Roy C. Ketcham High School

Principal

G. Thomas Stella

January 26 - January 29 is testing week. On these days, Regents Exams, RCT Exams and some mid-term exams will be administered. Please speak to your student regarding their testing readiness. Know your student's testing schedule and bus schedule. A copy may be downloaded from this webpage (go to the left hand side in the red field and click on the third bullet from the top). Be certain that your student is well rested and well nourished.

My best wishes to all our students for a well focused testing period.

Sincerely,

Mr. Stella

January 26-27-28-29 - REGENTS WEEK The complete Exam Schedule can be accessed by clicking on the link to the left. All School Exams, Regents and RCT's are listed. You will also find the bus schedule. PLEASE NOTE: A CHANGE WAS MADE TO THE SCHEDULE. THE FINANCIAL MATH EXAM SCHEDULED ON JAN. 26 IS MOVED INTO AN EARLIER TIME SLOT.

BOE APPROVED CHANGES TO THE 2009-10 SCHOOL CALENDAR

Please note that the Board of Education has approved changes to the 2009-2010 school calendar. You can click on the link to the left "SCHOOL CALENDAR" to view and print the revised calendar. The two changes are: The Superintendent's Conference Day originally scheduled for April 23 is now CHANGED TO APRIL 30, 2010. APRIL 23 WILL BE A REGULAR SCHOOL DAY. The other change is the "RETURN" DAYS (days school will be closed if we use less than 5 snow days) - these NEW DATES are: 1st Day: 5/24, 2nd day: 5/21, 3rd day: 4/23, 4th day: 4/5.

3rd Annual Souper Bowl Blitz

Student Council is sponsoring the Third Annual RCK Souper Bowl Blitz. Last year Ketcham students, staff, families and friends successfully collected and donated over 1800 cans of nourishing food to help our community. There continues to be a critical problem now facing the local food pantry at Zion Episcopol Church right here in Wappingers Falls. After the holidays, the food pantry is in desperate need of our support in trying to feed hungry families throughout our community.

The canned food drive will begin on JANUARY 15 and go through FEBRUARY 6. Each administrative office will have a supply of "Souper Bowl Bucks." These will be given out to any student who donates 5 cans of any nonperishable food. For these weeks only, participating teachers will allow students to exchange their Souper Bowl Bucks in class for credit in ways such as a homework pass, extra credit on a test or quiz grade, class participation or in some other way that will give students credit as decided by the teacher.

In addition, Student Council is sponsoring a HOMEROOM COMPETITION within the school during these same dates, to collect BOXED FOOD ITEMS. The Homeroom that brings in the most boxed foods per student will win a Dunkin Donuts breakfast!

Are You Smarter than a Ketcham Student? - February 5, 2010 - THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED AND WILL BE RESCHEDULED IN THE NEAR FUTURE. STAY TUNED!

H1N1 Letter from the Superintendent Parent Letter A letter was given to students in their English classes today to bring home to parents. You can view the letter by clicking above.

IN AN RCK MINUTE! Click Here! The RCK Broadcast Arts class presents two inaugural podcasts of "In An RCK Minute": an interview with senior Anam Zahra, Congressional Page, and Highlights from the 2009 Festival of the Arts. Stay tuned to "In An RCK Minute" for future podcasts!

Presentation by Jeff Yalden Click to go to Jeff Yalden's website Award Winning Youth Speaker Jeff Yalden visited RCK to present to the 9th grade teams on November 9, 2009. A second presentation for parents and students was held that evening at Wappingers Jr. High School.

John Halligan Presentation of Ryan's Story
Click here for more information
Sponsored by the Roy C. Ketcham PTSA a presentation by John Halligan on "Bullying, Cyberbullying, and Youth Depression" was held on October 27, 2009 for parents. If you were unable to attend, click on the link for information.

John Halligan's son, Ryan, died by suicide on Oct. 7, 2003 after being bullied by classmates at school and online. He was 13 years old.

Halligan's presentation covered the lessons learned too late for his family regarding how to deal with bullying, cyberbullying, and teen depression.

Parents will be empowered with strategies to take preventive actions with their own children.

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!

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

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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