REALMS NEWSLETTER #6 – October 30, 2023

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Note From Roger

Dear Realms Middle and High School Families,

Becoming a "LEADER OF YOUR OWN LEARNING" is a statement/slogan we use here at Realms with students all the way from grade 6 - 12!

We are now at the MIDTERM point in the trimester and it is important to make sure that ALL OF US (teachers, crew leaders, and yes, parents!) are having conversations with our students about HOW they are or can take ownership of their academic progress in classes.

A couple of tools and systems we want to remind you of:

1) STUDENTVUE / PARENTVUE - this is a critically important resource for students AND parents. We direct students to look at StudentVue weekly to track any missing assignments and to track their scores and overall grades. Parents - you can keep an eye on ParentVue as well!

2) ATTENDANCE is critical! It is very challenging for students to stay caught up when they miss school, so we ask for your involvement in ensuring that EVERY student strives for 90% attendance or better

3) CONFERENCES ARE COMING - Please attend! You can see more information about conferences below, including the "student led" format happening at RMS and the "collaborative conference" format happening at RHS. Please know that these conferences are a REALLY VALUABLE way for you to support your student!


Please enjoy this update, and keep in touch!

Roger

UPCOMING DATES:

  • Mon Oct 30th – Senior Retreat and Breakfast @ Hollinshead Barn (9:00 – 12:30)
  • Tues Oct 31st – 7A Fieldwork to Ryan Ranch
  • Thurs Nov 2nd – 7B Fieldwork to Ryan Ranch
  • Fri Nov 3rd – Picture ReTakes
  • Tues Nov 7th – 8A & 8B Tumalo Creek Fieldwork
  • Tues Nov 7th – Friend of Realms Board Meeting (5:15PM)
  • Wed Nov 8th – Conferences at RMS & RHS (2:45PM – 8:00PM)
  • Thurs Nov 9th – Conferences at RMS & RHS (8:00AM – 12:00PM). NO SCHOOL.
  • Thurs Nov 9th – Proficiency Day @ RHS (8:45AM – 12:00PM) NO REGULAR CLASSES.
  • Tues Nov 14th – 9th Gr Survival Expedition Fieldwork (9:00AM – 1:30PM)
  • Fri Nov 17th – Skilled Trades Fair (9:00 – 12:30) select RHS students

MIDTERM PROGRESS REPORTS

At this point you should have begun receiving “midterm progress reports” from each of your student’s teachers/classes. More will arrive (electronically) by Oct 31st.There are some IMPORTANT things for you to keep in mind as you view these reports:

  • MIDTERM PROGRESS REPORTS: UNDERSTANDING THE SCORES/GRADES
  • at RMS and RHS, students are assessed on the KEY STANDARDS of the class. Underneath each standard, there are assignments and assessments that contribute to the overall standard score.
  • at RHS, the standard scores are averaged (except the Habit of Scholarship standards) to formulate the overall letter grade
  • at RMS we do NOT report and overall letter grades in each class, just the standard scores
  • learn more about what a 1-6 score means by viewing our GRADING RUBRIC here
  • WHAT NOW:
  • these are “progress reports” and are NOT final grades!
  • students at RMS and RHS are encouraged to catch up on late and missing work and often have the opportunity to “retake or re-submit” work in an effort to demonstrate proficiency
  • at RHS, our late work policy can be found here
  • You can ALWAYS see this grading data in ParentVue… check it weekly if you are concerned!
  • CONCERNED?
  • STUDENTS – talk directly with your teacher (or email them!)… ask to meet before class, after class, at lunch etc. Use StudentVue and Canvas to make a missing assignment “to do list”!
  • PARENTS – talk directly to your student first! Use StudentVue and Canvas with your student to support homework completion.
  • PARENTS – email the teacher involved and be sure to attend conferences!

CONFERENCES @ RMS & RHS – GET SIGNED UP!

Conference are coming (11/8 and 11/9) and we STRONGLY ENCOURAGE families to participate!!

Conferences at the MIDDLE SCHOOL will be student led, we are aiming for 100% participation and students will be preparing to lead the conference (with help from their crew teacher). Parents, you should have received an email directly from your student’s crew teacher with a link to the sign up tool. Here is a link to all the MS details and sign ups if you need them!

Conferences at the HIGH SCHOOL will collaborative, meaning students, parent/guardians, and crew teacher will collaborate in an academic advising mode. Invitations will be targeted and each family will receive an invite for an optional conference, a strongly suggested conference, or an urgent conference! Here is a link to all the HS conference details. Targeted sign ups by crew teacher will emailed out on Tues Oct 31st.

YOU CAN HELP SUPPORT INTENSIVES! Intensives are expensive, and are funded almost exclusively through the support of Friends of Realms. We strongly encourage you to participate in the annual “fieldwork contribution” program that is one of the cornerstones of the Friends of Realms fundraising effort.

PROFICIENCY DAY AT RHS

Thursday November 9th from 8:45 –

RSVP For RHS Proficiency Day

COSTUMES AT SCHOOL ON HALLOWE’EN

It IS OK to wear your costume to school on Hallowe’en, and as usual, we have some guidelines:

  • Your costume must not interfere with your ability to learn in the classroom!
  • No fake weapons!
  • If you have a mask, you will need to remove it during class and, as needed for identification!
  • Make sure your costume is culturally appropriate:

GIVING PLATE FOOD DRIVE!

Did you know that the Leadership Class at RHS has a FOOD DRIVE going at Realms?!! Please donate NOW, before it ends!

PLEASE help our students with this important act of service. There are 3 barrels at the front of the school… and it is a CREW CUP COMPETITION for our high school crews!

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS – MS and HS!

We are excited to announce that Realms will start our first-trimester after-school programs in the near future (see schedule and offerings below)!!  

CLUB TUITION: A full semester of participation in a club will cost families $60 for approximately 10 club meetings, but 1st trimester clubs will be $30.00 since we are getting a late start this trimester. We will ask families to pay one trimester at a time. If families cannot pay the full fee, Realms can offer financial support to help offset costs. Please use TouchBase to pay for your after-school program spot.

 If you would like to request a scholarship for club tuition please complete this form – we don’t want students to be unable to participate due to lack of funds.

All clubs will run from 3:45-4:45 – please make arrangements to pick your child up on time at 4:45, as instructors will have to stay until all students are gone, and we will have our own obligations in the evening.  

CHESS CLUB:

Tuesdays, Starting Tuesday, October 31st; hosted by Dante Biancucci  

Open to all grades of Realms Middle AND Realms High students For over 1,500 years, people have been enjoying the game of Chess! Whether you are an expert or have never played before, this club will be a great time and place for you to learn and have fun with other Realms students. Bring your growth mindset and playful spirit and Dante will do the same… And also provide chess sets and time-tested strategies and tactics to use in the black-and-white jungle. 

MAGIC THE GATHERING CLUB:

 Thursdays, Starting Nov 2nd; hosted by Jake Zywicke 

Open to all grades of Realms Middle AND Realms High students Magic: the Gathering is a collectible card game that involves strategy and a bit of luck-of-the-draw. A player in Magic battles other players by casting spells, using artifacts and enchantments, and summoning creatures as depicted on individual cards drawn from their individual decks. Fair warning – the game does have a 13+ rating, due to the imagery on the cards. You don’t have to own any cards to start playing – we have decks for you to borrow to get started! Come to the club to learn the basics, or come to improve on your existing skills of gameplay and deck building.

MIDDLE SCHOOL LEADERSHIP CLUB:

Thursdays, Starting November 26; hosted by Caleb Campbell and Eric Beck 

First Trimester is only open to 7th and 8th graders (we will add 6th graders later in the year). Leadership is a club for students who want to take action to improve our school, plan and facilitate school-wide action and fun, and learn and practice leadership skills. Students who join the leadership club will spend some of their time learning about different leadership styles, practicing leadership skills, and grappling with challenges that will push their ability to work as a team. Interested students must apply with THIS application to demonstrate their interest!

BIG UPS!

Thank you to our Fall Movie Night Parent Volunteers – you made this event possible!!!

Thank you to Caleb Campbell, and to Allie Chiavetta and the Leadership Students at RHS for making these two events possible!

ATTENDANCE MATTERS!!

Every day at school matters. Good attendance is considered 95% or higher (missing less than 9 days of school all year). Attending every day helps your child to:

  • Reduce stress
  • Connect with friends and teachers
  • Prevent falling behind in classes

Getting into the habit of daily attendance is important. This habit building starts now. 

Read this letter from Dr. Amy Yillik. The letter covers:

  • 5 tips for how to support your child’s attendance
  • What’s going on at this stage of development
  • Why attendance matters
  • Where to go for help

PAC: Parent Action Crew – Join Us!

Greetings! Our first PAC meeting of the year is Wednesday October 18th, 6:30-7:30pm at Realms.  Come here about how you can get involved! We will be getting organized to help support the following initiatives…

  • Staff Appreciation
  • Banff Film Festival
  • Rubbish Renewed
  • Grad Night

If you are unable to attend but are interested in signing up for one of the committees listed above or would like more information please email pacatrealms.com.

Let’s gather, meet new friends and support Realms. Please reach out with any questions,

Sincerely, Angela, Elizabeth on behalf of the PAC!

[email protected]

INTENSIVES HIGHLIGHTS! MORE TO COME!