Weekly Dolphin Newsletter
Week of February 12, 2024
Important Updates
RPMS PTSA Meeting
The PTSA will be meeting on Tuesday, 2/13, from 6:30 to 7:30 in the Rosa Parks Media Center. The meeting will also be accessible online, a zoom link will be shared by email this week for the meeting.
8th Grade Field Trip - Rock and Roll Revival
Reminder:
8th grade is invited to a discounted showing of Sherwood High School's "Rock and Roll Revival". Please ask your child about the permission slip that was sent home Friday, February 2nd. The deadline for turning in forms and payment is Thursday, February 15th. Don't miss out on this opportunity. You can pay online here
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.
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!
Parent Volunteers Needed
There are still three lunches that need support for SGA to sell Candygrams.
Sign Up Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4BA8AC22ABFAC07-47742056-sgacandygrams#/
The three dates that we have no one signed up for are:
- 2/13, 8th Grade Lunch (12:50-1:20)
- 2/15, 6th Grade Lunch (11:10 - 11:40)
- 2/16, 6th Grade Lunch (11:18 - 11:48)
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.
Baby Pics
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!
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.
NEW - PTA Newsletter - Thanksgiving Edition Dolphin Digest
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.