Launch into the Week

Email: contact@richardsschool.k12.mo.us
Website: www.richardsschool.k12.mo.us
Location: 3461 County Road 1710, West Plains, Missouri, 65775
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaunchthatRocketPride

Phone: 417-256-5239

Sometimes the best laid plans change, so if corrections are made to this document please visit the online version using the "Launch" link found on the Richards website or follow postings on Facebook.

Sunday, September 8 is Grandparents Day! This year’s theme, “Grand Minds: Learn, Love, Legacy,” highlights the role of learning across generations and celebrates the ways in which grandparents and older adults inspire, mentor, and shape the future of younger generations.

Tinker Lab is EVERY Tuesday and Thursday, 3:45-5:15 PM. The "Lab" is sponsored by Mrs. Land, along with Mrs. Vanatter, and Mrs. Bunch, who provide supervision and instruction. At this time, the Lab is open to students in grades 2-4.

Students are responsible for setting up their own "Tinker Labs"; customized to meet their design plans. They have a workspace, design opportunities, and adult guidance to create from their own ideas. We reuse recyclable materials for building, and donated items for artistic creation.

While this is an enrichment tutoring program, every student can participate. We all have different gifts and this is an opportunity for students to let those gifts shine. It is the goal for Tinker Lab to inspire future designers and creators of all types!

On September 9th, Lexi Rodriquez with FCC Behavioral Health in West Plains, Missouri will be coming to our school to give a presentation on Suicide Awareness to our 5th-8th graders. Students will be educated on the warning signs that someone around them may be experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Students will have an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about supporting peers who may be struggling with their mental health. They will be provided with information related to the Suicide Prevention Hotline, as well as challenged to develop a personal safety plan for themselves during discussion.

-More information will be coming home with students about this presentation.

We will be taking students, grades 7 & 8, who are interested in a future career in education to the MSU-West Plains Campus to participate in the annual MoETS Conference. It will be held September 18, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, and lunch is provided. Students who wish to participate should reach out to our school counselors.

Students who attend will participate in a mini-professional development day with high-interest breakout sessions provided by talented local teachers. Students will have the opportunity to learn about dual credit options, the Associate of Arts in Teaching program, and how to earn their bachelor's degree through the Outreach program right here in West Plains.

Richards vs. Fairview

Friday, September 13

1:00 PM Start Time@ Fairview

NO BUS from the games so players need to be picked up at the game.

Wednesday, September 11, 3:45 - 5:00 PM., Main Campus. All students in 4th through 8th grade are welcome! You must have a current sports physical on file at the school and passing grades to participate.

The Running Club schedule will be posted on the “Rocket Athletics” Facebook page. Be sure to check it regularly for updates!

Running Club is a fantastic opportunity for our students to stay active, build endurance, and have fun with their peers. Students should bring running shoes, as we will run outside. On days when it rains, we run in the Bunch Gymnasium. Students will receive a small token of excellence for every five miles they complete. Results of top runners will be posted on our Facebook Page periodically.

Visit Rocket Athletics to learn more!

Visit Lady Rocket Athletics to learn more!

Mrs. Luna challenged her 8th grade US History class to a scavenger hunt. They went in search of clues to learn more about life in Colonial America. Clues were hidden in the FEMA gym and students were asked to answer questions regarding major colonial events.

Richards has added a new elective to the schedule. Lifetime Hobbies & Sports will explore a variety of activities, but our middle school Rockets are definitely excited about the introduction of esports as a part of the curriculum. In addition, the district is making plans to participate in MOSEF (Missouri Scholastic Esports Federation) as an afterschool program.

Esports can be a fun and rewarding activity for kids and can even offer perks similar to participating in other organized sports. In fact, many universities are starting to offer e-sports scholarships—and professional gaming can be lucrative with sponsorships, endorsements and tournament winnings. For kids who are truly passionate about gaming, e-sports can offer a lot of positives. Some of the benefits of e-sports can include:

• Improved cognitive skills like spatial awareness, problem-solving and decision-making
• Learning teamwork and communication
• Career opportunities for professional players, coaches and other positions in the industry
• Potential scholarship and financial reward

Monday, September 9, 5:30 PM, in the Richards Library, we would like to welcome everyone that is new to Richards to join us to learn more about your school. We will take a tour of our school and playground. We will also be helping parents log into Teacher Ease which is our student information system. Please come prepared with an email address, so we can create an account. This is an easy way to check student grades, pay lunch bills, and contact teachers.

If you are not new, but feel this meeting would benefit you, please feel free to joins us!

Missouri SuN Bucks is a new program to help families buy food for their school-aged children during the summer months of June, July, and August. Families of students who were determined eligible for free or reduced-price lunch (FRL) during the regular, 2023-2024, school year will be automatically enrolled and receive this benefit. Families that qualify will receive a one-time $120 benefit per eligible student. The funds will be loaded onto an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card and mailed to the household address or loaded onto a SNAP household member’s card. These funds can be used to buy nutritious foods at authorized locations.

Children may be automatically eligible for Missouri SuN Bucks and will not need to apply for the program if they meet any of the following:

• The household already participates in SNAP or Temporary Assistance, or

• The child is age 7 through 17 and is in foster care, homeless, a migrant, or

• The child attends a school that offers the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program, and your household income meets the requirements for Free or Reduced Price Meals.

Visit the following link to determine eligibility and if you need to apply: https://mydss.mo.gov/SuNBucks

All Missouri children under five years old are now able to register for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. There is no deadline to register. The Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by providing age-appropriate books each month to children free of charge. In order to receive books, a parent or guardian must register their child on the Imagination Library national website. Books will be mailed directly to the homes of registered children every month.

West Plains bank contributes to Richards when you use your West Plains Band & Trust debit card! Visit West Plains Bank and Trust Company to learn more!

Dear Parents,

We’re excited to share that our school is participating in Cash for Classrooms, part of Casey’s Rewards. This opens up Richards School to new funding opportunities to help improve learning environments for students.

The best part? Donations don’t come out of your own pocket. When you buy from Casey’s and use their rewards program you can simply turn your points into a donation to our school.

Download the Casey App to get started! Locate the School Donations tab in your Casey’s App Account Settings. Type in Richards R5 School and select. Once you reach 250 Points you can begin donating!