RMS November 2024 Newsletter

Here we are in November just a couple weeks away from wrapping up trimester 1. RMS just wrapped a fun spirit week where students could dress up as whatever the theme was for the day. Both students and staff alike had fun dressing up for each day. Memories certainly were made.

Today students were invited to participate in an all school election. Social Studies teachers organized the experience for students to learn about elections with an emphasis on the voting process. Students had a choice whether or not to vote, yet all students engaged in learning around elections and how they work, including looking at real ballots. Families are encouraged to talk with their student(s) about their learning and are also welcome to reach out to Social Studies teachers with any other curiosities about the lesson.

Another topic students will learn about in Royal Rally this week is our updated hats/hoods policy. Students will be able to wear their hats and hoods at school moving forward. As a learning community we wish to spend our energy serving students in ways where we prioritize their sense of belonging and comfort at school. This includes trying to have policies that are less outdated and more relevant to who our students are today. With this update comes an expectation that hats and hoods do not cause any disruption to learning. Staff will intervene if disruptions over hats/hoods occur. In Royal Rally, students will talk about what it means to appropriately follow this expectation. We invite you to talk with your student about whether or not wearing their hat/hood at school is best for their learning.

I wish to offer a few reminders on other policies at RMS. Cell phones are not allowed 7:55 a.m. - 3:05 p.m. If a student brings their cell phone to school, it should be put away during the school day. This means cell phones should not be visible (i.e. holding their cell phones in hand). Furthermore, wearing earbuds or headphones is not allowed unless there is permission from a staff member because there is a learning need. Should any of these items get damaged or go missing, the school does not assume responsibility as they are not supposed to have those items at school. Staff will enforce this policy by giving students reminders, admin referral and or a request to hand their phone over until the end of the day.

Finally, there has been an increase in students bringing blankets to school. Students should utilize their locker to have clothing they can access to feel comfortable throughout the day. Using blankets throughout the school day is not allowed. Please take some time to talk with your students about these updates with your student(s).

In closing, I wish to thank our parent volunteers who helped out at our photo booth during spirit week as well as parents who volunteered to help with the simulated school election. We are so thankful to have this partnership with our parent volunteers!

Have a wonderful week.

The Anoka-Hennepin Schools Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) is hosting a resource information night for families of students with special needs to learn about resources available in the community. Vendors for sports, camps, and community services will be in attendance.

• When: Thursday, Nov. 14 from 6-7:30 p.m.

• Where: Educational Service Center, 2727 N Ferry St., Anoka. Enter through Door 7 and meet in Erling Johnson rooms C and D.

Families will be able to speak with various vendors at stations that will be set up in the rooms.

The SEAC intends to provide tools and resources to help guardians of children receiving special education services and collaborate with the district to promote continuous growth of special education services to best meet the needs of students. Members serve as representatives of district learners with disabilities from birth through age 22. SEAC strives to promote, educate and share resources between families, schools, and communities.

The council is a partnership between parents/guardians and the school district and meets four times (three in person and one virtual) during the school year.