One of the most ambitious efforts of PASTA is academic support— funding requests that supplement RCHS's budget:

• technology needs: purchasing network servers, computers, digital cameras, CD burners, and projection screens for every classroom.

• opportunities for cultural arts experiences, bringing performing artists to the classrooms and making attendance at other performance venues possible.

• hardware and furniture in the Foreign Language Lab.

• reference books, video series, maps, and scientific equipment for teacher and student use.

• supporting student publications and various competitions.

All of the activities of PASTA depend on fund raising.
PASTA membership, the PASTA Pot, and parking permits for students are our primary fundraising activities. The PASTA Pot is promoted in the fall and is a simple request to contribute, with opportunities for employer matches. There are other, smaller opportunities throughout the year. Our goal is to have every family contribute to the PASTA Pot—no donation is too small or too large. Ultimately, all our students benefit!

Educational program funds are used by each department to support and enhance our students' everyday learning experiences. PASTA's contribution is 60% of the total educational program budget of the school. Your contributions do make a difference! Below is the list of how each department spends educational program funds:

Mathematics
• Membership in National Council of Teachers Of Mathematics
• Participation in national math league contests every month open to all students at RCHS no matter which math they are in
• Participation in yearly state-wide Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry contests at Wake Tech
• Participation in yearly state-wide Calculus contest at NC State University
• Purchase of old exams to help students prepare for math league contests
• Purchase of calculators for students to borrow while they are in class
• Resource materials for teachers including:
• Old AP Calculus tests for practice

Foreign Language
• Maps
• Audio-visual materials
• Reference books
• Honor Society Induction
• Student awards at end of year
• Immersion day (Flex) materials
• Language competition entry fees
• Start-up money for new teachers
• Miscellaneous classroom supplies
• Flamenco dance group workshop with students
• Membership in FLANC (Foreign Language Association of NC)

Fine Arts
• Payments on instruments and percussion
• Choral and band literature
• Entry fees for festivals
• Rental of Peace College for music concerts
• Rental of Cardinal Gibbons for yearly drama productions
• Royalties for the use of plays
• Film editing equipment
• Trips to the North Carolina High School Play competition

Science
• Annually consumed chemicals
• Dissection animals for biology students
• Replacement glassware
• Test generators for textbooks

English
• Departmental retreats to articulate four-year plans for teaching writing and reading
• NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English) and NCETA (North Carolina English Teachers Association) membership dues
• Expenses for school-wide writing contest
• Books to help teachers enrich the curriculum
• Art supplies for alternative approaches to teaching.
• Videos for our flex day activities and for that part of our curriculum having to do with media skills.
• Visiting writers and theatre groups that work with students on flex and ex days

History
• DVDs to enrich the curriculum
• Resource books to help teachers enrich the curriculum
• Expenses for the History Department Lecture Series
• Expenses for the We The People competition
• Daily subscription to the New York Times for each department member
• Membership fees for professional organizations
• Spring-rolled maps to supplement geography curriculum
• Subscription to Supreme Court journal

Special Programs
• Protocols for testing students
• Carbon paper for students that need notes.
• Writing software program to help students special programs students with their writing

College Counseling
• Reference materials for counselors, students and parents
• Travel to the regional and national college admissions conferences for the college counselors
• Expenses for Junior Parent Night
• Production of the profile and curriculum guide
• Subscription to Naviance