Thundercat Weekly
Parent Newsletter - November 6-- November 10, 2023
Newsletter Contents
- RTMS Parents To-Do List
- Important Dates
- Holiday Food Drive Flyer
- Diabetes Awareness Flyer
- Vaping & What Parents Need to Know
- RTMS Career Day Flyer
- School-Wide Dream Box Challenge
- Thundercat TV Episode 9
- Faculty vs. Student Volleyball Game
- Student Passwords
- 3rd Party Food Deliveries
- Student Dress Code
- Cell Phone Policy
- Attendance News
Parent To-Do List
1. Submit a 2023-24 FBISD Volunteer Application HERE
2. Add money to School Café Account https://www.schoolcafe.com/fbisd
3. Log on to Skyward to review your child’s grades in all classes
5. Update Student Passwords and/or challenge questions
November 10 - No School
November 14-World Diabetes Day (Wear Blue)
November 17 - Faculty v. Students Volleyball Game
November 20-24 - Thanksgiving Break – No School
December 1 - RTMS Spelling Bee & Dream Box Challenge Ends (25 lessons)
December 4 - 7:00 7th & 8th Choir Holiday Concert @ ACHS
December 5 - 6-8 Region Full Orchestra Sectional @ACHS, 6:00 Kickstart Belt Ceremony & 6:00 Beginner Choir Concert
December 6 - Musical Audition & Beginner Band Concert
December 7 - Band Concert
December 14 & 15 -Early Dismissal Days
Holiday Food Drive Flyer
Diabetes Awareness Flyer
Vaping & What Parents Need to Know
As a part of the Whole Child Health Initiative, Fort Bend ISD is excited to present our second parent webinar of the school year: “Vaping & What Parents Need to Know.” This session will focus on what e-cigarettes and vaping are, the effects of their use, why they can be illegal, and the warning signs that your child may be vaping or using e-cigarettes. This parent webinar will be held on Wednesday, November 15th at 6 p.m. Whole Child Health focuses on 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: Parent Webinar - Vaping & What Parents Need to Know; FBISD Whole Child Health Webpage
RTMS Career Day Flyer
School-Wide Dream Box Challenge
All RTMS students who complete 25 Dream Box lessons by Friday, December 1 will earn a Dream Box party the last week of the semester.
Thundercat TV
Staff vs. Students Volleyball Game
On Friday, November 17th the RTMS Dance Team will host our
Staff vs. Students Volleyball game.
Only 350 tickets will be sold via RevTrak, Monday, November 13th @ 6:00 p.m.
The link will be sent out via email and placed on our campus webpage Monday, November 13th.
In order to purchase a ticket, your child cannot have any discipline referrals in Skyward from October 17th – November 17th.
No refunds if tickets are purchased and your child has a referral.
Again, we only have 350 tickets available.
Student Passwords
Beginning September 9, 2023, middle and high school students will be forced to change their passwords upon first login to a district computer.
To obtain your username and password, please go to the appropriate grade level section below.
Instructions for Students:
Student Password Information for Students (Returning 7th thru 12th graders)
Returning 7th thru 12th graders use your last year’s username and password. If you are having trouble signing in with your previous username and password, follow the instructions below:
- Click here if you have forgotten your username or password. If you have not set your challenge questions you will not be able to reset your password.
- Click here if you would like to update your password and Challenge Questions & Answers.
- Click here if you would like to update your Expired Student Account Password.
- If you are still having trouble signing in go to Trouble Signing In section.
Student Password Information for Students (EE thru 6th and all students new to Fort Bend ISD)
Parents/Guardians will need to assist students by following the instructions stated in the section Student Password Information for Parents.
Instructions for Parents/Guardians:
Student Password Information for Parents (Guardian On Record Login ID and Password Required)
Parents please follow the instructions below to obtain the Student password Information as soon as possible allowing you some time to help prepare our students for their start of school. Please use the Login ID and Password of the Guardian on record to sign in.
Click here for Grades EE thru 6th and all new students 7th thru 12th grades
Trouble Signing In
In the event your student is having trouble signing in with the provided password information, you have the following options:
- Self-help: Your password may have expired, follow these steps and reset your own password. (Recommended)
- Contact Campus: Teacher, Librarian, ADA or Data Clerk for assistance.
Please ensure the following information is readily available when contacting your campus or the Student Support Center:
- Student ID #
- Date of Birth
- Home Address
- Parent Name (Guardian on record)
- Parent Phone number (Guardian on record)
3rd Party Food Deliveries
Student Dress Code
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.
Cell Phone Policy
We are a cell phone-free school.
Reminder: All cell phones/earbuds/air pods must be put in students' backpacks before they walk into RTMS.
Cell phones may be used for educational purposes with the teacher's permission. Students not adhering to cell phone expectations may have devices confiscated for the day. Third confiscation will result in a $10 fine through RevTrak. The parent/guardian may then retrieve the device at the campus during normal school hours after the fine has been paid.
Please speak to your child about the cell phone expectations at RTMS.
Attendance News
Attendance News
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 is considered Tardy, Late, and or Absent within the day?
Tardy: 19> minutes since class starts
Late: <20 minutes since class starts
Absent (W): <40 minutes since class starts
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. What is the latest I can pick-up my student?
Student pickup is suspended from 3:30 p.m-4:10 p.m.
7. 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.
8. Why is the absence still showing unexcused?
Once documentation is submitted, it can take up to 48 hours to show in Skyward. If note, is turned in 5 days after absence date, the absence is still considered unexcused.
9. What information should be included in the absence note?
Please include first name and last name, grade level, reason for absence.
10. 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 3 consecutive days with a parent written excuse after the 4th day a medical note will need to be provided.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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
Links and Resources
Links & Resources
FBISD Instructional Calendar (2023-2024)
FBISD Volunteer Application & Background Check
PE Uniforms https://fortbendisd.revtrak.net/FBISD-Schools-1082/ms/thornton-ms/rtms-pe-uniforms/#/list
Immunization Information - FBISD Health Services Webpage
Connect to RTMS
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RTMSThundercats
Website: https://www.fortbendisd.com/rtms
RTMS PTO https://www.rtmspto.net/
Ronald Thornton Middle School
Website: https://www.fortbendisd.com/rtms
Location: 1909 Waters Lake Boulevard, Sienna, TX, USA
Phone: (281) 327-3870
Twitter: @RTMSThundercats