ROCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Follow RHS on Twitter at @RochesterHS_3A and on our Facebook Page @rhsrockets and ROCKET_RECAP - RHS Journalism Website for news and information about what is happening in the High School!
IMPORTANT DATES - LINK TO MAJOR EVENTS CALENDAR & ATHLETIC CALENDAR
9/18/24 - Financial Aid Night - 6:00 p.m. - Auditorium.
9/18/24 - Board of Education Meeting - 6:30 p.m. - District Office
9/19/24 - Environmental Wellness Meeting - Rocket Time - HS Library
9/20/24 - Early Dismissal Day - 11:15 a.m.
9/24/24 - Jostens - Turn in Cap/Gown Orders - RT - Auditorium
10/2/24 - Rochester Homecoming Parade - 5:30 p.m.
10/5/24 - Homecoming Dance - 7:00-10:00 p.m.
DOUBLE BUS ROUTES, 9-18-24
Bus Routes B and D are double routes tonight, please wait in the HS cafeteria after school until your shuttle bus arrives to pick you up and take you home. Please direct any questions regarding late buses to the Bus Garage at (217)498-9834.
FINANCIAL AID NIGHT - CLASS OF 2025 FAMILIES
There will be a Financial Aid Night on Wednesday, September 18 at 6:00 p.m. in the Auditorium.
RHS DRAMA CLUB IMPROV SHOW
Join the RHS Drama Club for a one night Improv Show! Themed for Halloween this performance will surely have you laughing! The Drama Club will be performing on October 20 at 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $5.00 at the door! Wear your favorite Halloween Costume and join us for a night of laughs, improv. and audience participation!
ROCHESTER FINE ARTS DEPT. APPAREL SALE
The Rochester Fine Arts Department is hosting a Fall Apparel Sale. This is a great opportunity to advertise your support of our amazing Rocket musicians in both band and choir! Fall apparel orders can be placed until September 29. Specific information regarding pick up will be shared after orders are complete. Click here to shop: Link to Purchase.
GALAPAGOS TRIP 2025
There is still room and time to sign up for the upcoming trip to the Galapagos and Ecuador. Students, parents, and friends are welcome to travel on this educational tour during June 2025. A virtual, informational meeting will be held on September 19 at 6:30 p.m. To RSVP, use the following link: https://rsvp.eftours.com/5npb2j9. If this opportunity interests you or you have any additional questions, please email Ms. Seitz at (oseitz@rochester3a.net) for more information.
FCA MEETING
We will have our first FCA Meeting this Sunday, September 22 at 5:30 p.m. in the RAC. There will be pizza and the meeting should be done by 6:30 p.m.
JOSTENS GRADUATION INFO (Graduation Date - May 18, 2025 @ 7:00 p.m. @ UIS)
Jostens will return next Tuesday, September 24 to collect orders. Please watch this quick video regarding important information on ordering your 2025 Cap/Gown, Graduation Announcements, and Accessories! To order, click the link within the video Informational Video. Graduation items will be delivered to students in early Spring of 2025. If you need additional information or have any questions, please contact Mrs. Tucker at stucker@rochester3a.net.
CAPITAL AREA EDUCATION FAIR INFORMATION
RHS will be offering the chance for Senior and Junior students to attend the Capital Area Education Fair (CAEF) on Wednesday, October 2 from approx. 8:40-10:20 a.m. The fair is located at the Orr Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds and is an excellent opportunity for your student to talk to different representatives and gather information about specific Colleges and Universities. If you are interested in attending, please pick up a permission slip with Mrs. Schudel in Student Services. All permission slips must be returned by Wednesday, September 25. Attendance will be first come first serve.
TENNIS TEAM FUNDRAISER
The Girls Tennis Team is having a Pack the House Night Fundraiser at Razzo’s on Monday, September 30. 10% of all dine-in and gift card sales will be donated to the team. Informational Flyer
2024 HOMECOMING SPIRIT DAYS
Monday, September 30 - Adam Sandler Day
Tuesday, October 1 - Rhyme Without Reason Day
Wednesday, October 2 - Country vs. Country Club Day
Thursday October 3 - Decade Day
Freshmen - 1950’s
Sophomore - 1960’s
Junior - 1970’s
Senior - 1980’s
Friday, October 4 - Orange and Blue
RHS HOMECOMING PARADE
The RHS Homecoming Parade will be held on Wednesday, October 2 at 5:30 p.m. We welcome all school sports and clubs, JFL teams/cheerleaders, Rochester Queens, local businesses, etc. to participate in the parade. We do not accept political entries. This year’s theme will be “Disney”. Please sign up at Parade Sign-Up Link. If you have any questions, please contact Deena Powell at dpowell@rochester3a.net.
HOMECOMING 2024 INFORMATION
When: Saturday, October 5, 2024 from 7:00-10:00 p.m.
Where: RAC
Theme: Meet Me at Midnight
Cost: $15.00 per Person - You will pay at the door.
Students need to bring their Student ID. Guest forms for non-Rochester students to attend the Homecoming Dance will be available from Mrs. Tucker in the Principal's Office. Guest forms will be due back by Wednesday, October 2 by 3:05 p.m. If you have any questions about the guest form, please contact Mrs. Tucker in the Principal's Office.
RHS VOLLEYBALL PINK-OUT GAME
RHS Volleyball is holding a fan apparel order for the Pink-Out game against Pleasant Plains on Thursday, October 24. In addition to silent auction baskets, $2.00 from every shirt sale will go to the fundraiser for the night. The money raised will be going to a local individual that is currently diagnosed with breast cancer. The first order date allows for delivery before the Chatham Pink-Out game at Chatham. Order by September 16 for delivery on October 1, for Chatham Pink-Out and order by October 3 for delivery on October 17. Click the link for more designs and order information! https://www.impressionsdesignco.com/rochester-pink-out
NHS STUDY TABLES
Need help with homework or studying? NHS Study Tables are here to help! Peer tutoring is available during Rocket Time in the library every Tuesday. Stop by for extra support in any subject, and let our NHS members help you succeed!
AUDIO-ESSAY CONTEST
The Rochester VFW is once again supporting the VFW Voice of Democracy audio-essay contest. This year's theme is "Is America Today our Forefathers' Vision?" Scholarship prizes will be awarded at the local, state, and finally a $35,000 national grand prize winner. Information and entry forms can be picked up in Mr. Fitzgerald's Room (1135). Entries must be submitted to Mr. Fitzgerald by October 31.
NEW ADMISSION FEES - HOME SPORTING EVENTS
Varsity Games & Varsity/JV Games
Adults - $8.00, Students, Seniors, and Veterans - $6.00
* All Rochester students still free, Maximum cost per family = $30.00
Freshman/JV Games Only
Adults - $5.00, Students, Seniors, and Veterans - $3.00
* All Rochester students still free, Maximum cost per family = $16.00
CONCESSION STAND VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We need your help with concessions at our home games. Earn your volunteer hours!
Sign up here: Student Concession Volunteers
ATHLETIC SPORTS PASSES
The 2024-25 Athletic Sports Passes will be available again this year! You can get yours at any home game. Cash or check made payable to “RHS”. The passes are good for RHS and RJHS home events. (Tournaments and Post Season games are not included) The cost is $200 for a Family Pass (for immediate family only) or $100 for an Individual Pass.
RHS PTO INFORMATION
The HS PTO needs your help! The PTO is seeking donations to help provide food for our teachers during Parent Teacher Conferences this fall and provide additional supplies that the HS teachers need in their classrooms. You can make a donation at PayPal - (RHS PTO @rhsrocketspto) or you can mail in a donation to - Rochester HS PTO - Attn: Kendra Jones, 1 Rocket Drive, Rochester, IL 62563 OR you can visit our Amazon Wish List at RHS PTO Wish List. Any donation is greatly appreciated!
2024-2025 YEARBOOKS ON SALE NOW
The 2024-2025 RHS Rocket Yearbook is on sale now for $70.00. ALL sales for books will be online this year. Click LINK to purchase the RHS 2024-2025 Yearbook to order your yearbook TODAY! Just a reminder that we do not purchase an excess of extra yearbooks, so if you want a yearbook, please make sure to order it NOW!
STUDENT PICTURES
Inter-State Studios - This event's Order Code is 87914KF. Online ordering is available before and after Picture Days. Shipping and handling charges may apply to orders placed after Picture Days. HS/JH Picture Re-Takes will be Monday, November 25, 2024.
JUNIORS & SENIORS:
Each year the Millikin University School of Education hosts the Annual Conference for Tomorrow's Teachers on campus in the beautiful state-of-the-art University Commons building. Throughout the event, students interested in education participate in sessions on important topics in the field – such as innovative instructional approaches, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics), new technologies, Special Education, English as a Second Language, and multicultural education. The registration deadline is October 14. For more information please see the FLYER.
JUNIORS & SENIORS ANNOUNCEMENT
Mennonite College of Nursing Springfield is hosting a nursing boot camp for High School Juniors and Seniors on September 24. They have limited availability, so they encourage students to sign up as soon as possible. Please see the FLYER for more information.
JUNIORS & SENIORS - ANNOUNCEMENT
This year, St. John's School of Nursing is hosting 6 Wednesday night sessions spread throughout the academic school year. The Teen Health Care Exploration Program sessions will be from 4:30-7:30 p.m. and cover a variety of topics. Not only will high school students be interacting with nursing students and other healthcare professionals, but we will have some interprofessional partners. We invite juniors and seniors to sign up to attend this year! If students attend 3 or more sessions out of 6, they are eligible for a tuition benefit to St. John’s College of Nursing. Link to Sign-Up There is an Open House on Wednesday, September 25 from 3:00-5:00 p.m.
CLUB U INFORMATION
Club U is a student community service organization. We keep track of all of your community service hours. If you are interested in joining our Canvas Club U group, please email Mrs. Powell at dpowell@rochester3a.net.
STUDENT PARKING
Students must complete the Parking Survey prior to receiving their parking tag.
COLLEGE ESSAY ASSISTANCE
Seniors: it is that time already! College essays! If you would like help writing or editing your essay, Dr. Johnson would love to help you. College essay workshops will be every Monday and Wednesday during Rocket Time in the back of the Junior High Library (Dr. Johnson's new office space). Please send Dr. Johnson an email at tjohnson@rochester3a.net, and she will issue you a pass. There is no need to do this alone; use your resources!
ATTENDANCE EMAILS & PHONE CALLS
ALL attendance information (absences, doctors notes, vacation, pre-arranged absences, college visits, etc.) should be sent to Mrs. Basan-Welch in Student Services by email vbasanwelch@rochester3a.net or by phone 217-498-9761, Ext. 53105.
ATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES
SPORTS ANNOUNCEMENT
If your student plans to participate in sports this school year '24-'25. Registration is open. At that time, please visit Athletic Registration to register your athlete. Please go under the 'more' tab and choose athletic registration. We will also need an updated physical on file. Don’t forget to subscribe to “notify me” for your child’s sport, this allows you to get automatic notifications of any schedule changes. If you need to check your child’s physical date or have any questions about the registration process, please contact Kim Hauck at khauck@rochester3a.net.
BASKETBALL OPEN GYMS
Basketball open gyms will be every Wednesday and will run through October. The open gyms will be held in the RAC from 6:00-7:00 p.m. for anyone in 3rd through 8th grade and 7:00- 8:30 p.m. for high school students and up.
COLLEGE VISITS
Sept. 19 - US Marine Corps - 1st and 2nd Lunch
Sept. 24 - LLCC - 1st and 2nd Lunch
Sept. 25 - US Army - 1st and 2nd Lunch
Sept. 25 - McKendree University - 1st Lunch
Sept. 26 - US Marine Corps - 1st and 2nd Lunch
Oct. 1 - University of Missouri - 2nd Lunch
Oct. 3 - Illinois College - 1st and 2nd Lunch
Oct. 7 - University of Chicago - 2nd Lunch
Oct 16 - SEMO - 1st and 2nd Lunch
Oct 18 - University of Illinois-Springfield - 1st and 2nd Lunch
LUNCH
Wednesday's Menu
Rocket Line: Wing Bar
Corner Crust Pizza: Chicken Mac & Cheese Pizza
Custom Brother’s Grill: Bosco Sticks
Salad Bar
Thursday's Menu
Rocket Line: Wing Bar
Corner Crust Pizza: Broccoli, Pepper & Onion Pizza
Custom Brother’s Grill: Boneless Wings
Salad Bar
WEEK AT A GLANCE
September 18 - “A” Day
September 19 - “B” Day
September 20 - “A” Day