Healthy Eating at RPMS

The breakfast and lunch prices are as follows:

Breakfast—$1.35, Reduced .30¢

Lunch—$2.00, $2.55, $2.80, and $3.25, Reduced .40¢

Please visit our web-site for the menu;

http://raymondpark.warren.k12.in.us/lunch-menu

The Ranger Report Raymond Park Middle School

8575 E. Raymond Street

Indianapolis, IN 46239

Phone – (317) 532-8900 fax – 532-8999

Principal – John Kleine January 2014

Vol. 19 Issue 5

The Future Starts Here

Important Dates to Remember: Jan 13: School Reconvened — Full Day

Note: Included is information regarding make-up days

Jan 20: Martin Luther King Day—No School

Jan 25: Legislative Forum—9:00 AM—WECC

Feb 17: President’s Day—School IS in Session

(1st designated make-up day)

Feb 18: PTSA Meeting—6:00 PM

Important Information

The school day is from 7:30 a.m. until 2:50 p.m.

Academically Directed,

Community Connected

BOARD OF EDUCATION TO HOST

COMMUNITY LEGISLATIVE FORUM

The Metropolitan School District of Warren

Township Board of Education will host a Legislative Forum on Saturday, January 25, 2014 beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Warren

Education and Community Center at 975 North Post Road.

Indiana State Senators Jean Breaux, Michael Crider, Patricia Miller and Representatives Dan

Forestal, Cindy Kirchhofer, and Robin Shackleford have been invited to participate in

the forum. Attendees will have an opportunity to interact with our legislators. This forum is open to the public and the Warren Board of Education

strongly encourages staff members, parents, students, and community patrons to attend and

share your ideas and concerns with our state

legislators. Questions may be directed to the Office of the

Superintendent, Dr. Dena Cushenberry, at 869-4346.

Starting the new year with good habits includes setting time

aside each day for reading. We are asking you to help your

child develop a daily routine for reading at home.

To help kids learn to love reading, our school is

participating in the ―I Love to Read― challenge. The

program is presented by the office of the Governor, WISH-

TV, Teachers Credit Union, The Children’s

Museum and Meijer.

The challenge is January 6, 2014 through March 7, 2014.

Please help your child keep track of the minutes he or she

spends reading each day for fun. You may also count any time

you spend reading to your child, or time your child spends

reading to others. Textbook reading does not count. Record the

total number of minutes and the titles of the books your child

read on an official form each day. Total the number of minutes

read, sign the form and please return to your child’s teacher on

March 10, 2014. The official forms are available in the library

as well as from all reading teachers.

Each student that participates in the challenge will receive a

certificate of achievement signed by the Governor and First

Lady. Students who read a total of at least 2,500 minutes for

grades 4-8 and 1,200 minutes for grades 1-3 will receive a

special Outstanding Reader sticker. Those that reach the

challenge minutes goal will also qualify to win a $500 Visa

card to start an account from Teachers Credit Union, or help

their classroom win $250.00 in supplies from Meijer. The

winning students and classrooms will be invited to the

Children’s Museum for a ceremony in April. The Governor

and First Lady will be invited and one or both have

participated in the ceremony each year.

Have fun encouraging your child to read and build a life long

reading habit. Encourage your child to borrow books from the

library. Be sure to read to one another.

Thank you for taking part in the I Love to Read Challenge.

The I Love to Read Challenge is endorsed by:

The Department of Public Schools Instruction and

The Indianapolis Area Council of the Indiana State Reading

Association

Rose-Hulman Institute

of Technology—

Homework Hotline 1-877-ASK-ROSE

(1-877-275-7673)

Sunday-Thursday nights from

7 - 10:00 p.m. EST

http://www.askrose.org

Over 70 Rose-Hulman students are trained

and ready to assist your students with

math and science homework help.

Counselor’s Corner January 2014

Mrs. Markle, 7th and 8th grade counselor 532-8900 ext. 8910 jmarkle@warren.k12.in.us

As the second half of the school year begins to unfold, we will begin making plans with our

students for their future opportunities. We ask that you have conversation with your RPMS

student about their grades, goals and habits. Do their actions seem to be moving them closer to

their goals or further away? As we begin Mid-Term 3, we will continue discussions with our

students about the choices they are making and how those choices will open opportunities to

their future or begin to close doors.

Our Quest for Success video in January will showcase some of the amazing opportunities that

Warren Central High School has to offer…ranging from the Culinary Arts program, Automotive

Technology, Computer certifications, Nursing/Pharmacy, Welding and so many others! We want

our students to begin thinking about how their grades, attendance and behaviors will present

them in the most positive light as they begin scheduling for their 8th and 9th grade years. Our

message will continue to be…your future begins now!!

As always, we appreciate your continued partnership!

Please Note the Following:

The occasion may arise when the school district wants to recognize your

child or your child’s school. This may include your child's photo, your

child's name or your child's work in district publications, newsletters, on

school district websites, and in electronic/social media or in staff training

videos. We may also want to tell the media (including newspapers, television

and radio) about your child’s achievements. We never knowingly release

information about a student to anyone who wants to use it for commercial/

political purposes. However, we will honor your request to not include your

child in these types of recognitions if you notify your child’s school office in

writing that you do not want this type of information released.

Giving Tree Results

During the week of December 9, The Raymond Park School

Community engaged in a drive to raise funds for the needy at

Christmas. Incentives included daily competitions between

grade levels for lunch free-seating privileges, a school-wide

goal for a Friday afternoon movie party, and a competition

with the intermediate academy for bragging rights. In the

spirit of competitive giving, the 8th grade executed Operation

Panda. The 7th grade responded with Operation Kitty-

Piggy. Mr. Amones even got into competitive action, which

resulted in the delivery of movie concessions in a panda suit

(a short video may be accessed at http://youtu.be/YAxLKE3DHQ8 ). In the end, it was the RP community

that were winners with more than $1500 dollars raised for needy families. Congratulations, Rangers!

Missoula Children's Theatre

The audition for the Missoula Children's Theatre production of THE SECRET GARDEN will be held Monday, February 3, at 4:30 p.m. in the Creston Middle School Auditorium. There are roles for those students Kinder-garten through 8th Grade. Approximately 50-60 local students will be cast to appear in the show with the MCT Tour Actor/Director. There is no guarantee that everyone who auditions will be cast in the play. Students wishing to audition must arrive by the scheduled starting time and stay for the entire two-hour session. The first rehearsal begins approximately 15-30 minutes after the audition.

This is a group audition - no advance preparation is necessary, but a smile J never hurts. Students should just be ready to come and have a good time!

Rehearsals will be conducted every day from 4:30 to 9 p.m. in the Creston Middle School auditorium. Al-though not all cast members will be needed at every session, those auditioning must have a clear schedule for the entire week and if selected, be able to attend all rehearsals required for their role. A detailed rehearsal schedule will be distributed at the conclusion of the audition. Cast members scheduled for the full 4½ hours of rehearsal will be asked to bring a sack lunch, dinner or snack.

The performances will be Saturday, February 8 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Creston Middle School Auditorium. The students in the cast will be called for dress rehearsal before the performance that day. All those cast must be available for all scheduled performances.

The Missoula Children's Theatre is a non-profit organization based in Missoula, Montana. This coming year more than 65,000 cast members across the globe will take to the stage to the delight and applause of their families, friends, community, neighbors and teachers! This residency is made possible by the Warren Arts and Education Foundation.

For any questions please contact Warren Arts and Education Foundation, 317-869-4383.

Warren Township Youth Tennis League

Who: Warren Township students, grades 1-8 What: A fun opportunity for students to learn tennis skills and make new friends When: January 13 - March 19 Where: Warren Central High School and select elementary and middle schools (exact location will be given after all registrations are collected). Why: Tennis is a fun, competitive, and lifelong sport. Spend this Winter learning and improving your tennis skills!

Registration forms can be found online at warrenyouthtennisleague.weebly.com. Print, and return as soon as possible. Registrations can be turned in to your school’s office, the Warren Central Athletic Office, Creston Intermediate Academy Main Office. Volunteer coaching positions are available for all parents and guardians. See website for details.

For questions, contact coach Jason Wagner at jwagner@warren.k12.in.us If your child wants to play tennis, we want to help make that happen!

News From Our Nurse

All our 8th grade students and any

students who are new to Warren

Township will have their vision

screening the first week of February. Marion

County Health Department will be coming to

school. If you choose to not have your child

screened please send in a written note stating such

to L. Walsh RN, School Nurse.

NOTE: If Warren Township schools are on a

two-hour delay it means:

School will start 2 hours later than normal

(9:30 instead of 7:30 OR 10:40 instead

of 8:40 – depending on your school start

time)

The bus will pick your child up at the bus

stop 2 hours later than normal time. For

example, if the bus stop time is 6:55, the

bus stop time in a 2-hour delay is 8:55.

“Whatever It Takes”

January 15, 2014

Raymond Park Middle School Parents and Guardians,

2014 holds many great learning opportunities for Raymond Park and all MSD Warren

Township students! MSD Warren Township’s receipt of Race to the Top money during the next

four years will provide educational resources that will enhance the educational opportunities that

are already deeply rooted in academic standards and an instructional process that provides

individualized remediation, maintenance and enrichment activities on an ongoing basis. Student

utilization of Chromebooks and the opening of the Raymond Park Mediaplex have already made

a positive impact on learning opportunities for students during the first semester. Please visit

MSD Warren’s homepage located at http://www.warren.k12.in.us/ for updated information

about the grant and how it impacts the learning of MSD Warren Township students.

The Indiana Department of Education has released growth information for students connected

to Spring 2013 ISTEP+. Students will be bringing home individual Growth Model reports that

will provide up to a four-year picture of how they have progressed academically according to

ISTEP+ testing. More detailed information will be provided along with the information so that

parents can discuss the results with students. During the months of January and February,

language arts and math teachers will be conducting test talks with individual students in

preparation for this year’s ISTEP+. The purpose of the conversation will be to provide students

with an up-to-date look at their learning and to motivate them to give their best effort in the

learning process. Growth Model data is one of the areas that will be addressed along with the

most recent predictive Acuity assessments and class performance during the first semester of this

school year. When students returned on January 13, the 2014 ISTEP+ was only 35 school days

away! The turning of the calendar from December to January always includes talk of New Year’s

resolutions. Timeliness is an area where many adolescents have room for improvement and

reinforcement will be given to students upon their return. However, getting to school on time is

a connected area where parents can help.

Getting to school on time is important to instructional consistency. From the 7:30 AM

tardy bell through the 2:50 PM dismissal bell, students are engaged in rigorous pursuit toward

academic achievements. Late arrival often puts the student at a disadvantage in that they have to

start their day off by playing catch-up or catch-on to lessons and learning that have already

begun. RPMS is very concerned about the messages that are given to the students regarding

promptness and responsibility. Students need to recognize the importance and value of an

education and to take their responsibilities as students seriously by arriving on time. It is very

important that students arrive at school on time so as not to miss out on any instruction or

important announcements. Timeliness is imperative to cultivate a successful learning climate in

the classroom.

(Continued)

“Whatever It Takes”

(Continued)

Getting to school on time teaches students the importance of punctuality. Teaching

Indiana Common Core Standards is a primary focus of Raymond Park Middle School.

However, the school recognizes a responsibility to teach additional skills that will prepare

students for the demands of the 21st century workplace. In a competitive work marketplace,

punctuality is a skill that students must acquire to be successful.

Getting to school on time safely is in everyone’s best interest! Recently, the observation

of cars hurriedly dropping students off as the 7:30 AM tardy bell neared, sometimes in unsafe

ways, led to a much greater focus on the procedures for drop-off and pick-up. The procedures

are designed to allow students to be dropped/picked-up directly at the curb, and prevent

students from having to cross through traffic on their way to/from school. The procedures are

included as a part of this Ranger Report for your review. The procedures may also be found in

the Parent Guide that was distributed at the beginning of the school year.

Regardless of procedures, common sense plays the greatest role in parking lot safety. For

those that find themselves running a bit late on a given morning, please accept these direct

words from the principal: Slow down and wait your turn in line - Your time is no more or

less valuable than the time of others, and the risk of student injury is not worth bypassing

safeguards that are in place for the safety of all! By leaving a few minutes early you can

allow for traffic problems and ensure that your child will be at school on time. This is

especially important when weather conditions warrant slower travel for everyone.

Thank you for your consideration of this matter. Please contact me at 532-8900 with

questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

John Kleine

Principal

Car Rider Procedures Drop-Off 1. Students may enter the building as early as 7:15 A.M. 2. The driveway in front of the main entrance has been designated as a one way avenue from South to North (refer to diagram on back). 3. Automobiles are to remain along the curb in single file as they proceed to the main entrance for drop-off. Drivers are not to cut through the parking lot in an attempt to enter the drop-off line. 4. Speed in the drop-off area and parking lot should not exceed 10 miles per hour. 5. Students may be dropped along the sidewalk anywhere between the main entrance (door 1) and the athletic entrance (door 2). 6. Following drop-off, automobiles should continue to follow the one way drive and exit campus. Drop-Off Courtesy: A. Students should be ready with school materials in hand when it is time to exit vehicle. B. Drivers should pull ahead as far as possible when openings occur to allow room for other drop-offs. C. Parking should only occur in designated spaces, not along drop-off route. Pick-Up 1. School dismisses at 2:50 PM. 2. Adhering to the one way designation of the avenue in front of the school, automobiles should form a single-file line along the sidewalk while awaiting release. 3. The pick-up area is designated and marked by transportation supervisors. The pick-up area was established to prevent the dangerous driving condition of cars pulling away in pit-stop fashion once students are loaded. 4. Speed in the pick-up area and parking lot should not exceed 10 miles per hour. 5. Students will not be allowed to load until their ride has entered the designated pick-up area. 6. Students will not be allowed to cross in front of traffic to enter a vehicle. 7. Automobiles should continue to follow the one way drive and exit campus. Pick-Up Courtesy 1. Encourage students to be alert for ride while awaiting pick-up and to load quickly. 2. Drivers should pull ahead as far as possible when openings occur to allow room for other pick-ups.

Traffic Flow Diagram is located on the next page.

Information Regarding

Make-Up Days