The Roncalli Report: August 17, 2012

From Roncalli News Room

SUPER FIRST WEEK - THANKS REBELS FOR A GREAT START!
We had an outstanding first week of school that included our first all school liturgy, an all school assembly (including a short impromptu pep session), school pictures, yearbooks distributed, student ID’s distributed, etc. The students are to be commended for the “get down to business” approach they brought to school this week. Homework, learning, quizzes, etc. were very much a part of this first week.

As we welcome our largest enrollment in quite some time it might take a week or so for everyone to adjust to traffic patterns before and after school. We are still experiencing some back up on McFarland Road in the afternoon at dismissal time. Our police officer who directs traffic extends his thanks to all for your patience as he attempts to get the flow of traffic working well.

A reminder to parents who use Prague Road in the afternoon to pick up to please not block the entrance to the St. Jude Parking lot from Prague Road. Also, a reminder to be very attentive as you leave from picking up your child for those drivers wanting to turn left into St. Jude’s parking lot halfway down Prague Road.

OPENING SCHOOL ASSEMBLY
The traditional Opening School Assembly was held Friday morning. All new teachers and staff members were introduced at the assembly as well as our four foreign exchange students for this school year. Newly ordained Deacon Tom Horn (RHS religious studies teacher) also spoke briefly about his role as a deacon in the archdiocese.

RHS principal, Chuck Weisenbach, addressed the students, teachers and staff members and shared some hopes, challenges and expectations for this school year. That presentation will be viewable as a part of next week’s newsletter.

RONCALLI VS FRANKLIN CENTRAL IN 6TH ANNUAL CHICK FIL A CHALLENGE
Roncalli High School will square off against Franklin Central once again in the annual Chick-Fil-A Challenge. The Chick-Fil-A Challenge will begin Saturday morning and run through Friday afternoon. The Challenge involves only the Chick-Fil-A at 5240 E. Southport Road (across from Meijer).

Both schools receive a generous portion of the revenue generated by the fans of the two schools. The school with the highest sales total will receive the 2012 Chick-Fil-A traveling trophy. It will be awarded at halftime of next Friday night’s football game at FC.

Go Rebels!!! Come out and support Roncalli during the Chick-Fil-A Challenge! Direct any questions to Gary Armbruster at Roncalli at 787-8277, extension 242.

REBEL JUNIORS LUCAS LAROSA & ALEX BLANKENBERGER SCORE IN TOP 5% IN MATH CONTEST
Congratulations to Rebel junior mathematicians, Lucas LaRosa and Alex Blankenberger, who this past week were honored for their performance in last spring’s Indiana Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM) statewide Geometry competition. Lucas and Alex scored in the top 5% of all Hoosier students in this rigorous mathematics competition. Way to go Lucas and Alex.

REBEL THESPIANS STAR IN LOCAL PRODUCTION
Roncalli is very proud to be home to five students who are cast in the Footlite Musicals production of “Godspell.” It opened last weekend and received rave reviews. We are very proud of the following Rebel thespians involved in this production: Sarah Barron, Peri Barnhill, Sydney Cabell, Daniel Burkhardt, and David Buergler.

There are still opportunities to catch the show this weekend. Performances will be on Friday, Saturday and Sunday!

Break a Leg Rebels!

CONGRATULATIONS JUNIOR LAUREN FRANK - 2ND RUNNER UP MARION COUNTY FAIR QUEEN
Congratulations to Rebel junior, Lauren Frank, who earned a second runner-up honor in the 2012 Marion County Fair Queen Pageant this past summer. Lauren displayed her Rebel Spirit during the personal interest portion of the pageant by wearing her Rebels cheer uniform with her white chemistry lab coat. She was the lone high school student on the court! Congratulations Lauren!!!

CONGRATULATIONS SOPHOMORE TAYLOR BRICH
Congratulations sophomore Taylor Brich who captured a first place finish this past summer in the DanceMakers National competition in South Carolina. Way to go Taylor.

RHS GUIDANCE SPONSORS “EVENING WITH COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES”
The Roncalli High School Guidance Department will host a college planning night on August 21, 2012 from 7:00-9:00 PM in the school auditorium that is open to all interested students and parents.

Representatives from over 20 post-secondary institutions will be present to share information on academic programs, life on campus, how to apply for admission, and financial assistance.

Representatives from the following universities will be available to students and parents: Ball State, Butler, DePauw, Franklin, Hanover, Indiana State, Indiana, IUPUI, Ivy Tech, Marian, Purdue, St. Francis, St. Joseph’s, St. Louis, St. Mary of the Woods, St. Mary’s, Evansville, Indianapolis, Kentucky, Southern Indiana, Vincennes, Wabash and Xavier.

The schedule for the evening will include a general informational session followed by three 25 minute sessions during which parents/students can go to hear from different college representatives.

For additional information, please contact Mary Hall, College Counselor at Roncalli High School at 317-787-8277 or mhall@roncalli.org

SEPTEMBER 20 – WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Roncalli High School's Annual Fund Dinner to kick-off the 2012-2013 Annual Fund “Circle of Faith” will be held on Thursday, September 20th in the RHS Family Room/Gymnasium. The doors will open and hors d' oeuvres will be served beginning at 6 p.m. with complimentary dinner catered by Sahm's at 7 p.m. The evening will conclude at approximately 9 p.m. Attire for the evening is business casual.

Through the generosity and prayers of so many loyal Roncalli Rebel supporters the annual fund over the years has been able to enhance the learning opportunities and upgrade the facilities for all Rebel students and teachers. The success of the annual fund also has provided countless Roncalli families with needs-based financial assistance making it possible for them to attend one of the state's finest high schools.

This year's theme, Circle of Faith has as a goal of $440,000 which will be used for funds for technology, tuition assistance, the financial aid endowment, facility endowment and the Angelo Roncalli pilgrimage.

We are in need of at least 50 parent couples to invite guests and be a host at a table for the Annual Fund Dinner. It’s so easy to volunteer for the dinner, and it’s a great way to give back to Roncalli!

Please consider joining us for this festive night that celebrates the past year's achievements by students, teachers and staff members but more importantly points us toward future milestones for our Rebels as well!

If interested in attending or being a table host, please contact Kim Slimak in the RHS Advancement Office at kslimak@roncalli.org or at 787-8277, extension 239.

CHORAL BOOSTERS ICE CREAM SOCIAL
All students in our choral program and their parents and family members are invited and encouraged to attend the annual Choral Boosters Ice Cream Social this Saturday from 1:00 – 4:00 PM at the St. Jude Parish Shelter. There will be free ice cream, games, karaoke and lots of fun for everyone!

BULLYING & HARASSMENT ASSEMBLY NEXT WEEK
As a part of our comprehensive plan to address the issues of bullying and harassment in a school setting, we will have an assembly next Monday that will focus in specifically on these issues. We are pleased with the positive response we have received from students and parents as these twin issues of bullying and harassment have been addressed in a number of different venues in the early portions of this school year.

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT - THURSDAY, AUGUST 30 - MEET YOUR CHILD’S TEACHERS
All parents are encouraged to join us for our annual Back to School Night on Thursday, August 30. Registration will begin at 6:30 PM with the formal program starting at 7:00 PM in the gym.

Parents will have the opportunity to move through an abbreviated version of their child’s schedule and get to meet all of their child’s teachers. They also will receive the 2012-13 Roncalli High School student-family directory that is considered a valuable resource by most Rebel families.

For your child to have the best year possible, it is ESSENTIAL that you and his/her teachers work together! This evening provides the best opportunity possible to meet your child’s teachers and begin working toward that “teaming” relationship with the teachers. Please mark your calendars and make this a priority in your family’s schedule. You will not be disappointed.

CLASS RING PRESENTATIONS FOR SOPHOMORES & THEIR PARENTS - BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
Roncalli High School opens up the purchase of class rings to all vendors. Currently, we have two vendors that have agreed to be on campus making their rings available to our students. They are Herff-Jones and Jostens.

Representatives from both companies will have displays up in the RHS cafeteria from 6:00 – 9:00 PM on Thursday, August 30 (Back to School Night). They will be taking orders that evening as well as that day during all lunch periods and during lunch periods on Wednesday, August 29.

REQUIRED PARENT MEETING FOR PARENTS OF FRESHMEN (CLASS OF 2016)
A letter was mailed out this week to the parents of all of our current freshmen informing them of a requirement to attend one of our Required Freshman Parent meetings taking place this fall. This required freshman parent meeting was instituted five years ago primarily as a means to try and establish or insure some “common ground” between our parents as primary educators and Roncalli as secondary educators. The meetings have gotten positive reviews from parents.

Parents of freshmen will have four different opportunities to attend one of these required meetings. The dates are September 5, 12, 19 and October 10. The meetings will last from 7:00 – 8:30 PM in the RHS auditorium.

Parents who have a freshman this year who also have a current sophomore, junior or senior at Roncalli or who had a child in the RHS Class of 2012 are not required to attend one of these meetings as they met their requirement during that child’s freshman year. All other parents of current freshmen are required to attend one of the four sessions.

RONCALLI TO HOLD RECEPTION FOR HALL OF FAME COACH BOB KIRKHOFF
Everyone is invited to attend a public reception for former Lady Rebels head basketball coach and Hall of Famer, Bob Kirkhoff, prior to the Roncalli versus Bishop Chatard football game on Friday, August 31 at Roncalli. The reception will be held from 6:30 – 7:15 in the east end zone. There will be a short recognition ceremony prior to kick-off. Food and drinks will be served. Bob was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame last April 28. Please stop by and congratulate the “original Coach K.”

REBELS SEEKING TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE - CAN YOU HELP?
We have Rebel students who live in the following areas who are in need of transportation assistance. Some are seeking a ride to school. Some are seeking a ride home after school. Some would benefit from both. Please contact RHS school secretary, Donna Smith in the main office at 787-8277, if you could possibly assist with transportation. These students and families are willing to pay gas money for assistance. Thanks for any assistance you can provide.

• US 31/Banta Road
• McFarland Road/Southport Road (behind Southport Little League)
• Meridian/County Line (Carefree subdivision)
• Franklin/Raymond
• Arlington/Edgewood
• Edgewood/Gray
• Thompson/Arlington
• Shelbyville/Fry/Southport
• Olive Branch/Morgantown
• Smith Valley/Morgantown
• Fairview/SR 135 (Southwind Estates)
• Troy Road/300 East
• Stop 10/Shelby St.

CLUB MODERATORS NEEDED - INTERESTED PARENTS/ADULTS WELCOME
Roncalli is proud to offer our students quite a number of extracurricular opportunities. Some of those opportunities include afterschool clubs. We are in need of some club moderators as we start another school year. A club moderator will organize and facilitate monthly after school club meetings, be responsible for collecting money for supplies, if needed, and ordering club T-shirts. In addition, a club moderator will encourage club members to participate in service projects together.

Roncalli is in need of volunteers to moderate our Equestrian Club. This club will plan monthly trail rides and visit local area horse barns and shows. Secondly, we are in need of a Fishing Club moderator. Do you love to fish? Are you willing to share your passion with students that share your love? If so, we need you to help organize monthly fishing trips for our club. Last, but not least, we are in need of a photography club moderator. Do you enjoy taking photos and are willing to share your knowledge? We need you!

If you are interested in volunteering or know someone that would be great as a club moderator for one of our clubs, please encourage them to contact Shellie Hartford, Assistant Principal for Student Activities at shartford@roncalli.org. or787-8277 Ext. 284.

ON-LINE GRADES ARE REAL TIME
A reminder to all of our parents (and students) that all of your child’s grades are available for viewing on-line in real time. Once a teacher inputs a student’s grade it will become immediately viewable by the student and parent. Please call the school’s main office if you have any question as to how to access your child’s grades on-line.

The expectation is that teachers update their grade book at least once a week. Please contact the principal if you encounter a teacher who is delinquent in updating their grade book.

ATTENTION PARENTS OF A FINE ARTS SENIOR
Students who have been involved in the award winning Roncalli High School Fine Arts program for at least two years are invited to complete a biography to be included in this year’s Fine Arts Program Book. Forms have been passed out to seniors in fine arts classes. If your senior does not have a fine arts class this year but has been involved in our Fine Arts program for two years please have them stop by the Box Office to pick up a form. Completed forms need to be returned to Mrs. Lewinski by August 27.

RHS OFFERS MARINE BIOLOGY SUMMER COURSE IN HAWAII
Aloha! Any student that is interested in attending Roncalli’s Marine Biology science trip to be held in Hawaii during the summer of 2013 needs to contact RHS science teacher, Mrs. Riester for more information. Deadline for making a deposit for the trip is early September and we don't want to miss anyone interested! This will be Roncalli’s fifth time to offer this class/trip. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity. The class/trip has received very strong, positive reviews each of the previous trips. You can contact Mrs. Riester at kriester@roncalli.org or stop by room 004 if you have any questions or pick up an information packet on the course/trip.

REMINDER OF EARLY SPRING BREAK & MORATORIUM WEEK 2013
Pretty silly to talk about spring after the first week of school but many of our families have to make travel arrangements well in advance if traveling over spring break. Because of where Holy Week and Easter fall in the calendar in 2013, the Spring Break this school year will be earlier than normal. Spring Break will begin with the dismissal of school at 3:00 PM on Thursday, March 14. School will resume at 7:30 AM on Monday, March 25. To maintain the integrity of school calendar and instructional time, Roncalli does not allow a family to extend Spring Break by leaving early or returning late without a significant academic penalty. For full details on the policy please click on the link at the end of the newsletter. Thank you to our parents who have given us tremendous support of this policy through the years.

Additionally, as a member of the Indiana High School Athletic Association Roncalli High School must adhere to the moratorium week requirements set forth by the association. The 2013 Moratorium Week is from June 30 through July 7. At Roncalli this means there will be no open gym/no open facilities, no practices, games, rehearsals, etc. There are to be no student activities at all during this week.

ST. JUDE YOUTH MINISTRY HOLDING A “BACK TO SCHOOL ‘STACHE BASH”
St. Jude Catholic Church’s Youth Ministry is hosting a “Back to School ‘Stache Bash” this Sunday from 6:00 – 9:00 PM near the parish pavilion. There will be a bounce obstacle course, jousting, human hamster balls, and a water balloon paint fight. Food and fake mustaches will be provided. Please be sure to wear a white shirt you don’t mind getting dirty. There will also be prizes to win! All youth are invited.

REBELS SPORTS SCOREBOARD
REBEL FOOTBALL GAMES ON WXNT 1430 AM
We are excited that once again Rebel football fans will be able to follow all of the Friday night Rebel football action on the radio. News Talk WXNT 1430 AM will cover all of the Rebels regular season and post season games. NOTE: All regular season games will have a new start time of 7:30 PM this year. The lone exception is the Rebels game versus Brebeuf which will kick off at Lucas Oil Stadium at 5:45 PM.

Listen in each week as Rob Brown, Dan Bauer and Jeff Taylor bring you all the game action beginning with the pregame show at 7:15 PM. All football games also can be heard at www.rebelmedianetwork.com.

REBEL SENIOR KYLE O’GARA WINS FIRST USAC MIDGET RACE
Kyle O'GaraCongratulations to Rebel senior race car driver, Kyle O’Gara, who picked up his first ever USAC/STARS D1 midget feature win last Saturday night at Grundy County Speedway in Morris, Illinois. Driving for Sara Fisher Hartman racing, Kyle battled back after having to start last due to a technical infraction and took *the lead on lap 13 and never relinquished it in the 30 lap feature! Great job Kyle – keep up the great job and stay safe!

ASBESTOS NOTIFICATION STATEMENT
This notification serves as our compliance as required by law to notify all families that Roncalli High School is in full and complete compliance with all aspects of the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act. Please direct any questions related to AHERA to Kevin Hurley at Roncalli.

DO YOU KNOW THE COST OF WORKAHOLISM?
Did you know it costs our government two cents to make a penny? That’s right. Zinc prices are up and the Treasury’s money-making is adding to our national debt. Go figure.

But do you know what also seems to be profitable but ends up costing more in the end? Workaholism. Contrary to popular belief, studies from the National Center for Fathering show workaholic dads vs. involved dads end up making about the same income by the time they’re fifty and climbing as high on the corporate ladder. Why? While workaholic dads may get a jump start because they’re at the office more initially, their kids will end up struggling more with grades, social issues and confidence which will consume more of a father’s time and resources down the road. How much better it is to do it right up front and spend the time with your kids that they crave. It’s not always easy to find the right balance, but keep battling for it. That’s our two cents.

PLEASE PRAY

• Please pray for the repose of the soul of Marilyn Wilson and for her family and friends who mourn her loss. She was the grandmother of senior Josh Spalding.
• For RHS parents, James White, Mark Smith, Stephen Bard, Paul Pittman and Joanne Scifres, all of whom continue to battle serious illness.
• For Brady McGuire, a second grader at St. Roch School and brother to Sophia (’16), who is undergoing treatment for leukemia and for his family and caregivers.
• In thanksgiving for the return to Roncalli of senior, Joe Kieffer, who missed last school year as he battled Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and is now healthy and ready to begin his senior year and possibly return to the wrestling mat!
• For Pope Benedict and church officials in Rome as they deliberate and decide on who will serve the Archdiocese of Indianapolis as our next archbishop.
• For all those in the Roncalli Family and in our South Deanery Schools and Parishes that are seeking gainful employment.
• For the men and women of our armed forces and their families, especially our Roncalli High School alums who are serving in the military.
• For the many RHS alums who are preparing for a vocation as a priest at seminaries and houses of formation.
• For vocations to the priesthood, religious life and missionary field, and that Roncalli High School and its families will provide a nurturing environment that fosters and supports these vocations

THE TIME FOR ACTION IS NOW; IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO DO SOMETHING!