Crusader Nation Weekly
Your source for all things Reuther Middle School
IMPORTANT DATES AND SPORTS REGISTRATION INFORMATION
REUTHER SPORTS 2024-2025
Good afternoon Reuther Crusader Families,
The 2024-2025 athletic season is upon us. There are some important RCS district changes for athletics that will take place that are NOW required for all student-athletes to participate.
First of all, the district is requiring ALL student-athletes to be registered in FINAL FORMS. Many of our families did this during the 2023-2024 school year. IF you have already done this, then you do not have to do this again. You are all set as this will carry on through middle school and high school as well.
If you do NOT have an account in FINAL FORMS you will NOT be allowed to participate until this has been taken care of.
Here is the link from the RCS District Athletic Web page regarding FINAL FORMS…
https://www.rochester.k12.mi.us/athletics/athleteregistration
You will see that this link will be for both Middle School and High School. You will see the instructions on the screen to the right on HOW to set up the account.
Second of all, the district always requires that a physical for the current school year MUST be completed in order for an athlete to participate. The physical exam MUST be dated April 16, 2024 or later in order for this form to be eligible for the 2024-2025 school year.
Here is the link for the 2 page MHSAA physical form… You will find this form on the same page as the Athlete Registration for FINAL FORMS on the RCS District Athletics Web page
https://www.rochester.k12.mi.us/fs/resource-manager/view/5904aeab-ad46-4d37-8a2f-71f071db8d3e
PLEASE print off the 2 page MHSAA form. PLEASE fill out the Medical History portion on Page 1 and the emergency contact information at the bottom of Page 1. The doctor will fill out the exam portion which is located in the middle of Page 1.
PLEASE fill out on Page 2 the entire box of information which includes student name, grade, birthplace, birthdate, address, city, zip code, phone numbers, email addresses, etc…
After that box on Page 2, PLEASE have the student sign and date the form. PARENTS/GUARDIANS…PLEASE fill out and SIGN and DATE the 3 spots required for CONSENT.
We are asking that you use this MHSAA physical form and NOT a form provided by your doctor/physician’s office.
ONCE you have completed the 2 page MHSAA physical form…PLEASE download the 2 page form into FINAL FORMS. You can download it onto FINAL FORMS by scanning it in to a PDF file or taking a really good picture of each of the 2 pages and downloading it that way.
Athletic Directors and Coaches have been asked to NOT collect a hard copy of the physical form beginning with the 2024-2025 school year.
Finally, the district is requiring pay to participate fees to be done through ELEYO and have the receipt downloaded into FINAL FORMS.
Here is the link for pay to participate for RCS…
https://www.rochester.k12.mi.us/athletics/pay-to-participate
Click on ONLINE PAYMENT LINK—ELEYO.
Sport #1 and Sport #2--$100 each season. DO NOT PAY the fee if the sport is a TRYOUT sport. Pay as soon as you are selected for the team. Non-tryout sports you can pay immediately.
What if I am unable to afford the pay to participate fee?
Please click on the REDUCED FEE APPLICATION (FREE OR REDUCED)
We realize that the State of Michigan government has for the past few years granted that ALL students regardless of family income level are able to have FREE BREAKFAST AND FREE LUNCH. However, you MUST fill out the REDUCED FEE APPLICATION form for athletics in order to qualify for either FREE ($0.00) or REDUCED (Pay 25% of the $100 fee for Sport 1 and 2 or 25% of the $55 fee for Sport 3).
Sport #4 is FREE for any student-athlete regardless of family income level.
When do practices begin, when are the games, how do I get ahold of the coaches…Below is all of the information…
***CONTEST SCHEDULES for the 2024-2025 school will be posted by July 1, 2024.
https://www.rochester.k12.mi.us/athletics/contest-schedules
Click on the logo for either ROCHESTER HS or REUTHER MS. We are a feeder school for RHS. Click on VIEW SCHEDULES that you will see in the lower right hand corner of the screen and then click on the grade level/sport that you are searching for.
FALL SPORTS…
There is a SUMMER optional football camp that Coach Gross and Coach Peklo will be taking the students to. Contact the coaches regarding that. Football Conditioning for incoming boys and girls 7th and 8th graders begins the Week of August 19, 2024. Practice begins the Week of August 26, 2024.
Contact the coaches (Calvin Gross (8th) and Shawn Peklo (7th) for more information…
Cross Country for all boys/girls incoming in grades 6-8 begins the Week of August 26, 2024. Coach Laura Duff will be running optional practices throughout the summer. Contact Coach Duff for more information…
Sideline Cheer for girls incoming grades 7 and 8 will be going to camp this summer and will begin practice the Week of August 26, 2024. Contact Coach Michelle Wesner (8th grade) and Coach Alyssa Hall (7th grade). THERE IS A SUMMER CAMP THAT IS OPTIONAL IF GIRLS ARE INTERESTED. Please contact the coaches immediately regarding this.
For more information…
Girls Basketball for girls incoming grades 7 and 8 will begin tryouts the Week of August 26, 2024. Contact Jarrod Rice (8th grade) and Tori Hawkins (7th grade)
For more information…
WINTER I AND WINTER II SPORTS
Winter I Sports will have tryouts the Week of October 28, 2024. Contact the coaches for more information.
Nick Klak—Boys 8 Basketball: nklak@rochester.k12.mi.us
Shawn Peklo—Boys 7 Basketball: speklo@rochester.k12.mi.us
Michelle Wesner—Girls 8 Competitive Cheer wesner@umich.edu
Alyssa Hall—Girls 7 Competitive Cheer ahall@rochester.k12.mi.us
Winter II Sport will have tryouts (Volleyball only) the Week of January 27, 2025. Wrestling will start conditioning the Week of January 20, 2025 and start practice the Week of January 27, 2025.
Kirk Gibbs—Girls 8 Volleyball falconsvolleyball2018@gmail.com
Emily Victory—Girls 7 Volleyball emilyavictory@gmail.com
Mark Brooks—Boys/Girls 6-8 Wrestling mbrooks@savatree.com
Nick Ontiveros—Boys/Girls 6-8 Wrestling nontiveros@rochester.k12.mi.us
SPRING SPORTS
Spring Sports will begin practice the Week of March 31, 2025. Please contact any of the head or associate head coaches of the Boys/Girls 6-8 track team for more information.
Nick Klak—Head Coach—Boys/Girls 6-8 Track nklak@rochester.k12.mi.us
Laura Duff—Associate Head Coach Boys/Girls 6-8 Track lduff@rochester.k12.mi.us
Hannah Schneider—Associate Head Coach Boys/Girls 6-8 Track hschneider@rochester.k12.mi.us
If you have any questions please contact Mr. Nick Klak—Reuther Athletic Director nklak@rochester.k12.mi.us
Order your FUTURE FALCON Sign
RHS Athletic Boosters
WELCOME CLASS OF 2028: Future Falcon Signs
Show your Falcon spirit with a personalized yard
Order information below.
2024-25 Robotics Team Applicants
All students that want to participate during the upcoming 2024-25 FIRST Tech Challenge must reapply for next year’s team.
Also as we did last year, we will be selecting team members based on a point system which takes into account past robotics experiences and commitment to the team’s success. Parent participation as a registered Mentor will also weigh into a student’s selection.
More information is on our website at RochesterFIRSTrobotics.com under the Reuther FTC tab: https://www.rochesterfirstrobotics.com/reuther-ftc along with the applications for both Students and Mentors.
Our goal is to select 40 candidate student team members before school starts in the fall. Then we will down select to 30 students before October. More information is available on our website under Reuther FTC.
Please note, going forward new information will only be sent to 2024-2025 applicants.
Thank you,
Peter Pirozzo
Lead Mentor Reuther FIRST Tech Challenge
FTC NonNo Grandfather <FTC.NonNo@Gmail.com>
Student Application First Robotics Form - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSclrjXgbLC32aO-8F97Zt94dq_vmB2tYLBuw6G1fsUIhQ_SgQ/viewfo
Parent Mentor First Robotics team form (all parents interesting in mentoring next season need to complete) - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf6hJqqLtcFs3HG6kh8OPL0JXTn_TtCUPbg2ksVBV4aRpuMjg/viewform
Rochester High Friday Night Hoops
All girls interested in basketball, the annual Rochester High Friday Night Hoops girls basketball event will be taking place on Friday night, June 14th at RHS. Friday Night Hoops is a fun night of basketball, friends, food, swimming, games, and competitions for incoming 6th-9th grade girls. If you have any questions or need registration information, please contact Varsity Coach Andy Topie at coachtopie@gmail.com. Cost is $50 and the night will run from 6-11pm. Register at Rochester Community Schools Enrichment.
Girls Interested in Golf for the 2024-25 School Year
Interested in golf? Girls high school golf is a great sport! People often think that they can’t come out for high school golf if they don’t have much experience, but that isn’t true. JV golf if often made up of players that are fairly new to the game and wanting to learn more about it. Don’t let your experience level stop you from giving it a try! We don’t usually have to make any cuts at the JV level and it’s a somewhat low-key way to get involved in the sport. If you have any interest at all, please contact Jeff Haney, varsity girls golf coach, to get more information or ask any questions.
Jeff Haney / 248-840-5560 / jhaney@rochester.k12.mi.us
Celebrating 50 years at Reuther!
We opened the doors to learning at Walter P. Reuther Middle School 50 years ago! Part of the dedication ceremony in February 1974 was the presentation of the portrait above. This portrait was done by Mrs. Genny Cousineau, a part time RHS teacher and resident of Avon Township, and presented to Reuther's first Principal Richard Olson by UAW Director Ken Morris during the Reuther Junior High School Dedication Ceremony.
Reuther alums may recognize this portrait as part of the Walter P. Reuther Award Presentation which takes place during 8th Grade Honors Night each year. Our hope is to preserve and permanently display this portrait in our main entrance as part of our celebration of Reuther's 50th Anniversary.
Please click on the portrait above to learn more about how to support our project!
Michigan Child Protection Registry
How can we help our families keep their children safe while online?
The Michigan Child Protection Registry has added more apps to keep kids safe from being targeted by adult ads while on their devices.
One resource that is extremely important to make parents aware of is the Michigan Child Protection Registry. This Registry is a do-not-contact service that families can easily and quickly sign up for at www.ProtectMIChild.com in order to keep their children safe while on their devices at school and at home. This is a free Registry offered through the State of Michigan that stops adult advertisements from reaching our kids through e-mail, text, Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Discord, Twitch and TikTok. This Registry is an excellent resource for making sure our kids aren’t being served ads for alcohol, tobacco/vaping, online gambling, pornography or marijuana.
Reuther Counselors for 2024-25
Reuther Counseling Newsletter - January/February Edition
Link to the Counseling Newsletter
Help Reuther PTSA and sign up for Kroger Community Rewards
Stay involved in your student's success by joining the PTSA!
- Join the PTSA...Attend a meeting, join and fuel our budget with your membership contribution and a One & Done fundraiser donation!
- Join a Committee...Minimal time commitment and meet new parents! (1-2 hours/month)
- Chair a Committee... Medium time commitment, meet new parents and put those leadership skills to work! (3-4 hours/month)
- Join the PTSA Executive Board...Increased time commitment, meet new parents, and share your leadership at a greater level! (5-7 hours/month)
For more information, email one of our Executive Board Members!
Meet the Reuther PTSA Executive Board!
Amy Colwell, Vice President reutherptsavicepresident@gmail.com
Imulde Sullivan, VP Membership vpmembershipreutherptsa@gmail.com
Michelle Miller, Treasurer mailto:reuthertreasurerptsa@gmail.com
Nesreen Sabbagh, Secretary reuthersecretaryptsa@gmail.com
Homeroom Upgrade
CNAT - Crusader Nation Advisory Time
Homeroom is getting an upgrade. Homeroom will now be called CNAT (Crusader Nation Advisory Time)
CNAT will focus on helping students to monitor their grades, missing work, and to develop a plan to help them improve their organization.
CNAT will take place every day before first hour (like the old homeroom time), but will now have intentional activities built around improving student's executive functioning skills.
Lessons will also be centered around our pillars of Reuther P. R. O. U. D.
Perseverance - Respect - Optimism - Unity - Diversity
CRUSADER NATION - Reuther P. R. O. U. D.
Reuther P.R.O.U.D
Reuther P. R. O. U. D will replace the Crusader Code. This is an ongoing revision that we will conclude at the end of the 1st semester. Stay tuned.........
Bike Rider Safety
New System - Late Arrivals / Early Dismissals Only
Parents no longer need to come into the school to sign in/out your student (s) if they will arrive late to school in the morning or leave early.
Students will now check-in/out through the main office using our new automated
attendance system. THIS DOES NOT EXCUSE A LATE ARRIVAL/EARLY DISMISSAL.
Parents STILL NEED TO CALL THE ATTENDANCE LINE IF YOUR STUDENT WILL BE
ARRIVING LATE FOR SCHOOL OR LEAVING EARLY.
If a student is leaving early they will remain in the front office until you pull your car to the
front of the main entrance.
Please call the attendance line and leave a detailed message as early as possible, if you are
dropping off your student(s) late to school or picking them up early within the school day. We suggest that you call as early as possible. Many telephone calls come in between 7:00 and 7:45 a.m.
· Partial day absence attendance line 248-726-4710 option #1.
· Full-day absence attendance line 248-726-4710 option #2.
Dropping off forgotten student items i.e.: Chromebook, backpack, lunch, etc…may be left on the table inside the vestibule. Please label the item with your student’s name. It is not necessary to ring the bell. Office staff checks the table regularly. If your child is expecting you to drop off an item they are welcome to check the office in between classes.
*If you have medical forms or money please ring the buzzer to have staff come and collect those items immediately.
We appreciate your partnership as we streamline this process. If you need immediate assistance for unplanned early dismissals please call the main office line at 248-726-4700.
NEW STUDENT PICK-UP PROCEDURE FOR CAR RIDERS
Please see the map below for the new pick-up procedure for car riders. Car riders will now exit the building at Door 3 located near the bike racks. This is where your car must be before your student can enter your vehicle. Staff and Sergeant Simpson will be on site to assist students while they acclimate to this new procedure. If your student is a bus rider. They will exit out of the main lobby doors.
Thank you for your partnership in keeping our students safe!
Arrival and Dismissal - Drop off Loop ONLY
Please NEVER drop off or have your student get into your vehicle while you are on Auburn Road.
The map above is detailed with information to show where students should be dropped off in the morning. Please follow the directions below so that we can move traffic efficiently while keeping our students safe!
Parent Loop Drop Off Directions: To drop off your student from school, you will access the Parent Loop (in bright pink above) from Culbertson Road. Please continue to pull forward as much as possible to keep the line moving. Students should exit your car at the sidewalk anytime you are in the area indicated by the green arrows. If students wait to exit until they are in front of the entrance, the line will move very slowly and increase the back up on Culbertson and Auburn Roads. When you reach the area indicated by the orange arrows, it is appropriate to form two lanes.
Please note:
1. Students should not be exiting vehicles on Auburn Road, Culbertson Road or in the Reuther Staff/Visitor Parking Lot. The only place students should be exiting a vehicle is in the drop off loop which is accessed off of Culbertson Road.
2. Students who are walking or riding bikes must remain on sidewalks at all times. They should not be walking in the roadway or cutting through roadways for any reason.
3. If students need to cross Auburn or Culbertson, please remind them to cross at the intersection of Auburn & Culbertson where the crossing guard is there to assist.
Student Item Drop Off
In the event that you need to drop off an item for your student – a forgotten lunch, gym shoes, assignment, etc. – there is a new district wide procedure. In the secure entrance lobby, you will find a table with post it notes. Please label student items with your student’s name. Office staff will ensure items are delivered as soon as possible. You will not need to buzz in to the main office – the drop table will be checked each class period.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping us to maintain our secure learning environment!
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Reuther Athletics
Athletic Update for the 2023-24 School Year
Reuther's Athletic Director is Mr. Nick Klak (nklak@rochester.k12.mi.us)
Athletics information for the 2023-2024 school year
You must have a physical form on file with the school for the 2023-2024 school year in order to compete in athletics. Click on the following Link for physical form
Final Forms
Middle school students participating in Rochester Community Schools sports programs during the 2023-24 school year will utilize Final Forms, a centralized online system, to submit registration information and sports physical documentation.
The Michigan High School Athletic Association requires that student-athletes complete an MHSAA pre-participation sports physical. All RCS athletes must have a valid physical examination, dated April 15 or later, uploaded to Final Forms before the first day of practice or tryouts. Information can be found on the RCS website at: https://www.rochester.k12.mi.us/athletics/athleteregistration.
Please create a Final Forms account to access athletic registration and to upload the MHSAA physical, using this link: https://rochester-mi.finalforms.com/.
Contest Schedules
Athletic Schedules. click on VIEW SCHEDULES. Click on specific game schedule. Cross country schedule is for the most part complete and the Wrestling contest schedule is not yet posted.
Transportation
Parents are responsible for getting students to away contests and picking them up at the end of the contest.
Pay to Participate Forms Middle School Pay to Participate Contract Forms and link for how to pay online.
Free and Reduced Lunch
Free and Reduced Lunch Application Form
Even though ALL students are eligible for breakfast and lunch this year through legislation from the state of Michigan, we will still need families to fill out the Free and Reduced Lunch Application Form if you qualify for a discount in pay to participate fees for athletics.
Application for the 2023-24 school year will be available after August 15th. Free and Reduce application
Winter I Sports
Competitive Cheer 7 and 8
Practice will begin on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 in Reuther’s Cafeteria. Practice will be from 5:30-7:30 PM. Please bring water and proper clothing to wear for practice. Our coaches are Ms. Michelle Wesner and Ms. Alyssa Hall.
Questions: Please Use the Contact Information below:
Ms. Hall: 7th Grade Coach: ahall@rochester.k12.mi.us or alyssahall214@gmail.com
Ms. Wesner: 8th Grade Coach: wesner@umich.edu
Boys Basketball 7
Practice will begin on Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at Reuther’s main/aux gyms. Practice will be from 4:00-6:00 PM. Please bring water and proper clothing to wear for practice. Our coach is Mr. Shawn Peklo
Boys Basketball 8
Practice will begin on Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at Reuther’s main/aux gyms. Practice will be from 2:30-5:00 PM. Please bring water and proper clothing to wear for practice. Our coach is Mr. Nick Klak.
Questions: Please Use the Contact Information Below:
Mr Peklo: 7th Grade Coach: speklo@rochester.k12.mi.us
Mr. Klak: 8th Grade Coach: nklak@rochester.k12.mi.us
Winter II Sports
Girls Volleyball 7
Practice will begin on Monday, January 29, 2024 at Reuther’s main/aux gyms. Practice will be from 2:30-6:00 PM. Please bring water and proper clothing to wear for practice. Our coach is Mrs. Emily Victory.
Girls Volleyball 8
Practice will begin on Monday, January 29, 2024 at Reuther’s main/aux gyms. Practice will be from 2:30-6:00 PM. Please bring water and proper clothing to wear for practice. Our coach is Mr. Kirk Gibbs.
Questions: Please Use the Contact Information Below:
Mrs. Victory: 7th Grade Coach: EmilyAVictory@gmail.com
Mr. Gibbs: 8th Grade Coach: falconsvolleyball2018@gmail.com
Wrestling 6/7/8
Practice will begin on Monday, January 29, 2024 in Reuther’s Cafeteria. Practice will be from 2:30-5:30 PM. Please bring water and proper clothing to wear for practice. Our coaches are Mr. Mark Brooks and Mr. Nick Ontiveros.
***6th graders are allowed to practice and wrestle in the meets this year!!!
Questions: Please Use the Contact Information Below:
Mr. Brooks: 6th-8th Grade Coach: mbrooks@savatree.con
Mr. Ontiveros: 6th-8th Grade Coach: nontiveros@rochester.k12.mi.us
Spring Sports
Boys and Girls 6th-8th Grade Track
Practice will begin on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 in Reuther’s Main Gym. Practice will be from 2:30-4:30 PM Mondays through Thursdays and 2:30-4:00 PM on Fridays. Please bring water and proper clothing to wear for practice. In the beginning of the season it will be cold outside so keep arms and legs covered. We are in the process of hiring one more coach but our other coaches are…Head Coach: Mr. Nick Klak, Assistant Coaches: Ms. Hannah Schneider, Mrs. Laura Duff, Ms. Lindsey Belzyt, Mr. Mark Merlo, Mr. Calvin Gross; Volunteer Coach: Mrs. Ericka Krajewski and Ms. Melissa Swider.
***6th graders are allowed to practice and participate in meets this year!!!
Questions: Please Use the Contact Information Below:
Mr. Klak—6th-8th Grade Boys/Girls Head Coach: nklak@rochester.k12.mi.us
Ms. Schneider—6th-8th Grade Boys/Girls Assistant Coach: hschneider@rochester.k12.mi.us
Mrs. Duff—6th-8th Grade Boys/Girls Assistant Coach: lduff@rochester.k12.mi.us
Ms. Belzyt—6th-8th Grade Boys/Girls Assistant Coach: lbelzyt@rochester.k12.mi.us
Mr. Mark Merlo
Mr. Cavin Gross
All other questions may be directed to Mr. Nick Klak, Reuther Athletic Director
- The Parent Advisory Committee, PAC, has been ASSISTING SPECIAL EDUCATION FAMILIES IN HAVING A VOICE FOR OVER 30 YEARS
- Meetings are OPEN TO THE PUBLIC and occur on the THIRD TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH AT 7PM
- We support, educate, and advocate for special education families in all 20 SCHOOLS in the district and have and are always looking for more!
- We meet with Special Education Administration monthly to DISCUSS AND SHARE IDEAS THAT SUPPORT OUR FAMILIES
- Click HERE to visit our website
Looking for more resources or archived newsletters?
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Email: Reuthermiddleschool@rochester.k12.mi.us
Website: https://reuther.rochester.k12.mi.us/
Location: 1430 E Auburn Rd, Rochester Hills, MI 48307, USA
Phone: (248) 726-4700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReutherCrusader
Twitter: @ReutherCrusader