School Times Now!

	TOP STORIES

Dover Elementary Turns 50

FRE Celebrates 40

Trustee Kent Resigns to
Head to Austin

RISD Teachers Are
"Highly Qualified"

RHS Students Are
College Ready

Blasting Off at North

First Hand History at SCE

Showtime in the
Brentfield Gym

Weather Notification

LHE Recycles!

Bowie Students Help
for the Holidays

Family Math Time Pays Off

Proposed 2009-10 Student Academic Calendar

RISD Seniors Give Back
at Charity Dinner

Mohawk Honors Grandpersons

RHS Theatre Present
"Charlotte’s Web"

President's Own to Join
Junior Highs in Concert

This Weekend in RISD

	LINKS TO REMEMBER

Fine Arts Schedules

Athletics Schedules

DOVER ELEMENTARY TURNS 50

As part of their 50th anniversary celebration, Dover Elementary provided parents with a "Nifty 50s" Math night. Faculty wore 1950s attire for a night of math fun. Richardson High TAFE student volunteers assisted Dover teachers with math activities that challenged parents and quizzed children as math objectives were reviewed in game simulation formats. >Top

FORESTRIDGE ELEMENTARY CELEBRATES 40

Teachers at Forestridge Elementary dressed up in 60's attire to commemorate their school's 40th birthday. The school was built in 1968, and the celebration included special guests, including both former principals. >Top

	Trustee Kent Resigns to Head to Austin

Carol Kent, the place 5 member since 2004 on the RISD Board of Trustees, resigned her position at Monday evening’s regular meeting. Kent, who was elected to the Texas House of Representatives last month, resigned in order to be sworn in to her new position in January. Place 5 will remain unfilled until a May election to complete the remaining year of her term.

“We thank Carol for her years of service to RISD, which began long before she was elected to our board,” said RISD superintendent Dr. David Simmons. “Her reasoned, effective leadership on the board will be missed, but we look forward to working with her in her new role, and wish her the very best as she departs for Austin.” >Top

	RISD Teachers Are "Highly Qualified"

The Federal No Child Left Behind accountability system requires districts to monitor and report the qualification status of teachers as defined by No Child Left Behind legislation.

In RISD, more than 99.9 percent of all teachers have satisfied the requirement to be known as "Highly Qualified" under NCLB.

"RISD has long been considered a destination district by quality teachers across Texas and the region," said RISD Superintendent Dr. David Simmons. "While the fact that our staff remains remarkably well-qualified is gratifying to us, it comes as no surprise."

To be considered Highly Qualified under NCLB, secondary teachers must demonstrate mastery of each course they teach through either possessing a degree in that subject, or passing a specific state examination of content knowledge. In RISD, 99.92 percent of secondary teachers meet this standard.

At the elementary level, teachers are considered Highly Qualified through demonstrated mastery of elementary school pedagogy and knowledge of reading, writing and mathematics instruction. In RISD, 99.95 percent of teachers meet this standard.

For more information on No Child Left Behind, please visit the United States Department of Education homepage at http://www.ed.gov/index.jhtml. >Top

	RHS Students Are College Ready

Richardson High School was recently named a 2008 College Readiness Award winner from the Texas ACT Council, among just 4 percent of all Texas high schools to earn the recognition.

RHS was lauded for increasing the number of students taking the ACT Assessment over the past five years and significantly increasing their level of achievement and college readiness.

Congratulations RHS! >Top

	Blasting Off at North

Richardson North Junior High science students recently put their classroom physics concepts to work when they were assigned to produce rockets. Working in groups, and within a budget of $1 million, students designed and built rockets. Force, motion and Newton's Law were all tested as students headed outside to launch their creations. North JH teacher Rhonda Bristow headed up the project, which was popular with students and neighbors alike. >Top

	First hand history at spring creek elementary

Dorothy Rose, a former Texas superintendent and mother of acting Spring Creek Elementary principal Denise Moulton, recently spoke to the SCE sixth grade about living during the depression. She talked about prices of food, cost of college, economic times, her salary as a teacher in 1936, the dust bowl, dresses made of flower sacks, etc. Students were amazed to hear how different things were and had many questions. >Top

	SHOWTIME IN THE BRENTFIELD GYM

The 4th grade physical education classes at Brentfield Elementary, recently participated in a celebration of the sport of gymnastics. The students performed gymnastic skills under the direction of Diane Dawson and Marlise Mathews, Brentfield physical education teachers. Students practiced for a month in order to perform for their families and classmates. They selected events from tumbling, horizontal bar, balance beam, vault, and pommel horse.

The program also featured a special guest, Briley Casanova, a 2012 Olympic-hopeful gymnast. Briley accepted the Brentfield invitation and quickly became an inspiration for the students and audience. Briley is a junior international elite gymnast at WOGA in Plano.

All the students gave their performances to continuous audience applause. The evening ended with student pyramids and individual routines. Briley praised the students for their efforts and offered to sign picture postcards for the proud and happy students. >Top

	WEATHER NOTIFICATION

In the event of inclement weather that may require classes to be delayed or cancelled, parents and employees will be notified by telephone message of any decision by 6:30 a.m.

In addition, patrons can call the district's inclement weather line at 469-593-SNOW, or check the RISD homepage at www.risd.org.

With the implementation of the Connect-ED mass notification system, campus phone trees for poor weather are no longer necessary, as all employees and parents will receive a call simultaneously with closure news.

This is another great reason for parents to ensure their child's campus has accurate contact information. >Top

The RISD home page will be updated by 6:30 a.m. with a decision on whether or not school will be delayed or cancelled. The page will display a large red bar (shown left) to show that there will be some sort of delay or cancellation. A large green bar (shown right) will indicate that school will be held as usual.

	LHE Recycles!

Lake Highlands Elementary’s First Annual Recycling Round Up was a huge success as they collected:

Shred Pod: 6,000 lbs
E-waste: 20,154 lbs.
Metals: 4,273 lbs.
Tires: 33
Curbside: 970 lbs.
Ink Cartridges: 265

Students, parents, staff members and neighbors turned out in force, and according to the City of Dallas representative in attendance, the collection was a Round Up record in the e-waste category.

“We’re very grateful to everyone who helped put this together,” said LHE Principal Kim Sullivan. “It’s a great opportunity to help our environment while teaching our students lessons about the importance of conservation and recycling.” >Top

	Bowie Students Help for the Holidays

Bowie Elementary students recently teamed up with the Richardson Kiwanas to help those less fortunate this holiday season. Third and fourth-grade students at Bowie who want to be involved in community service can join the K-Kids club to help with Kiwanas projects. For the holidays, Kiwanas members made wooden toys for the Network of Community Ministries, and Bowie students pitched in by hand painting them. Through the Network, the toys will find their way to children from families in need.

Thanks Bowie & Kiwanas! >Top

	Family Math Time Pays Off

Dobie Primary's efforts to engage parents in their children's learning paid off recently for one mom. At Dobie's Family Math Time, one attraction was an "estimation station," which included a shopping cart full of groceries. Parents and students estimated the total value of the items, and the closest guess won the groceries.

The winner was Alisa Chitamitre, a mother from Mrs. Faye's Pre-K class. Valerie Alexandris, Instructional Specialist at Dobie, organized the event and presented the groceries to her. The actual cost was $63.72, and Mrs. Chitamitre guessed $63. >Top

	PROPOSED 2009-10 Student academic CALENDAR

Please click here to view the proposed calendar for the 2009-2010 school year.

The RISD student academic calendar includes the following to support continued student success:

Balanced Fall and Spring semesters
Relevant, timely, professional development dates in both semesters
Conclusion of the first semester after the winter break with time allocated for review
No major assignments or projects over winter break as directed in the RISD Instructional Operating Guide (IOG)
Conclusion of the second semester the first week of June
Two bad-weather make-up days as required by the Texas Education Agency (TEA)

Please send calendar comments to RISD Deputy Superintendent Patti Kieker at Patti.Kieker@risd.org >Top

	RISD Seniors Give Back at Charity Dinner

A group of RISD seniors recently provided outstanding volunteer service for the Northwood Woman’s Club Kaleidoscope dinner event. The event was held to raise money for local agencies that address women's and children's issues such as abuse and homelessness. The Northwood Woman's Club supports area service organizations every year with funds and volunteer hours, and RISD students were happy to help them in this great cause.

Thanks NWC and RISD seniors! >Top

	Mohawk Honors Grandpersons

Last week, Mohawk Elementary kicked off the holiday season by hosting Grandperson’s Day, an annual tradition that gives students an opportunity to celebrate the special people in their lives. Mohawk students invited their “grand” people to participate in school activities that began with a musical performance, “Books Now, Books Wow,” presented by Mohawk 3rd grade students and directed by music teacher Brenda Dees.

Students and their “grand” people then enjoyed lunch in the Mohawk cafeteria and later spent time in the classrooms getting to know teachers and classmates. “Grand” persons, over 210 in attendance, included grandmothers, grandfathers, aunts, uncles, family friends, neighbors, older siblings just returning from college and other people who are special in the lives of Mohawk students.

Grandperson’s Day is a highly anticipated Mohawk tradition by students and "grand" people alike, and is a wonderful way for students to share their school and show gratitude for their special people. >Top

	Richardson High School Presents “Charlotte’s Web”


"Charlotte’s Web,” the well-loved classic children’s story written by E.B. White, has been adapted for the stage by Joseph Robinette and will be presented by the Richardson High School Theatre Arts Magnet in December. A single performance is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at the main auditorium at Richardson High School located at 1250 West Belt Line Road, Richardson, Texas 75080. The play is directed by RHS theatre teacher Erik Archilla. It tells the heart-warming tale of Wilbur, an irresistible young pig who wants to avoid the butcher. He gets help from Fern, a young girl who understands what animals say to each other, and an extraordinary spider, Charlotte, who proves to be a “a good friend and a good writer.” Charlotte campaigns to save Wilber by writing in her web “Some Pig,” which sets off a sequence of events that lead to Wilber’s learning a few life lessons along the way. Tickets are available online at www.rhstheatre.org or at the door. For more information, visit the Web site or call 469-593-3193. >Top

	President's own to join junior highs in concert

Come see the Apollo Junior High and Liberty Junior High Bands in Concert, featuring trumpet soloist from the President’s Own United States Marine Band, Staff Sergeant James McClarty.

AJH Band Concert, December 9, Apollo JH Cafeteria - Concert Begins 6:30 p.m.

LJH Band Concert, December 10, Liberty JH Gym - Concert Begins 7:00 p.m.

The Apollo JH and Liberty JH Band directors would like to extend their appreciation to the Marine Band for generously donating Staff Sergeant McClarty for the performances and help sessions with our brass players. >Top

	This weekend in risd

FINE ARTS
The Talent Show!! The Talent Show!! Everybody Come to the Talent Show!!
J. J. Pearce High School presents the annual Mustang Night Live, a talent show, this Friday, Dec. 5, AT 7:30 p.m.!!!
Come watch talented Pearce students as they perform in this one night only event! Tickets for students are only $5.00 and tickets for adults are $ 8.00. All tickets are sold at the door.

BAND
37th Annual Richardson Christmas Parade ‘A Storybook Christmas’ will feature all high school bands in a combined marching band.

The parade begins at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6 and runs north along Coit Road between Belt Line and Melrose.

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
Basketball – Thursday, Dec. 4
BHS Boys vs. North Mesquite in Carrollton-Farmers Branch Tournament @ Ranchview HS, 6:30 (V)
BHS Boys vs. North Mesquite in West Mesquite Tournament @ West Mesquite, 5:30 p.m. (JV)
BHS Boys vs. North Mesquite in West Mesquite Tournament @ West Mesquite, 5:30 p.m. (Fresh A)
BHS Girls vs. Stephenville in Frisco Tournament at Liberty High School, 6:00 p.m. (V)
BHS Girls in Denton Guyer Tournament in Denton (F, JV)
LHHS Girls in Collin County Roundball Classic tournament in McKinney (V)
LHHS Girls in Crandall Coca Cola Classic Tournament in Crandall (F, JV)
LHHS Boys vs. Clemens @ Clemens HS in Lone Star Invitational @ San Antonio, 7:30 (V)
PHS Boys vs. Allen High School in Carrollton-Farmers Branch Tournament @ Ranchview High School, 5:00 (V)
RHS Girls vs. Timberview in Mansfield Summit Freshman Tournament @ Summit High School, 4:00 (F)
RHS Girls vs. Pearce High School @ Richardson High School, 6:00, 7:30 (JV, V)
RHS Boys in Spruce High School Tournament @ Spruce High School, 6:00 (Fresh A)
RHS Boys vs. Keller Fossil Ridge in Southlake Carroll Tournament @ Carroll High School, 6:30 (V)

Basketball – Friday, Dec. 5
BHS Boys in Carrollton-Farmers Branch Tournament @ Newman Smith High School (V)
BHS Boys vs. North Mesquite in West Mesquite Tournament @ West Mesquite (JV & Fresh A)
BHS Girls in Frisco Tournament in Frisco (V)
BHS Girls in Denton Guyer Tournament in Denton (F, JV)
LHHS Girls in Collin County Roundball Classic tournament in McKinney (V)
LHHS Girls in Crandall Coca Cola Classic Tournament in Crandall (F, JV)
LHHS Boys in Lone Star Invitational @ San Antonio
PHS Boys in Carrollton-Farmers Branch Tournament @ Newman Smith High School (V)
PHS Girls vs. Richardson HS @ Richardson High School, 6:00, 7:30 (JV, V)
RHS Girls in Mansfield Summit Freshman Tournament @ Summit High School (F)
RHS Boys vs. Keller Fossil Ridge in Southlake Carroll Tournament @ Carroll High School, 8:00 (JV) >Top

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