SCHOOL NEWS

Students are now allowed to wear Spirit Wear- RCS tops on Fridays- with uniform bottoms!  Read this article for more details.

Read this article to learn about two more action steps in our school strategic plan for improvement for 2018-2019.

Click the article headline to learn more about a few important topics in our handbook.  

Parents are invited to come and learn more about our programs at Holy Spirit! Click the title of this article for more details. 

At this time, our used uniform inventory is overloaded.  Please do not send any more and if you are in need of some additional uniforms for your child, please stop in and take some!! 

And a BIG thank you to Polly Waldbillig and Kendra Week for starting the process to organize our inventory!  We appreciate you both! 

Picture order forms are coming home today!  Pictures will be taken on Monday, September 10th, please send your order form complete with payment back on picture day! And, Monday will be a non-uniform day!  Wear your favorite outfit, keeping in line with our non-uniform dress code and wear your best smile!!

For the safety of our children, attached are our parking lot procedures for drop-off and pick-up.  Please pay attention to the protocol that we have followed for 8 years.  Safety is our #1 priority in our before and after school parking lot. Click here for the detailed protocol.

Thank you.

Lego Robotics begins next week for 6-8th grade students.  We will meet on Tuesdays from 7:45 - 8:30 am in room 203.  Please complete the form attached and return it to Mrs. Good. Click here for the form.

If you have not yet paid your activity fee for 2018-2019, please submit it to the office.  If you are unsure of the amount due, please call the office.

Thank you.

Please pay particular attention to these attendance reminders!

#1-We do not have morning supervision until 8:30AM, if your child arrives before that time, they will be escorted to Extended Care and you will be charged.

#2-Please use the attendance email, hsattendance@rcsmn.org for any student absences, appointments or Extended Care notifications.

Thank you.

Registration NOW OPEN for the 2018 School Flu Clinic!   Keeping Kids Healthy and in School!

RCS is once again partnering with Olmsted Medical Center, Mayo Clinic and Public Health to offer the flu vaccine (both injectable and mist) to our K-12 students at our schools, making it easier and more convenient for both students and parents. Immunizations are an important way to keep children healthy, and health professionals encourage all children to get an annual influenza vaccination.   Non-medication pain reducing options will be offered and your health insurance will be billed, just like it would be if you were at the clinic. Children can get vaccinated if you don’t have insurance at little or no cost to your family.    Registration is required and will close on September 12.  Online registration is preferred, but paper forms are available in the office.   No registration forms will be accepted after September 13th.    For more information and to register online - click HERE.  Questions can be directed to 293-4800 or emailed to schoolflu@mayo.edu.

SYSTEM NEWS

In conjunction with MN Department of Health recommendation of USEPA’s Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools program, a management plan and best practices will be reviewed annually.

The Diocese of Winona will provide a prompt, appropriate and compassionate response to reporters of sexual abuse of a child by any diocesan agent (employees, volunteers, vendors, religious or clergy). Anyone wishing to make a report of an allegation of sexual abuse should call the Victim Assistance Coordinator at 507-454-2270, Extension 255. A caller will be asked to provide his or her name and telephone number. Individuals are also encouraged to take their reports directly to civil authorities. The Diocese of Winona is committed to protecting children, young people and other vulnerable people in our schools, parishes and ministries. The diocesan policy is available on the diocesan website at www.dow.org under the Safe Environment Program. If you have any questions about the Diocese of Winona's implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, please contact Mary Hamann, at 507-858-1244, mhamann@dow.org  
 

As required by law, schools that apply certain pesticides on school property must maintain an estimated schedule of pesticide applications and must make the schedule available to parents and guardians for review or copying at each school office. RCS contracts with a professional  Pest Control services for the prevention and control of rodents, insects and other pests in and around the building. The program consists of inspection, monitoring, recommending sanitation and maintenance practices, utilization of non-chemical measures and applications of EPA registered pest control materials when needed. 
 

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords eligible students certain rights with respect to their education records. (An “eligible student” under FERPA is a student who is 18 years of age or older or who is attends a postsecondary institution.) For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Education website to view FERPA rights.
 

During the 2018-19 school year the following Asbestos Management plan activities have been or are currently being completed. These activities are pursuant to the Environmental Protection Agency 40 CFR Part 763 - “Asbestos Containing Materials in Schools; Final Rule and Notice.

-Semi-Annual Periodic Surveillance Inspection
-Asbestos Abatement
-Notification of Asbestos Locations for Short-term Workers
-Training of District Personnel

Rochester Catholic Schools has contracted through Southeast Service Cooperative with the Institute for Environmental Assessment to provide environmental consulting services. 
 

RCS Scrip is an easy program used to reduce tuition costs by offering rebates from stores and restaurants you are already buying from!
If you haven't used this program before it’s easier than ever! With over 700 vendors available at your fingertips, nearly every purchase you make can help you reduce your tuition costs! Using ShopWithScrip.com, you simply purchase full-priced gift cards online to use at your favorite vendors, each with their own rebate, and YOU earn back 75% of these rebates to use towards:

•    Annual Tuition (for you or another family)
•    RCS General Tuition Assistance Fund
•    A Rochester Catholic Parish of your choice 
And ... Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends can use this too! 

Visit the Scrip website to learn more or register today! 
 

SYSTEM ACTIVITIES

Join the Lourdes High School Cheer Team for a fun afternoon learning a routine, cheers, chants, jumps, and more!  

You will perform the routine at the October 17th football game (this is the Wednesday game before MEA) and are invited to cheer with the cheerleaders for the third quarter of the game.

If you are in grades 1-5, you are eligible to participate! Click here to learn more or register today! 

Fall sports are already off to a great start for soccer, swimming & diving, cheerleading, volleyball, cross country, tennis and football. If you are looking for some family fun, check out the Lourdes High School athletics and fine arts calendars on our website and don’t forget … all enrolled RCS students and staff are invited to attend sponsored home events free!

If your student is involved in a Fall Activity, you are invited to join us at Mass on Sunday, September 16th, 11:15 a.m. at the Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. The students will sit together as a group and be recognized. 
 

Rochester Catholic Schools will have a informational meeting mid to late September. Please check your weekly broadcast for this information.     
 

The RCS Activities Office is in need of a coach for the 7th grade Volleyball Team.  Please contact Mr. Strickland (sstrickland@rcsmn.org) if you have interest.
 

Students in 5th grade have the opportunity to start band!  The week of September 10-14, the RCS band instructors will be at each school during the day for students to come and try the instruments to help them choose what to play. On Monday, September 17, we will have a parent information meeting at 6:00 in the Forum at Lourdes High School where we will answer questions and finalize registration for 5th grade band.  There will be representatives from Welhaven Music at the meeting to help with instrument rentals. Band will start the week of September 24-28.

If you have any questions about your child starting band, please email Ms. Hanson at whanson@rcsmn.org or call and leave a message at your school.

Stop by the Activities Office or before any Lourdes High School Athletic event to purchase your All Sports Ticket which allows you admission into regular season home games. The pass is $50 for 10 punches.

It's that time of year again for the fall sports walk-in clinic on Saturday mornings at Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine.

The Saturday morning injury clinic is for middle school, high school and college athletes injured during recent sports activities.
 
Please visit on Saturdays between September 1 - October 13 at the Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center - Floor 3 from 8:00 am -12:00 pm Doors will open at 7:30, last walk-in accepted at 11:00 

Appointments are preferred, walk-ins are accepted. Phone lines open at 7:30 am to make an appointment please call Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine at (507) 266-6690.

Pending MSHSL approval, Lourdes High School will be in a Co-op with Byron High School Wrestling beginning this school year. If you have a student (going into grades 7th-12th) interested please contact the RCS Activities Office at (507) 289-3991.

Byron is seeking an RCS connection for a coach. If you are interested in coaching wrestling, please contact the RCS Activities Office. 

UPCOMING EVENTS