Ray-Diant News: The Stingray Way!

🌊 Stingray Week at a Glance | Quarter 2: Stay Focused. Get Connected. Keep Growing.

Dear Stingray Families,

Quarter 2 is in full swing, and we are excited about the opportunities ahead for our students! Throughout the school day, we have begun providing tutoring, academic supports, and additional opportunities to help students strengthen their learning and stay on track.

We are also implementing clubs and other opportunities for students to get connected, discover their interests, build positive relationships, and become even more involved in our school community.

As these opportunities grow, we need our Stingrays to remember that participation is a privilege. Students should continue to:

• 📚 Stay focused on academics and complete assignments
• ✅ Attend school regularly and arrive ready to learn
• 🤝 Demonstrate respectful and responsible behavior
• 💙 Follow school and classroom expectations
• 🌟 Make choices that allow them to participate in the fun opportunities available

We want every student to experience the academic, social, and extracurricular opportunities Quarter 2 has to offer. Families, please continue encouraging your Stingray to stay focused, make good choices, and get connected!

Together, let’s make Quarter 2 a strong one.

Principal Duran
ALL IN. ALL STINGRAYS. ALL SUCCESS. 🌊💙

• What Referendum 3 Would Cost, and What It Would Fund

  Referendum 3 is not a new tax. It would renew the existing half-cent sales tax at the exact same rate, costing the average Hillsborough household about $8 a month. Groceries and prescriptions are exempt, and more than 25% of what's collected comes from tourists, not local residents.

  If renewed, the tax would continue funding A/C, roofs, safety upgrades, and technology across the district through 2038. #halfpennypromise

Regular school attendance is vital to student success; therefore, in each newsletter the Rodgers weekly attendance percentage will be shared, so families can help push the importance of school attendance.

THIS WEEK'S ATTENDANCE PERCENTAGE IS 94.03%.

The attendance percentage dropped from 95.6% -- a 1.57% decrease in attendance.

A safe and orderly dismissal is one of our top priorities. We open the gates a few minutes before dismissal to allow the car line to begin moving into place.

Please note:

Students or parents who do not attend Rodgers may not exit vehicles or use campus facilities during dismissal. Also, students are to be picked up in front of the new front office only, not in the middle of the carline lane for safety purposes as well as to maintain a consistent carline flow.

Students designated as walkers must leave campus immediately after dismissal.

All car riders must be picked up by 4:45 p.m.

For safety and supervision, any student remaining on campus after 4:45 p.m. will be checked into our after-school HOST program, and associated fees will apply.

Thank you for helping us keep dismissal safe and efficient for all students.

This year, our faculty voted to implement a Breakfast in the Classroom model. This approach allows students to begin their day in a calm, structured environment while maximizing instructional time and strengthening classroom community.

For Car Riders, Walkers, Bike Riders, and Scooter Riders

Students who would like school breakfast will:

1. Enter through the designated cafeteria entrance by the car line.
2. Receive breakfast.
3. Proceed directly to their homeroom/first period classroom (or designated breakfast location for certain elective classes).
4. Eat breakfast with their classmates in homeroom/1st pd.

Students who do not wish to receive school breakfast must report directly to their homeroom upon entering campus, regardless of how they arrive at school. This includes students arriving by car, bus, walking, bicycle, scooter, or any other mode of transportation.

**Important Reminder**

There should be no loitering anywhere on campus during arrival. Students are expected to proceed directly to their assigned location.

In addition, all members of our Student Services Team will be available throughout the breakfast period to greet students, conduct check-ins, and provide support as needed. Because Student Services staff will be actively monitoring and connecting with students across campus, students should not report to Student Affairs upon arrival to school unless they have been specifically directed to do so by a staff member.

Our goal is to ensure that every student starts the day feeling welcomed, connected, and ready to learn.

🍎 Classes Eating Breakfast in the Cafeteria

The following classes will eat breakfast in the cafeteria:

Physical Education

Coach Jackson

• Tables 1 & 2

Coach McQuinn

• Tables 3 & 4

Music

Mr. Shultz (Band)

• Tables 8 & 9

Mr. Nieves (Chorus)

• Tables 10 & 11

Access Classes

• Tables 13-15 (in the Multipurpose Room - near the stage)
• Students will be escorted by staff.

Students assigned to the above classes who choose not to eat school breakfast must still report to the cafeteria and sit with their assigned teacher.

As a reminder, information regarding electric scooters and electric bicycles was shared with families over the summer. To ensure the safety of all students and staff, the following expectations will be strictly enforced:

• All electric scooters and bicycles must be parked in the designated bike rack area.
• Electric scooters and bicycles may not be stored inside classrooms, offices, hallways, or other school facilities.
• Charging electric scooters or bicycles on campus is not permitted. This includes charging devices in classrooms, offices, common areas, or using school electrical outlets.
• Charging personal transportation devices on campus is considered a safety violation and will not be permitted.

For students who ride an electric bicycle:

• The bicycle must be powered off by the time the student reaches the school marquee/front entrance area.
• Students must walk their electric bicycle from that point to the designated bike rack area.
• Riders should not operate electric bicycles on sidewalks, walkways, or other pedestrian areas of campus.

These procedures help us maintain a safe environment for all students, staff, and visitors.

If your student missed picture day in August or they are a new student, picture retakes will be available on October 28th. Please make sure to complete the picture package and have your student give it to the photographer on retake day.

Join us Saturday, Nov. 7, at the University of South Florida's Tampa campus for the 5th annual Race for Education 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk. Runners and walkers of all ages and fitness levels are welcome as we come together to support schools and celebrate education in our community.

What you'll receive

• A race shirt, race-day bib, and finisher medal
• A swag bag filled with freebies from our partners in education
• Giveaways, snacks, and refreshments after the race
• Awards for male and female 5K winners in five-year age groups

Registration

• 5K: $40 through Wednesday, Oct. 7. After that, the price increases to $45.

• 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk: $20 through race day.

Are you a student or HCPS staff? Ask about promo codes for Hillsborough County Schools students and staff, and USF students.

Race with a friend, a coworker, or your whole team. Past participants are our best ambassadors, and there is room for everyone at the starting line. You can form or join a team right on the registration page.

Thank you for being part of this community. We can't wait to see you on race day!

REGISTER TODAT AT: https://bit.ly/RaceforEducation5K

Use the QR code to take a look at the 360 Book Fair Preview on the Rodgers Book Fair Homepage. This view will allow you to see the books and non-book items included in the fair. The fair homepage will also assist you in setting up eWallet, shopping online, and pre-ordering books.

Note: Not all books shown in the 360 Preview will be made available to students during the fair as some may be removed so students only have access to the most age-appropriate materials.

Yearbooks are on sale now for $50, so buy your copy today! If you would like your student to have a special dedication in the yearbook, please purchase their student ad now. The earlier you get it, the better as ad space is limited.

• 6th grade - GRAY Stingrays shirt
• 7th grade - BLUE Stingrays shirt
• 8th grade - BLACK Stingrays shirt
• OR...Students may wear a sports themed shirt to show they are ALL IN for learning 😊

• GAME 1 - The season opener is Tuesday, October 27th against Collins Middle School. Games will start at 6pm in the Collins' gymnasium.

• GAME 2 - The second game of the week is on Thursday, October 29th against Eisenhower MS. Games start at 6pm in the Rodgers' gymnasium.

Our AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination) program would like to share some tips and tools to help students grow and excel. This week, you'll learn 3 ways to make learning stick with better notetaking.

HCC is offering free tutoring services to Hillsborough County students in grades 6 through 12 during both the Fall and Spring semesters on Saturdays from 9am – 12:30pm. HCC is also offering weekday virtual tutorials for math help on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 to 9pm.

Our school wants to ensure that all students and families receive the support they may need. Some families may qualify for additional assistance under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which supports students who may be experiencing housing instability. If your family is currently experiencing housing challenges or has recently been displaced, you may be eligible for support and resources. Please complete this form if you would like the School Social Worker to contact you to discuss possible support.

When you submit this form, it will not automatically collect your details like name and email address unless you provide it yourself.

Mckinney Vento Eligibility Form

Rodgers Middle Magnet School

miriam.duran@hcps.net

Asst. Principal: Justin Daniels

justin.daniels@hcps.net

Asst. Principal: Jennifer Oglesby

jennifer.oglesby@hcps.net

Towanda Edwards: Principal's Secretary | 813-671-5288 (main school line)

Website: Home | Rodgers Middle Magnet School
Facebook: Rodgers Middle Magnet School (look for logo with Blue background)