Frances C. Richmond Middle School
Friday, January 17, 2020
Dear RMS Community
The grade-portal is currently closed for teachers to enter grades at the end of Q2. It will reopen at the end of next week. Remember, no school Monday.
Whew! What a week - full of fun and meaning. Author and illustrator Jarrett Krosoczka visited on Monday, sharing his story with students and staff alike. One of his messages, “be willing to change,” resonated in today’s world of quickly evolving opportunities and challenges. As the week continued and as the Q2 drew to a close we hosted our first parent book club, and witnessed the multiple talents of Ms. Emmerton’s theatre students. Eighth graders met with representatives of the High School to begin planning for electives for next year. It is hard to believe the year is half over as of today! We know it will just keep getting better
.
At the end of the week, we came together to witness the wonderful program planned by Mr. Hall and his chorus classes - a celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Weaving together songs of the civil rights movement with historical markers and Dr. King’s own words, the day offered a powerful reflection on the past as well as an inspiration for future acts of kindness and service to our larger world community. I like to think that Dr. King’s own words at the end of his “I Have a Dream Speech” point to the lead role our students can take in the changes of the future.
We hope that the three day weekend brings time for fun (stay warm and safe), family, and reflection on how we can build a future as hopeful as the one Dr. King saw so many years ago.
As always, thank you for all you do for our students and our community. Enjoy the homework-free weekend.
Warmly,
Tim Boyle
Principal
@TimBoyle_RMS
timboyle@hanovernorwichschools.org
Anissa Morrison
Associate Principal
anissamorrison@frms.org
@AnissaVT
RMS News
High School Counselor Visits
Hanover High School counselors will be meeting with 8th grade students during English class on January 23rd or 24th during English classes to introduce the high school course selection process. Please look for course selection forms to come home. Students will register for high school courses on March 3rd in the RMS Computer Lab. Please connect with school counselors if you have questions.
Hanover High School 8th grade Curriculum Night
Tuesday, February 4th from 5:30 to 7:00 in the HHS auditorium. This is an opportunity to hear department coordinators at the high school discuss their programs for 9th graders.
Women in Math Essay Contest - Win an Ipad.
There's still time to enter for the Dartmouth Women in Math Essay Contest! Top Middle School winner receives an iPad! Choose a woman to write about: You may want to choose someone you know, such as a mathematics teacher or about women mathematicians, physicists and engineers in the Upper Valley who have expressed a willingness to be interviewed. (They do not have to be from the area, though!) Detailed information is found at: https://math.dartmouth.edu/~awmcontest/
This contest is modeled on the national Association for Women in Mathematics Essay Contest rules, so you may submit your essay to both contests. Submissions due by Jan. 31st. Questions? See Mrs. Lepene. Good Luck!
Auditions for Spring Theatre Performance
This year’s Spring Play will be Peter and the Starcatcher, an exciting prequel story to Peter Pan, and auditions are coming soon! All RMS students, regardless of experience, are invited to audition. Auditions will be held after school 3-5 on both Tuesday, February 4 and Thursday February 6. Details about the audition including an audition script, performance dates, and a rehearsal schedule are available at school from Amanda Emmerton (Director) or Emma Hadden (Assistant Director). Please contact Mrs. Emmerton or Ms. Hadden with any questions.
RMS Newscast
Check out the newest newscast from our intrepid RMS reporters: https://youtu.be/3--HUGyHgUY
Volunteer News
First of all - We wanted to thank Kerry Artman for her selfless service to our schools in her role as volunteer coordinator. Kerry has moved on to become the new executive director of the Carter Community Building Association. Congratulations Kerry, we will miss you.
In addition, we are still looking for volunteers in 2 different areas.
Ren Fest
The 8th grade and elective teams are in the midst of planning for our 20th annual 8th grade Renaissance Festival which will take place at RMS on February 13th and 14th! Parent volunteers are an integral part of the success of this interdisciplinary event— please stay tuned for more info next week on when and how you can help. An immediate need is for one or two parents with sewing expertise to make 7 simple banners from canvas fabric by January 29th. This will be making a casing to hold a dowel and hemming the bottom. Please email Emma Hadden (emmahadden@
RMS will be hosting a variety of biological science graduate students who will present their research in a series of 7th Grade Science Cafes. These events take place one Wednesday per month. We are looking for volunteers to contribute homemade or store bought breakfast baked goods for participants to enjoy. If you are interested and able to bring in items, please sign-up here. Thank you!
Donations for 7th-Grade Science:
Mr Lepene is looking for some materials for upcoming and future science projects (including the mission to Mars). Contributions can be dropped in the office or directly in 704. Thank you in advance for any contributions you can make! -Cardboard tubes (all sizes)
-If you have other materials that you think might be useful please ask! Mr. Lepene is always collecting good raw materials for projects and design challenges.
RMS Health Office Updates
Prescription Medications
Does your child need to take a 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
Upcoming important dates
All School News and Events (RMS website has a calendar with events and dates/times)
Parent Resources
Links to parent resources aimed specifically at Middle School aged students.
How to talk to your student about gender
RMS is committed to building an inclusive school environment, and beginning discussions around identity for all students. The following article can help you join those discussions with your student.
https://drive.google.com/file/
Teen Mental Health Resources
Stress of holidays and winter can affect all of us. Teens are not immune to depression and anxiety. Signs of Suicide (SOS) is a suicide prevention curriculum that RMS uses in 7th grade guidance classes. 7th grade parents will receive more information about the lesson on depression awareness and intervention during Q3. In the meantime, SOS has put together a wonderful parent newsletter with helpful parenting tips and information that we would like to share here. Thanks! John LaCrosse and Liz Powers, School Counselors.
