The Renaissance Times
Spring Break!!!
Well, we made it!
With the long gloomy winter almost behind us, I’d like to remind everyone that Spring Break is right around the corner! Next week, March 17-21, students will have a break from their academic responsibilities. This time away from school is more than just time away from school ~ it’s an opportunity for teens to rest and recharge to finish the school year.
After months of school and the long, gloomy winter weather, it is important to remember that parents/guardians and students need time to unwind and rejuvenate mentally and physically. Studies show that rest helps improve focus, creativity, and overall well-being. A rested mind also helps mood, motivation, and energy levels.
Teens need plenty of sleep, spending time outdoors, and exploring hobbies. Now, that said, that doesn’t mean they get a pass to lounge in bed all day. Spring Break is also a time for teens to contribute at home.
Encourage your teen to help with household and yard work. This will likely be highly unpopular, but pitching in at home helps strengthen life skills like time management, teamwork, and accountability. So, given they won’t be stressing about school and assignments, household chores can be part of their routine. Maybe, just maybe, they will continue after Spring Break is over. (This may be wishful thinking, but we all can dream).
If your teen is bucking at helping out at home, encourage them to volunteer a few hours to a neighbor or elderly person. According to the Corporation for National & Community Service, teens who volunteer have higher self-esteem, lower stress levels, better communication skills and are more likely to succeed in school and their careers.
However you choose to spend Spring Break ~ remember to take time to relax and enjoy your teens.
Enjoy the break! We look forward to seeing teens back in school Monday, March 24, 2025.
Monday, March 17-Friday, March 21 - Spring Break
Friday, April 4 - End of Term 3
Monday, April 7 - No School, Teacher In-service
Tuesday, April 8 - Start of Term 4
Tuesday, April 15 - Pre-ACT and FORWARD Testing, Freshmen and Sophomores ONLY
Tuesday, April 15 - Virtual Learning Day, 11th and 12th graders
Saturday, April 26 - Prom, Gym 1
- Grand March Check-In: 6:15pm - 6:30pm
- Grand March: 7pm
- Prom Dance: 8pm - 11pm
Thursday, May 1 - Parent-Teacher Conferences, 4-6:30 pm
2024 - 2025 School Year
Students were chosen by school staff for their outstanding contributions or academic excellence.
- Maddie always comes to our Cold War class with a positive attitude and ready to learn! She has been doing very well keeping up with the heavy workload of the class. She is a very respectful person who brings a lot of positive energy to every class she's in! I am beyond proud of the work Maddie has done since Q3 began. Keep holding yourself to a high standard and we are blessed to have you here at the RCA!
Christian Lange - Nominated by Ms. Elsenpeter
- Christian has an infectious laugh, that emanates his character. He is always willing to help with things if needed.
Please note that when picking up or dropping off students, all drivers must pull into an available parking spot. This includes early pick up or late drop off.
Due to our limited parking lot capacity, drivers are not permitted to park behind other vehicles or in the driveway for pick up or drop off.
This procedure is in place to ensure a safe and efficient process for everyone. If someone else is handling your student's pick up or drop off, kindly remind them of these guidelines.
Spring Testing Information - Pre- ACT Testing and FOWARD Testing -Tuesday, April 15
Pre-ACT Testing - 9th and 10th graders and FORWARD Testing - 10th graders
Tuesday, April 15 - Pre-ACT and Forward testing for ALL 9th and 10th graders
Freshmen and sophomores please report to the Renaissance at 8:30.
Juniors and seniors will have a virtual learning day on April 15.
If you have any questions about the upcoming tests, please reach out to Geri Muller, School Counselor, 715-425-1800, ext. 2225.
Items to Complete/Important Dates
Important Graduation Information:
- Cap & Gown Delivery, Early April
- Caps and Gowns will delivered from RFHS sometime in April and then sent to the Renaissance Academy. An email will go out once the caps and gowns are ready for pickup.
Awards Scholarship Program: Wednesday, May 7, 6:30 pm
- The Scholarship and Senior Awards night will take place in the RFHS Auditorium. Recipients of an award or scholarship will receive an invitation by mail.
Senior Banquet: Wednesday, May 14, 6 pm
- The Senior Banquet is an opportunity for the senior class (ONLY) to get together one last time. The night includes a dinner, class slide show, and presentation of the senior class superlatives awards. Ticket information will be available soon.
Renaissance Senior Celebration: Thursday, May 15, 5:30 pm
- Details coming soon
Baccalaureate Service: Wednesday, May 21, 6 pm
- The baccalaureate ceremony is an optional, non-denominational service for our seniors and their families. The service honors our seniors by reflecting on the “graduation rite of passage” and blessing them in their future life endeavors. The ceremony is organized by Local Youth Ministry Leaders and Local Area Churches.
- Fees: Due on Wednesday, May 28, Noon
- Check the “Fees” tab in Infinite Campus. A fee statement was emailed in February. An additional fee statement will be emailed Term 4. Fees are also available on Infinite Campus. Cash or checks can be brought to the Renaissance Academy, or Central Office.
- Seniors' Last Day: Wednesday, May 28, Noon
- All Seniors will attend normal class schedules through Noon. Any seniors not passing their classes, will need to attend school until they are passing. Students required to attend after May 28, will be released so they may attend graduation rehearsal and the senior walk. Once passing, seniors will no longer be required to attend.
- Early graduation seniors are invited to come in at 11:30 am to pick up their yearbooks and say goodbye to classmates and staff.
Graduation Rehearsal: Thursday, May 29, 12:35 pm
- Rehearsal attendance is MANDATORY for all students participating in the graduation ceremony. Please ensure any personal arrangements are taken care of prior to Rehearsal so your senior can attend. Also, all fines, fees, (library books, parking tickets, parking hangers, lunch account, class/shop fees, etc.), and detentions, must be reconciled prior to Noon on Wednesday, May 28.
- Senior Walk: Thursday, May 29, 1:15 pm.
- Approximate times are as follows:
- 1:25 pm: At MMS
- 1:40 pm: At Elementary Schools (Westside, Greenwood, Rocky Branch, Montessori/St. Bridget’s)
- 2:20 pm: Return to HS
- Senior Class Party Memory Boards
- Due to the Main Office by Thursday, May 29th at noon
- Senior Class Party: Friday, May 30, 9:45 pm – Saturday, May 31, 3:00 am
- Senior Class Party Tickets will be on sale online or by paying cash or check (payable to Senior Class Party) to the Main Office. Cost is $50 for the party and t-shirt; or $30 for just the party and $20 for just the t-shirt. Cost covers food and entertainment. T-Shirt deadline is May 1st.
- Graduation Ceremony - Sunday, June 1, 1:00-3:00 pm
- This is a ticketed event. Ticket information will be emailed to seniors as it is available. Doors open to families at 12:00pm. All parking lots will be available for use.
Attendance Reporting and Guidelines
To report an absence, please use one of the following methods:
- Infinite Campus Parent Portal
- Call the main office: 715-425-7687
- Email the front office: jill.dexheimer@rfsd.k12.wi.us
Please note that student's that are over 18 still are required to have a parent or guardian call in to excuse them.
Important Notes:
- Absence requests submitted via Infinite Campus require a minimum of 1 hour for processing.
- If you need to enter an absence or an early release within an hour of the required time, please call the office directly at 715-425-7687.
Illness-Excused Absences
- Students are allowed four (4) illness-excused absences per semester (two semesters per school year).
- If a student is sent home due to illness, one illness-excused absence will be used.
- Once all four illness-excused absences are used, parent-excused absences will be applied, if available.
- Families will receive a notification when all four illness-excused absences have been used in a semester.
- All illness excused absences must be reported to the main office within 48 hours of the student's return to school to be applied.
Parent-Excused Absences
- Each student has ten (10) parent-excused absences per school year, which can be used for illness, vacation, or other reasons.
- Once parent-excused absences are exhausted, truancy laws may apply.
- Families will be notified when all ten parent-excused absences have been used.
All parent-excused absences must be reported to the main office within 48 hours of the student's return to school to be applied.
Appointments and Documentation
- If an appointment requires missing more than half of the school day, a doctor’s note is required for the full day to be excused.
- If no doctor’s note is provided, a parent-excused absence will be used.
All doctor's notes need to be given to the main office within 48 hours of the student's return to school to be accepted.
Unexcused Absences and Truancy
- Students not reported as absent or who have exhausted their excused absences will receive an unexcused absence.
- Consequences for unexcused absences:
- First four unexcused absences: Student receives an unexcused absence and a detention.
- Five or more unexcused absences: Student is subject to truancy laws and may be referred to the municipal court or the county of residence.
- Families will be notified when a student has two (2) and four (4) unexcused absences.
Please feel free to contact the office with any questions or concerns regarding attendance policies.
