September 27, 2017

As we enter the heart of fall trimester, I recommend we all encourage our students to maintain their academic focus. A good practice is to use Schoology to monitor student progress throughout the school year. Use information from Schoology in your conversations with your student(s) about school. If you have concerns about a particular class, urge your student to visit with the teacher. If you don't have access to Schoology, please call Cathy Pollock at 651–423–7564 or e–mail her at cathy.pollock@district196.org.

October is a month with several significant academic events.

Ninth grade students will participate in a one day "Respect Retreat" on Wednesday, September 27. This retreat will focus on creating a positive school community by engaging students in activities that encourage them to respect themselves, respect others, and stand up for the value of respect. Many of our seniors have commented on exit surveys that the 9th grade Respect Retreat was a very valuable experience and a highlight memory of their high school experience. See the email sent out specifically regarding the Respect Retreat for more details.

SAT test dates for juniors for the 2017–2018 school year are October 7, November 4, December 2, March 10, May 5, and June 2. The SAT Test is a college entrance exam. Some highly selective colleges require SAT II Subject tests, which are subject–specific exams given on the national test dates. There are a few test sites in the Twin Cities Metro area. The cost for the SAT is $46 or the SAT with Essay is $60, SAT subject tests are available for an additional fee. Register at www.collegeboard.org. Fee waivers available for qualifying students. Find more information at www.collegeboard.org or call your R.H.S. Counselor at 651–423–7517.

Many 11th and 12th grade students will attend the Minnesota National College Fair at the Minneapolis Convention Center on Wednesday, September 27. Students do have the option of attending this event during the evening. We encourage this option. Students will find the lines are shorter and the college admissions professionals are more accessible if they attend during the evening. Students choosing to attend during the school day on the 27th need to follow normal school procedures for missing school. These procedures can be found at http://www.district196.org/rhs/generalinfo/absence.cfm . Students who choose to attend during the school day and follow correct absence procedure will be given an "excused absence".

The PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) will be given on Wednesday, October 11, 2017, 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at RHS. The primary function of this test is qualification for the competitive National Merit Scholarship. Students can also use this test to practice for the SAT college entrance exam. The cost is $22. Students who wish to take the PSAT may sign up on FeePay from Sep. 30 – Oct. 6. Call the Counseling Office at 651–423–7517 for more information.

Thursday, September 28, we will host our first Irish Flex Day of the year. The goal is to give students time during the school day to work with a teacher for a class in which they are experiencing difficulty or in an area where they wish to explore beyond the course curriculum. For this first Flex Day we will use the same format from the first four Flex Days last year, and will hold Flex Period at the start of the day. Many students will be invited to work on individual Intervention or Enrichment work with teachers. Students who are invited to work with a teacher should meet with that teacher in their homeroom location at 7:30 a.m. Students not invited to Intervention or Enrichment Time in grades 9–10 are to report to their regular homeroom locations for quiet study time. Students not invited to Intervention or Enrichment Time in grades 11–12 are to report to the Student Center for quiet study time or they may choose to report to school for period 1 at 8:30 a.m. For students in grades 11–12 who have not been invited to work with a teacher, the quiet study time is optional. Students in grades 11–12 who are not involved directly with Intervention or Enrichment and arrive before 8:30 will be directed to the Student Center until period 1 begins. Counselors will be available in the RHS Career Center to work with seniors on their college applications on a drop–in basis.

Friday, September 29 is Data Day for the District's High Schools. There is no school for district High School Students. At Rosemount High School teachers will continue to be prepared to best use the new technology in our school this year. There will also be an emphasis on student equity.

Picture retake day is Monday, October 2 from 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. in the Student Center. Students who missed pictures in August or who were not satisfied with August pictures should have their picture taken. We need each student to have a picture for school IDs. The only seniors who should have pictures taken on the 2nd are Foreign Exchange Students or those who are new to our school since the August date. Information regarding retake pictures can be picked up in the main office or accessed at
http://schoolportraits.lifetouch.com/ .

Parent Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday, October 5 (4:00 – 8:00 p.m.) and Friday, October 6 (7:00 – 10:00 a.m.). Our conferences are located in our Student Center and Library. Teachers visit with parent(s)/guardians(s) on a first come – first served basis. No appointments are needed. A college Financial Aid Officer will speak to parents who want an overview of the Financial Aid application process at 7 p.m. in room 120, on the 5th. There is no school on Friday, October 6, due to Parent Teacher Conferences.

Don't forget that the State Teacher Conventions come up Thursday, October 19 and Friday, October 20. There is no school on these two days.

It was great to see so many of you at the various celebration events this past month, for the 100th centennial celebration of Rosemount High School. The slogan Pride in the past, Performance in the Present, Promise in the future has been around our school for many years. Thanks to all of you for your contributions to our school now and in the future! Together we continue to build upon the history of positive performance here at Rosemount High School!