As second semester begins with a great start, high schools across the district prepare for a special event happening from March 3 through March 8. This action packed week known as Charity Week is exciting for students at all Rochester Community Schools. Charity Week is an annual event where we provide multiple opportunities for raising funds to give to an organization picked by all RCS schools. This year, the community will raise money for Camp Kesem, an overnight summer camp for kids ages 6 to 18 whose parents or guardians are impacted by cancer. The goal is to raise as much money as possible to donate back to this organization. Each school has different traditions, activities, or plans regarding Charity Week. With this special week being almost one month out, this is just a glimpse into the workload of planning across the district that goes into this week. This is only the beginning stages, but we are beyond excited to see what each high school has in store for this year. 

Rochester High School puts in so much preparation behind the scenes into Charity Week that makes it such a success. Not only do they have to plan events, but also strategize ways to maximize the amount of money Rochester can raise. Rochester Student Council Advisor, Kelley Cusmano, and the rest of the Student Council have put in weeks of preparation behind the scenes. Cusmano explained that they have to begin by reaching out beyond the walls of our school by “trying to advertise it to the community” for donations. Charity Week is well known within the district, but spreading the news to people in the community of all ages is a big focus. “We have to figure out how to hit every group within the school that can help raise money,” says Cusmano. Rochester also has lots of unique events, new and old, that go into fundraising. The most known being Falcon Fest, a carnival run by clubs and sports at Rochester. Elementary schoolers from all over the district come and have fun while supporting charity week. Another unique event to Rochester is the Parent Breakfast Cook-Off. This takes place during Advisory where Falcon parents can come serve up their best dishes for the students to try. Student Council is also taking a new approach to some old ideas from past years. Instead of doing the usual Coffee House with musical performances from students, they will be hosting a karaoke night for more involvement for all students. This is only just a fraction of the planning and amazing events the Rochester Student Council puts into charity week. 

Rochester Adams High School also has a variety of traditions and events that happen during Charity Week as well. Secretary of the Rochester Adams Student Council, Eda Nguyen, shares that, at the beginning of Charity Week, Adams holds their annual Parent Charity Gala/Silent Auction. Parents can bid on items provided by businesses associated with the high school. “This event has gathered our community together as a whole, whether it is from feeder schools or current Highlander parents,” Nguyen explains. The high school is also starting new traditions such as a Wing-eating Contest that students can buy a ticket to watch or participate in, as well as a Family Fun Night for the feeder students in the community. This does not happen overnight; however, it requires “many moving parts,” comments Nguyen. “Our council is split into various committees.” Nguyen also adds that communication is extremely important when planning events like this. “We share our committee progress in class throughout our planning periods, and use numerous forms of advertising to communicate with the student body.” All of this helps them remain organized and efficient when planning.

Preparations for Stoney Creek High School’s events are also in full swing for the upcoming Charity Week. Stoney’s Student Council takes a lot of time to thoughtfully plan all the activities students will partake in to help raise money. Collin Lott, President of Stoney Creek’s Student Council explains that planning is a multi step process. “We start by meeting in our executive board and selecting the chairs and overseers,” Lott explains. The committees plan and pass it to administration for approval. After they give the go ahead they reach out to any students or teachers involved in their plans. One tradition Stoney continues to have is their annual Duck Race. Students are able to purchase ducks at lunch for $5, and the Student Council takes them to the Van Hoosen farm river and drops them in. Students in waders and nets catch the ducks at the end. The number on the duck corresponds with the student who purchased it and who wins the prize. Prizes in years past have been gift cards to the school store. “This event is not only a good way to raise money for charity, but also very fun for our Student Council and good for raising spirit in our school,” Lott adds. A new event Stoney plans on trying is the “Ticket to Skip It” where students can buy tickets to attend a variety of events throughout the day. 

At the end of the week, on March 8, all of the schools come together for a dance! It was originally called the “Tri-High Dance,” but now, with the new addition of ACE, it is renamed, Crosstown Dance. ACE is super excited to be involved this year for the first time. Since they are new, they will mostly be supporting events at RHS like Movie Night and doing Charity Basket Sales. Needless to say, all the high schools are excited and quickly preparing for the fantastic events coming for this year’s Charity Week. Over the last four years, data has been kept regarding the total amount given to the charity at the end of the week. Each year, the district’s totals have surpassed the previous years. Now this year, the district is expected to break the six figure mark! We encourage scanning the QR code on this page to donate and show support to Camp Kesem. While you are at it, come out and support your local school and participate in the many activities these schools amazingly put on!