7th Grade Rising Night

Administration:

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

Counseling:

• 8th Grade: Dr. Terri Hadley
• 7th Grade: Erica Thomas
• 6th Grade: Natalie Guetarni

Riverwatch Middle School is committed to helping students feel:

• Safe
• Connected
• Thriving

We work in partnership with families to support both academic and personal growth.

Being involved helps make a large school feel smaller.

Students can participate in:

• Clubs (Art Club, Academic Bowl, Jr. Beta, Math Club, Model UN, Student Council, TSA, and more)
• Performing Arts (Band, Chorus, Orchestra)
• Athletics (Basketball, Football, Soccer, Track & Field, Cheerleading, Golf, Running Club)

Note: A current physical is required for athletics and club teams.

Riverwatch is a county and state‑recognized PBIS school. We focus on teaching the behaviors we expect and look for, redirecting students to make better choices, and acknowledging positive choices and celebrating growth.

Students earn PRIDE points for positive choices, which can be redeemed for:

• Prizes and events
• Monthly recognitions
• Quarterly rewards

The P.R.I.D.E. acronym stands for: 

• P- Personal Responsibility
  • Being on time; Being prepared for class; Using class time appropriately; Taking accountability for work
• R- Respect
  • Using positive tones, attitudes, and language; Following the directions of adults; Respecting property; Dressing appropriately
• I- Integrity
  • Being honest; Using technology for instructional purposes; Doing your own work; Reporting acts of bullying and harassment
• D- Determination
  • Staying on task; Honoring due dates; Giving your best effort; Developing good study habits; Responding appropriately to instruction and feedback
• E- Empathy
  • Respecting and valuing differences; Listening closely and considering the thoughts of others; Being mindful of personal space; Encouraging others

• Doors open: 8:15 a.m.
• Classes begin: 9:00 a.m.
• Dismissal: 4:15 p.m.
• 7 class periods with 4‑minute transitions

Important:

• Bookbags stay in lockers
• No personal technology devices during the school day

Even small amounts of missed time add up:

• Missing 1 day every 2 weeks = nearly 1.5 years of learning lost over a school career
• Being 10–20 minutes late daily can equal ½ to 1 full year of missed learning

Regular attendance and punctuality are critical for success.

Students are placed on one of two teams:

• Team River
• Team Panther

Each team includes ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies teachers who collaborate to support student needs.

Courses are offered at Support, Standard, Advanced, and (Math only) Accelerated levels

Math:

• 6th Grade
  • Support/Standard: 6th Grade Math
  • Advanced: Advanced 6th Grade Math (includes key 7th Grade standards)
  • Accelerated: Accelerated 6th Grade Math (includes the first semester of 7th Grade)
• 7th Grade
  • Support/Standard: 7th Grade Math
  • Advanced: Advanced 7th Grade Math (includes key 8th Grade standards)
  • Accelerated: Accelerated 7th Grade Math (includes second semester of 7th grade and all of 8th Grade)
• 8th Grade
  • Support/Standard: 8th Grade Math
  • Advanced: Algebra: Concepts and Connections
  • Accelerated: Accelerated Algebra/Geometry A: Concepts and Connections

ELA:

• 6th Grade
  • Support/Standard: 6th Grade ELA
  • Advanced: Advanced 6th Grade ELA
• 7th Grade
  • Support/Standard: 7th Grade ELA
  • Advanced: Advanced 7th Grade ELA
• 8th Grade
  • Support/Standard: 8th Grade ELA
  • Advanced: Advanced 8th Grade ELA

Science:

• 6th Grade
  • Support/Standard: 6th Grade Science (Earth Science)
  • Advanced: Advanced 6th Grade Science (Earth Science)
• 7th Grade
  • Support/Standard: 7th Grade Science (Life Science)
  • Advanced: Advanced 7th Grade Science (Life Science)
• 8th Grade
  • Support/Standard: High School Physical Science
  • Advanced: Advanced High School Physical Science

Social Studies:

• 6th Grade
  • Support/Standard: 6th Grade Social Studies (World History)
  • Advanced: Advanced 6th Grade Social Studies (World History)
• 7th Grade
  • Support/Standard: 7th Grade Social Studies (World History)
  • Advanced: Advanced 7th Grade Social Studies (World History)
• 8th Grade
  • Support/Standard: Georgia Studies
  • Advanced: Advanced Georgia Studies

Connections:

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

• Each student receives a school‑issued Chromebook
• Devices are monitored on and off campus
• Chromebooks and FCS online resources are for academic purposes only
• Students are responsible for the care of their device. They are expected to bring their devices to and from school every day, charged and ready for use. Students are responsible for damage to their device.
  • Insurance and device monitoring options will be available.

Unapproved use (gaming, group chats) may result in discipline.

• Students must complete their own work
• Cheating and unapproved use of AI result in consequences, including disciplinary referrals on students' permanent records
• Academic dishonesty may affect course placement
• Families are encouraged to discuss honesty and integrity at home.

Dedicated daily time for:

• Panther Connects: Clubs, organizations, student choice
• Academic Focus: Literacy, enrichment, remediation, and recovery

7th grade is a year of growth and transformation. Teenagers often display a push and pull and that is normal. You may see testing of limits, changing friendships, irritability, forgetfulness, or frustration.

Students are developing:

• Responsibility and accountability
• Self‑advocacy
• Time‑management skills
• Independence and resilience

Families can help by:

• Focusing on growth over grades
• Allowing room to make mistakes
• Emphasizing the love of learning over assessment of learning
• Setting healthy technology and bedtime routines
• Encouraging involvement in activities

• Follow Riverwatch on social media
• Read the parent newsletter
• Check the Parent & Student Portal
• Monitor Canvas course pages
• Join PTSO

Have questions? Contact:

• PTSO: riverwatchmsptso@gmail.com
• Principal: kiwhite@forsyth.k12.ga.us
• 7th Grade Administrator: mbjager@forsyth.k12.ga.us
• 7th Counselor: emthomas@forsyth.k12.ga.us
• Partner Connect Administrator: mbjager@forsyth.k12.ga.us

Click to access the downloadable & printable version of the information above.