Rice Middle School eNews
Monday, October 23, 2017
Rice Ravens Soar to Success!
Rice Students Win in the 2017 Fire Prevention Week Poster Contest!
- Seventh grade student Daniel Wang won Second Place in the Junior High Division
- Eighth grade student Olivia Fan won Third Place in the Junior High Division
Both students will be presented with awards at a special ceremony on Wednesday, November 1 at 5:30 pm at the Senator Florence Shapiro City Council Chambers at Plano Municipal Center! Congratulations to Daniel and Olivia! We are so proud of both of you!
We hope to see you there! And thank you for supporting the contest.
Rice News
A. Red Ribbon Week
Monday through Friday of this week we will celebrate by having Spirit days, door decorating competitions, and handouts during homeroom. Click on the link above to view themes and activities for each day.
B. Cyber-bullying Assembly
On Friday, October 27, the students will attend an assembly discussing the cyber-bullying. The school will operate on an adjusted schedule that day (See link below). Lunches will remain the same, however, periods will be altered.
C. 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!!!!
Picture Day Flyer with Important CODES
D. 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.
E. Calling All Veterans!
We will be having our Veterans Day assemblies on the morning of Friday, November 10th (see attached schedule). There are many students participating and assisting this year-band, choir, speech/ debate, Boy Scouts, AVID, art, and Student Council-and that is super exciting!!
If you, your spouse, or an immediate family member is a United States Armed Forces Veteran, we would like to honor your/ his/ her service! Please complete this Google form to be properly recognized during the Veterans Day assemblies. If you have a picture to add to the display case and the presentation that will run during the assemblies, please e-mail to elizabeth.nipper@pisd.edu no later than November 7th!
If you have any questions, please feel free to send an e-mail!
Semper Fidelis,
Elizabeth Nipper
F. AVID Tutors Needed
We're looking for talented, engaged tutors to work with our AVID students. AVID Tutors serve as facilitators during small group, inquiry-based tutoring sessions. Tutors use questioning techniques to deepen understanding. On-site training will be provided. Monday/Wednesday and Tuesday/Thursday positions are available. We have openings at several PISD campuses. Tutor pay rate is $12/hour and tutors must be in college or have a college degree. If you're interested in learning more, please email Allison.Venuto@pisd.edu.
G. 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 Friday, Volunteers Still Needed
RavenFest is Friday, Oct. 27, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. 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, party decorations and more listed on the volunteer site.
Volunteers must complete a background check for the 2017-‘18 school year. To sign up, please visit https://oea.pisd.edu/volunteer/EntryPointHomeAction.do Check the box indicating you want to volunteer at Rice Middle School. Contact Lisa Mendiola at volunteers@ricepta.org with questions.
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!
Guidance News: High School Registration
Attention Parents of 8th Graders!
It is hard to believe that registration for 9th grade is right around the corner. If your child is interested in one of the PISD Academies, the time to start planning is now! The Link below will provide you with information on the Academies, including the application process.
It will be necessary for you and your child to attend an information meeting. These meetings provide valuable information about the programs that are offered and will help you decide if applying to a particular academy is what is best for your child.
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me,
Sarena Edwards
8th Grade Guidance Counselor
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. Rice MATHCOUNTS CLUB
Rice MATHCOUNTS club will host the Second North Texas MATHCOUNTS Mock Competition on Saturday November 18 at Rice Middle School. It is open to all Rice students. The registration form is available outside Ms. Liu’s room 911. You may also go to Rice MATHCOUNTS club Google classroom to download the registration form. Last date to sign up is Friday, November 10th.
B. 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).
C. 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
D. 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. 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.
C. Can I Get a Wolfpack?
Get your Wolfpack Spirit Wear during lunch at Jasper High School Wednesday October 25th!
T-shirts $15 ~ Pre-order Stadium Blankets $35.
Cash or checks payable to Jasper Jazz Booster Club.
Thank You for Reading the eNews
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