November 15, 2024

Dear Parents/Guardians,

It would seem that autumn weather has finally arrived, but happily our chilly mornings still turn into beautiful fall afternoons.

This week brought a bit of normalcy back to the school, as last week we had the hustle and bustle of schedule changes and our Veteran’s Day Celebration. Next week brings our parent conference night on Thursday, the 21st, the last week of our RHAM Gear Fundraiser, and a half day on Friday, the 22nd, for Staff Development.

Basketball tryouts have wrapped up, our winter sport teams are set, and we are ready for a banner season! RHAM Players (Drama) club is gearing up for auditions of their upcoming show, Matilda (see info below), and all of our other clubs are in full swing.

PSAT 8 scores are in. Please see directions in the Guidance News section below on how to help your child set up a College Board account and receive the PSAT 8 scores.

Please note the other news and reminders that follow, as well as order forms for both RHAM Gear and the Poinsettia Fundraiser, and important information from AHM about their Holiday Gift Drives.

As always, please let us know if you have any questions.

Enjoy the weekend.

Thank you.

Michael Seroussi

PARENT CONFERENCE SIGN UP PORTAL OPENS ON NOVEMBER 12TH @ 7:00 AM.

Are you missing something? Chances are it’s in the Lost and Found. Please check the tables by the front office to see if any of the items found in the Cafe, hallways and classrooms belong to you! Did you have gym last quarter? Many items came from the locker rooms - come take a look! Any items not claimed by Friday, November 22nd will be donated.

This year's RHAM Gear fundraiser is underway! Shop Raptor's shirts, joggers, sweatshirts, and new this year, RHAM Raptor magnets! Stock up on warm gear for the winter, or get a jump on your holiday shopping! Your student should have received an order form, but it is also available in the MS Office, below, and on the RHAM MS website. Orders are due to the Middle School Office no later than Friday, 11/22. Payment can be made with cash, or checks payable to Regional School District 8. Orders should be ready for pickup the second week of December.

• November 19 - Wolfpack School Day Field Trip: REACH Program

• November 21 - Parent Conferences; 4:00 - 7:00 PM
• November 22 - RHAM Gear Fundraiser Orders Due
• November 22 - Early Dismissal: 11:45 AM
• November 27 - Early Dismissal: 11:45 AM
• November 28-29 - NO SCHOOL; School Recess
• November 30- Poinsettia Fundraiser Ends

• December 4 - 8th Grade Fundraiser Starts: Double Good
• December 7 - CMEA Eastern Regional Auditions
• December 8 - 8th Grade Fundraiser Ends
• December 8 - Poinsettias Ready For Pickup
• December 10 - Ski/Snowboard Safety Meeting: 2:15-3:00
• December 11 - Early Dismissal: 11:45 AM

• December 20 - Band to Bushnell Performing Arts Center

• December 20 - Early Dismissal: 11:45 AM
• December 23-31 - NO SCHOOL; School Recess

Dr. Colin McNamara continues his goal to meet as many parents and community members as possible. To help in this effort, he has added new opportunities this school year for "Coffee and Conversation" with community members at the dates listed below. We hope you are able to attend one of the listed times. Please make sure to bring a photo ID, and watch for any updates due to weather or other circumstances.

Middle School Media Center - Small Conference Room

All dates listed below are from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Thursday, September 26th

Thursday, November 14th

Wednesday, January 15th

Wednesday, March 19th

Wednesday, May 21st

High School Media Center

All dates listed below are from 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Thursday, October 24th

Thursday, December 12th

Thursday, February 6th

Thursday, April 10th

Chronic absenteeism has become a significant issue in schools in Connecticut and Nationwide. Being chronically absent has a huge impact on a student’s ability to read at grade level, perform academically, and graduate on time. Good attendance can help children do well in school, and eventually in the workplace.

Chronic absence measures lost time from learning. It is defined as missing 10 percent or more of the total number of days enrolled during the school year. Just two days per month can lead to chronic absence. It includes both excused, unexcused, and out-of-school suspensions. For example, a student who has been enrolled for the first 30 school days at the beginning of the school year, and has been absent three of those days, is chronically absent. If a student misses 18 days in one school year, they are chronically absent.

To learn more about why school attendance matters, when to be concerned about your child's absences, and 10 tips on how to get your child to school on time everyday, check out this article on healthychildren.org. If you have concerns about your child's absences or if you notice they are struggling to get to school regularly please reach out to us.

Grade 7: In November, School Counselors will be in the classroom teaching a lesson entitled Defining Harassment and Student's Rights. For this lesson, School Counselors teach from a Google Slide presentation. Click here to preview this lesson. This lesson covers Bullying vs, Harassment, Sexual Harassment (Flirting vs. Sexual Harassment), what to do if a student feels they are being harassed, and what their rights are. Most of the content in this lesson is state mandated. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your child's School Counselor. Below are the dates this lesson will be taught on each team:

Red- November 21st

Gold- November 22nd

Inquiry 7- November 27th

Grade 8: In October, 8th graders took the PSAT 8/9 during the school day, and these scores were recently released. Students can access their scores by going to https://studentscores.collegeboard.org/home and creating an account. When creating the account, students should use their SCHOOL EMAIL address. We're asking you to help students create their College Board accounts with you at home because they will need some information from you. In December, School Counselors will be in 8th grade classrooms explaining how students can interpret their score report, so please work with your child on creating their College Board account prior to December 1st. You can view this slide presentation for a step by step guide in creating the account.

With holidays quickly approaching, it’s time for another Holiday Gift Card Drive to support our RHAM community! The AHM school-based therapists run a gift card drive to supplement Hebron Interfaith’s support for the families in our community during the holiday season. We are collecting gift cards from major stores (Amazon, Target, Walmart, Visa gift cards, Grocery stores, etc). The gift cards can be in varying amounts, however, purchases over $50 are preferred by purchasing multiple cards in lower amounts.

We are collecting the gift cards from now until December 13th by the end of the day. Please drop all gift cards off to Ryanne Gatti in HS guidance or Jayne Carlman in MS guidance. Leaving the cards in our mailbox is fine as well.

Thank you for your support and spreading Holiday cheer!

Thanksgiving Meal Assistance: Due by Nov 8th

https://form.jotform.com/202714400634141

Holiday Gift Assistance: Due by Nov 22nd

https://fosrm.jotform.com/202708237483154

It is with great enthusiasm SOAR Youth Leadership shares that we are recipients of the Youth Gambling Awareness Grant!! Students who choose to participate will have the opportunity to create a marketing campaign/video bringing awareness to online sports betting and youth! If your student is interested in participating in this unique opportunity that provides students the chance to grow in leadership skills, knowledge about policy and more, please email AHM Prevention Coordinator Ashleep@ahmyouth.org Our project kick off meeting will take place Nov.19th from 2:15-3:15pm at the RHAM fishbowl where we will enjoy a special snack, listen to our guest speaker who shares his knowledge in the area of gambling and youth, and begin to plan our project!

Do you have pictures of your RHAM Middle School student at a sporting event, school dance, or other school activity? Please use the QR code below to share these photos to our yearbook team for possible submission in our 2025 yearbook!

Attention Parents!

If you would like your child to be able to receive Tylenol, Motrin, cough drops or lotion during the school day, please make sure you have logged onto Power School and updated your child's Consent to Treat form for this school year.

Access the form on the RHAM Middle School Website under the PARENTS tab:

• Parent Portal
• Forms
• Enrollment
• Health Authorization

Attendance - Absence/Late Arrival/Early Dismissal

FRIENDLY REMINDER - If your child is going to be absent from school, arriving late, or dismissing early, you must report to the school by either filling out the Nurse's Office Form or calling (860)228-9423 X4008 by 8:30 A.M. (Please note that a phone call will need to be followed up with written notification.) The link to the Attendance Form can also be found on the RHAM Middle School website under the “Parents” tab. Additionally, you can scan the QR code located on the RHAM Schools website to access the Attendance Form.

Attention 8th grade parents - This is a reminder that every 8th grade student is required to have a physical form submitted to the school. If your child does not have a current physical on file, you will have been notified, and this needs to be handed in ASAP. The physical needs to be dated July 1, 2022 or later to be accepted.

Attention 7th grade parents - This is a reminder that every 7th grade student is required to have a physical during their 6th or 7th grade year. The physical must be dated between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2025. Please submit your child's physical, along with their most current immunization record to the school nurse as soon as possible.

Please click on the link below for a blank copy of the health assessment form.

Students can bring the paperwork to the nurse's office or you may email it to mshealthoffice@rhamschools.org . Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the health office.

https://sites.google.com/rhamschools.org/healthoffice/required-physicals

Whitson's is currently hiring for two Food Service positions. Interested applicants should go to www.whitsons.com to apply for RHAM #8.

We have two lunch waves at RHAM Middle School. The first wave starts at 10:35am and the second wave starts at 11:20am. We know that students often get hungry before and after lunch, so they may bring a snack to keep in their locker. We would like to remind everyone that because of allergies, no nut products are allowed in school.

Shannon Nemethy, General Manager

Email: Shannon.Nemethy@rhamschools.org

Office: 860-228-9474 ext. 3710

Where Can I Find the Menu?

https://www.fdmealplanner.com/

There are times when families find themselves in need of support to ensure that their children are able to get lunch at school. If you are in need of assistance, please see the Free/Reduced information under the parent tab and then click on food service.

Middle School is the first opportunity for students to participate in a full school sport. Some of the teams at this level are try-out based and others are open to all students. See below under the Winter Athletic Information if your student is interested in joining athletics.

Registration for Winter Athletics is now open. For Middle School, we offer Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Wrestling, and Cheerleading. Scheduling information for tryouts and start of season will be published at a later date.

Students must be in full compliance with all Interscholastic Athletic Requirements to be eligible for participation. See registration requirements below.

RHAM Student-Athlete Pre-Season Participation Checklist

1.) Complete and submit registration via FINAL FORMS

• If you have an account already, log in and use previous information to register for current season.
• If this is you or your family’s first time registering for athletic participation through Final Forms, create a new account and register for the current season. Your information is now saved and will make future registrations easy.

2.) Submit a valid State of CT School Health Assessment Record Form to the Athletic Director’s Office or electronically via Final Forms.

• Page 1-Completed and signed by parents.
• Page 2-Completed and signed by medical provider.

Link: CT Health Assessment Record Form

***YOUR PHYSICAL EXAM FOR ATHLETICS EXPIRES AFTER 13 MONTHS. AN EXPIRED PHYSICAL WILL RESULT IN INELIGIBILITY***

3.) Complete an ImPACT concussion baseline test. (Click Link)

• These expire every two years. If you do not have an up to date concussion baseline test, you will not be able to participate. Upon registering on Final Forms, you will be able to check the expiration status. If no information is listed, email daniel.trudeau@rhamschools.org to notify.
• If your test is expired you may retake it at home by following the instructions provided in the appropriate link below.

-MIDDLE SCHOOL AT-HOME CONCUSSION BASELINE TEST INSTRUCTIONS

--

Dan Trudeau

RHAM High School & Middle School

Athletic Director

(860)228-9474 ext. 3411

Pursue Excellence, Inspire Others, & Make A Positive Difference Today

• Late buses run Monday - Thursday (No Fridays).

• Students are picked up at the Middle School around 4:00pm.

• There is 1 bus per town.

• Bus routes are determined at the time of pickup, based upon how many students are on the bus and student locations. The length of time it takes to get home will vary. You might not be dropped off at your actual home, you could be dropped off up to 1 mile away.

• You will report to the library after your activity or event and wait there doing school work, etc. until the late bus arrives.

• You must be staying after school for an event or activity.

• You cannot leave the school grounds then come back to take the late bus.

You can follow your child's bus in real time through the My Ride K-12 app or website. Instructions to set up your account can be found through the linked picture to the right.

Bus Traffic

All buses will enter RHAM from Route 85 and RHAM Road. The buses will proceed along the bus lane between the schools and the middle school baseball and high school softball fields. All middle and high school students will be dropped off in the morning and picked up in the afternoon at the high school drop off area and the buses will then leave RHAM through the main high school exit onto Wall Street. All students will enter through the High School main entrance. No parent vehicles will be permitted to enter the bus lane leading to the high school and staff parking area.

Morning Drop Off Directions

High school parents dropping their children off must enter the high school drop-off loop off of Wall Street and drop their children off at the drop-off area that is across from the weight room and Central office (See map). Parents must then exit back onto Wall Street. Parents dropping off students will not be allowed to enter any of the parking areas.

Middle school parents dropping their children off may enter from Wall Street through the high school entrance adjacent to the Wall Street practice fields or from RHAM road. Parents entering from Wall Street must proceed along the access road adjacent to the tennis courts and drop their children off in front of the middle school main entrance (See map for drop off/pickup areas). Parents must then take a left at the stop sign and exit onto Route 85 via RHAM Road.

Parents entering from RHAM Road must take a right into the student drop off loop, and then follow the signs that will lead you to the drop-off point in front of the middle school main entrance. Parents must then take a left at the stop sign and exit onto Route 85 via RHAM Road. Parents are not allowed to enter the main staff parking area.

Parents with both middle and high school students must make one drop-off and enter the high school drop-off loop off of Wall Street and drop their children off at the drop-off area that is across from the weight room and Central office (See map). Parents must then exit back onto Wall Street. Middle school students dropped off at the high school will walk through the high school and proceed to the middle school.

Afternoon Pick Up Directions

High school parents picking their children up must enter through the main high school entrance on Wall Street and pick their children up at the pick up/drop off area immediately in front of the weight room. Parents must then exit back onto Wall Street from the exit adjacent to the Wall Street practice fields. Parents picking up students will not be allowed to enter any of the parking areas.

Middle school parents picking their children up must enter from Wall Street through the high school entrance adjacent to the Wall Street practice fields or enter from RHAM road. Parents entering from Wall Street must proceed along the access road adjacent to the tennis courts and pick up their children in front of the middle school main entrance. Parents entering from RHAM Road must take a right into the Parent Drop-off loop and then follow the signs that will lead you to the Pick-up point in front of the middle school main entrance. Parents picking up at the end of the day may wait along the right side of the access road in front of RHAM Middle School. Please do not double park on the left side of the access road. Parents are not allowed to enter the main staff parking area. Parents must then take a left at the stop sign and exit onto Route 85 via RHAM Road.

Parents with both middle and high school students can either pick up both students using either the high school or middle school pick-up area or pick up first at the high school and then proceed down to the middle school pick-up area.

Student Directions

High school students parking in the upper or lower student parking lots must enter and exit through the Wall Street student entrance (see map) adjacent to the Wall Street fields.

Link to MS Maps

Link to HS Map