1. RODNEY THOMPSON MIDDLE SCHOOL
JAGUAR PRIDE

2. A WORD FROM OUR PTO President: Nicole Albertson
VP Fundraising: Mandy Williams
VP Membership: Denise Goben
Treasurer: Denise Genovese
Secretary: Theresa Aberg
Faculty Representative: Loran Gillespie
Principal: Andrew Grider

3. PURPOSE FOR MEETING
Share with parents our vision for Thompson Middle School
Explain student schedules
Provide information about the services and programs available to students

4. WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED
Received the Virginia School Board of Education Distinguished Achievement Award 2010, 2014, 2017
Named an ALL THINGS PLC exemplar school by Rick and Becky DuFour
Highest overall pass rates on all SOL tests in Stafford County middle schools
In ranked #15 out of 405 middle schools in the Commonwealth of Virginia by schooldigger.com

5. #1 RTMS IS A G I N History (Standard = 70%) Rank School Pass % 1
Rodney Thompson MS 97 2 89 3 85 4 5 84 6 83
DIVISION AVERAGE 7 70 8
English (Standard = 75%)
Rank
School
Pass % 1
Rodney Thompson MS 89 2 85 3 82 4 81
DIVISION AVERAGE 5 80 6 79 7 8 73
Science (Standard = 70%)
Rank
School
Pass % 1
Rodney Thompson MS 92 2 88 3 87 4 83 5
DIVISION AVERAGE 6 78 7 77 8 72
Math (Standard = 70%)
Rank
School
Pass % 1
Rodney Thompson MS 95 2 89 4 86
DIVISION AVERAGE 85 5 83 6 82 7 81 8 74

6. What our students say about us
On the DCJS Spring 2017 Middle School Climate Survey we topped the division and state averages on the following:
I am proud to be a student at this school.
I feel like I belong at this school.
Students are treated fairly regardless of their race or ethnicity
There is at least one teacher or other adult at this school who really wants me to do well.
If I tell a teacher that someone is bullying me, the teacher will do something to help.
I feel safe in this school.
Most students at this school treat other students with respect.

7. EXPECTATIONS FOR EXCELLENCE
All Means All
All students meet proficiency levels
All students are challenged to perform their best
All students engage in experiences that develop communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, citizenship and wellness in order to become our leaders of tomorrow

8. Teaching and Learning Summit Increase Cognitive Engagement of Students

9. Teacher Learning Walks
When students can personalize the objective the objective of the lesson they can articulate
what they are doing
what they are learning
why they are learning
what success looks like

10. RTMS SCHOOL SCHEDULE - 7th & 8th Grades
MON
TUE
WED
THR
FRI 1X 1Y
ACT 2X 2Y 3X 3Y 4X 4Y

11. SAMPLE WEEKLY SCHEDULE-- 6TH GRADE
Course ID
Course Title
Section ID
Period
Teacher Name
1109
Grade 6 English
1XY
Worrell, Donna
3111H
Mathematics 7 Extended
3111H-0000
2XY
Gillespie, Loran
2354
Grade 6 United States History: 1877 to the present 3X
Swain, Camille
4105
Grade 6 Science 3Y
Higginbotham, Joanne
7110
Grade 6 Health and Physical Education 4X
Harding, Angela
8206
Family/Consumer Sci Explor (9 Wk) 4Y
Spicer, Rebekah
9235
Beginning Strings
5XY
Scruggs, Tresa

12. SAMPLE WEEKLY SCHEDULE-- 7TH GRADE
Course ID
Course Title
Section ID
Period
Teacher Name
3111H
Mathematics 7 Extended
3111H-00002
1XY
Pollock, Scott
2357
Grade 7 Civics and Economics 2X
Mankowski, Olivia
4115
Grade 7 Life Science 2Y
Quail, Courtney
7120
Grade 7 Health and Physical Education 3X
Main, Heather
9236
Intermediate Strings 3Y
Scruggs, Tresa
1110
Grade 7 English
4XY
Gargin, Bridget

13. SAMPLE WEEKLY SCHEDULE-- 8TH GRADE
Course ID
Course Title
Section ID
Period
Teacher Name
1120H
Grade 8 English
1120H-00003 1X
Mason, Emilie
5510
Spanish I 1Y
Kruse, Michael
7200
Grade 8 Health and Physical Education 2X
Harding, Angela
9229
Advanced Band 2Y
Cardwell, Taylor
2359
Grade 8 World Geography 3X
Stanley, Brenda S.
4125
Grade 8 Physical Science 3Y
Oldenburg, Krista
3143H
Honors Geometry
3143H-00001
4XY
Kumalae, Jeffrey

14. SAMPLE WEEKLY SCHEDULE-- 8TH GRADE
Course ID
Course Title
Section ID
Period
Teacher Name
3112
Grade 8 Mathematics
1XY
Sullens, Megan
7200
Grade 8 Health and Physical Education 2X
Main, Heather
9241
Advanced Strings
Scruggs, Tresa
1108
Reading 3X
Walter, Malissa
1120
Grade 8 English 3Y
Mason, Emilie
2359
Grade 8 World Geography 4X
Stanley, Brenda
4125
Grade 8 Physical Science 4Y
Oldenburg, Krista

15. SCHOOL COUNSELING SERVICES AT RTMS
Middle School – Transitioning from childhood to adolescence.
Comprehensive Developmental School Counseling Program - Collaborate with administrators, families, teachers, and community agencies to create a caring and supportive climate
Academic Support and Planning
Individual Student Support
Small Group Counseling
Classroom Lessons
College and Career Planning
Bullying Prevention Campaign
Red Ribbon Week
Homework Club
Career Program and Career Day
Agents of Change
Our goals and areas in which we offer help:
Enhance the learning process,
Promote academic achievement
Prepare students for secondary and post-secondary opportunities
Promote student self-advocacy, conflict resolution, and self- management.

16. SCHOOL CLIMATE POSITIVE STUDENT RECOGNITION
STRIVE Program: School climate, decision-making
R. O. A. R. S. = Responsible, Organized/prepared, Accepting,
Respectful, Safe/orderly)
P. A. W. S. = Positively Achieving, Well-behaved Students
Leadership Opportunities
Honor Rolls: A/B, All A

17. Important Information
Schedules
New attendance policy
Transportation
Open House
Student Support

18. DESCRIPTION OF SIXTH GRADE MATH COURSES
Math 6 : A one year course that includes all of Virginia’s Sixth Grade Standards of Learning for Mathematics. Students enrolled in this course will take the Grade 6 mathematics Standards of Learning test.
6 Extended Math : A one-year course that includes all of Virginia’s Sixth Grade Standards of Learning and part of the Seventh Grade Standards of Learning for Mathematics. Students enrolled in this course will take the Grade 6 mathematics Standards of Learning test. (Placement test required.)
7 Extended Math : A one-year course that includes all of Virginia’s 7th Grade Standards of Learning and a majority of the Eighth Grade Standards of Learning for Mathematics. Students enrolled in this course will take the Grade 7 mathematics Standards of Learning test. Note: Sixth grade math content is not a part of this course. (Placement test required.)

19. DESCRIPTION OF OTHER MATH COURSES
Math 7: A one year course that includes all of Virginia’s Seventh Grade Standards of Learning for Mathematics. Students enrolled in this course will take the Grade 7 mathematics Standards of Learning test.
Math 7 Extended: A one-year course that includes all of Virginia’s 7th Grade Standards of Learning and a majority of the Eighth Grade Standards of Learning for Mathematics. Students enrolled in this course will take the Grade 7 mathematics Standards of Learning test.
Math 8: A one year course that includes all of Virginia’s Eighth Grade Standards of Learning for Mathematics. Students enrolled in this course will take the Grade 8 mathematics Standards of Learning test.
Algebra
Geometry

20. ~ FOCUS AT RTMS ~ How does the program meet the needs of the students?
- While we are not teamed, our students will be clustered with similar-ability students who are also gifted, while also working with students of other interests & abilities.
How do students receive services & what types of services are provided?
- Our Focus Program involves a variety of unique experiences for students both inside the classroom & out.
- The classroom teachers & Focus teacher work collaboratively to differentiate learning activities in a way that motivates & challenges your child. Additionally, students may elect to participate in enriched units of study throughout the year.
- RTMS is proud to offer a variety of enrichment opportunities during Academic Core Time (ACT). Students at RTMS may engage in numerous extra-curricular activities inside & outside of school that serve to enrich your child’s learning experiences.
- This year Focus students will be required to engage in at least one such activity & submit a project for consideration at the Focus Festival.
~ Continued Next Slide… 

21. (*Based on staffing availability)
~ FOCUS AT RTMS ~
 Recommended Academic Core Time Opportunities for Focus
National History Day (Grades 6, 7 & 8)
Model United Nations (Grades 6, 7 & 8)
Debate (Grades 7 & 8)
Science Fair (Grades 6, 7 & 8)
Independent Study (Grades 6, 7 & 8)
Other opportunities that may also be available are as follows :
*Debate Team, *The Stock Market Game, *Knowledge Masters Open, *“We the People” Mock Congress , *Focus Festival, *Science Fair, *National Geographic Bee, *Mock Trials, *Delaware Environmental Summit, *Electronic Portfolios, *Watershed Environmental Program, *World Cultures Celebration , *Spelling Bee Competition, *Robotics, *Independent Study, *Destination Imagination *Sea Perch Robotics.
(*Based on staffing availability)

22. Literacy

23. Reading
Literacy is an integral part of adolescents' identities, and motivation is a vital part to adolescent reading.
What can I do to motivate my child to read?
Allow time for reading
Make reading an enjoyable experience, not a chore
Allow for choice (genre, topic, and format)
Discuss the book with your child---discussion creates engagement which leads to motivation
The more children read, the better writers they will become. The more children write, the better readers they will become.

24. Writing
Writing is the “other” side of the literacy coin. When we read we are consumers of information, however, when write we become producers of information. Writing is a more complex task...it involves critical thinking.
How can I encourage my child to write?
Writer’s Notebook (can be a traditional notebook or a digital notebook):
Journaling
Reflection
Words (new or unknown)
Phrases
“Golden Lines”
Poetry
Songs
Stories

25. Academic Core Time -Enrichment
Model United Nations Conferences
Competitions including Debate, We the People, National History Day, Science Fair, Geography Bee, Spelling Bee
Extension opportunities through Academic Core Time enables students to delve further into various aspects of content and to integrate content in a way that makes sense to students.
Mentorship, Makerspace, Coding, Robotics, Scientific Investigations, History Alive,

26. Academic Core Time - Intervention
Data Based Process for FLEXIBLE entrance and exit
Meet individual student needs to master content in ALL areas
Prevent academic failure
Frequent progress monitoring to measure growth
Use research-based instructional strategies
Small group settings with core instructor
Systematic process

27. SPORTS AND EXTRA CURRICULARS
Boy’s and Girl’s Track
Boy’s and Girl’s Basketball
Boy’s Football & Wrestling
Girl’s Volleyball, Field Hockey & Softball
Require Fall 2017 VHSL Physical before tryout date
We also offer a variety of extracurricular activities including cross country, Nature Hiking, SCA and many more.
In the fall we offer
In the winter students may choose from
And in the spring we have
Students are required to have a 2015 VHSL Physical they will be permitted to try out or practice. Only 1 physical is needed if a student plays multiple sports.
Athletic schedules, team information, Athletes handbook, and VHSL Physical forms are all available on our website.
We also offer a variety of intermural and extra curricular activities, these may vary by year depending on teacher interest, but our staples generally include things like cross country, Student council, and art club.
More information on available clubs and opportunities will be made available to the students as we get in to the year.

28. SCPS CODE OF CONDUCT
Expectations – Outlined in the Code of Conduct
Intervention & Consequences
Warning
Detention
Saturday School
Loss of Privileges
Community Service
Short Term Suspension
Long Term Suspension
Expulsion
Expectations
Conduct guidelines are outlined in the SCPS Code of Conduct.
The Code of Conduct is available online and all students will receive a Code of Conduct on the first day of school
Students and parents should review together
Sign acknowledgement form that you have read and understand the code
Teachers and Admin will review with also review expectations with students during first week of school.

29. CELL PHONE POLICY DRESS CODE POLICY
Permitted to use cell phones / communication devices before / after school.
Must be powered off and stored out of sight during the school day.
May be used in class for instructional purposes WITH teacher permission.
“Prohibits…any clothing that causes or is likely to cause a disruption to the school environment.”
SCPS Code of Conduct
REGULATION 2401-R Exhibit 2
Adopted 06/10/2015
Page 34
SCPS Code of Conduct
Regulation 2414-R
Re-Adopted 12/12/2013
Pages 3-4
One common question we get a lot is “what is the school’s policy on cell phones?”
In June, our school board updated Rule 11 which pertains to cell phones and electronic devices.
A brief overview of cell phone / electronic device usage permits students to use cell phones before and after school.
Once the school day beings devices must be powered off and stored out of sight.
Devices are not to be used on the bus, in the locker room, or cafeteria.
No recording or photographing students or teachers without permission.
Our teachers recognize the value and opportunities electronic devices bring to the classroom. Many of our teachers do permit and encourage students to use cell phones for instructional purposes.
Our student dress code is also found in the Stafford County Code of Conduct. Some highlights include no head coverings except for medical or religious reasons, exposed midriffs, leggings or tight fitting pants, low cut tops, pajamas, slippers, sunglasses, chains, or articles with offensive / derogatory imagery or slogans.
Students in violation will be asked to change, or parents will be contacted to bring in a change of clothes. Repeat offenders may face additional discipline consequences.

30. Stay Connected with RTMS
Posting RTMS related events make sure to use the #ThompsonJags
Website

31. HEALTH & MEDICAL INFORMATION

32. THANK YOU AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING