Weekly School Broadcast The ABC Countdown is almost complete. The kindergarten students share some end of the year fun together and dress in their patriotic colors to celebrate "U" for USA Day.
May 28, 2021
A Message from the Principal
As we prepare to celebrate Memorial Day this weekend, we remember the countless men and women who have given unselfishly in service to our country - and many who have died doing it. It is a time to visit cemetaries, tell stories about relatives who served, maybe even share your own story of service. Our children need to hear about unsung heroes. These are the men and women we try to emulate and be grateful for.
We are ready for our last week of school for 2020-2021. The common sentiment seems to be how fast the year went. The week ahead will be filled with our eighth graders last Mass as students of St. Francis of Assisi, graduation, picnics, our end of the year celebration assembly (in classrooms) and many good-byes. We are so grateful to our families for the support, encouragement and prayers as we navigated this year and all the covid recommendations and guidelines. Although there were challenges - we did it - together!
Thank You!
School News Mrs. Jennifer O’Hara (current 7th Grade Homeroom and Junior High Science Teacher) has accepted a position at Lourdes High School. Please join me in congratulating her - we are so excited she is remaining part of our RCS family! The last day of school for students in grades K-7 is Friday, June 4th. We will dismiss at noon. Enjoy your summer and watch for a communication form the school regarding the fall Welcome Days, etc coming late July! Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) is a temporary food benefit available to Minnesota families who qualify for free or reduced-price school lunch. These families will be mailed an electronic benefit card which is loaded with funds that can be spent on food this summer. The nonpublic schools in Minnesota were able to apply for a grant to assist with covid related challenges. The money can be used for a variety of things, and will reimburse schools for some expenses already incurred. We are going to be hiring some additional paraprofessional help and providing some after school programming with some of these funds. The positions were posted this week. Please contact the office if you would like more information. Notices went home earlier this week if you still need to turn in a library book. Please return as soon as possible. Saint Francis of Assisi Parish is sponsoring a summer faith formation program called Totus Tuus from July 18-23. For a registration form, click here. If you would like more information and register on-line, please click on the “youth” link on the parish website https://stfrancis-church.org/.
System News We are excited to welcome an increasing number of families who are choosing Catholic education in Rochester! Do you know a family that is looking for a change in their child's educational journey? Next year, we have more than 215 new students joining the RCS community! Help share the RCS story - refer a friend today. Our Admissions team is available at (507) 424-1817 to answer any questions! A friendly reminder that all families need to electronically sign their tuition contract by June 15. This is a new process, and tuition contracts are viewable on the SchoolAdmin Parent Portal. If you have not already signed your contract, click here to log in to your account, review your contract, and sign today. Remember to order your gift cards for graduation today! Orders need to be placed by 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 1, for delivery to schools on June 3. Summer Hours: Monday through Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. No orders will be placed June 28. The Scrip Office will be closed July 1 - 9. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated for the flu yearly. The ideal time to be vaccinated is before the end of October and flu season gets underway. The School-Located Immunization Program vaccinates children for flu at school, including all schools in Olmsted County, as well as the Kasson-Mantorville Schools in Dodge County and Pine Island schools in Goodhue County. Read more... The Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine is now available for children and teens ages 12 and older. Vaccines may be scheduled through Mayo Clinic, Olmsted Medical Center, Olmsted County Public Health, local pharmacies, or other locations. Read more... Rochester Catholic Schools believes that reading is an important aspect of a child’s education and one that should take place year-round. Each summer, students entering grades 6-12 participate in a summer reading challenge. Read more... Activities News Sports physicals are required by MSHSL to participate in sports throughout the school year. Sports physicals are valid for three years. Please send new or updated physicals to activities@rcsmn.org. 2021-2022 sports physical blank form can be found here. Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine and Olmsted Medical Center are offering sports physical clinics this summer for students in grades 7-12. Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine - Saturday, July 31 from 8:00-11:00 am at Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center. Appointment only. Cost $20 (cash/check only). Click here for full details. Olmsted Medical Center - Saturday, July 31 from 8:00 am-12:00 pm at OMC Sports Medicine & Athletic Performance Building. Appointment only. Cost $25. Click here for full details. If these options do not work for you here are a couple other ways to obtain a sports physical. - Visit you primary care provider. Baseball - Alex Rudquist Track & Field - Nicholas Degen Boys Golf - Under Varsity Team Boys Tennis - Jonathan started the season rusty, but has been improving every day. He is a class act on and off the court. He's a tremendous mentor to the younger players. Congratulations Jonathan! There will be an informational meeting on Tuesday, June 1 at 6:00 pm in the LHS Commons for all girls and boys currently in grades 6-11 who are interested in Cross Country this fall. Current athletes, parents, and anyone interested in learning more about Cross Country are encouraged to attend. Topics will include, summer captain's practice information, Whitewater camping details, and the season schedule. If you are interested in learning more about Cross Country but cannot attend, please email Coach Gilman (pgilman@rcsmn.org) for more information. Social Distancing and current school COVID-19 guidelines are required at the meeting. Calendar
St. Francis of Assisi School |