The Raptor Report August 3, 2020
All Things Rushing!
Principal's Message!
I wanted to send out the first "Raptor Report" for the 2020-2021 school year! Every Sunday evening, I will send out the newsletter to get information to you all for the upcoming week. As the newsletter gets going, I will also use it to celebrate fabulous things about our Rushing Family!
It is difficult for me to fully express in words how excited and honored I am to be the principal at Rushing Middle School. Despite the fact that I am quickly approaching 30 years in education, I approach every year as if it were my first, with that enthusiasm, that optimism, and that drive to make it the best year ever. Some years I was more successful than others in that endeavor, but I want to promise you all that is how I am approaching this year. This year presents so many challenges that I am sure none of us thought we would ever face. Having said that, one thing has never changed for me, the dedication that I have for public education and serving each and every kiddo specific to their needs, their hopes, and their dreams. We have a phenomenal faculty and staff at Rushing that all share the same mission! I completely understand the uncertainty that comes with the start of this school year, but please know that our mission to serve your kiddos is never uncertain!
Gratitude, Grace, and Kindness are the guiding principles that will lead us through this year and enable us to overcome any challenges. There are very few situations that I feel cannot be resolved successfully when these three things are guiding our interactions.
I cannot wait to meet each and every one of the Rushing families soon! Please reach out with any additional question or concerns as they come up.
Thank you,
Danielle Wallace
Orientation and Building Information!
No Live, In-Person Schedule Pick-up!
Student Handbook Information!
More Info!
Virtual Learning
Students enrolled in virtual learning will be required to log on at specific times throughout the
day based on the actual bell schedule for their content areas. For example, if your student has 1st period math, they will log on to their virtual class at the beginning of 1st period. We will be sending out the bell schedule soon. Elective classes will either be synchronous or asynchronous based on the elective. Your child's elective teacher will reach out once all scheduling is complete. If the class is asynchronous, assignments etc. will be accessed through their google classroom site for the class and will not require the student necessarily be logged on at a specific time.
What does synchronous and asynchronous mean for my child?
Synchronous - students check in at specific times each day (according to their class schedule in Skyward) to meet with the teacher and work on assignments (example - Math class starts at 9:00 AM each day and the student must check in through google at that time each day). The synchronous classes at Rushing are the core content classes, math, ELAR, science, and social studies.
Asynchronous - students check in with teachers throughout the week and work on assignments on their schedule. Assignments have due dates and teachers will require certain meetings but students do not have to check in at a specific time each day. Most of the asynchronous classes at Rushing are the elective classes.
What is the online learning time required for virtual learners?
TEA is requiring 240 minutes of learning time per day, either in-class time or independent work. Most of this work will be done synchronously with a virtual teacher.
Are visitors allowed on campus?
Parents will be asked to drop off items in a designated area to be determined before school starts at the front of the building. No food delivery services are allowed at this time. No visitors for lunch at this time.
What will the protocol be if a student becomes ill while at school?
When a student reports or displays symptoms indicative of COVID-19, the school nurse will provide a clinical assessment to provide appropriate care and determine if and when a student needs to be sent home. Students who are ill, will be separated from their peers and should be picked up within 30-60 minutes from the time the campus contacts the parent/guardian. District protocol will be followed at that point in terms of sanitizing the area impacted and assessing the situation with regard to other students and teachers. Please reference the district page for more information https://www.prosper-isd.net/Page/22447
How will we be handling chromebooks?
Virtual Learners
Virtual learners will be able to pickup a chromebook starting Tuesday, August 4 through Friday, August 7 at Rushing MS.
In-Person
In-person learners will receive a chromebook starting August 12. Students will keep that specific computer all year and are responsible for it all year.
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures and Map!
Campus Health Protocols!
Face coverings are mandatory for all staff and students.
Staff will self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms before coming onto campus each day.
Parents/guardians are expected to screen their students for COVID-19 symptoms each day prior to sending their students to school.
Teachers will monitor students and refer to the nurse if symptoms are present.
Hand sanitizer will be available in each classroom, entrances, and throughout common spaces.
Our campus will open multiple entrance/exit points during arrival/dismissal to promote social distancing.
Visual aids will be used to illustrate appropriate spacing and traffic flow throughout the building.
Restrooms will continue to be disinfected throughout the day and classrooms will have surfaces disinfected daily.
Classroom doors will be propped open during transitions to reduce high-touch areas.
Where possible, one-way traffic throughout campus corridors will be established.
Custodians will wear face coverings during work hours.
Social distancing will be implemented as much as is possible. Desks and tables will be arranged to maximize space between students.
Water fountains will be available for refilling personal water bottles only.
Visitors will not be allowed in the building at this time.
Rushing Middle School
Email: dlwallace@prosper-isd.net
Website: https://www.prosper-isd.net/Rushing
Location: 3080 Fishtrap Road, Prosper, TX, USA
Phone: (469) 219-2370
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RushingMS
Twitter: @ProsperRushing