Friday Focus

Frances C. Richmond Middle School

Thursday,  October 7, 2021

Dear RMS Community:

The school year often falls into natural divisions and patterns.  This long weekend, which I think many of us would acknowledge comes at a good time, marks the halfway point between the start of school and the traditional Thanksgiving holiday.  It arrives at a perfect point in the year to reset, rest, and hopefully recharge.  Sometimes we just need some time to enjoy the fall beauty of the area, reconnect with family and friends, and fully enjoy the last warmer weather of the year.  That said, we have had some teachers approach us with important “homework” for the long weekend.  Among the things assigned I have heard:

• Sleep at least an hour more per night.
• Spend more time outside.
• Read a fun book.
• Unplug a little.

These are assignments we have embraced as a staff and hope our families will as well.  

Enjoy the weekend.  We will all be back on Tuesday, ready to finish the first quarter strong.  Until then be well, stay safe, and take care of each other.  

Warmly,

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Important Dates:

October 8th - PD Day for teachers, no school for students.

October 11th - No school.

October 12th - Virtual Open House becomes available.

October 14th - Parent Coffee - 8 am.

October 27th - Student Flu Clinic

October 29th - End of Quarter 1
 

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RMS CAFE

October’s Menu Here. (Yummy stuff, including the return of Meat Free Thursdays)

If you have any questions, concerns, or dietary restrictions please contact Austin Jacobs

We are examining the possibility of “take away” dinner orders.  The plan would be to provide pre packaged meals for pick up in the afternoon.  We welcome any and all suggestions.  

RMS does offer a lunch program for families who may need assistance or special needs.  Please contact Robin Morley-Ploof in the office for more information.

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RMS NEWS

https://youtu.be/CI-VccEEidc
 

​​THE LIBRARY IS NOW OPEN FOR AFTER SCHOOL STUDY

The RMS library is now open from 3:00-5:00pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Students may stay for as long or as short as they wish but must be picked up by 5:00.  They are expected to have work or activities to quietly do.  Ms Whalen is there on Tuesdays till 4:00 to provide math support.  This space will also be used for tutoring with HHS students

Mathcounts

Do you love math?

x equals negative b, plus or minus the square root.....sing it!

Do you love math puzzles?

.999999......=1      what?!

Do you love corny math jokes?

Parallel lines have so much in common, 

it's a shame that they're never going to meet.    *insert laugh track here

If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, then you should consider joining the RMS Mathcounts team! Mathcounts is THE greatest math competition series on the planet. It's a perfect fit for anyone that wants to flex their mathematical muscles. It's also a perfect fit for anyone that wants to learn some new tricks and enjoys a good challenge.

Starting next week we will have practices every Monday and Thursday after school from 3:00-4:30 PM.

Intrigued? Hungry for more? Check out the RMS Mathcounts for more information.

IMPORTANT:

We're trying to get an idea of the mathcounts interest level. After looking through the website, please fill out the following form to express your level of interest.

-Coach Wharton

 

After School Academic Activity (formerly known as Homework club)

The 6th Grade Academic Activity Club will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 14th and will meet Tuesdays 3-4 PM in Room 602 (Warkentien/Science). Mrs. Powers will be available to support students with completing their schoolwork. 6th Grade HW Club is free and it is not essential that students commit to coming each week or for staying for the whole hour. Students are welcome to bring their own snack and a light snack will be provided. Students are responsible for their own transportation home at 4 PM. Questions? Please contact Liz Powers. 
 

Donations

Woodworking Donations Accepted

Mr. Harriman is gladly accepting any air or kiln dried hardwoods, as well as green, hardwood logs 6-10 inches in diameter - to be used to turn bowls.  Please be in contact with Mr. Harriman directly.  

 

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PTO News

RMS PTO Friday Focus Information for 10/8/21

 

Join members of the RMS administration as the PTO hosts Coffee and Conversation next Thursday, October 14th, at 8:30am in the RMS Cafe. Hear from school leadership about topics both big and small. There’s always plenty of time for your questions and a chance to get to know other RMS parents. And coffee. There’s coffee.

 

Join us for our next PTO Meeting and learn what the PTO is all about, what we’re up to, and how to get involved if you’d like. October’s meeting is on Monday, October 18th at 6:30pm on Zoom. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6514826638 Meeting ID: 651 482 6638

 

Consider supporting the RMS PTO, at no additional expense to you, each time you shop at Amazon.  Our PTO is now listed with AmazonSmile, which means a portion of your order can go to support our school community. Click here to learn more and to sign up: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/86-3448151

 

If you would like to financially support the RMS PTO more directly, you can do so via PayPal here: https://paypal.me/FRMSPTO?locale.x=en_US . Thank you!

 

Check out the new RMS PTO website at richmondmspto.membershiptoolkit.com 

As a parent or staff member at RMS, you’re automatically a member of the PTO. Visit the website to find the PTO calendar of events, information about committees and how to get involved, and your opportunity to sign up for the RMS Digital Directory.

NOTE: You do need to register to access the website and the directory. Registration is free.

Speaking of the RMS Digital Directory, the more families that sign up, the better the directory becomes. Please help build this important RMS community resource. The Directory lets you contact those new friends your kid keeps talking about and look up that parent name you keep forgetting. It’s completely FREE to sign up and to access the Directory, just go to our new website at richmondmspto.membershiptoolkit.com 

Join the conversation and help us build our online community at the RMS PTO Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2512629252386014.  We’ve got chats about favorite fall Upper Valley activities, PTO updates, and tips and tricks for New England winters to help out families new to the area.

Have a fantastic long weekend!

-The RMS PTO

 

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Volunteer News - 

Student Tutoring Program

*Is your child interested in tutoring fellow students at HHS or RMS?

*Would your child benefit from some peer tutoring?

This is a popular program and we are in need of students to sign up. Math is in high demand. I am still waiting for my contact at Dartmouth to provide a list of tutors.  

 

Please be advised that all minors, and either their parents or legal guardians, are required to complete & sign a Parent Consent Form for in-person & on-line tutoring. 

 

The RMS library is available to tutors and students on Mon, Tue, & Thu, from 3:00pm to 4:00pm and high schoolers can catch the school bus over to the middle school. There will be 1 supervising teacher in the library. Please note that they will NOT be 'teaching'. 

 

Volunteer Sign Up

 

SAU70 requires that anyone volunteering in the district completes the Volunteer Application Form. The following link will direct you to the form, and details the Volunteer Background Check Process. 

 

Volunteers, CLICK HERE

 

We are hopeful that at some point during this school year, we will be able to allow volunteers back into our schools. Please be aware that there may be background checks needed, depending what level of volunteering you are able to offer. In the meantime, opportunities may arise that don't involve being in the schools or with the students. 

 

Please reach out if you have any questions.

 

Interested in Subbing?

Would you like a taste of the best job in the world?  We would love to have you join us occasionally in the school.  If you are interested in being a substitute teacher, please follow this link: https://sau70.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=19

 

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RMS Health Office Updates

Annual Richmond Middle School Student Flu Clinic will be offered Wednesday, October 27th from 8:30-1:00 pm (or until finished)

The deadline to Register is Friday October 15th.

Please see information about the vaccine here. 

 

The RMS health office in partnership with Upper Valley Region Health Network are excited to provide free flu vaccines for our students at the end of next month. 

If you would like your student to receive the flu vaccine during school hours, please consider registering them. Registration form available here. Duplicate the form or print multiple copies for more than one student. 

 

If  you have any questions please contact Nurse Abby