6th Grade Rising Night

We’re excited to welcome you to Riverwatch Middle School! This one‑page guide highlights key information shared during Rising 6th Grade Night in a clear, accessible format for families.

Administration

• Kim White – Principal
• Kelly Lamb – 6th Grade Administrator
• Mary Beth Jager – 7th Grade Administrator
• John James – 8th Grade Administrator

School Counselors

• Natalie Guetarni – 6th Grade Counselor
• Erica Thomas – 7th Grade Counselor
• Terri Hadley – 8th Grade Counselor

Families play an important role in student success at Riverwatch.

Get involved:

• Join the Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO)
• Partner with teachers and staff to support learning

Contact Information:

• Riverwatch PTSO: riverwatchmsptso@gmail.com
• Partner Connect - Administrator: mbjager@forsyth.k12.ga.us

PTSO Member Locker Event: July 30

• Families must join PTSO and purchase a Panther Pack for each student to participate.

Open House: August 4

• Format: Meet & Greet with teachers and staff

Thank you for joining us for Rising 6th Grade Night on the River! We look forward to partnering with your family for a successful middle school experience.

Click HERE to access a downloadable and printable version of the information above. 

Brain Development

• Middle school students need adequate sleep and hydration to learn and regulate emotions.
• Their brains learn best with variety, including movement and hands-on activities.
• Students benefit from clear rules, consistent expectations, and engaging lessons.
• Feeling a sense of belonging is essential.
• Every new skill or behavior creates new brain connections—learning takes practice!

Peer Pressure

• Peer pressure increases in middle school and can influence positive or negative choices.
• Awareness is the first step: when students can recognize peer pressure, they are better prepared to respond.
• Encourage open conversations at home about decision-making and confidence.

Your child is learning to:

• Develop new academic habits and routines
• Become more independent
• Take ownership of their learning
• Work through challenges (productive struggle)
• Build resilience
• Develop intrinsic motivation—learning because they want to, not just for grades

As a parent or caregiver, it helps to:

• Adjust to new learning behaviors and expectations
• Focus on growth over grades
• Allow room for mistakes and learning from failure
• Encourage a love of learning, not just test results
• Set clear bedtime and technology boundaries
• Support involvement in clubs, sports, or other activities

• Monitor how your child uses cellphones and other technology.
• Talk about:
  • Harassment (unwanted or repeated messages)
  • Academic dishonesty, including misuse of AI tools
• Phones at school: Students are expected to keep phones in lockers during the school day (this is Georgia law).
• Watch for group texts or messaging apps—many middle school bullying issues occur in these spaces.

Students are expected to follow the Forsyth County Schools Code of Conduct.

Common violations include:

• Academic dishonesty (including unapproved use of AI)
• Use of racial or other slurs
• Horseplay, hitting, or fighting

View the full Code of Conduct on the Forsyth County Schools website.

Students must complete their own work.

• Cheating can result in:
  • A disciplinary referral
  • Placement on the student’s permanent record
  • Possible removal from advanced courses
• Use of AI is considered cheating unless approved by a teacher.
• Please start these conversations at home.

School counselors support students by:

• Assisting with the transition to middle school and course registration
• Building strong school–family partnerships
• Providing group support (social skills, organization, time management, stress, grief, academics)
• Offering individual support for social, emotional, and academic needs
• Connecting students, families, staff, and community resources

Click HERE to access a downloadable and printable version of the information above. 

At RMS, we work together so students are:

• Safe
• Connected
• Thriving

Middle school offers more independence while still providing strong support.

Students will experience:

• A larger campus with lockers and class changes
• Multiple teachers instead of one homeroom
• Increased responsibility and independence
• Sports, clubs, academic teams, and pep rallies
• Time to socialize and build friendships

Students take:

• 4 Core Classes: English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies
• 2 Connections Classes (examples: PE, art, music, technology)

Students are placed on one of two teams- Team River or Team Panther. Why teams matter:

• Teachers share the same students and communicate closely
• Better support for academic and social needs

• Doors open: 8:15 a.m.
• Class begins: 9:00 a.m.
• Dismissal: 4:15 p.m.
• 6 class periods + Panther Time
• 3‑minute class changes
• Panther Time (3:40–4:15 p.m.)

• Student choice clubs and activities (Panther Connects)
• Academic support, enrichment, and skill building

• Progress reports show current grades during each 9‑week period
• Report cards are posted in the Parent Portal at the end of each semester
• Semester 1 and Semester 2 grades are averaged for final core grades
• Midterms: end of Semester 1
• Finals: end of Semester 2

Attendance during testing weeks is essential.

Being present and on time is critical for success.

Key attendance expectations:

• Students with 10 consecutive absences may be withdrawn
• Excessive absences and tardies can affect grades, sports, and activities
• Missing the bus is not an excused tardy

• No check‑outs after 3:30 p.m.
• Parent/guardian must be on the approved list in Infinite Campus
• Valid physical ID required (no digital copies)

• Carpool pick‑up is in the front of the school
• No student item drop‑offs during the school day
  • No lunches, snacks, instruments, or gym clothes
  • Exceptions: glasses and medications
• Walkers must have a Walker Form on file

• 6th grade athletics begin with club sports
• School team tryouts start in spring of 6th grade

Students can join many clubs, including:

• Art Club 
• Animal Rescue
• Drama
• Math Club
• Student Council
• TSA
• Jr. Beta
• Model UN
• Project Green School
• and more

Family tip: Start with 1–2 activities to keep a healthy balance.

Click HERE to access a downloadable and printable version of the information above. 

• Grade 6
  • Support / Standard: 6th Grade Math
  • Advanced: Advanced 6th Grade Math (includes some 7th grade standards)
  • Accelerated: Accelerated 6th Grade Math (includes 1st semester of 7th grade)
• Grade 7
  • Support / Standard: 7th Grade Math
  • Advanced: Advanced 7th Grade Math (includes some 8th grade standards)
  • Accelerated: Accelerated 7th Grade Math (2nd semester of 7th + all 8th grade math)
• Grade 8
  • Support / Standard: 8th Grade Math
  • Advanced: Algebra – Concepts & Connections
  • Accelerated: Accelerated Algebra/Geometry A – Concepts & Connections

Placement Notes

• Multiple measures are used; i‑Ready is one data point
• No placement retests
• Families receive placement emails in June

• Students are eager to learn about the math behind the concept.
  • Not interested in just learning "tricks" for a procedure
  • Interested in learning the processes and reasoning
  • Pay attention to detail
• Students practice math on their own and are interested in math as a discipline.
  • Homework is completed without prompting and is seen as a tool to develop understanding
  • Students research math topics on their own to deepen their understanding
• Students don't just grab a calculator. They have strong number sense and mental math skills.
  • Skills include fraction fluency, understanding when certain formats are appropriate to understand equivalent answers, and factoring using strategies based on the situation
• Students independently take notes during each class and choose to engage and extend on learning.
  • Write more than just what the teacher writes on the board
  • Seek and extend understanding
  • Make personal emphasis on ideas, such as highlights, sketches, and diagram
• Students self-monitor as they learn.
  • Stick with problems independently even when difficult
  • Make inferences from what they are reading and computing
  • Actively seek feedback and makes appropriate changes
  • Can determine whether they retain and recall the information they have learned, going beyond just looking at grades
• Students communicate effectively with teachers and peers.
  • Advocate for themselves when they do not understand a concept
  • Work collaboratively and effectively with their peers
  • Ask questions and build on the learning of others

• Grades 6–8
  • Support / Standard: Grade‑level ELA
  • Advanced: Advanced ELA each year
• Grade 8 Advanced Option: Advanced ELA or High School English I

• Grade 6: Earth Science
• Grade 7: Life Science
• Grade 8: Physical Science (High School Credit)

Advanced options available at each grade

• Grades 6 and 7: World History
• Grade 8: Georgia Studies

Advanced options available at all grades

Students also take exploratory and elective courses, including:

• Fine Arts
  • Band, Chorus, Orchestra, Art
• Health
• Physical Education
• CTAE
  • Computer Science, Engineering, Business, Marketing, Healthcare Science

Is your student:

• An independent reader and writer?
• A motivated problem‑solver?
• Able to handle academic challenge and deadlines?
• Willing to complete independent practice?
• Balancing school with extracurricular activities?

Course recommendations viewable in Parent Portal

• Posted: May 4, 2026
• Course Change Consideration Form
  • Posted on RMS website: May 4, 2026
  • Due: May 8, 2026 by 5:00 PM

Click HERE to access a downloadable and printable version of the information above. 

At Riverwatch Middle School, we work together to create a community where students feel:

• Safe
• Connected
• Thriving

We are a county‑ and state‑recognized PBIS school, which means we:

• Teach expected behaviors
• Help students make better choices
• Recognize positive actions and growth

At Riverwatch, PBIS is recognized through the P.R.I.D.E. acronym: 

• P- Personal Responsibility 
• R- Respect
• I- Integrity 
• D- Determination
• E- Empathy 

Students earn PRIDE points for positive behavior. These can be used for:

• Prizes and events
• Monthly recognition
• Quarterly rewards

• Doors open: 8:15 a.m.
• Students wait in the Cafeteria or Gym until 8:35 a.m.
• Time for breakfast, lockers, water, and restrooms until 8:55 a.m.
• Classes begin: 9:00 a.m.
• Recommended arrival: at least 15 minutes early

Students are encouraged to:

• Bring needed materials
• Pay attention and participate
• Check assignments daily in Canvas
• Communicate with teachers
• Use Panther Time for extra help or completing work

Supplies Needed:

• Two binders (1–1.5 inch) with dividers (each binder covers two classes)
• One plastic homework folder
• Basic supplies (paper, pencils, etc.)
• Chromebook (issued by RMS)

Helpful Tips:

• Clean out binders and lockers regularly
• Keep lockers neat
• Set up a quiet homework space at home

• Each student is issued a Chromebook
• Devices are monitored by Forsyth County Schools, even off campus
• Chromebooks must be charged and brought to school daily

Important Rules:

• Use technology for schoolwork only
• No gaming or unapproved chats
• Students are responsible for any damage
• Device insurance and monitoring options are available

RMS students are expected to:

• Be kind and respectful
• Take responsibility for actions
• Ask for help when needed
• Complete their own work (including when using AI tools)
• Follow school and district guidelines

Remember:

• Do not use personal phones or devices during school
• Do not take credit for someone else’s work

• One class will allow students to have a snack (students must clean up)
• Bring a spill‑resistant, non‑glass water bottle
• Water refill stations are available in every hallway
• Students bringing lunch that needs heating must know how to use microwaves safely

For safety and security, please do not bring:

• Glass items
• Smart watches
• Valuables
• AirPods or similar items

Click HERE to access a downloadable and printable version of the information above.