Rice Middle School eNews
Tuesday, November 14 , 2017
Rice News
A. First Responder Day
This November, we will be focusing on showing our appreciation to the City of Plano First Responders. Friday, November 17 will be our second annual First Responder Appreciation Day at Rice Middle School. We have invited the Plano Police and Fire Departments to stop by the school anytime between 8:00-3:30 for some snacks, drinks, and fellowship. We will be taking donations of food and drinks for that day.
If you are interested in donating a breakfast item, please sign up on the following link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090944aca623a0f58-november
If you are interested in donating a lunch item, please sign up on the following link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090944aca623a0f58-november1
If you have questions, please contact Ms. Kosel at hayley.kosel@pisd.edu If you have any connections who may be able to donate items or if you would like to volunteer, please email chris.glasscock@pisd.edu. We are hoping the Rice community will help make this a great day of appreciation. Thank you in advance!
B. Night Light Donation Drive
Plano Fire-Rescue's File of Life & Night Light Program collects night lights to hand out to older citizens in the hopes of preventing falls. Rice Middle School will be holding a drive to collect night lights through November 16th. Please make sure the nightlight has a UL label on the packaging. Contributions may be dropped off in the Rotunda.
* See the flyer below for more details about this program.
C. Pictures Retakes on December 6th
You may pre-pay for photos by visiting Mylifetouch.com and entering picture ID# LD947539Q0 Email Flyer 11-1-17 . If your child was unable to take a picture on November 1, he/she will be able to take a picture on Wednesday, December 6, 2017.
D. Absences during Exam Week
With the end of the first semester fast approaching, many of you have already begun to make plans for Winter Break. December 15th-20th, the 7th & 8th graders will be taking semester exams and 6th graders will take a Math test. Please consider this as you make travel arrangements. Keep in mind that it is important for students to be at school during exam week.
If you know that your child will be out during this time, please contact your child's counselor. Also, have your child pick up an Absence Request Form from the Front office, and once completed, submit it to the main office.
D. News from the Nurse
Cold and Flu Prevention
Parents and students can help reduce the impact of the cold and flu season by following these simple tips:
- Get a flu shot!
- Keep your children at home for fever of 100˚F or more for 24 hours without fever reducing medication.
- Wash your hands often with warm water and soap for 20 seconds or more. Use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs can easily enter the body this way.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cough and/or sneeze into a tissue or your upper sleeve, not into your hand.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces at home, work, and school, especially if someone is ill.
- Practice other good health habits such as being physically active, drinking plenty of fluids, getting plenty of rest, and eating nutritious foods.
If you want more information on influenza please visit these helpful sites:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm
Texas Department of State Health Services: https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/disease/influenza/
District News
Plano ISD GPA Advisory Council
Plano ISD will be studying our current process for weighted grade point assignment in order to determine if any revisions to the process should be recommended. There will be an opportunity for parents to be part of this process by serving on an Advisory Council.
This GPA Advisory Council is created so that the District can be assured that the voices and perspectives representative of many groups -- teachers, students, parents, and community members -- are accounted for and deeply regarded prior to considering the recommendations of the GPA Work Study Committee. This charge to study our current system of assigned grade points has been given by the School Board.
The role of the GPA Advisory Council is to (a) concurrently share in the study of research findings related to the topic; (b) provide direction and feedback to the GPA Work Study Committee at predetermined checkpoints in time; (c) thoughtfully consider and suggest challenges, advantages, and disadvantages to the variety of options developed by the work study committee; (d) communicate the perspectives of the groups the members serve in representation of; and (e) to engage with each other effectively and productively in an impartial and open-minded manner that ultimately supports the students of the Plano Independent School District.
We anticipate the Advisory Council will meet 4 - 6 times in the early evening, and would ask volunteers commit to attend all meetings. The first meeting will be December 7 beginning at 6:00. Subsequent meeting dates will be announced at the first meeting.
If you are interested in being considered for service on this committee, please indicate your interest at the following link http://tinyurl.com/yac6o6zr. We will accept names until 8:00 a.m. November 13th.
Participants names will be drawn randomly within various categories and parents whose name has been drawn will be notified by November 17th.
PTA News
A. Community Conversations Tonight!
An Evening of Meaningful Discussions with Rice Parents
Join other Rice parents in meaningful conversations in this interactive evening. You’ll get to know each other at a deeper level as you sit in small groups to discuss and share your backgrounds, discover commonalities, and see how we all contribute to a strong and vibrant Rice community. Adults only, please. Light snacks will be provided. The event runs from 6:30 to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, Nov. 14th in the Rice Library.
Please complete the registration form: https://goo.gl/forms/28KyXnD3ylAoURAe2 to participate. Contact Linda Adler with questions, linda.adler24@gmail.com. We hope you’ll come be a part of this inaugural event!
B. Plano ISD PTAs Night Presented by NTT Data
Come support Rice PTA at a Texas Legends game on Saturday, Nov. 18, at 7:30 p.m. 100% of ticket proceeds benefit Plano PTAs.
The Texas Legends will be facing off against the Oklahoma City Blue in their season opener. Tickets are $10.
Select Plano ISD Fine Arts Programs will be performing during the game.
Tickets available at: https://www.groupmatics.events/event/planoisdptas
C. More Spirit Wear Available Online
If you missed ordering Spirit Wear or want to buy a hoodie for your Rice Raven, now's your chance! More inventory has been added online. Visit https://ricemspta.membershiptoolkit.com/ and select the Order Here tab to place your order. T-shirt and hoodies will delivered to your child at school.
Please like the Rice PTA Facebook page to stay informed about PTA activities!
Guidance News: High School Registration
Attention 8th Graders and Families:
Parent and student informational meetings for the Academy Programs of Plano will be hosted during the month of November for incoming ninth graders (and their parents) considering attending one of the Academy Programs of Plano. Each academy program will host three information nights between November 1 and November 16 (see schedule below). All meetings will be held at 6:30 p.m. Online applications will open on November 13 and close December 15. Students will receive notice of placement on January 5 and student commitments must be received by January 12, 2018.
Learn more at www.pisd.edu/academies.
Watch an overview video for each program at
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVcNW-DvhSHX64qUL4meOnpqtY4PTpwxH.
Meeting Details
Plano ISD Health Sciences Academy meetings will be held at Williams High School Cafeteria, located at 1717 17th Street, Plano, TX 75074, at 6:30 p.m. on November 6, November 14 and November 16, 2017. Contact Heidi Cardenas at heidi.cardenas@pisd.edu with questions.
IB World School information meetings will be held in three locations at 6:30 p.m.: November 2 at Plano Senior High Theater located at 2200 Independence Parkway, November 13 at Plano East Senior High Theater located at 3000 Los Rios Boulevard and November 14 at Plano West Senior High Theater at 5601 W. Parker Road. Contact Kathy Witcher at kathy.witcher@pisd.eduwith questions.
Plano ISD Academy High School information meetings will be held at Academy High School, located at 1701 Alma Drive, Plano, TX 75075, at 6:30 p.m. on November 1, 6 and 9. Contact Pam at pam.conner@pisd.edu with questions.
Club News
A. Plano's Santa Food Drive 2017
Student Council and Ravens Take Flight are sponsoring this year's food drive. Their goal is to collect 5,500 cans to help fight hunger in the community.
Examples of non-perishable items are cans, boxes of pasta (mac & cheese, etc.), plastic bottles (peanut butter), and bags of rice or beans. All items must be unopened. The drive ends of November 17th!
All donations should be given to the student's homeroom teacher (6th period teacher). For more details about the Food Drive, click on the PowerPoint below:
B. Donate with Dad!
Come out and support the 8th Grade Girls' Basketball Teams on Wednesday, November 29th at 6pm as Rice takes on Bowman. B Team plays at 6pm, with A team following immediately after. Please donate 5 cans of food per person (adult/student), to support Plano ISD's Plano Santas Canned Food Drive. This is a great way to support our Lady Ravens and the Plano community at the same time!
C. Attention Speech Team Members!
We will have a brief meeting this Wednesday in Ms. P’s room from 3:45-4PM.
D. Rice MATHCOUNTS CLUB
Rice MATHCOUNTS club will host the Second North Texas MATHCOUNTS Mock Competition on Saturday, November 18 at Rice Middle School. It is open to all Rice students. The registration form is available outside Ms. Liu’s room 911. You may also go to Rice MATHCOUNTS club Google classroom to download the registration form. Last date to sign up is Friday, November 10th.
E. MSA Winter clothing Drive for DFW Refugees!
Did you know that the DFW area leads in refugee resettlements? Texas became the new home for about 7,200 refugees from more than two dozen countries. You have the ability to keep a person warm for the winter. Please donate new or kindly used winter clothing from Monday Nov. 13th until Friday December 1st. The boxes will be placed in the rotunda and in Room 817. Thank you!
F. ECO Club News
Requests from the Eco-Club at Rice
Please help the Eco-Club by collecting bottle caps and jar lids of all colors and sizes. Specially brown and black. The Eco-Club is doing a project with them and we need your help saving the caps and lids for us. Bring them to Room 817 (Mrs. Martinez’ Room) or leave them at the front office.
Miscellaneous Information
Chick-fil-A Spirit Night at the Coit Road location in Plano
Thursday, November 16th from 4 - 9 pm.
15% of net sales benefits your Jasper Jazz.
Mention the Jasper Jazz when ordering - dine-in, drive-thru and carryout!
If dining in - drop your receipt in box by register.
Thank you for your support!
B. Make it a Sweet Week!
Stop by Nothing Bundt Cakes at the Lebanon location in Frisco the week of November 13th - 18th for a treat! 30% of sales benefit your Jasper Jazz Drill Team! Mention this flyer at checkout. Thank you for your support!
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