Reminder, the district will be closed on Monday, January 13, 2025 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Mr. Groeper recently spent some time in Mrs. Walker's Healthcare Science class. The lesson focus was communication. Students worked together to put puzzles together while blindfolded, relying on their tablemates to guide them. Working with the help of others was directly related to the communication needed among Doctors, Nurses and Patients. Outstanding Ms. Walker!!!!

Mr. Brocato’s 8th Grade Science class is highly engaged in the Battle of The Forces, a lab used to help students to understand and analyze the concepts of balanced and unbalanced forces. Arm wrestling forces are balanced when both opponents apply equal force, resulting in no movement. When one person applies more force than the other, the force becomes unbalanced, causing movement, and one arm moves down or up. Mr. Brocato is pictured explaining, modeling, and facilitating as students are actively engaged in learning! Assistant Principal Smith even participated in a match.

Congratulations to the students who won the Young Georgia Authors Contest for Rutland Middle.

Their writing pieces will go on to complete amongst the other middle school winning entries:

6th Grade: Mason Hearn, Mrs. Stephens

7th Grade: Sheyla Perez-Chic, Mr. Clunis

8th Grade: Mahi Mistry, Mrs. Lucas

“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.” Louis L’Amour

Our basketball teams, cheerleaders, and wrestlers have been busy! The seasons are nearing an end with basketball playoffs beginning next week. Our undefeated Wrestling team competes in the championship January 25. Basketball game dates and times will be posted on social media as we get information. Keep up the great work!

Spring Sports Tryouts

• We will hold sports tryouts for the spring sports in February. Spring sports include Soccer, Track (girls & boys teams), and Baseball. We will notify you of specific dates soon!
• In order to try out, students must meet the following requirements: (1) have a Dragonfly Account, (2) have a current physical uploaded to Dragonfly, (3) have student insurance uploaded to Dragonfly, (4) be academically eligible to participate.
• To set up a DragonFly Account, visit the website dragonfly.max
• If you are in need of insurance, low-cost short & term policies that cover sporting events are available for purchase. Coach Sandifer and the office can provide your student with a form.
• Physical forms can be picked up from the front office or Coach Sandifer.
• Remember, the insurance & physical must be uploaded to Dragonfly by the start of tryouts.
• We will announce spring sport try-out dates soon. They will be on the morning/afternoon announcements and posted on social media.

Attention 8th grade parents,

We are continuing to plan awesome activities for our 8th grade students. Attached are the forms regarding the package information and field trip. It is not too late to pay for these packages. We will take payments until the Jan. 31, 2025 for packages #1 or #2. Please pay for the packages via Mrs. Vanderveer, Bookkeeper at Rutland Middle School. Students interested in attending the field trip will pay directly to Kelly Tours via the QR Code on the attached flyer. The last date to pay for the field trip is 4/11/25. Please adhere to these deadlines, so that we may plan accordingly for the 8th grade activities. Your consideration if greatly appreciated.

Are you wondering if your family is reinforcing healthy screen time habits? Reflect about these questions:

1. Is my child ...

• Using high-quality and age-appropriate content?
• Having fun and learning when they use tech?
• Getting enough sleep and staying healthy - both physically and emotionally?
• Connecting socially with family & friends?
• Showing an interest in school and pursuing their hobbies?

2. Based on how you answered the questions above, are there any changes you would like to make related to your child's screen habits? If yes, what changes would you like to try?

Click the following link to view a 6-minute video from Common Sense Media entitled "Kids and Tech: How Much is Too Much?"

The Future Business Leaders of America will be conducting a used book drive benefitting Kid's Loft. See Mr. Barrett to donate or for more information.

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

Parent Portal first time user guide

Remind App

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.