RDMS 101

1. RDMS 101 Welcome to River Dell

2. Today’s program • RDMS 101(Auditorium from 10:30 – 11:15) • A typical school day (classes, lunch, lockers) • After school offerings (clubs, activities, sports, extra help) • Rules and policies • School climate • River Dell website (School Wires, Genesis, Community Pass) • RDMS 101(Walk through from 11:15 – 12:00) • Tour of building • Practice opening your lockers • Barbeque (12:00)

3. Getting Ready for Middle School Did you: • Complete your 3 summer assignments (Math, English and World Civilizations)? • Get your schedule and know what house you are in? • Identify your locker and combination? • Get school supplies for the first day of school? • Check your teachers’ websites? • Identify a friend or Study Buddy in the same house?

4. I have my Schedule…Now What? Homeroom is 7:50 to 8:05 and is in your first period classroom. When you receive your schedule, you will see a column with course numbers that end with a letter (A, B, or C). The letter indicates your team. Some of our classes run on an A/B Day cycle, which rotate between three A Days in a row followed by three B Days (AAA BBB AAA BBB).

5. I have my Schedule…Now What? When does school start and end? • RDMS opens at 7:30. You are not permitted to go upstairs until 7:40. If you are here early, you can wait in the cafeteria until 7:40. • You MUST be in homeroom at 7:50. The day ends at 2:40. We encourage you to spend time after school meeting with teachers and participating in clubs and activities.

6. Yes, you’ll have a locker! • Where can I find my locker number and combination? Your final schedule will see a three digit number on the top left of your schedule. The three digit number is your locker number. The set of numbers that follow in parenthesis is the combination. • How will I learn to open my locker? Practice makes perfect! Take some time today to practice opening your locker. Let’s take a look at our locker tutorial for a video and instructions on how to open your locker on our webpage (see handout). • When can I go to my locker during the school day? We recommend that you go once at the beginning of the day, before lunch, after lunch, and again at the end of the day. Since you only have three minutes to pass between classes, going in between classes can be difficult!

7. LUNCHTIME! • The days of assigned lunch seats are over! At RDMS, you have the CHOICE to sit where you like in one of our two cafeterias. You also have the option to bring or buy your lunch! • You are required to bring money if you would like to buy lunch. A complete lunch (meal and drink) costs about $5, however you can buy items like pizza, pretzels, or other snacks for different prices. • Lunch is 26 minutes long. You can choose how to spend it – eating and chatting with friends, catching up on some studying in the library, or going to extra help if you have a pass from a teacher. Most days for the last 10 minutes of the lunch period, you may go outside or to the gym for an informal recess, too!

8. Be respectful, not regretful • River Dell is committed to demonstrating appropriate behavior, treating others with civility and respect, and refusing to tolerate harassment, intimidation or bullying. • “Harassment, intimidation, or bullying” means any gesture, written, verbal or physical act, or technological threat whether it be a single incident or a series of incidents that takes place on school property, at any school sponsored function, going to and/or from school, or off school grounds that substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school or the rights of other students. • RDMS has a NO TOLERANCE policy for bullying. Remember to treat yourself and others with Respect.

9. What to do after school… Although the last bell of the day rings at 2:40, your day doesn’t have to end then! • Join a club or a sport! • Did you know that RDMS has almost 20 clubs and activities that are held after school? RDMS offers sports, too! • Fall: Cross Country (Boys and Girls) & Volleyball (Girls) • Winter: Basketball (Boys and Girls) • Spring: Track and Field (Boys and Girls) • Visit the Library! • The library is open until 3:30 on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday • Meet with teachers for help with homework/projects or studying for upcoming tests/quizzes! • Check with your teachers about their extra help schedules

10. What are school wires? • Each teacher keeps his or her own website, which we refer to as School Wires. • http://www.riverdell.org/rdmsis our middle school website. From here, you can access information about RDMS, including School Wires sites. • In addition to keeping an agenda book, you should check School Wires EVERY NIGHT for the following: • Homework assignments and due dates • Tests/quiz dates • Information long term projects • Notes and study guides, when available

11. What Is genesis? • Genesis is our student information system, where we keep records of your grades, attendance, schedule, discipline, and contact information. • This site is designed to inform your parents about your performance at RDMS. Your parents should check Genesis 1x per week. • Progress reports and report cards will be available on Genesis. • Your parents should have received login information for Genesis; if they haven’t please ask them to contact us.

12. www.Riverdell.org There’s so much else to see! • RDMS student handbook includes rules, policies, and answers to frequently asked questions. • Clubs, activities, and inter-scholastic sports are offered year round. You can join as many as you’d like. Be sure to attend the club fair in September, held during lunchtime. • Other areas of websiteincludeGuidance, Media Center, PTO, and Board of Education.

13. Are students allowed to… • Use their cell phone? No, students are NOT permitted to use a cell phone in school, except during lunchtime (music only). Phones must be in lockers during the day. If you are found using your phone, it will be taken away. If it’s taken away more than once, a parent/ guardian must come to school and claim it. If you need to make a phone call during the school day (forgot your lunch, PE clothes, homework), you may use the phone located in the Guidance office. • Wear hats/hoods? No, students are not allowed to wear hats or hoods in school. • Listen to music in school? What about during lunch? No, students are not allowed to listen to earphones or music in the hallways or during class. BUT yes, students may listen to music during lunch in the cafeteria or library.

14. What should you do If you are absent? • If you are going to be absent, a parent/guardian must call the attendance office (preferably before 7:30 am.) • There are a few ways to find out what you will miss: • Check School Wires • Call a friend or study buddy • Email your teachers to find out what you’re missing • If absent for an extended period of time, you may request a packet of work from your teachers (your parent can request this by calling Attendance or Guidance) and they may pick up the work by 3:00 pm. • Be sure to speak to your teachers upon your return to schedule any dates for assessments you missed – this is YOUR responsibility to see your teachers.

15. What should you do If Youcome in late or leave early? • If you are going to be late for school, a parent/guardian must notify the Attendance office (before 7:30 am.) • Upon arrival to school, you must sign into the Main office and obtain a late pass. • If you are leaving early, you need to bring a note to the Main office (during homeroom), and you’ll receive an early dismissal pass. Then you need to report to the Main office for your parent/guardian to sign you out. • If you do not feel well during the school day, ask your teacher for a pass to the nurse. You must obtain permission to leave a class.

16. WHEN should I see my guidance counselor? • Ms. Brown and Ms. Ross meet with students individually and in groups to discuss various topics. Stop by and see us if: • You have a question about your schedule or want to request a schedule change • You are having difficulty in a subject and are looking for guidance on how to get better grades • You had a disagreement with a friend or family member and are looking for advice • You want to explore your options for high school, college and beyond • You want to volunteer in the community • The best time to see us is during homeroom, lunch, or after school. It’s best to make an appointment first. If it’s an emergency, ask your teacher for a pass and come down immediately!

17. Tips for Success Be Organized! • Use a student planner • Have phone numbers for classmates and find a study buddy • Keep your backpack and locker neat (clean out 1x/week) • Keep a binder or folder for each class and take time to organize yourself each night. Manage Your Time Well! • Use extra time in school to get started on homework. • Allow more time for homework, studying and reading each night than you think you need. • On average, homework should take 1-2 hours each night. Study Smart! • Find a good place to study. • Plan your study time. • Attend extra help regularly, not just before a test or quiz. Teachers are usually available for extra help at 7:40 and 2:40. Be sure to check their School Wires to review their extra help schedule.

18. THE END Questions????