RFC Newsletter September

Parent VOLUNTEER Opportunities

We have enjoyed having the Class of 2030 in the building this week. They have great smiles, warm greetings, and positive attitudes! This week, our students learned many of the building expectations. We will continue to share and reinforce information as there are many things to digest, but the students have done a great job thus far and we are excited for a great year!

Parents who may be interested in volunteering for or donating toward various school activities may use the link below to share your interest areas. As the year unfolds and planning for various activities begins, we will reach out to those groups/individuals. Thank you!

Parent Interest Form

PowerSchool Update

Thank you for your patience as we continue the transition from Skyward to PowerSchool. If you have not received any emails from our building this month, please call the school so we can identify the problem.

The parent view includes an option to choose which notifications you would like to receive by email and how often you would like those notifications sent. This is a great tool to help you monitor your student's progress this year.

flex Time Starts soon!

Rockford High School and Freshman Center utilize a Flex Time schedule to ensure that all students have the opportunity to learn at high levels during high school. Twice per week, students participate in Flex Time for thirty minutes.

Teachers assign students to targeted Flex sessions based on observations and/or assessments. The sessions often review or expand on a specific idea of concept that is essential to student success in the course and/or future outcomes. When a student is unassigned for any date, that student has the opportunity to select a session that will help him/her grow!

Students will learn more about Flex Time at RFC on Tuesday, September 1 during 4th period. We will run the Flex schedule on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning on September 1. Please reach out with any questions about Flex Time!

Daily Schedule M/W/F

1st Period: 7:40-8:51 a.m.

2nd Period: 8:57-10:08 a.m.

3rd Period + Lunch: 10:14-11:56 a.m.

4th Period: 12:02-1:13 p.m.

5th Period: 1:19-2:30 p.m.

Flex Schedule T/Th

1st Period: 7:40-8:44 a.m.

2nd Period: 8:50-9:54 a.m.

3rd Period + Lunch: 10:00-11:34 a.m.

Flex Time: 11:40 a.m.-12:10 p.m.

4th Period: 12:16-1:20 p.m.

5th Period: 1:26-2:30 p.m.

Lunch

Students who choose to get lunch at school must bring their Student ID to lunch. Out of respect for other classes in session, students are not permitted in academic halls during lunch and should bring all necessary materials (i.e. lunch, money, phone) to the lunchroom.

Weather permitting, students will have the option to eat outdoors, and they may choose to bring a blanket or towel to sit upon.

Lunches are assigned by 3rd period teacher on a normal day and assigned by 4th period teacher on early release days. Teachers will help students with the timing and transitions. 9th grade students with classes at RHS 10-12 will eat lunch at RFC.

Save the Date: Homecoming

9th grade students have the opportunity to attend the Homecoming Dance on Saturday, September 26. This is an incredible evening, and we are so excited that your student will have the opportunity to participate! Tickets are sold at all lunches in the week leading up to the dance. While supplies last, students get a homecoming shirt with their ticket purchase.

Students must wear shoes throughout the dance, so please consider that before making an expensive shoe purchase.
RFC students are encouraged to attend the dance with other RFC students, but guest applications will available in the main office when ticket sales begin. The guest student must be enrolled in high school, be in good standing, and must obtain signatures from their parent/guardian and school principal.
The dance begins at 7:00 p.m. Students may arrive later than 7 but may not arrive earlier. Please plan appointments, photos, and meals accordingly. Likewise, the dance ends at 10 p.m. Students may leave prior to 10 as approved by their parent/guardian, but may not stay past 10 p.m.
Students may not re-enter the dance once they've left.

Cell Phones at School

Instructional time is for learning. With 1:1 computer access at school, cell phones no longer have a place in the classroom. Students are asked to leave phones (or similar devices) in their locked locker during instructional times. Teachers also offer classroom storage for those who choose to bring a device into the classroom.

Unless explicitly directed by a staff member, students are not permitted to use a phone (or similar device) during the instructional period. This policy extends to our hallways and common areas.

Parents/guardians who need to reach a student during an instructional period may call our main office at 616.863.6348 and we will ensure that the student receives the message. Thank you!

Yearbook

Rockford High School creates a fantastic yearbook each year, and students have the opportunity to place an order for the 2025-26 yearbook now. Please note - high school yearbooks include photographs from prom and graduation, and therefore, arrive in the fall of the following school year. This is different than middle school, so we try to point it out before you order.

If you're interested, please visit yearbookforever.com. In the school name field, enter Rockford High School (not Freshman Center) and be sure to choose Rockford High School in Michigan. As with school portraits, families with multiple high school students might consider purchasing them together to save on the service fee - speaking from experience :).

School Portraits

School photos may be ordered online at lifetouch.com. Lifetouch provides a make-up/re-take opportunity on September 17 during 1st and 2nd periods. Any student not photographed at orientation will have their school photo taken on this date.

RHS Athletic Office

Consider purchasing a student pass for your student by CLICKING THIS LINK. Student passes are a great deal for any student who enjoys attending the games.

LOCKERS

Rockford Freshman Center students keep backpacks, bags, purses, etc. in their assigned lockers from 7:40 a.m.-2:30 p.m. each day. Passing time between classes is adequate to exchange supplies at their locker. Freshman students with RHS classes are permitted to take their backpack to Rockford High School 10-12 if necessary.

Students may not trade or share lockers with a classmate. If their locker doesn't work, a student should report the problem to the main office and we will work on a repair and/or reassignment as needed.

Reporting Attendance

RFC and RHS require a parent/guardian phone call for absence reporting. Please do not send your student with a note. This process helps staff verify the authenticity of the report. Please call 616-863-6352 to report an absence, late arrival or early departure.

High school students may sign themselves in and out once a parent has called. Parents/guardians are not required to enter the building to sign the student out. This is also different than the process used in RPS middle schools.

Parent Advisory Council

Rockford Freshman Center and Rockford High School welcome parents to attend and participate in Parent Advisory Council. PAC meetings are held several times each year and provide an opportunity for parents/guardians to receive updates about high school activities. Meetings are held virtually in Google Meet and are recorded for those who cannot attend on scheduled date(s) and/or time. Please plan to join us our first meeting on October 6 at 9:00 a.m. The link for the Google Meet will be provided in advance. Thanks!