Parents...We Need You!

Rochelle has been fortunate to have a core group of volunteers serving our PTA and School for multiple years. We are so appreciative of the time, energy, and talents of these parents!

We are now seeking new parents to step in to support the school, lead small initiatives, or become new officers for the PTA for the 2021-22 school year. Helpers are needed to spearhead projects with short timeframes, like Picture Day, Fundraising Projects, and Book Fair. Officer positions include President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary.

Getting involved in a volunteer parent organization allows parents to work together and get to know the school on a different level. If this sparks your interest or you have questions, please contact Mrs. Mayes at Kimberlee.mayes@polk-fl.net.  Call a friend and say, “Let’s do this together!” The school and the children will be the winners!

Harrison Bound!

8th grade students at Rochelle continue their high school years in many locations, but we are especially excited when the learning done at Rochelle in art programs inspires students to continue that focus at Harrison School of the Arts. Approximately 25% of our Rochelle 8th graders will be Harrison students next year! Congratulations to these students, with great thanks to their Arts Teachers at Rochelle for the guidance and support they lent during these years of preparation.

Spring Performances

We are working closely with each Art Department at Rochelle to find an appropriate time and method of performance and sharing for the work the students have done this year in their majors and mini-majors. There are multiple guidelines dictating the distancing of performers and audience members, but we are working diligently to provide these opportunities for students. We hope to have information on dates and events by early March – stay tuned!

Black History Month

February is Black History Month and there has been no shortage of celebration across our Rochelle campus. Students have been involved in various activities to learn more about important African American people and events. Be sure to visit our Facebook page @RochelleSOTALakeland for more photos.

What's Ahead

• March 10 – Early Dismissal and NJHS Sports Drink sales
• March 19 – End of the 3rd 9 weeks
• March 22-26 – Spring Break
• April 2 – School Holiday

Rochelle Updates

At the start of the second semester, 80% of our students have returned to Campus Learning.  We are continuing with all safety protocols and are taking all precautions possible to keep all students and staff healthy. The support of families is invaluable during this year!

While our first priority is health and safety, we are also emphasizing the academic and artistic learning experiences for our students.  The teachers have worked diligently to support students who may have had gaps in their prior year learning following the last quarter of the 19-20 school year’s quarantine period. The grade level expectations for this school year are prioritized and we are pacing the learning for the remainder of this year.

FSA Testing Windows

(details on specific dates as the time gets closer)

• April 5-6          3^rd grade ELA
• April 6             4^th-6^th grade Writing
• April 7             7^th & 8^th grade Writing
• May 3-18        3rd-8th grades FSA ELA, Math
  5th & 8th grade FSA Science
  Algebra 1, Geometry, and Civics End-of-Course exams

Spring Picture Day is Feb. 5th

All students should wear a collared school shirt or a school spirit shirt. 

Campus Elementary Students will receive a pre-order flyer and can select a background and pay by  check in advance (see pre-order form), or a proof sheet will be provided after picture day and families can order online with Lifetouch.  Campus students who were not on Campus for the fall pictures will have a photo taken for the yearbook.

Campus Middle School Students
Only students who were not on Campus for fall pictures will have a photo taken for the yearbook.

e-Learners - elementary and middle school

• Students can come to the school between 11am – 1pm on Friday, Feb. 5
• Pull into the curved bus ramp, drop the student off in front of the theater (wear a mask), check-in at table, and enter the theater for photo.
• Parents will receive a flyer to pre-order via check on Feb. 5th, or a proof sheet will be provided following picture day that can be used to order online.
• Elementary eTeachers will also be present to provide important materials to families.
• Class schedules will be adjusted from 10:30am – 1:30pm to allow for travel to the campus.

What's Ahead

• Feb. 3rd - Early Release
• Feb. 5th - Report Cards go home; Spring Picture Day; Crossing Guard Appreciation Day - say "Thanks" and wave to our guards as you pass by!
• Feb. 12th - first Magnet School Lottery notices for 21-22distributed from district office
• Feb. 15th - President’s Day – school holiday
• Feb. 24th - Interim Reports for 3rd 9 weeks

Second Semester Updates

All health and safety protocols will continue in the second semester of the school year. This includes masks worn by all, additional sanitizing, and distancing as much as possible. Visitors and volunteers will not be on campus and large group performances will not occur inside.

Rochelle Gives Back....in a BIG Way!

Thanks to the generosity of the Rochelle community, almost $1,100 was donated to assist families in our community over the holidays. Thank you for your contributions and for blessing the lives of others!

School Pictures for e-Learners

Mark your calendar for Friday, Feb. 5. We will provide an opportunity for eLearners to come to the campus to have a photo taken by the school’s picture company so the student will be included in the school yearbook and have an individual school picture from this year. Information will be distributed to eLearners regarding the times and procedures so everyone will remain safe for the event. eClasses will have adjusted schedules to allow time for the student to come to the school for pictures.

Virtual Parent Education Night

Thank you to all the families who participated in our Virtual Parent Education Night....and to all our e-Learning families who drove thru to receive their materials. We hope you were able to learn some easy ways to help support your elementary child in Reading and Math. We'd love to get your feedback. Please take a minute to complete our Evaluation at https://forms.gle/frrtyiTiCscX3YPX8.

Performance Alternatives

Many thanks to our Arts Teachers who found creative ways to offer students performance opportunities in December. Some Band ensembles and Dance groups performed in outdoor spaces on campus for our students during the last week before the winter holidays. Chorus students had an evening Zoom videoed concert, and the Handbells ensemble offered a performance on the lawn in the front courtyard of the school one evening. Stay tuned for updates regarding spring performance or exhibit experiences. We are striving to provide these opportunities for the students while meeting all safety guidelines.

What's Ahead

• Jan. 18th - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No School
• Jan. 19th - 6th grade Scoliosis Screening & Vision Screening; start of the 3rd Nine Weeks
• Jan. 20th - Early Dismissal; AR NUT Pass for 2nd Nine Weeks
• Feb. 3rd - Early Dismissal
• Feb. 5th - Report Cards distributed; school pictures for e-Learners