RMS NEWSLETTER
Week of January 10 - 14, 2022
What's Inside the Newsletter
- Principal's Corner
- School Information - IMPORTANT
- Health Office Message
- Athletics
- RMS Name Change
- PTO
- Classroom Update
- Family Resources
- Tech Tips
Weekly Reminders
- SAVE THE DATES
Tues., January 11th - Vision Screening 7th grade
Next Week:
Mon., January 17th - MLK Jr Day (No School)
Thurs., January 20th - PTO Meeting from 6:00-7:30pm on Google meets
Principal's Corner
Hello Ramsey Families!
I would like to take a moment to introduce some new staff to Ramsey! We now have a long term guest teacher supporting the French Immersion program, Io Harberts. She comes to us with experience from LNFI and we are grateful to finally have a French speaking teacher supporting Ms. Solachava's students for the rest of the school year!
We have also hired three new paraprofessionals, who support students in classrooms across the building. Please join me in welcoming Talicia Tilmon, Tonnia Mortenson and Antoinette Givens! They are amazing individuals who support a lot of students in our building!
Sincerely,
Ms. Vibar
School Information - Very Important
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.
Health Office Message
Phillips Eye Institute Vision Screening - 7th Grade
Your child will have a vision screening at school on Tuesday, January 11th by Phillips Eye Institute’s Early Youth Eyecare (E.Y.E.) Community Initiative, part of Allina Health.
While this screening is designed to identify issues with your child’s vision, it is not considered to be a full eye exam. If your child does not pass the vision screening, you will be notified with the recommendation to have your child receive an examination by an eye doctor for further evaluation. E.Y.E. can assist with scheduling the examination, as well as provide interpreter services, transportation and financial assistance with exams and glasses.
Please fill out the form here if you would NOT like your child to participate.
Experiencing COVID-19 Symptoms?
Athletics - Boys Basketball (Starting January 24th)
Dear Ramsey Families,
We are excited to be able to offer middle school athletics this winter. As was the case this fall, there will be some changes that will allow students to participate in a modified athletics season.
Due to the continued shortage of school bus drivers, we are only able to provide after-school transportation for high school students at this time. This means that all SPPS middle school athletics will continue to have a modified intramural season this winter. In light of this change, the winter activity fee is being reduced from $30 to $5. Students will need a current sports physical to participate in the winter season; please make an appointment with your physician or visit one of our SPPS Health Start Clinics.
Boys Basketball | Monday, January 24, 2022
All SPPS athletics and activities are following the COVID-19 recommendations from the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). The recommendations include vaccination for everyone who is eligible, frequent COVID-19 testing, wearing masks when not actively participating, keeping physical distance when possible, and practicing in small groups. Athletes will be informed if these guidelines are updated before or during the winter season.
Thank you for your understanding. We are looking forward to a different, but fun, winter season.
Terry Seeman
Athletic Director
Ramsey Middle School
Ramsey Name Change
Here is the latest update:
Meeting on Jan. 4th, 2022
Identified who was in the space
Shared the need to get more voices in the space
1 suggestion was to attend a Pow-wow planned for district, set up a table to get more feedback and engagement, details to come
Other important groups involved are American Indian Parent Advisory Committee, which Dominic helped facilitate American Indian Parent Advisory Committee—they support Ramsey name change
Please click the link here for past meetings.
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Updates
You are a part of PTO
Join us in our Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ramseymiddleschool
Share your own ideas, thoughts, events or anything else that is relevant to our Community and keep up with what others are sharing.
Do you have an idea you’d like to see come to reality?
Click the link below to submit a proposal to the PTO so we can make it happen!
https://forms.gle/LFPzGvhUx8dUqN4h7
Do you love volunteering?
There are many opportunities to support our community with your time/energy.
Check out https://ramseyvolunteers.weebly.com/volunteer.html for current opportunities
Our next meeting will be in Thursday, January, 20th at 6:00pm, meeting details will be sent next week.
Classroom Updates
MN Studies Update for 6th graders with Ms. Walter
We will be wrapping up the unit on the Early Ojibwe this week. Students will be taking a test on Thursday, January 13 on Schoology. If your child is absent, please have them take it on Schoology as soon as possible. If you have any questions or concerns about your child's grade, please contact me at kathrine.walter@stpaul.k12.mn.us
Math 6
6th Grade Field Trip to Skateville
6th grade Field Trip: Let's Skate 6th Grade!
When: Wednesday, January 26 from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Where: Skateville in Burnsville
Who: All 6th grade students
Cost: $15 (includes rollerskates, food, and bus ride) Bring $3.00 if you want to upgrade to rollerblades
Turn in the paper permission slip (digital copy here) by January 14 to your child's Foundations Teacher.
CLICK HERE for full trip details
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:
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 after break. I am best reached by email cara.hagen@spps.org or text (612) 568-2358.
Cara Hagen
iPad Teacher