January 10, 2025

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Winter is finally upon us! It certainly has been cold this week, but so far we have missed the snowstorms that have gone through the mid west.

We are getting very close to the end of our first semester, and I would recommend checking in with your child about their progress, and any help they might need to finish the first half of the year on a strong note.

Our mid-term early release schedule starts next Friday, January 17th and runs through January 23rd (see info below), and our second semester/3rd Quarter will begin on January 24th.

That’s all I have for now.

Have a great weekend.

Michael Seroussi

Principal

RHAM Middle School students who are taking World Languages, Algebra, Geometry, and select Art classes, will be taking midterms beginning Friday, January 17th through Thursday, January 23rd.

Students who do not have exams will have their regular classes.

Please take note of the half day schedule below.

Although not all students will be taking midterms this year, here are some tips for students who are:

• Prioritize Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Sleep deprivation seriously impacts your focus, memory, and mood.
• Nourish Your Body: Eat regular, healthy meals. Try to avoid sugary snacks and processed foods that can lead to energy crashes.
• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Dehydration can cause fatigue and difficulty concentrating.
• Stay on Schedule: Arrive to school on time so you are not feeling rushed or stressed.

January 2025

• January 13- Inquiry Information Parent Night; 6:00 PM
• January 13- Incoming 7th Grade Registration Opens
• January 14- Ski/Snowboard Club; Ski Sundown
• January 17- Midterms - Early Dismissal; 11:45 AM
• January 20- NO SCHOOL; MLK Jr. Day
• January 21- Ski/Snowboard Club; Ski Sundown; ½ day of school
• January 21- Midterms - Early Dismissal; 11:45 AM
• January 22- Midterms - Early Dismissal; 11:45 AM
• January 23- Midterms - Early Dismissal; 11:45 AM
• January 23- End of Quarter 2
• January 24- Quarter 3 Begins (Semester 2)
• January 24- Middle School Winter Athletic Photos; After School
• January 28- Ski/Snowboard Club; Ski Sundown
• January 31- Art Show & Workshop Field Trip; University of Hartford

February 2025

• February 4- Ski/Snowboard Club; Ski Sundown
• February 5- Middle School Winter Concert Band & Chorus - 7:00 PM
• February 6- HS 8th Grade Parent Night (6:30 PM In-Person)
• February 7- 7th & 8th Grade Dance - MS Cafe; 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
• February 7- 8th Grade Transition Day to HS for students (during the school day)
• February 8- National Science Bowl Competition; Smith Middle School in Glastonbury
• February 14- Incoming 7th Grade Registration Ends
• February 14- Inquiry Team Application Deadline
• February 14- Pep Rally
• February 14- Early Dismissal; 11:45 AM
• February 17-18- NO SCHOOL; Presidents’ Day Recess
• February 28- Ramadan

*Please note dates are subject to change due to unexpected winter weather.

Please see the calendar below for Inquiry Academy informational meeting dates and times.

The Inquiry Academy application can be found here:

Kids use something called vault apps to hide inappropriate apps on their phones from parents. Want to know what to look for, how they do it, and how you can help prevent this? Check out this useful article from Bark.

Believe it or not, we're almost halfway through this school year! School Counselors will be reviewing students' grades, and will be checking in with students who are failing two or more classes for the year at this point. We will be working with those students who are struggling academically to come up with a plan to help them improve their grades. If a student fails two or more CORE academic classes for the year, summer school will be recommended at the end of the year. If you have questions or concerns about your child's academic performance, please feel free to reach out to their teachers and/or School Counselor.

Grade 8: On Monday January 13th, School Counselors will be meeting with the whole 8th grade to explain how they can interpret their PSAT 8/9 Score Reports. In order for this to be successful, your child will need to have created a College Board account and they will need to know their username and password.

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

For future delays or cancellations, information will be available on the following media sources:

• Television Stations: WFSB Channel 3, WTNH, Channel 8, WVIT Channel 30, FOX Channel 61

• Radio Stations: 93.7 FM, 96.5 FM, 100.5 FM, 102.9 FM, 1080 AM, 1360 AM.

• It can also be accessed through www.ctweather.com.

• You can also sign up with one of the local news stations to get text messages sent to your phone. Please be aware to look for Region 8 School District.

Morning Buses will run consistent with the delayed opening schedule. For a two hour delay, the warning bell rings at 9:13 a.m. and school begins at 9:17 a.m.

Attention Middle School Parents!

We are looking for 7th & 8th graders (boys and girls) who are interested in playing lacrosse this upcoming Spring 2025! Currently, we have a large group of 7th graders on both the girls & boys teams, and we would love to add more 8th graders to the mix!

Lacrosse is a fast-paced, exciting sport you can start playing later in middle school. Lacrosse is a spring sport offered at RHAM High School, so starting in 7th or 8th grade will set your child up for success if they continue playing at the high school level.

If your child is already playing sports like soccer, basketball, football, or hockey, lacrosse could be a perfect fit—they’ll love the fast-paced, team-oriented action!

If your child is interested, we have a free Learn to Play event at RHAM on January 26th — a free clinic where they can try it out and learn the basics. No equipment is needed, just sign up on our website to reserve a spot!

www.rhamyouthlacrosse.com

Hebron Parks and Recreation will be offering a winter training program under the direction of RHAM High School coach Tim Guernsey. This high school program will run Thursday evenings from 5:00-6:30pm at RHAM Middle School. The program will start Thursday January 30 and run through Thursday April 10. There will be a heavy focus on skills and drills with game play focusing on specific skills. Coach Guernsey and his coaching staff believe in game like repetitions and honest, player enhancing feedback. This mentality adds to their development and enhances the overall experience!

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.

CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES 24/25

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

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.

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.

• 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