Rochelle School of the Arts is committed to doing “Whatever It Takes” to provide an enriched and rigorous curriculum through the arts and academics in a challenging environment.
Latest News & Announcements
A Message from Mrs. Ward
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I would like to offer heartfelt gratitude to our Rochelle families for the kindness, understanding, and consideration you have extended this fall as we have all tried to “do school” in ways we had never imagined. Thank you for your efforts to keep not only your own children safe and healthy, but you have been conscientious of efforts and requirements to keep all students and staff healthy. Our staff has gone above and beyond to maintain healthy campus environments and engaging eLearning classrooms. We recognize there have been a few bumps in the road, but the combined efforts of parents, students, and staff have been wonderful. We love our Rochelle community and are grateful for the ongoing collaborative efforts to educate our students!
Open Enrollment
Do you know someone who would love the amazing Arts program at Rochelle? Perhaps someone would be attracted to the option of remaining at the same school for K-8th grade? Let your friends and neighbors know about the Open Enrollment period for the 2020-2021 school year that runs Nov. 10, 2020 – Jan. 12, 2021. Parents must apply for the magnet or choice school through the Parent Portal on the school district’s webpage (www.polkschoolsfl.com).
Rochelle families with an incoming Kindergartner should have completed the sibling surveys during October, but it is also a requirement to fill out the Open Enrollment application as listed above.
Great American Teach In
The Great American Teach-In is an annual event coordinated by the PCPS Department of Public Relations and Strategic Partnerships to celebrate American Education Week. During this event, members of the community are invited to speak to students about their careers, travel and hobbies, and how their early educational experiences relate to their current lives. Students enjoy the opportunity to hear real stories from real community members. In previous years, volunteers have come in costume, shown students their work-related equipment, performed songs, dances and plays, offered potentially life-saving information, showed off their pets, discussed career options, shared precious souvenirs, talked about other parts of the world, or discussed starting their own business. This year, the Great American Teach-In will be virtual, with volunteers presenting through Zoom. If you are interested in participating in Rochelle's Virtual Great American Teach-In on 11/19/2020 please email Kimberlee.Mayes@polk-fl.net.
What's Ahead in November
- Nov. 11 - Veteran's Day Holiday (no school)
- Nov. 12 - Report Cards - A paper copy will be distributed to Campus Learners. An electronic copy will be sent to the primary email on file with the school to all families, including eLearners
- Nov. 17 - Picture Retake Day - students who returned to campus for the 2nd 9 weeks will have their picture taken. Any students who want to retake their photo from Sept. may return the first picture and retake the picture. There will be a spring opportunity for any remaining eSchool students to have pictures taken.
- Nov. 19 - Great American Teach In
- Nov. 23-27 - Thanksgiving Break
- Dec. 21-Jan. 4 - Winter Break
8th graders....high school will be here before you know it. Click here to watch this informational video to learn more about your options for next year.
Open House
Thank you to all of our families who viewed our Virtual Open House and offered feedback by completing our survey. Although it may look and feel different, we hope you received some important information about this school year, as well as learned how your individual child is performing at the beginning of the year.
eFair Book Fair
Our school is hosting a Follett Book eFair! Supporting a love for reading is critical to student success. Explore our online book fair and help your child find their next favorite book. Now everyone can participate! Encourage your child to create their online wish list and share with friends and family. Orders are due by Nov. 1st and will ship to the school after the eFair is complete. Click here to visit the eFair Book Fair. Enter our eFair code: MEEXW
Red Ribbon Week
Our school will be celebrating Red Ribbon Week, October 26 – October 30, 2020. Red Ribbon Week is the longest running drug prevention campaign program in the nation! Join us as we celebrate being drug free!
- Mon: 10/26 “Red”y to live a drug-free life! - Wear a Red shirt with uniform bottoms.
- Tues: 10/27 Put a Cap on Drugs! - Wear a hat with your uniform.
- Wed: 10/28 Sock it to Drugs! - Wear Crazy or mismatched socks with your uniform.
- Thurs: 10/29 Team up Against Drugs! - Wear your favorite team jersey/shirt with your uniform bottoms.
- Fri: 10/30 Say Peace out to Drugs! - Wear tie dye with jeans.
Kindergarten ABC Parade
Kindergarten is off and running! Our youngest learners celebrated their 1st 9 weeks learning with an ABC Parade on Oct. 16th. Letter names, sounds, and learning “Snap Words” are filling the minds of our eager kindergartners!
What's Ahead in October
- Oct. 21 - Early Release, 12:30pm
- Oct. 22 - End of the 1st 9 weeks
- Oct. 23 - Teacher Work Day, Student Holiday
- Oct. 26-30 - Red Ribbon Week (see information above)
- Nov. - Make-up fall picture day
Click here to join us for our Virtual Open House and Title 1 Annual Meeting.
- Hear important updates on the school year, from administration.
- Find out more about our Title 1 program.
- Learn how to read and understand your child's STAR Reading and Math Reports.
- See ways to share feedback and questions with the school.
Who: all Kindergarten - 8th grade students
When: beginning Thursday, Oct. 8th at 4:00pm, available through Oct. 16th
Children's COVID Concerns
A document from the National Association of School Psychologists and the National Association of School Nurses recommends when talking to children about the Coronovirus, parents consider the following:
- Remain calm and reassuring.
- Children will react to and follow your verbal and nonverbal reactions.
- What you say and do about COVID-19, current prevention efforts, and related events can either increase or decrease your children’s anxiety.
- If true, emphasize to your children that they and your family are fine.
- Remind them that you and the adults at their school are there to keep them safe and healthy.
- Let your children talk about their feelings and help reframe their concerns into the appropriate perspective.
E-School Tips for Students and Parents
Teachers are often providing “screen time breaks” for students to work independently on assignments, read, have a lunch break, etc. We are finding some students have difficulty returning to the next portion of the days’ instruction on Zoom at the time specified by the teacher. Tip: provide a timer for the student at home so an alarm will sound 2-5 minutes before the next “class time” so he/she will be on time and not miss any key instruction or directions. Thank you!
Did You Know?
Friday Oct. 2nd is National Custodial Workers’ Recognition Day. Did you know that our campus is maintained by a team of 6 custodians? Mr. T.J. is responsible for all of the yardwork, cleaning the cafeteria after breakfast and lunch, and all daytime custodial needs, and a team of five hard-working custodians cleans all classrooms and common spaces within our buildings every afternoon and evening. We have always been appreciative of the work done by this crew, and are especially grateful during this time of heightened health issues to have such a dedicated team!
Interims
Interims were distributed via the primary email address on file with the school on Wed., Sept. 23. If you didn’t receive the Interim, please communicate with your child’s teacher.
Library Books
With the abrupt closure of school in March, many students had library books checked out. We need these books returned so they can continue to be enjoyed by others. Every book counts! Please look carefully and return any school books as soon as possible. We are still missing 300 books valued at over $4,500.
Title 1 Annual Meeting & Open House
Please watch for information on how to participate in this year’s Title 1 Annual Meeting & Virtual Open House on Oct. 8th. Videos and information will be available through Oct. 16th.
Volunteer Status
Due to the limited volunteering on campus at the beginning of this year, the district is extending all volunteers’ validity period for an additional year. Volunteer approvals are usually good for five years, but all will be extended to six years. We look forward to having volunteers return to campus later in the year.
Special Recognitions
Congratulations to Ms. Marie Sheffield, Network Manager and Technology Specialist – 2020 Teacher of the Year and to Ms. Nancy Gipp, Paraprofessional – 2020 School-Related Employee of the Year.
Ms. Sheffield works tirelessly to keep our school technology functioning on campus. When Covid-19 struck, she transitioned to serve as our school technology help desk, helping families with virtual technology issues.
When she isn’t pulled to sub in a classroom, Ms. Gipp assists in our Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade classrooms. She knows many students by name, and is a kind, friendly face at the car line and in elementary lunch.
According to Section 1008.22(7)(c), Florida Statutes(F.S.), and State Board of Education Rule 6A-1.094224, Florida Administrative Code(F.A.C), each school district must publish the completed calendar on its website.
Please click here to access our district assessment page.
Florida Arts
Model School
