Summer Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 2:00 pm
Readiness Day will be Thursday, August 7 • 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
6th Grade Orientation will be Thursday, August 14 • 12:30 to 3:00 pm
See details HERE! • SUPPLY LIST HERE!
""A three-day Back-To-School sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 am, Friday, August 1, and ends at midnight, Sunday, August 3. During this period, no Florida sales tax or local option tax will be collected on sales of clothing, footwear, and certain accessories selling for $100 or less per item; on certain school supplies selling for $15 or less per item; and on the first $750 of the sales price for computers and certain computer-related accessories when purchased for noncommercial home or personal use. See complete list of eligible items HERE.
""""Learn more about being
A RUCKEL RAM!
Zoning waivers are available!
""
Visit our Academics Page for curriculum details! • Sign up to receive Ruckel email newsletters here!
"" Kick off the school year with some great books
from our Scholastic Book Fair September 8 to 12.
Visit our Media Center between 7:30 am and 2:30 pm to shop in person, or order online between August 31 and September 20 -- the books will be delivered to your student. Manyof these books qualify for Accelerated Reader points, plus your purchases provide funding for the Media Center to expand our library collection and for the PTO programs! Want to find out more about a book? Use Scholastic's new Book Fair app, available HERE! You'll find reading levels, price, and more!

Want to help? We are in need of VOLUNTEERS to help set up, take down and help at book fair for the whole week! If you can spend some time volunteering please contact Holly Ramby at rmsptobookfair@gmail.com.
Congratulations to the Ruckel Ram Cheerleaders, who attended the
Universal Cheerleaders Association Cheer Camp at FSU this summer
and came home with lots of awards! See the list here!

"" Emerald Coast Theatre Company presents Roald Dahl's
"Willy Wonka Jr. - The Musical" Theatre Camp
at Ruckel Middle School -- plus a performance!
Everyone in grades 5 through 9 gets a golden ticket to act, sing, and dance their hearts out in this musical theatre production.  This two-week camp will be held at Ruckel Middle School in Niceville, Monday to Friday, July 28 to August 8, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm with a final performance at 7:00 pm on Friday, August 8 ($5 donation per adult).  Space is limited.  
For more information go to www.emeraldcoasttheatre.org

Ruckel RamBand Football Band information:
August 4 to 7 • Football Band Drum Camp
2:00 to 5:00 pm
August 11 to 13 • Football Band Rehearsal
Woodwinds 3:00 to 4:30 pm
Brass & Percussion 5:00 to 6:30 pm
Parent/Student Football Band Meetings (choose one)
Monday, August 11 • 7:00 pm
Tuesday, August 12 • 7:00 pm
Saturday, August 16 • 8:00 to 11:00 am
Uniform Fit, Paperwork, and Fee Day
Check the Band Calendar for more events!
""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.
Download the Math Pack for your grade level and arrive in August well-prepared and ready to succeed!
""
6th Grade Math Packet
7th Grade Math Packet
8th Grade Math Packet
Honors Algebra Packet
Skills for Math Success + Website Links
""Naming opportunities are still available
for the Ruckel Middle School and Niceville High School
Eagle Ram Tennis Center:
$7,500 Patio Naming, $5,000 Deck Naming, $5,000 Brick Naming,
$5,000 Ball Wall and $2,500 Sponsor Grand Opening of Eagle Ram Tennis Center. Also, you may buy a brick at anytime.
The brick campaign is ongoing • Stop by and see our progress!!
""
Interested in Robotics?? Summer Robotics Camp will be held
at Shoal River Middle School in Crestview July 28 to August 7
with morning or afternoon sessions.

Details HERE.
Ruckel Cross Country Pre-Season Conditioning
All Ruckel Students interesting in participating in pre-season conditioning
plan to meet behind the gym on the Ruckel Physical Education Field on
Tuesday, July 8 from 5:00 – 6:30. Come ready to run and have a great time.
See the Cross Country Page for details.
Interested in Ruckel Volleyball?? Check the Volleyball Page for info!
Camps - August 4 to 8 • Summer Open Gym - August 11 to 15
SEE FLYER HERE -- Plus other camp info!

""Ruckel Middle School will be holding Boys Baskeptball Open Gym
for all students. To participate in Open Gym students will need to have all athletic paperwork on file and appropriate basketball attire.
Open Gym dates: July 28, 29
Time: 5:00 to 6:30 pm

The Ruckel Rockettes Dance Team just completed their camp competition
at Auburn University and earned the following awards:
Leadership Award, Super Spirit Stick, All Blue Ribbons, First Place on Home Routine,
Team Full Out Award, Superior Trophy, plus Four All-Americans!!
Way to go, Coach Kendall Brown & the Rockettes!!
Check out our exciting Fundraising Opportunity!!
The 2014-15 Ruckel Cheerleading Squad would like to thank their Sponsors for their
Platinum donations of $300. Visit the Cheerleading Page to see all our donors! Thank You!
""
Congratulations to the Ruckel Students who earned State Recognition in the 2014 Duke TIP program:
Grace Hall, Sarah Markwardt, Jacob Oliver, Simrun Sharma, Macray Simmers, John Snell, Randy Tyson, Hannah Vitt, Conner Vores, Ella Wright. Hannah Vitt also earned Grand Recognition! Go Rams!
""
A BIG thank you to those of you who have sent in
BOX TOPS and Labels for Education this year.

Parents may view their child's FCAT 2.0 writing, reading, mathematics and science scores online by logging into the Okaloosa School District Parent Star website at https://parentsis.okaloosa.k12.fl.us/. Parents can access this secure site using the same unique student identification number and 4-digit password used to access Grades Online. Read OCSD Superintendent's comments about results HERE.
Nurse's Corner
ALL upcoming 7th graders need to have their TDaP prior to the first day of school
and the documentation must be turned in to the Guidance 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
School Immunization Chart
Complete School Immunization Requirements Flyer
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 850-245-4342
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.
Ruckel students honored our veterans at the annual Memorial Day ceremony
at Dolittle Park -- see photos on our Spotlight Page!

Ruckel's School Financial Report is available HERE




What Not to Wear...Ruckel Edition!   •  Ruckel Dress Code Policies



Congratulations to these Ruckel students for winning awards
at the 2014 State Science & Engineering Fair!!""

Bayley McMenimen, 1st Place in Engineering and $250; Camille Miles, 1st Place in Engineering, $200, US Navy Certificate and Medallion; Daniel Bobbitt,
4th Place in Engineering and $200; Eve Glenn,
4th Place in Behavioral and Social Sciences; Zachary Verzwyvelt, Honorable Mention in Environmental Sciences; Ryan Murphey, Engineering, $25 award
Parents:
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.
All students must leave campus after school unless they are involved "
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
Ruckel IT students have earned 131 Microsoft Word industrial certifications and
145 PowerPoint certifications...so far! Go Rams!
Next Early Release Day is Thursday, September 4, at 11:35 am
More info on our Calendar Page.
"" 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!
Okaloosa County In School Suspension (ISS) Policy -- details here
""
Ruckel Middle School Mobile Device
Acceptable Use Practices! -- Updated!
This form must be signed and returned to your First Period teacher.

Congratulations to our 2014 Ruckel District Champions
Baseball • Girls Golf • Boys Tennis • Boys Track Team • Softball
Boys Soccer • Girls Soccer • Boys Swim Team
Congratulations to our 2013 Ruckel District Champions
Girls Cross Country Champs • Boys Cross Country, Runners-up
Amazing job, Athletes, Coaches, and Parents! GO RAMS!!
2012-2013 Ruckel Championships
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!
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.
""
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.
To protect your student's instruction time, Ruckel has implemented
a Classroom Interruption Policy - More info here.
Please become familiar with our Tardy Policy and our Checkout Policy.
Club & Team Meetings
  • Academic Team: See the Academic Team page for upcoming competition and practice dates. Varsity coach is Mrs. Rhodes; JV coach is Ms. Love. Practices are held on Fridays after school -- check calendar on team page.
  • Chess Club: Our first meeting isThursday, October 10 at 2:30 pm in room 102 with Ms. Swift. We will meet the second and fourth Thursdays each month from 2:30 to 3:30 pm. All levels of players are welcome - beginner to expert! For more information contact Ms. Swift at swiftl@mail.okaloosa.k12.fl.us
  • MathCounts Varsity and JV teams meet Tuesday mornings from 7:00 to 7:35 am, in Mrs. Amos's room #302. If we do well, we will be going to the State Competition in Orlando! Go Rams! For more information, email ruckel.mathcounts@yahoo.com.
  • Odyssey of the Mind is an international program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students. Team members apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics. For more information, see Mrs. Duty.
  • Student Government Association (SGA) meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 7:15 am in Room #502. Their sponsor is Mr. Chambers.
  • 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 on the second and fourth Fridays from 7:00 to 7:30 am in classroom #909A, Ms. Brown's room near the chorus area.
  • The Yearbook Staff meets after school on Mondays and Wednesdays in Mrs. Nall's room, room 210. Meetings end promptly at 3:45 pm.
Is your club missing? Email your information to RuckelPics@cox.net!
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!
""The CHOICE program is an innovative, award-winning program that allows students to earn high school credits, college credits, scholarships, and professional industry certifications,""
all at the same time and at no cost to the student.

It functions as a critical link in transitioning secondary students into successful high-skill, high-wage careers in the workforce and/or postsecondary 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.
""Eligible 7th grade students are encouraged to register for the Duke University
Talent Identification Program (TIP) Talent Search. Info Letter Here.
Please visit the Duke TIP Web Site for details about the Talent Search.
Online registration is available and recommended.
Please call the Guidance Office at 833-4154 if you have further questions.
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!

Ruckel Lunch Menu Here • Ruckel Breakfast Menu 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 13TH "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!
    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 April 2, 2014
    Download the appropriate Okaloosa County Sports Forms HERE! Please dispose of any old forms.
    Last Updated July 29, 2014