Important Dates

Tuesday, February 3rd ~ Curriculum Night at HHS for incoming 9th grade students, 5:30pm

Friday, February 6th ~ RMS Social 7:00-8:30pm

Monday, February 16th ~ President’s Day, No School

Tuesday, February 17th ~ Lunar New Year

Monday, February 23rd - Friday, February 27th ~ February Break

 

Message From Our Principal

Greetings,

This week Richmond officially launched our new school-wide expectations framework moving from the design phase to active implementation.

SPIRIT
Safety-Perseverance-Integrity-Respect-Inclusion-Teamwork

The rollout began with a school-wide introductory video featuring Anissa and Ms. Voake.. The video shared the foundational metaphor of the RMS Geese, a symbol of collective leadership and support, which beautifully connects to the SPIRIT acronym.

To deepen the understanding of these values, students attended an inspirational parent presentation focused on the journey of summiting Mount Everest. 

This presentation highlighted several core themes that resonated with the middle school experience:

1. The importance of persisting toward long-term goals while recognizing that growth occurs through every step, including failures.

2. The vast amount of learning and knowledge required before a successful reach a long term goal.

3. The critical nature of teamwork and collaborative problem-solving between climbing partners.

4. The phrase “Be where your feet are” became a central takeaway for students, emphasizing the value of being fully present and focused on the current task or moment.

Homeroom groups began processing the values and expectations captured in SPIRIT. These small group sessions allowed students to clarify what SPIRIT looks like for them and how it applies to our school community.

We look forward to upcoming learning opportunities to expand our understanding. Our goal is to ensure SPIRIT becomes the foundation of our shared school culture.

Take care,

Anissa

 

School News and Information

After School Supports

• After School Study: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 3:00-5:00 RMS library

• After School Study: Wednesday and Friday until 5:00 for the duration of the winter sports season. Although created to support students waiting for practice, this support is open to all RMS students.

• 6th grade homework club: each Tuesday 3:00-4:00 

• Math support with Ms. Naureen Yaqoob: Thursdays 3:00-4:00 RMS library

 

Lost and Found

Please encourage your student to look for any missing items in lost and found.

 

Attendance

Is your student coming in late, leaving early, leaving and coming back or absent for the day? 

Please email the front desk as soon as you can!  rmsattendance@sau70.org

 

Calling all Volunteers!  

Interested in helping with health screenings?  Want to lend a hand with theatre productions?  Not sure of your availability but are still interested in hearing about upcoming volunteer opportunities? Please take a minute to fill out our annual intake form - by doing so we are able to streamline our volunteer program and let you know of opportunities that speak to your strengths and interests.   

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RMS Technology

A study from Common Sense Media reports that gambling is on the rise among teenage boys.  Most gambling sites have strict age restrictions, but more frequently apps, games, and online content have gambling adjacent content or ads that blur the lines between gambling and playing. 

Betting on Boys: Understanding Gambling Among Adolescent Boys - Common Sense Media 

Today Show Report 

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Counseling Office

7th Grade Meetings 

The RMS School Counselors are excited to offer 7th Grade Meetings. In the next couple weeks, we have set aside some time specifically designed to connect with parents of 7th grade students. All parents of 7th graders will receive an invitation via email to schedule a 15-minute conference with their child’s counselor to talk about whatever is on their mind, get to know one another better, and answer questions. We are excited to offer these meetings formally, and we always welcome meetings with families throughout the year. (Both parent/guardian email contacts will receive an email invitation from a Google Calendar sign-up service, so if parents are coming together only one parent needs to set up the conference.) If you have not received an invitation to meet with your child’s counselor, please check your spam first, and then do not hesitate to be in touch with Liz Powers (A-K) or Kimberly Bragg (L-Z) to set up a time to meet. Meetings are either in-person or through Google Meet by request. If none of the available times work, please be in touch and we can figure out another meeting time.  

The link to sign up to meet with Liz Powers is https://calendar.app.google/gye1BQ9xFzLtQksk8 and the link to meet with Kim Bragg is https://calendar.google.com/calendar/

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Liz Powers or Kim Bragg. 

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PTO Update

The RMS PTO is developing a new series of “Community Connection” events—short expert-led talks on timely topics like mental health, technology, and body image, followed by time for parents to discuss and connect.

Please take 1–2 minutes to complete our brief 

Survey. (https://forms.gle/mtcuZ9CArfMP3uey7)

Your input is incredibly valuable—thank you for helping shape this new initiative.

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Athletics and Co-Curriculars

Spring Sports! That’s right we are already starting to plan out the Spring Season! This spring we will be running the following sports. Girls & Boys Lacrosse, Girls Softball, and Coed Track & Field. Registration will begin February 1st on FinalForms. All registration information can be found on the RMS Athletics website. Tryouts begin on April 1st and the season runs through early June. We will be sending out more detailed information in the next couple of weeks.

Speed Stacking Club: Anyone interested in participating in a speed stacking club should reach out to Missie Rodriguez. This club will be meeting during recess if there is enough interest.

Auditions for the Spring Play will be on Tuesday, 2/10 and Thursday 2/12 from 3:00-5:00pm. There will also be a full cast meeting on Tuesday, 2/17 from 3:00-5:00 pm. If you are interested in trying out for the Spring Play please reach out to Mrs Emmerton for details.

 

Club Updates

• The Robotics Team meets every Monday from 3:00-5:30pm. Advisors: Tom Hermanson and Jess Holmes

• Quiz Bowl Team meets during 7th/8th grade lunch in room 600. Advisor: Alex Lovejoy

• SAGE (Sexuality and Gender Equality) meets every Tuesday during lunch. All are welcome! Advisors: Chris Putnam-Pouliot and Cris Wood

• The Math Team meets every Friday from 3:15-4:30pm at HHS in room 313. Advisor: Tom Wharton

• Garden Club: Has not set official dates yet. Reach out if interested in joining. Advisor: Derek Butler

• 6th Grade Homework Club meets Tuesdays from 3-4pm in room 602. Advisor: Liz Powers

• The Debate Team meets Mondays from 3:00-4:00 in room 600. Advisor: Silvia Holman

• Language Lunch meets Wednesdays during lunch in room 604. Advisor: Silvia Holman

Reminders:

Physical Exam: All students need to have an up-to-date physical exam in order to participate on any sports team for RMS. Physicals need to be completed every 2 years to be eligible for sports. If the 2 year mark occurs part way through a season, your student will need to get a new physical exam before the 2 year mark, in order to stay eligible. Physicals should not be sent to RMS, physicals will be uploaded directly to Final Forms.

School/Team Apparel

The RMS Athletics store run through BSN Sports is now open for business. Athletes and families may purchase apparel directly from BSN Sports. Disclaimer: Apparel is not required to be purchased for participation in any of our sports.

Any questions about Athletics or extracurricular activities in general can be directed to Brandon Hannon, Director of Athletics & Co-curricular Programs

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RMS Cafe

Information about menus, mealtime, and application for RMS’ meal program are on the FRMS website. The RMS lunch program is run “in house” and does not follow a state or federal program.  If your family may benefit from assistance for meals, please contact Robin Morley-Ploof in the office for more information.  The program is confidential and runs the same way as the more traditional cafe meal funding program. 

RMS works hard to accommodate the dietary needs of our community, so if you have any questions, concerns, please contact Austin Jacobs.