Richards Middle School Orientation

If you are unable to attend our Orientation on the scheduled days, please note that finalized class schedules will be distributed on the first day of school, Monday, August 31, 2026 and school photo IDs will be taken the first week of school. Additionally, picture retakes will be offered October 2, 2026. More information will be shared in August regarding picture ordering.

Students will begin this year's journey by receiving orientation resources that have been created to ensure proper preparation for their time at RMS. Students will receive their tentative schedule, tour the building, review our school-wide expectations, practice their locker combination, and take their school picture.

Additional resources will also be available for district technology agreements, medical forms, and resources on how our Knights can get involved and stay connected at RMS.

Working together, we will make a successful year for our entire Knight Community. We look forward to Honoring the Castle with our new Castle Crew.

DRESS CODE: Please note, hats and hoods are not permitted for school pictures.

Students will receive their ID and lanyard the first week of school. Students are expected to keep their ID with them daily at RMS. Your ID is used in the cafeteria, to check out library books, gain entrance at after school sporting events and activities, as well as boarding and exiting the school bus.

If you lose or break your ID, you can buy a new one in the library for $3. Please refrain from covering your face on the card. You will be asked to purchase a new one.

PLEASE DO NOT SHARE YOUR LOCKER COMBINATION WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

Please note: Students are unable to use a regular backpacks, computer bags, or other handled bag such as reusable totes to travel class to class. These items, along with students' coats, are expected to be in their lockers.

Binders that zip or clear drawstring bags are approved options. We do have clear drawstring bags available for purchase for $5 both at orientation and during the school year. Additionally, crossbody bags/purses or belt bags are permitted, but must meet stadium size requirements (about the size of an open hand).

Accommodations for other bags (that must be a clear backpacks) must be approved by RMS Admin prior to the start of the school year.

School devices will be deployed during the first weeks of school.

How do I read my schedule?

Registered students will receive a tentative schedule to review and practice traveling the building. Students' classes will be listed by hour, teacher, and room number. Student locker number and combination are also noted on the schedule. Members of our Castle Crew will be available to help guide our Knights through the building.

What is Seminar?

You will notice that Seminar can be found on every schedule. Seminar is a set 28 minute class scheduled for the end of the day. Seminar is used to catch up on work, retake tests, silent read, build community and social-emotional learning through Second Step. In addition, students will access additional practice and learning in Khan practice and Xello. Daily attendance and completion of seminar expectations are factored into the Seminar grade.

When is my lunch?

To determine which lunch block you have, check the room number of your 4th hour class on your schedule or in PowerSchool. You will see the room number followed by a letter A, B, or C.

Please see the updated daily schedule below.

Cell phones and personal devices, while valuable for communication and access to information, can be significant distractions in the classroom and the learning environment. Personal devices can divert attention from lessons, disrupt the learning process, and lead to unnecessary issues during the school day. To ensure that our students remain focused and engaged in their education, we have implemented specific guidelines regarding personal device use in accordance with state law and Fraser Public School policy.

Students in grades 7–12 will not be permitted to use wireless communication devices during instructional hours while on school grounds.

For our secondary buildings, instructional hours are:

Richards Middle School: 8:05 a.m. – 2:51 p.m.
Fraser High School: 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Students may still bring their devices to school; however, devices must remain stored away and out of sight during the school day. This includes cell phones, earbuds, smart glasses, tablets, and other personal devices capable of texting, calling, accessing the internet, taking photos/videos, sending email, or providing entertainment.

We understand that families want students to have access to a phone before and after school, and we respect that. This policy is not intended to create conflict or punish students. The goal is to improve student focus, reduce distractions, limit phone-related conflicts, and create a more consistent learning environment across our secondary schools.

We encourage you to continue monitor your child’s devices and their potential social media use at home, as well. For more information and support regarding technology use and social media, please click here for research around this topic.

During the school day, our Knights will have 4 minutes passing time in the hall between each class period. It's ok to talk to friends in the hall, but please be sure to manage your time. Clocks are equipped with countdown timers as well as a 1 minute mark warning bell to help students manage their time.

Being tardy can affect your citizenship and could prevent you from going to school events such as dances, sporting events, after school clubs, and field trips. Consequences are assigned for excessive tardies that include (but are not limited to) detentions.

Random Tardy sweeps will take place to ensure students are in class on time and ready to learn. This is another reason why we expect students to carry their school ID and lanyard.

At both RMS and FHS, students and staff utilize Smart Pass, which is a digital hall pass system. This allows staff to quickly identify where students are located in the building. Additional information and how to create and utilize our Smart Pass system will be reviewed the first weeks of school once students receive their device. Please see the Bathroom/Hallway Expectations below, which will also be reviewed with our Knights.

You will use your device everyday to review assignments, communicate with your teachers, and check daily announcements. Please be sure you bring your charged device everyday.

If you lose your device, we suggest the following to assist in recovering your device

• Re-trace your steps
• Notify a staff member if you lose your device.
• Ask friends and/or teachers
• Call home
• Notify a staff member when you have recovered your device

Technology Support - Zac Gould (Zachary.gould@fraserk12.org)

Mrs. Kristi Skladanowski - Assistant Principal - kristi.skladanowski@fraserk12.org

Website: https://www.fraser.k12.mi.us/Domain/15
Location: Richards Middle School, Garfield Road, Fraser, MI, USA
Phone: 586-439-7400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070638071160