The Raptor Report

• 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)

*All dates are subject to change*

**Sport and activity dates can be found under appropriate labeled sections below**

RHAM Schools are looking to fill multiple paraeducator openings for the 2024-25 school year. We welcome individuals who are caring, compassionate, and committed to student success to apply. RHAM strives to provide students with a positive learning experience in a supportive environment and paraeducators play a huge role in accomplishing this goal.

As a paraeducator, you will:

• provide instructional support of lesson plans, under the direction of a classroom teacher
• serve as a positive and nurturing guide for students
• supervise students in both instructional and assessment activities
• model professional and ethical standards when interacting with students, parents, staff, and the community
• attend to students' physical, personal, academic, and emotional needs, providing assistance when necessary
• establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with students and staff

• HS diploma
• Effective communication skills
• An understanding of the basic principles of child development
• Associates degree or higher OR passing of theParaPro assessment

**Click the picture to access the website**

We would like to thank Dunkin Donuts for the wonderful donation of coffee and donuts for our staff on the last day of school!

We will be looking for students to help us out at our Walk Around Days on August 15th and 20th by volunteering to be tour guides! A sign up form has been shared with 7th graders in their School Counseling Classroom allowing them to sign up to help us out on one or both of the days. This is a great opportunity for our soon to be 8th graders to show some leadership.

Grade 8: All 8th grade students should have had the opportunity to take a peek at their 9th grade schedule at this point. Please keep in mind that schedules can still change over the summer. Once students get their official grade 9 schedule you/they can reach out to their high school School Counselor with any questions!

We wish all of the 8th graders best of luck in high school and beyond!

Summer Reading and Math:

With summer upon us, please review the summer reading and math information below.

Math - Current 7th Graders/Rising 8th Graders have summer work to complete online in Khan Academy. Students have been getting their log in information from their math teachers as the year draws to a close. Please ask your student about it and write down their username and password somewhere safe! There is no online summer work for rising 9th graders attending RHAM High School.

Grade 7 students currently in Math 7 or Math 7 Honors:

Please see "Khan Academy Instructions" for the student instructions. You should be enrolling during class time before the end of the school year. While working, students need to complete the “Summer Math Reflection” sheet (included in the linked handout). This reflection sheet will be collected by the 8th grade math teacher when school begins.

Grade 7 students currently in Algebra 1 and taking Geometry Honors in 8th grade next year:

The summer work for incoming Geometry Honors 8th is included in the "Geo Assistments Instructions." While working, students need to complete the “Summer Math Reflection” sheet (included in the linked handout). This reflection sheet will be collected by the 8th grade math teacher when school begins.

Grade 7 students currently in Math 7 and leveling up to Algebra 1 in Grade 8:

Students leveling up from regular Math 7 to Algebra 1 in 8th grade will work on ALEKS over the summer. Mr. LaChance sent account information home via parent e-mail addresses. Students will be expected to make at least 90% progress in the Pre-Algebra curriculum in ALEKS. (These students will be exempt from Khan Academy work described above.)

English/Reading - Current 6th and 7th/Rising 7th and 8th 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!

Rising 9th Graders - if your student is moving up to RHAM High School, they may have summer work to complete. All of this information can be found in the RHAM High School Summer Reading 2024 packet, published on the RHAM High School Media Center page. Please check the list below:

• Honors English 9 - Please read Great Expectation by Charles Dickens. Check your student email from a message from Mrs. Erami with a link to the assigned work. Read it carefully and email her with any questions!
• Honors General Science/9th Grade - Please see the suggested list of science-based summer reading to expand your knowledge of the scientific world.

Anyone interested in basket ball scrimmage camp would register at the Hebron Parks & Rec web site . We have weeks available for both boys and girls and it’s open to all in grades 6-9.

Wednesday Teen Time @ the library! Beginning June 5th, and every Wednesday from 5:00pm to 6:00pm, we'll have activities, crafts, and programs for teens ages 12-17. Check out the calendar at douglaslibrary.org to find out what's happening each week, or for more information email elliot@douglaslibrary.org.

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

Club & Activities - New Dates & Times have been updated for the 2023-2024 school year:

It is never too late to join a club or activity. Even if a club has already started, most clubs have the ability for you to jump right into. Please see the office or club advisor for details

• 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. The club meets every other Thursday from 2:15 to 3:15 in room 103 Mr. Conroy’s room. Any questions please contact Mr. Conroy.

• The Drama Club: Will be holding auditions for 'Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic' on Wednesday, September 6th and Friday, September 8th after school in the auditorium. All those interested may pick up an audition packet from the main office. Any questions please contact Ms. Emma Filosa

• 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.

• 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. Please see the announcement above with links to forms and information.

• 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 - 8:15 pm starting on September 11th. 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! First meeting will be Thursday September 21st.

• 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. Starting on Wednesday September 27th.

• Math Lab: Math lab is a quiet working time for students who are looking for extra help or enrichment in their math classes. It is a drop-in program after school on Tuesdays. Students do not need to sign up in advance to attend. You may drop in any Tuesday or Thursday from 2:20 - 3:30 in Mrs. Kane’s room 101 and Ms. Wang's room 217.

• 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. 10/18/2023

• 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. 10/25/2023.

• 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. Start date of this club is 10/19/2023.

• 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. Starting date September 13, 2023.
• 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 will meet 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.
  
• SOAR Youth Leadership Group: Welcomes students from RHAM Middle School and RHAM High School who would like to make positive changes on the RHAM campus through service and education by planning small events and activities that focus on mental health awareness and healthy lifestyle choices. Google Classroom Code: fpkati3
  
• Writing Lab – Writing lab is a quiet working time for students who are looking for extra help or enrichment with their writing. It is a drop-in program after school on Wednesdays. Students do not need to sign up in advance to attend. Students please check the morning bulletins to see dates on when this lab is running. Start date February 14, 2024.