News from RStar
May 21 - 25 (Last Week of School)
Summer Jump Start
- What: A program that focuses on giving students the skills, including reading, math, and organizational skills, to begin their Kindergarten year with confidence.
- When: July 9 - July 27, 2018
- Where: Rising Star Elementary
- Time: 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Who can participate?
- Students residing within the Shawnee Mission School District who are kindergarten eligible for the 2018-2019 school year
What can students expect?
- A focus on reading and math skills through fun and engaging activities
- Free breakfast and snack provided on site
- Free supplies and tuition
- District-provided transportation option for students living within the Jump Start to Learning school site boundaries
What is required?
Parents must agree to the following:
- Student must be independent with toileting
- Ensure regular attendance of their child
- Call the attendance hotline in the morning to report an absence if child will not be able to attend
- Ensure that student will follow school rules and policies to allow for a safe, fun learning environment
Complete the enrollment form and return to your home school after your child’s screening. Enrollment is limited.
Mindfulness Challenge
New No-Birthday Treat Guidelines
Our elementary school is implementing a “no birthday treats” guideline. This decision was made after much thought and discussion at the building and district level. There are a variety of reasons why we made this change, the main one being to coordinate with our district’s wellness policy on making healthy choices, in alignment with federal regulations.
Other rationale for restricting treats at school include the following concerns:
- Allergies: Due to the increasing number of students with food allergies, schools have had to be extremely careful with any food items entering the school building. It is a safety issue and something that we need to take very seriously.
- Promoting Healthy Lifestyle: The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in six school-age children are overweight; triple the proportion in 1980. The agency has projected that one in three children born in 2000 will eventually develop a form of diabetes linked to being overweight.
- Equity: Some parents are not able to provide treats for their child on birthdays or special days because of financial hardships.
The purpose of this change is to assure a school environment that promotes and protects students’ health, well- being, and ability to learn by supporting healthy eating, physical activity and healthy choices. This change brings together current research to create guidelines that help us with healthy choices for all of our students. If you are interested in reading the district’s policy on wellness, it is available on the District website.
Classroom teachers will continue to recognize and celebrate children on their special day in special ways.
Thanks in advance for your flexibility and for caring about the health of our students.
FOOD-FREE WAYS TO CELEBRATE BIRTHDAYS AT SCHOOL:
- Get a special “recess pass” and choose the main activity the class does at recess time.
- Bring in your favorite book and the teacher will read it to the class.
- Give a gift to the class, such as a book (write an inscription inside), a toy for the play area, or a game.
- Be “VIP of the week”: Make a timeline of your life, have your parents read to the class one day, and have other students interview you about your favorite things.
- Get a card from the class. All the students sign it saying what they like most about you.
- Get a special sticker or crown to wear at school all day.
- provide a special craft for the class that day.
- Pick out of a birthday prize box that includes fun pencils, temporary tattoos, stickers, and small toys.
Check Us Out On Social Media To See What's Happening @RStar!
Website: http://risingstar.smsd.org/
Location: 8600 Candlelight Lane, Lenexa, KS 66215
Phone: (913) 993-4500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RStar512/
Twitter: @RStar512
LAST CHANCE FOR A YEARBOOK!!!
We ordered an extra 100 copies of the soft cover color yearbooks. These extra copies of the yearbook are available on a first come, first served basis for $15 each. Please get your order in asap.
Teachers will be receiving a list of who has ordered a yearbook so far. They will be sending flyers home with students that have NOT ordered yearbooks yet.
Please submit your order by sending in the completed flyer and payment to the office. We accept cash and checks. Checks can be made out to Rising Star PTA.
Any questions or concerns, please contact Carolyn Raper-Hortua at