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, September 3, 2021
Frances C. Richmond Middle School
Friday, September 3rd, 2021
Dear Parents/Caregivers:
What a great first week!! While most see the spring as a time of renewal and rejuvenation, those of us in education see the fall as “like the creation of Cosmos out of Chaos and the realization of the Golden Age” to steal from Thoreau. The infusion of new students, teachers, and staff (our longtime custodial supervisor Ray McAllister retired the Friday before school began) has helped us shake off the torpor of the summer and fully embrace the energy of the 2021-2022 school year. RMS survived and thrived last year, and we have taken those lessons and are so thankful to be once again up and running at full capacity. Thank you again to our communities for your support during these difficult times.
Welcome of first time readers of the Friday Focus, the weekly combination of information, narrative discussions of school events, and random tidbits from the administration. We like to think that the sometimes random nature of this update, along with its combination of serious and lighthearted information, serves as a good reflection of middle school itself. Please enjoy and reach out with any questions, comments, or concerns.
With so much information to impart we will now switch from the narrative form that is more natural to Tim (history major), to a shortened version that fits the more modern information age.
Along with all that is new, we have welcomed back some age-old RMS traditions after hiatus last year for the pandemic.
- Morning gym, offering basketball, soccer, and this year, lacrosse on Tuesday and Friday mornings, returns. (In all seriousness, the morning soccer tradition dates back to at least 1983)
- The new and improved library will be back as a morning option soon (update here.)
- Skateboarding in PE is back! Thank you to parent volunteers who retrieved the equipment from southern NH and have allowed us to have the gnarliest PE classes ever.
- SAGE (Sexuality and Gender Equality) returns, meeting Wednesday mornings in the Library.
- Non-cohorted classes make it feel more like middle school. Students are adjusting to mixed classes while maintaining good mask and distance discipline.
- We continue to refine our drop off and pick up protocols, reminding everyone to please drop off and pick up from the cut-outs along Lyme rd - using the parking lots causes delays and difficult traffic patterns for all.
Other issues of import:
- School pictures are next week.
Wednesday - 6th graders
Thursday - 8th graders
Friday - 7th graders
We are using a local photographer, steering away from larger organizations. Pictures will be taken of individual students, who will pose outside and unmasked. We will not take class pictures this year because the masking protocols allow only masked pictures, and that just seemed sad in some way. Please help students remember that whatever they wear for pictures will live on in PowerSchool for at least a year. Please fill out the following form to receive an email with proofs of the school pictures once completed. There is no up front charge to see the proofs. - This weekend is a HW free weekend, as is Tuesday. Enjoy the “end of summer.”
See more important dates below.
- Save the date - September 24-26 - RMS will attempt our first ever, voluntary, device free weekend. While many of us recognize the insidious nature of the pocket computers we carry (seems silly to call them phones, no one ever talks on them any more), and recent articles in major media outlets have revealed the addictive nature of being online is destructive to all of us, we have yet to collectively address the issue. We are hoping, this year, to take small steps toward mitigating this trend. We will ask all members of our community (students, staff, parents,) to go “device” free during that weekend. We hope that we will all rediscover reading, hiking, watching a movie, or other activities that do not involve scrolling through a small screen with our thumbs. Stay tuned for updates.
At the end of the first week this seems like enough information for today. Please enjoy the long weekend, taking time to rest and recharge as we head into a long stretch of school without breaks. We remain excited about all this year will bring. Please stay well, be safe, and take care of each other.
Warmly,
Tim Boyle
Principal
Anissa Morrison
Associate Principal
Important Dates:
Sept 6th - Monday - No School for Labor Day Holiday.
Sept 7th - Tuesday - Rosh Hashanah - HW free holiday.
Sept 9-10 - School Photos
Sept 9th - Thursday - PTO Welcome Picnic
Sept 15-16 - Yom Kippur - HW free holiday.
Sept 16th - Thursday - Parent/Administrator Coffee (12 noon)
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
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.
Extra Picnic Tables Needed
If you have extra picnic tables, RMS would like to offer them a new home. Our efforts for increased outdoor seating last year had an adverse effect on the structural integrity of many of our seating options - thus we find ourselves missing some lunch spots. We would love to add some tables to our al fresco dining venues. Please let us know if you can help.
PTO News
Welcome Back to School all! Congratulations, all enrolled RMS student's caregivers and RMS staff members are automatically a PTO member!
RMS PTO mission is to build community through communication, socials and partnerships.
RMS Families, Caregivers and Staff Picnic
September 9, 5 to 730pm (attendance and length of stay optional)
RMS field (6th, 7th, 8th sessions for guidance, mingling permitted)
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Masks mandatory if within 6 feet of non-household individuals.
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Sitting by grade groups
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Pack- in and Pack-out style (please leave no garbage or recycling behindB
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Bring your own blankets, chairs
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Please leave pets, alcohol, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and weapons at home
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Families/ Caregivers are responsible for their family members.
RMS PTO Year- At - A- Glance 2021- 2022 calendar of PTO activities/ events.
RMS Digital Directory!
We are launching an online directory for RMS families this year!
We are using MembershipToolkit, the same program Marion Cross School (MCS) in Norwich has used for years. In addition to the website version, there is an app you can use on your phone. There is no charge for the directory and you can choose what info (if any) you want listed for families. Only RMS families will have access to this directory.
Please add your information to the RMS Directory using the steps below.
Here's what you need to do:
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Click on the Register/Login button.
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If you are new, select "Create Account" and fill in the name, email, and password information. Click "verify my email" and then check your email for a link to complete the process. The link expires in 2 hours. If you do not receive the email, check your spam or junk folders. Once you have verified your email address, log back in and finish the registration process.
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If you registered in the past (with MCS), login with your username and password. If you forgot your password, choose forgot password.
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Input your Parent/Family and Student Information.
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Complete the Directory/Publish Preferences.
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Once these forms are complete, you can download the app to install.
The PTO maintains a family directory that is used for:-
PTO Communications
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Parents to share and find contact information for RMS families
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Information shared via the directory is for PTO and personal use only. No information will be shared outside our community and directory information may not be used for any other solicitation outside of the RMS community.
To be included in the PTO Directory and to receive PTO emails we need you to update your directory information. *Remember this is separate from the school's annual forms. This is a secure form and you can print your submission for your records.
Questions? - Please don't hesitate to contact Hayley at hdelugach@gmail.com.
What to learn more about what PTO does throughout the year, complete this google form to get involved. RMS PTO information and get involved .
Make a donation to support Teacher Appreciation, Back to School efforts, digital directory, welcoming committee, and more. (see website for budget detail).
1. Write a check payable to "Richmond Middle School PTO" and mail to RMS, Attn: PTO mailbox, 63 Lyme Rd, Hanover, NH 03755.
2. RMS PTO VENMO (under construction)
3. Amazon Smiles (under construction)
All contributions are tax deductible. EIN # 86-3448151
PTO Spirit Wear Fall Fundraiser
RMS Spirit Wear is available to order! Show your school spirit with RMS merch! A portion of each sale will fund the PTO's projects and programs. Thank you for supporting our school community. Orders are due Sunday, Sept. 12th at 11:59 p.m.
https://fcrms.itemorder.com/sale
See you at the Picnic!
email: richmondmiddleschoolpto@gmail.com
website: richmondmiddleschoolpto.org
Facebook: PTO at Richmond Middle School
Volunteer Opportunities
Dear Families and Community
We are hopeful that at some point during this school year, we will be able to allow volunteers back into our schools.
Please reach out to Emma Cottage, the SAU70 Volunteer Coordinator and she will get you added to a Volunteer List. Background checks may be necessary, depending on the level of student interaction required for each activity.
Student Tutoring Program
Students - Need a tutor?
Are you a student at RMS or HHS and would benefit from on-line tutoring from your peers? Please contact me.
Tutoring - Can you help?
If your HHS student is interested in tutoring at RMS or HHS, please contact me. I will match all peer-tutoring requests individually and will be in touch as soon as there is a match.
Please be advised that all tutoring will be remote at this time, and that all minors, either their parent or legal guardian, are required to complete the Parent Consent Form for on-line tutoring.
Thank you in advance for your time and interest.
Emma Cottage
802 299 1269
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
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. This article can help you join those discussions with your student.
Circle UP! - Offering help to our community
Dear Dresden School District Parents/Caregivers and Community Members,
We are writing today to invite you to become a part of Circle Up!
Circle Up! is an active parent/caregiver group that works in conjunction with professional community partnerships and the Dresden school community. We host a variety of programs that are designed to address current student concerns and help support the well-being of Dresden students and their families.
Since 2013, Circle Up! has offered almost two dozen community events. These events have ranged from training adults in Youth Mental Health First Aid to evening presentations on growing up in the Digital Age to forums advocating adequate time for lunch. Of special importance to Circle Up! is increasing mental health awareness, reducing substance misuse, teen wellness, suicide prevention and celebrating diversity. We aim to encourage a positive and healthy culture for today’s teens by building protective factors, education, awareness and open dialogue.
As we plan for the 2021-22 school year, we are interested in hearing from the Dresden community. If you would like to receive Circle Up! news or event information, share an idea for a program, or to volunteer any amount of time, please contact us at UVCircleUp@gmail.com. You can also find more information on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/groups/UVCircleUp.
We welcome you to join the audience at our events and to constructively participate at your comfort level. For those interested in additional participation, our event planning meetings are currently on zoom every second Tuesday of the month at 7pm, starting September 14th. Meetings are currently on zoom and can be accessed through this link-
https://sau70.zoom.us/j/99386797148?pwd=NDY3d2lTK1ZuRnRBZmVOL2RYRzJHQT09
Come be a part of Circle Up! It takes a village!
Sincerely,
The Circle Up! Board
Important Links
- District Transportation
- RMS Cafe
- Community Interest
- Dresden Board Meetings On Demand
- District Calendar
- BOARDDOCS: Remember to select “Dresden School Board” in upper right hand corner after you click “Public Access”
