Launch into the Week
March 28, 2024
Richards R-V School
Email: contact@richardsschool.k12.mo.us
Website: www.richardsschool.k12.mo.us
Location: 3461 County Road 1710, West Plains, Missouri, 65775
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaunchthatRocketPride
Phone: 417-256-5239
Sometimes the best laid plans change, so if corrections are made to this document please visit the online version using the "Launch" link found on the Richards website or follow postings on Facebook.
Important Dates
School Resumes Tuesday, April 2
Statewide Assessments Begin April 2!
MAP Testing Starts Tuesday, April 2
Grades 3 - 8 will be taking Missouri's statewide assessments for Math, ELA, and Science in the month of April. Testing is scheduled to take place April 2 - 4, April 9 - 11. It is very important that all our Rockets are here for annual statewide assessments.
Students should get a good night's sleep before testing day and to eat a healthy breakfast to feed the brain and body! We want to encourage students to follow directions and do their Rocket best!
Midterm Reports
Friday, April 5 midterm progress reports will be sent home with your child. Be sure to review your child's progress and take time to discuss academic expectations with your child.
Total Eclipse Monday, April 8 - No School
Solar Glasses for Rockets!
We will be sending home eclipse viewing glasses with all our students on Thursday, April 4. The eclipse will go through West Plains Monday, April 8 at 1:54 p.m. Full totality will last 3 minutes, and from beginning to end, is close to three hours of viewing, starting roughly at 12:30 PM and ending at 3:15 PM.
Except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the Moon completely blocks the Sun’s bright face, it is not safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing.
Viewing any part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.
For more information about the total eclipse visit NASA 2024 Total Solar Eclipse.
Sports Information
Boys & Girls Track Practice Schedule
Tuesdays, 3:45 - 5:00 PM
@ Richards Sports Complex
April 2, 9, 16
Parents please pick up your athletes at the Sports Complex unless notified otherwise.
Richards Sports Complex Parking Information
To ensure the safety of everyone attending the sports complex, there will be ABSOLUTELY NO PARKING along either side of the road/drive entering or exiting the complex. We have a parking lot designated for parking. We ask that when you are waiting to pick up your child from an event, that you park in a parking spot in the parking lot. If you choose to park along the road, we reserve the right to call the police to have your vehicle moved or no longer allow attendance to events. We appreciate your support as we work to keep everyone safe. --Richards R-V School District
Coach Facebook Pages for More Information
Girls Rocket Athletics Facebook Page
Visit Lady Rocket Athletics to learn more!
Student Activities
Strategy Club
Strategy Club meets on Mondays, 3:45 - 5:15 PM. This club is sponsored by Mrs. Lovan, for students in grades 7 & 8. Students engage in games of strategy to develop critical thinking skills. Students have an opportunity to stretch their thinking to develop minds that are more flexible, focused, logical, methodical, and perceptive.
FCA Club Meeting
Tuesday, April 2, 12:30 - 12:55 PM Fellowship of Christian Athletes Club will meet in the Bunch Gym. Lunch provided.
Art Club
Wednesday, April 3, 3:45 - 5:15 PM Art Club will meet in the Richards Art Room. Students, grades 6 - 8, who are interested in participating should contact Mrs. Bunch.
You Did It!
Your vote counted! Richards is the recipient of $2500 as winners of the Fidelity Dream Bigger competition! These funds will be used to help support the efforts of our Rockets Rocketry Team. Thanks to everyone who made it possible!
Hats Off to Rocket Spelling Contestants!
First grade
Kynna Adams, Jaelyn Sisney, and Colt Roberts
Colt Roberts placed 2nd!
Jaelyn Sisney placed 4th!
Second Grade
Averie Dobbs, Brennan Adams, Caroline Pendergrass
Caroline Pendergrass placed 5th!
Fourth Grade
Jeremiah Deal, Oakley Watkins, Levi Smith
Oakley Watkins placed 2nd!
Jeremiah Deal placed 3rd!
2nd Grade Easter Egg Hunt!
Parent Information
Summer school enrollment forms are coming home this week. Your kids won't want to miss a day of fun during Richards Summer School! View or download enrollment form here: https://tinyurl.com/5acnh2u2
Preorder Your Yearbook Today!
The 2023-2024 Richards Yearbook is on sale now! Forms should be coming home with your child or you can visit the link below to view or download. They can also be purchased online at inter-state.com and enter the code: 83949K. Deadline to preorder is Friday, April 12, 2024. Yearbooks are $15.00. Checks should be made out to Richards R-V. We hope they will be available sometime this summer. We will let you know when they arrive.
Rocket Ready Survey for Parents of Children, Birth to 5 Year Olds
Please take a few moments to complete a brief survey that will help inform our plans for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. The information you provide will help us ensure we have the needed resources for early childhood services.
Screenings for PreK and Kindergarten Screening...COMING SOON!
Dear Parents,
Enrollment and screening for Pre-K and Kindergarten are approaching quickly! Please call and set up a time for your child to be screened and see their new classroom! We will mail you an enrollment packet or you may pick one up at the main campus! When that is complete, bring it to the main campus along with proof of residency, immunization records, and birth certificate. This will be due by April 23.
Visit the following link for more information: https://www.smore.com/n/13s0t
Free Books for Missouri Children Five and Under!
All Missouri children under five years old are now able to register for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. There is no deadline to register. The Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by providing age-appropriate books each month to children free of charge. In order to receive books, a parent or guardian must register their child on the Imagination Library national website. Books will be mailed directly to the homes of registered children every month.
Special Instructions for Ordering Online
Tuesday, March 19 was the cut off day for prepay for spring pictures. Once the second chance proofs come back and are distributed, parents can order. Ordering online will not reopen until at least two weeks following March 19. Once a specific order code is assigned per child then parents can order online for up to two years!!
Please see use the following link to learn more: Picture Information & Order Forms
Calendar Update - No School on April 8
Parents,
We want to notify you that the Richards School Board and administration elected to make a change to this year’s calendar. Due to the upcoming citywide events scheduled for the total eclipse that will happen on Monday, April 8, 2024, there will be no school on that day. Because of our location on North Hwy 63, we are concerned about the traffic leaving town after the eclipse event which will be on the highway in front of the school, as well as the limited access for fire and police vehicles if needed.
The eclipse will go through West Plains at 1:54 p.m. Full totality will last 3 minutes, and from beginning to end, is close to three hours of viewing, starting roughly at 12:30 PM and ending at 3:15 PM. We will be sending home eclipse viewing glasses with all our students on the Friday before this three day weekend!
The date originally scheduled for Teacher In-Service, Monday April 15 will now be a regular school day to make up for no school on Monday, April 8. Be sure to view the updated calendar to see this change: http://tinyurl.com/uunds9tz
College Scholarships for Former Richards Students
Through the generosity of Donna & Michael Hayes, scholarship opportunities are available to Richards students who will be attending Missouri State University at the West Plains or Springfield campus.
GUIDELINES
• Students must be enrolled full-time.
• Graduates of the most recent high school year seeking an undergraduate degree must have a minimum high school GPA of 3.0.
• Graduates of the most recent high school year seeking a certificate must have a minimum high school GPA of 2.0.
• Recipients not directly out of high school (non-traditional students) must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. No minimum high school GPA is required.
• Scholarship is renewable for up to four years.
--recipients must maintain a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA
--students seeking certificates must maintain a cumulative 2.0 GP.
WP Bank & Trust Helps Richards!
West Plains bank contributes to Richards when you use your West Plains Band & Trust debit card! Visit West Plains Bank and Trust Company to learn more!
Casey's Cash for Schools
Give back to Richards with Casey’s Rewards
Dear Parents,
We’re excited to share that our school is participating in Cash for Classrooms, part of Casey’s Rewards. This opens up Richards School to new funding opportunities to help improve learning environments for students.
The best part? Donations don’t come out of your own pocket. When you buy from Casey’s and use their rewards program you can simply turn your points into a donation to our school.
Download the Casey App to get started! Locate the School Donations tab in your Casey’s App Account Settings. Type in Richards R5 School and select. Once you reach 250 Points you can begin donating!
Help Richards R5 School make the most of this program and learn more at Casey's Rewards.