RONCALLI HIGH SCHOOL WEEKLY NEWSLETTER - August 13, 2021
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
THURSDAY, AUGUST 19
The second most energy filled adult activity of the school year (behind Grandparents’ Day) is our annual Back to School Night, which will be held on Thursday, August 19. Registration begins at 6:00 PM with the formal program beginning at 6:30 PM in the Ascension St. Vincent Gymnasium. After a brief program in the family room, you will move through an abbreviated version of your child’s schedule and have the chance to meet each of your child’s teachers. Annually, our parents have come out in record numbers and thoroughly enjoyed their opportunity to be back in high school for one evening. This is an important night for our parents. Please be sure to be with us! FREE Roncalli yard signs will be available!
BOYS VOLLEYBALL AND COACH KESTERSON RECEIVE AWARD
Roncalli boys volleyball and coach John Kesterson are the recipients of the 2021 USMC/AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Association) Team Academic Award. Coach Kesterson was a critical anchor for his team during an unprecedented year. He led his team to exceed the benchmark of an average 3.3 GPA. This past year the average GPA of the team was 3.7! Congratulations to Coach Kesterson and the Roncalli boys volleyball team!
HART ATTENDS FBI YOUTH LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
Senior Makensy Hart was selected to attend the FBI Youth Leadership Academy over the summer. Makensy had to complete an application process and submit an essay... she was selected out of hundreds of candidates!
Makensy learned about the FBI's history, mission, investigative programs, careers, use of deadly force, firearms training simulator, Evidence Response Team, and she got to visit with the SWAT team. Another proud Royal Moment!
MURPHY AAU VOLLEYBALL ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN
Congratulations to senior Olivia Murphy. Olivia was just named an AAU Volleyball Academic All-American!
MUSICAL AUDITIONS
Auditions for the musical, Holiday Inn will take place Tuesday, August 24 and Wednesday, August 25. Audition sign ups are available outside the Box Office.
Your audition selection should be a musical theatre piece no longer than one minute. We will have an accompanist to play your sheet music or you can play a music track which you will need to provide. Please do not sing with the artist on the track… background music only. Your audition group will also learn and perform a dance audition piece.
Audition and tech forms are located outside the box office. Bring completed audition forms with you to your audition. Tech forms go in the box outside the box office and are due Thursday, August 26 by 3:00.
If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Bohn or Mr. Newton.
REQUIRED PERMISSION SLIP
Attention all parents and guardians, every student must have an up to date permission slip on file at Roncalli. Please click here to access and complete the permission form by Monday, August 26. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. John Hasty, Assistant Principal for Student Life.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN
Roncalli High School works with local law enforcement officials continuously reviewing and updating our Emergency Preparedness Plan based on best practices learned from school experiences all across the country. Law enforcement has shared with us that a review of some school shootings shows that they have taken place during the time period in the morning prior to the start of school when students, teachers and staff are arriving on campus and entering the school. They (law enforcement) have recommended that we collect student cell phone numbers so that we can communicate directly with students if an emergency situation exists in the time period leading up to the start of school when we may have students in the parking lot, driving into school, etc.
NOTE: The school's only use of these numbers will be for emergency notification.
During the week of August 23, we are going to begin collecting freshman students' cell phone numbers. Please notify Tim Crissman our Dean of Students if you as parents do not wish for Roncalli to have your child's cell phone number.
TRAFFIC UPDATE
Thank you to everyone for your patience during the first days of school. It will probably take another week or so for all students and families to figure out what works best for them in the morning and in the afternoon, so continued patience is appreciated.
Helpful Hint - The amount of traffic entering the campus in the morning from the north (LaSalle Street) is significantly lighter than that entering the campus from the south (Prague Road). Families that live west of Madison Avenue should strongly consider using Thompson Road as your east/west road and accessing campus from LaSalle Street. Other ways to minimize your traffic challenges before and/or after school include the following:
- Dropping off your student in the morning between 6:50 AM and 7:10 AM might allow you to miss substantial traffic.
- Picking up your student in the afternoon at 3:30 PM or after will allow you to miss a great deal of traffic.
- Please do not block the entrance ramp to St. Jude’s parking lot that is off of Prague Road; this can lead to total gridlock!
Our police officers ask that you please be attentive to their instructions/directions. Again, the first few days will present some unique challenges as everyone adapts to traffic flow, timing, etc.
2021 YEARBOOKS AVAILABLE
There are still 2021 yearbooks available for purchase from the main office if your student would like one. They are $75 and checks should be made out to Roncalli High School.
All those who bought one and didn't pick it up yet were sent an email Wednesday. They can be picked up in the main office or in room 109. If you have a question please email Julie Albertson.
FROM RONCALLI STU CO
Save the date for August 23-27 for the Canned Food Drive!
HOMECOMING POST GAME PARTY TICKETS
The Homecoming party is back! Join us on Friday, September 24. The fun starts immediately after the halftime presentations.
We will have snacks, a cash bar and music by Train Wreck! Get your $10 ticket today in the Roncalli Advancement Office. Questions can be directed to Fran Davey.
𝙈𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙗𝙚 21 𝙤𝙧 𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙙
GRANDPARENTS DAY RETURNS
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2021, 8:30 AM - NOON
Roncalli High School is excited to announce that our school’s very special celebration of Grandparents Day is back and will be held on Friday, September 3. Even better news is that after having to limit attendance in previous years, we now are able to invite grandparents of all of our students to join us thanks to the spacious nature of our new Ascension St. Vincent Gymnasium.
Learn More
DETAILS
The format this year will include an opening program just for grandparents followed by an all school liturgy and conclude with grandparents going to class with their grandchild.
Grandparents and all students will be dismissed at noon so that those that wish to enjoy lunch together may do so.
Registration for this year’s Grandparents Day will be done electronically through the link provided below. Anyone (grandparents, parents, grandchildren) can access the link and complete the registration. There will be no invitation letter or paper registration this year. Any grandparents who wish to be a part of our celebration this year must submit the following information (name, address, email, cell phone number) through the link. We will send a follow-up reminder email with details two weeks prior to the event.
SCHOOL CHOICE EXPANSION
Your child! Your choice! Your dollars!
Check the income criteria below - Estimates indicate that between 80-90% of families will qualify.
Indiana Choice Scholarships pay $5,500 - $6,500 of your child’s Roncalli tuition!
Please contact Director of Tuition Assistance, Amy Kuntz at akuntz@roncalli.org or 317.787.8277 ext. 278 if you have any questions or want to explore your options.
Choose your school, choose Roncalli.
CHOICE SCHOLARSHIP (VOUCHER)
DEADLINE AUGUST 31ST
A mailing went out to all families that have an approved Choice Scholarship Voucher for the 2021/22 school year on Wednesday 7/7/21. If you received this mailing, please sign and return the forms and your voucher will be secured for this school year.
If you think you qualify for a Choice Scholarship Voucher and you did NOT receive a letter in the mail with your voucher approval or haven’t worked with Amy to sign the papers in the last 3 weeks, please call or email Amy Kuntz 317-787-8277 ext 278 so we can obtain the necessary paperwork and file your voucher. Guidelines for the Indiana Choice Scholarship Voucher Program can be found here.
DEADLINE AUGUST 31ST
HEARING SCREENING
The Marion County Public Health Department will be at Roncalli to administer the state mandated hearing screening services for sophomores on Thursday, August 26. A parent/guardian has the right to decline this service for your child. If you do not want the health department to conduct a hearing screening for your sophomore child, please email Andi Baker or call 317-787-8277, ext. 221 in the main office.
PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
All economics students will be participating in a Community Poverty Simulation and we need 20 parent volunteers to run this event. We will be working in the Bishop Chartrand Gymnasium (old gym) on September 9, from 7:30 AM - 3 PM. If you are available and interested in joining this experience, please contact Betsy Strader for further information.
NEWS FROM THE RONCALLI CAFETERIA
This school year, all students will be eligible for free meals (breakfast and lunch). However, we still encourage our families to apply for the free or reduced benefit which will determine if your family is eligible for textbook assistance and other benefits. The online application portal opened Monday, July 26. Go to mymealtime.com and find the link that says Mealtime Apply Online. Some families have already received letters from us stating that they are eligible for free or reduced meals. If you have received such a letter, you do not have to fill out an application.
If you have a question about the application process, please call our cafeteria office at (317)788-4099.
TRANSPORTATION NEWS
WE CAN HELP YOU!
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).
- 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.
Learn More
We have the following RHS 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.
- Needs ride in the morning on Tuesdays and needs ride home every afternoon (135 and Smith Valley)
- Needs ride to and from school (Morgantown and Smokey Row)
- Needs ride to and from school (Thompson and Keystone)
- Needs ride to school (Somerset Neighborhood in Bargersville - could meet at SFSC in morning)
- Needs ride home from school daily (Main Street in Greenwood between US 31 and 135)
- Needs ride home from school daily (Arlington and Thompson)
- Needs ride home 3-4 times a week (Center Grove area)
GUIDANCE CORNER
THE GUIDANCE BLAST HAS MOVED!
The Roncalli Guidance Blast has a new spot online. Please click below for the new and improved GUIDANCE BLAST!
Learn More
COOKIES WITH COUNSELORS AT BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT
Join us on Back to School Night for Cookies with the Counselors! All school counselors will be available to share cookies and introduce ourselves in the cafeteria during your student’s lunch/study period. We look forward to chatting with you!
SAVE-THE-DATE!
An Evening with College Reps. Monday, August 23
We are excited to again host An Evening with College Representatives in person on August 23 starting at 7:00 PM! This event is open to all grade levels and parents are encouraged to attend with your students!
SAVE THE DATE
Get ready to celebrate together! Mark your calendars for the Circle of Faith Distinction Dinner, September 23, 2021!
Visit https://giving.roncalli.org/ for more information.
RONCALLI SUBSTITUTE TEACHER SEARCH
Join the GREAT Royal Family!
Roncalli High School is looking for additional substitute teachers:
- faith-filled individuals
- who love working with the future of tomorrow
- We have great leaders!
- We have great teachers!
- We have a great support staff!
- We have great students!
- We have great subs!
- We have a great school!
If you are interested in being a SUBSTITUTE TEACHER and joining the GREAT Roncalli Royal Family, then contact Jeff Small.
VACCINATION INFORMATION FOR TEENS
KROGER REWARDS MAKES A DIFFERENCE!
Every little bit counts! Take a look at the great benefits Roncalli receives when you shop at Kroger with your Kroger rewards card. Make sure you have your card associated with Roncalli’s code AS409. In 2018, Roncalli’s rewards totalled $7,315.87. See the link at the bottom of the newsletter, or click here, choose “I’m a Customer,” and type in Roncalli’s code AS409 to link your rewards to benefit our school.
SPRING BREAK & MORATORIUM WEEK 2022
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 24. School will resume at 7:30 AM on Monday, April 4.
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 2022 Moratorium Week for the summer of 2022 will be from July 4 - July 8. 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.
NATIVITY AUGUSTRAVAGANZA!
Join us August 13-14th for Nativity's annual festival! Featured events include kids' games, live music, festival rides, food tent, catered dinners (Friday Mexican Fiesta and Saturday pulled pork), Silly Safari, Baby Crawl, raffle, bingo, Monte Carlo, beer tent, and tours of our beautiful newly renovated church! Preview events on Thursday night include a Cupcakes and Canvas painting event and a beer tasting competition. Plenty of volunteer opportunities for high school service hours! Saturday mass will be at 4PM. Check out all the details here.
License #000754
It’s time to end youth vaping!
Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine
PLEASE PRAY
- For Dennis Stephenson Hon’93, who is battling serious health issues.
- For Bill Mullen Hon’14, who is battling serious health issues.
- For Kathy Tinder, long time teacher at Roncalli, who continues to battle serious 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.
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