This week in Raider Nation was awesome! Not a lot to report this week, but I do have a few important reminders to share:

• Progress Reports will be sent home on February 12th—be sure to check in with your student to see how they’re doing.
• Come out and support our Raider basketball teams on Monday! We’d love to see our community there cheering on our players.
• Friday, February 14th - No school for students.
• Monday, February 17th will be an E-Learning Day. We’ll send more details closer to the end of next week.

What is Black History Month?

Black History Month, also known as African American History Month, is an annual observance that highlights the accomplishments and struggles of African Americans throughout history. It serves as a platform to educate, reflect upon, and celebrate the rich heritage and diverse experiences of Black Americans.

When is Black History Month?

Black History Month is celebrated every year in the United States during the month of February. This specific month was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of two prominent figures in African American history: Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Abraham Lincoln’s birthday is on February 12th, and Frederick Douglass’s birthday is on February 14th.

As we transition into the second semester, please take a moment to review the Dress Code policy with your student. When students arrive at school out of dress code, they are sent to Guidance to change clothes. However, our clothes closet is currently depleted, which means students often need to call home for a change of clothing.

Common issues we are seeing include:

• No dress code shirt worn under a sweatshirt or jacket.
• Sweatshirts with large graphics or logos bigger than a quarter.
• Black jeans, jeggings/leggings, or athletic pants, which are not permitted

To avoid disruptions, please ensure your student follows the dress code. Failure to follow the dress code policy may result in In-School Suspension or Out of School Suspension for continuously defying the policy as written. The full policy is available on our school website. If you have any questions, feel free to contact your school administrator or counselor.

Thank you for your cooperation and support!

Raiders showing off their hard work on National History Day Projects

Ms. Sexton’s 2nd core class performed Reader Theater today on American Revolution topics including Paul Revere, the Shot Heard Around the World, Declaration of Independence, and Shay’s Rebellion.

Ms. Sexton even participated as the narrator or a character when a group needed an extra member!

Collaborative Work in the Media Center

Congratulations to the following band students who auditioned and were placed in the Region Honor Band or Alternate Band. Kamia Canty, Dezire Cousar, Camille Morris, and Gabe Collins. A special shoutout to Evangeline Felkel who scored high enough at Region Band to qualify for an All-State Honor Band Callback. Please join us in congratulating these students!

Recently, there has been an uptick of respiratory illness. Several cases of Influenza have been identified at the school. Please be mindful......if your child is sick, they should stay home. A healthy school environment requires the cooperation and effort of us all working together.

FLU FACTS/INFORMATION: The flu is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract. Although the flu affects everyone, children tend to get it more often than adults. The season for the flu is usually from November to April with most cases occurring between late December and early March.

The flu is often confused with the common cold, but flu symptoms tend to develop quickly (usually 1 to 4 days after a person is exposed to the flu virus) and are usually more severe than the typical sneezing and stuffiness of a cold.

Symptoms of the Flu may include:

Fever, Chills, Headache, Muscle aches, Dizziness, Loss of appetite, Runny or stuffy nose, Nausea or vomiting, Weakness, Tiredness, Cough, Sore throat, Ear infection, Diarrhea.

Symptoms can last for a week or two. The flu is very contagious. It is spread by coughing or sneezing into the air. People who are infected with the flu are contagious as long as they show symptoms (most of the time that means about a week for adults, but for children it can mean up to two weeks).

Ways to Prevent The Flu:

• To have the flu shot if your pediatrician feels you should have it.
• Wash your Hands thorough and frequently
• Never pick up used tissues.
• Never share cups and eating utensils.
• Stay home from work or school when you’re sick
• Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

How Do You Treat The Flu?

• Notify the school nurse if you are sick or have tested positive for the flu
• Stay home from school
• Drink lots of fluids.
• Get plenty of sleep and take it easy.
• Call your doctor for a fever or achiness so that he/she can let you know what to take to make your child feel better.
• Please utilize the school district’s FREE Flu and COVID test. Test sites information can be found on Rawlinson Road Middle School Homepage.

When to return to school?

• The student may return to school when he/she is both fever free (temperature not higher than 100 F) and has not taken Tylenol or Ibuprofen (Motrin) for 24 hours.
• Students that are vomiting or have diarrhea must not have vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours before returning to school
• Symptoms have significantly improved and student does not require medicine to treat symptoms such as cough or runny nose.
• Send or email the attendance office medical or parent note to have absences excused. Positive Flu and/or Covid medical test results are required in order for attendance to be coded as Flu or COVID to exempt a student from seat time.

Thank you for helping us to keep everyone safe!

National School Counseling Week 2025, "School Counseling: Helping Students Thrive," was celebrated February 3-7, 2025, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems.

Thank you for all you do, Ms. Atkinson, Mrs. Cunningham and Ms. Jenkins!

Individual Graduation Plan Meetings @ RRMS: 2/2/25-2/28/25

8th Grade Job Shadow Day: 3/18/25

Rising 9th Grade Jump Up Day @ all High Schools: 3/25/25

8th Grade Dance: 5/2/25

Info for 8th grade Parents and Caregivers from Ms. Atkinson:

Individual Graduation Plan (IGP) Sign-Ups have begun! IGPs are 30-minute meetings that you will have every year from now until your student is a senior in high school. The purpose of the IGP is to select the courses your child will take in the next school year. We can meet in person or over zoom. If you choose to meet in person, please bring your ID so that you can be checked in, and report to the media center. Students and caregivers will meet with a school counselor: (Last Names A-G: Ms. Atkinson; H-O: Mrs. Cunningham; P-Z: Ms. Jenkins).

Conferences will take place between February 4th and February 25th. I will be going into your child's classes in the next week to discuss what the IGP process will look like for them. If you have any additional questions, please let me know. We are looking forward to helping your student reach the next important step on their educational journey. Please use the following links to sign up:

Last names A-G: https://calendly.com/catkinson-igp/8th-grade-igp

Last names H-O: https://calendly.com/acunningham16/rising-9th-grade-igp-conferences

Last names P-Z: https://calendly.com/kjenkins-uoa/rising-9th-grade-igp-conferences

Purchase tickets at GoFan. The cost is $6 ($5 per ticket and $1 service fee). Kids 4 years old and under are free.

No tickets will be sold at the gate. Cash tickets are available in the Front Office on game day between 12pm and 2pm for $7. Cash or check only. Exact change only.

No school for students on Friday, February 14th.

Monday, February 17th is an E-Learning Weather Make-up day.

Girls Flag Football tryouts will be held on Tuesday, February 18th and Wednesday, February 19th from 3:45pm - 5:15pm.

Items Needed: Everyone must have current physical uploaded to PlanetHS. Tennis shoes and dress for the weather.

See Coach Brown or Coach Bryant with any questions.

Track Practice starts on Monday, February 24th from 3:45pm-5:15pm each day, Monday through Thursday. Everyone must have current physical uploaded to PlanetHs, tennis shoes and dress for the weather.

See Coach Brown or Coach Bryant with any questions.

Upcoming Events:

February 14th - No Student Attendance, Teacher Professional Development

February 17th - District Closed for Presidents Day (E-Learning Make Up Day)

February 28th - Early Dismissal

March 9th - Daylight Saving Time begins ("Spring Forward" at 2:00am)

March 14th - Student and Staff Holiday (Potential Weather Make Up Day)

March 17th - No Student Attendance - Teacher Work Day

March 18th - 8th Grade Job Shadow Day

March 25th - Rising 9th Grade Jump Up Day @ All HS's

March 28th - Early Dismissal

April 14th - 16th, 2025 8th Grade Washington DC trip

April 21st - Spring Break (Potential Weather Make Up Day)

April 22nd - 25th - Spring Break

May 2nd - 8th Grade Dance

May 22nd - Early Dismissal

May 23rd - Early Dismissal/Last Day

May 26th - District Closed for Memorial Day

Email: ncauthen@rhmail.org
Website: https://www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/rrms
Location: 2631 West Main Street, Rock Hill, SC, USA
Phone: 803-981-1500
Facebook: facebook.com/rawlinsonroadmiddle
Twitter: @RawlinsonRoadMS