We are approaching the season of short school weeks and time off from classes. The holiday season brings many emotions and realities for different people. It also provides us with frequent opportunities for us to be of service to our neighbors, families and friends. I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together during this time.

At Roth Junior High, we have successfully completed the first 10 weeks of the 2024-2025 school year. Our first quarter was busy, productive, and worthy of celebration. These 10 weeks provided us with regular opportunities to reflect, identify areas in need of more attention, and make on-the-spot adjustments. I continue to feel immense gratitude at this great privilege to lead our students and faculty. 

Cell Phone & Device Reminder: When students are locked in on the teaching and activities that our faculty work hard to prepare and deliver, they will have the best opportunity to achieve. When students are distracted by the lure of their electronic devices, the possibility of gossip on social media, or the temptation to connect via messages with their friends, they are opening themselves up for negative learning experiences. Our faculty and staff continue to emphasize that students should store their devices in their lockers. Again, this is part of a districtwide goal to help students feel more comfortable and competent in social settings. This policy is not solely about limiting access to distracting content. It is also an effort to re-engage our students with the type of personal social interaction that most of us experience in our daily lives. To unplug to connect, we must first unplug. Please continue to encourage your student to rise to Roth’s call for excellence. 

Behavioral Leadership: Just as research shows personal devices have an overall negative effect on student academic performance, we are working to limit student misconduct in classrooms, the halls, the Cafe, common areas, after-school events, and on our buses. The system we adopted this year has helped students and staff develop a common language and common procedures for addressing student behavior. The goals of our system are to communicate with families (frequently); give students the opportunity to repair any harm done; coach and shape future behavior; and to keep healthy pressure on students to make positive behavioral choices. Respect for self and others is a priority in this system. Please continue to support your student’s positive and respectful behavior.

Parent/Guardian-Teacher Conferences: Families should have received postcards from Roth inviting you to schedule a meeting on Monday, November 25, or Tuesday, November 26. Here is the content from the postcard:

• Who? Parents and/or Guardians
• When? Monday, November 25 (1 - 8 p.m.); Tuesday, November 26 (8 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
• Why? Discuss academic progress, goals and issues with your student’s teachers. Werecommend you prepare with questions and concerns for specific teachers and/or subjects. You may select a Google Meet or in-person meeting. There are limited time slots so please understand you may not be able to meet with all of your student’s teachers. 
• To register for Parent/Guardian-Teacher Conferences, please call the following numbers between Friday, November 1 and Friday, November 15:
  • If your child is in 7th or 8th grade, you will call (585) 359-5120 to schedule your meeting.
  • If your child is in 9th grade, you will call (585) 359-5124 to schedule your meeting.

Winter Sports Season Registration: Registration for the 2024-2025 winter sports season is underway. You can register your student at www.rhnet.org/clearance. Please be sure to have all necessary documentation available.

• Practices for JV/Varsity begin November 18, and for Modified begin December 2. 
• Please visit the District Website for a list of contact information for winter sports and coaches.