Dear JRMS Families, 

What a fun and exciting week at JRMS! There was plenty of energy and enthusiasm throughout the building, with opportunities for students to connect, celebrate, and enjoy being part of our school community. 

Many of our eighth graders enjoyed a rock climbing trip, while students across all four grade levels had opportunities to spend time together at their grade-level socials. Thank you to our organizers and many volunteers: your generosity of time, effort, care, and food donations are greatly appreciated. Special shout-out to Lara Nayor and her team for setting up and managing the Haunted House! Thank you to Lori Clement for her help behind the scenes with social permission slips and payments. 

Spirit Week added even more excitement, with activities including wearing pink in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Color Wars, and the return of our Halloween costume parades! The week culminated in a schoolw-wide pep rally filled with school spirit, games, and a special send-off for Mr. B. It was a wonderful opportunity for students and staff to come together, celebrate his contributions to JRMS, and show their appreciation. Thank you to everyone who helped organize and support these experiences. They are an important part of what makes middle school memorable! 

Behind the scenes, our staff continued important collaborative work focused on teaching, learning, and supporting students. Discussions about our Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) focused on strengthening the processes we use to identify student needs, coordinate interventions, and monitor progress. We also continued conversations about teachers' Professional Learning Plans and their connections to our School Improvement Plan. Department and team leader meetings provided additional opportunities to share feedback, coordinate efforts, and strengthen consistency across the school.

We also continued having important restorative conversations with students about their interactions, decisions, and relationships with others. A central focus of these conversations has been helping students understand that our words and actions have an impact, whether or not that impact was intended. We want students to recognize how their choices affect others, consider different perspectives, and take ownership when their behavior causes harm.

Restorative conversations do not overlook behavior or avoid consequences. They make accountability meaningful. Rather than simply asking students to apologize or move on, we want them to reflect on what happened, understand how others were affected, accept responsibility, and consider what they can do to make things right. These are important skills that take time, practice, and guidance to develop. Middle school provides countless opportunities to help students learn from mistakes, strengthen relationships, and make better decisions moving forward.

As always, thank you to our teachers, staff, and families for supporting our students academically, socially, and emotionally. It was a week that reminded us how much there is to celebrate at JRMS, while also reinforcing the important work we do together every day.

Thank you for your partnership and support.

~Chris