January 2016 - Ron Russell Middle School

January/February 2016
A Note from the
Principal
Dear Ron Russell Families,
It’s hard to believe that we are
a few weeks away from
completing one semester of
the 2015-2016 school year.
We continue to have a banner
year at RRMS. As we move
into 2016, I am proud of the
efforts our students and staff
are showing each and every
day at school.
At RRMS, we focus on the
ABCs. “A” stands for
“attendance.” Students cannot
learn if they are not in the
seats at school. Students have
“chronic” attendance if they
attend below 90% of the
school year. Currently, our
students have the best
attendance at this point in the
school year than we’ve had in
the history of Ron Russell.
13% of our students have
chronic attendance and we
work everyday to form
relationships and support those
students so they are at school,
on time, ready to learn.
Stay connected: http://rrms.ddouglas.k12.or.us and follow us on Twitter
continued….
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Homework Support
other words, grades.
At
RRMS, our teachers plan
lessons so their Learning
Targets are written clearly for
students so they know exactly
what they are to learn in class
and how they will show their
learning.
We want our
students to put forth their best
effort in all of their classes,
every day. If they earn RRMS
Honor Roll Black or Gold,
that’s great!
However, we
want them to work to their
potential and give the absolute
best they can. If they don’t
understand a concept, we teach
them to ask questions. We
want students to know their
GPA and be active on
StudentVUE so they know
exactly what they need to do to
improve their grades.
questions regarding your child’s
experiences at Ron Russell or
about the school and its
programs, please feel free to
contact me. My phone number
is 503-256-6519. Also, feel
free to check out our website at
http://rrms.ddouglas.k12.or.us.
A F T E R
S C H O O L
THURSDAY HOMEWORK
SUPPORT
Please encourage your student
to attend our Homework
Support from 2:45-4:00 in our
library every Thursday.
Students have a quiet space to
work, finish assignments, and
use technology that will help
them in their schoolwork. An
administrator is present at each
Homework Support session.
Transportation is not provided.
We are not perfect, but our
focus on the ABCs really
excites me.
“B” stands for “behavior.” If
students are in the office
dealing with discipline issues,
they are not in class learning.
We Strive to teach positive
behavioral expectations for
every part of the school.
Currently, our students have
earned less discipline referrals
than last year at this time.
Again, we want the students’
focus can be on learning in the
classroom and this is
happening!
Finally, I’d like to join
Superintendent Grotting in
recognizing the month of
January as School Board
Member Appreciation Month
and offer a heartfelt thank you
to our members in David
Douglas who volunteer their
time to support student
achievement. Board members
often work tirelessly behind
the scenes, dedicated to each
Ron Russell student receiving
a high-quality education and
I’m appreciative of their
support and pleased to be a
part of recognizing their
efforts.
“C” stands for “classes” or, in
If
you
should
have
any
Thank you for holding your
students accountable for their
learning and ensuring they
attend school as much as
possible! Our teachers work
hard each day to put learning
first.
It’s a pleasure and
privilege being principal of Ron
Russell.
Sincerely,
Helpful Tips
TIPS FOR COMMUNICATING
WITH TEACHERS
We all know that when teachers
work together with families, the
student wins. Of course, that is
our ultimate goal at RRMS!
Below are some tips for parents
when communicating with their
child’s teachers.
1. Keep messages short and
focused.
2.
Use e-mail, if possible.
teacherfirstname_teacherlastnam
[email protected]
3. Be patient, but be persistent.
4. Make an appointment before
you show up to RRMS.
5. Ask for explanations and
rationale.
6. Keep an open mind.
Please call our main office at
503.256.6519 to set up an
appointment with a teacher or for
clarification of an e-mail address.
Thank you.
Smarter Balanced
Students in grades 3-8 and 11
will begin taking the Smarter
Balanced English Language and
Math assessments in March.
The State of Oregon passed a
law allowing parents to opt
their students out of taking
these assessments. A letter
describing this process, as well
as the importance of these
assessments, will be sent home
with students in grades 3-8.
Parents/guardians who wish to
opt their students out of taking
this assessment are asked to
come to their school, discuss
the decision with your student's
principal, and pick up the
required opt-out form from the
school office. This form must
be completed and turned into
the school office before
assessments begin.
Please feel free to call or visit
with any questions.
January/February
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
January
18
No School
Martin Luther
King, JR Day
19
20
Late Arrival
21
22
Coffee &
Conversation
with the Principal
7:30 AM
Winter SUN
Starts
25
Sit Council
Meeting
3:00 PM
26
Musical
Theater
Performance
7:00 PM
27
Late Arrival
2
3
Late Arrival
6/7/8 Int Band/
Jazz Band, 6
Choir, 7/8 Mixed
Choir Concert
7:00 PM
28
PBIS Assembly
8:20 AM
Tracker Party
2:00 PM
4
29
No School
Teacher
Workday
5
After School
Academic
Support 2:45 PM
5/6 Beg Band, 6
Beg & 6 Int Orch
Concert 7:00 PM
8
9
10
Late Arrival
National
School
Counseling
Week
11
Qtr 2 Honor
Roll Party
9:00 AM
12
No School
Teacher
Professional
Development
After School
Academic
Support 2:45 PM
15
No School
Presidents’
Day
16
22
23
17
Late Arrival
Site Council
Meeting
3:00 PM
24
Late Arrival
18
19
After School
Academic
Support 2:45 PM
25
After School
Academic
Support 2:45 PM
SNAP
What: Ron Russell Middle School
Fix-It Fair (free community event)
Is your family in need of food
benefits? If so, you may qualify
for the federal Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP). Even partially qualifying
can help you stretch your food
dollar, and may also benefit other
families in the David Douglas
School District.
When: Saturday, Jan.
23 from 9:30am-3:00pm
After School
Academic
Support 2:45 PM
Spirit Week
February
1
After School
Academic
Support 2:45 PM
Fix-It Fair
26
Early
Release
11:00 AM
SUN
International
Night
6:00 - 730 PM
29
More Fun Times at RRMS!
Contact: www.portlandoregon.gov
/bps/fif<http://
www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/fif>
or 503-823-4309
Come to the Ron Russell Fix-It Fair
on Jan. 23! Fix-It Fairs are free
events where neighbors come
together to learn simple and
effective ways to save money and
stay healthy at home this winter
and beyond. Learn more about the
upcoming fair and free workshops
here<http://
www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/fif>
or call 503-823-4309.
RRMS on Twitter
Timberwolf families and
students, follow us on Twitter
at
Ron
Russell
MS
@RRTimberwolves. You will
find up to date information
about our school and photos of
students learning and
participating in classes!
Here’s how: schools that are
Community Eligible can provide
free meals to every student in the
school. Schools become
Community Eligible based on the
number of families in the
attendance area who qualify for
SNAP. Five schools in David
Douglas already qualify for
Community Eligibility, and all
students in those schools receive
free meals. We hope to bring free
meals for all students to all of our
schools.
Applying for SNAP benefits
online is easy. Just go to https://
apps.state.or.us/onlineApplication