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RISD STUDENT ATHLETES PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL SIGNING DAY |
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Congratulations to the 33 RISD student athletes who have accepted scholarships by signing letters of intent with various colleges and universities across the country as part of “National Signing Day.”
Click here for a full list of Signing Day participants. >Top |
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BERKNER & PEARCE HEAD TO AC DEC STATE COMPETITION |
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Region 10 recently held its Academic Decathlon competition at Pearce High School, with RISD teams doing very well. In addition to various individual awards won, the Berkner team placed 2nd overall for large high schools and Pearce placed 2nd overall for medium high schools. Because of their state rankings, both teams are now headed to state competition later this month.
Award Highlights:
Pearce High School – Medium School Division
(Coaches: Carol Hewitt and Carol Whatley)
Team Awards: 1st in Super Quiz Relay; Claire Stieg: 1st in Language & Literature; Jennifer Knox: 1st in Honors Essay, 1st in Honors Speech, 1st in Honors Music, 1st in Honors Economics, 1st in Honors Language & Literature, 1st in Honors Overall; Zach Tobin: 1st in Scholastic Math; Riley Firth: 1st in Scholastic Essay; Daniel Kim: 1st in Varsity Science, 1st in Varsity Overall; Victor Montalvo: 1st in Varsity Essay, 1st in Varsity Interview, 1st in Varsity Language & Literature; Megan Noble: 1st in Varsity Speech
Berkner High School – Large School Division
(Coaches: Tanya Gregson and Dean Webb)
Team Awards: 1st in Super Quiz Relay, 1st in Super Quiz Team; Abir Liben: 1st in Honors Interview, 1st in Honors Speech; Andrew Frost: 1st in Scholastic Speech; Connor McGuire: 1st in Varsity Interview, 1st in Varsity Overall; Zach Pitts: 1st in Varsity Art
Richardson High School – Large School Division (Coaches: Owen Nesbitt and Sandra Sroufe)
Rahfin Faruk: 1st in Honors Essay
Click here to download a full list of awards won. >Top |
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UIL REALIGNS HIGH SCHOOLS |
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 The University Interscholastic League (UIL) recently released its district realignments for football and basketball. Realignment occurs every two years due to changing student population numbers and the addition of new high schools.
Pearce will stay in the 4-A Division and will play in the 10-4A District with Highland Park, McKinney, McKinney North, Rockwall, Rockwall Heath, Wylie, and Wylie East. Leaving this district from last year are Greenville, Royce City, Forney, Newman Smith, and R L Turner.
Richardson, Lake Highlands, and Berkner will remain in the 5-A Division, 9-5A District, with Dallas Jesuit, Dallas Samuell, Dallas Skyline, Dallas Sunset, and Dallas W T White. Leaving this district from last year are CFB Creekview and Dallas Molina.
“We’re happy with the realignments,” commented Bob Dubey, RISD Director of Athletics. “We have a great relationship with all of these schools and look forward to continuing these positive relationships.”
Realignment information for other sports will be release later this spring.>Top |
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2010 SPELLING BEE WINNERS |
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Greenwood Hills 4th Graders Have "The Write Stuff"
Balloons and music filled the library at Greenwood Hills recently. Fourth graders were celebrating how far they had come with their writing skills, an important achievement with the TAKS writing test only weeks away. The celebration was also part of a partnership with a local dentist, Dr. Doug Crosby, who sponsors the “Celebrating Authors” program by publishing select students’ stories in the local section of the newspaper.
This is the first year Dr. Crosby has worked with Greenwood Hills, although he has been actively supporting other RISD schools for many years. “I grew up in RISD and now, as a business owner, I’m dependent on the schools staying strong,” commented Dr. Crosby. “With this writing program, I’m hoping that we’re helping motivate Greenwood Hills students to do their best and be excited about writing.” |
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The program seems to be working. Throughout the celebration, teachers asked the students about what they’ve been learning. “How do you explode the moment?” asked fourth grade teacher Laura Simon. Hands quickly went up, with answers like dialogue, action, feelings, description, and emotions. Teachers shared examples of great story leads and conclusions. Students smiled as their stories were shared.
“At the beginning of the year, my stories weren’t very good,” commented fourth grader Vanee Gonzales. Ela Reinertsen, a classmate, agreed, “The kindergarteners were yawning because our stories were so boring.” But the girls know their writing skills have really improved. “We’ve improved because we’ve practiced – and our teachers have taught us lots of strategies,” commented Vanee.
“You feel proud that you got something done,” said Ela. “I didn’t think I could write something so long but now I know that I can!”>Top |
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Sigma Gamma Rho Helps Out at Mark Twain
The ladies of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. Grad Chapter recently volunteered at Mark Twain Elementary, painting bulletin boards and donating school supplies – all through the school’s “Communities In Schools” program.
Coordinating volunteer assistance and donations are key activities of Communities In Schools, a private, non-profit organization whose mission is to help at-risk students stay in school and achieve academically.
Mark Twain Elementary is very thankful to Sigma Gamma Rho and Communities In Schools for their support. >Top |
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Darthmouth Students Read to Special Canine Visitors
Second and third graders at Dartmouth Elementary have found a unique audience for their read-aloud time this year. Starting in the fall, to help build students’ fluency, special canine visitors were invited to listen to the students read once a week. The program kicked off with a Pup Rally, where several dogs came to the school to tell the students what they would be doing.
The dogs, registered therapy animals who volunteer with their owners as a team, are part of a program called Heart of Texas Therapy Dogs. Barbara Wilson, who coordinates the program with Dartmouth, is a R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) registered handler which, she explained, “. . . means I have spent time studying not only how best to utilize therapy dogs to promote literacy, but also how to incorporate proven techniques to improve a student's reading skills.”
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| “We typically have three to four dogs each week. The dogs can be as tiny as Tina (pictured), although our largest was a beautiful Great Pyrenees,” said Jann Richards, Instructional Specialist. She continued, “The students are very excited and look forward to their days to read. They feel very comfortable reading to the dogs, who are just listening to them for pleasure, with no criticism. The dog owners only offer help when and if needed. It’s a great time for the students to work on reading fluency.” >Top |
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PRESTONWOOD ENGAGES IN MATH & SCIENCE FUN |
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Prestonwood Elementary students and their families spent time calculating, measuring, and observing at a variety of hands-on stations during Math & Science Night. “We were so pleased by the number of families that participated,” said instructional specialist Kelli Hunt. “We had over 180 students and parents attend the event due to flyers, word of mouth, science store shopping, and the anticipation of wonderful hands-on activities for everyone, no matter what the grade level. Because the students were excited, they did a great job of encouraging their parents to attend.”
To kick off Math & Science Day, students were treated to a special presentation by Pearce robotics teacher, Ronald Gardner. In addition to demonstrating different types of robots that performed functions based on telepresence and autonomy, Mr. Gardner also allowed students to work with the robots through fun, hands-on interactions. >Top |
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YALE JOINS HANDS AGAINST NAME CALLING |
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Trustee David Tyson Not Seeking Re-Election |
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 RISD Board of Trustee David Tyson announced this week that he will not seek re-election this May, creating an open seat for Place 3 on the Board.
“I have made the difficult decision not to seek re-election for the RISD Board Of Trustees,” said Mr. Tyson. “As the owner of a small business, my decision is based entirely on my need to spend more time growing this business over the next three to five years. It has been an honor and privilege to serve the RISD community, staff and students over the last six years as your RISD Board Of Trustees member.”
“I will continue to do the best that I can as your trustee and be fully engaged until my term ends in May,” he continued. “I will remain an advocate for the district and will continue monitoring its progress. Thank you all for allowing me this opportunity.”
Mr. Tyson has served on the RISD Board for two terms, totaling six years.
“On behalf of RISD, I want to thank Mr. Tyson for his thousands of hours of volunteer service over the past six years,” said RISD Superintendent Carolyn Bukhair. “He has demonstrated outstanding leadership in many areas during his tenure, including RISD’s student discipline management practices, recruitment and development of minority staff members, RISD’s pursuit of Unitary Status with the federal court and efforts to foster relationships with local churches and clergy in support of RISD.”
“He has been a strong advocate for all students, and his wisdom and leadership will be missed.”
The deadline for candidates to file to run for any of the three Board of Trustees places on the ballot this year is March 8, 2010. Election Day is May 8, 2010.
The Board’s Election Calendar can be found here. >Top |
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SPRING CREEK 5TH GRADERS STEP BACK IN TIME |
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A few experiences can be more impactful than a thousand words. Fifth grade students at Spring Creek Elementary found this to be true as they learned about colonial times. Teachers Betty Tomasovic and Megan Munzesheimer took the social studies lesson, “Life in Colonial Williamsburg,” and incorporated six interactive stations from the History Alive program, giving students first-hand experiences from the life and times of the 1700’s.
“It was very interesting learning how life was so different in the 1700’s,”commented 5th grader John Butler, as he practiced his quill writing.
One station activity had students voting on legal questions from 1772 at the Governor’s Palace, such as who should have the right to vote and whether to pardon a teenage pirate. After voting was complete, the actual results from 1772 were shared with the students.
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Other station activities included measuring for and designing shoes at the Shoemaker’s Shop, playing games from the 1700’s at the Rally Tavern, practicing their quill writing and sewing skills at the College of William & Mary, singing songs in the Slave Quarters, and sitting according to card-drawn social status at the Bruton Parish Church.
Betty Tomasovic commented, “Using the interactive stations really made history come alive. Students stepped back in past and experienced life in the 1700’s. The students were begging to do lessons like these every day.” >Top |
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RISD’s Energy Reduction Efforts Continue to Pay Off |
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RISD's electricity provider, Oncor Energy, recently presented the district with a $17,173 rebate check, the second rebate in 2009. The rebate is the result of upgrading the lighting systems at all four high schools: Berkner, Pearce, Richardson and Lake Highlands. The district received a check earlier in 2009 for improving lighting, air conditioning, and roofing efficiency in other district buildings.
The lighting and air conditioning systems installed by RISD will save nearly 226,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, which translates into savings of $26,000 annually at the current electric rate. That is equivalent to the carbon dioxide emissions of about 18,400 gallons of gasoline, according to Environmental Protection Agency calculations.
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| “Oncor’s Educational Facilities Program has helped our district and our community by saving taxpayer dollars and improving district facilities,” said Superintendent Dr. Carolyn Bukhair. “By continuing to reduce energy costs, we’re able to then devote more funds to direct education costs such as curriculum and instruction.” >Top |
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RISD ART STUDENTS HONORED AT “YOUNG PEOPLE’S SCHOLARSHIP SHOW” |
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BERKNER PRESENTS “THE SOUND OF MUSIC” |
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Upcoming theatre productions |
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 Richardson High School Theatre Presents - “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” – Feb. 4-6 (7:30pm) - www.rhstheatre.org/
Berkner High School Theatre Presents - “The Sound of Music” - February 4-6 (7pm)
Pearce High School Theatre Presents - “Fiddler on the Roof” – Feb. 18-20 (7:30pm), Feb. 21 (2pm), Feb. 26 (7:30pm), Feb. 27 (2pm & 7:30pm), Feb. 28 (2pm) - www.pearcetheater.com/ |
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Fine Arts
Theatre
Richardson High School Theatre presents “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat” at Richardson High School Black Box Theatre, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 4; 7:30 p.m. Friday, February 5; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, February 6. Ticket information is available at www.rhstheatre.org
Berkner High School Theatre presents “The Sound of Music” at Berkner High School Auditorium, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 4; 7:30 p.m. Friday, February 5; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, February 6.
Band
Lake Highlands High School Winterguard to competition at James Bowie High School in Arlington, all day, Saturday, February 6
High School Sports
Basketball Friday, February 5
Berkner High School vs. Skyline High School at Forester Fieldhouse, 8:00 p.m.
Berkner High School girls vs. Skyline High School at Berkner High School, 7:30 p.m.
Lake Highlands High School vs. Richardson High School at Lake Highlands High School, 7:30 p.m.
Lake Highlands High School girls vs. Richardson High School at Richardson High School, 7:30 p.m.
Pearce High School vs. Greenville High School at Pearce High School, 7:30 p.m.
Pearce High School girls vs. Greenville High School at Greenville High School, 7:30 p.m.
Wrestling, Saturday, February 6
Richardson High School, Richardson High School, Pearce High School to RISD District Meet at Berkner High School, 9:00 a.m.
Soccer, Friday, February 5
Berkner High School girls vs. Skyline High School at Forester Field. 7:00 p.m.
Berkner High School boys vs. Skyline High School at Berkner High School. 7:00 p.m.
Lake Highlands High School girls vs. Richardson High School at Lake Highlands High School. 7:00 p.m.
Richardson High School boys vs. Lake Highlands High School at Eagle Mustang Stadium. 7:00 p.m.
Pearce High School girls vs. Corsicana High School at Corsicana High School. 7:00 p.m.
Bowling (Non-UIL), Friday, February 5
Berkner High School vs. Richardson High School at AMF Richardson. 5:15 p.m.
Berkner High School vs. Plano West High School at Plano Super Bowl, Saturday, January 30. 2:30 p.m. >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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