Week of November 22

Weekly Schedule:

Announcements

• Thanksgiving Break runs from Wednesday, November 24th through Monday, November 29th. Classes resume on Tuesday, November 30th.
• The wrestling team is looking for 2-3 individuals who may be interested in taking videos of matches and doing score keeping and stats at our meets. We are also looking for a couple students or parents to work as announcers and score keepers at our three home meets. Anyone interested should see Coach Blanton.
• The deadline to submit FACTS financial aid for the 2022/23 school year is Monday, November 22nd. Go to https://online.factsmgt.com/signin/3XDR5 to apply. If you have any questions, please contact our Business Office at 513-641-1300.
• Roger Bacon is pleased to partner again with Academic Solutions to provide an ACT Prep class to any interested junior free of charge. To register, click this link: https://forms.gle/dJXLAJebvNke6yyn7 or contact Julie Vehorn, Director of Academics, at jvehorn@rogerbacon.org. The deadline to register is Tuesday, November 23rd.
• The Knights of Columbus Scholarship is for Catholic students in grades 9 through 12 attending a Catholic high school in Ohio who need financial assistance and have a good academic record. This scholarship is for the 2021-2022 school year. The recipient will receive a $1,000 check made payable to their high school. The recipient must be a practicing Catholic and be attending an Ohio Catholic high school. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, November 24th. Applications can be found here or in the Guidance Office.
• We have a Christmas dance on Saturday, December 18th from 8:00 to 11:00 pm in the cafeteria. Admission is $5 per person. Dress in an ugly Christmas sweater or any other Christmas-themed clothes you have. Non-Roger Bacon students are permitted with proper permission. Hope to see you there!

Director of Academics

Iowa Graduation Tests

IOWA retesting will take place for juniors and sophomores November 22nd and 23rd. Testing begins in Flex, and students will need to stay until 3:00 pm. Students who need to take these tests received an email to let them know which test(s) they need to take. Please direct any questions to Julie Vehorn, Director of Academics, at jvehorn@rogerbacon.org.

First Semester Exam Schedule and Expectations

Monday, December 20th

7:45-7:55 - Prayer, Announcements, Attendance
8:00-9:30 - English Exam
9:45-11:15 - Math Exam

Tuesday, December 21st

7:45-7:55 - Prayer, Announcements, Attendance
8:00-9:30 - Science Exam
9:45-11:15 - Social Studies Exam
11:30-12:45 - Make-up/Conflict Exams

Please note . . .

• Exams will be taken during exam week for all non-elective courses in the following departments: English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.
• Students are expected to take exams during the designated time on the schedule.
• The make-up/conflict exam slot is intended for students who miss an exam on the first day or have two Math/Science classes. Students may also set up a make-up time with their teacher for a mutually agreed upon time during Exam Week or after we return from Christmas Break. Exams may not be taken early.
• Exam grades count as 20% of the semester average. Study for your exams. Get a good night’s sleep. Eat a good breakfast in the morning.
• Lunch will not be served on exam days.
  
  Behavior Expectations . . .
• Regular dress code is to be observed during exams.
• Students who do not have to take an exam do not have to be on campus. Students who are on campus but do not have to take an exam must report to the Cafeteria. Students are expected to stay in the exam room until the end of the testing period.
• In the event of a school closing due to weather, the exam schedule will shift one day, and the second day of exams will take place after we return from Christmas Break. If there is a two hour delay, exams will begin two hours later.

Fine Arts Department

Alice in Wonderland

Rehearsal Schedule – Week of November 22nd:
Monday: 3:00 - 5:30 pm – All Cast/Crew – Set Strike

Drama Guild Workshop Series

Have you ever wanted to learn how to tap dance? The Drama Guild is offering a monthly Tap Dance Workshop. Whether you are just starting or an advanced tapper, all are welcome to come – no sign-ups necessary. You must have tap shoes and wear modest clothes to move in. The workshop will be held from 3:00 to 4:30 pm and is FREE! Mark your calendars now…

Tap Dance Workshops: 3:00 - 4:30 pm.
December 13th

Learn the art of Stage Combat through the Drama Guild’s monthly workshop series. Renowned Stage Combat choreographer and instructor, Gina Cerimele-Mechley, will come in to teach how fight for the stage. Each workshop is limited to 20 students and sign-ups will be available on the Fine Arts website (link below).

Stage Combat Workshops: 3:00 - 4:30 pm
December 6th

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

Community Outreach

Assist-a-Family

Roger Bacon kicks off our annual Assist-A-Family drive on Monday, November 8th. Knowing that our faith invites us into action, we are seeking to help struggling families preparing for Christmas. We do this in two ways. All monetary donations will be used to purchase Kroger gift cards so families can buy needed food. Second, we are seeking new items for gifts. The wish list for most needed items include gifts/clothing/toys for children ages 0-5, 6-12, and 13-18. Items of interest are:

• Warm hats, scarves and gloves (especially children’s mittens)
• Socks, shirts, sweatpants, sweatshirts
• Toy cars
• Nerf items
• Dolls
• Board games

All monetary donations will be distributed via the Church of the Resurrection (Bond Hill) and gift items through St. Clement Food Pantry (St. Bernard). We are NOT collecting canned or boxed food at this time. May our Franciscan value of generosity shine forth as we joyfully await the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Service Opportunities

Community Outreach projects and dates for the next month are as follows:
- Monday, November 22nd: Sow Love
- Tuesday, November 23rd: Writing Hope
- Monday, December 6th: Bacon Buddies
- Thursday, December 9th: Sow Love
- Monday, December 13th: Food Pantry @ St. Clement
- Tuesday, December 14th: Writing Hope
- Wednesday, December 15th: Care Pax / Salvation Sandwiches

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 22, 2022: Allen – Farmer
March 4, 2022: Fasbender – Lanser
March 11, 2022: Lee – Rohling
April 1, 2022: Rolfert - Zestermann

Guidance Department

College Visits. We are scheduling college visits to Roger Bacon starting in September! Please sign up for these visits on Naviance. If you have any questions or need help, contact Ms. Smith at jsmith@rogerbacon.org. The remaining college visits are as follows:

College / Date
MSJU Mission Ambassadors Program / Tuesday, November 23rd

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, December 3rd.

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

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

On July 26, 2021, the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Department of Education published “COVID-19 Health and Prevention Guidance for Ohio K-12 Schools.” The goal of the guidance is “to keep students back in school, in-person five days a week.”

The guidance contains several key recommendations to help ensure the safety of students, staff and volunteers:

• “Vaccinations for staff and eligible students.”
• “Those who are unvaccinated wear masks while in school.”
• Additional measures be implemented, “including improving ventilation, maximizing distance between people and practicing good hygiene.”

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.”

Face Coverings

• The wearing of face coverings, to include face masks, will not be mandated to start the school year. Consistent with policy recommendations from the Catholic School Office, Archdiocese of Cincinnati: The wearing of face masks is “recommended for those unvaccinated but is also a personal decision for parents and is therefore not being mandated.” However, Roger Bacon recommends that all students and staff not vaccinated wear a face covering while at school or participating in activities.
• Even though Roger Bacon is not requiring the wearing of face coverings, parents still have the option to have their children wear masks while in school or participating in school activities.
• Students must wear face coverings 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.

Ventilation. The CDC calls ventilation “a key part of maintaining healthy environments, and is an important COVID-19 prevention strategy for schools.” In this light:

• Virtually all the classrooms in the main building have had new steel reinforced PVC “Tilt and Turn” window systems with a ventis on the top sash specifically designed to increase ventilation within the classroom. This state-of-the-art window system works in conjunction with already installed ceiling fans and, for the majority of classrooms, window air conditioning units to improve ventilation.
• Classrooms on the first floor have just installed Mitsubishi Electric Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) zoning systems to provide cooling /heating and increased air ventilation. It is anticipated that these systems will be installed in all classrooms in the main building by the end of the summer in 2022.
• High performance filters have been installed in all existing air-conditioning units to improve air filtration in areas such as the cafeteria, Fine Arts Center, Fitness Center and Thomas J. Fogarty Center.

Social Distancing. Per the guidance from the State, social distancing can “reduce the spread of infectious disease.” However, this physical distancing “should not hinder student participation in in-person learning.” In that light:

• Classrooms will be configured with all students facing the same direction with a target goal of 3 feet between students when feasible.
• Roger Bacon has purchased 660 new student desks and chairs which have a smaller footprint than the current sled desks. This new furniture will help promote social distancing within the classroom. A December 2021 installation is anticipated.

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.

Quarantine.

• If a student/faculty member tests positive for COVID-19:
  • Quarantine for 10 days from the date of the onset of symptoms or the date of the COVID-19 test if asymptomatic.
  • Fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication
  • Other symptoms have improved.
  • No further quarantine is required for at least 90 days from the date of the positive test.
• If a student/faculty member who has been vaccinated or is unvaccinated but wearing a face covering comes in close contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19:
  • Self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days following exposure. Unless symptoms develop, individuals can continue attending in-person class and participating in sports and extracurriculars.
  • If symptoms develop, it is recommended that the student/faculty member self-isolate and consult with a physician to determine if a COVID test is necessary/desired. If the test is negative, no quarantine is required. Do not come to school or participate in activities or extracurriculars while symptoms persist.

• If a student/faculty member is unvaccinated and not wearing a face covering comes in close contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19, contact tracing will be conducted and quarantine requirements determined.

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:

Dec 08: Feast of the Immaculate Conception Mass
Dec 09: Alumni Association Meeting
Dec 09-10: Junior "J.O.Y." Retreat
Dec 10: Dress Down Day (Jamaica Mission Trip)
Dec 15: Board of Directors Meeting
Dec 17: Christmas Assembly / Christmas Concert
Dec 20-21: 1st Semester Exams
Dec 22 - Jan 02: No School - Christmas Break
Jan 07: End of 2nd Quarter/1st Semester
Jan 10: PTO Meeting
Jan 14: Dress Down Day (Junior Morality Class Project)
Jan 17: No School (Martin Luther King Day)
Jan 20-23: March for Life
Jan 20: Early Dismissal - Sports Stag
Jan 21: No School - Professional Development
Feb 07: No School
Feb 08: PTO Meeting
Feb 16: Board of Directors Meeting
Feb 18: No School (Professional Development)
Feb 21: No School (Presidents' Day)
Feb 28: Dress Down Day (New Orleans Mission Trip)
Mar 01: Early Dismissal - ACT (Juniors) IOWA Testing (Freshmen)
Mar 08: PTO Meeting
Mar 18: Dress Down Day (Magnified Giving)
Mar 21: No School (Professional Development)
Apr 01: Dress Down Day (PTO)
Apr 11: PTO 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 06: Dress Down Day (Fernside)
May 09: PTO Meeting
May 23-24: Senior Exams
May 26-27: Underclass Exams
May 30: No School - Memorial Day
Jun 02: Graduation
Jun 15: Board of Directors Meeting