The Weekly Ramsey Update
Week 14
Upcoming events
Dec. 15th - Conferences, 4-7pm (Staff and parent volunteers will be available to show parents/guardians how to access Schoology and Campus Portal on your smart devices!)
Dec. 21 - Winter Dance, 12:30-2pm
Dec. 21 - Last day before Winter Break
Jan. 3 - School is back in session
MYP update of the week
Parents sometimes wonder why we are an MYP school and what long-term benefits the Middle Years Programme provides for students. The primary aim of the International Baccalaureate is to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. However, the rigorous education that students receive also helps them as they continue their education beyond the end of the MYP program (10th grade). In 2015, researchers published a study that useddata from a large, socio-economically diverse school district in the United States .
Key findings from the study:
-Results show that students previously enrolled in the MYP were 34% more likely to take at least one AP or DP (IB Diploma Programme) exam in high school. Moreover, MYP enrollment significantly increased the likelihood of achieving at least one “college-ready” score on a college preparatory exam (by 39%).
-MYP students view the rigor of the program as a benefit (Wade and Wolanin 2013); MYP participation prepares students for the DP (IB Diploma Program) by providing them with an understanding of criterion-based assessment and by developing their organizational and inquiry skills (Walker, Bryant and Lee 2014).
You may view the full research summary here: " A comparison of MYP and non-MYP students' participation and performance in high school "
This week at Ramsey
In Ms. Fontana's ELA Workshop 7 class, students created an annotation cube identifying the theme, textual evidence, connections, symbols, or questions that help them explore the deeper meaning of their independent reading book. Students also learned how to check out e-books from the St. Paul Public Library on their iPads.
This week in our 8/7 grade French immersion classes, we have worked on our History Day projects. Both classes: social studies and language art have joined efforts to provide us with the help we need to
complete our work in French. We have been researching our topics in French, and we will be participating in the first selection at Ramsey with our projects in French. The date will be communicated later. when we move to regionals, we will translate our projects into English.
Quarter 2 Conferences - Food for the Teachers
Thursday, Dec 15, 2016, 03:00 PM
1700 Summit Avenue, Saint Paul, MN, United States
A note from PTO
The PTO would like to thank everyone who contributed to our Fall Direct Donation Fund drive. We raised approximately 4,300.00$. That is fantastic! We also raised approximately 240.00$ from our night at Culver’s. We will plan to do another dinner fund drive after the New Year. Stay tuned.
Our “Give a Kid a Pencil Drive” has resulted in over 1000 pencils either purchased from our Thrivent seed money or donated by our school community. I have heard several times that the teachers are very happy to be able to grab some pencils from the box for use in the classroom, and they are going quickly! Please consider picking up a pack of pencils next time you're shopping or donating gently used ones you have around the house. You can give to staff in the school office or bring to PTO meetings. It is an easy, effective way to support both our students and teachers.
The PTO is looking for 4-6 volunteers during conferences next week, Thursday Dec.15, to help parents/guardians learn how to better access Schoology. It would involve going over a postcard that has a step by step process on how to log in. Can you help? Please email ramseypto@gmail.com or contact Dede Hammond in the office If you can help for for one hour or the duration. We would be happy to have you.
Once again before conferences, we will be providing a staff meal. There are still many spots to fill. Here is the link to sign up- it’s easy, fun to contribute and the staff loves it! http://signup.com/go/EbEN1Q
Thank you for all your efforts! We appreciated every single one of them!
Your PTO Presidents,
Ollie Muhammad and Ann Malm
Important Notices
Help Ms. Jones! - Not quite halfway to the goal. Thank you to all the people who have supported Ramsey Science in the past. Please consider making a donation to make this project possible this year. Thanks again in advance from the students.
https://www.donorschoose.org/project/roller-coaster-theme-park/2336182/
Donations - We are looking for winter jackets for students of any size, but we really need the adult XXL size, both for a girl and boy-- in the event you have something you were wanting to donate.. also looking for hats, gloves, mittens.. THANKS!
TOYS FOR TOTS -
If you wish to make a toy donation to Toys for Tots there are many St. Paul delivery sites which can be located at toysfortots.org If you would like to register your children for a gift from Toys for Tots, please call:
Salvation Army 651-746-3595
Neighborhood House 612-282-5951
New Birth Mission Baptist Church 651-313-0881
Community Stabilization Program 651-236-8692
Science Department - The science department is still in need of empty 2L bottles with caps. Please send them with your student to bring to their science teacher!
From the library - Student Library Survey
We would like to hear from our students about their library and reading needs. This survey will be distributed to students in Foundations in the coming days. If you'd like to preview the survey or take the survey with your student now, please follow this link (https://goo.gl/forms/C0ziv5Z09me410hE2). No HIPPA protected data will be collected about students who participate; however if you would like your student to opt out, you may.
Parent Library Survey
Parents who haven't yet given their feedback about the RMS library may do so here: https://goo.gl/forms/EsL3l4PqJ8wu80p33
From Our Social Workers - As cold weather is approaching it reminds us that there are students who are not fully outfitted with warm weather gear (and then there are those that refuse and only want to wear a hoodie, like mine!) and that some of us may have items we could donate. We are looking to set aside a small store of winter jackets and hoodies, hats, gloves, and mittens. If you have gently used items and care to donate please drop them off with Kris Knetsch or nurse Maureen, in the nurse's office. All sizes welcome! Thanks!
Yearbook Update: Yearbooks make great holiday gifts! Yearbooks are on sale now for $21. Order online at jostensyearbooks.com.
About Us
Website: ramsey.spps.org
Location: 1700 Summit Avenue, Saint Paul, MN, United States
Phone: (651) 293-8860