Thundercat Weekly

• RTMS Parents To-Do List
• Important Dates
• Thunder camo Flyer (see FAQs at the end of Newsletter)
• Online Student Verification
• School Supply List
• School Cafe
• Free and Reduced Lunch information
• Bus Transportation
• Arrival/Dismissal
• Student Dress Code
• Immunization information
• PE Uniforms
• Yearbook Information
• Cell Phone Policy
• School Hours
• Thunder camp FAQ

1. Complete Online Student Verification – one per student Skyward Family Access

2. Subscribe to the PTO Newsletter to stay informed https://www.rtmspto.net/

3. Submit a 2023-24 FBISD Volunteer Application HERE

4. Add money to School Café Account https://www.schoolcafe.com/fbisd

5. Complete the Free & Reduced Price Lunch Application (beginning August 1) https://www.fortbendisd.com/Page/217

6. Obtain school supplies https://www.fortbendisd.com/Page/1055

July 28 – Thunder Camp, 9-11 & 2-4 (6th grade & new families to RTMS)
August 4 – Online Student Verification Forms DUE in Skyward
August 9 – First Day of School
August 24 – VIPS Coffee, 9:30 in the Cafeteria

August 31- Open House

The Student Verification process for the 2023-24 school year is OPEN! To complete Online Student Verification, log on to Skyward Family Access. Parents can access the forms electronically by clicking “2023-24 Student Verification” on the Home column to the left. Please note, each enrolled student requires a separate submission of forms. To submit the forms, parents must click “Submit 2023-24 Student Verification” once all forms have a green checkmark by them. Upon completion, the parent will receive an email confirmation from Skyward that the forms have been submitted.

NOTE: Please DO NOT submit a “New Student Online Enrollment” application for returning students. Only the forms in the “2023-24 Student Verification” section should be submitted.

It is VERY important that you take this opportunity to update your contact information: email, phone number, and home address. Once the verification window closes, changes to your personal information can only be made by emailing a request to our registrar.

School Supply List Link https://www.fortbendisd.com/Page/1055

We use SchoolCafé to:

• Make Payments
• Set up Auto Pay
• Set Purchase Restrictions
• Get Low Balance Alerts
• Submit Meal Applications
• View Letters
• View Purchases
• View Menus

https://www.schoolcafe.com/fbisd

• To receive free or reduced-priced meals in the current school year, your child(ren) must have a current school year approved meal application or current school year Direct Approval/Certification Notice on file in the Child Nutrition Department even if they were approved for meal benefits in the previous school year.
  

  
  Parents and Guardians are responsible for any charges incurred by their children in the cafeteria. This includes the meal charges while applications are being processed for meal benefits until they are approved.
  
  It is important to include all household members and students on the application even if they choose not to participate in the program.

  Free and Reduced Benefits. Students and families may receive discounted fees for various programs at school and at home. The District also receives more grant money and funding for students based on the number of students approved for free and reduced-price meals. Every family can assist our District and your child’s campus by completing a Free and Reduced meal application each school year.

  ONLINE APPLICATION FOR THE 2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR WILL OPEN AUGUST 1ST. ALL APPLICATIONS ARE TO BE COMPLETED THROUGH HTTPS://WWW.SCHOOLCAFE.COM/FBISD.

  PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE "HOW TO COMPLETE A FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE MEAL BENEFITS APPLICATION GUIDE".

  Questions? Email mealapps@fortbendisd.com or call (281) 634-1855.

  Returning Applicants

  To avoid any interruption in program benefits, submit a new application for approval before September 20, 2023. FBISD does not backdate application approvals per Federal Regulations so be sure to make a timely submission of your application. Please click here to apply. Submit only one application per household.

  
  

  
  

The following links will provide a specific attendance zone and bus route information for your home address. This information is updated every Summer and is subject to change prior to the beginning of the next school year. Please ensure that you have the correct information for the current school year. This link is not for special program routes.

• Route information for the 2023-2024 school year will be available August 2, 2023.

http://www.infofinderi.com/ifi/?cid=FBI-2B3JIB4YNDI

For questions and general information, please contact:

• For specific routes, contact us at: Transport.Support@fortbendisd.com.
• For special program routes, contact our Customer Care Line at (281) 634-4077.

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 them 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!

The District believes the Student Dress Code shall promote the attributes of the Profile of a Graduate. Therefore, students are expected to dress in a way that promotes respect for self and others, a safe learning environment, and honors the diversity of the learning community. Students and parent/guardians may determine the student’s personal dress and grooming standards, provided they comply with the general guidelines set forth in this Code and Board policy FNCA (Local). Generally, students shall be dressed and groomed in a manner that is clean and neat, does not cause distraction from learning, and that does not disrupt the learning environment.

The District prohibits pictures, emblems, or writings on clothing that advertise or depict tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, drugs, or any other prohibited substance.

Students must comply with the following dress and grooming standards, including in online learning platforms.

Shirts, Blouses, Sweatshirts, Sweaters, Vests

•Shirts, blouses, sweatshirts, sweaters, vests that expose undergarments and/or midriff are prohibited;

•Shirts, blouses, sweatshirts, sweaters, vests must not depict or reference alcohol, drugs, tobacco, weapons, nudity, gang affiliation, death, violence, vulgar or obscene language or images, and/or insults to race, religion, gender, or ethnicity, or other emblems or writing that may be expected to cause a material or substantial disruption of, or interference with, normal school operations.

Dresses, Jumpers, Skirts, Shorts, Skorts, Pants, and Jeans

•Dresses, jumpers, skirts, and skorts may be worn at a length that is slightly above mid-thigh;

• Shorts, jeans, and all pants shall be worn at the hip or higher and must cover undergarments; •Shorts may be worn at a length that is approximately above mid-thigh; and

•Athletic wear, which may include yoga pants, stretch leggings and fitness tights, are permissible as long as they do not reveal undergarments, do not have sections of seethrough material, or are worn with a shirt that covers the posterior, or are not disruptive to the school environment.

Shoes

•Shoes shall be worn, and if designed to be tied shall be properly tied; •Elementary students shall not wear flip-flops or shoes with no back/heel strap;

•Unsafe footwear is not permitted (i.e., house shoes, slippers); and

•Appropriate shoes must be worn during PE/athletics classes, as well as during lab activities in science, CTE, etc.

Hair

•All hair, including facial hair, shall be neat, clean, and well groomed, and worn in a style that is not distractive;

•Mustaches, beards, or goatees shall be neat, clean, and well groomed, and worn in a style that does not display derogatory remarks, symbols, or statements that disrupts the learning environment. Hair markings must not depict or reference alcohol, drugs, tobacco, weapons, nudity, gang affiliation, violence, vulgar or obscene language, or images that substantially disrupt or interfere with normal school operations. Drawings, icons, and/or other markings cut into the hair, including eyebrows, and not associated with required religious markings or hairstyles are not permitted.

Miscellaneous

•Proper undergarments shall be worn at all times;

•Revealing clothing of any type may not be worn;

•No clothing that has been ripped, torn, or cut in a way as to reveal undergarments, midriff, chest, or posterior;

•Clothing including face coverings with profanity, obscene patches, references to alcohol, drugs, weapons or tobacco, or anything that may be construed as violent, vulgar or obscene

language or images, and/or insults to race, religion, gender, or ethnicity, or other emblems or writing that may be expected to cause a material or substantial disruption of, or interference with, normal school operations.

• Any attire, tattoo, icons, or markings on body, e.g. bandanas, shoelaces, chains, t-shirts, etc., that is distractive, causes a disturbance, or identifies a student as part of an unauthorized group, gang, or society are not permitted that includes but is not limited to virtual background choices. No pajama wear of any type except on-campus designated days;

• Body piercings that are distractive or that pose a safety concern are not permitted;

• No hats, caps, doo-rags, wave caps, bandanas or hoods worn indoors, except on campus designated days or during designated times permitted by the campus; and

• No sunglasses may be worn inside the building unless there is a medical note on file.

All students (new and returning) are required to stay up to date by receiving the necessary vaccinations in order to enroll or start school. FBISD has partnered with Fort Bend County Health Human Services and the Ibn Sina Foundation to offer back-to-school vaccination events for students. There will be vaccination events held between now and when school starts. Please see the attached 2023 Back to School Immunizations Event List for a full list of vaccination events or visit the FBISD Health Services Webpage for what immunization are required and other immunization information.

PE Uniforms will be available to purchase at Thunder Camp, or you can go online and order ahead. Please bring a picture or a copy of the receipt to uniform pick up at Thunder Camp. Uniforms are $20.

The PE Uniform link is now open:

https://fortbendisd.revtrak.net/FBISD-Schools-1082/ms/thornton-ms/rtms-pe-uniforms/#/list

If you have any questions, please contact Coach Barger- dana.barger@fortbendisd.com

Don't miss out on early bird pricing for RTMS' 2023-2024 yearbook. Follow this link to Get yours now!" --> https://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A07634896

We are a cell phone-free zone school.

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

Doors Open at 8:20 AM

Tardy Bell 8:55 AM- Please arrive by 8:45 AM to avoid being marked tardy at 8:55 AM.

Dismissal 4:20 PM

Lockers

1. Will 6th graders have designated lockers in hallways or in gym class?

a. Due to limited availability, lockers can be requested by a parent if a need is identified. Not all requests may be granted. A link will be shared for the request in our August 7th Newsletter.

b. 7th and 8th grade students can also request lockers.

c. Gym lockers for grades 6-8 can be reserved through the student's PE teacher.

PE

1. How often is PE and how does it work in terms of changing into PE uniforms?

a. Students attend PE daily.

b. Students will dress out in the locker room.

2. Where are regular clothes kept during class, and where do sweaty PE clothes go after class?

a. Students' regular clothes are stored in a locked designated area.

b. Many students deposit sweaty PE clothes in a drawstring backpack and place them in their locker.

Sports

1. When do 6th graders try out for sports? Do they have an opportunity to observe the practices and games to decide whether they want to join?

a. School sports are only for 7th and 8th-grade students.

b. RTMS sports schedules will be included in the weekly parent newsletter.

c. 6th-grade students are welcome to enjoy all games. However, practices are closed to the public.

Kickstart

1. Where do I purchase uniforms if my child is in the Kickstart program?

a. Students in Kickstart will be fitted for their Kickstart uniform, during the 1st week of school.

b. Parents may buy the uniform after the fitting.

Clubs

1. Are 6th graders allowed to join the student council?

a. 6th-grade students can join the student council.

Arrival & Dismissal

1. What is the process for carpool drop-off and pickup?

a. Drop and Pickup occurs at the front entrance of the campus. (See diagram below in arrival and dismissal portion of newsletter)

b. RTMS doors open at 8:20 am.

c. Dismissal starts at 4:10 pm.

Safety

1. What type of security measures does the school have in place?

a. RTMS has a full-time FBISD officer on campus.

b. Practice drills are conducted throughout the year with student and staff

c. Additional safety information can be found at https://www.fortbendisd.com/site/Default.aspx?PageID=936

2. How is bullying or harassment handled?

a. Bullying and harassment are investigated quickly and efficiently by the grade-level principal.

3. How will I receive communication in case of emergency or threats to the school? Is there a text alert system in place?

a. Communication is sent out to parents/guardians through a system called Blackboard.

i. Please ensure all telephone numbers and email addresses are accurate in Skyward to guarantee the reception of the communication.

4. If my child has an emergency and needs to be picked up asap, will he/she be able to use cell to call me?

a. Students may report to the AP suite or nurse’s clinic to contact parents in case of an emergency.

Agendas

1. Will kids receive an agenda notebook from school like in elementary school or do they need to buy one for themselves?

a. 6th-grade students will not be issued agendas.

Cell Phones

1. Electronics/ cell phone policy?

a. Cell phones should be out of sight in the student’s backpack throughout the school day.

b. Teachers will communicate when students can use their electronic devices to aid in the learning process.

2. Are smartphones/tablets required?

a. Smartphones/tablets are not required at school

b. All classrooms are outfitted with 15 laptops or iPads.

Dress Code

1. What is the dress code policy?

a. RTMS follows the dress code policy set out by FBISD.

b. Additional information regarding dress code can be found in the 2022-2023 FBISD Student Code of Conduct. We are currently awaiting the 2023-2024 updates.

School Supplies

1. When will the school supplies list be released?

a. FBISD general school supply list can be found at https://www.fortbendisd.com/Page/1055

Transition/Bell Schedule

1. How much time do students have to get to their classes?

a. Students have 5 minutes to transition to class.

2. Does RTMS have block schedules for 90min for the classes they attend, or will they attend all classes Math, Science, ELA, and History daily plus their electives daily?

a. RTMS is on a 7-period bell schedule.

Bus Transportation

1. How do we know if our child will receive bus service?

a. Bus service information can be found at https://www.fortbendisd.com/businfo

Schedules

1. When will kids be notified of their schedules?

a. Students will receive their schedules during 1st period on the first day of school.

b. Parents can view schedules in Skyward on 8//08/2023 if all verification forms are complete.

Lunch

1. What time will they have lunch? Will 6th-grade students have their own lunch separate from 7th and 8th-grade students?

a. RTMS has 4 lunches.

b. A lunch starts at 10:50 am.

c. The majority of 6th graders are in 1st and 2nd lunch.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RTMSThundercats

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

RTMS PTO https://www.rtmspto.net/

RTMS

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