RONCALLI HIGH SCHOOL WEEKLY NEWSLETTER - July 31, 2020

Welcome back to school Wednesday, August 5th. Classes begin at 7:45 AM, and on Wednesday, school will be let out at 2:30 PM.

HYBRID LEARNING CALENDAR DATES

Students with last names beginning with letters A - K will have face to face instruction at Roncalli on August 6, 10, 12, 14, 18 and 20. They will have live synchronous learning from home the other school days through August 21.

Students with last names beginning with letters L - Z will have face to face instruction at Roncalli on August 7, 11, 13 17, 19 and 21. They will have live synchronous learning from home the other school days through August 20.

We plan to have all students on campus for face to face instruction on Monday, August 24.

Hybrid Learning Video

CLASS OF 2024 FRESHMAN ORIENTATION

TOMORROW AUGUST 1ST

Freshman Orientation is tomorrow Saturday, August 1st. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the freshmen and seniors will be divided into three groups and go through their two hour orientation at different times. A letter was mailed to freshmen and seniors that explains more about the orientation as well as explaining the specific times students need to be on campus. Please contact Kevin Banich for questions.

SYNCHRONOUS LEARNING REQUIRED SIGN-UP

DEADLINE IS TODAY

As was shared in our reopening plan this week, Roncalli High School will be offering a synchronous learning model for the students who do not feel comfortable returning to school for face to face instruction on August 5. Any student who wishes to do the synchronous learning long term in place of face to face instruction must notify Assistant Principal, Beth Reel no later than today, Friday, July 31. Please direct all questions about the synchronous learning to Mrs. Reel.

How to help

FRESHMAN & TRANSFER STUDENT CHROMEBOOK DISTRIBUTION

Roncalli High School is in year five of a 1:1 initiative with each student receiving a chromebook. Chromebooks will be ready for pickup according to the following schedule: Monday, August 3 from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Tuesday August 4th, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and Wednesday, August 5th, after-school until 4:00 PM.

Distribution will be in the Roncalli Media Center. Enter the Main Entrance after parking on the circle.

CHROMEBOOK OWNERSHIP

Roncalli High School issues each student a Chromebook when they enter as a freshman or a student transferring into the school. Roncalli owns each school issued Chromebook until the student graduates at which time ownership transfers to the graduate. Any student who leaves Roncalli prior to graduation will be expected to return their Chromebook in full working order or pay the school the cost of a new Chromebook.

Incoming freshmen and transfer students may pick up their school issued Chromebook in the media center during one of the following dates: Monday, August 3 from Noon - 6:00 PM; Tuesday, August 4 from 8:00 AM - Noon; and until 4:00 PM after school on Wednesday, August 5.

RONCALLI COMMUNITY SERVICE UPDATE

Roncalli is so excited to welcome our students back to Roncalli for our fall semester! With the ever evolving situation in our world, we have made some adjustments to the Roncalli Community Service program. Please take a moment to read the information at the link below and feel free to contact Mr. Striby with any questions or concerns.

Service Program Update

God Bless you all, and thank you for your flexibility and support.

IMPORTANT OPENING SCHOOL NOTICE

OPENING SCHOOL LETTER TO GO OUT ELECTRONICALLY

The opening school letter was sent via email to each school family containing pertinent school related information including the process by which to access the student’s schedule and locker/locker combination. The electronic letter was sent out to seniors and juniors on Tuesday, July 21 and to sophomores and freshmen on Wednesday, July 22. Please contact the main office at (317) 787-8277 should you have any questions or encounter any issues with receiving your family’s letter.

FUTURE FOUNDATIONS PROGRAM

Roncalli's Future Foundation program allows families to work with Roncalli to support Tuition Assistance and help defer their student's tuition cost. Click on this link to learn more about the program!

If you are interested in participating, please complete the google form at this link.

After you have completed that google form, we will be happy to get you registered and working in our program! Any other questions, please contact Jeff Traylor.

CAFETERIA SERVES BREAKFAST

Every morning in the cafeteria from 6:50-7:40 AM, the Roncalli cafeteria offers many breakfast choices. The cost of breakfast is $2.00. If students are entitled to a free or reduced breakfast, then those breakfasts are either free or $.30. (This institution is an Equal Opportunity Provider.)

Learn More

The cafeteria will provide breakfast and lunch for the days you are not here at Roncalli for synchronous learning days. Come to the Snack Bar after school, and we will build a breakfast and lunch of your choosing for you to take home. Your account will be charged what you normally pay for lunch.

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT

Based on the recommendation of multiple health care agencies, we are going to change our annual Back to School Night this year to a virtual event. Each of the teachers will be creating and sharing on their Canvas home page a short video introducing themselves and the respective classes. Look for more details in the weekly e-newsletter in those first weeks of school.

FALL SPORT PICTURE DAY

AUGUST 8TH

All Fall athletes will have team pictures taken on the morning of August 8th between 7:00 AM and noon. More information to follow from your coaches.

FREE/REDUCED MEAL APPLICATIONS

This year for the first time, Roncalli families will apply online for free/reduced meals. Please go to mymealtime.com. For a detailed instruction guide click here. If you have any questions or difficulties with this process, please call our office at (317)788-4099 or email Eileen Horan.

Apply Now

CLASS OF 2021 SENIOR PORTRAITS

For a senior to have their picture included in the yearbook and class composite, they must get their picture taken with Prestige Photography. Click here to schedule your photography session. If you are photographed by 9/1/2020 you can do the STANDARD session with 2 outfits at NO CHARGE. The portraits studio is located at 2325 Pointe Parkway #140, Carmel, IN 46032. The yearbook choice deadline is 12/5/2020. No t-shirts with visible writings or logos, no hats, sunglasses or piercing are allowed for the yearbook photo. Gentlemen must wear a collared shirt and tie (jacket optional) and not have facial hair. Ladies must cover their shoulders and upper arms. If you have any questions, please contact Kevin Banich, Assistant Principal for Student Life.

SCHOOL PICTURES ON FIRST DAY

A reminder that freshmen, sophomores and juniors will have their school pictures taken on the first day of school. This year, we are offering families an opportunity to go online at MyLifetouch.com and look at a variety of backgrounds and photo options. Families may also pay for school pictures online. This would prevent your student from having to bring an order form with payment on the first day of school. To order school photos online, or to just preview options, please use Picture Day EVTZMTJZM on MyLifeTouch.com. If you have any questions related to school pictures, please contact Assistant Principal for Student Life, Kevin Banich.

Learn More

Please note that seniors will be in school uniform on the first day of school and will be taking their official senior portrait at the Prestige Studio in Camel by appointment only. Seniors will take a picture on the first day of school, but this picture will only be used for the student ID.

Just a reminder that all students are expected to be in school uniform on the first day unless their parents are purchasing a picture package. If this is the case, the student may dress up. Absolutely, no jeans, denim or immodest dress allowed!!

TRANSPORTATION NEWS

Find us on Facebook for carpooling/transportation information: Roncalli High School Carpooling/Transportation

Through the years, we have proven to be very successful in helping families/students that are in need of transportation assistance(to and/or from school).

Learn More

If your family is in need of assistance with transportation, please email Andi Baker or call 317-787-8277, ext. 221. Please provide her with the following details (your name, contact information, major crossroads near where you live and what your needs are (ride to school, home from school or both). We will make every effort to connect you with another RHS family that can assist with your transportation needs. If your family/student is willing to assist other RHS families/students with a ride to school and/or home from school, please contact Andi Baker and provide her with the same information as noted in the first paragraph. This can be an excellent way for your family/student to benefit from some extra gas money.

We have the following Roncalli families who are in need of some assistance with transportation. If your family would like to pick up some additional gas money and provide assistance for one of these families would you please email Andi Baker or call 317-787-8277, ext. 221.

Carpool Request

Crossroads: Smith Valley and 37 Needs rides to and from school - Willing to pay gas money!

Major Crossroads: Stones Crossing and 135 Needs rides to and from school daily

TI-84 CALCULATORS

ALGEBRA 2 OR ALGEBRA 1 HON

A reminder that any student who is scheduled to take an Algebra 2 class or Algebra 1 (HON) this coming school year is required to have a TI-84 calculator. Many local retailers have them on sale now, and we ask that any “proofs of purchase” codes be saved and turned into the math teachers. Students are discouraged from purchasing a TI-89 as these calculators are not allowed on the ACT exam (however, they are allowed on the SAT and AP exams).

GET A RONCALLI VIP CARD

FREE ADMISSION TO ATHLETIC & FINE ARTS EVENTS

What is a Roncalli VIP member card? A Roncalli VIP member card is a pass that gets you and your immediate family into any home athletic event free of charge (regular season games only; IHSAA tournament and Marion County tournament games are excluded). A Roncalli VIP Card also allows you to receive up to four free tickets to one performance of each fine arts production/concert.

Learn More

How do I get one? You can purchase a minimum half page ad for $275 in the Roncalli 2020-21 Performing Arts Book. The Performing Arts Book is distributed at all major fine arts performances and concerts and features pictures of our seniors in the performing arts program as well as pictures of the many different performing arts ensembles and groups.

To purchase an ad in the Performing Arts book, contact a performing arts student or Mike Lewinski or Miki Lewinski.

Ad prices are as Follows:

Business Card Size-$65
¼ Page Ad-$165
½ Page Ad-$275
Full Page Ad-$450

The Roncalli Performing Arts Book Ad Campaign is the primary fundraiser for the Performing Arts Booster. All proceeds from the Performing Arts book campaign goes directly to support the Performing Arts at Roncalli.

Becoming a Roncalli VIP MEMBER is a GREAT way to support Roncalli, promote your business or recognize your student and provide a significant savings for your family!

BULLYING/HARASSMENT

GUIDELINE FOR RESPECTING ALL PERSONS

Roncalli High School commits itself to the priority of each individual student being able to attend school on a daily basis in a positive, uplifting, faith-filled environment. The following is a guideline by which our school will operate as it relates to this issue and to the issues of bullying/harassment:

Learn More

The good name, reputation and personal safety of each student, faculty, staff member and adult volunteer is vitally important. In order to protect students, employees, volunteers, and the school, each student is expected to treat the good name and reputation of other students, school employees, volunteers and the school with dignity and respect. Students will not engage in any activity or conduct, either on campus or off campus, that is in opposition to this guideline and/or inconsistent with the Catholic principles of the school, as determined by the school in its discretion. Any derogatory, slanderous, hostile, or threatening remarks or actions directed toward any of the above by a student will be seen as a violation of this policy and will be viewed as a serious matter. An offending student may convey his bullying/harassment through a multitude of platforms including but not limited to: physical, verbal, sexual, retaliatory, or electronic means. Examples of electronic means include but are not limited to, email, social media, text messages, blogging, voice mails, images, pictures, videos, hashtags, etc. Any individual found to have made or participated with others in making such remarks or actions will be subject to disciplinary action by the school, up to and including expulsion.

Because of the significance of the issues of bullying/harassment in the lives of our students, Roncalli has in place a wide variety of strategies to address the issues. These strategies will unfold throughout the school year with a heavy focus here at the start of the school year.

It is imperative that anyone who becomes aware of a Roncalli student who is being bullied or harassed, regardless of whether it is happening in or out of school, is asked to contact the Dean of Students. Failure to report incidents of bullying/harassment makes one complicit with the inappropriate behavior.

SPRING BREAK & MORATORIUM WEEK 2021

It could be seen as silly to talk about spring break and next year’s moratorium week but many of our families have to make travel arrangements well in advance for a variety of family related reasons. Spring Break will begin with the dismissal of school at 3:00 PM on Thursday, March 18. School will resume at 7:30 AM on Monday, March 29.

Learn More

To maintain the integrity of the school calendar and instructional time, Roncalli does not allow a family to extend Spring Break by leaving early or returning late without a significant academic penalty. For full details on the policy, please click on the link at the end of the newsletter. Thank you to our parents who have given us tremendous support of this policy through the years.

Additionally, as a member of the Indiana High School Athletic Association, Roncalli High School must adhere to the moratorium week requirements set forth by the association. The 2021 Moratorium Week for the summer of 2021 will be from June 28 - July 5. At Roncalli this means there will be no open gym/no open facilities, no practices, games, rehearsals, etc. There are to be no student activities at all during this week.

VOLUNTEER NURSE NEEDED

Roncalli High School extends an invitation to any registered nurse to volunteer at the school one morning each week. If interested please email principal Chuck Weisenbach.

SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS NEEDED

Join the Roncalli Family - Roncalli High School is looking for additional substitute teachers for the 2020-21 school year. We are seeking faith-filled individuals who enjoy being around the future of tomorrow. No educational background is required. Training is provided. If you are interested in being a substitute teacher at Roncalli High school please contact Jeff Small.

IMPORTANT UNIFORM INFORMATION

REGARDING UNIFORM PANTS

We are very appreciative of the great cooperation we received during the recently completed school year from our students and parents regarding the style of pants that were to be worn as a part of the school uniform.

It is important to note that we are the only Catholic high school in the Indianapolis area that does not require uniform pants of its students. While some students and parents would support a move to uniform pants, the overwhelming majority of students and parents prefer to purchase their school pants in a price range of their choice and at a retail store of their choice. We wish to continue to honor this desire, but it must happen in such a way that we are not consistently wasting valuable instructional time and administrative time dealing with fashion compliance issues.

LEARN MORE

Thus, we ask once again for the total support of our parents and students in making sure there is adherence to specific style of pants (slacks) that will be allowed this school year. In accordance with the student handbook, the slacks must be dress slacks made of cotton-twill material similar to a pair of “Dockers” pants. Slacks must be minimum of "boot cut" and/or straight leg in diameter around the lower leg and may not be worn in a manner that hugs the complete contour of the lower body.

If you look at the visuals below, the three pictures on top illustrate acceptable choices while the three pictures on the bottom with an X through them are not acceptable choices.

Please direct all questions, concerns, and/or comments related to this matter to Dean of Students, Tim Crissman.

Thanks in advance for your continued cooperation on this matter.

CIRCLE OF FAITH ANNUAL FUND

PLEASE PRAY

For former student Arthur Koehl, who was severely injured in an automobile accident, and for his mother Tamara and brothers Jaylen R’17, senior Theo, during this time of recovery and healing.
For Julie Sommers, STARS Life Academy instructor, who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
For all of our Roncalli family who are experiencing extra stress during this unusual and uncertain time. God please comfort them and provide them Your peace and understanding.
For Dave Mansfield, the father-in-law of Ben North, Chemistry instructor, who battles with cancer and is recovering from surgery.
For Fr. John Hollowell R’97, son of Dr. Joseph Hollowell, President of Roncalli, as he recovers from surgery.
For Bernie Weimer, Sacred Heart graduate class of ‘59 and Roncalli band director 1970's-80's, who is struggling with health issues and is recovering from an accident.
For Monsignor Tony Volz as he battles health issues.
For God’s blessings and mercy upon Archbishop Charles Thompson and his ministry in shepherding the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.
For those who struggle to find adequate food, clothing, shelter, and medical services and for those most in need of God’s mercy.
For healing of body, mind and spirit for all people dealing with depression, addiction or mental health issues.
For strength and healing for all those fighting off life-threatening illness and for their families and caregivers.
For the men and women of our armed forces and their families, especially our Roncalli High School alums who are serving in the military.
For our Roncalli alums preparing for a religious vocation as a priest, religious woman or missionary.
For vocations to the priesthood, religious life and missionary field, and that Roncalli High School and its families will provide a nurturing environment that fosters and supports these vocations.