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It has been an incredible Journey through the 2007/2008 school year at RMS. Some incredible things have happened for our students inside and outside of our walls here at 35250 Division Road. With just over a week of school left, it is great to celebrate with your children over the accomplishments they have made this school year. This is the first group of students that I personally have seen grow from tiny fifth graders to tall (mostly taller than me!) young adult eighth graders. It has been an honor for me to be their principal each year they have attended RMS. I look forward to seeing them as they grow into young adults and work their way through the High School.

I would like to send out a personal thank you to all of the wonderful ladies that have been involved in our PTA this year. In a time where money is tight, cuts are being made, and it is challenging to provide things for our students, the PTA has been proactive and sought out revenues to maintain and improve teaching and learning in our classrooms. It is such a delight to be supported by these wonderful people that are working so hard to benefit all of our children. See below to learn more about what they have been able to do for our students K-8!

I hope that each of you enjoys the last few days that your children attend our school this year, and we look forward to finishing strong!

The Richmond K-8 PTA would like to thank all the parents and teachers who have helped to make this a wonderful year. We earned over $13,000 this year through book fairs, membership dues, bake sales, donations, raffle tickets, McDonalds Family Fun nights, online shopping through School Pop, and Kroger gift cards. All of this money went to pay for programs and services for our students! The activities the PTA paid for this year include:

· Author Day—author Kelly DiPucchio came to the school and made presentations to all K-6 students where she talked about the process of writing and making picture books.

· Author Day—author Johnnie Tuitel came to talk to the students at Will Lee about his books and the topics of diversity and acceptance of others with disabilities.

· Field Day—money was given to Mrs. Stuart for snacks and equipment.

· Publishing Program—money was provided for materials to make the “shaped books” students use for writing projects.

· Assemblies—two assemblies were sponsored for the Middle School, including a motivational assembly and an anti-bullying assembly with Gabe and Izzy.

· Computer Lab—money was donated to pay for equipment for the new computer lab in the Lee school.

· Staff Appreciation Breakfast—bagels and fruit were purchased for all teachers and staff to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week.

· Books—over $1,200 in free books were given to individual teachers, the library, and as reading incentives for kids during “March is Reading Month.”

· Ice Cream Social—ice cream, an art station, and a cookie walk were all provided free of charge during the evening book fair event.

· MEAP Reward—candy was provided as a reward for all of the students who took the MEAP test.

· Lee Talent Show—this free show was put on for all interested students and their families.

· Drawing Contest—free books were given to one student from each grade who won the “Draw Your Favorite Book Character” contest.

In addition to these broad, comprehensive programs, the PTA also funded more specific, grade-level projects including:

· Kindergarten—buses for field trips and classroom equipment for each class

· First grade—educational equipment for each of the classrooms

· Second grade—the butterfly project

· Third grade—field trips

· Fourth grade—a wildlife assembly and the “play dough economics” project

· Fifth grade—a digital camera and extra copies of books for students

· Sixth grade—field trips

· Seventh grade—the honors breakfast

· Eighth grade—the quilt project and field trips

· Self-contained classrooms—t-shirts for Special Olympics

We would also like to give a big “thank you” to all the businesses that supported us throughout the year, including:

All of the great things the PTA sponsors here in the Richmond Schools would not be possible without everyone’s support and assistance. When we all work together, we can make a big difference in the lives of our children!