Week of September 28

Weekly Schedule:

Announcements:

• Roger Bacon will have no school on Monday, September 28th. Enjoy the 3-day weekend as we head into October.
  
• Open House yard signs are in! Please pick one up in the Admissions Office and display it in your yard, neighborhood, church, etc. BE A SPARTAN!
• Financial Aid Night. Roger Bacon will be holding a virtual Financial Aid Night on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at 7:00 until 8:00 pm. This virtual presentation will be provided by Ron Blassingame, a financial aid counselor at Miami University. Before you dive into filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), join us to learn about types of financial aid, the general financial aid application process, and much more! Register using the following link to join our Zoom on September 29^th: https://admission.miamioh.edu/register/?id=2954f50c-1566-4617-aabe-ef99368d7bf9. Information is being provided by financial aid experts from Miami University (Oxford); however, the information is applicable regardless where students will be attending college. Hope you take advantage of this unique and beneficial opportunity.
  
• Applications for the Amanda Watkins Dunn Memorial Scholarship are due on Thursday, October 1st.
• On Friday, October 2^nd, we will have our all-school mass at Bron Bacevich Memorial Stadium. Please pray for good weather! We will be dismissing early that day (1:00 pm). Events include the following:
  - Mass
  - Presentation of the Homecoming Court
  - St. Francis Spirit Olympics
  - Lunch at the stadium for seniors. Freshmen, sophomores and juniors will eat lunch as normal at school.
  
• Movie Night. On Saturday, October 3^rd, Student Senate is sponsoring a Movie Night at Bron Bacevich Memorial Stadium.
  - Attendance is limited to Roger Bacon students.
  - Admission is $1 or a needed personal care item. All will be donated to the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
  
• Open House. Mark your calendars! Open House is on Sunday, October 25th from 1:00 - 5:00 pm.
• Drivers Education classes start on Tuesday, October 27th. Please stop by the main office to sign-up and pickup a packet of information. Classes are as follows:
  - Tuesday, October 27th: 1:00 - 4:15 pm
  - Wednesday, October 28th: 3:00 - 6:15 pm
  - Tuesday, November 3rd: 3:00 - 6:15 pm
  - Wednesday, November 4th: 3:00 - 6:15 pm
  - Tuesday, November 10th: 3:00 - 6:15 pm
  - Thursday, November 12th: 3:00 - 6:15 pm
  - Tuesday, November 17th: 3:00 - 6:15 pm
  - Thursday, November 19th: 3:00 - 6:15 pm

Free and Reduced Lunch Important Notice

This is an important reminder to our previous communications regarding the free and reduced lunch program. If you are currently eligible, or you think you may be eligible, for the free and reduced lunch program, you need to complete the free and reduced lunch program application. Free or reduced lunches will end for students on October 9th who have not been approved for this school year.

The preferred method to completing your application is via the Freedom Cafe program. To access Freedom Cafe, please go to the Roger Bacon website (www.rogerbacon.org) and select "STUDENTS & PARENTS." The drop down menu will appear. Select "Free & Reduced Lunch" and follow the instructions. If you have problems completing the application, please call Roger Bacon High School at 513-641-1300 and ask for Michelle Peters.

If you are unable to submit the application via the online system, you may also complete a paper application which can be obtained from the front office. Paper applications must be returned to the business office no later than Friday, September 25, 2020.

Scholarship Opportunities

Amanda Watkins Dunn Memorial Scholarship. The recipient will be receiving the scholarship in honor of Roger Bacon High School class of 1996 Amanda Watkins Dunn who lost her battle with breast cancer June 21, 2016. The Amanda Watkins Dunn Memorial Scholarship Fund was established August 2018 by Roger Bacon High School class of 1998 Tommy Watkins and his wife Nicole. It provides opportunities for worthy students from Roger Bacon High School in Cincinnati, Ohio to help pay for their education. This is a one-year scholarship that ranges from $500 to $1,000 and will be applied to tuition to attend Roger Bacon High School with the possibility of renewal for one additional year depending upon the student’s academic performance which requires them to remain academically eligible all school year. Completed applications are to be returned by October 1st to:

Amanda Watkins Dunn Memorial Fund
Attn: Tommy Watkins
8102 Valley Crossing Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45247
or email awdmemorialfund@gmail.com

See your guidance counselor for an application!

Knights of Columbus Scholarship. The Ohio Charity Foundation, Inc. and the Ohio Knights of Columbus are pleased to announce that, for the 2020-2021 school year, numerous $1,000 scholarships will once again be made available for Catholic students (grades 9-12) attending Catholic high schools in Ohio. The requirements that will be considered for this scholarship are financial need, GPA of 2.5 or higher, academic awards, community and/or parish involvement, and extracurricular activities. No more than one scholarship per Catholic high school will be awarded. A selection committee representing the Ohio Charity Foundation, Inc. and the Knights of Columbus will make the final selection of the scholarship winners. Applications are available in the Guidance Office and must be submitted by November 27, 2020.

Guidance Department

Seniors. Tuesday, October 27th is a day set aside for you to job shadow. Restrictions in place during the current pandemic may limit the ability to do in-person job shadowing. Several options include:
- Job shadow virtually
- Work on service hours
- Arrange a college visit
- Complete college applications
Regardless how this day is used, MAKE IT PRODUCTIVE!

All college representative visits will be held virtually this year. Students can sign up on Naviance to participate in the “visits”. The representatives from the colleges will host a Zoom with interested students. Students on campus will participate during Flex in Room 24 (adhering to room capacity limits) and remote students can join the Zoom session from home. Please contact Ms. Smith (jsmith@rogerbacon.org) for more information on how to sign up for these sessions.

The following colleges are currently scheduled:
- Earlham College - September 9th
- Hanover College - September 10th
- The University of Tampa - September 14th
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach - September 15th
- Ohio Northern University - September 17th
- Xavier University - September 21st
- Saint Mary's College - September 22nd
- The University of Alabama - September 24th
- St Bonaventure University - September 29th
- The Ohio State University - September 30th
- Groove University - October 1st
- Muskingum University - October 5th
- The University of Findlay - October 6th
- West Virginia University - October 7th
- Georgetown College - October 8th
- Seton Hall University - October 12th
- Marian University - October 13th
- Mt. St. Joseph University - October 14th
- Sienna Heights University - October 15th
- Thomas More University - October 21st
- Baldwin Wallace University - October 20th
- Ohio Wesleyan University - October 22nd
- Cleveland State University - October 28th
- Hiram College - October 29th
- Miami University (Hamilton) - November 3rd
- Savannah College of Art and Design - November 4th
- University of Akron - November 5th
- Miami University (Oxford) - November 9th
- Canisius College (NY) - November 16th
- Cincinnati State - November 17th
- Walsh University - November 18th
- United States Navy - November 19th
- University of Tampa - November 23rd
- University of Cincinnati (Blue Ash) - November 24th

We have a bulletin board at the bottom of the Guidance ramp near the FAC to highlight the class of 2021. Seniors can add their names as they submit college applications! See your counselor to add your name!

Jesuit Excellence Tour Program (JET)

Prospective applicants considering pursuing their undergraduate degrees at a Jesuit institution are encouraged to check out the Jesuit Excellence Tour (JET) program, a series of recruitment events that allow admissions staff at Jesuit colleges and universities to jointly recruit targeted areas across the country.

Please note: Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Fall 2020 JET tours will all be held online. Mark the following dates for Virtual Jesuit Excellence Tours on your calendar and stay tuned for the registration links!

• Wednesday, September 23: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM (ET)
• Sunday, October 11: 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM (ET)
• Thursday, November 5: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM (ET)

OACAC Virtual College Exploration (VCE) program September 13-November 13

VCE Schedule and Student Registration: https://oacac.org/student-registration/

Click “view larger version” on the bottom right of the schedule. This is real time table! Open and use the top navigation bar to review and filter the offerings. Click the purple Student Registration button (or dark gray Counselor Registration button) to register for your sessions of interest!

Students should register for each session that they want to attend. Once they register, they’ll receive a confirmation email with their unique link to join the Zoom webinar. (Students will also receive a barcode, but the barcode is not necessary for this virtual event.) When students register, they are sharing their registration information only with colleges presenting on that particular panel. StriveScan does not sell or share personally identifiable student information with any other third parties. Students should participate live so they can ask questions and interact with the college admission counselors.

*Parents, school counselors, access advisors and IECs are welcome too!

Spiritual Life

As we plan for your student’s senior year, we are excited to offer 2 more opportunities for students to attend a Kairos Retreat. Because of attendance limitations and considerations for families who do not want their student to attend an overnight retreat, a senior retreat is not required for graduation this year. Additionally, Kairos retreat registration will be on a first come, first served basis. If demand exceeds available spots we will investigate further options to accommodate everyone. Also, unlike past years, fall athletes are eligible to attend the August retreat due to the limited number of Kairos spots. We offer three dates and registration will be done on a first come, first served basis. Please review the following dates and choose a date that works best with your schedule.

Remaining Kairos Dates for 2020-2021 School Year: November 4-6, 2020; March 2-5, 2021.

Community Outreach

Senior Service Experience. To provide a more concise understanding of the senior service experience, click here for the “2020-2021 Senior Service Packet.” This document provides the necessary information to understand the requirements and expectations. First, watch the YouTube video that walk you through many details, from ideas to registration. Then, consult the “frequently asked questions” sheet to provide you quick answers to typical questions. There is also a document about different places to serve in Cincinnati, which are divided into themes. Service is a element of our Franciscan school, where it is our motto to help young men and women grow “in holiness and learning” rooted in Jesus Christ.

Drama Guild

The Drama Guild is excited to bring Suspense – A Radio Play to the stage this November! Get ready to dive into a world of mysteries and thrills that has transcended the airwaves for almost eighty years!

Rehearsal Schedule – Week of September 28th:
- Tuesday, September 29th: 3:00 - 5:00 pm - Act II
- Wednesday, September 30th: 3:00 - 5:00 pm - CAST ONLY
- Thursday, October 1st: 3:00 - 5:00 pm - Act I

Twitter & Instagram - @RBDramaGuild
Website - https://sites.google.com/rogerbacon.org/rogerbaconperformingarts

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 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.

Athletic Department

Calling all Spartans who went on to play at the next level! We are adding a new video display to the Fogarty Center lobby that will showcase our alumni that played at the collegiate/professional level. You may remember the old photo frames in the basement of Fogarty – this will replace those. We need your help to gather data! If you played any sport at the next level after your career at RB, please send the following to our Assistant Athletic Director, Brandon Spaeth, at bspaeth@rogerbacon.org:

Photo of you in your collegiate/professional uniform (head shot/action photo)

1. Full name
   
2. Sport(s)
   
3. College/Professional Team
   
4. Years played
   
5. Graduation Year (from Roger Bacon)

If you have any family members that this applies to – please feel free to send that information as well!

Alumni/ae News

First Friday Mass. Mass is at 8:15 am in the Thomas J. Fogarty Center. Parking is available on the plaza directly in front of school. 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, October 2nd.

Alumni Association Meetings. All alums are welcome to come and help support the students at RB. The next scheduled meeting is Thursday, October 8th 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@rogerbascon.org.

Fitness Center

• The Fitness Center is closed to the general student population until 4:15 pm. Supervised athletic teams can use the facility from 3:00 - 4:15 pm. The Fitness Center closes at 5:30 pm Monday through Thursday and at 5:00 pm on Friday – please ensure rides are arranged accordingly. A couple rules to remember when using the Fitness Center:
  • Students must wear a face covering when not working out and practice social distancing of 6 feet whenever possible.
  • When changing for a sports team, please use school restrooms or locker rooms. The restroom in the Fitness Center is small and only handles one person at a time.
  • Due to COVID-19 concerns, we are not permitted to use the Friars Club restroom or their lobby. Please respect their requirements.
  • Proper workout attire is required when working out – no school uniform or khakis/jeans.

Remote Learning

We want to highlight a few key details about our remote learning model for this year, especially as it differs from the model we used last year when schools closed in March:

• Classes will be broadcast via Zoom so that students not able to be in the classroom can participate in the educational experience.
• Students will follow their normal class schedule and connect with the class via Zoom during normal class times. Students will not be able to set their own schedule or just complete their assignments without attending Zoom classes.
• Students will be considered present for attendance purposes if they are either physically or electronically present in class. All attendance policies, including the excessive and chronic absenteeism policy according to state guidelines, remain in effect.
• Work expectations remain the same for students participating either in-person or remotely.
• Students requiring help/assistance are responsible for initiating meetings with their teachers or other students (i.e., peer tutoring). The preferred time for this is during the daily Flex period. Students attending remotely can request meetings via Zoom during this time.
• Families need to ensure that internet connections are robust enough to handle the daily Zoom requirements and a suitable learning environment can be established and maintained at home. A suitable learning environment is one free from distractions and with a designated work station for the student. Students should not be in bed for their Zoom sessions.

In addition, please review the following expectations for student conduct during Zoom sessions:

• Students must have their full correct name as Zoom participant.
• Students must have their video on at all times.
• RB dress code must be observed from the waist up.
• All disciplinary expectations will be followed (no sleeping, no chewing gum or eating, etc.).

If you have any questions about remote learning this year, please contact Julie Vehorn, Director of Academics, at jvehorn@rogerbacon.org or 513-641-1300.

Face Coverings

All students, faculty, and staff are required to have a face covering.

• Face coverings must be worn when inside any Roger Bacon facility or outside on campus when social distancing of 6 feet is not possible.
• Any face covering must be a solid color. No designs, wording, or pictures are allowed outside of a RB logo and/or the student's name.
  
• Please ensure the face covering:
  - fits snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
  - completely covers the nose and mouth
  - is secured with ties or ear loops
  - includes multiple layers of fabric
  - allows for breathing without restriction
  - can be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape

Important Upcoming Dates:

Oct 08: Alumni Association Meeting (6:30 pm in ITC)
Oct 10: Alumni Association Open House
Oct 16: End of 1st Quarter
Oct 25: Open House
Oct 26: No School
Oct 27: Early Dismissal (12:00 pm) / Pre-ACT / Senior Job Shadowing
Nov 02: All School Mass - All Saints Day
Nov 04-06: Kairos
Nov 06: First Friday Mass (8:15 am in FAC)
Nov 11: No School - Veterans' Day
Nov 12: Alumni Association Meeting (6:30 pm in ITC)
Nov 20-22: Fall Play
Nov 25-30: No School - Thanksgiving Break
Dec 04: First Friday Mass (8:15 am in FAC)
Dec 08: All School Mass
Dec 10: Alumni Association Meeting (6:30 pm in ITC)
Dec 10-11: J.O.Y. Retreat
Dec 11: No School - Professional Development
Dec 17: Christmas Concert (7:30 pm in FAC)
Dec 21-22: 1st Semester Exams
Dec 23-Jan 03: No School - Christmas Break
Jan 07: Science Fair
Jan 08: End of 2nd Quarter/1st Semester
Jan 18: No School - Martin Luther King Day
Jan 20: Celebration of Success
Jan 21: Early Dismissal - Athletic Sports Stag / Professional Development
Jan 28-31: March for Life
Jan 31-Feb 05: Catholic Schools Week
Feb 15: No School - Presidents' Day
Feb 17: Mass - Ash Wednesday
Feb 23: ACT (Juniors) / Sophomore Service Day
Feb 26: Freshmen Service Day (1/4 class)
Mar 02: College Planning Night
Mar 03: Sacrament of Reconciliation
Mar 12: Freshmen Service Day (1/4 class)
Mar 18: End of 3rd Quarter
Mar 19: No School - Professional Development
Mar 24: Career Day
Mar 25-28: Spring Musical
Mar 26: Freshmen Service Day (1/4 class)
Mar 30-31: Junior "JOY" Retreat
Apr 01-11: No School - Easter Break
Apr 05-13: Assisi Scholar Pilgrimage to Italy
Apr 19: Sophomore Retreat Day (Female)
Apr 20: Sophomore Retreat Day (Male)
Apr 22: Band and Choir Concert
Apr 23: Freshmen Service Day (1/4 class)
Apr 27: Academic Awards Ceremony
Apr 28: Community Service Awards
Apr 30: No School - Prom / Staff Religious In-Service
May 03-14: AP Testing
May 07: Fine Arts Festival
May 14: Go Local / Michaela Farms
May 16: Senior Showcase
May 19: Spring Concert
May 21: Seniors Last Day of School
May 25-25: Senior Final Exams
May 26: Early Dismissal - Underclass Last Day of Classes
May 27-28: Underclass Final Exams
May 31: No School - Memorial Day
Jun 01: Graduation Practice / End of 4th Quarter / Make-Up Exams
Jun 02: Graduation Mass & Awards
Jun 03: Graduation
Jun 08-10: Kairos