RISD School Times — April 17, 2019
RISD Implementing Collegiate Academies at LHHS, PHS
At its April 15 regular meeting, the RISD Board continued discussions about the Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) framework that is being used to establish collegiate academies at Lake Highlands and Pearce high schools. The Board heard an initial presentation about P-TECH in the fall, and year one of collegiate academy offerings will be available to students beginning with the 2019–20 academic year.
The academies will operate as a “school within a school” at LHHS and PHS, and offer students the opportunity to earn up to 60 hours of college credit, an associate degree, and/or an industry certification upon high school graduation. After graduation, students can continue their education at a four year college/university or directly enter the workforce in a related industry.
The collegiate academies will leverage strategic alliances with area colleges and partnerships with area employers to provide students with real-world opportunities to gain in-depth exposure to industry careers and information through dual credit and Career and Technical Education (CTE) coursework.
The academies are being phased in, starting with next year’s ninth-graders, with full implementation expected in 2022–23. Current eighth grade students in the Lake Highlands HS feeder pattern can enroll in the Wildcat College & Career Academy for 2019–20, a program that will specialize in Business, Criminal Justice, Education, and Construction Technology.
Current eighth graders in the Pearce HS feeder pattern can enroll in the Mustang Collegiate Academy for 2019–20 and pursue coursework in Business and Robotics & Manufacturing Technology.
Interested students or parents should contact their school counselor.
Learn more about the P-TECH program
Learn more about the April 15 regular meeting and P-TECH discussion, including video
Scholar-Athletes Honored
RISD’s Academic All-State student athletes were recently honored by Trustees for Fall sports. These seniors have maintained very high academic standards while participating in UIL athletics, earning an overall weighted GPA of 92 or higher in each of their four years of high school.
See the list of academic all-state student athletes
Congratulations!
Two RISD Teachers Named 2019 Fujitsu Trailblazer Award Winners
Alicia Woodfin, a Kindergarten teacher at Terrace ES, and Gustavo Lomelin, a 3rd grade teacher at O. Henry ES, were surprised in their classrooms April 17 with news that they have been selected as winners of the 2019 Fujitsu Teacher Trailblazer award. The award, facilitated by the RISD Excellence in Education Foundation, seeks to recognize elementary teachers who embrace STEM and innovation in the classroom.
“Fujitsu is honored to recognize RISD teachers with the Fujitsu Teacher Trailblazer Award,” said Johnnie Bocanegra, Senior Corporate Counsel at Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc. and Community Lead for Fujitsu’s Americas Responsible Business Program. “By empowering students with the right education and encouragement, these teachers are nurturing the next generation of scientists, engineers and mathematicians who will help drive the digital future.”
Board Continues 2019–20 Budget Discussions, Prioritizes Teacher Raises
RISD trustees continued discussions related to the 2019–20 operating budget the evening of April 15. Since January, trustees have been reviewing different aspects of the budget planning process, including departmental and program requests.
Monday evening was the first time that RISD staff have attached priorities to different budget requests, and trustees discussed those initial priorities and compared them to potential funds available. Revenue for 2019–20 is currently difficult to accurately project, given the different bills under consideration by the Texas Legislature that would impact the school finance system.
Included among the initial priorities is a stratified raise for current teachers, increases for starting teachers and other staff, and higher stipends in critical-needs teaching areas.
Trustees and staff will continue with the budget planning process into June, including refinement of expenditure priorities and estimates of available revenue.
Learn more about the April 15 regular meeting and operating budget discussion, including video
We Love Our Volunteers!
Volunteers are essential to RISD. April is national volunteer month and we want to express our deepest appreciation to all volunteers who support the students and teachers of RISD. So far this school year, RISD has had 11,522 registered volunteers donate more than 19,600 volunteer hours — a value estimated at almost half a million dollars.
In RISD, volunteers serve as tutors, mentors, chaperones, in the library & lunchroom, and at pick up & drop off among many other roles. If you would like to join an outstanding group of volunteers, take the first step by completing a volunteer application.
RISD is thankful for all of our volunteers who help us achieve our mission to be a district where all students connect, learn, grow and succeed.
National Merit Corporate Scholarships
Pearce HS senior Erin Halligan has been awarded a corporate-sponsored merit scholarship as a 2019 National Merit Scholarship Finalist.
The National Merit Raytheon Scholarship, sponsored by the Raytheon Company, will help Erin pursue her probable career path of Computer Science.
As one of RISD’s eight National Merit Finalists, Erin is considered to be among the top one percent academically among U.S. high school seniors as measured by performance on the PSAT/NMSQT college entrance exams and other factors.
Congratulations Erin!
District Calendar
- April 19 — Student/Staff Holiday (Snow Make Up Day)
- April 22 — Student/Staff Holiday (Snow Make Up Day)
- May 6 — Regular Board meeting
- May 7–9 STAAR EOC Testing
- May 13–16 STAAR Testing
- May 20 — Board Work Session
- May 27 — Student & Staff Holiday
- May 29 — Last Day of School
- June 2–3 — Class of 2019 Graduation Ceremonies
Enroll Your Child Online for the 2019–20 School Year
All students who will be new or returning to RISD for the 2019–20 school year may now enroll online. Paper enrollment is no longer available. Parents whose children will be attending school in RISD in 2019–20 should enroll online without delay.
Like last year, returning students will need a unique “snapcode” to enroll. Snapcodes were sent to parents by their child’s current school — contact your school if you need a snapcode or would like to use a school device to enroll your child online.
Please visit the online enrollment page to learn more including the information parents will need in order to enroll online.
Have a Question About RISD?
We’re glad you asked!
From time to time, students, parents, residents or taxpayers have questions about information or issues related to RISD, but aren’t sure who to ask or where to go for information. We’re Glad You Asked is a feature on the RISD website that lets stakeholders ask questions about anything related to RISD, and you’ll receive an emailed response from the appropriate RISD staff member. Some questions & answers may be featured in district publications.
Simply visit risd.org/gladyouasked to use this feature.
