We are excited to offer the district’s student information systems (SIS) myStudent to help parents and students check attendance and grades online. Attendance is posted and updated daily. Individual teachers update grades periodically. Their timeline for entering grades may be daily, weekly, or twice per grading period - depending on their course. Multiple students can be shown on one parent account, even if the students are attending different secondary schools within Pasco County. All progress reports and report cards will only be available through myStudent. All COMMUNICATION will come through myStudent this school year.

PARENTS - We want to highly encourage you to READ CAREFULLY all of the items in the Parent Bill of Rights Consent. During conversations, we are realizing a number of parents were not fully aware of what they were signing when they did so.

While parents have full rights to opt out/in of all items - and we realize how many words they have used - it is important to make informed decisions.

One example is the MEDIA RELEASE. Several parents opted out without realizing the last line of a lengthy page listed the fact that any student opting out will not be recognized if they play sports, or achieve any academic success, and will not be in the yearbook, among other restrictions. Again - if this opt out was done fully informed we absolutely respect that, but when the full details have been pointed out parents did reconsider.

Leaving the consent form blank is a NO for CLINIC SERVICES. If you would like your student to utilize the clinic if they are sick, or get hurt please consent to yes to illness care treatment and RN assessment. If you mark NO or DON'T FILL OUT THE FORMS your child can't be seen in the clinic. Your child will be asked to call you to inform you of the situation. If you do not have internet access at home or a computer, you may come to the school to fill out the consent forms online.

If you have questions about ANY item please do not hesitate to reach out to our administration so that we can clarify the options as much as possible as it is new procedure for everyone.

Login to your Parent Portal and Complete the Forms Required for the New Year: https://pasco.focusschoolsoftware.com/focus/index.php?skipSSO

Pay Student Fees: https://www.studentquickpay.com/pasco/

Purchase Spirit Wear: GoFan.co

School Public Calendar: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/0120328c89614936bba960f250bd1e60@pasco.k12.fl.us/ab1314af30da413fb329249b680fa84b16538542546199125556/calendar.html

General Fee $15

Art Fee $15

Band Program Fee $15

Chorus Program Fee $15

Career Technical Course Fees (per year) $10

Dance Fee $15

Instrument Tech & Instrument Ensemble $15

Physical Education Fee $5

Science Fees (per year) $10

Student Technology Service Fee $2

Theatre Fee $15

Spanish Workbook $20

Pre-AP World History Workbook $7

To use Student Fees – Rycor to make payments for your child(ren), you must first have an account set up in myStudent. If you do not have an account in myStudent, go to PascoSchools.org, go to the Parents Tab, and select Check Grades/Attendance or Pay Fees. Once your account is established in myStudent, you will have an account ready the following day to be activated in Student Fees – Rycor.

To activate your Parent Portal Account:

1. Go to https://www.studentquickpay.com/pasco/ 2. Select “Activate Account”

3. Enter the email address associated with your

myStudent account and select Send Email

4. This will generate an email to you to activate your account

5. Go to your email and select the link

6. Continue by creating your password and activating your account

7. Once this is completed, you will be able to see Fees and Other Items that can be purchased

The state mandate (F.S. 1003.4156) requires that middle school students complete a Language Arts, Math, Science, & Social Studies course each year with a minimum grade of “D” as well as a career component to be promoted to high school (Naviance). Middle School students must also sit for the State Civics Assessment.

District Finals: These finals will be given at the end of each year/semester for courses without state assessments. They will count as 10% of the student’s semester grade. The testing window is the last two weeks of the semester.

State Assessments & EOCs: These assessments will take place in April and May to measure student progress and proficiency of the grade level standards.

· FAST ELA Reading/Writing 6-8 (3x per year)

· FAST Math 6-8 (3x per year), Algebra I EOC (30% of year-long grade), Geometry EOC (30% of year-long grade)

· FCAT NGSSS Science Grade 8 (and students in Science 8 & Science 8 Adv./Accl. Science Honors 7th Grade)

· Civics EOC – 30% of the student’s year-long grade

Please check myStudent regularly to keep up with grades, attendance, and test history. To be promoted to high school, students must earn a D or higher in all Core classes (Math, Science, ELA, and Social Studies) for the semester and complete the career component.

However, for "On Track" events at RRMS, students must earn As, Bs, and Cs and have no referrals. Please encourage your student to take advantage of all the Royal Opportunities we offer to get academic help.

1. Academic Lunch in the Media Center or with the teacher (daily)

2. Daily intervention time in class (71 minute rotating schedule)

3. Second Chance Learning Opportunities (work out with teacher as needed)

4. Course Recovery Lab & Opportunity Hall

5. Extended School Day (begins in October)

6. After School Tutoring by RRHS NHS (Tuesdays, Thursdays - begins in September)

If you would like to request a parent teacher conference, please go to the RRMS website, and click the Parent Tab>Parent Teacher Conference Requests to complete the request form. All Parent Teacher Conferences will be held virtually through TEAMS after school at 1:40PM on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. A Student Services team member will be in contact with arrangements.

School supply lists are posted on the RRMS website at the link below. Students are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to carry their own personal hand sanitizer, bring their own earphones (not wireless), calculator, water bottle. Teachers will provide additional needs during the first week of school.

Students taking Physical Education or Dance courses will be able to dress out and use the locker rooms this year. Locks can be purchased for $9 on Rycor during the first week of school.

We recommend purchasing PE uniforms for $12 shirts or shorts or a combo for $20. Dance uniforms are available for purchase for $30 for a shirt and leggings. These items will be available starting August 1st and the first few weeks of school for purchase through GoFan.co.

For a $30 donation, you can opt out of the River Ridge Middle School Fundraiser this year. There is also a $15 option for multiple students in one family. Simply fill out the form attached to the newsletter and pay with your school fees by cash, check or credit card. You may also go to GoFan.co to complete the form and pay for the Opt Out!

Your money will directly impact our student and staff incentive programs and technology. Your child will receive a River Ridge Middle School t-shirt. Your family can disregard all fundraiser communications and know that you have already done your part to help the school! Certain clubs, organizations or programs your child belongs to may still choose to hold a fundraiser to benefit their cause or other activities at school (ex. Band, FBLA, sports teams, PTSA, etc.).

WHAT IS PTSA: PTSA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTSA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.

HOW DO I JOIN: Send in $10 per adult and $5 per student with a completed membership form which can be found on our website. All students will also receive a membership form over the summer, at Orientation, and during their first week of school.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS: Aside from being the brain behind PTSA events, you will also be the first to know about all school-related information and legislative efforts.

CONTACT US: RiverRidgeMSPTSA@gmail.com https://riverridgemsptsa.memberhub.store/

2024-25 RRMS PTSA Executive Board

President: Lindsay Hloska

VP: Erin Mills

Treasurer: Mona Lisa Snyder

Secretary: Jennifer Ferraz

Corresponding Secretary: Heather Legrand

Volunteer Liaison: Jennifer Baginski

Parents and community members can apply online to become an approved volunteer after July 1st. A new application must be completed each year. The application can be accessed on our district website http://www.pasco.k12.fl.us and must be renewed each year. The link is located on the main page, entitled “Volunteer Application.” Volunteers are still subject to a state criminal background check and a sexual predator/offender check. Our school’s volunteer coordinator, Ashley Pruneau can advise you of your approval status once you have submitted your application. You can contact her at apruneau@pasco.k12.fl.us or 774-7208.

Parents/guardians and community members,
We are looking for donations of board and card games to encourage socialization during lunch. Donations will be collected in the front office.

Thank you for your support!

Chrissy Brando, Athletic Director cbrando@pasco.k12.fl.us

Joseph Corley, Assistant Athletic Director jcorley@pasco.k12.fl.us

All middle school students may participate in the middle school athletic program. Students must have a valid physical form and submit it through the Athletic Clearance website before tryouts. Please visit the RRMS website under Athletics for all required paperwork. Upon making the team, the following athletic participation fees apply and must be paid within 3 days of making the team:

· Athletic Participation Fee: $60 1st sport, $40 2nd sport; Family cap per school $150, Individual cap $100

All athletic tickets must be purchased on GoFan.co. We will not sell tickets at the gates. All middle school sports tickets will be $5.

For each game, if you have purchased a season pass on GoFan.co, you will be guaranteed admission to all HOME athletic events. This All-Access Pass entitles the holder to claim a single ticket for each River Ridge home game for the 2024-25 season. **This pass is not valid for FHSAA State Series events. Season passes are $60.

Free Admission passes (PCSB Employees, FHSAA passes) – We will hold back a limited number of tickets up until game time. Under-school-age children will still be let in free with parents (up to capacity).

Students must have the complete athletic packet filled out and up-to-date physical, and ALL paperwork must be uploaded in the Athletic Clearance to participate in tryouts.

River Ridge Middle and High School will be hosting a community night at the August 30th Varsity Football Game vs. Steinbrenner HS at 7:30PM. At this game, the middle school band, cheerleaders, dance team, volleyball teams, and football team will be recognized between the first and second quarter. We are excited to celebrate our amazing River Ridge community!

Yearbooks will be on sale during the school’s Storm the Castle/Open House through December 31st and will be available online or by contacting Ms. Baumaister at cbaumais@pasco.k12.fl.us for $30. From January – April 30, the price will increase to $35. When the books arrive in May, the price will increase to $40. We will also have a yearbook signing celebration exclusively for those students who purchased a yearbook in May. Yearbooks may be purchased online through Walsworth: www.yearbookforever.com. 8th Grade yearbook ads payment will be through GoFan.co for $40.

Celebrate your child’s birthday with a Birthday Song at lunch from the Administrative Team, balloons, confetti, and an ice cream treat. Complete the form in the front office and provide Mrs. Cace with $5. All proceeds go to student and staff recognition.

Use this link to shop at the School Store online using your Knight Dollars: https://forms.office.com/r/t9U8Fi065r.

Building Compassionate Schools

• To build and establish relationships, each class will be engaging in Bridging the Ridge activities during the first three-five days of school. These activities have been planned by the RRMS Student Services Team and are assigned to each subject area. These activities provide teachers and students with the opportunity to support building a community within the classroom to set the tone and encourage students to be active members of their own learning. Lessons regarding Collective Commitments, School-wide Behavior Expectations, the Student Code of Conduct, and Safety will also be facilitated the first week of school and each quarter after.

• We highly encourage parents/guardians to review the Castle Expectations and the Student Code of Conduct with your student as well as to "check in" with students regarding how their school experience is going.

• Castle Expectations Video
  

• Student Code of Conduct & Safety Video

• Superintendent's Cell Phone & Dress Code Video

For the most up to date dress code, please review Page 27 in the Pasco County Schools Student Code of Conduct.

For the 24-25 school year, we will be transitioning to using digital positive behavior Knight Dollars (points) in myStudent Positive Behavior Awards. Students and families will be able to monitor student's behavior progress based on school wide expectations of Being Respectful, Being Responsible, and Being a Problem Solver. Students will be able to purchase items and privileges from the monthly Royal Merchant school store through a digital QR code and form that will be pushed out to them through myStudent/myLearning and posted in all classrooms. They may also purchase monthly Knight Dollar incentives such as tie-dye t-shirt making, slime making, holiday cookies, Talent Show, and Field Days.

Show Your Royal Spirit with your River Ridge SWAG... new items have been added for purchase on GoFan.co at our River Ridge Spirit Store. Items can be picked up at the front office… don't miss out sizes are limited and new designs are amazing! Go Knights! #WeAreRoyal #RoyalSpiritFriday

Mrs. Angie Murphy, Principal amurphy@pasco.k12.fl.us 774-7208

Ms. Daniell Grubbs, Assistant Principal (6th Grade) dgrubbs@pasco.k12.fl.us 774-7256

Ms. Kristen Martanovic, Assistant Principal (7th Grade) kmartano@pasco.k21.fl.us. 774-7238

Mrs. Melina Brissey, Assistant Principal (8th Grade) mdinamid@pasco.k12.fl.us 774-7234

Corporal Josh Peters, SRO jopeters@pasco.k12.fl.us 774-7223

Mrs. Monica Stanton, School Counselor (7th Grade) mostanto@pasco.k12.fl.us 774-7252

Mrs. Denise Doerrfeld, School Counselor (8th Grade) ddoerrfe@pasco.k12.fl.us 774-7253

Ms. Meredith Alston, School Counselor (6th Grade) malston@pasco.k12.fl.us 774-7220

Mrs. April Addington, SSAP aaddingt@pasco.k12.fl.us 774-7069

Mrs. Maria Costlow, School Social Worker mcostlow@pasco.k12.fl.us 774-7259

Mrs. Kylie Owens, SBP Social Worker kowens@pasco.k12.fl.us 774-7181

Ms. Hayleigh Theisen, School Nurse htheisen@pasco.k12.fl.us; Ms. Joanie Noe, Clinic Asst. jnoe@pasco.k12.fl.us 774-7213

Mrs. Flo Cione, Bookkeeper fcione@pasco.k12.fl.us 774-7216

Ms. Chrissy Brando, Athletic Director cbrando@asco.k12.fl.us 774-7187