Friday Focus

Dear RMS Family:  

 

Good Morning and welcome to a truncated version of the Friday Focus.  In an homage to Edward R. Murrow, “This is New York.”  (Sometimes it is easier to tell I was a history major than others).  

 

I have had the distinct pleasure of accompanying 75 8th graders to New York City this week, as we take part in our first Spanish language and cultural immersion field trip of the post COVID era.  Along the way I have been reminded of the many reasons travel, and importantly travel as a group, is so important.  When faced with new challenges we can either turn inwards and shut others out, or turn outward to our community and help each other succeed.  These few days have reinforced that concept in me, and hopefully imparted it in our travelers.  We have all helped each other navigate a city much more crowded than RMS, work to understand directions in Spanish, and learn about New York from each other.  The dichotomy of a group of students who can lock themselves out of their hotel room (despite all 4 students having their own keys) one minute and be absolutely giddy about discovering Dali’s Time at MOMA the next, and finally being complimented as the “nicest” group ever at a broadway show is part of what makes RMS so much fun.  We are excited about our last day on Friday.  Thank you to everyone who has offered so much support for this endeavor. 

 

We are excited to be able offer a similar experience next week to French speakers and they head into the Great White North of Montreal.  While this is our first foray, we certainly hope to be able to build on this tradition and bring the rewards of traveling together to our students for many years to come. 

 

Have a wonderful weekend…can you believe it is nearly May?  Please take a minute to fill out the parent survey for this year.  Be well, stay safe, and take care of each other.  

 

Tim Boyle

Principal

 

Anissa Morrison

Associate Principal

---

School News and Information

 

RMS CAFE 

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

The Hood Museum of Art is delighted to invite your students, their families to our upcoming Community Day this Saturday, April 29th, from 1:00-4:00 pm. The day celebrates the museum’s exhibition, ¡Printing the Revolution!: The Rise and Impact of Chicano Graphics, 1965 to Now.  View the full poster. 

• Explore the exhibition and learn about Chicanx activists and artists and the social justice issues they care about. 
• Participate in art-making activities for all ages, including letterpress poster printing and paste paper making. 
• Meet an artist from the exhibition! Sonia Romero. Sonia Romero will be leading a stamp carving activity inspired by her work on view. 

We will also host a free raffle to give away printmaking tools and other surprise goodies. Juice boxes will also be provided. 

Thank you, as always, for your support. Hope to see you at the museum on April 29th! 

 

Hanover Police Department is nearing the end of the accreditation process, and as part of the process we are required to solicit feedback from the public.  The comments, which can be made anonymously, go to our rating board and then to our Chief for review. 

From the portal: The purpose of this public portal is to receive comments regarding an agency's compliance with CALEA standards, engagement in the service community, delivery of public safety services, and overall candidacy for accredited status. These comments can be in the form of commendations or concerns.

This is the link directly to our portal:  Accreditation Public Comment Portal (calea.org)

 

HHS Spring Musical

The Prom follows a group of narcissistic, egotistical Broadway actors attempting to earn themselves some much-needed good press by helping Emma, an Indiana high schooler who wants to bring her girlfriend to the prom but is denied when the PTA cancels the prom outright at the thought of a same-sex couple attending.

Hanover High School brings this musical to life in one of the first north-eastern regional premieres! Eighth grade students will get to enjoy a 30 minute showcase of the performance during lunch on Monday May 1st and the show goes up Thursday May 4th, Friday May 5th and Saturday May 6th at 7pm. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for faculty/students/staff.  Hope to see you there! Ludus - Dresden School District: Hanover High School Footlighters

Alice in Wonderland

City Center Ballet invites you and yours to the Lebanon Opera House to explore the extraordinary, imaginative world created by beloved author Lewis Carroll. In this whimsical full-length ballet suitable for all ages, follow Alice as she plunges down a rabbit hole into a mad dancing adventure filled to the brim with delightful characters, enchanting sets, zany costumes, and wacky puppetry. Evening and matinee performances May 5-7th. Show is 90 minutes including intermission. Tickets available.

 

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.

 

Norwich needs bus drivers!

Want a flexible job that allows work with many students?  SAU70 is searching for bus drivers.  More information here. 

 

Hannaford Helps Schools

It's that time of year!  We're gearing up for this year's Hannaford Helps Schools program and are excited to share this new (for RMS) adventure with RMS parents.

The 2023 program will run from March 12th until May 27th.  Please follow the link below for more information and download the new app.  You can also use this for online orders.  Once you download the app, either sign up or log in, look for schools in the 03755 zip code and select RMS. Hannaford Helps Schools app.  There will be cards with more information available at school next week. 

Thank you for supporting RMS!

 

Would you like to take your swimming to the next level this summer in a fun, outdoor environment? Registration is now open for the Upper Valley Rapids summer swim team at Storrs Pond Recreation Area.

 

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/playlist?list=PLqXDs4lfGktax1oPHd8lMlRpMOsZOkSil

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  

 

Today through Monday, April 24th is your LAST CHANCE this school year to order RMS Spirit Wear! Show your school pride with RMS t-shirts, hoodies, shorts, flannel pants, joggers, and more. 

Find the store at https://fcrms.itemorder.com/

 

Last call for yearbook photos! Due Monday, April 24th at midnight.

Upload link: https://uploads.picabooyearbooks.com/9688383 

 

- Recent photos from this school year 

- Group photos should include RMS students only (no friends from other schools)

- Please send publication-quality photos, no blurry or low-resolution pics.

- Note student name(s) when uploading

 

The RMS Yearbook Committee thanks you!

The PTO is moving to Google Meet for it's monthly meetings. If you have a link saved, please update it to meet.google.com/skg-ximp-oyr for future meetings. The final PTO meeting of this school year is on Tuesday, May 16th, at 6:30pm. We will vote on 2023-24 PTO leadership, draft transition plans, and continue our planning and budget discussions.  

There's one more Teacher Appreciation event scheduled for this school year. If you'd like to help out, please email Jennifer Rickards at jennifer.l.rickards@gmail.com.