Welcome to Rock Lake Middle School, the best middle school in the universe. We hope that you will enjoy your tour here and
we hope that we can help you feel comfortable about joining us next year as a 6th grade Rock Lake Raider.

Your principal’s name is Pamela Shellman

Our mascot is the Raider.

Our colors are Maroon and Silver.

Click on the tabs below to find out more!

Relevant and engaging learning is emphasized at RLMS. Apply what you’ve learned at elementary school to your work at RLMS. Make sure you do all of the classwork and homework to guarantee success. It is a good idea to study each night the material you learned during the day. Be sure to use your planner every day to help establish good habits from the very beginning. This will make the transition from elementary to middle school a breeze.

3 A’s
Students who are successful in school, follow the three A’s.

1. Attendance – You must come to school every day. Only severe illnesses or emergencies should keep you out of school.
2. Attitude – You must come to school with a positive attitude, one that helps you rather than hurts you.
3. Assignments – You must complete all of your assignments consistently. There is no excuse for a zero.

When you come the week before school starts for schedule pickup, you will be given a supply list from your team. The school bookstore will also have supplies you can buy. You will have the opportunity to “walk your schedule” before the first day
of school.

Always give your all and try your best. No matter how hard your day has been, always remember to try your best. Even if your day has been rough, chances are other people might have had a rough day too. You might be surprised to find that your day could get better. So, remember to smile and always give your all.

If you have excessive absences from school, your grades are sure to suffer. Try to start your middle school years by making an effort to come to school every day. If you must be absent, make sure to bring a note from home and give it to your homeroom teacher so that you will be excused. You will be given one day, for every day you are absent, to make up your schoolwork. If you are sick for two or more days, your parents may call your teacher’s voicemail for work. Teachers will send the homework to the front office to be picked up. Teachers require twenty-four (24) hours notice. A list of teachers’ voicemail numbers will be in the planner.

When you come to RLMS, you will meet many new students from other elementary schools. Hopefully, you will be able to
make friends very quickly. Be yourself and choose friends you like. Don’t be somebody you aren’t and always be a good friend
back. Your teachers and friends will accept you as you are. Even though you are entering a new school, popularity is not the
key to success. If you are a good friend, you will find that you will have good friends.

Try not to gossip and listen to rumors. That is the fastest way to lose a friend. If you find you are having trouble with friends or
someone else who is bothering you in some way, sign up for Peer Mediation. Our trained mediators work in the guidance office to
help you resolve these problems.

A great time to be with your friends is during lunch. You can sit anywhere you want in the cafeteria and be with any friends you choose to eat with.

School is a lot more fun when you get involved in the activities offered. We are not a high school and cannot offer the same
variety of activities that high schools offer, but hopefully we will have something for you. Be aware that activities may change from year to year.

• Beta Club
• Good Morning Rock Lake (Must be selected)
• MathCounts
• SECME
• Student Council
• Cross Country
• Volleyball
• Basketball
• Track
• Yearbook (Must be selected)
• Drama performances

Following is a list of our current Intramural Activities

• Middleball
• Volleyball
• 2 on 2 basketball
• Table Tennis
• Tennis Tournament

Yes. You may choose most of your elective classes. Some classes may be pre-determined based on FCAT scores and other factors. School begins in August and you may pick up your schedule during orientation.

You will have seven classes. See bell schedule

You may follow your schedule when you come to orientation and your teachers will help you during the first week of school. You will also be given a map and can ask any adult for help at any time.

Since we all work at different speeds, this is a difficult question to answer. On average, you should spend 15-30 minutes per night, per academic subject, Monday-Thursday. Of course, this will vary from student to student, but we encourage you to take whatever time is necessary for you to be successful. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to make up missed homework and classwork. You should arrange for a homework buddy that you could call to check on the homework assigned.

Yes. You can either buy Rock Lake shorts and t-shirts or you can bring your own. You will also need sneakers and socks. Be sure toput your name on your clothes and shoes. You will be given a gym locker where all your other clothes will be stored while you are participating in PE.

Yes. You may check out up to two books at a time and keep them for up to two weeks. You cannot check out any other books if you have any overdue library books. You may check out books during homeroom or with a pass from a teacher throughout the day.

Yes. Your homeroom teacher usually assigns lockers by the end of the second week of school.

You will need to bring your folders, paper, pencils and other things your teachers require. You will get your team supply list at orientation, which will tell you exactly what supplies you will need.

If you arrive late to school, you must sign in at the front office. You will receive a tardy slip that will admit you to class, but if you are tardy too many times, your parents will be contacted.

Each day you can choose a hot lunch, snack items, French fries, pizza and other items. Most students spend between $2.25 to $3.00 for lunch. Parents can set up accounts through the school cafeteria managers.

We have three separate lunches at RLMS. Most 6th graders will eat 1st lunch, but many will eat 2nd lunch. Due to our rotating schedule, your lunch period may alternate between first and second lunch throughout the school year. Always check with your teachers to be sure when you are to eat. The rule of thumb is, you eat when your teacher eats.

You need to sign the 6th grade clipboard in the Guidance Office if you want to see your counselor. You may sign up before school, after school, between classes or during lunch. You may also sign up at other times if your teacher gives you a pass to do so.