Rye Neck Middle School
March 1, 2024 - Issue 12
Dear Rye Neck Families,
We hope this message finds you well-rested after the midwinter break. It's incredible to believe that the third marking period progress reports will be posted on Friday, March 15th! As we navigate through the remainder of the academic year, we want to remind you of some important upcoming events:
1. Virtual Presentation by Judith Altmann: We are honored to host Holocaust survivor Judith Altmann for a virtual presentation, where she will share her powerful story with our 8th-grade students. This event, scheduled for Monday, March 4th, promises to be a deeply moving and educational experience, providing invaluable insights into history and humanity. We encourage parents to discuss this event with their children and reinforce the importance of empathy, tolerance, and remembrance.
2. Max Stossel's Presentation on Social Media: We're thrilled to announce that renowned speaker Max Stossel will be presenting on the impact of social media on our youth on March 5th. This thought-provoking presentation promises valuable insights into navigating the digital landscape and promoting healthy online habits among our students.
3. Superintendent's Conference Day: Please note that there will be a Superintendent's Conference Day scheduled for our staff on March 8th. This day allows our educators to engage in professional development sessions, enhancing their skills and knowledge to better support our students.
4. Spring Forward: Daylight Saving Time begins on March 10th. Don't forget to set your clocks forward one hour on this day. While losing an hour of sleep may seem daunting, it also signifies the arrival of longer days and the promise of spring just around the corner.
If you ever have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.
Warm regards,
Dulce
Dr. Dulce Barker
Upcoming Events
- Judith Altmann virtual presentation for 8th graders: March 4th, 1:00-2:00 PM
- Max Stossel presentation grades 6-8: March 5th, 10:00-11:00 AM
- ESS PD for 6-12 Parents: March 7th, 9:30 AM & 6:00 PM
- Superintendent's Conference Day - staff only: March 8th
- Varsity and JV Sports Begin: March 11th
- BOE Meeting/ 2nd Budget Presentation: March 13th, 7:00 PM, MS/HS Community Room
- MS PAC Meeting: March 14th, 1:15 PM, MS/HS Community Room
- Pi Day: March 14th
- MP3 Progress Reports posted: March 15th, by 4:00 PM
ESS Workshops:
Principal's Advisory Committee Meeting
Below is the agenda for the next middle school PAC meeting. Please reach out to one of the PAC members (Stacie Brenkovich, Elizabeth Blache, Janine Clements, Celine Dujeux, Stephen Palgon, Jaime Santa and Jen Soussa) if there are specific questions you have regarding agenda topics.
High School Electives in the Arts
Here is a slideshow with Arts Electives for High School.
Yearbook Sales Information
Click on this link to buy the RNMS yearbook: www.yearbookordercenter.com
Then enter code: 40568
Herff Jones will also be sending out sales emails throughout the year! Get your yearbook soon as the price will increase later in the year.
Bike Safety
We would like to remind you of some bike safety rules.
By law, all children ages 13 and under must wear a helmet while riding a bike. In Mamaroneck, bicycle riders must consider the safety of pedestrians on sidewalks (and must dismount and walk their bikes on Mamaroneck Avenue).
Unlike joggers, bicyclists should ride in the same direction as auto traffic while on the road.
Students must be mindful of how they are riding their bicycles while on our MS/HS campus. There are lots of staff, students and parents walking and many cars that are driving during arrival and dismissal.
Please review this New York State resource on Bike Safety. Please remember that all of us who use the roads, whether on foot, on a bike, or in a car, have to pay attention to each other to prevent physical injury.
From the Counselors' Corner
Memo from the counselors:
After School Clubs
After school clubs started the week of October 2nd. They are open to students in grades 6-8. Students can try different clubs or if they are in 6th grade they can also participate in intramural sports. The club presentation as well as the schedule for intramural sports is below.
2023-24 6th Grade Intramurals Schedule
2023 - 2024
6th Grade Intramurals Schedule
School Days
Monday - Friday
3:00PM - 4:00PM
Intramural sessions are run by Rye Neck Coaches.
Intramural design will consist of skill development and scrimmaging.
Please use this FamilyID link to register your child for Intramurals:
6th Graders are to report directly to the location indicated below.
Intramurals only run on days school is in session.
Attendance is not mandatory for participation but if you sign up we ask that you make every attempt to attend each day. A student may register for multiple sessions/sports.
Acceptable Use Policy
Code of Conduct
Rye Neck Schools Academic Integrity Agreement
PTSA Event Calendar
News From The Classroom:
6th Grade ELA - Ms. Castaldo, Mr. Macli & Ms. Offner: Students have just completed their historical fiction independent reading project, and have written their first essay. In class we are reading The Lightning Thief. As they read, students will be focusing on close reading skills, such as exposition and note taking, as well as honing their writing skills by citing and analyzing textual evidence. The March independent reading assignment is another genre choice. Students should be keeping track of all of the different genres they have read this year. After reading, students must complete a book report index card (format is on Classroom). As always we will continue to work on key ELA skills such as: reading comprehension, outlining, and writing. THINK SPRING!!!!
Research Tech - Ms. Costelloe: We are continuing our work in reinforcing the need for authoritative information when doing academic research. As students gain more fluidity with the extensive array of Rye Neck subscription databases, it's becoming easier to see how using the databases is more efficient and effective than using Google for school projects. We're also looking at how and why we give the creators of the information we use credit through the use of citations. Each week we'll continue to expand the number of middle school-level databases students are familiar with. This is always one of my favorite parts of the year as we lay the foundation for the research work that lies ahead. I’ll have the joy of working with your students from now through high school as they build their research skills.
7th Grade ELA - Mr. Tinnirello: Students in seventh grade English classes have almost completed Lois Lowry’s The Giver and will soon begin an in-class essay on the book. Just before spring begins, students will begin their work on Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This play will be read (and acted out!) entirely in class.
7th Grade ELA B - Mr. Macli: As we continue our reading of The Giver, the class will examine the difference between a utopia and a dystopia. We will also attempt to answer the following question: What are the most fundamental rights that every human being deserves? All students will be offered the chance to participate and the discussion should enhance their understanding of the novel.
7th Grade Art - Ms. Appel: Students finished learning about Keith Haring and created drawings using his stylized figures. They used a variety of materials and created works of art that told different stories in a visual way. Currently, they are working on creating sculptures inspired by Dale Chihuly’s glass art, especially his Macchia series. Students are focusing on using colors, patterns, and lines to create abstract sculptures using a clear plastic film and a heat gun to manipulate the plastic into their desired form!
8th Grade Art - Ms. Appel: Students finished learning about the Op Art movement and created hands that look like they are popping right off the page! They used value and line variety to help achieve this. Currently, they are working on a project inspired by graffiti art. They are using oil pastels and blending colors as well as different printing techniques to create their works of art.