8th Grade Parent Newsletter
April 23, 2023
8th Grade Event Information
Dear Grade 8 Families,
The purpose of this letter is to provide you with information regarding the culmination of your grade 8 student's middle school experience.
Roberto Clemente Middle School (RCMS) has several grade 8 end of year events planned. We want all of the grade 8 students to participate and enjoy these exciting events. Please mark your calendars for these end of the year celebratory events.
PLEASE CLICK ON LINK BELOW FOR DATES
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UWn7SRfnQaftFMK9W059RZEhwACJ6InrHSA2qhUTWfA/edit?usp=sharing
MYP Service & Action Project Showcase - Thursday, May 4th; 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Throughout the second semester, students collaborated in groups to inquire and take action on an issue within the community. As a culmination of this hard work, students will present their final Community Project to small groups during the school day, as well as in the evening. This event is open to students, parents, and community members. Each group will have their project reviewed and evaluated. Students may earn SSL hours for completing peer reviews and presenting their projects. There will also be an opportunity to view the Service & Action projects completed by our grade 6 and 7 students. Please contact Ms. Elizabeth Gall, IB MYP Coordinator, at Elizabeth_K_Gall@mcpsmd.org if you have questions!
Maryland Then & Now In-School Field Trip - Monday, June 5, 2023
Students will participate in a daylong experience to recognize how Maryland’s history impacts our lives today. This may include a jousting demonstration, quilt square making, crab feast, history of the Underground Railroad, and lacrosse lessons. The cost of this in-house field trip is $11.00. The Maryland themed lunch buffet may include Maryland crabs, hush puppies, fried chicken, corn on the cob, vegetable soup and salad. Permission slips are due no later than Friday, May 26, 2023.
Smokey Glen Farm End of Year Celebration - Tuesday, June 6, 2023
Our end of the year celebration at Smokey Glen Farm is on Tuesday, June 6, 2023! This event is held during the school day, therefore, students should come to RCMS at the normal time (8:15am start) and will be dismissed from school at the normal time (3:00pm end). Smokey Glen Farm provides RCMS with a private area, which includes a pavilion, basketball court, miniature golf course, softball field, a delicious lunch, and our own personal DJ. The cost of this trip is $39. Lunch includes barbecued chicken, old-fashioned baked beans, tossed salad, potato chips, bakery rolls, coleslaw, potato salad, an assortment of desserts and soft drinks, iced tea, and lemonade. Permission slips are due no later than Friday, May 26, 2023.
8th Grade Semi-Formal Dance - Thursday, June 8, 2023; 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
The Grade 8 Semi-Formal Dance is scheduled for Thursday, June 8, 2023, at RCMS in the cafeteria. The dance is semi-formal optional. Students will vote on a theme for the dance. Ticket sale dates are forthcoming, however, there will be NO SALES at the door. Please reference the 8th grade Newsletter for all details.
8th Grade End of Year Celebration - Friday, June 9, 2023; 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
We are thrilled to celebrate our students in their transition to high school. During this outdoor celebration, families may pick up their student’s certificate and class gift in the parking lot at RCMS. Families can purchase and enjoy a meal from a food truck, as well as Kona Ice. There will be fun activities for the whole family to enjoy, including many photo opportunities! Please join us at this exciting community event. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be moved indoors.
Student Expectations for Attendance to the Culminating Activities
Below, you will find information pertaining to our Community Agreements that all students must uphold, honor, and support in order to participate in these events, as well as a table and description of the events.
RCMS Community Agreements Expectations
For students to participate in the end of year events, it is imperative that all students uphold, honor, and support our Community Agreements by meeting certain academic and behavioral expectations. Each student must do the following as outlined below:
We support one another in order to “cultivate the genius” within others as well as within ourselves.
Pass all their classes with a “C” or better.
Make reasonable academic progress towards completion of middle school.
We embrace and nurture diverse perspectives, experiences, and identities.
Treat all adults and other students at RCMS with respect and dignity.
We show up for ourselves and others and give the best we have each day.
Follow all school rules and procedures on the bus and in the classroom, hallways, cafeteria, gym, etc.
Follow the RCMS Academic Integrity Policy.
We listen, respond, and reflect with compassion and empathy for ourselves and others.
Not engage in “gossip” and “drama” by saying negative things about or to any students.
We take ownership of our community by using all spaces respectfully and responsibly.
Attend all classes and be on time.
Keep all parts of our bodies to ourselves.
Use all personal electronics appropriately.
Not be referred out of class.
We prioritize the social, emotional, and physical well-being of ourselves and others.
Seek out help from teachers, counselors, security, administrators and other responsible adults in the building.
Treat our individual personal health and others' individual personal health respectfully and appropriately.
We work to be anti-bias and antiracist.
Not make hateful and/or harmful remarks towards staff and students.
On Friday, April 14, 2023, students heard these expectations. Beginning on Monday, April 17, 2023, if a student does not support an RCMS Community Agreement(s) by engaging in an inappropriate or disruptive behavior(s) as outlined in the MCPS Code of Conduct then a student may receive certain disciplinary responses and consequences, in addition to non-attendance to any or all of the culminating activities.
Behavioral: If a student does not support the RCMS Community Agreements more than one time, the student may be removed from one or more of the events. This also includes any violation of the MCPS Student Code of Conduct.
Reflection: If a student receives a Day of Reflection (In School Intervention), the student may be removed from one or more of the events.
Suspension: If a student receives an in-school suspension or short-term or long-term out-of-school suspension, the student may be removed from one or more of the events.
Redemption & Restoration
As a community of reflective and caring IB learners, it is important that students heal and repair harm they have caused, learn from the impact of their actions, and restore relationships. All students may have an opportunity to participate in any of the end of year events for which they are excluded by engaging in an appeal process. Students will need to do the following:
Write an appeal letter to the grade 8 team of leaders that explains reasons for the appeal, shows the student's understanding of the impact of their actions, accepts responsibility for their choices, and suggests ways to repair harm and restore community
Meet with Mr. Brown and the team about the student's appeal letter
Financial Obligations
All grade 8 students must pay any outstanding financial obligations BEFORE they are able to attend any of the events. Letters and communications have been and will be sent home repeatedly during marking period 4 for any student who has outstanding financial obligations. You can also call Ms. Beth Shull, Financial Specialist, at (301) 284-4750 to inquire about your child’s status and methods of payment.
Paying for Events
Both grade 8 field trips, as well as student financial obligations, will be available for purchase through School Cash Online (https://mcpsmd.schoolcashonline.com/). Simply add each item to your shopping cart for easy check out. Contact Ms. Beth Shull at Elizabeth_A_Shull@mcpsmd.org if you are unsure of your students’ School Cash Online PIN.
If you need financial assistance, please contact Mrs. Blades or Mrs. Presley in writing to request a partial or full waiver.
We look forward to a very productive end of the school year. My hope is that we can work together to make this an exciting and successful transition for our grade 8 students. If you have any questions, you may contact Mrs. Blades, Mrs. Presley, or me at (301) 284-4750.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Brown
Principal