Tuesday, December 17
7:55 to 9:45 • 1st period exam
9:49 to 12:16 • 3rd period exam & lunch
12:20 to 2:10 • 2nd period exam
Wednesday, December 18
7:55 to 9:45 • 5th period exam
9:49 to 12:16 • 4th period exam & lunch
12:20 to 2:10 • 6th period exam
Thursday, December 19
Make up Exams • Band and Chorus Concert @ 7:55 am in the Ruckel Gym
Black and Gold Basketball Games - click for schedule
See full exam schedule here
Ruckel's Ambassador Holiday Singers sang in Destin Sunday night to introduceSanta Claus
on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle! See details on the Chorus Page!

Support the Ruckel Middle School
Chorus Fundraiser, and shop from comfort
of your own home while supporting the arts
in your school!
Our Online Store is open all season, now to December 31, 2019.
40% of your purchase goes back to our fundraiser!
Click Here to visit the Boon Supply Fundraiser!


in December!
Ruckel student Audrina Herrera received a surprise visit from her dad last month.
He returned from a six month long deployment to Afghanistan and stopped by Ruckel to surprise Audrina on his way from the airport. Congratulations on the happy reunion
Also -- a new tree was donated to our campus by Bayou Book Store and Mr. Chesser -- click here!
Would you like to get involved? Complete this online form if you would like to be on the Core Membership Team. To be considered for a Parent slot, your child should be enrolled in an OCSD PK-12 school.
We also have openings for an elementary and secondary administrator to join as well as an elementary
and secondary gen ed teacher and ESE teacher to join. See details on our ESE Resource Page.


Voluntary conditioning for Track and Field will begin on Tuesday, December 3, 2019, after school until 4:00 pm. All participants must have their sports paperwork on file in the Front Office.
See the Track and Field page for details.

at 7:30 am for student-led prayer.
We will resume meetings
after Christmas break.

All levels are welcome
Come on Mondays and learn or improve your skills!
December 9 • December 16
2:30 to 3:30 pm in the Ruckel Media Center

Congratulations to Ruckel Ram Band members Kira Tuper, Michael Davis, Aurora Mendenhall,
Brianna Steele and Sophia Cafarelli, who were selected for the 2020 Florida All State Band.
They are five of only seven Okaloosa County students to be honored.
We're so proud of you and know you will have a fun and educational experience when you travel
to Tampa in January to perform with the best musicians in the state!


Ruckel App Coding Group
Coding Club will be on a break for December. We will resume meeting on Wednesday, January 8. Group meets Monday and Wednesday 2:30-3:45 in Mrs. Marshall's room P02.
Contact Mrs. Marshall for more info
Please complete all end-of-day student check-outs by 2:00 pm.
Any check-outs after that time severely impact our release procedures. Thank you.
NOTE: In order to check a student out or sign in as a visitor or volunteer in the Front Office,
a valid driver license or state ID is required. Thank you for your cooperation.

We have three designated pick up points on Ruckel Property:
• The Car Rider Ramp in front of the school • In front of the Ruckel Gym
• The parking lot on the school side of the street across from the Post Office
Please don't use the teacher parking lot behind the Cafeteria or St. Jude's Church parking lot. These are NOT designated pick up/drop off areas for students.
Thank you for your cooperation.

Parents, please remember students should not be reporting to school prior to 7:00 am as teachers are not
on duty. If your student arrives between 7:00 and 7:20 am, they are to report to the Cafeteria where a faculty member will be present. This is for the safety of your student.

The National Junior Honor Society of Ruckel Middle School
collected food items for Sharing and Caring in November.
All first period classes copeted for the most items collected.
The food donated will help feed members of our community during the upcoming holiday season. Students collected a total of 1,454.1 pounds of food.

We will follow an early dismissal schedule on Thursday, December 19, 2019, for Winter Break Holidays.
Lunch will be served.
Ruckel students will be dismissed at 1:30 pm
For the complete Okaloosa County early dismissal schedule, click here.

from 7:00 to 7:30 am. Interested?? Come and check us out!! New members still welcome!
Please see Miss Bott in Portable 3 for more information and to sign up.

Purchase your 2019-2020 RamPages yearbook
at jostensyearbook.com.
Spread out the cost by using the payment plan available on the website.

Congratulations on a great All County Chorus performance!
See details on the Chorus Page!
More Chorus News

Congratulations also to Sharleen Nunez was also awarded the ACCEL grant and will use her award to fund robots for the Robotics Team
-- 2019 County Champions AGAIN!! --
Congratulations to Ruckel's Boys and Girls Cross Country Teams
-- 2019 County Champions AGAIN!! --

You have received the last paper copy of your student's report card.
All future report cards can be viewed and/or printed using Parent Portal.
If you choose, you may view the current report card on Parent Portal.
If you do not already know how to access the system, please visit the Grades Online page at www.okaloosaschools.com. If you need assistance, please contact our school. Thank you!
![]() Congratulations to Ruckel's 2019 Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Marello, pictured with vice principals Dr. Small and Mr. Smith, and Principal Whiddon. |

in a supervised school sponsored activity. Florida Statute 232.25(1)and (2)
Supervision of students by school personnel is provided:
a. During the time the student is being transported to or from school at public expense
b. During the time the student is attending school
c. During the time the student is on the school premises participating with authorization in a school sponsored activity and
d. During a reasonable time (30) minutes before and after a student is on the school premises for attendance at school or for authorized participation in a school sponsored activity, and only when on the school premises
IN ACCORDANCE WITH FLORIDA LAW, PARENTS SHOULD NOT RELY ON THE SCHOOL TO PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL SUPERVISION


ANY of the following symptoms:
• Fever greater than 99.9°F -- it doesn't matter if it comes down using fever-reducing medicines such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Controlling the fever does not control the infection!
• Vomiting more than once • Diarrhea
Colds and influenza are the most contagious during the first 48 hours and we ask that you please keep your student AT HOME if they are not feeling well. Thank you for helping keep our students healthy and in school!

Art Club is now meeting weekly!
If you are interested in joining, contact Ms. Piccorossi for more information.
Everyone is welcome!
6th graders meet on Tuesdays from 2:40 to 3:30 pm and
7th and 8th graders meet on Wednesdays from 2:40 to 3:30 pm.
Please make sure your student has turned in the form.
Supply donations are very much appreciated! Students may choose what supplies they want to work with in Art Club, but that won't work if we run out of supplies.

The Ruckel PTO needs you to volunteer!
Register for Remind, a free message service, and stay in touch!
Contact Tanya Warden for more info. PTO Membership Form HERE

Please become familiar with our Tardy Policy and our Checkout Policy.
Has your student been absent? Read our Attendance Policy here.
Students were encouraged to seek donations and participate in a walk-a-thon.
Prizes were awarded for costume dress and most dollars raised per classroom/student.
Through your hard work and generosity, we raised more than $15,000 to to purchase
ChromeBook computers for student use. GO RAMS!!
Paperwork is available in the Guidance Office and must be turned in prior to attending. Bus transportation is not available at this time. Bus transportation may be provided at a later date if a certain number of students sign up. Success Center will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 - 3:30 pm.

Ruckel Speech and Debate Team
Speech and Debate Club has started, but students can still join.
Meetings are held on Tuesdays in Room 210 from 2:30 to 3:30 pm.
Mrs. Love is the coach.
Applying online allows your application to be processed quickly. Your information is protected
using the highest security standards in the industry. The step-by-step instructions walk you through
the entire application process, making sure your information is complete and ready to submit.
Make use of the benefits that are available to your student!

Best Practices for Inclusive Education report HERE
Learn more about Inclusion resources HERE
The SAC meets the third Wednesday of the month at 7:00 am in the Media Center.

Your bus note must include the following information:
your entire name, the student's name and address you are riding with, their bus number and their bus stop.
As always, take your note to the Front Office and a bus pass will be issued. See Mrs. Sotello for info.
Parents who
check a student out of class or sign in as a visitor or volunteer MUST HAVE A VALID DRIVER LICENSE as their identification. Please complete all end-of-day student check-outs by 2:00 pm. Contact the Front Office at 833-4142 if you have questions Please update your contact list in the Front Office if any changes have occurred! . Policy for students checking out on Pep Rally days: If you know you will be checking your student out on a pep rally day, please check them out before 1:00 pm. Otherwise, students will report to a separate location until checkout so that they can be easily located. |
All proceeds go to our Children In Crisis Fundraising Campaign.
See Mrs. Wargo in room #604

after school in room 501
Builders Club meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month after school from 2:30 to 3:30 pm in Mrs. Lennon's classroom #501.
We are a student-led organization sponsored by the Niceville-Valparaiso Kiwanis Club. Any students who are interested in getting involved
in community service projects and becoming leaders should attend.

Ruckel Middle School is recruiting mentors for some of our students. If you desire to give back to your community and you have some time to spare during the week, we need you! The school district screens, orients, trains and matches volunteer mentors with students, and maintains support of mentoring relationships between students and mentors. See details here.
ONLINE VOLUNTEER FORM HERE Please watch some short informational videos on the OCSD website before completing your online volunteer application. |
We need volunteers for:
Guidance and Front Office clerical help • Help in the Media Center 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Tuesday Mornings to take duties for teachers in meetings (7:05 to 7:45 am)
Testing Proctors (in March, April) • Copy/Laminating services Volunteers for teachers

Ruckel's RoboRAMS
Students interested in joining Ruckel's RoboRAMS robotics team are invited to
contact Mrs. Nunez or Mrs. Tabor in room 704 for more information

Then download the new RMS App to stay up-to-date
with school news and announcements.
DOWNLOAD FOR FREE TODAY!
See RMS App flyer HERE
Be sure and check out our "school app" for Ruckel's current news, calendar and events. You may access this thru our website or by visiting: www.SchoolInfoApp.com. There are many links available, which you can customize to suit your needs. This is a great way to stay in touch with the latest news via your smartphone.
If you have any questions concerning the school app, you can contact Janet Simpson at 833-4142.
Some free Immunizations are available for children through 18 years old
7th Grade: 1 dose Tdap is required.
Available from the Department of Health in Fort Walton Beach and Crestview
![]() |
Nurse's Corner Visit our Nurse's Page for details on
immunization requirements and in-school medicine procedures as well as other tips for keeping our school community healthy! Click Here for more info on student flu shots |
for November Here

Madeline Mitchell, Ronald Gurney,
Aurora Mendenhall, Nicholas Pedone, and
Kira Tuper. Aurora Mendenhall, Nicholas Pedone, and Kira Tuper also qualified for Grand Recognition at Duke University.

See full details in our 2019 flyer HERE. New!
Please visit the Duke TIP web site here for answers to any questions that you may have about the Talent Search.
Call the Guidance Office at 833-4154 if you have further questions.
Please note, Enrollment Deadlines begin in September and continue through the year. If you are interested, act now.


Ruckel Middle School

Controlled Open Enrollment Info Here
Visit our Academics Page
Sign up to receive Ruckel email newsletters here! • Learn about our PTO here
It takes more than teachers, staff, parents, and students to make a strong school.
Follow this link to see how YOU can help!
Platinum Level
Condo Complements
Eye M.D. of Niceville
Gold Level
Our Newest Sponsor: Grayson A. James!
Ottesen Family Dentistry
R&D Truck Sales
Coastal Skin Surgery and Dermatology
Bradley Title, LLC
Learn about becoming a Partner in Education HERE!

Harvest Hands Outreach
provides FREE weekend food
support for students --
donations are needed!
See Details Here

Any student possessing a wireless communication device while on school property or in attendence at a school function must ensure that the device is not visible and must be turned off during school hours (7:45 to 2:20) except when expressly authorized.
Consequences of violating this policy:
1st violation - student must pick up device at end of the day from Student Services
2nd violation - parent must pick up device at end of the day from Student Services
3rd violation - office referral
It contains lots of apps and online textbooks for students to use during school as well as anytime after school hours.
Please keep this information safe because the One Okaloosa ID will be used all year to access everything from home. If you had an ID last year, it will be the same this year.
Also note, students may download Office 365 on up to five (5) personal devices (free). You may also find the links to ClassLink and the instruction sheet in the gold column on the left side of the Ruckel Home Page.
Flyers Sent Home with Students August 30: KidCare Health Insurance • Student Accident Insurance

Turn in BoxTops to your first period teacher.
Be sure to trim them, and label the bag with how many you are turning in. Help us raise money for Ruckel! It's easy to do.

• No phone call is necessary the day your student is out; however, a written note is required to be sent with your student the day they return to school.
• The student must bring the note to the Front Office when they arrive on campus and an attendance pass will be issued. • No absence will be excused without a written note.

Learn details about school Breakfast & Lunch programs and
other facts about our Food Services! Please check from time to time to be sure that their child has money in their lunch account.
Ruckel Lunch Menu Here • Ruckel Breakfast Menu Here
Please check weekly to be sure that your child has money in their Lunch Account.
You are welcome to sign in as a visitor and deliver these items to your student during their lunch time. Due to safety issues, microwaves are no longer available.
If your student has a specific dietary need that might require the use of a microwave please stop by our guidance office and we will be happy to discuss this with you.

Sign up for the RMS Email List!
Fill out the form on this webpage to have your email address added to our distribution list! And don't forget to get our Ruckel App!
How to unsubscribe from RMS Email -- info here!
Congratulations to:
Ruckel Volleyball Team -- 2019 District Champions!
Ruckel Boys & Girls Cross Country Teams -- 2019 District Champions!
Ruckel Softball Team -- 2019 District Champions!
Ruckel Boys & GirlsSwim Teams -- 2019 District Champions!
Ruckel Boys & Girls Track Teams -- 2019 District Champions!
Ruckel Girls & Boys Golf Teams -- 2019 2A District Champions!
Ruckel Girls Soccer Team -- 2019 District Champions!
Ruckel Boys Soccer Team -- 2019 Runners Up!


Check it out for homework help and skills development!
Check our Educational Links Page for online textbooks, typing, & more!
Visit the link to FDLRS info for parents on our Educational Links Page!
Ruckel's One-Stop Shop for Supplies & Spirit Gear! |
if YOU have content 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!
-
Academic Team: See the Academic Team page for information. Interested 6th Grade students volunteer with your science teacher for Junior Varsity and see Mrs. Nunez for Varsity (7th & 8th grade).
- Art Club: Watch for meetings to begin October 21, 2019 in room 905. See Ms. G. Piccorossi in the Art classroom for details.
-
MathCounts MathCounts meets each Wednesday from 7:00 to 7:30 am in Miss Bott's room, Portable 3. No need to sign up, just show up!
-
The Multicultural Club celebrates diverse cultures and ethnic groups. Meetings are held on Tuesday afternoons until 3:30 pm. The sponsor is Ms. Stalnaker. 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 on the first, third and fifth Fridays from 7:00 to 7:30 am in the Media Center or the Gym. See our page for dates.
-
The Yearbook Staff meets after school on Mondays and Wednesdays in Mrs. Nall's room, room 210. Meetings end promptly at 3:45 pm.
-
Ruckel Robotics Team and Drone Team - visit this page for more information!
- Odyssey of the Mind - See Mrs. Cook to get the interest packet for details.
-
Speech and Debate Team - Members meet Tuesdays in Room 210 from 2:30 to 3:30 pm and participate in district competitions three times per year. Come and see what Speech and Debate is all about. Mrs. Love is the coach.
is available here.
Below are some links on which your students can practice…
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing -- Lots of lessons & games to practice
www.powertyping.com -- Select "Qwerty" for correct lessons
www.typingweb.com
Practice FSA can be found at www.fsassessments.org
In our technology-rich world, our students have access to things that we may want to protect them from. Sometimes the thing we need to protect them from is themself. Sexting is becoming a wide-spread concern among teenagers in the world. Please review the Power Point link found here and have a conversation with your teenager as you see fit to inform them about the dangers of participating in this activity.
Softball • Girls Soccer • Girls & Boys Golf • Girls & Boys Track • Boys & Girls Swim
Boys & Girls Cross Country • Volleyball
Congratulations to our 2018 Ruckel District Champions
Boys Track • Softball Team • Boys & Girls Tennis • Boys & Girls Swim
Boys & Girls Cross Country • Volleyball
Congratulations to our 2017 Ruckel District Champions
Volleyball • Boys & Girls Cross Country • Baseball • Softball • Boys & Girls Tennis
Boys Swim • Girls Swim • Girls Track Team
Congratulations to our 2016 Ruckel District Champions
Girls Volleyball • Boys and Girls Weightlifting • Boys and Girls Tennis • Boys Track
Boys Swimming • Girls Golf • Girls Cross Country
Congratulations to our 2015 Ruckel District Champions
Baseball • Softball • Boys and Girls Tennis • Boys Swim Team • Girls Golf
Congratulations to our 2014 Ruckel District Champions
Baseball • Girls Golf • Boys Tennis • Boys Track • Softball • Boys & Girls Soccer • Boys Swim
Amazing job, Athletes, Coaches, and Parents! GO RAMS!!
2012-2013 Ruckel Championships
areas of the county. If you are interested, please call!
North office • 689-7301 South office 833-3555 • Central office 833-4161
Don't do it! • Don't take it! • Report it if you see it! • It's that simple.
Anonymous tip line: 833-4149
Crime Stoppers Anonymous tip line: 863-TIPS
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.

Course descriptions are available HERE!


It functions as a critical link in transitioning secondary students into successful high-skill, high-wage careers in the workforce and/or post-secondary opportunities. The CHOICE team's focus is career-readiness because the workforce-ready student is in high demand.
Click the icons to explore the programs we offer and to learn more about the current job market and wages.
Okaloosa County School District Career and Technical Education offers programs in a dozen different areas of study. These programs are open to all eligible high school students in the district. Check out the opportunities here, including the Notice of Nondiscrimination.

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.
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.
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!
Nixle is an on-line service that allows the Sheriff's Office to communicate with citizens in situations involving significant public safety incidents. 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. The Florida Dept. of Law Enforcement has a letter describing this service and a brochure you can download.

Click the Ram for info!
To learn more about the school grades for the Okaloosa School District, AYP status and school report cards,
please visit the link http://schoolgrades.fldoe.org/. Congratulations!
• State of Florida - School Entry Health Exam Form available here
• OKALOOSA COUNTY VOLUNTEER AFFADAVIT FORM IS NOW ONLINE!!
All volunteers will now register on line with the district. This will automatically add your name as a volunteer in the School Check In system once your completed application is approved!
• Vendor's Request to Contact Principals
OKALOOSA COUNTY UPDATED SPORTS FORMS
Download the appropriate Okaloosa County Sports Forms HERE! Updated July 2018
All current Okaloosa School Documents and Policies may be found HERE in both English and Spanish.
PUBLIC NOTICE: In compliance with Section 1012.42 Florida Statutes, this information is to inform you that several teachers are currently teaching out-of-field. More info available here.