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Rye Neck Middle School
April 19, 2024 - Issue 15
Dear Rye Neck Families,
We hope this message finds you well! We're excited to share that our students had a fantastic time at Binary Bingo, hosted by the high school AI club on Wednesday. It was a fun and engaging event that showcased everyone’s skills and enthusiasm for technology. As we enter the last quarter of the year, we're filled with anticipation for sunnier days ahead. Spring for us, as for plants, is a time for growth, renewal, and exciting opportunities. Please take a few minutes to read through the newsletter to learn about these wonderful opportunities.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Warm regards,
Dulce
Dr. Dulce Barker
Upcoming Events
- Holiday Recess - School Closed: April 22nd & April 23rd
- Grades 6-8 Author Visit - Veera Hiranandani: May 1st
- RNSF Kick-off Event: May 6th, 6:30-8:30 PM, 25 North Restaurant
- FEB/MS 3-8 NYS Math Exam: May 7th & May 8th
- BOE Planning Session/Final Budget Presentation: May 8th, 9 AM, DW Auditorium
Student of the Month (SOTM)
Congratulations to Milena R., Haley M., Matthew B., Dash P., Alejandro R. and Sarah G. for being chosen as March’s students-of-the-month! Students were nominated for their notable consideration toward others, outstanding attitude, exemplary character, individual achievement, leadership, and significant progress in the class. Here are some thoughts from each of this month’s recipients:
Milena:
Being selected as student of the month is an honor and I am very grateful.
Dash:
I'm very proud to be student of the month and to be recognized for my hard work throughout the school year.
A quote that inspires me is from Peter Pan, "The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it." To me this means that you shouldn't let your fears stop you. A piece of advice that I'd give to my peers is to be curious and to be kind to others.
Sarah:
I am honored to be selected as student of the month. Thank you. I hope to become a person who can deserve this kind of award.
"Sadness to strength, greed to forgiveness, and anger shall change to wisdom." - Kenji Miyazawa
"Although it might not always show, remember that effort will be rewarded in some way."
Alejandro:
To be selected as student of the month is a reminder to continue having good character and to continue my efforts to become the best student I can be.
"The greatest glory in living lies not in never failing, but in rising every time we fall." These motivational words were shared by Nelson Mandela.
My advice to my peers is to never let a bad grade bring you down. Let it be a reminder to study or work harder on your next assignment.
Haley:
One quote I would say, "Try your best even when you don't think you're able to do it."
I feel honored being picked because I work hard in school and it helps me know that my hard work is paying off.
Matthew:
The advice I would give to my peers is to always be nice to people and to act like the golden rule, which is to treat people how you want to be treated. A quote that inspires me is, "Every day brings new choices."
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.
Bike Safety
We would like to remind you of some bike safety rules.
By law, all children ages 13 and under must wear a helmet while riding a bike. In Mamaroneck, bicycle riders must consider the safety of pedestrians on sidewalks (and must dismount and walk their bikes on Mamaroneck Avenue).
Unlike joggers, bicyclists should ride in the same direction as auto traffic while on the road.
Students must be mindful of how they are riding their bicycles while on our MS/HS campus. There are lots of staff, students and parents walking and many cars that are driving during arrival and dismissal.
Please review this New York State resource on Bike Safety. Please remember that all of us who use the roads, whether on foot, on a bike, or in a car, have to pay attention to each other to prevent physical injury.
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. The club presentation as well as the schedule for intramural sports is below.
2023-24 6th Grade Intramurals Schedule
2023 - 2024
6th Grade Intramurals Schedule
School Days
Monday - Friday
3:00PM - 4:00PM
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.
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:
Research Tech - Ms. Costelloe: After spending a number of weeks expanding our toolkit of authoritative places to find information, we’re taking a break to focus on the harm in bullying/cyberbullying and the importance of being an upstander, rather than a bystander. It’s a timely follow-up to the presentation by Steve Goldberg, the Educational Director from the Holocaust and Human Rights Center, who spoke about antisemitism, racism, and discrimination.
Arts Department:
7th Grade ELA B - Mr. Macli: As we continue reading The Giver, the class will discuss the role of the Receiver and whether or not the community could function without one. We will also continue to debate what is most valuable to each of us in society: freedom or safety.
Social Studies 7 - Mr. Magnani, Mr. Scozzari & Ms. Davey: The start of the 4th quarter brought an end to our 7th unit which examined the early presidencies of Washington, Adams and Jefferson. The test was given on April 17th. Before the next unit begins, students will complete a research paper on an American President. Choosing from a list of 6, they will begin their research in class after the Passover break. Mrs. Costelloe from the library will come in and assist the students with a refresher of using the Noodle Tools electronic note card system as well. Students will be responsible for a 1 to 2 page typed research paper - a description of the research paper can be found HERE. During the week of April 29th, students will be finishing research papers for homework and they will be collected at the end of the week. Please help us to monitor your student's progress by checking in with them nightly and asking to see their work.
7th Grade Art - Ms. Appel: Students just finished their unit on printmaking in which they learned about Andy Warhol and studied his art style. They created their own printing plates out of styrofoam with a focus on using domestic animals as their subject matter. They created colorful prints and collaged their four best ones together on a background. Next, they will be learning about Chuck Close and using the grid method to create enlarged drawings of candy or food wrappers.
8th Grade Art - Ms. Appel: Students just finished learning about Albrecht Dürer and looked at how he used detailed lines and textures in his work. They focused on symmetry in order to create insects using different line textures and then painted their backgrounds using analogous colors. Next, students will be learning about Andy Warhol and printmaking.
Enrichment - Ms. Costelloe: The STEM Club, which meets Friday after school, just received a classroom set of robotics. It was exciting to begin working with the many online resources provided by VEX Robotics as we begin building and programming robots.
All are welcome to join us and I encourage any interested students to experiment with the Virtual Robotics Programming site. We'll have access to an upgraded VR Programming site shortly, offering 20+ playgrounds and 3-D views. If your child can’t make it to the STEM Club meetings on Friday afternoons and would like access to the enhanced programming site, please send me an email and I will provide access as soon as we have it up and running!
Library - Ms. Costelloe: On Wednesday May 1st, we will have author Veera Hiranandani visit with our students. Her most recent middle-grade novel, How to Find What You're Not Looking For, received the 2022 Sydney Taylor Book Award, the 2022 Jane Addams Book Award, and was a finalist for the 2022 National Jewish Book Award. It's also a Junior Library Guild selection and was named a 2021 Best Children's Book of the Year by Amazon, Kirkus Reviews, and Imagination Soup. The Newbery Honor winning, The Night Diary, also received the 2019 Walter Dean Myers Honor Award, the 2018 Malka Penn Award for Human Rights in Children's Literature.
A signed book is always a wonderful memento of an author’s presentation. If you would like to have any books signed by the author, please feel free to make your purchase independently and have your child bring the book(s) to the Library, with a post-it note on each indicating:
NAME
HOMEROOM
NAME FOR AUTHOR’S INSCRIPTION
When making your purchase, please consider either visiting an independent bookstore or using Bookshop.org, an online vendor that donates the full profit from your book sale to independent bookstores, including the bookstore of your choice.
Veera’s middle school titles include:
The Night Diary
Shy twelve-year-old Nisha, forced to flee her home with her Hindu family during the 1947 partition of India, tries to find her voice and make sense of the world falling apart around her by writing to her deceased Muslim mother in the pages of her diary.
Amil and the After
In 1948, 12-year-old Amil, who is both Muslim and Hindu, struggles to find his place in Bombay, India, until his twin sister suggests he tell his story through drawings meant for their late mother as he tries to find hope and a sense of belonging in a chaotic world.
How to Find What You’re Not Looking For
Middle schooler Ariel Goldberg must find her own voice and define her own beliefs after her big sister elopes with a young man from India following the Supreme Court decision that strikes down laws banning interracial marriage.
The Whole Story of Half a Girl
When Sonia's father loses his job and she must move from her small, supportive private school to a public middle school, where the half-Jewish, half-Indian sixth-grader experiences culture shock as she tries to navigate the school's unfamiliar social scene, and after her father is diagnosed with clinical depression, she finds herself becoming even more confused about herself and her family.
Her work is also included in the following anthologies:
America Street: A Multicultural Anthology of Stories
A collection of short stories that brilliantly capture defining moments in the lives of a diverse group of American children and teens.
Boundless: Twenty Voices Celebrating Multicultural And Multiracial Identities
From platonic and romantic love to grief and heartbreak, these twenty stories explore navigating life at the intersection of identities, and what it means to grow up surrounded by a multitude of traditions, languages, cultures, and interpersonal dynamics.
We’re so grateful to the PTSA for funding this visit, and to Megan Getraer, the PTSA Author Visit Chair, for her help in organizing the many logistics.