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RISD thanks our 2012-13 scoreboard sponsors!
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Message from Dr. Waggoner |
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The spring semester is in full swing. Students are engaged in many extracurricular activities as well as preparing for STAAR, EOC, AP, SAT, and ACT exams. We are excited about the great accomplishments that our students are enjoying.
The district recently received the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) results for the 3-8 graders who took the assessment in spring of 2012. Results represent the first year of the state’s transition to a new testing system. Like STAAR EOC results, the STAAR 3-8 results are being phased in, which is common with new tests. Unlike the 2012 STAAR EOC results, the 2012 STAAR 3-8 results do not have an impact on a student’s academic standing. The state is expected to provide confidential student reports (CSRs) to RISD, and the district will then provide this information to parents.
After a recess for the presidential inauguration, Texas legislators are back in session. New bills are being filed in a flurry of activity. Of course, many of these bills have the potential to affect our schools. In fact, 54 bills related to accountability and assessment in public education have already been filed. The last day to file a bill is March 8.
Speaker Joe Straus has named the House Public Education Committee for the 83rd Texas Legislative Session. The committee will have many new members who have not worked with public education before. RISD will miss the presence of Senator Florence Shapiro who retired this year. Senator Shapiro was a tireless advocate for public school children.
This Legislative Session’s House Public Education Committee is as follows:
Chair: Jimmie Don Aycock
Vice Chair: Alma Allen
Seniority Appointments: John Davis, Joe Deshotel, Harold Dutton, Jr., Mike Villareal
Speaker Appointments: Marsha Farney, Dan Huberty, Ken King, Bennet Ratliff, Justin Rodriguez.
Some of the major topics under discussion include vouchers, funding, instruction, assessment and school safety.
Vouchers:
The topic of vouchers, taxpayer savings grants, tax credits and other measures is being discussed throughout the capitol. All of these measures divert funds away from students in public schools.
Funding:
Both the House and Senate have introduced appropriations bills that include $2.2 billion to cover the cost of an estimated 85,000 new students each year of the next biennium; however, a bill to replace the funding lost in the last session has not been filed. Judge Dietz is expected to make a ruling from the bench on Monday, February 4 in the litigation concerning school funding with his final decision in March. An appeal is anticipated.
Instruction:
HB669 allows for schools to begin instruction the week of August 21 thus returning some local control to school districts.
Assessment:
Several bills, including HB 224 and SB135 concerning elimination of the 15% rule concerning End of Course (EOC) assessments, have been filed. Sen. Kel Seliger (R, Amarillo) filed SB 225 which provides a new graduation plan and the opportunity for endorsements in multiple areas including STEM and CTE. Other bills include HB864 that would create a waiver process for school districts to submit alternative curriculum requirement plans that differ from the current 4 x 4. HB 596 limits the number of days that can be spent on testing among other items.
School Safety:
Many bills on student safety, including HB223 and HB507, have been filed.
In addition to all that is happening on the legislative agenda, the RISD Board received an update from our demographer, Bob Templeton of Templeton Demographics. RISD grew approximately 1,000 students this year, a 3% growth, and is expected to grow another 578 students, a 2% growth, next year. Over the next 10 years, projections show a growth of approximately 5,500 students. Our growth is primarily attributed to regeneration in our existing homes, younger families moving into homes formerly occupied by older couples, and a strong occupancy rate in apartment complexes in the district. Each year we carefully evaluate growth trends to address the increased number of students with the goal to provide neighborhood schools for all students.
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Pearce's JA High School Heroes Help at Bowie |
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Multicultural Day at Brentfield Elementary |
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National Day Of Service - Moss Haven Farm |
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The Richardson Civic Art Society Young People's Scholarship Show |
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Northlake Artist Featured at Richardson's Eisemann Center |
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Parents, please remember that if your child becomes ill with flu-like symptoms (fever of 100°F (38°C) or higher, plus cough and/or sore throat) , they should not come to school until the symptoms have gone, and they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medications such as Tylenol.
Students who come to school with flu-like symptoms will be sent home. It is also important to call the school if your child misses school due to flu-like symptoms. This allows RISD to track illness data as directed by our county health department. Also, as with any absence, when your child is well and returns to school, please send a note with them to school.
For more information, including information about how to care for someone with the flu, please visit the RISD Health Services page here. >Top
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RHS Student to Appear on Sunday Sport Special |
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Pearce Theater brings American favorite West Side Story to life |
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 West Side Story shows are: Friday, February 1 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, February 2 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, February 3 at 2:00 p.m.; Thursday, February 7 at 7:00 p.m.; Friday, February 8 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, February 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, February 10 at 2:00 p.m.
Tickets are available online at www.PearceTheater.com or at JJ Pearce High School in person during Box Office Hours. Box Office Hours are: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 a.m.—12:30 p.m. beginning Tuesday, January 22 and Wednesdays from 4:00 p.m.—5:30 p.m. beginning January 23rd. You can also contact the Box Office at 972-408-6786. Ticket prices are $10, $14 and $16. JJ Pearce is located at 1600 N. Coit Rd, Richardson, TX, 75080. >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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RISD will again partner with Region 10 and surrounding districts to bring to the community the Live the Dream Expo event. This event fair is a resource for parents and educators to learn about opportunities for students and adults with disabilities. The event will be held at the Curtis Culwell Center on February 9th from 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM. This is a family-oriented event with plenty of kid-friendly entertainment and great information. Please refer to the attached flyer for additional details.
