Address: 2892 Edgewood Road, Columbus, GA 31906

Phone: 706-569-3697

Fax: 706-569-3704

Website: https://sites.muscogee.k12.ga.us/richards/

Our Motto: One Tribe, One Vision, One Mission, One Goal

Principal: Dr. Wizzard

Assistant Principal: Ms. Stigger

Discipline Dean: Mr. Smith

Academic Dean: Ms. Sands

Academic Coach: Mrs. McNeill

IB Coordinator: Mrs. Casleton

Director of Counseling Services: Mrs. Zitzelberger

Media Specialist: Ms. Moxley

Responsibility

Excellence

Professionalism

I am so excited to join the team at Richards this year as the Director of ​Counseling Services! I have been the Freshman Academy Counselor at ​Jordan Vocational High School College & Career Academy since the ​2020-2021 School Year. Prior to that I worked at various positions in the ​district and was the Finance Director for the Columbus Symphony ​Orchestra.

I believe that every student should be supported academically, ​physically, emotionally, and mentally. To achieve this they must feel ​heard and seen. The middle school years can be challenging to navigate ​for students and families. We must be a team with our students, families ​and RMS staff so that we are successfully supporting our children.

I am a firm believer in the only way this world improves is to be kind to ​others. Understanding that service to one another can change not only ​their lives, but also the humans we grow into. One of my favorite quotes ​is by President John F. Kennedy:

One person can make a difference, and everyone should try.

Email Ms. Z

Hello everyone! My name is Ms. Jackson and I am so excited to be joining the ​Warrior family as a new school counselor. I am passionate about helping ​students reach their full potential by being a listening ear and advocate for ​those who need a voice. I look forward to getting to know each of you better ​and seeing you grow as a student at RMS.

Fun facts about me: I am the only person in my immediate family that was ​born and raised in Georgia, I like to do makeup, my favorite food is tacos and ​I used to be on dance line and a basketball cheerleader in high school.

Please feel free to explore this wonderful website and find out what resources ​are available to you as a student or parent/guardian of the Warrior Family. ​We are all in this together and working together can make a difference.

Email Ms. Jackson

6th Grade: Students will successfully transition to middle school.

7th grade: Students will narrow down their areas of interest in CTAE courses.

8th grade: Students will focus on finishing middle school successfully and preparing to transfer to ​high school. Students will decide which high schools may serve their interests best for CTAE classes.

All students: Be aligned with our school motto of One Tribe, One Vision, One Mission, One Goal.

As a school counselor at Richards Middle School, we are ​certified/licensed school counselors who work to improve student ​success for all students by implementing a comprehensive school ​counseling program.

School counselors design and deliver school counseling programs that ​improve student outcomes. We lead, advocate and collaborate to ​promote equity and access for all students by connecting their school ​counseling program to the school’s academic mission and school ​improvement plan.

As a school counselor at Richards Middle School, we want to see ​our students develop into productive and contributing members ​of society committed to growth throughout their lives.

As school counselors, we uphold the ethical and professional ​standards of ASCA and promote the development of the school ​counseling program based on the following areas of the ASCA ​National Model: Define, Deliver, Manage and Assess.

Every grade level has two teams...

Below is the teachers that are a part of the 6th grade team..

6.1: Mr. CROSS (ELA)

Ms. CULVERSON (Math)

Mr. HODGE, (Science)

Ms. HUDSON (Social Studies)

Ms. MCCLUSTER (Instructional Specialist)

Ms. BISHOP-MCELWEE (Instructional Specialist)

Ms. NORMAN (Instructional Specialist)

Mr. PALMER (Instructional Specialist)

6.2: Ms. COWART (Social Studies)

Ms. DOWNEY (Science)

Ms. LEDWICK (Math)

Ms. YELKOVICH (ELA)

Every grade level has two teams...

Below is the teachers that are a part of the 7th grade team..

7.1: Ms. HUMBER (Math)

Mr. JOHNSON (Science)

Ms. NORMAN (Instructional Specialist)

Ms. RUSSELL-SCRUGGS (Instructional Specialist)

Mr. STUCKEY (Social Studies)

Ms. TELECIDE-STEELE (ELA)

Ms. WOODS (Instructional Specialist)

7.2: Mr. CALLAWAY (Science)

Ms. MAXWELL (ELA)

Mr. MITCHELL (Social Studies)

Ms. SPICER (Math)

Every grade level has two teams...

Below is the teachers that are a part of 8th grade team..

8.1: Ms. BLAIR (ELA)

Mr. BROWNING (Instructional Specialist))

Mr. CARTER (Instructional Specialist)

Ms. CASPER (Social Studies)

Ms. MORRISON-WILLIS (Math)

Ms. NORMAN (Instructional Specialist)

Mr. ROSA (Science)

8.2: Ms. BINGHAM (Math),

Ms. BLAKEMORE (Science)

Ms. GREENE, (ELA)

Mr. SHIVELY (Social Studies)

We also have connection teachers that teach various subjects outside ​of core classes..

Ms. LOVIN- Art teacher

Ms. JOHNSON- Band Director

Ms. WATTS- Chorus

Mr. BROWN - Drama

Mr. STEWART- Public Safety

Ms. HALL-GREEN - Computer

Mr. STAN - Orchestra

Coach ALLEN - PE

Coach INGRAM - PE

Coach THOMAS- PE

Dr. BERRIOS ROLON- Spanish

Mr. CARPENTER - Spanish

Applications will open on 9/6/2024 and be due on 9/20/2024.

See Ms. Zitzelberger or Ms. Jackson for an application.

What defines a Peer Helper?

Peer Helpers is a support organization that is student-based, that empowers students to be academically, ​socially and emotionally successful.

Peer Helpers are expected to volunteer during the school year with our monthly community service projects as ​scheduled by the Peer Leaders. These projects revolve around the Muscogee County School District's Character ​Words of the Month. If a member cannot participate in 50% or more of the scheduled activities, they must ​contact the sponsors with a plan of alternate service ideas. Failure to meet this obligation will result in being ​removed as a member, unless an alternate service has been approved by the sponsor.

Examples of previous projects: RMS Recycling, The Great Kindness Challenge Week,

Thankful Turkey, Positive Affirmations, Red Ribbon Week, Clothing Drive for Sara

Spano (MCSD) and RMS Royal Room (onsite) clothing bank, Teen Lures videos, etc.

Requirements

Grades

In order to be chosen as a Peer Helper, the student must not have an “F” on their progress/report card prior to ​their application, and grades can not fall below a “C” average in any class. Upon membership, the sponsors will ​check report cards each nine weeks. If at any time, a member falls below the academic standard set forth, ​membership will be put in a probationary status and reviewed at the next next grading period. If the student ​does not meet the requirements at that review, they face removal from the group.

Conduct

If a Peer Helper receives below a “90” in Conduct or receives “Saturday School,” they will be placed on probation ​for a nine-week period. If a Peer Helper is placed in ISS, they will also be given probation for a nine-week period. ​If a Peer Helper is given OSS, they will be removed from membership.

Behavior

A positive attitude is expected at all times. This attitude will be present during group work, with the sponsors and ​when working individually. Appropriate attitude is a must to ensure efficient use of the meeting times and ​activities. Failure to present this type of attitude will be addressed by the sponsors.

Individual Counseling/1:1: This is counseling with just the student and the counselor.

Group counseling: This is small group counseling, which is a group of students (6 to 8 students) ​focusing on a specific topic.

Classroom guidance/SEL lessons: This is when the school counselor comes around to classrooms ​and gives a social/emotional classroom lesson.

Parent Conference (at appointment request): Please make sure you make an appointment for a ​parent conference. We are here to help.

The Character Word describes features and/or traits that form an individual. Each ​month we will highlight a word we want to work on as a school to build quality ​characteristics in all students !!

August: Positive Attitude

September: Diligence

October: Respect

November: Citizenship

December: Empathy

January: Kindness

February: Tolerance

March: Forgiveness

April: Integrity

May: Accomplishment

Caring

Principled

Reflective

Knowledgeable

Balanced

Thinkers

Risk-takers

Communications

Inquirers

Open-minded

As a parent/guardian of a student at Richards Middle School, we believe that we are here to support ​the your family as a whole.

Below are some links to resources that may be beneficial to you.

Childmind Institute

Food Finder