RSD Community Newsletter
August 4, 2023
WELCOME TO THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR!
Hello -
As staff return from their summer vacations they are preparing to welcome back our students and families for the 2023-2024 school year. We are excited to begin a new year of growth and celebration as we lean into learning.
In this newsletter, I hope to provide you with information you may need as you and your children prepare for the new school year. Read through the newsletter to learn more about back-to-school resources and district news.
The first day of classes for students is Tuesday, September 5. Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten (TK) students with last names of A-L attend on Tuesday (9/5), Kindergarten and TK students with last names of M-Z attend on Wednesday (9/6) and all Kindergarten students attend on Thursday (9/7). REIP students begin school on Monday, September 11.
Enjoy the remaining days of summer vacation. We will see you at school in a few weeks.
Go Warriors!
Jennifer Bethman
Superintendent
August/September Calendar Dates
The first day of classes for students is September 5 however August is filled with activities to prepare for a great school year. Below are dates to be aware of:
August 16 - Football Practice Begins
August 21 - Kindergarten Round-Up, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
August 21 - Volleyball, Girls Soccer, X-Country, Girls Swimming and Boys Golf Begin Practice
August 23 - Back to School Supplies at ROOF on the District Office Campus, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
August 24 - 6th Grade Jumpstart
August 24 - 9th Grade Freshman Orientation
August 30 & 31- Student Success Conferences
September 1 - First Home Football Game
September 5 - First Day of Classes
September 5 - Kindergarten & Transitional Kindergarten (TK), Students Last Names A-L Attend
September 6 - Kindergarten & Transitional Kindergarten (TK), Students Last Names M-Z Attend
September 8 - Back to School Bash, District Event at GMES from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
September 11 - REIP First Day of School
September 14 - First Home Volleyball Game
School Hours
School Offices Open
August 17
Student School Day
Rochester Primary School - 9:00 to 3:30
Grand Mound Elementary School - 9:00 to 3:30
Rochester Middle School - 7:30 to 2:10
Rochester High School - 7:45 to 2:25
Beginning September 15, school dismisses early every Friday for Academic Collaboration Time (ACT). Please see the ACT Friday dismissal schedule on the building's webpage under the "About Us" tab. September 8 is NOT an early dismissal ACT Friday.
See the Rochester School District Academic Calendar for more specifics on the calendar dates.
School Supplies
All basic school supplies will be provided for RSD students. Items include supplies such as paper, pencils, pens, crayons, glue, erasers, scissors, rulers, binders, notebooks, highlighters, etc...
Students will need a backpack. You may purchase one on your own or select a backpack from those available at school during Student Success Conferences (August 30, 31, and September 1).
At times, earbuds will be used during school. Students will be supplied with earbuds or may bring their own.
School Meals
Students in grades 6-12 will be charged for their breakfast and lunch meals in the 2023-2024 school year. Beginning the end of August, families may add money to their child's meal account through Skyward.
The universal free lunch program provided in past years ENDED for students in grades 6-12 at the start of the 2022-2023 school year. Students who have not been approved for free or reduced-priced meals, may purchase breakfast for $1.55 and lunch for $2.90.
FREE MEAL APPLICATION: Click here for the Free Meal Application
New Student Enrollment/Registration
Welcome to families who are new to RSD. Information about student enrollment/registration is available on the district webpage. Please call 360-858-1818 if you have questions about enrollment/registration.
ATHLETICS
Practice Begins
Practice for fall sports starts this month prior to the beginning of school. The fall sports season includes Football, Girls Soccer, X-Country, Girls Swimming, and Volleyball at both the middle and high schools. In addition, at the high school level, there is Boys Golf.
Parents of students who want to participate in a sport should register through Final Forms. To participate students will need an updated physical and purchase an ASB card. If you have questions call or email:
- High School - Tawnya Kinkade. Phone: 360-273-5534 or Email: tkinkade@rochester.wednet.edu (Available beginning August 8.)
- Middle School - Trisha McLeod. Phone: 360-273-5958. Email: tmcleod@rochester.wednet.edu (Available beginning August 15.)
- Athletic Director - Kevin Jurek. Email: kjurek@rochester.wednet.edu.
August 16 - Football practice begins
August 21 - Volleyball, Girls Soccer, X-County, Boys Golf practice begins
View Athletic Competition Schedule
Register to be on an athletic team NOW in
SECURITY UPDATE
New Voice, Video, Intercom System Adds Extra Security
We are thrilled to announce the completion of a greatly-enhanced safety and security measure at the entrance to all our school buildings. A voice and video intercom system has been installed.
The system brings an extra layer of security by allowing us to keep our school doors locked and monitor who enters our buildings. Beginning this fall, when school is in session, you will need to follow a few extra steps to enter one of our schools. At the entrance you will see the video intercom system. After pressing the intercom button, please be prepared to:
- Give your name
- State your purpose for the visit
- Show your photo ID
Thank you for being a partner in helping to ensure a safe teaching and learning environment for all students and staff.
STUDENT SUCCESS CONFERENCES
August 30 and 31
To begin the school year, every student and family is invited to an individual Student Success Conference. The conference allows for one-on-one conversations to ensure students and parents understand what to expect for the year, connect everyone with resources available, and answer questions. More information will be shared soon about how to sign up for a conference time via Skyward access.
NOW HIRING SUBSTITUTES
Substitute teachers are a very important part of our team. If you are interested in a job that provides flexibility, join the Rochester Substitute Teacher team, earn some extra money, and support our students. Rochester is working with Teachers On Call to fill all our substitute positions. Join the virtual info session on August 8 from 10:00 to 11:00 am to learn more being a substitute. To register for the virtual event please follow this link: WA Virtual Webinar: Teachers On Call
Questions??? Contact: megan.gibson@teachersoncall.com or michael.burkhardt@teachersoncall.com
DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY
Free Books!
The Dolly Partin Imagination Library allows Washington children from birth to age five who register to receive one book every month for free from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Families with children under five can sign up for the Imagination Library and receive their free monthly book by visiting www.imaginationlibrarywashington.org
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.