rvms falcon sept 09

RINCON VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL

F A L C O NN E W S L E T T E R

4650 Badger Road Santa Rosa, California 95409 (707) 528-5255

Visit our website at http://www.rvms.srcs.k12.ca.us September 2009

DATES TO NOTE…

Sept 14-25– Magazine Sale FundraiserSept 14 - Oral Grade WeekSept 17 – Boys B-ball@ RVMSSept 17 – Girls B-ball@ SlaterSept 17 – Cross Country@RVMSSept 22 – Boys B-ball@ SRMSSept 22 – Girls B-ball@ RVMSSept 23 – Picture Make Up DaySept 23 – Sport-A-Rama sign upsSept 24 – Boys B-ball ByeSept 24 – Cross Country ByeSept 29 – Boys B-ball@ CookSept 17 – Girls B-ball@ RVMS

Oct 1 – 7th Grade ElectionOct 1 – Boys B-ball@ RVMSOct 1 – Girls B-ball@ ComstockOct 1 – Cross Country@RVMSOct 6 - Boys B-ball@ SlaterOct 6 - Girls B-ball@ RVMSOct 6 – Dance Ticket Sales $5 through Oct. 9 then $7Oct 8 - Boys B-ball@ RVMSOct 6 - Girls B-ball@ SRMSOct 8 – Cross Country @ SRMSOct 23 – SPORT-A-RAMA

REMEMBER TOMARK YOUR CALENDAR!!

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents and partners in education:

I can’t believe that the first month of school is already over and first quarter grades are right around the bend. I would like to thank all of you for helping make the beginning of this school year such a success. Registration went smoothly and the students have been such a joy. I can’t remember when I’ve been surrounded by so much positive energy and enthusiasm! Our students are engaged, eager, and just seem to be having a great time every day. As I observe classes I see students who are attentive, polite and motivated to learn. I see teachers who care and love what they do. This in conjunction with the solid support and love our students receive at home makes RVMS truly a very special place for students to grow academically and interpersonally.

I’d like to offer a big “Thank You!” to all the parents who have supported the Family Giving Campaign so far this year. This is the STPC’s only fundraiser this year, and it will end on October 3rd. With RVMS losing $40,000 in financial support due to the budget crisis, your support is critical to our programs. We want to continue to purchase technology for our staff and students, offer great extra-curricular activities, enhance our GATE program, keep our athletic teams performing well, and support our struggling learners to name a few. If you haven’t had a chance to support the Family Giving Campaign yet, we would appreciate any level of support. I know we are in tough economic times, and your generosity is greatly appreciated.

http://www.rvms.srcs.k12.ca.us/

RVMS Newsletter - September 2009

Our academic success continues to grow each year, and our API score of 905 demonstrates our school’s commitment in this arena. In

ten years we have grown over 150 points! This is the largest gain in the school district. We have already begun to analyze the data from last year to determine where our strengths are, and what we need to do in order to improve

Principal’s message continued from previous page

and refine our practices. As the principal I’d like to thank you for supporting your children so well. True student success requires a strong partnership of parents, staff and students; and as a team we are making wonderful progress.

One area of concern I have at this time is our student drop off and pick up. As you are all aware, dropping off students and picking them up at every school is a challenge. If you pick up your child on the west side of Middle Rincon Rd., please have them use the cross walk. Do not allow your child to walk across Middle Rincon, with congested traffic, to get to your car. The few extra minutes it takes to use the crosswalk makes it safer for all our students. In addition, I have noticed that by 3:15pm Middle Rincon Rd. is almost deserted, so I encourage parents to come fifteen minutes later and avoid all the traffic congestion. You’ll be able to pick up your child with no hassles, and avoid all the stress.

With the flu season approaching, and the H1N1 virus a part of the equation this year, it is especially important that every student practice good hygiene. While we make weekly announcements to help remind students, I’d appreciate you doing the same at home. If students wash their hands often, and use hand sanitizer, they may avoid a few colds this year and possibly the flu. We’re asking students not to share drinks and food as well. If three students are drinking from the same water bottle, it’s an easy way to get catch someone’s cold. If we all practice good health, we keep not only ourselves healthy, but our friends as well.

All my best,

Matthew Marshall_____________________________________________

"FUEL YOUR SCHOOL" "Please donate to the Family Giving Campaign"

Counseling Office News

Counselors Dan Evans, Robin Wilkins and Michele Craig-Morales would like to welcome all new and returning students to the 2009-2010 school year.

Office Hours – 7:30 – 3:00 Phone - 528-5257Counselor Dan Evans – Mon., Wed., Thurs. morning and Fri. afternoon. Last name alphabet is A – I. [email protected]

Counselor Robin Wilkins – Mon. – Fri. Last name alphabet is J – Z. [email protected]

Academic Support Counselor Michele Craig-Morales – Thursday [email protected] or voice mail number 528-5074 ext.2358

The Counselors oversee the following programs:

Honor Society Homework Club Homework Hotline Peer Helper Program Conflict Management Program Support Counseling

Honor Society- The fall semester of Honor Society is open to 8th graders based on their June report card semester grades:

o Students need12 points to be eligible

o Each “A” is worth 3 points o Each “B” is worth 1 point

A list of eligible students will be posted in the marquee adjacent to the Counseling Office by September 4. If you do not find your name on the list, please contact either counselor.

mailto:[email protected]




Past field trips have included UC Davis and UC Berkeley.

8th Honor Society meets the first Monday each month in Room 73. The first meeting is Monday, Sept. 14. The October meeting is on Monday, October 5.

Remember, you need to attend Honor Society meetings in order to participate in field trips to UC campuses. Our next field trip is Oct. 28 to UC Davis.

7th grade students will be eligible for Honor Society in the spring based on their 1st semester report card. Lists will be posted in January 2010 in the marquee adjacent to the Counseling Office.

Homework Club – The first week of Homework Club began on Tuesday, August 25. Homework Club meets on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, 3:10 – 4:10. Homework Club is in the Library and it’s FREE ! Students must stay for the entire time, unless they have a note from their parent to leave earlier. Two to three teachers are available during this time to assist students who need help.

Homework Hotline –[email protected] you checked out the Homework Hotline website? This website is a great tool to make sure you are getting all of your homework written down in your planner. The hotline is updated daily by

3:00 p.m. and is offered as a convenience for students who were absent from class or for parents who would like to check homework assignments.

Weekly Progress Reports

Progress Reports are available in the Counseling Office starting Monday, August 31 between the hours of 7:30 to 8:00 a.m.

If there is a Monday holiday, students can pick up Progress Reports on Tuesdays between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m.

Progress Reports are not available for the weeks of quarter grades and semester grades.

Interim Progress Report Weeks

Quarter/Semester Ending Dates

Interim Progress Report Weeks: September 14 – 18, 2009

IPR mailed home September 23

November 9 – 13, 2009, IPR mailed home November 18

February 1 – 5, 2010

IPR mailed home February 11

April 12 – 16, 2010IPR mailed home April 21

Quarter/Semester Ending Dates: Quarter 1 ends October 16, 2009

Report Card mailed home Oct. 23

Qtr. 2/Sem. 1 ends December 17, 2009Report Card mailed home Jan. 11


Quarter 3 ends March 12, 2010 Report Card mailed home March 19

Qtr. 4/Sem. 2 ends May 28, 2010Report Card mailed home June 8

Greetings from GATE! My name is Mark Zeman, and I am the new GATE coordinator at RVMS. Our STPC has generously allotted funds for GATE for the 2009-2010 school year, so many of our programs such as Math Counts, Odyssey of the Mind, and after-school enrichment, will again be offered.

More information will be coming your way in future editions of the Falcon News and STPC communications. In fact, there will be a GATE informational meeting Thursday, Sept. 24, at 6:00 p.m., prior to the STPC meeting that evening. Hope to see all interested parties there!

“Jumping jacks 1-2-3, turn 4, toes, knees, clap, clap, clap”. Welcome to 7th grade physical education! So many elements of the class seemed challenging, but now are a piece of cake. The first unit, Boot Camp, tackled challenges like memorizing another combination, dressing in the locker room, working together with a squad line, and learning the BEST behaviors for Rincon Valley. We have built a solid foundation for the

year and can focus on learning, become physically fit, while treating each other with respect.

The fitness component is an integral part of our program. We will be collecting baseline data for the state mandated FITNESSGRAM test and the RVMS Fitness test. Both health and skill related components of fitness will be assessed. Throughout the year, your son/daughter will set personal goals, physically challenge themselves and chart their improvement. Thank you to all the families who participated in the Target Heart Rate Project. You are a valued partner and make the learning come alive!

The tumbling mats and jump ropes are seeing a lot of action. Students are busy building skills and choreographing routines to music. Working together with their squad lines may be challenging but the outcome is rewarding. Keep checking the homework hotline to stay updated on our activities.

"IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO PARTICIPATE""Please donate to the Family Giving Campaign"

Notes from the STPC

Forming a great community and support system is not limited to just this two-year school as one may think. This school community that you are in will most likely be the same for the next 5-6 years as we transition from RVMS to MCHS. This is a great parent group that we are forming and we would like to encourage a great tradition of support that lasts through 12th grade!

Email Notices:This year the STPC has started sending out notices via constant contact email service. For our parent community this year, we added your names, emails and contact information to the system for you; in future years you will be able to add yourself. The beauty of this system is that you can manage the information yourself as well, choosing how often you receive notices and deleting yourself from the mailing. To be added to the email system, send a note to [email protected]. To edit your information and how often you receive notices, you can click on the link at the bottom of the email from constant contact “Update Profile/Email Address“ and it will send you a note to link to your information (no passwords needed).



RVMS Family Directory:You may also elect to join the e-directory to be published once in September (Deadline Sept 18th), once in January (deadline Jan 1) and once in May for the summer (deadline April 30th). All participants will receive an e-copy. To opt-in, just check the “directory” box in your constant contact registration page. If you do not have email and want to participate, please send in a note to the STPC box in the office to the attention of the STPC president.

Volunteering:We have an opportunity for everyone, volunteering at school, at home and in so many ways. We have switched to email notices for all volunteering needs. If you are interested in volunteering, send us a note to add you to the email list. Parents, thank you for stepping up and making the special effort in these challenging times. When you see the next notice, please check your calendar and see if you can help.

Parent meetingsSTPC meetings are the best way to link into what is going on at your child’s learning community at RVMS. These meetings are the one place to gather administration, teachers and parents together to highlight the programs and opportunities at RVMS. Thank you to Mr. Marshall for his dedication to our students and for the updates at the meetings. Thank you to the staff and teachers who attend and shed valuable light on our kids’ daily activities.

STPC MeetingsRVMS Library – 7 p.m.

Sept 24th Oct 22nd Nov - No meeting, busy season

Dec- No meeting, busy season

Jan 28th

Feb 25t Mar 26th No meeting, spring break

Apr 22nd Elections and roundtable review

May – No meeting, busy last month

Feedback:

We are constantly looking at ways to improve what we do and how we do it. We love suggestions from our parent community. So much of what we do to support the school is dependent on parent special interests and talents that do change from year to year at RVMS. Our best suggestions from parents who follow their ideas up with volunteerism and champion the concept forward.

It is a pleasure to be part of this school community. We hope you think so as well. - The [email protected]

Don’t forget to send in your box tops to your child’s science class.

THANK YOU STPC Chairs!

Not to go unnoticed, as you all do so much all year:

• Thank you to Mousa Abbasi for a very successful orientation day and coordinating over 160 volunteers and training. You are coordinating something every week since school started so thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you………..(we could just go on!!!!)

• Thank you to our hospitality co-chairs, Lorraine Bryars and Debbie Cardineau for providing refreshments for orientation, back to school night and the first STPC meeting refreshments. Yummy!

• Thank you to the Family Giving Campaign co-chairs Karen Littel and Staci Pastis for your hard work starting last spring to conceptualize and inaugurate the tradition of just giving at RVMS. We all enjoy the break from supporting silent auctions and myriad fundraising activities.



• A “you are awesome” to Staci Pastis who has arranged over $4K in in-kind donations that in turn allows us to spend more on our children and programs at RVMS. We look for all areas that we can seek donations rather than spend money on needs at the school. If you would like to help Staci seek out additional in-kind donations from our community and companies across the United States, please let us know at [email protected].

• Thank you Susanne Skabelund for taking all the inputs from teachers, staff and STPC board members and making not only sense of it but also a budget that allows us to move forward.

• Thank you to Brigitte Rocca for arranging the spirit wear sales at orientation, making it so fun for kids to get excited about their school.

Thank you to all the volunteers that supported the activities so far at RVMS. The fun never stops does it? This is a great team, RVMS!

Thank you Montgomery Village Shops LLPThank you to Montgomery Village & David Codding for inviting us to participate in the summer concert series. We have raised over $4K for the Badger Road Project via funding from the community beverage sales during the concert. Montgomery Village has purchased all the beverage supplies that we sold for 100% profit for RVMS. Thank you also to Lagunitas that has donated the beverages for all the events.

It is amazing the support from these businesses and they are so pleased to do it.

Please support them with your patronage and if you have a moment, tell them thank you!

THANK YOU!!!

Thank you to the following amazing RVMS families that gathered the weekend before school opened to make Phase 1 of the Badger Road Project something we will all enjoy for years:

Katya AndersonLe Family: Amy & VictoriaAdams Family: Madison & LindaJanet ChinSullivan Family: Tim, Regina, Tara & BrendanHicks Family: Scott, MK, Tacey, & Trysha Lynn ScuriGirmayMr. ResnikofMike & Casey DobbertRandy HopperJoseph BekstreinBob WyattLynnette ScolariDaniel DockerShapiro FamilyPhillip FranklDid we miss anyone? Let us know.

A huge thank you to the crew leaders of the day; "Hurrah!" to Katya Anderson and Matt Marshall for

plant layout, drip trenching and planting leadership (Saturday) and "way-to-go" to the impromptu crew leaders for the drip system hook-up and final details- Phillip Frankl and Bob Wyatt..

Thank you to John Wargo for hooking up the water system, spending many days doing whatever it took to discover the 30-year forgotten water system to hook up the water and put in the boxes and the valves. He also does not have a child at RVMS anymore, that is dedication!

Again, thank you to Maisha Ruth for her dedication and professionalism in design of the area and for working with the district to get it approved and get the site prepared. Over a year of planning and details! Thank you for you amazing volunteerism.

STUDENTS LEAVING SCHOOL EARLY



If your child needs to leave during the school day, your students must bring a note to the Attendance Office BEFORE SCHOOL to get a Permit to Leave. This will allow your student to get all their necessary school work/supplies and minimize classroom interruptions. Remember students need to always be signed out from the attendance office when leaving early or signed in when arriving late.

PICTURE MAKE-UP DAYWednesday, September

23rd

"IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO PARTICIPATE""Please donate to the Family Giving Campaign"

MESSAGES/DELIVERIES TO STUDENTS

Only in the case of an EMERGENCY will the office forward messages from parents to students. Messages delivered to class cause a disruption to the learning environment. Please discuss arrangements such as transportation, appointments and other non-urgent issues in the morning, before your child leaves for school.

Deliveries to students in the classroom also cause a disruption to the learning environment. All deliveries should be brought to the main office and kept to a minimum. The student will be contacted at the end of a period, and they can get the delivery at break, lunch, or after school.

Please do not call your student on their cell phone during school hours. This is a violation of school policy, and could result in disciplinary action being taken against the student.

OFFICE PHONE USE BY STUDENTSIS FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY.

This includes health or medical issues, missed or

delayed First Student buses, and unforeseeable events.

ATTENDANCE & ACTIVITIES

Students must be in school all day if they wish to participate in any extracurricular activity. For example, if there is a school dance, an athletic game, or an evening awards ceremony, a student must attend all six classes to participate in that activity.

Adults on CampusPlease remember that if you come on campus during the school day 8:00 – 3:00, you must sign in as a guest in the main office. This is for the protection of all our students.

MEDICATIONS POLICY

Students requiring medication during school hours must have a permission form on file for the school year. This form must be completed and signed by


the doctor and parent/guardian. Forms are available in the Main Office. Your doctor may fax written instructions to the Health Office at 528-5644. All medications must be kept in the Health Office unless otherwise stated by your doctor. IF you have question, please call 528-5255.

Tammi Leggins – Health TechnicianMichele Scudero, RN, Dist. Nurse @ RVMS

The Culinary Class would like to send out a huge thank you to Prickett’s Nursery for donating some beautiful herb plants to our class. Also, we would like to thank Trader Joe’s for donating 10 pounds of butter and 10 bags of chocolate chips. We look forward to making delicious food with these donations.

7th Grade EventFriday, October 23

6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Sign UpsWednesday, Sept. 23 – At Lunch

Permission slips will be handed out in P.E.

Please bring your permission slip and money to sign up on Wed., Sept. 23.

Hope you can join in the fun. If you have any questions, contact Chris Woodbury at 528-5543.

Santa Rosa Accelerated Charter School

5th gr. Enrollment Window Nov. 2 – 30, 2009Parent Information Gathering Oct. 29, 2009

See flyer for additional information !

August 17 – October 2, 2009

September is FAMILY GIVING CAMPAIGN month!

This STPC fundraiser will help to offset budget cuts and maintain excellence at RVMS by providing funding for sports, extracurricular activities, GATE, campus-wide technology, classroom and science lab supplies, field trips, Renaissance, and more!

So far, we've raised $26,000, with 20% of families participating. Our goal is to raise $80,000. If everyone gives something, we'll get


there! You can donate any amount that works for your family.

Please either send or bring your check to the school office. The donation rocket/canister is to your far right as you enter. Your donation is tax deductible. There is a donation form included in this packet.

Keep watching the red "fuel" rise on our rockets outside the school to monitor our progress!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATION!!!"

OPEN ENROLLMENT

¤ OPEN ENROLLMENT INTRA DISTRICT REQUEST is a permanent placement.

¤ This will eliminate the Intra District Transfer annual request.

¤ If the number of requests does not exceed the space available, your first choice will be granted.

¤ If the number of request exceeds the space available, a lottery will take place.

¤ No special criteria is needed for your request.

¤ Transportation is the responsibility of the parent/guardian.

¤ Ask your school for more information or call Child Welfare and Attendance 528-5137.

Open Enrollment Time Period:

NOVEMBER 1 (8:00 a.m.) – NOVEMBER 30 (5:00 p.m.)

Please apply on-line @ www.srcs.k12.ca.usA computer is available at Child Welfare and Attendance.

Paper Applications are NOT accepted.

Nightmare on Puberty StreetDear Parents/Guardians:

Child Welfare and Attendance211 Ridgway AvenueSanta Rosa, CA 95401Tel : (707) 528-5137 Fax: (707) 528-5107

http://www.srcs.k12.ca.us/

On Thursday, October 29, Rincon Valley Middle School will offer a health education program provided free-of-charge by Kaiser Permanente. Nightmare on Puberty Street is an award-winning, live theatre performance for students in grades 6, 7, and 8.

Comedy, drama, music, and dance bring to life issues that affect the health of pre-teens: peer pressure and self-esteem, “crushes” and romantic feelings, body changes, depression and thoughts of suicide, violence, and communication with parents and peers.

Students identify with the youthful, ethnically diverse performers/educators and discover: skills to resist peer pressure, the use of positive peer pressure and how to be a good friend, the impact of labels and name-calling, and how to seek help from parents and other trusted adults.

Nightmare on Puberty Street was developed by physicians, health educators, and theatre professionals at Kaiser Permanente in collaboration with a community-based advisory community of parents, teachers, counselors, and school district officials.

The Nightmare program encourages parents, teachers and students to follow up with discussions and activities – to help show that puberty doesn’t have to be a nightmare.

Talkingwithkids.org(htpp://talking with kids.org/first/html) is a website recommended by the National Parent Teacher Association and child development experts about talking to youth regarding touch issues.

**Please see the Parent Guide in this newsletter for more information.**

If you do not wish you student to attend the assembly you Must return the slip below, signed by you, indicating your preference. Students who do not attend the performance will be assigned to the Library during the assembly.

If you are interested in pre-viewing a performance before it comes to RVMS, you may go to the Educational Theatre performance calendar at www.kport/etp to get performance dates and times to attend a performance at a nearby school. If attending, please call the school you will attending and check with the Education Theatre Programs at (510) 987-2223 to make sure the date and times are correct.

Please Sign and Return to THE RVMS COUNSELING OFFICE only if you do not want your child attending the “Nightmare” performance or if you want more information.

______NO, I do not give permission for my son/daughter _______________________ to attend (STUDENT NAME) a Performance of Nightmare on Puberty Street.

______ PLEASE CALL ME with more information about the performance.

NAME:______________________________________DAYTIME PHONE:__________________

PARENT SIGNATURE:________________________________DATE:______________________

http://www.kport/etp

TEACHER VOICE MAIL AND E-MAIL528-5074

Teacher Voicemail

E-Mail Teacher Voicemail

E-mail

BLAIR 2300 [email protected] MYERS, I 2318 [email protected] 2301 [email protected] NORRIS 2357 [email protected] 2330 briner.science@sbcglobal

.netRESNIKOFF 2320 [email protected].

usBROWN 2335 [email protected] SALER 2311 [email protected] 2349 [email protected].

usSANDHOLM 2322 [email protected]

.usCHENEY 2348 [email protected] SHUBIN 2346 [email protected] 2347 [email protected] S-BOLDT 2324 [email protected] 2304 [email protected] SIROTA 2325 [email protected] 2305 [email protected]

.usTOBY 2326 [email protected]

EAGLE 6049 [email protected] VARNBUHLER J

2327 [email protected]

FORSYTH 2308 [email protected] VARNBUHLER L

2328 [email protected]

GUIDO 6050 [email protected] WADE 6046 [email protected] 2310 [email protected] WALLS 2342 [email protected] 2350 [email protected] WEIGHALL 6047 [email protected]

sHOUSE 2345 [email protected] WOLFE

(Lorange)2355 [email protected]

KING-CLAYE 2312 [email protected] WOODBURY 6048 [email protected]

KOVATCH 2313 [email protected] ZEMAN 2332 [email protected]

KUBIAK 2314 [email protected]

LONDO 2316 [email protected] COUNSELORSLUNSFORD 2317 [email protected] CRAIG-

MORALES2358 [email protected].

ca.us

MACCHIA 2306 [email protected] EVANS (A-I) 528-5257

[email protected]

MCCOMAS 2352 [email protected]

WILKINS (J-Z)

528-5257

[email protected]



The Santa Rosa Accelerated Charter School

On the campus of Rincon Valley Middle School

Announces:2010 Enrollment

For incoming 5th GradersInformational Gathering:

October 29, 20094:00 PM in the RVMS Café

Application Window: November 2 – 30, 2009

rvms falcon sept 09

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