RTS Middle School News

Dear RTS Families,

As we approach the end of the school year, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for your unwavering support of RTS, our students, and our dedicated staff. It has been a truly remarkable year, and your involvement has played a crucial role in our success.

Getting to know each of your families and watching our students grow and thrive has been one of the greatest joys of this year. Your commitment to your children's education and your engagement with our school community have made a significant impact. Together, we have fostered an environment of learning, growth, and mutual respect.

As we prepare for the summer break, I want to wish each of you a healthy, restful, and enjoyable summer. Please take this time to relax, rejuvenate, and create lasting memories with your loved ones.

Just a reminder, the last day of school for all students is a full day on June 18.

Thank you once again for being an integral part of the RTS community. Your partnership and support mean the world to us.

Warmest regards,

Laura Karlson
Principal, RTS Middle School

From District Attorney Paul Battisti and our School Resource Officers, some information regarding the safety of youth related to device usage.

For parents with children in elementary and middle school, it's challenging to ignore the effects that cell phone use can have on our youth. Cyberbullying, unfortunately, is a stark reality of the digital age, often perpetrated by individuals known to the victim. Parents be proactive, foster open communication with your children about online safety and appropriate responses to uncomfortable situations.

With social media platforms now offering safety guides for parents and tools to block or report cyberbullies, it's critical for parents and guardians to educate themselves and their children on these resources.

Below are just some of the applications available to help monitor your child’s phone usage and location.

Life360: Simple application that allows for tracking of location.

Apple Screen Time: Screentime is a built-in control in iPhones. If your child’s phone is connected to your account, you can block specific applications and websites, and limit the time that a child can use a particular app. The Downtime controls in Screen Time also allow you to block all activity outside calls and texting during particular hours.

Additionally, guardians need to have upfront conversations addressing sexting, establishing guidelines for safe online interactions, and recognizing warning signs of unhealthy phone habits. By staying informed and actively engaging with their children, parents can create a safer online environment and mitigate the risks associated with social media use.

On behalf of District Attorney Paul Battisti and all the School Resource Officers, we wish you a healthy and safe summer!

Quarter 4 will end on Friday, June 14, 2024. The year end report cards will be prepared and mailed home on Friday, June 28, 2024.

-We will be collecting Chrome books and chargers form students this week!! Please make sure your student has both items to return on these dates!!

-Locker Cleanout on Friday, June 14th- Backpacks will not be allowed into the building after this date!

Students may now purchase a yearbook for $23! Once the yearbooks arrive in June, the price per yearbook is $25. Cash or check may be given to Mrs. Schneider; checks should be made out to RTS Yearbook.

NYSSMA Solo and Small Ensemble Festival

The weekend of April 26, 2024 several of our RTS music students went to Johnson City High School to participate in the 2024 NYSSMA Solo and Small Ensemble festival. Students spent several months preparing for this event. Students learned a solo and performed it for a certified NYSSMA judge where they received feedback and a rating. All of our students did well and we congratulate all of them for such an accomplishment! The following students represented RTS:

Band: Spencer Coates, Adam Crocker, Vincenzo DiRenzo, Aubrey Eggleston, Grayden Everson, Kennedi Gardinor, Norah Hughes, Elizabeth Igo, Gabrielle Killmeier, Olivia Kutalek, Julian Lawrence, Juliana Lowe, Elizabeth Newby, Calleigh Payne, Luke Reid, Aiden Riley, James, Root, Aiden Ruffo, Emma Stewart, Ava Wilcox.

Vocal: Avarianna Butler, Evelyn Gottshall, Norah Hughes, Elizabeth Igo, Keelin McCrory, Adrianna Schwartz, Ava Wilcox

Orchestra: Emma Bean, Zariah Button, Ann Choi, Kathren Cutusso-Toner, Leigha Jackson, Kealan Kinney, Paige Nabywaniec-Reid, Trevor Osterhout, Sadie Ross, Lillian Spencer, Alexa Timm.

Spring Concert Fever!

The middle school music ensembles are gearing up for the final concert of the year on June 11th, 2024. The concert will be held in the HS Auditorium and the first group will perform at 6:00pm. Remember that concerts are a required part of the students grade and all students should attend. Contact your students ensemble teacher for questions or concerns regarding this.

Please see the attached information with more details. Students will also be bringing this information home from their teachers very soon!

Please make sure that you check out the Bake Sale, hosted by the SVHS Chapter of Tri-M and the HS Music Department, at our spring concert. The funds earned will go toward various trips and scholarships offered by the SVHS Music Department!

Concert Closet

If you have gently used black clothing that you are willing to donate, we will gladly take it! We are always looking for black shirts (both long and short sleeved) and black pants of various sizes. We could also use black shoes in both men's and women's sizes. Please feel free to drop off your donations at the RTS Main Office. We appreciate your help!

Concert Dress: Black Shirts

Black Pants

Black Shoes (or very dark shoes)

NO dresses or skirts, shorts, Crocs, flip flops

6th GRADE BAND, CHORUS & ALL ORCHESTRA STUDENTS:

● Report to HS Music Suite at 5:30pm, in concert dress

● Concert begins at 6:00pm.

● All 6th grade band & chorus students who are not in

orchestra are dismissed after the concert

7th & 8th GRADE:

● Report to HS Music Suite at 6:45pm, in concert dress

● Concert begins at 7:15pm. You are dismissed after

the concert.

● 6th grade orchestra students are dismissed after you

perform.

Concerts are a mandatory part of the RTS music program!

If you arrive early, please visit the HS cafeteria for a music department bake sale!

No students should be in the music suite prior to their called time.

Our Annual Dog Walk and Bake Sale to benefit the BC Humane Society will take place on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 from 5:30-7:00pm.