School Mission

Statement

Rainier is committed to providing

our students with the essential

academic skills, an appreciation for

the arts and an understanding of

the importance of health and

fitness that will enable them to

function in our global society

according to their individual

strengths.

SIX GRADE ORIENTATION

New 6th grade students should

especially plan to attend our

orientation day on August 23.

Our 8th grade WEB leaders will be

here to lead you through a fun day

of activities and help you get a feel

for life in middle school.

WEB leaders are available all school

year to help sixth graders. Feel free

to contact them, Ms. Snyder or

(Ms. Sowards) Mrs. Sturza at any

point if your 6th grade student

needs help or assistance. WB

leaders can be spotted on the first

day of school and on Wednesdays

wearing their WEB shirts.

Open House

We look forward to greeting all of

you at Open House on September

27th, from 6:00-7:30pm. We will

begin with a brief meeting of about

10-15 minutes in the gymnasium at

6:00pm. After which parents and

students are welcome to visit the

classrooms and teachers they are

scheduled to have. The format is

informal allowing you to spend as

much or as little time as you desire

getting to know your child’s

teacher.

Rainier Middle School

August

2018

Newsletter

New Staff Megan (Margaret) Gray – Social Studies

I am excited to start my 8th year as a social

studies teacher at Rainier. I most recently

taught 7th & 8th grade in the Kent School

District and prior to that, 6th grade in

Orange County when my husband was

stationed in San Diego with the Marine

Corps. I graduated from Western

Washington University with my B.A. as well

as my teaching certification. I have recently

acquired my National Geographic Educator

Certification, which has provided many

exciting new opportunities in the classroom.

Previously, I enjoyed coaching a variety of

sports- middle school track, volleyball, and

weightlifting, and high school fast-pitch.

My husband, Travis, and I have been

married for 7 years and have a border

collie/lab mix named Lexi who is the

greatest joy. I love working out (especially

weightlifting), traveling, reading, making art

& music, adventuring, laughing, and

learning.

I absolutely love working with middle

schooner’s and am excited for lots of new

faces & learning opportunities this year!

Kennedy Kniss – ELA

Paul Cooper - Math

Pamela Grad - Librarian

Hello all! I am happy to be joining the staff of

Rainier Middle and the Auburn School District.

My B.S. is from the University of Washington,

my M.i.T. is from City University and my library

endorsement is from PLU. I have been

teaching for 22 years, first in ELA and Social

Studies, and for the last 15 years, as a

librarian.

I have been married for 32 years and I have

two daughters who live and work between

Seattle and Olympia. Besides my husband, I

have two more friends at home: Nora and

Hugo...the cutest dogs ever (at least I think

they are).

In my free time, I enjoy reading, cooking, film,

gardening, painting, travel, and wine tasting.

In addition to teaching this last year, I have

also done some professional development as a

National Geographic Educator and began

serving on the Board of Trustees for the King

County Library System.

It has been a very long time since I have been

the “new kid”. I will admit I am nervous but

excited to be a part of your school and to get

to know all of you.

Important Dates

Football Season Begins Aug 27

Fastpitch Season Begins Aug 27

WEB Training 8th Graders (GYM) 9am-1pm Aug 21-22

WEB Orientation 6th Graders (9am – 2pm) 8th Graders (8am-2pm) Aug 23

Welcome Back Day (Times to attend by last name):

A-E 8am-9am F-L 9am-10am M-S 10am-11am T-Z 11am-12pm

Aug 30

Open House 6pm-7:30pm Sept 27

First Day of School 7:30-2:00pm Sept 5

Office Contact Information

Justin Maier, Principal jmaier@auburn.wednet.edu

Heidi Morris, Assistant

Principal hmorris@auburn.wednet.edu

Michael Bosch, Dean of

Students mbosch@auburn.wednet.edu

Phone: (253) 931-4843

FAX: (253) 939-4318

Attendance: (253) 931-4855

Office Hours: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Main Office)

Mrs. Jeanne Rudolph, Office

Manager jrudolph@auburn.wednet.edu

Mrs. Janet Bloom, ASB

Secretary jbloom@auburn.wednet.edu

Mr. Chris Lowry, Office

Assistant clowry@auburn.wednet.edu

7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Attendance Office)

TBD, Registrar

@auburn.wednet.edu

Ms. Shawna McKee,

Attendance smckee@auburn.wednet.edu

Ms. Monica Campbell, Counselor (A-

G) mcampbell@auburn.wednet.edu

Mrs. Bobbi Sohal (H-N) bsohal@auburn.wednet.edu

Mr. Greg Erickson, Counselor (O-

Z) gerickson@auburn.wednet.edu

FAMILY ACCESS AND STUDENT

ACCESS Parents can stay up to

date in real time by tracking

their child’s progress through

Family Access. You will be able

to access your child’s current

grades, schedule, missing

assignments, and attendance

records. With link’s to teachers’

e-mail addresses, parents can

easily communicate with

teachers, request homework

and/or ask questions. Contact

the attendance office at 253-

931-4855 to sign up and receive

your log in.

Locate Your Bus Stop – Versatrans

www.auburn.wednet.edu/findschoolbus

Parents and school staff can now locate the

school bus stop closest to their home with

the following link. Students are assigned a

school bus stop according to their home

address and are not authorized to access

any other stop without written permission.

If students are in need of an alternate stop

for the day they are required to provide a

bus pass for that day issued from your

school office. New students to your school

should also be given a bus pass when

boarding the bus for the first time. Also

under Quick Links on our WEB page.

School Photo Packages Check or Exact Cash ONLY accepted on site (credit card on line only)

August 30th Welcome Back Day / September 11th Make-Ups 8am-12pm / October

23rd Re-Takes 8am-11am

Picture packets are enclosed for August date. Packets will be available in the Main

Office the first week of school for September date. To order pictures, return the

packet and payment with your student on the picture day. Any student not

photographed in September will be photographed on September 11th. This is not a

time to have your picture taken just because you do not like the way your ID turned

out, sorry! Re-takes will be offered October 23rdh.

Chromebook Take

Home 2018-19

All 6th grade families and any families of new secondary students need to complete a Parent Acknowledgement Form, which explains the Chromebook 1:1 program and parent and student

responsibilities.

Instructions: 1. Log into Family Access

2. Click Online Forms from the left side tabs

3. Click the Fill Out Form link next to Chromebook Take Home

4. Follow instructions to complete and submit the form

Chromebook Maintenance Fee This year all students will pay an annual fee of $10 per student ($5 for those qualifying for free or reduced lunch). This fee can be paid at August registration or online after July 16 at (https://touchbase.auburn.wednet.edu). More information can be found in the 18-19 Responsibility Manual (www.auburn.wednet.edu/ch

romebooks).

Athletic Schedule 2018-19

Season #1 Aug. 27 - Oct. 27, 2018 Football 7th & 8th grade Girls’ Fast 7th & 8th grade Sept 6—Sept 28, 2018 Girls Basketball (6th grade) Oct. 1 – Oct. 26, 2018 Boys Basketball (6th grade)

*Break Oct 29 - Nov 2, 2018 Season #2 Nov. 5 – Jan. 18, 2019 Boys’ Basketball - 7th & 8th grade Gymnastics - 6th - 8th grade Girls Soccer - 7th & 8th grade

*Break Jan 22 - Jan 25, 2019 Season #3 Jan 29 – March 29, 2019 Wrestling – 6th – 8th grade Girls Basketball – 7th & 8th grade Boys Soccer - 7th & 8th grade

*Break April 1 - April 5, 2019 Season #4 April 15 – June 7, 2019 Boys’ & Girls” Track-grades 7th-8th Boys’ Baseball – grades 7th – 8th Girls’ Volleyball – grades 7th -8th April 22 – June 7, 2019 6th Grade Boys/Girls Track 6th Grade Girls Volleyball

Please note - 6th graders can participate and

compete only against other sixth graders for

Season #2 Gymnastics and Season #3

Wrestling.

This timeline is approximate. The dates may

vary by one or two days.

Athletics- Beginning August 1st – all

students (and their parents) interested

in playing sports can log into Skyward

and complete the Online Athletic

Packet. This must be done by both the

student (on their student access) and

the Family #1 parent (on their parent

access). This paperwork cannot be

printed and turned in – it must be done

on-line. The actual physical should be

turned into the Main Office prior to the

start of the sports season. We do still

have physicals that are under two years

old on file – check with the school if

you are unsure. Students are also

expected to purchase ASB for $15 to

participate in a sport.

What you need to know about the Athletic Program

News from the Health Room!

FASTPITCH SCHEDULE PRACTICE WILL BE 8/28, 8/29, & 8/30 FROM 2:30PM-4PM. ONCE SCHOOL BEGINS, PRACTICE WILL BE MONDAY

THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 2:15-4:00PM. SOFTBALL GLOVE OR MITT IS REQUIRED, CLEATS ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Eighth grade coach – Mr. Harteau and Seventh grade coach – Ms. Maria

FOOTBALL SCHEDULE 2018

Thank you for your interest in playing football for Rainier Middle School in the fall of 2018. This letter is to inform you of the requirements you need to have completed by the start of practice on August 27th.

➢ Physical with all the appropriate paperwork signed ➢ Paid ASB card ➢ Football shoes (molded plastic Cleats only: ( NO SCREW ON CLEATS ) ➢ Online registration completed by Athlete and Parents Both

You cannot practice until the Physical and ASB card are taken care of. You must also turn in a signed Informed Consent form to the office or coaches. The football shoes you can get later, but it would be best to have at the beginning of practice. Please be sure to send your kids with a water bottle for practice as they will get at least three water breaks in a practice and will be responsible for their own hydration. It is imperative that they bring a water bottle to practice with them. It can be as simple as a 16.9-ounce water bottle that they leave at school with their name on it. This is to cut the down time between drills and improve effort with more instruction time and rest time as well as better hydration. There will be a few changes to the program from last year. Here is a list of coaches for the upcoming season. Practice will start at 12:00 Noon and go until 2:00 P.M. starting Aug 27th, through Aug 30.off Friday 31st, Monday 3rd, & Tuesday 4th, Returning when school starts Wednesday 5th back to every school day from 2:15 to 4:15 except game days those will be on Thursdays from 3:30 to about 5:15ish.

Varsity Head Coach: Mr. Murr & Assistant Coach: Mr. Furth Seventh Grade Assistant Coach: Mr. Ludwigson & Mr. Sullivan

We as coaches would like you to have the best experience possible. In order to do that, you as a player need to do a few things:

1. Come to every practice with a positive attitude ready to learn. 2. Come to practice ready to help the team and yourself. 3. Do some type of physical activity throughout the summer. 4. Talk to your friends and get them to come out. We need to get more players involved to

build a solid program. 5. Always give your best attitude & effort.

Hope to see you and many of your friends on the football field in August. If there are any questions,

you can call 253-931-4843 or email me at jmurr@auburn.wednet.edu.

Green health history forms can be turned in on Welcome Back day or during the first week of school.

Reminder to all incoming 6th grade students, you must have your Tdap (on or after your 11th birthday

and a 2nd Varicella immunization before the first day of school. Please bring your proof of shot record

on our Welcome Back Day.

For free immunizations, please go to this link: https://www.multicare.org/immunization-clinic

Please bring all signed medication forms with proper medication to our Welcome back day or drop

off in the attendance office during work hours starting August 13th.

Points of Interest

Daily Bulletins –

please watch for daily bulletins on our webpage under Quick Links

SAVE THE DATE! The

ASD will host its inaugural

Welcome to School event

from 3:30-6:30 p.m.,

August 22, in the Auburn

High School Commons.

There will be

entertainment, a

resource fair, information

on technology, a

barbecue, school supplies

and much, much more.

This FREE event is open to

all ASD families. Look for

more information in

August.

Meal Prices 2018-19

Secondary Students who

qualify for free or reduced -

Breakfast is no charge.

Secondary student prices:

Milk - 50¢

Breakfast - $1.50 (second

student breakfast, $2)

Breakfast entrée only - $1.50

Lunch for students who qualify

for reduced price 40¢

Lunch - $3.25 (second student

lunch, $3.50)

Lunch entrée only - $2.75

Adults/Staff/Non-ASD

Students/Guests:

Milk - 50¢

Breakfast - $2.50

Breakfast entrée only - $1.50

Lunch - $4.00

Lunch entrée only - $2.75

The Rainier Middle School Dress Code is based on input of students, parents,

and staff. It establishes guidelines that will contribute to a positive learning climate and student

success. Because attitudes and behaviors in the learning environment can be influenced by

revealing clothing as well as printed statements, pictures, and symbols which appear on clothing,

some clothing is inappropriate to wear to school. You and your parents or guardian determine

your personal dress and grooming standards; however while at school, they must comply with

Rainier Middle School Dress Code.

All RMS students will dress in clothing appropriate for the learning environment. Students who

wear clothing that is promoting inappropriate or illegal activities for the learning environment or is

inappropriately revealing/tight, will be asked to cover up, change their clothing or the office may

provide a more appropriate alternative if they do not have an option of their own

Continued Violations: The student will be sent to the office where he/she will be given the

opportunity to change attire. The student will not return to class until the attire meets Rainier’s

Dress for Success standards. If unable to change attire, clothing options will be provided to be

worn for the remainder of the day. The student’s parents will be notified and progressive

discipline for multiple infractions will be applied.

Rules, Regulations & Sanctions

Charts will be sent home the first

week of school – Please sign last

page and return to first period by

Friday, September 7th. (TBD still)

Electronic Newsletter After

August, Newsletters will come

through email to allow for

timelier, cost-effective

communication. Please make sure

your email account is current and

up to date with us. You may add

or edit your email address by

calling the attendance office at

(253) 931-4855 or through Family

Access:

http://www.auburn.wednet.edu/

Dress for Success

RAINIER MIDDLE SCHOOL Items Available for Purchase

2018-19

Watch for online sales to open sometime around August 15th

ASB CARD $15.00

All students who participate in after-school athletics, clubs, or are enrolled in Band or Orchestra are required to purchase an ASB

card. Funds from the sale of ASB cards help to support these activities.

BASH PASS: 6th Grade $10.00 7/8th Grade $14.00 (Must Purchase in conjunction with ASB)

BASHES are after school social events that are incentives for students that have exhibited good behavior, good attendance, and

have no outstanding fines (6TH Graders are not allowed in the dance, hence the lower price). BASH passes are available only to

those students who purchase an ASB card. There are no refunds for missed BASHES. Individual tickets may be purchased the

day of each Bash.

Planned events are as follows:

November 1, 2018 6th Grade WEB Social

November 2, 2018 7/8th Grade Dance

January TBD, 2019 Fund Run Celebration FREE to those collecting $15 or more during the fundraiser

April 4, 2019 6th Grade WEB Social

April TBD, 2019 7/8 Grade Dance

June 20, 2019 EOY Activities (free to all students that qualify)

PADLOCK for PE $6.00

Physical Education locks may not be brought from home. If you plan to lock up your things, you must purchase the lock from the

school. The same lock may be used for all three years at Rainier.

YEARBOOK $28.00

fall sales will be from 8/29/18 – 9/26/18. Spring sales will run for two weeks in June, the dates to be determined later. The

cost in June will be $32 each. QUANTITIES ARE LIMITED IN THE SPRING- THERE IS NO GUARANTEE OF AVAILABILITY. You

must purchase by 9/26/18 to be guaranteed a yearbook for your student.

SPIRIT WEAR Items/Prices available on Welcome Back Days

Adult sizes S-XXL Pre-sale only through 9/14/18 – items will be delivered in October

Items on this page may be purchased at our Welcome Back Day, at school once it starts or on-line at

https://www.auburn.wednet.edu/touchbase/ beginning August 31, 2018.

If purchasing on-line, bring a copy of your receipt to the Main Office to get your ASB/BASH Sticker

and to your PE teacher to get your lock.

3-ring notebook binder with 2” – 2 ½” rings

Highlighters-pink, yellow, blue, and green

Pencil pouch

#2 pencils

Black, Blue and Red Pens

Erasers

Notebook Paper

Set of 12 colored pencils

Set of 12 fine-tip colored markers

Glue Sticks

12” Ruler

Spiral notebook

Blunt school scissors

Boxes of Kleenex (Please leave in 1st Period Classroom)

Hand Wipe Sanitizer (i.e. Clorox wipes or generic brands)

Headphones or Earbuds

Index dividers?

Allison’s Biology class 9 ¾ x 7 ½ in. Composition Book with the graph paper.

6th Science classes College Ruled Composition Notebook.

6th grade Math Scientific Calculator (such as Texas Inst. TI-30 series), 9.75 x 7.5 composition book (100 sheets/200 pages)

8th grade Math Scientific Calculator (such as Texas Inst. TI-30 series) and a spiral notebook.

McCord's ELA a 100 page, composition book.

Family & Consumer Science (Home Ec) sewing scissors.

Individual teachers may request additional materials.

PE locks are required and must be purchased from RMS for $6.00

You Can Prevent Truancy!

Student safety and academic progress are important to parents and

educators. Here are some tips to prevent absences:

Communicate Frequently with your Student

Talk about family expectations.

Discuss family expectations for earning a high school diploma.

Praise positive behaviors and achievements in school.

Look for attitudes from your youth that indicate unhappiness with

school or fear of attending school. Listen to what they say and ask

questions.

Communicate Frequently with your School

Ask the school about their policy and procedures on excusing absences

from school.

Respond quickly when the school notifies you of an unexcused

absence.

Learn how you can check your student’s attendance.

Immediately address issues of concern about your student with the

teacher and the counselor.

Washington State compulsory attendance law (RCW 28A.225) and

Auburn School District policy require parents/guardians to ensure

students between the ages of six (eight years of age if the student has

not yet attended public schools) and seventeen attend school every

day that school is in session. The following outlines procedures

followed by the Auburn School District:

One unexcused absence during any month of the school year: The

school will inform you (and/or your student) of the unexcused absence

(usually by telephone, but notification may also be in writing).

Two unexcused absences during any month of the school year: A

conference will be scheduled with you and your student to discuss the

cause of the unexcused absences and find solutions to prevent further

absences. The district considers student attendance a team effort. (If a

regularly scheduled parent/teacher conference will occur within 30

days of the second unexcused absence, the district may schedule the

required conference on that day.)

Five unexcused absences within a 30-day period: The school must

enter into a written truancy agreement/contract with the family, where

the parent/guardian, student and school agree on the necessary steps

to resolve the student’s attendance problem.

Seven unexcused absences in a month or ten unexcused absences in a

given school year: Washington State statutes permit the following

actions to be taken by a school district:

The district and/or parent/guardian shall petition (Becca petition) the

juvenile court to order the student to attend school.

If this court order is violated, the court will call for a Contempt

Hearing. At that hearing, the court may impose sanctions on the

student, which may include writing an essay, community service, work

crew, electronic home monitoring and/or juvenile detention.

The court is also authorized to fine parent/guardian not more than $25

for each day of unexcused absence from school.

PTA 2018-19 Tamara Hobbs – President

Jason Weight - Treasurer

Holly George - Vice President

Mathew Kwartin - Vice President

Linda Vincent - Secretary

WELCOME TO OUR NEW PTA

The Rainier Middle School PTA would like to welcome all of you to join us at our first

membership meeting on September 26th at 7pm in the school library. Please note, you

do not have to be a member to attend. We encourage you to come and learn about the

activity of events we have planned for the upcoming school year. If you are unable to

attend but would like more information or to stay involved, please contact the RMS PTA

via email Rainiermspta@gmail.com. We look forward to meeting you and working

together to have yet another successful PTA year @ RMS!

We invite you to join Rainier PTA.

Why Join PTA? Research shows parent involvement is key to student success in education. Involvement in PTA is parent involvement. PTA

organizes parents to make your school a better place for your children to learn by addressing the needs of their individual schools. While children

cannot vote and do not participate in the legislative process, PTA speaks for the interests of all children and their health, welfare, safety, and

education. Whether in Washington DC, Olympia, or locally - everywhere decisions are made that affect your children, PTA is there speaking on

behalf of your children.

More than 7 million people cannot be wrong! PTA is the seventh largest association in America and the largest volunteer association in the

state of Washington.

Who can join? Parents, teachers, school staff, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and any other interested people.

To join, return the completed membership form with payment. Make checks payable to Rainier PTA. Bring it to our PTA table at registration days,

or return it to school office at the beginning of the school year.

everychild. onevoice.

YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN

Rainier PTA, an affiliated unit of the Washington State PTA and the National PTA. Make your check payable to

Rainier PTA. Your annual membership fees are $ 10.00 per individual member. Please return your fees to school

with this form.

LAST NAME: FIRST NAME:

LAST NAME: FIRST NAME:

PHONE: EMAIL:

□ CHECK THIS BOX IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE EMAIL LEGISLATIVE ALERTS.

ADDRESS:

CITY: ZIP:

STUDENT’S NAME:

STUDENT’S NAME:

8/8/07

To be completed by PTA Official:

Cash / Check #

Amt $

(show membership amount/total check amount)

Initials

Date