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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, November 1, 2019

Frances C. Richmond Middle School

Friday, November 1, 2019

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

Happy November.  We had a full week at RMS this week, highlighted by our Haunted Theatre and Principal’s Pumpkin Challenge.  While our “haunted’ classes came together to create wonderful performances in tune with the season, homerooms collaborated to create thematic pumpkins and present them in the lobby for public viewing.  As usual, I was struck by the care, precision, humor, and thought that obviously went into each presented pumpkin (or gourd). It was a great celebration for the end of our first quarter. It is almost impossible to believe that the year is 25% complete already.  

As we move into the second quarter we will continue to build on the ideas of community and kindness while trying to expand our communication with parents and caregivers.  We know that middle school students are, as a whole, not the most forthcoming in terms of communication, and we are working to fill that gap. When speaking with your student about school; specific questions are best for creating dialog.  “How was school today?” seems like an open-ended question to adults, but not so to middle school students. Likewise, specific academic questions tend to shut down dialog, whereas questions about relationships may lead to larger conversations.  “What was something funny that happened today?” or “what did you do today that was kind?” may be ways to evoke discussions and further connections to the community. The students at RMS are remarkably interesting, kind, and observant. We hope they share with you.  

Congratulations to the following homerooms for their winning entries in the Principal’s Pumpkin Challenge.  

Class photo of Pumpkin winners of popular vote

Lepene - Patch - Bullis - Winners of the popular vote - RMS Geese

Winners of Front office Favorite

Balch - Harriman - Rodriguez - Sherman - Winners of Front Office favorite - The Pumpkin solar system.

Winners of Sustainability Theme

Dakai - Morrison - Luce - Mireles - Sustainability Theme Winner - Save the Turtle

 

And finally, in another example of creativity and fun at RMS. 
This was our menu for Thursday lunch. The Dragon Bones were excellent!

Menu for Halloween day.

 

Don’t forget to enjoy the “extra hour” we gain by “falling back” on Sunday morning.  Looking forward to a great Q2.  

Warmly,

Tim Boyle
Principal
@TimBoyle_RMS
timboyle@hanovernorwichschools.org

Anissa Morrison
Associate Principal
anissamorrison@frms.org
@AnissaVT


RMS News

 

New Attendance Email

We are trying to streamline our attendance email, and as a result, we have a new email address for absences.  In the future please email: rmsattendance@hanovernorwichschools.org

With any and all attendance issues.  Thank you.  

 

Author Visit

On November 4th the RMS Library is hosting author and illustrator Jarrett Krosoczka.  Jarrett wrote and illustrated the graphic novels in the Lunch Lady and Jedi Academy series, as well as many other graphic novels. In 2018, his graphic memoir Hey, Kiddo, about growing up with addiction in the family, was a finalist for the National Book Award.  Jarret hoped his autobiography would shine a light on the issues faced by children of addiction in our society.  His presentation will discuss his memoir, as well as the process of writing, illustrating, and publishing such a highly personal work.  His books are available for students to check out in the library. 

 

Power School/Schoology 

Due to the end of Q1, the portal will be closed until 3pm on Friday, November 8th.  At that time report cards will be available through the portal.

 

RMS News - Check out our weekly news broadcast here.

 

Performance Calendar

Please see here for the schedule of concerts throughout the year.  

 

Volleyball Visit

Thanks to coaches from the Dartmouth Volleyball team who joined us on Wednesday for a skills clinic some fun games.  They are at home tonight and on Saturday where team members will be signing posters for students.

 

News from Student Council

We had some amazing Halloween Treats as part of our Baking Contest on Thursday.  Thanks to all who participated.

Next week we will begin working on our Veterans Day Recognition Events.  A "Spare Change Drive" will help us raise funds for the group "Pets for Vets".  Students will also be given an opportunity to recognize Veterans that are in their lives and post them on our Wall of Honor.  Students will get more information early next week.

 

Volunteer News 

Stay tuned for more volunteer opportunities in the weeks to come. 

 


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.


Upcoming important dates

 

Friday, November 1st - End of Q1 - PowerSchool/Schoology will be closed for grading and adding of comments.

Sunday, November 3rd - Daylight Savings Time - Set Clocks back one hour.  Get ready for darker afternoons.  

Monday, November 4th - Author visit by Jarrett Krosoczka 

Thursday, November 7th - Circle Up! Meeting (see below)

Friday, November 8th - 7th Grade Cemetery Field Trip

Friday, November 8th - 3 pm - Q1 report cards available through PowerSchool. 

Monday, November 11th - NO SCHOOL - Veteran’s Day. 

Homework Free weekend!

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.  

 

Circle Up! 

Circle Up! invites any community members to meet on Thursday, November 7th at 6:30 PM in the RMS Art Room (713). Circle Up! would like to continue the conversation of supporting youth and the community with substance use prevention efforts and with suicide prevention. New membership welcome. Circle Up! was proud to support the Howe Library's sponsorship of Screenagers: Next Chapter in October, and would like to hear from parents and community members about other important issues and ideas for programming.

 

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.  This article can help you join those discussions with your student.