RMS Knightly News
Week of March 6, 2023
Hello RMS Knights and Families
March's Honor the Castle theme is "Overcoming Obstacles". We defined obstacles as something that obstructs, hinders, or interferes with or prevents our knights’ actions for making progress, growth, and achievement.
This week’s Mindset Monday Message for the week of March 6th, states, “Strength does not always come from what you can do…It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you could not.”
Click Here for this week's Mindset Monday Message.
Email: huston.julian@fraserk12.org
Website: https://www.fraser.k12.mi.us/RMSHome
Location: 33500 Garfield Road, Fraser, MI, USA
Twitter: @HustonLJulian
Spring Conferences 2023
Hello RMS families,
We are hosting our Spring Teacher Conferences on Thursday, March 16th. Our conferences are an opportunity to discuss your Knight’s current academic, behavioral, and/or social well-being and to clarify any related comments, questions, or concerns about his/her grades.
Our Spring Teacher Conferences will be by appointment only between 1pm-4pm and 5pm-8pm. At this time, invite communication have been sent by our teachers as of the week of Feb. 28th to meet with our requested student’s families.
If you did not receive an invite from your Knight’s teacher, this indicates that they do not have any concerns at this time. If you would like to connect with one of your student’s teachers, please reach out via their email to connect RMS staff directory.
Below is a link to check availability for available conference spot. You are welcome to sign up for a time if you want the opportunity for a conference at https://fraser.schoolsoft.com.
We ask that you please sign up using your student’s name for clarity. If you cannot access the link for any reason, please use the google form link https://bit.ly/RMSSpringCon23 and Mrs. Holtyn will be able to assist further.
Mrs. Shirley Monk - School Social Worker
Mr. Adam Fichter - Interim Assistant Principal
SECOND STEP LESSON 12
7th Grade -Lesson 12 Making Better Decisions
Summary- this week’s lesson, our knights will be shared strategies for how to interrupt unhelpful thoughts and manage strong emotions with their peers by creating a comic strip.
At home question to ask your 7th Grade Knight- Ask to see your 7th grade knight’s comic strip. If they don’t have the comic strip, ask them to explain it to you.
8th Grade- Lesson 12 Changing Strategies and Getting Help
Summary- In this week’s lesson, our 8th grade knights will analyze stressful situations and decide if they need to change their strategy or get outside help to manage their stress.
At home question to ask your 8th grade Knight- Tell your Knight about a time you needed help managing stress.
Citizenship Review
At Richards Middle School, we hold our students to high expectations and want to ensure not only a quality education, but that each of our Knights in turn is modeling appropriate behavior. Our school-wide expectations are to Be Safe, Respectful, and Responsible throughout all areas of the building. In addition to academic grades and progress, we also share updates on your child’s citizenship. Citizenship is evaluated as follows:
Outstanding
Satisfactory
Unsatisfactory
Needs Improvement
*Student-athletes have Athletic eligibility criteria that considers both academic grades and citizenship behavior.
Students who receive a minimum of 2 Unsatisfactory, 2 Need Improvements or a combination of 1 Unsatisfactory and 1 Needs Improvement mark are placed on our Richards Middle School Citizenship List. Students receive these marks from their classroom teachers over a 5-week designated time. When placed on the Citizenship List, students are unable to attend after school activities, sporting events, or other special activities put on by Richards Middle School, such as our PBIS Incentives each month.
We will be meeting with students this week to review our citizenship list. Citizenship was measured January 30, 2023- March 3, 2023. Your child has the ability to exit the list beginning Monday, March 20, 2023 by picking up a progress report from the main office. Your child will take the progress report to each teacher to document their progress/improvement and return to the office when complete.
If your child is on the Citizenship List for this period or any period throughout the year, they will meet with Mr. Julian and Mrs. Sklad and an email will be shared with home.
Thank you for your continued support.
RMS Staff Appointment Tool
Office Information
Attendance Line: (586) 439-7490 24 hour voicemail
Attendance/Counseling Office: (586) 439-7462 / Fax: (586) 439-7461
Attendance Office Hours: 7:15am - 3:15pm
Main Office Hours: 7:15am - 3:15pm
Main Office: (586) 439-7400
22-23 Yearbook Information
To order your 22-23 Yearbook CLICK HERE.
For more information about adding your own photos or purchasing 8th grade ads, CLICK HERE.
AUTISM ACCEPTANCE T-SHIRT FUNDRAISER
Help support Peer to Peer programs throughout the district while increasing acceptance of Autism and other disabilities! “Choose to Include” is our theme this year!
We are excited & proud to announce that this year’s shirt design was created by Fraser High School senior & Peer to Peer student, Olivia Wittstock!
Short sleeved $15.00 Long sleeved $20.00 Cash or Check payable to “FRASER HIGH SCHOOL” (Please: Do NOT write checks to Fraser Public Schools).
Order forms are due by Monday, March 13. Click Here for Order Form
Eyeglasses & Lenses Donations
Through the end of the school year, Quest is collecting eyeglasses & lenses for the Lions Club to distribute to those in need. You can donate your lenses to a box near the Counseling Office at RMS or give them to a Quest teacher. Thank you, RMS!
The Knight Shift
The Knight Shift after-school homework club (designated Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:05pm-4:00pm in the media center)
The Knight Shift -“The time period after a long day of work to organize, to prepare, and to be ready for success!”
We are fortunate to have members of our student leadership groups from RMS and FHS to assist students who attend the Knight Shift with their assignments and projects.
All Noble Knights are invited to attend the Knight Shift…If they have:
- Homework assignment(s) to complete- Individual tables area
- A group project needs to be worked on - Collaboration stations area
- A quiet location to read - Flexible seating area
Available dates from 3:05pm - 4:00pm
Thursday, March 9th
Tuesday, March 14th
Tuesday, March 21st
Thursday, March 23rd
Tuesday, March 28th
The Knight Shift will be located in the Media Center and is a time and place for students to come and spend an additional hour on getting their work done or silently reading. Students will have access to a quiet space, internet, devices, and resources that may assist them with their work.
This time is monitored by Mr. Julian or Mrs. Skladanowski. Upon arrival - students will sign-in and will record what they are working on.
Remember, this is not a time to play games on iPads/phones or to come and socialize without working (working on a project with group members is encouraged). Off task students will be removed and will be unable to attend for the remainder of the session.
Knights interested in staying after-school on those designated Tuesday(s) and Thursday(s) must be in the Media Center by 3:05pm and should plan on staying until 3:55pm. All students who stay after-school would need a ride home as late buses are not available.
RMS Be Nice Group attended Symposium
After-school Dissection Lab
7th and 8th grade Girls' Basketball Season underway
RMS Green Club Fundraiser was a success
Learning about DNA and genetics
Our Knights were building DNA chains related to their individual traits during the genetics lesson
Finishing February strong with Castle Connecters
MacBook Reminders
We wanted to provide a few MacBook reminders to support our students and families. Please see below and review these items with your Knight. Announcements and reminders are made frequently. Consequences will be issued for students who violate our District Acceptable Use Policy or Student Code of Conduct. Warnings have been issued and students have been notified of potential consequences (detentions, docking, opt-out, suspension) if they choose to violate the AUP or Student Code of Conduct. The MacBook Agreement can be found below.
These violations include:
- Installing a Virtual Private Network (VPN) which blocks the established District Filters
- Installing a gaming browser
- Downloading any applications, games or websites without building/district permission
- Playing games during instruction periods
- Leaving MacBooks in hallways or on lockers unattended.
Lost or Damaged Fees
- First offense - $50
- Second offense - $100 and student device may become opt-out and student is unable to bring device home.
- Third offense - $1100 and student will dock MacBook unless explicitly needed for assignment.
MacBook Charging
It is important your Knight charges their MacBook daily. If your child forgets, we have limited abilities to charge in the media center. Each time your child needs to charge their MacBook it will be documents. After multiple usage, the media center staff will communicate that your child has become an OPT-OUT for a period of time. We want our Knights to be prepared for the day of learning and that means coming on time to class with all materials, including their MacBook charged.
As a reminder, we have clear backpacks for sale in the main office and school store for $5.
Device Care
Outside Food and Beverage Policy
Outside food delivery is a safety concern. We do not want to have strangers and people that we do not know coming to our buildings with delivery bags. It also is a workload issue for office personnel. Managing multiple food deliveries during lunchtime becomes an additional responsibility for our office staff.
The District works hard to provide a variety of healthy, good-tasting food in its cafeterias, and students are always free to bring their own lunch to school. We will continue to follow our past practice of making sure students receive lunch if they forget to bring one from home.
RMS Clubs and Activities
RMS Show Choir Club
Meeting Day: Monday (unless no school)
Location: FHS Choir Room Door #51
Time: 7pm-8:30pm
Sponsor: Mrs. McLeod, RMS accompanist
- Rehearsals will be every Monday from 7pm-8:30pm
- There is a participation fee of $30.
- This group is open to all students at RMS whether they are in choir or not.
- Their concert will be on May 24th at 7pm at FHS with the rest of the RMS choir's
- The audition music will be located on Canvas. If you are not in Mr. Perkins' choir class Canvas, please email him. Michael.perkins@fraserk12.org
RMS Dance Club (7th and 8th grade)
Meeting Day: Monday
Location: Room 155
Time: 3:00-4:00pm
Sponsor: Ms. Lombardo
Practice is Mondays; Performances are Thursdays
Meeting Dates:
Mar. 13
Mar. 20 - Performance (Girls Bball)
Club Guidelines:
- Attend weekly practice
- Stay off the citizenship list
- Wear dance/gym clothes and shoes
- Change after school - practice starts at 3:00 sharp
- Bring your backpack, coat, etc. no going to lockers after
- Help move choir room chairs at the start and end of practice
- Arrange your own ride home at 4:00pm
- Our goal is to perform halftime at 1 boys and 1 girls basketball games
HOSA
Next Meeting Day: March 15
Location: RMS Room 139
Time: 3:00-4:00pm
Sponsor: Mrs. Garman BSN, RN, MA, RMA (AMT) at FHS
HOSA -Future Health Professionals is a national organization for students who are enrolled in health science education classes and/or are interested in careers in the health professions.
Fraser HOSA members are expected to:
- Be Active!!!
- Participate in business and other meetings
- Serve on committees
- Participate in community service projects
- Participate in fundraising efforts
- Pay dues each year
Green Team
Next Meeting Day: March 8
Location: Media Center
Time: 3:00-4:00pm
Sponsor: Mrs. Descamps
For those who have sjgned up to join, please meet Mrs. Descamps in the Media Center from 3:00-4:00. We will discuss and learn about ways to help RMS be green! ♻️ If you have not signed up, but would like to attend, please reach out to Mrs. Descamps (Room 239).
Student Council Activities
Participation in After-school Athletic Events
Students need to be sure they meet all criteria before attending. We encourage participation and good sportsmanship during the game. Students who do not meet expectations will be asked to leave.
Please see the flyer below and note that starting February 6, any student who is failing more than 1 class will be unable to attend events.
For safety, students need to go home directly after school or the game.
AS A REMINDER, OUR STUDENTS MUST FOLLOW THE BELOW CRITERIA TO ATTEND OUR ATHLETIC EVENTS.
RMS Athletics
RMS Girls 7th/8th Grade Basketball
March 6 - vs L'Anse Creuse Middle School North (A)
March 8 - vs L'Anse Creuse Middle School Central (H)
March 9 - vs L'Anse Creuse Middle School South (H)
8th Grade game starts approx. 5:00pm
If you have questions, please email your coach.
7th Grade: Michael Cunningham
Email: Michael.cunningham@fraserk12.org
8th Grade: Carmelita Bambrick
Fraser, Stevenson, Tower Unified Hockey Team
To provide the most effective process for entering and exiting Richards Middle School, we need our families consistent help in observing the below traffic expectations:
- Our RMS bus loop is only to be used by emergency vehicles and our district’s school buses between the hours of 7:15 am through 4:00 pm.
- To help with our daily traffic flow, please follow our painted traffic arrows in our parking lot.
- In supporting our traffic flow for entering and exiting for all vehicles, please observe no standing, parking, waiting and stopping in the parking lot aisle ways.
- When exiting Richards Middle School at dismissal time, please utilize either our RMS Garfield exit, FHS Garfield exit or FHS Klein exit.
Please be aware of students, families and guests who are walking in our parking lots by obeying traffic laws, regulating your speed, and following the traffic direction arrows. Images can be found below. Please no parking or standing where you see a red x.
Our district security personnel will communicate these expectations to our families when needed. Thank you for your support with keeping RMS a safe travel area for everyone on campus.
PLEASE BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR ADDITIONAL SIGNS ALONG THE DROP OFF LANE TO HELP DIRECT TRAFFIC FLOW!
Dress Code Expectations
- Shorts/Dresses/Skirts must be longer than the students fingertip length with students' arms by their side.
- Undergarments, chest and midriffs must be covered and students are not permitted to wear spaghetti straps, muscle shirts with armpits visible, etc.
- No sagging of the pants or shorts
- No graphic, see-through or inappropriate saying on clothing (sexual comments, drugs, violence, etc.)
- No pajama wear - lounge pants, flannel pants, boxer shorts, slippers (shoes without hard soles) *unless permitted by a school function.
- No hats, bandanas/scarves (unless worn to support hair appropriately), and/or hoods up during the school day.
Important Dates
Thursday, March 16 - Half Day, 11:35 Dismissal - Conferences
Friday, March 17 - Half Day, 11:35 Dismissal
March 31 through April 7 - Spring Break
Change of Address Information
If you have recently moved, please complete the following form to update your address and upload the files needed for update: https://form.jotform.com/211594973642161