Hello RMS Families, 

I hope this message finds you well! We had a great first week with students last week, and we are looking forward to our first full week with them!

Last week, we had an extended House schedule for community building. We’ll continue our extended House schedule and focus on building community this week. In addition, we will be reviewing our technology expectations and signing our technology agreement. We’ll also begin reviewing our school-wide expectations. 

As I’ve previously shared, we believe a shared understanding of Roosevelt’s expectations and policies will benefit the success of all students, and this year, we are encouraging all parents/guardians to review the RMS Student Handbook with their student. The RMS Student Handbook is available online and in your student’s planner. Our handbook contains a wealth of need-to-know information about Roosevelt including our school-wide rules & expectations and school policies. Here’s a weekly pacing guide for reviewing the handbook with your student over the next three weeks:

Once you and your student have reviewed the handbook, please sign the Parent/Guardian Acknowledgement in your student’s planner.

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out if Kelsea or I can assist with anything, and please see below for several repeat announcements that are still pertinent and a new message from our neighborhood businesses at 24th & Hilyard St. 

All the best, 

Mike Yocum

Principal | Roosevelt Middle School

Eugene School District 4J

yocum_m@4j.lane.edu | 541.790.8500

Cross country is a great opportunity to meet new friends and be a part of a team! No previous running experience is necessary. All are welcome and encouraged to join! More information is available at this link on the RMS website.  

If you haven’t already, please mark your calendar for our upcoming Curriculum Night. On Thursday, September 24th, 6:00 – 8:10 PM - hear from administrators, counselors, the Parents At Roosevelt (PAR) 501(c)(3) organization, meet teachers, and learn about your student’s classes. We look forward to seeing you!

Through the 2026–27 school year, all enrolled 4J students may receive one complete breakfast and one complete lunch each school day at no charge. Additional purchases—including seconds and extra milk—will be charged to the student's meal account according to the current Nutrition Services price list. Families may add funds to a student's meal account or receive a monthly billing statement for these additional purchases. Student meal accounts can be accessed at this link. Please see the RMS Student Handbook and the fliers below for additional information.

As we begin the 2026-27 school year, Roosevelt is placing a renewed focus on supporting regular attendance. Attendance at middle school is critical for success both in middle school and in high school. Starting the school year with consistent attendance helps students feel welcomed, connected, and ready to learn—setting a positive tone for the year ahead.

When our staff looks at Roosevelt's data, we see that students who come to school and go to class generally find success. We see this at the high school level as well. Attendance in middle school is critical as students are building habits and practices that carry with them through high school and beyond. When we look at attendance data over time, we see a strong connection between attendance in middle school and high school graduation. 

This year, our staff are committed to helping all students come to school and attend their classes. We’re working on this as a school community because all of our students need to be ready for high school.

RMS Students, 

Your Neighborhood Corner Welcomes You Back!

For more than 40 years, the businesses at 24th and Hilyard have welcomed Roosevelt Middle School students into our little corner of the neighborhood. Many of us have had our own children and friends attend RMS, and see ourselves as an extended part of your community.

Students stop by our corner after school for lots of reasons and most are thoughtful and respectful. Please remember that 24th and Hilyard is an active place of business to the wider community.

When You Visit:

Students are part of this neighborhood, too. The way you treat shared spaces and the people around you shapes how the wider community sees RMS.

We want this to be a welcoming space for everyone. Thank you for demonstrating kindness and good judgment.

- Neighborhood Corner Businesses

How’s your student getting to school this year? Walking, biking, rolling, or riding the bus can be a great way to start the day with some movement and more independence.

If your student is trying a new way to get to school, test out the route ahead of time. Try walking or biking to school, or practice getting to the bus stop together. Pro tip: the best walking or biking route isn’t always the same route you’d drive!

Please see the information in the flier below. 

Students will take their pictures in their PE/Health classes. If your student doesn't have a PE/Health class, your student will take their picture during period 4. 

We welcome parents and guardians who would like to volunteer in the Roosevelt front office! Whether you can help for an hour each week, a couple hours each week, or would like to substitute in the office when needed, we would love to have your help!

A current background check is required. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact our school secretary, Laura: fuhriman_l@4j.lane.edu for more information. Thank you for supporting Roosevelt students and staff!

Support Roosevelt by making a donation through SchoolPay. Choose from several donation options to support the programs, activities, and resources that benefit our students.

Support Roosevelt through the BottleDrop Give program! Families can donate directly to Roosevelt through their BottleDrop account, or stop by the Roosevelt front office to pick up Blue Bags and BottleDrop stickers. Fill your Blue Bag with eligible bottles and cans, attach the sticker, and drop it off at a BottleDrop location. It’s an easy way to turn your bottles and cans into support for Roosevelt students and our school community. You can find more information here.

Support Roosevelt through direct donations to EEF (Eugene Education Foundation) at any time of the year, by clicking the link below and making an online contribution or sending a check. Make sure to note “RMS Staffing” in the designation box. Donate directly by clicking here

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.

Sign ups are happening now for Roosevelt's fall frisbee team today! Roosevelt frisbee practices T/TH after school and has games against other schools every Saturday, conveniently located at Century Fields next to Roosevelt. 

The first week of practice, which is this week (9/15 & 9/17) on Tuesday and Thursday, is free to try out without officially registering, and Pay What You Can pricing is available to all. Find out more information on the flyer below or at evultimate.org

Practice starts right after school at the fields by the softball field.