Mr. Brown's Weekly Newsletter
Issue 34 April 28, 2024
DATES TO REMEMBER
May 1 and 2- Student MCAP Testing
May 4- Gene Smith Memorial Fun Run and Wellness Fair
May 6-10- Staff Appreciation Week
May 14- Election Day No School
May 27- Memorial Day- No School
AIR CONDITIONING IS ON IN THE BUILDING
Parents,
Now that the warm weather is upon us, the heat in the building has been turned off and the air conditioning is on! Due to the dynamics of our large building, the temperature may fluctuate from area to area. It may be cold in one area and warm in another.
Because of this, it is best to send your children to school dressed in layers so they can be comfortable in all parts of the building.
Our goal is to try to keep our students as comfortable as possible throughout the school day.
Thank you for your help!
Padres,
A medida que el clima cálido está sobre nosotros, la calefacción en el edificio se ha apagado y el aire acondicionado está encendido. Debido a la dinámica de nuestro gran edificio, la temperatura puede fluctuar de un área a otra. Puede ser frío en una zona y cálido en otra.
Debido a esto, es mejor enviar a sus hijos a la escuela vestidos en capas para que puedan estar cómodos en todas las partes del edificio.
Nuestro objetivo es tratar de mantener a nuestros estudiantes lo más cómodos posible durante todo el día escolar.
¡Gracias por su ayuda!
8TH GRADE MYP COMMUNITY PROJECT SHOWCASE INVITATION
All of our 8th grade students have been engaging in the MYP Community Project for the last few months. This project provides students with an opportunity to collaborate in small groups around a topic of interest or “issue” within the local or global community. Students engage in inquiry, action and reflection with a staff member “coach” and are overseen by their History teacher. Portions of this project are graded and final project submissions allow students to earn up to 10 SSL hours.
As a culmination of this work, 8th grade students will present their projects to 6th and 7th grade students during the day on Wednesday, May 15th. During the evening on Thursday, May 16th, 8th grade students have the opportunity to present to family members and peers. This event will take place from 6:15 - 7:30pm in the cafeteria. Students who attend and participate in this event may earn an additional 2 SSL hours.
If you have questions or would like more information about the MYP Community Project, please contact the MYP Coordinator, Elizabeth Gall at Elizabeth_K_Gall@mcpsmd.org
We hope you can attend to see all the great work our students have done!
OUTDOOR ED FOR GRADE 6...COMING IN 7 DAYS!!!!!
The Outdoor Education experience for our 6th grade students will be in May. Students will either attend Session 1 from May 6-8, 2024 or Session 2 from May 8-10, 2024. (Students are pre-assigned to one session) Students & Families were notified of which session their student is assigned via Email, Remind, Synergy, & Canvas in addition to paper forms that were sent home on Friday, March 8.
Families may refer to the Outdoor Education page on Canvas for details about the trip.
If you have any questions about the field trip, please contact a member of the 6th Grade Team:
HEALTHROOM NEWS
OUTDOOR ED: ATTENTION 6TH GRADE PARENTS!
Outdoor Education is coming up in early May. If your child takes any medication (prescription or over-the-counter), it must be turned into the health room by May 1. In addition to the medication, MCPS 525-13 form must be completed by the doctor. If your child has an EpiPen the correct form is MCPS 525-14. Your student may not pack medication with his/her belongings.
Over-the-counter medications would also include supplements such as Melatonin or topical creams such as OTC Cortisone. All over-the-counter medications must be in an original, unopened container. Prescription medicines must be properly labeled by the pharmacy (i.e. please do not send loose inhalers without the box or pharmacy label).
If your child currently has medication in the health room, it will be transported from our health room to the camp health room by a designated staff member.
Please reach out to me if you have any health-related questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Margaret Durbin, RN
301-284-4755
GRADE 6 IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS
Dear Parent or Guardian of a current Grade 6 student:
The Maryland school immunization regulations (10.06.04) require children enrolled in school to show proof of having additional required immunizations.
All Grade 7 students must have both a Tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) and meningococcal (MCV) vaccine. Parents/Guardians are urged to provide to the health room the documentation of the Tdap and MCV immunizations as soon as possible this current school year, or before the first day of school next year.
Padre de Familia o Apoderado del estudiante que está en el grado 6:
Los reglamentos de vacunación de las escuelas de Maryland (COMAR 10.06.04) requieren que los estudiantes que están inscritos en las escuelas muestren prueba de que ya han completado todas las vacunas requeridas.
Todos los estudiantes del Séptimo grado deben tener la vacuna del Tétano, difteria y la tos ferina acelular (Tdap), y la vacuna meningocócica (MCV). Estamos pidiendo que los padres/apoderados del estudiante muestren prueba de estas vacunas de su hijo(a) a la sala de la enfermera escolar lo más pronto posible este año escolar, o antes del primer día de escuela del próximo año escolar.
STUDENT MCAP TESTING
All RCMS students will be participating in MCAP Testing starting this Thursday, April 25th. The additional dates are provided below. The testing will cover the subjects of English and Math. Testing will occur in the morning from 8:45-11:15. It is important that all students bring their Chromebook to school and that it is fully charged. Also, phones and other electronics will not be allowed in the room while the students are testing. They will need to be left at home or secured in their lockers.
Please make sure that your student is on time, get a good night's sleep and have breakfast (either at home or here at school) on testing days. If at all possible, please try to avoid any type of appointments during the hours of testing. Thank you.
Remaining Testing Dates: Testing Hours 8:45-11:15
Wednesday, May 1
Thursday, May 2
Todos los estudiantes de RCMS participarán en las pruebas MCAP a partir de este jueves 25 de abril. A continuación se indican las fechas adicionales. Las pruebas cubrirán las asignaturas de Inglés y Matemáticas. Las pruebas se realizarán por la mañana de 8:45 a 11:15. Es importante que todos los estudiantes traigan su Chromebook a la escuela y que esté completamente cargado. Además, no se permitirán teléfonos ni otros dispositivos electrónicos en el salón mientras los estudiantes están tomando el examen. Deberán dejarse en casa o asegurarse en sus casilleros.
Por favor, asegúrese de que su estudiante llegue a tiempo, duerma bien por la noche y desayuna (ya sea en casa o aquí en la escuela) los días de examen. Si es posible, trate de evitar cualquier tipo de cita durante las horas de prueba. Gracias.
Fechas restantes de las prueba: Horario de las prueba 8:45-11:15
Miércoles 1 de mayo
Jueves 2 de mayo
PARENTVUE 2024!!!!!
Hello RCMS caregivers.
ParentVUE 2024 Launched on March 22! Please click on one of the flyers below for more information.
Hola cuidadores de RCMS.
¡ParentVUE2024 se lanzó el 22 de marzo! Haga clic en uno de los folletos a continuación para obtener más información.
Karen P. Naylor (she/her)
Staff Development Teacher / Restorative Justice Coach
Synergy Parent Flyer
PTSA NEWS
2024-25 PTSA OFFICERS NEEDED
The Roberto Clemente School PTSA Board of Directors is currently seeking Officer candidates for the 2024-2025 school year. There are two Officer positions available for a two-year term, President and Secretary.
We need a nominating committee to receive nominations.
We will hold elections at our May meeting.
Thank you in advance!
Just a reminder...
If you would like to join the PTSA, please go to the website below and join!
We'd love to have you as a member!
https://rcms-ptsa.square.site/
Thank you,
Heather, Kisha, Rebecca and Christine
-RCMS PTSA
MONTGOMERY COUNTY SAFETY DAY
Join residents of Montgomery County for the Annual
MONTGOMERY COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
SAFETY DAY!!!
Saturday May 11th...11am-3pm...850 Hungerford Drive...Rockville, MD
See flyers below in English and Spanish or...
for more information, please click on the link below. Come join in the fun!!!
MONTGOMERY CAN CODE SUMMER CAMP
Registration is OPEN for the 2024 Montgomery Can Code Summer Camp! A free summer Coding camp for MCPS Middle School Students.
Montgomery Can Code is an annual free and fun summer camp held in July and August for any MCPS rising 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. Campers in the program will learn to code with Swift, Apple’s easy-to-understand programming language used by professional developers to create world class apps. Students will complete creative projects with an established curriculum to learn Swift from coding experts.
Families have the choice to participate in a full day, in-person camp Weeks 1 and 2 at Montgomery College or a virtual camp Week 3. The Camp is free to any Montgomery County Public School middle school students.
This initiative is made possible through a partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools, Montgomery College, Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation, Montgomery County Government and Apple, Inc..
REGISTER NOW https://www.montgomerycancode.com/
For more information, learn more at montgomerycancode.com or email montgomerycancode@mcpsmd.org
¡La inscripción está ABIERTA para el campamento de verano Montgomery Can Code 2024! Un campamento de codificación de verano gratuito para estudiantes de escuela intermediade en MCPS.
Montgomery Can Code es un campamento de verano anual gratuito y divertido que se lleva a cabo en julio y agosto para todos los estudiantes de MCPS que ingresan a 6.º, 7.º y 8.º grado. Los participantes del programa aprenderán a codificar con Swift, el lenguaje de programación fácil de entender de Apple utilizado por desarrolladores profesionales para crear aplicaciones de clase mundial. Los estudiantes completarán proyectos creativos con un plan de estudios establecido para aprender Swift de la mano de expertos en codificación.
"Las familias tienen la opción de participar en un campamento presencial de día completo durante la primera y segunda semanas en las 3 instalaciones de Montgomery College, o en un campamento virtual durante la tercera semana. El campamento es gratuito para cualquier estudiante de escuela intermedia de las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Montgomery."
Esta iniciativa es posible gracias a una asociación con las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Montgomery, Montgomery College, la Corporación de Desarrollo Económico del Condado de Montgomery, el Gobierno del Condado de Montgomery y Apple, Inc.
REGÍSTRESE AHORA https://www.montgomerycancode.com/
Para obtener más información, obtenga más información en montgomerycancode.com o envíe un correo electrónico a montgomerycancode@mcpsmd.org
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB ACTIVITIES
Attention Clemente Families! The Boys and Girls Club of Germantown is offering exciting opportunities for the Spring, Summer and Beyond!
Take a look at the flyers below for more information about these programs!
PLUM-GAR COMMUNITY CENTER EVENTS
Looking for some Friday Night Fun for your children? Plum-Gar Community Center is the place to be! Take a look at the flyers below and register for the fun. For more information, call Montgomery County Rec at 240-777-6840.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Food resources in Germantown / Recursos alimentarios en Germantown
Germantown Help – Call 301-482-1320 for assistance. Llame al 301-482-1320 para obtener ayuda.
Upcounty Hub – Check the distribution calendar linked here for food pick up opportunities. They have distributions 3 times a week in the Gaithersburg/Germantown area.
Consulte el calendario de distribución vinculado aquí para conocer las oportunidades de recogida de alimentos. Tienen distribuciones 3 veces por semana en el área de Gaithersburg/Germantown.
Manna Food –Call 301-424-1130 to get on the list. Once approved, you can pick up food on Thursdays from 2pm – 5pm at the Salvation Army parking lot on 20021 Aircraft Dr.
Llame al 301-424-1130 para inscribirse en la lista. Una vez aprobado, puede recoger comida los jueves de 2 p. m. a 5 p. m. en el estacionamiento del Salvation Army en 20021 Aircraft Dr.
New Covenant Fellowship Church – This is the church across the street from Roberto Clemente MS. Food distribution is the first and third Saturday of the month. You can find their calendar here.
Esta es la iglesia al cruzar de la Roberto Clemente Middle School. La distribución de alimentos es el primer y tercer sábado del mes. Puedes encontrar su calendario aquí.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE
Are you looking for things to do with your kids the days that school is closed? Please see the attached flyers (click on the links below) for events with the Boys and Girls Club and the Montgomery County Recreation Department.
English:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1txyGn8iAkkCnlTW-tN6Hh20lR1uF4L1g/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NQedjxwCu1ZzwSm0YS86dgJgJoaj8-xI/view?usp=sharing
¿Están buscando cosas que hacer con sus hijos los días que la escuela está cerrada? Consulte los folletos adjuntos para eventos con el Boys and Girls Club y el Departamento de Recreación del Condado de Montgomery. Haga click en los link que se encuentran abajo.
Español:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C3RRazvLrCqJ546kJZHwsBz1QjhzQbvC/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q_6PYSTyyZLbK82x6jh-kg4WuRsjbiaN/view?usp=sharing
GENE SMITH MEMORIAL FAMILY FUN RUN AND WELLNESS FAIR
REGISTRATION FOR THE 5K RACE IS STILL OPEN!! CLICK ON THE LINK TO REGISTER AND JOIN IN THE FUN!!! WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING EVERYONE THERE, YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS IT!!!
Come one, come all to our very first Gene Smith Memorial 5K and Wellbeing Fair hosted by the PTSA on Saturday, May 4th from 9am to 12pm. This is an event for all ages! You can participate in the race as an individual or family, or just come to the Wellness Fair and checkout all of the resources our community partners have to offer. There will be various activities throughout the morning including mini dance classes and performances by Commotion Dance Studio, sports activities, glucose and blood pressure screenings and more! Check out the event website for more information: https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/rcms5k2024/home
For additional information, click on the link below. (flyers in English and Spanish)
Vengan, vengan todos a nuestra primera Feria de Bienestar y Carera 5K en memoria de Gene Smith, organizada por la PTSA el sábado, 4 de mayo de 9am a 12pm. ¡Este es un evento para todas las edades! Puede participar en la carrera de forma individual o familiar, o simplemente venir a la Feria de Bienestar y ver todos los recursos que las organizaciones comunitarias les ofrecen. ¡Habrán varias actividades a lo largo de la mañana, incluyendo mini clases de baile y presentaciones de Commotion Dance Studio, actividades deportivas, exámenes de glucosa y presión arterial y más! Consulte el sitio web del evento para obtener más información https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/rcms5k2024/home
Para obtener información adicional, haga clic en el siguiente enlace (folletos en inglés y español)
8TH GRADE NEWS
Hello families,
We are in the home stretch for 8th grade! This is very exciting and we have a lot going on!
T Shirts-All of our shirts that were pre ordered was handed out on Thursday, April 4th. We are selling the remaining shirts for $20 as a first come first serve basis. Students can see Ms. Blades in room 126 or Ms. Presley in room 128. No shirts will be sold during class time! Students can come to room 126 during wellness or in between classes.
Dates to remember:
May 4-The Annual Gene Smith 5k run and event (flyer)
June 3- Semi Formal Dance from 5-8pm
June 4-Smokey Glen Farm field trip
June 6-End of the Year celebration from 4:30-6:30pm outside RCMS
8th grade student vote:
If you have not yet voted for your 8th grade Semi Formal dance theme please do so NOW. We will be closing the link by Wednesday, May 1.
https://forms.gle/Jk7gZQxfvnMYEPzQ9
End of the Year Expectations:
On Monday, April 8, 2024 students received all of the information for the end of year. We went over expectations and the process for success as we end our year together. Stay tuned for details on this information. Here is the newsletter that is going home as a reminder of the expectations for the end of the year.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/15VP6vC7wb1eMGXa_QOOT1IlBDLStIbJR-bBpMKjwBqI/edit?usp=sharing
Smokey Glen field trip:
Last week the Smokey Glen Field trip forms were handed out through science classes. Please send in your forms to Mrs. Blades and Mrs. Presley ASAP. The payment is online at https://mcpsmd.schoolcashonline.com/ . The cost is $42.
Information for the Year:
The team leaders also keep a running newsletter for events for 8th grade students. This document is a running document as new things arise; they are added to the document. Currently, we are adding information for our High School rising 9th grade informational nights.
Thank you very much! We are going to have an amazing year!
Hola familias,
¡Estamos en la recta final para el octavo grado! ¡Esto es muy emocionante y tenemos muchas cosas que hacer!
Camisetas: ¡Gracias por comprar una camisa! ¡Las camisetas se están imprimiendo y se entregarán en RCMS tan pronto como las tengamos!
Fechas para recordar:
3 de junio: baile semiformal de 5 a 8 p. m.
4 de junio: excursión a Smokey Glen Farm
6 de junio: celebración de fin de año de 4:30 a 6:30 p. m. afuera de RCMS
Voto de los estudiantes de octavo grado:
Si aún no ha votado por el tema de baile semiformal de octavo grado, hágalo AHORA. Cerraremos el enlace el miércoles 1 de mayo.
https://forms.gle/Jk7gZQxfvnMYEPzQ9
Expectativas de fin de año:
El lunes 8 de abril de 2024 los estudiantes recibieron toda la información de fin de año. Repasamos las expectativas y el proceso para lograr el éxito al terminar nuestro año juntos. Manténgase atento a los detalles sobre esta información. Aquí está el boletín que se envía a casa como recordatorio de las expectativas para fin de año.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GTRbxRo-FVsimLHFIDke5aDk2MVhSsFC4GfXYKJHn58/edit?usp=sharing
Excursión a Smokey Glen:
La semana pasada se entregaron los formularios de excursión de Smokey Glen a través de las clases de ciencias. Por favor envíe sus formularios a la Sra. Blades y a la Sra. Presley lo antes posible. El pago se realiza en línea en https://mcpsmd.schoolcashonline.com/ . El costo es $42.
Información del año:
Los líderes del equipo también mantienen un boletín informativo sobre eventos para estudiantes de octavo grado. Este documento es un documento continuo a medida que surgen cosas nuevas; se agregan al documento. Actualmente, estamos agregando información para nuestras noches informativas para estudiantes de 9º grado de secundaria.
¡Muchas gracias! ¡Vamos a tener un año increíble!
SGA NEWS AND FUNDRAISERS
SGA
Want to help plan activities at RCMS? Join the SGA! All are welcome to come and participate in our meetings. We meet on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month.
Upcoming Meetings:
May 9
May 23
FUNDRAISERS
KRISPY KREME DOZEN DONUT CERTIFICATES!
These certificates are good for 1 dozen glazed donuts, and cost $16. Proceeds will support Magnet Science Field Trips.
Cards can be purchased from Mrs. Presley in room 128 with cash or check.
RCMS ATHLETICS
This week in Athletics:
Soccer Schedule:
4/30- Boys and Girls Practice 3:00-5:15
5/1- Soccer Games vs. Hallie Wells...Come out and support our teams! (rescheduled)
- Boys- Home Girls- Away
- Games start at 3:20
5/2- Boys and Girls Practice 3:00-5:15
David Hudson
PE and Health Content Specialist
david_hudson@mcpsmd.org
@MrHudsonsPE on most Social Networks
2023-24 YEARBOOKS
This is your last chance to secure a copy of our 2023-2024 yearbook!
Our Yearbook Team has been working very hard to capture and create the best yearbook to date. There are payment plans available. All yearbooks must be ordered online, do not miss this opportunity. If you have any questions please contact Michelle Palank, Yearbook Advisor (Michelle_R_Palank@mcpsmd.org)
Please see the link below to order your yearbook.
https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/1025682/Roberto-Clemente-Middle-School/2024-Yearbook/20230801042006223104/CATALOG_SHOP/
WANT TO SEE A SNEAK PEEK OF THE YEARBOOK? CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW! THERE ARE ONLY A FEW YEARBOOKS LEFT! DON'T DELAY...PLACE YOUR ORDER TODAY!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YWEbipDUIOny--el7Opxs6BoD9admY15/view
SSL INFORMATION
Please open the links below to discover SSL opportunities in the month of April along with some ongoing opportunities:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/14k5yAJjgDLe6vv0ZoWqmx93F2qANVK5e8PZU27JPkBM/edit
The link below will provide you with information about SSL Awards information.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TvjQEE-CojjPH5WzD-9jljlsUfKuQ1oXiojaEZ8pYO4/edit
If you have any further questions regarding SSL hours, please contact Mrs. Palank, RCMS SSL Coordinator at: Michelle_R_Palank@mcpsmd.org
**2 NEW SSL OPPORTUNITIES**
Attention students:
Do you like to crochet or knit?
Crochet at GBC is offering the opportunity for you to do just this while helping a cause. We are making rectangles for Warm Up America. Once we have a sizable amount of rectangles to send, this organization will put them together to create blankets to give to the needy.
We will provide you with all that is needed to make these rectangles, all you need to do is show up and crochet or knit.
We meet every Monday during the school year. If there is no school on a Monday, we do not meet. We follow the MCPS calendar.
You can come anytime from 4:30pm to 6:30pm, come for both hours or for one. Come alone or bring a friend or 2! See flyer for additional information!
Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions!
240-232-6830 (txt)
AND...
Attention Students:
you can now earn SSL hours, and feed your family, and learn about cooking - all at the same time!!
Join KindSoup4Students on the first Sunday of each month from 5-6pm. We'll cook a huge pot of a delicious (and nutritious) soup, together by zoom, from our own kitchens! You'll have enough to feed your own family dinner, with plenty leftover to share with others! We have food assistance providers listed on our website scattered around the DMV. (you earn 1 hour for every 3 quarts of frozen KindSoup that you giveaway!)
Sunday, May 5th - Very, Very Vegetable Soup
Signup today!
Get your ingredients and prep between now and Sunday - and sign on to our zoom a few minutes before 5 on Sunday with your ingredients and tools out and ready!!
(and PLEASE SHARE with others!!)
https://dokindworks.org/project/kindsoup-for-students-make-chicken-tortilla-soup-to-share-with-others/
SSL OPPORTUNITIES AT MATSUNGA ES AND LONGVIEW SCHOOL
Matsunaga Elementary & Longview School have multiple upcoming opportunities to earn SSL hours. Please contact sara_lucas-dreiss@mcpsmd.org or ptamatsunaga@gmail.com if you are interested.
- International Night- May 3rd, 5:30-8:30
MONTGOMELECTIONSRY COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS: SSL OPPORTUNITY
THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS FUTURE VOTE PROGRAM NEEDS 2,000 STUDENT VOLUNTEERS!
The Future Vote program is available to County students grades 6-12. Students must be able to speak, read and write the English language. Students with bilingual and American Sign Language skills are encouraged to apply. The initiative combines civic participation and the
opportunity to observe democracy in action. Volunteers will earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours for their service. Training is required for both students and guardians. Details and volunteer expectations are provided at the training. Mandatory training will begin April 10th. Training dates and locations are provided during registration. Don’t procrastinate, apply TODAY!
- Future Vote Registration Instructions: 2024_FV_Registration_Instructions_03292024-2.pdf (montgomerycountymd.gov)
- Future Vote Registration Portal: Sign in · Starter Portal (powerappsportals.us)
- U.S. Election Assistance Commission Award: Montgomery County MD 2018 Clearinghouse Award Winner | U.S. Election Assistance Commission (eac.gov)
ART NEWS
8th Grade student, Arti Gupta, from Ms. Neville's Art III class received an honorable mention award from the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection for her poster design in the Journey of Recycling art contest. RCMS sends a huge congratulations to Arti for her amazing accomplishment!! We are beyond proud of this Golden Hawk.
ALERT MCPS
Want to get notified when schools are closed, on a delay or dismissing early due to weather or other unforeseen event???? Sign up for AlertMCPS.
School notifications will come directly to your phone! Don't delay. Sign up is easy!
Click on the link below and get started!
¿Desea recibir una notificación cuando las escuelas están cerradas, con retraso o saliendo temprano debido al clima u otro evento imprevisto???? Inscríbase en AlertMCPS.
¡Las notificaciones escolares llegarán directamente a tu teléfono! No te demores. ¡Registrarse es fácil!
¡Haga clic en el enlace a continuación y comience!