NO SCHOOL MID WINTER BREAK
There will be no school Monday, February 20 - Tuesday, February 21 due to Mid Winter Break.
SPOTLIGHT ON INSTRUCTION
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Mrs. Dunneback’s Merchandising Lab (School Store) class integrates multiple curriculum areas with a real-world context. The class is responsible for all operations of the store, including product development, promotion and distribution of goods, pricing and inventory control functions, and development and maintenance of the school store website: http://rhsfalconsbiz.weebly.com/. The students get hands-on experience selling food to their peers each day during lunch; they also work with an online simulation that teaches students the business basics and exposes the secrets of retailing. By making tough business decisions, students learn the behind the scenes operations of their common shopping experiences – why stores are located where they are, how stores decide to price products, etc. Students are able to meet with clothing vendors and decide which logos, colors, and styles of clothing would be best for their particular target market and then must create marketing campaigns for each item.
Another great aspect of the store is setting up opportunities in the community to take the Falcon’s Nest mobile and set up the store off site. These outside sales experiences are a perfect way to have students experience actual retail sales and everything that comes along with it. Just recently, the students took the Falcon’s Nest to the Crosstown Showdown basketball games at Oakland University. It was another fantastic night combining fun with learning and also helping to boost students’ academic and life skills through real entrepreneurial experience.
Another great aspect of the store is setting up opportunities in the community to take the Falcon’s Nest mobile and set up the store off site. These outside sales experiences are a perfect way to have students experience actual retail sales and everything that comes along with it. Just recently, the students took the Falcon’s Nest to the Crosstown Showdown basketball games at Oakland University. It was another fantastic night combining fun with learning and also helping to boost students’ academic and life skills through real entrepreneurial experience.
FRANK LAFFERTY TRIBUTE

Long time Rochester High School wrestling coach Frank Lafferty passed away February 15, 2017, after nearly a year long battle with pancreatic cancer. Coach Lafferty was inducted into the Rochester Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016, which celebrated his many accomplishments as the varsity wrestling coach at Rochester. Coach Lafferty was a graduate of Pontiac Northern High School, where he was a member of the 1966-67 state champion wrestling team. Lafferty was also the lone individual state champion on the team. Coach Lafferty got his start at Clarkston High School, where he served as an assistant for many years. In 2013 coach Lafferty guided Rochester to a state semi-final run, which included both district and regional titles. Lafferty would lead Rochester to three straight district titles from 2012-2014. Lafferty was also responsible for helping Shwan Shadia win back-to-back individual state championships in 2013-14 and 2014-15 in the 189 division. Coach Lafferty was also named the 2013-14 Regional Coach of the Year.
However, the impact he made on his wrestlers, staff, school, and community go well beyond the wrestling mat. Athletic Director Luke Beach said this about coach Lafferty, “Frank had an amazing ability to build relationships with kids, and it showed in how much they loved and respected him. He could reach out to the kid who was struggling, and inspire them to persevere. I was fortunate enough to have several long impacting conversations with coach, conversations about life, those conversations will forever be with me. I watched him battle this disease with such a positive attitude, and I admire him for showing so much courage. Frank would let you know when you messed up, including me, but he’d put his arm around you right after and tell you he loved you. That’s leadership, and that’s how I aspire to lead.”
Several Rochester coaches felt exactly the same about coach Lafferty. The Falcons head boys soccer coach Chris Purgatori said, “I feel like we just saw each other yesterday. Frank was always really kind and supported all of the coaches, he was always interested in how your program was doing. Not to mention he was a really funny guy.” Rochester head boys and girls swim coach Paul Karas agreed, ”Frank touched so many lives, and will be remembered for years to come.” Coaches Adam Sheldon (girls basketball) and John Pleasant (boys basketball) had great relationships with coach Lafferty, and both remember him fondly. Both recalled when they bought Frank a new pair of wrestling shoes, because his toes were sticking out of his old ones, that is a moment neither will forget. Coach Pleasant said, “I’ve never wrestled. I don’t know the first thing about wrestling, but I know that Frank was an incredible coach. I was fortunate enough to know some of the student-athletes who wrestled for Frank. Every one of them would do anything for him. They would run through a wall for Frank. Frank had that kind of impact on young men. That alone speaks volumes about his coaching ability. My son is only in third grade, but it is my hope that he will be able to be mentored and coached by someone like Frank Lafferty.” Coach Sheldon echoed that statement, “Frank was a great man and an even better mentor. I had the pleasure of working with Frank over the last 10 years at RHS and I took every opportunity I had to speak with him. He was always someone that I could lean on as a young coach. Frank was always straight and to the point and always helped me keep things in perspective.”
Currently, arrangements are still being made. When more information is available we will share with the community.
However, the impact he made on his wrestlers, staff, school, and community go well beyond the wrestling mat. Athletic Director Luke Beach said this about coach Lafferty, “Frank had an amazing ability to build relationships with kids, and it showed in how much they loved and respected him. He could reach out to the kid who was struggling, and inspire them to persevere. I was fortunate enough to have several long impacting conversations with coach, conversations about life, those conversations will forever be with me. I watched him battle this disease with such a positive attitude, and I admire him for showing so much courage. Frank would let you know when you messed up, including me, but he’d put his arm around you right after and tell you he loved you. That’s leadership, and that’s how I aspire to lead.”
Several Rochester coaches felt exactly the same about coach Lafferty. The Falcons head boys soccer coach Chris Purgatori said, “I feel like we just saw each other yesterday. Frank was always really kind and supported all of the coaches, he was always interested in how your program was doing. Not to mention he was a really funny guy.” Rochester head boys and girls swim coach Paul Karas agreed, ”Frank touched so many lives, and will be remembered for years to come.” Coaches Adam Sheldon (girls basketball) and John Pleasant (boys basketball) had great relationships with coach Lafferty, and both remember him fondly. Both recalled when they bought Frank a new pair of wrestling shoes, because his toes were sticking out of his old ones, that is a moment neither will forget. Coach Pleasant said, “I’ve never wrestled. I don’t know the first thing about wrestling, but I know that Frank was an incredible coach. I was fortunate enough to know some of the student-athletes who wrestled for Frank. Every one of them would do anything for him. They would run through a wall for Frank. Frank had that kind of impact on young men. That alone speaks volumes about his coaching ability. My son is only in third grade, but it is my hope that he will be able to be mentored and coached by someone like Frank Lafferty.” Coach Sheldon echoed that statement, “Frank was a great man and an even better mentor. I had the pleasure of working with Frank over the last 10 years at RHS and I took every opportunity I had to speak with him. He was always someone that I could lean on as a young coach. Frank was always straight and to the point and always helped me keep things in perspective.”
Currently, arrangements are still being made. When more information is available we will share with the community.
CONSTRUCTION CORNER
RHS SENIORS ARE COLLEGE BOUND
During RHS College Week seniors started to submit the colleges they are planning to attend in the fall. So far over two hundred RHS seniors have submitted their after graduation plans. The wall is just outside the counseling office, right by the senior locker bank.
ROTARY INTERACT TEAMS UP WITH PTSA
Rotary Interact members teamed up with PTSA to make stress balls for RHS students. By filling two balloons with flour and tying off the ends students were able to make stress balls on their own. PTSA will now be donating the stress balls back to RHS.
NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALISTS
Rochester High School is proud to announce five students are National Merit Scholarship Finalists. These five students placed among the top 15,000 in the nation and will now have the opportunity to be named a National Merit Scholar. Congratulations to Dipra Debnath, Mark Landry, Shreyans Munot, Cameron Page, and Andrew Smith!
RHS STAFF ATTENDS MINDFULNESS CLASS
Six teachers/counselors from Rochester High School; Amy Cosentino, Catey Gittner, Christopher Green, Stephanie Miller, Jen O'Toole- Seyka and Claire Scislowicz all attended two after school program sessions in Mindfulness. The program was taught by OU professor Dr. Caryn Wells. Mindfulness is being taught in schools across the county. Teachers/counselors learn to help students acquire stillness, focus tension, and learn a type of kindness that promotes harmony in the classroom. With the generosity of our Rochester District PTA Council, a copy of Dr. Wells book was purchased for each participant.
TWO UNITED STATES PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR CANIDATES AT RHS
Two RHS Seniors, Harrison Catlin and Andrew Smith, were selected to apply to become 2017 United States Presidential Scholars. The program honors some of our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Catlin and Smith must now write a candidate essay with supporting information and submit a secondary school report completed by an RHS staff member. Good luck to both RHS students on their next step of this journey!
HOSA AT REGION 4 CONFERENCE COMPETITION
On February 4, 2017 the Rochester High School HOSA club took on over 1,200 other local high school students at the Michigan Health and Occupational Students of America Region 4 Conference at Frasier High School. Thirty-six students from Rochester High School advanced to the state competition that will take place on April 27 and 28 in Traverse City, MI. Six students took first place at regionals. Ms. Shooks and Rochester’s HOSA Officers are very proud of our clubs' accomplishments and are looking forward to placing at States so the team can represent Rochester at Nationals in Florida.
The following students placed first in the competition: Hiba Abbas, Dipra Debnath, David Kim, and Nino Valdez (HOSA Bowl) and Ishita Shukla and Nidhi Tigadi (Health Career Display). The following students are moving on to the state competition as well: Zahra Ahmed, Krithi Jaligama, Rakhshan Al-Neyam, Afrah Ansari, Osayd Bahauddin, Rami Sbahi, Justin Baker, Ashok Dodaballapur, Harrison Catlin, Areej Chaudhry, Nicole Cubba, Bilal Ibrahim, Julian Labban, Delna Sholapurwalla, Fatima Uddin, Amna Abbas, Kathleen Jabas, Emily Jinerson, Mira Vacharakajorn, Haadi Fayyaz, Pranav Rajaram, Ana Iman, Neha Jabee, Shuting Yang, Rhea Gupta, Amala Nayak, Alexander Lee, Christian Nguyen, Jongbu Park, and Anirudhan Ramaseshan.
The following students placed first in the competition: Hiba Abbas, Dipra Debnath, David Kim, and Nino Valdez (HOSA Bowl) and Ishita Shukla and Nidhi Tigadi (Health Career Display). The following students are moving on to the state competition as well: Zahra Ahmed, Krithi Jaligama, Rakhshan Al-Neyam, Afrah Ansari, Osayd Bahauddin, Rami Sbahi, Justin Baker, Ashok Dodaballapur, Harrison Catlin, Areej Chaudhry, Nicole Cubba, Bilal Ibrahim, Julian Labban, Delna Sholapurwalla, Fatima Uddin, Amna Abbas, Kathleen Jabas, Emily Jinerson, Mira Vacharakajorn, Haadi Fayyaz, Pranav Rajaram, Ana Iman, Neha Jabee, Shuting Yang, Rhea Gupta, Amala Nayak, Alexander Lee, Christian Nguyen, Jongbu Park, and Anirudhan Ramaseshan.
EMANCIPATION AND ITS LEGACIES EXHIBITION AT RHS
The Rochester High School in association with the National Social Studies Honor Society will host Emancipation and Its Legacies, a nation traveling exhibition on display from February 8, 2017 to March 8, 2017. Developed by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History in partnership with the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Emancipation and Its Legacies marks the sesquicentennial of President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. Drawing on letters, personal accounts, images, and other documents from the Gilder Lehrman Collection, each section traces the major events that led to emancipation.
“We are pleased to have been selected as a site for this exhibition,” said Chad Zwolinski, Rochester High School. “Through reproductions of documents, photographs, and posters, the exhibition invites visitors to learn about emancipation through the eyes of individuals. Though Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation one hundred and fifty years ago, people today can still identify with the dreams and hopes of the people freed by that document, and the promise it held for them. We hope that this exhibition will help visitors better understand the human history and legacy of freedom and emancipation.”
“We are pleased to have been selected as a site for this exhibition,” said Chad Zwolinski, Rochester High School. “Through reproductions of documents, photographs, and posters, the exhibition invites visitors to learn about emancipation through the eyes of individuals. Though Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation one hundred and fifty years ago, people today can still identify with the dreams and hopes of the people freed by that document, and the promise it held for them. We hope that this exhibition will help visitors better understand the human history and legacy of freedom and emancipation.”
FEDS 201
SOPHOMORE CLASS AMBASSADORS HOLD 90s RINK NIGHT
During our Crosstown Showdown week, last week on Wednesday, February 1, the Sophomore Class Ambassadors put on a 90s Night at the Rink to coincide with the “generations day” of spirit week. The sophomore class ambassadors showcased their leadership skills booking the venue, promoting the night, selling tickets, and putting on a wonderful event for RHS. Over 50 students came out to roller skate with us! Some of them were fantastic skaters and some were skating for the first time. A great time was had by all! Thank you to those who helped chaperone and put on the event!
RHS STUDENTS IN SCHOLASTIC ART COMPETITION
Megan McMurry, Senior, and Maya Smith, Sophomore, were recognized for their outstanding art work in the Scholastic Art Competition. The show will run until Friday, March 3 at the College for Creative Studies, Walter B Ford II Building, Ford Campus. Hours are from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday .
MERIT SEMI FINALISTS AND COMMENDED SCHOLARS RECOGNIZED
At the Rochester Community Schools Board of Education meeting on February 6 all RCS Merit Scholar Semi Finalist and Commended Students were honored. Rochester High School had ten students recognized at the Board meeting.
Semi Finalists: Dipra Debnath, Mark Landry, Shreyans Munot, Cameron Page, and Andrew Smith
Commended Students: Owen Bennett, Harrison Catlin, Zachary DeLang, Olivia Yee, and Eric Yezzi
Semi Finalists: Dipra Debnath, Mark Landry, Shreyans Munot, Cameron Page, and Andrew Smith
Commended Students: Owen Bennett, Harrison Catlin, Zachary DeLang, Olivia Yee, and Eric Yezzi
INTERESTED IN JOINING NHS?
Any sophomore or junior students interested in joining National Honor Society are invited to join the sponsors Ms. Pierce and Ms. Messing-Mirabito and the NHS Officers for a short informational meeting on March 16 at 2:40 pm in the Media Center.
Any parents of sophomores or juniors who are interested in their student joining National Honor Society are invited to join the sponsors Ms. Pierce and Ms. Messing-Mirabito and the NHS Officers for a short informational meeting on March 8 at 4:30 pm just prior to parent-teacher conferences in the Auditorium.
Any parents of sophomores or juniors who are interested in their student joining National Honor Society are invited to join the sponsors Ms. Pierce and Ms. Messing-Mirabito and the NHS Officers for a short informational meeting on March 8 at 4:30 pm just prior to parent-teacher conferences in the Auditorium.
2017 STEAM FAIR
CHARITY WEEK PASSPORT
Announcing the 2016 Charity Week Passport benefiting Dutton Farm
March 13, 2017 - March 17, 2017 *A $50 Value available for $40 Purchasing a Charity Week Passport gives your RHS student: -1 ticket to the Sadie’s dance (Saturday, March 18) -Charity Week T-shirt -10 tickets towards our basket donation raffle -1 ticket to our coffee house night (Thursday, March 16) -1 coffee and 1 baked good on Monday, Wednesday & Friday morning -1 ticket to our Magic Show on Monday, March 13 Please click here to pay online! |
RHS NUTRITION OVERVIEW
RHS teacher and coach Mr. Merlo, along with Mr. Fox, Ms. Oppat, and Coach Reed, have been working with student athletes on the importance of a healthy lifestyle. To help students eat smarter he created the above "RHS Nutrition Overview" worksheet. The file is also available for download below.

RHS Nutrition Overview |
PURCHASE A YEARBOOK AD
DONATE YOUR RECYLEBANK POINTS TO RHS
PTSA HEALTH AND WELLNESS UPDATE
PTSA & BOOSTER MEETING DATES
Join us for our our next PTSA or Booster Meeting!
PTSA meetings take place at 7:00 p.m. in the RHS Media Center on the following dates:
March 30, May 11
Band Booster meetings take place at 7:30 p.m. in the RHS Media Center on the following dates:
March 14, April 18, May 9
Athletic Booster meetings take place at 6:00 p.m. in the RHS Media Center on the following dates:
March 13, April 10, May 8, June 12
Senior All Night Party Meetings take place at 7:00 p.m. in the RHS Media Center on the following dates:
February 27, March 20, April 24, May 15
*There is a list of students who have paid and turned in a permission slip for the Senior All Night Party posted outside the Main Office. Please have your student stop by the Main Office to make sure they are on the list!
PTSA meetings take place at 7:00 p.m. in the RHS Media Center on the following dates:
March 30, May 11
Band Booster meetings take place at 7:30 p.m. in the RHS Media Center on the following dates:
March 14, April 18, May 9
Athletic Booster meetings take place at 6:00 p.m. in the RHS Media Center on the following dates:
March 13, April 10, May 8, June 12
Senior All Night Party Meetings take place at 7:00 p.m. in the RHS Media Center on the following dates:
February 27, March 20, April 24, May 15
*There is a list of students who have paid and turned in a permission slip for the Senior All Night Party posted outside the Main Office. Please have your student stop by the Main Office to make sure they are on the list!
RHS SPORTS
TENNIS FUNDRAISER

Download certificate here. |
FRIENDS OF THE FALCONS GALA

Please download the Gala order form here. |