RMS Express
Monthly Update from the Principal's Desk - January 2023
January Updates
PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK ABOVE FOR OUR PODCAST with special guest Kaitlyn Wagner, Special Education teacher at RMS and RMS Yearbook advisor, as we talk about all things YEARBOOK.
To purchase a yearbook, click HERE!
Dear Readington Middle School,
As we come back for 2023, I hope you all enjoyed the long winter break. For my family and I, the unseasonably warm weather meant that we got outside a lot. We read books, played some new board games, and had a chance to decompress. I hope the break was everything it needed to be for your family.
There are some really amazing this happening at RMS these next few weeks! They include:
- Kindness Matters Week from January 23 to January 27!
- A mid-year Pep Rally on February 2nd!
- Student Council Valentines Day Blast on February 10th!
- RMS Musical, Willy Wonka Jr. on March 2nd and 3rd!
As we move into the new year, the conversation and focus will shift to thinking about summer vacation and transitions for our 8th grade students. In fact, if you are the parent/guardian of an 8th grade student, please click this LINK for the most up to date information activities, events, and graduation! That is normal to start thinking about the end as we enter the halfway point of the year, though we have five more months to go! We are excited and thrilled to have this group of amazing Vikings for the rest of the school year.
In this edition of the RMS Express, please find articles/images about the following:
- December Students of the Month
- Focus on Attendance
- RMS Cafeteria Spotlight
- iReady Diagnostic information
- Upcoming RMS Valentines Day Blast
- Internet Safety/Students Assemblies
- RMS Winter Concerts
So, until next month, please be well (make sure to buy your yearbook) and Go Vikings!
Mr. Charleston
Principal, Readington Middle School
Readington Middle School Students of the Month for December 2022
Our winners were:
- Michael Grasso
- Kiera Wilson
Sahil Shah
Kathryn Mele
Ryan Trapp
Abigail Sharon
Congrats to all our winners! Dr. Moss, our counselors, the Viking, and myself were so happy to spend time with them celebrating them.
Do you want to be selected as a student of the month? Earn a Valuable Viking award or a Viking of the Week award during that month to qualify!
School Attendance
By Dr. Jonathan Moss, Assistant Principal, Readington Middle School:
Attendance is one of the most powerful predictors of academic achievement. By having your student in their classroom, ready to learn for the entire school day, there is a substantial benefit to them, their classmates, and our whole school community. Attending school regularly helps children perform better and provides them with an important future-ready skill that will translate well as they move on to higher education and careers.
FAMILIES CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO HELP
· Let your student know that attending school is connected to better achievement in school.
· Avoid out-of-town trips, and vacations during the school schedule. Please plan your family vacations during the summer or school holidays, if possible
· Schedule Doctor and Dentist appointments after school if possible.
· When your student has a doctor’s appointment in the middle of the school day, bring them to school before and/or after the appointment.
· Make sure students get enough sleep, eat well and exercise.
· Set a regular bedtime and morning routine (including limiting how late your child may use any electronic devices) and finish homework and pack backpacks the night before.
· Have a backup plan for getting your child to school in case something comes up (this could be alternative bus routes, or a plan with family members, neighbors, or other parents).
· Communicate with the school about how we can work together to support your child’s attendance, or if you notice a sudden change in behavior.
For more information about the importance of attendance and what you can do, please click on this link.
We appreciate the partnership we have with the families of Readington Middle School students and know that the success of all our children is a shared value. With your support, we will strive to continue to optimize instructional time and learning opportunities for your children. We look forward to working together to make the rest of this school year a great one! Go Vikings!
RMS Cafeteria Jersey Fresh Offerings for January
On January 24th, RMS will serve Jersey Fresh Organic Popcorn with lunch. This organic popcorn was grown by Farmer Steve at Amwell Valley Organic Grains Farm in Ringoes. RMS will also serve Pasta with Bolognese Sauce made with Jersey Fresh Tomatoes from First Field Farm.
iReady Diagnostic
All RMS students will participate in the Math iReady Diagnostic testing on 2/2/2023. We will run a different bell schedule this day to accommodate the testing. Students should arrive at the normal time for school. The ELA iReady Diagnostic tests will be completed with their classes during the testing window.
This is the second of the three iReady Diagnostic tests that will be completed during the school year. Students typically spend 1 to 2 periods to complete these exams.
RMS Valentine's Day Blast
We expect that all students will have a great time and abide by school rules, including dress code and behavior.
- Students will arrive and enter through our bus entrance. Students will check themselves into the blast at a grade specific table.
- All students will get a wristband for pizza/water. Snacks will be available to purchase throughout the night. Make sure your child knows their own dietary restrictions when it comes to food. If your child brings 1 non-perishable food item for our Souper-Bowl Donation, they get a free treat!
- We want our students to have a great time and to enjoy each other's company during the dance. We often find that the biggest prohibitor to this is, you guessed it, cell phones. Students may bring cell phones to the dance but we are asking for them to check them in with our chaperones to start the night. They can, throughout the night, go and check their phones if they need to to contact parents/guardians. All phones will be given back to students 10 minutes before the blast ends at 7:50pm.
- We will have quiet areas for the students to relax in, talk to their friends, and play quiet games.
- Parents will be asked to come in get their students from the cafeteria. Please enter through the bus entrance. Permission slips for the blast are due back by 2/3/2023 and the blast cost $10.00. See you there!
Students and Social Media
RMS students had the opportunity to participate in a Cyber Safety and Social Media program presented by Prevention Resources, Inc. Prevention Resources, Inc. is the longest standing prevention agency in Hunterdon County. Prevention Education uses evidence-based programs to cultivate health and wellness within our communities. The Cyber Safety and Social Media program teaches responsible online behavior and safety strategies. Topics covered included: safety concerns using Social Media and games, understanding the impact and consequences of an individual’s social media behavior, Cyberbullying, and internet predators. Students also learned about the “digital footprint” their behavior is leaving behind.
Remember these important dates:
1/30 - End of Marking Period 2/Semester 1
1/31 - Start of Marking Period 3/Semester 2
2/8 - Report Cart Genesis Portal open for Parents at 3p.m.
2/20 - President's Day (Schools Closed for Staff/Students)
RMS Viking Athletic Calendar
District School Calendar for 2022-2023
Readington Middle School
Website: https://www.readington.k12.nj.us/Domain/58
Location: 48 Readington Road, Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA
Phone: 908-534-2113
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/readingtonschools
Twitter: @RMS_VIKINGS