Thundercat Weekly

This week we welcomed our incoming 6th graders during 5th grade parent night. In addition, we began our current 6th and 7th grade course selection process with a course selection night. It was a wonderful evening to see all our parents and students exploring the course options for Thundercat Country.

Celebrate:

Congratulations to our RTMS art students who competed at the district rodeo art show on Saturday. RTMS took home fourteen 1st place ribbons and six 2nd place ribbon! And congratulation to Corinne Eastman, first place winner, on moving to the next round of the rodeo ART competition. #PRIDE

Congratulation to our boys’ and girls’ basketball teams on their wins this week!

Upcoming Events:

Monday, January 16th – FBISD Holiday

Wednesday, January 18th -Boys Basketball Tournament.

*** Volunteers Needed***Thursday, January 26, Career Day and we need your help! Please sign up using this link: Career Day Sign-Up

Safety- The building opens, and supervision begins at 8:20am. Students who are left outside will not be supervised until our doors open at 8:20, and they are expected to demonstrate appropriate behavior. In addition, supervision for after school ends when our car rider line is complete, which is generally around 4:45pm

Reminders:

• We are a no cell phone campus unless a teacher has given permission to use for an instructional purpose.
• Student ID’s are worn daily and around neck with appropriate grade level lanyard.
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FBISD Whole Child Health Initiative:

Fort Bend ISD, in collaboration with Fort Bend Regional Council, is excited to present our January parent webinar, “Current Drug Trends and What Parents Need to Know”. During this webinar, parents will be provided information on current drug trends to help them be aware of what to look for and how to best support their children. The parent webinar will be held on Wednesday, January 18th at 6 p.m. Whole Child Health is aligned with FBISD's Profile of a Graduate and is committed to supporting and developing the mental, behavioral, social, emotional, and physical health of all students in FBISD.

Links: Current Drug Trends and What Parents Need to Know Link; FBISD Whole Child Health Webpage

Dear Thurndercat Families,

As you may already know, FBISD uses Renaissance Star 360 Assessments (Ren360) to help teachers understand what students know and what they are ready to learn next. These assessments are administered during the fall, winter, and spring to monitor student growth and progress. The MOY(Middle of Year) Ren360 assessment window is January 17th – February 3rd. Students will be tested at school by their teachers.

To support your child on this assessment, please:

• Encourage them to do their best;
• Eat a healthy breakfast each morning;
• Get plenty of sleep at night.

Thank you for your partnership with us through this assessment process. Results of the Ren360 assessments will be available in Skyward at approximately the beginning of March. For more information about Star Assessments, visit the Renaissance parent webpage.

RTMS art students competed at the district rodeo art show on Saturday. RTMS took home 14 first place ribbons and 6 second place ribbons. One of our first-place winners advanced to round 2 of the rodeo competition and will be competing against other students in the Houston area for a scholarship and auction.

Students who placed 2nd are:

Zachary Blazek

Ann Maria Kanappilly

Isabella Serna

Brianna Ong

Marian Butler

Isabella Ceron

Students who placed 1st are:

Keyana Bell

Ariana Matute

Piper Marquart

Makeila Sanchez Hirschmann

Morgan Demello

Kaylee Cervantes Guerrero

Blainey Roberts

Chloe Frisk

Corinne Eastman

Fiona Obakeye

Ana Vallejo Valdes

Vanessa Valdez

Harper Saunders

Evia Hanania

The first-place winner who will compete in the next round of the rodeo competition is:

Corinne Eastman

Congratulations to all rodeo art participants!

We need all hands on deck to help Career Day run smoothly for our 8th graders. Please sign up and volunteer.

Please arrive 15 mins early and check in with LaRoyshia at the front office.

Please allow yourself time for parking; parking is limited.

**Please make sure you have completed your background for OUR CAMPUS!!

You will not be able to volunteer and unless you have cleared the background check

https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/70a0545aaa82fa0fa7-career

Please see the link below:

Link: https://www.wevideo.com/view/2920395621

Ridge Point HS Course Selection Night is scheduled for next Thursday, January 19th from 6-8pm. We encourage 8th grade parents to attend the “Future Freshmen” parent meeting in the Ridge Point auditorium from 6:00-6:30 on the 19th.

Since zoning for Crawford HS has yet to be determined, we will not be able to address zoning related questions on Course Selection Night. FBISD Course Selection is universal and information provided regarding courses, graduation requirements and transitioning to high school will be relevant to all rising 9th graders.

Hightower High School will have course selection night on January 18, 2023. See flyer below for details.

Wednesday, January 25, from 6:00pm-8:00pm, the Social-Emotional Learning and Comprehensive Health Division will host a Focus on the Future Community Night at Elkins HS. This event, while open to all, will be geared towards our current 3rd-8th grade families with the intent to drive exposure and understanding of all our FBISD high school programs and CCMR pathways. We are seeking to provide families an opportunity to identify their students’ post-secondary interests, and offer tools to help them achieve this path. This college-fair-style event will allow for FBISD program leaders to secure a table to promote and showcase their programs to families.

Tuesday, January 31, from 6:00pm-7:30pm, the Social-Emotional Learning and Comprehensive Health Division will host a Scholarship Event at Elkins HS. This event, while open to all, will be geared towards our current 11th and 12th grade families with the intent to provide information and support regarding current scholarship opportunities, the scholarship process, and real-time opportunities to complete FAFSA/open scholarship applications. There will be multiple scholarship representatives on hand to share information and answer questions

The following are the FBISD guidelines on ID’s, which also included consequences pertaining to various ID infractions.

Wearing Student Badges

All students are required to visibly display their Student ID badge during normal school hours while on campus. The badge must be worn above the waist with the student’s picture clearly visible. Exceptions are afforded for students participating in vigorous activity related to recess or a PE credit class.

Student Badge Use

Student badges provide access to services within the building, including the following access/check-ins:

• Cafeteria meal payments
• Library services
• Entrance to campus events (dances, pep rallies, )
• Entrance to games

Student Badge Replacement

There are several reasons a student might need a replacement badge and no badge replacement fee will be required for the following circumstances:

• Student enrolls at a new campus

• Student appearance changes significantly
• Legal name change

Students are expected to turn in their old ID when a new one is provided.

Students who lose their badge will be offered temporary identification. If the old badge cannot be located replacement fees may be required.

Temporary Identification – Secondary Students Only

If a secondary student arrives at school without a badge, they will be given a temporary wristband to wear during the school day at the beginning of their first period on campus. The student must wear the wristband all day. The student’s name is recorded by the issuing staff member to assist with tracking.

MISPLACED/LOST BADGE

1st-3rd Offense

• Recorded in Skyward but not a referral
• Student given temporary wristband

4th Offense

• Recorded as discipline referral consequence assigned
• Parent contact
• Student pays $5 for new printed badge

5th Offense and Beyond

• Recorded as discipline referral and detention assigned
• Parent contact
• Student pays $5 for new printed badge

DESTRUCTION OF BADGE

1st-2nd Offense

• Recorded as discipline referral in Skyward and detention assigned
• Student pays $5 for new printed badge
• Parent Contact

3rd Offense- Beyond

• Recorded as discipline referral additional consequences assigned
• Parent Contact
• Student pays $5 for new badge
• Assigned ISS

All fees will be entered and collected through RevTrak.

https://fortbendisd.revtrak.net/FBISD-Schools-1082/ms/thornton-ms/rtms-fines-fees/#/v/rtms-student-id-replacement-fee

If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to any administrator.

Tennis Tryouts will take place after school starting Jan 30. ( I had said Jan. 27 in previous post) Tryouts will be held M- W from 4:30-6. All athletes trying out must have physical uploaded to Rank One and all electronic forms filled out. Athletes who make the team will practice on Thursday 2/2 from 4:30-6, but will have Friday, Feb. 3 off. Starting the week of 2/6, practices will be held M,W, and Thursday. Matches will be held on Tuesdays. ( with the exception of March 9 and March 22)

Tennis Schedule

2/7 vs Baines (Practice)

2/14 @ Quail Valley

2/21 vs Garcia

2/28 @ First Colony

3/9 vs Baines/ FCMS

March 22 vs McAulife

March 28 District Quarter Finals

April 1 District Finals @ Clements HS

Please join the Tennis SportsYou Group if you have not -

TP5R-2BB7

Please fill out form below if plan on trying out.

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=QWJ9SRo5d0KRrL3SqZ9wVBIbozaNT_JBvYJLflprR35UQjJLS002R0hLTDZESlI0Q0NLTzlNSjhVSC4u

Track begins on January 23 at 7:15 am. Doors will open by 7:05am and all girls must be dressed and ready to go by 7:15am. We will meet Monday- Thursday that week. There will be no practice Friday, January 27. It is extremely important that all athletes attend Monday - Thursday practice. We will be timing in running events and measuring distances in jumping and throwing events that week. If there are any issues please contact Coach Barger- dana.barger@gmail.com.

Remember, all girls planning on coming out January 23, must have a physical uploaded to Rank one and all electronic forms filled out.

If not on track SportsYou page please join-

AZLZMD2D

If you plan on running track, please fill out the following form.

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=QWJ9SRo5d0KRrL3SqZ9wVBIbozaNT_JBvYJLflprR35UNkpEOU5QOTFBTERCRzhJS0ZVUkdIOVVQUC4u&origin=Invitation&channel=0

AVID? What's that?

Dear RTMS 6th and 7th Grade Parents and Guardians,

Do you have a student with college and career goals who could use academic, organizational, social, or emotional support in getting there? If this sounds like your student, then the AVID class is a great choice for them. The AVID program is recognized nationally for its strength, and our AVID team at RTMS would love to be a part of your student’s middle school journey. All students interested in AVID must apply, and the application is now open and available for current RTMS 6th and 7th graders. Current RTMS AVID 7 students do not need to reapply.

The link to apply for AVID at RTMS for the 2023-2024 school year is RTMS 2023-2024 AVID Application.

The AVID Elective is an application-based class where motivated students receive organizational, academic, and personal support to succeed in academically rigorous classes. This includes the use of a planner, organization systems, note-taking skills, student led tutorials, grade checks, collaborative learning, guest speakers, character building, and college visits each year. Please speak with your student to see if they would like to apply. All students who submit applications and will be interviewed and complete the selection process to determine qualification.

The application is due Friday, February 3, 2023 and is posted on the Fort Bend ISD website or you can request an application from Mrs. Martin in room 401.

Interviews will be conducted in February 2023 and students will be notified of acceptance prior to spring break in March 2023 for the 2023-2024 school year.

For more information, please contact Kurllenne Martin directly at kurllenne.martin@fortbendisd.com

First and second offense, students will get their phones back at 7th period.

Third offense and beyond, parents will have to pay $10 via RevTrak and come to the campus to pick up their child’s phone.

Reminder all cell phones/earbuds/air pods must be put in student backpacks before they walk into RTMS.

We are a cell phone free zone school.

Take action to fight the flu:

• A yearly flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses.
• Cough or sneeze in your sleeve or cover your nose and mouth with a tissue. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol based hand sanitizer.
• Disinfect commonly touched surfaces.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs get into your body this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get the flu, antiviral drugs can help reduce severity of symptoms. Be sure to finish all the medication your physician prescribes.
• Stay home if you are ill!

Supervision is available for students daily 8:20AM- 4:30PM.

Thank you for being timely in your drop off and pick up of our thundercat students.

A student is tardy when they arrive less than five (5) minutes after the bell without a pass. Arrival after twenty (20) minutes without a pass students are truant. Each teacher will record tardies in Skyward.

Consequences:

• Tardy: Student Conference

• 2-3 Tardies: Parent Contact

• 4-5 Tardies: Referral, After School Detention

• 6+Tardies: Referral; Saturday Detention and Parent Conference

The safety of our Thundercats is top priority and we appreciate everyone adhering to our dismissal process.

Parents please be kind to our RTMS neighbors and do not drop off or pick up students in those areas. Please use our car rider line. Thank you for your understanding in keeping our Thundercats safe and our neighbors safe too.

· If you plan to drop off/pick up your student by vehicle, please remain in the RTMS designated car rider line.

1. When dropping off students for tutorials or clubs 7:50 - 8:15 am, please use the second lane crosswalk area, in the front drive, to drop off in the morning.
2. Please have students exit and enter vehicles near the front curb of the campus.

Thank you in advance for following the car rider map.

Thank you for helping to keep our thundercats safe !

Thank you for reaching out to the Ronald Thornton Middle School Attendance Office! Here are some frequent Q’s & A’s and resource information that may help address your concerns even faster:

1. What should I do if my child is absent?

If your child is absent from instruction, please attach your documentation to an email within 5 days of the absence to attendancertms@fortbendisd.com

2. I believe my child was incorrectly marked absent.
Please contact the teacher who marked the absence. If it is incorrect, the teacher will either edit the attendance or contact the attendance office to make a correction.

3. What do I do if I need to pick my child up early for an appointment?
Sign in at the Front Office with your sate issued I.D., you will get a Visitor’s Badge to the Attendance Office. Sign your student out from the Attendance Office. Please remember to bring a doctor’s note back to school the next day to allow the absence to be excused. Please make sure if you (parent or guardian) are sending another person to pick-up your student/s, they are listed on the emergency contacts.Students will not be released if they are not on the emergency contact.

4. What if I need to add someone on my student/s emergency contact for early pick-up?

Email Christine.gruber@fortbendisd.com the name, number and relationship to student/s with a copy of your ID.

5. What is the latest I can pick-up my student?

Student pickup is suspended from 3:40 p.m-4:10 p.m.

6. Do I need to call when my student is absent?

No, calls are considered a courtesy but not an excuse please follow up with a written note or medical note in order for absence to be excused.

7. Why is the absence still showing unexcused?
Once documentation is submitted, it can take up to 48 hours to show in Skyward.

8. What information should be included in the absence note?

Please include first name and last name, grade level, reason for absence.

9. How many days can my student be absent before they need a Medical Note?

According to the FBISD Parent/ Student Handbook, a student can be absent 4 consecutive days with a parent written excuse after the 5th day a medical note will need to be provided.

10. My student is sick and leaving from the clinic, do I need to sign out from the Attendance Office?

You will sign your student out from the Clinic only if the nurse or nurse’s assistant has spoken with you. The nurse will let the Attendance Clerk know and your student will be excused for the missed classes.

If the Nurse or Nurse Assistant does not inform you to pick your student up from the clinic then you will need to sign your student out from the Attendance Office and the student will be called from class.

11. Can my student wait for me in the entrance, if they know I am coming to pick them up?

Due to safety reasons and constant flow of entering and exiting the building, please DO NOT have your student wait for you in the entrance of the school.

12. My child forgot an item (lunch, band instrument, technology, etc.) at home, how can I get it to them?

We do not deliver items to students. Student will not be called out of class to retrieve items. A table is set up in the vestibule, where you are able to drop the item off, text your student the item is at the front of the school on the table. If allowed by the teacher they may come or during passing period to pick item up.

#AttendanceCounts

• Free and reduced lunch forms open on August 1. It can be completed at www.schoolcafe.com/fbisd. Families must complete an application for each school year.
• Meal prices for 2022-23 School Year:
• Student Breakfast: $2.00
• Secondary Lunch: $3.00
• Parents may put money in student’s accounts PRIOR to the 1st day of school to avoid longer lunch lines at the start of school.

Please refrain from parking in the neighborhood across from Ronald Thornton Middle School. Violators will be ticketed.

Please understand that we cannot honor requests for students to ride bus routes other than their own designated route. Students who do not have bus-riding privileges will not be able to ride the bus with their bus-riding friends. Therefore, please plan accordingly so that everyone experiences a smooth dismissal each school day.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RTMSThundercats

Website: https://www.fortbendisd.com/rtms

Join the official Thornton ThunderCats Facebook page!
Please visit and join us HERE.

RTMS

Website: https://www.fortbendisd.com/rtms
Location: 1909 Waters Lake Boulevard, Sienna, TX, USA
Phone: (281) 327-3870
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1648470585359225
Twitter: @RTMSThundercats