Welcome Incoming 7th Graders!

6/14/2024

Dear Parents/Guardians of Incoming 7th graders,

Welcome to RHAM Middle School! Summer is almost here and we hope you have all had a very good 6th grade year.

As we look forward to Summer vacation, we also begin the transition from one school to another, and we are all anticipating your child(ren)'s arrival at RHAM on August 29th! Between now and the start of the school next year, we have a couple summer assignments and walk-around days planned (see below) and of course if you have any questions at all please feel free to reach out to us, we would be happy to answer them. Schedules will be sent out around the 3rd week of August. I hope everyone has a safe and restful summer. We will be in touch again soon. We look forward to seeing you at the Walk Around Days on August 15th & 20th. Bus routes can be found on the Middle School website, typically one week prior to the start of the school year. Website: https://rms.rhamschools.org/

Monday - Thursday 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Fridays 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Please call office at 860-228-9423 with any questions or to confirm any hours for any particular day. **Hours subject to change**

• August 15- Walk Around Day (10:00-2:00 PM)
  
• August 20- New to District Orientation (9:15-10:00 AM)
• August 20- Walk Around Day (10:00-2:00 PM)
• August 29- First Day of School
• September 2- Labor Day (No School)
• September 9- Picture Day
• September 20- Early Dismissal (11:45 AM)

Attention all incoming 7th graders below is the Summer Math and English work. Please see the following websites to access the work. Have a great summer and see you in August!

Math- All of the student instructions are listed in the link on the RHAM MS Website: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1W-1IZWkUVHgXZy80BofZcXinlpnqSt-H?usp=sharing

English/Reading - Current 6th Graders should read at least one book this summer that is of interest to them and of an appropriate challenge level for their grade and reading ability. Students should keep a notecard or piece of paper with relevant details like: character names, conflicts, setting, basic plot information, and questions the book makes them think about (this can be done for nonfiction books as well). Students will be asked about summer reading in the early weeks of school!

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1BCQKLshBh3Qj2Y4E8AqshPzK8DuS0cjn

Incoming 7th Graders: We're looking forward to welcoming next year's 7th graders to RHAM Middle School! We can't wait to meet all of them and their families! Our summer Walk Around Days are a great opportunity for incoming 7th graders to familiarize themselves with their schedules, class, lockers, and the building. Students will have their schedules which will include their locker number and combination prior to the Walk Around Days. Walk around days will be August 15th and 20th 10am-2pm. We will have 8th grade students available to give tours, answer questions and help with opening lockers.

School Counselors are working hard on getting schedules together. Once your student receives their schedule please feel free to reach out to their School Counselor with any questions! A little advanced heads up....we work hard on team placement, so switching teams after schedules are received is highly unlikely unless there are extreme extenuating circumstances.

In accordance with the State of Connecticut and Board of Education Policies, it is required that all students fulfill the following requirements BEFORE entering 7th grade:

• Received a second immunization against measles.

• Received 2 doses of the varicella vaccine or documentation of disease

• Received an adolescent Tdap booster vaccine

• Received 1 dose of the meningococcal immunization

All these requirements must be met before your child will be allowed to enter RHAM Middle School. Documentation must be provided to the school no later than the first day of school. It is recommended that you have these requirements met and documented when you send in your child’s registration for the 2024/2025 school year.

Friendly reminders:

• According to the Connecticut State Statue every 7th grade student is required to have a physical assessment during their 6th or 7th grade year.

• This means your child must have a physical dated after July 1, 2023, but no later than June 30, 2025.

• If your child will be participating in Sports, an updated physical will be required. The physical has to be less than a year old during the season of the sport.

• Your child’s cumulative Health Record, which is presently on file at their elementary school, will be sent to RHAM Middle School when they are promoted.

Nut Free School

We are still a nut free school, so please be sure your child is not bringing food products with nuts in them.

RHAM Middle School-Fall 2024 Athletics

Sports offered: Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer, Co-Ed Cross Country

Registration Information and Tryout Information-COMING SOON

WILL BE SENT TO FAMILY EMAIL ADDRESS

https://sites.google.com/view/rhamathletics/about-us/rham-middle-school-athletics

Family ID link:

https://www.rhamschools.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=290952&pageId=27794863

If you would like to look up the menu for either Breakfast or Lunch options, please use the website below.

School Menu Website:

https://www.fdmealplanner.com/

Families are encouraged to ensure adequate funding is in their child’s My School Bucks account to cover the costs associated with additional meals and/or a la carte items. Funds can be deposited at the following link https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/getmain?requestAction=home

Families who may qualify for free or reduced meals are encouraged to submit an application if that has not already been done. Applications can be completed by contacting Jen Choma at 860-228-9474 ext. 3401, or by going to the following link. https://rhs.rhamschools.org/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=67022564

The link below provides a video with instructions on how to complete an application for free and reduced price meals or free milk. https://vimeo.com/777367788

The link below provides information regarding information on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SDE/Nutrition/NSLP/Forms/FreeRed/AddendumC.pdf

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

2. fax: (202) 690-7442; or

3. email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

• Late buses run Monday - Thursday (No Fridays).

• Students are picked up at the Middle School around 4:00pm.

• There is 1 bus per town.

• Bus routes are determined at the time of pickup, based upon how many students are on the bus and student locations, the amount of time it takes to get home will vary. You might not be dropped off at your actual home, you could be dropped off up to 1 mile away.

• You will report to the library after your activity or event and wait there doing school work, etc until the late bus arrives.

• You must be staying after school for an event or activity.

• You can’t leave the school grounds then come back to take the late bus.

• You must sign up in the After School Binders if you are staying after school, which can be found in front of the office during the day or in your lunch waves.

• All students staying after school whether you are walking home, getting picked up or taking the late bus MUST sign up in the After School Binders.

• If you are on a sports team and need to take the last bus, you MUST also sign up in the late bus binder.

Contact Club Advisor for current information or question

• Drama United: Drama United is a program designed to dissolve typical barriers between youth through transformative, school-based performing arts. Students with and without disabilities, of all backgrounds, come together as equals to put on a production entirely organized, written, and directed by students to put the spotlight on ability. Start date is September 7th (Peers Only) September 12th (Full Cast) Drama United will be running Tuesdays and Thursdays (Full Cast) Wednesdays (Peers Only) from 2:15 to 3:30 in the High School Auditorium. Any questions please contact Ms. Spodobalski or Ms. Emma Filosa.

• Card and Game Club: is an after school club for card games and board games. Start date is October 5th, 2023. The club meets the first and third Thursday of every month from 2:15 to 3:15 in room 103 Mr. Conroy’s room. Any questions please contact Mr. Conroy.

• Jazz Band: Jazz Band is an ensemble for students in Band who want to learn and perform Jazz Music. It meets every week for the year, with many performances throughout the year. Students who sign-up should plan to participate for the year. Will be held every Wednesday from 2:15 to 3:15 pm starting on September 13, 2023

• Literary Magazine: Interested in creative writing, graphic design, artwork, poetry, music, formatting, editing, web design, or just creating content for an online magazine? If so, Rhamblings is for you! Rhamblings is RHAM MS’s online literary and art magazine. We produce two issues a year and are always looking for contributors as well as those who just want to help publishing and web design. Everyone is welcome and we hope to see you at our next meeting! This club starts on September 26th and meets once a month on Tuesdays from 2:15 to 3:15 PM.

• Ski and Snowboard Club: The club takes 5 trips each year to Ski Sundown in New Hartford. Signups start in October for the trips that start in January. The trips are starting after the new year and buses leave the school at 2:15 pm and return at 8:15 pm. All students are welcome. Lessons and rentals are available.

• Student Council: Serves as an advisory group for the student body to the administration. All students are volunteers and have been chosen already for this year. Students discuss current issues concerning the schoolhouse climate, activities that are school-wide and special events. Students may be involved in planning special events for the 7th or 8th grade class separately as the need arises.

• F.P.S (Future Problem Solvers): FPS develops problem solving skills through creative and critical thinking while learning about world issues, preparing students to compete against other schools in Connecticut and around the world. This club meets Monday evenings at RHAM High School Lecture Hall (Rm 115) from 6:30 - 7:15 pm. For more information, contact Sherri Pelletier at sherri.pelletier@rhamschools.org

• Home Economics Club: Do you like cooking? Maybe cooking from around the world? Do you like crafting and doing different hands-on projects? How about learning some cool life skills?! Then the home economics club is for you! We are having our first official meeting on October 18th, after school in room 226. We will be celebrating el Día de los Muertos, the day of the dead, and are making a craft and cooking something exciting! If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Barber or Mrs. Gonzalez for more information! It meets every other Wednesday until approximately 3:30pm.

• World Language Club: The World Language Club provides students with an opportunity to expand their knowledge about the Spanish and French language and culture. We explore and experience various aspects of different cultures by participating in food tastings, holiday celebrations, foreign film viewings, music, dance, and much more. Our club meets every other Thursday after school from 2:20 pm until 3:00 pm in rooms 200 and 201. Please see Mrs. Sanady or Mr. Ndao if you have any questions. All students are welcome to join!

• Environmental Club: Interested in helping out the environment, supporting wildlife and green spaces? Then the Environmental Club is the place for you! Come join us in room 110 every other Wednesday from 2:15 pm to 3:15 pm starting on September 28th. All students are welcome.

• Math Club: It meets every other Wednesday from 2:15 - 3:30 pm in Room 100.

• GSA (Gender Sexuality Alliance) Club: The Gender Sexuality Alliance, or GSA, is a club for LGBTQIA+ students and allies. We participate in a combination of advocacy and social fun activities every other Thursday throughout the school year. This club meets in the Team Room every other Thursday from 2:15 to 3:15 PM starting September 28th.

• Lego League/ Club: Are you a Lego Master? Do you enjoy building Lego structures? Want to hang out with other Lego builders? Come to Lego Club. Lego Club is the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 2:20 to 3:30 PM in Room 123.

• TSA/VEX Club: Students interested in Robotics, Computer programming, Aerodynamics come to the TSA/VEX Club. TSA/VEX is the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month from 2:30 to 3:30 PM in rooms 122 and 123.

• RHAM Alt. Energy Race Team MS: Looking on how to build and gear a vehicle that is powered by batteries? This is the Club. The Race Team will race their vehicles in May 2024. This Club will run on Thursdays from 2:25 to 3:30/3:45 PM in room 122.

• Newspaper Club: Students help create and publish the RHAM Middle School newspaper. Please see Mrs. Sue Lynch (Rm 142) for more information. This Club meets every Wednesday from 2:15 to 3:30/4:00 PM.

• Yearbook Club: Please join us in creating the 2023/2024 Middle School Yearbook. This club runs every other Tuesday from 2:15 to 3:30 PM in room 123.

• Footnotes: Footnotes is a group voice lesson club available to anyone who would like to learn how to sing solo! From pop music, to classical - we cover anything you'd like to sing! Footnotes meet on Wednesdays 2 times a month from 2:15 to 3pm in the Chorus room 229.

• Art Club: Interested in art? Want a space to be creative? Come join us in the art club for a space to create art, explore different media, and connect with other creatives. Start date is October 17th. The club meets every other Tuesday from 2:15 to 3:15 pm in room 237, Mrs. Gradie’s art room. Space is limited so please contact Mrs. Gradie to sign up for or for more information.

• UNIFIED SPORTS – Unified Basketball is an inclusive sports program that unites athletes with disabilities and partners , students without disabilities as teammates. All involved have a great time training and competing together, while at the same time forming new and lasting friendships. Unified Sports starts in February and runs into April. Please see Mrs. Spodobalski in Room 105 with any questions.

Ongoing After School Help:

• PM Study - Meets Tues/Wed/Thurs afternoon. Please contact school counselor for a PM Study Contract if interested.
• Math Lab - Meets every Tuesday in Room 217 with Ms. Wang and every Thursday in Room 101 with Mrs. Kane
• Writing Lab - Meets certain Wednesdays, Media Center, Mrs. Blustein