In This Issue Important Dates Multicultural Potluck Tonight! Warm Clothing Drive Spirit Week is Next Week Beyond the Bell Rhino Report Wanted: Gift Cards, Snacks, and Deodorant Seeking Volunteers Do You Have News to Share?

Important Dates Mon, Dec 5 - Fri, Dec 16: Warm Clothing Drive Wed, Dec 7: Multicultural Potluck and Open House, 6-8 pm, Ramsey Cafeteria Thu, Dec 8: Choir Concert, 7 pm, Ramsey Auditorium Mon, Dec 12 - Fri, Dec 16: Spirit Week Tue, Dec 13: Orchestra Concert, 7 pm, Ramsey Auditorium Thu, Dec 15: Concert & Jazz Bands Concert, 7 pm, Ramsey Auditorium Mon, Dec 19 - Mon, Jan 2: NO SCHOOL, Winter Break See the full calendar for more info

Multicultural Potluck Tonight! Come one, come all to the Ramsey event of the season! Celebrate our diverse families and our future Rhinos by joining us for a potluck dinner and open house tonight in the Ramsey Cafeteria.

Dinner will be served from 6 to 7 pm. Principal Rathke will give a welcome/presentation for prospective Ramsey families, and tours will be given from 7 to 8 pm.

Please bring a dish to share that has a connection to your family’s culture or ethnicity. See the flyer for all the details.

En español In Soomaali

Warm Clothing Drive Ramsey’s student council is hosting a warm clothing drive December 5 through December 16. Please consider donating new and/or gently used, CLEAN warm clothing items (hats, scarves, gloves, mittens, coats, sweaters, heavy socks). All donations should be brought to room 301.

Spirit Week is Next Week December 12 through 16 is spirit week at Ramsey! Show your school spirit by participating in fun dress-up days. Also, candy grams will be sold at all lunches from December 12 through December 15. They are 50 cents apiece or 3 for $1. They will be delivered to students at the end of the day on Friday, December 16. Dress-up days for Spirit Week (please note that HATS are not allowed):

Monday Pajama Day

Tuesday Blackout Day (wear all black clothing)

Wednesday Crazy Hair/ Socks/ Scarf Day

Thursday Dress Like a Teacher Day

Friday Twin Day (dress alike as a pair or group, or wear MN Twins gear)

Beyond the Bell Beyond The Bell is a program designed to create a safe and fun space for students before the school day. There are endless options at Beyond the Bell. The students work with staff to create clubs, crafts, projects, and more. There is everything from community service projects, video gaming, cooking activities, homework help, and recreational options. Who? For 6th through 8th grade students currently registered at Ramsey Middle School. Where? Ramsey Beyond the Bell Room, Cafeteria, and Gym. When? Doors open at 7:00 am. Students remain with us until the start of the school day. Cost? $7/Morning (includes morning café) Registration Fee of $35. For more information: http://mplskids.mpls.k12.mn.us/beyond_the_bell or email Elise Mohn.

Rhino Report The latest edition of the Rhino Report is here! For student perspectives on current events, school happenings, art, and more, click here: http://ramsey.mpls.k12.mn.us/uploads/vol_2_no_4.pdf.

Wanted: Gift Cards, Snacks, and Deodorant Ramsey's social workers are holding a gift card and snack drive to help students and families. Gift cards help struggling families with the holidays and beyond. We would love to have gift cards on hand, to distribute where help is most needed. In particular, gift cards from the following stores would be most useful: Cub, Walmart, Super America, and Target. Cards in any amount are welcome! And, our social workers frequently provide snacks to students who are hungry throughout the day. Boxes of granola bars or packages of single-serving packets of goldfish crackers would be greatly appreciated! Also, our social workers have asked for donations of men’s and women’s deodorant, as some of our students could really use this item. If you have gift cards, snacks, or deodorant you'd like to donate to this cause, please drop them off with Cassie Zonnefeld, in the main office.

Seeking Volunteers Looking for a way to get involved at Ramsey? Look no further! Here are the current volunteer opportunities at Ramsey: Single Events:

● Multicultural Potluck and Open House–Help set up, host, and clean up during a multicultural night and open house for all prospective and current Ramsey families

● Choir Concert Volunteers–provide support for the 12/8 choir concert ● Orchestra Concert Volunteers–provide support for the 12/13 orchestra concert ● Band Concert Volunteers–provide support for the 12/15 band concert

Ongoing: ● ESL Newcomer Class–help students new to the USA work on their English skills ● Greeters–start our students' days out on a positive note by greeting students when they arrive

at Ramsey ● Media Center–help keep the media center well-organized and running smoothly ● Musicians–welcome students as they arrive at school with live music in the mornings ● Teacher Treat Day–thank our devoted Ramsey staff and teachers with a monthly treat day

Do You Have News to Share? Send all stories, ideas, and comments to the Around the Horn editors at RamseyMSCommunications@gmail.com. Deadline for submission is Friday the week before publication at 5:00 pm.

MAIN OFFICE (612) 668-4040 SCHOOL CLOSING INFO ATTENDANCE LINE (612) 668-4030 SCHOOL MESSENGER INFO TRANSPORTATION (612) 668-2300 MPS LUNCH MENUS