Mr. Brown's Weekly Newsletter
Issue 18 December 31, 2023
DATES TO REMEMBER
Jan 3- Back to School for Students
Winter Break
Happy New Year!! Welcome to 2024!!!!
Many, Many Thanks
The Roberto Clemente Holiday Mall was a great success. We would like to thank our amazing staff who contributed to our 3rd Annual Holiday Mall this year. It was an incredible success, far beyond our expectations and we couldn't be more thankful!!
For those that are unaware, our Holiday Mall allows our students the opportunity to shop for gifts for their family and friends during the Holiday season. Each gift is wrapped and labeled for the students. The smiles on their faces as they leave the Mall says it all! Because of the generosity of our Staff and Community, specifically New Covenant Fellowship Church, many of our students were able to give gifts to those who mean the most to them. This is the true meaning of what this time of year means.
Thank you all!
AlertMCPS
Bad weather is on its way (maybe). Want to get notified when schools are closed, on a delay or dismissing early???? Sign up for AlertMCPS.
School notifications will come directly to your phone! Don't delay. Sign up is easy!
Click on the link below and get started!
2024-25 SCHOOL REGISTRATION
RCMS Registration is Under Way!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/102SelWyj1VbqR675BW5M1B4LX9wO6Xym/view?usp=sharing
Incoming 6th graders (current 5th graders), registration begins January 11th! Please use the link above to view the flyer for our parent meeting.
Next year's high school students, our current 8th graders, will begin registration January 31st at our high school fair in which our local and regional high school counselors will come to RCMS to meet with 8th graders and explain the process.
Please contact counseling with any questions.
PTSA INFORMATION
Just a reminder...
If you would like to join the PTSA, please go to the website below and join!
We'd love to have you as a member!
https://rcms-ptsa.square.site/
-RCMS PTSA
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Food resources in Germantown / Recursos alimentarios en Germantown
Germantown Help – Call 301-482-1320 for assistance. Llame al 301-482-1320 para obtener ayuda.
Upcounty Hub – Check the distribution calendar linked here for food pick up opportunities. They have distributions 3 times a week in the Gaithersburg/Germantown area.
Consulte el calendario de distribución vinculado aquí para conocer las oportunidades de recogida de alimentos. Tienen distribuciones 3 veces por semana en el área de Gaithersburg/Germantown.
Manna Food –Call 301-424-1130 to get on the list. Once approved, you can pick up food on Thursdays from 2pm – 5pm at the Salvation Army parking lot on 20021 Aircraft Dr.
Llame al 301-424-1130 para inscribirse en la lista. Una vez aprobado, puede recoger comida los jueves de 2 p. m. a 5 p. m. en el estacionamiento del Salvation Army en 20021 Aircraft Dr.
New Covenant Fellowship Church – This is the church across the street from Roberto Clemente MS. Food distribution is the first and third Saturday of the month. You can find their calendar here.
Esta es la iglesia al cruzar de la Roberto Clemente Middle School. La distribución de alimentos es el primer y tercer sábado del mes. Puedes encontrar su calendario aquí.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE
Are you looking for things to do with your kids the days that school is closed? Please see the attached flyers (click on the links below) for events with the Boys and Girls Club and the Montgomery County Recreation Department.
English:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1txyGn8iAkkCnlTW-tN6Hh20lR1uF4L1g/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NQedjxwCu1ZzwSm0YS86dgJgJoaj8-xI/view?usp=sharing
¿Están buscando cosas que hacer con sus hijos los días que la escuela está cerrada? Consulte los folletos adjuntos para eventos con el Boys and Girls Club y el Departamento de Recreación del Condado de Montgomery. Haga click en los link que se encuentran abajo.
Español:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C3RRazvLrCqJ546kJZHwsBz1QjhzQbvC/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q_6PYSTyyZLbK82x6jh-kg4WuRsjbiaN/view?usp=sharing
BEST BUDDIES FRIENDSHIP PROGRAM
Roberto Clemente Middle School has a Best Buddies Friendship Program and we hope that your child is able to join our efforts in making our school a more inclusive place. For those of you who are unfamiliar, Best Buddies is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
One-to-one friendships will be established between students with and without disabilities and if your child decides to participate, it is expected that they commit to that friendship for the entirety of the school year. By forming and supporting one-to-one friendships, RCMS Best Buddies is helping to create a place of belonging, comfort, and fun for students with and without IDD. By matching students with disabilities with their peers, the Best Buddies program strives to eliminate social isolation and provide engaging and integrated events and activities with the leadership of teachers and students.
To become a buddy, your child will need to submit a membership application that comes with a section for parent consent. Go online to https://forms.bestbuddies.org/4895599 and complete your application.
For more information please contact Jannine Miller at jannine_t_miller@mcpsmd.org or Counselor Nicki Walter at nicole_walter@mcpsmd.org
SGA
SGA Announcements:
Want to have a voice in school activities? Join the SGA! SGA meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month from 3:15-4:15 in the Media Center. All are welcome to join.
Upcoming Meetings:
January 11
January 25
Non SGA Announcements:
Fundraisers to support Magnet 8 Science Field Trips:
Chocolate bars for sale in Room 128 will continue until we run out of bars! Bars cost $1 and we take cash only. All flavors are still available, but we are getting low on some flavors, and will run out soon!
Milk Chocolate
Dark Chocolate
W.F. Crisp
Wafer
Caramel
Almond
Papa John's Fundraiser Cards for sale! Cards are $15 and can be used for all of 2024 to get Buy One Get One Free pizza. Cards work for pick up only (not delivery) and work at all DC area Papa John's stores. (List of store here)
MAP TESTING...COMING SOON!
MAP Testing for ALL Students coming on January 10th and 11th!
**Please help students arrive on time (8:15 am) to school on testing days.
**Students will need their charged device on both days.
January 10th MAP-R (Reading)
8:20 - 10:20 Testing
10:25 - 10:50 Choice Wellness
10:55 - 11:30 Period 2
11:35 - 12:05 Period 4
12:10 - 12:40 Period 5
12:45 - 1:15 Period 6
1:20 - 1:50 Period 3
1:55 - 2:25 Period 7
2:30 - 3:00 Period 8
January 11th MAP-M (Math)
8:20 - 10:20 Testing
10:25 - 10:50 Choice Wellness
10:55 - 11:30 Period 1
11:35 - 12:05 Period 4
12:10 - 12:40 Period 5
12:45 - 1:15 Period 6
1:20 - 1:50 Period 2
1:55 - 2:25 Period 3
2:30 - 3:00 Period 7
RCMS ATHLETICS
First Basketball Game coming soon!!!!!!
Stay tuned!!
2023-24 YEARBOOKS
Order your 2024 Yearbook before the price increases!
Click on the link below to place your order!
SSL INFORMATION
Click on the links below to find out more information about December 2023 SSL opportunities.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IOIh-5d6hL4xOipFE8l7GlwTjKjFAab1LeAfSzDJIeM/edit
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nkHiodbhbYaSoN-1CMN8eod3gWrH8kmjdK0IRhqYdBE/edit?
7th GRADE NEWS
7th GRADE TRIP TO FINANCE PARK
All 7th grade Individuals and Societies classes will be invited to take a trip to Edison High School of Technology in Silver Spring, MD to participate in Finance Park. Finance Park is a real world budgeting simulation where students can put into practice the financial literacy they have been learning in their Individuals and Societies classes in order to balance a personal budget.
Students will go one of two days based on who their Individuals and Societies teacher is. Students who have Ms. Bobro will attend the field trip on January 4, 2024 and Students who have Mr. Balfe will attend the field trip on January 5, 2024. The field trip takes place during regular school hours, and is free. Parent volunteers are needed. If you are interested in volunteering please reach out to Natasha Abelle-Kiser at Natasha_M_Abelle-Kiser@mcpsmd.org
8th GRADE NEWS
Hello families,
Thank you for ordering from Meadow Farms. We are on our way to raising funds for our End of the Year events in June!!
T Shirts-Thank you to all of the students who entered into our Design Contest for our 8th grade T Shirts. The designs were amazing and it was a close call!! We would like to congratulate Sophia Li for the winning design! We will be opening an online store in the New Year. The cost for the shirts will be $20. Please see the slide for details. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1hjAGlReb1P-O7yEqK24ECFKoBgjmucHrT4bVen0Lxmo/edit?usp=sharing
High school information:
Some of our high schools have their Rising 9th grade student nights set up already. Please see our newsletter for more information.
Tentatively, we are having our High School Fair (the day we start registration) for students on January 31, 2024. Students will register for their HOME high school even if they are waiting on a program they applied for.
Northwest bound students! You have been given a permission slip to visit Northwest’s Ulysses Fair on January 12, 2024. It is a first come first serve field trip and the cost is FREE. Please turn forms into Ms. Blades ASAP. The cut off is January 8, 2024.
Ulysses Signature Program Class of 2028 at Northwest HS:
The application for the Ulysses Signature Program Class of 2028 at Northwest High School is now open! Interested 8th graders who live in the Northwest cluster are eligible to apply. The application can be found on the Northwest website, under the Quick Links menu option for “Ulysses Signature Program.” You can also find the application linked here along with more information about the program. The deadline for submitting applications is February 16th, 2024. If you have any questions about the application process or the Ulysses Program, please contact Mr. David Parks david_p_parks@mcpsmd.org."
Seneca Valley:
Did you know that Seneca Valley High School offers 8 different options for theatre classes? From Theatre 1 to IB Theatre, Stage Design to Advanced Acting, there's something for every level and every interest! Incoming 9th grade students should start their journey with Theatre 1! Check out our flyer at https://bit.ly/SVHSTheatreClasses or email Joanna_c_Fellows@mcpsmd.org for more information.
Information for the Year:
The team leaders also keep a running newsletter for events for 8th grade students. This document is a running document as new things arise; they are added to the document. Currently, we are adding information for our High School rising 9th grade informational nights.
Thank you very much! We are going to have an amazing year!
Hola familias,
Gracias por realizar su pedido en Meadow Farms. ¡¡Estamos en camino de recaudar fondos para nuestros eventos de fin de año en junio!!
Camisetas: gracias a todos los estudiantes que participaron en nuestro concurso de diseño para nuestras camisetas de octavo grado. ¡Los diseños fueron increíbles y estuvo cerca! ¡Nos gustaría felicitar a Sophia Li por el diseño ganador! Abriremos una tienda en línea en el Año Nuevo. El costo de las camisetas será de $20. Consulte la diapositiva para obtener más detalles.https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1hjAGlReb1P-O7yEqK24ECFKoBgjmucHrT4bVen0Lxmo/edit?usp=sharing
Información de la escuela secundaria:
Algunas de nuestras escuelas secundarias ya tienen organizadas sus noches para estudiantes de 9º grado. Consulte nuestro boletín para obtener más información.
Tentativamente, tendremos nuestra Feria de Escuelas Secundarias (el día en que comenzamos la inscripción) para estudiantes el 31 de enero de 2024. Los estudiantes se registrarán en su escuela secundaria HOME incluso si están esperando un programa al que solicitaron.
¡Estudiantes en dirección noroeste! Se le ha otorgado un permiso para visitar la Feria Ulysses de Northwest el 12 de enero de 2024. Es una excursión por orden de llegada y el costo es GRATUITO. Por favor entregue los formularios a la Sra. Blades lo antes posible. La fecha límite es el 8 de enero de 2024.
Clase del 2028 del programa Ulysses Signature en Northwest HS:
¡La solicitud para la Clase 2028 del Programa Ulysses Signature en Northwest High School ya está abierta! Los estudiantes de octavo grado interesados que viven en el grupo Noroeste son elegibles para postularse. La solicitud se puede encontrar en el sitio web de Northwest, en la opción de menú Enlaces rápidos para "Ulysses Signature Program". También puede encontrar la aplicación vinculada aquí junto con más información sobre el programa. La fecha límite para enviar solicitudes es el 16 de febrero de 2024. Si tiene alguna pregunta sobre el proceso de solicitud o el Programa Ulysses, comuníquese con el Sr. David Parks david_p_parks@mcpsmd.org".
Información del año:
Los líderes del equipo también mantienen un boletín informativo sobre eventos para estudiantes de octavo grado. Este documento es un documento continuo a medida que surgen cosas nuevas; se agregan al documento. Actualmente, estamos agregando información para nuestras noches informativas para estudiantes de 9º grado de secundaria.
¡Muchas gracias! ¡Vamos a tener un año increíble!