Roosevelt Middle School eNEWS | May 1, 2023
New Announcements:
- Roosevelt School News
- Principals Message
- Tissue Donations
- PAR Info: Teacher and Staff Appreciation Help
- Volunteer Info: Office and eNews Help Needed
- Incoming Freshman News: Summer Bridge and Forecasting
- Roll With It: Bike+Roll to School Day is May 3 and a Visit by the Bike Fairies
- Summer Camps
- Willamette Valley Youth Football and Cheer
- 2023 Free UO Summer SAIL Program
- Summer Track and Field Camps
- Axe Soccer Camp
- Community Resources
- Openings on the Eugene Youth Advisory Council
- 4J School Board Candidate Forums: May 6th and May 11th
- Bike Repair: May 11th
Schedule of Events
This Week
MAY 1st (M): A DAY
- 3:45 PM – 5:30 PM, Track Practice
MAY 2nd (T): B DAY
- Drop Off COVID-19 Test Kit
- 3:40 PM – 4:40 PM, Chess Club in the RMS Library
- 3:45 PM – 5:30 PM, Track Practice
MAY 3rd (W): A DAY
- 3:45 PM – 5:30 PM, Track Practice
MAY 4th (TH): B DAY
- 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM, Sub-District Track Meet @NEHS Track
MAY 5th (F): NO SCHOOL
- No School, Progress Reports/Professional Development
Next Week
MAY 8th (M): A DAY
MAY 9th (T): B DAY
- Drop Off COVID-19 Test Kit
- 3:40 PM – 4:40 PM, Chess Club in the RMS Library
MAY 10th (W): A DAY
MAY 11th (TH): B DAY
- 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM, District Track Meet @Churchill Track, Students will depart at 10:00 AM
MAY 12th (F): A DAY
- 2:35 PM, Early Release from School
**A and B School Calendar for 2022 – 2023
Principal’s Message
Greetings, RMS Families:
In this last full month of school, we pause to recognize May as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, dedicated to celebrating the achievements and contributions of Asians and Pacific Islanders of the United States. Originating after U.S. Congress action in 1997, this commemoration serves to highlight the vastness of the Asian and Pacific Islander communities, which spans more than 30 countries where over 100 different languages are spoken, and where the experiences are equally as varied. From migration stories to stories of colonial resistance, we celebrate our AAPI community and honor their gifts, cultures, diverse histories, and continued contributions to our community and nation. We continue to teach, learn and unlearn, reflect on and even condemn the violence and hatred that has been directed at the AAPI community in the past several years.
We hope you had a lovely spring weekend and are looking forward to the final half of trimester three after this week. This week we have state testing, followed by a week of planning and forecasting for the 2022-23 school year. Then, we’re on to the last month of school which will include a promotion ceremony for our 8th grade students. We are quickly coming to the end of the year!
This week, we honor our teachers and staff as May also kicks off Teacher Appreciation Week. The national event is actually next week beginning on May 8, and we like to get out front recognizing our amazing staff for the care and dedication they show every single day at school. Educators play a critical role driving the success of our students’ lives… they inspire and guide, innovate and problem-solve all while juggling large student loads of a diverse school population. For our staff and for our RMS family community members who are also educators, we offer a heartfelt thank you for your daily work.
And, speaking of honoring educators, please join us for the A Champion in Education (ACE) Award ceremony Thursday, May 4 from 5 – 7 PM at South Eugene High School. The broadcast will be on 4J’s Facebook page: facebook.com/4Jschools: All 200+ nominees will be honored and champions named in a live celebration. Roosevelt has a significant number of nominations which include: Meredith Coelho, Krystle Rodriguez, Mike Seager, Kelly Ayres, Theresa Elmore, Debora Kovensky, Kelly Oberfoell, Pete Petersen, and Alison Wagner. Please join us in celebrating our staff on Thursday… and see the full list of nominees at 4j.lane.edu/2023-ace-nominees.
Have a great week ahead … no school Friday for midterm grading and planning. Now is the time to check in with your students, go through Canvas and their binder together, and reach out to teachers, giving 24-hours for a response. Thanks!
Courtney and Mike
State Testing in May at RMS
Spring brings state testing in its regular format after a disrupted three years. RMS will start the Oregon Statewide Assessment System (OSAS) on Monday, May 1 with a special week-long schedule for math and English Language Arts. Science will be a separate test held during regularly scheduled classes after the week of testing is complete.
From Monday, May 1 through Thursday, May 4, students will be in testing sessions from 9 – 10:50 am with a short break between sessions. Then, we will have our regular morning break and shortened classes the remainder of the day– we will share the schedule for testing in next week’s eNews. Friday, May 5 is a normal day and classes begin at 9:00 am.
To maximize student success, please make sure your student brings extra snacks and a water bottle and gets plenty of sleep– as always!– during the week. We always have snacks available in our Dining Hall during morning break so please encourage your students to take advantage of this option!
For students who are opting out of state testing, we will provide supervised spaces for quiet reading and homework completion from 9 – 10:50 am, Monday through Thursday. If your student is opting out and chooses not to come to school during the testing period, classes start at 11:10 am each day.
For more information about state tests, the purpose and rationale and options, please visit https://www.4j.lane.edu/instruction/assessment/assessment-middle-schools/.
Tissue Donations
Allergy season is upon us!
Roosevelt is incredibly low on tissue boxes! Our students and staff would be very appreciative if your family is able to donate a few boxes to help get us through the Spring season.
Thanks for helping out.
PAR News
We are on the home stretch! May is right around the corner as we speed towards the end of the school year. It is a busy time of year full of many wonderful things, including two items to note as parents at Roosevelt:
- May Teacher/Staff Appreciation Sign Up.We are going to do a big thank you to our teachers and staff for helping our students learn and grow! Several parents have done cuttings for plant starts and students have decorated dixie cups for the starts that we will be giving to teachers and staff this coming Friday, May 5th during their work day. We would love to bless them with a few cookies and drinks to go along with the plant starts. If you are willing and able to contribute, that would be great! You can sign up using the link provided.
- Thank you to so many of you for coming out to support our school through Showcase! The Showcase is just one way that you can support Roosevelt. Another simple way to do so is through the Blue Bag Bottle Drop. Pick up a blue bag from the front office, put all your cans in the blue bag, deliver the blue bag to Fred Meyer on River Rd. All the returns from the can then go directly into the RMS account.
Thanks so much,
Jamie Harms (PAR)
Volunteering Info
Office Help Needed
We are looking for positive people to help at the front office. You will be welcoming people and answering the phone as well as delivering messages to classrooms, and other duties.
It is important that you are present and on time for your weekly shift.
We have 2 shifts opening:
- Mondays from 1:45 PM -3:45 PM
- Fridays from 12:00 PM -2:00 PM
If this is something that you can do, please contact Laura Fuhriman.
RMS eNews Editor Needed
RMS is seeking a dedicated and reliable parent volunteer to compile our weekly “eNews” newsletter. This newsletter is an important communication tool that keeps our families informed about the latest news and events happening at our school.
The volunteer will be responsible for collecting articles from school administrators and putting them together in a timely manner using Constant Contact, as the eNews is sent out to parents on Monday mornings. Most of the editing and compiling work can be done throughout the week (the average volunteer time is a couple hours per week) with a small time commitment on Sunday afternoon/evening or Monday morning.
Consistency is key, so we are looking for a volunteer who can commit to being available every week to ensure the newsletter is sent out regularly. This is a great opportunity to get involved and make a positive impact on our school community.
If you are interested in volunteering for this important role, please contact Laura Fuhriman or RMS eNews directly. We appreciate your support and commitment to our school.
Incoming Freshman News
Transitioning from 8th grade to 9th grade is an exciting time and can raise many questions. This section is devoted to helping parents and their 8th grade students find answers to (most) of those questions. Check here for information regarding end of school activities at RMS, summer programs and information about high school.
SEHS SUMMER BRIDGE 2023! South Eugene High School’s Summer Bridge program is open for registration! All incoming 9th-grade students are welcome to register for the July 31- August 4th experience. Students will meet new friends, learn about high school from student leaders, earn credit, and have fun! Please click here or use the links below to view the flyer and register:
FORECASTING: The SEHS scheduling team visited RMS and SBMS this week to assist with forecasting. Students did a great job and many students completed their forecasting. If students missed our visit or need to complete their forecasting, here is a brief overview of the process:
- Students enroll in the “Class of 2027” Canvas course: https://4j.instructure.com/enroll/BJJWHX
- Once in the module, open the assignment titled “Grade 9 Forecasting Workbook”. Review the workbook and place an “X” next to all of the classes that students are interested in. While this step is in preparation for official course selection, it will be referenced if requests cannot be honored. During our visit, students received a course overview handout, also found here.
- Log-in to StudentVUE and click the “Course Request” tab. Core classes have been preloaded. Use the search feature to search for and add electives. Students must have a total of 16 courses (8 credits) plus 3 alternates. Instructions and videos on this important step can be found in our classroom presentation, located here. Note, all students are initially enrolled in Algebra 1 and Physical Science. The scheduling team will receive District recommendations and make changes to reflect appropriate placement at a later date. Students interested in taking Spanish II will forecast for Spanish 1 A & B at this time and will need to pass a placement test to get into Spanish II.
- May 5 is the due date to input courses into StudentVue. Students also need to submit the Forecasting Workbook on Canvas.
Forecasting Q&A: If you have questions about forecasting and course options, Melissa Martinez and I are hosting a Q & A Zoom on May 3rd at 10:00 AM.
- Zoom Link: https://4J-lane-edu.zoom.us/j/95441047839?pwd=ajRJVm82MzZkQSt2QU1VYm1PdW5Pdz09
- Meeting ID: 954 4104 7839
- Passcode: 662360
High School Webpages for “Class of 2027”
Most of the local area high school host a webpage dedicated to incoming freshmen. Check out these links here:
**Not all of the webpages have been updated for the “Class of 2027” yet.
Roll With It: National Bike+Roll to School Day is May 3
Bike, skateboard, scooter, or walk, skip and jump to school on Wednesday, May 3 to celebrate national Bike+Roll to School Day!
Get out, get physical and enjoy an adventure on your journey to school. It’s the perfect opportunity for parents and kids to improve physical and mental health, create a healthier environment, promote safer streets, make friends and have fun! Need help with safe route planning? Email saferoutes@4j.lane.edu.
4J schools are working with the district’s Safe Routes to School program to organize events with prize giveaways and will provide details directly to their families. If you are interested in helping organize an event at your school, please email saferoutes@4j.lane.edu or call 541-516-0887.
NOTE: Roosevelt students who ride their bikes to school on May 3rd might be get a surprise left on their bikes left by some generous bike fairies. Why not ride and see what you get??
A Reminder About Cell Phones and Laptops
After every extended break from school, we will reteach certain expectations in classrooms– and devices require some special attention. At RMS:
- Cell phones are off and away all day.
- If you need to reach your student, please call the front office or remind your student they can use the office phone between classes, at break and lunch,and before and after school. Please do not text your student during the day and expect they will respond.
- We understand some parents may feel uncomfortable knowing students’ cell phones are inaccessible during the day. We know from experience, training and research that in the case of an emergency, there won’t be time or opportunity for students to text or call parents. In addition, we need the resources and ability for adults-on-campus to communicate clearly and directly with 550 or more students. Thanks for considering this perspective.
- Cell phone are *incredibly* distracting for students– sometimes more so than their laptops. Even if a cell phone is off and away in a student’s pocket, it’s still present for the teenage brain. Having cell phones secured in lockers is one more way students can be present and engaged in classes.
- Laptops are out at the invitation of an adult only.
- Laptops are academic tools we use to support our learning in classrooms.
- When we aren’t using our laptops, students store them in the black neoprene cases we handed out at the beginning of the year. If your student needs a new one, please send them to the front office.
- In between classes, laptops should be carefully stored in the sleeve and/or tucked into a student’s binder.
Please Lock Up All Wheels
Electric scooters are becoming more and more popular among students and we’ve seen an increase in the number of students riding them to and from school. First and foremost, if your student needs a helmet, we have extras– send them to our front office! In addition to this important safety reminder, we do not have room in our offices to hold electric scooters for students. Students who ride to school need to have a substantial lock to secure their scooters in the bike racks. RMS is not responsible for lost or stolen bikes, scooters, or skateboards nor can we secure them in our office space. Thanks for making the necessary arrangements with your students and their eclectic scooter!
Observing Your Student in Canvas
Would you like to be able to see what your student is doing at school in Canvas? Become an Observer on Canvas. As an Observer you will be able to check grades, monitor assignments and due dates, as well as communicate directly with your student’s teachers.
**To be set up as an observer, use this link to request a pairing code. Then click here for step by step instructions on setting up an Observer account. The same instructions can also be found by watching this video in English or Spanish.
Extracurricular Activities and Clubs
Axe Summer Camp
Registration is OPEN NOW for the 32nd Annual Axe Soccer Camp!
2023 Camp dates are Monday, June 19 through Friday, June 23 from 9 AM until 2 PM. Camp T shirt and soccer ball are included with registration!
To register or for more information visit: https://www.sesoccerclub.org/axesoccercamp
Summer Track and Field Camps
2023 Free UO Summer SAIL Program
Curious about college and exploring your interests?
Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2023 Student Academy to Inspire Learning (SAIL) Summer Program!
SAIL is a FREE week-long summer program hosted on UO campus where students get to experience college firsthand through exciting, hands-on, and interactive activities taught by distinguished UO Faculty. We offer in-person Day Only programs as well as Day + Residential Programs where selected students will get to stay in a UO Dorm Hall!
There are 18 different programs being offered this year including Spanish, Italian & French Languages Program.
Discover what college life is all about with SAIL! Visit our website sail.uoregon.edu for registration and additional details.
**Click on the links to check out the flyer (Spanish and English).
Willamette Valley Youth Football and Cheer
Churchill/South Youth Football and Cheer, a tackle football and cheerleading program open to youth in grades K through 8th, will open for registration on May 1st.
The season will begin August 21st. People interested in cheer should sign up by August 1st to be included in the uniform order. Scholarships are available.
The team is part of Willamette Valley Youth Football and Cheer.
For more information, contact south.churchillboard@gmail.com.
**Click here to check out the flyer.
SEHS “All skills” Youth Volleyball Camp
SEHS Volleyball Camp is designed to help athletes at every level to improve their volleyball skills. Our coaching staff and high school athletes will instruct on fundamental skill work, offensive and defensive skills and short-sided game drills.
When:
- Monday, 6/26 – Thursday, 6/29
- 9:00 AM -11:00 AM
Equipment needed:
- Athletic shoes
- Comfortable active clothes
- Knee pads (optional)
- Bring a long sleeve shirt
- Water bottle
Cost:
- $125
Camp Goals
The goal of SEHS Volleyball Camp is to provide a place for kids to learn the fundamentals of volleyball, gain valuable team experiences and build a competitive volleyball community.
Camp Director:
Alicia Chamness and Zoe Scott
**Check out this flyer for more information and for the registration form.
Summer Art Camps with Emerald Art Center
Our summer program is designed for youth to explore a variety of visual and digital art and cultivate creativity. Students will develop new skills and techniques in drawing, painting, digital art and more. Using traditional mediums, iPads/iPencils for each student and the Cricut Explore 3, these camps are for ages 11-14.
Our instructors are working artists with extensive experience teaching art to youth and have crafted the program to allow kids the flexibility and freedom to be creative, have fun and develop skills they can use not only in art, but in life!
Session 1: DRAWING WHAT YOU SEE & DIGITAL DRAWING GAMES
- July 18-21, Tuesday-Friday from 1:00 PM – -5:00 PM
- Ages 11-14
- $160/ $140 Early Bird (price ends June 30)
Session 2: DESIGN AND PRINT YOUR OWN ZINE, USING GRAPHIC DESIGN & PRINTMAKING
- July 25-28, Tuesday-Friday from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Ages 11-14
- $160/ $140 Early Bird (price ends June 30)
Session 3: DIGITAL ART, STICKERS & T-SHIRTS
- August 1-4, Tuesday-Friday from 1-5 pm
- Ages 11-14
- $160/ $140 Early Bird (price ends June 30)
Session 4: PAINTING!
- August 8-11, Tuesday-Friday from 1-5 pm
- Ages 11-14
- $160/ $140 Early Bird (price ends June 30)
“An excellent camp for older kids, focused on building art skill and not entertainment, group activities or busy work.” – Parent Feedback
“It was an awesome program. Just the right amount of freedom and direction.” – Parent Feedback
Our website has more info, scholarship forms and registration links.
**Check out the flyer for more information (in Spanish and English).
Community Resources
Openings on the Eugene Youth Advisory Council
The City of Eugene is currently seeking applicants for the Eugene Youth Advisory Council. This is a fantastic leadership opportunity for youth who will be attending high school (or equivalent, as of Fall 2023) to impact our community and work alongside Mayor Vinis. The deadline for applications is Monday, May 29.
We are now in our third year of the Eugene Youth Advisory Council (YAC), initiated by Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis. We have continued to sustain a group of 20-25 students representing many schools in Eugene (and homeschool students) that features significant diversity across race, ethnicity, gender, age and life experience. With a strong group of Seniors preparing to leave the group, the YAC is currently seeking applicants from all high school grades eager to fill these vacancies.
Additional information on the group is included in the attached application materials and on our website (https://www.eugene-or.gov/4843/Eugene-Youth-Advisory-Council), but essentially the YAC advises the City on important policy issues while also working to educate the community on issues of concern to youth and creating engagement and service opportunities for youth.
**Click here for more information and for the application form.
4J School Board Candidate Forums: May 6th and May 11th
Educational Equity Program Organizer at Community Alliance of Lane County is hosting two virtual 4J School Board Candidate Forums led by our community, students and parents. These forums will have closed captioning & live Spanish interpretation.
Zoom Registration for Student-Led Forums (May 6th @ 5:30 PM)
Zoom Registration for Parent-Led Forums (May 11th @ 5:30 PM):
Bike Repair: May 11th
Volunteer to Help at the Adams Elementary Spring Carnival
Would you like to earn some volunteer hours and maybe even help your old alma matar?
The Adams Elementary Spring Carnival will be held on Friday, May 19th and are in need of vlounteers.
Community service hours will be provided for any students who volunteer. The carnival is scheduled for May 19th from 4:30 PM until 7:30 PM, and we would need volunteers from about 3:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Any interested students or student groups can sign up here:
Note that all volunteers, even current 4J students, will need to complete the 4J volunteer application.
Middle School Madness with the YMCA
The YMCA will be hosting a new teen night program: Middle School Madness!
- Who: 6th – 8th Grade Students
- Cost: $10/ Y Members – $25/ Community Members
- When: 5/19
- Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Where: Eugene Family YMCA
- What: An opportunity for middle school students to safely get together with peers, play gym games, enjoy snacks, and arts and crafts!
Click here to register online.
**Check out the flyer in Spanish or English.
Mental Health Support
Free Access to Care Solace
4J families, does your student or a family member need help with mental health care? Eugene School District 4J is providing students, staff and their families’ free access to Care Solace, a confidential care coordination service, to help provide an additional layer of care and address the growing need for mental health care and substance abuse treatment.
Care Solace will connect you to verified community care providers matched to your needs, including providers that accept your medical insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, or sliding scale options for those without insurance. Their care companion team is always available. Get help finding care providers that meet your needs at caresolace.com/eugene or call 888-515-0595 anytime, day or night, in any language. (Note, Care Solace is not a mental health service provider or emergency response service. In the event of a life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1 or the National Suicide Hotline at 800-273-8255.)
Learn more: 4j.lane.edu/2022/03/care-solace-mental-health-care-coordination-service/
Familias de 4J, ¿Necesitan ayuda con la atención de salud mental de algún miembro de su familia? El Distrito Escolar de Eugene 4J brinda a los estudiantes, el personal y sus familias acceso gratuito a Care Solace, un servicio confidencial de coordinación de cuidados, para ayudar a proporcionar una capa adicional de atención a la salud mental y tratamiento de abuso de sustancias para abordar la creciente necesidad de atención mental.
Care Solace le conectará con proveedores de atención comunitaria verificados que se ajusten a sus necesidades, incluidos los proveedores que aceptan su seguro médico, Medicaid, Medicare u opciones de pago por escala de ingresos para aquellos sin seguro. Su equipo de acompañantes de cuidados siempre está disponible. Obtenga la ayuda de contactos que satisfaga sus necesidades en caresolace.com/eugene o llame al 888-515-0595 en cualquier momento, de día o de noche, en cualquier idioma. (Tenga en cuenta que Care Solace no es el proveedor de los servicios de salud mental ni un servicio de respuesta a emergencias. En caso de una emergencia de vida o muerte, llame al 911 o a la Línea Nacional de Suicidio al 800-273-8255).
Infórmese: 4j.lane.edu/2022/03/care-solace-mental-health-care-coordination-service/
____________________________________________________________________________________
If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health right now, please check out these links for support. You are LOVED, we miss you, and can’t wait until we are all back together again!
- HOOTS (Helping Out Our Teens in Schools) is offering mental health support by phone for students, families, and staff of 4J high schools during school closures. The phone line is accessible from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday and is staffed by crisis counselors who normally work HOOTS clinic or work on CAHOOTS. Video support is available from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM on weekdays and is accessed by emailing hoots@whitebirdclinic.org with your name and preferred time. HOOTS is able to provide short term counseling and mental health support, resource referrals and OHP sign up. Students, families and staff of 4J please call (541)246-2342.
- A chat-line for students. Teens are available to help daily from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM Pacific Time via call, text, chat or email (adults are available by phone at all other times). YouthLine is a free, confidential teen-to-teen crisis and help line. No problem is too big or too small for the Youthline!
- A national 24-hour, toll free confidential suicide hotline for LGBTQ youth via call, text, and chat: 866-488-7386 – The Trevor Project
- YouthEra has virtual “drop-ins” from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Discord Streaming live (moderated chat) with two state-certified youth peer support specialists, on Twitch Monday-Friday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
- All of the phone services are free and confidential. See also Youthline as part of Lines for Life.
- Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime, about any type of crisis. A live, trained Crisis Text Line Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from our secure online platform. The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment.
- Safe Oregon, the 24/7 statewide school safety tip line, is here for you; for all students and the whole community. Anonymously or confidentially report student safety concerns (suicidal ideation/thoughts, cyberbullying, child abuse, drug/alcohol abuse, etc.) and we will pass this information to school personnel and law enforcement (when necessary).
15th Night Resource Guide for Youth by Youth
The 15th Night Youth Action Council (YAC) is so excited to share their Resource Guide For Youth By Youth. It includes all kinds of resources for young people in our community; from emergency shelter, to job application assistance, reconnection to school, or where to find a meal on Fridays at 4pm, this resource guide covers it all. Read more.
Earn Free Money for Roosevelt!
You can help Roosevelt earn money for our school by registering your credit card with eScrip. Earn money for Roosevelt every time you shop at Market of Choice, Sizzle Pie (& other local restaurants). Register your credit/debit cards, designating Roosevelt Middle School—Recipient ID #6723045. Click on this link to get started.
Sign up for the Community Rewards program by linking your Fred Meyer Rewards Card to Roosevelt. You can search by our name or by our non-profit number GB554.
Download the Box Top for Education App in Google Play or the App Store, sign up (or sign in) and take a picture of your receipt within 14 days of purchase. It will automatically credit the school for each product. For more information, click on the link above.
| Roosevelt Middle School | Phone: 541-790-8500 | Attendance: 541-790-8525 |
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