Dear RMS Community,

After the year-end field trips wrapped up, students and staff gathered around the bus circle mid-day Wednesday. Right on cue, the traditional RMS summer soundtrack filled the air, kicking off with Alice Cooper's "School's Out." The energy was incredible as the air filled with high-fives, warm goodbyes, and the shared excitement of the official start of summer break.

Following the student departure, Richmond staff transitioned to days filled with year-end classroom clean-up, report card comments, reflection, professional learning, and bittersweet celebrations.

Staff Professional Learning & Looking Ahead to 26-27

Thursday morning, our Tech Integrationist, Tom Hermanson, previewed a newly adopted, consistent Schoology format that all RMS teachers will follow during the 2026-2027 school year. The goal of a consistent Schoology set-up is to make navigating class assignments easier for our students and families.

The week ended with a staff field trip to the Moosilauke Ravine Lodge. Friday’s work centered around the concept of Sankofa—a word derived from the Akan people of Ghana that means "to go back and get it," symbolizing the importance of reaching back to knowledge gained in the past as we cultivate the future.

We opened with a "web of gratitude" to celebrate individual strengths and the deep colleague connections fostered during the 2025-26 school year. Richmond teams then created highlight reels and wrote letters to themselves or to Tim/Chelsea looking ahead to the upcoming school year.

After enjoying Moosilauke bag lunches (where many staff members discovered the surprisingly delicious flavor combination of hummus, carrot, and cheddar cheese sandwiches!), we split into smaller groups. Staff spent the afternoon hiking, playing yard games, reading, and enjoying each other's company.

 

Celebrating Our Departing Staff 

As this school year comes to a close, we want to take a moment to celebrate and thank the staff members who are leaving RMS for new adventures:

• Nicole Evans: Our multi-tasker extraordinaire is stepping away from juggling all things for students, parents, and staff to return to work in the private sector. Mrs. Evans' work has graciously supported the Richmond school community since the fall of 2020.

• Alejandro Herrera: Alejandro is leaving Richmond to teach Spanish full-time at Essex Middle School.

• Henry Nguyen: This year Henry provided invaluable support to our students in the Charles Learning Center.

Mr. Harriman and I were showered with love by our colleagues as we "retire" from RMS. Looking back, it has been an incredible journey for both of us:

• Cliff Harriman joined Richmond in the fall of 1994. Prior to stepping into the role of woodworking teacher in 2020, Cliff taught 7th and 8th-grade science. Generations of Richmond students found his deep passion for all things science completely contagious, and his hands-on science lessons were a rite of passage. A long-standing favorite was the year-end science show with Mr. Stott. In the woodshop, he continued to inspire creativity, helping students build both skills and confidence. His decades of dedication have left an indelible mark on the heart of RMS.

• My first year at Richmond was 1993. Over the years, thousands of Richmond students participated in my Snack Shack, Kids and Company, Creating with Fabrics, and Foods classes. It has brought me such immense joy to see former preschool Kids and Company visitors return years later as middle school students, and to connect with so many Richmond alumni out in the community. In 2019, I stepped into the Associate Principal role to help out as Richmond welcomed a new principal. It has been an honor to serve this community.

Other Topics & Reminders

• Lost and Found: Thanks to the efforts of Nicole Evans the RMS lost and found is organized. Please stop by RMS during the work day to pick up items your child may have misplaced. It will be donated after July 1st.

• Report Cards: available through PowerSchool after Monday, June 22nd.

• Communication: Incoming Richmond Principal Tim O’Leary begins July 1st. Richmond’s phenomenal associate principal, Chelsea Voake, is not a year round employee so please reach out to Mr. O’Leary with student schedule questions. Student schedules, supply lists, and welcome back information will be sent the week of August 3rd.

Thank you all for a memorable school year. I hope you have a wonderful, safe, and relaxing summer!

With gratitude,

Anissa