What's New at RBC

2026–2027 and Beyond

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

Tonight's Agenda

01

New Master Schedule Transition

Why we changed, Phase I & II

02

Three New Courses

Italian · Personal Finance · Economics

03

OCC College Academy Partnership

2 college credits available for all freshmen

04

New Dining Hall Experience

Renovation & fresh menu

05

Wellness Room & Sources of Strength

Remodeled space + new suicide prevention program

06

Career Pathways in Broadcasting & Media for RBC Students

Career-ready skills in media & communication

07

Phone-Free Learning with Yondr

Focused, distraction-free classrooms

Part 01

New Master Schedule

Teaching better, not longer.

Why 55 Minutes? It's About Teaching Better.

55

minutes

of focused, purposeful

learning every period

1

Deeper Learning

Time for labs, writing, discussion & application — without feeling rushed.

2

Fewer Transitions

Less wasted time, fewer behavioral issues, more actual instruction.

3

Flexible Teaching

Review + direct instruction + practice all in a single class period.

A Thoughtful Two-Phase Transition

We listened to our faculty. We read the research. The result: a phased approach that supports students and teachers.

PHASE I

Foundation Year

2026–2027

✔ Reduced homeroom (6 min)

✔ Two lunch periods (not three)

✔ Two 55-min extended blocks

✔ Science labs restructured

✔ More elective flexibility

PHASE II

Full Implementation

2027–2028

→ All classes: 55-min periods

→ Drop-period rotation

→ Casey Flex period

→ Built-in academic support

→ Enrichment & student services

>

Phase I Bell Schedule — Starting September 2026

★ Extended 55-minute instructional blocks — gradual transition to longer periods

Phase II Bell Schedule — Starting September 2027

Introduce the drop schedule.

​

One period drops every day.

​

No subject is consistently disadvantaged.

​

Predictable rhythm.

​

​

Part 02

Three New Courses

Expanding what an RBC education can offer.

Ciao, RBC! — Introducing Italian

A New Language for a New Generation

Why Italian?

Italian is the language of art, music, cuisine, and Catholic heritage — a natural fit for our school's identity and mission.

College-Ready

Italian is recognized by major universities and widely accepted for language requirements.

Sentieri Textbook

Vibrant, immersive curriculum with a focus on conversational fluency and cultural connection.

Launching 2026–2027

Our third modern language offering, alongside Spanish and French.

Empowering Students for Life

Two New Elective Courses — Launching 2026–2027

Foundations in

Personal Finance

The Foundations in Personal Finance high school curriculum consists of 13 chapters of essential personal finance principles like how to budget, save, avoid debt, invest, be a wise consumer and much more!

Foundations in

Economics

With 11 chapters and 49 lessons, this course makes it easy for students to learn how economic principles apply to real-life situations.

Part 03

OCC College Academy

Partnership

Optional College credits start Day 1 of high school.

OCC College Academy — Leadership Success Seminar

ALL Freshmen · 2 College Credits (optional) · Low Per-Credit Cost · Starting Day 1

Leadership Success Seminar (1 Semester)

Ocean County College · 2 Credits (optional)

Course Description

A seminar-based course designed to build a solid foundation for high school and college success. Students develop emotional and intellectual skills, critical thinking, and academic strategies — while connecting to the college campus community.

What Students Gain

✔ Critical thinking & communication skills

✔ Time management, organization, & goal-setting

✔ Academic study strategies

✔ Financial literacy awareness

✔ Career exploration & self-assessment

✔ Health, wellness & grit

More information coming soon — stay tuned!

Part 04

New Dining Hall Experience

A brand-new space. A brand-new menu.

A Completely Transformed Dining Experience

Renovation Coming Summer 2026

1

Fully Renovated Space

Complete redesign of the student cafeteria — modern, welcoming, and built for community.

2

Brand-New Menu

Fresh, healthy options curated to give students the fuel they need to perform their best.

3

Healthy Living Focus

Nutritious choices at the center of every meal, supporting student wellness.

4

Better Dining Experience

A true gathering space — two lunch periods creating a more cohesive student community.

Part 05

Wellness at RBC

Mind, body, and spirit — fully supported.

Wellness Room & Sources of Strength Program

Newly Remodeled

Wellness Room

Led by Mrs. Nicole Wall

Student Assistance Coordinator (SAC)

A calm, safe, and welcoming space for students to access counseling, decompress, and connect with the support they need — right here at RBC.

Student wellbeing is our priority.

Sources of Strength

Evidence-Based Suicide Prevention Program

• Increased healthy coping attitudes among peer leaders
• Greater likelihood of students referring peers to trusted adults
• Increased sense of connectedness school-wide
• 29% reduction in probability of new suicide attempts
• First universal school-based intervention shown to reduce youth suicide mortality (randomized controlled trial)
• Peer leaders shift population-level health norms — behavior is contagious

Source: Sources of Strength research evidence

Part 06

Career Pathways in Broadcasting & Media for RBC Students

Part 07

Phone-Free Learning

Creating focused, distraction-free classrooms.

The Yondr Pouch — A Focused Learning Environment

1

ARRIVE

Arrival

Upon entering, students place their phone inside a Yondr pouch.

2

LOCK

Secure

The pouch is locked. Students keep their phone with them at all times.

3

UNLOCK

Open

Tap the pouch on an unlocking base to use your phone.

Why Yondr at RBC?

• Research shows phone-free environments significantly improve focus, reduce anxiety, and increase face-to-face social connection.
• Students report feeling more present and less distracted in phone-free classrooms.
• Students retain their phone at all times and can access it immediately outside the designated zone.

Thank You!

We are always striving to strengthen the RBC experience.

We are excited about what lies ahead.

Questions & Discussion

"We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided." — Dumbledore

Will the day start earlier/end later with new schedule?

Continuity of instruction in math due to staff transitions? Have we addressed this?

Suicide Curriculum - What program / curriculum?

What grade is it for?

Is it taught by counselors, teachers, or outside presenters?

How long will it take to cover the material?