Week of January 31

Weekly Schedule:

Announcements

• Upcoming Senior Nights are as follows:
  - February 1st: Swimming vs Harrison (@ St. Bernard)
  - February 3rd: Wrestling vs Finneytown/Aiken
  - February 11th: Boys Basketball/Cheer vs North College Hill
• St. Vincent de Paul is collecting personal care items such as soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, dishwasher pods, disinfectant wipes, and dishwashing soap. The collection runs through Friday, February 4th for Catholic Schools Week. Bring the items to your Flex room each day. The Flex room in each grade level with the most donations will get to silly string Mr. Zlatic!
• “RB’s Got Talent!” Sign-ups are now available for the annual school-wide talent show, “RB’s Got Talent!” Auditions are open to anyone, any grade level, and any talent! “RB’s Got Talent!” is a multi-round event which starts with auditions on Thursday, February 3rd when four teacher coaches will select their teams. The acts that move on after auditions will perform live on stage for an audience vote on Show Night, Thursday, February 17th.
  
• There is no school on Monday, February 7th. Enjoy the 3-day weekend.
• Our next PTO meeting is on Tuesday, February 8th at 7:00 pm in the ITC. Hope to see you there.

Catholic Schools Week

During Catholic Schools Week, there are a variety of activities that students and families can participate in to win a special lunch on Friday, February 11th. In addition to the St. Vincent de Paul Personal Care Item Drive which takes place all week, these activities include:

Sunday, January 30: Take a selfie @ church with RB spirit wear and submit it to your Theology teacher.

Monday, January 31: Saint Trivia Game / Write "Thank You" card to grade school teachers during Flex

Tuesday, February 1: Liturgy of the Hours with the Friars in Blessed Sacrament Chapel during Flex / Examen with Mr. Couch after school in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel

Wednesday, February 2: Adoration in Blessed Sacrament Chapel during Flex / Kairos alumni event in the ITC after school

Thursday, February 3: Coffee with Christ at 7:20 am in the Spiritual Life Office / Spartan Leader Huddle in the FAC during Flex

Friday, February 4: RB Dress Down Day - $1 donation supports Kiva microloans for junior morality class project / Art Prayer in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel during Flex

Saturday, February 5: Take a picture of a family activity with RB spirit wear on and submit it to your Theology teacher / Take a selfie of a Random Act of Kindness with RB spirit wear on and submit itto your Theology teacher

Students have been provided a "Passport" with the above activities listed for the week. Please ensure your passport is "dobbed" so your participation is recorded and you are eligible for the special lunch on Friday, February 11th!

Director of Academics

February Testing Update

The IOWA tests allow students to fulfill the testing portion of the Ohio Department of Education’s graduation requirements. Students who are retesting will receive an email from Ms. Vehorn with more details. Retesting will begin in Flex. Students should make arrangements to stay until 3:00 pm on testing days. Students who get extended time should plan to stay until 3:20 pm. For any questions related to testing, please contact Julie Vehorn, Director of Academics, at jvehorn@rogerbacon.org.

February 8th: Science IOWA for all students taking Biology this year (taken in Biology class, not after school)

February 9th: Math IOWA retesting for students in grades 10-12

February 10th: Social Studies IOWA retesting for students in grades 10-11

February 11th: Make-up IOWA testing for any student absent Feb. 8-10

February 22 & 23: ELA IOWA retesting for students in grades 10-11

March 1st: Grade 9 - Math, ELA, and Social Studies IOWA testing / Grade 11 - ACT

Guidance Department

Senior Scholarship and Award Reporting

We know that many of our seniors have starting hearing back from the colleges they have applied to and either have or will soon have scholarship offers! It is our expectation that students report ALL of the awarded scholarships, whether they plan to use the awarded scholarship or not. This includes scholarships to all institutions, private scholarships, essay contests, etc. We are using the following form to collect this information: Senior Scholarship and Award Reporting. Dollar amounts are used only for internal reporting purposes. We will not share dollar amounts, but we will share the names of scholarships awarded in the graduation program. If you need to add additional scholarships beyond the five provided spaces, please submit the first five and then return to the form to enter a new batch of awards.

Spring College Fairs

Cincinnati Spring College Fair is back in person! It will be held on Monday, March 28th from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at St. Xavier High School, Ellis Gymnasium.

If you would rather attend a virtual college fair, here is the Spring Virtual College Fair schedule – click on the link to register!

• Sunday, Jan. 30
• Tuesday, Feb. 8 (Performing and Visual Arts Fair)
• Tuesday, Feb. 15 (6:00 pm ET)
• Thursday, Feb. 24 (STEM Fair)
• Sunday, Apr. 3
• Tuesday, Apr. 12 (6:00 pm ET)
• Tuesday, Apr. 26 (6:00 pm ET)

College Credit Plus (CCP) Program Information Night

The CCP Team at the University of Cincinnati will host a virtual information session via Zoom for the upcoming 2022-2023 academic year. The sessions will provide an overview of the UC CCP program and discuss application checklist items, eligibility requirements, and then finish with a question and answer session with the audience.

The Information Session for non-public and Home School students and families will take place on Wednesday, February 16th from 5:30 - 6:30 pm. Register by using the link found on the U.C. main page at www.uc.edu/ccp. The meeting link will be sent upon registration. Please email ccp@uc.edu with questions.

Fernside Grief Counseling

We have invited the Fernside Center for Grieving Families to conduct an in-school grief support group for students who have experienced a death of someone in their life. The group will meet every week starting Tuesday, March 8th for six weeks from 2:08 – 2:50 pm. Each week focuses on a different theme. The group sessions are confidential and meet in a private area of the school. The representatives from Fernside will be wearing face coverings and are requiring all students who participate in the group to wear coverings as well. If you are interested in participating in this support group or would like more information about it, please email your counselor or stop by the Guidance Office!

Inclement Weather Instructions

Below is a reminder of how we handle inclement weather notifications and either a school cancellation or delay.

• The goal is to make the decision no later than 6:00 am on the day of the event so that families and/or students on the roads needlessly. While this may not always be possible, that is the objective.
• Students/families will be notified three different ways:
  • Using the Springmyer Communications Network, the following news stations will be notified: WLW/TV Ch. 5; WCPO/TV Ch. 9; WKRC/TV Ch. 12; WXIX/TV Ch. 19; WSTR/TV Ch. 64; and Cinci.com.
  • A phone call home using our normal phone messaging system will be made for all of our families.
  • Students will receive an email from either the Principal or Assistant Principal.
• Our inclement weather options are either cancellation or a 2-hour delay. On a 2-hour delay, students will be fed lunch while at school.

Community Outreach

Service Opportunities

Upcoming Community Outreach projects and dates are as follows:
- Monday, January 31st: Bacon Buddies
- Wednesday, February 9th: Archbishop Leibold Home
- Friday, February 11th: Sow Love
- Sunday, February 13th: Trash OTR
- Monday, February 14th: Food Pantry @ St. Clement
- Wednesday, February 16th: Care Pax
- Wednesday, February 23rd: Writing Hope / Salvation Sandwiches
- Thursday, February 24th: Sow Love
- Monday, February 28th: Bacon Buddies

For a comprehensive guide to Roger Bacon’s Community Service program click here. You can email our department with any questions at: Outreach@RogerBacon.org.

Sophomore Service Day

The Sophomore Service Day will mirror the freshmen, since they were not able to have their service day last year. We will divide the current sophomore class into quarters with their days in the second semester. Your child will be participating on an assigned service day in Over-the-Rhine that are:

February 4, 2022: Allen – Farmer
March 4, 2022: Fasbender – Lanser
March 11, 2022: Lee – Rohling
April 1, 2022: Rolfert - Zestermann

Fine Arts Department

Drama Guild’s “Newsies”

Follow Us - rogerbaconfinearts.com
Facebook – Roger Bacon High School Fine Arts
Instagram – @RBFineArts; @RBDramaGuild
Twitter – @RBFineArts; @RBDramaGuild; @rb3official
YouTube Channel – CLICK HERE!

Alumni/ae News

First Friday Mass. Mass is at 8:15 am in the Carol Dauwe Fine Arts Center. Pastries and coffee are served after Mass. We usually have 40-50 OLA and RB alums, friends and relatives on a regular basis. Contact a fellow alum and enjoy a morning of prayer and fellowship. Reservations are not necessary. The next First Friday Mass will be on Friday, February 4th.

Alumni Association Meetings. All alums are welcome to come and help support the students at RB. The next meeting is Thursday, February 10th at 6:30 pm in the ITC.

Bron Bacevich Memorial Engraved Bricks. Support the Roger Bacon/OLA Alumni Association by purchasing a brick which can be designated for placement in the new stadium. For more information, contact Rick Sollmann at 641-1313 or rsollmann@rogerbacon.org.

School Nurse

An important part of our safety plan is ensuring that students who are sick are not permitted to come to school. If you are sick, please stay home. Check the temperature of students before leaving home. Students with a temperature of 100.4 degrees of higher should stay at home.

Primary symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, shortness of breath and/or loss of taste/smell. If you have multiple symptoms or symptoms persist, please consult your family health provider.

Immunization Requirement for Senior Year. Senior students, if you have not received your meningococcal vaccine yet, please make an appointment with your physician. These can also be given at Kroger’s or Walgreens’ clinics. Proof of this vaccine or an updated immunization record should be turned in to the nurse’s office by the end of September. Thank you! If you have any questions, please contact our school nurse, Karin Herold, via email or leave a voice message 513-641-1300, ext 1140.

Cafeteria Information

We want to ensure that our lunch program meets our students’ expectations. To do this, we need to have your feedback as to what is working and what can be improved. A couple things to remember:

• Feedback, both good and bad is appreciated. If something is particularly good, please let WG Grinders know so it can be continued. If something needs improvement, please let them know as well so it can be addressed. They are very receptive to constructive recommendations and feedback.
• Be professional in your correspondence. If you want your voice to be heard, do it in a courteous and professional manner.
• Understand you have many options when it comes to eating lunch – including bringing your own (in part or in total). Pay attention to the menu and realize, that due to a variety of issues with the supply channels, there may be last-minute changes. Our focus is on quality.
• Points of contact at WG Grinders are as follows:
  • Daniel Ehler, Director of Kitchen Operations: Ehler.dan@gmail.com
  • Randy Duff, Director of Operations: rtduff45429@aol.com

COVID-19 Policies and Protocols

Vaccinations. Roger Bacon does not require students or staff to be vaccinated to attend school or participate in school activities and extracurriculars. However, Roger Bacon recommends that all students and staff be vaccinated. Guidance from the State emphasizes that “vaccination is the leading public health prevention strategy to the end the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Positive Test. Individuals who test positive should self-quarantine for 5 days from the day symptoms first appear or the date of the COVID test if the individual is asymptomatic. If after 5 days the individual is asymptomatic (no symptoms), no further quarantine is required. The wearing of a face covering for an additional 5 days is recommended. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that “the virus is most infectious in the two or three days after symptoms arise.” As usual, the individual needs to be symptom-free before attending in-person classes or participating in extracurriculars.

Exposure. Per the CDC: There is a “growing body of national experience…that points toward a low number of individuals with direct contact to a COVID-19 positive individual within a school setting who convert to positive cases.” Our experience at school substantiates this finding. Over the past two years of dealing with COVID, there have been very few instances where students have passed the virus to one another in a school setting.

School Attendance. Those individuals who have direct exposure to a positive individual may remain in school per the following:

• Wear a face covering at school for 5 days after the last exposure. The wearing of a face covering can be stopped after 5 days if no symptoms develop.
• Self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19.
• Self-quarantine if symptoms develop. Stay home from school if you are sick!

Extracurricular/Sports Participation. A student who has direct exposure to a positive individual may participate in extracurriculars and athletics per the following:

• Self-quarantine and refrain for participation in extracurriculars/sports for 5 days from the date of exposure. Participation may resume if the student is asymptomatic after 5 days.
• Self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19.
• Wear a face covering when able for 5 days after the last exposure. This includes transportation, locker rooms, sitting/standing on the sidelines and anytime the face covering will not interfere with breathing, the activity, or create a safety hazard. (Note: See the above for information to attend school. A student can still attend school in-person during the extracurricular/sports self-quarantine period.)
• Do not participate if you are sick!

Face Coverings

• The wearing of face coverings is not mandated. Roger Bacon recommends that all students and staff not vaccinated wear a face covering while at school or participating in activities.
• Parents have the option to have their children wear masks while in school or participating in school activities.
• Students must wear face coverings when attending school after a direct exposure (see above) and on all public transportation - including school busses.
• Mask use is not necessary when outdoors, including participating in outdoor play and physical education activities.
• Disposable masks will be available at all primary entrances to school facilities.

Hand Washing and Sanitizing. Roger Bacon will provide adequate hand-washing supplies and hand-sanitizing opportunities in classrooms and high-traffic areas throughout school facilities.

Remote Learning. Roger Bacon does not offer full-time remote learning. This option is only available to those students while in a quarantine status.

Sports. The use of face coverings will not be required to attend sporting events. There will not be capacity limits at sporting events. The State does indicate that “the use of masking and social distancing to the extent possible is recommended during indoor sports and other higher-risk activities to protect students who are not fully vaccinated.”

Symptoms. Families are reminded of the importance of keeping students out of the classroom if they are sick. Anyone with symptoms or a temperature above 100 degrees Fahrenheit should stay home. COVID-19 symptoms include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• Loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Repeated shaking with chills

Important Upcoming Dates:

Feb 07: No School
Feb 08: PTO Meeting
Feb 9-11: Kairos
Feb 10: Alumni Association Meeting (6:30 pm in FAC)
Feb 15-16: OCSAA EVT Visit (Virtual)
Feb 16: Board of Directors Meeting
Feb 17: Talent Show
Feb 18: No School (Professional Development)
Feb 21: No School (Presidents' Day)
Feb 25-26: Shantytown
Feb 28: Dress Down Day (New Orleans Mission Trip)
Mar 01: Early Dismissal - ACT (Juniors); IOWA Testing (Freshmen); College
Planning Night
Mar 04: First Friday Mass (8:15 am in the FAC)
Mar 08: PTO Meeting
Mar 09: 8th Grade Course Selection Night
Mar 10: Alumni Association Meeting
Mar 14: Women's Hall of Fame Dinner (FAC)
Mar 16-17: Assisi Scholar Capstone Presentations
Mar 17-18: J.O.Y. Retreat
Mar 18: End of 3rd Quarter; Dress Down Day (Magnified Giving)
Mar 21: No School (Professional Development)
Mar 23: Career Day
Mar 24: RB Band/Choir Concert
Mar 25: Blood Drive
Apr 01: Dress Down Day (PTO); First Friday Mass (8:15 am in the FAC)
Apr 07-10: Spring Musical - Newsies
Apr 11: PTO Meeting
Apr 14: Alumni Association Meeting
Apr 14-24: No School - Easter Break
Apr 18-26: Assisi Scholar Pilgrimage to Italy
Apr 27: Board of Directors Meeting
Apr 29: No School - Prom
Apr 30: Evening for Excellence
May 02-12: AP Testing
May 06: Dress Down Day (Fernside)
May 09: PTO Meeting
May 12: Alumni Association Meeting
May 13: Go Local
May 19: Senior Lock-in
May 20: Senior's Last Day; Senior Assembly
May 23-24: Senior Exams
May 25: Early Dismissal - Underclass Last Day of School
May 26-27: Underclass Exams
May 30: No School - Memorial Day
Jun 01: Graduation Mass and Awards Ceremony
Jun 02: Graduation
Jun 03: First Friday Mass (8:15 am in the FAC)
Jun 07-09: Kairos
Jun 15: Board of Directors Meeting