As we wind down week two......

Some announcements from Ms. Braden:

• With football season officially beginning this weekend, students are encouraged to wear their favorite team's colors or shirts on Friday, August 31st.
• There will be NO SCHOOL on Monday, September 3rd in observance of the Labor Day Holiday.
• School pictures will be made on Wednesday, September 5th.
• We will begin our fundraiser next week.  Students will be selling Butter Braid pastries again this year (they are delicious!!).  We will also be selling products from Mixed Bag Designs.  You may get more information on these products at www.butterbraid.com or www.mixedbagdesigns.com .  The funds raised from this sale will be used for our school's general fund and maintenance.

First Week In Review

Our first week back to school was great!  The enrollment is up, and the students have been on their best behavior!

I do want to remind everyone to review the dress code on page 8 in the Student Code of Conduct book.  Specifically, older students should remember that tank tops must have straps three inches or wider to be worn to school.  This doesn't mean three finger widths, but the straps must measure three inches.  Also, no muscle shirts or racer back shirts should be worn.  Students should not wear any patches or cuts in their pants above the knee.

On Tuesday of last week, I sent home a letter with bus rules attached.  I realize that all of our students do not regularly ride the bus; however, I felt that all students needed a copy of the bus rules in the event that they go home with another student on the bus or ride the bus to a school event or field trip.  I appreciate your cooperation in reviewing these rules with your children.

Finally, I want to congratulate the members of the 2012-2013 Flag Crew.  Andrew Bell and Nathan Bevels are our veteran members.  The new members are Courtney Galloup, Jacob Nimon, Emery Norred, Jessalyn Pearl, and Emilee Sellers.  All of these students wrote great paragraphs detailing why they should hold this position.  Good job!

Welcome Back to School!

Welcome Back!  I hope everyone has had a fun and relaxing summer and is excited and ready to begin the 2012-2013 school year.  Our teachers have worked very hard to prepare for another great year here at Rock Mills.  I want to encourage all of you to set your goals high and work hard to meet them; we expect only the best from our Rock Mills students!  To help keep you informed of important news, not only will we have information available on our website http://rockmillsjrhs.randolph.k12.al.us/ , but I have started a blog that you may follow to get current information http://rockmillsjhsnews.blogspot.com. 

We will be selling snacks again this year before first period.  ALL snacks will be $0.50 this year, and these may be eaten during your break.  Student meal prices are as follows:  Regular-priced breakfast is $0.75, and reduced price is $0.30.  Regular-priced lunch is $1.85, and reduced price is $0.40.  Please remember that carbonated drinks are NOT allowed in the lunchroom.

Student attendance is very important for their success.  Please help us teach your children to be successful in reporting to school on time.  Students who will be eating breakfast may get off the bus or unload from cars and report to the lunchroom at 7:05.  Students not eating breakfast will not be allowed in the building until 7:15.  Remember that if you bring your children to school in the mornings to pull all the way up to the power pole to unload.  Please do not park and block the front entrance.  The first bell of the day will ring at 7:20 to signal students to report to homeroom.  Students will be considered tardy after 7:23 a.m. 

Students will be dismissed to load buses beginning at 2:20, and car riders will begin loading after 2:25.  Please do not try to pick up your child before the buses have left to ensure the safety of all our children.  If you will be picking your child up by car, please pull into the driveway and wait behind the buses.  Teachers will put your child in the car.  Remember, changes in transportation must be done by a note or phone call during the day.  Children will not be allowed to go home with someone else if we do not have a letter from both homes.  Please refer to your Student Code of Conduct for details on excused and unexcused absences as well as make-up work in the event that your child misses school for any reason.

I am excited and proud to be the principal at Rock Mills Jr. High School.  I am here to promote a safe and successful learning environment for your students, and I will be glad to assist you in any way to make your child’s education a success!  My door is open for visits or conferences, and you may contact me by phone or e-mail (jbraden@randolph.k12.al.us).  I look forward to a great year at Rock Mills!

Sincerely,

Jennifer P. Braden, Ed.S.
Principal