January Rev2 6w4rd

RINCON VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL

FALCON NEWSLETTER

4650 Badger Road  Santa Rosa, California 95409  (707) 528-5255 Visit our website at http://www.rvms.srcs.k12.ca.us January 2010

DATES TO NOTE… A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL Dear Parents & Friends, . Jan. 11 – Volleyball and Wrestling Tryouts Jan. 18 – MLK Day NO SCHOOL Jan. 21– Cookie Dough Fundraiser Assembly Jan. 28– Volleyball@RVMS Wrestling @ Comstock Jan. 28- STPC mtg. 7pm Library Jan. 29– Cookie orders due Feb. 1-5 – Oral Grade Week Feb. 2–10 Pre Valentine Sales Feb. 2– Volleyball @ Slater Wrestling @RVMS Feb. 4– Volleyball @ RVMS Wrestling @Santa Rosa Feb. 8– Lincoln’sB-day NO SCHOOL Feb. 11– Volleyball @ Slater Wrestling @RVMS Feb. 15– President’s Day NO SCHOOL Feb. 16– Volleyball @ Comstock Wrestling @ RVMS Feb. 18– Volleyball @ RVMS Wrestling @ Slater Feb. 23– Volleyball @ Santa Rosa Wrestling @ RVMS Feb. 24- RVMS Showcase min. day Mar. 29-Apr.2 – Spring Break

TO MARK YOUR CALENDAR!!

With all the doom and gloom about municipal and school budgets, we’re still shining and working wonders with students. While the budget cuts that are coming will be felt deeply, we will make every effort to meet the challenges before us. The RVMS staff is committed to providing an excellent education for all our students; we’ll just have to get very creative. During the school year, we will need to lean more heavily on our parent group, the STPC, for our educational needs. I have tremendous faith that our parents will rise to the occasion and us in these trying times. At the end of this month, February 24, RVMS is once again putting on our annual “Showcase” event for incoming students. This is a minimum day, and school will be out at 12:28. If you know of anyone who will be a new student to RVMS, please remind them about this event. The showcase will start at 6:00pm and close at 8:00pm. The showcase is a wonderful way to get a look at RVMS and see what we’re all about. Everyone from the community is welcome to attend, but we ask that current students stay home because of limited space. As many of you know, we will be taking the STAR test the week of April 12th. We will be on a Monday bell schedule the entire week. In today’s competitive educational environment, it is very important that all our students take the test seriously and give it their best effort. Schools are also using the STAR test results now to help determine if students will have an elective class, or academic class, the following year. During this critical week for our school, we ask that families do not miss school for any reason other than a doctor’s appointment; and we’d appreciate it if even those could be scheduled for another week. I don’t

RVMS Newsletter - January 2010 like the fact that so much rides achievement, but that is the reality we live in. The staff at RMVS greatly on this one indicator of student appreciates your during the week of STAR testing. Principal’s message continued from previous page

Believe it or not, we are already planning classes for next year. February is also the month when MCHS counselors come to RVMS and talk to 8th graders about their educational choices for next year. The MCHS counselors will be visiting 8th grade history classes on Thursday, February 18th. Please make sure you review with your student next year’s course offerings and guide them in making choices. Student course selection sheets are due back in the counseling office no later than Friday, March 5th. On Wednesday, March 3rd, our counseling department is offering an 8th grade parent night for our eighth grade parents who will soon be dropping their students off at the high school. This event is designed to inform parents what to expect at the high school and helpful hints about making the transition go smoothly. The 8th grade parent night will be held in the RVMS library from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Finally, on Tuesday, March 9, our counseling team will be visiting 7th grade science classes to talk about elective choices for the 8th grade year. All my best,

The Counselors oversee the following programs: • Honor Society • Homework Hotline • Conflict Management Program • Counseling • Safe School Ambassador Program

Honor Society- The spring semester of Honor Society is open to both 7th and 8th graders based on their December 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 is posted in the marquee adjacent to the Counseling Office.. If you do not find your name on the list, please your counselor. Honor Society meets before field trips. Meetings will be announced on the morning announcements and posted outside the Counseling Office in the marquee. Our next meeting is Monday, February 1. , you need to attend Honor Society meetings in order to participate in the field trip to UC Berkeley on Wednesday, March 3.

Homework Club – Homework Club meets on Tuesday

Matt Marshall Principal – RVMS _____________________________________________

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.

Counseling Office News Office Hours – 7:30 – 3:00

Phone - 528-5257

Counselor Dan Evans – Mon., Wed., Thurs. morning and Fri. afternoon. Last name alphabet is A – I. [email protected] or voice mail number 528-5074 ext.2358

Homework Hotline – [email protected] Have 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

RVMS Newsletter - January 2010 for students who were absent from class or for parents who would like to check homework assignments.

Colleges universities financial aid scholarships

Please call 528-5038 to reserve your place as space is limited.

Weekly Progress Reports •

•

Progress Reports are available in the Counseling Office on Mondays, 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.

8th Grade Parent Nights at RVMS counselors Dan Evans and Robin Wilkins for a presentation about the following topics:

2010-2011 Registration

The RVMS Counseling Office and a few RVMS students will be visiting our partner elementary schools the third week of February to talk with 6th graders about 7th grade at Rincon and hand out enrollment packets. If you have a 6th grader at one of the following partner schools, please check his or her backpack for an enrollment packet. Our partner elementary schools are: o Austin Creek o Binkley o Kenwood o Madrone o Riebli o Santa Rosa Accelerated Charter o Sequoia o Whited Be sure to complete the registration packet and return it to RVMS on the evening of Showcase (Wednesday, February 24th).

High School Night Tuesday, March 2, 2010 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. RVMS Library Discussion Topics: high schools pathways 4-year plan graduation requirements

College/University Night TBD Discussion Topics:

For Future 7th and 8th grade Students and Parents Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2009 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. 6:00 6:20 6:30 7:00

School Tours – Meet at the flagpole 7th gr. Band – RVMS Gym Welcome to Rincon Presentation –Gym Showcase/Performances – Open to the Public

RVMS Newsletter - January 2010 their planner to confirm that it is th th 7 & 8 gr. Curriculums, electives, accurate. If your student does not classes and enrichment activities get the signatures, give them a consequence (example: no cell 8:00 Parent Night closes phone, no computer time, or no TV) until they start getting the required signatures. 2) Have your student pick up a weekly progress report. Do this for at least two weeks. When your student brings the progress report home, have them explain any missing work or low scores.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010 – 7th grade Writing Test April 12 – 16, 2010 STAR TEST

Please use the strategies above prior to scheduling a parent teacher conference. This will help clarify your child’s needs. We look forward to working to address your concerns. Sincerely, Dan Evans, Robin Wilkins and Michele Craig-Morales RVMS Counseling Office – 528-5257 [email protected] Academic Counselor (Thursday mornings)

RE: Parent/Teacher Conferences Suggestions RVMS hopes for all students to succeed. If you are concerned about your child’s progress in one or more of their classes, please complete the following tasks prior to scheduling a parent teacher conference. This process makes the conference far more effective and is beneficial for your child: 1)

Ask to see your student’s planner every day for a week and have them show you their completed homework. a. If it is not complete, create a place for them to sit down and get it finished. b. If your child is not filling in the planner, have them start to get a teacher signature each day in

Homework Hotline: www.rvms.srcs.k12.ca.us Homework Club: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:10 to 4:10, RVMS Library

7th Grade Girls Basketball News Congratulations to the girls 7th grade basketball team. They are Co- Champions of the Santa Rosa City Middle Schools Basketball League. The girls had an excellent season, playing tenacious, smothering defense and unselfish team offense. Defensively, the girls only allowed their opponents an average of 11 points per game. The girl’s only loss was to Slater by 1 point. The team worked hard at practice to improve their basketball skills and work together as a team.

Malia Donovan Miranda Gonzalez Holly Londyn Inskeep Jamie Lynn Megan McConnell Skyler Stokes Jenna Tiewater Raegan Williams

RVMS Newsletter - January 2010 Shelby Fechter STPC Meetings Sarah RVMS Library – 7 p.m.

Brooke White

Jan 28th, 2010 Feb 25th Mar 26th- No meeting, spring break Apr 22nd Elections and roundtable review May – No meeting, busy last month

Congratulations girls on a very successful season. We are very proud of you!

Athletic Reminders: Volleyball and Wrestling have just begun their season. Good luck to both teams! Third Quarter Sports: 7th & 8th Grade Girls Volleyball and Wrestling Fourth Quarter Sports: 7th & 8th Grade Track and Field to turn in a completed Athletic Packet to Mrs. Wade during the week prior to tryouts. (This includes a physical and a $30 athletic donation.) If you have already turned in a packet, you must still turn in an Athletic Up-date Form. The Athletic Packet and the Up-date Form can be picked up in the main office or from your P.E. teacher at any time. Keep those grades up. Students must have a 2.0 GPA in the quarter previous to trying out for a team. Questions??? Call Mrs. Wade at 528-5543.

Notes from the STPC

The 8th grade team would like to get the help of parent volunteers with the Race Through High School game involving all 8th grade students and 12 students from Maria Carrillo High School. 8-10 parent volunteers are needed. Date: Tuesday, March 2 Time: 7:30 am Training in Mr. Ian Myers Room Event runs from 8:00 - 9:20 in Café and Gym. If you are able to help with this event, please Ms. Penny Sirota at: [email protected] Thank you in advance for your help. Mousa Abbasi RVMS STPC Volunteer Coordinator _________________________________________

The 8th grade winning color teams would like to get the help of parent volunteers for Movies at Rialto event. Date: March 25 15 Volunteers needed Movies at Rialto for winning color teams

RVMS Newsletter - January 2010 Followed by Pizza lunch at RVMS MESSAGES/DELIVERIES TO If you are able to help with this event, please Ms. Laurel VarnBuhler at [email protected] Time for the March 25 event to be confirmed by Ms. VarnBuhler - it should be from about 9:00am - 1:15 p.m. _________________________________________

NEWS FROM THE NURSE SCOLIOSIS SCREENING I will be doing the scoliosis screening in April. Screening is done during P.E. classes. Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine. It affects one of every 50 children, and usually appears between the ages of 10 to 15 when the child is growing rapidly. Girls are more likely to have scoliosis than boys. Most curves are small and require no active treatment other than continued observation by your doctor.

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 ed 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.

Michele Scudero R.N. School Nurse

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. students need to always be signed out from the attendance office when leaving early or signed in when arriving late.

OFFICE PHONE USE BY STUDENTS IS 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, homework club, or an evening awards ceremony, a student must attend all six classes to participate in that activity.

RVMS Newsletter - January 2010 Seth Camilli - Mrs. VarnBuhler Hannah Cardinalli - Mr. Eagle

Adults on Campus Please that if you come on campus during the school day between 8:00 and 3:00, you must sign in as a guest in the main office and receive identification. 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.

Students of the Week December 14-17, 2009 Miguel Berlanga - Ms. Briner Kevin Barth - Ms. Briner Leif Dinger - Mrs. Sandholm Julia Willmers - Mrs. Sandholm Hunter Volpi - Mr. Eagle Alexis Honighausen - Mr. Eagle Joseph Byun - Mrs. VarnBuhler Claire Wheeler - Mrs. VarnBuhler Erica Calderon - Mr. VarnBuhler Jose Delgado-Aguilar - Mr. VarnBuhler

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

Students of the Week January 4-8, 2010 Students of the Week December 7-11, 2009 Sonia Bhatt - Ms. Briner Evan Marquez - Ms. Briner Brandon Bone - Ms. Briner Rachel Black - Ms. Briner Barrett Iodence - Mr. VarnBuhler Jenna Docher - Mr. VarnBuhler Alex Bleyhl - Ms. Cheney Marisol Farias - Ms. Cheney Sarah Sullivan - Mrs. VarnBuhler

Shaina Dowell - Mr. VarnBuhler Chris Jamerson - Mr. VarnBuhler Carlos Martinez-Solis - Mrs. VarnBuhler Sophia Lassen - Mrs. VarnBuhler Jenna Docher - Mrs. Macchia Lucas Azcarraga - Mrs. Macchia Lainey McCaffrey - Ms. Briner Coulter Adams - Ms. Briner Cianna Crawford - Ms. Briner Turner O’Brien - Ms. Briner Anthony Fisicaro - Mrs. Brew Jacob Leras - Mrs. Brew

RVMS Newsletter - January 2010 teachers are proud of the 8th graders’ level of leadership and achievement!

8th Graders Keep Busy Ask your child a question about the Bill Of Rights or the Constitution, find out if they can explain how atoms form the wide variety of matter that we experience every day, or put on some music and have them show you a square dance step or two. At lunch we finished the basketball tournament with the Blue Beasts taking first place. Now we are playing volley tennis. This Intramural program benefits from students who volunteer to referee and the generous donations from the STPC. Additionally, student volunteer mentors work with Mr. Myers, Mrs. Kubiak and Ms. Briner to improve the grades for students who need a little extra . We are fortunate to have a very involved 8th grade class. Color Teams continue with Pink holding on to first place. Again, eight motivated and organized students act as color team captains and lead their color team in academic, athletic and school spirit events. This competition culminates with a movie and pizza prize donated by the Rialto Theater and the STPC. Yes, 8th graders are active and healthy and doing well academically. Rincon

For Future 7th and 8th grade Students and Parents Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2009 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. 6:00 6:20 6:30 7:00

School Tours – Meet at the flagpole 7th gr. Band – RVMS Gym Welcome to Rincon Presentation –Gym Showcase/Performances – Open to the Public

7th & 8th gr. Curriculums, electives, classes and enrichment activities 8:00

Parent Night closes

Physical Education Hot Topics How safe is your home? Do you have a safety plan for an emergency? Are your children trained in Self Defense? The seventh grade students are participating in a Self Defense Unit and learning important tips on avoidance skills, escapes and takedowns. The most important part of Self Defense is to not put yourself in an unsafe situation and be aware of your surroundings. Parents, you can help! Review safe procedures for walking to and from school, using cell phones, social networking sites, and protocol for being at home alone. The students

RVMS Newsletter - January 2010 produced posters, billboards, raps, skits and interviews to demonstrate their knowledge of self defense skills. Swing by the cafeteria and take a look. Thanks Rita Weighall

8th grade Parent Night Thursday, February 25, 2010 MCHS Gym 7:00 Informational Program 7:30 GATE Meeting 8th graders and their parents are invited to the MCHS staff for 2010-2011 information on: Pathways Graduation requirements Extracurricular opportunities Department and program displays Parent Involvement

TEACHER VOICE MAIL AND E-MAIL 528-5074

Teacher

Voicem ail

E-Mail

BLAIR BREW BRINER

2300 2301 2330

BROWN CANDELARIA

2335 2349

CHENEY CONRAD DAVIES DEROUSSEAU

2348 2347 2304 2305

EAGLE

6049

[email protected]

FORSYTH

2308

[email protected]

GUIDO GURSKI HART

6050 2310 2350

[email protected]

HOUSE

2345

[email protected]

KING-CLAYE

2312

KOVATCH KUBIAK

Teacher

Voicemail

E-mail

MYERS, I NORRIS RESNIKOFF

2318 2357 2320

SALER SANDHOLM

2311 2322

SHUBIN S-BOLDT SIROTA TOBY

2346 2324 2325 2326

[email protected]

VARNBUHLER J VARNBUHLER L WADE WALLS WEIGHALL

2327 2328 6046 2342 6047 2355

[email protected]

WOLFE (Lorange) WOODBURY

6048

2313

[email protected]

ZEMAN

2332

2314

[email protected] s

LONDO LUNSFORD

2316 2317

[email protected]

MACCHIA

2306

[email protected]

MCCOMAS

2352

[email protected]. us

COUNSELORS CRAIGMORALES EVANS (A-I) WILKINS Z)

(J-

2358

[email protected]. ca.us

5285257 5285257

[email protected]

(707)527-6427 or (707)540-1831

www.chessclubforkids.com

CHESS FOR KIDS, Inc.

at

Santa Rosa Accelerated Charter School!

OPEN TO RVMS STUDENTS! CHESS FOR KIDS, Inc. will offer a six week session of chess classes at Santa Rosa Accelerated Charter School! All levels of skill are welcome! Studies have found hidden rewards for students of chess: • Critical and logical thinking skills • Improved concentration, pattern recognition, and memory • Patience, decision-making, planning, and sportsmanship skills • In addition, chess is plain FUN! CHESS FOR KIDS, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing chess to as many young people as possible in Sonoma County. CHESS FOR KIDS class Wednesdays, Jan. 27, Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24.. (3:15-4:15) Room Location: Rm. 1 at SRACS Fee: $50 a child. Siblings are always half price. Scholarships will be considered. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Name___________________________________Grade_____Phone_______________________________ Email_______________________________________________________________________________ Address:_____________________________________________________________________________ Where is your child to go after class? Parent pick up____________________ Other______________ Alternate phone number:____________________________________Amount enclosed:______________ Please make checks out to CHESS FOR KIDS, Inc., and mail to: CHESS FOR KIDS 1275 4th Street, BOX 225 Santa Rosa, CA 95404 SRACS (1-2010) This is not a Santa Rosa City School Sponsored Activity.