Thank you for your support, communication and participation in various aspects of the Roth Junior High community last week. My first Parent Group meeting presented many actionable ideas that I look forward to delivering on for our students. Our Open House had an excellent turnout. It was great to see so many of you on campus, interacting with our staff and participating in our Family Info Sessions. (I have included the presentations as attachments below.) And, I would be remiss to ignore the confusion and anxiety produced by inaccurate and noncredible social media threats that impacted our school week. Families: thank you for reaching out, for having honest conversations with our students about social media use, and for your patience and trust. With three weeks in the rearview, I am excited to start Week 4.

As we continue Roth’s rise to hopes, expectations and challenges that come our way, here are some upcoming events, opportunities and a few reminders to keep you connected. Please know that your student’s school home over these 40 weeks welcomes and wants your participation. I look forward to continuing to strengthen our partnership. 

Important DC Trip Updates: If you are the parent or guardian of a Roth JHS 8th grader and you are interested in the May 2025 Washington D.C. trip, please read the following announcement from your advisors, Jill Flood and Tom Mallaber: We have an update/change option for payments. After discussions with the travel company since our meeting, we have a new payment plan.

• 1st Payment: $134.44 due by November 1; 
• 2nd Payment: $219, due December 18 or the difference between fundraising and $219; 
• 3rd Payment: $220 due February 28 (with the medical order form) or the difference between fundraising and the balance due.

We hope this new plan can ease the financial stress that the original plan caused. If you have already sent in a check, you have two options. Option 1: Leave it as it is and pay $270 minus the fundraising by February 28. Option 2: Request the check be returned to you and you can follow the new payment plan. If we do not hear from you by October 1, we will assume you want to leave the payment as is.

MPAC (Virtual) Meeting: The Rush-Henrietta Multicultural Parent Advisory Committee will meet online at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 26. Please use this link to access the virtual meeting. The MPAC’s mission statement reads: To advocate for our children within the Rush-Henrietta Central School District for opportunities that will empower, inform, promote high academic achievement, provide cultural and social enrichment, and instill leadership qualities.

Homecoming/Spirit Week: Rush-Henrietta Varsity Football will host Penfield at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 11. At Roth JHS, we will be building up the hype for Homecoming all week, by participating in Spirit Week dress-up days AND wrapping up the week with a Homecoming Pep Assembly in our big gym that Friday afternoon. Here are the Spirit Week themes: 

• Monday 10/7 - Jersey Day: Wear your favorite player or team jersey
• Tuesday 10/8 - Anything but a Backpack Day: Think outside of the box, and be school appropriate
• Wednesday 10/9 - Pajama Day
• Thursday 10/10 - Twin Day: Pick a friend or teacher to twin with
• Friday 10/11 - R-H Green and Gold Day: Show off your R-H PRIDE

Athletics Attendance Reminder: Junior high students should be accompanied by an adult at JV and varsity athletic events. Because these competitions take place in the evening, it is important that an adult is present to help monitor student behavior AND to give their student a timely ride home. Especially for our Friday night varsity football games, junior high students who do not behave appropriately or who do not exit the stadium immediately after the event’s completion may face suspension from future athletic events. This is meant to be a gentle reminder that spectators should participate in good-natured, productive and safe celebrations during our athletic competitions.

Coffee with the Principal: This is a new opportunity for families to engage with each other, and with me. For this first offering, we will meet from 9 - 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 19. Please bring your own coffee or snack, but I will also make coffee, hot water and tea available to all who attend. This is a parent/guardian meeting. It is intended to provide an opportunity to share ideas, ask questions, and collaborate.

Student Device Reminder: I have been really happy with how the majority of our student body has responded to reminders and enforcement of our personal device policy. Students should continue to monitor their own device usage time, outside of the school day. Recent research shows that adolescents are spending more and more time on their devices and social media. The impact on their ability to focus on a prolonged task or conversation has been largely negative. By requiring students to unplug at Roth JHS, we hope to give our students the time off they need to develop interpersonal communication skills – with their peers and adults. Please remind your students to store their devices in their lockers during the school day. Please continue to have open and honest conversations about the content that they are accessing, and please monitor to the best of your ability. Last week was an excellent reminder of how impactful social media activity can be on the learning environment.

Code of Conduct Reminder: Similar to our device policy, I am thankful to report that the majority of our students have upheld the expectations and standards of our District Code of Conduct. When a behavior is addressed, it is our expectation that students take accountability and corrective action. We are also aware that adolescents need reminders, and we are patient in this process. Roth JHS has been using a clear and consistent Behavioral Leadership system for minor disciplinary infractions. If you have any questions about the system or our practices, please email me or one of our assistant principals. 

Yearbook Reminder: It is not too early to pre-order our Yearbook. Please check out the attached flyer for more information, including a pre-order discount if you place your order by September 30.

School Visitation Reminder: Visiting Roth JHS: 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. Upon entering, visitors are asked to wait in our updated Visitor’s Alcove. A visitor’s pass will be required to enter beyond this point. We appreciate your willingness to partner with us to meet your student’s learning, wellness, and safety needs.

Family Info Sessions: The Junior to Senior High Transition and Youth Mental Health.

Deck Roth’s Halls: This social artistic event was a hit over the summer. As such, we’re bringing it back in the winter. The paintings from August are proudly displayed in Roth’s halls, and we are excited to add more. We will provide canvas boards, paint, brushes, and snacks. Please complete Deck Roth's Halls to help us plan a day and time for this event.