Friday Focus

Frances C. Richmond Middle School

Friday,  September 24th, 2021

 

Dear RMS Community:

This week we have much to be thankful for.  Due to the work of our student council and a few dedicated adults we were able to gather together in an almost pre pandemic way to raise money for those in South Louisiana whose homes and lives were disrupted by Hurricane Ida.  From chef Austin and his crew who stayed up past midnight preparing the wonderful gumbo (including specially ordered okra for authenticity), to the student council (both students and advisors) who organized and staffed a dinner governed by many protocols and permits, to the countless community members who turned out to support families and organizations over 1600 miles away, thank you!  While some of the accounting is in progress we do know that we have raised over $4,000, all of which will go directly to folks on the ground in the areas most affected.  Words cannot express the gratitude and pride we feel at the level of compassion and commitment shown by the community, once again led by our students.  RMS remains a special place.

Awe inspiring community aside, we have reached a rare part of the school year when we are all feeling a slight lull.  The excitement of the start of the year has waned, and the excitement of the end of the quarter (and Halloween) are still a month away.  Since middle school is often marked by a decline of sharing from students as they grow older, it might be good to take advantage of this “calm time” to engage with your student around school issues that are not grade related.  Instead of asking “how did you do” on an assignment,  ask “what was one thing that was cool today at school?”  Today we could explore “Where do you eat lunch when it rains?”  Students do want to discuss things with you, but often, in middle school, they search for what is “supposed” to be said.  Finding a way to freely communicate about subjects that are not judged will help us all communicate more fully.  

That said, there is always value in quiet time outside as well.  Please enjoy the weekend, maybe our last before the “leaf peepers” take over the roads and increase my own frustration with the pace of their driving :)

Please be safe, stay well, and take care of each other. 

Warmly,

Tim Boyle

---

Important Dates:

Sept. 28th - Mathcounts meeting. 3-4 pm. 

Sept. 30th - Parent/Administrator Coffee - 2 pm. 

Sept. 30th - Gathering at Rusty Bearings Skate Park. (food sold by SAGE)

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

October 11th - No school.

---

 

RMS CAFE

September’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

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.

---

 

RMS NEWS

 

The RMS News is here:

https://youtu.be/luXGQF7E_e8

 

Pictures!

We have taken pictures of our students for PowerSchool and the yearbook.  If you want to see the proofs of your student, simply fill out the following form.

 

Let's Roll at Rusty Bearings Skatepark! 

To celebrate the ending of our Skateboarding PE Unit there will be an outside of school event that is open to all students on Thursday, September 30th from 4:30pm - 6:30pm at the Rusty Bearings Skatepark in West Lebanon. Students can bring their own equipment (scooters, skateboards, roller blades etc.) or we will have some school equipment (skateboards, razor scooters, hairnets, helmets, pads) available for use as well! Bringing your own helmet is helpful. Students can come even if they don't plan to skate much and just hang out and check out this cool local amenity! This is a public skatepark so other community members will also be there. Families are encouraged to come as well, but if you are dropping off a student they must be picked up by 6:30pm. More details to come!! Any questions can be sent to Catherine Patch. 

 

Mathcounts

Mathcounts is a national middle school mathematics competition that builds problem-solving skills and fosters achievement through four levels of fun, in-person "bee" style contests. If you enjoy mathematically challenging problems, learning mental math tricks, and you would like to dive deeper into topics like combinatorics, number theory, probability, and statistics, then mathcounts is the perfect place for you!  Informational meeting on Tuesday after school, 3-4.  Please contact Mr Boyle with any questions.

 

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

From Ms. Ellis - Can you contribute some milkweed pods

I am kicking off my Monarch Butterfly Migration lessons with my 6th grade art students. In addition to learning about the migration and life cycle, we discussed the reduction in numbers of Monarchs over the past few decades. We discussed "how we can help" ,  planting native NH flowers, which includes milkweed, to help support the Monarchs. 

Earlier this week, (Thank you Joel Tennyanoff for bringing this to my attention!!!) there was a news article in the Valley News requesting milkweed seed pods to be sent to Concord Fish and Game. My 6th grade students are on board with collecting to contribute to this conservation project through Fish and Game and the NH extension program. 

If you have milkweed in your yard, and want to contribute, please take a look at the attached article, which describes when to pick it, and how to package it for this program. You can drop it off in my room, and I will package up and send it all to Concord. 

https://www.vnews.com/milkweed-ponds-monarch-butterflies-nh-42540508

 

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.  

 

Student Council Notes

 

Thanks to all students and staff who helped make our Louisiana Hurricane Fundraiser so successful.  It is always nice to see our community rally around an important cause.  We will soon be looking for other opportunities to engage in community service projects around the Upper Valley.  If you have any ideas please contact Mr LaCrosse, Ms Warkentien, or Ms Panowicz student council advisors for this year.

 

PTO News

Our new website is LIVE! Check it out at:

richmondmspto.membershiptoolkit.com 

There you'll find out about all things PTO and while you're there, sign up for the DIGITAL DIRECTORY! The directory solves that problem of not knowing who your kids friends are and how to get a hold of them, plus it is a great community builder!

Join us for our next meeting and check out what we're about! It's on 10/18 at 6:30. Link to zoom meet below.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6514826638 Meeting ID: 651 482 6638

No time for a meeting but still want to contribute? Our PAYPAL link is now live too! Help us support our teachers, administration and community!

https://paypal.me/FRMSPTO?locale.x=en_US 

 

“Together We Read” Book Discussion (October 19)

Please join us for a casual parent and child book discussion of Hey Kiddo, an award-winning graphic novel, by Jarrett J. Krosoczka.  RMS librarian, Chris Putnam-Pouliot, will moderate.  This event will take place on Zoom to encourage participation among students grades 6 to 8.

The RMS library has several copies of the book, so there will not be a group purchase through the local books stores this time around. 

Please RSVP to Elizabeth Dollhopf-Brown if you plan to attend:  edollhopfbrown@gmail.com

You can read the New York Times review of the book here. Common Sense Media gives it a five-star rating, noting:  “Big-hearted memoir of rocky childhood with addicted mom.”

RMS PTO Year- At - A- Glance 2021- 2022  calendar of PTO activities/ event. TBA  Social groups (International, 6th, 7th and 8th are starting to form ideas and events). 

email: richmondmiddleschoolpto@gmail.com

Facebook: PTO at Richmond Middle School

 

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

SAU 70 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

 

RMS Health Office Updates

 

Staying Home When Sick 

Please keep sick students home. They may return when fever free for 24 hours without acetaminophen or ibuprofen, symptom free and/or with a negative covid test.

The NH Division of Health Service continues to recommend a low-bar for excluding and testing people with new and unexplained symptoms of COVID-19 that might indicate infection – This includes mild cold symptoms, and even singular symptoms – Both for people who are/aren’t fully vaccinated.

Covid Symptoms:

*Fever or chills, Cough, Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, Fatigue, Muscle or body aches, Headache, New loss of taste or smell, Sore throat, Congestion or runny nose, Nausea or vomiting, Diarrhea

Covid Testing Sites:

NH- Alice Peck Day covid appointments  Call to schedule (603) 442-5665

NH- Dartmouth Hitchcock Patients  Call 603-650-1818

NH- Clear Choice MD  603-276-3261

Fairlee VT Fast Squad  5445 Lake Morey Rd. E

Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sat, Sun 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Tues, Fri 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

 

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

 

---

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/d/0BxjmcJln7VwrMGc3ZWNnbnEtVjFxZ0oxc1p3LVBYN0pnNE1B/view?usp=sharing

 

Parenting Webinar

Join a virtual discussion on 10/27 with Lisa Damour PhD: author of Managing Big Emotions: Birth to Young Adult. 

 

All Together Dresden Community Survey

Circle Up! and All Together invite Dresden community members to a presentation on the results of the 2021 Community Survey. This survey data represents a snapshot of adults' perceptions of youth substance misuse and mental health. The data from the survey has been disaggregated to understand the unique perspectives of Dresden community members. The Dartmouth Institute will have MPH students presenting a breakdown of the data for Dresden on September 30th 7:30-8:30 PM. Once folks pre-register, there will be a zoom link available. Pre-register here. One bit of information that will be available relates to youth mental health during the pandemic. Please spread the word.

---

Community Interest