Thundercat Weekly

Hello Thundercat Families,

For the most up to date RTMS Newsletter: Thundercat Weekly The newsletter contains updates, deadlines, and important information for RTMS.

Celebrate:

Volunteers in Schools recognition is the week of April 17th. Thank You to all our wonderful Ronald Thornton Middle School Volunteers! We could not do it without you. #TPND

Upcoming Events:

2023 RTMS STAAR Dates- are available on our campus website Ronald Thornton Middle School

Lunch on STAAR days

• Students testing will need to bring a sack lunch from home. If needed, a cafeteria box lunch will be available for students testing. In addition, all testers lunch will begin at 12:53pm.
• All non-testing students will have a regular lunch

FBISD Bond election- Early Voting begins April 24-May 2. Election day is May 6.

Fort Bend ISD will hold its annual Special Education Transition Resource Fair on Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The fair will be at the James Reese Career and Technical Center (12300 University Blvd., Sugar Land, 77479).

Summer School Information:

Summer School Link for Middle School

Safety-

Cell phones- all cell phones are to remain in backpacks during school hours unless teacher permission is granted for instructional purposes.

FBISD Wellness:

Fort Bend ISD’s Behavioral Health and Wellness Department will offer monthly seminars again this year that will provide mental and physical health resources for families. Each seminar will focus on a different area of health for students and families and are aligned to the District’s mission to support the mental, behavioral, social, emotional and physical health of all students in FBISD. The seminars are part of the District’s Whole Child Health Initiative.

The hour-long seminars will be virtual and no registration is needed to participate. All seminars will begin at 6 p.m.

April 19, 2022 – Social Media and Your Digital Footprint
Learn how to help your student use social media in healthy ways and understand the impact of their digital footprint.

Dear RTMS Parents/Guardians,

I am writing to let you know some important information about our upcoming STAAR testing at Ronald Thornton Middle School. Testing will look a little different this year since students take the assessment online. Please review the attached flyer and make note of specific testing dates for your child's grade level.

Lunches: It is recommended to bring a sack lunch from home on testing days. Another option will be for students to grab a box lunch from the cafeteria, at regular cost. We will not be accepting dropped off lunches from outside restaurants on April 18, 19, 20 and May 2, 3 or 4th. Our campus will be closed to visitors on all testing days.

Cell Phone/Electronic Devices: Students will not be allowed to have any type of cell phone, smart watch, laptop, tablet, or any other electronic device in their possession while taking the STAAR test. If any of these items are brought to school, they will be powered off and held by the testing teacher until all students in the room complete the test.

Students have been given testing day reminders on the announcements this week. In addition, the testing reminders flyer attached to this e-mail has been sent to all students via Blackboard.

Thank you in advance for helping your child be prepared for the upcoming Testing Days at Ronald Thornton Middle School. We appreciate your support!

Sincerely,

Jennifer Petru, Principal

messages/attachments/7c6c82df96e9d1774affaddfdabe5878/STAAR_TEST_DATES.pdf

The following awards will be presented at the end of the year. Students receiving awards will be personally invited to the awards ceremony for their grade level. 6th and 7th grade awards will be presented during the school day. 8th grade awards will be presented during an evening ceremony. 6th grade awards will be May 9, 2023 at 9:00am. 7th grade will be May 10th at 9:00am and 8th grade will be May 17th at 6:00pm. All ceremonies will be by invitation only. All awards ceremonies will be held in the RTMS Commons. All academic and attendance awards are based on the Term 1, Term 2, Term 3 and Progress Report 7.

• Academic Excellence: Students who have maintained an A average in all their classes during each grading period of the 22-23 school year.

• AB Honor Roll: Students who maintained an A or B average in all their classes during each grading period during the 22-23 school year.

• Perfect Attendance Award: Students with zero absences for the school year. School related absences such as field trips are not considered an absence from school.

• PRIDE Award: Each teacher chooses one student, per course they teach, who exhibits the characteristics of the RTMS Core Beliefs.

o People and relationships matter.

o Respect in all we do.

o Inclusion is our priority.

o Diversity is our strength.

o Effort fuels our Growth.

• P³ (Passion, Practice and Perseverance) Award: Each teacher chooses one student, per course they teach, who exhibits grit and perseverance throughout the year.

• Thunder Clap Award – Students who exhibit significant improvement in academics and/or behavior. Teachers can select 1 student per course they teach.

• Athlete of the Year – Each Athletic Coordinator choses one female and one male athlete that competes in three of five of the available sports and is a contributing member toward team success.

• Thundercat Spirit (8th Grade Only) – One male and a female student athlete who shows leadership and work ethic on and off the field/court.

• Outstanding Fine Arts Student of the Year – Each fine arts department choses one female and one male student per grade level that exhibits excellence in their program.

• Most Improved Fine Arts Students – Each fine arts department choses one female and one male student per grade level that exhibits significant improvement, grit, and perseverance in their program.

• Ronald Thornton Award (8th Grade Only) – A student that exhibits the qualities of the RTMS Vision, Mission and Core Beliefs; who practices Passion, Practice and Perseverance; and lives by attributes of the FBISD Profile of a Graduate in school and in the community.

• Get a good night’s rest. Researchers have said that for optimum sleep we should put away all electronic devices at least 2 hours before we go to sleep.
• Get up in time for a good breakfast. Give the body and brain the fuel it needs for the coming day.
• We recommend that all electronic devices (cell phones, iPads, personal laptops) be left at home on the day of their STAAR tests. If they must be brought to school remind your student that they must be turned in and turned off for the duration of the test. Failure to do so will cause their test to be voided and disciplinary actions taken.
• On the day of all STAAR testing there will be no lunch deliveries to testing classes or visitors allowed in the building during lunch periods. This is for test security and to eliminate any distractions for those testing.

Dear Parents,

This is information about FBISD Credit Recovery (Remedial)-Summer School Program. The list of students who are danger of not successfully completing a course will be out later this month. The final list of students needing to attend Credit Recovery will be out in May. FBISD credit recovery program is different from previous years and we fell it important to share as much as we an as soon as we can.

Thank You,

RTMS Counselors

Below is the remedial information as well as the new cost structure.

Dear RTMS Families,

In order to measure student growth in the areas of reading and mathematics for the 2022-2023 School year, the Renaissance 360 end of the year (EOY) assessments will be administered April 11th – May 12th. During this window, RTMS teachers and staff will proctor the administration of the assessment.

Subject Date of Assessment

ELA REN360 EOY April 11th & April 12th

Math REN360 EOY May 5th

All assessments will be administered during the regular class period of the day.

For more information about Star Renaissance 360 Assessments, visit the FBISD Parent webpage or the Renaissance parent webpage.

All current 6th graders who are interested in playing football next year as a 7th grader, please join the 6th grade sports you group.

The 6th Grade Combine will be hosted from May 15th-18th from 4:30pm-6pm for 6th graders who are interested in football. This is not a tryout, this is a workout and also a chance for the coaches to evaluate talent. Combine shirts are available on this link. https://gogearup.io/thornton-ms-fb23

Please purchase before the closing date of 4/23/2023

Parents, please use this code to join the 6th grade football group. EWGYBCA4

· We do not have tryouts for football, everyone is welcome to play football. Please make sure to complete all Parent forms on Rankonesports.com and make sure to have a physical submitted on Rankone by uploading it. Hardcopy should be emailed to coach Dobbins.

· Join Football Sports You for more information and announcements.

Code: GEMN4S2U Current 7th and 8th graders should already be in this group. This is for football only. All other sports have different groups and codes.

https://t.co/lGF0aynQAi

Please contact Coach Dobbins with any questions

Calling all current RTMS 6th grade girls,

If you are interested in playing a sport as a 7th grader for the 2023-24 school year we encourage you to attend our Camp @RTMS. This will not guarantee you make a team at Thornton. This is just simply working on skills and learning what it takes to be a future Thundercat athlete. Camp will focus on fundamental skills and positions in Volleyball, Basketball, Track, Tennis, and Soccer. Please wear appropriate athletic attire( camp shirt) and shoes and bring a large water bottle. Please join our Lady Cat Athletics Sports You group- 4J5U-RAQH

Register :

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=QWJ9SRo5d0KRrL3SqZ9wVBIbozaNT_JBvYJLflprR35UQzc5UjRWR0ZBM1FHV0FPU0g1WkhBUVdEOS4u

Deadline April 23rd

Purchase Shirt:

https://gogearup.io/thorntonms-athcamp23

Deadline April 23rd

Turn in a Physical from a doctor :

https://www.fortbendisd.com/cms/lib/TX01917858/Centricity/Domain/129/2020%20Pre-Physical%20Exam%20Form%20UIL.pdf

Deadline May 10th

Complete Rank One Forms :

https://fortbendisd.rankonesport.com/New/NewInstructionsPage.aspx

Deadline May 10th

Please contact Coach Barger with any questions

4/29 at Reese Center

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Hello Parents,

Please see the student safety and accountability reminders below:

3rd Party Food Deliveries- No outside food deliveries for students will be accepted, (Grubhub, Postmates, Ubereats, Doordash. etc,

Student ID- Worn daily around the neck with the grade-specific lanyard. Use the link below to purchase lost/misplaced ID for your child. ($5)

https://fortbendisd.revtrak.net/FBISD-Schools-1082/ms/thornton-ms/rtms-fines-fees/#/v/rtms-student-id-replacement-fee

10/10 Rule – Students are not able to leave the classroom during the first and last 10 minutes of class due to the importance of this time in the lesson cycle.

Out of Area - Students should only go to their assigned classroom for each class or at any time during the school day. This is a safety violation and a discipline referral will be entered.

Cell phones/Earbuds – Shall be kept in backpacks during the school day. If they are out, on or seen they will be confiscated. The only exception is for teacher-led instruction.

• Please note the 3rd offense will require a $10 fee. Refusal to give phone/earbuds for confiscation when out, on, or seen will result in a discipline referral.

Dress code- Students must wear appropriate length shorts/shirts No hoodies. No midriffs showing.

Thank you for you help in addressing these reminders with your children,

The following are the FBISD guidelines on ID’s, which also included consequences pertaining to various ID infractions.

Wearing Student Badges

All students are required to visibly display their Student ID badge during normal school hours while on campus. The badge must be worn above the waist with the student’s picture clearly visible. Exceptions are afforded for students participating in vigorous activity related to recess or a PE credit class.

Student Badge Use

Student badges provide access to services within the building, including the following access/check-ins:

• Cafeteria meal payments
• Library services
• Entrance to campus events (dances, pep rallies, )
• Entrance to games

Student Badge Replacement

There are several reasons a student might need a replacement badge and no badge replacement fee will be required for the following circumstances:

• Student enrolls at a new campus

• Student appearance changes significantly
• Legal name change

Students are expected to turn in their old ID when a new one is provided.

Students who lose their badge will be offered temporary identification. If the old badge cannot be located replacement fees may be required.

Temporary Identification – Secondary Students Only

If a secondary student arrives at school without a badge, they will be given a temporary wristband to wear during the school day at the beginning of their first period on campus. The student must wear the wristband all day. The student’s name is recorded by the issuing staff member to assist with tracking.

MISPLACED/LOST BADGE

1st-3rd Offense

• Recorded in Skyward but not a referral
• Student given temporary wristband

4th Offense

• Recorded as discipline referral consequence assigned
• Parent contact
• Student pays $5 for new printed badge

5th Offense and Beyond

• Recorded as discipline referral and detention assigned
• Parent contact
• Student pays $5 for new printed badge

DESTRUCTION OF BADGE

1st-2nd Offense

• Recorded as discipline referral in Skyward and detention assigned
• Student pays $5 for new printed badge
• Parent Contact

3rd Offense- Beyond

• Recorded as discipline referral additional consequences assigned
• Parent Contact
• Student pays $5 for new badge
• Assigned ISS

All fees will be entered and collected through RevTrak.

https://fortbendisd.revtrak.net/FBISD-Schools-1082/ms/thornton-ms/rtms-fines-fees/#/v/rtms-student-id-replacement-fee

If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to any administrator.

First and second offense, students will get their phones back at 7th period.

Third offense and beyond, parents will have to pay $10 via RevTrak and come to the campus to pick up their child’s phone.

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

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

We are a cell phone free zone school.

• All incoming 7th grade students for the 2023 - 2024 school year are required to obtain Tdap and Meningococcal vaccines per Texas law.
• Todos los estudiantes que ingresen al 7.º grado para el año escolar 2023 - 2024 deben obtener las siguientes vacunas Tdap y meningocócica según la ley de Texas.

Supervision is available for students daily 8:20AM- 4:30PM.

Thank you for being timely in your drop off and pick up of our thundercat students.

A student is tardy when they arrive less than five (5) minutes after the bell without a pass. Arrival after twenty (20) minutes without a pass students are truant. Each teacher will record tardies in Skyward.

Consequences:

• Tardy: Student Conference with Teacher

• 2-3 Tardies: Parent Contact by Teacher

• 4-5 Tardies: Disciplinary Referral, After School Detention

• 6+Tardies: Referral; Saturday Detention and Parent Conference

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 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 !

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 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.

4. 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.

5. What is the latest I can pick-up my student?

Student pickup is suspended from 3:40 p.m-4:10 p.m.

6. 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.

7. Why is the absence still showing unexcused?
Once documentation is submitted, it can take up to 48 hours to show in Skyward.

8. What information should be included in the absence note?

Please include first name and last name, grade level, reason for absence.

9. 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 4 consecutive days with a parent written excuse after the 5th day a medical note will need to be provided.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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

• Free and reduced lunch forms open on August 1. It can be completed at www.schoolcafe.com/fbisd. Families must complete an application for each school year.
• Meal prices for 2022-23 School Year:
• Student Breakfast: $2.00
• Secondary Lunch: $3.00
• Parents may put money in student’s accounts PRIOR to the 1st day of school to avoid longer lunch lines at the start of school.

Please refrain from parking in the neighborhood across from Ronald Thornton Middle School. Violators will be ticketed.

Please understand that we cannot honor requests for students to ride bus routes other than their own designated route. Students who do not have bus-riding privileges will not be able to ride the bus with their bus-riding friends. Therefore, please plan accordingly so that everyone experiences a smooth dismissal each school day.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RTMSThundercats

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

Join the official Thornton ThunderCats Facebook page!
Please visit and join us HERE.

Website: https://www.fortbendisd.com/rtms
Location: 1909 Waters Lake Boulevard, Sienna, TX, USA
Phone: (281) 327-3870
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1648470585359225
Twitter: @RTMSThundercats

The following awards will be presented at the end of the year. Students receiving awards will be personally invited to the awards ceremony for their grade level. 6th and 7th grade awards will be presented during the school day. 8th grade awards will be presented during an evening ceremony. 6th grade awards will be May 9, 2023 at 9:00am. 7th grade will be May 10th at 9:00am and 8th grade will be May 17th at 6:00pm. All ceremonies will be by invitation only. All awards ceremonies will be held in the RTMS Commons. All academic and attendance awards are based on the Term 1, Term 2, Term 3 and Progress Report 7.

• Academic Excellence: Students who have maintained an A average in all their classes during each grading period of the 22-23 school year.

• AB Honor Roll: Students who maintained an A or B average in all their classes during each grading period during the 22-23 school year.

• Perfect Attendance Award: Students with zero absences for the school year. School related absences such as field trips are not considered an absence from school.

• PRIDE Award: Each teacher chooses one student, per course they teach, who exhibits the characteristics of the RTMS Core Beliefs.

o People and relationships matter.

o Respect in all we do.

o Inclusion is our priority.

o Diversity is our strength.

o Effort fuels our Growth.

• P³ (Passion, Practice and Perseverance) Award: Each teacher chooses one student, per course they teach, who exhibits grit and perseverance throughout the year.

• Thunder Clap Award – Students who exhibit significant improvement in academics and/or behavior. Teachers can select 1 student per course they teach.

• Athlete of the Year – Each Athletic Coordinator choses one female and one male athlete that competes in three of five of the available sports and is a contributing member toward team success.

• Thundercat Spirit (8th Grade Only) – One male and a female student athlete who shows leadership and work ethic on and off the field/court.

• Outstanding Fine Arts Student of the Year – Each fine arts department choses one female and one male student per grade level that exhibits excellence in their program.

• Most Improved Fine Arts Students – Each fine arts department choses one female and one male student per grade level that exhibits significant improvement, grit, and perseverance in their program.

• Ronald Thornton Award (8th Grade Only) – A student that exhibits the qualities of the RTMS Vision, Mission and Core Beliefs; who practices Passion, Practice and Perseverance; and lives by attributes of the FBISD Profile of a Graduate in school and in the community.