Rice Middle School eNews
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
STAAR Testing Continues This Wednesday!
*Please see the link above the access the adjusted schedule for May 9th.
All students currently in an Algebra I class or 7th grade Math Rocks will take the Algebra I End Of Course exam on May 9th. This exam takes the place of STAAR Math 7 and 8. If you have questions, please contact your child’s counselor.
A few reminders for the students involved in testing on Wednesday:
- 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:
- 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. Congratulations to the Rice Poetry Slam Winners
Single Voice:
1st – Madhalasa Iyer – “Voices Inside US
2nd – Mayuresh Mhaskar – “Starred Destiny”
Alternate/3rd – Landon Debbas – “A Flice of a Brush”
Dual Voice:
1st – Anika Pandit and Zainab Choudary – “We, the Children of God”
2nd – Zoya Makkar and Aliyah Ladak – “I am Alone”
Alternate/3rd – Rania Khan and Oloechea – “Endless Forest of Life”
In just a couple of days, the first and second place winners in each category represent Rice Middle School at PISD's Poetry Slam, and we would love to see some Rice Ravens in the audience.
Where: Renner Middle School
When: Tuesday, May 8th @6:30 P.M.
Cost: FREE
We wish these poets the best of luck as they continue on in the competition!
B. Spring Exam Schedule--Absences
If your student will be absent during last week of school, please fill out a Student Absence Request form and return it to the front office as soon as possible. You will also need to contact your child's counselor--the counselors will arrange dates/times for your student to make up his/her final exams. Here is a link to the Absence Request Form; a paper copy can also be obtained from the Main Office. You will find a link to the final exam schedule above this announcement.
C. STAAR Results
The STAAR results for STAAR Reading 8 and STAAR Math 8 (Algebra I EOC will be taken on May 9th) are available through the STAAR portal. You can access the portal through the Plano ISD Parent Portal.
- Log-in to your Plano ISD Parent Portal
- Go to the Performance Management section
STAAR Portal Link
--Click on the link and follow the instructions.
If you cannot open the Parent Portal link you may review your child’s score, by going to this website: http://www.TexasAssessment.com/students. To see your child’s results, just enter your child’s unique STAAR Portal Code (from Parent Portal) and your child’s date of birth. You can contact the counseling office with any questions.
D. 8th Grade Celebration, May 19th!
The Rice Middle School 8th graders are high school bound, and it’s time to celebrate! Join us for an evening of fun with a DJ, Gym, Game room, Snacks, Photo booth and Gift card Raffles!
WHO: All Rice 8th Graders are invited to the 8th Grade Celebration
WHEN: Saturday, May 19th from 6:30PM to 8:30PM
WHERE: Carpenter Rec Center – 6701 Coit Rd, Plano, 75024
Click here for more detailed Information: 8th Grade Celebration Flyer
*Please note that only currently enrolled Rice MS 8th Graders will be admitted to the party .
*Please make plans to get your 8th grader to/ from the party - No transportation will be provided.
E. 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.
F. Important Dates for 2018-2019 School Year
Many of you like to make summer travel arrangements. So you may better prepare, the following dates have been determined by the district:
- Middle School (Grades 6, 7 and 8) Registration is July 26, 27 & 30
- New students should contact their schools beginning July 16 to schedule registration appointments. Appointments will be scheduled July 26, 27 & 30 during the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Middle school counselors will return July 23.
- Middle School Schedule Pick-up is Wednesday, August 1, 2018
- 6th Grade is 8am – 10am
- 7th grade is 11 am – 1pm
- 8th grade is 2pm – 4pm
- First day of school is Monday, August 13, 2018
Jasper News--Attention Current 8th Graders!
9th grade Course Request/ Schedule Changes 2018-2019
8th grade students may turn in course request changes for the 2018-2019 school year. Course requests can be found on Parent Portal in the Student Registration Section. If a student wants to make a change in his/her course requests, follow the steps below:
You should...
- print the course selection page,
- cross out the course(s) to be changed,
- write in the new course(s),
- include a parent or guardian signature,
- and return the course selection page to your current counselor.
* The deadline for turning in all course request changes is June 1, 2018.
After Friday, June 1st, the Jasper counselors will be accepting schedule change requests from July 30 until August 9 on a seat-availability basis.
Guidance News
High School Summer School
Packets are available in the counseling office. Parents can also register their students on-line. All online registration needs to be pre-approved by Ms. Edwards. Students can stop by to see her or parents can email her requesting classes to be pre=approved. Remember that 8th grade students can only take PE, Health and Communications during summer school. https://www.pisd.edu/summerschool
eSchool
Students cannot register until the last week of 8th grade. All registration goes through the eSchool website. You will list Ms. Edwards as your counselor and she will receive an email to approve your course. https://www.pisd.edu/eschool
CBE
- The deadline for the June CBE dates is 4:00pm on May 14th. This is a HARD DEADLINE. No forms will be accepted after 4:00pm on this date.
- The deadline for the July CBE dates is 4:00pm on May 25th. This is a HARD DEADLINE. No forms will be accepted after 4:00pn on this date.
- Student can pick-up CBE forms in the counseling office before or after school or any time during the day.
PTA News
A. Looking for a Great Mother’s Day Gift?
We’re asking our Rice families to support our Mixed Bag fundraiser. Purchase any item from the new spring catalog and Rice PTA receives 40% of the proceeds, which directly benefit school programs and our students. All items will be shipped directly to you. Check out the amazing items online and order today: http://www.mixedbagdesigns.com/Rice-Middle-School
B. Purchase PE Uniforms, School Supplies, 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 visit Rice PTA’s website at https://ricemspta.membershiptoolkit.com/ for more PTA news and like the Rice PTA Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RiceMSPTA/ page to stay informed about PTA activities.
News from Nurse Yang
A. Used Medicine & End of School Year
Parents, please read the letter below, regarding the pick-up of your child's unused medication from the nurse's office. June 1, 2018 is deadline for pick-up.
Unused Medication Parent Letter
B. DFW Care Van® Program
Mobile/Community Outreach Program providing Free Immunizations for eligible children, 2 months through 18 years of age in April and May at various locations. Please click on the link below for more information.
DFW CARE VAN Informational Flyer
C. 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
D. 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/
Club News
A. Attention All 2018 NJHS Inductees & their Parents
The 2018 Rice NJHS Induction ceremony will be held in the Rice gym Monday, May 7th at 6:30. Refreshments will be served in the cafeteria after the ceremony.
B.Gateway Academy Summer Camp Registration Is Now Open
The Gateway Summer Engineering Camp registration is now open for incoming 7th and 8th graders. Camp is a hands-on, project-based camp designed to introduce middle school students to the fundamentals of STEM and introduce them into PLTW courses. Students work together in a fun, exciting environment using leading-edge technologies to sample engineering related activities and projects, build robots, and get a taste of how fun it can be to be an engineer. For more information about the summer camp, watch the first two minutes of this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKit8chjFZE and visit http://k-12.pisd.edu/gateway to register.
**See informational flyers above for more information.
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
Miscellaneous Information
A. Enjoy Dinner Out & Help Support the Jasper Jazz
Join us for a sandwich, soup or salad at Potbelly Sandwich Shop
on May 10th between 5pm and 8 pm at the Potbelly location
on Legacy Drive in Plano.
Bring this flyer, show it on your smartphone or mention Jasper Jazz
when you order and 25% of the proceeds will benefit your
Jasper Jazz!
B. Plano West Golf Team: Informational MTG
All boys and girls that will be freshmen or that are interested in trying out for the Plano West Golf Team for the 2018 -2019 season need to attend an informational meeting on Thursday, May 17th at 6:30 p.m. in the Plano West Library . Please make sure one parent attends. Information about summer tryouts and the team will be discussed. If you are unable to attend, you must contact Coach Hardison at rick.hardison@pisd.edu
C. Plano West Tennis Tryouts!
There will be an informational meeting on May 8th at 6pm in the Plano West Cafeteria for all kids who will be in grades 9-12 next year (and their parents) who are interested in trying out for the Plano West Tennis Team. Packets with required paperwork will be distributed and all questions concerning tryouts and the Plano West Tennis Team will be answered. For more information, please contact Morgen Walker at Morgen.walker@pisd.edu .
D. Summer Tennis Camps
There will be 2 tennis camps held at Plano West this summer for kids 7-16 years old. The dates are June 4-8, and July 23-27.
Choose one of the following options to register:
1. Call High Point at (972) 941-7170, Option 5
2. Register in person at Highpoint Tennis Center, 421 W Spring Creek Pkwy
3. Register On-line .Search “Tennis Camp,"and select your week.
Email Coach Walker for details at morgen.walker@pisd.edu
E. Plano East Golf Tryout Announcement 2018-2019
Attention 8th graders attending the Williams Health Science Academy or the Plano East IB World School: If you are interested in trying out for the Plano East Boys or Girls Golf Team next year, there is a MANDATORY Parent/Athlete meeting at Plano East in the cafeteria on Thursday, May 10th at 6:30 pm. We will be discussing tryouts and the golf program. If you cannot attend, you must contact Coach Engelking at jon.engelking@pisd.edu.
F. 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.
F. 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!
Moving or Might Be Moving?
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