Wildcat Wire
December 16th, 2024
Holiday Greetings!
As we reach the midpoint of another academic year, I am excited to share with you the progress we have made together as a school community. Over the past few weeks, our students have been working diligently on their middle-of-the-year benchmark assessments, and the early data shows growth in both reading and math. This semester has been filled with hard work from both students and staff, leading to numerous academic achievements and extracurricular successes.
Our students continue to embrace the Wildcat Way by demonstrating the key principles of ROAR—Respect, Ownership, Attitude, and Responsibility—every day. We are proud of their commitment to following these expectations, both inside and outside of the classroom. Teachers have been working closely with students to redirect behaviors and help them grow in their social and academic skills.
I’m also pleased to announce that we have launched a school-wide ClassDojo system, where students can earn points simply by meeting expectations. These points can be saved and used to shop at our Prize Palace, a fun way to reward students for their efforts. We are excited about the positive impact this initiative will have on encouraging students to continue following the Wildcat Way.
I encourage all parents and guardians to stay involved and engaged in your child’s education. Your partnership is essential to our continued success. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher.
Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to the ongoing growth and success of our students and the Wildcat community.
Sincerely,
Ginny Wills
Principal
Safety Patrol
In the fall of 2023, the Richwoods School Resource Officer (SRO) launched the Richwoods Safety Patrol, a program designed to empower students to take an active role in maintaining safety and leadership on campus.
As the school year progressed, many students approached Officer Nate, eager to join the program for the following year. This growing interest led to 16 students applying for the Safety Patrol in the 2023-2024 school year.
In addition to the growing number of participants, Officer Nate applied for a $500 grant through AAA Insurance, who sponsors the Safety Patrol program nationwide. Richwoods was one of only ten schools selected to receive the grant.
With this financial support, Officer Nate was able to expand the program significantly, adding six new patrol officers. The grant funding also helped to provide much-needed safety gear, including Safety Green Sock Hats, Blue Patrol Jackets, Safety Green Umbrellas, Metal Slow/Stop Signs, Walkie Talkies, and Patrol Shirts for the officers.
The Safety Patrol Officers serve as positive role models for younger students, who look up to them for guidance and leadership. The program has made a noticeable impact on the school’s culture, and Officer Nate is excited to see it continue to grow in the years ahead.
Red Ribbon Week
During the week of October 24, Richwoods R-VII celebrated Red Ribbon Week with vibrant enthusiasm! Students and staff came together to demonstrate their commitment to living a drug-free lifestyle through a series of fun and engaging themed days. Highlights included Minion Day and Star Wars Day, where students showed off their creativity and school spirit while reinforcing the importance of making healthy choices.
Classrooms were decorated to reflect our dedication to being drug-free, with displays that showcased teamwork and the students’ creative talents. It was inspiring to see how everyone came together to make this week memorable.
A big thank you to all who participated and helped make Red Ribbon Week a success! Your support helps us promote healthy, positive choices for our Wildcat community.
Patriot Pen Winners
As part of our Veteran's Day celebration, we took the opportunity to recognize the outstanding students who participated in the Patriot Pen essay contest. We are proud to announce the top three students from our school: Hastings Boyer, Jenessa Spencer, and our first-place winner, Alex Bourbon.
Alex's exceptional essay has earned her the chance to advance to the next round of the competition. We are incredibly proud of all our participants for their hard work and dedication in honoring our veterans through their writing. Congratulations to all!
Angel Tree
I would like to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to our wonderful community for your generous support of our Angel Tree initiative. Thanks to your kindness and generosity, 20 families will be able to enjoy a brighter Christmas this year. Your donations have made a significant impact, and we are incredibly thankful for the compassion and spirit of giving that you have shown.
Thank you for making this holiday season a little brighter for those in need. We are truly grateful for your ongoing support!
Mrs. Sherry
Wildcat Way Day
On September 6 and October 17, Richwoods students participated in Wildcat Way Day. This event allowed students to visit various locations around the school, including the bus, cafeteria, hallways, and playground, to discuss and reinforce school expectations.
Wildcat Way Day occurs quarterly, ensuring that our students remain engaged and aware of the standards we uphold as a school community.
Grandparent's Day
Richwoods R-VII celebrated Grandparent’s Day on Monday, September 9 with a phenomenal breakfast. The cafeteria served over 200 trays to visiting grandparents and students.
Title 1 Family Night
On October 21, Richwoods hosted a successful Title 1 Family Night! Middle school students from the TOP program served pizza, read to younger students, and led engaging crafts and activities. The night was filled with fun and learning, fostering connections among families.
To add to the excitement, students had the chance to win a book coin in our drawing.
Board Secretary
The Richwoods R-VII School Board proudly recognized the board secretary, Laura Bennett, for successfully completing the Missouri School Board Association Board Secretary Academy. This accomplishment highlights her dedication to enhancing her skills and supporting the Richwoods school community.
Congratulations, Laura, on this significant achievement! We appreciate your hard work and commitment.