Rice Middle School eNews
Tuesday, January 9, 2018
Jasper News: Journey to Jag Country, January 10th
Calling the PWSH Class of 2022! We hope everyone will plan on attending the Journey to Jag Country this Wednesday, January 10 from 6 pm to 7:15.
We ask all Rice families to park in the south parking lot and enter the building from the south doors. You will be directed to the cafeteria for the meeting to start the evening. This is an opportunity for parents and students to learn all about what you have to look forward to in high school.
During this evening, parents and students will have a meeting to learn how to better help their student transition to high school. Parents and students will also be able to get familiar with the campus. While walking around the campus, you will be able to visit with curricular class teachers, student groups and organizations, purchase spirit wear, and visit with the different booster clubs and PTSA.
We hope you will not miss this chance to get your high school career off to a great start!!
Rice News
A. Reflections Contest Results
Rice Middle School's contest entries received placements in the order of Award of Excellence, Award of Merit, and Honorable Mention at the school level. Rice Award of Excellence winners were advanced to the district level judging (all PISD middle schools followed the same process). PISD level placements were in the same order, i.e, Award of Excellence, Award of Merit and Honorable Mention. A single entry in each category was selected for the Overall Award of Excellence and will be moved forward for the State level placements.
Rice Placements (Award of Excellence - AE, Award of Merit - AM, Honorable Mention - HM)
Category: Literature
- AE: Anika Damle - Grade 7 (The Beauty of a Dream)
- AE: Anika Pandit - Grade 7 (Here Right Now)
- AM: Kelly Hu - Grade 8 (Failure)
- HM: Madhalasa Iyer - Grade 7 (Finding Your Way)
Category: Visual Arts
- AE: Christine Yan - Grade 8 (Beyond The Obstacles)
- AE: Emily Hu - Grade 6 (Catching Dreams)
- AM: Kelly Hu - Grade 8 (Flying Dreams)
- HM: Ayushi Sinha - Grade 8 (The God is Within Reach)
- HM: Clara Yao - Grade 8 (Timeless Dedication)
PISD Placements (Award of Excellence - AE, Award of Merit - AM, Honorable Mention - HM)
Category: Literature
- AM: Anika Damle - Grade 7 (The Beauty of a Dream)
- HM: Anika Pandit - Grade 7 (Here Right Now)
Category: Visual Arts
- AE: Christine Yan - Grade 8 (Beyond The Obstacles)
- AE: Emily Hu - Grade 6 (Catching Dreams)
- HM: Kelly Hu - Grade 8 (Flying Dreams)
Note: Stay tuned for information on picking up the entries and Rice awards.
Congratulations to all Rice winners!
B. Group Picture Day, January 12th
Group Picture Day is Friday, January 12th! If your class or club requires you to wear a specific shirt, please wear it or bring it with you on picture day. To see the schedule for when each group’s picture will take place, click on the following link:
C. Empty 2 Liter Bottles Needed
7th grade science classes need 2 liter plastic bottles for their bottle biology projects. Please send your empty bottles with caps attached to Ms. Bottin (room513), Ms. Hughes (room 813), or Ms. Van Houten (room 812) by January 22. Thank you so much!
D. Free Vision Exams
Free Vision Exams and Glasses Sponsored by The Lion’s Club – Please read linked flyer below for more information. Deadline to sign up for an appointment is Tuesday, 1/16/2018.
Free Vision Exam Informational Flyer
E. 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/
Guidance News
All of our current 6th and 7th graders will be registering for the 2018-2019 school year during January. Be on the lookout for registration packets to come home later this month.
Below are the dates for Parent Information Nights.
January 17th
Parents night for current 7th graders going to 8th grade. 6:00pm in the Cafeteria
January 24th
Parents Night for current 6th graders going to 7th grade. 6:00pm in the Cafeteria
B. High School Registration!
All current 8th graders will begin Academic Conferences for high school registration in February. Letters with dates and times for conferences will be coming home with students the week of January 15th. Conferences will begin February 7th. Conferences consist of 15 students with a parent/parents. Conferences last about 1 ½ hours. During this time we will review graduation requirements and students will complete their academic 4-year plan as well as register for 9th grade. We will also cover information about summer school, eschool and credit by exam.
The Academies will also have academic conferences for students accepted into their program. These conferences will also be held at Rice.
Here are some important dates:
January 10th
The Jasper counselors will be visiting with all 8th graders during the school day.
January 10th
Journey to Jag night (for parents and students)
January 25th and 26th
Ms. Edwards will complete registration presentations during social studies classes.
C. Incoming 6th graders!
All current 5th graders will be visiting Rice on January 23rd. During this time students will hear music demonstrations from our band, choir and orchestra programs. Mr. Glasscock, principal and Ms. Edwards, incoming 6th grader counselor, will also speak to students about Rice and the transition to Middle School.
Parents Night will be at 6:00 pm January 23rd in the Rice Cafeteria.
PTA News
A. Spirit Night at Lita’s on Jan. 29
Join Rice PTA for a Spirit Night fundraiser at Lita’s La Mexicana on Monday, January 29, from 5-9 p.m.
Lita's is located at 7224 Independence Parkway, at the NE corner at Independence/Legacy.
Bring in the attached flyer, and 20% of all purchases will be donated to Rice PTA!
Contact volunteers@ricepta.org with questions.Thanks for your support!
B. Collect Box Tops for Our School
Please continue to save those Box Tops! It’s an easy way to earn hundreds of dollars annually for our school. Have your child bring them to the front desk and put them in a container marked Box Tops.
Please like the Rice PTA Facebook page to stay informed about PTA activities!
Club News
A. Spelling Bee News
If you signed up to participate in the Spelling Bee, you MUST attend ONE of the following meetings:
Tuesday, January 9 -- 8:00 am to 8:15 am in the Learning Lab
Tuesday, January 9 -- 3:40 pm to 4:00 pm in the Learning Lab
Wednesday, January 10 -- 8:00 am to 8:15 am in the Learning Lab
The Spelling Bee will be held after school on Wednesday, January 17, 2018, from 3:40 pm to 5 pm in the cafeteria. Parents are welcome to attend.
B. Calling All Girls! Are You Interested in Coding?
If you have a daughter who likes to code or wants to learn how to code, then please have them come join Mrs. McCarthy in Room 907 on Tuesday, Jan. 9. The opportunity is open to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. But space is limited to a first come, first serve basis. Please contact Anya McCarthy if you have questions.
C. The One Act Play: Interested in Working Backstage??
Interested in applying for a backstage crew position for the one act play? Interested students can apply on the tech crew page on the Theatre Google site - http://bit.ly/1MJpGcQ
D. ECO Club News
Why you should join the Eco-Club at Rice? It gives students the platform they need to take action on the environmental issues. Students take a leadership role in identifying and achieving your school’s environmental goals. Environment club’s eco-initiatives can be big or small and may take the form of awareness activities, school events, or programs.
Projects for the Spring Semester:
Continue recycling efforts at school
Drop off poster show
Great American Clean Up Day
Earth Day
Recycling week
School-yard clean up
Field Trip
Recycling workshop
This is what we currently recycle at Rice:
Paper, plastic, glass, carton (Throughout the school)
Coffee pods in teacher’s lounge
Markers (a box in each pod)
Electronics (CFK program)
Lithium Batteries
Plastic Bags (Room 817)
Bottle caps (Room 817)
Join the Eco Club!!!
We meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month.
Next January Wednesday 17th in Room 817.
Miscellaneous Information
Start the New Year Off Right!
Join us for a fresh, Mediterranean meal at Zoe's Kitchen
on Thursday, January 11th anytime from 11 am - 9 pm
at the Shops of Legacy location in Plano.
Mention "Jasper Jazz" when placing your order.
15% of proceeds will be donated to your Jasper Jazz Drill Team.
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