August 31, 2020
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Community Members:
Our school year is off to a strong start this year; we are very blessed to have such supportive students, parents, and community members. We knew this year would bring about challenges never faced before, and we are so proud of the efforts put forth by all of our students in such a challenging time. We are happy to report that our students placed on quarantine two weeks ago have returned to school. We are doing all we can to mitigate the virus on campus: staff members are screened each morning, hand-sanitizing stations are located outside of each classroom, masks are worn by all adults and students in grade 4 and above, and we have worked to distance individuals in common areas (such as in the cafeteria and hallways).
Homecoming is scheduled for next week and will take place from Tuesday-Thursday (Monday is a holiday and we are not in school on Friday). We have a volleyball game scheduled for Tuesday night next week versus Del Leon at Rochelle, and we have the junior high football team facing Paint Rock at Hornet Stadium on Thursday. With Red Ribbon Week next week coinciding with Homecoming Week, we have a very busy week next week! We have three dress up days scheduled: Tuesday-American Themed, Wednesday-Class Colors, and Thursday-Blue and Gold.
Our homecoming football game (scheduled for Friday against Paint Rock at Hornet Stadium) will require a voucher for entry; the guidelines we are to follow limits the number of fans on both the home and visitor sides. The football team will be distributing vouchers as will the cheerleaders next week; you can only enter the game if you have a voucher (you must still pay at the gate). At the conclusion of the game, all visitors must promptly leave the campus; no visitors are allowed onto the football field per the guidelines we have been told to follow.
Homecoming festivities throughout the week are extended to the community through our drive-in pep-rally, which we have scheduled Wednesday evening at 6:30pm. All community members and parents are welcome to come up to support our students at this pep-rally; our student performers will be positioned at the new gym parking lot. Guests will park starting at the day care and circle around all the way to the tennis courts. Guests can either stay in their vehicles or they may sit in lawn chairs directly outside their vehicle; guests are required to wear a mask if they are outside of their vehicle. Staff members will be present to direct traffic. Maintaining an appropriate social distance is important so that we can keep our students in school and school open for in-class learning. Given the circumstances of this year, we have postponed the Homecoming Parade until a later date in the school year.
Our Homecoming Court will be honored at the Homecoming game starting at 6:45 on the football field. Visitors must have tickets in order to be admitted into the stadium for this ceremony. Additionally, parents, spectators, and visitors are not allowed onto the field before, during, or after the ceremony per the guidelines we are to follow.
Again, we appreciate the positive thoughts, compassion, and grace during these unprecedented times as we continue to move through our plans and schedules for this school year.
Sincerely,
The Rochelle ISD Administrative Team, Athletics Department, and Cheerleaders