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Back-to-school - THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL IS MONDAY, Aug. 24 |
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 Richardson Independent School District will welcome more than 34,000 students when school starts on Monday, August 24.
To attend RISD, kindergarten students must be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1 of the current school year, and the student and one parent/guardian must be a resident of the district. First-grade students must be 6 years old by Sept. 1 of the current year unless the child has completed public kindergarten in another state/country or has been receiving public first grade instruction in another state/country.
Parents are strongly encouraged to enroll their child before the first day of classes. Every grade level at each elementary campus has a capacity, and waiting to enroll may result in a child not being able to attend their neighborhood school and being assigned to a different campus.
Enrollment occurs at the child's attendance area school. Enrollment for elementary schools begins August 11. Secondary students should check with the school for enrollment days. RISD does not accept students living outside the district on a tuition-paid basis.
Click the links below for more back-to-school related information:
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Enrollment Information
School Lunches
After School Programs
Tax Free Holiday Weekend
Where's the Bus?
Is My Child Eligible for Pre-School?
Beating the Tardy Bell
Star_Portal™ for Parents
Dates to Remember
School Supplies
What are the Rules? |
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Graduation Requirements - House bill 3 |
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At the regularly scheduled board meeting on Monday, August 3, RISD trustees will again discuss and consider how the district will implement the state’s new graduation requirements. At a specially called meeting on this subject last week, district administrators presented the background of the issue stating that, historically graduation plans have been phased-in with a new freshman class so that districts have time to make adjustments to staff and course scheduling, and allow each class to operate on the same graduation plan their entire high school career. For further information about that meeting, click here. Information about the issue from the August 3 meeting will be posted on the RISD website, www.risd.org on August 4. >Top |
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Congratulations once again to Richardson ISD students, parents, teachers and staff for receiving a Recognized rating from the Texas Education Agency for the fourth consecutive year. RISD is the largest, most diverse district in Texas to have earned Recognized status for four consecutive years.
Of its 53 campuses eligible for a TEA rating, 52 (98 percent) received either an exemplary or recognized rating for 2008-09.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I offer my heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to our teachers, students and staff, whose dedication, ability and effort have resulted in RISD’s continued level of achievement,” said Board President Kim Quirk. "In addition, I thank all our volunteers, community partners, area businesses and homeowners for their support throughout the year, with special gratitude to our Council of PTAs. Strong public schools are a critical component to a quality community, and RISD students benefit greatly from the exceptional efforts of thousands of people who support them."
“While our students’ success under the accountability system is important, it is also essential that we focus on the academic potential of every student, challenging all to perform at their highest level, and ultimately be prepared for success in college and beyond.”
Individual RISD campus ratings can be viewed here.
For additional information, please visit the Texas Education Agency website at www.tea.state.tx.us/. >Top |
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Foundation presents Administrative Excellence Awards to two RISD Principals |
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Karen Neal and Kathy Higgins
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The RISD Excellence in Education Foundation recognized two outstanding principals last week with Administrative Excellence Awards.
Kathy Higgins, principal of Forestridge Elementary, and Karen Neal, principal of Pearce High School, received the honors at a breakfast event attended by principals and administrators from across RISD.
Each were presented with the Foundation’s Administrative Excellence Award and a check for $1000 by Foundation President and CEO Elizabeth Hart. The awards were graciously underwritten by AXA Advisors, a long term supporter of Foundation initiatives.
The Awards recognize outstanding leadership in classroom achievement, educational leadership among peers, and success in developing strong community relationships that reinforce educational performance.
Congratulations! >Top |
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Security enhancements for 2009-10 |
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One of RISD's top priorities is to provide a safe and secure learning environment, with the goal of being proactive, rather than be forced to react to a major incident involving a breach of campus security.
RISD procedures are based on national best practices, and collectively, result in safer, more secure buildings. Many of these initiatives were announced and implemented last school year, and that effort is continuing for 2009-10.
Security enhancements include: |
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- Double buzz-in visitor entry/secure vestibules.
- Elementary front entrance student drop-off.
- Employee keycard/ID badge entry.
- Exterior door sensors.
- Motion-activated security cameras.
- Remote, real time monitoring. >Top
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Richardson High School Students do their part for Parkinson's Disease |
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Jackie Slanely and Jordan Fein, RHS Communication Magnet students volunteered their time and talents over the past several months producing a video to raise public awareness of Parkinson's Disease.
The Texas Voice Project for Parkinson's Disease Patients is a non profit organization helping Parkinson’s patients improve the quality of their lives. TVP Founder and Director is Richardson High School mother Samantha Elandary. A premiere viewing of the video was last Thursday night. Among the many guests at the premiere viewing were, Richardson Mayor Gary Slagel, councilman, Bob Townsend, patients featured in the video and their families, along with Jackie and Jordan’s families.
Texas Voice Project awarded each student with a $500 College Scholarships.
Please visit TexasVoiceProject.org for more information. >Top |
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RISD STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN THE PETE SESSIONS LEADERSHIP AND GROWTH PROGRAM |
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Nine students from Richardson High School and one from Pearce High School have recently completed participation in U.S. Congressman's Pete Sessions Leadership and Growth Program.
Participants included Miles Jackson, Avery Lewis, Kelsey Bissell, Victoria Christiansen, Karlee Klassen, Audrey Leeder, Brooke Peters, William Sanders, Caroline Wilkins, and Catherine Wilkins.
Congressman Sessions directs the program in Washington, DC every summer during May and June. Students at the high school and college levels participate and are given the unique opportunity for a comprehensive experience of our nation’s capital.
“My summer program is about engaging young minds for readiness to consider, challenge, and thoughtfully articulate the public policy debates facing our government as they develop their leadership skills for service in the future,” Sessions said. “Students have an opportunity to see Washington firsthand by observing House Committee hearings, attending program forums with government officials and Washington leaders, and touring different historical sites, memorials, and monuments around the city.”
Some of the events from the program sessions included educational tours of the Pentagon, the White House, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Newseum. Students engaged in a wide range of activities, from visiting the Canadian Embassy to the Holocaust Museum.
“I value the opportunity to welcome students from RISD each year and to discover the perspectives and aspirations of young citizens in my district. I am always amazed by their brightness and discernment, and feel honored to have these students participate in my program,” Sessions stated.
Students who are interested in participating in the Pete Sessions Leadership and Growth Program may contact the Congressman’s Washington, DC office at 202.225.2231, or may email his program manager Torrie Miller at Torrie.Miller@mail.house.gov. >Top
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Student enrollment takes place at their home campus. If you are not sure which area school your child should attend, please use our online school finder feature found here.
Please call the school to verify enrollment dates and times.
All students should register at their attendance area school by bringing:
- Complete immunization records (date, month and year of every immunization received)
- An official document to determine grade level (student’s last report card)
- Social Security card
- Proof of residence (current utility bill or current lease agreement in the parent’s or guardian’s name)
- Other records from previous schools.
RISD does not accept students living outside the district on a tuition-paid basis.
Kindergarten students must be 5 years old by September 1 of the current school year, and either
parent must be a district resident.
First-graders must be 6 years old by September 1 of the current year unless the child has completed public kindergarten in another state/country or has been receiving public first grade instruction in another state/country. Enrollees in RISD under the age of 11 must present a birth certificate and immunization record at registration.
For further enrollment assistance, please contact RISD Student Services at 469-593-0373 or 469-593-0374.
For information regarding testing for acceleration, contact your attendance area school or the office of Advanced Academic Studies at 469-593-0749.>Top |
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Menus are available to download by clicking here. |
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School lunches are available for purchase daily at all RISD schools. The student plate lunch in elementary school costs $2.00 and consists of an entree, two side dishes and milk. The secondary student lunch consists of an entree, three side dishes and milk, and costs $2.15. Adults pay $2.90.
Nutritious breakfasts are also available to students for only $1.50. Visitors and staff pay $1.85.
RISD participates in paypams.com, an online website that handles prepayments of school meals. Parents may log on to the site directly or through the district website to deposit money into their child's account, thereby eliminating daily lunch money being handled by the child, and speeding up lunchlines. MasterCard and Discover cards are accepted on the site. Parents may also pre-pay directly to the cafeteria by cash, check or money order. Please contact RISD Child Nutrition at 469-593-0108 for information on free and reduced-charge lunch programs. >Top |
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RISD offers a fee-based after-school program called PACE at the following elementary campuses for 2009:
Aikin, Arapaho Classical Magnet, Audelia Creek, Big Springs, Bowie, Brentfield, Canyon Creek, Carolyn Bukhair, Dartmouth, Dover,
Forest Lane Academy, Forestridge, Greenwood Hills, Jess Harben,
Lake Highlands, Mark Twain, Merriman Park, Mohawk, Moss Haven,
MST, Northlake, Northrich, Northwood Hills, O.Henry, Prairie Creek,
Prestonwood, Richardson Heights, Richardson Terrace, Richland,
RISD Academy, Skyview, Spring Creek, Springridge, Spring Valley,
Stults Road, Thurgood Marshall, Wallace, White Rock and Yale. |
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For junior high information, check with your campus to see what opportunities are available. Program fees at some campuses may be reduced or waived, based on family economic status. For more information, please contact RISD Director of After School Programs Lysa Rice at 469-593-7536 or visit PACE online at www.risd.org/PACE. >Top |
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The Tax Free holiday weekend this year begins Friday, August 21 through Sunday, August 23. Many school supplies and back to school items like clothing and footwear can be purchased at retailers over this weekend without paying sales tax.
For more details, please see this message from the State. >Top |
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Bus transportation is provided for all students living two or more miles from the school they attend, for those in certain special education programs, and for those participating in a variety of extracurricular activities. For information about specific bus routes, call RISD Transportation at 469-593-5809 or 0090, or contact your child's school. >Top |
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is my child eligible for pre-school? |
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To be eligible for the federally-funded, half-day Pre-Kindergarten Program, a child must be 4 years old on or before September 1 of the upcoming school year, live within the RISD attendance area and meet at least ONE of the following criteria: |
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- The child is limited English Proficient
- The family meets the free/reduced lunch income eligibility guidelines
- The child is homeless
- The child is a military dependent
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To enroll your child in Pre-K, contact the school in your attendance area or call the Pre-K office at 469-593-3223. The Pre-Kindergarten program is not provided at all RISD campuses. >Top |
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In RISD, the school day begins and ends as follows:
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| Grades K through 6 |
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8 a.m. - 3 p.m. |
| Grades 7 through 8 |
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8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. |
| Grades 9 through 12 |
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9 a.m. - 4:10 p.m. |
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| Some magnet schools may have different schedules. Please check with those individual schools. >Top |
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STAR_PORTAL™ FOR PARENTS - ONLINE STUDENT ATTENDANCE & GRADES |
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Star_Portal™ is a technology resource that gives parents secure online access to information about their student’s education. Star_Portal™ allows parents to view their child’s up-to-date cumulative average, report card grades, period-by-period attendance, and unofficial transcript throughout the school year. |
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For data and security reasons, Star_Portal™ accounts must be renewed each year. If you had an account during the 2008-09 school year, that account has been deleted. Parent access to Star_Portal™ for the 2009-10 school year will begin on or after September 8, 2009.
How to Sign Up
Star_Portal™ is a part of RISD’s Rportal website. To access Star_Portal™ parents need an Rportal account. Directions for creating an Rportal account can be found on the district’s website here. >Top |
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The 2009-10 academic calendar is available online. On it you will find important dates to remember, enrollment information and a number to call in the event of inclement weather. Click here to download a PDF of the 2009-10 calendar. >Top |
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All schools will be using this list as is, or with a few minor additions or deletions. Check with your school for specifics.
For your convenience, many PTAs have school supply sales that offer pre-packaged supplies. These supplies can also be purchased individually at local retail stores. >Top |
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At the beginning of the school year, each student should receive a 2009-2010 Student/Parent Guidebook and Student Code of Conduct handbook. This two-part booklet explains admissions, attendance requirements, grading, student programs and academic performance, discipline management, school records and parental responsibilities, general information such as weather closings, field trips, health services, lockers, and more, including expected standards for student conduct.
Students are asked to take the handbooks home so that parents/guardians may become familiar with practices and policies within RISD. Parents are encouraged to read the entire handbook to better understand the partnership between home and school. This partnership is an critical component of student success. >Top |
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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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