News

DOWNLOAD 2024 WELCOME DAY LETTER HERE 

 

August 14, 2024

Dear Students, Parents, and Guardians,

Welcome back to another exciting school year at Rutland Intermediate School!  We hope you had a restful and enjoyable summer break, filled with fun adventures and cherished family moments. As we begin the new school year, we are thrilled to partner with you on this journey of learning, growth, and discovery.

We believe that education is not just about reading, writing, and math but about building relationships, understanding and respecting one another, exploring new ideas, discovering talents, and nurturing a love for learning. Our dedicated team of teachers and staff are committed to creating an exciting and engaging learning environment where every student can thrive.

We strive to provide a robust experience during the school day and beyond here at the Rutland Intermediate School.  Consider having your child participate in one of our many after-school offerings.   Throughout the year, you will hear about various opportunities for our students.  Chess Club, Art Club, Robotics Club, Music offerings, Math Club, Unified Sports, Community Service Club, and, of course, the Tapestry program and all they have to offer are just some of the things to be on the lookout for.  Plus, if you have additional time in your schedule, consider being one of our reading mentors where you will be matched with a student throughout the year. 

The safety and well-being of our students remains our top priority. We continuously review our comprehensive health and safety protocols to ensure a safe learning environment and reinforce our schoolwide expectations.  One significant change you will see this year is how to gain access to our building.  RCPS has partnered with Raptor Technologies to assist with screening visitors before entering our complex.  To streamline this new procedure, we will only be using the Library Avenue entrance near Keefe Gym/RMS entrance to let visitors into the building.  Visitors will be required to provide identification when they register with our new system.   When students arrive late or need to leave early, they will do so from the Keefe Gym/RMS entrance.  Students arriving and leaving on time will use the entrances on our side of the complex.  We appreciate your cooperation and support in discussing safety measures and behavioral expectations with your child at home. 

Although we were saddened to see staff members leave RIS at the end of last school year, we are excited to welcome several new members to our school community:

• Mrs. Whitehorne, our new Assistant Principal, will be overseeing Special Education.  Mrs. Whitehorne has been a familiar face at RIS.  She comes to us with a wealth of knowledge about special education and trauma-based practices.
• Ms. Richards, our new Assistant Principal, will be overseeing curriculum and data.  Ms. Richards comes back to us after two years as Principal at Clarendon Elementary.  She is eager to bring her talents back to RCPS.
• Ms. Depoian, a new fifth-grade teacher, will be teaching English Language Arts and Social Studies. 
• Ms. Seward, a new fifth-grade teacher, will be teaching Math and Science.
• Ms. Romanik, a new fifth-grade teacher, will be teaching Math and Science.
• Mrs. Mills, a new fifth-grade teacher, will be teaching all subjects in a self-contained classroom. 
• Mr. Dorsey, a new sixth-grade teacher, will be teaching Math and Science. 
• Mr. Anderson, a new multiage classroom teacher, will be teaching grades 3-6. 
• Mrs. Wallett, a school counselor new to RIS, will be working with students in grades 3-6.
• Ms. Markie, Ms. Houck, and Mrs. McCullough are all new special educators at RIS.
• Mrs. Sihler, Ms. Robideau, Ms. Hier, and Ms. Baird will all be joining us as new RIS paraeducators. 

Important Dates to Remember

• Back to School BBQ: Monday, August 26^th, 2024 from 5:00-6:30 pm on our playground, weather permitting, in the cafeteria, if necessary.
• First Day of School: Wednesday, August 28^th at 8:00 am!!
• Back to School / Title I Night: September 12^th, 5:30-6:00 pm for grades 3 and 5, 6:00-6:15 with Administration for a Title I meeting, and 6:15-6:45 for grades 4 and 6. – This is an opportunity for parents to meet teachers and learn more about the upcoming school year.
• School Pictures: Sept. 17^th, 18^th, and 19th
• Parent-Teacher Conferences: October 10^th and 11^th  – Scheduled individual meetings to discuss your child's goals and progress.

We encourage parents and guardians to get involved in our school community. Whether it's joining the PTO, helping run some PTO-sponsored events, volunteering in the classroom, or simply attending school events, your participation makes a significant difference. Together, we can create a supportive and nurturing environment for our children. 

Communication is key to a successful school year. Please make sure to update your contact information with the school office to receive important announcements and updates. You can also stay informed by visiting our school website and following us on social media.

We are excited to welcome you to the 24-25 School Year at Rutland Intermediate School and look forward to a year filled with learning, laughter, and growth. Together, let's make this school year an unforgettable one!

Warm regards,

 

Kerry Coarse

RIS Principal