ROCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
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
3/4/25 - EWC Trivia Night & Potluck - 5:00-7:00 p.m. - HS Library (Info Below)
3/10/25 - Cap & Gown Distribution - RT - Auditorium (Info Below)
3/10/25-3/12/25 - Color Guard Tryouts - 3:30-5:00 p.m. (See Info Below)
3/13/25-3/14/25 - RHS Blood Drive (See Info Below)
3/13/25 - “In Our School” Presentation - Topic: Safety - 6:00-6:45 p.m. - Auditorium
3/19/25 - Board of Education Meeting - 6:30 p.m. - District Office
3/20/25 - RHS Spring Choir & Band Concert - 6:00 p.m. - Auditorium
3/24/25-3/28/25 - SPRING BREAK - NO SCHOOL
4/9/25 - STEM Fair - 5:30-8:00 p.m. RAC (See Info Below)
5/3/25 - RHS Prom
5/18/25 - RHS Graduation Ceremony - 7:00 p.m. @ UIS
DOUBLE BUS ROUTES, 3-4-25
Bus Routes H and N 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.
EWC TRIVIA NIGHT
The Environmental Wellness Club will be hosting a Trivia Night and Potluck TONIGHT, Tuesday, March 4 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the HS Library. If you are going to attend, please plan on bringing a dish to contribute to the potluck so everyone can have something. Please fill out this form so we can plan accordingly. We hope to see you all there! Link to Sign Up for Trivia Night
SPANISH CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT
The Spanish Club will be partnering with the Pulsera Project to sell handmade bracelets (pulseras) and bags (bolsitas) for the next two weeks. Each $5 pulsera and $15 bolsita sold will help create fair trade jobs, support communities in Nicaragua and Guatemala, and fund a number of programs that help improve the lives of hundreds of Central Americans. Bracelets can be purchased at lunch, or from one of the Spanish teachers until March 14.
SUMMER 2026 TRIP TO JAPAN: POSSIBLE SECOND BUS
Thank you for the interest in our tour to Japan that will be taking place in June 2026. We filled up a full bus back in January, and we currently have a short waiting list. A number of people have inquired about the possibility of getting a second bus for the trip. In order to do that, we would need another 12-15 people to express interest and be willing to sign up for the waiting list. If you, your child, and/or other family members are seriously interested in going, please reach out to Mr. Klemm at kklemm@rochester3a.net to let him know. If you feel ready, you can always sign up for the waiting list with a $95 refundable enrollment fee. You would have no other obligation until a second bus is confirmed, so there is no risk involved. You can enroll at the link: EF TOURS LINK. Additionally, you can see the presentation about the trip right here. We hope you can join us!
ROCHESTER BAND PIZZA FUNDRAISER 2025
Rochester School Band Families: The Band Boosters principal fundraiser is our annual Antonio’s pizza sale. 50% of all pizza sales revenue benefits the 5th through 12th grade Rochester Band Program by funding new instruments/equipment. To reach our revenue goal, we need to sell 1500 pizzas! (Don’t need pizza, but still want to support the program? Customers are also allowed to donate money to the Band Boosters program directly.) Sales take place from February 21-March 7. Order forms are due Friday, March 7 to your band director! Order forms will be sent home on February 21 AND they will be emailed by Mr. Gunn and Ms. Roberts. The pizza build will be Saturday, March 15. Please find more details HERE.
JOSTENS GRADUATION CAP & GOWN PICK UP
Jostens will be delivering caps and gowns and other graduation materials to students who ordered them on Monday, March 10 during Rocket Time in the Auditorium! If you have any questions about pickup, please contact Mrs. Tucker at stucker@rochester3a.net.
COLOR GUARD TRYOUTS
All current 8th-11th graders, Color Guard tryouts for the 2025-2026 team are quickly approaching! Come out and learn a new and unique skill during our three day tryout. Tryouts will be held on March 10, March 11 and March 12 from 3:30-5:00 p.m. in the RHS Auditorium. Hope to see you there! Informational Flyer
RHS BLOOD DRIVE INFORMATION
Rochester High School is partnering with ImpactLife to host a blood drive on March 13 and 14. Students and staff may donate at the blood drive. Students MUST be 16 years of age or older to donate. Students who are 16 will need parent/guardian permission forms completed before donating. Forms can be turned into Mrs. Hawkins. Consent Form ImpactLife
Our goal is to have 150 people donate to help save lives! Our school will be eligible to earn a life savings grant (Lifesaving Grant Information), and students can individually earn the Impact Award (Impact Award Information). More information is below.
Please use this link to sign up if you are interested! Please use this link to sign up! Rochester HS Blood Drive 2025 - March 13 (B Day) or Rochester HS Blood Drive 2025 - March 14 (A Day)
This drive is not open to the community, community members who would like to donate can visit ImpactLife to donate at the donor center in Springfield! Any community member who donates between March 6-21 and credits Rochester High School, we will receive credit toward our Lifesaving Grant. Plus, your student can earn credit towards our Impact Award if you are a first time donor or a lapsed donor! If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mrs. Hawkins at mhawkins@rochester3a.net or our ImpactLife Coordinator Krista Jiroutek at kjiroutek@impactlife.org. Thank you for your consideration and support!
MARCH MADNESS TOURNAMENT
The Library is starting a March Madness Tournament. Please click on the google form and vote for your Top 8 Books that were checked out of the HS Library this year! Each week there will be a new round of books, until the winning book is chosen. March Madness Week 1 Link
5ESSENTIALS SURVEY FOR RHS
PARENTS - Please take a few minutes to complete the 5Essentials Survey for RHS. This is a survey given by the Illinois State Board of Education. What is the 5Essentials Survey? The 5Essentials Survey is taken by all PK-12th grade teachers and all 4th-12th grade students. The information collected through the survey is reviewed and analyzed to generate a 5Essentials Report for each school. The 5Essentials Report includes a breakdown of teacher and student responses and provides a comprehensive picture of the school environment based on five essential areas critical for school improvement in a meaningful context of similar and successful schools. Rochester High School would appreciate your input! Thank You!
SENIOR CLASS PHOTOS NEEDED
Attention Seniors and Senior Guardians: Each year for graduation a video is created and shown before graduation. We are asking that each senior provide one baby or toddler age (1-3 years old) picture and one senior picture by March 19, 2025 for the video. Photos can be digital or hard copy. Please see the attached letter for additional information - Senior Photo Request Letter
LLCC SENIORS
The Annual LLCC Reg Prep Day is Thursday, April 3. Seniors planning to attend LLCC in the Fall may sign-up for the event via the Google Form sent to you by the Counseling Department. Forms are due Friday, March 21.
CENTRAL ILLINOIS STEM FAIR TICKETS AVAILABLE
Ticket registration is open for the 2025 Central Illinois STEM Fair, to be held on Wednesday, April 9 from 5:30-8:00 p.m. at the RAC. Last year the STEM Fair hosted 80 exhibits and attracted over 1000 attendees from 20 different schools in Central Illinois. The STEM Fair showcases locally-available STEM activities for students covering a wide range of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics topics. Reserve your free ticket today at https://centralillinoisstemfair.eventbrite.com/
SENIOR RECOGNITION ADS - YEARBOOK
Families - Do you remember your son or daughter's first day of school? It may seem like yesterday, but your student will be graduating high school very soon. How do you express just what this time together has meant to you? How about purchasing a Recognition Ad in the yearbook? It is a great way to say "I love you and I'm proud of you" as well as share favorite childhood photos and memories. Please click on RHS Senior Recognition Ads Flyer to order your senior's ad today! Yearbook Recognition “Happy” Ads are on sale now. The deadline to order will be Friday, May 2, 2025.
“IN OUR SCHOOL” PRESENTATIONS
Rochester High School would like to invite all Rocket Parents and Guardians to a new series of “In Our School” presentations. “In Our School” presentations are for Rochester High School Parents and Guardians and will provide information on important topics concerning our students. "In Our School" Presentations Informational Letter Next Presentation: March 13
UIS HIGH SCHOOL STOCK MARKET COMPETITION
UIS is currently having a stock market competition. It is only available for area high school students to play. It has cash prizes for the top 5 winners. The LINK provides all the directions to get into the game as well as the contact information for the UIS professors. The game closes on March 28, 2025.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
The Springfield Lake Shore Improvement Association has scheduled their Annual Cleanup Day on Saturday, April 26, 2025 for the Lake Springfield area. This is a great way to earn community service hours! They are hoping for a huge turnout this year with your help. Please see attached flyer for more information. INFORMATIONAL FLYER
CLASS OF 2025 ANNOUNCEMENTS
You can now find information on Graduation, Scholarships, College Essay Assistance, etc. in one location - SENIOR CLASS ANNOUNCEMENTS
ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS
You can now find information on Team Meetings, Concession Stand Volunteers, Sport Registrations, Tickets/Passes, etc. in one location - ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT INFO
STUDENT PARKING
Students must complete the Parking Survey prior to receiving their parking tag.
"LAST CALL" FOR THE GALAPAGOS
If you and/or your family are looking for a summer vacation this year, this is a last call for the Ecuador/Galapagos Tour we are going on this summer! The final day to sign up is quickly approaching on March 2, so don't miss out on this amazing opportunity if you are interested! If you would like more information (itinerary, dates, etc.), please reference INFORMATIONAL LINK. Please note that this is the PPT from the September Informational Meeting so pricing may vary. If you have any further questions, please email me at oseitz@rochester3a.net.
2024-2025 YEARBOOKS ON SALE NOW
The 2024-2025 RHS Rocket Yearbook is on sale now. LINK to purchase the RHS 2024-2025 Yearbook 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! If you cannot remember if you purchased a yearbook yet for this year, please email Mrs. Tucker at stucker@rochester3a.net.
GUIDED TEST PREP PROGRAM
RHS now has a subscription to the Learning Express Guided Test Prep program. This resource offers: Test prep for ACT, SAT, ASVAB, and AP exams, a Resume builder, and a Scholarship database. Students can access it by clicking on the Library Canvas page and following the links for EBSCO.
RHS PTO INFORMATION
The HS PTO needs your help! The PTO is seeking donations to 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!
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.
COLLEGE VISITS
March 18 - Quincy University - 2nd Lunch
March 19 - University of Illinois - Springfield - 1st and 2nd Lunches
March 19 - US Army - 1st and 2nd Lunches
March 20 - US Marines - 1st and 2nd Lunches
March 21 - Illinois College - 1st and 2nd Lunches
LUNCH
Tuesday's Menu
Rocket Line: BBQ Chicken Sandwich
Corner Crust Pizza: Cheese and Pepperoni Pizzas
Custom Brother’s Grill: Mac and Cheese Bites
Salad Bar
Wednesday's Menu
Rocket Line: Popcorn Chicken Bowl
Corner Crust Pizza: Bosco Sticks and Hot Pockets
Custom Brother’s Grill: Onion Rings
Salad Bar
WEEK AT A GLANCE
March 4 - “A” Day
March 5 - “B” Day
March 6 - “A” Day
March 7 - “B” Day