
We couldn’t let today pass without recognizing our principal, Mr. Hipp, for National Principal's Day! His leadership, sense of humor, and kindness go a long way in making RBMS a great place to learn and work. We’re grateful for all he does, each and every day.


This past Tuesday, we had an incredible night celebrating the cultures and families that make our school community so special! Thank you to everyone who came out and made our Global Parent Engagement Night such a success!











Once again, our Barker Bruins are out in the community doing amazing things!
Several of our students proudly represented RBMS in The Amazing Shake competition—a fast-paced, exciting event focused on building professional skills like communication, confidence, and leadership. We’re so proud of the way they showed up, took on the challenge, and represented RBMS with excellence!
Our robotics teams had a blast at a friendly competition hosted at Ardis Ann Middle School with Old High Middle School! It was an awesome opportunity to showcase all the skills they’ve learned and practiced this year. We’re so proud of their hard work and teamwork—way to go, Purple Minions and Coding Geniuses!




We are SO proud of our students who played today with the Miracle League of NWA!
They brought the energy, the heart, and all the smiles to the field. The Miracle League is all about breaking down barriers and showing the world what our kids can do—and they absolutely crushed it! Way to go!!




Congratulations to our Classified Staff Member of the Year, Mrs. Chelsea Rustad!
Ms. Chelsea is the first friendly face you see when you walk through our doors. She keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes and does so much for our school community.
And what made it even more special? The surprise announcement was made by her son, Emmett!
Thank you, Ms. Chelsea, for all you do for us—we’re so lucky to have you!


This morning’s Bruin Blast was packed with celebration!
We recognized students who exemplify the Knowledgeable learner profile—way to go, Bruins!
Mr. Efird received the March Madness certificate for RBMS’s winning bracket (champion status!), and we were honored to receive the Zearn Award for completing the most Zearn units in the district!




At Bruin Blast today, we celebrated students who exemplify the learner profile trait Reflective, demonstrating thoughtfulness and growth in their learning. We also recognized students who participated in the physical fitness challenges—way to go! Keep up the great work!







If you’ve ever stepped inside RBMS, you know there is no teacher more deserving of Teacher of the Year than Kelly Sanders! She embodies everything it means to be a Barker Bruin—dedicated, kind, and deeply committed to the success of every student.
Ms. Sanders is not just a teacher; she’s a mentor, a cheerleader, and a champion for her students. Her hard work, compassion, and unwavering support make a lasting impact on everyone around her.
Congratulations, Ms. Sanders! Thank you for all you do!



At Bruin Blast on Friday, we had a great time recognizing our amazing students and celebrating the learner profile trait Risk-Taker! Being a risk-taker means stepping out of your comfort zone, trying new things, and facing challenges with courage and confidence.
We also gave a special shoutout to one of our interns and former Barker Bruin, Sidra—better known as “Super Sid”! We’re so proud of her hard work, courage, and commitment to making a difference. Keep shining, Sidra!






Parent Choice Applications open February 10th - February 21st!


🌟 Bruin Blast Student Spotlight! 🌟
This week, we’re recognizing students who embody the Learner Profile: Reflective! These students consistently take time to reflect on their interactions with others, striving to be kind and supportive friends. They also put thoughtful effort into improving their work, always looking for ways to grow and learn.
Way to go, Bruins! Keep up the great work! 💙





From Multicultural Dance Club to the confidence-building skills of The Amazing Shake, and the creativity of Zen & Ziegler Drawing- we love seeing our students enjoy the clubs they picked and share their interests with others.





Learning caught in action!








Join us for Parent University to discover how the International Baccalaureate Programme
will be implemented, what it offers, and how it will enhance the great things happening at Ruth Barker Middle School!



The day before holiday break was filled with joy and celebration! We had a special sing-along led by our amazing staff and students, starting the day off with holiday cheer. Our very own Barkershop Nonet gave a hilarious and heartfelt performance of “12 Days of Middle School.” And to top it off, it was Pajama Day, bringing cozy vibes all around!
We hope everyone had a happy, safe and restful break. See you next week!











We are excited to announce that RBMS has applied for IB candidacy to begin in the fall of 2025. We look forward to offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme to our students, bringing a globally focused curriculum that inspires learning and prepares students for the future.





Students signed up for clubs last Friday and are excited to get started tomorrow!





5th and 6th graders really launched into the task of building rockets last week! Who knew rocket science could be so much fun?!










RBMS Supply List! Please visit bentonvillek12.org and use the Menu>Parents link for access to enrollment, lunch accounts, and other school related fees.


Come meet your teachers, tour the building, sign up for PTO and receive important information at our RBMS Open House, August 8th, from 4-6pm. See you soon, Bruins!
