RHMS Monthly Parent Bulletin

Hello, Bengals!

October always seems to surprise me with its arrival, and this year was no exception. This is always the time of year when routines seem to settle down, and I’m hoping you and our students have found their proverbial groove.

Parent Conferences are in full swing, and I’m thankful we had the time to meet with so many parents. If you’re struggling with your child’s work habits, grades, or commitment to school, please do reach out to teachers. Conferences end Friday, yes, but that doesn’t mean we’re done supporting kids! We don’t want to see our children fail, but how do we help them learn those valuable lessons that come with those failures? If you’re struggling to find that balance with your kids as you navigate homework and extracurricular activities, please reach out to us so we can work together. We, too, want our kids to be independent, but there is training that needs to be done. For example, if you want them to email their teachers to ask a question, ask them to do so, then follow up with an email to the teacher to see if your child followed through and/or ask the teacher to check in with them about the question they had. We want to build this independence in safe steps and not push anyone too hard too soon. Hopefully we’ll see them grow in this area in their time with us.

We also want to thank you for your support of our student council fundraiser! We are SO CLOSE to meeting our goal–just $3,000 shy of it! More importantly, the kids should have so much fun with it. Special thanks to Dustin Smith for helping us create the climbing wall, and thank you to all parent volunteers. One of the biggest student council made last year (with support from our Friends of Rolling Hills) was for the four new water fountains outside of the gym. The kids LOVE that there is cold water available to them all day now, and that is only made possible through your donations. Student Council made the bulk of the purchase, donating over $10,000 to the cause. Student Council also supports busses for field trips and scholarships. Special thanks to our student council advisors, Kristin Cox and Jenifer DiMauro, for making this fundraiser happen and for the welcome 6th grade after school party. It’s been a great start to the school year.

You know I love to bring quotes in whenever I can, and here’s my favorite to welcome fall, my favorite season: “Delicious Autumn! My very soul is wedded to it and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.” (George Eliot) I hope you find some time to enjoy these delicious days with your family in good health, and that you scatter sunshine wherever you go.

Make it a great month, Bengals!

Debbie

School Hours

http://rhms.buckeyeusd.org/ Please save this link.

Alma

Bell Schedules

Bulletins (Student / Parent)

Calendar (School year)

Calendar (Student Events)

CJSF Info and Forms

Dress Code (p18)

GATE Info

Handbook

Homework Access

Menus Breakfast/Lunch

Online Payments

Sports Info and Schedules

Suggested Supply List

Transportation Info

2026/2027 CALENDAR is available on our school website and is included in this bulletin.

FACEBOOK: This is a fun way for us to share photos from day to day activities and other events. RHMS Facebook

The RH Library is looking spoooooky! In October, books from our Horror & Suspense section are featured throughout the library. Our students love scary books, and October is the perfect time to check out our extensive collection. For even more suggestions, visit the Spooky Middle Grade website.

Battle of the Books: I have an enthusiastic group of kids signed up for BoB this year. At our first meeting, each student took home a BoB book, with the goal of reading at least 2 by December 1. We will meet weekly on Wednesdays during all 3 lunches. If you didn’t sign up for BoB and want to participate, please let me know.

Library Assistants: The Library Assistants program is very popular this year, with around 50 kids registered. After the students have been trained, they are able to claim their own set of shelves in the library to maintain, organize and decorate, as well as help with library programs, events, and displays. Library Assistants can volunteer before and after school, and during lunch, as their schedule permits. If you missed the Library Assistants meeting, please contact me to sign up.

Library Hours: The RHMS Library is open 7:15-3:00 pm daily (Wednesdays, until 2:15). Students may come to the library before and after school, or during the school day, if a teacher permits. In order to come to the library during lunch, students need to ask yard duty for a pass.

Textbooks: All textbooks are online, but if you prefer your student to have a print copy for home use, some textbooks are available in print form. Ask your child to stop by the library anytime to check out textbooks.

Chromebooks: If your child is experiencing trouble with a school chromebook, help is available in the library.

Questions?: If you have questions about the library, please contact me at lleszinske@buckeyeusd.org. The library website is available here. Students who have trouble finding time to visit the library in person are encouraged to request a book via the Book Request Form. Be sure and follow the library on Instagram @rhmsreads.

CJSF (California Junior Scholarship Federation/Honor Society) - 7th and 8th Graders Only

CJSF is an academic honor society that focuses on academics, citizenship, and community service. Information about CJSF and eligibility guidelines are available for viewing on the CJSF website. Students can get more information on the CJSF Google Classroom.

Questions? Email Britni Miller (bmiller@buckeyeysd.org).

First Trimester Applications

We have many students already asking when they can apply for 1st trimester. A reminder that applications do not open until the trimester is complete (so that way we can verify trimester grades). First trimester applications will be available starting Friday, November 6th and will be due BY midnight on Friday, November 13th. Students are encouraged to get their service hours in now!

Service Opportunities

• Campus Clean Up! Please check out the CJSF Google Classroom for details.

• A few volunteer opportunities for elementary harvest carnivals have been posted in our Google Classroom. Please take a look if you are interested in volunteering!

CJSF Qualifiers - 3rd Trimester 2025-2026

Congratulations to our current 7th and 8th graders who qualified for the 3rd trimester of last school year! Way to go! 3rd-trimester qualifiers with service are invited to come by Mrs. Miller’s room (Library 1) on Friday, October 9th starting at 7:20 to grab a donut, muffin, and other breakfast items as a congratulations for all your hard work! A reminder this is just for students who qualify with service. Invitations will be sent to those students the week of.

Our first official GATE event will take place Tuesday, October 13, 2:05-3:00 pm OR Thursday, October 22, 2:05 - 3:00 pm, in room L6. You will only sign up for one of the days if you plan on attending. This event is invitation only for current, identified GATE students. Students, please check your email for the RSVP link which will be coming out soon. Parents cannot register for you.

Your support helps fund essential resources like Chromebooks, school supplies, and special programs for our students. So, mark your calendars and bring your family to Dine Out for a good cause! We can’t wait to see you there!

Please reach out with any questions –FORH678@gmail.com

LATE ARRIVALS TO SCHOOL: Students arriving to school after 7:50 am, for any reason, need to sign in at the office and obtain a pass to class.

CHECKING YOUR STUDENT OUT EARLY: Student safety is our number one concern and, as a result, students may only be checked out early by an adult whose name is listed on the student’s emergency card or in Alma. An identification card must be shown since we will not know every adult listed in Alma as a contact or an emergency contact.

ABSENCES: If your child is absent, please call the school at 916-933-9290, extension 4 or by using the on-line absence form, first thing in the morning. If you do not contact us, we will require a note from home to explain the absence. If your child comes in tardy or leaves early due to illness or a doctor’s appointment, we will need a note from the doctor, or it will be considered an unexcused tardy. You will receive an automated phone call when your child is absent and no call has been made to the school. Please make every effort to have your child attend for at least some portion of the day if you must schedule an appointment during school hours.

Please know that students are considered to be chronic absentees if they are absent more than 10% of the school year to date, whether absences are excused or unexcused.

HOW TO GET HOMEWORK WHEN YOUR CHILD IS ABSENT: To get homework when your child is absent for multiple days, please go to our school website under staff. Each teacher has a link for their website with the homework on this page. Please email teachers directly for handout requests. Please allow 24 hours for teachers to put your child’s work together. If you email before 7:30 am, teachers may be able to have work available after 2:30 pm on that same day.

INDEPENDENT STUDY CONTRACTS: The state of California requires that Independent Study Contracts may only be set up for students who will be out of school for three (3) or more CONSECUTIVE days not to exceed 15 days per year. Please note you must give the school a minimum notice of five (5) school days to take out a contract! We thank you for planning ahead. Please be aware that contracts cannot be taken out due to illness, and interdistrict students do not qualify for contracts. Contact dlee@buckeyeusd.org

RETRO CONTRACTS: For last minute absences that come up and don't meet the independent study contract guidelines above, reach out to your child's teacher or Mr. Gallagher. If they've done the work, we just need a retro contract signed and photo of the completed work to clear the absence. Contact sgallagher@buckeyeusd.org for more info.

FORGOTTEN ITEMS (INCLUDING PE CLOTHES, HOMEWORK AND LUNCHES): In an effort to ensure that classroom instruction is not interrupted, we do NOT deliver forgotten items to students. We do, however, offer a one-time delivery pass to each student each year. The pass will reiterate our no delivery policy and remind students to come to the office to check for items. Items are placed in bins in the front office for students to come and get in between classes. Thank you for your understanding and for reminding your child to check in the office if he/she ever forgets something at home.

MESSAGES DURING THE SCHOOL DAY: Please communicate to your child BEFORE school any necessary information regarding his/her day or pick up information. If it’s a true emergency, we will interrupt class to deliver information.

CELL PHONE AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES: Students may carry cell phones and other electronic devices. Students may USE them only before and after school. Cell phones and other electronic devices must be out of sight (including headphones or ear buds) and turned off as soon as the first bell of the day rings and must remain off and out of sight until the last bell rings (this includes lunch time). The school will not be responsible for any lost, damaged, stolen or confiscated electronic devices. If a student is not following this policy, he/she will receive disciplinary consequences and loss of merits, and the electronic device will be confiscated and returned only to a parent. Please do not contact your child via cell phone during the school day. Please refer to our Away for the Day policy for more information. Exceptions apply for phones used as medical devices.

Chromebook Usage: Here is the link to remind you of the Proper care and maintenance of your Chromebook.

GRADING AND REPORT CARDS: The primary purpose of grades and report cards is to clearly communicate a student’s areas of strength and areas needing improvement each trimester based on the district’s grade level standards.

• Progress Report Cards will be available to view in Alma during the 7th week of each trimester and serve as an indicator for how your student is progressing.

• Report Cards will be available to view in Alma at the end of each trimester.

The availability to view progress reports and report cards ensures parents have a sense of their child’s performance approximately every 6 to 7 weeks. Parents are encouraged to check grades regularly via Alma and contact their child’s teachers if they have any questions.

Rolling Hills Middle School

Asst. Principal: Sean Gallagher

Dana Lee (contracts, ext 3003),

Danielle VanderVeen (attendance, ext 3002)

Website: RHMS Website
Location: 7141 Silva Valley Pkwy, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
Phone: 916-933-9290
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063610507614