RINCON VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL
FALCON
4650 Badger Road  Santa Rosa, California 95409  (707)
Visit our website at http://www.rvms.srcs.k12.ca.us
January 2010
DATES TO NOTE…
.
Jan. 11 – Volleyball and Wrestling
Tryouts
Jan. 18 – MLK Day NO SCHOOL
Jan. 21– Cookie Dough Fundraiser
Assembly
Jan. 28– Volleyball@RVMS
Wrestling @ Comstock
Jan. 28- STPC mtg. 7pm Library
Jan. 29– Cookie orders due
Feb. 1-5 – Oral Grade Week
Feb. 2–10 Pre Valentine Sales
Feb. 2– Volleyball @ Slater
Wrestling @RVMS
Feb. 4– Volleyball @ RVMS
Wrestling @Santa Rosa
Feb. 8– Lincoln’sB-day NO
SCHOOL
Feb. 11– Volleyball @ Slater
Wrestling @RVMS
Feb. 15– President’s Day NO
SCHOOL
Feb. 16– Volleyball @ Comstock
Wrestling @ RVMS
Feb. 18– Volleyball @ RVMS
Wrestling @ Slater
Feb. 23– Volleyball @ Santa Rosa
Wrestling @ RVMS
Feb. 24- RVMS Showcase min. day
Mar. 29-Apr.2 – Spring Break
REMEMBER TO
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!!
NEWSLETTER
528-5255
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Parents & Friends,
With all the doom and gloom about municipal and school budgets, we’re
still shining and working wonders with students. While the budget cuts
that are coming will be felt deeply, we will make every effort to meet the
challenges before us. The RVMS staff is committed to providing an
excellent education for all our students; we’ll just have to get very
creative. During the upcoming school year, we will need to lean more
heavily on our parent group, the STPC, for our educational needs. I have
tremendous faith that our parents will rise to the occasion and support us
in these trying times.
At the end of this month, February 24, RVMS is once again putting on
our annual “Showcase” event for incoming students. This is a minimum
day, and school will be out at 12:28. If you know of anyone who will
be a new student to RVMS, please remind them about this event. The
showcase will start at 6:00pm and close at 8:00pm. The showcase is a
wonderful way to get a look at RVMS and see what we’re all about.
Everyone from the community is welcome to attend, but we ask that
current students stay home because of limited space.
As many of you know, we will be taking the STAR test the week of April
12th. We will be on a Monday bell schedule the entire week. In
today’s competitive educational environment, it is very important that all
our students take the test seriously and give it their best effort. Schools
are also using the STAR test results now to help determine if students will
have an elective class, or academic support class, the following year.
During this critical week for our school, we ask that families do not miss
school for any reason other than a doctor’s appointment; and we’d
appreciate it if even those could be scheduled for another week. I don’t
 RVMS Newsletter - January 2010
like the fact that so much rides achievement, but that is the reality we live in. The staff at RMVS greatly
on this one indicator of student appreciates your support during the week of STAR testing.
Principal’s message continued from previous page
Believe it or not, we are already planning classes
for next year. February is also the month when
MCHS counselors come to RVMS and talk to 8th
graders about their educational choices for next
year. The MCHS counselors will be visiting 8th
grade history classes on Thursday, February 18th.
Please make sure you review with your student
next year’s course offerings and guide them in
making choices. Student course selection sheets are
due back in the counseling office no later than
Friday, March 5th.
On Wednesday, March 3rd, our counseling
department is offering an 8th grade parent night for
our eighth grade parents who will soon be dropping
their students off at the high school. This event is
designed to inform parents what to expect at the
high school and helpful hints about making the
transition go smoothly. The 8th grade parent night
will be held in the RVMS library from 6:30pm to
8:30pm.
Finally, on Tuesday, March 9, our counseling team
will be visiting 7th grade science classes to talk
about elective choices for the 8th grade year.
All my best,
Matt Marshall
Principal – RVMS
_____________________________________________
Counseling Office News
Office Hours – 7:30 – 3:00 Phone - 528-5257
Counselor Dan Evans – Mon., Wed., Thurs.
morning and Fri. afternoon. Last name alphabet is
A – I. devans@srcs.k12.ca.us
Counselor Robin Wilkins – Mon. thru Fri. Last
name alphabet is J – Z. rwilkins@srcs.k12.ca.us
Academic Support Counselor Michele Craig-
Morales – Thursday a.m.
mcraigmorales@srcs.k12.ca.us or voice mail
number 528-5074 ext.2358
The Counselors oversee the following programs:
• Honor Society
• Homework Hotline
• Conflict Management Program
• Support Counseling
• Safe School Ambassador Program
Honor Society- The spring semester of Honor
Society is open to both 7th and 8th graders based on their
December report card semester grades:
o Students need12 points to be eligible
o Each “A” is worth 3 points
o Each “B” is worth 1 point
A list of eligible students is posted in the marquee
adjacent to the Counseling Office.. If you do not find
your name on the list, please contact your counselor.
Honor Society meets before field trips. Meetings will
be announced on the morning announcements and
posted outside the Counseling Office in the marquee.
Our next meeting is Monday, February 1.
Remember, you need to attend Honor Society meetings
in order to participate in the upcoming field trip to UC
Berkeley on Wednesday, March 3.
Homework Club – Homework Club meets on Tuesday
and Thursday afternoons, 3:10 – 4:10. Homework Club is in
the Library and it’s FREE ! Students must stay for the entire
time, unless they have a note from their parent to leave
earlier. Two to three teachers are available during this time
to assist students who need help.
Homework Hotline –
www.rvms@srcs.k12.ca.us
Have you checked out the Homework Hotline website? This
website is a great tool to make sure you are getting all of
your homework written down in your planner. The hotline is
updated daily by 3:00 p.m. and is offered as a convenience
 RVMS Newsletter - January 2010

for students who were absent from class or for parents Colleges
who would like to check homework assignments. universities
financial aid
scholarships

Please call 528-5038 to reserve

your place as space is limited.
Weekly Progress 2010-2011
Reports Registration
• Progress Reports are The RVMS Counseling Office and a few RVMS
available in the Counseling
students will be visiting our partner elementary
Office on Mondays, between
the hours of 7:30 to 8:00 a.m.
schools the third week of February to talk with 6th
• If there is a Monday holiday, students can
graders about 7th grade at Rincon and hand out
pick up Progress Reports on Tuesdays enrollment packets.
between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m.
If you have a 6th grader at one of the following
Progress Reports are not available for the weeks partner schools, please check his or her backpack
of quarter grades and semester grades. for an enrollment packet. Our partner elementary
schools are:
o Austin Creek
8th Grade o Binkley
o Kenwood
Parent o Madrone
Nights at o Riebli
o Santa Rosa Accelerated Charter
RVMS o Sequoia
o Whited
Join counselors Dan Evans and Robin
Be sure to complete the registration packet and
Wilkins for a presentation about the
return it to RVMS on the evening of Showcase
following topics: (Wednesday, February 24th).
High School Night
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
RVMS Library
For Future 7th and 8th grade Students and Parents
Discussion Topics:
high schools Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2009
pathways 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
4-year plan
graduation requirements 6:00 School Tours – Meet at the flagpole
6:20 7th gr. Band – RVMS Gym
College/University Night 6:30 Welcome to Rincon Presentation –Gym
TBD 7:00 Showcase/Performances – Open to the
Discussion Topics: Public
 RVMS Newsletter - January 2010
their planner to confirm that it is
th th
7 & 8 gr. Curriculums, electives, support accurate. If your student does not
classes and enrichment activities get the signatures, give them a
consequence (example: no cell
8:00 Parent Night closes phone, no computer time, or no TV)
until they start getting the required
signatures.
2) Have your student pick up a weekly
progress report. Do this for at least two
weeks. When your student brings the
progress report home, have them
explain any missing work or low scores.

Please use the strategies above prior to

Tuesday, March 2, 2010 – scheduling a parent teacher conference. This will
7th grade Writing Test help clarify your child’s needs. We look forward to
working to address your concerns.

Sincerely,
April 12 – 16, Dan Evans, Robin Wilkins and Michele Craig-Morales
2010 STAR TEST RVMS Counseling Office – 528-5257

devans@srcs.k12.ca.us (Last name alphabet A – I)

rwilkins@srcs.k12.ca.us(Last name alphabet J – Z)

mcraigmorales@srcs.k12.ca.us Academic Support

Counselor (Thursday mornings)

Homework Hotline: www.rvms.srcs.k12.ca.us

Homework Club: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:10 to
RE: Parent/Teacher Conferences 4:10, RVMS Library
Suggestions

RVMS hopes for all students to succeed. If

you are concerned about your child’s progress
in one or more of their classes, please
complete the following tasks prior to
scheduling a parent teacher conference. This
process makes the conference far more 7th Grade Girls Basketball News
effective and is beneficial for your child: Congratulations to the girls 7th grade basketball
team. They are Co- Champions of the Santa
1) Ask to see your student’s planner Rosa City Middle Schools Basketball League. The
every day for a week and have them girls had an excellent season, playing tenacious,
show you their completed smothering defense and unselfish team offense.
homework.
Defensively, the girls only allowed their opponents
a. If it is not complete, create a
an average of 11 points per game. The girl’s only
place for them to sit down and
get it finished. loss was to Slater by 1 point. The team worked
b. If your child is not filling in the hard at practice to improve their basketball skills
planner, have them start to get a and work together as a team.
teacher signature each day in
 RVMS Newsletter - January 2010
Malia Donovan Shelby Fechter STPC Meetings
Miranda Gonzalez Sarah RVMS Library – 7 p.m.
Holly
Londyn Inskeep
Jamie Lynn
Megan McConnell
Skyler Stokes
Jenna Tiewater Brooke White
Raegan Williams
Congratulations girls on a very successful
season. We are very proud of you!
Athletic Reminders:
Volleyball and Wrestling have just begun their
season. Good luck to both teams!
Third Quarter Sports:
7th & 8th Grade Girls Volleyball and Wrestling
Fourth Quarter Sports:
7th & 8th Grade Track and Field
Remember to turn in a completed Athletic
Packet to Mrs. Wade during the week prior to
tryouts. (This includes a physical and a $30
athletic donation.) If you have already turned
in a packet, you must still turn in an Athletic
Up-date Form. The Athletic Packet and the
Up-date Form can be picked up in the main
office or from your P.E. teacher at any time.
Keep those grades up. Students must have a
2.0 GPA in the quarter previous to trying out
for a team.
Questions??? Call Mrs. Wade at
528-5543.
Notes from the STPC
Jan 28th, 2010
Feb 25th
Mar 26th- No meeting, spring break
Apr 22nd Elections and roundtable review
May – No meeting, busy last month
The 8th grade team would like to get the help of
parent volunteers with the Race Through High
School game involving all 8th grade students and
12 students from Maria Carrillo High School. 8-10
parent volunteers are needed.
Date: Tuesday, March 2
Time: 7:30 am Training in Mr. Ian Myers Room
Event runs from 8:00 - 9:20 in Café and Gym.
If you are able to help with this event, please
contact Ms. Penny Sirota
at: psirota@srcs.k12.ca.us
Thank you in advance for your help.
Mousa Abbasi
RVMS STPC Volunteer Coordinator
_________________________________________
The 8th grade winning color teams would like to
get the help of parent volunteers for Movies at
Rialto event.
Date: March 25
15 Volunteers needed
Movies at Rialto for winning color teams
 RVMS Newsletter - January 2010
Followed by Pizza lunch at RVMS MESSAGES/DELIVERIES TO
If you are able to help with this event, please
contact Ms. Laurel VarnBuhler at
lvarnbuhler@srcs.k12.ca.us
Time for the March 25 event to be confirmed
by Ms. VarnBuhler - it should be from about
9:00am - 1:15 p.m.
_________________________________________
NEWS FROM THE NURSE
SCOLIOSIS SCREENING
I will be doing the scoliosis screening in April.
Screening is done during P.E. classes. Scoliosis is
a curvature of the spine. It affects one of every 50
children, and usually appears between the ages of
10 to 15 when the child is growing rapidly. Girls
are more likely to have scoliosis than boys. Most
curves are small and require no active treatment
other than continued observation by your doctor.
Michele Scudero R.N. School Nurse
STUDENTS LEAVING
SCHOOL EARLY
If your child needs to leave during the school
day, your students must bring a note to the
Attendance Office BEFORE SCHOOL to get a
Permit to Leave. This will allow your student
to get all their necessary school work/supplies
and minimize classroom interruptions.
Remember students need to always be
signed out from the attendance office when
leaving early or signed in when arriving
late.
STUDENTS
Only in the case of an EMERGENCY will the office
forward messages from parents to students.
Messages delivered to class cause a disruption to
the learning environment. Please discuss
arrangements such as transportation,
appointments and other non-urgent issues in the
morning, before your child leaves for school.
Deliveries to students in the classroom also cause
a disruption to the learning environment. All
deliveries should be brought to the main office and
kept to a minimum. The student will be contacted
at the end of a period, and they can get the
delivery at break, lunch, or after school.
Please do not call your student on their cell phone
during school hours. This is a violation of school
policy, and could result in disciplinary action being
taken against the student.
OFFICE PHONE USE BY STUDENTS
IS FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY
This includes health or medical
issues, missed or delayed
First Student buses, and
unforeseeable events.
ATTENDANCE & ACTIVITIES
Students must be in school all day if they wish to
participate in any extracurricular activity. For
example, if there is a school dance, an athletic
game, homework club, or an evening awards
ceremony, a student must attend all six classes to
participate in that activity.
 RVMS Newsletter - January 2010
Seth Camilli - Mrs. VarnBuhler
Hannah Cardinalli - Mr. Eagle
Adults on Campus
Please remember that if you come on campus
during the school day between 8:00 and 3:00,
you must sign in as a guest in the main office
and receive identification. This is for the
protection of all our students.
MEDICATIONS POLICY
Students requiring medication during school
hours must have a permission form on file for
the school year. This form must be completed
and signed by the doctor and parent/guardian.
Forms are available in the Main Office. Your
doctor may fax written instructions to the
Health Office at 528-5644. All medications
must be kept in the Health Office unless
otherwise stated by your doctor. If you have
question, please call 528-5255.
Tammi Leggins – Health Technician
Michele Scudero, RN, Dist. Nurse @ RVMS
Students of the Week
December 7-11, 2009
Sonia Bhatt - Ms. Briner
Evan Marquez - Ms. Briner
Brandon Bone - Ms. Briner
Rachel Black - Ms. Briner
Barrett Iodence - Mr. VarnBuhler
Jenna Docher - Mr. VarnBuhler
Alex Bleyhl - Ms. Cheney
Marisol Farias - Ms. Cheney
Sarah Sullivan - Mrs. VarnBuhler
Students of the Week
December 14-17, 2009
Miguel Berlanga - Ms. Briner
Kevin Barth - Ms. Briner
Leif Dinger - Mrs. Sandholm
Julia Willmers - Mrs. Sandholm
Hunter Volpi - Mr. Eagle
Alexis Honighausen - Mr. Eagle
Joseph Byun - Mrs. VarnBuhler
Claire Wheeler - Mrs. VarnBuhler
Erica Calderon - Mr. VarnBuhler
Jose Delgado-Aguilar - Mr. VarnBuhler
Students of the Week
January 4-8, 2010
Shaina Dowell - Mr. VarnBuhler
Chris Jamerson - Mr. VarnBuhler
Carlos Martinez-Solis - Mrs. VarnBuhler
Sophia Lassen - Mrs. VarnBuhler
Jenna Docher - Mrs. Macchia
Lucas Azcarraga - Mrs. Macchia
Lainey McCaffrey - Ms. Briner
Coulter Adams - Ms. Briner
Cianna Crawford - Ms. Briner
Turner O’Brien - Ms. Briner
Anthony Fisicaro - Mrs. Brew
Jacob Leras - Mrs. Brew
 RVMS Newsletter - January 2010
teachers are proud of the 8th graders’ level
of leadership and achievement!

8th Graders Keep Busy

For Future 7th and 8th grade Students and Parents
Ask your child a question about
the Bill Of Rights or the Constitution, find Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2009
out if they can explain how atoms form 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
the wide variety of matter that we
experience every day, or put on some 6:00 School Tours – Meet at the flagpole
music and have them show you a square 6:20 7th gr. Band – RVMS Gym
dance step or two. 6:30 Welcome to Rincon Presentation –Gym
7:00 Showcase/Performances – Open to the
At lunch we finished the basketball Public
tournament with the Blue Beasts taking
7th & 8th gr. Curriculums, electives, support classes
first place. Now we are playing volley
and enrichment activities
tennis. This Intramural program benefits
from students who volunteer to referee
8:00 Parent Night closes
and the generous donations from the
STPC.

Additionally, student volunteer

mentors work with Mr. Myers, Mrs.
Physical Education Hot Topics
Kubiak and Ms. Briner to improve the
grades for students who need a little
How safe is your home? Do you have a
extra support. We are fortunate to have
safety plan for an emergency? Are your
a very involved 8th grade class.
children trained in Self Defense? The
seventh grade students are
Color Teams continue with Pink
participating in a Self Defense Unit and
holding on to first place. Again, eight
learning important tips on avoidance
motivated and organized students act as
skills, escapes and takedowns. The
color team captains and lead their color
most important part of Self Defense is
team in academic, athletic and school
to not put yourself in an unsafe
spirit events. This competition
situation and be aware of your
culminates with a movie and pizza prize
surroundings. Parents, you can help!
donated by the Rialto Theater and the
Review safe procedures for walking to
STPC.
and from school, using cell phones,
social networking sites, and protocol
Yes, 8th graders are active and healthy
for being at home alone. The students
and doing well academically. Rincon
 RVMS Newsletter - January 2010
produced posters, billboards, raps,
skits and interviews to demonstrate
their knowledge of self defense
skills. Swing by the cafeteria and
take a look.

Thanks
Rita Weighall

8th grade Parent Night

Thursday, February 25, 2010
MCHS Gym

7:00 Informational Program

7:30 GATE Meeting

8th graders and their parents are invited to join the MCHS staff for 2010-2011
information on:

Pathways
Graduation requirements
Extracurricular opportunities
Department and program displays
Parent Involvement
 TEACHER VOICE MAIL AND E-MAIL
528-5074
Teacher Voicem E-Mail Teacher Voicemail E-mail
ail
BLAIR 2300 nblair@srcs.k12.ca.us MYERS, I 2318 imyers@srcs.k12.ca.us
BREW 2301 cbrew@srcs.k12.ca.us NORRIS 2357 knorris@srcs.k12.ca.us
BRINER 2330 briner.science@sbcglobal RESNIKOFF 2320 lresnikoff@srcs.k12.ca.
.net us
BROWN 2335 jbrown@srcs.k12.ca.us SALER 2311 jsaler@srcs.k12.ca.us
CANDELARIA 2349 jcandelaria@srcs.k12.ca. SANDHOLM 2322 ssandholm@srcs.k12.ca
us .us
CHENEY 2348 ccheney@srcs.k12.ca.us SHUBIN 2346 bshubin@srcs.k12.ca.us
CONRAD 2347 gconrad@srcs.k12.ca.us S-BOLDT 2324 mboldt@srcs.k12.ca.us
DAVIES 2304 kdavies@srcs.k12.ca.us SIROTA 2325 psirota@srcs.k12.ca.us
DEROUSSEAU 2305 hderousseau@srcs.k12.ca TOBY 2326 jtoby@srcs.k12.ca.us
.us
EAGLE 6049 peagle@srcs.k12.ca.us VARNBUHLER 2327 jvarnbuhler@srcs.k12.c
J a.us
FORSYTH 2308 mforsyth@srcs.k12.ca.us VARNBUHLER 2328 lvarnbuhler@srcs.k12.c
L a.us
GUIDO 6050 kguido@srcs.k12.ca.us WADE 6046 dwade@srcs.k12.ca.us
GURSKI 2310 sgurski@srcs.k12.ca.us WALLS 2342 awalls@srcs.k12.ca.us
HART 2350 khart@srcs.k12.ca.us WEIGHALL 6047 rweighall@srcs.k12.ca.u
s
HOUSE 2345 chouse@srcs.k12.ca.us WOLFE 2355 jwolfe@srcs.k12.ca.us
(Lorange)
KING-CLAYE 2312 omkcteach@aol.com WOODBURY 6048 cwoodbury@srcs.k12.ca
.us
KOVATCH 2313 ckovatch@srcs.k12.ca.us ZEMAN 2332 mzeman@srcs.k12.ca.u
s
KUBIAK 2314 ckubiak@srcs.k12.ca.us
LONDO 2316 jlondo@srcs.k12.ca.us COUNSELORS
LUNSFORD 2317 slunsford@srcs.k12.ca.us CRAIG- 2358 mcraigmorales@srcs.k12.
MORALES ca.us
MACCHIA 2306 jmacchia@srcs.k12.ca.us EVANS (A-I) 528- devans@srcs.k12.ca.us
5257
MCCOMAS 2352 smccomas@srcs.k12.ca. WILKINS (J- 528- rwilkins@srcs.k12.ca.us
us Z) 5257
 (707)527-6427 or (707)540-1831
www.chessclubforkids.com

CHESS FOR KIDS, Inc. at

Santa Rosa Accelerated Charter School!

OPEN TO RVMS STUDENTS!

CHESS FOR KIDS, Inc. will offer a six week session of chess classes at Santa Rosa Accelerated
Charter School! All levels of skill are welcome! Studies have found hidden rewards for students
of chess:
• Critical and logical thinking skills
• Improved concentration, pattern recognition, and memory
• Patience, decision-making, planning, and sportsmanship skills
• In addition, chess is plain FUN!

CHESS FOR KIDS, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing chess to

as many young people as possible in Sonoma County.

CHESS FOR KIDS class

Wednesdays, Jan. 27, Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24.. (3:15-4:15)
Room Location: Rm. 1 at SRACS
Fee: $50 a child. Siblings are always half price. Scholarships will be considered.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name___________________________________Grade_____Phone_______________________________

Email_______________________________________________________________________________

Address:_____________________________________________________________________________

Where is your child to go after class? Parent pick up____________________ Other______________

Alternate phone number:____________________________________Amount enclosed:______________

Please make checks out to CHESS FOR KIDS, Inc., and mail to:
CHESS FOR KIDS
1275 4th Street, BOX 225
Santa Rosa, CA 95404 SRACS (1-2010)
This is not a Santa Rosa City School Sponsored Activity.