Mr. Brown's Weekly Newsletter

Nov 1-No School for Students

Oct 26- Last day of Music Dept Fundraiser (see info below)

Oct. 31- Permission slips and money due for Maryland Then and Now field trip (in-house)

Nov 10- Maryland Then and Now In-House Field Trip Grade 8

PTSA News:

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/

PTSA

This month, RCMS celebrates neurodiversity because "Everyone's unique and everyone belongs". Students will participate in the neurodiversity fair through their math classes and learn more about neurodiversity including our amazing volunteer opportunity of Best Buddies. We cannot wait to see what they learn! For more information, please email Ms. Walter at Nicole_Walter@mcpsmd.org

Join RCMS administrators and other school leaders for coffee, conversations and questions.

When: Friday, November 10th 8:00 am - 9:00 am

Where: Room 230

**Coffee and light breakfast snacks will be provided.

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.

If you have not renewed your application for the Free and Reduced Meals Program for this school year, there is still time to do so. Your status from last year will expire on October 30th. If your child had free or reduced meal prices for last year, they will revert to full payment status. Please apply ASAP by going to www.MySchoolApps.com This form can also be done in languages other than English if you change the language setting in the upper right corner of the screen. Fill out one form per family (all your MCPS students can go on one form). If you have younger children, they may be added in the “Other Household Members” section.

If you need assistance, you may call the school or watch this video. English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJUapGLarBo

Thank you.

RECORDATORIO A TODAS LAS FAMILIAS QUE AUN NO HAN RENOVADO SU APLICACIÓN PARA LAS COMIDAS (FARMS) PARA 2023-2024

Si aún no ha renovado su solicitud para el Programa de la Comida Gratis o a Precio Reducido (FARMS, en inglés) para el año 2023-2024, aún hay tiempo para hacerlo. Su estatus el año pasado se vencerá el 30 de octubre. Si su hijo comía gratis o a precio reducido tendrá que empezar a pagar el precio completo por sus comidas de almuerzo.

Por favor aplique cuanto antes en línea yendo al sitio www.MySchoolApps.com . Esta forma se puede también hacer en español si cambia el lenguaje en la esquina derecha superior de la pantalla. Por favor solamente llene un formulario por familia (todos sus estudiantes pueden entrar en una forma). Si tiene niños más pequeños los puede agregar en la sección que dice “Otros Miembros del Hogar”.

Si necesita ayuda con el formulario, por favor llame a la escuela o vea el siguiente video en español.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsdCrtCIFJc&t=4s

Gracias.

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

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

Please enjoy the amazing work of the wonderful artists below! Every month new artists will be featured in the display case outside of the art room (240) and in Mr. Brown's Weekly Newsletter. The chosen student's work will be displayed along with the IB learner profile trait(s) they have exhibited.

Congratulations to all of our Artists of the Month!!!

Hello RCMS Families,

Roberto Clemente Middle School Fall music fundraiser has begun! To contribute to our fundraiser, please ask an RCMS music student to send you their individualized code, which gives you access to the Support Fund website you can donate through. We've also included some more information on how to donate below.

There's two ways to donate through the Support Fund:

1. Buy some delicious fudge bites! They'll come in a variety of flavors, so there should be something for everyone. They would be great as a gift for friends and family or just as a tasty treat for you. Fudge bites will be $26.00 and we will get 40% of the money made from these purchases.
2. Donate to the school. We receive 80% of all money donated through the Support Fund. If you want to make sure we get 100%, please review the information included below on how to donate directly to the music program!

Fudge bites will be ordered once the fundraiser ends and will arrive around Thanksgiving. Please note that the fudge bites will not be shipped directly to the houses. Students will be responsible for picking up the sweets and delivering them.

If you would like to make sure 100% of your donations go to the RCMS Music Program, please follow these directions:

1. Write a check to 'Roberto Clemente Middle School' and put your students name and ID number in the memo
2. Donate cash by placing it in an envelope, write the students name and ID number on the envelope
3. Please have students hand cash and check donations directly to Mr. Rea and Ms. Chu (Room 242, and 246)

The money that we raise will go toward buying new music, new instruments, stage equipment, and amps. The fundraiser starts, 10/19/23 and will end at 11:59pm Thursday, 10/26/23.

Thanks so much for supporting the RCMS music program and its musicians!

-Mr. Rea and Mrs. Chu"

This week in Athletics: 10/30-11/3

This is the last week of practices and games

Monday – Last XC Practice/Girls Softball Practice

Tuesday – Boys Softball Practice

Wednesday – No School/No Practice

Thursday- Girls Softball Game at home vs Ridgeview/XC Meet vs Ridgeview/Boys Softball Game at Ridgeview (~3:20 start to games)

All practices are over around 5 pm

Attn: Basketball Players and Coaches!!! We will be opening registration for basketball season soon. This is only for 7th and 8th Graders. To learn more about what is required please click here.

We are also in need of a Boys and Girls Basketball Coach. If any parent is interested in coaching, please reach out to the Athletic Coordinator Dave Hudson. David_Hudson@mcpsmd.org

The D.C. chapter of INTEGIRLS is hosting a beginner-friendly, in-person math competition December 9th from 11 am - 4 pm at the Bioscience Education Center at Montgomery College Germantown Campus! Our mission at INTEGIRLS is to encourage girls and non-binaries in STEM fields through math competitions and events. This year, we will have math competition rounds (individual and team), an estimation, a speaker event, awards ceremony, provided lunch, and lots of fun STEM activities. Teams of up to 4 students will be able to connect with and enjoy math with other girls and non-binaries around the DMV. There will be over $500 in prizes and fun swag for all participants.

Register here directly or go to the INTEGIRLS D.C. website (dc.integirls.org) to learn more about the competition.

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Order your 2024 Yearbook before the price increases!

Click on the link below to place your order!

https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/1025682/Roberto-Clemente-Middle-School/2024-Yearbook/20230801042003660104/CATALOG_SHOP/

Right click the link below to find out more information about upcoming SSL opportunities.

October SSL Information

October 2023 SSL Announcements for MCPS Students/Families

SGA Meetings have started! Want a voice in activities and events at RCMS? Come join us at SGA! We meet the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 3:15 - 4:15 in the Media Center.

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

Hello families,

Meadow Farms is still going ONLINE! Please take a look at the shop and buy some gifts for the holidays! https://shop.meadowfarms.com/roberto-clemente-middle-school-100247 .

Science teachers also passed out Maryland Then and Now in-house field trip forms. The trip is on November 10th and the forms are due by October 31st. The cost is $10 and payment can be made on the School Cash app. https://mcpsmd.schoolcashonline.com/. Please contact Liz Gall at Elizabeth_k_gall@mcpsmd.org.

We also have a few events coming up in the next few months!

• 8th grade T Shirt Design competition. Students can send a design to Ms. Blades or Ms. Presley by either hand OR electronically. The design will be voted on by their peers and the winning design will be our 8th grade T Shirt! See slides for more details.
• November 14th-Panda Express Fundraiser
• December 11th-Noodles and Company Fundraiser

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 Programs and informational nights as they come in.

Thank you very much! We are going to have an amazing year!

Hola familias,

¡Meadow Farms todavía está EN LÍNEA! ¡Echa un vistazo a la tienda y compra algunos regalos para las fiestas!

https://shop.meadowfarms.com/roberto-clemente-middle-school-100247.

Los maestros de ciencias también repartieron formularios internos de excursiones de Maryland, entonces y ahora. El viaje es el 10 de noviembre y los formularios deben entregarse antes del 31 de octubre. El costo es de $10 y el pago se puede realizar en la aplicación School Cash. https://mcpsmd.schoolcashonline.com/. Comuníquese con Liz Gall en Elizabeth_k_gall@mcpsmd.org.

¡También tenemos algunos eventos próximos en los próximos meses!

• Concurso de diseño de camisetas de 8vo grado. Los estudiantes pueden enviar un diseño a la Sra. Blades o a la Sra. Presley en mano O electrónicamente. ¡El diseño será votado por sus compañeros y el diseño ganador será nuestra camiseta de octavo grado! Vea las diapositivas para más detalles.
• 14 de noviembre: recaudación de fondos de Panda Express
• 11 de diciembre: recaudación de fondos de Noodles and Company

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 nuestros programas de escuela secundaria y noches informativas a medida que llegan.

¡Muchas gracias! ¡Vamos a tener un año increíble!

8th Grade - Maryland Then and Now In-School Field Trip - November 10th, 2023

On Friday, November 10th, all 8th grade students will participate in the in-school field trip, Maryland Then and Now. This experience aims to connect the history of our great state with life today as well as to utilize the Learner Profile attributes to recognize what makes Maryland unique. A permission slip is required for this event in order for students to partake in our Maryland themed lunch buffet. The cost for this trip is $10 and can be paid by cash, check or through the School Cash Online payment system. Permission slips should be returned to one of the 8th grade team leaders (Ms. Blades or Ms. Presley) or Ms. Gall. We request permission slips to be returned by Tuesday, October 31st.