Raymond Park
Ranger News, Week of December 2, 2019
From the Principal
Ranger Patrons,
Ranger students will be taking the NWEA reading assessment this week and the NWEA math assessment next week. This data will provide a mid-year look at your student’s progress to help teachers determine what instructional adjustments should be made. Therefore, it is important for students to give their best effort to make results valid. I ask that parents provide students with motivation for best effort. In addition to teacher encouragement, the principal has pledged cookies to all students that meet or beat their projected score - Give it your best shot, Rangers!
RP is proud to recognize October and November students-of-the-day for their outstanding citizenship. Teachers nominated students for demonstrating the CORE ideals of Civility, Order, Respect and Excellence: Kaiden Harris, Julio Mejia, Elijah Brinegar, Xavier Mattox, Helen Calvillo, Will Young, Aaron Portillo, Daylin Aguilera Covarrubias, Ma’ryah Matthews, Dennis Mitchell, David Espinoza, Rosario Madrid Rivera, Justin Thomas, Brian Martinez, Rodney Freeman, Amiyah Slater, Christopher Combs, Caden Perkins, Dayanara Perez, Albert Smith, Trenton Pendleton, Miracle Anderson, Andre Jackson, Kaelynn Dabney, Jasmine Kaur, Ciara Jones, Genesis Tragan, and Sarah Anderson - Keep up the good work, Rangers!
In the larger context, Raymond Park Middle School looks forward to rewarding our term 2 “Ranger to the CORE” students with the opportunity to celebrate with their peers at Dave and Buster’s during the week of December 16. Eligible students should meet all of the following criteria for the examination period leading up to trip organization:
- passing all classes
- 0 discipline referrals
- 1 or less CORE Documentation for classroom disruption
- 2 or less days absent
- A grade in citizenship
I hope many students are able to attend!
Please note that the term 2 grade window has been adjusted so that students will receive report cards prior to winter break. The close of the second grading term will be Wednesday, December 18. Grade reports will be sent home with students on Friday, December 20.
The season of giving continues at RP. Students and staff did a great job of donating non- perishable items during the week before Thanksgiving. Our holiday giving initiative will continue next week with money donations that will be provided to the Warren community's own Sonny Day Community Center.
The three weeks between Thanksgiving and winter break can be a difficult time for students to maintain focus. Additionally, the holiday season can be a happy or a depressing time of year for kids. For those facing economic hardship and/or the loss of family or friends, depression is an unfortunate and grim reality to a season that can be filled with so much hope. Please do not hesitate to contact school personnel to discuss your student’s academic or emotional status during the days leading up to winter break. I also ask for your support in helping to keep kids focused during this busy, energy-packed time of year.
John Kleine, Ed.D.
Principal
School Safety Measures That Some Students Find to be Inconvenient
This section of the newsletter is for the purpose of helping parents and guardians support students in understanding the need for guidelines that the adolescent mind often seeks to test. This week's focus is outerwear and backpacks...
School Safety Measure #1: Outerwear and backpacks are to be stowed in lockers before school and retrieved from lockers after school. Outerwear and backpacks should not be worn or carried during the regular school day.
Rationale: Outerwear (coats, jackets, hooded sweatshirts, etc) and backpacks pose a risk to the safety and order of the learning environment as items of distraction and harm may easily be concealed from view and remain readily accessible to students.
Inconvenience: Students see the outerwear policy as an inconvenience as hooded sweatshirts and zippered jackets are fashionable and popular clothing items for kids. School temperatures can also vary to the extent that additional layers of clothing may be desired. Students see the backpack policy as an inconvenience as many kids like to use a backpack to carry their belongings with them from class to class.
School Allowances: Students may wear non-hooded sweatshirts or a sweater with a collar for additional layers for comfort. Students may carry belongings in string bags that typically have no zippers, limited compartments, and are much lighter in weight than a backpack such that harmful items may not be stowed. Students are assigned both a locker and a combination lock to be used to secure outerwear and backpacks during the school day.
Would like to know more? The RP Standardized Wear Guidelines document is linked here and may also be found later in this newsletter. Your student’s grade level administrator may be contacted with specific questions or concerns about dress guidelines. Your student’s grade level counselor may be contacted with questions regarding locker access.
Robotics Fundraiser
Information from the Athletic Department
7th & 8th Grade Girls Basketball Tryouts Tuesday, December 3rd 4:00-6:00 p.m. Report to the cafeteria after school
Participants will need to be picked up at door 24 at 6:00 p.m. and must have a physical dated April 1, 2019 or later on file.
WCHS Room A306
Enter through door 14
Morning Student Arrival Information
As the weather becomes increasingly colder, it is important to review our morning drop-off procedures. Recently, we have had a large number of students on campus prior to 8:30 a.m. This presents a safety concern as those students are standing outside in frigid temperatures and are left unsupervised.
- Students are not able to enter the building until 8:30 a.m. This is the earliest we can guarantee appropriate adult supervision.
- Students should NOT be dropped off prior to 8:30 a.m. each day; if they are, they will be standing in cold temperatures until staff supervision arrives and students are let in to the cafeteria.
- Given that school begins at 8:55 a.m. for 5th and 6th grade students and 9:02 a.m. for 7th and 8th grade students, the school is allowing families an additional 25-30 minutes of time for their student to be supervised by inviting students in the building at 8:30 a.m.
- Please use this information and follow the Car Line Procedures (below) to create the car-rider line safety for morning and afternoon travel.
- Please also follow the instructions of all staff members outdoors as they direct and supervise parking lot and drop-off line areas.
The safety and supervision of your student and our staff is always our top priority - we ask for you support in helping us with these efforts.
From the Office of Exceptional Learners:
Homework Help!
If your student needs Math or Science homework assistance, they can call AskRose. Please see information below:
Tutors are available by phone Sunday - Thursday, 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm (ET) at:
877-Ask-Rose (877-275-7673)
RPI&MS PTSA News
Don't forget to join our Parent Teacher Student Association and support all of the wonderful student activities and events throughout the school year! Your $7 membership earns you a weekly PTSA electronic newsletter and membership incentives. Our PTSA sponsors Back To School Night treats, Warren Homefest, the quarterly CORE Celebrations, teacher reimbursement for school supplies, open gym nights, family bingo night, field trip fundraisers, end of year celebration treat for all students, 8th grade celebration gift, and staff appreciation days. Our PTSA coordinates the school-PTSA joint fall fundraiser, grade level fundraisers, weekly slushy sales, RP-AMC monthly family movie events, Box Top collection contests, quarterly roller skating parties at the Roller Cave and Sonny Day Community Center volunteering nights. We have over 400 members this year! Join us!!
Congratulations to our 5th grade students and staff for winning our PTSA membership contest this year!
Please contact our PTSA for more information: rpims.ptsa@gmail.com
Useful Links
SCHOOL DISTRICT PUBLICATIONS/NEWS MEDIA USE
Contact Us
Dr. John Kleine - Principal
Mrs. Jina Simmons - 5th Grade Level Administrator
Mr. Andrew McAulay - 5th Grade Counselor
Mrs. April Price - 6th Grade Level Administrator
Ms. Katie Piatt - 6th Grade Counselor
Mr. Bill Halpin - 7th Grade Level Administrator
Mrs. Iris Parrish -7th Grade Counselor
Dr. Leondra Radford - 8th Grade Level Administrator
Mrs. Adrienne Mathews - 8th Grade Counselor
Lisa Stewart - Nurse
Website: http://raymondpark.warren.k12.in.us
Location: 8575 East Raymond Street Indianapolis, IN 46239
Phone: 317-532-8900
Twitter: @RangerPrincipal