Week of February 13

Weekly Schedule:

Announcements

• There is no school on Monday, February 13th. Enjoy the 3-day weekend!
  
  
• Can you imagine yourself relaxing on beautiful 7 Mile Beach in Negril, Jamaica this summer? If so, Community Outreach is organizing a mission trip for the first week of June 2023 to work alongside Franciscan missionaries to serve the people of Jamaica. Students who are interested in this wonderful opportunity and have not attended the informational meeting can contact Mr. Kupiec at rkupiec@rogerbacon.org for details ASAP. Students who have attended the meeting should return the interest form by Tuesday February 14th in order to further pursue this potentially life changing experience.
  
  
• Student Senate is hosting a Sadie Hawkins Valentine’s Day Dance on Friday, February 17th from 8:00 - 10:30 pm in the Thomas J. Fogarty Center! This is a semi-formal dance. Please see Mr. Smith with any questions.
  
  
• The finale for RBs Got Talent is on Friday, February 17th!
  
  
• The Roger Bacon Underwater Hockey Team will have a fundraising night at the Buffalo Wings and Rings in Finneytown (Winton Road at the Ronald Reagan Cross County Highway) on Monday, February 20th. Between 5:00 and 8:00 pm, 10% of the food sales will be donated to the Roger Bacon Underwater Hockey Team. Please tell your family, friends, and neighbors! Hope to see you there!
  
  
• Boys volleyball will have tryouts on Tuesday, February 21st from 5:30 - 8:00 pm.
  
  
• Registrations for returning students for the 2023-24 school year are due to the Business Office no later than Tuesday, February 28th. Please contact Mary Beth Hausfeld at mhausfeld@rogerbacon.org with questions.
  
  
• Kenzie's Closet is nonprofit organization that provides prom dresses and accessories to high school students at no cost to those who are in current financial or personal need. Please see Ms. Smith in the Guidance Office for more information about receiving prom dress assistance.
  
  
• The Roger Bacon Underwater Hockey Team will have a fundraising night at the Buffalo Wings and Rings in Finneytown (Winton Road at the Ronald Reagan Cross County Highway) on Monday, February 20th. Between 5:00 and 8:00 pm, 10% of the food sales will be donated to the Roger Bacon Underwater Hockey Team. Please tell your family, friends, and neighbors! Hope to see you there!
  
  
• Parents: This is a reminder that students are not permitted to carry medications (ONLY exceptions are inhalers and epi pens). This includes over the counter as well as prescription medications. The nurse’s office stocks Ibuprofen and Tylenol for students. All medications need to be dispensed under the supervision of our school nurse. Students are not permitted to dispense any medications to themselves or other students. If there are any questions, please contact our school nurse, Karin Herold, at kherold@rogerbacon.org.
  

Scheduling Classes for the 2023-2024 School Year

Students have been emailed a copy of the Curriculum Guide with descriptions of all of courses and a sheet with the elective options open to their grade level for next year.

By Tuesday, February 14th, students must have their electives chosen on their scheduling worksheets with signatures from parents/guardians.

On February 14th, counselors will visit all Theology classes to walk students through the process of requesting their courses in SpartanLink, and students will submit their signed scheduling worksheets.

In March, counselors will meet with students individually to set up their schedules.

School Calendar - 2023/24 School Year

For planning purposes, several key dates for the 2023/24 school year are provided below.

First Semester

August 10-11, 2023: Freshmen Orientation Days
August 16, 2023: First Day of Classes for All Students
September 4, 2023: No School - Labor Day
September 14, 2023: Meet the Teacher Night
September 15, 2023: No School - Professional Development
September 20, 2023: Freshmen Grandparents Day
September 20, 2023: Financial Aid Night
October 16, 2023: No School - Professional Development
October 20, 2023: Homecoming
October 21, 2023: Homecoming Dance
October 27, 2023: Dismissal at 12:00 - Pre-ACT/ Practice ACT Testing / Job Shadowing
October 29, 2023: OPEN HOUSE
October 30, 2023: No School
November 9, 2023: Veteran’s Day Assembly
November 10, 2023: No School - Veterans’ Day Observed
November 22-27, 2023: No School - Thanksgiving Break
December 18-19, 2023: First semester exams
December 20, 2023 - January 2, 2024: No School - Christmas Break

Second Semester

January 3, 2024: No School - Professional Development / Exam Make-Up Day
January 15, 2024: No School - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 18, 2024: No School - Professional Development / Athletic Sports Stag
January 19, 2024: No School
January 25, 2024: Science Fair
February 12, 2024: No School - Professional Development
February 19, 2024: No School - Presidents’ Day
February 27, 2024: Early Dismissal (12:00 pm) - ACT (Juniors) / IOWA Testing (Freshmen)
March 11, 2024: No School
March 19, 2024: Career Day
March 27, 2024: No School – Staff Religious In-Service Day
March 27 - April 7, 2024: No School - Easter Break
April 1-8, 2024: San Juan Bautista Pilgrimage
April 1-9, 2024: Assisi Scholars Pilgrimage
April 13, 2024: Evening For Excellence
April 26, 2024: No School - PROM
April 29, 2024: No School - Professional Development
May 3, 2024: Fine Arts Festival
May 6-17, 2024: AP Testing
May 20-21, 2024: Senior Exams
May 22, 2024: Senior Make-up Exams / Senior Lock-In (evening)
May 23, 2024: Seniors Last Day / Senior Assembly
May 24, 2024: Underclass Last Day of Classes
May 27, 2024: No School - Memorial Day
May 28, 2024: Underclass Exams
May 29, 2024: Underclass Exams / Graduation Practice
May 30, 2024: Baccalaureate Evening Mass & Awards
May 31, 2024: GRADUATION

Drivers' Education Classes

Driver’s education classes at Roger Bacon will be offered for the last time this school year starting in April. Classroom times are from 3:00 – 6:15 pm on the following dates:

• Monday, April 3rd
• Tuesday, April 4th
• Tuesday, April 18th
• Thursday, April 20th
• Tuesday, April 25th
• Thursday, April 27th
• Tuesday, May 2nd
• Thursday, May 4th

Information packets can be picked up in the Main Office.

Guidance Department

MindPeace

We have reached out to MindPeace as a resource for our students and families dealing with mental health issues. MindPeace helps families and schools identify resources by housing a database of community and school-based mental health professionals and agencies. Visit the MindPeace homepage to find the searchable database or you can contact them directly at (513) 803-0844 if you need additional mental health resources in the Greater Cincinnati area. Several suggested resources include the following:

- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
- Best Point Behavioral Health by The Children's Home is a pediatric mental health urgent care facility. They see people up to age 21, Monday through Friday from 3:00 - 10:00 pm, and help those who need immediate social or emotional care not rising to the level of going to the hospital. For information about mental health programs for children and their families, call (513) 272-2800 or email info@bestpoint.org.
- To find a therapist in Greater Cincinnati for people up to age 25, use the MindPeace searchable data base at https://mindpeacecincinnati.com/search/?wpbdp_view=search.
- For coping strategies, go to the virtual MindPeace Rooms at https://mindpeacecincinnati.com/virtual-mindpeace-rooms/.

Summer Opportunities. Is the winter weather making you wish for summer? Check out the Guidance website for our 2023-2024 Summer Programming list. This list will be updated regularly as we receive information about programs for this summer. https://www.rogerbacon.org/academics/guidance-counseling/summer-programs

Scholarships. Now that many seniors have received their college acceptances, it’s time to start getting scholarships to pay for college! There are several scholarships already listed on the Guidance website (under the “Academics” tab) – check it out regularly to see all of the updates. Scholarship updates can also be found on our twitter account @RBGuidance.

Check for updates on Naviance and register to meet with these College Admissions Representatives. Fall is a great time to visit colleges in person. Seniors have THREE college visit days they can use – remember to get the form signed and turned in to Mr. McCoy one week in advance of your visit.

Follow the counselors on twitter at @RBGuidance for updates!

Evening for Excellence

The Evening for Excellence (EFE) is Roger Bacon’s primary fundraiser and will be held this year on April 22nd. In order to have a successful EFE, we are in need of items for our silent and live auctions. If you have items you received for Christmas that you don’t want or think you will use, send them in to us for the EFE. If you liked all your gifts but can donate items to fill baskets or offer as single auction items, please help us.

We are hoping to offer auction items in these categories: Sports – Wine and Spirits – Kitchen – Holidays – Home and Garden – Art – Jewelry – Special Events (tickets to plays, sporting events, movie theaters, etc.). Single items, such as small appliances, make great auction items. Gift cards, cash donations (used to buy items to complete a package), and Roger Bacon items are most welcome.

Please know that all donations, large or small, are very appreciated.

Kroger Card

Please consider adding Roger Bacon Athletics to your Kroger Plus Card for their Community Rewards Program! This does not take long at all to sign up and does not take away any fuel points.

Here is how to sign up:

1. visit https://www.kroger.com/account/enrollCommunityRewardsNow
2. sign in OR create your FREE online account
3. Go to “My Account” then select “Community Rewards” on the left tab
4. Search for “Roger Bacon Athletic Association” or enter our organization ID which is FL801

Click here to watch a video on how to do this!

Community Outreach

The Sophomore Service Day happens in the second semester. The entire sophomore class participate in service on Tuesday, February 28, 2023. Details and sign up will occur the latter part of first semester. Students will receive details via email and theology classes. More information will roll out November of 2022.

Tuesdays with Vincent

• Throughout this year, each junior will service once at the Saint Vincent de Paul near Over-the-Rhine as a pantry escort. They will accompany neighbors in food selection through social interaction. Like Saint Francis of Assisi, this opportunity allows students to reach out and embrace the “lepers” of today – the homeless, the hungry, the struggling. We call this program “Tuesdays with Vincent.”

• Juniors are responsible for signing up for the day they desire that fits their schedule and transportation needs. Any question may be directed to Mr. Zlatic at PZlatic@RogerBacon.org

Community Service Opportunities. 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.

Inclement Weather Instructions

As we approach possible inclement weather, the procedures we follow to notify our school community that we have either canceled or delayed the school day are contained below.

If a decision is made to delay or cancel school, you will be notified in 3 different ways:

1. Utilizing the Springmyer Communications Network, the school closure information will be provided to WLW/TV Ch 5; WCPO/TV Ch 9; WCRC/TV Ch 12; WXIX/TV Ch 19; WSTR/TV Ch 64, and Cinci.com.
2. A phone call will be made using our normal call system. Please ensure your phone numbers are up-to-date.
3. An email message will be set to all students.

We will try and make the decision as early as possible so there is sufficient time to make necessary arrangements at home.

When members of our school community are traveling in inclement weather, safety is of paramount importance. Anticipate travel delays and leave home with sufficient time to make it to school safely and on time.

Remote Instruction - Expectations

At some point this year, students may need to attend Roger Bacon remotely due to COVID quarantine guidelines. In order to stay caught up with classes while on remote, please use following guidelines:

• A parent or guardian must notify the main office in order for you to be listed as remote for the day.
• To enter a teacher’s Zoom room, click on the link posted in your class bulletin board on SpartanLink.
• If you are waiting to be let in to a teacher’s Zoom room, email jvehorn@rogerbacon.org ASAP to alert us of this issue so we can get you connected.
• You must have your full, correct name listed in Zoom.
• You must have your video on at all times and microphone on mute unless the teacher asks you to unmute.
• If you need to step away to use the restroom, use the chat function in Zoom to alert the teacher.
• RB dress code must be observed.
• All disciplinary expectations will be followed (no sleeping, no chewing gum or eating, etc.).

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 is Friday, March 3rd.
  

• Alumni Association Meetings. All alums are welcome to come and help support the students at RB. The next meeting is Thursday, March 9th 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.

Cafeteria Information

• WG Grinders partners with MySchoolAccount.com for the managing of our lunch service software and payments. MySchoolAccount.com offers you the ability to make deposits directly into your student’s account online or via their mobile app. Here you can track what your children have been eating for the past 30 days, transfer funds between students and have an email reminder sent to you when an account balance gets low. Deposits and payments can be made through ACH (checking/savings) or credit/debit card. We will still accept checks sent to the school (made out to WG Grinders), credit card payments at the register, and cash. Each child’s account will be updated in real time, so account balance information will be current daily.

• Questions? Contact Mark Jones, IT Director, WG Grinders Catering and Cafeteria Operations, at wggrinders@wggrindersdayton.com or via phone at (937) 760-7346.

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.

• Students are not permitted to carry any medications (except for inhalers and epi pens). Tylenol and Ibuprofen are available to students in the nurse’s office. All other medications needed during school hours are to be kept in the nurse’s office and a Medication Authorization Form completed and signed by their physician. This form is available on the school website in Health Services or contact the nurse.
  
  
• Senior students must submit documentation of receiving their Meningitis vaccine. If you have not yet done so, please send an updated vaccine record to the nurse. If you have any questions, please contact our school nurse, Karin Herold, via email or leave a voice message 513-641-1300, ext 1140.

COVID-19 Policies and Protocols

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) updated its COVID-19 guidance for students ahead of the new school year. ODH no longer recommends widespread masking and COVID testing for schools. Instead, state health officials ask people who feel ill to stay home and away from others – just as they would with other illnesses.

We also received operational guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to support “safe in-person learning.” The CDC no longer recommends quarantining if a person comes into close contact with someone with the virus regardless of vaccination status. The CDC has also dropped its suggestion to keep six feet apart from others.

The CDC provided a variety of strategies for everyday operations to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, including COVID-19.

• Stay Up-to-Date on Vaccinations. COVID-19 vaccinations help people from getting severely ill with COVID-19. Roger Bacon does not require students or staff to be vaccinated to attend school or participate in school activities and extracurriculars.
  
  
• Stay Home When Sick. 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.
  
  
• Ventilation. Optimizing ventilation and making improvements to indoor air quality reduces the risk of germs and contaminants spreading through the air. We have made significant improvements to the air quality throughout the school.
  
  
• Hand Hygiene and Respiratory Etiquette. Washing hands can prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Reinforce coverings coughs and sneezes to help individuals from getting and spreading infectious diseases. Roger Bacon will provide adequate hand-washing supplies and hand-sanitizing opportunities in classrooms and high-traffic areas throughout school facilities.
  
  
• Masking. The wearing of face coverings is not mandated. Parents have the option to have their children wear masks while in school or participating in school activities. Disposable masks will be available at all primary entrances to school facilities.

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.

Exposure. Roger Bacon does not do contact tracing. If someone has been exposed, they should monitor for symptoms. If symptoms persist, recommend consulting your family physician.

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.

Important Upcoming Dates:

Feb 20: No School - Presidents’ Day
Feb 21-23: Kairos
Feb 22: All School Mass - Ash Wednesday
Feb 28: Early Dismissal - ACT / IOWA Testing
Mar 3: First Friday Mass
Mar 9: Alumni Association Meeting
Mar 10: End of 3rd Quarter
Mar 11: Senior-Parent Dance
Mar 14: PTO Meeting
Mar 16-17: Junior J.O.Y. Retreat
Mar 17: No School - Professional Development
Mar 20: No School
Mar 22: Career Day
Mar 24: Blood Drive
Mar 28: College Information Night (Virtual)(7:00 pm)
Mar 30-Apr 2: Spring Musical - "We Will Rock You"
Apr 3: PTO Meeting
Apr 5: No School - Religious In-Service Day
Apr 6-16: No School - Easter Break
Apr 10-15: San Juan Bautista Pilgrimage
Apr 10-18: Assisi Scholars Pilgrimage
Apr 22: Evening For Excellence
Apr 28: No School - PROM / Professional Development
May 1-12: AP Testing
May 5: Fine Arts Festival
May 9: PTO Meeting
May 12: Go Local / Michaela Farms / Powderpuff Football
May 15-16: Senior Exams
May 17: Senior Make-up Exams
May 18: All School Mass / Senior Lock-In
May 19: Seniors Last Day
May 21: Senior Assisi Scholar Banquet
May 22: Underclass Last Day
May 23: Underclass Exams/Graduation Practice
May 24: Underclass Exams
May 25: Baccalaureate Evening Mass & Awards
May 26: Graduation
May 30-June 1: Kairos