Panther Tales

Ridgeview Charter Middle School has been Redesignated as Prestigious “Georgia Lighthouse School to Watch” by the National Forum Schools to Watch Program in the state of Georgia. This prestigious honor recognizes middle-grade schools that achieve academic excellence while remaining responsive to the unique developmental needs of young adolescents. The Lighthouse Schools to Watch program, part of a national initiative by The National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform, identifies schools that serve as statewide models for high performance. To maintain this status, schools must undergo a rigorous re-evaluation every three years, proving a sustained commitment to four key pillars:

• Academic Excellence: Challenging all students to use their minds well.

• Developmental Responsiveness: Creating a sensitive environment for the unique challenges of early adolescence.

• Social Equity: Providing every student with high-quality teachers and support.

• Organizational Structures: Establishing norms that support a long-term trajectory toward excellence.

"This redesignation is a testament to the tireless dedication of our entire school team," said Thomas Garrett, Principal of Ridgeview Charter Middle School. "We are deeply grateful for their constant efforts to improve and for the extraordinary thought they put into the interview process. Our staff's commitment ensures that every student is known, valued, and challenged to succeed".

As a Lighthouse School, Ridgeview Charter Middle School will continue to serve as a mentor and model for other middle schools across Georgia. The school will be officially recognized at the upcoming National Forum Schools to Watch conference.

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Ridgeview Families,

As we begin the month of March, I want to thank our students, staff, and families for maintaining strong focus and momentum. This is a critical stretch of the school year. The routines, expectations, and effort we reinforce now will directly impact student growth and end-of-year success.

We are seeing continued academic progress across grade levels. I encourage students to stay organized, attend tutoring when needed, and communicate with teachers about any questions or concerns. Small, consistent efforts each day make a significant difference.

Families, your partnership remains essential. Please continue to:

• Monitor grades regularly.
  

• Ensure students arrive on time each day.
  

• Reinforce appropriate school behavior and digital responsibility.
  

• Encourage consistent reading and review at home.

Safety and supervision also remain a priority. We are reminding students about appropriate behavior during transitions, lunch, and break times. Your reinforcement of these expectations at home helps us maintain a positive and safe learning environment for all.

As we approach spring activities and assessments, let’s stay focused, supportive, and Panther Proud. Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to excellence at Ridgeview.

With appreciation,
Thomas Garrett
Principal

FCS has announced that school will end one day earlier than originally planned due to implementation of the GLIDE Strategic Budgeting program. May 20th will be the last day of school for students.

March 10: Prospective Parent Tour @ 12:45 PM, info HERE

March 10: Foundation Spirit Night @ RCMS {Scroll for Info}

March 11: Dress Down Day

March 12: Title 1 Parent Input Meeting 9:00a & 5:00p RCMS Media Center {Click HERE for Info}

March 13: Fun Friday

❗❗ Date Change--> March 13: Deadline for Yearbook Recognition Ads {Scroll for Info}

March 16: No School for Students: Professional Development Day

March 16: SSEF Steam Showcase, North Springs High School, 6-8 pm {Scroll for Info}

March 30: Deadline for Purchasing Yearbooks

Join us on April 2, 2026 (10:00–10:45 AM) as we celebrate student learning through the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP). Families will begin in their student’s homeroom at 10:00 AM and then visit other classrooms to see MYP projects and learning experiences in action. We are excited to highlight the critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity happening across our campus. Give yourself time for parking!

Georgia Milestones testing will be here before we know it! You can help your child feel ready by making sure they get a good night’s sleep, eat breakfast, and arrive at school on time each day. Thanks so much for your support—we know our students will do a great job!

April 20th: Social Studies: 8th Grade

April 22-24: ELA Sections 1-3 : 6-8th

April 27-28: Math Sections 1-2: 6-8th

April 30th: Algebra C&C EOC

May 1st Science/Phys Science: 8th Grade

Applications for our AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) Program are opening soon for current 6th and 7th Graders. Students have been hearing about the program at school from teachers and on the announcements. Students who wish to apply to AVID can request a link to the application from any 6th or 7th grade teacher or see Mr. Harris in room 253.

Questions? Contact Mr. Harris at HarrisAJ@fultonschools.org

Excuse us as we take a minute to brag about these Panthers.....

Attention please! Riverwood's Valedictorian and Salutatorian are BOTH former Panthers! Congratulations Alexander Royal and Mylie Henssge. Three additional RCMS Alums were named to the Riverwood top 10: Iley Miles (4), Axelle Terver (6) and Charlotte Einck (7). Way to go Panthers!!

Got news about a current or former Panther doing something amazing in the world? We want to know! Email us at PanthertalesRCMS@gmail.com and you just might see it here.

Congratulations to our school winners for the Young Georgia Authors Writing Competition! Annabelle Stanford (6), Piper Storc (7) and Lana Hamilton (8) represented Ridgeview well against other young authors in Fulton County Schools! We are very proud of the writing skills they demonstrated!

It’s that time of year—March Madness, where the competition is fierce, the brackets are bold, and the excitement is contagious! But this year, we’re taking the spirit of the tournament off the court and into our bookshelves with a special Reading Genre Bingo Madness challenge! Explore different types of reading genres and complete activities to earn 5 in a row for BINGO! Anyone that earns BINGO will win a prize and anyone that completes the entire card will receive a second prize!

Stay and cheer on our Baseball B Team and Girls Soccer Team A as they take on Dunwoody and Atlanta Classical Academy! All RCMS Students who stay will receive FREE Chick-Fil-A Sandwiches sponsored by the RCMS Foundation (while supplies last). Students do not need a note to stay but they do need transportation home. Let's Go Panthers!

Please note: Concessions will not be open since these are outdoor sports.

Mark your Calendars for Mean Girls Jr. The Musical! Our incredible school musical will be here soon and you do NOT want to miss it. Thank you to Artemis Smiles and the Ridgeview Foundation Members for supporting this program!

The School Governance Council ("SGC") is made up of parents, staff and community members. The purpose of the SGC is to provide parents, school staff, and community members with a leadership role through monitoring and implementation of the strategic plan. At RCMS, we have one (1) parent/guardian representative position open for election this year.

Expectations: Members serve two-year terms. At RCMS, the SGC meets in-person one morning per month (typically a Tuesday) from 7:30 - 8:30 am. SGC Members are also expected to serve on one of two subcommittees which typically meets for an additional one meeting per month.

Qualifications: In order to qualify, parent/guardians must: have a child attending RCMS for the upcoming two consecutive years, not be an employee of the school, be at least 18 years old, consent to being finger printed and subject to a background check (if elected). A full list of qualifications can be found HERE.

JOIN US! on Monday, Be The Voice student club is creating an affirmation board for the main hallway and needs parent volunteers to help facilitate the students writing positive notes during lunch!

Sign up HERE for a fun, quick shift.

Dress Down Day is coming soon! We will be selling wristbands on Wednesday, March 11th, from 8:30-8:50 am. Dress Down Day Wristbands are $5 each - cash/check (made out to RCMS PTA) only, we appreciate any donations!

Calling all volunteers! Join us in supporting our school's dress-down day fundraiser by selling wristbands. We need help during morning drop-off (8:30-8:50 AM) on Wednesday, March 11th, and with setting up signs outside the school on Monday, March 9th.

Please sign up HERE.

DATE CHANGE! All 8th Grade Recognition Ad purchases are due on March 13th! Please be sure to complete your order by this date to ensure inclusion in this year’s yearbook.

All yearbook purchases are due by March 30.

To begin a yearbook or ad purchase, follow the link below to the Varsity Yearbook website:
https://yearbookordercenter.com/

When prompted, enter the school number: 17957.

Explore the latest innovations in science, technology, engineering, the arts and math (STEAM)!

When: Tuesday, March 17th from 6-8 pm

Where: North Springs High School

Cost: FREE and open to all ages.

More Info: Click HERE

Connect with the world of metrology in the industrial manufacturing space, test your skills in a transportation simulator, experience AI training simulations that power driver-assist technologies, and much, much more. Invite your friends be sure to sign in to help our school win the $500 grand prize for best attendance!

Do you have a rising 7th or 8th grade Ridgeview student interesting in Cheerleading for the Jr. Raiders Football team in the Fall of 2026? If so, please email JrRaidersCheer25@gmail.com by March 13th with:

• Your student's name and grade in Fall 2026
• Parent/guardian's name, email and phone number.

Practices are held 2-3 times a week at Riverwood High School with games on Saturdays.

Note: Jr. Raiders is an affiliate of Riverwood High School Athletics and is not run by the RCMS Athletics Department.

Jr. Raiders Football is open to all rising 7th & 8th Graders (current 6th & 7th). Jr. Raiders Football is a partnership between RICS Athletics and NYO.

Link to register for the interest meeting is HERE.

It's hard to believe that it is almost the end of middle school for our 8th Graders.

Dates have already been set for end of year celebrations. Please continue to check this section as we include information for our 8th graders as they celebrate the end of middle school and transition to high school.

Save the Dates!

Friday, May 15: 8th Grade Awards Ceremony

Saturday, May 16: 8th Grade Dance

Monday, May 18: 8th Grade Picnic

We will post information in this section that is received from RICS and applicable to our current 8th graders transitioning to RICS. However, Parents are responsible for monitoring the Riverwood Website and Riverwood Athletics Website for complete information on RICS programs and opportunities.

All parents should be receiving emails from Mr. Stevenson and Mr. Garrett regarding RICS course scheduling. The initial steps in course recommendations and change requests are complete. Final verification of course requests will take place March 9-12.

For information on the scheduling process and course offerings, please review the RICS scheduling information page:

https://riverwood.fultonschools.org/academics/counseling-center/scheduling-information-page

Raider Football is hosting a Kickoff Meeting on Thursday, March 12, at 7 pm in the Riverwood Auditorium.

•ALL players should plan to attend with at least one parent/guardian.

•Coaches will cover everything you need to know about the 2026 season.

•Rising 9th graders & their families are also expected to attend.

•Contact Coach Coffey with any questions at coffeyj1@fultonschools.org.

Visit the RICS Athletics Page for all up-to-date information.

Rising 9th graders to Riverwood- Cheer tryouts are coming up soon.

Please note the instructions from RICS stating that RCMS students do NOT have to leave school early. Tryout times can be scheduled to accommodate for RCMS instructional time and travel to RICS. There are details inside the registration link with information specifically for our Panthers.

If your student does leave early for any RICS event, please utilize available remote learning time by emailing Ms. Price

https://www.riverwoodathletics.com/news/ea2e51da-c8ac-487c-9d1e-a2b2ff46ad63

For all rising 9th graders interested in playing volleyball at Riverwood, an interest meeting will be held March 11th at 6:00 pm in the RICS Media Center. Please click the link below for more information!

https://www.riverwoodathletics.com/news/abd58f8e-4129-44d6-a238-f30c60aba9a1

Got Pics of our Panthers doing anything RCMS Related? Submit them to PanthertalesRCMS@gmail.com and you might just see them here!

RCMS Band Members wowed the judges at Large Group Performance Evaluations (LGPE)! Great job musicians!

¡Fantástico!.....Fantastique !........素晴らしい！ (Subarashii!) Our Panthers shined at Linguapalooza!

Due to new field size requirements, our A Baseball team can't play at home this year😢. But they are off to a great start and we are cheering them on as they play at other fields!

Information published in Panther Tales is limited to communications directly from RCMS, RCMS PTA, RCMS Foundation, Fulton County Schools or our feeder schools and can be submitted it to PanthertalesRCMS@gmail.com.

If you wish to share promotional material related to a local opportunity such as a camp, sports program or other business geared towards our students, you can learn how to distribute your materials through Peach Jar by clicking here.

Thank you to these partners in our community who have chosen to support RCMS!