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Awards recognize high-performing students and help them stand out to colleges
Students at Rockdale High School earned academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Programs. These programs celebrate students' hard work in high school and showcase their strong academic performance. The academic honors for rural area, Black, Indigenous, and/or Latino students are an opportunity for students to share their strong academic achievements with colleges and scholarship programs that are seeking to recruit diverse talent.
At Rockdale High School, two students received the academic honor.
Isaiah Sauls: NAARA
Marisela Baltodano: NHRA
"We're thrilled to celebrate our students and recognize them for the great work they've been doing. We're proud of their strong academic performance in the classroom and on College Board assessments like the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, and AP exams," said Brent Hasselbach, principal. "There's so much that makes our students unique, and receiving this honor reinforces this as an asset for their future."
The criteria for eligible students include:
- GPA of 3.5 or higher
- PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10 assessment scores that are within the top 10% of assessment takers in each state for each award program or earned a score of 3 or higher on 2 or more AP Exams in 9th and 10th grade.
- Attend school in a rural area or small town, or identify as African American/Black, Hispanic American/Latino, or Indigenous/Native.
Eligible students are invited to apply on BigFuture during their sophomore or junior year and are awarded at the start of the next school year in time to share their achievements in high school as they plan for the future. At the same time, colleges and organizations using College Board's Student Search Service can connect directly with awardees during the recruitment process.
"It's becoming increasingly hard for students to be 'seen' during the college recruitment process. We're exceptionally proud of the National Recognition Programs for celebrating students who are at times overlooked but have shown their outstanding academic abilities," said Tarlin Ray, senior vice president of BigFuture at College Board. "This is a benefit not only for students but also for colleges and universities committed to recruiting diverse and talented students."
- District
S.B. 2428 mandates the Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) placement of a student found possessing or using an e-cigarette.
Due to a change in state law and state education code, beginning this school year, any student in possession of, using or distributing vapes, e-cigarettes or diffuser sticks/aromatherapy pens on or within 300 feet of a school campus will be removed from class and placed in the Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP).
Students who require the use of respiratory inhalers or other related medical devices must comply with the rules and regulations outlines in the 2023-24 Rockdale ISD Student Handbook, which request written authorization from a physician or other licensed healthcare provider, in collaboration with the school nurse.
We appreciate your efforts as we work to keep your child safe while on campus. Schools should be places where a child looks forward to spending their days safely.
The health and wellness of our students has been, and will continue to be, our top priority in Rockdale ISD. We value the trust you place in us as we work to educate your child.
- District
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced the nutrition team at Rockdale ISD has successfully completed the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) 2022 Fall Farm Fresh Challenge. Throughout the month of October, Rockdale ISD offered locally sourced Texas foods and provided garden-based learning activities to strengthen students’ appreciation for Texas agriculture. Rockdale ISD shared their achievements on social media throughout the challenge to further champion and promote local food for kids in their schools.
“Participating in the Farm Fresh Challenge has a real impact on students, communities, and local agricultural economies,” Commissioner Miller said. “Connecting Texas farmers with school nutrition programs builds healthy habits that can last a lifetime. I am proud of all the schools that participated in this year’s challenge, and I thank them for the hard work they do to keep young Texans healthy all year.”
Rockdale ISD joined 156 other school districts and charter organizations for the annual event, pledging to Eat Local, Teach Local, and Be Social. By serving healthy and balanced meals, offering agricultural and nutrition education, and prioritizing local Texas foods, the school has demonstrated dedication to the well-being of their students while recognizing the efforts of local farmers and ranchers to provide high quality food.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Rockdale ISD trustees named Hunter Hamrick as the next Athletic Director and Head Football Coach for Rockdale ISD at the December 12, 2022 regular board meeting. Coach Hamrick will replace current Athletic Director Jacob Campsey.
Hamrick is presently serving as Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at Ingleside High School in Ingleside, Texas, where he has been since leaving Rockdale in 2016. He has led the Mustangs to qualify for the playoffs four out of the last five years and helped rejuvenate both boys and girls athletic programs while at Ingleside.
Previously, Hamrick was the offensive coordinator while at Rockdale High School, when the team won 30 games in his final three years with RHS. Other coaching stints for Hamrick include Los Fresnos High School and Lexington High School.
Coach Hamrick is a graduate of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, where he was an All-American punter. He and his wife, Morgan, a special education teacher, have three children (Hayze, Hutch and Maybri).
“We are excited to welcome Coach Hamrick and his family back to Rockdale ISD. His knowledge and experience as an athletic director, along with his ability to build relationships with students, staff and the community will be a tremendous asset for Rockdale,” stated Superintendent Denise Monzingo.
Coach Hamrick will be in the district this Thursday to meet with students and staff and will begin his new position in January.