WORLD HIST, FL PRE-IB WORLD HISTORY)

Quarter 3 ends on March 10, 2023.   Student’s report cards will be uploaded to Student and Parent FOCUS on March 29, 2023. Please take time to view your child’s grades in FOCUS. If you have any concerns or questions, please contact your child’s Guidance Counselor at 850-414-5500.

We understand the challenges some of our students are experiencing in preparation for the upcoming standardized academic assessments. As a result, to help our students to be better prepared,  we will continue to offer additional instructional resources and support outside of the regular school day to ensure the academic success of our students. Students in 9^th through 11^th grade will be taking one or a variety of the following assessments: 9^th Grade ELA Reading/Writing, 10^th Grade ELA Reading/Writing, US History EOC, Biology EOC, Algebra 1 EOC, and Geometry EOC.  Rickards is now offering students an opportunity to attend or 21^st CCLC Afterschool Program, Monday-Friday, 2:00-5:30 p.m. In addition, Rickards is also offering 13 different EOC/ELA camps 2023, to students who need assistance with test taking preparation and strategies, good study habits strategies and attendance intervention. Students are encouraged to attend our Saturday school from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. If you have any questions about Saturday School, please e-mail Dr. Deborah Barnes at barnesd2@leonschools.net.

Third Nine-Weeks Progress Reports

Progress reports for the third nine-weeks were uploaded to Parent and Students FOCUS Wednesday, February 9, 2023. Students who have concerns or questions about their grades are encouraged to communicate with their teachers.

Valentine Balloons, Candies, and Flowers

We realize that Valentine’s Day will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 14^th. However, balloons, candies, stuffed animals, gifts and/or floral deliveries WILL NOT be accepted in observance of Valentine’s Day. Although we respect the appreciation and love you have for your child(ren), and our students have for each other; we cannot accept deliveries due to the distractions it may cause to our regularly scheduled school day. We ask that you please abide by the school’s policy and do not send or have any deliveries (Valentine’s cards, balloons, flowers, etc.) made to Rickards High. Deliveries that arrive at the school will  be returned to the sender(s). Your prompt attention and cooperation are greatly appreciated!

Healthy snacks will be served!

Interim Progress Reports were uploaded to FOCUS on Wednesday, September 14, 2022.  Please be sure to check your child’s FOCUS account periodically to ensure they are completing assignments.  If you have a concern, please be sure to contact the child’s teacher for the particular subject(s).  We are here to serve you and to help your child(ren) succeed! 

Interim Progress Reports will be available for view in FOCUS on Wednesday, September 14, 2022.  In addition to the progress reports, please be sure to check your child’s FOCUS account periodically to ensure they are completing assignments.  If you have a concern, please be sure to contact the child’s teacher for the particular subject(s).  We are here to serve you and to help your child(ren) succeed! 

Food Pantry

The next Share Your Heart FOOD PANTRY is scheduled for Thursday, September 22–Please contact Ms. Dorilus the Coordinator and our School Social Worker at dorilusn@leonschools.net if your family has a need or if you have questions

Students and parents should be able to view academic information in FOCUS now. Please note, due to limited space and class capacity, schedule change requests will not be honored. Parents and students, there are future changes that are inevitable as a result of test scores and student’s required courses for graduation. Therefore, your child’s schedule may change to ensure academic success. All schedules are reviewed by the student’s counselor, for accuracy and approval. Parents, guardians, and students, please be assured, we are working endlessly to review for consideration, every student’s course request and/or correction form that was submitted prior to the deadline. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact your child’s Guidance Counselor. We truly appreciate your patience, cooperation, and understanding as we continue to strive for academic excellence at Rickards High School. Welcome to our 2022-23 school year.

Parent Night

Please make plans to join us for our Parent Nights/Grade Level Meetings.  All meetings will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria.  Please view the attached flyers for each event.  The dates are below:

• Freshmen Parent night: Tuesday, September 27
• Senior Parent Night: Wednesday, September 28
• Sophmore/Junior Senior Night: Tuesday, October 11

Healthy snacks will be served!

Parents, below, are VERY IMPORTANT DATES:

FOCUS

Students and parents should be able to view academic information on FOCUS now. Please note, due to limited space and class capacity, schedule changes will not be honored. Parents and students, there will be future changes that are inevitable, as a result of test scores and student’s required courses needed for graduation. Therefore, your child’s schedule may change to ensure academic success. All schedules are reviewed by the student’s counselor, for accuracy and approval. Parents, guardians, and students, please be assured, we are working endlessly to review for consideration, every student’s course request and/or correction form that was submitted prior to the deadline. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact your child’s Guidance Counselor. We truly appreciate your patience, cooperation, and understanding as we continue to strive for academic excellence at Rickards High School. Welcome to our 2022-23 school year.

WELCOME 8/12/22

Welcome new and returning students and parents! As James S. Rickards High School Assistant Principal of Curriculum, I feel honored to have the privilege of working closely with such an outstanding and dedicated school community! I am committed to continuing the success of every child, both academically and socially, through innocent classroom philosophy - where each child's good is discovered, cherished and protected.  Parents and guardians, I invite you to take an active role in your child’s education. It truly takes the village to raise our children. I look forward to working with you this year!

Our first few days of school have been awesome!  We have completed our scheduling process. Since we are towards the end of enrolling students for this school year, we are now working on balancing classes that are too large or too small. Therefore, students requesting schedule changes will be limited and situational only. Please see below for examples of acceptable and unacceptable schedule changes.

Acceptable schedule changes are:

• Remediation requirements according to the State of Florida law
• Transcript review for graduation requirements
• Incomplete schedule/ missing one or more periods.
• Schedule conflicts

Unacceptable schedule changes:

• Parents requesting certain teachers
• Student has changed mind about elective class(es)
• Students don’t like the teacher and/or the order of classes

If you have any questions about scheduling, please contact me at 850-488-1783 or e-mail our Guidance Counselors at RHS.Guidance@leonschools.net

2022-2023 SAT Test Dates & Registration Deadlines                

2021-2022 ACT Test Dates & Registration Deadlines