RRMS Royal Update Knight Newsletter

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We’re pleased to announce the launch of a new absence reporting system for our school district. Starting now, all student absences should be reported through the myStudent Parent Portal.

To submit an absence:

1. Log in to your myStudent Parent Portal.
2. Navigate to the Forms section.
3. Complete and submit the Absence Reporting Form for approval.

For step-by-step instructions and helpful resources, please visit:
👉 www.pasco.k12.fl.us/attendance/absence

We appreciate your continued support in helping us maintain accurate attendance records. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact the school.

Read 750 Minutes • Log Your Progress • Win a Bookish Gift Basket!

Our Quarter 3 Beanstack Reading Challenge is officially underway, and we’re inviting all students to dive into great books, track their reading, and work toward an exciting prize!

🎯 Your Goal:
Read 750 minutes this quarter and log your reading in Beanstack.

🎁 Why Participate?
Every student who completes the reading goal will be entered into a drawing for a gorgeous, book‑lover’s gift basket—generously donated by Gilded Page, one of our community’s favorite independent bookstores!

📦 What’s in the Gift Basket?
A curated collection of all things bookish—perfect for readers of all ages. Expect cozy, creative, and literary goodies that celebrate the joy of reading!

📅 Challenge Window:
Quarter 3 (Now through the end of the quarter)

📲 How to Log Minutes:
Simply open your Beanstack app or visit the Beanstack website, record your daily reading, and watch your minutes add up.

Let’s make this quarter the one where we read more, explore more, and win something truly delightful. Happy reading, and good luck!

If you would like to request a parent teacher conference, please go to the RRMS website, and click the Parent Tab>Parent Teacher Conference Requests to complete the request form. All Parent Teacher Conferences will be held virtually through TEAMS after school at 1:40PM on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. A Student Services team member will be in contact with arrangements.

NJHS applications are available for all current 6th and 7th graders through March 18th at https://rrms.pasco.k12.fl.us/mform/view.php?id=202189.

The application process is open to 6th and 7th graders in the SPRING.

You will need the following to apply to this National organization- NJHS:

A 3.2 GPA (As and Bs for the semester)

No Level 2/3 Referrals

A teacher recommendation

A 200-word autobiography about how leadership, scholarship, service, character, and/or citizenship have been a part of who you are up to this point.

Please complete the NJHS online application by Wednesday, March 18th. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Bailey at wbailey@pasco.k12.fl.us, Mrs. Wierenga at hwiereng@pasco.k12.fl.us, or Mrs. Herrig at jherrig@pasco.k12.fl.us.

March is a busy and exciting month for the River Ridge Middle School PTSA, and we have several events planned to support our students, teachers, and staff. We would love for you to be part of it! Please take a moment to check out the opportunities below and sign up if you’re able to help.

March 13 – Teacher/Staff Luncheon

Help us treat our amazing teachers and staff to lunch! This is our third and final quarterly luncheon before Teacher Appreciation Week in May.

Sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/.../30E084DADA82DABFF2...

March 20 – Dodgeball Event

We need volunteers during lunches to help wristband registered students and additional help during the event.

Sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/.../30E084DADA82DABFF2...

March 23 – Royal Reward (Student Incentive)

PTSA will serve an ice cream treat during lunches to students who are “On Track” for Report Card #3. Volunteers help make this reward extra special!

Sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/.../30E084DADA82DABFF2...

March 26 – Pep Rally & Field Day

The PTSA provides an inflatable for this fun, spring celebration at the middle school track, and volunteers help make the day run smoothly.

Sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/.../30E084DADA82DABFF2...

Every volunteer makes a difference for our RRMS Knights. Thank you for supporting our school community!

River Ridge Middle School PTSA is gearing up for our annual Dodgeball Fundraiser on March 20th – Dodgathon, and we’re looking for sponsors!

This is a great opportunity to help offset arena costs, promote your business or cause, and give back to support our school. Sponsors will receive banners displayed on the dodgeball arenas plus social media shoutouts!

Sign up online: https://riverridgemsptsa.givebacks.com/shop

Or mail/drop off a check to the front office payable to River Ridge Middle School PTSA

River Ridge Middle School | 11646 Town Center Rd

riverridgemsptsa@gmail.com

727-774-7200

Thank you for supporting our Knights!

Chrissy Brando, Athletic Director cbrando@pasco.k12.fl.us

Joseph Corley, Assistant Athletic Director jcorley@pasco.k12.fl.us

All middle school students may participate in the middle school athletic program. Students must have a valid physical form and submit it through the Athletic Clearance website before tryouts. Please visit the RRMS website under Athletics for all required paperwork. Upon making the team, the following athletic participation fees apply and must be paid within 3 days of making the team:

· Athletic Participation Fee: $60 1st sport, $40 2nd sport; Family cap per school $150, Individual cap $100

All athletic tickets must be purchased on GoFan.co. We will not sell tickets at the gates. All middle school sports tickets will be $5.

For each game, if you have purchased a season pass on GoFan.co, you will be guaranteed admission to all HOME athletic events. This All-Access Pass entitles the holder to claim a single ticket for each River Ridge home game for the 2025-26 season. **This pass is not valid for FHSAA State Series events. Season passes are $60.

Free Admission passes (PCSB Employees, FHSAA passes) – We will hold back a limited number of tickets up until game time. Under-school-age children will still be let in free with parents (up to capacity).

Beginning next year all incoming 9th graders who want to play sports in high school must get an EKG. RRHS will be hosting an EKG Clinic on 3/10 from 3PM-7PM. More information on registration is at this link: https://rrms.pasco.k12.fl.us/?p=11871.

Tickets available on GoFan.co at https://gofan.co/event/5656982?schoolId=FL78402.

Yearbooks will be on sale during the school’s Storm the Castle/Open House through December 31st and will be available online or by contacting Ms. Baumaister at cbaumais@pasco.k12.fl.us for $30. From January – April 30, the price will increase to $35. When the books arrive in May, the price will increase to $40. We will also have a yearbook signing celebration exclusively for those students who purchased a yearbook in May. Yearbooks may be purchased online through Walsworth: www.yearbookforever.com. 8th Grade yearbook ads payment will be through GoFan.co for $40.

Celebrate your child’s birthday with a Birthday Song at lunch from the Administrative Team, balloons, confetti, and an ice cream treat. Complete the form in the front office and provide Mrs. Cace with $5. All proceeds go to student and staff recognition.

Login to your Parent Portal and Complete the Forms Required for the New Year: https://pasco.focusschoolsoftware.com/focus/index.php?skipSSO

Pay Student Fees: https://www.studentquickpay.com/pasco/

Purchase Spirit Wear: GoFan.co

School Public Calendar: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/0120328c89614936bba960f250bd1e60@pasco.k12.fl.us/ab1314af30da413fb329249b680fa84b16538542546199125556/calendar.html

All students and families should be provided with the Student Code of Conduct that can be found on the Pasco County Schools' website at https://www.pasco.k12.fl.us/ssps/page/conduct/.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve made some improvements to the River Ridge car loop to help make arrival and dismissal smoother and safer for everyone.

To ensure all families are familiar with the updated procedures, we’re sharing an instructional video as a helpful reminder of appropriate drop-off and pick-up routines each day. Thank you for following the guidelines to keep our Royal Knights safe!

Please click on the video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKmq_yprFGw

Show Your Royal Spirit with your River Ridge SWAG... new items have been added for purchase on GoFan.co at our River Ridge Spirit Store. Items can be picked up at the front office… don't miss out sizes are limited and new designs are amazing! Go Knights! #WeAreRoyal #RoyalSpiritFridays

Mrs. Angie Murphy, Principal amurphy@pasco.k12.fl.us 774-7208

Mrs. Emily Bourdon, Assistant Principal (6th Grade) ebourdon@pasco.k12.fl.us 774-7234

Ms. Daniell Grubbs, Assistant Principal (7th Grade) dgrubbs@pasco.k12.fl.us 774-7256

Ms. Kristen Martanovic, Assistant Principal (8th Grade) kmartano@pasco.k21.fl.us. 774-7238

Corporal Josh Peters, SRO jopeters@pasco.k12.fl.us 774-7223

Mrs. Denise Doerrfeld, School Counselor (8th Grade) ddoerrfe@pasco.k12.fl.us 774-7253

Ms. Meredith Alston, School Counselor (7th Grade) malston@pasco.k12.fl.us 774-7260

Ms. Kaitlyn Mallery, School Counselor/Academic Advisor (6th Grade) kmallery@pasco.k12.fl.us

Mrs. April Addington, SSAP aaddingt@pasco.k12.fl.us 774-7069

Mrs. Maria Costlow, School Social Worker mcostlow@pasco.k12.fl.us 774-7259

Mrs. Kylie Owens, SBP Social Worker kowens@pasco.k12.fl.us 774-7320

Mrs. Toi Taylor, School Nurse thooksta@pasco.k12.fl.us

Ms. Joanie Noe, Clinic Asst. jnoe@pasco.k12.fl.us 774-7213

Mrs. Flo Cione, Bookkeeper fcione@pasco.k12.fl.us 774-7216

Ms. Chrissy Brando, Athletic Director cbrando@asco.k12.fl.us 774-7187

Mr. Joseph Corley, Assistant Athletic Director jcorley@pasco.k12.fl.us 774-7326