RISD School Times — March 5, 2020
Superior Teaching Achievement in RISD Schools
Congratulations to the teachers who were surprised at their schools last week with the news that they have been selected as the 2020 RISD STARS teachers.
These exceptional educators were selected through a comprehensive process facilitated by The Richardson ISD Foundation. Each teacher will be lauded and recognized throughout the year, as well as receive a monetary award provided by AXA Advisors Inc.
Thank you to all of these amazing professionals for choosing RISD and providing our students with your love, skill, talent and commitment:
Helen Arceneaux — Liberty Junior High, Science
Stephanie Bowling — Northlake Elementary, Third Grade
Tamesia Chatman — Merriman Park Elementary, Third Grade Math/Science
Tina Cruickshank — Forest Lane Academy, Pre-K
Andrew Harden — Forest Lane Academy, Physical Education
Erin Kane — Lake Highlands High School, Theatre
Karen Monroe — Westwood Junior High, Social Studies
Amy Smith — Apollo STEAM Academy, World Languages/Spanish
Kim Terry — MST, Sixth Grade Math
Erica Walden — Greenwood Hills Elementary, Special Education
Healthy Relationship Discussion at RPD
RISD, in connection with the Richardson Police Department, is hosting a panel discussion tonight on the legal, physical and emotional next steps after a relationship has become unhealthy or dangerous.
Whether you or someone you care for is in an unhealthy relationship, this event at the new Richardson Police Department building is an opportunity for you to learn how to get help.
RISD high school students, staff and parents are invited to attend this panel discussion.
Representatives from the Richardson Police Department, RISD Student Services, Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center, the SANE Initiative, Hope’s Door and Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center will be present.
Discussion will revolve around police investigations, school district responsibilities and local resources that are available to support families and individuals.
Please join us tonight at 6:30 in the new Richardson Police Department building at 200 N Greenville Avenue, Richardson, TX 75081.
Partners For All
Nearly four dozen area businesses gathered at Berkner STEM Academy this week for RISD’s annual partners luncheon as district administrators network to produce leads on new partnerships and strengthen current engagement. The 2018 grant from Texas Instruments that seeded the innovative STEM Center at Berkner is just one example of the support the RISD community has for our public schools.
Hands on experiences, mentoring opportunities, interactive student discussion during the school day and corporate volunteerism are all ways to prepare today’s learners for success.
Online Enrollment Now Open
Enrollment for the upcoming school year is now open, and more than 17,000 students have already completed the online process for 2020–21.
Students currently enrolled and returning to RISD next school year should have received a unique code, called a Snapcode, in order to enroll. Current elementary school students received a Snapcode in their take-home packets, and current junior high and high school students should have received a Snapcode via regular mail by the U.S. postal service.
RISD also sent a message about online enrollment to the primary contact’s email address on file for all current students.
If you have not received enrollment information nor a Snapcode, please contact the child’s current school.
Please note that students new to RISD do not require a Snapcode to enroll for the 2020–2021 school year.
All enrollment for the upcoming 2020–21 school year must be completed online. There are no paper forms. Those who would like assistance with online enrollment or would like to use a school device or WiFi to complete enrollment are welcome to visit the child’s school during normal school hours.
For more information about online enrollment for the upcoming 2020–21 school year, please visit RISD’s online enrollment page.
Coronavirus Preparedness
RISD Health Services has been in regular contact with Dallas County Health and Human Services to monitor the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation and to prepare for the possibility of confirmed cases closer to home in North Texas or in RISD.
As in the past with other outbreaks of viruses, RISD is prepared to implement and follow protocols and guidelines as directed by health authorities if necessary.
The best precautions we can take currently are the same basic prevention measures everyone should follow to avoid the flu and other common seasonal respiratory illnesses: get a flu shot, wash your hands, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze and stay home when you’re sick.
RHS Hoops Advance Again!
It’s getting real. The Richardson Eagles defeated Denton Guyer 75–66 in the area round and beat Waxahachie 79–68 in the regional quarterfinals to advance to the regional semifinals this Friday night against Odessa Permian at 8 p.m. in the Wilkerson-Greines Center in Fort Worth.
Go Eagles!
District Calendar
- 2019–20 Student Academic Calendar
- LiveWise LiveHealthy March Calendar
- March 16–20 — Spring Break
- April 1 — Early Release Day
- April 10 — Snow Day/Make Up Day
- April 13 — Snow Day.Make Up Day
Meetings, Events & Fundraisers
- RISD Athletics Calendar
- Fine Arts Calendar for March
- March 5 — West Junior High Art Auction
- March 5 — RPD Healthy Relationships (En Español)
- April 8–9 — Dyslexia Simulation for Parents (En Español)
- April 25 — RISD Foundation Boots & Bowties Bash
Reminders
RISD Servant Leader Award
The Patti Kieker Servant Leader award recognizes an exemplary central administrative employee who has helped RISD achieve its mission and exemplifies servant leadership. Please consider nominating a deserving RISD central administrator for this award before March 6.
Nominations Open for Nurse of the Year
Do you know an RISD nurse who has positively impacted a campus, families and the health services culture at a school by keeping children healthy and ready to learn?
Follow this link to nominate your deserving nurse for the 2019–20 school year. The deadline is March 13, and the winner will be announced April 1.
All Juniors Take ACT Test for Free
Richardson ISD juniors will take the ACT test for free on Tuesday March 24. Students will take the test at their home campus. The ACT is one measure colleges and universities consider during the application process. There are five sections to the test RISD students will take on March 24: English, math, reading, science and writing.
SMU holds an ACT boot camp at the RISD Professional Development Center on Belt Line Road for juniors and seniors looking to improve their scores. There are also test prep materials available online. Please contact the counselor at your school if you have more questions about the free ACT test.
Census 2020
Richardson ISD is providing information to educate, encourage and engage our school community about the upcoming U.S. Census, and we encourage your participation. RISD will continue to update this website as we prepare for Census Day on April 1.
Three Community Members File to Run in May Election
The deadline to file for the upcoming election of RISD trustees for District 3 and At Large Place 6 was Feb. 14, and three community members filed to have their name on the May 2 ballot.
Debbie Rentería is running unopposed in District 3. Eric Eager and Bridgett Y. Hudson are vying for At Large Place 6. In early 2019, RISD trustees reconfigured the board to a model with representatives from five districts and two at large seats. The May election will be the second of three votes before the entire board has been elected under the new system.
Learn more, view a board district map and search for a district by address.
Connecting With School
RISD administration and individual schools regularly provide messages to parents of enrolled students with school information, important dates, reminders, and safety information.
In order to reach parents, schools must have accurate contact information.
When inclement weather causes RISD to cancel or delay school, parents and staff are notified by telephone, email and text message.
If you have changed your phone number or email address since enrolling your child, please provide updated contact information to your school’s front office.
Questions?
Your child’s school is the best resource for questions about school schedules and operations.
Parents may also contact the main RISD switchboard at 469–593–0000 or email the district at risd@risd.org.
Volunteering in RISD
A new background check is required every school year for all volunteers at RISD schools.
Parents, grandparents and community members must be cleared prior to volunteering at school activities, so the beginning of the school year is the best time to complete that process.
