Randy Smith
Middle School
Jan/Feb ‘15
Volume 15
Issue III
MARCH IS NATIONAL
NUTRITION MONTH
National Nutrition Month is a nutrition
education and information campaign
created annually in March by the
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The
campaign focuses attention on the
importance of making informed food
choices and developing sound eating and
physical activity habits.
activity plans that are focused on
consuming fewer calories, making
informed food choices and getting daily
exercise in order to achieve and maintain
a healthy weight, reduce the risk of
chronic disease and promote overall
health.
During this month, our kitchen staff will
be busy educating students about the
importance of healthy eating. There will
be fun games, prizes, recipes and
nutrition information. Stay tuned......
The theme for 2015 is "Bite into a
Healthy Lifestyle," which encourages
everyone to adopt eating and physical
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Randy Smith
Middle School
Jan/Feb ‘15
Volume 15
Issue III
The Five (5) Food Groups
Do you know them?
Students tell us
their favorite
foods
Start your day
with breakfast
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Middle School
Jan/Feb ‘15
Volume 15
Issue III
MARCH 1-7 IS SCHOOL BREAKFAST WEEK
Research confirms that breakfast is the most important meal of the day for children’s health, academic
achievement, cognitive development and mental health. Unfortunately, many children regularly skip breakfast
each morning, depriving them of the important benefits associated with the morning meal. In fact, though most
schools in the United States offer the School Breakfast Program, less than a quarter of all students and less than
half of the students who are eligible for a free or reduced-price breakfast are eating it.
Children who struggle with hunger face:
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Lack of concentration
Slower recall
Difficulty paying attention
Diminished academic performance
Emotional and behavioral difficulties
Issues with aggression and anxiousness
Difficulty getting along with other kids
Hyperactivity
Increased illness, with a longer recovery time, leading to increased absence and tardiness
Students are offered a variety of breakfast choices at Randy Smith such as: Assorted Cold Cereals, Bagel-ful,
French Toast Slice, Sunrise Flatbread, Sausage & Cheese Biscuit, Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit, Egg &
Cheese Tortilla Wrap, Pancake & Sausage Stick, Blueberry Whole Grain Muffin, Banana Whole Grain Muffin,
Oatmeal Breakfast Bar, Cherry Apple Crunch Bar, Fresh Fruit, 100% Juice and Skim Chocolate or White Milk
Need other ideas for
breakfast? Try these…..
Layer low-fat plain yogurt with your
favorite crunchy cereal and blueberries
Blend a breakfast smoothie with low-fat
milk, strawberries and a banana
Stuff a whole-wheat pita with a sliced,
hard-cooked egg and low-fat shredded
cheese
Make instant oatmeal with low-fat milk
and add raisins or dried cranberries and
chopped walnuts
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Middle School
Jan/Feb ‘15
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Issue III
__________________________________________________________
Alaska Measures of Progress (AMP) are
the new state assessments for students in
grades 3-10. AMP replaces the Standards
Based Assessments (SBA), which was
administered for the final time in April
2014.
The 2014-2015 spring testing dates
have been revised to accommodate new
state assessments.
In contrast to previous years, all students
will attend school on testing days.
AMP is computer-based and will be
administered for the first time in spring
2015. Learn more about the new
assessments and technology practice tests at
the Alaska Assessments website:
While the testing dates span six days,
students will not participate in assessments
each day during the testing window. The
assessment dates depend upon the school's
specific testing schedule.
http://education.alaska.gov/akassessments/
Refer to copy of revised calendar on the
next page.
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Middle School
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Middle School
Jan/Feb ‘15
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CONGRATS!
APPLAUSE
Janet Pulido - 4th in the Eskimo
stick pull
Elijah Winfrey - 2nd in the onehand reach and Alaskan high kick,
3rd place in the kneel jump and
one-foot high kick, and 4th place in
the Indian stick pull
8th graders, Andrew Ng & Elijah Winfrey
News-Miner “Students in the Spotlight”
ROBOTICS CLUB
Nikita Cartier - 4th in the kneel
jump, wrist carry and seal hop,
The Randy Smith Black Bears
had the highest scoring robot
with 175 points and were
named tournament grand
champions, winning the team
a spot at the Open North
American Invitational this
April in Carlsbad, California,
home of the LEGOLAND
theme park. Congratulations
Travis Brase, Sequoia and
Willow Call, Miguel
Figueroa-Martinez, Athena
Garron, Joseph Herman,
Levi Smith, Jake Tamillo,
and Joseph Walls.
Avery Brearley - 1st in the seal
hop and 5th in the kneel jump and
Eskimo stick pull
Chris Hattal - 3rd in the Eskimo
stick pull
Cody Andrews - 2nd in the seal
hop, 3rd in the two-foot high kick,
4th in the Alaskan high kick, and
5th in the one-foot high kick
Dana Twogood - 2nd in the Indian
stick pull
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Middle School
Jan/Feb ‘15
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Issue III
Congratulations to our Spelling Bee Winners! Linnaea Uliassi is our
champion and will be representing Randy Smith at district finals on
March 7th. Trinity Smith came in a close second place, and our third
place winner is Ethan Raygor. A great effort by all who attended! A
special thanks to Mrs. White and Ms. Goodman, our esteemed judges!
Ski Club
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Middle School
Jan/Feb ‘15
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Issue III
HONOR SOCIETY NEWS
Randy Smith National Junior Honor Society has had a busy month. They have chaired a
canned good drive for the Fairbanks Food Bank. They are challenging the 8th graders against
the 7th graders. If the entire school brings in as much as last year they will award everyone
with root beer floats. The deadline is March 9.
Other activities are:
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They volunteer at Anne Wien every Tuesday morning from 8:30 to 9:15.
Organize a week of Spirit Days in March
Plan for Teacher Appreciation
Soon they will be inviting all 7th graders that have maintained a 3.5 or higher
for the first three quarters to join in May.
2014-2015 NJHS MEMBERS
Aliyah Anglin
Stella Bettisworth
Travis Brase
Ashlyn Bray
Tiernan BrennerGelvin
Sequoia Rain Call
Jasen Chausse'
Preston Damario
Cierra Davis
Kira Dickerson
Michael Dow
Jorielle Dusenberry
Tanja Gens
Rebecca Gough
Emilie Grimes
AnnaLi Hansen
Naomi Hartman
Jonah Henderson
Sadie Hoorn
Emma Jerome
Jessica Johnson
Rachel Jones
Ella Kuhn
Elly Messina
Kendra Michaelis
Aaron Partnow
Adrian Peterson
Ashley Plummer
Ethan Raygor
Drew Rizk
Olivia Rockwell
Baily Shumway
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Benjamin Smith
Samantha Starks
Kami Steel
Seth Stern
Jacob Tamillo
Dulce Villasenor
Riley Vivlamore
Carolina Wyatt
Randy Smith
Middle School
Jan/Feb ‘15
Volume 15
Issue III
Randy Smith Yearbook Club
Randy Smith Rifle Team
Hello everyone from the Yearbook Crew!
Welcome to the 2015 season of the Randy Smith Rifle
team! This year the team is being coached and
facilitated by Mary Reece. My contact information is:
We have completed the Yearbook for 2014!
Now we have to sell them, so we are also
taking YEARBOOK ORDERS for the 200
books we have to sell this year.
EMAIL: mary.reece@k12northstar.org
Mrs. Reece cell phone: 378-8477
We will be selling them off and on at lunches
from after Spring Break thru all of April. So
Order your Yearbook NOW!!!
My name is Mary Reece and I coached the West
Valley Rifle team for the 2014 season and now the
Randy Smith team for the 2015 season. I am a teacher
in the Fairbanks North Star School District and hold
this coaching position through a contract with the
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District. I am
excited to be the coach for the Rifle team and look
forward to integrating several guest coaches
throughout Borough shooter organizations to help
these new shooters gain inspiring coaching
suggestions to improve their abilities in this very
competitive sport. I encourage anyone interesting in
shooting precision air rifles to attend an informative
meeting in January after our holiday break. You do
not need any prior experience in shooting and all
students are welcome. Dates will be announced soon.
Several past Randy Smith rifle team members are
shooting on the high school level and many have gone
on to shoot in the Jr. Olympic trials each year. This is
an intense sport that requires patience and
determination.
They are $30, and that's a steal with 88 pages
in FULL COLOR throughout!
And remember- if we sell 180 books before
Thursday, May 1st, Mr. Boyarsky will dye his
hair pink.
Thanks & See the nearby sneak-peek of this
year's cover! (Courtesy of Felisha Warzee)
Mr. B and the Yearbook crew
The goals for the 2015 team:
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Support your education at Randy Smith
Jr. High School
Help every member of this team improve
their shooting skills
Facilitate personal development of all
Rifle team members
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Middle School
Jan/Feb ‘15
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Spring is in the air, even if snow is still on the ground! In the library, students are busy finishing
work for the quarter, as well as getting ready for AMP testing in March and April.
Book Club will discuss The blackhope enigma (Flavin) and Lockwood and Company: The
screaming staircase (Stroud), with time for a personal choice book or two in the next two months.
Students are doing a good job of keeping track of book due dates, but need to be aware that
overdue books eventually turn into “lost” books and fines. To access this information, go to
destiny.k12northstar.org, choose Randy Smith Middle School, log in with the regular login, and
choose the “My Info” tab.
In April, we look forward to celebrating National Library Week (April 12-18). There will be
contests, such as the annual bookmark contest, and activities, such as bookmaking workshops,
plus of lots of reading, of course. National Library Week happens to follow testing, so it provides
some fun after all the hard work.
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Middle School
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Middle School
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March 13
March 16 – 20
March 31 – April 2
April 3
April 7 – 9
April 14 – 16
Early Out @ 2:30p
Spring Break (No School)
7th Grade AMP Testing
8th Grade SBA
8th Grade AMP Testing/7th Grade AMP Testing Make-Up
8th Grade AMP Testing Make-Up
7th/8th Girls Volleyball
Tues 3/10 RSM @ Ryan 4:15p
Thurs 3/10 NPM @ RSM 4:15p
Tues 3/24 RSM @ Eielson 3p
Thurs 3/26 Monroe @ RSM 4:15p
Tues 3/31 RSM @ Tanana 4:15p
Mon 4/13 Ryan @ RSM 4:15p
Tues 4/14 RSM @ NPM 3p
Thurs 4/16 Eielson @ RSM 4:15p
Tues 4/21 RSM @ Monroe 3p
Thurs 4/23 Tanana @ RSM 4:15p
7th/8th Boys & Junior Varsity
Tues 3/10 Ryan @ RSM 4:15p
Thurs 3/12 RSM @ Tanana 4:15p
Tues 3/24 RSM @ NPM 3p
Thurs 3/30 Ryan @ RSM 4:15p
Tues 4/2 NPM @ RSM 4:15p
Mon 4/13 RSM @ Ryan 4:15p
Tues 4/14 NPM @ RSM 4:15p
Tues 4/21 Tanana @ RSM 4:15p
Thurs 4/23 RSM @ Tanana 4:15p
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Middle School
Jan/Feb ‘15
Volume 15
Issue III
Travel to Portugal and
Spain in May 2016!
Randy Smith has a
great tradition:
We
to
travel!
We have traveled to Italy,
Greece,
China, Great Britain,
France,
Germany and Spain.
These trips
are amazing and life
changing!
It is the time to start
planning
our next trip! This time
we'll visit
Portugal and Spain. It is a 12 day tour! We'll visit Lisbon, Evora, Algarve, Seville,
Costa DeSol, Granada, Valencia and Barcelona. The informational meeting will
take place on November 19th, at 5:30 p.m. in room 127. The tour is open to all
students. We'll see you on the 19th! Mrs. Napolilli ~ 458-7600 ext 9127
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Middle School
Jan/Feb ‘15
Volume 15
Issue III
Notes from the Nurse
We are seeing lab confirmed cases of Influenza in the
district already. This is a little early for the flu season!
The best way to protect yourself from getting the flu is
to wash your hands frequently, wash before preparing
food, after coming home from being in public, and of
course after using the bathroom. The other way to
decrease the likelihood of getting Influenza is by getting
the flu shot. It is recommended that everyone six
months old and up get the flu shot every year. These are
available at Fred Meyer's, Safeway and your health care
provider.
How can you tell if it's influenza or a cold? Here are
some guidelines with information gathered from
webmd.com and mayoclinic.org and nasn.org:
Randy Smith Middle School is a collector of
Box Tops for Education. Each of the Box Tops
is worth ten cents to the school. It can add up
quickly! If you buy a product with a Box Top
for Education on it please tear it off and send it
in to the school. Examples of products that have
Box Tops on them include Kleenex, Ziploc
baggies, Cheerios and many other cereals,
GoGurt, Hefty bags and *many* other products.
You can see a list of more products and related
information at this web site:
http://www.boxtops4education.com/
Generally you don't run a fever with a cold but with
influenza it can go up to 102 or higher. With influenza
you often will have body aches which are not usual with
a cold. Colds are more likely to have coughing, sneezing
and runny nose. Fatigue and weakness are most common
with the flu. Chest discomfort is common with the flu
but not so much with a cold.
Basic treatment for both colds and influenza include
getting extra rest, drinking plenty of water throughout
the day and staying warm. If you are concerned about
your child's health status you should call your health
care provider for advice.
2014 – 2015 RSMS PTSA Officers:
Remember, it's not too late to get a flu shot for this year.
This is recommended for everyone six months old and
up.
Lois Henderson, RN, 458-7600 option 3.
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President: TimmieSue Edgerley
mttje@acsalaska.net, (907) 378-5854
Treasurer: Misha Brenner-Gelvin
Secretary: Kristen Presler
VP Membership: Wendi Raygor
VP Events: Samantha Wuttig
Teacher Rep: Sara Wood
Student Rep: VACANT
Meetings are on 2nd Tuesdays at 6:15
Randy Smith
Middle School
Jan/Feb ‘15
Volume 15
Issue III
Tips for Parents using PowerSchool
With PowerSchool Premier you can securely access your student(s) information on the Internet
at any time.
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Bell Schedule
Student Records
Grades and Attendance
Grades History
Attendance History
Graduation Progress
Email Notification
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Teacher Comments
School Bulletin
My Calendars: Teacher's
assignment/test schedule (if used)
Ethnic issues
Account Preferences
How to Create Your Parent Account
1. Go to premier.k12northstar.org/public . A link is also located on the home page of this site,
click on the PowerSchool link located in left column.
2. Click on the button labeled "Create Account."
3. Enter the parent/guardian account information. Each account must have a unique email
address and user name.
4. Create a password of your choosing.
5. You must have your Guardian Access ID for each student provided by your child's school to
link to your student.
Access ID: g______ (contact your child's school if you don't know your Access ID)
Access Password: _______
"Relationship" refers to your relationship to the student.
6. If you have more than one student you can add them by following this path: "Account
Preferences" > "Students" > "Add".
7. Take note of the User Name and Password that you have just created, because you will need
them to log in to the PowerSchool portal once you click on "Enter".
**We recommend that you keep your parent/guardian password private**
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Middle School
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Issue III
From the” Kitchen King” (aka Mr. Ginnaty)
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Middle School
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Full Stomachs = Full Minds
"When children fail to get sufficient dietary energy, particularly in the mornings, their cognitive
capacity is impaired: their brains do not have sufficient fuel for attention, concentration and
learning."
Dr. J. Larry Brown, Harvard School of Public Health
Students who eat a healthy breakfast and lunch during the school day can reap the benefits of
increased cognitive or mental abilities, enabling them to be more alert and pay better attention
resulting in improved grades, test scores, attendance and behavior.
No expensive study is needed to prove that children who have not eaten cannot concentrate.
Participating in the school meal program is one of many positive steps to support the
educational process for our children.
A Quick Link to Nutrition Services
http://www.k12northstar.org/departments/nutrition
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Middle School
Jan/Feb ‘15
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Issue III
Meal Application - Online
The FNSBSD Nutrition Services is proud to introduce our new state-of-the-art web based application!
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More expedient application processing turnaround time
Results in less out-of-pocket meal costs for families waiting for application processing
You no longer have to print, reprint, or distribute applications
Lost or misplaced applications are a thing of the past
No more couriering applications from schools or other site locations to nutrition services
Online entry can help with potential language barriers (available in English and Spanish)
School staff, nutrition services staff, central office staff - all save time and resources
Increase in program participation
Green technology
Reduced operational costs all around
Safe, secure and confidential
Apply online anytime using an internet-enabled computer
Each new school year brings 1,000 of applications for the free and reduced meal program. Historically,
these applications were processed, one-by-one by nutrition services administrative staff. Each
application is reviewed for accuracy and completeness. Many of the submitted applications require
individual telephone calls by our staff to the applicant as a result of missing, incorrect or incomplete
information causing a delay in determining benefits for a child. Our goal is to provide those benefits to
our qualified students as soon as possible!
Gather the following to apply online:
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Listing of all household members
Total household size
Income for all household members (determine the frequency of payment)
Student Name(s)
Student Birthdate(s) (helpful but not required)
Student FNSBSD identification number (helpful but not required)
Student Official Enrolled School (helpful but not required)
Student ID (helpful but not required)
We encourage you to submit your application online for many benefits! Questions regarding the process
can be directed to (907) 451-1004 or email foodservice@k12northstar.org. Please feel free to provide us
feedback on the online process so we may better serve your needs.
Sincerely,
Helena Schreder, Assistant Director, Nutrition Services
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Middle School
Jan/Feb ‘15
Volume 15
Issue III
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Randy Smith Middle School staff believes that a key factor in student success is regular
attendance. Students are required by Alaska law to attend school punctually and
regularly. An accurate record is kept of all absences and tardies.
The district shall notify parent/guardian in writing when absences accumulate to ten (10)
class periods of the same class and every ten (10)-class periods of the same class
thereafter.
TARDY TO CLASS
Being on time to class is expected and students will be held accountable. Classes have
been organized in the building to allow students to get to class well within the passing
period. If students are more than 10 minutes late to class, they will be considered absent
tardy (AT). Tardies are recorded during a quarter and result in the consequences below.
Parents can track attendance on PowerSchool.
Tardies are a serious disruption to an effective learning environment and school success.
 1st & 2nd Tardy:
Warning
 3rd Tardy:
Lunch detention
th
 4 Tardy:
2 Lunch Detentions
 5th Tardy:
2 Lunch Detentions
th
 6 Tardy:
½ Day of In-School Intervention
 7th -12th Tardy:
1 Day of In-School Intervention
 More than 12:
2 Days of In-School Intervention
Parents will be contacted by phone starting on the 3rd tardy.
HELPFUL STUDENT TIPS TO GET TO CLASS ON TIME
1. Organize books and materials so that you don’t have to go to your locker in between
classes. This will allow you more time to talk to teachers and other students, use the
rest rooms, or go to the office for messages
2. Use one notebook in which you carry your paper, pencils/pens, and planner. Then,
all you have to remember to bring to class is your book(s).
TARDY TO SCHOOL
In order to issue an excused tardy slip, a parent/guardian must call the office or send in a
signed note within 48 hours of the tardy.
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Middle School
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ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL
A parent/guardian is requested to telephone the school at 458-7600, ext. 9101 between
8:30 and 11:00 a.m. if a student is unable to attend that day. Students will be allowed an
opportunity to make up work or receive comparable credit if absent with parental or
school permission. Teachers will provide a course syllabus that will notify the student
and parent of their grading and make-up work procedures and criteria.
Students whose absences are unexcused will be allowed to make up work or receive
comparable credit only with the teacher’s permission.
LEAVING SCHOOL/SIGNING OUT OF SCHOOL
Randy Smith is a closed campus. Once students reach school, they must obtain
permission from the office to leave the campus for any reason unless in the company of
a parent/guardian. It is the policy of Randy Smith Middle School that a parent/guardian
or their designee must sign students out of school if picking up a student before the
regular dismissal time. A note must be brought to the office, signed by a
parent/guardian, with the specific time to be picked up. At that time a town school pass
will be issued. If a note is not brought to the office, a parent/guardian must come to the
office and present a photo id in order to sign a student out of school. While we strongly
recommend that all appointments be made outside the student-teacher contact day, we
realize that this is not always possible.
PRE-ARRANGED ABSENCE
If students plan to leave school for three or more days, a parent/guardian will inform the
school of the dates he/she will be gone. The student must take a pre-arranged absence
form around to all classes to be signed by the teachers a minimum of 1 week prior to the
scheduled absence. The teachers will provide students with assignments. Students are
responsible to make sure that they have all homework assigned before leaving and
understand that it is their responsibility to complete and turn in the assigned work per
the teacher’s instructions. Students must return the pre-arranged absence form to the
office before leaving on the trip.
RETURNING TO SCHOOL AFTER AN ABSENCE
1. If a parent/guardian is unable to call, a student will bring a note from home the day
he/she returns to school. The note must list a full name, date of absence, reason for
the absence, and be signed by a parent/guardian. A parent/guardian will have 48
hours to excuse absences from school.
2. In case of extended illness for three days or more, a parent/guardian may request
assignments through the office. Teachers have 24 hours to compile and bring
homework to the office.
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Issue III
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Randy Smith Middle School as an innovative educational community of learners
is to prepare all students for a successful transition to high school in a safe, caring environment
through curricular, technological and social development as they seek their highest potential and
become respectful members of a diverse, challenging and changing world.
Highest Potential
 To strive for academic excellence.
 To provide many opportunities to discover and explore areas of
interest and talent.
 To assist in identifying personal strengths and areas of
improvement.
Respect
 To accept and appreciate individual differences.
 To respond appropriately to adults in position of authority.
Responsibility
 To understand and participate in the democratic process.
 To understand one's relationship to the environment and be committed to the
wise use of resources.
 To be an independent life-long learner.
 To develop an awareness of community and participate in community service.
Productive
 To demonstrate appropriate grade level skills.
 To develop critical thinking skills.
 To experience the process of setting and achieving goals.
 To acquire technological skills.
SCHOOL SONG
With Pride, Respect, and Integrity we show off our achievements
We embrace our love of Citizenship and strive for Excellence
And those who challenge the Black Bear’s den are sure to pay the P.R.I.C.E.
For Randy Smith is always victorious, in sports, in school, in life
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Middle School
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