Ritch Middle School

• 1/15/25: Club and Make-Up Pictures for new students as of 8/15/24
• 1/16/25: 1st Semester Awards Reception (students will receive an invitation on Monday for those who will be receiving an award)
• 1/17/25: Digital Learning Day
• 1/20/25: MLK, Jr. Day (no school)

“Welcome to My Life” is a Support Group for parents or guardians of children with disabilities who seek for support, guidance, empowerment, and resources to better equip themselves to deal with daily challenges. You are not alone in this journey, come and join us!

The first meeting will be this coming Wednesday, January 15th, 2025 from 8:15 to 9:15 at Dianne Wright Innovation Center 140 Bethel Church Rd #5431, Hiram, GA 30141.

For more information and follow-ups, please register using this link HERE!

https://forms.office.com/r/3YfMp3LLQq

Congratulations to our School Spelling Bee Winner, Callum (right) and Runner-Up, Krue (left)! Our school Spelling Bee went over 15 rounds before determining our school winner - our longest bee ever! Both students are from Ms. Towler's 7th grade ELA class and went 11 rounds in the classroom before making it to the school level bee! This could be a first for RMS to have our 2 student spelling bee representatives come from the same class period! Way to GO!!!!

Funds raised by PTSA are used to support students and the school and PTSA wishes to thank everyone for their monetary support of PTSA through memberships and fundraisers.

Students are able to enter the building beginning at 8:15 unless they are arriving early for tutoring or a club meeting. The mornings are getting colder so please plan accordingly for morning drop off.

Note: Running Club will resume in March when the weather begins to warm back up.

Starting in the 2024-25 school year, the Georgia School Climate Surveys (GSCS) will replace the Georgia Student Health Survey, the Georgia Parent School Climate Survey, and the Georgia School Personnel Survey. This change helps reduce the number of surveys. The new questions are aligned with key areas of school improvement and will give schools and districts helpful feedback to make improvements. Our goal is to have as many parents as possible to complete the GSCS.

P. B. Ritch Middle School will take the new Georgia School Climate Survey this year. Each parent or guardian is invited to take the family version to answer questions about the current school or schools you have a child or children attending. If two or more children attend the same school, please only complete one survey for that school.

The survey measures what you think about how the school engages with families. Answers are not linked to names in any way. When typing answers, please do not give names or information that you don’t want to share with this school. Data will be shared with school leaders to help improve the school and will be published on the GaDOE website.

Please help by sharing your honest opinion on this 22-question survey. To take the survey, please click this link.

If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Ms. Link at MLink@paulding.k12.ga.us.

Teacher of the Month

Staff Member of the Month

Students who were present for picture day have received their student ID badges! They will use their badge to check books in/out in the Media Center as well as earn points through their Minga account (accessed through Clever) for redemption in our PBIS Store. Students are EXCITED!!!

October kicks off Bullying Awareness month! Through Minga, we published the 30-day Kindness Challenge in their Minga feed on the Minga Home Page! The responses so far have been uplifting and we hope students use the daily challenge to spread kindness while recognizing how kindness has been bestowed to them!

If students lose their badge, then they can print another badge at home by logging into their Minga account.

For students who were absent or not enrolled on picture day, then they can stop by the Media Center to get their picture taken and have their badge printed.

https://jointotem.com/ga/dallas/p-b-ritch-ms-ptsa

Create an account to purchase gift cards that give back to our school! Go to RaiseRight now! Super easy and fast!

As a safety protocol, PCSD High Schools no longer allows elementary & middle school students into the evening/athletic events without an accompanying adult. Elementary & Middle school students should not be dropped off at the gates. Any PCSD student can receive school discipline for misbehavior at PCSD events even when it is outside the school day and not on their regular school campus.

As we continue to make safety our top priority, students not accompanied by an adult will be denied entry. Administration, staff, and many Paulding County Sheriff Deputies will be present to ensure a safe and awesome experience.

Insurance MUST be purchased BEFORE a repair is needed. You cannot purchase insurance after a technology help ticket is submitted.

The insurance is easy to purchase and inexpensive. Please take the time to purchase insurance!!!

Please go to the following link for viewing the plan and cost.

https://smarttechinsurance.com/organization/paulding/

Update for the new school year!

Students cannot be dropped off in the parking lot for morning arrival. This helps to ensure their safety because unfortunately we have had some distracted drivers and we do not want anyone to get hurt. Our staff begins supervision during drop-off beginning at 8:15am when the building opens for students, but they are there to keep traffic flowing for those who are following the preferred method for morning drop-off.

Students cannot enter the building until 8:15am unless they are arriving early for tutoring according to the tutoring which will begin the week of August 19th.

Update for the new school year!

No student check-outs after 3:15pm so that we can prepare for dismissal. This will ensure we have communicated all information to both students and staff for any changes to how students will leave in the afternoon. Dismissal can be a busy time of the day and safety is a priority and last-minute check-outs create delays in our dismissal process. Thank you in advance for understanding!

Students will need to be picked up from the car rider lanes. Parents may not park in the parking lot and walk up to get their child.

See document below for visual of car rider dismissal procedures as well as instructions.

At this time, students are not allowed to have transportation changes for riding a bus other than the one they are assigned to based on their address in Infinite Campus. Students wishing to go home with a friend need to make other arrangements.

To check on bus numbers, estimated times, and bus stops, please go to https://www.paulding.k12.ga.us/Page/379

We also encourage you to download the Here Comes the Bus app which allows you to track the location of your child's bus for real time information:

https://www.paulding.k12.ga.us/Page/40604

To assist with afternoon dismissal, students who need to check out after 3:15pm should be picked up as a car rider. Students cannot be checked out in the Front Office after 3:15pm.

Thank you in advance for your understanding!

DEVICES WILL ONLY BE ISSUED TO STUDENTS WHOSE PARENTS HAVE COMPLETED THE DEVICE AGREEMENT IN PARENT PORTAL! Hard copies of the agreement are not acceptable - everything must be completed in Parent Portal, but with the Parent login, not the student.

To learn more about PCSD's Student Laptop Program go to our PCSD Student Technology website

Below is the link to the Paulding County School District's Technology Department RevTrak. You may order replacement laptops, chargers, keyboards, screens, non-skid rubber feet and other parts at this website. The order will be issued to the school for repair or replacement.

Link to the Technology Department’s Revtrak: Technology Department | Paulding County School District (revtrak.net)

Connect your Walmart and Box Tops accounts to earn without scanning when you shop at Walmart… and more!

Download now:
English: https://bit.ly/3ZzNcpF
Spanish: https://bit.ly/3XTrWdb

Are you passionate about making a positive impact on our school community? Do you want to play an active role in enhancing the educational experience for our students? Here's your chance to get involved!

What is PTSA?
The Parent-Teacher-Student Association (PTSA) is a vibrant and dedicated group of individuals who work collaboratively to create a thriving school environment. Our mission is to support and enrich the lives of our students and contribute to a strong sense of community.

Join Our Board!
We are excited to announce that we have open positions on the PTSA board. This is your opportunity to step up and make a difference. Whether you're a parent, teacher, extended family member, or student, your unique perspective and ideas are valuable.

Available Positions:
We have a variety of positions available, each with its own set of responsibilities. Whether you're interested in event planning, fundraising, communications, or community outreach, there's a role that suits your skills and interests.

Your participation can make a significant impact on our school community. Let's work together to create a brighter future for our students!

Our PTSA Officers look forward to hosting events for our students and families throughout the year, but they need your help! If you are interested, please email Principal Carson and she will put you in contact with one of our PTSA Officers to answer any questions and see how you can help!

In the meantime, please show your support by purchasing a membership!

2024-2025 PTSA Officers

President: (vacant)

Vice-President: Yolanda Crowley-Hill

Secretary: (vacant)

Treasurer: Deanna Poellnitz

Meal benefits for 2024-2025 are based on income

apply online at: www.schoollunchapp.com

For more information from the PCSD School Nutrition Department, such as menus and meal applications, go to http://www.schoolnutritionandfitness.com/index.php?sid=0305131813425871

If your student would like to purchase extras in the Cafeteria, then you can pay ahead online: https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/getmain.action?clientKey=&requestAction=home

If you are interested in donating to a general lunch account for students who forget or are in need of money to cover their lunch/breakfast, then you can do so by sending a check payable to PB Ritch Middle School and write 'donation lunch account' in the memo line. Our cafeteria is a separate program from the school donations through RevTrak are not accepted at this time. Thank you so much!

Monitoring your child's cell phone and electronics will help them develop healthy ways to use their technology. More often than many people realize, Administrators/Counselors/Teachers/ School Resource Officers deal with the aftermath of poor decisions made by our students when using their technology. We must all work together to help our students use technology in an appropriate way which will keep them safe as well as minimize the negative impact on their mental health.

Below is a link to some suggested rules for cell phone usage at this age. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher or counselor.

https://kidslox.com/guide-to/cell-phone-rules-for-13-14-year-old-teens/

Protect Young Eyes: Internet Safety for Families, Schools, and Churches

For more information on the PCSD Use of Student Personal Technology, see the file below:

Middle and High School Guide (English)

Our district has a new safety app (Safe Schools Alert) that makes reporting safety concerns easy and anonymous. Go to https://www.paulding.k12.ga.us/domain/205 to learn more! Our district code is 1895.

Check out the latest PCSD Prevention and Intervention newsletter at https://www.paulding.k12.ga.us/site/default.aspx?PageID=39135

You can find lots of helpful information, such as:

• Crisis Resources

• Contact Info
  

• Suicide Prevention & Sources of Strength
  

• Alcohol, Drug & Vaping Prevention
  

• Bullying Prevention
  

• COVID-19, Internet Safety & Mental Health
  

• Family Resources
  

• Prevention Intervention Newsletters

Greetings Ravens!

As promised, please see below for the link to the School Counseling website as well as the links to the Request to See a School Counselor forms.

Counseling Website

Mrs. Lindsey Request Form

Ms. Link Request Form

Below are highlights to the student dress code for this year along with the link to the full policy:

Fully policy regulation: View Regulation JCDB-R(): Student Dress Code (eboardsolutions.com)

Pants and Shorts

• Length must be appropriate. Shorts must come to at least the mid-thigh;
• Shorts and pants must be sized appropriately.

Skirts and Dresses

• Skirts must be size appropriate and be worn at the natural waistline;
• Shoulder straps must be at least 2" in width and arm holes must be tight fitting;
• Length must be appropriate (at least to the mid-thigh); Slits in skirts cannot be above mid-thigh.

Shirts and Blouses

• Must be size appropriate;
• Long or short sleeved, dress shirt, polo type, sleeveless with appropriate, tight-fitting armholes (no halter tops, no spaghetti straps). For tank tops, the shoulder straps must be at least 2" in width;
• Must have no writing, pictures, or graphics that unreasonably attract the attention of other students or cause disruption or interference with the operation of the school (e.g., vulgarity, sexual innuendo);
• Shirt tails must come to the natural waistline.

We are looking for donations for our STEM program.

We are in need of:

• Legos
• Art supplies
• Paint
• Paintbrushes
• Drawing books
• Teenage coloring books, etc.
• Coffee filters
• Cute buttons
• Old toys (that are in good condition.)

We can even use an old typewriter and an old rotary phone, if anyone has one.

Please send all donations to the P.B. Ritch Media Center.

Thanks in advance for any donations you can make. 🙂

Grades are finalized each semester rather than each nine weeks at the middle school level. It is important to check grades in Parent Portal weekly and not wait until the last minute to submit work. We have told students that everyone is starting off the year/semester with All A's and it is up to them to keep their average up!

Wondering End of the Year Status is determined? Below is how it is calculated:

End of Year Course average is calculated as follows:

1st semester average + 2nd semester average

total is divided by 2

The End of Year Course average must be 70 or higher to be considered passing. Students must pass 5 out of 6 of their courses in order to be promoted to the next grade level.

Parents are encouraged to stay in close contact with your child’s teachers because we believe educating children is most successful when there is a partnership between all adults in a child’s life. To maximize our ability to work together as a team, a few tools are highlighted below that will support you as your family makes the transition to Ritch Middle School.

• Canvas: Canvas is a learning platform that your child will use to submit and complete work as assigned by teachers. I encourage you to sign-up to become an “Observer” of your child’s Canvas account. By becoming an observer, you can see what your child is submitting, work they have been assigned, and see comments made on their work by the teacher.

For access to Student Canvas help topics, go to:

https://www.paulding.k12.ga.us/Page/28791

For access to Parent Observer of Canvas help topics, go to: https://www.paulding.k12.ga.us/Page/28792

• Communication: Our classroom teachers use the Remind.com notification system as a tool to communicate with everyone in their class (this includes parents). Remind is in place to keep you regularly informed for their class. You will need to obtain the Remind code for each of your child’s teachers once you receive your child’ schedule.

• Parent Portal: I encourage you to activate your Parent Portal account so that you receive notifications of your child’s attendance and grades. And the best part is that once you sign-up for Parent Portal, then your account remains active for any children you have while in the Paulding County School District.

Have you set up your Parent Portal Account or need to reset your password?

Parent Portal / Parent Portal Support

Virtual Instructions for Activating a Parent Portal Account Requests for Parent Portal accounts are now handled virtually. Please read the Parent Portal Usage Policy before continuing. Please send an email to portal@paulding.k12.ga.us and include the following information. A copy of state-issued parent picture ID must also be included in the email. Your request will be handled within 48 hours.

Your student’s state assessment results are also located in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. To access the IC Parent Portal, go the PCSD website at www.paulding.k12.ga.us.

Facebook - P.B. Ritch Middle School

Instagram - ritchmsravens

Twitter - RitchMSRavens handle: @RitchMs

Important tools to help you stay connected to your child’s education in the Paulding County School District.

What does the Paulding Education Foundation do? There is LOTS they do to support our schools by providing classroom scholarships for teachers as well as college scholarships for students. Check out https://pauldingeducationfoundation.com/ for more information.

When you shop through AmazonSmile:

Generate donations

Shop at smile.amazon.com and we’ll donate 0.5% of eligible purchases to your favorite charitable organization—no fees, no extra cost.

Donate requested items to charities

Thousands of charities created AmazonSmile Charity Lists of items they need right now. Simply browse, order, and enjoy giving.

Be part of something bigger

$355 million

donated to US charities

AmazonSmile: You shop. Amazon gives.

If you or your family don't always have money for food,

visit the FoodFinder website or download our app to find places

nearby where you can get free food and meal assistance

Both students and Parent Observers can download the Canvas App. Canvas is the learner management system students use to submit much of their work. For questions about Canvas, please see your teacher!

For android users, go to Canvas Student - Apps on Google Play

For iOS users, go to Canvas Student on the App Store (apple.com)

PCSD Attendance Protocol

PCSD Student Attendance Policy

IF YOUR STUDENT IS SICK OR NOT FEELING WELL - PLEASE PLEASE KEEP THEM HOME! There are NO attendance incentives this year and we are taking parent notes for student absences. All of our teachers are posting work to Canvas, so if your student has to miss a day or two, they can access their assignments from home without any issues. All of our students know how to access Canvas and how to get to their assignments - this has been reviewed in their classes.

IF SOMEONE IN YOUR HOME HAS TESTED POSITIVE OR IS POSSIBLY POSITIVE - DO NOT SEND YOUR STUDENT TO SCHOOL - keep them home to isolate with you to await your test results. You can call to notify us for attendance purposes. The absences will be excused and students will be able to access their assignments through Canvas.

IF YOUR CHILD HAS BEEN TESTED FOR COVID OR SOMEONE IN YOUR HOME HAS BEEN TESTED AND ARE AWAITING RESULTS, THEN PLEASE KEEP THEM HOME UNTIL RESULTS ARE RECEIVED - EVEN IF THEY DO NOT HAVE SYMPTOMS.

Please help by monitoring your child daily for any symptoms, and if in doubt, keep them home and call our Front Office to let us know or if you have any questions.

For more information relating to PCSD and COVID guidance, please refer to https://www.paulding.k12.ga.us/Page/46461

Check out our website for school supply lists, dress code, teacher websites, and more!

https://www.paulding.k12.ga.us/pbritch

Go to https://www.paulding.k12.ga.us/Page/940 to access email addresses for an Administrator, Front Office staff, or a counselor.

Website: https://www.paulding.k12.ga.us/Domain/33
Location: 60 Old Country Trail, Dallas, GA, USA
Phone: 770-443-1449

Facebook: P.B. Ritch Middle School

Instagram: ritchmsravens

Twitter: @RitchMS