RHS Families and Students,

I wanted to take a moment to thank all of our students, families, and staff for an incredible first week of the 2023-24 school year. John R. Rogers is full of energy and enthusiasm because of the great attitudes each one of you brought to school this week. We ended the week with our entire school decked out in BE RELENTLESS T-Shirts on the football field for an all-school picture. I can’t wait to share the pictures with you soon. Ask your student to show you their new BE RELENTLESS shirt!

You will be hearing a lot this year about how John R. Pirates are RELENTLESS!

John Hammil

Principal

Monday, September 11th

• V Softball vs CV @ RHS 4:00PM

Tuesday, September 12th

• First day of school- classes begin at 8AM
• Volleyball @ U-High (9/JV 5:30, V/C 7:00PM)
• V Softball vs Ferris @ RHS 4:00PM

Wednesday, September 13th

• B/G XC @ Franklin Park 4:00PM

Thursday, September 14th

• V Softball vs SP @ RHS 4:00PM
• JV/V Soccer vs NC @ DMC 4:00PM
• Volleyball vs Liberty @ Rogers (9/JV 5:30PM, V/C 7:00PM)

Friday, September 15th

• V Football vs Freeman @ RHS 4:00PM

***View the RHS Calendar below for all updated games/information***

• Law, Kathleen - AVID / Running Start
• DeRuwe, Jennifer -9th Grade - Class of 2027
• Collier, Stacie - 10th grade - Class of 2026
• Cole, Ryan - 11th Grade - Class of 2025
• Wallace, Jackie - 12th grade - Class of 2024
• O'Halloran, Jennifer - Multi Lingual Learners / RHS Academy

After 4 full school days we are very excited to move into week 2. With our first week completed, it is time for us to level up with our expectations around attendance. Please find a few minutes this weekend to talk to your student(s) about the expectations around attendance:

1. Students are to be here and in class by the bell (9am on Mondays, 8am Tuesday-Friday)
2. If a student is absent, please call the attendance line 509-354-6685, or send your student with a note to excuse their absence.
3. PLEASE be sure that all Parents and Students have access to Powerschool so that you can check grades and attendance at least once a week.
4. Attendance Codes- The two codes are our focus for the year. We want to reduce the number of TDY and UNX this year to ensure all students are in class, safe, and learning.
• TDY- Tardy Unexcused--- Student was in class but came sometime after the bell.
• UNX- Unexcused Absence--- Student was never in class.
5. For the week of September 11th – 15th our staff will be putting a focus on tardies. Students have 5 minutes during each passing period and should make it to all of their classes before the bell.

If you have any questions or concerns about your students’ attendance, please contact Kris Herda at 509-354-6592 or at krish@spokaneschools.org .

CEP is the Community Eligibility Provision. It is the program Spokane Public Schools runs to offer free meals to all students at school for the 2023-2024 school year. SPS is able to participate in this program thanks to the passage of a bill in the Washington Legislature in 2022.

Although meals are free to all students this school year, filling out the Family Income Survey helps ensure school funding is maintained for essential programs. Students who qualify can get added benefits like waived sports & testing fees, community discounts, and many others.

After you apply:

• You will receive a confirmation number by email.
• Wait a few days, and then you can check your application status using the confirmation number.
• You can print your free/reduced-price meal eligibility letter here, or contact Nutrition Services at 509-354-7785 to have a letter sent to the address we have on file.

Photocopied or incomplete forms cannot be accepted. Completed surveys are processed within 10 days of receipt in the Nutrition Services office. You will be notified via mail of your benefits.

All information on your application is confidential and will only be used for the meal program, unless you request to release the information. We respect your privacy.

For the 2023-2024 school year, students at John R. Rogers High School must meet the following expectations to attend a dance (This includes HOMECOMING and PROM):

1. Attendance 70% or Better
2. One or Zero Failing Grades
3. No Suspensions or Major Discipline Incidents

Expectations will be checked before the event. Any student who does not meet one or more of the expectations and go to Student Services and fill out an Appeal Form. They will then meet with Administration to seek approval to attend with a plan in place to improve the area(s) they need to.

If you have any questions, please contact Student Services.

RHS Families- Students who had health care plans in 22/23 will need updated plans and medications (if needed) for the upcoming 23/24 school year. Students who need health plans will not be able to start school without them on file. Please call the school nurse, Patti Eastep at (509) 354-6550 with any questions.

STA will still be providing rides for students to get to school. Students this year will use their student ID as their pass. They will receive their new ID card on picture day. We encourage you to check with STA to verify the correct route and see if there were any changes made.

Important Financial Aid Update!

The FAFSA deadline is changing. Please know that your College & Career Center team will be here to support you. You can still create an FSA ID prior to the application opening, but please know that the FAFSA application will not be available until Jan. 1, 2024.

Save the date for Jan. 17 for our Family FAFSA Completion event.

Upcoming September Events from the College & Career Center in N106

Sept. 12: University of Washington student visit – LUNCH, N106

Are you interested in learning more about what it’s like to be a student on the University of Washington’s campus. Please join us for lunch on Sept. 12 and 14 and meet with a current student. Talk about the application process, financing, and Seattle-life.

Sept. 13: University of Washington Admissions Visit – 8am – 8:30am, N106

The University of Washington’s application is the first deadline in the state. Get permission from 1st period and stop by the College and Career Center for a personal visit from the UW admissions rep for our area. 8am in the College and Career Center.

Sept. 14: Western Washington University – LUNCH, N106

Grab your lunch, join the admissions representative from WWU to learn about their campus, housing, and admissions processes. Bellingham is beautiful! Come join us.

Sept. 20: Senior Night – 5pm – 8pm, Rogers Commons

Attention Class of 2024! Regardless of your pathway, this year will be full of important dates, deadlines, tasks, and to-do lists. It can be overwhelming – but we’ve got you covered. Join our senior support team for dinner and workshops. Colleges will be on site to answer questions.

Please click this link to register for this event BY TODAY (if you want dinner):
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=fSGa33NnF021d4XclgeCIk52GDD_OpxOgWNl8KOAljRUNU1XNDcxQUdKUU1RM0FGUjU3VFhZVlNTSS4u&origin=QRCode

Sept. 26: University of Portland – LUNCH, N106

Grab your lunch, join the admissions representative from UP to learn about their campus, housing, and admissions processes. Ready for a move the big city? Come learn about life in Portland.

Sept. 28: Central Washington University – LUNCH, N106

Grab your lunch, join the admissions representative from CWU to learn about their campus, housing, and admissions processes. Get ready for

Upcoming College Field Trip Schedule – Seniors Only – DEADLINE IS SEPT. 20

(Stop by the College & Career Center in N106 with questions and get signed up)

Oct. 2: Central Washington University (GEAR UP)

Oct. 9: Eastern Washington University (GEAR UP)

Oct. 20: University of Washington (GEAR UP)

Oct. 28: Washington State University (College Success Foundation)

Oct. 30: Washington State University (GEAR UP)

Nov. 3: Gonzaga (College Success Foundation)

Nov. 17: Whitworth University (College Success Foundation)

Emily Gwinn: College & Career Counselor

509-354-6603 or email @ emilyg@spokaneschools.org

Call or email anytime to schedule an appointment.

Lunch visits are always available. Stop by and visit.

Get Help with SchooLinks, college applications, military, apprenticeship opportunities, scholarships, job support, resumes, mentorship.

SPS has created a ThoughtExchange to gather input on two options for the 2023 bond. Please share the ThoughtExchange with staff, parents and other community members.

Email: JohnHam@spokaneschools.org
Website: Spokaneschools.org/rogers
Location: 1622 East Wellesley Avenue, Spokane, WA, USA
Phone: 509-354-6600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RogersSpokane