RSD Community Newsletter
June 2023
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END OF A WONDERFUL SCHOOL YEAR
Dear Rochester Community,
It is hard to believe that we have reached the end of another remarkable school year. As June arrives, we bid farewell to a year filled with growth, achievement, and cherished memories. Before we embark into our summer, let us take a moment to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of our graduates.
Last week, we had the honor of recognizing 142 remarkable young adults who have completed their high school journey. To the class of 2023, we extend our warmest congratulations!
There is something magical about graduation ceremonies - a sense of pride and joy fills the air as we watch our kids walk across the stage ready for the next chapter of their lives. As we celebrate the successes of our graduates, let us also acknowledge the invaluable role our community plays in nurturing our kids growth and providing a foundation for their dreams to flourish. It really takes a community to take care of our kids. Thank you!
While some may view this time of year as an ending, I see it as a new beginning. As the school year ends, we welcome the arrival of summer, a season of rejuvenation and preparation. It is during this time that our dedicated educators and staff will be working diligently to ensure that the upcoming school year is even more enriching for our students. Summer provides us with the opportunity to reflect, refine our strategies, and make plans to continue to meet the needs of our students.
Whether it is a family vacation, engaging in a favorite hobby, or simply enjoying the warmth of the sun, I hope you all have a good summer.
Warm regards,
Jennifer Bethman
Superintendent
IMPORTANT DATES
Aug. 16 - MS & HS Football Practice Begins
Aug. 21 - Practice begins for all other MS & HS Fall Sports
Aug. 31, Sept. 1 & 2 - Student Success Conference
Sept. 6 - First Day of School
Dec. 18-Jan 2 - Winter Break
April 1-5 - Spring Break
SWEDE DAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 17
Tomorrow, come out and join the Rochester community at Swede Day. Many Rochester students are participating in the Swede Day Parade. It starts at 11:00 am and will travel down Hwy 12 in front of Rochester Middle School. Before the parade, come say hello to the Rochester School District team at the trailer in front of RMS. After the parade, make your way to Swede Hall for food, fund, and vendors.
WELCOME RHS PRINCIPAL
Welcome Mr. Kevin Theonnes - RHS Principal
Mr. Kevin Thonnes was selected to be the next RHS Principal. He replaces Dr. Michael Smith who joined the RHS team in 2020.
Mr. Kevin Thonnes grew up in Redmond, Washington. He is married to Pearl, a retired teacher of 27 years. They have two daughters one who just graduated from the University of California Berkeley and his youngest who is 12 years old. Kevin has spent many years in Alaska as an administrator and last year was an administrator at Aberdeen High School.
Mr. Theonnes is excited to begin his work at RHS and looks forward to working with the high school students, parents, and staff.
ACCESS BEYOND THE FENCES
Walking Paths, Playgrounds, and Fields Open when School Isn't in Session
Fences have been installed around the exterior of all our schools. During the school day, when students are present, gates are closed and locked to add a prevention barrier to help keep our kids safe. The fences also provide additional access control and enable natural surveillance.
After school dismissal, the walking gates are opened to access the GMES playground and middle and high school fields. When school is not in session, the fields are open for community members to access.
If you have an organized event or athletic team needing to use the fields, please reserve the facilities on the Rochester School District webpage - Use of Facilities.
RHS FOOTBALL FIELD CLOSED FOR SUMMER
Football Field Closed for Growth Maintenance
The high school football field is closed from June 13 - September 1 so the grass has time to grow, fill in, and get strong prior to the fall sports season. Our home field gets a lot of use. In the fall, we have three high school football teams and two soccer teams needing access to the field, and the grass needs to be game ready. If the field is not in good condition, we risk umpires canceling games. As a result, this summer the field is closed for maintenance. In the fall, it will be used for competition play only. When possible we need to limit the events on the field to no more than 15 hours of competition play a week to ensure the field is game ready. That will be a challenge for all the teams who need field time. The high school practice fields are being upgraded and will be available.
BOOKS FOR KIDS
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
Imagination Library is an initiative led by Dolly Parton that provides books for children who are under the age of five. After registration, a free book will be mailed to them every month. Rochester kids, ages 1-4, are eligible. Parents may sign up for this opportunity through a short application at Imagination Library.
K-8 SUMMER LEARNING OPPORTUNITY
iReady Summer Splash!!
It is not too late to register your K-8 student for iReady Summer Splash. You will need your own computer, Chromebook, or tablet. Students complete iReady lessons for prizes throughout the summer. For students who pass 30 lessons, there will be a huge iReady Summer Splash party on Wednesday, August 16th. To participate in the program sign up HERE.
Access the Flyer with more information.
6-12 SUMMER LEARNING OPPORTUNITY
Summer Learning Resources from PAPER!
PAPER has provided some summer activities students could work during summer break. This is entirely optional but if you would like to help your son/daughter extend their learning this summer here are a few resources. These activities will also help students learn more about how to use PAPER so they will be more comfortable accessing the support during the school year.
Students in grades 6-12 can access Paper tutoring by logging in HERE and utilizing their Rochester School District email/google login.
SUMMER MEALS
Snacks and Lunch Available at ROOF
Free summer meals are available at ROOF Community Services (10140 Hwy 12 SW, Rochester, behind the district office). Child must be present and must eat the meal on-site.
Snacks Available June 25-August 25, 3:40 pm to 4:00 pm (No Service on July 4)
Lunch Available July 10 -August 25, 11:30 am to 12:00 pm
RETIREMENTS
Thank You Retirees for Your Years of Service to Rochester!
Congratulations to Rose Cunningham (you may remember her Ms. Farrar), Susan Tontz, and Kimberle Schiff on their retirements! Together they have worked for many years in the Rochester School District making a difference for many students.
Rose Cunningham (Rose Farrar) worked in the district for 38 years. She was at Grand Mound Elementary all of that time. Think of the number of students she has impacted. Well over 1000!! Thank you Rose for your dedication to Rochester students and families.
In 2005, Susan Tontz began working in Rochester as a substitute EA. She quickly became a full time EA in the Special Education department where she worked with our younger students. Most recently she spent time in the Transitional Kindergarten program at RPS. Susan, thank you for spending 18 years supporting Rochester students.
Kimberle Schiff is retiring after spending six years in the district. She was the psychologist who worked with students, staff and families from RPS, RMS and RHS. Thank you Kimberle for the time you spent in Rochester!
DISTRICT & COMMUNITY INFORMATION IN PEACHJAR
Sign Up For PeachJar Announcements
Or you can see all the active flyers on the Rochester School District PeachJar site.
Online Kindergarten Registration is Now Open!!
Online kindergarten registration for incoming fall 2023 students is underway. If your child will attend kindergarten with us in the fall, make sure they get registered soon. To learn more about the registration process or registrar, please visit our Kindergarten Registration webpage.
If you have questions about the registration process or need assistance (help with the online registration, access to WIFI, use of a device, assistance scanning documents, etc...), please contact the RISE Center at 360.858.1818. To support our Latino families, bilingual staff are available to assist. Parents should be prepared to upload images of their child’s birth certificate and immunization records to complete the registration process.
Children who will be 5 years old on or before Aug. 31, 2023, are eligible to register as an incoming kindergartener for the next school year.
BOARD RECAP: May 25, 2023
The Rochester School Board held a regular meeting Thursday, May 25. The meeting included presentations on the buidling School Improvement Plans by the district's principals. A presentation was also provided by Athletic Director, Mr. Jurke recapping spring sports. Collective Bargaining Agreements with the Teamsters (Custodial & Maintenance) and RESP (Classified) were approved. Board Policy 3424 Opioid Related Overdose Reversal had a 1st Reading. The replacement cost for the roof on the Old Gym and removal of Asbestos from inside the gym were approved as a Capital Project. And the board approved the purchase of a new curriculum for 6-12 English Language Arts and an Elementary Spanish Language Arts curriculum (Grant Funded) which will be used in the Dual Language program that begins in September 2023.
The next school board meeting is on June 28, 2023, at 6:30 pm. A recording of meetings can be found at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo-mrEr2O9h2loBhFq_fLIA.
THINGS TO DO THIS SUMMER
Summer Activities
WA State Parks
Free on19th and Sept 23rd – Entrance into STATE PARKS is free on June 19 and Sept. 23.
National Parks
Free on August 4 and Sept. 23rd - Entrance into NATIONAL PARKS is free on Aug. 4 and Sept. 23.
THIRD THURSDAYS in Tacoma!
- June 15th, July 20th, and August 17th – 3 PM – 8 PM Washington State History Museum Free Third Thursday (Downtown Tacoma). Park in the city parking structure near the Tacoma Dome and ride the LINK rail for free.
- 5 PM – 8 PM Tacoma Art Museum Free EVERY Thursday Evening (Near the WSHM too!)
- 5 PM – 8 PM Museum of Glass (Tacoma) Free THIRD Thursday (June 15th, July 20th and August 17th - Near TAM and WSHM!) Make an evening of hitting all 3!!!
- EBT Quest Card holders – look at their websites for other great deals on other days.
Hands-On Children’s Museum – Olympia (HOCM)
HOCM entrance is $2 off when purchased online. EBT discounts also availabel.
WET Science Center in Olympia (Water Education and Technology)
Entrance is FREE and open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 – 4:00. Located across the street from HOCM, so visit both! WET Science Center
Seattle Museum of Flight
Free First Thursdays! Free from 5:00 – 9:00 PM on the first Thursday of each month. Walk on the Concorde AND an old Air Force One!
Timberland Library
Get a Timberland Library Card! There are tons of great things you’ll get access to, including BOOKS! Get novel ideas, attend kid and teen programs, and earn free stuff!
Really Low Tides in Olympia
Tides will be really low on the dates below. It is a great time to do some beachcombing.
- Sun, July 2nd, 11:30
- Mon, July 3rd, 12:20 PM
- Tue, July 4th, 1:00 PM
- Wed, July 5th, 2:00 PM
- Thurs, July 6th, 2:45 PM.
State Capital
Go the Washington State capital in Olympia any day. There are free tours on weekends!
Lewis Military Museum
Addmission to the Lewis Army Museum is Free Admission and open 10:00 - 5:00 PM, Wednesday I-5 at exit 120 (just passed DuPont). “fortlewismuseum.com” No longer requires Ft. Lewis visitors pass.
JBLM – McChord and Ft. Lewis
USAF Thunderbird Air Show!!! See the F-16s doing amazing stuff for FREE on July 15th and 16th at JBLM. Gates open at 9:00 AM both days. There will be tons of ground displays of airplanes and army stuff, as well as a bunch of different flying demos all day, each day.
McChord Air Museum
McChord Air Museum has FREE Admission and open 12:00 – 4:00 PM, Tuesday – Friday. I-5 at exit 125 and go east about a mile to the main gate. Plan ahead and do Lewis and McChord on the same day!
Chehalis Veteran's Museum
Chehalis Veteran's Museum is more interesting than most people would think. Open Tues-Sat, 10:00-5:00. Family entry is $20.
Thank you Mr. Maus (RMS Principal) for putting together this list of summer activities for us all to explore!
Non Discrimination Statement
Rochester School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, the use of a trained guide dog or service animal, or any other basis prohibited by law. We also provide equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:
Civil Rights Coordinator: Jennifer Bethman (360) 273-9242, jbethman@rochester.wednet.edu
Title IX Coordinator: Will Maus (360) 273-5958, wmaus@rochester.wednet.edu
504/ADA Coordinator: Laura Staley (360) 273-5536, lstaley@rochester.wednet.edu
Address: 10140 Highway 12 SW, Rochester, WA 98579.
Rochester School District is an Equal Opportunity School District. If you need interpretation of this document, please call the RISE Center at 360.858.1818.You can also select the Translate option at the top of the page to select a language for translation.
El distrito escolar de Rochester es un distrito escolar que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades. Si necesita interpretación de este documento, llame al Centro RISE al 360.858.1818. También puede seleccionar la opción Traducir en la parte superior de la pagina para seleccionar un idioma para la traducción.