Principals' Message—March 5, 2026

Dear Students, Parents and Staff,

As we head into spring with an eye toward the final nine weeks of the 2025-2026 school year, we are excited to build on the strong foundation we have established thus far. This is a great time to get back to the basics to ensure every student finishes this school year strong.

The foundation of PRMS starts with a strong culture. We define diversity as "all the ways that people differ," and we believe that those differences enrich the learning experiences for our students. Our goal is for every student to feel safe, connected and valued every time they walk through our doors.

The RAMS Way: Begins with Respect

At PRMS, we reinforce the "R" in RAMS—Respect. During assemblies and small group meetings with students, we focus on culture and are clear about what is not acceptable at PRMS. We are asking all students to go back to the basics and recommit to:

• Building each other up: Use words that encourage, not tear down.
• Kindness for all: Treat every peer and staff member with kindness and consideration.
• Inclusion: Ensure others do not feel isolated or excluded.

We do not tolerate slurs, degrading language or comments regarding:

• The use of the N-word or other racial slurs in any manner.
• Inappropriate sexual remarks.
• Religious beliefs (including antisemitism) or the absence of religious belief.
• Gender, gender identity or sexual orientation.
• Disabilities.

We have a lot to be proud of at PRMS. We have hundreds of students making good choices on a daily basis. At the same time, the "A" in RAMS stands for Accountable. We encourage our students to be "upstanders". If they see someone being mistreated, they should step in appropriately or report the concern to a trusted adult at home or at school.

Technology: Possibilities and Pitfalls

Middle school is an important time to develop responsible digital habits. Technology can bring possibilities and pitfalls.

• Cell Phones: Thank you for supporting our "no cell phones in class" practice. PRMS students are expected to keep their cell phones in their lockers during the school day.
• Artificial Intelligence: As AI becomes more common, we are teaching students about academic integrity. Teachers are communicating if and when AI may be used on assignments.
• Privacy: Cell phones are prohibited in bathrooms and locker rooms. Violations of privacy will be addressed through our discipline code.
• Social Media: We are seeing challenges associated with social media use. We ask families to reinforce a "Think Before You Post" mindset. Students should ask themselves: Will this post reflect positively on me or my family? Does the post reflect well on the school? Is the post a good idea for my future? Additionally, if students or parents see a concerning message on social media, please report it instead of reposting it.

Motivated and Safe: Healthy Habits

The last two letters of RAMS are M for Motivated and S for Safe, and these are two key words. We encourage our students to:

• Stay Active: Exercise and eat healthy to help regulate mood and focus.
• Prioritize Sleep: Growing brains need rest, and we are heading into a time where there are a number of assessments (PSSA and finals).
• Make Safe Choices: Please have conversations at home about the risks of vaping, alcohol and drugs. We want to protect our students' health and their futures.
• Take Pride in Our School: Taking care of our restrooms, hallways, classrooms and lockers is a shared responsibility. If everyone does his/her part, our school will be clean and safe for all to enjoy.

We share these messages to ensure the foundations we have built remain strong. We share these reminders because we care about each of our students and our overall school community. We at PRMS have had a wonderful year in the arts, music, athletics and in the classroom.

We will reinforce these topics through our announcements, activity periods and in small group discussions. If students ever have any concerns about anything, they should talk with parents or a trusted adult at school. Parents can contact the school district with concerns. Safe2Say is always available for anonymous reporting.

With a strong foundation, we know that the best is yet to come!

Sincerely,

Dr. Dave Kristofic, Principal

Ms. Nicole Berezo, Assistant Principal

Dr. Maura Paczan, Director of Student Services

Dr. Michael Pasquinelli, Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education

Dr. Brian Miller, Superintendent