Memorial Day Holiday observed Monday, May 27 -- School Holiday
Ruckel Middle School is a recipient of the 2012-13 Golden School Award for excellence in volunteer participation! We're not surprised -- our volunteers are THE BEST!!
End-of-Year Essay Contest:
How can you take what you have learned this year to make a positive change?
Write an essay to explain to your audience what you can do or what you may already be doing that will make our world a better place. Explain how what you have learned this year will help you reach that goal.
• Essay length should not exceed five paragraphs.
• Essay must be typed.
• All essays are due to your Language Arts teacher by Friday, May 24.
• Each Language Arts teacher will select the best papers from each of his/her class periods.
• All entries should be the original work of Ruckel Middle School students.
• The winning essays will be judged by an outside panel.
• There will be winners selected from 6th, 7th and 8th grade ($100 for each grade).
• Entries will be judged on content, expression, focus and conventions.
• Winners will be announced at the End of the Year Assembly on Thursday, June 6

Congratulations to the Ruckel students who achieved State Recognition
in the Duke TIP program for 7th graders!

""Daniel Bobbitt, Christian Brobeck,
Trey Buck, Julia Freeman*, Meredith Freeman, Eve Glenn, Kaitlyn Hall*,
Dylan Hammond, John Hencinski,
Allison Keen, Mandalay Martin,
Ryan Murphey, Samuel Stahl*,
Nathan Tabor, Zachary Verzwyvelt,
Parker Walsh


* indicates students who also achieved Grand Recognition
"" Time's running out! Last Day of School is Thursday, June 6th!
All Library Books are due on Friday, May 24.
Please remind your child to turn in any library books they still have.

The Cafeteria is no longer allowed to let students charge for lunches.
Each student must have enough money in their account to cover their purchases. Please check your child's account to make sure everything is up-to-date.

""""""Tryouts for 2013-2014 Ruckel Cheerleaders
Info Flyer Here
Mandatory Clinic Tuesday, May 28 to Thursday, May 30
3:30 – 5:00 pm in the RMS gym
Tryouts: Friday, May 31 @ 3:30 pm in the RMS gym
More info on the Cheerleader Page
There are still a few Ram Pages Yearbooks available, first come, first served. Please turn in money to Mrs. Brock. Yearbooks will be distributed on May 24th.
Congratulations to our 2012-13 Ruckel District Champions
Baseball • Girls Tennis • Softball • Boys Golf • Girls Golf • Girls Track
Boys Soccer • Girls Soccer • Boys Swim • Girls Swim
Amazing job, Athletes, Coaches, and Parents! GO RAMS!!
Tryouts for the 2013-2014 Ruckel Rockettes
will be held May 20 to 24, 3:30 to 5:30 pm in the Ruckel Gym.
""

Congratulations
to the Ruckel Boys and Girls Golf Teams
2013 County Champions!!



""

Congratulations to the Ruckel
Lady Rams Softball Team
2013 County Champions!!


"" Congratulations to the Ruckel
Lady Rams Tennis Team
2013 County Champions!!

Great job Ruckel Boys Tennis!
2nd Place in County!


""
Congratulations to the
2013 County Champions
Ruckel Ram Baseball Team!!

Undefeated record of 16 to 0!



"" Congratulations to the participants of the 2013 Ruckel Idol Talent Show
• 3rd Place: World's Smallest Cheerleader
Allissa Parr, Erin Fisher and Sophia Williams
• 2nd Place: When I was your Man - Michael "Beiber" Bruzinni
• 1st Place: Bach Inventions in D Minor - Zachary Verzwyvelt
And our 2013 Ruckel Idol is: Our own "Man Band"- Xander Johnson, Collinge Lacy and Preston Booth!
""Ruckel Middle School End of Course Exam Schedule
  • Monday, June 3: 1st & 2nd periods
  • Tuesday, June 4: 3rd & 4th periods
  • Wednesday, June 5: 5th & 6th periods
Some advanced courses will have different test dates depending on the subject.
If a student withdraws early (early withdrawal is any student who withdraws from school before Thursday, May 23), the student will not take exams. Final end of the year grades will not be given. Please notify the guidance office by Thursday, May 9.
If a student withdraws May 23-June 6, the student's parent will notify the guidance office and the student's teachers will schedule exams before the withdrawal date. Students will receive final grades that include exam results. Please notify the guidance office by Thursday, May 9.
If a student has an excused absence for an exam, the student must make up the exam. The student's parent should make arrangements with teachers as soon as possible. Make- up dates will be Thursday, June 6 and Friday, June 7.
Congratulations to Ruckel's "Introduction to Technology" students, who have earned the following certifications so far this year:
109 in Microsoft Word; 89 in Excel; 124 in PowerPoint; 43 in Web Design.

""

Congratulations to the Ruckel Middle School 2013 Tech Bowl Team, Rachel Cathey, Alex Tolbert, and Camille Miles, for winning First Place in the annual competition in May!

-- Ruckel has won more times than any other middle school!

"" Would you like Ruckel Middle School news delivered straight to your Inbox?
Sign up for the RMS Email List!
Click Here and fill out the form to have your email address added
to our distribution list!
Do you need to unsubscribe from RMS Email? Click here for info!

Congratulations to Michelle Schramm and Allana Gomezbe, who are being recognized for "High Academics" by the Okaloosa MC chapters (Multicultural Clubs and Minority Councils) for academics, leadership, and diversity at an awards dinner May 25.
What Not to Wear...Ruckel Edition!   •  Ruckel Dress Code Policies
Help Ruckel Jump for Technology! Our goal: Raise money for school iPads
Donations may be made to Ruckel Middle School -- please indicate "Jump for Technology" on your check.
Your teachers Mrs. Moore, Mrs. Nall, Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Radford want this
for you so much, they jumped out of a perfectly good airplane!!

More Info
""
Support the Eagle Ram Tennis Center Capital Campaign
Watch for details of our Wine Dinner Fundraiser scheduled for Monday, June 3 at Vinti’j Wine Boutique in Sandestin -- details soon!

Ruckel Basketball Summer Camp • June 11 to 14; 18 to 21
Open to incoming 6th, 7th, & 8th grade Boys & Girls • Space is limited!
""
Congratulations to Ruckel's Odyssey of the Mind Teams
on their successful presentations!

Visit the RMS Student Spotlight to see what our amazing Rams are doing!

Congratulations to Eve Glenn for her recognition through the Kohl's department store Kohl's Cares Scholarship Program!
Details in the Spotlight!

Nurse's Corner

If your child has meds in the Ruckel clinic, they need to be picked up
by the parent by 1:00 pm on the last day of school, or the meds will be destroyed. 

ALL upcoming 7th graders need to have their TDaP prior to the first day of school
and the documentation must be turned in to Joyce Hayes in the Front Office.
No 7th grade student can start school without proof of current immunzation status
on file in the office: NO EXCEPTIONS!
6th grade students should receive this vaccine as soon as possible & bring it to the office.
Schedules will not be issued to 7th grade students next year if they do not have proof of vaccine. Students who do not have this documention will be sent home.
Questions? Call the School Nurse, Cynthia Bowers, RN, at 833-4201.
7th Grade Immunization Flyer New for 2013!
School Immunization Chart New for 2013!
Complete School Immunization Requirements Flyer New for 2013!
For more information, visit www.ImmunizeFlorida.org
Please Note: Your student's Certificate of Immunization Form 680 must be updated by your medical caregiver -- we cannot do it at the school.
You may check with the school and receive a copy of the current immunization record to take with you to your appointment.

Call the Okaloosa County Health Department at 850-423-1065
for their Immunization Clinic Hours and more information.

All medications must be brought by the parent to the nurse’s office. The parent must fill out and sign a consent form and turn it in with the medication to the nurse. No student is allowed on campus with any medication. If the student brings in medications, it can result in a discipline referral -- this is a county regulation. Download the Dispersion of Medication Form here. New form for 2012!

Last Day of School is Thursday, June 6
Next Early Release Day is September 5 -- more info on our Calendar Page.

""Ruckel 8th grader Edward Shelikoff is the first Ruckel student to have passed the exam to be Certified Internet Web Professional Site Development Associate!
Tim Tuper, Chandler Fletcher, Corey Shelikoff, and Rebecca Miller have also now achieved this prestigious accomplishment! Go Rams!

""Congratulations to the Ruckel Students who competed in the Florida State Science and Engineering Fair in March!
ALL of them won awards! Go Rams!


Eve Glenn • Third Place, Behavioral Science
Lauren Matthews • Fourth Place, Botany
Ryan Murphey • Third Place, Engineering
Daniel Bobbitt • Second Place, Engineering


""Congratulations to two of our eighth grade Ruckel Rams who received awards at the annual Van Porter Art Show, held at the Arts and Design Society's gallery in Ft. Walton Beach.
Chandler Fletcher received Honorable Mention.
Tim Tuper received the show's highest honor and was named
Van Porter Artist of the Year.
All of their award-winning pieces are currently on display at the school. More Info!
Visit lots of useful sites from our Links Page -- here's a sample:

"" Need a little tutoring help at home?
TEN GREAT LINKS FOR MATH FUN -- CLICK HERE!
Check our Links Page for FCAT Explorer, online textbooks, and more!
Visit the link to FDLRS info for parents on our Links Page!
Plus mobile access to tutor.com for Military Families!
Focus: Florida Achieves is a site to assess and improve skills for FCAT and other assessment exams. You need your password from your teacher.
* CHECK FOR LINKS TO HELP PREPARE STUDENTS FOR COMPUTERIZED TESTS!
""A safety reminder to car riders: Students who are dropped off in the morning or picked up after school from the front of the school may not go out to the parking lot to meet their ride. All students must be picked up from the sidewalk;
signs mark the pick up and drop off area. Parents not wishing to wait in line may meet their child at the sidewalk and escort them out to the parking lot.
To help ease congestion on Partin Drive, we ask that you always move forward as directed by the staff.

"" Success Center
After-school help is available at the Success Center on Mondays through Thursdays
from 2:30 to 3:30 pm in the Media Center. More information here!

""""Learn more about being
A RUCKEL RAM!

Zoning waivers are available!
""""
Visit our Academics Page for curriculum details!
We still have some Classrooms in need of Adoption!
Thank you to our newest Adopt-A-Classroom Sponsors:

The Hencinski Family
"" Thanks for supporting Ruckel's annual Change For Children fundraiser to benefit Children in Crisis of Fort Walton Beach.
Congratulations to Chloe Hilley from Mr. Keeler's class, who was his highest contributor and was rewarded by giving Mr. Keeler a pie in the face!
Ruckel donated $2,000 to CIC, Sponsored by the Multicultural Club
"" Keep collecting those little pink squares!
Watch for our next collection deadline for Box Tops f
or Education
Clipping those labels means $$$! Spread the word throughout your neighborhoods!

Shop at the
cube logo
7:00 to 7:45 am Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday!

Ruckel's One-Stop Shop for Supplies & Spirit Gear!
Open 7:00 to 7:45 am • Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday
CHECK OUT OUR LATEST RUCKEL SPIRIT T's!
""
Look for us in the Locker Hall!
Send kids to school with cash or a check made out to RMS.

The RMS web site is only as current as the information which is provided --
if YOU have something to share, please email photos or information to RuckelPics@cox.net!
Messages sent to this email will only respond to RMS website issues.
Please email school administration with other questions. Thank you!
""

Ruckel Middle School Mobile Device Acceptable Use Practices
!
This form must be signed and returned to your First Period teacher.

Bullying: Stomp it out!
Don't do it! • Don't take it! • Report it if you see it! • It's that simple.
Anonymous tip line: 833-4149
The School District of Okaloosa County adheres to a policy of prohibiting discrimination in employment,
programs, services and activities.The district strives to provide equal opportunity for all and to identify
and overcome potential barriers to recruitment, employment, training, or promotional opportunities
for its staff and applicants.Violations of this policy will not be tolerated.

""
Congratulations to Ruckel's Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Brock,
and to our Support Person of the Year, Mrs. Runge
gr
Club & Team Meetings
  • Academic Team: See the Academic Team page for upcoming competition and practice dates. Varsity coach is Mrs. Washington; JV coach is Ms. Love. Practices are held on Tuesdays after school -- check calendar on team page.
  • Book Café: Meets the first Tuesday of each month to discuss selected books. After school, the club walks to Café Liquid to discuss books and have snacks. Led by Literacy Coach Mrs. Armstrong.
  • MathCounts Varsity and JV teams meet Tuesday mornings from 7:00 to 7:30 am, in Mrs. Watson's room #703. If we do well, we will be going to the State Competition in Orlando! Go Rams! For more information, email ruckel.mathcounts@yahoo.com.
  • The Ruckel Literary Club has produced The Ruckel Review for three years!.
  • The Multicultural Club celebrates diverse cultures and ethnic groups. Meetings are held on Tuesday afternoons until 3:30 pm in Mrs. Beachem's room #705. For more information, check their web page.
  • The National Junior Honor Society meets periodically to work on service projects and for induction
    ceremonies. Please visit their web page for more information.
  • The Fellowship of Christian Athletes meets alternate Fridays from 7:00 to 7:30 am in classroom #909A, Ms. Brown's room near the chorus area.
  • Student Government Association consists of elected classroom representatives and officers who promote interest and student participation in school activities and organize projects for the betterment
    of the school and community. Meetings are held the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 am in the Ruckel Media Center. Their sponsors are Ms. Close and Ms. Moore.
Is your club missing? Email your information to RuckelPics@cox.net!
APPLY FOR REDUCED OR FREE LUNCH ONLINE! CLICK HERE!
Filling out your application online will have your student enrolled in our program faster than applying
with a paper form -- click above and get started!
"" Okaloosa County School District Food Services
Learn details about school Breakfast & Lunch programs and
other facts about our Food Services!

May Breakfast & Lunch Menu Here
New prices will take effect for the 2013-14 school year -- More info
To protect your student's instruction time, Ruckel has implemented
a Classroom Interruption Policy - More info here.
"" Remember, in order to be promoted from 8th grade to 9th grade,
you must pass all 12 core classes
-- that's four core classes per year (Math, Social Studies, Science, Language Arts).
Contact the Guidance Office if you have any questions.
See your student's grades online with the Parent Portal
Having trouble figuring out how to get your child's assignments off the new grades-on-line? Here are a couple of steps to help:
(1) Log in with your student's number. The last four digits of this number is their password.
(2) When the "report card" view comes on the screen, scroll over to the grade from the class that you would like to check. This is a hyperlink that will take you to a view of the assignments for your child in that class.
(3) To see the class work, homework, and test scores that comprise each grade (the class report page),
put cursor on grade and left click.


If you want to receive e-mail notification regarding your student’s progress, the program is a bit different now.
  • Please log into the Parent Portal, sign up for the report(s) you would like to receive, and provide your email information. You will need your student's identification number, which can be found on their schedule and begins with 46. The PIN number is the last four digits of the student ID number.
  • After receiving a verification email, grade notification emails should begin.

    You can also access the Parent Portal on your Apple devices using the iOCSD app -- click here to go to the iTunes store and download it for free!

    Please call Kim Picorossi in RMS Student Services at 833-4149 if you have questions. Thanks!
  • ""The Florida Department of Education has developed an online tool called Success Measures to help parents and families throughout the state learn about changes to our standards and assessments. Provide your student's grade level and courses, and learn more about the assessments which will pertain to them.

    Important info for students enrolled in advanced Math classes at Ruckel Middle School

    Info about Math classes offered for High School credit here at Ruckel

    Info about Math, IT, and Science classes offered for High School credit here at Ruckel

    Public Safety alerts are now available from the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office via the Nixle service.
    Nixle is an on-line service that allows the Sheriff's Office to communicate with citizens in situations involving significant public safety incidents ranging from a missing child or crime in progress to a traffic crash that shuts down an area road. See information flyer here.

    Parents are reminded that they can sign up for the Florida Offender Alert System at www.flsexoffender.net. This
    valuable and free service allows citizens to track Florida's registered sexual offenders and predators. he Florida Dept. of Law Enforcement has a letter describing this service and a brochure you can download.
    These guidelines explain what's expected of every Ruckel Ram and the order of consequences for broken rules.
    Click the Ram for info!
    CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR RUCKEL RAMS FOR EARNING THEIR 12TH "A" RATING IN A ROW!
    To learn more about the school grades for the Okaloosa School District, AYP status and school report cards,
    please visit the following link http://schoolgrades.fldoe.org/.  Congratulations!

    C.W. Ruckel Middle School • Top 10 School in the STATE of FLORIDA!!
    See the report here See article here

    Parent Resource Forms:
    • State of Florida - School Entry Health Exam - Form
    • Volunteer Affadavit - Form NOTE: Volunteer paper work has to be done EVERY CALENDAR SCHOOL year!
    OKALOOSA COUNTY UPDATED SPORTS FORMS - effective May 1, 2013
    Download the entire Okaloosa County Sports Form Packet HERE! Please dispose of any old forms.

    Last Updated May 24, 2013