Rice Middle School eNews
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Rice News
A. Important Traffic Reminders
1. All students need to be using crosswalks in order to cross the street. Several students are going between the parked cars and then crossing the street--this is mainly on Russell Creek. The students are also crossing diagonally and not using the crosswalks, which is dangerous. Please reinforce that the drivers may not be able to see them and that they need to be very aware of their surroundings. Crossing at crosswalks and stop signs are the safest options.
2. Parents are dropping their children off in the parking lot, which then causes the children to have to cross the carpool lane to enter the building. This is another example of unsafe behavior. Parents need to drop-off their children using the carpool lane, rather than dropping them off in a parking lot as a means to save time.
3. Please drive slowly, especially on the carpool lanes.
4. Students need to make eye contact with drivers whenever they are crossing a street to ensure the drivers see them.
5. When in the carpool lane, as long as there is a sidewalk next to the car, the students can exit the car. The carpool tends to back-up, especially in the mornings, because students aren’t exiting their cars until they get to the front of the carpool. It’s similar to a NASCAR pit stop, once the cars all stop (along a sidewalk), the students exit, and then the next line of cars pull up.
B. Lunch with the Principal
Our Rice PTA sponsors many programs and activities for our students, parents, and staff throughout the school year. To maintain the level of commitment that we believe is important for our school, we need your support. A donation of any amount is greatly appreciated, but with a donation of $100 or more by October 13, 2017, you will be invited to a lunch with the principal.
Your tax-deductible donation will allow us to support the students, staff and families at Rice and 100% of the money raised will go directly into educational, as well as social, programs and activities at our school.
C. Rice's Annual Career Day, Friday November 3rd --Volunteers Still Needed!
Rice Middle School will be having Career Day Friday, November 3rd. The counseling department needs some help! If you, or a relative, are interested in discussing your career to our 8th grade population, please contact the counselor at Margaret.jimenez@pisd.edu . She will give you details on what to discuss and pointers if you need them. Thanks for your consideration.
D. Attention Parents of 7th Grades
Wednesday, October 11th through Friday, October 13th, all 7th graders will be taking CogAT, Cognitive Abilities Test, via their TX History class. There is no preparation for this test, other than students getting plenty of sleep, and eating a healthy breakfast and lunch on testing days. Scores will be available on Parent Portal by January 2018.
E. Spring Pictures are Wednesday, November 1, 2017
Spring Pictures will be Wednesday, November 1, through social studies classes. Pictures are pre-pay or pay online only. Students will only receive pictures if they are paid for in advance. We would like everyone's picture in the yearbook so please stop by a camera in one of the pods. Cameras will be set up as early as 7:45 a.m. on this day. CHEESE!!!!
F. News from the Nurse
Cold and Flu Prevention
Parents and students can help reduce the impact of the cold and flu season by following these simple tips:
· Get a flu shot!
· Keep your children at home for fever of 100˚F or more for 24 hours without fever reducing medication.
· Wash your hands often with warm water and soap for 20 seconds or more. Use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs can easily enter the body this way.
· Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
· Cough and/or sneeze into a tissue or your upper sleeve, not into your hand.
· Clean and disinfect surfaces at home, work, and school, especially if someone is ill.
· Practice other good health habits such as being physically active, drinking plenty of fluids, getting plenty of rest, and eating nutritious foods.
If you want more information on influenza please visit these helpful sites:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm
Texas Department of State Health Services: https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/disease/influenza/
PTA News
RavenFest is Coming Oct. 27! Volunteers Needed
The fall RavenFest celebration is going to be a blast! Plan for your Rice Raven to attend from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Oct. 27 at the school. There will be lots of fun games, refreshments and entertainment. Volunteers, including parents, grandparents and NHS students, are needed to sell tickets at lunch, setup, sell food and snacks at the event, and to cleanup. Click here to sign up: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0e48aba729a13-raven. If you can’t volunteer, consider donating items such as cakes, pumpkins, supplies and more listed on the volunteer site.
Remember, all volunteers must complete a background check for the 2017-‘18 school year. To sign up, please visit https://oea.pisd.edu/volunteer/EntryPointHomeAction.do Make sure you check the box indicating you want to volunteer at Rice Middle School. Applications can often be processed in 72 hours, so please contact Lisa Mendiola, Vice-president of Volunteers at volunteers@ricepta.org as soon as possible if you are unsure of your volunteer status or need further assistance.
For more info about RavenFest, contact Patricia Busch-Kennedy, Vice-president of Ways and Means, at waysandmeans@ricepta.org.
Please like the Rice PTA Facebook page to stay informed about PTA activities!
District News
SAFE: Parent Education Nights
The district will be leading suicide prevention discussions with parents, hosted by Vanita Halliburton. The program will address signs of distress in teenagers, brain health, and keeping your children safe. All three events are identical. To learn more about this event or to view dates for the discussion, please click on the link below.
The first meeting is on October 12th at Plano West Senior High in the library from 6:30 to 7:45 pm.
Club News
A. Calling all Rice Dads!
Mark you calendars as the the newly-formed Rice Dads Club is having its first Donuts with Dad event on Friday, October 13th at 7:30 am. Dads and kids are welcome to join us for donuts, coffee, and juice that morning to start off the day in a fun way. Also interested in learning about other ways dads can be involved and active at Rice? If so, then plan on staying for the short Dads Club Meeting at 8:15 AM immediately following the event. Contact Victor Mendiola with any questions or comments (469.766.5848 or vic.mendiola@gmail.com).
B. Attention 8th Grade Parents!
Do you want to create a custom ad for your student's yearbook? 8th grade yearbook recognition ads are a great way to celebrate student success and milestones and reflect on the person your student has become. Show your pride and support your school at the same time! Visit www.jostensadservice.com to create your recognition ad.
ALL ads MUST be paid for and created online by Friday, November 10, 2017! NOTE: RECOGNITION ADS ARE FOR 8TH GRADERS ONLY. Ads are full color. If you would like to see a sample, please visit the website OR contact Ms. Kosel with any questions or comments at hayley.kosel@pisd.edu.
Prices are as listed:
- Full page: Not offered
- 1/2 page: Not offered
- 1/4 page: $50.00
- 1/8 page: $30.00
C. ECO Club News
Requests from the Eco-Club at Rice
1. If you use Keurig Coffee machine and is currently throwing your pods in the trash. Please collect them and bring them to us, we will recycle them properly for you.
2. Gather all bottle caps and containers caps for us, all sizes and colors, only plastic. We are doing a project and we need A LOT of caps.
Thank you and happy recycling!
Click on the links below to learn more about recycling!
Miscellaneous Information
A. High Kicks and Herkies Junior Clinic
Jasper Jazz and Jasper Cheerleaders are excited to announce that our annual High Kicks and Herkies junior clinic is back and better than ever this year on Saturday, October 21! Come enjoy a morning of dance and cheer with the Jazz and Cheerleaders! All participants will also be invited to perform with us at Jasper’s October 26th football game at Clark Stadium. The registration form is attached, and more information can be found at https://www.smore.com/ubxp4. Pre-registration before October 6 guarantees a t-shirt at the clinic. After October 6, shirts will only be included as supplies last. We look forward to seeing you on October 21!
B. Wolves and Warriors Wear PINK!
Show your support for the Plano West Wolves and breast cancer research by wearing PINK OUT t-shirts in support of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. T-shirts cost $10 and all proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research. Here’s how you can get your t-shirt:
- At Plano West in the main foyer from 11:30-1:30, starting Wednesday, Oct. 11 through Friday, Oct. 20--please come! We accept cash or check made out to Plano West Royales Drill Team Booster Club. Available sizes: Adult sizes M, L, XL and limited quantities of youth XL.
Get yours before the Plano West PINK OUT football game on Oct. 20. Go Wolves!
C. Calling all Mini Royales: Register Now for Game Night & Clinic!
Does your girl like to dance? Back by popular demand, girls K – 8th grade are invited to participate in the Mini-Royales Game Night and Clinic. On Friday, Nov. 3, “minis” will march on the Clark Stadium field with the Royales and sit in the stands with them. On Saturday, Nov. 4 the award-winning Royales will teach the minis a routine and the clinic will end with a performance “show off” for parents and friends!
Register for one or both events, but space is limited so pre-register before Oct. 27! Students who pre-register will receive a t-shirt, discount and avoid long lines! Visit royales.membershiptoolkit.com for a registration form and event details. Email Janet Dolan at janetdolan@yahoo.com or Deb Breihan at debbreihan@gmail.com with questions.
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