Roy C. Ketcham High School

Principal

Sherrill Murray-Lazarus

Important Message from the Principal

Students will be required to display proper student ID and current class schedules in order to enter the cafeteria 6/8 through 6/15 in order to reduce the problem of students cutting class and sneaking into the cafeteria. Extra staff at the caf doors will help check ID's and student schedules. Copies of student schedules are available in each grade administrator’s office. School photo ID, driver’s license or other photo ID will be accepted.

No backpacks or large purses will be permitted in the cafeteria from 6/8 through 6/15. This will help reduce unnecessary nuisance items and avoid potential distractions, litter and trash.

No bottles, cans, containers or food of any kind will be allowed to leave the cafeteria from 6/8 through 6/15 in order to reduce litter in halls. Locker clean out will be held on June 8 & 9.

Our School Store will close for the year at 1:42 p.m. on Monday, June 8, to reduce class tardiness, littering, congestion, and bottlenecks in that area of the school.

On 6/10, 6/11 & 6/15, all members of Friends Of Rachel, Student Council, Interact, NHS, DECA, Masque & Mime and all RCK sports teams (Baseball, Softball, Lacrosse, Golf, Tennis, football, etc.) will be asked to wear their team shirts and to be visible role models in the halls and in the caf throughout the last week of school and especially on Monday 6/15.

Students are reminded that they can and should use the water fountains throughout the building to stay hydrated or come to any admin office where we have water coolers. We also said that backpacks will not be permitted in the caf, but no one has said they are not allowed in school. If a student has a water bottle in a backpack and he or she doesn't take the bottle out while in the hall, that will be fine as long as the bottle is not out and visible in the hall. Only the public areas, hallways and caf are to be restricted as of June 8th.

When students are scheduled to be in the caf, they can leave their backpacks and big purses in their admin's office if they don't want to leave them at home. Backpacks and purses are allowed in school, just not in the caf after June 8th. Students have been told they cannot carry food, bottles, cans or containers out of the caf and into the halls. They may still bring snacks or lunch from home, leave those snacks in their backpacks and eat them in class, if the teacher has given permission. If a student has no scheduled lunch period, they won't be in the cafeteria and the back pack and bottle issue won’t be an issue at all. All students are being asked to be prepared, to be patient and to be positive leaders rather than followers. .

We believe that these initiatives provide a reasonable and proportionate response to problems that occurred last year. There is certainly no health risk to students posed by these measures, though there are indeed potential health risks to all if there were to be a repeat of last year's food/trash/cafeteria mess and misbehavior. These decisions were made by the principal in conjunction with faculty, staff and most students throughout our school community.

Students are simply asked to be leaders rather than followers and to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem. Many students have already come forward and said they are glad we're working together proactively on the issue of end of year pranks and problems. In making these changes for the last few days of school, we hope to give RCK students the best opportunity to prepare for final exams in a safe and successful environment and we hope that we have the support, understanding, and assistance of all Ketcham parents as well as students in these initiatives.

LATEST NEWS

Swine Flu Update - June 12, 2009

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Staff, We were informed late yesterday afternoon that two Wappingers Central School District students have confirmed cases of the Novel H1N1 influenza (Swine Flu). Dutchess County health officials have instructed us not to identify the school(s) attended by these students in order to maintain confidentiality. County health officials have informed us that identification of students and/or schools at this point in time serves no purpose and will not decrease anyone's risk of contracting the flu since it is so widespread throughout Dutchess County. Dr. Michael C. Caldwell, Dutchess County Commissioner of Health, reported: "We know H1N1 is widespread in Dutchess County and we have been working diligently with our County government partners, area physicians, hospitals, schools, day cares, and businesses. We do expect to see additional cases just as we would during the typical flu season. There are some common-sense steps people can and should take to stay healthy and reduce and control the spread of infection." I would ask that you please refer to the recent letter from Dr. Pennoyer and Dr. Caldwell dated June 8, 2009 for more information on the common-sense steps referenced by Dr. Caldwell. This letter was sent home with your child on Wednesday. The Wappingers Central School District continues to work closely with the Dutchess County Department of Health. They have recommended that we continue to carefully track students who are reporting flu-like symptoms. We are also maintaining our vigilant cleaning procedures. We have been assured that this flu is no more severe than the common flu. At this time, the Department of Health is not recommending any school closures. If you would like more information about the H1N1 flu visit the County website at www.dutchessny.gov and click on the Swine Flu icon. If you or a family member becomes ill with flu-like symptoms, you should contact your health care provider for guidance. Sincerely, Richard A. Powell Superintendent of Schools

PRESS RELEASE

The Contract for Excellence plan for the Wappingers Central School District will be available for public review at www.wappingersschools.org. There will be a public hearing on June 8, 2009 at 8:00 pm during the regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting at 167 Myers Corners Road, Wappingers Falls. Comments and suggestions regarding the Plan are welcome. Written comments may be mailed to 167 Myers Corners Road, Wappingers Falls NY 12590 or sent via email to c4e@wappingersschools.org. Please submit all comments on the Plan no later than June 30, 2009.

Clubs / Activities for 2009-2010

The following clubs and/or activities will be offered in the 2009-2010 school year: ArtWork Layout Club, Chamber Choir, DECA/FBLA, Honor Society, Interact, Jazz Ensemble (Grades 11-12), Learning Center, Literary Magazine, Masque & Mime Drama Club, Peer Mediation, Renaissance, School Store, Ski Club, Student Council, Teen Club, Yearbook. You can click on the link to the left for additional information.

Appointment of New RCK Principal

At a recent meeting, the Board of Education unanimously approved the appointment of Mr. Thomas Stella who will succeed Mrs. Lazarus as RCK principal effective July 1st. Mr. Stella has been with the District since January, 2004. Prior to his tenure here in Wappingers, Mr. Stella's experience included twelve years as a secondary administrator with almost nine years as a high school principal. During the upcoming months we will all be working to assist Mr. Stella with his transition as we look to seamlessly continue RCK's rich tradition of excellence.

Distribution of Yearbooks Yearbooks will be distributed on May 26 & 27 for those who PRE-ORDERED IN SCHOOL OR ON-LINE. You must have your receipt and student ID in order to pick up your yearbook. Cash only sales ($85.00) will begin on May 28. No checks will be accepted.

PART 1 - Student Survey Results Click here to view the results of part 1 of the student survey. Thank you to all those students who participated.

PART 2 - Student Survey Results Results of part 2 of the student survey.

ALGEBRA/GEOMETRY TEXTBOOKS - NOW ONLINE! Click here for your online textbook Here are the new Algebra and Geometry Textbooks! View the exact pages of your textbook(s) in a pdf file. Students who have internet access will no longer have to carry their books home. Give it a try!

8th into 9th Grade Orientation - February 5, 2009 Click here to view! For those who were unable to attend the 8th into 9th grade orientation (High School Planning Night), you can click the link above and view a video taping of the evening.

Purchase Your Yearbook On-Line Buy the Book! NEW this year! Purchase your yearbook on-line by clicking on the link above.

Freshman Orientation View the Video Taping of the 2008 Freshman Orientation! A special thank you to Mr. Stacey Lazarus and Dr. Charles Hill who helped us to be able to bring to you a video viewing of the 2008 Freshman Orientation. For those parents/guardians and students who were not able to attend on the 25th, check out the above link!

REMINDER - HALL LOCKERS, P.E. LOCKERS, MUSIC LOCKERS

Just a reminder that all lockers are district property, as noted in the WCSD Code of Conduct, the RCK Faculty Handbook and the RCK Student Handbook. All lockers and their contents may be subject to inspection and/or search at any time by school officials or their designees. No student is permitted to share a locker or locker combination with another student.

Wappingers Central School District Ranked Number One!

Both John Jay and Roy C. Ketcham High School have been ranked as the top high schools in Dutchess County for the second consecutive year, as noted in the August 2007 issue of Hudson Valley Magazine. Roy C. Ketcham has earned recognition as a High Performing/Gap Closing School. RCK earned a Certificate, from the University of the State of New York Education Department, recognizing the achievement of our school in leading New York forward to accomplish the dual goal of increasing student achievement while closing the gap in student performance.

Information Regarding Megan's Law http://www.criminaljustice.state.ny.us/nsor/index.htm The above link will provide you with important information regarding Megan's Law.

District Code of Conduct - New Board Policy Adopted

** In accordance with BOE policy and regulation 5312.3, students and guests will be subject to Breathalyzer or Alco-sensor testing to determine whether or not they have consumed alcohol. Full details of the policy are available online at www.wappingersschools.org. Students or guests who test positive for alcohol will not be allowed to remain at the event and may be subject to suspension or other disciplinary penalty. ***

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