Rye Neck Middle School
May 3, 2024 - Issue 16
Dear Rye Neck Families,
It's a pleasure to reconnect with each of you through our weekly newsletter. As we dive into the new week, let's celebrate the achievements and progress of our students. Within this newsletter, you'll discover several updates, insights, and highlights from our busy school community. From upcoming events and important announcements to glimpses of student achievements and classroom adventures, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Thank you for entrusting us with the privilege of educating and guiding your children. Wishing you all a week filled with health, joy and cherished moments with your loved ones!
Warm regards,
Dulce
Dr. Dulce Barker
Upcoming Events
- RNSF Kick-off Event: May 6th, 6:30-8:30 PM, 25 North Restaurant
- Teacher Appreciation Week: May 6th - May 10th
- FEB/MS 3-8 NYS Math Exam: May 7th & May 8th
- BOE Planning Session/Final Budget Presentation: May 8th, 9 AM, DW Auditorium
- Combined PAC Meeting: May 13th, 1:15 PM, DW Auditorium
- 6th Grade Trip to SoundWaters: May 17th
Charging Best Practices
With another round of computer-based testing for grades 5-8 next week, AP exams throughout the month of May, and final exams coming up in June, we just want to remind you of some best practices for charging Chromebooks and laptops that contain lithium-ion batteries.
Only use the charger that came with your device or was given to you by the school.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use, storage and charging.
Do not charge devices overnight. In most instances, they only need a few hours to charge.
Do not block the vents on the device.
Do not charge devices on a fabric surface (i.e, a chair, couch, blanket, pillow, bed, or clothing).
If the device starts to get hot, unplug it and let it cool down.
High School Electives in the Arts
Here is a slideshow with Arts Electives for High School.
Yearbook Sales Information
Click on this link to buy the RNMS yearbook: www.yearbookordercenter.com
Then enter code: 40568
Herff Jones will also be sending out sales emails throughout the year! Get your yearbook soon as the price will increase later in the year.
From the Counselors' Corner
Memo from the counselors:
After School Clubs
After school clubs started the week of October 2nd. They are open to students in grades 6-8. Students can try different clubs or if they are in 6th grade they can also participate in intramural sports.
Message from Mr. Ceglia, Director of Athletics
To parents of students interested in participating in FALL Varsity, JV, or Modified (7th/8th grade) Sports:
Fall Sports Participation Information
Important Dates
May 20 & June 10 - Free physicals at HS/MS Nurse’s office. A parent must accompany student.
These will take place between 2 -3pm and a parent must accompany the child
July 28 – Online Athletic Registration Opens for Varsity and JV Sports
August 8 – Online Athletic Registration Opens for Modified Sports
August 20 – Deadline to register for Varsity/JV sports
August 26 – Varsity and JV tryouts/practices begin
August 24 – Deadline to register for Modified sports
September 4 - Modified Sports Info Meeting for 7th & 8th grade students in the Dining Hall- 3pm
September 5 – Modified tryouts/practices begin
September 27 and 28 - Homecoming Weekend
To be eligible to tryout/practice for a sport, each student must be registered online with FamilyID:
You must upload a valid copy of your child’s physical to their FamilyID registration each season.
Please note, the NYS Health Examination Forms have been updated, please make sure all required information is completed on the physical, including Family Cardiac History.
A valid physical is dated within 1 year of the start of practices/tryouts (see dates below).
PLEASE double check to make sure you’ve registered your child for the correct sport.
If your child’s doctor is in Connecticut, they must use the NYS Physical form.
Fall Sport Offerings
Football – Varsity & Modified
Boys Soccer – Varsity, JV & Modified
Girls Soccer - Varsity, JV & Modified
Field Hockey - Varsity, JV & Modified
Girls Volleyball – Varsity, JV & Modified
Girls Tennis - Varsity, JV & Modified
Cross Country (Boys and Girls) - Varsity and Modified
Cheerleading - Varsity
Girls Swimming and Diving - Varsity ONLY and MERGED with Rye HS and Blind Brook
Visit the athletics webpage or contact the Athletic Department at 914.777.4896 with questions.
2023-24 6th Grade Intramurals Schedule
May 6 - May 17, 2024
Boys Tennis
Monday - Friday; 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM; HS Courts
Bring a racquet
Intramural sessions are run by Rye Neck Coaches.
Intramural design will consist of skill development and scrimmaging.
Please use this FamilyID link to register your child for Intramurals:
6th Graders are to report directly to the location indicated below.
Intramurals only run on days school is in session.
Attendance is not mandatory for participation but if you sign up we ask that you make every attempt to attend each day. A student may register for multiple sessions/sports.
Rye Neck Football Clinic Sign Up
The Rye Neck High School football team and coaches will be hosting a clinic for students in grades 2-7. The clinic will cover basic instruction in the areas of catching, throwing, blocking, pass coverage and heads up tackling. It will also include a flag football element. This is a non-contact clinic that will take place over 4 sessions gradually progressing athletes' skills each day. Please be sure to bring athletic attire and sneakers.
- Dates: Monday June 10th - Thursday June 13th
- Time: 3:30 - 4:45
- Location: Rye Neck High School Athletic Fields
- Donation: $60
Next Steps:
- A parent/guardian of the student must complete the sign up form.
- Mail or deliver a check payable to Rye Neck UFSD to:
Rye Neck Athletics
Attention: Darien Bica
300 Hornidge Road
Mamaroneck, NY 10543
***Please indicate students name in memo line of check*** - Help spread the word about this exciting event and share this form with anyone that may be interested!
- Show up ready to work, learn and have an awesome time!
Questions: Please contact Darien Bica at dbica@ryeneck.org
International Compost Awareness Week - Poster Contest
The Village of Mamaroneck Committee for the Environment will be hosting a poster contest for International Compost Awareness Week (May 5-11). The contest will have prizes and all posters will be displayed at the library during International Compost Awareness Week with an event at the library on May 6th.
Fish Hut Fishing Event
Free Youth Fishing Event: Jun 2, 2024
Time: 12-1pm
Location: Mamaroneck Marine Education
Special Guests: Senator Mayer
Come to the Mamaroneck Marine Education Center on June 2, 2024 from 12-1pm! Learn how to fish and care for marine animals with experts from Fish Hut and Marine Education Center. Celebrate Fish Hut Summer Fishing Festival June 1- August 12, 2024! Lots of prizes to be won! Our special guest: Nothing Bundt Cakes! This event is proudly brought to you by Fish Hut and Nothing Bundt Cakes. Lots of exciting raffle prizes! Sign up is through this google form.
Playbill Tribute Ads for Cast & Crew of Matilda Jr.
Playbill Tribute ads are now available for purchase for the CAST & CREW of Matilda Jr. Show your support by submitting an ad for your child! See doc and contact Jennifer Dallow at jdallow@ryeneck.org for questions.
Acceptable Use Policy
Code of Conduct
Rye Neck Schools Academic Integrity Agreement
PTSA Event Calendar
Rye Neck School Foundation
Rye Neck has a new kid on the block - the Rye Neck School Foundation (RNSF)! The RNSF will accelerate excellence at our schools by funding state-of-the-art projects and programs that amplify the educational, artistic and athletic experiences of Rye Neck students.
Please join members of the RNSF, Administration, and BOE at 25 North Restaurant on Monday, May 6th from 6:30-8:30pm to learn more about the foundation and enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres and drinks. To get involved and to participate in the RNSF's two new fundraising campaigns - the Golden Ticket Raffle and "Panther Paver" brick project - please also visit www.ryeneckschoolfoundation.org.
News From The Classroom
6th Grade Art - Ms. Appel: Students just finished working on their Abstract Spider Web Designs inspired by Sarah Morris. They started with a focal point and created different lines radiating from their central shape and then filled in the areas with different colors, patterns, and values. Next, they will learn about Roy Lichtenstein and the Pop Art movement to create sound word drawings.
7th Grade ELA B - Mr. Macli: We will finish reading The Giver and take our final poll on freedom versus safety. We will also explore the topic of what we value most in our ideal society and take a final test on the book.
7th Grade Art - Ms. Appel: Students are continuing to work on their Grid Drawings inspired by Chuck Close. They have been working very hard, drawing box by box, in order to create an accurately enlarged drawing of their candy or food wrappers. They have paid close attention to detail in order to make their work highly realistic. This week they have also started to add color to their work!
8th Grade ELA - Ms. Toolan: The eighth grade English classes will study William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. The students will study Shakespeare’s life and the Globe Theater to better understand his craft and purpose. Most of the reading of the play will be done as a class which will allow for a variety of opportunities to experience both its depth and entertainment value. Near the end of the month, the students will begin reading Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak, a young adult novel whose female protagonist starts high school dealing with the aftermath of calling the police to an end-of-the-summer party. She struggles to find her voice while trying to come to terms with what happened. The novel addresses many topics the 8th graders will deal with as they transition into high school. Please note, the novel deals with mature themes that you may wish to discuss further with your child.
Also, this quarter’s independent reading will offer a variety of book choices written with diversity and inclusivity in mind. If you think you might have any concerns, the list is attached below. Feel free to preview books to help guide your child’s book choice:
Independent Reading - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - 4th Quarter
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
Anything But Typical by Nora Baskin
Starfish - Akemi Dawn Bowman
The Breadwinner - Deborah Ellis
Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
How to Find What You’re Not Looking For - Veera Hiranandani
New Kid by Jerry Kraft
A Mango-Shaped Space by Wendy Mass
Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X Kendi
Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
Dear Martin by Nic Stone
The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman
8th Grade Art - Ms. Appel: Students have been learning about Andy Warhol and the Pop Art movement as well as different printmaking techniques. They have made their own printing plates by carving into styrofoam and have focused on endangered animals as the subject for their work. Andy Warhol did an entire series on endangered species to help raise awareness and hopefully through their work, students will be able to do that as well! This week they started printing with white ink and a variety of colors, overlapping throughout their compositions.
Arts Department:
Library - Ms. Costelloe: On Wednesday, May 1st, we were treated to a visit with author Veera Hiranandani. Veera met with students and teachers from each grade in the PAC as she shared the inspiration for writing each of her books and shared tips and ideas for being a better writer.
All students were given the option to join Veera for a Writers’ Workshop during lunch, and twelve of our most passionate writers participated. Students responded to writing prompts and moved their perspectives fluidly between first, second and third person, sharing their results along the way. Students who were previously in Mr. McKeon’s Writers’ Workshops at FEB remembered meeting Veera virtually in one of their sessions!
Thank you to the PTSA for continuing to fund these amazing experiences that nurture our readers and writers. A special thank you to Megan Getraer, the PTSA Author Visit Chair, for her help in facilitating the visit.