Thundercat Weekly

We’re thrilled to welcome our Thundercat families to a brand-new school year! Whether you're returning or joining us for the first time, we’re committed to making this year a positive and successful experience for your child. Let’s work together to make 2026–2027 our best year yet!

Thank you for joining us for Thunder Camp! The following presentation, led by our principal, provides an overview of what students and families can expect at Ronald Thornton Middle School.

Get ready for a great school year! RTMS school supply lists for all grade levels are now available on our Back-to-School webpage.

📌 View the Supply Lists: https://rtms.fortbendisd.gov/our-school/back-to-school

Please remember to complete your student’s required Back-to-School forms through Skyward Family Access. These forms include important student, family, medical, consent, and other information needed for the upcoming school year.

Learn more about meal applications and child nutrition services for the 2026–27 school year. Please watch the video below for important information for families.

Manage your Thundercat's meal account easily using SchoolCafé. Create an account to make online payments, set up auto-pay, apply purchase restrictions, receive low-balance alerts, view cafeteria purchases and school menus, and even submit free/reduced meal applications.

Get started here: SchoolCafé – FBISD

All incoming 7th-grade students are required by Texas law to have the following immunizations before the start of school:

• ✔️ Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, & Pertussis)

• ✔️ Meningococcal Vaccine

Families of students with missing immunization records will receive an email from Nurse Allen or Nurse Aide Mrs. Deason. Please submit updated immunization documentation to Caesonia.Allen@fortbendisd.gov.

If your child needs to carry medication at school (including an inhaler), a physician-signed medication authorization form is required. Please complete and submit the required form before the first day of school.

For questions, please contact the RTMS Clinic:

• Caesonia.Allen@fortbendisd.gov

• Tuaca.Deason@fortbendisd.gov

Incoming 6th grade students and students new to Fort Bend ISD will receive their district-issued laptop after the school year begins.

If you have been notified of a fee for a lost or damaged laptop, payments may be made through RevTrak, Fort Bend ISD's online payment system.

• Replacement Case – $25

• Replacement Charger – $20

• Replacement Chassis – $65

• Replacement Keyboard – $65

• Replacement Screen – $200

• Replacement Laptop – $560

• Insurance Deductible – $150 (for laptops covered under insurance)

For more information, visit the FBISD Laptop Repair & Fee Information Page.

Parents and guardians can purchase insurance to help protect their student’s district-issued laptop. Take a moment to review the coverage options and decide if laptop insurance is right for your family this school year.

Use the RTMS Car Rider Line (circles around RTMS) for all student drop-offs and pick-ups.

No drop-offs or pick-ups on the street, in parking lots, by cutting in line, on Water’s Lake Blvd, or in the shared DLE/RTMS lot.

Walkers and bikers must cross at the flagpole crosswalk only (crossing guard on site).

Be a Good Neighbor

Use only designated school parking/drop-off areas, keep driveways clear, and avoid parking in yards or unauthorized spots.

We’re looking for a parent to join our Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC) to support Emergent Bilingual students. LPAC members review student progress, recommend services, and ensure our bilingual/ESL program meets students’ needs.

As a parent member, you’ll attend a few school-year meetings, share your perspective, help connect families and the school, and keep student information confidential. No experience is needed—training is provided.

Interested?

Contact Mrs. Lita.Skinner@fortbendisd.gov (281-327-3876)

or

Joseph.Majetich@fortbendisd.gov (281-327-3870).

Our counseling team is here to support students’ academic, social, and emotional growth. Learn more about available services and resources by visiting our Counselor Page

Students planning to participate in athletics for the 2026–2027 school year must have a completed UIL physical on file prior to participation.

Please note:

• All physicals must be dated after April 1, 2026

• Physicals must include a physician stamp to be considered valid

• Required forms should be uploaded through Rank One

Families can access the UIL Physical Form and additional information using the link below:

FBISD Athletics Physical Form Information

We encourage families to complete physicals early over the summer to avoid delays in athletic participation for the upcoming school year.

OPEN GYM - Monday, Aug 10 - 4:00-5:00pm ( Not Mandatory)

*Drop off and pickup will be at the side gym doors. Pick up is promptly at 5:00pm

TRYOUTS

Date - Aug 12, 13, and 14

Time- 8th - 6:45am - 8:20am

7th- W/Th- 4:20pm- 6:00pm, Fri- 6:45am- 8:20am

Drop Off for 8th grade will be at the gym doors, doors will open at 6:30am

Pick up for 7th grade will be at 6:00 SHARP at the gym doors.

Girls will be given a tryout shirt to wear during tryouts, girls should wear loose fitting athletic shorts. Shorts MUST be worn over spandex. Knee Pads and Volleyball shoes (not mandatory) are HIGHLY recommended.

Please sign up here if you are trying out. https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/aczUb7wjc2

Girls will find out who made the team after school on Friday, Aug 14.

Those who made the team will participate in a 3 team scrimmage Saturday, Aug 15 from 8:00am- 9:30am at RTMS. The scrimmage is for athletes only, but there will be a parents meeting for all RTMS players/parents following the scrimmage.

Practice will begin on Aug 17 for both 7th and 8th grade girls. Practice will be held on M, T, W from 7:00am- 8:20am. Games are on Thursdays after school.

All girls tryout MUST have a physical completed by a physician dated after April 1, 2026 and uploaded to Rank One- www.rankone.com and have all electronic forms filled out in Rank One.

Any athlete not green in Rank One by Aug 11, will not be allowed to attend tryouts.

If you have any questions, please contact Coach Barger. dana.barger@fortbendisd.gov

If your student plans to play football at Ronald Thornton Middle School this season, please take a moment to complete the football interest questionnaire below. This helps our coaching staff plan for equipment, practices, and the upcoming season.

➡️ Football Interest Form:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/pZ1XyzGd2p

RTMS Football Families: Please review the football information packet sent by Coach Batiste. It contains important details regarding:

• Equipment pickup

• Practice schedules

• Rank One requirements

• Locker room procedures

• Season expectations and other important information

Thank you for completing the questionnaire. We are excited to welcome our student-athletes and look forward to another great Thundercat football season!

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/RTMSThundercats
• Website: https://rtms.fortbendisd.gov/
• RTMS PTO https://www.rtmspto.net/

• Schoology Support for Parents

• School Cafe (Lunch Accounts)

• FBISD Volunteer Application & Background Check

Website: https://rtms.fortbendisd.gov/