Young Romans features: Rome Middle School
Rome Middle School students have been challenged to read 1 million (or more!) words this school year. Reading is essential to a student’s success in school and life. Students are encouraged to read to expand their knowledge and for enjoyment. Thirty minutes of DEAR, or Drop Everything and Read, is provided for students every morning.
The 1 Million Word Challenge was introduced to students at the beginning of the school year. Students earn prizes when they reach reading milestones on their journey to 1 million words. Students that have read 250,000 words are presented a Fast Pass. The Fast Pass allows the student to move to the front of the lunch or concession stand line. At 500,000 words, students earn a Rome Reads t-shirt, a courtyard pass, and an invitation to Water and Inflatable Day. The courtyard pass allows a student to eat on the courtyard every day with a friend of his/ her choice. A pizza party is held for students that have reached 750,000 words. Students that achieve 1 million words are awarded a ticket to field day, are provided the opportunity to design one of the field day events, and are entered in a drawing for $500.
At the end of the first nine weeks, 39 students have read 250,000 or more words. Two students have read
over 750,000 words and are quickly approaching the million word challenge.
AGRICULTURE EDUCATION
Agriculture Education is made up of three areas. Specific areas include classroom instruction, FFA (Future Farmers of America) and SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience). Activities vary and allow for students to be in a classroom one day and then the next to be in the greenhouse. The work is meaningful, challenging, rewarding and ensures the next generation of leaders will be problem solvers, entrepreneurs and agriculturalists. Ms. Ashley Hamby is so excited to share her passion for agriculture, create lessons that are hands on, teach students of all abilities and create interest through diverse curriculum options and engaging delivery methods.
HEALTH SCIENCE
Rome Middle School Healthcare Science is starting off its second year with a brand new group of excited future health professionals. Students as well as their teacher, Mrs. Lauren Pritchard, are looking forward to using new equipment donated by our partners at Floyd Medical Center throughout the semester. While both 7th and 8th grade have already completed units on Safety Practices and Infection Control, they were most looking forward
to the Personal Protective Equipment lab when they got to dress the part in gowns, gloves, masks, and goggles. Melvin Ragland, a current 8th grade student, is ready to keep moving through the medical specialty units. “I am excited about learning about vital signs in the Nursing Unit,” he states. The students will take a couple weeks to practice collecting vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse, height, and weight before using their newfound knowledge on RMS teachers. 7th grade students cannot wait until their Emergency Services Unit in December. When asked what they remember most from the 6th grade tours their first answer is “CPR!” We have a wonderful group of ladies from Floyd Medical that come out and test our students for CPR/AED certification after a week-long course on learning every tiny step involved in the process. The Rome Middle School Healthcare Science program is also able to take learning outside of the classroom. Mrs. Pritchard, along with six 8th grade student officers, have worked hard since May to establish the first HOSA chapter at RMS. Students are able to take the knowledge from class and apply it to a variety of competitive events at two leadership conferences throughout the year. Gaby Zapon Boozer says she is “looking forward to being in HOSA because I love healthcare and helping people.” RMS is ready to continue growing this program as well as its HOSA chapter in the upcoming years!