Rice Middle School eNews
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
STAAR Testing Begins Next Week!
STAAR Testing Dates:
- April 10: 8th Grade Math & 7th Grade Writing
- April 11: 8th Grade Reading
*The adjusted schedules for those days will be sent out later in week.
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. Plano Public Library’s Annual Bookmark Contest Results!
Congratulations to Olivia Fan and Leena Popal whose beautiful bookmarks won in the Age 11-13 category. Copies of the their winning bookmarks will be featured at Rice's library and at all five Plano libraries! In addition to having their bookmarks printed, displayed on banners in the libraries, and featured on the public library's website, winners will be honored at a celebration on Thursday, April 12, 6:30 – 8:00 pm at Harrington Library. Congratulations again!
B. 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.
C. 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!
D. 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
E. 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
New PTA Board Members Approved for 2018-'19
The Rice PTA Board voted on a new slate of officers for the 2018-19 school year. The new members are...
- President – Alice Weaver
- 1st VP Membership – Pernille Nordstrom
- 2nd VP Programs – Sarah Quan
- 3rd VP of Ways & Means – Veena Janak
- 4th VP of Volunteers – Lisa Mendiola
- Secretary – Sailaja Attili
- Treasurer – Sandy Nagarajan
- Communications/Webmaster – Avani Choski
We appreciate our parent volunteers for giving their time and interest to Rice!
Other PTA News:
A. AmazonSmile Promotion Donates 1.5% for New Purchases -- The AmazonSmile triple donation promotion is under way. Amazon is tripling the donation amount to 1.5% when customers make their first eligible smile.amazon.com purchase through March 31. This is a great opportunity to increase Rice Middle School's AmazonSmile donations by shopping at smile.amazon.com.
B. Link Your Kroger Card to Rice PTA -- Did you know you can use your Kroger Plus Card to support Rice PTA? It’s easy to link. Visit https://www.kroger.com/signin?redirectUrl=/account/communityrewards/enroll to sign up with your Plus Card, and enter Rice PTA’s NPO organization number, 41811. Once you're enrolled, you'll earn rewards for Rice PTA every time you shop and use your Plus Card.
C. Box Tops Are an Easy Way to Make $$ for Rice -- Your Box Tops earn hundreds of dollars annually for our school. Have your child bring them to the front desk and put them in a container marked Box Tops.
D. Mixed Bag Makes the Perfect 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
Please like the Rice PTA Facebook page to stay informed about PTA activities!
Club News
A. 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
B. 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. Plano West Baseball Middle School Night, April 3rd!
PWHS Baseball Booster Club is hosting its first annual middle school night for West's feeder middle schools at its home game on April 3rd at 7:30 PM. Middle school students who attend will receive free admission if they wear their middle school t-shirt or a Plano West shirt. Hope to see you there!
C. 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!
D. 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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