Week of February 27

Weekly Schedule:

Announcements

• 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.
  
  
• Dr. Dan Nelson, the Medical Director of the Child Psychiatry unit at Children’s Hospital, will speak to interested parents on Tuesday, February 28th at 7:00 pm in the Fine Arts Center about grief and loss in teens and the trauma of a death by suicide. Please take advantage of this opportunity. Contact our Guidance Director, Pam Rosfeld at prosfeld@rogerbacon.org with any questions.
  
  
• On Tuesday, February 28th, students will be involved in testing or service activities. All students will be dismissed at noon, and lunch will not be served. After school study tables will be available in the cafeteria until 1:00 pm - please arrange transportation.
  
  • Freshmen will be taking the IOWA tests. In order to earn a high school diploma, students are required to pass the IOWA tests. These tests assess general knowledge of subject areas. Tests will be taken on the iPads. Freshmen should bring their iPads and graphing calculators to school.
    
  • Sophomores will participate in a service day.
    
  • Juniors will be taking the ACT. Juniors should bring their graphing calculators and two #2 pencils to school.
    
  • Seniors should use this day to visit colleges, job shadow, or work on their senior service project. Seniors are not expected to report to campus.
    
    
• Sophomore Service Day - Tuesday, February 28th
  Location: Roger Bacon High School and service site
  Time: Report to the cafeteria no later than 7:45 am. Students are dismissed at 12:00 pm (noon). Students will begin with attendance and an introduction to the day and then be bussed to service sites. There will be no lunch, but students may bring a snack for themselves.
  Safety: Roger Bacon faculty/staff members will accompany students throughout the whole day.
  Attire: Students should wear jeans or school pants, a Roger Bacon spirit shirt, and closed toed shoes.
  Students ARE NOT PERMITTED TO WEAR: shorts, sweatpants, leggings, hats or sandals.
  Lunch: Spartans should bring a clear container for drinking and may bring a snack.
  School Work Missed: This is a testing day. Therefore, no classroom instruction or work are assigned.
  Backpacks and iPads: Do not worry about bringing your iPad or school work that day. Leave these at home or in your locker prior to 7:45 am. The entire day will be devoted to the service day.
  Transportation: Transportation will be provided by bus.
  
  
• On Thursday, March 2nd, we have a college visit from Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. The visit will take place during Flex, in the East Wing Conference Room. You can sign up for the visit on Naviance. See Ms. Smith in the Counseling Office with any questions!
  
  
• We are starting a Grief and Loss Support Group hosted by Companions on a Journey. This group is for any student in our Roger Bacon community that has been impacted by loss. The group will meet on Thursdays in room 20 from 9:30 – 10:15 am on the following dates: March 2, 16, 30, April 20 and May 11. There is a registration/consent form that your parent/guardian will need to complete, just click on this link to access the consent form. If you require a paper copy of the consent form, please stop by the Counseling Office. Please see Ms. Smith or Ms. Rosfeld in the Counseling Office with any questions.
  
  
• The Senior/Parent Dance will be held on Saturday, March 11th
  from 8:00 – 11:00 pm in the Fogarty Center. The theme of the dance is “Back to the 80’s – Big Hair and Neon!” The cost of the tickets is as follows: Senior + 2 parents - $25; Senior + 1 Parent - $15. Please purchase tickets via Venmo (@RB-Alumni) by March 3rd. Please label the payment “Senior Parent Dance.”
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 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.
  

Scholarships - School Year 2023/24

Several scholarships for the upcoming 2023/24 school year have been uploaded to SpartanLink and are accessible when students log in to their SpartanLink accounts. There will be a banner at the top of their profile that says: You Have: #_ Forms to Review. Depending on the grade level, some students may have more or less forms (scholarships) to review and apply for. Below are the scholarships available:

• Roger Bacon Class of 1952 Scholarship – current Freshmen and Sophomores
• Roger Bacon Class of 1965 Scholarship – current Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors
• Roger Bacon & Our Lady of Angels Class of 1969 Scholarship – current Juniors
• Willard “Red” & Mary Stoll Family Endowed Scholarship – current Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors
• Vincent M. Kathman Alumni Scholarship – current Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors
• Spartan Achievement Award – current Juniors
• Paul & Naomi Thomas Scholarship – current Sophomores
• Donald A. Miller Endowed Scholarship – current Juniors
• Patrick Wolterman Memorial Scholarship – current Juniors
• OLA Education Fund Scholarship – current Freshmen and Sophomore girls

All scholarship applications are due on April 3, 2023. Some scholarships require letters of recommendations – please read requirements carefully. Letters can be given to Brandon Spaeth in the Advancement Office, sent via email to bspaeth@rogerbacon.org, or mailed to Roger Bacon High School, c/o Brandon Spaeth 4320 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45217. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Spaeth.

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:

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