For unto us a child was born. The Messiah who saves the world. May your Christmas be as great as ever in the light of the Savior’s love!
All of us at Roncalli High School wish you, your family and all your loved ones a joyous and merry Christmas and a safe, fulfilling new year!
RONCALLI HIGH SCHOOL WEEKLY NEWSLETTER - December 18, 2020
A Christmas Prayer From St. John XXIII
O sweet child of Bethlehem,
Grant that we may share with all of our hearts
In this profound mystery of Christmas.
Put into the hearts of men and women this peace
For which they sometimes seek so desperately
And which you alone can give to them.
Help them to know one another better,
And to live as brothers and sisters,
Children of the same Father.
Reveal to them also your beauty, holiness and purity.
Awaken in their hearts love and gratitude for your infinite goodness.
Join them all together in your love.
And give us your heavenly peace.
Pope John XXIII (Cardinal Angelo Roncalli)
PLANS FOR SECOND SEMESTER
Please click below to access the announcement for how Roncalli will start the second semester with regard to the delivery of instruction.
SCHOOL UNIFORM/FACE MASKS UPDATE
In August we opened the school year with a number of unknown variables one of which was how long everyone in the school building would be required to wear a face mask. Given that it is most likely the mask requirement will be with us through the end of the school year we are making a few adjustments to our face mask policy for the second semester.
The face mask is seen as a part of the required school uniform. As such our intent is to provide students with options while also having some uniformity. Beginning with the start of the second semester on Monday, January 18, 2021, and until further notice a student’s face mask must comply with one of the following options:
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- A Roncalli facemask
- A solid colored facemask with no other markings on it (this includes one time use facemasks)
A student not in compliance with the face mask rule will be subject to a referral to the Dean’s Office similar to any other type of school uniform infraction.
The school’s main office will continue to supply masks for students who arrive at school without a mask or whose mask breaks during the school day.
Please direct any questions to our Dean of Students, Tim Crissman.
We appreciate everyone’s understanding and support as we move through these unprecedented times.
OUTSTANDING STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
The outstanding students for the month of November are the following:
Hunter Burge
Cole Elzea
Fletcher Hooten
Georgia Reed
Israel Reyes
Ries Schilten
Grace Sipe
McKenna Spearing
Josh Staehler
Jackson Straumins
Claire Wagner
Each department selected students who excelled in their area during the month of November which included Business and Technology, Communications, English, Fine Arts, Health and Physical Education, Industrial Technology, Math, Science, Social Studies, STARS Program, Theology and World Languages. A recognition luncheon will be held for them when we return in January.
TOY DRIVE FOR ANNA’S HOUSE
Last Monday, Roncalli students and staff representing athletic teams, youth ministry and performing arts collected over 1,200 toys for children in need this Christmas. Roncalli partnered with Anna’s House for the annual Roncalli Toy Drive. The circle was lit and decorated by the students as over 200 vehicles drove around the circle to drop off toys. According to Julie Molloy of Anna’s House, this was Roncalli’s most successful toy drive in 25 plus years of partnering together!
Jeff Traylor, Director of Campus Ministry, said, “Special thanks to the Athletic Department for partnering with Campus Ministry on this. What a representation of how service and compassion for others really drives our athletic programs to truly develop the whole young person! Also a huge shout out to the drama club, boys and girls cross country, who brought a live band to perform Christmas music, the girls volley-elves, girls basketball, boys and girls lacrosse, girls soccer, softball and gymnastics teams who came out, supported the event, and did all of the tough work!”
MY STORY, R FAMILY SERIES
Another sibling video, we love these! This week's My Story, R Family video comes to us from Abbie and Sofie Carr, current seniors and St. Barnabas parishioners. Getting to attend Roncalli with a sibling is pretty special, and that gets even more elevated when the siblings are twins. They have each brought so much to the Roncalli family, and you can tell through this video the love they have for each other and our school.
For more information on the school and all we have to offer, please visit roncalli.org.
BAND CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Below is the link to this year's Band Christmas concert. You may need to download it before playing Enjoy!
Virtual Tour
Nothing can replace an in-person campus tour, but these images are the next best thing. See some of the highlights tour guides share on their guided campus tours and check out Roncalli academic facilities.
RONCALLI HIGH SCHOOL APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION
Roncalli is excited to welcome the Class of 2025 next fall! As a reminder, the Application for Admission is now available online. You CAN fill out the application before your student takes the High School Placement Test.
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Once the application is complete and the $100 registration fee is received, you may continue the registration process. For those who have not been in a South Deanery Catholic grade school for grades seven and eight, those next steps will include scheduling an admissions interview for Saturday, January 9 (limited space available). For all others, it will be scheduling your appointment to meet with your student's counselor to create their freshman year schedule. Please email Director of Admissions Allie Ross or call (317) 787-8277, ext. 243 with any questions.
RONCALLI MEDIA NETWORK
Your place to see and hear Roncalli sports action! Check out upcoming broadcasted events on the calendar.
FREE BULK BREAKFAST AND LUNCH MEALS
During the time our students are at home synchronous learning, the Roncalli Cafeteria is offering our students free breakfasts and free lunches for School Days. If your family is interested in 4 breakfasts and 4 lunches for the week of January 4th, 2021, please complete this form and submit by 3:00 PM on Tuesday, December 29th. This is to ensure we have enough food, milk and orange juice for everyone that requests them.
If you choose to sign up for the January 4th distribution, you can pick up the meals in the cafeteria from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Please enter the building at Door #10. (Due to No School on January 4th, we will be distributing 4 meals for Tuesday-Friday.)
If you have any questions, please email Food Service Director Jeff Richardson or call (317)788-4099. Please consider participating in this offering. The Roncalli Cafeteria receives funding for the meals through the US Department of Agriculture.
“CELEBRATE RONCALLI”
VOLUNTEER CALL OUT!
SAVE THE DATE: APRIL 24, 2021
We are looking for a committee of enthusiastic volunteers to help plan our celebration of Roncalli. This is our annual gala that raises funds for tuition assistance. The night traditionally consists of dinner, drinks, silent and live auctions, raffles, student entertainment and fun. If you can help or have an item to donate for the silent or live auction, please email Jeen Endris.
ABOVE AND BEYOND
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Congratulations to sophomore wrestler Bryce Lowery who was recognized as the Above and Beyond Player of the Week by Coach McClurg and Jersey Mike’s Subs! Lowery has an undefeated record 10-0 this season, 8 wins by fall, one win by tech fall and one win by forfeit. He has not given up a single offensive point to an opponent this season. Way to go, Bryce!
CIRCLE OF FAITH ANNUAL FUND
We prayerfully ask that you consider a gift to this year's Circle of Faith campaign.
PRE-ORDER 2020-21 YEARBOOK
The 2020-21 yearbook is now available for pre-order, and what a great Christmas gift it would be for your Roncalli student! Go to roncalli.org/yearbook to order online. Yearbooks are $60 until February 15 when the price goes up to $75. Questions may be directed to Mrs. Julie Albertson.
CORPORATE SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES!
Roncalli offers a comprehensive winter season Corporate Sponsor program that supports our students in several exciting ways, including tuition assistance and broadcasting opportunities. There are many benefits in sponsoring and supporting Roncalli. Your company will be exposed to other like-minded businesses that also support Roncalli. Almost 1,100 students, 125 faculty and staff, an alumni base of over 13,500 and thousands of Roncalli parents, relatives and friends will have an opportunity to see your business ad at some point during the school year. Our newest opportunity will include signage opportunities in the Ascension St. Vincent Gymnasium and on our YouTube broadcasts. Space will be limited so if your business is interested in supporting Roncalli through Walkathon, Roncalli Media Network, Rebel 5ive podcast, Celebrate Roncalli (formerly Rebelation) or brand new opportunities in Roncalli’s newest multiple use facility, Ascension St. Vincent Gymnasium, please email Gary Armbruster or call 317-525-7046.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO HELP
HOW TO TAKE CARE
DURING E-LEARNING
GREETINGS FROM GUIDANCE
Zoo Opportunity
Are you looking for some service opportunities, help our community, improve your mental health, or potentially expand your career opportunities? The Indianapolis Zoo is looking for Zoo Teen Volunteers. The deadline to apply is December 31st.
Learn more about the opportunity
here.
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PSAT Scores Available!
Students received their PSAT results via email this week.They will be able to access the scores by going to CollegeBoard.org and signing into their account. If your student is a freshman or does not already have an account, see these instructions for information on how to create one. The instructions also explain how students can access personalized study materials for the SAT through Khan Academy.
Students who want their test booklet can pick it up from the Guidance Office during AM or PM office hours in December or when we return to school in person in January. Feel free to contact your child's school counselor if you have questions!
Registration Opens January 4th
Registration for the 2021-22 school year will open for all returning students Monday, January 4, 2021!
Scheduling Process for 2021-2022 School Year Kicks Off
Between January 5 and January 8, all current freshmen, sophomores and juniors will receive preliminary scheduling materials for the 2021-2022 school year, including new course information, prerequisites, a tentative master schedule, applications for AP classes, and an 8 period day form. Students are asked to bring these materials home so that students and parents can discuss next year's coursework. If/When students have course conflicts (using the tentative master schedule), be sure to alert your counselor immediately. It is best for students to reach out to their counselor before January 31 if they have any questions regarding the process.
We encourage all parents to use this time as an opportunity to discuss course selection with their child as well as possible college and career interests as they can impact course selection decisions. A reminder that most colleges/universities list as their top admission priority that students take the most challenging, rigorous coursework within their range, and that the student then performs well within that coursework.
Register Now for the February ACT at Roncalli
All college-bound juniors are encouraged to sign up now to take the ACT at Roncalli on February 6. This is the perfect opportunity to take this standardized test with the “home court advantage”. Register at act.org . The registration deadline is January 8.
ACT Preparation
Want to do all you can to prepare to take the ACT in February? Roncalli will host a ZAPS test prep seminar on January 25 and 26 right after school. ZAPS instructors are ACT test specialists. They're thoroughly trained in not only the topics covered in the ACT, but also on the ins and outs of taking the ACT test. Students who have taken the ZAPS seminars consistently improve their scores by 2-4 points and often more! Those points could be the difference makers when qualifying for and earning college scholarships! Visit the Doorway To College website to learn more and register for this invaluable strategy seminar! The discounted cost for this two day seminar is $95.00!
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.
END OF THE YEAR
CIRCLE OF FAITH ANNUAL FUND
PLEASE PRAY
- For the repose of the soul of Arthor Sims, grandfather of junior Allyson Biltz. May God comfort his family during this difficult time.
- For the repose of the soul of Carl Gibbs, grandfather of sophomore Lucy and freshman Paige Gibbs. May God comfort his family during this difficult time.
- For the repose of the soul of Roland Litz, grandfather of senior Evan Coffman and father of Rachael Coffman R’93. May God comfort his family during this difficult time.
- For the repose of the soul of Mary Catherine Fitzgerald Hoffmann, grandmother of Taylor R’12, Luke R’14 and mother of Jenny Randol R’86, Roncalli concession stand coordinator, choir and band uniform seamstress. May God comfort her family during this difficult time.
- For Rosemary Delph, grandmother and guardian of sophomore Ravyn Bond, who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. May God provide her with strength and comfort during this difficult time.
- For retired, long time school secretary, Donna Smith Hon’95, who will be undergoing a battery of serious tests.
- For Ashley Fernandez Cross, wife of the boys lacrosse coach Sean Cross, who suffered a brain aneurysm this week. We pray for her family and God’s gift of strength during this time of recovery and healing.
- For Kara Cissell Roell R‘93 who is fighting aggressive cancer. May God provide her strength and comfort during this trying time.
- For former student Arthur Koehl, who continues to recover from a serious injury in an automobile accident, and for his mother Tamara and brothers Jaylen R’17, senior Theo, during this time of recovery and healing.
- For Ann Strykowski, mother of Chris Strykowski Roncalli History department and varsity assistant football coach, who is battling health issues.
- For Eric Davis R’04 who is battling Stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
- For Robin Barna, father of Sarah Rose, Roncalli Science Department, who is battling with 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 God’s blessings and mercy upon Archbishop Charles Thompson and his ministry in shepherding the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.
- For a safe, joyous celebration of Christmas for all Christians around the world!
- For a safe, relaxing Christmas break for all in the Roncalli Family!
- For those celebrating Christmas for the first time without a loved one.
- 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.
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