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 Texas Comptroller Susan Combs recently reported FAST (Financial Allocation Study for Texas) ratings for all Texas school districts. The ratings are an effort to determine how well districts are using their financial resources to deliver academic progress for students.
RISD received 4½ stars out of five, with a "composite academic progress percentile" of 98, meaning RISD students have experienced as much or more academic progress than 98 percent of Texas school districts. In addition, RISD's spending index was rated "Low," the second best spending indicator on a five point scale.
The FAST results for RISD are consistent with other financial indicators such as Education Resource Group's Best Practice rankings, the state's FIRST rating for financial integrity, the comptroller's Gold Circle recognition for financial transparency and the district's strong stand alone bond ratings which reinforce RISD as a strong value to taxpayers.
In addition to the FAST ratings, the comptroller's report shares numerous best practices of school districts that help maximize efficiency in operations. Several best practices are highlighted from RISD, and a number of best practices highlighted from other school districts are also utilized in RISD.
For additional information on the FAST ratings and best practices, please visit www.fastexas.org. >Top |
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BOnd 2011 Town Hall meetings |
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RISD Board of Trustees and administration encourage all district stakeholders to attend an upcoming Town Hall meeting in their area. RISD will share details of the current $170 million proposal for a May 2011 bond and ask for stakeholder input in the planning process. As a reminder, the RISD Board has until early March 2011 to call for a May bond election.
Each Town Hall meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. as follows:
Wednesday, January 19 at the Lake Highlands High School Library
Thursday, January 20 at the Berkner High School Library
Tuesday, January 25 at the Pearce High School Corral
Wednesday, January 26 at the Richardson High School Library
Questions? Call us at 469.593.0300 or email us at risd@risd.org >Top |
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RISD Represents at National AVID Conference |
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AVID, the national college readiness program implemented in all RISD secondary schools and a number of elementary schools, held its national conference this week in Grapevine, Texas. Several RISD educators and AVID students were asked to present at the conference, which attracted more than 1,400 teachers and administrators from across the U.S. and countries as far away as Australia.
In addition, AVID's founder, Mary Catherine Swanson, found time to visit Berkner High School, RISD's National AVID Demonstration Site. Swanson spoke to BHS AVID students and visited two AVID classrooms, continually encouraging students to pursue college as the vehicle to realize their dreams.
The AVID Program targets students with college potential who aren't realizing that potential for a variety of reasons, often related to socioeconomics. It provides time and instruction related to organizational skills, study skills, collegiate-style note-taking, tutoring, public speaking and a support group at school. It requires students take advanced coursework and most of all, it provides a teacher who monitors and supports the student throughout the day, across all their classes and activities, to ensure they're remaining engaged in school and progressing toward college.
Last year in RISD, out of 126 graduating AVID seniors, 125 enrolled in college, and one student joined the military.
RISD educators presenting at the National AVID Conference include: Carmen Steward, Director of AVID, Richardson High School AVID teacher Elizabeth Brown, RHS Assistant Principal Josh Eason, and Berkner H.S. AVID teachers Joan Swim and Erinn Wilcots.
RISD students serving on student panels at the AVID National Conference include:
Dallas Andrews, Berkner H.S.
Reginald Brown, Berkner H.S.
Maria Cintora, Berkner H.S.
Karla Funes, North J.H.
Tish Hearne, Richardson H.S.
Christopher Holliness, Berkner H.S.
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Alex Mejia Stults Road Elementary
Petro On, Berkner H.S.
Alison Quarels, North J.H.
Sabiha Sultana, Richardson H.S.
Jalen Veasley Stults Road Elementary |
For more information on AVID, please visit www.avidcenter.org. >Top |
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First Book Teams Up With PACE |
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Emergency Planning at lhhs |
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“The possibility of public health emergencies arising in the United States concerns many people in the wake of recent hurricanes, tsunamis, acts of terrorism, and the threat of pandemic influenza. Though some people feel it is impossible to be prepared for unexpected events, the truth is that taking preparedness actions helps people deal with disasters of all sorts much more effectively when they do occur.”
This is a quote from the CDC website on emergency preparedness: http://emergency.cdc.gov/planning/
During an emergency, chaos and panic run rampant; it is hard to think logically; common sense and decision making is difficult. |
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RISD has a very good emergency plan already in place for the entire district covering a wide variety of possible scenarios.
Because Lake Highlands High School is a very large school with over 1700 students and staff in the building at any time, it is necessary to have an emergency plan in place that is specific to this campus. Building on a plan developed by nurse Sharon Simpson, the Student Council, under the leadership of LHHS Executive Assistant Karen Clardy, planned and developed emergency “go bags” to be placed strategically throughout the school. These “go bags” are stocked with first aid supplies and equipment to be used only in the eventuality of an emergency.
If an injury occurs (single or multiple), the selected faculty members can start to deliver care immediately while waiting for the nurses or other help to arrive. These selected faculty and staff will become the Emergency First Aid Team for LHHS. They will undergo special training in first aid, CPR and emergency care. LHHS will be the first school in RISD to have this specific emergency plan in place.
Emergencies are unexpected, frightening and difficult; with emergency planning, training and supplies in place, the students, faculty, staff and families of Lake Highlands can be confident that LHHS is prepared for any eventuality. >Top |
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RISD students making Recycling News |
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RHS Culinary Students cater for New York Times Best Seller |
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Garth Stein, author of The Art of Racing in the Rain met with fans and gave a presentation about his book recently at Richardson High School. The book has been on The New York Times best seller list for 66 weeks and was the 2010 selection for the Richardson Reads One Book program.
Hundreds of people attended the event to hear him speak in the RHS auditorium. He told the audience how he came up with the idea to have a dog narrate the story, where the dog’s name, Enzo, originated and shared a few details about his next book. Nancy Kubasek, librarian for RHS, said “The Richardson Reads One Book program is a great opportunity for the entire community, including students, to experience a new author and expand their horizons."
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Before Mr. Stein spoke, Richardson Reads One Book and Richardson High School hosted a reception in the RHS library.
The RHS Culinary Arts II students prepared and served the food. Dog-themed treats included Puppy chow, “Weenies in a Blanket,” Gingerbread dog bone cookies, Paw Print chocolates, and Mini Phyllo dough “dog baskets.” Karen Hill, Culinary Arts instructor, said “The students had a great time coming up with creative recipes for the dog themed event and did a great job serving and interacting with members of the community.” >Top |
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Liberty JH Students Visit the Dallas Museum of Art |
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Berkner High School
(Pictured) The BHS Ramblers Country Western Dance Team are back from performing in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Thanks to all who helped make the trip possible!
HS graduate and soccer standout Melissa Henderson, now at Notre Dame, made the winning assist in the recent NCAA Women's National Championship Game. Henderson, also an NCAA All American, can add National Champion to her resume. Congratulations! Click here to view
ESPN's story on the game and Henderson.
The BHS Fearless Robotics Team was at it again, recently winning the UT Dallas Engineering robotic competition over 47 other robotics teams. They brought home two tournament champion trophies and were also the Autonomous programming skills champions. Special congratulations to event MVP, STEM freshman Vincent Nguyen and all the Berkner Robotics team members for the excellent job they are doing this year. BHS Robotics is sponsored by Eon Meusa. >Top |
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(Pictured) Rama Hagos, senior at LHHS, received the national Questbridge Scholarship. She has a full scholarship to Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts.
The scholarship is worth approximately $25,000 plus books and travel. Rama is a Drum Major, member of National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, French Club and Fashion Club, and currently ranked 17th in her class.
Questbridge College Match pairs outstanding low-income students with early admission and full four-year scholarships to top ranked colleges.
Congratulations! >Top |
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High School Sports
Basketball, Friday, December 17
Richardson High School girls vs. Sunset High School @ Sprague Fieldhouse, 7:30 p.m.
Richardson High School boys vs. Sunset High School @ Richardson High School, 7:30 p.m.
Berkner High School boys vs. Skyline High School @ Berkner High School, 7:30 p.m.
Berkner High School girls vs. Skyline High School @ Skyline High School, 7:30 p.m.
Pearce High School girls vs. McKinney North High School @ Pearce High School, 7:30 p.m.
Lake Highlands High School girls vs. Samuell High School @ Lake Highlands High School, 7:30 p.m.
Lake Highlands High School boys vs. Samuell High School @ Forester Fieldhouse, 8:00 p.m.
Wrestling, Friday & Saturday, December 17-18
Lake Highlands High School to Saginaw Tournament @ Saginaw High School, December 17, 9:00 a.m.; December 18, 9:00 a.m.
Berkner High School to Frisco Dual classic @ Frisco High School, December 18, 9:00 a.m.
Swimming & Diving, Friday, December 17
City Champs, Pearce Natatorium, 1600 N. Coit, Richardson, 75080, 3:45 p.m.
Richardson ISD will be on Winter Break December 20 – January 4. >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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