Rolling Hills Middle School

Principal's Message - Mar 7

Principal’s Message

Hello, families!  We are working on wrapping up our second trimester and ushering in our final trimester of the school year.  This can often be a time of excitement and trepidation for students.  Recognizing that, we aim to keep the safety of routines in place as we balance opportunities for students to demonstrate academic improvement on state assessments and model Profile of a Graduate traits, such as empathy and collaboration.  Teachers continue to plan deep learning experiences for our students, including field trips, cooperative work, project-based learning activities, literature circles, math centers, and flexible grouping to name several.  It is these forms of instruction that lead to high student engagement and learning.

Exhibition

On February 26th, the Eighth Grade Exhibition project was the feature event at Rolling Hills.  This promotion requirement for everyone in 8th grade allowed our students the opportunity to demonstrate an array of curricular and “soft” skills featured in the district’s Profile of a Graduate.  There was a wide range of topics about which students were passionate

While the Exhibition requirement itself has been the same for two decades, the way in which our site supported students changed this year.  Instead of it being a requirement in late May when 8th graders are busy with state testing and the transition to high school, we moved it to February.  This will calm end of the year jitters for our students and allow anyone who may not have been successful in a particular aspect of the Exhibition the opportunity to complete it.

Additionally, rather than being an experience accomplished entirely in English classrooms, three departments supported our students.  Our English teachers focused upon the written report, while our history teachers focused upon research, and our science teachers focused upon the project itself.  Students were the beneficiaries of linking their learning to three curricular areas and having a richer experience.

I’d like to extend thanks to our RHMS teachers who were instrumental in supporting students and those community members who were active panelists.  We look forward to this promotion requirement being refined again next year so that it is even more successful.

Instructional Leadership Team

On Tuesday, the Instructional Leadership met from between 8:30 and 3:30.  Comprised of eight teachers and school administration, we looked at data including Thought Exchange results.  Committed to a growth mindset, we are pleased with our site’s collective efforts this year, and are looking at next steps to address instructional needs and the whole child for this year and in the future.  As priorities and next steps are determined, messages will be shared with staff, community, and our students.

Athletics

We are excited to see our girls volleyball and boys soccer seasons start, and particularly pleased that CUSD made repairs to our fields that allows RHMS to host its first soccer game in over a year.  Our final athletic season will start in April.  Track & field is a sport where there are no tryouts, rather open to any interested student.  Events include throwing, jumping, individual running, and relays.  It is a great way to set goals, remain fit, and meet new friends.

PTA

We appreciate your continued support of PTA as it aims to help fund 6th grade Science Camp, 7th grade Renaissance Day, the 8th grade promotion, supplemental history curriculum, and IXL online math support among a number of other activities.  Please log onto https://www.ptarhms.org/ for more details about how to support the PTA as it works to support over 1,000 RHMS students.