
RMS Newsletter
August 2020
About RMS
Email: ymcnulty8711@pcssd.org
Website: https://rms.pcssd.org/
Location: Joe T. Robinson Middle School, Cantrell Road, Little Rock, AR, USA
Phone: (501)8682410
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JTRobMid
Twitter: @JoeT_RMS
Principal's Message- Ms. Yaa Appiah-McNulty
Dear RMS Families,
Welcome Back! While this is a difficult time with the current Covid-19 Pandemic, our team is ready to connect, educate, and ensure we are doing all we can to keep our students safe. At this time, we anticipate having 56% of students attending for traditional or blended learning on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. This is good as we plan to have no more than 15 students in each classroom on any given day. Our lunchroom is large and we are able to physically distance students by placing three students per each table. Our staff has put in a lot of time and effort in order to make the process of returning back to school a smooth and well thought out plan. We anticipate this school year to be a wonderful experience despite the difficult times we all are facing. As a team, we have been active in participating in professional development opportunities to enhance our learning of technology and many other researched based instructional practices. We look forward to using those skills as we prepare to dive back into the new school year.
With having multiple forms of learning (traditional, blended, and digital) it is essential that we have students present for instruction unless there are health reasons. If there are health reasons, the school needs to be informed as attendance is still a critical part of all students receiving quality education. Students that have digital or blended instruction are expected to be present virtually for lessons during their scheduled classroom periods.
We look forward to welcoming back our students and families. Below are important dates to place on your home calendars. The remainder of the newsletter allows you to meet new staff, see our school supply list, and other pertinent information. Please email administration if you have any questions.
Important Dates/ Information:
RMS Car Drive -Through Computer Pick Up Day, Fee Payment, PTO Information
August 10th 12:00pm-5:00pm
Follow CDC Guidelines- Do not come out of the vehicle, drive through and we will support each family.
Virtual Teacher Meet & Greet
August 21st (4:30-5:00 Teacher Pre-Recorded Classroom Essentials Chat)
5:00pm-6:00pm (Department Live Question & Answer Chats)
First Day Of School
August 24, 2020
School Starts at 8:45am-4:05pm
Parental involvement is a major key of a student’s success in school and this year especially, we will need all hands on deck. Our goal as a school is to continue deepening our connections with all families to ensure that are students are making the expected growth as the year progresses. Please feel free to communicate with our administration team if you have any questions. Enjoy the last few weeks of summer break and we look forward to seeing you for our virtual meet and greets.
School Registration Support
Meet Our New Lead Counselor- Ms. Jennifer Coats
Jennifer Coats- Lead Counselor Email: jcoats9243@pcssd.org
Andrea Mixon- Part Time Counselor Email: amixon8469@pcssd.org
Toni Scott- Counselor Secretary Email: tscott4418@pcssd.org
***Meet Our New Staff***
Mr. Hunt- Social Studies & EAST Teacher
Mr. Wesley Hunt joins the Robinson Middle School family after a twelve-year career in the utility industry. A native of Fordyce, Arkansas, Wesley received a bachelor’s degree in History after studying at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He then returned to Little Rock and earned a master’s degree in business administration and juris doctorate at UALR. A father of four and avid trail runner, Wesley enjoys outdoor adventures with his family.
Mrs. DeLoach- CTE Teacher
Mrs. Angela DeLoach has been at Robinson Middle School as the front office secretary for 2 years. She was born in Little Rock, AR and is married with 3 children. She loves to read, sing, hang out with her family and try new foods. She is completing her second Master’s at the University of Central Arkansas in education and her goal is to educate and inspire students to reach for the stars even if it seems impossible. She loves to laugh out loud and enjoy life.
Mr. Skinner- Choir Teacher
Ms. Ziller- Language Teacher
Ms. Forrest- CTE Teacher
Greetings! My name is Kimala J. Forrest and I am a retired educator, with a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership and a Bachelor's Degree in Business Education. I worked in PCSSD for 25 years in a variety of positions, from classroom teacher and above. Currently, I live in Texas and am thrilled to be returning to Arkansas. I am an avid Razorback fan and will call the Hogs whenever and wherever the need arises. Woo Pig Sooie!
My teaching assignment is Career Development and I look forward to working with the students of Robinson Middle School. I love sports and will be seen at many of the athletic events. GO SENATORS! I'm excited to be home!
Mr. Willis - Language Teacher
Ms. Hearn- Special Education Teacher
I am Elizabeth Hearn. I grew up in Searcy and moved to the Little Rock area this summer. Before I moved here I taught in Batesville. I am excited to join the faculty and staff at Joe T. Robinson Middle School and get to know all of the students!
Ms. Moore- Art Teacher
Ms. Thrower- Attendance Secretary
Ms. Poe - Physical Science Teacher
Hello! My name is Haley Poe, and I am the 8th Grade Physical Science Teacher at Joe T. Robinson Middle School. This is my first year teaching at Robinson Middle School and my second year teaching in the Pulaski County School District. I am excited and honored to be teaching science this year at Robinson Middle School. In 2018, I earned my Bachelor of Science degree from University of Arkansas at Little Rock where I majored in Health and Physical Education and minored in Secondary Education. I began my journey in education this past school year teaching physical science, health, and physical education at Joe T. Robinson High School. I am involved with some extracurricular activities at both schools. Last school year, I was the head coach for the tennis and 9th grade girls basketball team, and hope to continue making positive impacts in their lives. When I’m not teaching or coaching, I enjoy spending time with my family, playing with my dogs, reading a good book, and watching a new tv series or movie.
I am very excited to begin the 2020-2021 school year at Joe T. Robinson Middle School, and I’m looking forward to meeting each of you soon!
GO SENATORS!
Ms. Irby- Language Teacher
Ms. Dean- Social Studies Teacher
I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of North Texas with a major in Secondary Social Sciences [composite certification]. I previously taught high school for five years in two districts in the Dallas area before leaving education to fulfill several positions in a corporate environment, including sales, curriculum development & training, and customer relations.
With a strong passion for teaching and working with students, I happily returned to the classroom full-time to teach in local Arkansas schools during the past three years. I have taught a wide range of Social Studies courses in 6th through 12th grade. My teaching experience includes U.S. History, World History, AP U.S. Government & Politics, Economics, Arkansas History, Geography, Psychology, and elective courses in Peak Performance (soft skills) and World Religions. I’m so pleased to join the RMS Senators’ family and eager to begin teaching students in Study Skills and 8th grade History courses this year.
School Librarian- Ms. Berry
My name is Kerri Berry and I am the teacher librarian. I am a Robinson graduate, taught math at Robinson for 17 years and this is my fourth year in the library.
The library will look a little different this year. Unfortunately, students will not be allowed to check out books for the first six weeks of school so I will be promoting eBooks that we have available through platforms such as Mackin and CALS. Please keep an eye out for more information about this in the future.
I will also be the contact person for any issues your student may have with chromebooks. We will be sending home troubleshooting tips when we hand out chromebooks but if none of those work, please feel free to contact me. We will also be passing out insurance flyers with the chromebooks. Please look at this and consider purchasing, chromebook damage can be expensive.
***School Nurse Communication: Ms. Rice***
Click On The Link Below To Learn More About PCSSD Approach To COVID-19.