RPMS News
Reaching Higher
Message from the Principal
Good Morning Rockets!
Monday we begin our journey into the 2025/26 school year and we are pumped! To help everyone to be as prepared as possible, I am sending out my weekly newsletter a couple of days early. Future newsletters will be scheduled to send out on Sundays.
Please be sure to read through all of the important details in this newsletter and reach out with any questions you may have. We have structured our first morning to ensure students feel comfortable and confident to navigate what can be a stressful day for many. With that said, please take a look at the details below and have a conversation with your student.
- Doors open at 7:25 am
- Students should start at their locker (adults will be available).
- Breakfast is will be available in the main commons with multiple grab and go options.
- 8th grade students will start in the cafeteria and 7th grade students will start in the gym. From here, students will attend a breakout session to ensure they have correct schedules and have an opportunity to ask questions. Students will be released to 1st hour from the breakout session.
- We will provide multiple opportunities to support students with bussing at the end of the school day and throughout the week.
Sincerely,
Jason Hernandez
Bus Routes
Student Drop Off and Pick-up
Our goal for drop off and pick up is to ensure the safety of students and staff while providing an efficient process. Please read the reminders below to support this process.
Pull all the way forward in the circle drive, as far as possible.
Make sure your student is ready to exit the car in the morning, and quick to enter the car after school.
Please do not park in the circle drive.
Avoid dropping students off in the bus area after 7:30 (see diagram).
Be patient and drive slowly in all parking lots. Staff and students are walking in parking lots before and after school, we need to ensure their safety.
Schedule Changes
Many hours have been spent creating the master schedule over the course of the summer, however, in some cases it is necessary to adjust schedules during the first week or two of school. We understand the impact these changes have on students and we will be sure to support the students impacted. We appreciate your flexibility and understanding as we work through this process.
Backpacks & Lockers
Students should place backpacks in their lockers after entering the building. Students are not permitted to carry backpacks from class to class during the school day. This includes any bags/purses/pouches larger than a pencil case.
Multiple staff members will be available throughout the first week of school, and beyond, to support students with opening lockers. Please encourage your student to open their locker as often as possible so they learn this important skill. All students have access to a locker and should refrain from sharing lockers with peers.
**Remind your student to not give up on their locker. Practice and patience are key.
Chromebooks
Students will have access to district provided Chromebooks at school through the use of classroom Chromebook carts. All core classes will be provided a cart with enough devices for all students. Elective classes will have access to devices as needed through a check-out process.
Cell Phones & Electronic Devices
Cell phones and other electronic devices have become increasingly distracting for students and in some cases, have lead to unhealthy social interactions with peers while at school. The use of cell phones for academic purposes isn't necessary, in most cases, with the use of district provided Chromebooks. For these reasons, the use of cell phones and personal electronic devices (such as smart watches, headphones, airpods, bluetooth speakers, handheld game systems, etc.) are prohibited at RPMS during the school day. Bringing a personal device is at the discretion of the student and parent, however, students are expected to silence phones and place them in lockers during the school day. Violations will be handled as follows:
- First Offense: The offending student will be sent to the office where the device(s) will be held until the end of the school day and a pass will be provided. The student may pick up the cell phone/personal electronic device at the end of the school day.
- Second Offense: The student will be sent to the office where the device(s) will be held for parent pick-up and a pass will be provided.
- Third Offense: The student will be sent to the office where the device(s) will be held for parent pick-up and a pass will be provided. A parent meeting will take place to determine the next steps.
Nut-Free Zone
To ensure the safety of all students, especially those with nut allergies, we'll be designating specific classrooms and cafeteria tables as nut-free zones. These areas will be clearly marked for everyone's awareness (See signage below).
We kindly ask that students refrain from bringing nuts or nut-containing products into these areas. If your child has a nut allergy, please inform the office and their teachers if you've not done so already.
Here are some tips to help your child maintain a safe environment in the nut-free zones:
- Remind your child to check labels carefully for ingredients containing nuts.
- Discuss the importance of not sharing food with classmates.
- Encourage your child to wash their hands and avoid touching communal food items.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping us create a safe and inclusive learning space for all students.
Kindness Wednesdays
As a way to promote kindness at Reeths-Puffer Middle School, students and staff are encouraged to wear shirts that communicate a message of kindness towards others. Additionally, a simple kindness challenge will be posted every Wednesday to spread kindness to others.
Student Kindness Challenge
Wednesday, August 27th
Kindness Challenge: Go out of your way to compliment another person.
Please consider the list above when purchasing school supplies for your student. It’s important to remember that all students will have four core classes (Science, Math, English, & Social Studies) and two elective classes each semester. Detailed schedules, including elective classes, will be available at registration.
RPMS Open House
We will be holding an open house on Thursday, September 4th at 6:30 pm to provide an opportunity for families and staff to connect on building and classroom information. We encourage parents and students to attend the event. More information will be provided later in August.
School Messenger
Reeths-Puffer Schools uses a product called SchoolMessenger as a mass communication tool. We have created a few documents that will help you either create your SchoolMessenger account, change preferences for your account, or sign up for text message alerts if you wish to.
- If you have never logged in to SchoolMessenger you can use the New Account Directions
- If you have already created an account and would like to change your preferences you can use the Change Preferences Directions
- If you would like to sign up to receive text messages you can follow the Text Message Consent Directions
If you don’t see the phone number or email address listed on this site, you will need to contact the Building Office where your student is enrolled to have them add this information into PowerSchool.
Medication
Medications which need to be taken in school must be administered by certified school personnel (or designee) in the presence of another adult. Parents must bring medication to the school office in the original container and fill out the proper form. Students should not be in posession of medication while at school.
Contact the office if you have any questions.
Daily Schedule
7:25 am - Doors Open
7:43 am - Start of Day
2:38 pm - End of Day (10:50 am - Half Day)
Check Us Out
Upcoming Dates
- 8/25 - First Day of School - Half Day
- 8/26 - Half Day
- 8/27 - Half Day
- 8/28 - Half Day
- 8/28 - Rocket City Kick-off @ RPHS (5-7)
- 8/29 - No School (Labor Day Weekend)
- 9/1 - No School (Labor Day Weekend)
- 9/4 - Open House (6:30-8:00)
Contact Information
Mr. Jason Hernandez
Principal
Email: hernandezj@reeths-puffer.org
Phone: (231) 744-4721 ext. 4005
Ms. Doni St. Amour
Assistant Principal, Reeths-Puffer Middle School
Email: stamourd@reeths-puffer.org
Phone: 231-744-4721 ext. 4015