Navigating the River
December 1, 2021
Upcoming School Events
Dec. 1: Basketball against Lakeside (Girls Home - Boys Away)
Dec. 2: Basketball against Hendricks (Boys Home - Girls Away)
Dec. 2: Chorus Concert at Johns Creek United Methodist
Dec. 3: Holiday House Giving Tree Donations Due
Dec. 3: Spirit Night at Taco Mac (see below)
Dec. 4: RMS performs at FoCAL Open House- 2:45 pm
Dec. 6: Last day to collect Lost & Found items before items donated
Dec. 9-11: Jungle Book performance at Lambert High School
Dec. 10: Symphonic Band & 6th Grade Band Winter Concert
From Mrs. Bibik
Thank you for your partnership!
As we approach the end of our first semester, I want to express my gratitude for the partnership you provide. Our relationships with the families we serve supports our ability to thrive as a school. It is a wonderful gift that we treasure. With that partnership in mind, I wanted to offer a few tips as we move into December.
While our students do not take cumulative mid-term exams in all their classes, your children will be preparing for assessments to close out the first semester. We find that students are more likely to express anxiety during these weeks, but you can help by doing just a few things to support them. Just a few pointers are:
- Put daily routines and schedules in place. Having a schedule/ routine that includes mealtimes, exercise, rest and sleep, family time, and social time are all part of a healthy balance. Plus, a regular routine has been shown to provide children with a sense of security.
- Model a growth mindset for your child. We emphasize that perfection should not be the expectation, growth and progress is the expectation to build life-long resilience. How do you model this practice for your child? Do you celebrate their growth with them?
- Build self-efficacy with your child. Coach your child to problem solve and find the path to success. Help your child by role playing conversations with a teacher that allow your child to practice monitoring their own progress, discussing their challenges, and requesting support. This skill will set your child up for life-long success.
Please reach out to your child's teacher or counselor if you have a concern. We are always here to provide support.
Upcoming Happenings and Reminders
Spelling Bee Winner
Morning and Afternoon Car Line
When the car line begins too early, it causes our driveway to be blocked. This prevents staff from being able to access our parking areas. In the afternoon, early arrivals create safety concerns as cars back up onto the road. It additionally prevents a parent from being able to access our parking area should an emergency occur near our dismissal time.
When waiting in the car line, please pull all the way forward so that we can serve as many families as possible. Please do not block any driveways or parking areas.
We appreciate your compliance with this guideline so that we may best serve all our staff and families.
End of Semester Summative Assessment Schedule - December 14-21
Makeup assessments will be handled and communicated in January upon student's return. We are unable to assess students early as the assessment is not able to be administered prior to teaching and learning. When this happens at the end of a semester (which is the time that teachers are required to post grades), the teacher enters "missing" which will calculate as a zero in the grade book. Once the assessment is made up, the teacher completes the paperwork so that the posted grade can be changed.
Holiday House Giving Tree
We kindly ask that unwrapped donations be returned to the school by Friday, December 3rd. Contact Kelle Russo; krusso81@forsyth.k12.ga.us for questions.
DECA Club - Book Drive
Panther Pit Stop - School Store
Your Input Matters!
Questions? Just ask!
COVID-19 Reporting Info
We encourage you to review that COVID procedures and information using this link. Please know that these processes do sometimes change in response to new information, but this is a reliable site to use.
- If your child is showing symptoms, please do not send them to school.
- Please communicate the status of your child, including First and Last name, to:
Attendance secretary: Kelle Russo; krusso81@forsyth.k12.ga.us.
Communication is important to ensure that our records are updated and that the teachers are aware of your student's attendance.
PTSO Upcoming Events
December 3rd (5-11pm) - Spirit Night at Taco Mac (2607 Peachtree Parkway)
December 3rd - Giving Tree Donations due at the school
PTSO Committee Chairs Needed
The PTSO is in need of a Committee Chair (or two) and committee members for the 8th Grade Social in April. The Chairs will meet with a committee to organize a fun outdoor social event to create a memorable send-off for our 8th graders. The chair and committee will work with the PTSO and school administration to plan a theme, food, fun activities, and music for the event.
If you have questions or are willing to be a Chairperson or committee member, please email riverwatchmsptso@gmail.com and let us know. We will help guide and connect you to the right people to give you more information. Thank you for considering!