School Times Now!

	OTHER STORIES

	RHS Cats Cast
	RISD Students Earn Spots in Dallas Symphony Chorus
	Northlake Immunizations
	RISD Tomorrow Announces TI Foundation Innovations Award
	Forest Meadow Tops Group
	Berkner Rams Football
	Canyon Creek's Thanksgiving
	Inside RISD
	Partners Corner
	HPPM Veteran's Day Parade

BERKNER SYMPHONY WINS FIRST IN STATE

The BHS Symphony Orchestra was recently named the 2006-2007 Texas Music Educators Association High School String Honor Orchestra. This award is the highest honor in the state and which they earned through a competitive process involving 30 other top orchestras.

The students will be honored during a performance at the annual Texas Music Educators Association Convention in February. The TMEA convention is one of the largest music conventions in the country and is held annually in San Antonio.

The 35-member BHS Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Craig Needham. This is the first time in 20 years that Berkner has achieved this honor.

	PEARCE STUDENT COUNCIL LENDS A HELPING HAND


The Pearce High School Student Council did an outstanding job in exemplifying leadership as they organized, collected and helped hand out presents for their annual gift drive at Dover Elementary. More than 100 children were provided with gifts that included clothing, toys, and bikes. As a 'Pay it Forward' response to Pearce's generosity, Dover students who received gifts in turn donated one canned food item to be donated to the local Network Food Pantry. More than 150 cans were gathered and many smiles were shared as students and parents picked up their gifts. Thanks to the staff and students at Pearce for their outpouring of generosity. >Top

	PRAIRIE CREEK GETS A LESSON IN FIRE SAFETY


		Prairie Creek Elementary recently had visitors from the Richardson Fire Department. They performed a Life and Fire Safety skit to remind students of the dangers of fire. >Top

	THE GREAT TERRACE TEACHER SWAP


There was a mix up in November at Terrace Elementary. Teachers swapped classes for a morning focused on literacy, as they prepared and led a reading and writing activity with a class in a different grade level. The students had fun that morning guessing who their mystery guest was going to be and enjoyed learning from that teacher. In addition, faculty members were able to experience teaching a different grade level allowing them to gain a new appreciation for their colleagues. >Top

	ACE READING OUTREACH


		Audelia Creek Elementary staff members had a problem - they wanted students to read more outside of school. On campus, the educators work hard to teach and encourage reading, but once students departed at the end of the day, not enough of them were continuing to read at home or elsewhere. Enter the ACE Reading Club, which encourages students to engage in reading outside of school and begin building their home libraries. The Club works like this - students are encouraged to read as much as they can when away from campus, and they keep a weekly log of the minutes they spend reading, which must be signed by a parent or other adult. As the minutes they read add up, students can earn recognition and certificates at special reading award assemblies at the end of each grading period. Students who read enough minutes to be recognized also receive a gift card that can be redeemed at the ACE Free Book Store for a new book of their choice to add to their home library. The program has already increased the amount of overall reading by ACE students, and has prompted additional parental involvement as well. >Top

	RHS CATS CAST TAKES TO THE STREETS


At the 22nd annual Christmas Parade, Richardson schools made a strong showing. Pictured is the float from the Richardson High School upcoming musical Cats, with student actors in feline makeup to promote the event. The combined marching bands from RISD earned the Spirit Award and the Richardson North AVID college prep program won the junior high division trophy. >Top

	RISD STUDENTS EARN SPOTS IN THE DALLAS SYMPHONY CHILDREN'S CHORUS


		Three talented RISD students auditioned to become members of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra children’s holiday chorus. They are Patrick Mahurin, a sixth grader from Moss Haven Elementary; Mariah Roberts, a fifth grader from Northrich Elementary; and Yuval Kavosh, a sixth grader from Big Springs Elementary. These students will be performing in The Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas Celebration concert series at the Meyerson Symphony Center December 14-23 . Here the students take a break during a recent concert featuring the children’s chorus at NorthPark Center. >Top

	NORTHLAKE IMMUNIZATIONS


This fall, Northlake Elementary nurse Christiane Ramirez arranged for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Care Van to visit campus and administer free immunizations to RISD students from across Lake Highlands. A total of 123 students were immunized and 93 were screened for a total of 237 shots administered. In addition, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, CHIPS, had representatives present, who were able to register 40 families to receive health insurance for their children. Families came from across the community, including a number of Katrina victims who were brought by RISD's Student Services Department. Thanks to Blue Cross Blue Shield and the Dallas Hispanic Bar Association for providing nourishment to those who attended. >Top

	RISD TOMORROW ANNOUNCES THE TI FOUNDATION INNOVATIONS AWARD


		The Tomorrow Foundation is pleased to announce the institution of the Texas Instruments Foundation Innovations in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) Teaching Award. Under the sponsorship of the Texas Instruments Foundation, the Tomorrow Foundation will select an exemplary secondary teacher of science, technology, engineering and/or math to receive the award in the spring of 2007. The recipient will receive a cash prize in addition to technology for the classroom and professional development opportunities. The Tomorrow Foundation is proud to partner with Texas Instruments Foundation in support of superior instruction of science, technology, engineering and math.

One $10,000 award will be presented. The recipient will receive a $5,000 cash award, and $5,000 worth of classroom technology and professional development opportunities, plus districtwide and community recognition. Each secondary school (grades 7-12) may put forward a teacher of science, technology, engineering or math. The individual must have the recommendation of the building principal. Only one candidate from each secondary school is allowed. The candidate will complete the application and, if selected after the initial review process, will receive a classroom visit by the selection committee. Applications will be available to principals by December 15th. Applications are due in the Tomorrow Foundation office no later than February 1, 2007. The recipient will be announced in March 2007. >Top

	FMJH TOPS GROUP RED RIBBON PROJECT


Students in the UMOJA TOPS after-school program at Forest Meadow Junior High School recently worked to make red ribbons for staff and students at their school in honor of World AIDS Day, Dec. 1. UMOJA is the Swahili word for togetherness in community. TOPS stands for Teens Offering Peer Support. >Top

	RAMS FOOTBALL


		RISD thanks the Berkner Rams football team for the exciting games that led them all the way to the playoffs in Waco. No matter which RISD high school advances in the playoffs, the entire district turns out to support them. Great job, guys! >Top

	CANYON CREEK'S THANKSGIVING FEAST


Shown here, Canyon Creek Elementary preschoolers enjoy a Thanksgiving meal, as they got into the spirit of the holiday. >Top

	INSIDE RISD


		Last week at Pearce High School, members of the inaugural class of Inside RISD graduated, each receiving a certificate and lapel pin designating them as 'RISD Insiders.'

They had spent one morning a month during 2006 learning about the school district, how it is governed, financed, and run. They sampled cafeteria food, rode on school buses and attended a board meeting. The consensus is that they truly are now RISD Insiders, and are ready and willing to share their knowledge with friends and neighbors.

The second Inside RISD class begins on January 25, 2007, and several slots are still available. If you are interested in joining the new class and can commit to spending one morning a month getting an "inside look" at RISD, please contact Elaine Simmons at 469-593-0301 or elaine.simmons@risd.org. >Top

	PARTNERS CORNER

Assist 2 Sell provides a Thanksgiving
feast for Skyview Elementary!
Assist 2 Sell, a buyers and sellers realty, has adopted Skyview Elementary and continues to help with whatever is needed. In addition to many school supplies donated at the beginning of the year for Skyview teachers and students, Assist 2 Sell committed to donating as many “Thanksgiving turkey boxes” as possible. In years past, with limited resources, Skyview Elementary’s teachers and staff have donated and prepared Thanksgiving feasts to feed their neighborhood families in need.

This year, to their surprise, 25 turkeys and 25 hams from Assist 2 Sell, were personally delivered by Todd Tramonte. In one day, Mr. Tramonte traveled to Houston to bring back a load of turkeys and hams.

In response to this incredible donation, Skyview Principal Brenda Payne said, “This Thanksgiving season, one of the things we are absolutely thankful for is Mr. Tramonte and his Assist 2 Sell team.” >Top


Tis’ the season to be thankful! Dobie Primary presented the Richardson Rotary Club with the Dobie Community Partner Service Award. In addition to the plaque presented to the Rotary members, Dobie kindergarteners performed a series of songs to show their appreciation. The Rotary Club has been a partner with the primary school for 20 years, over that time contributing annual donations of school supplies, dental health products, and toys for the holiday season. In addition, many Rotary members volunteer their time through helping the primary students and their teachers. >Top

	HAMILTON PARK'S VETRAN'S DAY PARADE


		Hamilton Park Pacesetter Magnet renewed its Fall tradition of thanking and honoring the districts veterans with a parade. Students, teachers, PTA, families and special guest joined in as the parade wove through surrounding streets to the cheers and delight of neighbors. >Top

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