Weekly Dolphin Newsletter
Week of February 20, 2024
Important Updates
Student Service Learning Spring Awards
Any middle school student who has submitted documentation to show the completion of the 75-hour SSL graduation requirement (for the first time in middle school) by April 5, 2024, will receive the Superintendent’s SSL Award. All SSL verification forms should be submitted using this Google Form or directly to Mrs. Lewis, the RPMS SSL coordinator, by the required deadline of April 5, 2024, to be considered for these awards. Please reach out to Mrs. Lewis with any questions: sarah_f_lewis@mcpsmd.org
Family and Student Survey
Between February 12 and March 15, Families, Students, and Staff of MCPS are asked to complete a survey to help the system better understand the climate and conditions of our school and the system.
We want to improve our teaching and make our school a more welcoming place for all students and families. Please fill out this survey to help us understand what we need to do better. It will take about 10 minutes.
The Family Survey is available here
The Student Survey is available here
Why is your feedback important? It will help us
- improve the way we teach your children,
- make our school more welcoming,
- work as partners with families to help all students succeed.
Will anyone at the school know who filled out the survey?
- No! Your answers are confidential.
How will the responses be used?
- The responses will guide the school leadership team as they make changes for the upcoming school year.
Below are links to flyers in multiple languages to help guide you through the process.
English, Español / 中文 / Français / Português /한국어 / Tiếng Việt / አማርኛ
8th Grade Fieldtrip - Hershey Park
The 8th Grade Hersheypark Trip is coming up on Monday, June 10! Students received paper copies of the forms and important information in History class on Friday, 2/16. You can find an electronic copy of the form here. You can submit online payment here
Please be sure to submit pages 3-6 and payment by Friday, March 8th to Mrs. Woodward, Ms. Bulitt, or Mr. Swank. If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Woodward at gina_p_woodward@mcpsmd.org.
Baby Pics - All Pics Due Monday February 26th
RPMS needs your help to gather as many good pictures for the yearbook as possible. Below are the directions for submitting photos and the types of pictures we are looking for. EIGHT GRADE students and families read the whole message as the information for the 8th grade baby pictures is included.
“How to submit student life images to be featured in the yearbook”
- Visit Yearbookforever.com
- Type in our school's name and select "shop the store"
- Click on "Yearbook Snap" which is located at the top of the webpage
- Access code is: dolphins
- We could use some images of student life (before/after school, clubs, sports, spirit weeks, etc.)
- Please add a note that includes student names, grades, and a little blurb about the image
- We try our best to include all pictures submitted included in the yearbook, but it cannot be guaranteed.
“8th grade baby pictures”
- The baby picture spread in the yearbook is a special dedication page for just 8th graders
- Use Yearbook Snap to submit baby picture images (see direction above)
- Please add a note that includes the student’s name!
8th Grade In-School Fieldtrip - Planetarium
On Wednesday, February 21, 8th graders will have the opportunity to participate in a SkyDome Portable Planetarium Astronomy Assembly during their scheduled Science class at Rosa Parks Middle School. We have invited MobilEd Productions to join us for the day to enhance our study of Astronomy, including the Sun and the planets, the Moon, the Milky Way Galaxy and various Greek Constellations. The SkyDome Planetarium will be set up in the gymnasium and will be the perfect “in house” science field trip for our students to enjoy. Time will be allotted for students to ask questions near the end of the presentation. Students will follow their regular schedule and report to the gym for the assembly during their scheduled science period.
The fee for this experience is $8 per student.
Online payment, cash or check will be accepted.
This field trip is attached to your student via School Cash Online and can be paid online
Please make all checks payable to RPMS.
If you are experiencing financial hardship, please feel free to include a note with your child’s permission slip or reach out to your child’s science teacher (Mrs. Cooper, Mrs. Morales or Mrs. Tipton)
We hope that this is a valuable learning experience for the students and that it enhances our Astronomy curriculum. If you would like more information about our presenters, you may visit the following website: http://www.mobileedproductions.com/sky-dome-portable-planetarium-school-assemblies
A paper copy of a permission slip was sent home on 2/5/24 with your student. Please send it back along with your child’s fee (online or cash or check in an envelope), to your child’s Science teacher ASAP.
Wellness Fair
Families are invited to attend a free wellness fair during the evening of Tuesday, March 12th. There will be multiple sessions on mental health, social media, communication, and a variety of physical fitness activities including yoga, pickleball, basketball, martial arts, personal training, etc. The Pacha Mama juice truck will also be at the fair and there will be 100 boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables for participants, provided by Hungry Harvest.
Click the picture to see the flyer and get more details.
Montgomery County Public Schools Girls Summit
A CDC report released in February 2023 highlighted record high levels of sadness, suicide risk, and violence reported by teen girls. These concerning national trends for female youth are also seen in Montgomery County. Montgomery County Public Schools will host a Girl Summit on March 9th at Northwood High School. This special event for girls and their caregivers will offer education and resources for many aspects of young women’s health such as: depression, anxiety, healthy eating, and body images. The event will culminate with a fashion show sponsored by White House Black Market. We will end the day celebrating ALL body types in this highly anticipated finale.
If you have any additional questions, please contact the Office of the School System Medical Officer or Stephanie R Iszard at Stephanie_R_Iszard@mcpsmd.org
Event Flyer and Spanish Language Event Flyer
Girls’ Summit Registration Link: http://tinyurl.com/222kpurn
Sherwood Cluster - Future Educator Scholarship
The Sherwood High School PTSA is excited to announce the Future Educator Scholarship, designed to support and recognize the outstanding achievements of graduating seniors who aspire to pursue a career in education. As we believe in the power of education to transform lives, we are committed to investing in the next generation of educators who will shape the future.
We invite current and retired educators, as well as members of our community who champion excellence in education, to join us in contributing to this scholarship. If you share a passion for fostering academic excellence and wish to contribute to the Future Educator Scholarship fund, please click on the link below. By participating, you play a pivotal role in empowering the next generation of educators. The scholarship recipients will know that their award was made possible by the generous support of people who support their educational journey.
--Sherwood High School PTSA Scholarship Committee
2023 MCAP Individual Score Reports
This message is to let you know that your child’s Individual Score Report(s) for the Spring 2023 Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) English Language Arts and/or Math assessments have been delivered to the Post Office. In addition to the school reports, you will receive a guide to assist you in understanding your student’s score on the assessments. Please allow at least one week for delivery from receipt of this message. If you have any questions about your student’s ELA and/or Math scores, please contact your student's counselor.
Boys' and Girls' Soccer Tryouts
Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer Team Tryouts begin on Tuesday, March 12th!
April 4 – RPMS vs. Loiederman (Boys Home, Girls Away)
April 11 – RPMS vs. Parkland (Girls Home, Boys Away)
April 18 – RPMS vs. Farquhar (Boys Home, Girls Away)
April 24 – RPMS vs. Argyle (Girls Home, Boys Away)
May 8 – RPMS vs. Redland (Boys Home, Girls Away)
Free and Low Cost Academic Resources
There are many amazing things happening during the school day to support the learning of our students! At times, some students need some extra support to master new learning. MCPS has gathered resources that are free or low cost to families. These resources directly align with our curriculum used to teach our students each day.
Sign Up to Present at the 2024 Rosa Parks Career Expo!
Rosa Parks Middle School will host its annual Career Expo on Friday, April 26th. We hope this event will provide an opportunity for our students to become familiar with the world of work and integrate what they learn with what they may want to do in the future. In order for the event to be a success, we need parents and community members to volunteer their time and expertise. We hope you will consider sharing about your profession with our students! If you are interested in participating, please complete the online Google form. If you have any questions about the event, please contact the Rosa Parks Middle School Counseling Office at 240-740-3310. Thank you!
Order Your Yearbook Now!
Yearbooks are $45 plus a small service fee. Click the picture to buy yours now!
Supporting Math at Home
See the video below from Mrs. Conway, Math Content Specialist, about how you can help your student practice math skills by using the IXL Platform!
Grade Level Assignments Summary
After School Clubs and Activities
After School Activities have started! This link will remain in the newsletter every week, and we will let you know as new clubs are added!
After School Activities
Activity Bus Routes and Stops
Click here to see our bus routes and stops, activity buses run every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Community Opportunities
GBTLA Saturday School - Registration is Open!
Saturday Schools Programs have physical locations at Wheaton, Northwest, Einstein, Montgomery Blair, Paint Branch, and Clarksburg High Schools. Each of these centers will serve students in grades 6-8 and includes breakfast and transportation over 23 Saturdays from September to May. The affordable cost for our Saturday School program is $40 for students that qualify for FARMS and $85 for all other students. This cost is for the entire year.
Saturday School serves MCPS as a strategic partner and provides mentoring and tutoring from 8:30 am - 11:00 am on Saturday mornings, which is what we consider the 6th Day of Learning. The middle school Saturday School curriculum allows students additional time with MCPS curriculum and is taught by MCPS teachers with the goal of extending and supporting the weekly grade-level learning outcomes.
Flyers, Schedules, and Registration Materials can be found here.
SSL Opportunities
Student Service Learning
Parents and families may review details about SSL hours here. Students joined the myMCPS Classroom/Canvas course titled "SSL-RPMS 2023-2024" that is also available to all individuals who hold a role as "Observer" on myMCPS Classroom/Canvas. The Canvas course is a place for students to learn more about SSL, research service opportunities, and submit verification forms.
Students and families are encouraged to submit SSL verification forms digitally using the Google Form on the SSL Canvas course. Digital submission allows the SSL coordinator, Mrs. Lewis, to process forms more rapidly and to communicate with students and families more efficiently if concerns arise. Students may see Mrs. Lewis at school during TAP with any questions about the program; families may reach Mrs. Lewis by email: sarah_f_lewis@mcpsmd.org.
Join the PTA
Click here to visit our Givebacks Store and join or make a donation to the PTA.
PTA Givebacks and Emails
Our PTA uses the online communication tool called Givebacks (formerly known as Memberhub). RPMS PTA uses Givebacks to bring you into our school community and keep you informed and engaged with what is happening. Within our Givebacks, you will find our e-store, newsletters, signup sheets, calendar events, files, photos, reminders, and much more all in one place!
To receive PTA emails and other communications, please click here to add you and your family to the RPMS Givebacks site.
We would love to have you and your family as PTA members. Please visit our e-store to join.
Thanks, and welcome to Givebacks!
Fundraisers
Flower Power Fundraiser
Rosa Parks Middle School PTA in Olney, MD, supports School Events, School Upgrades to technology and the building environment, Staff and Teacher Appreciation Days, and Student and Community Programming like Multicultural Night and the Sherwood Scholarship Fund. Purchase your Spring flowers and bulbs to support a great cause! Click here to participate and learn more.