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We appreciated everyone's flexibility to add Monday, February 21, as a day of student instruction and the district's first bad weather makeup day. Staff and parents overwhelmingly supported this change, and we experienced only a slight 2% decrease in student attendance.
I would like to share important updates from Monday night's Board meeting. The Trustees called two elections for Saturday, May 14 – a Board of Trustees election and a $170 million bond election, which would not increase taxes. Regarding the trustee election, Kim Quirk and Karen Ellis have confirmed that they will be seeking re-election. For factual information about the district's bond proposal and election voting dates and locations, please visit www.risd.org/bond.
Another topic of discussion at the board meeting regarded an updated list of budget reduction ideas from district employees. To recap information shared in previous newsletters, the state is facing a significant revenue shortfall. As a result of the state's shortfall and dependent on the method used at the state level to cut funds, the district's shortfall could range from $19-54 million (8-20% of the total operating budget). During the last several weeks, we have been soliciting feedback concerning potential budget reductions. We will continue to receive input over the next week. Our next step is to compile ideas into a survey format that all district stakeholders (employees, parents and community) can review and assist in ranking by priority. See the budget reduction idea list here.
Please remember that the only budget recommendation I have made to date is to freeze employees' salaries for the 2011-12 school year. At the top of the budget reduction list of ideas and on the survey, we are emphasizing that the list should not be viewed as official reduction recommendations from me or the Board, but as a collection of suggestions and ideas from stakeholders. No doubt, you will feel strongly about several items. Over the years the RISD community has placed great value on many of the ideas that are included. We seek your continued collaboration during this unprecedented budget planning process, and the survey link will be available in early March. We will make decisions based on our funding deficit once determined by the Legislature.
Despite the uncertainty around us, we remain focused and committed to serving students and promoting excellence in our programs and services. Please feel free to send comments and questions to us at risd@risd.org. >Top
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At its February 21 meeting, the RISD Board of Trustees called a $170 million bond election for May 14, 2011. The bond, which would not require a tax increase for RISD taxpayers, would fund capital and infrastructure items and equipment across RISD's 70 schools and facilities. For more information, please visit RISD's Bond Information page. >Top
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Northwood Hills Celebrates 12 years of Math & Science Exploration |
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Northwood Hills Elementary Think Tank is celebrating its twelfth year of science and math exploration. The Think Tank was started in 1999 by a group of NHE parents and teachers, and spearheaded by Maria Conroy, a former NHE kindergarten teacher.
The Think Tank is a hands-on, self directed, active learning laboratory. It is taught by Cheryl Derrington and a parent volunteer from every class in each grade. Students participate in small groups and work on math activities and science experiments, with the goal for each child to develop a love of math and science and discover the fun and excitement in each. Almost 100% of Think Tank supplies and equipment are provided by the school's PTA and parents. |
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Recently, kindergarten and first grade students worked with magnets and experimented with wind and what causes it. They will use the Beaufort scale to measure wind speed and make their own wind speed indicators. Second and third graders are experimenting with capacity, the sun's reflection off the moon and learning how to use microscopes. Math is centered on fractions and visual thinking.
The students' favorite Think Tank tradition is the Pentomino Challenge where everyone races against the clock and each other completing pentomino puzzles. A pentomino is composed of five congruent squares, connected along their edges and there are 12 different free pentominoes, often named after the letters of the Latin alphabet that they vaguely resemble. Kindergarten through sixth grade participate in the challenge all eager to be a smart pentomino puzzle winner.
Congratulations to Northwood Hills Elementary's Think Tank, and the PTA, staff and students who support it - 12 years and still going strong! >Top |
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LHHS Senior Trevor Atkins selected as Dale Hansen's Scholar Athlete of the Week |
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Bukhair Elementary Goes Lights Out for the American Heart Association |
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Berkner High School
(pictured) The BHS Debate Team recently fared extremely well at the UIL District Debate Tournament. Berkner swept 1st, 2nd and 3rd, posting a 12-0 record in all debate rounds. The debate team qualified two teams to the state tournament and the alternate team. Danny Abraha and Kelsie Steeves placed first and are district champions. Christine Brock qualified for state for the second year in a row, placing second with Adam Goin. Also undefeated and placing third, earning the state alternate position, were Denver Coplan and Roberto Caballero. The Berkner debate team will travel to the University of Texas at Austin in March to compete in the state UIL debate meet. They are coached by Chuck Brandon. >Top
The BHS Fearless Robotics team is recently fared well at a competition in Tyler. Read about their success chronicled in a Tyler newspaper. >Top
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(pictured) Two BHS Cosmetology students recently qualified for the state Skills USA competition through their performance in their district event. Kydashia Whit and Khadijah Fulton both placed second in their specific Job Skills Demonstration event, and will advance to state at the end of March. >Top
Athletic Coordinator and Head Football Coach Jim Ledford has been named one of just 50 national finalists for the 2011 Positive Coaching Alliance Double Goal Coach Award
This award honors coaches who embody Double-Goal Coaching, whose first goal is winning, and whose second, more-important goal is teaching life lessons through sports.>Top
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Pearce High School
(pictured) The PHS Student Council has chosen their annual service project – Strengthening the Link From A to Zinc, which is an effort to collect 2,000+ bottles of children's vitamins for kids in developing countries. Click here to read more about it and how you can help. >Top
The PHS swim team is celebrating another successful season, having finished first in District 13-4A, with over 20 swimmers advancing to the regional meet, and second in Region 4-4A, with seven swimmers advancing to the state championship. At state, all seven Mustang swimmers qualified for the championship final, with junior Adam Bull repeating as state champion in the 200 IM, setting a new 4A state record. Coach Dan Hafner was named Boys Coach of the Year for Region 4-4A. >Top
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(pictured) The Annual Dallas Japanese Speech Contest was held recently, with RHS students winning in the competition.
Poetry recitation Level 1
1st place Lisa Trieu (advances to state)
5th place Austin Ruggles
Poetry Recitation Level 2
2nd place Francisco Ordaz (advances to state)
4th place Mariene Campos
Free Speech
3rd place Jenny Trieu
4th place Keyonna Daniel
5th place Jasmine Hamid >Top |
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 When: Saturday, March 5 - Registration & Packet Pick-Up begins at 7:30 a.m.; the 5k Run / Walk will begin at 9 a.m.
Where: Richardson High School, 1250 West Belt Line Road, Richardson, 75080 - Parking is available at lots on Dogwood Dr. and on Belt Line Rd. at the RHS tennis courts.
Registration: Registration is available online at www.rhs5k.com now through February 27. Registration is also available by mail or in person at Run On! Richardson.
Click here to download the RHS 5k brochure.
The RHS 5K is the primary annual fundraiser for the RHS Eagle Fund. The purpose of the RHS Eagle Fund is to maintain the tradition of academic excellence at Richardson High School by supporting academic programs such as tutoring, extended library hours, AP Exam scholarships and classroom technology grants.
For more information, please visit the RHS Eagle Fund online at www.rhseaglefund.org. >Top |
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 Get your game on! The 8th Annual Hoops in the Highlands Basketball Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, March 26th at Highland Oaks Church of Christ, 10805 Walnut Hill @ Plano Rd.
This three-on-three basketball tournament is open to all competitors in 1st through 8th grades. Hosted by Lake Highlands, Northlake, Wallace and White Rock Elementaries and Lake Highlands Junior High, this annual fundraiser benefits all five schools.
Hoops in the Highlands is a ton of fun and features food, live music and the ever-popular Fun Zone, created especially for little fans. This popular tournament continues to draw competitors from schools and school districts through out the Dallas area.
Registration forms are available at any of the five host schools or on-line at www.hoopsinthehighlands.net Deadline to register is March 4th and the entry fee is $64 per team, four players per team.
Need more info about the event, sponsorship or volunteer opportunities? Contact Hoops Event Chairs, Susan and Scott Swanner at info@hoopsinthehighlands.net. >Top |
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RISD Excellence in Education Presents: An Evening of Honors - Technology Triumphs! Gala
April 8, 2011 at the Renaissance Dallas Richardson Hotel
Keynote Address: Dr. James Reilly - LHHS Graduate & Former Astronaut
Click here to download the flyer. >Top |
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BERKNER HIGH SCHOOL MULTICULTURAL OPEN HOUSE |
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Fine Arts
Theatre, Thursday-Sunday, February 24-27
J. J. Pearce High School theatre presents ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’ @ J. J. Pearce High School Auditorium. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, February 24-26; 2:00 p.m. Sunday, February 27. Ticket information at www.pearcetheater.com.
Band, Friday, February 25
Lake Highlands High School Winterguard to competition @ Lakeview Centennial High School, Garland. All day event, admission required.
High School Sports
Soccer, Friday, February 25
Pearce High School boys vs. Highland Park High School @ Pearce High School, 7:15 p.m.
Pearce High School girls vs. Highland Park High School @ Highland Park High School, 7:15 p.m.
Lake Highlands High School girls vs. W. T. White High School @ Lake Highlands High School, 7:00 p.m.
Lake Highlands High School boys vs. W. T. White High School @ Loos Fieldhouse, 7:00 p.m.
Berkner High School boys vs. Jesuit High School @ Berkner High School, 7:00 p.m.
Berkner High School girls vs. Home School Association High School @ Berkner High School, 7:00 p.m.
Richardson High School boys vs. Skyline High School @ Eagle/Mustang Stadium, 7:00 p.m.
Tennis, Saturday, February 25
Berkner High School, Richardson High School to Fair Oaks Tournament @ Fair Oaks, 8:00 a.m.
Softball, Thursday-Saturday, February 24-26
Pearce High School, Lake Highlands High School, Richardson High School to tournament @ Pearce High School. February 24-26, contact school for times.
Berkner High School vs. North Mesquite High School @ Berkner High School, Friday, February 25, 7:00 p.m.
Baseball, Thursday-Friday, February 24-25
Pearce High School to Prosper Tournament @ Prosper High School, 2:30 & 4:45 p.m. Thursday, February 24; 2:30 & 7:00 p.m. Friday, February 25; 2:30 p.m. Saturday, February 26.
Track, Thursday, February 24
Berkner High School to North Garland Relays@ Williams Stadium, Garland, 2:00 p.m.
Gymnastics, Friday, February 18
RISD Boys and Girls Gymnastics @ Irving High School, 6:30 p.m.
For complete athletics and fine arts schedules, please visit RISD’s online calendar here. |
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SCHOOL TIMES NOW! ARCHIVE |
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Did you miss an issue of School Times Now!? Click here to view the archives. >Top |
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RISD and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) have kicked off a campaign to assist economically disadvantaged RISD students with college scholarships. Please be on the lookout for information from your campus representative regarding how to participate.
