Newsletter
ADA Compliant Newsletters
October 2018
The Firebird
ROCK UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
OCT 2018 VOL. 1
RUHS MISSION
The mission at Rock University High School is to inspire and empower all students to reach their full potential by providing them a college preparatory learning experience. The students’ learning experience includes an emphasis on STEM and the humanities so that students acquire the knowledge, skills, and practices to become critical and creative thinkers, problem solvers, innovators, leaders, and collaborators. RUHS ensures that graduates can apply what they have learned in order to compete and succeed in a global economy emerging with innovation.
RUHS VISION
Rock University High School provides a small, student-centered school that empowers students to move from consumers of information to creators of their own learning. RUHS is a place where creativity, innovation, and flexibility are rewarded, mistakes are viewed as opportunities, and learning is ongoing. RUHS prepares all students with the skills, knowledge, and dispositions needed to be successful in college, meaningful careers, and life.
| Important Dates | 01 |
| Fundraisers | 01 |
| Birthdays | 02 |
| Meet A Board Member | 02 |
| RUHS Grant Information | 02 |
| Policy Reminder | 02 |
IMPORTANT DATES
Parent/Teacher Conferences
|
Tuesday, October 23, 2018 |
1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. |
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Wednesday, October 24, 2018 |
4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. |
|
Thursday, October 25, 2018 |
8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. |
RUHS Students will be participating in the 2018 Manufacturing Day. The students will visit Alliant Energy, BTC’s Milton Campus, and Evonik.
FUNDRAISERS
Yankee Candle Fundraiser
Sale Dates:
Book Orders: Now – November 5, 2018
Online Orders: Now – December 20, 2018
RUHS Scoopie Night
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Join us at Culver’s on West Court Street for dinner, dessert, or both! A portion of the proceeds will be donated to RUHS for social events, field trips expenses, and general supplies. We look forward to seeing you there!
Birthdays This Month!
1. ALIYAH BERG
2. ELLIOTT BRIGHAM
Meet a RUHS Board Member
JANE THOMPSON, President:
Jane is a retired educator and former Rock University High School Dean of Students. She currently serves on the Statewide International Educational Council. Jane’s global connections assist with expanding the reach of student research. She was the impetus for the partnership which allows RUHS students to research and present at the yearly Critical Issues Forum focused on nuclear non-proliferation.
Policy Reminder
Attendance
Students may not be absent without excuse for more than any part or all of five (5) or more days on which school is held during a school semester. Students are limited to ten (10) days (80 hours) of excused absences per year, except as otherwise provided in this policy. Students beyond the 10 days/80 hours may be required to make up academic time through detentions or in-school suspension.
RUHS Grant Information
We are pleased to announce that RUHS was given a Charter School Expansion grant by the Department of Public Instruction. RUHS was given $650,000 for a period of five years. The grant will allow us to increase the numbers of students that we can serve and will also mean that we will be open to ninth grade students beginning in the fall of 2019. RUHS is excited to partner with Blackhawk Technical College as we develop a high school where students can graduate with both a high school diploma and credits toward an associate degree. More information will be coming about these plans in future newsletters.
The RUHS Governing Board meets every 3rd Monday of the Month at Rock University High School from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
RUHS Governing Board Meetings
3rd Monday of the month
Location: Rock University High School
Room:1303
Time: 4:00-5:30 pm
November 2018
The Firebird
Rock University High School Newsletter
The mission at Rock University High School is to inspire and empower all students to reach their full potential by providing them a college preparatory learning experience. The students' learning experience includes an emphasis on STEM and the humanities so that students acquire the knowledge, skills, and practices to become critical and creative thinkers, problem solvers, innovators, leaders, and collaborators. RUHS ensures that graduates can apply what they have learned in order to compete and succeed in a global economy emerging with innovation.
RUHS VISION
Rock University High School
Provides a small, student centered school that empowers student to move from consumers of information to creators of their own learning. RUHS is a place where creativity, innovation, and flexibility are rewarded, mistakes are viewed as opportunities, and learning is ongoing. RUHS prepares all students with the skills, knowledge, and dispositions needed to be successful in college, meaningful careers, and life.
| Important Dates | 01 |
| Parent Group Meetings | 02 |
| Birthdays | 02 |
| Exciting News | 02 |
| Policy Reminder | 03 |
| RUHS Grant Information | 03 |
| Meet A Board Member | 03 |
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES/EVENTS
BIRTHDAYS this month
JaQuala Dumas
Vega Russell
RUHS Field Trip
Tuesday, November 20, 2018. RUHS students will be going to the Discovery Building in Madison, WI.
Workshop 1: Engineering & Nanomaterials for a Better World
Workshop 2: A Differentiation Investigation: Characterizing Human Cells
RUHS Parent Group Meetings
1st Monday of the Month
. 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
All parents are welcomed and encouraged to attend!
RUHS Parent Group Mission is to make every student's
potential a reality by engaging and empowering families
to play a supportive role through volunteering,
fundraising, mentoring, and advocating for our RUHS
students and staff.
No School -Thanksgiving Break
- Wednesday, November 21, 2018
- Thursday, November 22, 2018
- Friday, November 23, 2018
| Monday, October 1 | Monday, February 4 |
| Monday, November 5 | Monday, March 4 |
| Monday, December 3 | Monday, April 1 |
| Monday, January 7 | Monday, May 6 |
The RUHS Governing Board meets every 3rd Monday of the Month at Rock University High School from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
RUHS Governing Board Meetings
3rd Monday of the month
Location: Rock University High School
Room:1303
Time: 4:00-5:30 pm
BTC Culinary Arts Visit:
A 2-hour exploratory Culinary Arts session where students will learn about Culinary careers, the Culinary Arts program at BTC, and participate in a hands-on activity.
Exciting News!
For the second year in a row, Rock University High School once again leads the district in ACT Scores!
| 2016-17 | 2017-18 | |
| Rock University High School | 21.9 | 20.7 |
| ARISE | 19.4 | 19.9 |
| Craig | 20.3 | 19.7 |
| Parker | 18.9 | 18.5 |
| TAGOS | 17.7 | 17.2 |
| Rock RIver Charter | 13.5 | 14.1 |
| District | 19.3 | 18.9 |
| State | 20.2 | 19.9 |
Source: State DPI
RUHS Grant Information
We are pleased to announce that RUHS was given a Charter School Expansion grant by the Department of Public Instruction. RUHS was given $650,000 for a period of five years. The grant will allow us to increase the numbers of students that we can serve and will also mean that we will be open to ninth grade students beginning in the fall of 2019. RUHS is excited to partner with Blackhawk Technical College as we develop a high school where students can graduate with both a high school diploma and credits toward an associate degree. More information will be coming about these plans in future newsletters.
Fundraiser Update
As a result of our Scoopie Night on October 10, 2018, RUHS raised $421.53 to be used for student needs, field trip expenses, and our Critical Issues Forum class/trip.
Policy Reminder Inappropriate Clothing/ Attire
Clothing/attire is considered inappropriate if it is offensive or disruptive to the school environment as determined by staff/administration.
Inappropriate clothing includes, but is not limited to:
♦ alcohol or drug-related clothing/jewelry
♦ threat/hate group or gang-related clothing
♦ clothes that contain a message that is discriminatory
♦ clothing or attire that causes a distraction or is embarrassing to others
♦ clothes that contain a negative message about any aspect of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy or physical, mental, emotional or learning disabilities - hats may not be worn in the building.
Meet A Board Member
CARLO GOVANTES, Vice President:
Carlo is an alumnus of Rock University High School and a current Blackhawk Technical College student. Carlo was a member of the first graduating class of Rock University and has remained active with guidance of the school since graduation.
Service Learning Opportunity
Below is a link to a service learning/volunteer opportunity:
Teens Encouraged to Participate in Teen Volunteer Involvement Program (V.I.P.
http://www.ci.janesville.wi.us/Home/Componen ts/News/News/12217/29
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF JANESVILLE ANNUAL NOTICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION REFERRAL AND EVALUATION PROCEDURES
Upon request, the School District of Janesville is required to evaluate a child for eligibility for special education services. A request for evaluation is known as a referral. When the district receives a referral, the district will appoint an Individualized Education Program (IEP) team to determine if the child has a disability, and if the child needs special education services. The district locates, identifies, and evaluates all children with disabilities who are enrolled by their parents in private (including religious) schools, elementary schools and secondary schools located in the school district.
A physician, nurse, psychologist, social worker, or administrator of a social agency who reasonably believes a child brought to him or her for services is a child with a disability has a legal duty to refer the child, including a homeless child, to the school district in which the child resides. Before referring the child, the person making the referral must inform the child's parent that the referral will be made.
Others, including parents, who reasonably believe a child is a child with a disability may also refer the child, including a homeless child, to the school district in which the child resides.
Referrals must be in writing and include the reason why the person believes the child is a child with a disability. A referral may be made by contacting Ms. Kimberli Peerenboom, Director of Pupil Services, School District of Janesville, at 608-743-5061, or by writing her at 527 S. Franklin Street, Janesville, WI, 53548.
School District of Janesville CONFIDENTIALITY OF PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION OBTAINED THROUGH CHILD FIND ACTIVITIES
The School District of Janesville is required to locate, identify, and evaluate all children, with disabilities, including children with disabilities attending private schools in the school district, and homeless children. The process of locating, identifying, and evaluating children with disabilities is known as child find.
This agency conducts the following child find activities each year in the form of Early Childhood and Speech and Language Developmental Screenings. This notice informs parents of the records the school district will develop and maintain as part of its child find activities. This notice also informs parents of their rights regarding any records developed.
The school district gathers personally identifiable information on any child who participates in child find activities. Parents, teachers, and other professionals provide information to the school related to the child’s academic performance, behavior, and health. This information is used to determine whether the child needs special education services. Personally identifiable information directly related to a child and maintained by the school is a pupil record.
Pupil records include records maintained in any way including, but not limited to, computer storage media, video and audiotape, film, microfilm, and microfiche. Records maintained for personal use by a teacher and not available to others and records available only to persons involved in the psychological treatment of a child are not pupil records.
The school district maintains several classes of pupil records.
- "Progress records" include grades, courses the child has taken, the child's attendance record, immunization records, required lead screening records, and records of school extra-curricular activities. Progress records must be maintained for at least five years after the child ceases to be enrolled.
- "Behavioral records" include such records as psychological tests, personality evaluations, records of conversations, written statements relating specifically to the pupil's behavior, tests relating specifically to achievement or measurement of ability, physical health records other than immunization and lead screening records, law enforcement officers' records, and other pupil records that are not "progress records." Law enforcement officers' records are maintained separately from other pupil records. Behavioral records may be maintained for no longer than one year after the child graduates or otherwise ceases to be enrolled, unless the parent specifies in writing that the records may be maintained for a longer period of time. The school district informs parents when pupil records are no longer needed to provide special education. At the request of the child's parents, the school district destroys the information that is no longer needed.
- "Directory data" includes the student's name, address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, photographs, degrees and awards received, and the name of the school most recently previously attended by the student.
- "Pupil physical health records" include basic health information about a pupil, including the pupil's immunization records, an emergency medical card, a log of first aid and medicine administered to the pupil, an athletic permit card, a record concerning the pupil's ability to participate in an education program, any required lead screening records, the results of any routine screening test, such as for hearing, vision or scoliosis, and any follow-up to the test, and any other basic health information, as determined by the state superintendent. Any pupil record relating to a pupil's physical health that is not a pupil physical health record is treated as a patient health care record under sections 146.81 to 146.84, Wisconsin Statutes. Any pupil record concerning HIV testing is treated as provided under section 252.15, Wisconsin Statutes.
Request for School Transfer/Placement (Intra District Transfers) within the School District of Janesville Attendance Areas
Due to Move:
If you move within the School District of Janesville during the school year and wish to remain at your current school please ask the school office for a Request to Remain in Current School Following Move to New Attendance Area Form (Blue). Complete the form and return it to the school office.
Due to Parent Choice:
If you wish to apply to have your student transferred/placed in another school within the district next school year (2018-2019), please ask the school office for a School Transfer/Placement Within the School District Form (Goldenrod). Completed forms will be accepted from December 1 through December 15, 2018 only. Submit your Request for School Transfer/Placement Within the School District Form (Goldenrod) to your home school attendance area office. Parents applying for Requests for School Transfer/Placement Within the School District will be notified of approval or disapproval by January 15, 2019. Parents applying for Requests for School Transfer/Placement Within the School District for incoming Kindergarten students will be notified of approval or disapproval after they have enrolled their child during the Kindergarten Enrollment period with the New Student Enrollment Office. If you have questions, please contact the school office of your home school attendance area.
Open Enrollment – Public School Choice – District to District Transfers
If during the school year, you move outside the School District of Janesville and you wish to remain at your current school please contact the Administrative Services office at 743-5152 and request a tuition waiver form within two weeks of your move. This will allow you to be eligible to attend your current school for the remainder of the current year tuition free. To continue attending the School District of Janesville after the 2018-19 school year, you will also need to complete an open enrollment application. Application instructions are provided to the School District of Janesville by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and should be available by late January 2019. This year applications will be accepted February 4 – April 30, 2019.
If you have questions regarding Open Enrollment or Public School Choice please contact the Open Enrollment Specialist at 743-5152.
December 2018
The FirebirdROCK UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTERDEC 2018 VOL. 3
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RUHS MISSIONThe mission at Rock University High School is to inspire and empower all students to reach their full potential by providing them a college preparatory learning experience. The students’ learning experience includes an emphasis on STEM and the humanities so that students acquire the knowledge, skills, and practices to become critical and creative thinkers, problem solvers, innovators, leaders, and collaborators. RUHS ensures that graduates can apply what they have learned in order to compete and succeed in a global economy emerging with innovation. |
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RUHS VISIONRock University High School provides a small, student-centered school that empowers students to move from consumers of information to creators of their own learning. RUHS is a place where creativity, innovation, and flexibility are rewarded, mistakes are viewed as opportunities, and learning is ongoing. RUHS prepares all students with the skills, knowledge, and dispositions needed to be successful in college, meaningful careers, and life. In this Issue:
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UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES/EVENTSRUHS Parent Group Meetings - 1st Wednesday of the Month - 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.All parents are welcomed and encouraged to attend! RUHS Parent Group Mission is to make every student’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families to play a supportive role through volunteering, fundraising, mentoring, and advocating for our RUHS students and staff.
The RUHS Governing Board meets every 3rd Monday of the Month at Rock University High School from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. Below you will find a link to the meeting minutes from the Governing Board meeting on 11/19/18. Birthdays This Month No School Charter School Community Career Fair: Blackhawk Technical College’s Winter Carnival Community EventsDecember 14, 2018: Kids Helping Kids December 15, 2018: Rock County Historical Society hosting Carriage House Christmas December 15, 2018: SDJ's Annual Bags of Hope January 8, 2019: RUHS End of Semester Open House!
RUHS Grant Information
Fundraiser Update Yankee Candle Fundraiser - Mac's Pizza Shack Policy Reminder: Electronic Devices Consequences: Students who commit this act of misconduct will be disciplined in one or more of the following ways: ¨ Conference ¨ Confiscation ¨ Detention ¨ Parent Referral/Contact ¨ Police Referral ¨ Probation Referral ¨ In School Suspension ¨ Removal from premises Maximum Consequences: ¨ Out of School Suspension ¨ Pre-Expulsion ¨ Recommendation for Expulsion Meet A Board Member Kathy Boguszewski: Scholarship Information Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp Scholarship America’s Farmers Scholarship Delta Theta Sigma Co-Ed Fraternity Scholarship GSAFE Scholarship Internship Opportunities The Rock County Historical Society is looking for student interns in the following areas: Internship / Apprentice Opportunity! Volunteer Opportunities Teens Encouraged to Participate in Teen Volunteer Involvement Program (V.I.P.) Article from DPI websiteInternet Discount FinderFriday, August 3, 2018 Digital equity is an urgent issue. Schools increasingly provide their students with mobile devices to take and use at home. However, according to the 2017-18 Wisconsin Digital Learning Survey and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, about 20% of Wisconsin households do not have access to the internet. While 1:1 computing can be beneficial for students, affordability is the main reason why many people do not have internet access at home. The Internet Discount Finder, created by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC), can help low-income households find discounted internet service. Discounts are as deep as 80%. Moreover, it’s easy to use: enter a full home address to see if there are any providers in the area and then learn about what different programming is offered and how to qualify. Some providers base qualification for internet discounts on participation in programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) or Section 8, the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), and other means-tested programs. Schools and public libraries can play a critical role in promoting the Internet Discount Finder to ensure all of their students and library users get internet access at home. For many children and adults, the public library is the only source of internet access. The Internet Discount Finder is not just for households with students. It is designed to help all Wisconsin families and residents get internet access. Provider programs cover as much as 85% of the state, according to the PSC. The Internet Discount Finder's ease of use, combined with the potential to reach an overwhelming majority of the state, puts educators and librarians in optimal positions to promote and explain it to families or residents who can benefit from the service.
Internet providers offer an array of discounted internet subscriptions based upon a variety of factors such as income, participation in Free and Reduced Cost Lunch programs, housing assistance, veteran status, Medicaid, Supplementary Security Income and more. Here is the link to see if you qualify for any of these programs. |
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January 2019
The Firebird
Rock University High School Newsletter
Jan 2019 Vol 4
RUHS Mission
The mission at Rock University High School is to inspire and empower all students to reach their full potential by providing them a college preparatory learning experience. The students’ learning experience includes an emphasis on STEM and the humanities so that students acquire the knowledge, skills, and practices to become critical and creative thinkers, problem solvers, innovators, leaders, and collaborators. RUHS ensures that graduates can apply what they have learned in order to compete and succeed in a global economy emerging with innovation.
RUHS Vision
Rock University High School provides a small, student-centered school that empowers students to move from consumers of information to creators of their own learning. RUHS is a place where creativity, innovation, and flexibility are rewarded, mistakes are viewed as opportunities, and learning is ongoing. RUHS prepares all students with the skills, knowledge, and dispositions needed to be successful in college, meaningful careers, and life.
In this Issue:
- Important Dates
- Parent Group Meetings
- Governing Board Meetings
- Birthdays
- Exciting News
- RUHS Grant Information
- Policy Reminder
- Meet a Board Member
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES/EVENTS
RUHS Parent Group Meetings 1st Wednesday of the Month
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
All parents are welcomed and encouraged to attend! RUHS Parent Group Mission is to make every student’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families to play a supportive role through volunteering, fundraising, mentoring, and advocating for our RUHS students and staff.
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Tentative Meeting Dates: Mark your calendar! |
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Wednesday, December 5 |
Wednesday, April 3 |
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Wednesday, January 2 |
Wednesday, May 1 |
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Wednesday, February 6 |
Wednesday, June 5 |
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Wednesday, March 6 |
6:00 – 7:30 p.m. |
The RUHS Governing Board meets every 1st Wednesday of the Month at Rock University High School from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Below you will find a link to the meeting minutes from the Governing Board meeting on 12/17/18.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QtuA0QgPi7jv5rvhMGwbqf00y6KmJws7Dv--E0fQ65k/edit?ts=5c13073c#
Birthdays this Month
Colten Mekeel
Rock University High School End of Semester Open House
Tuesday, January 8, 2019 6:00 p.m - 7:30 p.m.
RUHS Picture Day
Friday, January 11, 2019
RUHS Winter Formal
Voigt Music Center
January 18, 2019
7:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
RUHS Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences
Wednesday, January 16, 2019 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 17, 2019 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
No School
Friday, January 18, 2019: End of First Semester
Monday, January 21, 2019: Martin Luther King Day
Exciting News
8th graders from the 3 Janesville Middle Schools visited RUHS on January 3, 2019. RUHS students gave tours of the school, advice for any interested 8th graders, and the great reasons why they chose to attend RUHS.
RUHS Grant Information
An intensive marketing campaign is underway in educating the community about the new opportunity for our very first freshman class this coming fall. You may be hearing an ad on the radio (WJVL and WCLO) or seeing print ads in the Janesville Gazette and messenger newspapers. Staff and students have been visiting our local middle schools to present eighth graders information about the middle college model and how they can apply to be a Firebird next year! New student applications have been coming in and we are excited to be enrolling students for next year already.
Policy Reminder
Students enrolled in the School District of Janesville are expected to:
- Attend school and scheduled classes on a daily basis unless ill or excused by school officials.
- Take advantage of all available resources and learning opportunities presented to them, and develop and learn to the best of their abilities.
- Select courses with the purpose of achieving meaningful goals.
- Complete assigned work within the time designated.
- Challenge their intellect and not just work for grades.
- Give the best possible performance in all testing situations.
- Obey all rules, directives, and district policies, which are communicated either in writing or verbally.
- Participate in school-sponsored events and activities.
- Accept help from their classmates and be willing to help others when they can.
- Register complaints and concerns with those who have the most direct responsibility to address them.
- Students and parents should consult the Student Conduct Code for further conduct guidelines.The Student Conduct Code will have the same authority as the student rules outlined in student handbooks.
- Students are expected to be polite, helpful, and considerate when a substitute teacher is present in the classroom. Uncooperative students should expect disciplinary consequences from their regular classroom teacher.
Please see Board Policy 6000 - District Beliefs, Goals, and Expectations.
Meet a Board Member
Jose Carillo:
Jose is a retired General Motors engineer. Jose has served as a local and state representative for the United Automobile Workers Union. Jose is a member of the Arrowhead Library Board.