The 2nd marking period comes to a close on January 28th. Students should be diligent about keeping up with their grades in PowerSchool and are encouraged to attend extra-help sessions with their teachers. Last week we launched a new format for morning announcements. The new, student driven, YouTube show, "AM Rombout," has replaced our traditional announcements over the PA. Each morning's episode can be found on the Rombout Middle School website. Teachers will play the morning show at the beginning of 2nd period each day. RMS will transition to Computer Based NYS Testing in the spring of 2022. Information about the upcoming practice test is listed below. Also explained below is the updated instructional plan for students who need to quarantine.

We will be following the established procedures below for students temporarily homebound due to short term illness.

• If a student has to quarantine the teacher(s) of record will provide educational materials asynchronously via Google Classroom.
• Depending upon the needs of the student, a daily check can be available with each core area teacher. The student can coordinate the date/time of the check in with that specific teacher. This includes students requiring ENL, AIS and SPED services.
• Students who need assistance in scheduling a check-in while under quarantine, should email the appropriate Assistant Principal. - Ms. Biordi - biordi.c@beaconk12.org (A-L) or Ms. Edelman - edelman.l@beaconk12.org (M-Z).

Kaleidoscope Club

Kaleidoscope Club will meet Wednesday, January 24th after school in Ms. Varekamp's room until 3:30pm.

NJHS

There will be a National Honor Society Meeting on 1/19, afterschool, in D135. Questions see Mrs. Paredes.

Drama Club

Drama Club will be having meetings on Thursdays 1/13 and 1/24. Meetings are from 2:50 - 3:45.

Student Council

Meets on Tuesday, 1/11 in A106 until 3:30pm.

Environmental Club

Environmental Club will meet on Thursday, 1/20 in A106 until 3:30pm.

Art Club

Art club will have meetings on wednesday 1/19 and 1/26. Meetings are from 2:50 -3:30pm.

Jazz Band

Jazz band rehearses every Wednesday after school from 2:50-3:35 in the band room. Contact Mr. Rubinstein with any questions.

Home & Careers Club

Group B meets on 1/12 and Group A meets on 1/19. Meetings are from 2:45-3:45pm in Room A109. Any questions see Ms. Conklin or email conklin.m@beaconk12.org.

Chess Club

Will be meeting on 1/11 in room D238 right after school. The time to order T-shirts for chess club has been extended to the 17th of January. We need 5 more orders to be able to complete the order. Please consider buying a shirt to support the Chess Club.

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The BCSD Athletics Department has implemented a new policy for spectators at home contests. The policy will be as follows:

• Home teams will be authorized to have family members attend home contests. (Parents/Guardians/Siblings/Grandparents)
• Visiting teams will be authorized 2 spectators per participating athlete.
• Contests held in the BHS gym will continue to be live-streamed on our district YOUTUBE channel (visit beaconk12.org & click on Departments/Athletics).

In an effort to test our systems in preparation for NYS Computer Based Testing in the spring, we will be doing a practice test with a select group of 7th grade students on January 12th. The scores of this practice exam are not linked to students in any way. The simulation is mainly to test the technology infrastructure so we are prepared for the real testing week in the spring.

iReady Benchmark Assessment

The next i-Ready benchmark assessment cycle begins on Monday. January, 10 and goes through Friday, January 24. Students will take this assessment in their ELA classes this week and their Math classes next week. It is important that the students try their best on the assessment as the data helps to better inform their instruction.

What is i-Ready?

i-Ready is an online program that will help us determine your child’s strengths and areas for growth, personalize their learning, and monitor their progress throughout the school year. i-Ready allows us to meet your child where they are and provides us with data to inform instruction. We will be using this assessment tool in ELA and Math. The i-Ready Diagnostic is an adaptive assessment that adjusts its questions to suit your child’s needs. Each item a student receives is based on their answer to the previous question. For example, a series of correct answers will result in slightly harder questions, while a series of incorrect answers will yield slightly easier ones. The purpose of this is not to give your child a score or grade but to determine how to best support their learning.

i-Ready Instruction provides students with lessons based on their individual strengths and areas for growth. These lessons are interactive and provide strategic support to keep your child engaged as they learn.