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First Day of School Events and Annoucements

August 5, 2024

Good evening, new and returning Gators and Gator Families,

We are excited to welcome all students back on Wednesday, August 7th. Our one-word theme for the 2024/25 school year is "Empower." We plan to empower daily at RBHS through our collective actions, both big and small. We will capitalize on every opportunity to empower each other, our students, and our community as we continue to work hard, get smart, and do good.

Before we open our doors early Wednesday morning to welcome back students, we ask that you please take a moment to review these essential first-day reminders with your family:

  • School Hours: Our school day starts at 8:40 AM and ends at 3:50 PM.

  • Schedules: Students should access their schedule in PowerSchool prior to arriving at school on Wednesday. Any student without access to PowerSchool or a device can get help from staff located throughout the building.

  • CREW Reporting: All students, except travelers, should report to CREW on the first day of school. Dual enrollment students are also expected to report to CREW on the first day of school.

  • Assistance: On Wednesday morning, faculty and staff will be available throughout the building to help students find their CREW location if they cannot access their schedule online. Look for staff wearing an “EMPOWER” t-shirt.

  • MacBook Pickup: First-year students and new students to River Bluff who did not pick up their MacBooks may pick them up at the Help Desk before school, starting at 7:30 AM or during their ILT throughout the first day.

  • Senior Release: We will release seniors at 3:45 PM as a senior privilege and to help manage traffic flow.

  • Online Registration: Please complete your online registration if you have not done so. If you need assistance completing this process, contact Ms. Jennifer Goodwin at jgoodwin@lexington1.net or 803-821-0707.

  • Parking: Students may drive during the first week of school. We will begin selling parking passes on the first day of school. The cost of a parking pass is $5. Parking pass applications will be handed to juniors and seniors in CREW. Sophomore drivers may pick up a parking pass application from the Office of Student Life on Lower A. Students cannot drive to school and park on campus without Alive at 25 certification. Students need to park in their assigned parking areas, which can be found here. 

  • ILT Off-Campus Privilege: During the week of August 19, a Google form link will be sent to all 11th and 12th-grade students and parents for students to leave campus who have ILT at the end of the school day. This is only if you have no classes remaining on your schedule for that particular day. Until this process begins, students must follow proper sign-in/sign-out procedures.

  • Student Pick-up/Drop-Off Lines: Please see this video and the campus map to understand our best practices for traffic flow. If you arrive from Andrew Corley, Mill Stream, or Hwy. 6, please use entrances B and C and the drop-off/pick-up at the PAC/GYM entrance, number two on the campus map. This WILL save you time. If you enter campus from Hwy. 378, please use entrance A and drop off at number one on the campus map. All campus entries (A, B, C) are marked and easy to see from Corley Mill Road. [Here is our campus map.]

  • Dual Enrollment: Students should report to CREW first thing Wednesday morning. There is also a mandatory meeting at RBHS for all dual enrollment students on Friday, August 9th at 11:40 am to set up accounts and receive information regarding the start of classes. More information will be sent this week via ParentSquare to enrolled students.  MTC classes begin on August 19th and USC Sumter classes begin August 20th. 

  • Athletic Passes: What a bargain! Student ALL SPORT ATHLETIC PASSES are $35 until Monday, August 14. After August 14, the cost will be $50. The final deadline to purchase the pass is Friday, August 18. This link will also inform you about joining Gator Nation, our booster club for all athletics.

  • Family Hub: Here is a link to our Family Hub, which contains information on several school-related topics. I recommend bookmarking it. This fluid document will be updated as needed throughout the school year.

  • SAVE THE DATE: We plan to have an Open House on Monday, August 26, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM for you to meet your teachers, administrators, and more.

  • Traveling Students: Refer to this link for the shuttle schedule. Please report to the bus loop outside of River Cafe by 8:05 AM. The shuttles leave promptly at 8:10 AM. Again, students will travel on the first day of school.

  • Health Room: It is open and our nurses are ready to accept your medications and forms. No need to wait until the first day of school.

  • Bus Routes: If your child will be a bus rider for the 2024–25 school year, please check your student’s bus number, bus stop locations, and pick-up/drop-off times in the Parent Portal. Visit this link to learn more.  River Bluff’s transportation office can also be contacted at (803) 821-1340. Please arrive at least 5 minutes early at your bus stop each morning.

  • Lunch Money: Please send money with your child for lunch or add money to lunch accounts at linqconnect.com. Food deliveries from parents and restaurants or commercial delivery services (i.e., UberEats, DoorDash, PostMates) are prohibited and will not be accepted by our front office receptionists. Learn more about cost and procedures here.

  • Social Media: Help us hashtag special moments on social media this year using #EMPOWERTHEBLUFF2025. Follow our social media sites (Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook) to stay updated with timely information at @rbhsgators.

Lastly, please remember that everything takes longer during the first week or two of school, from dismissal to bus routes. Give yourself plenty of time. Please be courteous and patient as our students and staff learn school procedures and schedules.

We look forward to an incredible year!

Go Gators!