RAMS Raider's Den for Sept 26, 2024

Dear Roseville Area Middle School Families,

Often times Middle School will be the first time students may start using social media. As we navigate the complexities of middle school, it’s become increasingly clear that social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok are having a significant impact on our students. While these platforms can be fun and creative spaces, they often lead to misunderstandings and conflicts that spill over into our school environment.

Many of our students struggle to interpret the complex comments and interactions online, which can result in feelings of anxiety and confusion. Unfortunately, this means we often find ourselves dedicating valuable time and resources to investigate issues that arise from social media interactions.

To help mitigate these challenges, we ask for your partnership. Here are a few ways you can support our efforts at school:

1. Engage in Conversations: Talk to your child about the potential dangers of cyberbullying and the importance of respectful communication online.

2. Monitor Social Media Use: Regularly check in on your child’s social media accounts. Encourage them to share their online experiences with you.

3. Set Restrictions: Consider implementing screen time limits or app restrictions to help your child manage their social media use effectively.

4. Encourage Positive Use: Help your child understand how to use social media positively—focusing on connection, creativity, and kindness.

By working together, we can create a more supportive environment for our students both online and at school. Thank you for your continued support in making our community a safe and respectful space for everyone.

Learning for ALL,

Heidi George

Volleyball is off to a great start! We have 6 teams with over 90 girls participating. The scheduled is attached, so come cheer on the team!

The Girls’ Soccer team is having a good season! We are so proud of the progress the girls are making! The schedule is also attached for Girls’ Soccer! Come encourage the girls and watch them play!

Football is divided up into a 7th Grade team and an 8th Grade team. The teams travel to many different places to play! The season is going well. Football schedule is also attached. The Football team would love to have more fans at their games!

The Girls’ Tennis has already had 3 matches and the girls are learning and growing in the sport! Come and watch one of their matches and support them! Schedule is attached.

The Boys’ Soccer team is doing well! There are three teams this year! There is one 8th grade team and two 7th grade teams! There are lots of home games coming up, so come support the boys! (Schedule attached)

SHOUT OUT to all the parents who have helped carpool for Volleyball and Boys’ Soccer! We couldn’t do these sports without your help! Thank you so much!

RAMS has 400 + students involved in Sports and Activities this fall! This is AWESOME!!

🌟🌟🌟RAMS ROCKS!🌟🌟🌟

DISTRICT CALENDAR

District Family Calendar

SEPTEMBER

• Thursday, September 26 - RAMS Family Connections Night - 5:30-7:30pm

OCTOBER

• Monday, September 30-Friday, October 4 - Spirit Week!!! (See below for more information)
• Monday 9/30 - Orange Shirt Day or Seasons Day
• Tuesday 10/1 - Squad Day
• Wednesday 10/2 - Culture Day
• Thursday 10/3 - Decades Day
• Friday 10/4 - Raider Wear Day
• Thursday, October 3 - 3rd Hour - Author Visit by Randy Ribay
• Thursday, October 3 - FTA Meeting - RAMS Team Office (next to the Media Center) - 7:00pm
• Tuesday, October 8 - Fall Conferences with STAR Teacher - 3:30-7:30pm - see below for more information

• Wednesday, September 9 - School Picture Retake Day - during all lunches
• Thursday, October 10 - Fall Conferences with STAR Teacher - 3:30-7:30pm - see below for more information
• Wednesday, October 16 - No School - Teacher Workshop Day
• Thursday, October 17 - No School - Fall Break
• Friday, October 18 - No School Fall Break

Author Randy Ribay will be visiting Roseville Area Middle School on Thursday, October 3rd to share about his amazing books!

His new book, Everything We Never Had, was released on August 27th.

All students have the opportunity to order a signed or personalized copy of Randy's books from Red Balloon. Order books online HERE by the end of the day September 30.

Books ordered by September 30 will be delivered to the school the day of the visit.

About the author: Randy Ribay is a Filipino American author of young adult fiction. His novel Patron Saints of Nothing was a finalist for the National Book Award and the LA Times Book Prize. Randy was also a contributor to the Printz Award–winning anthology The Collectors, edited by A. S. King. His other works include An Infinite Number of Parallel Universes, After the Shot Drops, and Chronicles of the Avatar: The Reckoning of Roku. Born in the Philippines and raised in the Midwest, Randy currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, son, and cat-like dog.

RAMS students will have the opportunity to purchase books at the FTA hosted Scholastic Book Fair! Teachers will sign-up to bring their students to the Book Fair in the Media Center during the week of Oct 7-11. It will also be open during conferences on Tuesday, October 8 and Thursday, Oct 10 between 3:30-7:30pm.

If you would like to set your student up with an eWallet please visit the Scholastic Book Fair website here: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/rosevilleareamiddleschool

RAMS FTA needs your help to run the book fair the week of Oct 7-11.

Please consider signing up for a shift.

Click HERE for the Sign-Up Genius.

RAMS will hold fall conferences on:

• Tuesday, October 8 - 3:30-7:30pm
• Thursday, October 10 - 3:30-7:30pm

Families will sign-up to meet with their students STAR teacher either in-person or in a Zoom mtg. STAR Teachers sent out their personal sign-up link this week. It can also be found on our Facebook Page.

You can also find it HERE. You will find your student(s) STAR teacher in a grade level folder.

We look forward to connecting with you!

RAMS Family Teacher Association invites you to help feed the staff for the Tuesday, October 8th and Thursday, October 10th Conferences.

• October 8th - Nacho Bar
• October 10th - Asian Theme

Click HERE to fill out the Sign-Up Genius

All students will have access to a complete breakfast, lunch, and afterschool super snack at no cost. We ask ALL families to fill out the Application for Educational Benefits form (previously called Free/Reduced Meal Application) EVERY year. This form determines funding for your child’s school and provides direct benefits for your child if you qualify. Benefits include funding for:

• Waived fees for athletics, testing, and transportation for your child

• Reduced internet fees

• Social workers, paraprofessionals, and counselors

• Decreased student-to-instructor ratios

• Increased technology

• Early childhood education

To apply today, CLICK HERE!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

At RAMS, we are committed to improving the culture and climate of our school and supporting the whole child. One way we are addressing the whole child is by looking at student strengths and areas of concern for social, emotional, and academic behaviors.

This year we will be administering a universal screening of social, academic, and emotional behavior skills to the students in your child’s STAR class. The screening consists of 20 items related to skills such as “I participate in class” and “I have trouble waiting my turn.” The screener will be taken in class on iPads. This information helps us understand the needs of our students and to make effective plans at the whole school, class, and individual level.

Parents/guardians will be contacted if your student demonstrates that an intervention would be beneficial. All proposed interventions will be optional.

If you would like more information about the screening, please contact Amy Grengs, School Psychologist, at the phone number or email address listed below. There is also the option we present to all families for their child to not participate in the screener. If you choose for your child to NOT participate in the screener, please complete an opt-out option by September 27th, 2024. You can either:

• send an email to Amy Grengs (amy.grengs@isd623.org) with your name, your student's name, and this statement "I have read the information about the social-emotional screener and request that my child opt out of the universal screening," OR

• fill out this Google form).

Thank you,

Heidi George

RAMS Principal

Amy Grengs

School Psychologist

amy.grengs@isd623.org

651-482-5289

You can now see your student’s 2024 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) Individual Student Report in Synergy ParentVue. This report shows your child’s overall score in each subject that was tested last year, as well as information about achievement level and their past performance. There is also a QR code for a video explaining the results in more detail. For information on accessing the report, click here.

In accordance with MN State Law and ISD 623 policy, students who are not fully immunized by October 15, 2024, will be excluded from school until requirements are met. These absences will be marked unexcused.

During September, letters are being sent to all families who have students that are not fully immunized. We will continue to send letters and/or make phone calls until the student is compliant.

To prevent your student from being excluded from school, please schedule an appointment to have the needed vaccines administered as soon as possible. Once you have the appointment scheduled, please call me (651-724-6680) and let me know the name of the clinic and date of the appointment. If you do not have a clinic, or require a reduced rate, you can call the Ramsey County Immunization Clinic at 651-266-1234.

RAMS Health Office is staffed from 7:30-3:30 on student contact days

P: 651-482-5291

F: 651-288-5034

RAMS School Nurse - Joan Tighe: 📨 joan.tighe@isd623.org

RAMS Health Assistant - Linsey Saxon: 📨 linsey.saxton@isd623.org

We are so grateful to have buses for students who participate in after school athletics and activities. For the past few decades the activity buses have operated more like a public bus system having students alert the drivers of where they would like to be dropped off. To streamline the drop off process we have now implemented specific stops for each of the activity buses. Click on the links below to see the maps or each specific routes stops. These are also posted outside of the main office as you enter RAMS for students to find their bus and stop.

Activity Bus Routes Maps

4:00pm Activity Bus Route Stops

Bus 1

Bus 2

Bus 3

5:00pm Activity Bus Route Stops

Bus 1

Bus 2

7-8 Athletics/Activities page

• Sports Physical Form (Found here in English, Spanish Hmong & Somali)
• Online Registration
• Activity Bus Routes
• Information on Free Sports Physicals at Twin Cities Orthopedics

*7-12th sports in the district are run by the RAHS coaches and activities office. More information can be found at www.rosevilleraiders.org. RAHS fall sports start Monday, August 12th.

RAHS activities office contacts:

📨 Natalie Crosby or 📨 Andrea Schmidt

AD Office Contacts: 📨 Tanysha Scott and 📨 Susan Garland or call 651-482-5290

In the past, RAMS has offered academic clubs like Science Club, International Club, Hmong Writing; academic teams like Destination Imagination, Future Problem Solvers, Math Counts; performing arts like Morning Choir, Jazz Band, Theater; creative arts like Pottery Club, Painting Club, Anime Club; athletic activities like Rock Climbing, Weight Lifting, Ski Trips, and Horseback Riding; game clubs like Chess Club, Trading Card Club. Anyone in the community who is interested in offering an extra-curricular activity contact 651-482-5290 for more information.

Yearbook Club

Room: B100

Advisor: Ms. Rogers (kelly.rogers@isd623.org)

Dates: September 30 – May 26

Meets: FIRST MEETING, SEPTEMBER 23rd

Cost: FREE

Are you interested in being a part of our Yearbook Crew at RAMS and creating this year's Yearbook? Please complete this form. If you have questions, email Ms. Rogers or stop and see her in her ROOM B100.

Yearbook is a yearlong activity that meets every 2 - 3 weeks. Students who participate in other activities are still welcome to join the yearbook club!

Robotics

Room: C101

Advisor: Mr. Larson (anthony.larson@isd623.org)

Dates: September 9th until

Meets: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays immediately after school until 4:00 PM

Cost: $10

Get ready for an action-packed season of First Tech Challenge! We're forming a competitive robotics team and are seeking dedicated students who are ready to push their limits in the world of engineering and robotics.

Team Details:

• Commitment: Consistent attendance at all meetings is required. We're building a strong team, and every member's presence is essential.

• Team Size: Limited to 15 students.

• Selection: If more than 15 students are interested, a selection process will be used to finalize the team.

We're looking forward to a fantastic season! Go Team!

Pride

Room: Choir Room D304

Advisor: Ms. Caudle (amanda.caudle@isd623.org) and Ms. Wuerffel (deborah.wuerffel@isd623.org) + other teachers throughout the year

Starts: Wednesday Sept 25th

Meets: Bi-Weekly as announced through Schoology

Time: 2:50-4:00

Who: Anyone accepting of or identifying with 2SLGBTQIA+ identities.

A safe space for students to meet and discuss topics and build community specifically surrounding LGBTQ+ identities and experiences at RAMS. Students will participate in activities, crafts, service projects, advocacy and possible field trips. No attendance requirement, come whenever you can!

Latinx Club

Room: A217

Advisor: Ms. Siliva Vasquez (silvia.vasquez@isd623.org)

Starts: Tuesday, September 24

Meets: Tuesday and Thursday

Time: 2:50 pm until 4:30 pm.

Who: Everyone is welcome to attend, we learn about who we are as Latinx today. We learn about Latinx Culture. We have fiestas, celebrate some of our holidays, we cook, sing, dance and build pride in our Latinx identity.

Students 8th grade and younger must be accompanied by an adult AND that adult must stay and monitor those students. Students and parents who don't follow these expectations will be subject to loss of entry to future RAHS events.

Roseville Area Schools will continue to offer free meals for all students during the school day, including healthy breakfasts, lunches, and after-school "super" snacks. To ensure our meal programs remain effective and equitable, we are implementing some changes to our procedures, specifically regarding second meals and additional lunch servings.

Changes to Meal Procedures

Elementary Schools:

• Elementary students will no longer be able to purchase additional items such as entrées or sides. However, milk may still be purchased separately.
• We encourage students to make the most of our meal offerings by eating breakfast, utilizing the share cart, and enjoying the "all-you-care-to-eat" fresh fruit and vegetable options available with their lunch serving.

Secondary Schools:

• Secondary students may purchase additional entrées, sides, or milk if they have money in their meal account.
• To purchase additional items, students must check in at the designated cashier, receive a food tray, return to the serving line for the additional items, and check out at the designated register.
• Students with negative meal balances will not be permitted to purchase additional items.

We encourage all students to take advantage of the free breakfast and lunch offerings, which include unlimited fruits and vegetables and access to the share cart. Secondary students also have the opportunity to enjoy free super snacks at the end of each school day.

Thank you for your understanding as we make these adjustments to better serve our students.

Menus at the secondary level will no longer be provide for each month in a calendar format. Please click on the grey button below to access the menus online. Make sure you change the school to be Roseville Area Middle School and check that you are in the week you would like to look at the menus.

🕐 7:00pm

📍 RAMS Team Office (next to Media Center)

📅 Thursday, October 3

📅 Thursday, November 7

📅 Thursday, December 5

📅 Thursday, February 6

📅 Thursday, March 6

📅 Thursday, April 3

📅 Thursday, May 8

We’re one week away from the annual Roseville Area Schools Foundation 2024 Fall Fundraiser, which will take place Thursday, September 26, 5:30 p.m. at the Roseville Cedarholm Golf Course Community Building.

The event will feature a variety of fundraising activities including gift card pulls, a silent auction, and direct donation opportunities. Proceeds from the event will benefit a new Roseville Area Schools Foundation Relief Fund, which provides emergency funding to support students’ success in school and to eliminate opportunity gaps.

You will have an opportunity to hear from a number of representatives from the district including Superintendent Jenny Loeck, Senator Claire Oumou Verbeten, Foundation Chair Kezia Reeder, District Social Worker Peggy McLafferty-Yares, and representatives from the Office of Equity and Innovation.

Please consider giving back to make a direct impact for our students. This is a pay as you are event with a suggested donation of $35.

Looking for fun Roseville Area Schools apparel? Choose from this selection of limited edition shirts! Your purchase will support Roseville Area Schools Community Education programs and services.

🔺 Heather black long sleeve ($20)

🔺 Heather red long sleeve ($20)

🔺 Gray short sleeve with school mascots ($15)

These shirts are a soft, comfortable tri-blend fabric (50/37/13 poly/cotton/rayon) in a unisex fit. Sizes are available in adult S - 3XL and youth S - XL.

Orders are due by October 4, 2024. ⏰ 🗓️ Shirt orders will arrive near the end of October! To place an order, call 651-604-3770 or CLICK HERE.

Roseville Community Education offers a wide variety of enrichment classes for adults ages 18+. Check out some of our upcoming classes, such as:

• Introduction to Online Genealogy

• Psychic Development and Mediumship

• How to Travel Free and Make Money Traveling

• Watercolor Painting

• Self Defense Fundamentals for Adults

...and many more!

CLICK HERE to register, or call 651-604-3770.

Looking for a fun family activity? Searching for a way to prioritize your fitness as the days get darker and colder outside this fall? Jump on into the pool at Aŋpétu Téča Education Center! Our heated indoor pool is a warm 86 degrees year-round.

We offer numerous open swim and lap swim times throughout the week. View our montly calendars and more information online at isd623.org/aquatics.

CLICK HERE to learn more.

Important RAMS Phone Numbers and Email addresses (click on any staff members name below to send an email)

• Main Office - 651-482-5280
• 📨 Attendance Email or leave a message at 651-482-5281
  
• Principal - 📨 Heidi George - 651-482-5284
• Assoc. Principal Grade 7 - 📨 Garin Bogenholm - 651-482-5287
• Assoc. Principal Grade 8 - 📨 Joseph Bue - 651-482-5297
• Building/Administrative Support Staff - 📨 Linsey Owen - 651-482-5284
• Registrar / Student Records Support Staff - 📨 Rebecca Thompson - 651-482-5288

• Athletics/Activities - 651-482-5290
• 📨 Tanysha Scott - Activities Director
• 📨 Susan Garland - Activities Clerical
• Student Support Services Office - 651-482-5289
• 📨 Julie Gabos - Grade 7 - Counselor
• 📨 Todd Richter - Grade 8 - Counselor
• 📨 Amy Grengs - School Psychologist
• 📨 Lisa Valerius - School Psychologist
• 📨 Angie Feigal - Social Worker
• 📨 Duane Woeste - SEL Teacher
• 📨 Melanie Cogan - Student Services Support Staff
• Health Office - 651-482-5291
• 📨 Joan Tighe - School Nurse
• 📨 Linsey Saxton - Health Assistant
• Special Education - 651-288-5000
• 📨 Jodi Walker - Special Education Lead Teacher
• 📨 Nancy Boulay - Special Education Clerical
• Centerline Bus - 651-482-1794
• District Transportation - 📨 Kristen Donaldson - 651-635-1638
• Tech Support - 651-288-5001
• 📨 Kathryn O'Brien - Media Specialist
• 📨 Kaolee Yang - District Tech Integrationist
• School Fax - 651-482-5299
• Spanish Liaison - 📨 Cecilia Martino - 651-235-3426
• American Indian Liaison - 📨 Savannah Rojas - 651-332-6513
• Somali Liaison - 📨 Kowthar Ismail - 651-322-0468

• Karen Liaison - 📨 Hsar Htoo - 651-332-6929
• Bhutanese/Nepali Liaison - 📨 Indira Kharel - 651-307-7471
• Hmong Liaison - 📨 Maider Lee - 651-210-7821
• African American Liaison - 📨 K’Lynn Lewis - 651-239-2826

Pre-order your RAMS 2024-25 yearbook online directly from JOSTENS.

Questions about Yearbook? Reach out to our Yearbook Coordinator Kelly Rogers.

RAMS sent out a Back to School email the past two weeks that had a lot of great school information. If you missed those emails please CLICK HERE to find the most recent email.

Has any of your contact information changed over the summer? Address, phone numbers, emergency contact information, etc? If so, please contact the office by calling 651-482-5288 or email

📨 rebecca.thompson@isd623.org and we will update our records