The process is underway to create the 2008-09 RISD Academic Calendar. As always, parent input is encouraged and appreciated. A current draft may be found here. The proposed 2008-09 academic calendar includes strategically-placed professional development days, holidays at approximately the same time of year as the current calendar, semesters containing close to the same number of days, and of course, a Fair Day. The proposed calendar again accommodates the legislatively-required later start date by concluding the first semester after winter break. The Board of Trustees will ultimately approve the 2008-09 calendar, which should occur in February, 2008.

If you have feedback, please direct it to district Communications at risd@risd.org or 469-593-0301.

Thanks in advance for your input! >Top

U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (3rd Dist.-Texas) announced the students selected to participate in the 2007-08 Congressional Youth Advisory Council (CYAC). This year 42 students make up the elite group, with 6 returning members. Because of immense community interest, students, may now only serve two of four years between 9th and 12th grade.

“For years I’ve had the privilege of getting to know a stellar group of high school students who want to make a difference for their generation. Because this group represents their peers, I call them ‘Young Ambassadors to Congress.’ I’m very impressed with them so far and look forward to getting to know them,” said Johnson.

Johnson created the Council in 2004. The Council’s goal is two-fold. First, the group provides Johnson with greater student perspective and insight on issues that directly impact younger Americans. Second, Council activities educate students on government policies relevant to young people. The members of the Council meet approximately four times throughout the school year in the Third District.

The December meeting will bring local leaders of all levels to visit face-to-face with the Congressional Youth Advisory Council. The panelists confirmed for the upcoming meeting are:

Texas House Representative Jodie Laubenberg, District 89; Collin County Judge Keith Self; Judge John Payton, Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3-2; Judge John Roach Jr., 296th District Court; and Richardson Mayor Steve Mitchell.

“The cornerstone of democracy is civic activism. These high school students are well on their way to making North Texas a better community and America a better country,” concluded Johnson.

The three RISD students participating in the 2007-08 CYAC are:

Amanda Dees - Pearce High School

Patrick Ivey - Berkner High School

Kevin Zimmer - Richardson High School >Top

Please don't forget that the last day of classes prior to winter break is Friday, December 21. The first day back for both students and staff is Monday, January 7. Due to the Texas legislature mandating the late summer starting date of the academic year, the first semester will not conclude until January 17, which means semester exams will not occur until after winter break. Please help pass the word about this departure from what has happened in the past. >Top

Three hundred eighty-six students in Richardson ISD have earned the designation of AP Scholar by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement Program (AP) Exams.

The College Board’s Advanced Placement Program offers students the opportunity to take challenging college-level courses while still in high school, and to receive college credit, advanced placement, or both for successful performance on the AP Exams. About 18 percent of the more than 1.3 million high school students in 16,000 secondary schools worldwide who took AP Exams performed at a sufficiently high level to merit the recognition of AP Scholar.

Students took AP Exams in May 2007 after completing challenging, college-level courses at their high schools. The College Board recognizes several levels of achievement based on student’s performance on AP exams.

In Richardson ISD, sixteen students qualified for the most prestigious of the awards, the National AP Scholar Award, by earning an average grade of 4 or higher on a 5-point scale on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams.  These students are Christina Auldridge, Max Bathman, Elizabeth Biasatti, Everett Burns, Alice Eckel, Christopher Irvin, James Issac, Isabelle Jargowsky, Sarah Jenevein, Katie McNeese, Justin Sahs, Jennifer Sauer, Michael Sheetz, Madison Silverstein, Edward Skolnick (only a junior at the time) and Kathryn Strong.

Most of the nation’s colleges and universities award credit, advanced placement, or both based on successful performance on the AP Exams (please visit individual college web sites for specific information). More than 1,400 institutions award a full year’s credit (sophomore standing) to students presenting a sufficient number of qualifying grades. >Top