Rice Middle School eNews
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
Ravens Soar to Success!
Congratulations to the Rice Middle School Speech Team for their first place win Saturday at the Bowman Middle School Speech Tournament. After advancing through three rounds of rigorous competition, students earned Rice enough sweepstakes points to capture the first place trophy. Here are the final results from the tournament:
Public Forum Debate:
Placing 2nd: Arush Adabala and Neil Gupta
Placing 3rd: Anum Khan and Ayan Khan
Dramatic Interpretation:
Placing 2nd: Madhalasa Iyer
Original Oratory:
Placing 3rd: Cassie Liu
Humorous Interpretation:
Placing 3rd: Olivia Fan
Extemporaneous Speaking:
Placing 2nd: Arush Abadala
Prose:
Placing 3rd: Meghana Ramaswamy
Placing 2nd: Zachary Tian
Placing 1st: Jennifer Ai
Storytelling:
Placing 2nd: Rida Salim
Placing 1st: Mayuresh Mhaskar
Rice News
A. 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.
B. Red Ribbon Week, October 23--27th
Monday through Friday of this week we will celebrate by having Spirit days, door decorating competitions, and handouts during homeroom. Click on the link below for more information.
C. 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.
D. 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!!!!
E. 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
A. 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.
B. Reflections Contest
The deadline for submitting entries for the 2017-18 Reflections PTA program is Oct 31, 2017. This year’s theme is “Within Reach”. Students can participate in the categories of Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography and Visual Art
Please Note
You can read information about the program at (also carefully read all eligibility and participation rules such as format, dimensions etc. to avoid disqualification)
http://www.txpta.org/reflections
- Make sure to complete the student form correctly and place it in a sheet protector before affixing it on the envelope/back of each entry.
- Students must have at least one PTA/PTSA Member in their household in participate.
- All entries need to be submitted at the front desk (except Visual Art entries: these should be submitted at the art studio)
C. More Spirit Wear Available Online
If you missed ordering Spirit Wear or want to buy a hoodie for your Rice Raven, now's your chance! More inventory has been added online. Visit https://ricemspta.membershiptoolkit.com/ and select the Order Here tab to place your order. T-shirt and hoodies will delivered to your child at school.
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 next meeting is on October 26th at Vines High School in the Presentation room from 6:30 to 7:45 pm.
Club News
A. Calling all Rice Dads!
The first meeting of the Rice Dads Club was a huge success! Thank you to all the dads who came out last Friday! However, it’s not too late to still join in the fun….
If you are you interested in learning about other ways dads can be involved and active at Rice, then consider coming out for our next event. Stay tuned to the eNews for future meeting dates. 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. 16TH ANNUAL SNOWFLAKE BAZAAR
When: Saturday, Nov. 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 5 from noon to 5 p.m.
Where: Plano West Senior High School, Cafeteria, 5601 W. Parker Road, Plano, TX 75093 (between Preston and the Dallas North Tollway)
What: A holiday shopping extravaganza benefiting the Plano West Mighty Wolf Band.
The 16th Annual Snowflake Bazaar is one-stop shopping for the holidays, featuring seasonal items, floral design, gourmet specialties, jewelry, toys, candles, home accessories, ladies and children’s apparel, personalized items, handbags, shoes, and so much more! Sponsored by the Plano West Band Boosters, this is the largest annual fundraiser for the Plano West Senior High School Band.
Cost: Admission is free.
Contact: Email pwshsnowflake@gmail.com or visit ww.planowestband.org.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
B. 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!
C. 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!
D. 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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