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RISD Family Literacy Program: An Umbrella of Learning |
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According to Kit Prince, the dynamic coordinator who heads up the RISD Family Literacy Center, “Folks are hungry to learn!” Ms. Prince is referring to the 150 students, ranging from 2 months to adult, that make up the population of the Family Literacy Program, which serves all of RISD and is located at Dobie Primary.
Thanks to a grant received 12 years ago, the campus that has long catered to Pre-K and kindergarten students was able to house the Family Literacy Center. Located at the rear of the building in the last remaining portable classrooms in RISD, the Family Literacy Center offers a unique experience for families to learn together. As their Mission Statement reads, “An Umbrella of Learning is provided for parents and children seeking opportunities to strengthen their family, school and community.”
The success of the Family Literacy Center has caught the attention of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy not once, but twice. At the Celebration of Reading event held last month, standing alongside Mrs. Bush and addressing the well-read audience was Johanna Betancourt, a beneficiary of the Center. She and her family sought political asylum in the United States from Columbia in 2005. Thanks to connecting with the Center, Johanna is now fluent in English and works as an assistant teacher of three-year-olds as well as a Parent Educator. She’s currently a sophomore working toward a teaching degree and has earned scholarships toward that goal. Says Johanna, “Having a parent educator and learning about child development and the importance of early literacy activities taught me to be a good parent to my three year-old son. As a family, we read together, we interact. This is such a valuable lesson for him.”
Click here to read the rest of the story. >Top |
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| Prestonwood Elementary first graders and their teachers enjoyed catching snowflakes on their tongues last week during North Texas' first snowfall of the year. >Top |
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RISD High schools provide Fall sports wrap-ups |
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Cross Country
Girls – 2nd in District
MVP – Sophomore Margaret Depestre-Acres was 3rd
in the District 9-5A meet.
Boys – 4th in District 9-5A
Habtuma Tessema finished 6th in District and qualified
for regionals
Football – Record: 6-5
3rd in District 9-5A losing in the Bi-District round of the
playoffs
Tennis – Record: 9-4
3rd in District
MVP - Colin Mosley
Volleyball – Record: 16-21
8-6 in District 9-5A
4th in district losing in Bi-District round of the playoffs
MVP – Amber Parsonault |
Cross Country
Boys - District Champions (team)
1st Place Individual – Meron Fessiahi
Team Advanced to Regional meet
Girls - 3rd Place – Advanced to Regional Meet
Football – Record: 9-3
2nd Place in District
Area Finalist
Tennis - Record: 19-4
District Champions
Advanced to the Regional Tournament
Volleyball - Record: 34-13
District Champions
Advanced to Regional Tournament |
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Cross Country
Girls - 4th overall in district
Regional Qualifiers: Megan Siebert, Kendall Howen
State Qualifier: Megan Siebert (15th overall at state)
Boys - 5th overall in district
Regional Qualifier: Taylor Piske (18th overall at
regionals)
Football - Record:
6-5
Lost Bi-District game to Denison
Tennis - Record: 7-1
District 10-4A
Second Place
Volleyball - Record: 44-6
Pearland Nike Classic Champions... (largest 5A/4A
tournament in the state) * First 4A to ever win it.
Finished 14-0 in district, 44-6 overall
State Semi finals (tied for 3rd at state) |
Cross Country
Boys finished 5th at
District 9-5A meet
Girls finished 6th at District 9-5A meet
Football - Record: 6-4
4-3 in District 9-5A resulting in 3rd place finish
Advanced to bi-district playoffs for first time in
17 years
Tennis - Record: 12-6
Tennis advanced to regionals for the first
in 25 years.
Finished second in district.
Volleyball - Record: 25-15
10-4 in District 9-5A resulting 2nd place finish
Advanced to area round of playoffs |
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Another successful Recycle Round-up |
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Lake Highlands Elementary recently maintained its "green" title by collecting the most recyclable material among the four City of Dallas-wide locations during the city's annual Recycle Round-Up.
This is the second year LHE has partnered with City of Dallas Sanitation Services and a dozen other vendors for what is fast becoming a popular neighborhood event.
This year's event once again offered citizens the opportunity to responsibly dispose of potential landfill fodder, with particular emphasis on electronic waste.
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The circular drive behind the school served as the staging area for the collection of a myriad of recyclables. Visitors simply drove through the circle, where volunteers were on hand to help unload everything from vacuum cleaners to computer monitors, light bulbs, cell phones, building materials, tires, glass, batteries, small appliances, lumber, piping, and much, much more.
Along with students directing folks to the numerous collection stations, visitors also had the opportunity to adopt a loving pet from Operation Kindness and grab a delicious grilled hot dog lunch with proceeds going toward the school's 5th Grade Sky Ranch trip.
Volunteers also collected gently used clothing, books and household items for Goodwill and the RISD Clothes Closet.
Thanks to all who participated! >Top |
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Academic Calendar Options - Input open through December 18 |
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The RISD Board of Trustees has approved two versions of the RISD Academic Calendar for 2010-2011. The two options are very similar except that in Option 1, the secondary semester exams would occur prior to the winter break; and in Option 2, exams would occur after the winter break. As always, RISD greatly values community input. Please send calendar input to Patti Kieker, Deputy Superintendent, at patti.kieker@risd.org or via US mail at 400 S. Greenville Avenue, Richardson, TX 75081.
Click here to download Option 1.
Click here to download Option 2. >Top |
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Weather Notifications reminder |
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| In the event of school closure due to inclement weather, RISD.org will display a red bar at the top of the page. If classes are to continue as scheduled, a green bar will be displayed. |
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The safety of our students and staff is a priority if bad weather is predicted. Several RISD departments (transportation, facilities, grounds) stand ready to assess the condition of the roads and school facilities should ice and/or snow make travel to or from RISD schools hazardous.
Based on their assessment of the road conditions and consultation with surrounding districts, RISD’s Superintendent will determine if schools in Richardson ISD will be delayed or closed for the safety of students and staff.
In the event of inclement weather that may require classes to be delayed or cancelled, parents and employees will be notified by telephone message of any decision by 6:30 a.m.
In addition, patrons can call the district's inclement weather line at 469-593-SNOW, check the RISD homepage at www.risd.org, sign up to receive RISD's twitter updates, or monitor major local media outlets.
Since the implementation of the Blackboard Connect mass telephone notification system, campus phone trees for poor weather are no longer necessary, as all employees and parents will receive a call simultaneously with closure news.
This is another great reason for parents to ensure their child's campus has accurate contact information. >Top |
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PHS Pacesetters Dance Workshop - January 15 |
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FINE ARTS
Theatre, Friday, December 11
Berkner High School Theatre Festival of Plays, 7:00 p.m. at the Berkner High School Understage Theatre
Orchestra, Saturday, December 12
All-Region Junior High and High School Orchestra Concert, 4:00 p.m. at Garland High School
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
Basketball Tournaments, Friday-Saturday, December 11-12
Richardson High School boys at Flower Mound Tournament at Flower Mound High School, Flower Mound, TX [12/11, 12/12]
Lake Highlands High School boys at Brooke Nichols Shoot-Out at Lakeview High School, Garland, TX [12/11, 12/12]
Berkner High School boys at South Garland Shoot-Out at South Garland High School High School, Garland, TX [12/11]
Basketball Friday, December 11
Pearce High School vs. Mabank High School at Mabank High School, Mabank, time to be announced
Wrestling, Friday, December 11 and Saturday, December 12
Lake Highlands High School vs. Highland Park High School at Lake Highlands High School, 6:00 p.m. [12/11]
Lake Highlands High School at Eagle Mountain Saginaw Tournament in Saginaw, 9:00 a.m. [12/12]
Pearce High School to Plano Tournament at Plano High School, time to be announced, [12/11, 12/12]
Richardson High School at R. L. Turner Christmas Tournament at R. L. Turner High School, [12/11: 6:00 p.m.; 12/12: 9:00 a.m.]
Swimming, Friday, December 11 and Saturday, December 12
Pearce High School to TISCA 4A in Frisco, TX. [12/11: 12:00 p.m - 2:00 p.m; 12/12: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.] >Top |
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RISD Family Literacy Program: An Umbrella of Learning - Continued |
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According to longtime Dobie Principal Kay Reynolds, there are more than 20 languages and dialects spoken in the community that feeds into her school. “Most of the families that come to us are learning English for the first time. Not only do they want their children to learn English, they want the family as a whole to learn English to become good citizens. We currently have a waiting list of about 140 families wanting to attend the Family Literacy Program.”
Among the many programs available at the Center is the nationally recognized HIPPY Program– Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters. It emphasizes the benefits of parents becoming their children’s first teacher by offering a curriculum that can be done together at home. To that end, Home Visitors, many of whom have graduated from the program, act as parent educators bringing developmental and school readiness activities into the home, and initiating family group meetings, field trips, and workshops. The adult education component offers daily classes in ESL, GED, computer skills, and citizenship, with flexible schedules and access to offer community programs.
The Early Childhood Education component is enhanced by two certified teachers who came out of retirement to work with the children. These teachers and their assistants are a dedicated staff who personify the RISD philosophy of striving toward children becoming lifelong learners and achieving academic success through family participation and community support.
As Kitty Loughridge, teacher of 17 children ages 0-36 months, says, “Every time I speak to them, I want to expand language. Instead of asking a child to please put on her shoes, I ask her to please put on her pink shoes. There’s always an opportunity to learn, and from our youngest children to our adults, our students very much want to succeed!”
For more information about the RISD Family Literacy Program and the Early Childhood Education component, please contact Kit Prince at 469 593-4015 or kit.prince@risd.org. >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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