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The First Day of School is Monday, August 23 |
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 Richardson Independent School District will welcome more than 34,000 students when school starts on Monday, August 23.
Enrollment Information
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. Summer enrollment for elementary schools begins August 10. Secondary students should check with the school for enrollment days. RISD does not accept students living outside the district on a tuition-paid basis.
Call 469-593-0000 or visit risd.org for more information.
To enroll your child in RISD, the following information is required:
- The child's Birth Certificate
- The child's Social Security Card
- Proof of Immunization
- Proof of Residency
- Proof of withdrawal from the child's previous school (if applicable)
- Records from the child's previous schools (if applicable)>Top
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RISD Receives Top Rating for Financial Transparency |
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 The Texas Comptroller’s Office has notified RISD that the district has received Gold Leadership Circle recognition, the highest level of recognition available, for efforts to be financially transparent. The Comptroller of Public Accounts launched the Texas Comptroller Leadership Circle program in December 2009 to recognize local governments across Texas that are striving to meet a high standard for financial transparency online.
RISD makes budgetary information, check registers, its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and supporting financial information available on the district website.
“We feel this recognition is consistent with RISD’s goal of ensuring excellence in operations,” said RISD Superintendent Dr. Kay Waggoner. “For a public institution, commitment to financial transparency is essential.”
For more information about the recognition please visit texastransparency.org. >Top |
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New Online Volunteer System |
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RISD has launched a new Volunteer Online Application for the 2010-2011 school year.
Prospective volunteers can access the Volunteer Application by navigating to the RISD website at www.risd.org - then click on Community - Volunteer Opportunities. At this point, volunteers can elect to proceed in English or in Spanish and the online form will be accessible for individuals wishing to volunteer in RISD schools for the current academic year. Any RISD school can be selected as a preference. The information submitted will be used to perform a criminal background check as well as documenting information that will allow schools to contact approved volunteers for a specific need.
This list will be active until June 30, 2011 at which time it will be purged and volunteers will be asked to submit new information for the following school year.
Cooperation and understanding during RISD's transition to this new system is greatly appreciated. The new format will provide a much quicker turnaround in the processing of the criminal background checks and notifying the schools of approved volunteers available to assist.
The district is very appreciative of community members interested in volunteering, and staff and students look forward to working with those willing to share their time and talents. >Top |
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Three RISD Teachers Among Tech Titans Finalists |
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 The Metroplex Technology Business Council has named three RISD teachers among the four finalists for the 2010 Tech Titans of the Future Math/Science Teacher Award.
Joanne Blast of Lake Highlands High School, Kevin Cieszkowski of the Berkner STEM Academy and Alisa Salvans of Richardson High School were named finalists for the award, which will be announced August 27 at the Tech Titans 10th Anniversary event.
The Tech Titans of the Future Math/Science Teacher Award recognizes a high school math or science teacher for development and implementation of an innovative teaching technique or program that inspires student interest regarding further educational and/or career pursuits in science, technology, engineering or math.
Founded in 1994, the MTBC is a non-profit organization composed of approximately 300 members that include technology businesses and providers from across the DFW Metroplex.
For more information, please visit metroplextbc.org/Events/Tech-Titans.aspx. >Top |
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RISD’s goal is to provide the safest possible environment during the summer for student athletes by recommending the following precautions for coaches, sponsors and administrators during outdoor events:
- Use air conditioned facilities for stretching and drills.
- Avoid scheduling practices during the middle of the day.
- Limit practice time.
- Supply necessary amounts of water or drinks for depleted electrolytes and nutrients.
- Use shaded areas, if available.
- Trainers should be equipped with ice towels and water bottles.
- Stop for water breaks every 15 to 30 minutes.
- Provide sprinklers on the field.
- Monitor athlete’s weight before and after practice to prevent severe dehydration.
- Limit the use of helmets or shoulder pads whenever possible.
- Be alert and cautious for heat-related symptoms. >Top
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RISD Band Director Receives Prestigious Award |
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The Texas Bandmasters Association has named Berkner High School's Lynne Jackson as the recipient of the 2010 Meritorious Achievement Award. This award recognizes those who have made a difference in the lives of band students in Texas and who exemplify the qualities of a good band director.
Lynne has taught instrumental music for 40 years, 26 of which were with RISD at North JH, Parkhill JH, and Pearce HS. In 1983, she was selected as the RISD Teacher of the Year.
While Lynne initially retired in 2003, she has still been highly involved in music, teaching part-time in Plano ISD and, most recently, serving as a band director in the Bekner area. In addition, she is on faculty at the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University as an adjunct lecturer in music education. |
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In 2009, Lynne and SMU music education colleague, Brian Merrill, founded the Young Educator Seminars (YES). YES offers young music teachers continuing education through five annual open-invitation seminars presented by accomplished and acclaimed teachers.
Lynne is recognized throughout Texas as an adjudicator, clinician, and mentor to young music students and teachers. She is ever so deserving of this wonderful award. >Top |
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Soccer Seniors Send care packages to iraq |
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In early May, Sean Falloure never expected to be able to see four of his seniors graduate, but thanks to RISD’s live streaming of the Richardson High School graduation, SPC Falloure got to watch his former soccer players walk across the stage on his computer in Baghdad. The four seniors, Michelle Grzybowski, Angelica Perez, Brionna Minde, and Catharine Young played soccer for Coach Falloure when they were sophomores. It was to be his only year as the Lady Eagles varsity soccer head coach.
The following year, he left to return to his alma mater, South Garland, to take over the girls’ varsity soccer program. But these four players were special to him. The Richardson girls did not win a game that year, but the girls kept trying and Coach Falloure kept encouraging. The spirit they showed made an impression on him and he continued to follow their progress after he left RHS. Earlier this year, his life took a distinct turn when his Army reserve unit was sent to Baghdad. |
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Even though he was their coach for only one year, Coach Falloure also made an impression on the four players and they wanted to do something special for him. This spring, the soccer team sponsored a project to collect items to send to Coach Falloure’s unit in Iraq. The final tally? Sixteen large boxes filled with a variety of items. Catharine Young said “Coach Falloure was an instrumental part of the growth of the girls’ soccer program. We all missed his guidance and support on and off the field the past two years." Michelle Grzybowski added “Coach Falloure was such a great coach and an even better person. I feel blessed that we can even do a little to give back to the heroic servicemen and women of our country like Coach Falloure. Hopefully, these donations will show even in just a small way how much we appreciate our troops.”
Thanks to Coach Falloure, the girls have a greater understanding and appreciation for all of those willing to serve our country. They also wish to thank the RHS community (especially the soccer families) for supporting their project and our soldiers. >Top |
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Bowie Elementary State Floats |
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Immunization requirements |
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| The Texas Department of State Health Services revised the immunization requirements for enrollment for the upcoming 2010-2011
school year. These changes affect incoming
Kindergarten, 1st, 7th, and 8th grade
students. Parents are encouraged to get their
child’s immunizations updated as soon as possible and not wait until school begins.
Immunization clinics can be extremely busy at the start of a school year, and waiting until
then can delay a child’s enrollment in school.
Immunization requirements for other grades
remain unchanged from 09-10 requirements.
The new requirements are listed below, in
bold. Visit the state immunization website at
www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize/school for
a listing of required immunizations for
students of all grade levels. >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:
- 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
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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All schools will be using this list as is, or with a few minor additions or deletions. Please check with your school for specifics.
For parents' 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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 School lunches are available for purchase daily at all RISD schools. The student plate lunch in elementary schools costs $2.00. It is $2.15 in the secondary schools. Adults pay $3.00. Customers may select from the five components to build a lunch. Components include fruit, grain/bread, meat/meat alternate, milk and vegetable. A minimum of three different components must be taken to receive the lunch price or meal benefits.
Nutritious breakfasts are also available to students for only $1.50. Visitors and staff pay $1.90. Customers may select a minimum of three components or a maximum of four components to get a reimbursable meal. Components include milk, fruit, bread and meat.
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. 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.
Click here to download the 2010-11 Elementary Menu (PDF)
Click here to download the 2010-11 Secondary Menu (PDF) >Top |
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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.
Current RISD building security procedures were fully implemented for the 2008-09 school year. They reflect national best practices, and collectively result in safer, more secure buildings.
Security practices include:
- 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.
- All secondary campuses have School Resource Officers (SRO's). >Top
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 RISD offers an after-school program called PACE at many of its campuses. A fee based program is offered at the following elementary campuses for 2010: Aikin, Arapaho Classical Magnet, Big Springs, Bowie, Brentfield, Canyon Creek, Dartmouth, Dover, Forestridge, Greenwood Hills, Jess Harben, Lake Highlands, Mark Twain, Merriman Park, Mohawk, Moss Haven, MST, Northrich, Northwood Hills, O.Henry, Prairie Creek, Prestonwood, Richardson Heights, Richardson Terrace, Richland, Spring Creek, Springridge, Spring Valley, Stults Road, Wallace, White Rock and Yale.
A free program is offered at the following elementary campuses for 2010: Audelia Creek, Carolyn Bukhair, Forest Lane Academy, Northlake, RISD Academy, Skyview, Thurgood Marshall
For junior high information, check with your campus to see what opportunities are available. Program fees at some campuses may be reduced 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 risd.org/PACE. >Top |
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 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.
Parent access to Star_Portal for the for the 2010-2011 school
year will begin on or after September 7, 2010.
For more information, go to risd.org/star_portal.
Parents, please don't forget that you must apply for a new Rportal account every year. >Top |
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| School hours are as follows: |
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Grades K through 6
Grades 7 through 8
Grades 9 through 12 |
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8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
9:00 a.m. - 4:10 p.m. |
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| Some magnet schools may have different schedules. Please check with those individual campuses. >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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The Tax Free holiday weekend this year begins Friday, August 20 through Sunday, August 22. 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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At the beginning of the school year, each student should receive a 2010-2011 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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