The Raptor Report
RHAM Middle School
RHAM MIDDLE SCHOOL
THE RAPTOR REPORT
OCTOBER 25, 2024
From the Principal's Desk
October 25, 2024
Dear Parents/Guardians,
PSAT 8’s went well this past Tuesday morning, and hopefully scores will be back in about 6 weeks. The end of the first quarter, November 4th, is just around the corner, so this is a good time for students to check to make sure all of their assignments are up to date.
Kudos to all of our band and chorus students, along with their teachers, for a wonderful concert last night. All of their hard work and practice resulted in a smashing performance and an enjoyable evening of music.
We continue to plan our Veterans Day program and would like to extend an invitation to any Veterans who may be interested in volunteering to speak to students at our Veterans Day event on Friday, November 8th. If you are interested, or know of someone who would be, please reach out to your child's team for more details. Additionally, as part of our celebration, we will be providing a reception for the Veterans who attend. If you would be willing to contribute supplies or food items, please follow the Sign Up Genius link provided below in the News and Notes section of the newsletter.
That’s all I have for this week, there are a few additional notes/reminders below.
As always, please let us know if you have any questions.
Enjoy the weekend.
Thank you.
Michael Seroussi
Mark Your Calendar
October 25 - Middle School 7th and 8th Grade Dance - MS Cafe; 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Hosted by Student Council)
- November 4 - End of Quarter 1
November 5 - NO SCHOOL; Staff Development Day
- November 6 - Quarter 2 Begins
- November 7 - Drama United Show 6:00 - 8:30 PM
- November 8 - Veterans Day Celebration
- November 11 - NO SCHOOL; Veterans Day
- November 12 - Parent Portal opens on RHAM MS website for conference sign up @ 7:00 a.m.
- November 12 - Pie Fundraiser Delivery/Pick-up Date
- November 15 - Multiply Your Options Field Trip; UCONN
November19 - Wolfpack School Day Field Trip
- November 21 - Parent Conferences; 4:00 - 7:00 PM
- November 22 - Early Dismissal: 11:45 AM
- November 27 - Early Dismissal: 11:45 AM
- November 28-29 - NO SCHOOL; School Recess
- December 7 - CMEA Eastern Regional Auditions
- 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
Coffee & Conversation with the Superintendent
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
News and Notes
Veterans Day Celebration
As part of our recognition of Veterans Day at RHAM Middle School, we will be providing a special reception to honor the more than 40 Veterans who are attending our celebration.
Please follow the link below to review the available slots and click on the button to sign up.
We will be serving lunch at 11 am.
Coming Soon: RHAM Gear Fundraiser!
This year's RHAM Gear fundraiser will be starting early next month. 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! Watch for more information in next week's Raptor Report and on the RHAM Middle School website.
Clubs and Activities
Here at RHAM Middle School we offer a large variety of clubs and activities for students to get involved in. This is a great way to meet new people and try new things of interest. Please click the picture above to see the most up to date list of clubs, descriptions, dates and times. The full list is also available on the Middle School website.
RHAM MIDDLE SCHOOL YEARBOOK
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!
News From Guidance
Grade 7: School Counselors have started teaching the Goal Setting Lesson in classrooms. Students learned why setting goals is important, how to write a goal, and how to keep track of their goals. At the end of this lesson, students used Naviance for the first time to write an academic, a personal, and a social goal for themselves for this year.
Grade 8: School Counselors have started teaching the Goal Setting Lesson in grade 8 classrooms. This lesson explains how to identify roadblocks they may face while pursuing their goals. As part of this lesson, students will set an academic, a personal and a social goal for their 8th grade year.
This morning, School Counselors hosted an Alternative High School Fair. Students had the opportunity to watch brief videos from several high schools that they can choose to attend next year. After the videos, students had the opportunity to chat with some representatives from these schools.
Notes from the Nurse
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
AHM Youth and Family Services
National Drug Take Back Day
Drive through our drug/medication drop-off location in front of RHAM High School this Saturday October 26th 2024 from 9:00am-12:00pm as part of National Drug Take Back Day. The goal of Drug Take Back is to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of unused/expired prescriptions, over the counter medications and vitamins. Additionally, will be accepting sharps!
Thanksgiving Meal Assistance: Due by Nov 8th
https://form.jotform.com/202714400634141
Holiday Gift Assistance: Due by Nov 22nd
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 Fall Athletic Information if your student is interested in joining athletics.
Click the RHAM Athletics label above to access the Athletic Department webpage.
Winter Athletics Registration
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
Click the picture below for the MS Sports Schedule
Cafeteria Information
Shannon Nemethy, General Manager
Email: Shannon.Nemethy@rhamschools.org
Office: 860-228-9474 ext. 3710
Where Can I Find the Menu?
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.
RHAM Late Bus
Important Late Bus information
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.
RHAM School 2024-2025 Calendar
BUS ROUTES
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.
RHAM Middle & High School Traffic Pattern for 2024-2025
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.