The RMS Newsletter           March  2016    

 

Dear  RMS  Parents/Guardians,  

March  is  coming  in  like  a  roaring  lion    and  winter  is  still  upon  us.  Spring  will  find  us  busy.  Our  students  are  preparing  for  various  assessments  that  will  assist  with  providing  the  best  placements  for  next  year,  spring  sports  begin  March  7th,  and  we  will  have  our  annual  school  wide  Spring  Musical  March  10,  11,  and  12.  

This  year’s  Spring  Musical  is  “Robin  Hood”.    The  RMS  musical  has  been  an  annual  event  for  several  years  and  is  a  highlight  for  our  students.    As  you  will  observe,  the  show  is  filled  with  enthusiasm  and  excitement  that  exemplifies  Middle  School  student  energy  throughout  the  production.  

Many  hours  of  planning  and  development  have  gone  into  this  wonderful  production.      The  cast  and  support  staff  have  dedicated  their  time  after  school  and  weekends  to  bring  this  entertaining  comedy  to  life.  The  cast  and  students  have  put  a  lot  of  time  and  effort  into  this  production.    I  am  appreciative  of  the  leadership  of  the  director,  David  Reif,  the  producer,  Brian  Dietzler,  the  Music  Director,  Heather  Spindel,  and  the  countless  behind-­‐the-­‐scene  folks  who  have  helped  to  bring  this  to  fruition.      I  would  be  remiss  if  I  didn’t  acknowledge  all  of  the  parent  volunteers  who  have  helped  during  practices,  built  sets,  created  costumes,    and  supplied  endless  snacks.    This  truly  is  a  collaboration  and  celebration  of  parents,  students  and  staff.  The  show  will  be  another  blast!  

Please  find  time  in  your  busy  schedules  to  join  us  at  one  of  the  three  shows  so  you  can  witness  for  yourself  the  hard  work  that  has  gone  into  making  this  production  a  memorable  experience  for  our  students.  Thank  you  for  your  awesome  support  of  our  RMS  Fine  Arts  Program.    

       

Thinking  Spring,  

 

Esther  M.  Purnell  

 

                       

IMPORTANT Future Planner Note: PSSAs   are   just   around   the   corner:   English/Language   Arts   assessments   for   6th  thru  8th  grade  will  take  place  in  on  April  12th-­‐15th.  Math  assessments  for  6th  thru  8th  grade  will   take  place  on  April  19th-­‐21st.  The  PSSA  Science  testing  for  all  8th  grade  students  will  take  place  on  April  27th  and  28th  .  Make-­‐Ups  will  start  on  open  dates  immediately  following  each  assessment.    

It  is  required  that  all  students  take  all  sections  of  the  PSSAs.    Please  avoid  making  appointments  during  the  school  day  throughout  these  testing  periods.    Students  will  be  required  to  make  up  any  missed  sections  of  the  PSSA.  

No   Child   Left   Behind   legislation   has   placed   a   greater   emphasis   on   standardized  testing.    One  result  is  that  PSSA  scores  will  have  a  direct  bearing  on  some  middle  and   high   school   course   placements.     Please   encourage   your   child   to   come   to  school  rested  and  ready  to  perform  to  the  best  of  their  ability.  

 

8th  Grade  Course  Selection  for  Radnor  High  School:  

Teachers   are   currently   recommending   8th   graders   for   their   9th   grade  classes.    Teachers  will   recommend  RHS  courses  based  on  your  child’s   test  scores,  ability,   and   current   performance   in   RMS   classes.     Core   course   recommendations  will   be   available   on   HAC   using   individual   student   passwords.      Mr.   Diehl   will   be  meeting   with   all   8th   graders   in   classroom   groups   and   with   individual   students  and/or   parents   to   answer   any   additional   questions   or   concerns.       All   course  selection  forms    must  be  returned  to  the  Guidance  office.              

 

  From the Nurse…

Trivia Question:

Starting in the 2011-2012 school year, every child entering school (K-12) needs how many doses of Varicella (Chicken Pox) Vaccine?

Answer: Two doses of Chicken Pox Vaccine (Varicella) are required for every school aged child K-12 or proof of the disease date.

• Since new immunizations regulations went into effect last

year, some of you will be receiving letters about vaccine updates your child may be missing. It is possible that your child has had the shots but that we have not received the documentation. Please know that when we send out letters and make phone calls it is only because we do not have the required information about your child.

• For questions about Pennsylvania State immunization

mandates please refer to the RTSD website or contact the nurse’s office at 610.386.6300 (X7107).    

 

Opportunity Knocks:  RMS's Integrated Programs  

     

The  time  has  come  to  start  thinking  about  next  year  and  the  exciting  opportunities  that  await  RMS  students  in  our  nationally  recognized  integrated  programs.    The  options  are:  Crossroads  (6th),  Watershed  (7th),  Gateways  and  Soundings  (8th).    In  April,  students  will  learn  about  their  integrated  options  for  the  following  year.    The  schedule  for  these  presentations  will  be  posted  on  the  RMS  website,  and  parents  will  be  encouraged  to  attend  these  sessions  as  well.      In  the  meantime,  we  suggest  you  go  to  the  Integrated  Department  website  to  learn  more  about  what  integrated  learning  is:  RMS  Integrated  Department    From  there,  you  will  also  be  able  to  access  information  on  each  of  the  individual  programs.    

 

 

Art Department News!!

Radnor School District Art Show

To celebrate Youth Art Month, the Art Department will host an exhibit of student work from March 3rd to March 31st in the lobby of Radnor High School. Featured will be the work of students in grades K-12.

The reception for artists, families and friends will be held March 17th, 6:30 – 8:00 pm.

As a family of one of our RMS artists we will welcome you to attend.

We are proud of the work done by our Radnor Middle School students and look forward to seeing you at the reception.

Mr. McLaughlin and Mrs. Barwick-Collins

 

 

 

   

From  The  Music  Department…  

     

Band  Students  Represent  RMS  in  Annual  Festivals  Schuylkill  Valley  Area  Band  

Twenty  7th  &  8th  grade  band  students  will  proudly  represent  RMS  in  the  45th  annual  Schuylkill  Valley  Area  Band  Festival  hosted  this  year  at  Tredyffrin/Easttown  Middle  School.  Students  from  seven  area  middle  schools  will  combine  to  form  a  large  concert  band  of  full  instrumentation  over  three  days  of  rehearsals.  An  evening  concert  will  be  performed  on  Friday,  March  4,  2016.  

 The  festival  provides  the  opportunity  for  participating  students  to  learn  and  play  challenging  band  repertoire  as  an  extension  of  their  respective  band  programs  of  their  home  schools.  In  addition  to  playing  together  with  peers  of  similar  interest  and  ability,  the  students  also  gain  the  experience  of  playing  under  the  batons  of  each  the  participating  school's  directors.  Radnor  Middle  School  is  a  founding  member  of  SVAB.  

Radnor  Middle  School  participants  were:  

8th  Grade  –  Annabel  Zhao  and  Grace  Speranza,  flute;  Stephanie  Huang  and  Anna  Maria  Iaramboykov,  clarinet;  Leo  Luan  and  Amia  Korman,  alto  saxophone;  Tim  Holtman,  tenor  saxophone;  Ryan  Oliver,  Mehek  Thapar  and  Courtney  Gallagher,  trumpet;  Gnanesh  Gutta,  horn;  Andrew  Choi,  Yuh  Kurose  and  Lu  Mackenzie,  tuba;  and  Nicholas  Speranza,  percussion.  7th  Grade  –  Gavin  Yuan  and  Sumi  Jung,  clarinet;  Max  Curello,  bass  clarinet;  Carter  Young,  horn,  and  Tova  Tachau,  trombone.    

17th  Annual  PMEA  Delco  Intermediate  Band  Fest  

 Radnor  Middle  School  was  represented  by  eight  6th  grade  band  students  in  the  

17th  Annual  Pennsylvania  Music  Educators  Association  (PMEA)  District  12  Delco  Intermediate  Band  Fest  on  Tuesday,  January  26,  2016,  at  the  Strath  Haven  Middle  School.  The  Band  Fest  is  a  one-­‐day  event  comprised  of  over  100  advancing  fifth  and  sixth  grade  band  students  from  elementary  and  middle  schools  throughout  Delaware  County.  The  participating  students  joined  together  for  a  full  day  of  rehearsal  and  an  evening  concert.  The  guest  conductor  for  the  festival  was  Dr.  William  Stowman,  from  Messiah  College.    

RMS  sixth  grade  band  participants  were:  Vera  Castro  and  Norah  Kaplan,  oboe;  Zachary  Moffa,  bassoon;  Hyunjun  Park,  clarinet;  Kyle  Leighton  and  Joelle  Suh,  trumpet;  Parker  Drew,  trombone;  and  Ethan  Gutsche,  percussion.  

     

News From the Library

On  March  2nd,  Radnor  Middle  School,  along  with  schools  across  the  country,  celebrated  Dr.  Seuss’s  birthday.  As  part  of  the  celebration,  

many  classes  signed  up  to  host  guest  readers  from  Radnor  High  School.  Over  300  students  came  to  the  library  for  read-­‐a-­‐louds  by  Mrs.  Purnell,  Mrs.  Horan,  and  other  RMS  teachers.  Students  also  participated  in  a  Dr.  Seuss  trivia  contest  in  their  Advisory  classes.  The  Advisory  from  each  grade  who  had  the  most  questions  correct  earned  a  Seuss  related  prize.  At  2:00pm  staff  and  students  across  the  district  participated  in  Read  Across  Radnor.  In  honor  of  Dr.  Seuss’s  birthday  many  classes  stopped  what  they  were  doing  at  2pm  and  read  for  5  to  10  minutes.  New  this  year,  students  were  able  to  have  their  photos  taken  at  the  Dr.  Seuss  Photo  Booth  with  many  Seuss  themed  props.  

 

News  From  Magistra  Brown…  "During  the  second  semester,  Magistra  Brown's  8th  grade  Latin  class  is  participating  in  a  "buddy  program"  with  Mrs.  Copolla's  5th  grade  class  at  WES.  For  February,  we  created  Valentine's  bags  loaded  with  hand-­‐made  cards  with  Latin  expressions,  clementines,  organic  cookies,  and  Classical  Fax  about  the  life  of  Saint  Valentine  and  the  origins  and  customs  of  Valentine's  Day."  __________________________________________  

Upcoming Spring Sports

During the spring, Radnor Middle School offers boys’ baseball, girls’ softball, girls’ lacrosse, boys' and girls' track, and boys’ tennis (all have separate teams for seventh and eighth grades except track). In order to tryout/participate in an interscholastic sport, a student must have a physical form signed and dated by a doctor. Practices/Tryouts for baseball and softball begin Monday, March 7th and all other sports begin Monday, March 14th, so please call your doctor early --- TRYOUTS WILL NOT BE EXTENDED FOR LATE ARRIVALS.  

*** If your child played a fall or winter sport at the Middle School, the physical on file will cover the spring sport as well, but page 6 of the PIAA form must be completed by the parent. If you indicate an injury or illness on page 7, a new physical is required. If your child did not play a fall or winter sport, a physical form (available on the M.S. website) must be completed and returned to the coach before the first practice.  

If you have any questions about Middle School athletics, email George Hahn, Athletic Director, at george.hahn@rtsd.org . Directions to away games, game schedules, and physical forms are available online at http://www.rtsd.org/domain/339.