WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS
January 18, 2018
Letter From the Principal:
Parents and Students,

I believe we have all been surprised and concerned about the number of snow days this week. We are sending this to update you on our calendar and plans to meet the state requirement of 180 school days. We do have permission from the Indiana Department of Education to use E-Learning days, but will use them only when we have exhausted our make-up days. 

Our calendar for 2017-2018 contained 182 days. We cannot use two half days to make a whole day, and we thought we would dismiss on the last day of each semester in the morning after exams. In December, we did go a full day (although we did dismiss a little early, we can still count it). We also have the option of going a full day on the last day in May.

We have now used four snow days. Here are the make-up plans:

·          We will count the last day from first semester.
·          School will be in session on Presidents’ Day (February 19, 2018)
·          School will be in session on Easter Monday (April 2, 2018)
·          We still have the option of a full day on May 18.

If there is no school tomorrow (January 19), we will have an E-Learning day and this will most likely be the case should we have any additional closings this school year.
In the case that school is closed tomorrow, here is the plan:

Tentative E-Learning Plan  (January 19, 2018- Blue Day)
Students:
Logon to Sycamore between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. if you have internet access.

Logon to your classes in Sycamore or in Google Classroom and access the learning activities that your teachers have posted. There should be a learning activity for each class.

Each teacher will identify a time that he or she will be available for questions.

Complete the learning activities and submit them no later than Wednesday, January 24, at 4:00 p.m.

If you do not have internet access, remember that the media center is open until 4:00 p.m. on days that school is in session if you need a place to work with internet access.

If you do not have internet access, you are not required to logon to Sycamore or Google Classroom on the e-learning day, but you will need to do this as soon as you are able because all work will be due by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 24. You may be able to call a friend and get some information about the learning activities so you can get started.

We are aware that there may be some problems with internet access for students and maybe teachers. 

Mrs. Popham ( lisapopham@evdio.org ) and I will be available to respond to questions ( mwilliams@evdio.org ).  
Guest Speaker on Monday:
One God One Community—an Evansville faith-based entity—is sponsoring a speaker in the Evansville community on January 22. Christian Picciolini will speak at Memorial at 10:30 a.m., at Mater Dei in the afternoon, and at the Victory Theater at 7:00 p.m. This is a rare opportunity for our students, and the speaker will address some very serious topics. 

Mr. Picciolini is an award winning television producer, public speaker, author, peace advocate and a reformed violent extremist. He was recruited to a hate movement in his youth, and after a conversion experience, embraced a life mission to atone for his grisly past and make something of his time on the planet by contributing to the greater good. 

In 2016 Mr. Picciolini won an Emmy Award for his role in directing and producing an anti-hate advertising campaign aimed at helping youth disengage from white-supremacist groups.   He was recently interviewed by Scott Pelley on CBS’ 60 Minutes . 

Some additional information is included in the letter being sent to parents on School Messenger.
Curriculum Updates:
The new Course Description Guide is now available on the website , and students will begin registering for the 2018-2019 academic year.  This past semester we have been working on two projects that have created a few changes. Early in the fall we recruited some Theology resource people to assist us in reviewing our curriculum and making some revisions for the future . These are not dramatic changes and they will be phased in gradually, but the process has enabled us to consider “what” and “how” we teach and discuss continuous improvement. The resource people have contributed many valuable ideas, and we have also networked with other Catholic high schools who have generously shared their ideas and experience. The most significant changes will be the development of a new course for freshmen, more integration of Scripture and the Paschal mystery throughout the courses, and the postponement of Old Testament study to the upper levels when students are more familiar with literary forms.  

We are also enhancing our Global Studies program . The course description guide will have an icon to indicate which classes will include this special emphasis and more information will be available during registration. Our goal is to intentionally integrate both faith and global studies. We are engaging a consultant to facilitate some curriculum writing this summer to assist us in this process.  
RMHS Career Day - February 15, 2018:
Reitz Memorial High School would like to invite you and/or your company to participate in the 2018 Reitz Memorial Career Day. This is a great opportunity to interact with the student body, meet the administration and network with other alumni and local business persons.

The event begins at the start of the school day and concludes with our keynote speaker (optional for the rest of our guests) from 10:30-11:00 AM in the auditorium. The schedule for the event is being finalized and will be shared with all guests in the near future. If you are interested in participating in the Reitz Memorial's 5th Annual Career Day, please fill out the following form.

Contact Rachel Ketzner, rachelketzner@evdio.org or (812)474-2943, if you have further questions or suggestions.
UE Engineering Options Harlaxton Experience 2018:
The UE Engineering OPTIONS program teaches high school girls about the exciting and rewarding career opportunities available in engineering and computer science.Girls currently in grades 9, 10, or 11 who have completed geometry are eligible to apply. The Harlaxton Experience 2018 will be a 10-day program in London, England and nearby Harlaxton College. 
June 28-July 7, 2018
$3,000 all-inclusive
Limited to 20 participants
Application Deadline: February 12, 2018
More information: www.evansville.edu/options
kh209@evansville.edu or 812-488-2651
PTO Trivia Night February 17:
UPCOMING EVENTS

January 24 - Student Council
January 23 - Assembly - Guest Speaker Christian Picciolini
January 27 - Set Construction
January 27 - Girls Lacrosse Service Project
January 28 - Catholic Schools Week
January 29 - Girls Basketball Team Dinner
January 30 - Senior Mass at St. Benedict Cathedral
January 30 - Girls Lacrosse Team Meeting
January 31 - PTO Meeting - Witting Media Center - 6:30 PM
January 31 - Boys Basketball Team Dinner
February 17 - PTO Trivia Night - Germania Maennerchor
Reitz Memorial High School is a Christ-centered Catholic community which educates all students to their highest potential by developing religious values, providing excellence in education, and fostering a commitment to service.