Raider News
W.D. Richards Elementary October 2016
Principal's Corner
Dear Richards Families:
Fall will soon be in the air! Cooler temperatures will be here before you know it. Remember that we go out to recess each day unless there is rain or the temperature is below 20 degrees. Please send students dressed appropriately. Fall is also the time of year for students to misplace jackets and coats. Our lost and found is located in the back lobby. Please encourage your child to look at lost and found if they have missing items.
Our teachers and staff have worked very hard this first grading period to provide your children with the best possible opportunity to learn to their potential. They continue to implement new, research based interventions and teaching strategies in order to improve student learning. I would like to recognize their efforts. I would also like to thank you for having your children here on time and ready to do their best everyday. Having students here every day on time and ready to learn is very much appreciated! Congratulations to Richards for excellent attendance thus far this year. Our attendance rate through the first eight weeks of school is near our goal of 98%. Hopefully our excellent attendance will continue. We have wonderful students, parents and staff at Richards!
We will not be having traditional parent-teacher conferences this year. However, many parent-teacher conferences have already occurred and I know many more are planned in the coming weeks. Every parent who would like to conference concerning their child will have the opportunity to do so. Communication with classroom teachers is vital to the success of every student. If you have concerns about your child’s needs and progress please feel free to contact your child’s teacher or the school.
October is a very busy month with the start of winter sports as well as many other activities. I hope students, parents and staff enjoy fall break. Hopefully families will be able to enjoy the break from school and come back rested and ready on October 17. Please check the calendar for upcoming events. We look forward to seeing you at upcoming school events this year.
Please feel free to call me at 376-4311 or stop by the office if you have comments or concerns. I enjoy talking with you and care about your kids.
Mr. Sprong
Growth Model Report Cards
This year all Richards Elementary students in K-4 will receive Growth Model Report Cards
What is UDL?
Parent Portal
Login HERE!
High Ability Testing
Dear Parent/Guardian,
Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation provides many opportunities and pathways for all learners. Since 1981, we have worked to identify learners who show a need for a high ability curriculum. To help us identify students for this pathway, tests are administered to our kindergarten, 3rd and 6th grade students every year.
In the fall, all kindergarten students are given four activities to complete during class time. These activities are evaluated and used to determine which students will be administered further testing. The identified students are then given the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) in the spring. This test indicates potential for high ability learning. Various instructional strategies will be used by the teachers in each classroom from 1st – 3rd grade to meet the needs of these high ability learners.
3rd and 6th grade students are administered achievement and abilities tests. The scores from these tests, along with scores from a math prompt, a creative writing prompt and teacher rating scales are used to identify high ability students. Students can be identified as high ability in math only, English/language arts only or high ability in both.
Please visit the BCSC website at www.bcsc.k12.in.us >Parents>High Ability for more information about the high ability program. You may also contact Shelley Walker, the High Ability Coordinator, at (812) 314-3881 or walkerr@bcsc.k12.in.us with question and/or concerns.
Important Dates to Remember:
Fall Break October 10-14
Report Cards will be sent home October 21
Fall Festival November 4
RAIDERS BASKETBALL TRYOUTS!!!
WHO: 5th and 6th grade girls and boys
WHAT: W.D. Richards School basketball team tryouts
WHEN: Monday, October 17th – Friday, October 21st
*Each coach will explain the tryout schedule and timing of decisions for the selection of the team.
Girls: 4:00 – 5:30 pm
Boys: 5:30 – 7:00 pm
WHERE: W.D. Richards gymnasium
** Any 5th/6th grade student interested in trying out for the team MUST have a physical by 10/17 in order to participate in tryouts.
The 2016-2017 Seasons begins soon! See the schedule below or CLICK HERE for printable version.
For more infomation check out the BCSC website for details - CLICK HERE
FCA
Welcome back to a new school year focused on growth, learning and worshipping! We will be meeting each month at 7:30 am in room 114 (Wenzler) on the dates listed below. We hope you plan to join us and start your day off in prayer and fun activities. You do not have to be an athlete or sports fanatic to attend. All are welcome!
Thursdays at 7:30 am in room 114:
October 20
November 17
December 15
January 26
February 23
March 30
April 27
May 25
Cafeteria News
Free/Reduced Meals Information
If your family meets the income qualifications for free or reduced lunch, and even if your child brings his or her lunch to school, there are several benefits that may be available for your family. Textbook assistance, waived ACT/SAT fees, waived dual credit course fees, discounted internet service or computer, discounts for sports or other programs, and iCare after-school program discounts are some possibilities. Click on the Link below for more details.
Did you know that the meal assistance is not just about lunch?
¿Sabía usted que la asistencia de comidas no es solo para el almuerzo?
Are you an RN or LPN? BCSC needs substitute nurses!
Interested in Substitute Teaching?
If you are interested in subbing, PLEASE contact Linda Denninger at the BCSC Administration Building. You can choose where you substitute teach and you can choose to substitute only at Richards Elementary or anywhere in the school district!
Linda Denninger
BCSC Receptionist/Sub-Coord.
1200 Central Avenue
Columbus, IN 47201
Phone: 812-376-4234
Music Notes
Music Program: OCT. 6
"H is for Hoosier," a musical celebration of Indiana’s Bicentennial will be held Thursday, October 6 at 1:45 pm in the gym. The 4th grade classes will be singing, dancing, and playing their way through the alphabet and celebrating Indiana along with the choir. Families are encouraged to attend!
Veteran's Day:
Richards will be holding its annual Veteran’s Day program this year on Friday, November 11 at 8:30 a.m. Students in grades 5-6 and choir will present the program, which will be attended by the full school. Family and friends, especially our honored veterans, are welcome to attend the event to join our school in giving thanks to those who have served our country.
Please consider submitting a photo of a special veteran to be part of our Veteran's Day slide show. You may either e-mail the photo to luekenm@bcsc.k12.in.us or send a hard copy in an envelope to Mrs. Lueken. She will scan it and return it to you. Please include the name of the veteran, military branch, years served, and their relationship to any Richards students in your e-mail or envelope.
Recorder Time for 4th and 5th Grade!
5th grade classes have started using recorders in music class and 4th grade will be starting soon. If any students need to purchase a recorder, please bring $5 to Mrs. Lueken ASAP.
2016-2017 Music Events – Put them on your calendar now!
Thursday, October 6, 1:45pm – Indiana Bicentennial celebration: Grade 4 & Choir
Friday, November 11, 8:30 am – Veteran’s Day: Grades 5, 6, & choir
**Thursday, Dec. 15, 6:00pm – TENTATIVE – Holiday Concert: Choir, Band, and Strings**
May 8-12, 12:45-1:35 - 1st Grade Bring-Your-Parent –to-Music-Class Days: Monday = Mrs.
Holl’s class, Thursday = Mrs. Voils’s class, Friday = Mrs. Frasier’s class
Wednesday, May 10, 11:30 am – 5th grade field trip to ISO
Thursday, May 18, 6:00 pm - 2nd & 3rd Grade Spring Program
If you ever have any questions or concerns about your child’s musical development, please do not hesitate to stop by, call, or email me at luekenm@bcsc.k12.in.us! I’m looking forward to a great year! ~Mrs. Lueken
Richards Choir
Library News
We are gearing up for fall here in the library and with fall comes our annual Scholastic Book Fair! The fair begins this year on Friday, October 28 and will wrap up on Friday, November 4th with the ever popular Family Night during the Fall Festival. Your child will have the opportunity to come to the book fair during their regularly scheduled library time and again during the Fall Festival. I hope you will plan to attend our “Bookaneer Book Fair Where Books are the Treasure”. Look for more detailed information to come home with your student in the next few weeks.
Mrs. Snider
Art News
Thanks! ~Andi Bartels
W.D. Richards Elementary
Email: sprongd@bcsc.k12.in.us
Website: http://www.bcsc.k12.in.us/domain/1181
Location: 3311 Fairlawn Drive, Columbus, IN, United States
Phone: (812) 376-311
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WDRichardsElementarySchool/