Welcome New River Trail Middle School Parents

1
Welcome New River Trail Middle School Parents

• Your child is beginning a new phase in his or her
  academic career. River Trail Middle School
  offers many exciting opportunities and
  challenges.
• We are your partners on this journey.

2
Arrival Information

• Arrival time is 800am. We encourage your
  student to take the bus to ensure timely arrival
  and lessen traffic congestion.
• If you drive your student to school, please
  follow the carpool signs. The route has been
  designed to maximize safety.
• Prior to 820am a student will need a
  pre-arranged pass signed by a teacher to be
  allowed down the halls.

3
Arrival Information

• Students arriving late need to go to the office
  with a parent upon arrival to be signed in.
• The office will issue a pass to class.

4
Oops! I forgot . . .

• Student are allowed to use the pay phone in the
  rotunda before and after school. The office phone
  is available for emergency or transportation
  issues only.
• Forgotten items may be brought to the office in
  the morning. The students name will be posted
  on a white board outside of the cafeteria
  instructing them to check in with the office.
• Non-school staff are not allowed down the halls
  to deliver items to students. Student are not
  called out of class to pick-up items.

5
Absences

• Your student needs to bring a note from home to
  the front office within three days of returning
  to explain the absence.
• The note should include student name, homeroom,
  date of absence, reason and parent signature.
• Review your students agenda for details on
  excused and unexcused absences.

6
Early Dismissal/Check Out

• A note is required for a student to check out
  early.
• Students need to bring the note to the front
  office upon arrival at school to be signed.
• Students show this signed note to the teacher of
  the class they are checking out from.
• It is the students responsibility to leave class
  at the appropriate time and go to the front
  office to meet their parent. Students will not
  be called from class via the intercom.
• Parents must show identification and sign their
  student out in the front office.

7
Changes in Transportation

• Transportation changes require a signed parental
  note. Students need to bring the note to the
  front office in the morning.
• Parents needing to change their students mode of
  transportation due to an unforeseen emergency
  during the day must call the front office prior
  to 300pm.
• No changes will be made after 300pm.

8
Homework

• Your students teaching team coordinates tests,
  projects and homework assignments to ensure a
  balanced workload.
• Students will be given some homework in most
  classes regularly.
• Homework is an important reinforcement of learned
  information. It helps your student learn to
  manage time, organize and promotes good study
  habits.

9
Communication . . . With Teachers

• Your student will be taught by a team of teachers
  who meet regularly to plan interdisciplary
  teaching units and follow up on any student
  concerns.
• Your students agenda is the most effective way
  to keep up with assignments and teacher
  communication. Student responsibility for
  recording information is a useful habit for life.

10
Parent/Teacher Concerns

• E-mail is the most time efficient way for
  teachers and parents to discuss student concerns.
  
• If you have a current e-mail address, please be
  sure that the teachers have it.

11
Communication . . . Parent Connect

• Parent Connect is a way for you to keep up on
  your students progress. Teachers record
  upcoming assignments and when completed, log the
  grade.
• Not every assignment will be listed. Only major
  projects and tests. Teachers have a window of
  time to grade and record on Parent Connect.
• Absences will be recorded and adjusted
  accordingly after a signed absence note has been
  received by the front office. The adjustment may
  take up to 48 hours to be posted.

12
How can I register for Parent Connect?

• Go to www.rivertrailmiddleschool.org
• Click on Parent CONNECTxp
• Click OK past security messages
• Click on the purple REGISTER button
• Complete both the Parent Information and Student
  Information (register ONLY your River Trail
  Student on this site).
• Click on Submit

13
Registering for Parent Connect

• Allow 48 hours after registration for the
  password and user identification to be available
  in the front office.
• Only the registered individual will be able to
  pick up the password after showing picture
  identification.
• Parents may register together or separately for
  the same student.

14
Media Center

• Media Center hours are 730am 430pm
• Students are required to have a signed pass from
  a teacher to work in the Media Center prior to
  school starting.
• After school passes must be written by a parent
  to verify student transportation.
• Parent volunteers are always welcome.

15
River Trail Cafeteria

• Each student has a lunch account with pin number.
  The number carries through graduation.
• Students may bring a check to the cafeteria
  before school or during lunch hour to fund lunch
  account.
• There are no charges allowed.

16
River Trail Cafeteria

• Food options include Ala carte line, two entrée
  lines, assorted snacks and drinks.
• Charges are
• Breakfast .95
• Regular Lunch 1.60
• Ala Carte priced by item

17
Immunizations

• BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
• Georgia law requires those entering 6th grade
  have proof of immunization against chicken pox
  or proof that the student has had the disease.
• Sixth grade students also need proof of a 2nd MMR
  immunization.
• Forms (3189 or 3231) are available at your
  doctors office.
• Bring the updated form to the RTMS counseling
  suite.

18
Medication

• Prescription or over-the-counter medication may
  not be given without a form on file in the
  clinic.
• Prescription medicine requires a doctors
  signature as well as parental permission to
  dispense at school.
• The form will be sent home the first day of
  school or is available in the front office.

19
Clubs and Activities

• Exploring new interests and activities is an
  important learning opportunity for middle school
  students.
• Encourage your student to participate in one of
  River Trails many clubs or activities.
• Details for clubs and activities can be found in
  the River Trail newsletter. Newsletters are
  updated on our website every Friday.

20
Additional Transition Information

• The websites listed below have information about
  school transitions.
• www.pta.org/parentinvolvement/bts/a3_transitions.a
  sp
• www.aboutourkids.org/articles/transitionpoints.htm
  l
• www.nmsa.org/services/msen/articles/article3.htm