Friday, May 09, 2025

 

Hello Roth Families and Friends,

 

This week felt like a gift. The joy of celebrating our faculty and staff. Our 7th and 8th grade math testing went off without a hitch. Our 9th graders took their practice Regents exam seriously, and their teachers are already talking about what to do with that live-action data. We had a team from the Senior High School present to those same students, about the transition from Roth to the High School. Though I’m sad that my time with the Class of 2028 is almost over, I am hopeful that the work we did at Roth this year will help them transition smoothly into a new building. And, today, we are honored to welcome and hear from a local chapter of Vietnam War Veterans. This week has been a gift, and a reminder of how much we have to celebrate and give thanks for. Thank you to our fantastic teachers and staff who suit up, show up, and care for our students. Thank you to our generous Parent Group for putting on such a delicious and special full-day feast. Thank you to our veterans, for your service to our nation. 

So let’s go. We have two full weeks, and then our Memorial Day holiday weekend. We’ll return to the final stretch of the 2024-2025 school year. With our feet firmly planted in the present, and our sights set on the future, I ask that you continue to motivate our students to work for success. Because I do believe that success is a result of a commitment to hard work, reflection, resilience, and a community of support. We do have a lot to celebrate. And still, we have work to do at Roth Junior High.

Earlier this week, we learned about a troublesome social media challenge/trend. Please read below for more information about a current Chromebook concern, as well as some upcoming events and reminders. Enjoy the weekend! 

Dangerous TikTok Experiment: There is a dangerous new trend on TikTok encouraging students to intentionally try to make their Chromebooks spark or smoke by inserting an object such as a paperclip, thumbtack, or lead pencil into the charging port. Doing so can and has caused these devices to catch on fire. The lithium-ion batteries inside electronics such as these are very dangerous when they ignite and can explode, causing serious harm. Please speak with your children and warn them of the very real hazards associated with this trend. In addition to the risk of causing a fire, there is also the potential for electric shock and toxic smoke. We are hearing reports that even if inserting an object into the charging port doesn’t initially spark or smoke, damaging the battery in this way can cause it to ignite up to a month later. I’d also like to remind you that intentionally damaging district-issued devices goes against our acceptable use policy, and families will be charged for repair or replacement costs.

I ask that you speak to your child about the value of common sense and respect for property. Social media is not all bad. I challenge our students to instead find trends with the aim of doing good for other human beings. Let’s challenge each other to be kind and caring, instead of dangerous. Here is an article that explains a bit more about this trend. 

Washington, D.C. Trip: We are only a few days away from our trip. Attending students and their families are asked to please join the Washington, DC Remind class by using this link. You can also send a text to 81010 with the message @c648f83 to join. We will use the Remind messaging app to communicate with home while we are away. You can text chaperones through this messaging system in an emergency situation. This is how information will be shared with families between now and the trip. We are excited for this incredible opportunity. Please reach out to Ms. Flood or Mr. Mallaber via the Remind app with any last minute questions.

Roth Junior High Awards Night: This is a reminder for an event that I hope many of you will attend. It has been such a pleasure to get to know our kids this year, and I’m even more excited for an opportunity to honor their achievements with an audience of their greatest supporters. Invites will be sent to families of students who will be recognized. Those families are cordially invited to attend our Awards Night at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 3, in the auditorium. Please save the date on your calendar. We look forward to celebrating our students. 

A Sparkling Starry Night, Semi-Formal: Roth freshmen are invited to attend our Semi-Formal Friday, May 30. The event will run from 6 to 8 p.m. This year’s theme is “A Sparkling Starry Night.” Tickets are $10 per person. Snacks and beverages will be provided. Tickets will be on sale Monday, May 19, through Friday, May 30, during lunch. Roth 9th graders who plan to invite a 9th grader from a different school can pick up a Guest Form from the main office. No tuxedos or ball gowns required. Put on your best business-casual attire and be ready to dance the night away. 

Stopfinder App: Primary contacts for students who ride the bus at Roth should have received an invitation to download and set up the Stopfinder app. This app provides real-time information to families regarding their student’s busing. If you have questions about the app, please reach out to the Transportation department at 359-5380. If you are the primary contact and did not receive the invitation, please check your junk folder to see if it may have been filtered there. If you still cannot find the message, please contact the Roth Main Office at 359-5100 so that we may verify your email address in the system.

Budget Vote May 20: Please save the date for Rush-Henrietta’s annual budget vote and Board of Education election. Eligible voters are encouraged to vote between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, at the R-H Transportation and Operations Center, 1133 Lehigh Station Road. Can’t make it that day? You have another option!

Qualified voters who would like an application for an absentee ballot or early voting ballot may request one from District Clerk Cheryl Castronovo at 359-5010 or ccastronovo@rhnet.org. If either type of ballot is to be mailed to the voter, the completed application must be received by the district clerk no later than Tuesday, May 13. If the early mail or absentee ballot is to be handed to the voter in person at the Office of the District Clerk, the completed application must be received by the district clerk during regular office hours no later than Monday, May 19. The Office of the District Clerk is located in the Parker Administration Building, 2034 Lehigh Station Road, Henrietta. To be counted, both types of ballots need to be received by the district clerk no later than 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, via postal mail or the drop-box located at the administration building. If you need ASL interpreter service at the polling site for the May 20 vote, contact Ms. Castronovo by Wednesday, May 14, to request that an interpreter be present.

Upcoming Events:

• Concert (Dedicated Voices, Jazz, Chamber) Monday, May 12 @ 7 p.m.
• Concert (Chorus, Orchestra, Band 8/9) Monday, May 19 @ 7 p.m.
• Rush-Henrietta Budget Vote & BOE Election Tuesday, May 20
• Memorial Day (No School) Monday, May 26
• Roth 9th-Grade Semi-Formal Friday, May 30 at 6 p.m.
• Roth Junior High Awards Night Tuesday, June 3 @ 6:30 p.m.
• Roth National Junior Honor Society Ceremony Wednesday, June 4 @ 6:30 p.m.

Thank you, for being a part of Roth's rise to excellence.

Click here for previous E-News communications.

Sincerely,