School Times Now!

	TOP STORIES

RISD Earns Top Rating from
State for Financial
Accountability

Richardson HS Teacher Named
One of Best in Texas

Spotlight on RISD

Real-World Scenario
Provides Financial Experience

Jess Harben Unveils New Look

RISD Requests Your Opinion

Free Studio Movie Grill Tickets
to support food bank

High School Highlights

Trustee Ellis Re-elected to
Statewide Board

Dallas Museum of Art
Presents to HPPM

Spring Valley Elementary
Diabetes Walk

Author's License Ceremony

Days of Taste

State Board of Education
Forum - October 16

This Is Fire Prevention Week

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RISD thanks our 2012-13 scoreboard sponsors!

	RISD Earns Top rating from State for Financial Accountability

RISD has again earned the rating of Superior Achievement from the Texas Education Agency for financial accountability under the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) program.

The program considers more than 20 financial indicators to determine how well a district is using its financial resources.

RISD has earned the highest available rating of Superior Achievement every year since the program's inception.

For additional information, please visit RISD budget & finance page to view the FIRST presentation. >Top

	Richardson HS Teacher Named One of Best in Texas

From (L): U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions; Liz James, Humanities Texas; RISD Superintendent Dr. Kay Waggoner; Richardson H.S. Teacher Pat Hofeditz; Michael Gillette, Humanities Texas; RHS Principal Charles Pickitt

Humanities Texas has named RHS teacher Pat Hofeditz a recipient of the 2012 Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award.

U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions and Humanities Texas Executive Director Michael L. Gillette presented Mrs. Hofeditz with her award in her classroom this week.

The award is given to just 13 classroom teachers across the state who have made exemplary contributions in teaching, curriculum development and extracurricular programming.

The award comes with a $5,000 award, including and $500 for Richardson High School to use for instructional materials.

For additional information, please read the press release. >Top

	Spotlight on RISD

Please take a moment to watch the October edition of Spotlight On RISD – a video highlighting news and happenings from around the district.

Click here to watch the video. >Top

	Real-World Scenario Provides Financial Experience

Volunteers and students engaged in Junior Achievement's Finance Park.

Approximately 90 Apollo Junior High students visited Junior Achievement's Finance Park, currently at the RISD Professional Development Center, this week, where they participated in an interactive budgeting exercise. Finance Park helps students develop essential skills to manage their money responsibly. Volunteers from ExxonMobil were also on hand for the day as part of their annual "Week of Action."

For the exercise, each student was given a profile, including income and family information, and asked to create a budget which they followed as they "shopped" the park to purchase a house, car and household items. Students were required to balance the costs of all items and come within their designated salary. As one volunteer explained, "One of the biggest surprises for us came as some students left saying that they had to go tell their parents thank you. The students had never realized how hard it is to live within a budget." >Top

	Jess Harben Unveils New Look

Dr. Waggoner joined excited students, residents and staff members at Jess Harben Elementary recently to officially cut the ribbon on the school's major renovation work performed over the summer.

The school received its first major renovation work since it opened in the 1970s, and included updated flooring, tile, paint and other upgrades to dated common areas. Some original murals from the cafeteria that were affected by the renovation were also preserved on canvas and unveiled.

The event coincided with the National Night Out against crime, and attracted a packed house of students, parents, staff, community members and special guests from the Richardson police and fire departments. >Top

	RISD Requests Your Opinion

The district is participating in a national survey related to the use of technology in education, and is asking stakeholders to consider taking a moment to complete an online survey.

The survey is conducted by Speak Up, and will help RISD understand more about student, parent and employee attitudes related to technology.

Participation is anonymous and easy:

Follow the link below.
Select the survey for student, parent or educator.
Select your state and find your school or district.
If prompted, enter the password 'risd'.

The survey should take approximately 10 minutes - RISD appreciates your time and feedback! >Top

	Free Studio Movie Grill Tickets to support food bank

All RISD staff, teachers, parents and students can receive a free movie ticket in exchange for a canned good at the Studio Movie Grill on Friday, October 12 through Sunday, October 14. Click here for more information. >Top

	High School Highlights

Lake Highlands High School
4th Annual Granger Smith Concert sponsored by the Lake Highlands Wildcat Wranglers
Join the Wildcat Wranglers for the 4th annual Granger Smith Concert on Sunday, October 28th, from 4:30 to 7:30 pm. The concert will be held at the Lake Highlands Town Center Amphitheater - located at the southeast corner of Skillman and Walnut Hill. Bring your lawn chairs, blanket, and picnic dinner and enjoy great music and entertainment. Also performing will be the Wildcat Wranglers, Highlandettes, Varsity Cheerleaders, and Kids Dance Clinic attendees. There will be several food trucks selling food and beverages for those who would rather buy than bring a dinner. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at home football games or from your favorite Wrangler! >Top

Lake Highlands Wildcat Wranglers Kids' Dance Clinic
Two step on over for some boot scootin' with the LHHS Wranglers!

Lake Highlands Wildcat Wranglers Kids' Dance Clinic is Saturday, October 20th from 1:00 to 3:30 at Lake Highlands High School.
This event is for boys and girls from kindergarten through 6th grade. Parents, this is the same day as Market in the Meadow! Kid-free shopping!

The Wranglers will teach the kids at least two country western dances and all participants are invited to perform at 2 Wrangler events: The LHHS Tailgate Party on Friday, October 26th (before the home football game) and at the Granger Smith concert on Sunday, October 28th. Parents may purchase 1/2 price tickets to the Granger Smith concert on the day of the Dance Clinic

Preregistered participants will receive a Wranglers t-shirt to wear to both performances. Day of clinic participants will receive t-shirts on first come first served basis.

The cost is $30 per child, with a $5 discount for siblings.

To register, go to www.LHHSWranglers.org and click the events tab to find a printable registration form.

For any questions, email Tonda Howard. >Top

Pearce High School
JJ Pearce Pacesetters Holiday Bazaar

JJ Pearce Pacesetters Drill Team and Booster Club present the 33rd Annual Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, October 27 through October 28 at JJ Pearce High School. Hours are: Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Sunday 11:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m.

Admission is FREE, but the Pacesetters are conducting a food drive benefitting The Network of Community Ministries. Please drop your non-perishable food items and toiletries at the door.

The bazaar is a great tradition for many to begin their holiday shopping. Over 200 vendors will make shopping fun and easy.

A favorite of the bazaar is the bake sale. Seasonal favorites such as pumpkin bread and spice cake, to cake balls, cookies, and "Puppy Chow" are featured. You'll want to come early for best selection.

So that you don't have to shop until you drop, Bazaar also features a cafe with food supplied by local eateries that generously support our community and school. Another favorite of the bazaar is the sweepstakes. With over 150 prizes, drawings are held throughout the event. You don't need to be present to win, but it's fun to pick up your prize and receive thanks from the Pacesetters for your support.

The Pacesetters work hard to represent JJ Pearce High School with loyalty and pride, so please support this fun and exciting event. The public is welcome and admission is FREE! Hours are: Saturday, October 27 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m & Sunday, October 28 11:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. Click here to download the flyer. >Top

Richardson High School
Eaglettes Encourage Youngsters to Read
The Richardson High School Eaglette Drill Team split up last week - going to five elementary schools in the RHS feeder pattern and talking to young students about the importance of reading and working hard in school. >Top

RHS DECA Students Give Back
Students from the Richardson High School chapter of DECA recently gave back to their community by visiting Northwood Hills Elementary and teaching young students a lesson on community. DECA is an international organization for high school and college students promoting entrepreneurship, business, finance, marketing and hospitality management.

Richardson HS DECA students thoroughly enjoyed their visit to Northwood HIlls and the new friends made in the Kindergarten through third grade classes they visited. >Top

RHS Theatre Takes on Bullying with a Classic
Anti-bullying has become a hot topic on school campuses all over the nation, not only because of physical bullying in schools but because of the more recent development of Internet bullying through social media websites. Richardson High School created an anti-bullying committee in 2010 with the goal of discovering new ways to discourage bullying in all its forms in RHS.

Last April, magnet theatre director Cliff McClelland brought an idea to assistant principal and anti-bullying committee chairperson, Josh Eason. The theatre department wanted to do a stage production of Joseph Conrad's "Lord of the Flies" and create a DVD explaining how the play embodies the concept of extreme bullying, where the bullies have created a repressive, militaristic society that squashes individualism and the moral code that keeps modern societies in balance. McClelland discovered and applied for a grant from the MetroTex Association of Realtors from whom he received $3000.00 towards the production and DVD development.

"We're extremely grateful to MetroTex," says McClelland. "They've allowed us to create a beautiful set and hire a cameraman to follow the students through the rehearsal process as they searched to discover the characters and their attitudes towards bullying by confronting their own past experiences with it. We hope to be able to provide anti-bullying DVDs to every counseling department in the Dallas area that would like a copy."

If you would like to support RHS students and this cause, please see the show this Thursday, Saturday, or Sunday, October 11, 13, or 14. The Thursday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m., and the Sunday matinee is at 2:00 p.m. All shows will be performed in the Black Box Theatre inside Richardson High School, 1250 West Belt Line Road, Richardson, TX 75080. For more information about the show and Richardson High School Theatre, please visit their website, www.rhstheatre.org. >Top

	Trustee Ellis Re-elected to Statewide Board

Richardson ISD Board of Trustee member Karen Ellis has been re-elected to the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Board of Directors, representing Region 10A.

Ellis, a master trustee who has served on the RISD Board since 1999, has been an outspoken and active advocate of public education throughout her career.

For additional information, please read the press release here. >Top

	Dallas Museum of Art Presents to HPPM

Mrs. Maria Teresa Pedroche, head of Community Engagement at the Dallas Museum of Art, is shown explaining to the 3rd grade students at Hamilton Park Pacesetter Magnet school the importance of art in our daily lives. Special exhibits, were highlighted, such as "Legacy of the Plumed Serpent in Ancient Mexico," that is with emphasis on maintaining the culture of a race of people. The students were actively engaged and asked many interesting questions. >Top

	Spring Valley Elementary Diabetes Walk

Spring Valley Elementary students recently participated in a fun walk which raised close to $600 for the American Diabetes Association. Coach Elisa Staats and Nurse Sherry Freeland, coordinated the walk with the help of Sandy Peters from the American Diabetes Association. Students in 2nd-6th grades learned about diabetes during PE and health classes with interactive games and activities.

Competitions were organized to help motivate the classes. One of the second grade classes won the opportunity to decorate the front fence of the school.

They closed their "School Walk for Diabetes" by wearing red, chanting, and walking around the school block to let the community know that Spring Valley students are helping to STOP DIABETES! >Top

	Author's License Ceremony

Dr. Crosby, Kendal Hartley, Principal Lanette Massey Stinnett, and Officer Percival present the excited fourth graders with licenses to write.

The fourth graders at Greenwood Hills Elementary were honored in a ceremony in their library last week. The community came out in full support of the budding fourth grade authors. Dr. Douglas Crosby and his staff provide the students with a license to write—on a lanyard to hang around their necks during Writer's Workshop.

The community, including City Councilman Kendal Hartley, and Richardson Police Officer Percival also spoke to the students about the importance of following rules in a community and following the rules of writing. The students were so excited to march into their year of writing especially when they found out that Dr. Crosby makes it possible for some of them to have their stories published in the newspaper. Thank you to our community for supporting our fourth grade writers! >Top

	Days of Taste

Moss Haven student shoppers enjoyed the Farmer's Market.

Fifth grade students from Moss Haven Elementary were recently invited to the Days Of Taste at the Dallas Farmers Market. They met with a local chef and the farmers at the market to learn about the food to table cycle.

After they heard what it takes to be a chef from Duni Borga, owner of La Duni restaurants, the kids set off for the market to shop from the farmers. They brought their produce back to the test kitchen and prepared delicious salads for lunch. It was a great experience learning about all of the career opportunities in the food industry. >Top

	State Board of Education Forum - October 16, 2012

The League of Women Voters chapters of Richardson, Plano/Collin County, and Dallas, along with the Richardson ISD Council of PTAs will jointly host a forum for the State Board of Education District 12 candidates on Tuesday, October 16. The event will be from 7:00pm to 8:00pm in the Richardson ISD auditorium of the Richardson ISD Administrative Building at 400 S. Greenville Avenue, Richardson, Texas 75081. The event is open to the public.

The candidates are Lois Parrott, Democrat; and Geraldine "Tincy" Miller, Republican.

If you have a question you want to ask the candidates at the forum, email it to voterservice@lwvrichardson.org. Questions that are emailed are given the same consideration as questions submitted at the forum. Questions will be screened according to League of Women Voters of Texas Guide to Candidates Forums.

Click here to download the event flyer. >Top

	This Is Fire Prevention Week

National Fire Prevention Week is October 7-13.

Six people will die today in house fires across the U.S. On average each year, there are 366,000 fires that destroy lives and property. Fire Prevention Week is a good time to ensure your family has 1) smoke alarms in their homes, 2) smoke alarms that are working properly, and 3) a family fire escape plan (that has been practiced at night).

The federal government is providing new information to create layers of fire protection in American homes. In addition to having smoke alarms, the following safety tips are recommended:

Have a professional inspect all fuel-burning home appliances, including furnaces and chimneys.
Never leave cooking equipment unattended.
Use caution with candles, lighters, matches, and smoking materials near upholstered furniture, mattresses, and bedding.
Have a fire escape plan and practice it so all family members know what to do and where to meet if there's a fire in the home.

Download more fire safety information here. >Top

	SCHOOL TIMES NOW! ARCHIVE

Did you miss an issue of School Times Now!? Click here to view the archives. >Top

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