SCHOOL NEWS

This week please meet the rest of our new staff:

Mrs. Tracy Reilly - Physical Education
Tracy is the Physical Education teacher at St. Francis grades K-8. This is her 25th year in the Rochester Catholic Schools. Over the past 24 years she has taught at Holy Spirit grade school and Lourdes High School, teaching both physical education and a PLTW (Project Lead the Way) class Human Body Systems. She attended Mankato State University for her licensure in K-12 physical education and attended Winona State University for her masters. 

Mrs. Rebecca Lara - Spanish
Mrs. Lara is in her first year teaching Spanish at St. Francis of Assisi School. The Spanish program is expanding this year to include grades K-8. Rebecca and her husband, Ruben, have two children, Ruben (8) and Faith (3). They came to Rochester about two years ago after more than a decade living and working in Spain. 

Mrs. Kathy Winkels - The NEST and Extended Day PM Para
Kathy Winkels has worked with many pre-school groups, and done tutoring for many grade levels in the past, but never in a school setting, so this environment is quite new to her.  Mrs. Winkels and her husband, Mike, have a large family, including four grandchildren. She really enjoys playing board games...especially scrabble - so if there are any groups out there count her in!

Thank you to all of the K-5, 7 & 8 families who attended our Parent Information Nights this week. We believe that these events are important as we work to collaboratively educate our young people. We hope that you heard how important communication is to your child’s success. Our ultimate goal is for our children to be prepared for heaven. We do this by helping them learn the love of God and the importance of serving Him in this world. Parents of sixth grade students please mark your calendars and plan to attend the Chromebook Parent/Student night on Monday, September 24th.
 

Thank you to Merit Roofing Company for their diligent work on replacing the roof on our primary wing. While the project still requires some metal work, the heavy equipment is gone and the roof did not reveal any leaks after this week’s heavy rain.
 

New this year: our Extended Care AM program opens at 6:30 AM. Students must be registered to attend. Forms are available on the website. www.rcsmn.org We have been asked about breakfast and are currently exploring a couple of different options.
 

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 12th. 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. The flu clinic vaccinations are only for K-12 students.      
 

St. Francis of Assisi School Flu Clinic will be held in the afternoon on October 5th. Please mark your calendars and remind your child the day of the clinic. Also, please make sure your child wears a top that provides easy access to the upper arm. This makes it easier for the nurses and your child!   Register Today!
 

Saturday, October 6th is the Fourth Annual St. Francis of Assisi SchoolFun Run at 9:00 am! Please join us for a great start to your morning with your choice of a timed, fast, flat 5K or a 1 mile walk! We will have bagel bits, bananas, coffee and hot chocolate when you return along with entertainment from Pure Rock Studios! 

In order to get a t-shirt, you will need to register before September 16th! Please register by clicking here.

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! 
 

ACTIVITIES NEWS

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