Thundercat Weekly

· Upcoming Dates

· RTMS Daily 4 Point Check

· Student ID Badges & Lanyards

· Replacement of Student ID

· Forgotten and Lost ID Consequences

· 6th Grade Social

· Cell Phone Policy

· NO TECH ZONE AT RTMS

· Tardies

· Dress Code

· Student Laptops

· Yearbooks

· Attendance Office FAQ

· Student Safety After Dismissal

· PTO

· THUNDERCASH

· Purchase RTMS Spirit Wear

· MAP Assessments

· Counselor’s Corner

· Level Down Information

· Cross Country

· Lady Cats Basketball Tryouts

· Boys Basketball Tryouts

· PE uniforms

· School Calendar

· Sports You

Thank you for being part of this amazing journey at Ronald Thornton Middle School!

With the school year already in full swing, let’s make sure each day begins smoothly. Please follow these simple steps when entering the building

Each student has received an ID badge, which must be worn around their necks daily. Please make sure that no stickers are placed over their photos, as these IDs are essential for bus rides, lunch purchases, and library checkouts. Students should use the correct color lanyard:

Red-6th Grade

Blue-7th Grade

Green-8th Grade

Your assistance in reinforcing this policy is greatly appreciated.

Please remind your students of the following regarding their lanyards

• Do not swing or disconnect lanyards to avoid damage.
• The plastic sleeve is meant for the student ID only; extra items can cause it to tear.
• If needed, a sturdier sleeve can be provided, but students must use the campus-issued, color-specific grade-level lanyard.

If your child needs a replacement ID badge due to loss or damage, there is a $5.00 fee. Here’s how the process works:

1. Submit a Request: Use the Microsoft form to enter your child’s name and ID number.
2. Fee Assignment: The campus will assign the $5.00 fee to your student’s Skyward account.
3. Payment: Payments can only be made online through Skyward. Please do not use cash, check, money order, or the school’s Revtrak webstore.

For detailed instructions on finding and paying the fee in Skyward, please refer to the job aid provided.

1st - 3rd Offense

• Student issued a temporary wristband.

4th Offense

• Recorded as a discipline referral in Skyward.
• Parent contacted.
• Parent pays $5 for a new printed ID badge (for lost IDs).

Get ready for the 6th Grade Social! To be eligible to attend, students must have no referrals from September 23 to October 18. Let's make great choices and enjoy a fun evening together!

We’re excited to host our 6th Grade Social, and we need your help to make it a success! If you’re interested in volunteering or providing food, please sign up using the links below:

• Volunteer Signup: Volunteer for the 6th Grade Social
• Food Signup: Sign Up to Bring Food

Thank you for your support in making this event a memorable one for our students!

• Students may bring their cell phones to school, but they must be turned off and kept out of sight from the moment they enter RTMS until dismissal at 4:10 pm.
• If a student is seen with a cell phone during the school day, the phone will be confiscated.
• On the third confiscation, there will be a $10 fee to retrieve the phone, and a parent/guardian must come to the school to collect it.
• It is the student's responsibility to inform their parent that their cell phone has been confiscated.
  
• Cell phones may only be used before and after school.

Getting to class on time is crucial for student's success; repeated tardiness will result in consequences that may affect your child's academic progress.

• 1st Tardy: Teacher/Student Conference
• 2nd Tardy: Teacher contacts the parent regarding the tardies
• 3rd Tardy: Teacher follows up with another call to the parent
• 4th Tardy: Student receives a referral and after-school detention
• 5th Tardy: Referral and after-school detention
• 6th Tardy (within a 9-week period): Referral, Saturday detention, and a face-to-face meeting with the student, parent, teacher, and administration

Please encourage your student to be on time and ready to learn every day! Let's work together to ensure a successful and punctual school year

The full FBISD dress code can be found in the Student Code of Conduct. Key points to remember:

• Midriffs (stomach or back) must be covered.
• Hoods, hats, caps, do-rags, wave caps, bonnets, and bandanas are not allowed.
• Pajamas, house shoes, and slippers are not permitted.
• Shorts should be no shorter than slightly above mid-thigh.

Students should dress comfortably for all school activities, including sitting in chairs or stools, working in groups, moving between classes, and navigating stairs. Please review the FBISD Dress Code before the school year begins to ensure your student is dressed appropriately for school.

RTMS students have received their laptops! Please make sure your child charges their laptop every night and brings it to school each day. As laptops will be used in all classes, it's crucial that they are brought to school daily

Capture the memories of this school year by ordering your yearbook today! Yearbooks are now on sale, so be sure to reserve your copy early. You can place your order directly through this link.

Have questions about attendance? Our Attendance Office FAQ section has the answers you need! From reporting absences to understanding attendance policies, we’ve got you covered.

RTMS dismissal begins at 4:10 PM. To ensure the safety of all students, please make sure your child is picked up by 4:45 PM. Please be aware that any students not picked up by 4:45 PM will be unsupervised in the front of the building.

Hello Thundercat Families,

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! My name is Betsy George, and I'm honored to serve as your PTO President. The RTMS PTO Board is filled with an amazing group of volunteers who have worked hard this summer to prepare for the upcoming school year. We are excited to serve our students and teachers! There will be many opportunities for you to volunteer as well—​check out our PTO website. Facebook pages and newsletter for the most up to date information on how to get involved. Please feel free to reach out at any time at rtmspresident@gmail.com.

Go Thundercats!

Betsy George

RTMS PTO President

Show your school pride! Don’t miss out on purchasing our exclusive spirit wear. From t-shirts to hoodies, we have a variety of options to help you and your student represent RTMS in style. Visit our online store today and gear up for a spirited year ahead!

Beginning this year, students in Fort Bend ISD will complete NWEA MAP computer-adaptive assessments three times a year to gain information about what students know and what they are ready to learn next. MAP also gives insight into how students are growing academically, allowing you to track your student's progress throughout the school year and across multiple years. Families will have access to their child's results after each testing window. NWEA MAP is replacing Renaissance 360. For more information, visit the NWEA Family Toolkit linked here or contact your child’s teacher.

Our counseling team is here to support your students as they navigate this exciting school year. Whether they need academic guidance, emotional support, or just someone to talk to, we’re here every step of the way. Let’s work together to make this a fantastic year!

We're excited to announce that Cross Country practice kicks off Thursday, October 17, at 7:25 a.m.

Sign Up to Participate:
If you plan to join Cross Country, please sign up using the link below:
Sign Up Here

Important Requirements:
To participate in Cross Country, athletes must meet the following requirements:

1. Physical Examination

   • A physical dated after April 1, 2024, is required.
   • Complete Rank One electronic forms.
     Download the Physical Form

2. Electronic Forms

   • Complete the forms online using Rank One.
     Access Rank One Forms

Please note: Physicals must be uploaded to Rank One. Paper copies will not be accepted.

Stay Informed:
Join our SportsYou group for the latest updates and information. Use the code: ELZQGSBQ

Meet Schedule:

• Tuesday, October 29 - Dual Meet
• Monday, November 4
• Tuesday, November 12
• Tuesday, November 19 - DISTRICT Meet

Times and locations will be announced soon. Let’s get ready for a fantastic season!

Tryouts for the Lady Cats Basketball team will be held on October 21, 22, and 23.

• 7th Grade: 4:15 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• 8th Grade: 6:45 a.m. – 8:10 a.m.

All athletes must have a completed physical exam submitted and all FBISD Electronic Forms completed to be eligible.

Important Details:

• Athletes must attend all three days of tryouts to be considered for the team.
• Required items for tryouts:
  • Physical exam dated after April 1, 2024
  • Completed Rank One Electronic Forms

Helpful Links:

• Physical Exam Information
• Complete Electronic Forms

Please note, athletes must upload their physical exam to Rank One. No paper copies will be accepted.

Tryout Dates:

• October 28, 29, and 30

7th Grade: 4:15 PM - 6:15 PM
8th Grade: 6:45 AM - 8:10 AM

Important Information:

• All athletes must have a physical exam on file and all FBISD Electronic Forms completed prior to tryouts.
• Athletes are required to attend all days of tryouts to be considered for a team.
• A numbered shirt will be provided for tryouts. Athletes may wear their own black or purple shorts.

Practice Schedule:

• 8th Grade: Practices will be held on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings.
• 7th Grade: Practices will be held after school on the same days.
• There will be no practices on game days (games are on Thursdays).

Mandatory Requirements to Try Out:

1. A physical exam dated after April 1, 2024.
2. Completion of all Rank One Electronic Forms:
   • Physical Examination Form
   • Complete Online Forms Here

Note: Athletes must upload their physical exam to Rank One. Paper copies will not be accepted.

PE Uniforms are sold out. We have placed a new order that should be in with in the next couple of weeks. As soon as uniforms are delivered we will fulfill all the unfulfilled orders.

Cost:

• $10 for shirts
• $10 for shorts

Purchase Options:

1. Online: Purchase Here
   • Print your receipt – Do NOT email the receipt to the PE teacher!
2. Cash or Check:
   • Make payable to RTMS
   • Send your cash or check with your student

Uniform Distribution:

• Students need a receipt or screenshot of receipt to pick up uniforms if ordered online
• Do NOT email receipt to the PE teacher

Dress Code:

• All students MUST dress out for PE
• If not purchasing a PE uniform, students must bring long shorts and a t-shirt in school colors (purple, gold, white, grey)
• No sleeveless shirts allowed

As you begin planning vacations for the upcoming year, please review the 2024-25 FBISD Academic Calendar. Keep in mind that family trips and vacations are considered unexcused absences. It is no secret that our students learn best when they are here for us to teach them.

To stay updated on all RTMS sports activities, join the Sports You group for your child:

• Boys Sports: Use code GEMN4S2U
• Girls Sports: Use code 4J5U-RAQH

Join the group to receive important updates and information throughout the season.

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/RTMSThundercats
• Website: https://www.fortbendisd.com/rtms
• RTMS PTO https://www.rtmspto.net/

• Schoology Support for Parents

• School Cafe (Lunch Accounts)

• FBISD Volunteer Application & Background Check

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