ROCORI Secondary School Update

Over the course of the summer, our administrative team reflects on the prior year and on improvements in our practices; in addition, we consider necessary changes. Legislation was passed this year mandating that all schools implement a cell-phone policy for students. Phones are not healthy for developing brains, and I’m increasingly convinced the next generation will view age and access much differently with smartphones. Research is continuing to develop in this area, but this article in People Health outlines it well. Our Student Code of Conduct meets all the requirements laid out in legislation, but our enforcement of that policy needs to be better. Addressing a societal problem in a school is challenging, but we are going to work hard at it because the research demonstrates it’s important for students' mental health. To do it effectively, we are going to need family support.

What do we expect of students?

Students should not have their phone out in class unless there is a pre-approved emergency or reason. Middle School students are allowed to use them at passing time only. High School students are allowed to use them during passing time and lunch.

How will we respond to misuse of cell phones?

We will treat offenses progressively, but for chronic offenders we are going to make some changes. As in the past on the third offense, parents must pick up the phone from school. If a student has a 4th offense, a parent meeting will be called to analyze how we handle a problem that appears to be an addiction.

What do we expect from parents?

We ask parents to speak with your child about appropriate cell phone use, to remind your child to keep the phone put away during class, and to be supportive when infractions occur.

The irony of parents likely reading this newsletter on their own phones is not lost on me. In addition, I recognize my own reliance on my cell phone, and I understand that this is not simply a 6th-12th grade problem in society.

Thank you in advance for your support of limiting cell phone access to developing brains.

AUGUST 27TH

OPEN HOUSE GRADES 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10

3:30 PM - 7:30 PM

6TH GRADE PARENT MEETING, 5:30 PM IN THE AUDITORIUM

ENGLISH LEARNERS MEETING, 6:30 PM IN THE AUDITORIUM

AUGUST 28TH

OPEN HOUSE GRADES 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10

3:30 PM - 7:30 PM

9TH GRADE PARENT MEETING, 5:30 PM IN THE AUDITORIUM

If you are unable to attend the 6th grade meeting on August 27th @ 5:30pm, scan the QR code for information that was discussed.

As the year progresses you will hear more about ROCORI Secondary aligning our courses and registration to career pathways for students. The first change you may notice in scheduling is that homeroom assignments have changed. Rather than students staying with the same advisor for four years, we are assigning our staff to a single grade level. Their advisor will be the person who helps them register, and we want our staff to be well versed in registration for that next grade. The change has already been implemented, and we wanted you to be aware that the change had a purpose.

Have your picture taken - this will be in in the South Court of the High School Gym

SCHEDULES WILL NOT BE PRINTED FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 7-12. THEY CAN BE FOUND IN SKYWARD. SCHEDULES FOR 6TH GRADE STUDENTS WILL BE PRINTED AT OPEN HOUSE SINCE 6TH GRADERS WILL NOT GET THEIR MACBOOKS UNTIL THE 2ND DAY OF SCHOOL.

When schedules open for viewing in Skyward, parents must fill out the data updates in skyward family access. If these documents are not updated, the schedule will not open for viewing.

High School Schedules were available beginning August 15th.

Middle School Schedules will be available August 27th.

SCHEDULES WILL NOT BE PRINTED FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 7-12. THEY CAN BE FOUND IN SKYWARD. SCHEDULES FOR 6TH GRADE STUDENTS WILL BE PRINTED AT OPEN HOUSE SINCE 6TH GRADERS WILL NOT GET THEIR MACBOOKS UNTIL THE 2ND DAY OF SCHOOL.

Season passes for Activities are ready!! Season passes are DIGITAL this year. Please use the QR code you see below or go to: https://gofan.co/app/school/MN19653

There is the option to get all passes, including Family passes of various sizes and passes for our ROCORI Senior Citizens (free).

Please be patient with the process as this is new for all of us. We will also have all individual game tickets on sale for anyone available very soon.

Rocori High School Seniors will get in free to games and will get their passes in the next few weeks. For now, seniors can check in at the gate and we will let them in.

As we make the transition to digital tickets, here are some helpful hints and tips to make your life easier if you haven't done digital ticketing before:

1. Download the GoFan App onto your phone. The app looks like the picture posted above.

2. Create an account with your email and personal password

3. It will have you search for your favorite team - type in Rocori

This will be your new home to get season passes, buy tickets to all game, both home and away, etc.

When you get to the game, open up the app and click on tickets. There you show the gate attendant your ticket.

Thanks for your patience as we make this adjustment in the Central Lakes Conference to have all our teams using the same system.

Go Spartans!!

Food service will not be offering alacart the first week of school. Alacart will open on September 9th during lunch and after school.

Please make sure all immunization records are updated, and a copy provided. If you choose to decline immunizations, make sure to sign a form and have it notarized. If you wish to sign the form declining immunizations, Missy in the HS/MS nurse’s office will be available during open house.

Prescribed medications need a doctor's note and to be in prescription bottle.

If students need over the counter medication such as ibuprofen or Tylenol, make sure to fill out the consent form and bring a bottle in.

Spartan Online enrollment is open:

We still have available spots if your student is interested in taking classes online for the upcoming school year. If you have any questions or would like to enroll your child; please email Matt Anderson (andersonm@rocori.k12.mn.us)”

All families need to complete the ROCORI Transportation Form (every year) on the ROCORI website to be assigned a bus.

Details: On the ROCORI webpage, go to Parent and then Busing Information. You will find all the online forms you need there; one form takes care of all students in a family.

Please reach out to Voigt's Bus Service with any questions at #320-253-0510

https://www.rocori.k12.mn.us/services/bus-stop-information/bus-stop-information

The parking permit application will be available online or a paper copy can be picked up in the office. If you complete this form and pay online, you must still come to the office and pick up your permit. All permits will need to be in place prior to September 13th. If you have any questions, please let us know. All vehicles parked in the ROCORI Parking lots, must have a parking permit displayed at all times.

Juniors will have the opportunity to take the PSAT (Preliminary SAT) Test this year, which will be offered at ROCORI High School on October 30, 2024. This test is optional for students. Please sign up in the counseling office the first week of school. The deadline to sign up for this test will be Friday, September 6, 2024.

Dear Seniors, Parents, and Guardians,

Thank you for your patience regarding the Jostens online link for submitting class of 2025 senior photos, baby photos and messages. When you are ready to submit the photos and message, please visit: Jostens Photo Upload. You may also scan this QR code to take you directly to the site.

You will be asked to create an account, and then you can submit your senior photo and baby photo (along with the message) under the portraits section. Please remember to tag ALL photos AND messages with your student’s name to ensure proper identification. It’s important to register your account with an email that you check regularly so we can reach out if we have any questions.

We appreciate your understanding as we transition to a new system this year. The deadlines for the yearbook are:

• November 15th: Baby photo and message due.
• December 1st: Senior photos due.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to yearbook@rocori.k12.mn.us.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Best regards,

ROCORI High School Yearbook Advisors

Anna Panek and Renee Bacon

ROCORI Public Schools is a PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports) district. PBIS refers to a school-wide data driven system. We explicitly teach behavioral expectations as we do math, reading, and other content rather than expecting students automatically know how to behave in certain situations or environments. We systematically encourage positive behavior and reteach expected behaviors to struggling students. The goal is to engage all students and families in a positive educational experience. Staff and students are encouraged to exhibit our core values. ROCORI secondary staff and students show the ROCORI way of Kindness, Respect, and Responsibility. We hope that you, the parents/guardians, will partner with us as we strive to create this positive educational experience for all students!

10th – 12th Grade Supply List. Students are expected to have general school supplies available. Suggested examples: Writing utensils (pens/pencils), highlighters, notebooks, & folders. ROCORI students in 10th- 12th grade have many class offering available and therefore diverse schedules. Students should follow advice from their CORE and elective course teachers in regards to unique school supplies.

The Application for Educational Benefits (aka Free & Reduced Application) must be submitted to the district on an annual basis. Log into Skyward Family Access to complete the online application (see directions below). Or, you can fill out a paper application below and return by mail to the District Office or to your child's school.

District OfficeAttention: Chris Barker534 5th Ave NCold Spring, MN 56320