RTMS Review
August 17, 2021
Please don't forget: The first day of school (8/18/21) is a 1:00 Early Dismissal Day!!
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2021-22 Start of School Year Important Dates
August 18 - First Day of School (Early Release/1:00 Dismissal)
August 25 - Open House (virtual; more info to follow)
August 31 - Picture Day
Please click on this link to see the 2021-22 District Calendar.
Dropping Off & Picking Up Students
Please be patient, as the process runs quite smoothly if we all work together. We know it will get better and better as we get used to new routines once again! We will have supervisors outside to help direct traffic and guide students safely to their car and to the sidewalks.
LRC Hours
Decorating Lockers
As in the past, we will allow students to decorate a friend's locker for their birthday. They would have to get a pass from the front office to come in before school to do so, and all outside of locker decorations must come down after one week. Balloons are not allowed for decorations, and please do not send balloons, flowers, treats, etc. with your child on their birthday.
Repeat Info - In case you missed last week's newsletter:
Reminder: Back to Trails Info
We are SO excited to have our students back full time next week! Below is information to share what the school day will look like with the current guidelines. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Krall-Meske (mkrall@rtsd26.org) or Mr. Henkel (khenkel@rtsd26.org) with any questions.
- Supervision begins at 7:15 a.m. on normal days and 8:05 a.m. on Thursdays.
-- Students who walk, bike, or are dropped off at school will wait in front of the main entrance. 6th graders will wait to the left of the doors, 7th & 8th graders to the right. Supervisors will help point them in the right direction.
-- For students who ride the bus to school, half will be dropped off in the front of the building to wait outside, and the others will be dropped off in the back of the building and will wait in the cafeteria for our 7:33 entrance bell to ring (8:23 on Thursdays).
- The school day begins at 7:40 a.m. (8:30 a.m. on Thursdays). Any student arriving after that time will enter the building through the main office and will be marked tardy.
- Masks do not have to be worn when outside.
Classrooms
- All staff and students will wear masks in the building. Masks do not need to be worn outside.
- Students will be distanced in their classrooms at least 3 feet apart as possible.
- Close contacts for contact tracing is now defined as at least 3 feet apart when both parties are wearing masks.
- Students should bring a reusable water bottle to use throughout the day.
- Middle school students do not generally bring a snack to school, and food cannot be eaten in the classroom.
Lunch
- Breakfast and lunch will be available to all students free of charge this school year (see flyer below).
- Hot food and milk will return to student lunches.
- Students will eat at individual tables spaced at least 3 apart. Half of the grade level will eat in the cafeteria, and the other half in the small gym. Seats are assigned and are listed on the top right hand side of their printed schedule. Seats are not necessarily permanent, but we will use the seats as assigned for at least the start of this year.
- There is no recess period in middle school.
Dismissal
- Bus Riders - Students will have assigned seats on the bus. Staff will inform students as to whether their bus is located in the front or back of the building for dismissal (it will be the same as where they were dropped off if they took the bus to school).
- Walkers - Students will exit through the main entrance of our building. They will walk using the sidewalks, and if they need to cross the parking lot, they will do so at the crosswalk with supervision.
- Car Pickup - If you are driving your child to and from school, please be patient, especially as we first start this new arrival/dismissal experience.
Parents should NOT use the bus lane, or block the bus lane. In order to prevent a backup on Wolf Road, the left hand lane in the front parking lot must keep moving (exiting the parking lot, turning left, and returning to the entrance if necessary). Please do not tell your students to get in or out of your vehicle on Wolf Road. With the speeds some people are driving that is a safety nightmare. We will have staff outside to help direct you.
Please remember that cell phones are not permitted while driving.
Some parents plan ahead with their children to meet them in the church parking lot next door (Northwest Assembly of God), or on the neighboring streets in order to avoid the parking lot traffic.
Families of students with allergies will need to participate in the "Safe Meal Program."
The Annual Physician Form to Modify Menus needs to be completed by the child's doctor. It is the starting point for our Director of Food Services to write a modified menu to meet a specific student's requirements. (We use the same form as District 25, so do not worry if this form does not say RTSD26.)
Opportunities from the Village of Mount Prospect
2021-22 RTMS School Start Times
Regular School Days (M, T, W, F)
7:40-2:58
Outdoor supervision begins at 7:15 a.m.
Late Start Thursdays
8:30-2:58
Playground supervision begins at 8:05 a.m.
2021-22 Health Requirements
Completed forms may be dropped off in our school office between the hours of 7:00-4:00.
Chromebook Handbook
New Staff at RTMS
Claudette Boeykens - Teacher Assistant
Kathleen Bustamante - School Nurse
Alexandra Christopoulos - 6th grade ELA/Social Studies
Kyle Farley - P.E.
Elizabeth Masini - Special Education
Anne McCullah - 7th Grade Science
Rebecca Milos - Library Media Specialist
We are so excited to welcome these wonderful educators to our RTMS family!!
We are currently looking for a math/science teacher for the upcoming school year. If you or anyone you know is interested, apply at: http://applitrack.com/rtsd26/OnlineApp/JobPostings/View.asp?AppliTrackJobId=621
Student/Parent Handbook 2021-22
Don't forget: Summer Reading!!
What is SUMMER READING?
All RTMS students are required to read one book over the summer. Each grade level has a specific list of reading selections from which the students will choose.
Then what happens?
Upon returning to school in the fall, 6th and 7th grade ELA classes will complete an assignment to determine the student’s understanding of the material.
Incoming 8th grade students are required to print and complete a book review form that is due the second day of school. There are currently printed copies of this worksheet in the RTMS vestibule (open from 7:00-3:00) next to our material return bin.
Why Summer Reading?
Summer reading is an excellent way for students to demonstrate independence and responsibility; those who return having met the requirement show a zeal for scholarship.
Details
Links to more details can be found using this link, or on the RTMS webpage under Summer Reading Information. These Google Presentations were shown to all incoming 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students in their homerooms or ELA classes in May.
Reminder: School Supplies 2021-22
School supply lists by grade level can be found using this link.
If you ordered a school supply kit, these should be delivered to your home the first week of August. For questions regarding the pre-ordered supply kits, please contact Teresa VanOpdorp at 847-337-7923 or Teresa@marketingandmoregroup.com.
_________________________________________________
River Trails Middle School
Email: rtmsinfo@rtsd26.org
Website: http://rtms.rtsd26.org/
Location: 1000 North Wolf Road, Mount Prospect, IL, USA
Phone: 847-298-1750
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiverTrailsMiddleSchool
Twitter: @RiverTrailsMS