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, May 19, 2023
Important Dates
- May 23 - 7 pm - RMS Choral Concert
- May 23 - 7 pm - Dresden School Board
- May 25 - 7 pm - RMS Orchestra Concert
- May 26 - 8th Grade formal (sponsored by HHS)
- May 29 - Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL
- June 2 - Spring Talent show
- June 6 - 7 pm - RMS Band Concert
- June 9 - HHS Graduation and Colors Day
- June 15 - 8th grade celebration at Storrs Pond
- June 15 - 7th grade field trip to Silver Lake
- June 16 - Last day for students
Dear RMS Family:
A Fabulous Friday to all! As is seemingly the standard lately, the Friday Focus will be somewhat short on narrative and long on quick information. We hope to return to a slightly slower pace of life and school in the near future, complete with more time with the great RMS community.
Some quick information from this week:
- Habitat for Humanity sent a heartfelt thank you to Mr. Harriman and his woodworking classes, who donated their completed shed to the most recent house completed by this wonderful organization. We are so proud that our program is building skills and civic engagement at the same time. Thank you to all who helped make this happen!
- 7th grade creativity and science on display this week. Our seventh grade has been working on creative ways to showcase climate change. Aided by Sara Ellis from Art, student have created and presented numerous water color representations of scientific data related to climate change. Taking the assignment a bit further, one of our students performed for Ms. Frederick’s class the piece of music he had written for his cello on the theme of climate change. Every day is full of awe and appreciation!
- The RMS Quiz Bowl Tournament Team Geese are home!
The 2022-23 QBTT recently returned from competing at the 2023 MSNCT in Chicago, Illinois, following a three (3) year absence due to Covid. It was fantastic to be back and playing in person with our many friends & teams from schools across the nation. This event tested the QBTTs knowledge of history, science, literature, math, fine arts, social sciences, pop culture and more. Imagine giving your answer in under 2 and 5 seconds! B The RMS QBTT demonstrated an extraordinary level of camaraderie, tenacity and sportsmanship, exceeded all goals and expectations, and set a very high bar for tournament play in every match. Huzzah!
Congratulations to all students! Coach Lovejoy Team Rankings out of 160 teams: Richmond- 49th place W-5 L-5
Captain: Rohan Novosad-8th grade- 3rd year, Kastner Anderson -7th grade- 1st year, Nelson Barabas- 8th grade- 3rd year, Abby Doubleday- 8th grade-2nd year, Guillem Elizalde -8th grade- 1st year.
- News from the Library!
Return Library Books: All library books are due back Friday May 26th. Please ask your student if they have any books they need to return.
Check out New Books: Students who are returning to RMS next year and have returned all their library books may begin checking books out for the entire summer starting Tuesday May 30th.
Summer Library Hours: The library will be open on Tuesdays this summer for book checkout and activities. All current RMS students are welcome (including those heading to high school), as well as students who will be entering RMS next year. More details to follow.
24/7 Access to Audiobooks and eBooks: Every RMS student has access to Sora, a collection of eBooks and audiobooks. These can be accessed on a computer through the library website: https://rms.sau70.org/
This time of year (replete with graduations and transitions) reminds us that time moves faster than we realize. Please continue to enjoy every day as we strive to stay well, be safe, and take care of each other.
Tim Boyle
Principal
Anissa Morrison
Associate Principal
School News & Information
RMS CAFE
Negative balances
As we move toward the end of the year, the SAU begins to closely monitor Mealtime negative balances, mindful that the fiscal year ends at the end of June. Families will receive emails when students' negative balances exceed $1.00 beginning after break. Our goal will be to eliminate negative balances by the start of June, making life easier for Austin and our financial folks. (this also means Tim and Anissa have to settle up as well)
It is worthwhile to note that money in mealtime is transferable to next year, even if your student is going to Hanover High School.
If you have any questions regarding payment, please contact Janice Starkey in the main office.
Please consider volunteering in our cafe or applying for a part time position helping chef Austin. Every little bit helps.
RMS Health Office Updates
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
RMS Community News
Council News:
Student Council to host Benefit Dinner for WISE on Wednesday
Student Council will be hosting a spaghetti dinner 5:30-6:30 on Wednesday May 24th at RMS to benefit WISE. WISE has been a great partner of ours over the years and we want to be able to give back to them. Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, Salad and a surprise dessert all await. Take out will be available.
Beach Day Next Friday
Friday May 26th will be the last Student Council spirit day of the year. Beach Day. Tropical Shirts and other fun activities.
Talent Show
The Spring Talent Show will be on Friday June 2. Applications to perform should be in by now but we will accept additional requests from performers in the play next week.
Attention Mountain Bikers
The Richmond Student Council is sponsoring a work day and bike ride at the Trescott Trails Park in Hanover on Saturday May 20th from 9:00-11:00. We will be supplying tools, you are responsible for water, snacks and other gear (bug spray???). We plan to do some work on the trails and then possibly go for a bike ride together if you want. Bring your bike and helmet. We will be meeting at the Dogford Road entrance to the park. Parents and other family members are welcome to join us. Questions??? Speak with Charlie Madonia or Mr LaCrosse
More riding opportunities!
The Little Bellas, a non-competitive mountain biking program for students who identify as non-binary or she/her, focused on creating an inclusive community where students can realize riding bikes can be a lifelong pursuit, has upcoming program in the Upper Valley for students ages 12-15. The Upper Valley Ride program meets weekly at a variety of trail networks in order to give participants the opportunity to learn different skills, try new things, and to explore other trails in their area. In the past, the Upper Valley Ride program has ridden at Boston Lot, Parcel 5, and Trescott (among others!).
DH would like some help.
Starting in January 2023, the DH Community Health Team shared a toolkit of youth vaping resources that included resources for educators, health professionals, caregivers, and students. The toolkit was shared directly with stakeholders via email, in print at in-person community-facing events, and online at virtual community-facing events. The Community Health team is now looking to understand how to improve the way it shares resources for youth vaping prevention. We'll be using survey responses to gauge how we can best support future community efforts around vaping prevention, education, and cessation. Please consider taking a moment to complete the survey using this link. Feel free to reach out to margaret.a.coleman@hitchcock.
Hartford Area Career and Technology Center Summer Camps
The HACTC is excited to offer our one-week Summer Tech Camp to middle school students again! We hope to see some Richmond Middle School students here at the HACTC for camp this June.
Camp will be held June 26 - 30, 2023 in the mornings.
Some examples of past camp activities include: basic welding, changing a car tire, making homemade pasta and sauce, videography, photography, spa sciences, basic first aid/constructing a first aid kit, Cricut creations, Entrepreneur for a Day, Building a Toolbox, Community Service, and more. View full information.
Video Resources from All Together
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/
Please see other announcements on the community interest page of the website.
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 Bulletin Board
The PTO has added an additional meeting on June 12th at 6:30pm to vote in the 2023-24 PTO leadership team and the budget. The meeting link will be sent in a future Friday Focus.
The PTO still needs a President Candidate(s) for next year. Please consider this fun, low-key, leadership opportunity. Perhaps you and a friend would like to share the role?
Volunteers are needed for the 8th grade semi-formal at Hanover High School and for the 8th grade celebration day at Storrs Pond. Please reach out to Beth DeSimone at bethdesimone@gmail.com if you're able to help out.
Important Links
- District Transportation
- RMS Cafe
- Community Interest
- Dresden Board Meetings On Demand
- District Calendar
- BOARDDOCS: Remember to select “Dresden School Board” in upper right hand corner after you click “Public Access”
