The Rowers Report

Happy Hummer Bird Weekend!

What an exciting time of year as we wrap up our first full six weeks of school. This six-week mark is what the state of Texas considers a UIL Grade Check. While it serves as a progress report for our students, it is also an official eligibility check for athletics, band, choir, and other UIL-monitored activities.

• Grade deadlines: The last day for new grades was Thursday, September 18th.

• Gradebook closure: Teachers will finish entering grades through Sunday evening.

• Make-up work: Students absent on Thursday may turn in work on Monday, giving teachers time to process grade changes if needed.

Looking Ahead – Bully Prevention Month

As we move into October, we are preparing to kick off Bully Prevention Month. Addressing bullying at the middle school level requires teamwork between the school, families, and community. If you would like to get involved, please complete the participation form [Here].

Introducing the SAIL Team

We are excited to announce the launch of our SAIL Team – Students Advising and Influencing Leadership. This group will provide student perspective on campus needs while giving students a voice in shaping our school culture. The SAIL Team members will be announced early next week.

Student Focus and Technology Updates

To better support learning and reduce distractions, we are making two important adjustments:

• Chromebook cameras will be disabled, as we have seen them used more for distraction than instruction.

• SportsYou will now be blocked during the instructional day. Some students created unsupervised groups and used them for messaging during class time.

We ask that families help reinforce the importance of staying focused and on task during the school day.

Thank You, Pirate Families!

We appreciate your continued partnership in helping our students grow, learn, and succeed. Together, we can make this a strong year for every Pirate.

Let’s keep rowing the boat together!

• A Reminder about those who may have students who participated in the mini cheer camp. They should have their shirt to get into the game and be on the sideline, however parents will still need a ticket and will not be allowed on the sideline.

Let's Go Pirates and tonight's theme is Black Out

Thank you for partnering with us to make this year a success. Let’s keep the energy high, the goals strong, and remember—together we Row to Success! 🚣‍♂️

Row The Boat
Jerry Howell
Principal, RFMS

Car Rider Safety Reminder

For the safety of all students, we ask that all car riders be dropped off and picked up in our back car rider lane. We do not have staff stationed near JJ’s for supervision, but we do have staff in the back to ensure a safe and efficient process.

Please remember:

• Our school day ends at 4:15 PM.

• The car rider gate opens at 3:55 PM.

• Most students are picked up and on their way by 4:25 PM.

This process is quick, efficient, and—most importantly—safe. Thank you for partnering with us to make sure every student gets home safely.

Sept 19:

• Student Holiday

Sept 20:

• MS Volleyball Tourney-Aransas Pass

• NJROTC Meet-Mary Carrol HS, CC

Sept 22:

• MS Volleyball @ Home VS Sinton-4:30pm

• MS 7B Football @ Home VS Sinton-5:30pm

Sept 23:

• MS 8A/7A Football @ Orange Grove-5:00 pm

Sept 25:

• RFISD State of the District 11-1 @ Fulton Convention Center

• MS Volleyball Tournament

Sept 27:

• MS Volleyball Tournament

• MS Cross Country Meet @ Shiner, TX

SIGN UP WITH THE LINKS BELOW TO GET YOUR VISITOR PASS PRE-PRINTED BEFORE ARRIVAL TO THE PEP RALLY.

Bullying & Online Safety at RFMS:

This past Tuesday, RFMS had the privilege of welcoming representatives from Homeland Security to speak with each grade level about the effects of bullying and the importance of online safety.

Some highlights from the presentation included:

• The impact of bullying – how it affects not only the students being targeted but also those around them.

• The role of trusted adults – encouraging students to always report concerns and follow up with an adult they trust.

• Understanding the difference – between someone being unkind, a mutual argument, and actual bullying. Recognizing these differences helps us respond appropriately and effectively.

At RFMS, we work hard to stop bullying and are committed to being proactive rather than reactive. We are asking parents to continue the conversation at home—talk with your son or daughter about the importance of kindness, standing up for others, and speaking up to a trusted adult when needed.

If you would be interested in continuing this discussion and helping us build stronger, preventative systems against bullying, please click here to sign up. Together, we can create a safer and more supportive environment for all Pirates.

Cyber Safety Reminders

During the Homeland Security presentations, students also learned key tips about staying safe online and on social media:

• Be cautious on social media – Always keep accounts set to private, and never share your location on apps such as Snapchat.

• Friends vs. strangers – Many students raised their hands when asked if they had “friends” on social media whom they had never met in real life. This is a major safety concern.

• Check devices regularly – Parents are strongly encouraged to check their child’s phone and online activity regularly to ensure responsible use of technology and social media.

• Age requirements – It was also noted that many apps require users to be at least 13 years old, which means a number of our middle school students technically do not meet the age requirement.

We ask that you partner with us by having a conversation with your child about safe online habits. A few minutes of discussion at home can go a long way toward protecting students and reinforcing the importance of making responsible choices online.

RFISD Counseling Dept. featured as the Region 2 Counseling and Mental Health district of the month! Stay tuned as we continue to align and grow these programs! See ESC2 article here

As the year has started, we’ve noticed many families dropping off food for students. While we absolutely love having parents and guardians join us for lunch, we kindly ask that food not be dropped off just for delivery.

When food is dropped off, it can be difficult for us to get it to the student quickly, and this often cuts into their lunch time. To help us keep everything running smoothly, we encourage you to:

• Bring a lunch and stay to enjoy it with your student.

• Or, have your student bring their lunch with them in the morning.

Thank you for your understanding and for helping us ensure that every Pirate has the time they need to enjoy their meal.

This year has been a busy one for the 89th Texas Legislation we wanted to make sure the parents and students were aware of some of the changes. Please click the links below to get more information on some of the new legislations as well as the updates at our school.

• Cell Phones
• Student Dress Code
• RankOne (For Athletics)

8th grade: Send a text to 81010 message @rfms30

7th grade: Send a text to 81010 message @rfms31

6th grade: Send a text to 81010 message @rfms32

Friday Fun in the Library!

We’ve got exciting news to kick off your Fridays!

Makerspace Now Open Every Friday
Get creative and explore Makerspace! When your classwork is complete, get a Smartpass to explore Makerspace in the library. Open on Fridays, all day.

Lunch in the Library
Looking for a quiet, cozy spot to relax during lunch? The library is now open for lunch every Friday! Bring your lunch, grab a book, or catch up with friends in a calm and welcoming space.

Coming Soon: Beanstack & Book Club Updates
Stay tuned for more information about our reading challenges on Beanstack and exciting new plans for Book Club. Big things are coming, and you won’t want to miss out!