Dear Rose Hill Middle School Families,

On behalf of the RHMS Administrative Team, Associate Principals Alicia Mendez & Kristen Tollefsen, Dean of Students Mira Chauhan and an amazing team of teachers and support staff, I want to officially welcome you to the beginning of the 2023-2024 School Year.

The Rose Hill staff have been very busy this week getting ready for the beginning of the school year. Our teachers have been engaged in professional learning, collaborating in grade level and content teams,  furthering their learning on Classroom Teams, and preparing lessons to establish and build relationships with their students to help them effectively engage in learning.

Please read this important information about the first day of school and some general “must know” information as we begin the new school year.   Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school.

FIRST Day of School

The first day of school is Tuesday, September 5. The school day starts at 7:50 am and ends at 2:20 pm for all grades.

After an opening all-school assembly, 7th and 8th graders will pick up their schedules and proceed to their 1st period class. 6th graders will be meeting with WEB Leaders (7th and 8th grade student leaders) who will engage them in small group team building and get-to-know-you activities as well as take them on a tour of the building to find out where their classes are.

The regular daily bell schedule begins on Wednesday, September 6.

Parents, please say good-bye to your student at the bus stop or in the car. We do not have enough parking spaces for parents and want to limit the amount of foot traffic on campus to help our students find their way.

The SECOND day of school

When students arrive to school on Wednesday, September 6, they should go straight to their first period class.

September 6 will be a full day (2:20 pm release). Early release Wednesdays (12:50 pm release) will start on September 13.

Student Class Schedules

Our amazing team of counselors (8th grade - Steffany Black, 7th grade - Carolyn Stelling & 6th grade - Danielle MacDonald) have been working feverishly scheduling students into their classes. This complicated process is on-going, but our plan is for individual student schedules to be available for viewing in Skyward Student/Family Access on Monday, September 4. Students will also be receiving a hard copy of their schedule when they arrive at school on the first day.

Bus Transportation

All bus route stops and schedules are handled by the LWSD Transportation department. If your student will ride the bus, make sure your student knows their ROUTE number.

Bus transportation is provided for students living more than 2 miles from school.  Questions regarding transportation may be directed to the Transportation department by calling 425-936-1120, or emailing busroutes@lwsd.org. For more information about bus transportation please visit the Transportation webpage.

What should your student bring?

It is not necessary for your student to bring all their school supplies on their first day. Important items to bring on the first week of school:

• Something to write with, such as one or two pens or pencils
• A backpack or bag to hold any handouts
• A lunch. Lunch is also available for purchase at school. Visit the Nutrition Services webpage for details
• If your student rides the bus, your student needs to know their ROUTE number. If your family does not receive bus stop information on the week before school starts, please check the bus route information on the Transportation webpage

Laptop Distribution

Laptop distribution will take place on Thursday, September 7, during the school day.

Too Sick for School?

One of the best ways to avoid community transmission of infectious illnesses, is to stay home when you are sick. Students and school employees who have symptoms of infectious illness, such as influenza (flu) or COVID-19 should stay home and seek medical evaluation, which may include testing for COVID-19 and other respiratory infections.

For more information, please visit our “Too Sick for School" webpage.

Lockers

Students have the choice of carrying their belongings with them throughout the day. There is a process for students to request a locker if they find they are in need of one. Locker request forms will be available in the main office starting on the first day of school. Additionally: PE lockers are provided for all students enrolled in Physical Education; sports lockers are available if your child is participating in a sport; musical instruments can be stored in the music room.

Cell Phones

Cell phones are very disruptive to the learning environment.  Therefore, we ask that they are not seen or heard between 7:50 am - 2:20 pm.  If a cell phone is out during the academic day, the phone will be taken away (returned at the end of the day).  On the second and subsequent offenses, a parent/guardian will be required to pick up the cell phone in the main office.  It will not be returned to the student at the end of the day.  If students need to contact a parent/guardian during the school day, they may use a phone in the office.  If you need to reach your student during the school day, please call our office at 425-936-2460.

Student ASB Cards

All students are encouraged to become a member of the Rose Hill Middle School Associated Student Body (ASB).  Please see the RHMS Purchase Order form for the 2 options we have for ASB card purchase.  All students who participate in student activities (music, clubs, etc.) or athletics are required to purchase an ASB card and they must possess their ASB card prior to their first practice or meeting.  An ASB card admits students to RHMS events at a discounted rate (or, if they select the Royal Pride option, admittance is free as explained on the RHMS Purchase Order form) as well as giving students reduced fees for high school sporting events.   Our yearbook price will be $35 for the 2023-24 school year, however, if you have an ASB card you can buy a yearbook at a discounted rate. Pre-ordering a yearbook is always a good idea as we are unable to get extras once our order is submitted in early spring.

Absence from School

If it is necessary for a student to be absent, a parent should call the school by 7:50 am. The attendance message line phone number is 425-936-2461.  This number can be used at all times to inform the school of student absences.  You must contact the school with a reason for the absence so that your student will not have an unexcused absence on their record. At school we work very hard to ensure that all students are meeting standard in all academic areas.  If your student will be absent from school for an extended period of time for the purpose of a family trip/vacation, this may prove detrimental to his/her academic success.  Teachers are not expected to provide assignments in advance.  Missed school assignments may be provided following the absence for completion.  We strongly encourage you to schedule all family trips during our regularly planned school breaks.

School Pictures 

O'Connor Photography will be at Rose Hill Middle School for Picture day on Friday, September 8.  We will send the link for online orders in advance through our weekly newsletter.

Physical Education (PE) Uniforms

PE T-shirts are required. They are $5.00 and will be for sale in the main office once school begins.  A towel and locker will be provided for each student who wishes to shower and/or lock their belongings.  Students may want to also have a sweatshirt available for outdoor activities. 

Lunch

Students will have a 30-minute lunch period each school day.  Please visit the Nutrition Services webpage for school lunch information, including how to add money to your student's account.

Emergency Contact Information

All students are required to have emergency contacts on file so that we have the necessary information available to us should we have an emergency involving your student.  We use an online updating system for emergency contact information.  We will need you to log in to the system and verify that the information we have on file for you is accurate, by August 18. Afterwards, if you need to change any of your personal information such as address, phone number, cell phone number, email address, or emergency contacts, please contact our registrar.

Looking forward to a great year,

Joe Gorder
Principal, Rose Hill Middle School