RMS NEWSLETTER
Week of January 17 - 21, 2022
What's Inside the Newsletter
- School Information - IMPORTANT
- Flipside
- Health Office Message
- RMS Name Change
- PTO
- Literacy Corner
- Debate Team
- Classroom Update
- Family Resources
- Tech Tips
Weekly Reminders
- SAVE THE DATES
Mon., January 17th - MLK Jr Day (No School)
Thurs., January 20th - PTO Meeting from 6:00-7:30pm on Google meets
Principal's Note
Hello Ramsey Families,
I hope our weekly newsletter finds your family healthy and enjoying the long weekend.
The increased COVID-19 rates have impacted schools in many ways, and we are grateful for your patience and understanding as we address substitute teacher shortages, cafeteria staff shortages and bus driver shortages.
We are working diligently to ensure students who come to school contagious with COVID-19 are isolated and sent home. We are having multiple cases a day and contact tracing ensues. The biggest impact to the school day is when staff are quarantined and there are no substitutes. Our teachers are then giving up their prep time to cover their colleagues' classes. Please note that this then impacts their lesson planning and grading time.
Students home on quarantine can find assignments on Schoology. When staff are able, they are providing instructional documents and videos. We encourage students to email their teachers with specific assignment questions.
Finally, we are cancelling the 6th and 7th grade fieldtrips scheduled at the end of Semester 1 this January. We hope to reschedule these as soon as it is safe for our students and staff to gather in large groups.
Thank you for all you are doing outside of school to stay healthy and encouraging your student to wear a mask and social distance. Please check in with your student to ensure they have a mask that fits them and is comfortable.
Principal Vibar
School Information - Very Important
Field Trips
Extra Masks: We are still accepting masks donations in the office. The paper disposable masks are most popular, however any size, shape, and material is welcome.
School Buses: School bus drivers are at a shortage again, the district will communicate as soon as they know when routes are delayed/canceled. Please use the MySPPS Bus App (download it on your phone) as a resource, drivers will use the app to keep the schools and families updated with routes.
- For canceled morning routes families will have to bring their students to school, for students who are unable to get to school, the school should excuse the absence.
- For canceled afternoon routes, families will be notified to pick their student up and/or transportation will work to try and organize other supports to get students home (e.g. other contract drivers including vans, district drivers, SPPS Security and Emergency Management).
We appreciate your flexibility and your continued understanding as we work together through these difficult times. If you have any questions, please call transportation at 651-696-9600.
FLIPSIDE
Classes begin on Monday January 31st and run through May 12th. We are really excited to bring back our spring musical of the Lion King!!
Health Office Message
Experiencing COVID-19 Symptoms?
If you or your child are experiencing any of the above symptoms, please keep your child home from school. Then, Go to the SPPS COVID-19 Reporting System Website: https://commedspps.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9G0WvcJlWfuqwlL & follow the instructions there, then Call the Ramsey Attendance Line at (651) 744-4750 to notify the school that you will be keeping your child home from school.
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Updates
January PTO Meeting
Thursday, January 20 · 6:00 – 7:30pm
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/wap-vhuv-nzc
Or dial: (US) +1 631-616-9289 PIN: 487 522 699#
Literacy Corner
Greetings RMS Families,
I want to make everyone aware of the online resources that are available and how to access them. Here are a few links to some videos I made that will help your student get reading material for school work, enjoyment or both!
Libby is the St. Paul Public Library's online ebook app. Every St. Paul Public School student has access to a free library card that they can use to read books online. It also allows them to check out up to 10 books at a time from any St. Paul Public Library.
Here is a tutorial video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRuCroQknMQ
MackinVIA is Ramsey's app to access e-books. We have many popular titles and great non-fiction titles for research papers. Audiobooks are also available on MackinVIA. Here's a tutorial video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2hoHSY8zZI&t=38s
Finally, on MackinVIA we have a subscription to ComicsPlus, a database with over 9,000 graphic novels, manga, and comics. It' been a popular destionation.
Here's a tutorial video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzH4oWnQXic&t=46s
Happy reading!
Mr. Sheridan the Librarian
RMS Debate Team Tournament!
During the tournament, each team of two will compete in 3 rounds of policy debate. The topic is a resolution to invest trillions of dollars in water infrastructure. Debaters must argue both the affirmative and negative sides during different rounds. Debaters are also preparing for an in-person tournament to be held on Saturday, Feb 12.
Please reach out to coaches Melissa Hart (Melissa.hart@spps.org) or Kathryn Bannon (kathryn.bannon@spps.org) if you have any questions. Good luck debaters!
Classroom Updates
Spanish class
If you are absent, remember to check Schoology for assignments! If you are unsure on instructions ever, remember that we have Quizlet and Duolingo (2 Spanish learning apps) and that will be great practice for you! As always, let Señora Schuneman know if you have any questions. (jordan.schuneman@spps.org) - ¡Gracias!
Individualized Math Instruction through iXL
Science 8
IB-MYP Design with Mr. Theisen
Athletics - Boys Basketball (Starting January 24th)
Boys basketball will be starting on Monday, January 24th. Practices are scheduled Monday-Friday from 3:00-4:30. All participants must have a ride set up for 4:30.
Terry Seeman
Athletic Director
Ramsey Middle School
Family Resources
Tutor Me
SPPS has formed a new partnership with TutorMe to give students free access to online tutoring services. TutorMe allows students to connect with a subject-level expert tutor at any time to get support in current classes. TutorMe is an external company SPPS is contracting with as an additional resource for students alongside the SPPS Academic Support Center and other student support opportunities in our schools.
The link below contains helpful information:
Internet at Home
Tech Tips - iPad Update
All student and staff iPads need to be updated to at least iPad OS 15.1 ASAP. This is a necessary update to keep them both running properly and secure. Families, please help your students with the process and remind them to get it done. Families without wifi at home, please have your student check in at the library when they return so we can help them here at school.
Be sure the iPad is at least 50% charged AND plugged in before starting the process. Know that it will take at least one more, possibly several to run the update. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
If the iPad isn't up to date, it will provide a link to Download and Install. If you have any questions, be sure to let me know. I am best reached by email cara.hagen@spps.org or text (612) 568-2358.
Cara Hagen
iPad Teacher