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ACADEMICS: There are many ways students can keep up with school and homework.

Homework Calendars: Teachers post their assignments on Google Calendars and their class websites. They also post them in the classroom for students to record in their planners.

Student Calendar: Each student is given a calendar to record assignments in August along with the student handbook. This document is also available online. There are many commercial and online versions of calendars available. Parents are encouraged to check these regularly.

ParentVue & Student Vue: Students' grades are posted on Synergy and can be seen by using . Please keep in mind that when using an online grading system, it may take a while for you to see the grades. If you have questions, please contact the teachers for help.

Grades, Assignments, Tests: For help with all things related to classes, please contact the teacher. Email addresses are here. The office can also help you leave a message or contact a teacher by phone. Call 503-916-5676. Office hours are 8:00-4:15 PM.

My AVID Binder: All students carry the AVID binder. Helping students sort and organize their My AVID Binder is critical to building good habits for future success. Please help them recycle papers not needed, locate homework, and organize work to be turned in (then check that it did get turned in.

Class Change: Elective classes may be changed before each semester begins if space is available. Core classes are generally not changed. The assistant principal can help with this.

Math Placement: Principal Madison can help with 6th grade math placement. 7th grade placement is done by the 6th grade math teacher.

Special Education/504 Plans: School procedures are in place to determine if students may qualify for special education services or 504 plans. The school psychologist is the lead person for special education identification and the school counselors write 504 plans with a team.

Online Textbooks: The science textbooks are online and easy to use at home. See the teachers' webpages for information.

Online Learning Programs: There are many online, free or inexpensive, direct instruction programs for learning and practicing course content. is an RGMS favorite. There are also credited courses through . These are all at the family's expense, should there be a charge.

Summer Classes: offers summer classes, some of which can help students accelerate.

Speech-to-Text and Text-to-Speech: There are programs and devices that translate speech to text and vice versa and they can be very helpful. is a company that has very helpful tools that can help dramatically with students' ability to read text. has products for speech-to-text.

Leap Into 9th Grade: This summer program provides supplemental math instruction and other skills for students entering grade 9 at WHS. The counselor has details each spring.

Tutoring: There are in the Hillsdale area that provide private tutoring, which can be a source of supplemental education.

Locker: Feel free to check in at the main office and then go to your child's locker with him or her to look for missing work. If a locker change is needed, contact Mrs. Madison, principal. Changing locker location or partner can help.

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL: Help young people grow!

Fall Registration: Every August, we hold a two-day event to allow families to pick up class schedules, change classes, get locker assignments and move into them, tour the building, find classes and get excited about school. 

Problem Solvers: When students have issues, we use Problem Solver forms to document and articulate the problems so we can effectively follow up. These are available in the main office and are the first step in getting help unless the situation is urgent.

Talk to Adults: When students need immediate assistance, they are encouraged to reach out to the nearest staff member who can then steer them to the services they need or take care of the issue in the moment.

Seek Counseling: When students have issues at school, it can be helpful to seek counseling. The 6th grade counselor's office is in the main office and the 7th/8th grade counselor's office is on the lower floor. Students can ask for an appointment in the main office. Families are also encouraged to engage in private counseling as needed.

Talk to Your Child: Make time each day to talk to your child about things going well and problems they may experience.

Build Resiliency: Learning self-advocacy and coping skills is important for young adolescents. Teaching children to say stop when they are uncomfortable with peer interactions is the first step. Coaching students to speak with teachers to get help is a good strategy.

Learn about Young Adolescence: This fascinating and perplexing stage of life has been researched and there are many excellent out there that can help you understand and accept your child's struggles.

Interact with Peers: Keeping your child busy can help them make friends and mature well. RGMS has an excellent SUN Community School with numerous extended-day activities.

Exercise: Vigorous physical activity and time spent outside are super helpful for teens. Check out the èßäapp¹ÙÍø Wellness page for resources.

Cyber Issues: RGMS will ban personal technology device use starting in the 2019-20 year. The prevalence of social media makes cyber issues inevitable. Since RGMS no longer allows devices, parents will want to reach out to other parents to solve problems when they occur from their use. Resources for dealing with technology can be found here.

Problems at Home and in the Community: We encourage parents to work directly with other parents when there are problems at home or in the community. Asking the school to pull children from classes for problem solving not related directly to school is disruptive to the learning environment.

Conflict Resolution for Middle Schoolers: Conflict is a normal part of the lives of adolescents. It is important to let them solve their problems by learning conflict resolution skills. Often interpersonal conflicts are mistaken for bullying and you can learn about that on this page. These commandments are skills that will help your teenager not just deal with conflicts, but with life in general. But teenagers are stubborn. When you find yourself losing patience, take a deep breath. Remember, you too were a teenager once. It is important to start early. Teach conflict resolution to teenagers before adolescence turns them into rebels. And you as a parent need to be there for them. Be present, be aware of what is going on in their life – but do so with respect for their privacy. (taken from )

1. Conflict is a reality. There is no escaping the fact. Hiding won’t solve anything.
2. You can’t wish the problem away. Don’t pretend and put on a mask. Keeping your feelings cooped inside won’t work.
3. Learn to deal with the problem, not the person. Conflict occurs because of a particular issue, not because of a person. Don’t make it personal.
4. Be respectful. Listen to the other person. Really listen. Listening to your parents or teachers may seem like a drag but zoning out is not the solution.
5. Be assertive. You don’t need to be either passive or aggressive to deal with teen conflicts. You need to be assertive. Being assertive means putting your views forward confidently and calmly.
6. Learn to negotiate. This is the most important skill you need to learn. Negotiating is a skill that will serve you in the long term.
7. Stick to the present. Don’t drag in past issues. Doing so will only muddy the conflict further.
8. The silent treatment does not work. Sulking is as bad as getting aggressive – it won’t solve the problem. Talk it out.
9. Be understanding. Try to put yourself in the other person’s shoe. Don’t get defensive and analyze the situation.
10. Learn to say sorry. Stand in front of the mirror and practice, if the need be! If you are wrong, accept it. Doing so will not make you a wimp. Only a strong person has the strength to say ‘sorry’. This simple word can work like magic, try it!