Ruth Barker Middle School

Wow! RBMS has the most talented staff and students! This talent show was next level — like finding a warp zone in Mario, grabbing a star, and defeating Bowser in one run!

Have a great summer, Bruins!!

The staff/student basketball game is always one of the best events of the year! From the orchestra and choir performing the national anthem, to future 7th grade dance, cheer, and basketball stars taking the court, to the band keeping the crowd energized- it’s a fun time for everyone!

Once again, the teachers still managed to limp away undefeated!

Congratulations to all our 6th grade award recipients!! We are so proud of you!

The Heart of the Bruin — inspired by Coach Malloy. We recognized students who truly embody what it means to be a Barker Bruin. Whether it’s noticing a need and stepping in to help, offering encouragement to others, tackling each day head-on, or consistently showing kindness and character, these students make a positive impact on our school community every day.

One of the best parts of middle school is watching students step up, take on challenges, and go above and beyond. This trio has played the National Anthem for our school every Wednesday and has done an outstanding job! Way to go!

Last Friday, our 6th grade band and orchestra gave their final performances of the year. Seeing the growth and hard work from not only the students, but also Mr. Cowart, Ms. Reynolds, and Ms. Keiser, has been incredible. We are proud of all they accomplished this year!!

Wow! 2026 Field Day was a success! From the rubber chicken toss to the pool noodle javelin, the mile run, and the grand finale homeroom tug-of-war, our students played hard all day long.

Congrats to Ms. Romines’ and Ms. Sanders’ homerooms for claiming this year’s trophies! Way to go!

We also want to extend a big THANK YOU to the coaches and volunteers! It was a great day for all!

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! Thank you for coming back to walk the halls of RBMS one more time. We are proud of all you’ve accomplished and excited to see what’s ahead for each of you!!

Shout out to Ms. Trevino for another great choir performance! Back in the Day highlighted music through the decades and showcased the hard work and talent of our students. We appreciate all the time and effort that went into making the night such a success!!

We are so proud of our Battle of the Books teams who made it to the district finals. Congratulations to all the teams who participated in the middle school competition yesterday!

After years of dedicated service, we are celebrating the retirements of Ms. Erin Phelps, Ms. Rosemary McCormack, Ms. Tara Malloy, and Mr. Dan Supple. Your years of serving kids well, building relationships, and investing in our school community have helped shape RBMS into what it is today!

Thank you for the countless ways you have supported students, families, and staff over the years. Your impact will continue far beyond the walls of RBMS, and you will be greatly missed. We wish you all the best in this next chapter!

Battle of the Books is a reading competition where students read selected books and compete by answering questions based on them. It’s a great way to build reading comprehension, teamwork, and knowledge of different books. This week is our district competition — good luck to all of our competitors!

Once a Bruin, Always a Bruin!

Today at Bruin Blast, we were proud to welcome back former RMS students—now graduating seniors—who shared powerful words of wisdom with our current Bruins about the importance of doing the little things well. Their journeys are a reminder that hard work, dedication, and character matter every step of the way.

A huge thank you to our incredible alumni for coming back to inspire the next generation:

• Ethan McDougal - Drury University, Golf
• Ashton Burgener - Southwestern College, Basketball
• Tristan Brown - Pittsburg State University, Football
• Ayden Muff - University of Arkansas, Cheer
• Connor Davis— Grayson College, Baseball
• Al Cline - University of Arkansas, Cheer
• Taylor Chrisp - Newman University, Softball
• Parker Brewer - University of Arkansas, Bowling
• Brandon Lawson - NWACC, Soccer
• Lilly Kham - Eckerd College, Women’s Soccer
• Kellen Wrona - Arkansas Tech University, Football
• Miles Rush - Jacksonville State University, Cross Country & Track
• Kylah Manthe - Quachita Baptist University, Volleyball
• Kameran Thornton-Mead - Harding University, Football

Thank you for showing them what it means to always be a Bruin!

We had a wonderful morning celebrating 20 years of Barker! Thank you to our PTO for helping host this special event, and thank you to all of our current and former staff who stopped by to celebrate with us. What a meaningful way to honor two decades of community!

Drop in on Thursday, May 7th from 9:30–11:30 AM to visit with current and former staff and families, enjoy cake and punch, and celebrate two decades of community at RBMS!

We talk a lot about IB learner profiles at our Friday Bruin Blasts, and if there was one to describe Ms. Briana, it would be caring. Today was her last day at RBMS, and we are so grateful for the time she spent with us. Not only did she make sure our school was clean and presentable, but she also took the time to get to know students and build genuine connections each day.
If you could hear the applause through these photos, you would know she leaves behind a lasting impression of kindness, warmth, and genuine care for others. We wish her all the best on her next adventure and know she will continue to make a difference wherever she goes.

We are proud to announce that we are officially a Heart Safe School! ❤️ In partnership with Project ADAM and Arkansas Children’s Hospital, we have taken important steps to ensure the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and visitors.

Through this partnership, our team has developed a comprehensive cardiac emergency response plan, received specialized training, and ensured access to life-saving equipment across campus. This designation reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, prepared, and supportive school environment for everyone.

Yesterday may have been National Administrative Assistants Day, but we are grateful for our office team every day! Ms. Chelsea, Ms. Justine, and Ms. Stacy keep our school running smoothly—welcoming every visitor with a smile, supporting staff and students, and handling the countless details behind the scenes. We appreciate all you do to make our building a better place each day!

In our recent Bruin Blasts, we’ve celebrated students who exemplify the traits of being risk-takers and balanced individuals. Their willingness to try new things and manage their time and responsibilities sets a great example for our entire school community!

In honor of Assistant Principals Week, we asked our students how they would describe Mrs. Bushong—and their responses say it all. We are so grateful for her leadership, dedication, and the care she shows our school community every single day!