Panther Press August 31, 2012 Volume 9 Issue 1

PTSA

Thank you to all of the families who have joined PTSA this year! We have over 460 families who have joined so far. The PTSA has collected over $11,000 through our 2012 Membership/Donation Drive Campaign! All of this money will be returned to the school through school and teacher grants. We will list the approved grants in a future Panther Press. All families who join PTSA will receive a student directory that will be distributed in October. If you haven't joined, it's not too late! Visit the RMS PTSA website, click Parents and Partners, PTSA, membership and you can use the paypal link to join. Or you can complete the PTSA Membership form that was included in the packets you received at Open House and send to school including your payment. PTSA is a nonprofit organization so donations are considered tax deductible.

Student Directory Opt Out Information The Student Directory will include the name, address, home phone number and grade of every student at Riverwatch. If you would like to remove your child's information from being included in the directory, please email Theresa Collum, Counseling Secretary by Thursday, September 6 th at tcollum@forsyth.k12.ga.us. The directory will be distributed in October. All PTSA members will receive a copy of the student directory.

Advertise Your Business in the RMS Student Directory The PTSA Directory Committee is working on the student directory. If you own a business, this is a great way to advertise! The directory is distributed to over 460 families. You can promote your business to local families and support our school. Prices of advertising are as follows; $50 for a quarter page, $75 for a half page and $100 for a full page ad. If you are interested in advertising, please email Liz Hancher at lizhancher@hotmail.com by September, 14 th .

Thank you to the local businesses who donated prizes for our membership drive: Marlow's Tavern at Avenues­$30 gift certificate for teacher date night raffle, Ananchel Fine Art Photography­ two $95 gift certificates for photo sessions, Elle B­ Vera Bradley tote and Vera Bradley flip flops

PAJAMA DAY IS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 TH ! PAY $3 & WEAR YOUR COMFY PJ’S ALL DAY! All proceeds donated to PTSA will go right back into your classrooms.

Reflections It's not too late to "unleash your talent" for this year's Reflections contest!! The 2012/13 theme is "The Magic of a Moment." ALL ENTRIES ARE DUE ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2nd. We will be collecting the artwork in the rotunda from 8:00 AM ­ 9:00 AM. All rules, regulations and forms can be found and downloaded from the Riverwatch website under "Parents & Partners," "PTSA," "Reflections." Students may enter in one or all six categories. We look forward to seeing YOUR "Magic of a Moment!"

To join any one of our committees, please contact the chairperson directly. Book Fair: Annual Scholastic book fair held in the media center. Volunteers needed to work different shifts handling the purchases during the week of the book fair. Dawn Williams bdwilliams@comcast.net Directory: Organizes student information (name, address, grade, etc.) into a developed format for a “School Directory” that will be made available to each family PTSA member. Volunteers will be needed for distribution. Liz Hancher – lizhancher@hotmail.com Membership: Helps manage and promote membership donation drives at various events at beginning of school year. Christine Taylor – ctaylor03@bellsouth.net and DeAnn Yates – deann_yates@yahoo.com Fundraising: Organizes fundraising events in order to provide teacher grants and PTSA events for students and faculty. Alicia Stine – aliciastine@mac.com

Reflections: A National PTA competition for the entire school. A theme is dedicated every year whereby students are invited to interpret what the title means to them. Students may submit expressions through hand drawn artwork, song, photography, dance, writing, etc. Volunteers needed to distribute forms, receive and catalog artwork, set up and clean up of reception and continue with County and State winners. Renee Dickey – renee.dickey@att.net Hospitality: Committee coordinates the following events: preplanning luncheon, curriculum night dinners, conference snacks, teacher appreciation lunch and faculty and staff appreciation days. Sandy Vlajk – sandyvlajk@me.com and Martha Lansden – mlansden@bellsouth.net

Honoring our Heroes: This committee coordinates a county PTA writing contest designed to encourage students to discover “real life” heroes. Jennifer Dickson ­ Jenmdickson@comcast.net

Eighth Grade Picnic: Annual year end picnic for 8 th graders. Volunteers needed to organize, set up, work shifts and clean up. Carrie Lamb – carrie.lamb@cobbk12.org and Lisa Lawson – wloelawson@bellsouth.net

Eighth Grade Semi­Formal: Works with student committees to choose a theme and develop a plan for the dance. Students are encouraged to take the lead in planning the event. Parent volunteers are needed for set up the day of the event. Deana Fulbright – deanaga@comcast.net

CRCT Bags: Coordinates donation of items for snack bags & organizes volunteers for stuffing & delivery. Karen Hellwig – khellwig@att.net and Yancy Mykyten – ygmonm@hotmail.com

General Volunteer List: Please contact Laurel Petty at laureltpetty@aol.com to be included in our general volunteer database for PTSA and/or school events.

All PTSA information is available on the Riverwatch website under the Parents & Partners link. Please check our link there as well as the calendar on the site for all upcoming events!

If you have an idea for PTSA that you think would enhance Riverwatch, Please contact any of our Board Members. We always welcome new ideas!

Co­Presidents: Cathy Campbell jcmbmom@gmail.com Lori Dunavant loridunavant@ymail.com

Vice­Presidents: Renee Dickey renee.dickey@att.net Tory Miller vlmiller26@yahoo.com Laurel Petty laureltpetty@aol.com DeAnn Yates deann_yates@yahoo.com

Secretary: Christine Taylor ctaylor03@bellsouth.net

Treasurer: Brandi Bryant brandibryant@me.com

ACADEMICS

CogAT ­ CogAT testing for all 6 th grade students will be on September 10 – 11. Students will test each morning from 9:00 to 10:30. Please make every effort for your student to be at school both of those mornings!

Health Curriculum ­ There will be an informational parent meeting at Riverwatch Middle School on Wednesday, September 5th at 6:00 in the cafeteria. Talli Moellering with TLC Consultants will be presenting an abstinence based parent presentation. This presentation involves information regarding our Choosing the Best Sex Education Unit taught during Health class. The purpose of this presentation is to inform you of the content discussed during the Choosing the Best unit and will help parents understand the truth and the dangers of teen sex.

ACTIVITIES

Diabetes and Cancer Walk ­ Friday, September 14 th we will be walking during our Connections classes. Walkers will donate $1 to walk around RMS to help raise awareness and money for Diabetes and Cancer research. There will be music and water will be sold for $1.00. The PE department appreciates the support of our parents and students in raising awareness for these diseases.

5K Club ­ The 5K Run Club starts Sept. 6 th ! The club trains most Thursdays after school with the focus of participating in local 5K fun­runs supporting a variety of community service projects. Contact one of the sponsors for more information (Jeff Whiting, Randolph Thrower, Suzy Ruckert, Matt Koperniak). Students must have a current physical on file to participate; forms can be found on the RMS Extracurricular webpage.

ATHLETICS Girls Basketball ­ 7 th and 8 th Grade Girls Basketball try­outs begin on Monday, October 22 nd . In order to try­out girls must have a physical on file at the school prior to the try­outs. Physical forms are available on the RMS website on the girl’s basketball page.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Clinic News ­ Coming Soon . . . Scoliosis Screenings will be done Friday, September 28th. Please watch for details coming home with your 7th & 8th grade student. If you would like to excuse your child from the screening please remember to complete and return the required form.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me, Amanda Hiott, at 678­455­ 7311 ext. 300121 or ahiott@forsyth.k12.ga.us.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

• Students may NOT transport medication to or from school under ANY circumstances. • Parents of students with Asthma or Food/Insect Allergies: Please contact me if you have not

completed an action plan and submitted medication. These must be completed each school year. • Too sick for school? Fever over 100, vomiting, & diarrhea are the most common reasons

requiring me to send students home. Please make sure you've updated contact information using Parent Portal and remember that they must be free of these symptoms (without medication) for 24 hours before returning to school.

Clinic Wish List:

Dixie Cups Band Aids (especially large ones for knees) Peppermints

Calendar –

September 3 rd Labor Day/No School September 4 th PTSA Board Meeting

RMS Football (Vickery Creek Middle School 5:30 PM) September 5 th Sex Education Parent Information Meeting (Cafeteria 6:00 PM) September 6 th Girl Scout Meeting (Cafeteria 4:15 PM­5:30 PM)

5K Club (Mr. Whiting’s Room 4:15 PM­4:45) September 10 th 6 th Grade CogAT Testsing

Student Council 8:00 AM ­ 9:00 AM September 11 th 6 th Grade CogAT Testing

Fall Picture Day RMS Football vs. Lakeside (Lambert 6:30 PM)

September 13 th Chick Fil A Spirit Night (The Avenues) 5K Club (Mr. Whiting’s Room 4:15 PM­4:45)

September 14 th Band Rock a Thon Fundraiser Diabetes Walk (During Connections)

September 15 th RMS Cheer Competition (Mill Creek High School) September 17 th Student Council (8:00 AM – 9:00 AM) September 18 th Homeless Pet Club (4:30 PM­ 6:00 PM)

RMS Football (Little Mill Middle School 5:30 PM) September 20 th 5K Club (Mr. Whiting’s Room 4:15 PM – 4:45 PM)

GUM Club (Cafeteria 4:30 PM­5:30 PM) September 21 st Middle School/Junior Longhorn Youth Night (Lambert) September 22 nd RMS Cheer Competition (North Gwinnett High School) September 24 th Student Council (8:00 AM – 9:00 AM)

Art Club (Room 523 4:30 PM­6:00 PM) September 25 th RMS Football vs. North Forsyth Middle (Lambert 6:30 PM) September 26 th Early Release 1:30 PM September 27 th 5K Club (Mr. Whiting’s Room 4:15 PM – 4:45 PM)

Jr. Beta Club (4:30 PM­5:00 PM) September 28 th PTSA Pajama Day

Hearing/Vision/Scoliosis Screening

Riverwatch Middle School

Proudly Thanks

Our

Partners In Education Target

CiCi's at Ronald Reagan Chick­fil­A at The Avenues Northside Forsyth Hospital

Subway at Marketplace Blvd. Tutoring Tree

Great Harvest Bread Company Publix Kroger

Rapid Refill Ink Tam's Backstage

Reid & Reid Contractors

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Cancer Patient Inspires Other Teens to Lead Caps for CURE Last year as the Jones family headed out of town, mom Leigh grabbed the CURE newsletter to read in the car. A particular article grabbed her attention and she passed it to her 12 year old daughter Annie. The article was about 15 year old Sarah Barr, a childhood cancer patient who began a fundraiser called "Caps for CURE" last September and raised more than $3300.

Sarah's story grabbed Annie's heart. In August 2009, at age 12, Sarah was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a type of bone cancer, in her right femur. Sarah endured 14 rounds of inpatient chemotherapy and multiple surgeries. When she was on treatment, a nearby elementary school held a "caps" day for the Barr family, raising more than $350. A school employee, the sister of a close friend of the Barrs, shared Sarah's story with others at the school which led to the idea to hold the "caps" fundraiser.

Sarah and her family were moved by the generosity. "This touched us for many reasons," says Heather Barr, Sarah's mom. "Obviously because it is so kind and such a show of support for Sarah, but even more than that ­ it was a school full of people that didn't even know Sarah, yet they wanted to get involved. With Sarah being home schooled and this school not even being where our neighborhood would be zoned to go, I was floored by this act!"

Heather and Sarah were really inspired by the school's fundraising efforts and started contacting area schools encouraging them to hold "Caps for CURE" days. Students would be allowed to wear their favorite cap for the day, with a donation of $1.00 to CURE. Many schools jumped on board, and last September alone, fourteen schools raised more than $3300 for CURE. This year, Sarah even created a video sharing her story and urging other schools to get involved.

The story about Sarah struck such a chord with Annie. Annie decided to take Sarah's "Caps for CURE" fundraising idea to her school, Riverwatch Middle School. "The hats/caps represent the hats and bandanas worn by the children and during their treatments because of their loss of hair," explains Annie. "Each student will be charged to participate. They will bring in their favorite hat/cap to wear on January 18, 2013."

When friend Molly heard what Annie was doing, she decided to take the idea to her school's principal. Now, the two schools will compete with each other to raise the most money for CURE on "Caps for CURE" day.

"We are so inspired by Sarah, Annie and Molly, and the other kids who are taking 'Caps for CURE' to their schools," says CURE Executive Director Kristin Connor. "Sarah planted the seed and has inspired other kids to jump in and help. It's so special to see them take action and take charge like they are ­ all in an effort to help other kids. They are setting such an example with their compassion, empathy and leadership. "

For more information about Caps for CURE and how you can get involved, click here.