Hurricane Happenings

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As instructional leaders, our primary focus is supporting teaching and learning by being present in classrooms alongside teachers and students. Because of this commitment, we may not be immediately available to respond to phone calls or messages during the school day.

We kindly ask for your understanding and patience as we strive to return all communication within 24–48 hours. If you have questions, concerns or need an appointment please contact our main office at 478-779-4400. Your partnership is important to us, and we are committed to maintaining clear and responsive communication.

Thank you,

Mr. Groeper, Ms. Smith & Ms. Harris

Please ensure your child follows the school dress code. Starting Monday, August 11, students who are out of dress code will be sent to In-School Suspension (ISS) until appropriate clothing is brought from home, or until the end of the day. Thank you for your cooperation in helping us maintain a positive learning environment.

RUTLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL DRESS CODE 2025 - 2026 School Year

Bookbags • ONLY CLEAR OR MESH (SEE THROUGH) BOOKBAGS ARE PERMITTED ON CAMPUS

BOTTOMS

Pants

• Plain Khaki, Black, Grey or Blue pants are the only colors permitted to be worn.

• Jeans or Jean material (Blue, Black, Grey or Khaki) without cuts, holes or tears may be worn.

• Distressed jeans are acceptable. There should be no skin visible.

• Jeggings, tights, leggings, or athletic pants are NOT Permitted.

• Pants must be of appropriate size as designed and of at least ankle length.

• Pant legs are NOT permitted to be tucked into shoes or socks.

• All undergarments must be covered by pants.

Skirts/Skorts

• Plain khaki, black, blue, grey or denim skirts/Skorts are permitted to be worn.

• Skirts/Skorts must be no shorter than two (2) inches above the knee.

• Skirts/Skorts with slits, splits or openings of any kind are not permitted to be worn.

Shorts

• Plain khaki, black, blue, grey or denim shorts are permitted to be worn.

• Shorts no shorter than two (2) inches above the knee may be worn.

• During school hours, students are permitted to wear athletic shorts for P.E. and JLC activities.

TOPS

Shirts

• Collared polo shirts in Green, Orange, Black, White and Grey are permitted. These may be long sleeved or short sleeved.

• Oxford/Button down shirts in Green, Orange, Black, White and Gray are permitted. These may be long sleeved or short sleeved.

• RMS/RHS Spirit T-Shirts are the only t-shirts permitted to be worn. Plain colored T-Shirts may NOT be worn.

• Crop tops or tied shirts are NOT permitted.

• No sleeveless shirts

• All shirts must be of appropriate size.

Jackets/Sweaters/Hoodies/Sweatshirts

The school does not legislate the color of jacket/outer garment worn to and from school. However, if the jacket or outer garment is to be worn in the classroom, they must be plain Orange, Green, Black, White or Gray.

• Jackets, hoodies, sweatshirts must be free of any design, writing, logos (except manufacturers logo i.e. Nike, Adidas, Puma, etc.) or images unless they are RMS Spirit wear.

• Students must have a dress code acceptable shirt on under their Jacket, Hoodie or sweatshirt.

• Students can not wear shirts over their Jacket, Hoodie or Sweatshirts. • Hoods are NOT permitted in the building at any time.

• Trench coats are not permitted in the school building at any time. Shoes and Socks

• Athletic shoes with laces that are tied, and the appropriate size can be worn.

• All shoes must have closed toes and heels.

• No heels or platform shoes over 2 inches.

• No Crocs, Slides or Foam shoes of any kind are permitted.

• No slippers or bedroom shoes are permitted.

Belts

• Plain Brown, Black, Khaki or white belts with buckles no wider than the belt.

• No spikes or metal designs are permitted on belts.

Headwear

• Hats, bonnets and other headwear are not permitted to be worn in the building except with an approved religious exemption.

• Headbands used to secure hair out of a student’s face is permitted.

IMPORTANT NOTES

• All other items, which in the judgement of the Principal (designee), that disrupt the teaching and learning process will NOT be permitted.

• Any items prohibited in the Bibb County Board of Education Guidelines for Success or Dress Code is Not Permitted.

Beginning Monday August 11, parents/students can visit or call the RMS office to order & make payment for the following Rutland spirit wear designs. The last day for orders is August 29. The order will be placed September 3 and should be back around September 17. Please see the flyer below for items and prices. PAYMENT IS DUE AT TIME OF PRE-ORDER.

I am entering the 8th year as the Principal at Rutland Middle school and my 24th year in education. My time has seen me serve as a leader in the Middle School, High School and Alternative school building. I have been dedicated to fostering a culture of excellence and high expectations. I believe that all students can learn and succeed, and work to create an inclusive, supportive environment where every learner thrives. I believe that when you commit yourself to excellence anything can happen. When not at school you will find me either with my family or on a soccer field. I am the proud Father and Husband to my son Nate, who is a Senior at Mary Persons HS and wife Alison who is also an educator.

I am currently currently serving my third year as Assistant Principal at Rutland Middle School, where I leverage my diverse background in education to support strong school culture, student success and teacher development. During my 20 years serving in education I have taught math, reading and special education across grades 5-8, and have also served as an Academic Coach, where I mentored teachers and helped to elevate instructional practices and student outcomes. In addition to my role as Assistant Principal, I demonstrate passion for teacher development as a part-time professor at the collegiate level where I help prepare future educators for success in the classroom. My leadership philosophy is rooted in relationships, high expectations, and a genuine love for learning. When I am not on campus, you’ll likely find me in the stands at a football stadium, wrestling match or at a track meet, cheering loudly for my one and only son, Jhamari.

As an Assistant Principal, I am passionate about serving and inspiring young minds, giving hope to students and colleagues alike. My professional philosophy centers on building strong relationships through open communication and teamwork to achieve a common goal. A key accomplishment I am most proud of is helping to build a community of strength, support, and togetherness at Rutland. I am particularly skilled in leveraging technology, motivating others, and creating a positive, encouraging environment. I thrive in a culture where honesty, trust, and laughter are valued, and I'm excited by the challenge of working with students who feel discouraged or struggle. In my personal time, I'm a proud mother of four children and one grandson. A fun fact about me is that I don't watch television; instead, I enjoy wood burning, creating memorable shadow boxes, and spending quality time with my family.

I have dedicated 13 years to the noble profession of education, and this position as the GEAR UP - Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs - Graduation Advisor has filled my heart with the greatest joy. My mission is to equip our students with the essential tools they need to be:

- Academically Successful

- Socially and Emotionally Aware

- Prepared for College Enrollment

One of my proudest achievements is my ability to forge meaningful relationships that extend beyond the classroom walls. I believe that our school should be a a safe, caring environment where students feel free to express themselves without fear of judgment, allowing them to blossom and thrive. I understand that a child who is socially distressed cannot reach their full learning potential. Thus, I strive to offer a haven that values student voice. My passion for building relationships with students drives them to pursue excellence.

Four things fuel my passion: my family, my beloved furbaby Bella Rose, my sneakers, and my students. Teaching is my calling, and my love for my students knows no bounds! I had the honor of being named the Bibb County School District Teacher of the Year in 2021-2022. As a proud product of the Bibb County School District, I am committed to helping our students evolve into accomplished scholars within our community.

Hello!

My name is Bobbie Hyun, and I am excited to be stepping into the role of Family Engagement Facilitator here at Rutland Middle School. I am passionate about building connections with families and the local community. Whether it's through events, conversations, or collaboration, my goal is to help every family feel welcome, informed, and empowered. Please don't hesitate to say hello, I'm always happy to connect!

School # 478-779-4400 or Email: bobbie.hyun@bcsdk12.net

We invite our families to join us for our Annual Title I Meeting that will be held August 27, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

The meeting's purpose is to inform parents about the Title I program, including its goals, requirements, and how parents can get involved in their child's education. It also provides an opportunity to review the school's Title I plan, parent and family engagement policy, and school-parent compact.

To RSVP (not required but appreciated for planning purposes) click this LINK.

Rutland Middle offers a Before Care Program that runs 7:15-8:35. It is held in the Art room which has access to the front carpool area between the gym and the front office. Our Before Care Program is FEE-BASED. For more information or to register: https://bcsdk12.ce.eleyo.com/child-care/1/before-after-school-vip-program

Bibb County School District's (BCSD) 21st CCLC program provides academic support and opportunities for enrichment for students in grades K-5 and 9-12. The program's staff provides tutoring and homework assistance, while supporting student growth in English Language Arts and Mathematics . Additionally, the program's schedule includes opportunities for engagement in STEM activities, the arts, cultural programs, physical education, and social and emotional learning. The aftercare program is FREE and runs September 3, 2025 to May 15, 2025. Transportation is provided. Registration begins August 15, 2025. For more information, click the LINK HERE.

This week, our students were issued new Lenova 500e Chromebooks. Prior to being issued, students reviewed laptop care expectations and the Student Technology Agreement Information that is located in the Student Code of Conduct located on pages 27-29. The Code of Conduct is linked HERE. The district has accidental damage insurance. It does not cover intentional damage or negligence. The district is partnering with Smart Tech for loss & theft insurance. The Smart Tech coverage is $15 for the school year. See flyer below for more information.

Currently, laptops are kept at school where they are charged each night. After Labor Day, students who wish to take them home may do so. We will be issuing chargers to those students who request them for home use. These Chromebooks use a type C charger. It is expected that students who take Chromebooks home also charge them at home and bring them back to school daily. Multiple chromebooks plugged in during the day cause a tripping hazard. More details about checking our chargers will be shared soon.

Your child will enjoy using the same device for the next four years. Encouraging them to take good care of their Chromebook helps ensure it stays in great condition and supports their learning journey.

Please click here to access the Code of Conduct.

Do you need help with any of the following? If so, check out the link below titled Parent Portal

• Parent Portal first time user guide
• ParentSquare
• Campus Portal App

Are you employed in a Business that might be interested in becoming a Community Partner with Rutland Middle School? School Partnerships can include donation of goods, services, or monetary donations. Rutland Middle has events throughout the year to reward and recognize our students for various reasons. If you are interested in more information, please call the school and ask to speak with Mrs. Freeman.