Friday, January 10, 2025

 

Hello Roth Families and Friends,

I want to start by sharing that our students have done a remarkable job coming back from the long Winter Recess. The vast majority have quickly readjusted to the cadence, routine, and expectations of life at Roth. Especially as we look (in the very near future) toward the close of our first semester, I am grateful for your continued support and encouragement. 

Our second semester starts Monday, January 27. The new semester is going to bring about change for many student schedules. Half-year courses will end. New half-year courses will begin. Students who previously had a study hall in their schedule may be moved into an elective. Our goal is to get students into classes, and to keep them there. I firmly believe that pushing our students to take on new and challenging courses – and to see them through to completion – will help prepare them for the fluidity of life. Students will potentially have new teachers as well, depending on their new schedule. I will spend time this weekend looking at our second semester offerings, and potentially making minor changes. If you have any schedule-related questions, please email your student’s counselor.

• 7th Grade, Mrs. LaPlaca
• 8th Grade, Mrs. Hernandez
• 9th Grade, Ms. Prinzi

My hope is that the new semester also continues some of the familiar. Our building policy around student devices will remain the same. I ask that you remind your students to follow the guidance and direction of Roth faculty and staff. Our off and away policy requires student devices be kept in lockers. We have been giving gentle reminders this week, and I am confident that students will quickly get back into the device-free routine. Additionally, we will continue to work on coaching conversations and behavioral leadership in response to any misconduct. Our goal has been and will continue to be to shape student behavior. I have included our updated Behavioral Leadership progression table here. 

Onward and upward. Here are some exciting upcoming events and opportunities to celebrate our students and families.

 

Roth Junior High Dance: Our students have spoken; we have listened. A big shout out to our ninth grade class officers and their advisors for planning Roth’s first school-wide dance in years! Roth students are invited to dance the night away on Friday, February 7, from 7 - 9 p.m. in the cafe. Tickets will be sold starting Monday, January 27, during all three lunches. Tickets are $10 per student. This event is limited to Roth Junior High students. More information to come.

News from the Library: The library is hosting a puzzle race! Seventh, eighth, and ninth graders will race to finish their own puzzle before the other grade levels in a competitive and creative contest. Here are the details. Each grade will have its own 550-piece puzzle to complete. Students can access the library during study hall times to participate. Students will have two weeks to complete their grade-level puzzle. The grade that completes their puzzle first will piece together a fantastic prize! For more news from our library, please check out Ms. Thomas’ and Mrs. Leader’s newsletter. If you have not yet checked out these library newsletters, please do. Ms. Thomas and Mrs. Leader do an excellent job curating interesting information for our students and families. 

Roth Musical: Roth will be ogre-the-moon when Roth Junior High School students present their production of Shrek the Musical Jr. The family-friendly musical comedy follows the adventures of an ogre named Shrek who sets off on a quest to save a princess from a dragon. However, it turns out that in order to ultimately succeed, Shrek must battle an even bigger obstacle: learning how to believe in himself and open his heart to others. Performances are Friday January 31 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, February 1 at 3 p.m. in the Roth Junior High Auditorium, located at 4000 E. Henrietta Rd. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here. Thanks for all of your support! 

Student Arrival (AM): This is specifically for families who drop off their students each morning. From 6:45 - 7:05 a.m., the bus loop should be used by school buses only. Families dropping off their students during this 20-minute window should use the designated Student Drop-off Zone, which has visible signage. We have had a number of near accidents in the bus loop due to unsafe vehicle traffic while buses are attempting to pull in and out. We are doing our best to keep our students safe in the building, and I ask that you do your part on the outside. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

These next few items are reminders.

Visiting Campus: Families are welcome to visit Roth JHS for scheduled meetings with our administrators, counselors, or other related staff. When coming into the school, all visitors must enter through the main entrance. A photo ID is required to enter the building. *NOTE: During dismissal, we ask that visitors wait until school buses have loaded and departed. This will help us ensure the safety of and smooth departure for our students. We appreciate your willingness to partner with us to meet your student’s learning, wellness, and safety needs.

Upcoming Events:

• Roth JHS Concert (Grade 7): Monday, January 13, at 7 p.m.
• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (school closed): Monday, January 20
• Grading Day (no school for students): Friday, January 24
• Roth Parent Group Meeting: Monday, January 27, at 7 p.m.
• Lunar New Year (no school for students): Wednesday, January 29
• Roth Musical (Shrek the Musical Jr.): Friday, January 31 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, February 1 at 3 p.m. 
• Roth JH Dance: Friday, February 7 at 7 p.m.

Click here for previous E-News communications.