I hope that you are able to enjoy the extra time with our students made possible by this Thanksgiving break. It is with tremendous gratitude that I reflect on our 12 completed weeks at Roth Junior High. As I stated last week: we have much to celebrate as Roth Junior High continues our rise; and, we have the wonderful opportunity to grow in several areas as well. I firmly believe that learning and growing are never-ending gifts that we are presented with daily. I choose to view challenges as new growth opportunities. It is part of my practice to coach our students to make that same choice in perspective. So, even as our students enjoy a full week off, I ask that you continue to guide their learning and growth in whatever these next seven days may present.

Growing up, I turned to television and the families of my friends for expectations and excitement during the holiday season. I very much wanted what I saw others celebrating and enjoying with their families. Through coaching, commitment to furthering my education, the love and support of friends, family and colleagues, and learning and growing through challenges, I now look forward to this time of year. I am grateful for all of the experiences and for all of the people who have helped shape the person that I am today. I am grateful for my career as an educator, and the service to and for others that this work affords me on a daily basis. So long as I choose to view my role from that perspective.

Here are some announcements and reminders:

Winter Clothing Drive: Our National Junior Honor Society is asking for gently used coats, hats, scarves, gloves, and winter boots for their Winter Clothing Drive. We will be collecting donations at Roth Junior High through Monday, December 9. Please check your closets, and if you have any gently used winter outerwear to donate, send it in. 

Parent/Guardian Academy Series: Please join Dr. Marie Windover, Assistant Principal at Roth, for her first in a series of informational sessions. The goal of these Parent/Guardian Academy sessions is to share resources and strategies for supporting our students as they navigate their teen journey. The first session will focus on Fostering Resilience in Adolescents. Dr. Windover will lead sessions on Monday, November 25 at 7:30 p.m. and Tuesday, November 26 at 2:30 p.m. 

Freshmen vs Staff Basketball Game: We ended this past week with what has become a staple at Roth Junior High: the Freshmen vs Staff basketball game. The game was competitive. Students jumped out to an early lead, but their teachers never let the game get out of reach. It came down to the final seconds, but the Staff walked away with the trophy after a 46-45 point victory. Big shout out to the rest of our student body who cheered their peers and teachers on throughout the contest. Here are some photos from the event.

Student Shout-Out: We have hundreds of wonderful and talented students at Roth Junior High, and Timmy Worth III is one such example. Please check out the Rush-Henrietta CSD Facebook page for a feature on Tim’s media projects.  

Upcoming Events:

• Parent/Guardian-Teacher Conferences: Monday, November 25 (1 - 8 p.m.) and Tuesday, November 26 (8 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
• Roth JHS Concert (Gr. 8/9: Chorus, Orchestra, and Band): Monday, December 9 @ 7 p.m.
• Roth JHS Concern (Dedicated Voices, Chamber Orchestra, and Jazz Band): Monday, December 16 @ 7 p.m.