The Raider ReviewRoseville Area Middle School Newsletter“A Caring Community of Lifelong Learners”

Principal’s ColumnWelcome to the 2016-17 school year. Last year we established ourselves as a collaborative group of educators focused on meeting the academic and emotional needs of all our students. This school year our plan is to ensure we reach every student. We stated to the staff back in June that the guiding theme this school year will be “Taking the Pulse” and we will do this with our students as well.

As your Administrative Team, we plan to make sure that you and your child have the best educational experience. In doing so, we will give you our best at all times and keep your child at the center of our attention and decision-making. As we check the pulse, we will do so with a focus on academics and parental involvement. To reach your child our staff is focusing on:

• Student Engagement – capturing student interest and holding it • Instruction – teaching in context and making learning meaningful • Planning – being intentional about what is taught and how to teach it • Reflection – thinking about how the lesson went and monitoring student

learning

We want to involve parents and community members in the educational process by encouraging them to:

• Talk with their child(ren) about school and highlighting the success and challenges they are experiencing.

• Review behavior and school-wide expectations with their child(ren) regu-larly and support school decisions regarding enforcement of policies.

• Checking Synergy and Schoology regularly and consistently to: Communicate with classroom teachers Monitor student grades and attendance Review assignments and important dates

• Be explicit in the expectations they have for their child(ren) and the school.

Our focus on Parental Involvement includes: • Title I Academic Family Nights • Parent Teacher Association (PTA) -Monthly • Conferences (October 27, November 3, January 26, January 27) • Open houses (August 31)

The middle school years are a critical time of development for students, and we look forward to working with your family to make this a success-ful year for your child. We are lifelong educators who bring firm commit-ments of love for learning, love of children, and a strong belief in people. We will take the pulse all year long of ourselves and the school commu-nity to ensure that all are healthy and vibrant.

See you soon!Dr. Tyrone Brookins, Principal Dr. Jennifer Wilson, Associate Principal Rebecca Sutten, Assistant Principal

8/31 Orientation Night 4-7pm9/16 Picture Retakes9/26 Fall Play Auditions9/27 Fall Play Auditions9/28 7th Grade Family Info Night 6:30-8:30pm

August/September 2016Upcoming Dates:

WELCOME BACK!

Change in Plans?If you have received this mailing in error and your child is not planning on attending RAMS, please contact us at 651-482-5280 so that we can correct our records.

Roseville Area Middle School15 E. County Road B2Little Canada, MN 55117

Phone: 651-482-5280Attendance: 651-482-5281Voice Mail: 651-482-5282

www.isd623.org/rams

Orientation - Meet The Teacher NightAll students and families are invited and encouraged to attend our 2016-2017 Orientation at RAMS from 4:00pm to 7:00pm on Wednesday, August 31st.

This invitation is extended to ALL students and families in an attempt to facilitate the Back To School tran-sition for students, families, and staff in a timely and productive manner.

ParkingIn an attempt to accomodate every-one, we have been given permis-sion to use St. Jude’s parking lot across the street from RAMS as our overflow parking.

SchedulesNo schedules will be sent home prior to Orientation. Returning 8th grade students schedules can be accessed online at the end of August.

New students will receive their schedules and online login in the media center on Orientation night. The evening will be an open-house format.

Things To Do At Orientation:

• Sign up for Parent Synergy • Sign up for Parent Bulletin • Deposit Lunch Money • Register for Athletics • Get your School Picture taken • Purchase Raider Gear • Purchase Locks • Pre-Order Yearbooks • Meet your Teachers • Find your Locker • Turn in Health Forms to Health

Office • Get PTA Information

iPad ProgramRoseville Area Schools has imple-mented a 1:1 program to take ad-vantage of the many benefits that come with providing equitable access to educational technology. For the 2016-2017 school year, the 1:1 iPad program will be continuing in grades 7-10. If your child will be a RAMS student during the 16/17 school year, he/she will be issued a school iPad for academic use. In order for students to receive district-issued iPads in a timely manner, families should com-plete a digital contract as soon as pos-sible. Please complete the contract by visiting the following district website: http://bit.do/2016contract. This site will also contain all information related to the 1:1 program including goals, policies, behavior expectations, and more. You can also link to the 1:1 site and digital contract from the Parkview, RAMS, or RAHS webpages.

If you have additional questions or have any trouble with the digital contract, there will be staff available to help at RAMS Orientation Night. There is also a contact form on the 1:1 website that you can complete and submit, and someone from the technology team will respond to your question as soon as possible.

We look forward to partnering with you in the upcoming school year!Roseville Area Schools Technology Team

Attendance RAMS Attendance Office 651-482-5281

School attendance is important for student learning. RAMS uses an au-tomated calling system for absences. If your student is reported absent from a class period, you will receive an automated call that afternoon.

Reporting Absences • Parent/Guardian should call

school anytime a student will be absent.

• Call each day the student is absent.

• When leaving a message, please state the following: student name (spell last name), grade, reason for absence, person calling, and a contact number.

• If unable to call school, send a note when the student returns to school.

Leaving Early/Appointments • Students need to bring a note

from their parent/guardian to the attendance office BEFORE school starts. Students will be given a pass to get out of class and sign themselves out in the attendance office.

• Students will sign in at the atten-dance office when returning from their appointment.

Tardy To School • Check in at the attendance office

when arriving late to school. • Student must bring a note from

home or have a parent/guardian call school.

• Doctor/Dental appointments should provide a clinic note for school absences.

Vacations • If you are taking a student out

of school for two or more days, we need a note brought to the attendance office one week prior to the absence.

• The student will be given a form for teachers to sign and use to get homework.

Music Class Supplies NeededAll band and orchestra students will need an instrument in good playing condition. Some instruments are available for rent from the school; see music teacher for more details. More information about required les-son materials and other instrument specific supplies will be sent home during the first week of school.

Incoming 7th grade students who play on school owned instruments should have returned their elemen-tary instruments to their elementary schools. They will be issued a RAMS instrument the first week of school. All students should have a music stand at home for home-practice.

8th grade Guitar Class: Students will be loaned a guitar or may use their own (acoustic only) if they have one available.

Student PlannerRAMS has implemented the use of Student Planners which are provid-ed to all students at the beginning of each trimester. This school-wide program is an attempt to assist stu-dents with vital organizational skills needed to be successful in school. Embedded within this Student Plan-ner is a system of student passes. All students are required to use the passes within their Student Planner. Students will not be allowed to leave classes without using their Planners (exceptions are made for emergen-cies.)

RAMS School Supply ListThese are the supplies you need to bring this fall:

• 3 Inch 3-Ring Binder (zipper binder suggested, but not required) • 8-tab Dividers • 1 pack loose leaf paper • Pencil Pouch • 1 Notebook • 2 Boxes of Tissues • 24 Pencils • Pencil Sharpener • Erasers • 10 Pens (black or blue) • Colored Pencils • Highlighters • Ear Buds • Ruler (inches and centimeters) • 1 yard cotton/cotton blend fabric (Optional for 7th grade FACS) • Phy Ed clothing/athletic shoes - see below • Calculator:

Intermediate Algebra & Geometry: A graphing calculator (TI-83 or TI-84) All Other Math Classes: TI-30XS Multiview Scientific Calculator

Phy Ed ClothesStudents are required to wear the following clothes for Phy Ed class:

• Athletic/Tennis Shoes • Athletic Shorts, Sweatpants or Yoga Pants • T-shirt: Plain t-shirt that you can write your name on the back of.

The Phy Ed Department will be selling t-shirts at Orientation night for $8.00. These are optional. Students may order Raider sweatshirts and sweatpants later this fall.

DonationsAs always, RAMS will gladly accept donations of any school supplies to acco-modate students throughout the school year. Hot ticket items are:

• Tissues • Pencils • 8 Tab Dividers • Glue Sticks • Athletic/Tennis Shoes (used shoes okay)

Future NewslettersRAMS puts out newletters every other month. Future newsletters will be avail-able online at www.isd623.org/rams. If you would prefer a paper copy mailed home, please contact Marie (Micki) Koran, Student Services Secretary at 651-482-5289 or marie.koran@isd623.org.

Early Student ArrivalSchool starts at 8:05am. Students who do not ride the bus should arrive at school no earlier than 7:45am, unless they have an ap-pointment with a teacher or plan to eat breakfast, which starts at 7:30am in the cafeteria. Students who arrive before 7:45am will need to wait by the main office.

Class ScheduleRAMS starts school at 8:05am.

STAR: 8:05 - 8:22Period 1 8:26 - 9:12Period 2 9:16 - 10:02Period 3 10:06 - 10:52

Lunch Blocks:Period 4 & 5 10:56 - 1:00

Period 6 1:04 - 1:50Period 7 1:54 - 2:40

Dress CodeAppearance and dress are to be in good taste at all times. Shoes or sandals must always be worn for health and safety reasons as well as community standards. Students will be given additional dress code expectations in the fall.

BooksStudents may be issued books in some of their classes, and they will be responsible for them until they are returned at the end of the school year. If a book is returned dam-aged, the student will be required to pay a fine. Please check books carefully and notify the teachers of any damage at the time they are issued.

STARRAMS student advisory program is called STAR (students, teachers and rela-tionships). Its purpose is to put each student in daily contact with a significant, caring adult and a smaller group of students. The program has many benefits: helps create a positive school environment, increases and enhances commu-nication among school, student and home, and helps students develop to their maximum academic, social and personal potential.

Students meet every day for the first 17 minutes in their STAR class. Each STAR group consists of approximately 18 students and a RAMS teacher. Con-ferences in the fall and winter are arranged through the STAR teacher. Some days have structured activities and some days are used for community building and fun.

LockersEach student is assigned a hall locker and a phy-ed locker. Backpacks will be required to stay in lockers along with personal items. Students may get their hall locker assignment at the August 31st Orientation night. Those who do not attend the orientation night can get locker assignments in STAR on the first day of school. Phy Ed locker assignments are made during the 1st week of school. Any student who finds their assigned locker already occupied should tell their STAR teacher so that the other student can be moved to the correct locker. Locks will be available for purchase at Orientation night in the lower media center and can be purchased in the Activity Office during the school year. Locks cost $4.00 each.

Lockers remain the property of RAMS and are subject to inspection by school administration at any time. When used properly, school lockers and locks pro-vide a reasonable amount of security. Large amounts of money, cell phones, expensive electronics, etc. should be left at home. RAMS assumes no respon-sibility for loss or damage to personal property brought onto campus.

Sharing lockers and/or combinations often leads to needless complications and missing items, so students are strongly advised to resist that temptation. Stu-dents who lose locks should buy replacements at the Activity Office as soon as possible. Non-RAMS locks will be removed. A student who believes that others know his/her combo can trade the lock for a lock with a different combi-nation.

PicturesIndividual pictures for all students will be taken at orientation on Wednesday, August 31st at RAMS. Students who do not attend orientation will have their picture taken on Friday, September 16th.

All students are required to have their picture taken for identification purposes. Information from Lifetouch is included in this mailing.

YearbooksRAMS 2016-2017 yearbooks are available for pre-order. RAMS has switched from a hard cover book to a soft cover to reduce the cost and allow more stu-dents the opportunity to purchase a yearbook.

Order early and save. Order forms are included in this mailing.

Switchboard HoursOur switchboard hours are from 7:30am to 3:30pm. If you need to speak to someone after 3:30pm, you may call our Activity Office at 651-482-5290. There is usually someone at that number until 5:00pm Monday through Friday.

Important RAMS Phone Numbers

Main Office 482-5280Principal 482-5284Associate Principal 482-5287Assistant Principal 482-5297

After-School Activities 482-5290Athletics 482-5290Attendance 482-5281Counselors 482-5289Fax 482-5299Health Office 482-5291School Resource Officer 482-5286Special Education 288-5000Student Records 482-5298Comfort Bus 482-1794

Caller IDIf your caller ID shows you received a phone call from RAMS, please be aware that there is no way for us to know who called you. We have over 100 phones in the building and we are unable to determine which phone the call was placed from. Staff members will likely leave a message. Please encourage your student to leave a message as well.

Interrupting Class for Phone CallsDuring the course of an average school day we receive many phone calls from parents who wish to talk immediately to their students. RAMS policy is to not interrupt class.

If a student forgets something like homework or lunch, it can be dropped off at the main office. The student can then come and pick it up after their next class.

Visitors to RAMSIn an effort to maintain building security, RAMS visitors will use a buzzer located on the right in the entryway. You will be buzzed into the building via the door to your right. Once in the building we ask that all visitors, including parents, sign in with the receptionist in the Main Office and pick up a visitors badge.

We ask that you do this even if you expect that your visit will be brief. Staff members have been asked to approach any adults in the building who are not wearing a visitors badge and escort them to the office. We appreciate every-one’s help and support in maintaining a safe and secure school environment.

If, at any time during the year, you would like to meet with your child’s teacher, please contact them directly to schedule an appointment. Guests are not al-lowed during the school day.

Make Way For The BusPlease use the parent drop-off area for dropping off and picking up students. It has a seperate entrance off of County Road B2. You may also use the park-ing lane on the north side of County Road B2 to drop students off. The school buses line up along the sidewalk in our parking lot, so we ask that parents do not use the parking lot sidewalk to pick up or drop off. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated!

Comfort Bus/Centerline will continue to provide bus service for the Roseville School District. You will be receiving bus information in a seperate mailing. This information will outline the bus stop locations, departure times, etc.

7th Grade Fall Family Information Night

For: Incoming 7th Grade Families and new 8th grade families

On September 28th, come to RAMS for an evening of valuable information related to:

• Math curriculum (Pearson) and Social Studeies curriculum on the iPad • After school opportunities for students - Unity Center, TOPS, teacher as-

sistance, after school bus routes • Synergy and Schoology - Learn about the two iPad apps we use most at

RAMS • iPad Tips - Ideas for living with an iPad in the family

When: September 28, 2016, 6:30-8:30pm

Transportation, childcare and treats provided!

Look for more information to come home from your student’s STAR teacher. Hope to see you there!

ImmunizationsMinnesota School Immunization Law requires documentation of im-munizations prior to the start of school. All 7th and 8th graders are required to show proof of a mennin-gitis vaccine, a second Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine and a Tdap (Tetatus) booster after the age of seven. In addition, 7th grade students must show proof of having had two varicella vaccines or a record from the doctor of having had the chicken pox disease. They must also have completed their Hepatitis B series.

A notarized statement must be on record if you are a conscientious objector or are unable to receive an immunization due to a medical con-dition. The school health office can provide you with that document.

Immunizations can be obtained at your medical clinic with or without a physical exam. If you are with-out health insurance, vaccines can be obtained at one of the Ramsey County Public Health Clinics for a low cost fee. To access information on these clinics, please call 651-266-1234.

Please notify your school health office whenever your child receives a vaccination. It is important that we maintain accurate immunization records.

For further information on immuniza-tions from the Minnesota Depart-ment of Health, go to www.health.state.mn.us/immunize.

MedicationAll regularly prescribed medication as well as non-prescription medica-tion (e.g. ibuprofen) taken by students must be dispensed through the Health Office. Inhalers for the treatment of asthma and epi-pens may be carried by the student with the proper authori-zation. All students who request per-mission to self-carry an inhaler must first pass a test given by the school nurse. Students are not permitted to share medication with anyone else.

A new medication permission form is required each school year. You may pick up the form at the nurse’s office or print one from the district website.

Food AllergiesStudents who have food allergies need to contact the school nurse. We will make every effort to provide gluten free or dairy free items. Please submit a Special Diet Food Request form to your physician to be returned to Angela Richey at the district center to authorize substitutions. No alterna-tions will be made without a Special Diet Food Request on file.

Often we are asked to substitute milk with orange or other fruit juice. Please be aware that there is no nutritionial comparison between juice and milk. We offer lactose free milk and soy, rice and almond milk.

Student Support Services Support GroupsThe Student Support Services Department offers a variety of educational sup-port groups during the school year. Please review the groups and if you have questions or would prefer your student not participate in a group, please contact the Student Support Services Department at 651-482-5289.

The following is a list of groups which have been offered in the past and are un-der consideration to be offered again this year. Other groups might be formed to fit the needs of the students.

• African-American Support Groups • Concerned Persons Group • Family Change Support Group • Stress Management Support Group

• Grief/Loss Group • Karen Support Group • Vietnamese Support Group • Hmong Women’s Circle

FACS Supplies NeededThe FACS department is looking for families interested in donating nonperish-able food items, cleaning supplies, and paper products to be used during our food labs. There will be a spot in the main office that you can drop off items between 7:30am - 3:30pm. We will update the list depending on our needs. The following items are supplies we would appreciate to begin the year (any brand or size is appreciated!): Dish Soap, Dishwasher Detergent, Laundry Detergent, Plastic Storage and Sandwich Bags, Muffin Tin Liners, All Purpose Flour, Sugar, Light Brown Sugar, Powdered Sugar, Vegetable Oil, Semi-Sweet Chocolate or Butterscotch Chips, Mini Marshmellows, Marshmellow Creme, Pineapple Juice, Rice Krispies, Crispex Cereal, Oatmeal, Honey, Corn Meal, Bisquick, Canned Pumpkin, Vegetable Broth, Chicken Broth, Tomato Paste, Tomato Sauce, Rice, Spaghetti Noodles, Mild or Medium Salsa The FACS department is also looking for teen friendly fabric as well as any color thread. The thread should be 100% cotton or a cotton/polyblend. For the pil-lowcases, the fabric needs to be at least 1 yard (44”-45” wide), but we can use smaller pieces for practice or other projects. Please feel free to contact Julie Levine at julie.levine@isd623.org or 651-482-5280 ext. 247 with any questions. Thank you for your consideration!

Lunch AccountProceduresStudents purchase all meals and snacks by depositing enough money in an account to cover what the student chooses to eat each day. Students are assigned a “pin” num-ber that they memorize and keep confidential, and enter into a key pad at the cashiers stand. Important Information:

• Once they enter their private number, the cost of what they choose is deducted from the available balance.

• Parents/guardians are re-sponsible for keeping enough money in the account to cover purchases and are responsible for the charges their student makes.

• Returning students use the same pin number each year.

• New or transferring students will receive a new pin number at orientation from the cashier.

• Students are not allowed to charge meals and will be denied from making snack purchases if they do not have enough money in their ac-counts to cover selections.

• Parents wanting to restrict pur-chases made by their student may call the Nutrition Manager, Michelle Frison, at 651-482-5296.

• Should parents forget to send money, simply call 651-288-5013 and speak to Ms. Ogilvie (cashier).

• If students share their pin num-ber with friends, parents are responsible for those charges. Nutrition Services will not credit the studen’s account for any misuse of a pin number.

Payment MethodsPlease check breakfast/lunch accounts frequently. Accounts that become negative will receive an automated call from Nutritional Services to send in a payment. Please make checks payable to RAMS Nutrition Services or place cash in a sealed envelope with the student’s name and pin number written on the front. Deposits must be made in the main office before 10am each morning for use that day. Parents may use a credit card to put money into accounts by logging onto www.isd623.org, Parents, Nutrition, then Paypams. Parents can also view daily student purchases on Paypams.

Free and Reduced MealsAll families experiencing financial difficulties should complete a free and re-duced application. Applications are mailed to all families. Extra applications are available at the District Center or RAMS office. Return the application to the school office or mail to Jodi Goodwill at the District Center, 1251 West County Road B2, Roseville, MN 55113 or call 651-628-6445. You can also complete your application online by logging onto www.isd623.org, Parents, Nutrition, then Meal Applications.Please note:

• A new application must be completed EACH YEAR! • Applications need to be submitted and approved by the first day of

school to receive free/reduced lunches. • If you submit your application late, parents are responsible for pay-

ing the full price for meals until the application is approved. • Parents will receive written notification once the application is pro-

cessed. • All students who are approved for free/reduced meals will receive a

free breakfast regardless of their reduced status.

BreakfastBreakfast will be available beginning the first day of school and will be a bag breakfast that students may pick up from the cafeteria and take to their STAR classroom. Students enter thru the side door and may eat in the cafeteria from 7:30am to 7:55am. Serving ends at 8:10am.

Snack BarOnly a limited number of extra foods are available at the middle school level and students must provide additional money in their accounts to purchase extra items. Students will not be able to make purchases if their account is negative. Extra milk, water, orange/grape juice, Gatorade mix packets, cheetos, and rice krispie treats are available daily at additional costs.

LunchStudents should never come home hungry after eating school lunch! We offer five choices: entree, whole grain choice, vegetables, fruits and nonfat milk in flavors. Students are required to take at least three items. Please call Michelle Frison, Nutrition Manager at 651-482-5296 if you have any problems or con-cerns about what your child is eating. If you use Paypams, you can easily find out what purchases your student has made.

Lunch is served at the following times: A: 10:52am to 11:18am B: 11:22am to 11:44am C: 11:48am to 12:14pm D: 12:35pm to 1:00pm

Activity BusesRAMS offers transportation within district 623 for students who stay after school to participate in athlet-ics, activities, academics, or deten-tion. On days that students have practice, they will be able to take the activity bus home. A bus pass is re-quired to board the bus. A pass can be obtained from the adult supervi-sor of the specific activity. Students who are not directly involved in a supervised activity will not be given a bus pass and will need to pro-vide their own transporation home. Students are not allowed to leave RAMS property and then return to school to ride the activity bus.

Maps of the activity bus routes are posted by the activity office.and library. There are no predetermined stops for activity buses. Drivers follow set routes and pull over when asked. The buses will leave from the front of the school at the follow-ing times:

• Bus 1, 4:10pm = To RAHS and then the west area of the district

• Bus 2, 4:20pm = East area of the district

• Bus 3, 4:20pm = Middle area of the district

There are also two late activity bus-es Monday thru Thursday. There is no late activity busy on Fridays.

• Bus 1, 5:15pm = West area of the district

• Bus 2, 5:15pm = East area of the district

After School ActivitiesA list of extracurricular activities will be available to students in late September. The list will be announced in STAR and posted on the RAMS website.

The selection of activities varies each year, depending on what is proposed by staff and members of the community. Students must register and pay at the Activity Office across from the cafeteria. Activities may have different fees, depending on length and other expenses.

The fall activity session runs from early October to Winter Break. Winter ses-sion runs between Winter Break and Spring Break. The spring session runs from Spring Break to late May. A few activities meet in the morning before school, but most will take place after school. This makes is very difficult for a student to be in both a sport and an after-school activity during the same season, but a student can jump into many activities mid-session, when his/her sport season ends.

In the past, RAMS has offered academic clubs like Science Club, International Club, Hmong Writing; academic teams like Destination Imagination, Future Problem Solvers, Chess Team; performing arts like Morning Choir, Jazz Band, Theater; creative arts like Pottery Club, Painting Club; athletic activities like Rock Climbing, Weight Lifting, Ski Trips, and Horseback Riding. Anyone in the community who is interested in offering an extra-curricular activity may contact Mr. Holmes at 651-482-5290 for more information.

After School PoliciesDue to limited supervisory resources after the school day, RAMS has after-school policies intended to keep students from using RAMS facilities primarily as a social center. Students who wish to stay after school with a teacher for academic help must schedule the help session by 1pm that day and are ex-pected to be with that teacher in the classroom or media center by 2:50pm.

Students are not allowed to stay after school simply to wait for a friend who is staying after for a legitimate, school-related reason.

When students finish their acivities, they are expected to leave the building or wait in the media center for their rides or for activity buses. Students who misbehave or who do not follow the directions of the supervisors risk losing permission to stay after school.

After School SupervisionThe front doors are locked at 3:30pm each day. Students waiting for a ride af-ter school need to wait in the media center. A RAMS staff member supervises students who are coming from activities/athletics in the media center.

AVIDAVID - Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a college preparatory program that RAMS is proud to have as part of the school. This will be our 9th year of having AVID at RAMS. RAMS is a Nationally Certified site and has just received one of the highest honors of being an AVID School of Distinc-tion.RAMS is 1 of 2 in the state to receive this honor and 1 of 78 in the world. RAMS has expanded to four sections, two 7th grade and two 8th grade. RAMS has incorporated the AVID philosophy, skills and strategies into each classroom and is part of each teacher’s strategies which we call Schoolwide AVID. The process to be in the AVID program is quite lengthy. AVID is a program that looks for students with academic potential, desire and self-determination, and meets one or more of the following criteria: first to attend college, ethnic group historically under served in 4 year colleges, qualifies for free or reduced lunch and special circumstances (may vary). The application requires parent/guard-ian information and comments about the student, two teacher recommenda-tions and a written essay by the student. Information is gathered by the AVID site team about the student’s testing history/scores, current grades, attendance and behaviors. Once the application is received, the site team interviews and selects the students to be part of the AVID elective class for the following school year. These students should be ready for rigorous classes and maintain a 2.5 or above grade point average. Once the student is in the AVID program they must WANT to be in the program. There is a lot of hard work that generates rewards such as; better study habits, higher level questioning, collaboration, leadership, accepting positive criticism and acting on it, completing all homework on time, reviewing notes daily, and making and keeping goals, to name a few. AVID visits college campuses, has speakers from a variety of professions, and has college tutors come in twice a week to facilitate a tutorial in which students present using an inquiry process. RAMS now has 75 staff who have been trained through the AVID Summer Insti-tute or AVID Path trainings. RAMS focuses on schoolwide AVID which means that all teachers will incorporate these college readiness skills in their subject area. The RAMS staff have also had staff development to incorporate the AVID strategies such as: student binders, Cornell note taking, Costas level of ques-tioning, Socratic Seminars, Philosophical Chairs, and critical reading and writing strategies. The AVID classes for the fall of 2016-2017 are full at this time. If your child is interested in being a part of the AVID system, please contact Tana Bogenholm, AVID Cooridnator at RAMS: tana.bogenholm@isd623.org for an application. If your child meets criteria they will be given an interview and put on the waiting list. We currently have a waiting list of 40 students. Recruitment, which includes applications, interviews and selection for AVID, will happen in February of 2017 for the 2017-2018 school year.

Emergency Response ProceduresThe Roseville Area School District is working to prepare students and staff for emergencies. As we are all aware, there are many different situations involving safety, health or security, which may occur in our schools. Our goal is to prepare our staff and students to properly react to the various types of problems which might arise. You may hear of our preparations during the school year as your child brings home infor-mation or comments on some of the discussions held at school related to these issues.

Our emergency response effort has many topics, including bus acci-dents, illness or injuries, hazardous accidents, weather emergencies, utility emergencies, assault or intruders, bomb threats, evacuation plans, and missing children. In case of weather related emergencies, we will contact local television and radio outlets to get the information avail-able to the general public. Addition-ally, you must to provide medical emergency information for the student information file. This along with emergency numbers is very important in case of an emergency involving your child.

Each building has set up a planned evacuation site so that parents can have an idea of where their children will be in case of a fire, utility emer-gency, or other evacuation cause. For RAMS, the evacuation site is Capitol View School, located at 70 West County Road B2.

RAMS TheatreA Spotlight For Everyone!Every RAMS student who is inter-ested and willing to make the after school commitment, is guaranteed a spot on the stage or behind the scenes for our 3 RAMS productions. No previous experience is neces-sary! Theatre is a great way to make new friends and get connect-ed at school. The time commitment varies according to which “part” you play or which job you have in the show.

If you audition for a show and are an actor you will be here 2-5 days a week after school until 5pm. If you are participating in the crew you will be here one day a week until tech week when you are there for every dress rehearsal and performance. If you choose to participate in a production there will be an activity fee for cast and crew to help cover costs of the productions (scholar-ship help is available for those on free or reduced lunch.) RAMS also has activity buses that are available for you to ride home after practices and crew.

During each of our three productions many sports conflict with the play rehearsals. If you are involved in a sport that practices during the time periods listed to the side, you should not audition or sign up for theatre. Sport teams practice every day after school and at the same time that the play practices are held.

2016-2017 Shows

Fall Play: A world premier by our own Joan Linck (with a Spy theme)Auditions: September 26 and 27Crew Sign-Ups: Week of September 26-30MANDATORY tech/dress REHEARSALS: Nov 5, 7, 8 & 9 Performances: November 10-12.Synopsis: The fall play will be written during the summer by our own Joan Linck with the help of Linsey Owen and Peg Cavanaugh. We will be writing a play about a spy school for students who poses the ultimate spy skills that need to be honed, sharpened and perfected!

Winter Musical: “Pom-Pom Zombies” by Stephen Murray*PLEASE NOTE: Because of when Presidents day and Spring break fall this school year we have had to move the performance dates for the musical up a few weeks. We will only have 2 weeks off between the fall play and the winter musical. Auditions/crew sign-ups will come up very fast and will be immediately after Thanksgiving. Auditions: December November 28 and 29 Crew Sign-Ups: Week of November 28-December 1MANDATORY tech/dress REHEARSALS: Feb 4, 6 & 7Performances: February 8-11Synopsis: It’s the 1960s, a big nuclear blast to the past! School’s out for the summer, and the teenagers of Ocean View High are ready to surf, sun and have some fun. Their favorite hangout is Barnacle Betty’s Beach Club, which happens to be right next door to the evil Ivana Ratnik’s nuclear power plant. But, ooops! Cindy Sue, the head cheerleader, accidentally gets some nuclear slime on her hot dog instead of pickle relish, and soon the beach is overrun with pom-pom wielding zombies! Her all-American boyfriend, the beatniks, the nerds and the tough girl gang named the Barracudas rally their forces to save the beach from the atomic attackers. A sci-fi spoof of those beach blanket flicks of the ‘60s, the score explodes with hilarious hits like “School’s Out,” “Don’t Touch the Hair,” “It’s Cool to Be a Nerd,” “My Girlfriend’s Dead (And I’m Gonna Be in Trouble),” “Voo-Doo Shoo-Be-Doo” and the dance craze, “Doin’ the Zombie.”

Spring Play: A One Act (written throughout the year w/ Joan Linck & Lin-sey Owen) / Spring Improv*Watch the theatre bulletin board after the winter musical for synopsis of the spring play. Auditions: March 20 & 21Crew Sign-ups: Week of March 20-24MANDATORY tech/dress REHEARSAL: April 29, May 2 and 3PERFORMANCES: May 4-6

Playwriting GroupThis year we will be writing a one-act for the spring production. We will meet several times throughout the year to learn about script writing, do writing ex-ercises to get better at writing and to work together to write the spring play. The first two meetings will take place on Tues, Nov. 22 and Tues, Nov. 29 after school. If you are interested in this group please let Ms. Owen know. She will have a handout with the dates and expectations.

Ways You Can Be Involved In TheaterAs an Actor – you must audition! Audition information is posted so that you can prepare. You only come on one audition day unless you are called back. First rehearsal for each show is typically the Monday the week after auditions. Any-one who auditions will be a part of the cast!

As a Crew member – you come at the listed time to sign up and return the forms by the deadline or first CREW session. Because there are only so many jobs available for crew members, each productions crew will have a limited number of sign up slots available. There are typically 30-35 slots per show. Sign ups will happen a week or two before auditions.

Crew positions that are available are: • Props – help make and gather the props used in the show. • Set Building – help build the wood struction that is the set. *Everyone

who signs up to do crew will help build the set during crew times leading up to dress rehearsal and performance weeks. (You get to use power tools.)

• Costume – help measure, gather, organize, build/create and fit costumes. • Lighting – work a spotlight or the light board. We will train you. • Running – move set pieces, raise and lower the fly system, curtain opera-

tor, etc, during the tech week and performances. • Sound – work the recorded sound cues or microphones used in the show

on the sound board.

Theatre Questions? Contact Linsey Owen at 651-482-5284 or linsey.owen@isd623.org.

Theater DonationsThe RAMS Theatre program is always looking for donations to help the program throughout the school year. Items we use on a regular basis are:

• Empty yogurt, ice cream, cottage cheese, etc. containers w/ lids • Vintage/interesting clothing & accessories • Material (cloth for making costumes and backdrops) • Painting materials (brushes/rollers/trays etc.) • Organizational bins • Anything else you may think we could use in the RAMS Theatre.

GATEGifted and Talented EducationThe first day of school is quickly approaching, and gifted and talent groups will begin soon. During the first week of school identified gifted and talented students will receive a message from Ms. Pankonin with a survey of what groups they might be interested in participating in this year. Many of the groups will meet during STAR. Some groups will meet before school, and some will meet during the school day on an alternating schedule to avoid miss-ing the same class often.

The GATE groups are voluntary, so students are not required to attend. Students may participate in as many groups as they would like, and they may invite a friend.

Last year, students could participate in Future Problem Solvers, games, short story writing, book club, col-lege prep, and poetry. This year, we are also looking for students inter-ested in participating in the Future City competition. http://futurecity.org/minnesota

Are you interested in meeting other GT students and their families? Stop by room 900 during back to school night. We will have games and snacks available. We hope to see you there!

If you have questions, feel free to contact Ursala Pankonin, the RAMS GT coordinator, at ursala.panko-nin@isd623.org or 651-482-5280 voicemail ext. 194.

Chemical Health At RAMSMy name is Marcie Johnson and I am the Chemical Health Counselor at RAMS. I am excited to be starting my 6th year in this position.

My role as the Chemical Health Counselor is to meet with students who are struggling with their own chemical use, have questions about drugs and alcohol, and/or are being impacted by another’s chemical use. I also speak in 7th grade Health classes and 8th grade Teen Issues classes. Additionally, I am available as a resource for students’ families.

Feel free to contact me at 651-482-5289 or marcie.johnson@isd623.org if you have any questions or concerns. I am at RAMS on Thursdays.

RAMS Athletics 2016-2017RAMS and RAHS offer a variety of athletic opportunities for students in 7th and 8th grade. Participation in these activi-ties will enhance students’ educational experiences while at RAMS or PCS.

Fall Sports Starting Dates Participation Fee *7th/8th Football August 29 at 3pm $110.00 ***7th/8th Girls Volleyball September 6 at 3pm $110.00 ***7th/8th Boys/Girls Soccer August 29 at 3pm $110.00 ***7th/8th Girls Tennis September 6 at 3pm $110.00 ***7th-12th Boys/Girls Cross Country ** August 15 at 8am $200.00 ***7th-12th Girls Swimming/Diving ** August 15 at 8am $200.00 ***

For Adapted Soccer information, please call the RAHS activity office at 651-635-1670.

* Families who qualify for free or reduced lunches are eligible for reduction of athletic fees upon application. Applica-tions are done online at www.isd623.org, (under Quick Links, select Nutrition and Menus, then select the Home tab and click on Meal Applications) or by contacting the District 623 Office. Further financial assistance is available as needed. Please contact Mike Holmes in the RAMS Activities Office (651-482-5290).

** Please note the earlier start date and higher fees for Boys and Girls Cross Country and Girls Swimming/Diving.

*** The family maximum for participation in RAMS/RAHS athletics is $600.00.

Physicals for Athletic PartcipationTo register for a team, a student must have an updated ATHLETIC physical (within the last 3 years) form entered into the registration program by the activity office of RAHS, RAMS or PCS. These physicals must note that the student is cleared by their physician to play sports. Any student-athlete whose athletic physical date has not been entered into the registration program will be unable to proceed thru the registration process. Please contact the Athletic Office if you are unsure if your physical is up-to-date. Blank athletic physical forms are available online and in the Activity office.

RegistrationTo begin the online registration process, go to https://isd623.feepay.com, or use the link on the athletics web-page. All information should be reviewed by the student and parent/guardian before signing. The registration process, including payment, must be completed online or at the activity office, before a student is cleared to participate. NO STUDENT WILL BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICES OR GAMES OF ANY SPORT UNTIL THIS PROCESS IS COM-PLETE.

RAMS Activity Office HoursAugust 1-26

8:00am - 4:00pmContact: Mike Holmes or Cindy Amadick 651-482-5290

Practices/ContestsPractices are on every school day, normally from 3-5pm, Monday thru Thurs-day and 3-4pm on Fridays. Competetions tend to be scheduled twice per week, normally starting at 3:45pm. For a link to current game schedules, click on Suburban East conference under Practices/Contests on the RAMS or RAHS Athletics webpage. Transportation will be provided to and from all away games, but athletes will need to provide their own transportation home from RAMS on competion nights. This also pertains to home competitions.

Student Code of ConductAll students must adhere to all school and MSHSL policies in order to remain eligible for sports participation.

Refund PolicyIn case of a major injury or a move out of the district during the first half of the season, 100% of the fee will be refunded. No refund will be granted after the midpoint of the season. There will be no refunds af-ter the first contest for athletes who quit voluntarily or who are removed from participation.

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage PaidSt. Paul, MNPermit No. 3248

Roseville Area Middle School15 E. County Rd B2Little Canada, MN 55117

Dated Material

The Raider Review is distributed to parents of Roseville Area Middle School students. If you have com-ments, questions, or need this publication in an alternate format call 651-482-5280.

District 623 is an equal opportunity employer. It maintains a firm policy of prohibiting all forms of discrimina-tion.

All persons are to be treated with respect and dignity. Sexual vio-lence, sexual advances or other forms of religious, racial or sexual harassment by any pupil, teacher, administrator or other school per-sonnel, which can create an intimi-dating, hostile, or offensive environ-ment will not be tolerated.

Concerns may be brought to build-ing staff, or to District Human Rights Officer Chris Sonenblum at 651-635-1608.