School districts are always busy places, but these past several months have seen great strides in the work being done in Rush-Henrietta to build a district that unlocks the potential within every student. This issue of the Beacon Brief gives you a glimpse of some of the many initiatives happening here that are driving us toward the goals outlined in our Vision 2037 Strategic Plan. I am proud to be part of a community that’s shaping the future of education through innovation, technology, and leadership. To that end, I am honored and humbled to be named one of the Top 100 Education Influencers for 2025 by District Administration! This is a testimony to the shared leadership of the Rush-Henrietta community! Please read on for a brief overview of some of the recent Royal Comet success stories. 

Building Strong Literacy Skills

Rush-Henrietta is placing a renewed emphasis on helping students develop strong literacy skills and is using a new curriculum to support this important work at our K-6 schools. Amplify Core Knowledge Language Arts, or CKLA, is based on decades of early literacy research that shows the importance of wide-ranging background knowledge and explicit and systematic instruction in foundational skills. This impactful curriculum, piloted here this school year, is used successfully nationwide. “By bringing this program to Rush-Henrietta, we have made a significant investment in the future of our students,” says Superintendent Dr. Barbara Mullen. “The teachers are excited about it and so are the students.” 

Amplify CKLA is grounded in the science of reading research and it incorporates the best practices for teaching foundational reading skills. By combining deep content knowledge with research-based instruction, CKLA ensures that students develop both a strong foundation in reading and a broad understanding of various subjects. The curriculum provides engaging classroom resources and lessons that aim to help students become confident and fluent readers. Through exposure to a wide range of rich topics, students deepen their background knowledge and expand their vocabulary. Research shows that background knowledge and related vocabulary greatly contribute to improved reading comprehension. That is why CKLA integrates content knowledge from science, social studies, and literature into the literacy block.

As our students explore the world of fables, folk tales, fairy tales, astronomy, ancient world civilizations, and American history, they also discover their inner geologist, entomologist, ecologist, and poet! The diverse and fascinating topics covered in the program are igniting their curiosity and nurture a newfound love for reading. We look forward to our students experiencing further success with this curriculum, and thank you for your continued support!

Industry Partner Breakfast

It was an incredible scene this spring as Rush-Henrietta students spent a morning shoulder to shoulder with local business leaders. They shared important insights with one another at the district’s second annual R-H Works Industry Breakfast. Nearly 100 people attended the event, which brought business and community leaders together from throughout Monroe County. The goal was to generate thoughtful conversation about the specific skills and attributes essential to the workforce of the future. The highlight of the event for many leaders was their discussions with students, many of whom are prepping for successful business careers. These included some of our award-winning DECA students. DECA is a business club with chapters across the nation.

Public education plays a critical role in preparing students for success. Whether students plan to attend college, enlist in the military, or enter the workforce after graduation, we want students to have the skills needed to become the next generation of leaders. Our collective efforts will ensure that our students are not only prepared for the workforce but are also empowered to pursue their passions and dreams. Learn more by contacting Thomas Felton Jr., director of Career and Technical Education, at tfelton@rhnet.org.

New Course Offerings

Rush-Henrietta continues to find innovative ways to meet the needs of its students through inclusive learning opportunities. In 2026-2027, the Senior High School will begin offering new courses such as Introduction to Theatre, Introduction to Dance, and Unmanned Aerial Systems, with a focus on drones. This year, Rush-Henrietta created a new high school course offering called Holocaust and Genocide in Modern Society. It helps students develop an understanding of the historical causes and consequences related to the Holocaust and other acts of genocide of the modern era. They also learn about international law regarding the prevention of genocide and an ability to evaluate the effectiveness of the law to prevent further acts of genocide. In addition, Rush-Henrietta brought the Advanced Placement African American Studies course to our high school this year. 

Encouraging Student, Family Voice

Rush-Henrietta was proud to host two events focused on collaboration with students and families. Open communication with stakeholders allows for crucial input and feedback, providing for a vision that reflects shared values and aspirations.

In February, the Student Leadership Summit brought together students from grades 4 through 12 for an afternoon focused on leadership and direct engagement with district administrators. The diverse group of students participated in discussions, offering valuable input and feedback on various school-related topics while learning about their own leadership styles. The students and administrators left feeling energized and looking forward to further opportunities for collaboration.

R-H families were invited to a Parent Leadership Summit in early May hosted by the District Parent Advisory Council. In addition to a keynote address given by Board of Education Vice President Mai Abdullah, attendees had the opportunity to participate in several learning sessions. The event’s theme, Engaging, Empowering, and Enriching Parents in the Modern Era, incorporated a superhero concept to highlight the important role parents play as their children’s first heroes. Attendees chose from workshops presented by Rush-Henrietta employees and local experts on topics such as student mental health, parenting teens, and family engagement in education. You may view recordings of those sessions here. Future opportunities are being developed for the 2025-2026 school year based on feedback from attendees.

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