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Friday Focus

Welcome to the Friday Focus. Our weekly newsletter will be posted here. It will include the Administrator's message, important updates, and fun things happening around our school.

RMS Friday Focus, December 1, 2023

Important Dates

  • December 4 - PTO Meeting Zoom @ 7pm
  • December 6 - 6 pm Family Round Table Math Meeting
  • December 6 - 7 pm Band Concert
  • December 12 - Concert
  • December 19 - MCS/RMS Science Night
  • December 22 - Jan 2 - Winter break - NO SCHOOL
  • January 3, 2024 - School Begins again

Thoughts from the Rolling Desk

tables of lost and found

(And the lost and found) Click for full views of the 6 tables of lost items.

 

Today was one of those days at RMS when science seems to take over.  Our lobby was full of students experimenting with air resistance and gravity by dropping various sizes of round objects (golf ball, ping pong ball, ball bearing, tennis ball, etc) from the balcony.  The 6th grade boarded buses and headed to Marion Cross where they joined their future classmates in gathering data from their self designed experiments.  Finally, the 8th grade hall was full of folks engaging in the unrolling and rerolling of toilet paper as they further examined the mysteries of flight.  The energy of students engaging in honest inquiry and exploration is always something to behold.  Thank you. 

student work

(art courtesy of Ms. Ellis’ classes)

 

The energy of our young scientists reminds us that the holiday season also brings an increase in energy - with all of its consequences.  We are trying, during what can be a frenetic time for everyone, to continue to focus on the day to day interactions that restore and strengthen our community.  Recently we have been working with students to emphasize being kind and refraining from “joking” behavior that sometimes crosses the line into hurtful.  Ms. Hadden, when overhearing a group of friends affectionately teasing each other, asked them “what if you complimented each other instead of teasing as a sign of affection?”  I think she might be onto something.  

 

student work

 

Please join us next week for our PTO meeting on Monday, and a concert and Math meeting on Wednesday.  

 

student artwork

(Art adds so much to book analysis don’t you think?)

 

Just a few more days before the days begin to get lighter.  In the meantime, please be careful in the winter weather we know is coming.  Enjoy the weekend, be safe, stay well, and take care of each other.

Tim Boyle
Principal
Instagram

Anissa Morrison
Associate Principal


RMS Cafe

Our menu is currently being constructed based on local availability and prices.  An update will follow soon.  The link to the updated price list.

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

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. 

If you have any questions regarding payment, please contact Janice Starkey in the main office.

 

RMS Health Office

health office door

Flu Clinic a Success

Thank you for the support of our student flu clinic.  We hope that by taking these streps we can keep folks healthy throughout the flu season.

 

Prescription Medications

Does your child need to take prescription medication during school hours? Students must keep all prescription medications in the health office and have a signed medication form as well. The medication form and additional information can be found here: Health Office Website

 

If you have questions regarding health programs, or anything related to the health of your students please reach out to Nurse Abby

 

RMS Resources/Opportunities

From Student Council

  • Thanks to all who were a part of another excellent Talent Show.  The Spring Show promises to be great as well.  Mark your calendar for April 24th.
  • Student Council is proud to be able to donate almost $2000 to Josh's house as part of our Veteran's Day Pledge Run.
  • We are currently in the process of planning a number of fun December and January events including spirit days before break, our annual ball drop assembly, a student cookie swap and a benefit dance in January to help raise money for the 8th grade trips. 

The Turkey Bowl

Our annual flag football game pitting 8th graders against a quickly aging staff team happened on Monday the 20th.  This year the 8th grade was unstoppable and beat the staff 35-21.  Thanks to Sam Cavallaro, head coach of the HHS football team, for coaching the students and providing pizza.  

 

Dungeons and Dragons

The Fourth Place will be offering more Dungeons and Dragons groups in the near future.  Contact them directly if you are interested.

 

 

RMS Fitness room needs your help

Last spring our PE department, spearheaded by Missie Rodriguez, secured a grant from the Dorothy Byrne foundation to refurbish the RMS fitness room, which is currently stocked with machines purchased when the new school opened. The grant is contingent, however, on raising funds to match the grant, so it is in this spirit that we are beginning a campaign to raise the money (approximately $30,000)  to make equipment upgrades to expand our fitness and PE offerings at RMS.  We would like to replace the 20 year old cardio equipment with new, manually powered (using no electricity) Concept II Ergs, Rogue Echo Upright Bikes, Suspension Ellipticals, Assault Runner Pro Treadmills, and Maxi-Stair Climber Machines. Coupled with a new, protective floor, these machines would offer an opportunity for a class of 20 students to take part in a meaningful, and safe, fitness experience that will set the stage for later life, and prepare students to use the newer, recently upgraded, fitness room at HHS.  We understand that this is a significant amount of money, and welcome any and all support anyone can give. Donations to the Dresden School District (RMS PE) will be accepted in any amount in the front office. Thank you for your continued support of our school and community.  

 

 

Want to play Chess?

Join other students at the Howe Library on Monday nights.  View full information.

 

Video resources on Parenting

The Hartford Community Coalition, in collaboration with All Together, has created a video resource for parents around the issue of substance use.  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqXDs4lfGktax1oPHd8lMlRpMOsZOkSil

 

Family Programs offered by Outright Vermont

Outright Vermont (https://www.outrightvt.org/) is an organization that supports LGBTQ+ youth and families around Vermont and neighboring areas. They offer a support group for families:

Trans Parent Group - Online - First Monday of every month 6-8pm. Support group for parents and caregivers of trans, nonbinary, and gender expansive youth. Email info@outrightvt.org for more information and links.

 

 


 

PTO GAGGLE

12/1 Gaggle

 

DATE CORRECTION: December RMS PTO meeting is MONDAY, DECEMBER 4th in-person at RMS library as well as on Zoom @ 7pm

Due to an overlap with the MCS PTO meeting, we moved the RMS PTO meeting to Monday, December 4th. We apologize for the inconsistent messaging. Please join us to learn about upcoming Staff Appreciation events and the Middle School Superpowers parent book club, as well as to gather questions to provide to the administration for the planned for (but not yet re-scheduled) Math Curriculum night discussion. For more details, click on the links below

 

How to stay informed about PTO events….