Good afternoon, RJ Grey Families:
I hope you are doing well and that your children are adjusting to the rhythms of the school year. All continues to go well at RJ Grey. To start the year, we focused heavily on classroom routines, knowing that structured and organized environments must exist for deep learning to take place. I am pleased with what I've seen in classrooms and larger spaces over the last six days.
On Friday and again on Tuesday, I spoke to each grade at assemblies to review our safety procedures here at RJ Grey. I started each assembly with the opening question: "How do we keep students and staff safe?" Several student volunteers offered up good answers that matched my own thoughts. Along with doors that lock, safety plans and drills, and other things, I always include "we get to know you" and "strong parent communication" as important ways that we keep everyone safe. We firmly believe that many occasions of school violence or disruption are prevented when someone speaks up. I advocated to the students that if they know about something potentially dangerous, their job is to tell you or an adult at school. I share this so that you will be in touch with me if you hear any talk at home that we should know about.
In those same assemblies, we reviewed our procedures for the ALICE protocol, which is how we would respond to a dangerous situation with an armed intruder. At RJ Grey, we take this protocol seriously. Our first drill will be held next Wednesday, September 10. We'll make it very clear to students and staff that the drill is just a drill. I'll let all families know once the drill is complete.
Many of your students have been trying out for our athletic teams - I hope they report a positive tryout, even if they haven't made a spot on the team. Cross country has reached its max capacity of 100 students. Our cap on numbers this year comes as a result of not having available transportation options for away meets. At this point, registration for all fall sports is closed. Winter sports sign-ups will open up around November 1. Our clubs will get going in the coming weeks. When your child chooses a club or activity that feels like a good fit beyond October 1, we will be in touch about how to pay the $50 Activity Fee, which covers clubs and activities for the year.
I appreciate the handful of positive comments I have received since writing about cell phones last week. Thanks for being on the same page and supporting our belief that phones cause a substantial distraction. We've had a good beginning of the year on this front, so thank you for your support behind the scenes.
That's it for this week. I hope you have a nice weekend.
Take care,
Jim
jmarcotte
Good afternoon, RJ Grey Families:
If you are a first-time parent or guardian at RJ Grey, welcome! If you're a returning parent or guardian, welcome back! I use this weekly message series to share info with all of our families, so I encourage you to take just a few minutes to read through it when it arrives in your inbox each Thursday afternoon or evening.
We have finished our second day of school, and I am happy to report that all is well at RJ Grey! I hope your child reports feeling pretty positive about their first days. Other feelings, such as being slightly overwhelmed, tired, or a bit confused, are all totally normal and will dissipate with time. Our staff is also experiencing those same feelings right now, so they're in good company. The rest of my message highlights a few important topics as we all start the year together.
Cell Phones
RJ Grey has always had procedures that limit student cell phone use in school. Students have always been expected to store their cell phones in their lockers from 8:00 until 2:36. Inevitably, students would forget or choose to keep their phones on them throughout the day. For some recent years, my own thinking was, "as long as they're not a distraction, it's fine." This summer, I spent some more time with the book, The Anxious Generation. The biggest takeaway for me is that, regardless of being in silent mode or with any other workaround, the mere presence of a cell phone near a person's body is causing a distraction. As such, we have started the year firmly by telling students that cell phones need to be turned off and placed in lockers all day. Thank you for your support in this work. And thank you for not texting or calling your children during the day! If you ever need to reach your child in an emergency, you are welcome to call us in the Main Office, and we will deliver any important messages.
Morning Arrival
Our morning arrival has gone very well over the past two days. We hope to keep it up! Our school day officially begins at 8 am each day. Anyone arriving after the 8:00 bell will be marked tardy. This is not as a consequence, but more a matter of accurate record keeping. Over the years, we've seen a rise in tardiness to homeroom, and sometimes it's by students have been in the building for over 10 minutes or more! The allure of friends and walking the halls was making them late. This year, we are requiring any student who's already in the building to be in homeroom at 7:55. The only students remaining in the halls at 7:56, for example, will be students still coming into the building for the first time. We believe that being here early and having all of their necessary materials ready to go will lead to more productive learning and better-engaged students. Thank you for your work on this and for making sure that your kids are on time!
Fall Athletics
Our fall sports seasons kick off on Tuesday (click here for more info). If your child is interested in playing a fall sport, they need to have a current physical exam on file in our Health Office, and you need to complete the Family ID in order to try out.
Daily Announcements
If you haven't already done so, I invite at least one parent/guardian per child to sign up for our Daily Announcements message through Parent Square. The Main Office sends out our daily announcements each morning, and it helps families stay up-to-date with what's happening at RJ Grey. You can join the group by clicking here.
Thanks for sending your kids to us this week. It has been great to see their excitement, and they've made our quiet summer hallways full of life again. I hope you have a great weekend!
Take care,
Jim
jmarcotte
Good afternoon, RJ Grey Families:
You've all made it to the final Eye on the Junior High of the school year. My intention in writing these weekly messages is to make sure you're informed about what goes on at RJ Grey at a high level. A secondary purpose is to fill you in on the aspects that I feel make us unique, special, and a great school. Through my own anecdotes or personal stories, I hope you've felt connected to our school this year.
Next Friday, we'll host an end-of-year assembly for all of our students. We walk to the high school and take over their auditorium, which is the only location that holds all of us comfortably. We'll give out some awards, honor any retirees, and watch our end-of-year slideshow. It's always one of my favorite events of the year.
At the assembly, I always take the chance to say a few words to our students before they head off for summer. While I haven't written my remarks yet, I will share something related to technology. It seems that everywhere I turn recently, I'm seeing a news story, article, or Instagram message about the risks associated with young people and technology! Whether it be the number of hours on screens, the antagonizing and taunting that can happen with gaming, or just the ever-present access to others - known and unknown - the constant access to technology can be too much for our kids (and adults, too). My words will really try to encourage our students to find a way to disconnect from technology this summer. I'll ask them to put their phones away and find something else to do! When you say the same thing at home, know that I am supporting your message!
I am lucky that my own kids are young enough not to have a ton of technology. We're additionally lucky that my kids live next door to their four cousins and have other kids of similar ages on our street. There is always someone to play with, ride bikes with, draw in chalk with, or make rainbow loom bracelets with. As you help your kids get set up for a summer away from school, I hope you help them make plans that avoid technology. My words to kids next week will be (hopefully) at their level, and maybe even funny.
As school comes to a close next Friday (11:10 dismissal), we'll make sure that students turn in any of their borrowed materials. If you see any library books, other texts, or materials, please help get those to your child's backpack to return. Similarly, we collect our Chromebooks and chargers for the summer. If your child is planning to end their school year early, please make sure that devices and other belongings are returned prior to their last day.
On Tuesday, we'll be taking our 7th graders to Mel's Funway. On Wednesday, we'll be taking our 8th graders to Canobie Lake Park. These are ideal times to do what I mentioned above - disconnect from technology and have fun with others, doing something active! All of our school rules and expectations apply to the trips. We've had a bit of a behavior ramp-up this week, and for some students, we'll question whether they are ready to be out on a trip on their own. We appreciate your support in keeping your child focused on school through the end of next week and supporting us with positive behavior expectations.
You might have seen the yard signs for free meals this summer. If you are interested in this free service available to anyone 18 and under, please check out the information on our website.
Our Superintendent just sent a Strategic Planning Survey link to a wide variety of people. As we look to create a strategic plan for the District for the next 5-7 years, please provide us with your input on this survey. Your unique experience at RJ Grey and our elementary schools is important, and we hope to hear from all of you.
Graduation Special - Save $25 on an ABSAF Pass!
Start your student’s high school journey strong! The ABSAF Pass gives you and your family free admission to regular season high school home games, theater productions like Proscenium Circus and the RJ Grey musical, and funds student activities in academics, arts, and athletics — the entire school year! Whether it’s cheering under the lights or applauding center stage, the Pass pays for itself in just a handful of visits. Show your school spirit and set your rising freshman (or 8th grader!) up for a great year—get your ABSAF Pass today! Exclusive offer for RJ Grey students only. $150 now through June 20th (regularly $175). Click Here: ABSAF PASS to snag this deal!
If you're interested in working as a special ed assistant next year, we do have several teaching assistant openings. Teaching assistants generally work with students on IEPs. They attend classes to offer support based on the IEP, they help students in the Learning Centers, and perform other invaluable tasks. If you, or someone you know, has experience working with kids, or maybe you have taught and have taken some time off, this is a great re-entry to working in schools. And we're a great school! Please check out our posting and apply. And be in touch with any questions!
Thank you for helping to make this a great year at RJ Grey. I hope you have a fun and safe summer with your families that includes lots of reading, playing, and time spent outside. I hope you can put your phones away for a bit, too.
Take care,
Jim
jmarcotte
Good afternoon, RJ Grey Families:
We are closing out a busy week here at RJ Grey. Many of our 7th grade families joined us yesterday to see our Civics Fair in action. I had a chance to walk through our fair throughout yesterday and today, where I heard passionate students talk about their projects. Their deep understanding of complicated issues is impressive. And their ability to talk to unfamiliar adults about their work is brave! We had a state rep join us, many members of the Select Boards and School Committee, along with Central Office administrators and various teachers. Our students learned lots through this process about a specific project, but they were also able to practice their communication skills. A special thanks to members of the League of Women Voters of the Acton area for their ongoing support. And major thanks to our social studies teachers who guided this work over the past months to culminate in a great civics fair!
Tonight, we'll also witness another showcase of student work. If you are free and wish to join, come by between 5:30 and 7:30 tonight for our Empty Bowls event. You'll see student artwork on display, our select choir will perform, and you can take part in the ice cream social. Proceeds from the ice cream purchases will be donated to the Acton Food Pantry. This is always a fun event that many families can enjoy. We hope you can come!
Last Friday, we hosted our 8th graders for their end-of-year celebration. The overwhelming sentiment from the adult chaperones is that this was our best dance in years. The students looked great, had a ton of fun, danced from the start, and were very well behaved! I hope you heard that your kids really enjoyed themselves. We owe a special thanks to our family community for helping to pull this off. Many of you made or purchased snacks, drinks, and sweets for our students. The small cafe was filled with sustenance to keep them going for two hours. Thank you to everyone who donated food and drinks. Other parents, under the direction of Molly Shoaf, transformed our cafeteria spaces into a beautiful venue complete with lights, balloons, posters, and a selfie station. We rely on your help for major events and memories like these, so thank you to all of those people who helped decorate and clean up after: Jennifer Sun, Majda Tanovic, Imara Dole, Soula Stratakias, Dereka Young, Jaime Roberts, Robin Dodson, Sandra Wellinghoff, Claire Draper, Shantha Angadi, Pauline Schenk, Carien Veldpape, Anna Gorska, Stirmante Virball, Kalpana Viswanathan, Quintin Yang, and Deepika Prakash.
I recently met with the new leaders of the Acton-Boxborough Student Activities Fund (ABSAF). Donna Harrington and Jehan Wren are looking to bolster the ABSAF organization, and they are looking to reach current 8th grade families with a deal:
Graduation Special - Save $25 on an ABSAF Pass!
Start your student’s high school journey strong! The ABSAF Pass gives you and your family free admission to regular season high school home games, theater productions like Proscenium Circus and the RJ Grey musical, and funds student activities in academics, arts, and athletics — the entire school year! Whether it’s cheering under the lights or applauding center stage, the Pass pays for itself in just a handful of visits. Show your school spirit and set your rising freshman (or 8th grader!) up for a great year—get your ABSAF Pass today! Exclusive offer for RJ Grey students only. $150 now through June 20th (regularly $175). Click Here: ABSAF PASS to snag this deal!
Finally, while we do not currently have teaching openings at RJ Grey next year due to our reductions in staffing, we do have several teaching assistant openings. Teaching assistants generally work with students on IEPs. They attend classes to offer support based on the IEP, they help students in the Learning Centers, and perform other invaluable tasks. If you, or someone you know, has experience working with kids, or maybe you have taught and have taken some time off, this is a great re-entry to working in schools. And we're a great school! Please check out our posting and apply. And be in touch with any questions!
Congratulations to all families who have a senior graduating tomorrow night! Let's hope the weather cooperates for a beautiful evening!
I hope you have a great weekend!
Jim
jmarcotte
Good afternoon, RJ Grey Families:
I hope you enjoyed your long Memorial Day weekend. My family was lucky enough to receive a free swing set about 8 years ago. I think we were the third family to take advantage of this particular timber-frame piece of backyard fun! This swing set provided my kids, nieces and nephews, and neighbors tons of fun over the years. As all good things come to an end, I disassembled the swing set last weekend. It had grown more shaky over the years, the wood got soft in some places, and I knew the end was in sight when the bolt holding a swing let go when one of my daughters was swinging. The real trick is now trying to grow grass in some of the areas that were worn away by swinging feet over the years. I hope you did something as productive, or at least enjoyable, over the long weekend!
At the start of May, we asked students to complete a brief survey to check in on the work we had done throughout the year. Several questions are repeats from prior surveys, and their use allows us to examine progress in some areas. Below are a few of the highlights that I am happy to share:
- 89.5% of students say they have a trusted adult at school;
- 76.1 % of students say a Team Teacher is a trusted adult for them;
- 59.5% of students say that their Advisor is one of their trusted adults;
- 96.3% of students say that they have a trusted adult outside of school;
- 98.1% of students say they have made a new friendship this year.
We asked several questions specifically about Advisory. We're completing year 3 of our Advisory program, and while it mostly goes well, we wanted to check in with students to see if we continue to meet our originally stated goals.
- One goal of Advisory is for students to make connections with an RJ Grey adult. 70.9% of students say that they have made connections with one or more adults through Advisory;
- Another goal is for students to make connections with other RJ Grey students: 83.9% say yes;
- A third goal of Advisory is to have fun. 77.5% of students say that Advisory has provided them with the chance to have some fun this year.
Finally, as we prepare our calendar for next year, we wondered if our pattern of two Advisory sessions per week still met our needs. 50% of students said two times per week was "just right," and 29.4% of students said they would prefer to meet more than two times per week. This data is helpful as we continue to look at our programming and make plans for next year to best support our students.
As has been the case over the last many years, we tend to learn about and sometimes become involved in social media issues that affect our students. As we enter the summer months, I want to share a resource that we learned about recently. The Acton Police Department's Facebook page has advertised an upcoming webinar on June 4 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm. The webinar, Keeping Kids Safe and Secure Online: A Project Safe Childhood Presentation for Parents, is co-sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security and the US Attorney's Office. If you are interested in learning more, you can click on the link above to register.
We look forward to hosting many of our 8th graders tomorrow night for their Celebration! I appreciate you making sure your child has a plan for where they are going, and with whom, when the event ends at 9 pm.
I hope you have a great weekend!
Jim
jmarcotte
Good afternoon, RJ Grey Families:
I hope you're able to stay dry on this wet day. This week certainly hasn't felt like Memorial Day-type weather. And it doesn't make me think we are less than one month from the end of the school year! In the long run, this weather is probably helpful for us all - it helps students stay focused just a bit longer!
You know that I've shared some data over the years from our student surveys. I'll share some outcomes from our May survey next week. Today's data, though, is about our End-of-Year field trips! 77% of our 7th graders have returned their permission slips to attend the field trip to Mel's Funway on Tuesday, June 17th. Only 66% of our 8th graders have returned their permission slips to attend their Canobie trip on Wednesday, June 18th. Though this competition is entirely fabricated by the Main Office, it is important to return the permission slips by next Wednesday, May 28. Our students look forward to these trips and tend to have a great time. Even if your child is not planning to join the field trips, we do ask for the slip to be returned with the check box, "I will not be attending." Managing the paperwork for all of our students is a task we take seriously, so thank you for helping to remind your student if they haven't yet turned in a form!
We had a great turnout for our 7th grade celebration last week. We'll do it again next Friday for our 8th graders. Their celebration will take place in the cafeteria with some great decorations that transform the space into a very cool location. Tickets are on sale in homeroom and directed study through next Thursday. If your child is interested in coming, please encourage them to get their tickets!
However you spend your Memorial Day Weekend, I hope you enjoy it!
Jim
jmarcotte
Good morning, RJ Grey Families:
I hope you are doing well. We've had another busy week at RJ Grey. Most of our students have now finished their MCAS Math tests. On Monday, we'll give the Science/Tech test to our 8th graders and our 7th graders will take their final iReady Reading assessment of the year. Starting on Tuesday, we'll do make-up tests for anyone who missed their Math or Science tests. We appreciate that the spring is hard for standardized testing. I appreciate our students' positive attitudes about these tests!
We have a 7th grade Celebration/Dance tonight for RJ Grey 7th graders. Thank you to all of you who have donated snacks or drinks for the event. We’ve sold lots of tickets, and we’re excited to host this opportunity for our students. A reminder to all adults - the event ends promptly at 9:00 - we are not shy in turning on the gym lights at 9:00! Your on-time arrival will save your child a bit of embarrassment by hanging with me until a ride arrives! I recommend that you all park in a parking spot as you wait for your child. If your child has a phone, text them your location, or you could choose to walk up to the gym and catch the eye of your student. It is safer for all of us not to have cars idle outside the gym or in the front circle.
I hope you have a good weekend,
Jim
jmarcotte
Good afternoon, RJ Grey Families:
Trimester 3 Interim Reports were sent today via email. Interim Reports are generally sent for students who could use a boost in some area - homework completion, class preparedness, assessment grades, etc. A small number of teachers choose to give Interims to all of their students, regardless of their term grade. Please take a look and chat with your child if you've received an Interim Report. If you have any questions, please reach out directly to the teacher. Trimester 3 report cards will be issued about 10 days after the end of the school year.
We have some exciting events for students in the next few weeks. On Friday, May 16, we will host an evening celebration for our 7th graders. From 7 - 9 pm, students will gather in the gym and enjoy time dancing, singing, and hanging out with friends. Similarly, on Friday, May 30, our 8th graders will have the chance to end their year in a fun way with their own celebration. The 8th grade end-of-year dance is held in the cafeteria areas and is a special night as they wrap up their time at RJ Grey. I encourage you to ask your child if they’re planning to attend. Tickets for the 7th grade celebration are on sale now through next Thursday. Tickets for the 8th grade event will go on sale in a few weeks. These events are for RJ Grey students only.
Additionally, each grade will have a year-end field trip. On Tuesday, June 17, our 7th graders will enjoy Mel’s Funway Park for their year-end celebration. On Wednesday, June 18, our 8th graders will travel to Canobie Lake Park. Permission slips for both trips have been distributed to students. We request that permission slips and payment be returned before Wednesday, May 28, so that we can account for all students, tickets, and buses. If your family needs financial assistance for these trips, please be in touch with me; we are happy to help ensure that all students can enjoy these fun trips.
School districts around the country have reported on a new TikTok trend where students have inserted pieces of metal into their Chromebooks, intentionally causing them to smoke and, in some cases, catch on fire. We have no confirmed case of this at RJ Grey, but some students have definitely been talking about it. I will remind students tomorrow about the importance of not engaging in this type of dangerous behavior. If you hear your child talking about this at home, please discourage this behavior and remind them about the danger and potential disciplinary consequences involved in pranks like this.
Finally, we are wrapping up Teacher Appreciation Week. Our teachers and staff work hard every day for your children. They prepare lessons, review and grade assessments, meet with students for extra help, and collaborate with colleagues to prepare consistent learning experiences. And above that, they model what it means to be a learner, ask good questions, be organized, and treat others kindly and respectfully. I have a deep appreciation for our RJ Grey teachers, and I know you do too. If you have a chance to write a quick note to your child's teachers sometime soon, they will appreciate it.
I hope you have a good weekend,
Jim
jmarcotte
Good afternoon, RJ Grey Families:
I hope you are doing well and enjoyed the week with your families. To follow up on my last message, my family did swim in a hotel pool and we had ZERO ear infections. Hurrah! That trip, combined with cleaning out the basement and attic, plus some beautiful weather, made for a great week for the Marcottes. I hope you had a nice week, too.
Yesterday, we had the pleasure of hosting Mrs. Janet Singer Applefield at RJ Grey for a special presentation to 7th graders. Mrs. Applefield is a Holocaust survivor, nearing her 90th birthday - I don't feel bad sharing her age, as she told me herself, proudly. Janet was introduced by a seventh grader before telling the story about her early life in Poland before and during the Nazi invasion. Her family made difficult choices to best support her, which meant she spent many years living apart from them in many countries in Europe. I won't give away all of her story, since I encourage you to read Becoming Janet: Finding Myself in the Holocaust. Our seventh graders were a highly attentive and considerate audience. If your child hasn't already told you about her story, please ask them about it. Mrs. Applefield asked students to raise their hands if they would "be able to tell her story to someone else." Mrs. Applefield wants to make sure that her story is shared so that we can all learn from it. If you can, please check out her book or follow her story on her Instagram account.
With today being May 1st, your thoughts might turn to the summer. I want to let you know about an opportunity to apply for a scholarship for summer programs. The Doli Atamian Campership Program provides scholarships to summer camp programs for children in Acton and Boxborough based on family income. The application process is simple, and each child may receive up to $300 towards a summer camp program or classes of the family’s choice. For more information about the Campership scholarship and an application form, go to www.doliatamiancampership.com or call (978) 515-3227.
I hope you have a good weekend,
Jim
jmarcotte
Good afternoon, RJ Grey Families:
I hope you are doing well. As I write this, we are within a few hours of beginning our April vacation. While I still wore my winter gloves at morning drop-off today, some positive signs of Spring have emerged. Today, we benefited from a hardworking group of high school seniors on their Senior Community Service Day. They were able to move and spread about four yards of mulch in our cafeteria courtyard. When I chatted with them during their work, they remembered that during their 7th grade year, we closed for Covid in March. And in their 8th grade year, we had all sorts of lunchtime arrangements to allow for physical distancing. They never got to enjoy the courtyard they worked so hard to spruce up today. We will open up our cafeteria courtyard for lunches when we return from vacation. Weather and student behavior will always determine if it's open for student use on a daily basis, but it's another sign that spring is here and the end of the year is fast approaching.
The Acton-Boxborough Student Activity Fund (ABSAF) is looking to recruit student and adult board members. ABSAF works to raise money to support the student activities at RJ Grey and ABRHS. ABSAF raises money through ABSAF Pass sales, donations, and fundraisers, which are gifted to the Jr. High and High School to subsidize the cost of student activities like music, drama, athletics, academic teams, and community service. Some examples of how ABSAF funds have been used include: donations to Proscenium Circus (the High School Theater group), purchase of band uniforms and instruments, new stage curtains and sound system for the Junior High, supplies and equipment for all athletic teams, study guides and league dues for academic teams, athletic uniforms, and transportation to events for all the groups mentioned above.
If you are interested in learning more about ABSAF, or are interested in applying to be on the board, please check them out. I serve on an education foundation in my own town, raising money to support innovative teacher projects. I can tell you, raising money for schools is hard, but worthwhile work. I hope you'll consider learning more about ABSAF.
I hope that if you're traveling this week, all goes smoothly. If you're staying close to home, like me, I hope you get some valuable time with your kids. My family will spend a night in a local hotel so that my kids can swim in a pool. They don't ask for much, but they do love cannonballs! I joked with the staff earlier that they should ask me how many of my three kids end up with ear infections by this time next week! The things we do for fun!
I hope you have a good week,
Jim
jmarcotte
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