Principal News and Notes

Rye Junior High School

501 Washington Rd.

Rye, NH 03870

(603) 964-5591

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30-3:30

Grades 5, 6, 7: 10-15 minute conference with team teachers

Grade 8: 30 minute student led conference

Explore: available all day for informal conferences

Even in middle school, students need plenty of time outside with opportunities to play together. At RJH, we have several age appropriate options for students. Our fifth graders are huge fans of the gaga pit, and our sixth graders love playing four square. There are always basketball, soccer, and football games happening during all recesses, and we have recently added a volleyball net, which is very popular. Nine square is a new game to our younger students, but our older students are always excited when we get that equipment out. Of course, the existing playground is also used each recess period, both for younger and older students. With many middle schools in the area moving away from designated recess time, RJH is committed to protecting that time in our schedule.

Students go outside every day, unless it is raining or below 20 degrees. While we strongly encourage winter gear for recess times, we also understand the middle school phenomenon of not wanting to wear coats, gloves, and/or boots- especially our older students. In general, most 5th and 6th graders wear winter gear consistently. Our 7th and 8th graders seem to develop a temporary imperviousness to cold weather, and may choose to only wear a sweatshirt. We will not judge what they wear to school, and we understand the battle that may occur over wearing a coat.

We do not limit students' ability to go outside for recess. After years of observation, I can assure you that somehow, our older students survive a 23 degree, 15 minute recess in a t-shirt and rubber slides. We do not allow students to call home for a change of clothes, unless it is an extreme need. NH kids are tough!

Art club: Mondays

Come be creative and work on a self directed art project! All are welcome, and you do not need to be an Art student this quarter to attend.

MathCounts: Tuesdays

MathCounts is a competitive math team that practices solving fun, engaging math problems. The team competes at UNH in February against other teams in our area. Grades 6-8 can attend.

Writing club: Thursdays

Bring a notebook, your favorite writing utensil, and your imagination!

Robotics club: Thursdays

Come create underwater robots in this fun, hands on group!

*All clubs meet after school until 3:45

Explore

Grade 5

Grade 6

Grade 7

Grade 8

- You can view program offerings and sign up HERE

Election Day Bake Sale

- Date: Tuesday, November 3rd
- We will have a table set up outside the voting area and need your help! We are looking for volunteers to staff the table and for donations of yummy baked goods!
- To volunteer to staff the table, please sign up HERE
- To donate baked goods, please sign up HERE

Trunk or Treat is this Sunday, October 25th

- We hope to see you there! If you would like to volunteer for one of the few remaining spots, please sign up HERE

Next PTA Meeting
Tuesday, November 3rd at 6:30 PM via Google Meet. Please mark your calendars!

Elementary:

Monday, October 26

Middle Grade Monday: LEGO Build

3:00-4:00pm

Come by the Youth Department after school to build with LEGOs! The library’s LEGO collection will be available for you to build whatever you can dream up. Please feel free to drop-in anytime between 3-4pm. Recommended for grades 3+, but all are welcome! Children 9-years-old or younger must be accompanied by someone 16-years-old or older.

Thursday, October 29

Halloween Movie Night

7:00-8:30pm

Join us for a fun-filled fall evening outside on the lawn with a screening of Minions and Monsters! Come in costume! Everyone in costume will receive a raffle ticket to win a prize. Popcorn and snacks provided. Just bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Hosted by the Rye Public Library and the Rye Recreation Department. Free and open to the public. In case of rain, this event will be cancelled.

Junior High:

Tuesday, October 27

Slime Lab

3:00-4:00pm

Make the slime of your dreams (or nightmares) in slime lab! We'll have lots of supplies for you to choose from. This after-school event is open to those in grades 5+, no registration required.

Please check out this week's RES newsletter.

Please read the principals' Rye School Board report from October 21, 2026.

agilbert@sau50.org

RJH website
Phone: 603 964-5591
Check out our socials:

Rye Schools Instagram

Rye Schools Facebook page