Parent Letter: 2nd Semester Communications
Dear RHS Families,
On behalf of the administration and staff at RHS, I’d like to wish everyone a Happy New Year! I hope everyone had an enjoyable winter break and were able to spend memorable time with family and friends this holiday season. We are looking forward to your child’s return on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. This will be a full day (7:50 a.m. - 2:40 p.m.).
Students should report to the small gym upon arrival to receive their 2nd semester schedule. Please feel free to contact your child’s counselor for any scheduling needs or concerns this upcoming semester:
Mrs. Garrison - Guidance Counselor for students last names A-L jennifer.garrison@rcusd.org
Mrs. Hansen - Guidance Counselor for students last names M-Z kayla.hansen@rcusd.org
Final Exam Exemption Criteria for 2nd Semester:
All RHS students (grades 9-11) are eligible to be exempt from their 2nd semester final exams at the end of the year. Students must meet the academic, attendance, and behavior criteria in order to be exempt. This year, we have revised the requirements in an effort to make eligibility for exemptions more flexible and accessible therefore, there will be no final exam appeals as done in the past.
Click here to view the: 2nd Semester Final Exam Exemption Criteria for 2025-2026
First Semester Highlights & Celebrations:
Our first semester was marked by several highlights and celebrations! I could not be more proud of our amazing staff and awesome students for all they accomplished and helped to make the first semester the success that it was. For a quick recap of these success stories, please visit and follow us on our social media outlets and web page to stay updated:
Facebook: Roxana Senior High School
X/(Twitter): @RHS_Shells
Instagram: rhs_shells
RHS Home Page: https://www.roxanaschools.org/o/highschool
I’d also like to share my deep appreciation to our coaches for their time and dedication and to our student-athletes who competed over the holiday break. This winter break was marked by several accomplishments:
The girls varsity basketball team placed 2nd in the Waterloo Holiday Tournament
The boys basketball competed and had a great showing at the Pinkneyville Duster-Thomas Tournament
The wrestling team advanced to the gold bracket at the Abe’s Rumble and Chloe Skiles won the Wonder Woman wrestling tournament! Madelyn Murphy placed 8th!
2nd Semester Events & Important Dates:
The second semester also has us beginning our preparations for next year. We will begin the scheduling process by meeting with students in grade level assemblies on Thursday, January 22, 2026, then their counselor will meet with them individually to finalize their course selections for next year. All students grades 9-11 will be preparing to take the ACT and PreACT tests this semester as follows:
9th Grade (PreACT9) will take place on Tuesday, April 14, 2026
10th Grade (PreACT10) will take place on Thursday, April 16, 2026
11th Grade (ACT) will take place on Thursday, April 23, 2026. The ACT is a graduation requirement.
Upcoming 3rd Quarter Events & Important Dates:
Seniors - Class of 2026:
Last Day of School for Seniors is Friday, May 8, 2026
Graduation is Sunday, May 17, 2026 (2:00 p.m. Charles Raich Field) if inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved indoors to the Larry Milazzo Gymnasium.
All seniors must complete and submit the required graduation checklist, ensuring fees are reconciled and computers have been returned.
Seniors who have not met all graduation requirements and need to complete coursework must be in attendance until Wednesday, May 13, 2026. If a senior is unable to meet the graduation requirements by the May 13th deadline, they are encouraged to complete the requirements via RHS Summer School: June 2026
Thank you again for your partnership. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need further assistance as we begin the second semester. Here’s to a prosperous new year!
Yours in Education,
Jason P. Dandurand
Jason Dandurand, Ed. S.
Principal
Roxana Senior High School