THE CHARGER CONNECTION

Happy Sunday, Chargers!

It’s been such a fun-filled week at Forest Meadow! Our students are truly amazing, and they continue to show their Charger PRIDE in academics, athletics, and so much more. We are so proud of their hard work and the energy they bring to our campus every day.

Looking ahead, we are excited to welcome you to Meet the Teacher on Monday evening. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with our staff and experience the excitement of our Charger community.

• PTA Meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Library

• Our “Bell Schedule” rotation starts at 6:00 p.m.

We look forward to seeing you there and sharing all the incredible things happening at FMMS!

🕠 5:30 pm – PTA Meeting | 6:00 pm – Classroom Visits

What to Expect:

5:30 pm – PTA Meeting

• Join us in the Cafeteria for our PTA meeting. Please enter from the northd side of the school (car line area). The whole family is welcome!

6:00 pm – Walk the Schedule

• We’ll run through an 8-period bell schedule so you can experience your student’s school day.
• You’ll move from class to class following your student’s schedule.
• It’s important to follow the correct schedule—teachers often teach multiple courses, so you don’t want to land in the wrong class.
• If you arrive late, no problem! Just jump in wherever we are in the schedule.

Friendly Reminders:

• Bring your student’s schedule. The easiest way is to snap a photo of it on your phone.
• Maps and bell schedules will be available when you arrive.
• We’ll make frequent announcements to help guide you to the right classes.

Get ready to wrangle the Wolves! 🐺🤠 Join STUCO in supporting Lady Charger Volleyball as we take on the Westwood JH. Let’s show those Wolves what Charger pride looks like!!

Texas legislation requires all parents and guardians to provide clear opt-in and opt-out preferences for their student regarding various activities and services such as:

• Available access to health services (all grade levels)
• After-school clubs (all grade levels)
• Counseling opportunities (K-5 & 7-12)
• Library Services (all grade levels)

All RISD parents/legal guardians received an email from the district on Friday, August 22 with information to select your preferences for your student(s) in FOCUS. Please make sure that you check your email, you should have a message from RIchardson ISD, with the subject line: Important Parent Message in Regards to Recent Texas Legislation.

Please visit the FOCUS portal and use the newly created page to submit your preferences for each of your children.

If you have additional questions, please submit a Let’s Talk here.

Thank you for helping us ensure a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. We look forward to a great new school year.

In compliance with Texas Senate Bill 12, Richardson ISD must obtain written consent for your child to receive school-based health services from qualified district staff.

SB 12 requires that parents/guardians are fully informed and provide permission before any care and support are given.

In the event of a serious emergency, staff will take immediate action to protect your child’s safety and contact you right away.

By granting consent, your child will have access to timely services that promote health, safety, wellness, and readiness to learn. Without consent, staff will be limited in the support and services they can provide during the school day. A separate consent form must be completed for every Richardson ISD student in your household.

To fill out the consent form, please visit https://web.risd.org/home/focus-for-parents/

Do you sell unique products, create delicious food, or provide unforgettable services?

We’d love to feature your business at Market in the Meadow—a special community shopping event hosted at Forest Meadow Middle School (9373 Whitehurst Dr., Dallas, TX 75243). This is your chance to showcase your passion, connect with the community, and reach new customers!

🛍 Event Dates

• Friday, Nov. 7 – Vendor Setup, 6pm

• Saturday, Nov. 8 – VIP Shopping at 9am | Open 10am–5pm

• Sunday, Nov. 9 – 11am–4pm

✨ Join amazing vendors like Kendra Scott, Bam and Bird, Mizzen+Main, and Whatsoever Things.

For booth maps, pricing, and registration, visit @marketinthemeadow or contact Kristi Kendall at 214-536-2240 | marketinthemeadow@yahoo.com

At Forest Meadow, we know that attendance matters—every day in class makes a difference in your child’s learning and success.

If your student is absent, please make sure to contact our campus Attendance Clerk, Britney Thornton, at Britney.Thornton@risd.org.

Parents may also upload their student’s absence note directly into FOCUS by following the steps in this short video:
👉 How to Upload an Absence Note in FOCUS

We appreciate your support in helping us maintain accurate records and, most importantly, in keeping our Chargers on track for success.

Parents, please remind your child that blankets and stuffed animals are not allowed at school. If brought, these items will be taken up.

There are several reasons for this rule:

• They can carry allergens from home that may affect other students.

• They become distractions in the classroom.

• Stuffed animals are sometimes used to conceal non–school approved items.

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and focused learning environment for all Chargers.

One of our favorite game day traditions at FMMS is when our Charger football players share a jersey with a teacher or staff member who has made an impact on them.

As a sign of appreciation, players ask that staff member to wear the matching jersey on game day. What makes this tradition even more special is that each week, players get to choose a different staff member—spreading the Charger spirit and gratitude across our campus.

It’s always a highlight to see our halls filled with purple and white jerseys, celebrating school spirit and the strong connections between our students and staff!

Our first STUCO meeting of the year was a huge success!

We welcomed the largest group of STUCO members in FMMS history!! This year, STUCO kicked off a service project to honor the victims of 9/11, showing leadership, teamwork, and Charger pride.

Way to go, STUCO! A big thank you to our STUCO sponsors, Mr. Garay (6th RLA) and Miss Nance (6th Math), for all you do to support our student leaders.

Mr. Pata’s 6th grade scientists are busy exploring the signs of chemical changes! Students are showing great enthusiasm and making real-world connections to their learning. From discovering why Hot Hands packets warm up to realizing that baking produces a gas, our Chargers are asking questions, making connections, and bringing science to life.

We recently celebrated National AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination)

Day with our Chargers! Some of our 8th grade AVID Scholars were out in the carpool line helping open car doors—you may have spotted them by their AVID Scholar lanyards.

Inside the building, our students showcased how AVID has shaped their journey. On the wall outside the AVID classroom, they shared their reflections using the sentence starter “Because of AVID, I…”. It was inspiring to read their words and see the impact AVID has made on their lives.

Throughout the day, our AVID students also participated in activities designed to build relational capacity and strengthen the AVID community on our campus.

We are proud of our AVID Scholars and the difference this program continues to make at FMMS!

Our Chargers had a blast on Adam Sandler Day as students and staff came dressed in their best oversized shorts, quirky tees, and classic Sandler style! It was awesome to see everyone channeling their inner Adam Sandler and bringing the fun spirit to campus.

The energy carried right into Thursday night as our Lady Chargers took on Apollo JH—a perfect way to wrap up the day. Great job to our students and staff for showing school spirit and making it such a memorable event!

The 8th grade Lady Chargers hit the court at home on Thursday and brought the energy! Both teams came away with wins against Apollo JH, showing grit, determination, and teamwork that was truly one for the record books.

Way to go, Lady Chargers!

Congratulations to Jayden Martin, named Defensive Player of the Game in the 8th grade Chargers’ 22–0 victory over Parkhill Junior High!

His effort, focus, and determination were key to the team’s success.

Way to go, Jayden!

Week of September 15th

Monday, September 15th

• B-Day
• Meet the Teacher @ FMMS
• 5:30, PTA Meeting - FM Cafe
• 6:00, Class Rotations Begin

Tuesday, September 16th

• A-Day
• Dungeons & Dragons Interest Meeting - Learning Stairs

Wednesday, September 17th

• B-Day

Thursday, September 18th

• A-Day
• Western Day
• FMMS Volleyball vs. Westwood JH
• 7th Grade @ FMMS
• 8th Grade @ WWJH

Friday, September 19th

• B-Day
• Class of the Houses Rally, Lg. Gym
• 6-8 pm, 6th Grade Howdy Party, FM Large Gym
• 7-9 pm, Howdy Dance - 7th & 8th Grade - FM Cafe

Looking Ahead - Mark your Calendars

Friday, September 26th - Wyldlife, 4-5 pm

October 10-13 - Fall Break, No School

Our 6th graders have officially launched their 9 Weeks Independent Reading Project! Each student has checked out a fiction book from the library, and this project will count as a major grade for the grading period.

Students will have some class time for silent reading as well as several checkpoints along the way to help them stay on track. The final project will include:

• A one-pager

• A plot diagram

📅 Due Date: Friday, October 3rd

Please encourage your child to read a little bit each day at home to ensure steady progress. Daily reading not only helps students succeed on this project but also builds lifelong habits and confidence as readers.

Thank you for your partnership in supporting your child’s reading growth!

IMPORTANT DATES

• November 12- Opera Field Trip 9-2pm
• November 20- Dallas Holocaust Museum Field Trip 9-2pm

8th Grade Families,

Your student is invited to join us on an upcoming educational travel experience to Washington DC in 2026! All details will be covered at our informational meeting.

Meeting details:

• Date: September 17th
• Time: 6pm
• Location: Zoom

Information covered: itinerary, activities, dates, academic opportunities, cost, and EF’s risk-free enrollment period.

It is mandatory to register for the meeting. Please register here: https://rsvp.efexploreamerica.com/hhgeg34

There are limited spots on this trip, so we would love to have you attend this meeting to learn more about this exciting opportunity!

We understand that test anxiety can be a challenge for many students, and we are here to support you! As we prepare for our Beginning of the Year MAP Tests, we wanted to share some

Tips to Manage Test Anxiety that you can use at home:

• Foster a Positive Mindset: Encourage your student to focus on their strengths and celebrate their past successes. A positive mindset can help reduce anxiety and build confidence.
• Help Them Prepare: Ensure your student prepares well in advance of the test. Studying ahead of time can increase confidence and reduce stress.
• Practice Relaxation Techniques Together: Try deep breathing or muscle relaxation exercises to calm nerves before and during test day.
• Check in With Your Student: After the test, discuss what caused anxiety and what strategies worked. This will help you create a better plan for future tests.

We hope these tips are helpful in supporting your student! Please feel free to reach out if you need additional support.

Stay up to date with the latest news, announcements, and events from Forest Meadow Middle School—your hub for all things Charger Nation!

Our Chargers are raising funds for choir needs like music, festival fees, and student scholarships. You can help by purchasing delicious popcorn or making a direct donation. Every gift—big or small—helps our singers shine all year long.

👉 Give here: https://s.risd.org/choirfundraiser25

Thank you for supporting the arts at Forest Meadow!

Grab your boots and best dance moves—the Howdy Dance is in the Café from 7–9 PM for 7th & 8th graders! 🎶

🎟 Tickets: $5 pre-sale at lunch starting Sept. 15 or $7 at the door. Students get wristbands on Friday during 1st period or can buy at the door. Lost wristband? Must purchase a new one. Don’t forget your Student ID!

Join STUCO for dancing, games, photo booth pics, pumpkin decorating, and a special performance from the LH Wranglers! 💃🕺

💖 Want to help? Donate snacks or goodies to the Front Office or Room H104 (Mr. Garay).

At this point in the school year, all students should have their FMMS student ID. Please remind your student of the following expectations:

• IDs must be visible, worn on a lanyard, and around the neck at all times.
• No student may enter the building without an ID.
• If a student forgets or loses their ID, they must report to the ID station at their entrance to get a Temporary and/or replacement ID.
• Replacement ID: $3
• Lanyard: $1

If a student does not have funds at the time, the fee will be added as a debt. Students with a outstanding debt will not be allowed to attend special events until the debt is cleared.

Bus Riders: All students riding the bus must scan their ID when entering and exiting. Please note—once a replacement ID is issued, the previous ID is immediately deactivated and will no longer work with the bus scanning system.

Thank you for helping us ensure safety and accountability at FMMS!

If you plan to bring lunch for your student, please ensure the following:

✅ Pre-Arrange with Your Student – It is essential that you inform your student ahead of time that you will be dropping off their lunch. The best way to do this is to email your student using their g.risd.org email address. They will need to come to the office before their scheduled lunch time to pick it up. The office will no longer be calling students down for lunch pick-up.

✅ Drop-Off Location – Parents should place the lunch on the designated table in the foyer area before entering the front office.

🚫 No Third-Party Deliveries – Food deliveries from services such as DoorDash, Uber Eats, or other vendors are not allowed.

This procedure is designed to improve efficiency in our front office and ensure a smooth school day for all students. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a focused and organized environment.

Charger Nation! Join STUCO as we cheer on Charger Football and Lady Chargers Volleyball this season with themed spirit days!

Dress up, bring the energy, and let’s pack the stands with Charger spirit. ⚡🐎

Join Forest Meadow’s Dungeons & Dragons club.

Take on the role of a hero in a fantastic world of terrible monsters, wondrous magic, and marvelous treasure. Through game play, we will build a grand story together. It won’t be easy, though. You’ll need to work together and use all your skills to overcome a wide variety of challenges, from exploring a strange, unforgiving wilderness full of hidden terrors, to outwitting scheming villains, answering tangled riddles and fiendish puzzles, all with the help of your friends and fellow players…and maybe just a little bit of luck.

Meetings will be held Tuesdays after school from 3:50 to 5 pm in the FMMS Library.

Our Interest Meeting will be Tuesday, September 16!

If you are interested, please fill out this form.

Articles for Parents

In addition to reinforcing reading and math skills, roleplaying games [RPGs] like Dungeons & Dragons encourage teamwork, creative problem solving, and essential social skills. These are collaborative games where the players must work together to solve problems and resolve conflict in order to succeed. There is no “winning” in a roleplaying game. Instead, play creates an ongoing, evolving narrative based on the players’ choices, decisions, and actions. If you are interested in reading more about the social, emotional, and educational benefits of playing RPGs, here is a brief collection of articles on the topic.

• How 'Dungeons & Dragons' Primes Students for Interdisciplinary Learning, Including STEM [NPR]
• How playing Dungeons & Dragons has helped me be more connected, creative and compassionate [TED]
• How Dungeons And Dragons Is Helping Kids Open Up [Forbes]
• 5 Reasons Your Child (and You) Should Play Dungeons & Dragons [Parent Map]
• The Surprising Educational Benefits of Dungeons and Dragons [Let Grow]

Get ready, Chargers—our first Pep Rally of the year is happening on Friday, September 19th.

Join STUCO as we kick off the year with competitions, games, and Charger pride—show up in your House color and bring the spirit! Which House will rise to the top and claim STUCO's Spirit Stick at our first rally of the year?

Be there to cheer, compete, and make FMMS HISTORY for your House!

Come hang with your 6th grade friends and enjoy a burger and yard games in the Forest Meadow gym at our 6th Grade Howdy Party!

Please note- if you have an older sibling attending the 7th/8th dance, you must make plans to pick your 6th grader up at the conclusion of our party. They will not be allowed to linger until end of the dance or go to the cafeteria with their older sibling.

Link to SUG for party needs and chaperone opportunities: https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/30E0B45AEAB2FA4FA7-58259674-howdy

Our 7th graders are invited to kick up their boots at the Howdy Dance & Dinner on Friday, September 19, 2025!

🍴 Dinner: 5:30 pm at Webb Kay Drive Cul-de-Sac
💵 Cost: $10 buckaroos per person
📱 RSVP with Venmo: @Polly-Rodriguez

It’s sure to be a fun night of food, friends, and festivities—don’t miss it!

Mark your calendars, Chargers! The 8th Grade Howdy Dance is happening Friday, September 19, 2025.

📸 Pre-Dance Photo: FMMS Bleachers at 6:55 pm
🎵 Dance: FMMS, 7:00–9:00 pm
🍴 Post-Dance Dinner: Arbor Branch Dr. Cul-de-Sac, until 10:00 pm

💵 Cost: $10 per person
📱 Tickets: @Alison-Day-2

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Chaperones are welcome!

Get ready for a fun evening of music, memories, and celebration—see y’all there!

Attention Chargers!

Applications are now open for the 2025–2026 Yearbook Club. If you’re creative, enjoy photography, writing, or design, this is your chance to help capture memories for the Charger community.

👉 Apply by Friday, September 26th using the link: s.risd.org/fmmsyb2526
📅 First Meeting: Monday, September 29th
🕓 Time: 4–5 pm
📍 Location: Room H189 (Mr. Hodge’s Classroom)

Please note: You must apply and be accepted to participate.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

You are invited to attend Richardson ISD’s Dyslexia Parent Night on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, from 6:30–8:30 p.m. at the Professional Development Center (PDC) Auditorium, 701 W. Belt Line Rd., Richardson, TX 75080.

This evening will provide:

• Information about the dyslexia program curriculum

• A mini “Experience Dyslexia” simulation to help families better understand what students may experience

• Guidance and resources to support your child at home and school

We especially encourage parents of students who are new to the dyslexia program to attend.

We look forward to partnering with you and hope to see you there!

We’d love to welcome you to our PTA family! The PTA plays a crucial role in supporting our students, staff, and campus through events, volunteer opportunities, and funding for essential programs and supplies.

By becoming a member, you’re not just staying connected—you’re helping to build a stronger Charger community. Whether you’re ready to volunteer or simply want to stay in the loop, every membership matters and makes an impact.

Let’s make this a fantastic year—together!

Here is where you’ll find the latest news and announcements from Richardson ISD.

Stay connected with important updates, events, and information that matter to our students, families, and community.

Families, we’re excited to share a fun (and free!) opportunity right here in our community. All SMU Women’s Soccer matches are open to the public and non-ticketed, so you and your family can enjoy a great night out without any cost!

📅 You can view the full schedule here: SMU Women’s Soccer 2025 Schedule

If we have a big enough group of Chargers attend, SMU may even feature us as their School of the Night and enhance the experience for our families and students in attendance.

We’d love to see our FMMS families come out to support and enjoy a night of soccer together!