Rough Rider Times

Attendance: (605) 362-2885

Activity Office: (605) 362-2866

Counselors: (605) 362-2868

Main Office: (605) 362-2860

Fax: (605) 362-2883

Website: http://www.sf.k12.sd.us/roosevelt/home
Location: 6600 W 41st St, Sioux Falls, SD 57106, USA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sfroosevelthighschool/

Welcome back to Roosevelt High School for the 2024-25 school year. The first few days have gone very well, and we are looking forward to an excellent year. It is always very exciting when the fall semester and activities start. We strongly encourage all students to become involved in any way they can and hope you can help us by attending our events as well!

Now that classes have begun, and schedule changes are complete the work will begin. It is our goal for all student to be successful and help them when they need it. We have several ways to provide extra help, so if your child is struggling with any class, please reach out at any time. Please communicate directly with our teachers as well. They are an amazing group of people who want to see your child succeed and learn at the highest levels. Parenting with them early to support your student can be very beneficial. As the year continues and more grades are posted please use Infinite Campus for the most accurate and up to date grade and if you have any questions, please contact the teacher.

When students are confident and feeling good about how they are doing academically school is a great place to be. When academic frustration sets in without interventions to help, students tend to withdraw, misbehave, or exhibit anger. I have very seldom seen a student who is doing very well academically struggle with school in general or behavior. That is why we will intervene at the earliest signs of struggle and focus on students’ strengths to help them build confidence and learn to overcome obstacles. As parents or guardians, please share your concerns, but also know that we are constantly checking on how all students are doing. We are focusing on helping students focus in the classroom by disallowing phones in class and we know that our students need to be here to learn. Attendance is a major key to success! We would appreciate your help and support with those two things!

This month we don’t have school on September 2nd for Labor Day, which is the only day that we don’t have school in September. We look forward to celebrating Homecoming Week September 23-27. There will be more information about the activities for that week as it draws nearer. Your children have been great to work with so far and you should be proud of them! Please contact us with any questions or concerns. We are Roosevelt! We are One!

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Community Members,

As we launch another exciting school year, we are reminded of our shared mission: to create the best possible learning environment for our students. One topic that has recently taken center stage is cell phone use in schools. Whether we’re talking about phones or any other devices, our goal is clear: reduce distractions to foster a space where children can grow and thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

The Role of Cell Phones in Our Lives

We all recognize the indispensable role cell phones play in our daily lives. They connect us, provide information at our fingertips, and serve as a tool for both convenience and safety. However, we are also increasingly aware of the potential negative impacts: distractions, addictive behaviors, and exposure to inappropriate content. We understand that striking the right balance between “benefit versus risk” is no easy task.

Current Policy and Challenges

Our current policy prohibits the use of cell phones during instructional time to minimize distractions and keep students focused on their learning. However, enforcing a strict ban is much more challenging in practice than it seems. We want our teachers and administrators to focus on education and support rather than policing phone use throughout the day.

Additionally, the cost of devices intended to curb cell phone use presents another challenge. While these devices may reduce phone usage somewhat, they introduce additional financial and maintenance burdens on our schools. Research has shown that many of these devices are ineffective and a waste of money. This reality underscores the need for more practical, sustainable solutions.

Cell Phones as Tools

The dependency students have on their phones for their calendars, currency, and communication further complicates the issue. In an evacuation, leaving their phones behind could pose significant safety concerns. Phones are not just distractions; they are tools that many students rely on daily for organizing their lives and staying connected with their families.

A Collaborative Approach

The reality is that banning cell phones is not the only solution. We need to address this issue collaboratively, fostering a partnership between home and school. Parents and guardians play a crucial role in guiding their children to be responsible consumers of technology. They decide when a child is allowed to have a phone, set parameters for its use, and manage the apps and content on the device.

By working together, we can teach our students to use their devices thoughtfully and manage their screen time effectively.

It’s also important to note that many students are responsible users of technology and have figured out how to have a healthy relationship with their phones. When you ask them about cell phones, you get a broad range of answers on everything from parental controls to use in the classroom. Our students have grown up in a completely digital world, so we have to be mindful of their perceptions as we also guide them in developing their use habits.

We need to recognize that there are many things we would like to “ban”—poor attendance, incomplete homework, vaping, drug use, and other behaviors that are detrimental to our students' success. While these activities are technically prohibited, they still exist. A ban doesn't mean these issues magically disappear overnight. It takes consistent effort, education, and partnership to address these challenges effectively.

Collaborative Planning

This year, we are forming a dedicated group of educators, parents, and students to examine our current policies and practices surrounding cell phone use. This group will explore proactive steps and make recommendations for any necessary changes. We aim to ensure that our policies are not only practical but also promote the responsible use of technology.

Empowering Responsible Digital Citizens

Through this collaborative effort, we can find a balanced approach that respects the benefits of technology while mitigating its potential harms. Our ultimate goal is to empower our students to become responsible digital citizens who can navigate the complexities of the modern world with confidence and integrity.

We invite you to join us in this critical conversation as we move forward. Watch for the opportunity to provide feedback as the year continues. Together, we can continue to create a learning environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed. Let's work hand in hand to ensure that our schools are places of focus, growth, and positive development.

Thank you for your partnership,

Dr. Jane Stavem

Recommended Resource:

If you’re thinking about this topic of navigating the complexities of technology use among young people, parents are reading the book, The Anxious Generation, by Jonathan Haidt. This insightful book delves into the impact of technology on today's youth and provides valuable perspectives on how to help children develop healthy habits and resilience in an increasingly digital world. It is an excellent resource for parents seeking to understand and guide their children in the responsible use of technology.

August 30 - No School

September 2 - No School

September 27th - Homecoming

Student Council volunteered this summer with LifeScape Ball Buddies, Battleship Memorial Day, and LongFellow. We had fun camping at Lake Vermillion and traveled to Yankton for a senior retreat where we volunteered at their local clothing closet.

Mark your calendars because Homecoming is September 23-27! Wristbands are still for sale on Infinite Campus which get your student into the Monday night talent show, a food truck meal, and entrance into Friday night's RiderFest (which will be completely different this year - stay tuned!)

Class of 2025 – Here are the dates / times on all upcoming events pertaining to the Seniors.

Found also on the Counselor’s website: https://sites.google.com/k12.sd.us/sfroosevelt/home/students/seniors

October 16 - All Morning - NCRC Testing Gym

October 28 - AD Room - Jostens Graduation presentation Auditorium

November 4 - Before/after school/lunch - Cap/Gown ordering Staff entrance

April 9 - AD Room - Prom info / Upcoming Deadlines Auditorium

April 9 - Before/after school/lunch - Cap/Gown delivery Staff entrance

April 11 - Deadline for Graduation speeches Email Mrs. Agar

April 26 - 7:00 PM - Grand March/Prom Main Gym/Commons

May 14 - AD Room - Graduation Presentation Auditorium

May 18 - 7:15 PM - Graduation Arena

We are looking forward to a great year. Please stop by either of our rooms if you have any questions.

Mrs. Agar (Room A119) Mrs. Leonard (Room A150)

Get involved in your community with SALSA? We aren’t dancing the night away, we do have snacks and we volunteer SALSA (Serve And Learn Student Association) as a great way to connect with opportunities to serve your community! SALSA allows you got get involved through volunteerism, meet new friends, explore careers, gain leadership experience, earn volunteer hours for scholarship applications, and make a difference in their community. This next meeting we will work on wrapping candy bars for the Community Blood Bank and learn more about our next large group volunteer outing, Sidewalk Arts Festival Sept 7 and Cleaning up the Big Sioux on Sept 20. otherwise known as a SALSA-Wide Event, and other great individual opportunities!

Lunch deposits can be made here:

https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/getmain?requestAction=home

Free & Reduced lunch application here:

https://www.nlappscloud.com/Welcome.aspx?api=1f26b27eba241f8c89fa1f74af232754#loaded

We kick off the season with the Homecoming Talent Show on Monday, September 23 at 7pm (Coronation follows).

We will be performing A Christmas Story on November 21 & 22 at 7pm and November 23 at 2pm. Auditions are next week (Sept 4 & 5).

A Little Princess is out one-act competition piece. We have a performance for a Night of Sioux Falls One-Acts at Jefferson High School at 6pm on Feb 3. We compete at SDSU on February 6-8.

Alice in Wonderland will perform April 10 & 11 at 7pm and April 12 at 2pm.

The City of Sioux Falls has approved a plan to allow any Sioux Falls student to ride Tripper buses and Sioux Area Metro (SAM) buses for free during the 2022-23 school year by showing their student school ID. While this is a positive opportunity for our students, we do want to make families aware that seating on those Tripper buses may be limited due to increased demand. Please read this letter and complete the online form with the link at the bottom of this message prior to Rider Day on August 9.

In an effort to plan ahead, we are asking each family interested in riding our Tripper buses to fill out the Bus Information Form linked below. By filling out this form, you will assist us in knowing approximately how many students plan to rely on the two Tripper bus routes to and from school. With this information, we will attempt to work with School Bus Inc on our busing needs for Tripper bus routes.
What does this mean for my student/our family?
• Students can ride the Tripper buses for free as long as they have their school ID to show the driver upon entry to the Tripper bus.
• Tripper buses will fill each day on a first-come, first-serve basis. There is no guarantee that your student will have a seat as ridership will likely change daily.
• If the bus is full/at capacity, students will need to have an alternate plan to get to and from school.
o Possible alternative transportation suggestions for your family to consider:
 Take the city bus (SAM) - There is a bus stop at JHS– this is also free with a student school ID.
 Ride with a friend.
 Ride with a relative or neighbor.
 Arrange a neighborhood carpool with other RHS families.
You can access Tripper bus routes that are attached to this email.

You can access information on Sioux Area Metro (SAM) routes by copying and pasting the following link.

https://cityofsfgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=cb3dd15de0c842ab9bd18d61f8afd7c5

Please fill out the bus information form below prior to Rider Charge Day on August 9th, 2022. This also needs to be copied and pasted.

https://forms.gle/vCvBTBh5UsPj7fDv9

Boarding the Bus:

Do not wave down the Yellow school buses. Simply be standing at the stop location and the bus will come to you. If nobody is standing at a stop location, the bus will not come to a complete stop at that location. It will drive on past. However, we will not leave a bus stop before it’s listed loading time.

Discipline Statement:

The School District’s “Rules of Student Conduct and Discipline” apply to bus Stops and on school Buses. Students need to remain seated while in route.

The HS Tripper route buses will be equipped with camera’s to monitor activity on these buses. Students removed from the bus for discipline issues will not receive refunds for their bus pass. For a full list of Sioux Falls School District Policies.

The high school “Tripper” bus routes will be done by School Bus Inc. High School students riding the “Tripper” buses will load/unload on YELLOW school buses. Stop locations have changed as well.