Weekly Update RPMS Dec15

Good evening-

Thank you to everyone that donated and participated in our annual Color Games! The PTA was able to raise money that will directly fund programs and initiatives here at Rosa Parks Middle School that benefit all of our students. The generosity and spirit of our community is truly inspiring.

I also want to thank everyone that came out to support our production of Annie Jr. Our students, Ms. Bulitt, and Ms. Ladd worked hard for a long time, and their efforts paid off. The show was another truly special event and fully deserved the standing ovation it received.

We have five more school days until Winter Break. As a reminder, school is closed December 23 to January 1. Our first day back is Thursday, January 2, 2025.

Enjoy the remainder of your weekend!

-Stephen Reck, Principal

In this message, I will address the following topics:

1. School Communications Update
2. PTA Cookie Drive
3. Winter Concert
4. IXL Incentives Program for Math
5. MCSP Launches MealViewer
6. After School Activities
7. Basketball Tryouts
8. Yearbook Sale
9. SSL Updates
10. Upcoming Important Dates & Events
11. Weekly Assignments
12. Updates from our PTA

The program schools use, Blackboard ConnectEd, to distribute emails to our communities is being discontinued at the end of the calendar year. Moving forward, schools will use ParentSquare. In anticipation of this transition, I am sending the newsletter through both programs to identify any unforeseen challenges with the new program and to ensure you are still getting essential information through our newsletter.

If you get two emails from the school this weekend about the newsletter, that is not a mistake. I do, however, apologize in advance for cluttering your inbox as we work to develop a seamless transition to the new communication program.

Want to send holiday greetings to your child's teachers but don't know what to do? Send warm wishes to the Rosa Parks staff by contributing to our Cookie Drive!

We'll be collecting homemade and store-bought holiday cookies for gifts which we will distribute to the staff just before Winter break. It's a Rosa Parks tradition that our staff loves!

You can view more information and sign up through this link.

The Rosa Parks Winter Concert is Tuesday, December 17, 6:30 PM at Sherwood High School Auditorium. This concert will feature all three bands, two orchestras, and our jazz band. All instrumental music students are expected to arrive at 6:00 PM. Students should wear all black. Please contact Mr. Gillenwater with any questions. It's going to be a great concert. We look forward to seeing you there.

The IXL incentives program has begun at RPMS! Students are encouraged to participate in IXL by meeting bi-weekly goals and are rewarded for their efforts. Please see this video link for more information. You can also contact Aimee Conway – Aimee_R_Conway@mcpmd.org

Thank you for supporting your child in their efforts to improve their math skills!

MCPS launched MealViewer, which is a new school-specific website to view current and upcoming breakfast and lunch menus. Rosa Parks Middle School's menus can be found through this link.

Our After-School Activities webpage can be accessed through this link. It has extensive information on what programs are offered, when they are offered, and how to sign up. Bus transportation is provided on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. You can find the bus routes through this link. Students participating in Friday activities must provide their own transportation.

This spreadsheet contains start date information, sponsor information, and further details about the many after-school activities we offer at RPMS. It is updated regularly. For questions about specific clubs, please contact the sponsor listed on the spreadsheet.

RPMS is holding basketball tryouts for any 7th and 8th grade students interested in joining our teams. Boys' tryouts are December 17-19. Please view our flyer for more information.

Rosa Parks families, we are happy to announce that our yearbook link is up and active. Just use the link to buy the yearbook as well as to upload photos for possible inclusion in the book. Purchase early because prices increase after December 31st and submit lots of photos including those adorable 8th grade baby photos!

Students and families, please review upcoming SSL opportunities here: https://bit.ly/Dec-SSL. Please submit SSL verification forms digitally whenever possible through the RPMS Google Site: https://bit.ly/SSL-RPMS. Please contact Mrs. Sarah Lewis, SSL Coordinator, with any questions about the SSL program: sarah_f_lewis@mcpsmd.org

December 17 - Winter Concert

December 23 to January 1 - School Closed, Winter Break

January 20 - No School - MLK Jr. Day

January 29 - No School - End of 1st Semester - Grading Day

On behalf of our Teacher Appreciation Committee, please find the enclosed Holiday Cookie Drive signup Genius ready for dissemination to PTA.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4CA8A722A2FBC52-53828365-rpms

Here is more information about the RPMS PTA:

🔗 Check it out here: https://linktr.ee/rpmsptsa