Welcome to the 26-27 School Year

Dear Rochester School District Families,

Welcome to the 26-27 school year! As we prepare to welcome our students back to school, I want to share how excited I am about the year ahead and how honored I am to serve the Rochester School District as Interim Superintendent.

For the families that do not know me, here is a little bit of information about me. My name is Justin Black. I am a husband, father, and educator. I have served the Rochester community since August of 1998 as an RHS Agriculture Teacher/FFA Advisor (9 years), RHS Assistant Principal (3 years), and the Director of Curriculum and Technology (16 years) for a total of 28 years. My wife (Carrie) and I have been married for 21 years, and our 2 daughters are successful and proud 3rd-generation Rochester High School graduates. I volunteer as a member of the Rochester Scholarship Association (RSA) and the citizens’ group Yes For Rochester Schools. When my daughters were young, I spent lots of time volunteer coaching at Hoss Field. My wife and I raised our family here, and I have spent my entire professional career in this community. Rochester is where I want to be and need to be.

The beginning of a school year is always filled with anticipation. It is by far my favorite time of the school year. There are new teachers to meet, friendships to make, routines to establish, and opportunities to discover. Whether your child is walking into one of our schools for the very first time or preparing for their final year in Rochester, we are grateful that you have entrusted us with an important part of their journey.

At the center of everything we do is a promise we make to each Rochester student:

We promise to know, value, and support every student, ensuring they graduate with confidence and skills for a successful future.

This is more than a statement. It is our commitment to your student.

We want to know your child—not simply their name or their test scores, but who they are, what interests them, where they excel, where they need support, and what they hope to become.

We want every student to feel valued. Every child who walks through our doors should know they belong in Rochester, that they have something important to contribute, and there are adults in their school who believe in them.
We also promise to support every student. Children learn and grow in different ways and at different rates. Our responsibility is to meet students where they are, challenge them to grow, and provide the opportunities and support they need to be successful.

Ultimately, we want every Rochester student to leave our schools with the confidence and skills for a successful future—whatever that future may hold. Preparing students academically is essential, and we also want them to become confident young people who can communicate, solve problems, build relationships, persevere through challenges, and make positive contributions to their communities. We can use the lessons of learning the academic content to help develop those skills.

Fulfilling that promise requires a strong partnership between our schools and our families.

You know your student in ways that we never can, and your voice matters. I encourage you to stay connected with your student’s school, communicate with teachers and staff, attend school activities when you can, ask questions, and share both your concerns and your celebrations with us. When families and schools work together, our students benefit.

As Interim Superintendent, I am committed to listening, communicating openly, and building strong relationships across our district and community. I look forward to spending time in our schools, meeting students and families, listening to your experiences, and learning more about what we can do together to make Rochester an even stronger place for our students.

Like every school year, this one will bring both successes and challenges. Through all of it, I hope we will remain focused on what brings us together: our students and their futures.

Every student deserves to be known.

Every student deserves to be valued.

Every student deserves to be supported.

And every student deserves the opportunity to leave Rochester ready and confident for what comes next.

Thank you for your trust, your partnership, and the many ways you support your student and our schools. We are excited to welcome our students back, and I look forward to a wonderful year together.

Welcome back, Rochester Families!

Justin Black
Interim Superintendent
Rochester School District

Welcome, Class of 2030!

Hello, Freshman Warrior Families!

The countdown is on! We are just 12 days away from Freshman Orientation on Monday, August 31, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. We are incredibly excited to welcome the Class of 2030 to Rochester High School!

Freshman Orientation is designed to help students begin their high school journey with confidence. Throughout the day, students will have opportunities to meet their classmates, build new connections, get comfortable in the RHS building, and learn what it means to be a Warrior. Our staff has been working hard to create a fun and welcoming experience, and we can't wait to see our newest Warriors!

Transportation is available if needed. If your student needs transportation to or from Orientation, please contact the RHS Main Office at 273-5534 or First Student at 273-0292.

~An Exciting First Day for the Class of 2030!~

We are also excited about a change to our school schedule designed specifically to help make the transition to high school as smooth and successful as possible.

The first day of school for freshmen will be Wednesday, September 2 (TWO WEEKS AWAY!!!). We have planned a special day filled with speakers, activities, opportunities to connect, and a modified academic schedule. Our goal is to help ease those first-day nerves, build confidence, and give students a positive start to their high school experience.

~Parent Night~

We would also love to welcome our families to Parent Night on Thursday, September 3, at 6:00 p.m. This will be an opportunity to learn more about RHS, hear important information, and ask questions as your student begins this exciting new chapter.

We strongly encourage you to attend!

Starting high school is a big milestone, and we want our students and families to know that they are not making this transition alone. Our entire RHS team is ready to welcome, support, encourage, and celebrate the Class of 2030.

We are so excited to welcome your child to the Rochester High School family! The next four years will bring new friendships, challenges, opportunities, accomplishments, and memories—and we are honored to be part of the journey.

Welcome to RHS, Class of 2030!

Once a Warrior, ALWAYS a Warrior!

 Mid-Summer Warrior Report

“It's time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.” ... Meister Eckhart
 
August 13, 2026

Greetings, Warrior Families!

I would like to apologize to all of you. I sent this newsletter out with timely information and unbeknownst to me it did not reach you. I was notified last night and the system has been fixed.

Summer is flying by, and in just five short weeks our halls will once again be filled with the energy, excitement, and laughter of students. We are thrilled to welcome everyone back for another incredible year at Rochester High School!

For the Class of 2030, this is an especially exciting time. In just five weeks, you'll have completed your very first day as Rochester High School Warriors! Our staff has planned an engaging Freshman Orientation and first-day experience designed to help every incoming freshman feel welcomed, connected, and confident as they begin their high school journey. We can't wait to meet you and help make your transition to RHS a great one.

This school year, we will continue building on the important work we began last year. Our focus remains on preparing every student to graduate with confidence and the skills needed for a successful future. Every lesson, activity, and opportunity is designed with that goal in mind.

You may have heard recent conversations from the State Superintendent regarding student cell phone use during the school day. Rochester High School will continue with our current cell phone expectations. We believe one of our responsibilities is helping students develop healthy habits with technology by learning when, where, and how to use it appropriately. This approach aligns with our mission of preparing students for success beyond high school. We encourage families to partner with us by discussing your own expectations for cell phone use at school before the year begins.

Fall is one of the most exciting times of the year at RHS, and our athletic programs are getting ready to kick off another great season! Football practice begins August 19, and all other fall sports begin August 24. We offer opportunities for students to get involved through:

*Football

*Boys Golf

*Volleyball

*Cheer

*Girls Swimming

*Girls Soccer

*Boys & Girls Cross Country

If your student plans to participate, please complete the registration process through FinalForms by visiting our Athletics webpage:

https://rhs.rochester.wednet.edu/o/rhs/page/athletics

Getting involved in athletics, clubs, activities, and school events is one of the best ways for students to build friendships, develop leadership skills, and create lasting memories. We encourage every student to find something that helps them connect with our Warrior community.

Most importantly, below you will find significant dates that are important at RHS. If you need more information please feel free to contact the office after August 17 when our office staff returns. Also, you are always welcome to contact me via email with any questions that you may have.

Freshmen Orientation: August 31 (Transportation will be available)

First Day of School: Class of 2030 - September 2

First Day All Students: September 3

Homecoming Week: September 28 - October 3 (Stay tuned for more information!)

Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences: Week of October 19 - 23

Non-School Day: November 2

Veteran’s Day: November 11

Thanksgiving Break: November 26 & 27

Winter Break: December 21 - January 1

MLK Day: January 18

Presidents’ Day: February 15

Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences: March 29 - April 2

Spring Break: April 5 - 9

Memorial Day: May 31

Senior Week: June 7 - 11

Graduation: June 13, 2:00 PM, Saint Martins University, Marcus Pavilion

Last Day of School: June 15 - 10:25 Release

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We are excited to begin another year of learning, growth, and celebration with our Warrior families. Enjoy the rest of your summer!

WARRIOR PRIDE… Grounded in our common beliefs, the following core values shape our school: Warriors are POSITIVE. Warriors are RESPECTFUL. Warriors have INTEGRITY. Warriors are DETERMINED. Warriors are ENGAGED.

See you soon! Once a Warrior. Always a WARRIOR!

Kevin Theonnes - Principal

ktheonnes@rochester.wednet.edu (360) 273-5534


Rochester School District Promise Statement
We promise to know, value, and support every student, ensuring they graduate with confidence and skills for a successful future.



Rochester High School Values:

– We believe all students have value

– We believe opportunities to learn & grow are everywhere

– We believe all students are capable of learning & enjoying all subjects

– We believe all students have the ability to develop skills to lead a productive life

A Huge Thank You to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office!

The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office dropped off a TON of school supplies for our Rochester students, and we couldn’t be more grateful for their generosity!

These supplies will be available to families at ROOF’s Back-to-School Supply Fair on August 20 and will also be available through our schools to support families throughout the school year. We appreciate the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office and their continued support of our Rochester students and families. Community partnerships like this make a real difference, and we couldn’t reach all of our families without you!

Thank you for helping make sure our students have the supplies they need to start the school year ready to learn!

Today, we celebrate the remarkable 40-year career of Dr. Jennifer Bethman as she retires from education following four years of dedicated service as Superintendent of the Rochester School District.

During her four years in Rochester, she led the collaborative development of our Strategic Plan, bringing together students, staff, families, and community members to help shape the future of our district. She also spearheaded two successful levies, securing critical investments that will benefit Rochester students for years to come, and so much more.

One of Jennifer's greatest strengths was her commitment to being present. Whether visiting classrooms, attending athletic events, celebrating student achievements, or connecting with staff and families, she made it a priority to know and support the people who make Rochester such a special place.

As she closes this chapter and begins a well-earned retirement after 40 years in education, we are grateful that Rochester was part of her journey. Please join us in thanking Jennifer for her service to Rochester and congratulating her on an incredible career.

#OnceAWarriorAlwaysAWarrior