Dear Rose Hill Middle School Families,

Welcome to the start of the 2019-2020 school year!  I want to welcome both new and returning families to our school community. It was a busy first day of school for students and staff alike and we were excited to see all of our students.  Today students were given a student planner and a back to school packet that includes important information - be sure to ask your student for the BIG white envelope.  On Friday of each week, I will be sending out an email to all families to keep you up-to-date on important information and events at school. You are getting a message today because there is a lot to share in our first few days. This message is especially long because there is a lot to share at the start of school.

School pictures are this Friday, September 6th.  Picture packet information was mailed home to you. In case you missed it, an order forms are available in the main office. A printable copy is attached here. The retake day for student photos will not be until mid-October so be sure your student is at school on Friday to ensure that your student has their ID/ASB card for the start of the year. 

Next Thursday, September 12, your student will receive a district-owned laptop to enhance his or her academic experience this year.  I wanted to make sure you are aware of some key information about this program.  The goal of the program is to help students meet the district’s mission and vision of every student future ready: prepared for college, prepared for the global workplace, prepared for personal success. Providing a computer to each student gives them tools to learn that they will likely use in college and/or in their career later on. You may have additional questions about the laptops. There is more information on the district website at: Student Technology including a list of Frequently Asked Questions. Because of the value of these devices, we must have a signed/initialed agreement form from you and your student before issuing a laptop. A copy of the agreement is available here: Laptop Agreement (Espanol).

Please print and have your student return the laptop agreement to his/her Social Studies teacher on or before September 12, 2019.  Check-out will take place in our library during your student’s Social Studies class.  Students will receive a laptop, power cord and charger for their laptop. Students will also be filling out a Checkout Review Form where they will be able to record any damages to the device upon checkout. A schedule of fines for damaged, lost or stolen equipment is included in the handbook. Because of these potential costs, parents may wish to buy optional insurance. Information about insurance options is included in the student laptop handbook   (Espanol) 

How will your student get to and from school?  

BY BUS: If you live on a bus route, be sure your student knows the ROUTE number for both the morning and after school ride as some route numbers do change.  If you have any questions about your student’s bus route, please be sure to check out the district website for detailed information or call the transportation department at 425-936-1120.  Buses do leave 7 minutes after school is out so it is important for students to head to the bus loop immediately after dismissed from 6th period.

BY FOOT OR BIKE: Remind your walker or biker to only cross streets in marked crosswalks and to check for oncoming cars before entering the crosswalk. Bikers should wear a helmet and light colored, visible, reflective clothing and be aware of the traffic around them. There are plenty of bike racks on campus for your student to safely lock his/her bicycle.

BY CAR: Make a plan with your student about where you will be picking them up so they know where to look for you.

Please be sure to watch for pedestrians at all crosswalks. 

Stay to the right and follow the signs and staff directions to the student drop-off and pick-up.

Once in the designated drop-off area, students should enter and exit your vehicle on the right side only. Be sure your students have what they need in the car and are ready to exit once your vehicle stops next to the sidewalk.  Once you have dropped off your student you can carefully merge in to the through lane of traffic, limiting your speed to 5mph.  The loop will make a left turn and take you to a stop sign in order to exit the campus. 

The drop-off loop will be open from 7:00 am to 8:00 am Monday-Friday.  The loop will reopen for pick-up at 2:25 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and at 12:55 pm on Wednesdays. When you are waiting for your student, please turn off your engine.

A few Safety Reminders:

• Limit your speed to 5mph
• Slow down and watch for pedestrians at all crosswalks.
• No opening car doors unless you are stopped in the “Drop off/Pick up Zone”
• No dropping off or picking up in the “Thru Traffic Lane”
• No dropping off, picking up in the bus or parking loop
• Drivers must remain in cars
• This is for your student’s safety!

While driving on campus, it is important that you continue to follow all rules of the road AND that you bring your patience. 

I hope your student had a great first day!  Wishing you and your families a smooth start to the year.  We look forward to working with you and your students in the year to come!

From the PTSA                                                                               

RHMS PTSA welcomes you (back) to Rose Hill!

It was great to see so many smiling faces at our Prep Days in August. Special thanks to our Prep Day PTSA volunteers Andrea Knott, Conni Irias, Michela Casazza, Susan Davis, Mahruma Siddiqua, Denise Ferguson and Yumna Green for taking the time to collect PTSA payments and answer parent questions. Many thanks to those families that have already joined, donated and signed up to volunteer! If you still need to do any of those, you can do so conveniently through our website (www.rhmsptsa.org) or you can complete and return the PTSA forms found in the First Day Packet. Forms and checks can be returned to the RHMS main office anytime. If you have any questions, please contact PTSA President, Yumna Green, at president@rhmsptsa.org 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:

PICTURE DAY: SEPTEMBER 6

Student pictures for the 2019-20 student ID cards will be taken at school on Friday, September 6th, 2019. Adult volunteers are needed to assist on Picture Day. Shifts are available so if you cannot volunteer all day, that is fine. If you are interested in volunteering, please SIGN UP HERE or if you have questions, please contact our volunteer coordinator, Andrea Knott at volunteer@rhmsptsa.org 

LAPTOP DISTRIBUTION: SEPTEMBER 12

Laptops will be distributed to all students on Thursday, September 12. Adult volunteers are needed. Please SIGN UP HERE to volunteer. Questions? Contact our volunteer coordinator, Andrea Knott at volunteer@rhmsptsa.org 

From Fundraising:
Welcome Back RHMS! We have our annual Pass The Hat fundraiser going on. Money raised will benefit our amazing school. Flyers are going home with students this week.

Mark your calendars! Come celebrate the beginning of the school year!  The PTSA is Hosting a Taco Bar on Friday September 20 from 5 to 7 PM. We will have tasty food, beverages, a photo booth, and a cake walk.
 

Informational Items

FIRST SEASON SPORTS start next Monday, September 9th: If your student is interested in playing a 1st quarter sport - Boys' Tennis, Boys' Basketball or Boys' or Girls' Cross Country, you can sign him/her up online at the following link: Final Forms. Don’t forget your student’s physical if we do not have one on record here at the school.  Physicals are good for 2 years. If you student is in 8th grade, his/her physical may have expired. All other forms that are needed are included in FinalForms. In addition to the $75.00 participation fee to play a sport, your student will also need to purchase an ASB card for $25.00 prior to the first practice. Families do need to make transportation arrangements for all after-school athletic participation. Practices and games are held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. If you have any questions, please contact Shane O’Brien, Athletic Director at sobrien@lwsd.org.

There will be a parent meeting for ALL sports on Thursday, Sept. 12th at 6:00 pm in the gym. It is highly recommended that you attend this meeting if your student is playing an after school sport this year, even if they played last year. Again, please direct all athletic related questions to our Athletic Director, Shane O’Brien.

Calendar Items

Wednesday, Sept. 4th:
Student Dismissal at 2:30 pm – No Wednesday Early Release

Friday, Sept. 6th:
Picture Day

Monday, Sept. 9th:
1st Quarter Sports Begin, 2:30-4:00 pm

Tuesday, Sept. 10th:
Curriculum Night, 6:15-8:15 pm

Thursday, Sept. 12th:
All Sports Parent Meeting, 6:00 pm, Gym

Proud to be a Royal,

Erin Bowser