Rice Middle School eNews
Monday, April 9, 2018
STAAR Testing Tuesday & Wednesday
STAAR Testing Dates:
- Tuesday, April 10: 8th Grade Math & 7th Grade Writing
- Wednesday, April 11: 8th Grade Reading
*Linked BELOW are the adjusted schedules for each day.
A few reminders about testing days:
- Students should NOT attend school on a testing day if they are sick. Please follow the district guidelines for illness and keep your child home, if needed.
- Students are expected to follow the dress code, even on testing days. Pajama bottoms, slippers, etc. are not acceptable.
- Students are not allowed to have electronic devices in the testing room. This includes e-readers, such as Kindles and Nooks. Students are encouraged to bring a hardback or paperback book with them on the day of testing.
- Students cannot leave the building and return later to complete their test. If your child has an appointment on any of the testing days that affects him or her, please try to change the appointment. If a student does leave in the middle of a test, for any reason, the test is marked void and the student will be unable to make it up.
- We will have make-up testing days after each test.
- Campus will be closed on each testing day.
Please contact the Rice Counseling if you have any questions: 469-752-6015
**All students testing will eat lunch starting at 11:45 AM, so all lunches need to be delivered to Rice by 11:45 AM.
Upcoming STAAR Testing Dates: Mark Your Calendars!
- May 10: Algebra EOC
- May 14: 6/7th Grade Math and 8th Grade Math Retake
- May 15: 6/7th Grade Reading and 8th Grade Reading Retake
- May 16: 8th Grade Science
- May 17: 8th Grade Social Studies
Rice News
A. Rice Choir Hits High Note!
Many of our 7th and 8th grade choir students auditioned for the All-Region Choir this past Saturday. Rice consistently has more students make our Region Choirs than any other school in the region, but this year they blew everyone away! We had an unbelievable 47 students earn a spot in the choir. This is a new Rice and Region record!! Attached the list of the kids who made it. Congratulations to these students, Mrs. Farmer, and Ms. Young!
List of Rice Students Who Make All-Region
B. Spring Exam Schedule
As you are making plans for this summer, please keep the final exam schedule in mind. Teachers are unable to finalize grades if students have not taken their exams. If you know that you child will be absent during an exam day, please contact his/her guidance counselor as soon as possible. Please also have your child get an Absence Request form in the front office as well. There's a link to the spring exam schedule at the end of the "Rice News" section.
C. Lunch Accounts
Parents, as we come to the end of another school year, please be mindful of your child’s lunch account. No student can be left with a negative account at the end of the year.
Please feel free to contact Kathy Moore at 469-752-6008 if you have questions.
D. Tissue Donations Needed
Currently, we are running low on tissues at Rice. If you are able to donate, tissues may be dropped off to your child's homeroom teacher. Thank you so much!
E. Attention Parents of 6th Graders,
Please read the attached letter regarding additional immunization requirements for 7th grade entry in the 2018-2019 school year. The due date for the required vaccinations is May 31, 2018.
Immunization Requirements Letter
F. 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/
District News
Online Numbering System for Transfers
The Office of Student Administrative Services has an online numbering system for elementary transfer requests to reduce the need for long lines on the April 16th transfer request day.
Beginning April 9 at 6:30 AM, parents must log onto the Plano ISD website at https://www.pisd.edu/transfer to receive a number that will hold a place in line for requesting a transfer for the 2018-2019 school year. Online access will end April 12 at 5:00 PM.
Transfer day will be Monday, April 16, with doors opening at 7:45 AM at the Plano ISD Administration Building on 2700 W. 15th Street.
Please see the linked flyer below for more detailed information.
PTA News
A. Don’t Miss PTA-sponsored Author Pablo Cartaya on April 19
The PTA is sponsoring Pablo Cartaya, author of “The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora,” who will visit Rice MS Library on Thursday, April 19. If you would like to purchase a copy of Cartaya's book to have autographed when he stops by, visit with Mrs. Johnson in the library for details.
Cartaya’s book tells the story of a seventh-grader trying to save his abuela's restaurant from a greedy land developer and win the affection of a girl using arroz con pollo and a little Jose Martí poetry.
B. Volunteers Needed for Raven Spring Fest on April 27
Raven Spring Fest is coming up on Friday, April 27, from 3:30-5:30 p.m.! This social event is sponsored by Rice PTA and will feature a DJ, photo booth, games, food, and lots of fun for our Rice Ravens. Tickets will be sold during lunch April 25-27 and at the event for 50 cents each.
We need lots of volunteers to make this event a success, so if you are able to help out, please sign up for a shift at: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0e4cabab2aa64-rice2. Contact volunteers@ricepta.org with any questions.
C. Meal for our Mentors Donations Due April 26
Rice PTA is collecting donations to provide a “Meal for our Mentors.” The goal is to help make one night a little less hectic for those who help our children reach their potential every day!
Providing a staff meal (casserole, salad and cookies) from Whole Foods will cost $20 per staff member and we have 105 staff we would love to serve. PTA will arrange to have meals available for take home for the staff in early May. Donations are due April 26.
Visit https://ricemspta.membershiptoolkit.com/home, log into your account, click the Order Here tab and select “Money for a Meal” to make a donation.
D. Purchase PE Uniforms, School Supplies and PTA membership for 2018-19
- Membership Toolkit is now open to begin ordering PE/Athletic Uniforms, School Supplies and purchase a PTA membership for the 2018-19 school year.
- PE/Athletic Uniforms: Rice coaches ask that students wear uniforms during their PE class and Athletic. The PE shirts will be a silver dri-fit type (Augusta brand) with the logo shown above on the front and the Athletic shirts will be navy with the same logo. These uniforms can be used all three years at Rice, so you might want to order at least the T-shirt a little larger than normal.
- School Supplies: Buying the school supply pack, makes it easy to get all of the supplies at one time. Packs are put together with the help of Rice teachers from each grade level. Orders must be placed by June to guarantee delivery at Schedule Pickup in August.
- Rice PTA Membership: When you join the Rice PTA, you join a community that encourages student achievement and believes in building partnerships between families and school. Membership has many benefits, including supporting educational programs and assemblies, education and training for Rice teachers and staff, wish list items for classrooms, security guards the first few days of the school year, two social events for students, 8th grade celebration for outgoing 8th graders, Reflections, Teacher Appreciation Week and support for clubs and student programs like band, choir, orchestra and more. Visit https://ricemspta.membershiptoolkit.com/home, log into your account, click the ":Order Here" tab and select the category you’d like to purchase.
Please like the Rice PTA Facebook page to stay informed about PTA activities!
Club News
A.Gateway Academy Summer Camp Registration Is Now Open!
- We are offering three camp sessions at Renner MS, Schimelpfenig MS and Otto MS.
- Each session is four days long (Mon. – Thurs.) Students can only attend one session.
- Camp program time is from 7:45 am–11:45 am.
- Tuition is $95.
- Each session is limited to 25 students. It is intended for incoming 7th and 8th grade students only.
- Camp locations are Renner, Schimelpfenig and Otto.
- We will plan for new curriculum/projects from last year since we anticipate having returning students that attended last summer. The main projects will revolve around robotics.
- T-Shirts will be provided for all participants.
- Each camper will be given a Certificate of Completion on the last day.Campers will take home the projects they complete during the camp (if applicable).
- The last hour of each session will be a student showcase/show and tell for parents to come in and see what the campers did during the week.
**See informational flyers above for more information.
Session #1 – Monday, June 11 – Thursday, June 14
Session #2 Monday, June 18 – Thursday, June 21
Session #3 Monday, June 25 – Thursday, June 28
For more information about camp or to register, you can visit http://k-12.pisd.edu/gateway .
B. Jasper Colorguard News
Jasper High School Colorguard is an exciting opportunity for students to be a part of the visual program in the Jasper High School Band. Colorguard members participate in marching band performances at games and competitions using flags, rifle stocks, sabers, props, and other visual effects to enhance the overall presentation of the show.
Students are NOT required to be enrolled in the Jasper Band to participate in colorguard, and colorguard is open to both male and female members. The Jasper Colorguard staff will be in the Rice Band Hall (Room 601) on Thursday, April 12th, at 3:30 PM to allow any interested Rice students to try out some colorguard techniques and learn more about this program. This will be a no-obligation, information-only experience for our students. We hope to see many of you there!
C. Athletics & Spirit Wear
Fancloth has provided a catalog of new spirit wear for Rice family and friends.
The coaches are encouraging students who will be in PE next year to consider purchasing the drawstring bag Item (# 17) to transport their P.E. clothes to and from school.
Girls and Boys Athletics programs are encouraging the following items to be purchased:
Lady Ravens:
#4, #13, #1, #10
Ravens:
#2, #7,#10,#19
Items can be purchased through the catalog order form that is available in the gym, online at https://shop.fancloth.com/75025/375234 or Send at text to: 559.900.3222- Message in text: 375234
D. Great American Cleanup, April 14th
The Eco-Club and Stuco are participating in the Great American Cleanup on Saturday, April 14 from 8:00 until -11:00 am. It is the largest annual citywide community cleanup. Last year, 60 volunteers participated and collected 35 bags of litter. We will clean around Rice, Skaggs, and Russell Creek Park. *Three volunteer hours opportunity for those that need points. Families are welcome to join.
Be part of the solution and keep litter out of our waterways and protect wildlife.
There is a BBQ party after the clean-up organized by the city of Plano at the Legacy Church at noon.
Free t-shirt for the first 50 volunteers that sign-up.
Sign-up sheet in Room 817.
Hope to see you all there.
Miscellaneous Information
A. Middle School Wrestling
Learn more about Wrestling or strengthen what you have learned with upcoming camps and clinics for the spring and summer. Feel free to share with your friends and new wrestlers.
Plano West Wrestling Summer Clinic through the City of Plano. Camp starts June 11th - information sheet can be found here. For beginners in 4th - 8th grades; advanced in 6th - 12th grades. Registration starts April 2nd.
PISD now has Middle School Wrestling for boys and girls 6th-8th grades offered through PSA. Camp starts April 9th - information sheet can be found here. Registration has already started.
B. Fundraiser for Coach Don Moore, Hosted by Plano East Senate
Recently, Plano East Football Coach, Gary Don Moore, was diagnosed with ALS. In order to help him pay for his medication, the Plano East Senate is putting on a 5K in his name. The Gary Don 5K will take place 8:00 A.M, April 14th at Tom Kimbrough Stadium. Tickets are $20 for children and $30 for adults. REGISTER OR DONATE NOW at Tinyurl.com/GaryDon5K for FOOD TRUCKS, INFLATABLES, FOOTBALL CAMP...and a few more SURPRISES!! This will be a fun event for the family and also help Coach Moore in his journey against ALS!
C. 2018 Plano West Summer Girls & Boys Basketball Clinics
Available to boys and girls entering 1st–9th grades in the fall of 2018, these clinics are designed to include competitive drills, various competitions for prizes, and plenty of scrimmaging. The Plano West basketball staff is focused on building a strong foundation for future development of all athletes. Click on the link below to learn more about this opportunity!
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