Adapting w/COVID 19

Ripon High School
Activities Director: Jill Mortensen
Email: jmortensen@riponusd.net
Instagram: @asbofriponhighschool
Website: http://asbofriponhighschool.weebly.com

Let's Begin!

The Echo Project

In our desire to stay connected and positive during the Shelter in Place directive by our Government, we created The Echo Project for our Instagram page. It was a simple posting project that keep kid interactive if they desired allowing them to think beyond the negative.

The first 30 days...Reflecting by asking simple questions.
"Join me on a journey to find the silver lining and the positivity in unfamiliar territory. Together we can share in support, love and kindness creating an 'echo' to be felt in our school, community and beyond. Today, (insert date) I ask you to comment on what you are thankful for in this very moment. What brings joy to your life in the simplicity of a single moment? A text from a friend, a moment to take a nap, a good tv show or book, or time alone? Please refrain from posting anything negative. We need to collectively come together to share positivity. Negative comments will be removed. Let our Echo be heard! xoxo

Follow our posts on Instagram @asbofriponhighschool.weebly.com

In the next 30 days, we used the Character Strong Journal prompts of kindness. Students had a choice to create their own bullet journal and complete daily or to just reflect on the items posted by the Character Strong organization.

In the last 16 days of the academic school calendar, The Echo Project will post pictures of amazing events to reflect back on the school year. Memories were made, spirit was shared, and unity occurred.

Staying Connected Photo Project

The Ripon High School Leadership program worked to put together words that have a meaning of love, support and positivity. Our goal was the reach out to the student body to let them know we are thinking of them during this difficult time.

Tribe Award

Each year we have The Tribe Award Ceremony where a teacher honors a student for their integrity, character and triumphs in life. It is built upon the development of a positive relationship between teacher and student. Each year students are invited to the ceremony not knowing who nominated them for this honor until a letter is read in front of the audience. Each student who receives the honor will be allowed to wear their Tribe Award Medallion at their graduation.

This year we were unable to have this event in person. To adapt, teachers recorded themselves reading their letter and revealing their choice. A movie was put together of each staff member honoring their student. Students were mailed home their letter and medallion and asked to send a picture to the Activities Director to post on our Facebook and Instagram page.

Link Crew's Joyful Movement

The Link Crew Club at RHS worked to create small movies that outlines what students were going through during the Shelter in Place directive. Students and staff focused on reflecting on amazing events throughout high school, within this past year, or how they are doing while in quarantine. Our goal was to create positivity and joy during this difficult time.

Episode #1

Episode #2

Episode #3

Episode #4

Episode #5

The Grateful Graduate

Each year, Seniors have the opportunity to write a letter to a teacher that made a huge impact on their life. These seniors dress up in their cap and gown and walk into the classroom of the designated teacher surprising them with words of love and joy.

This year we were unable to complete this amazing activity so we turned them into a podcast for teachers. They don't get to see them in person, but they get to hear their words of encouragement and gratitude.

Episode #1

Episode #3

Episode #2

Episode #4

Senior Farewells

Within the leadership class each year, seniors have an opportunity to say their 'goodbye' to the leadership family while reflecting on what leadership has meant to them in their time in the program. Seniors can write a message to each member of the class, write to the whole group, or only to specific people. It is entirely up to them. Traditionally we spend multiple class periods in a circle with our senior in the middle. We turn down the lights and create a mood of reflection and support. Seniors then have as much time as they need to say their goodbye.

With COVID 19, we completed multiple zoom sessions where seniors still had the opportunity to say goodbye, just virtually. Although the in person session shares in more emotion, it was still very important to have our seniors complete one of our leadership traditions. As leaders, we adapted to a challenge and created positive change.

Senior Spotlights by Yearbook

Our yearbook Advisor, Ms. Ochoa, has been working with seniors to 'spotlight' them on our social media outlets via Instagram and Facebook. Parents of each senior have the opportunity to complete a google form and email Ms. Ochoa directly with a senior portrait. From there, a summary of content is created and posted.

Example:

Senior Spotlight - Aiko DeArth was a 4-year varsity athlete in cross country, and was a 3-year track and field athlete. She was involved in ASB leadership for 2 years and was the Senior Class VP this year. She was also involved in Link Crew and Renaissance. She was a part of Med Club and was a Scrubs Club officer her senior year. In cross country, her girl's varsity team won league multiple times and were section champs her senior year, where she ran at the State Championship In the fall, Aiko will attend UC Berkeley and will study Global Health on the Pre-Med Track. We wish you the best! Congratulations!

Senior Cap/Gown & Announcement Drive Thru

Seniors Shine Bright Like the Stars

We were unable this year to make a "gold" star for each senior and place on a wall at RHS. Instead, we created this moving highlighting each and every senior. They are our Shining Stars!

Virtual Leadership Banquet

For the first time, Leadership had their own virtual leadership banquet. We shared in memories held together, laughed a moments in time, and presented students with a gift of appreciate and award earned. Although we missed giving hugs, taking photos and enjoying mini cheesecake - it was a lovely time together. Afterward, Mrs. Mortensen held a drive thru for members of leadership to pick up their awards, certificates, pins and gifts.

College Reveal

Each year we have a huge event where seniors walk a red carpet runway through a balloon arch to declare the next chapter of their life. It can be JC, four year school, tech school or military. They showcase their choice with wearing their college gear or hold up a sign of their college. At the end of the runway, each senior signs a College Reveal poster to be hung in the library.

With COVID 19, we had to adapt this event. Students were asked to complete a google form with the following data needed: Name, school, degree choice, and career goal with one word that represents their character. In addition, each participant emailed Mrs. Mortensen a copy of them in their college gear or holding a sign. Each student was recognized on Instagram and a movie was made of each student to celebrate their next chapter of education.

Senior Names on Scoreboard

This year, Mr. Wright worked to input each senior name into our field scoreboard. Each name can be visible from the 99 freeway. In addition, on Graduation night, the scoreboard lit up with 2020 to celebrate all of our seniors.

The End of the Year Video

We were unable to be together at the end of our year to share the memories made in our annual Video Extravaganza, but together we still found that we had a pretty amazing year together. Click on the link to watch our film:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fQA01buDbsoJVt-Rt_kUk5ScpqZpyg3J/view?usp=sharing