School Times — May 8, 2019
2020–2021 Student Academic Calendar Options
Parent, staff, and public feedback is requested on the two options under consideration for adoption as RISD’s 2020–2021 Student Academic Calendar. (Please note that RISD’s 2019–2020 Student Academic Calendar was adopted last spring).
The options were reviewed and selected by a calendar committee of RISD parents and staff members after initial evaluation of eight calendar options. In addition, the District Planning Committee of parents, community members and staff members reviewed both final calendar options. Both options share similar elements based on requirements and considerations, including:
- Emphasis on balance of instructional days between the first and second semesters
- Ensuring enough instructional days in the first semester for semester-only classes
- Compliance with Fine Arts/Athletics UIL practice guidelines and schedules
- Instructional minutes reserved for potential inclement weather
- State STAAR/EOC Testing schedules
- Spring Break 2021 is aligned with Dallas County Community College District schedule due to large number of RISD students taking dual credit courses that utilize DCCCD services
- Statutory requirements under Texas Education Code
The school year in both options would begin on August 19, 2020 and conclude on May 28, 2021.
The major differences include:
- Calendar Option A begins the second semester for students on Tuesday, January 5. Monday, January 4 is a staff development day for teachers.
- Calendar Option B begins the second semester for both students and teachers on Monday, January 4. The January staff development day/student holiday is Tuesday, January 19, which is the day after the Martin Luther King Day holiday.
To provide feedback on the 2020–2021 calendar options, please email risd@risd.org or call 469–593–0000.
Feedback received will be shared with Trustees at the May 20 work session, and the 2020–2021 Student Academic Calendar may be adopted as soon as the June 10 regular board meeting.
Watch the calendar presentation and discussion (Item VI L)
State Champs!
Students Recognized
Several student groups were recognized by the RISD Board at the May 6 regular meeting for academic and school-related achievements.
Congratulations to all of the May recognitions!
Richardson ISD Joins With Texas Districts to Prevent School Finance Reform From Being Derailed by a New Robin Hood System
RISD Lone Star Challenge
On May 4, approximately 145 RISD students gathered at Berkner High School to compete in the annual RISD Lone Star Challenge competition. The academic competition is designed for elementary students, based on the Academic Decathlon competition held in the high schools.
The teams competed in four areas: essay writing; written tests in Math/Science and Language Arts/Social Studies; and a live Super Quiz. Each team was coached by volunteer coaches from their respective schools.
Top teams
1st place: Brentfield ES
2nd place: Northwood Hills ES
3rd place: White Rock ES
4th place: Merriman Park ES
5th place: Arapaho Classical Magnet
6th place: Bowie ES
All-Around Individual winners
4th grade, Jackson Bailey — Merriman Park ES
5th grade, Evan Keiser — Arapaho Classical Magnet
6th grade, Nicolas Webb (first place overall) — Brentfield ES
Congratulations!
Trustees Discuss Budget, Approve Bond Refunding
The RISD Board of Trustees met the evening of May 6, discussing several topics. Highlights included:
Early Bond Repayment To Save $6.4M
RISD Trustees approved the defeasance (arrangement for early payment) of RISD bonds issued in 2012. The net impact of the action is projected to save RISD $6.4 million in debt service tax dollars by avoiding future interest costs, similar to the savings a homeowner would realize through early payoff of a home mortgage. “This will allow us to maximize the benefit of our debt service dollars to help the district now and in the future,” said Board President Justin Bono.
Equity Policy
Trustees heard a presentation from RISD Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Angie Lee, detailing the draft of RISD’s Equity Policy. The draft policy was developed through collaboration with a wide variety of parents, community members and employees, and when adopted, will serve to help train and guide RISD employees and stakeholders on issues related to equity.
Trustees will consider adoption of the RISD Equity Policy at a future meeting.
See the draft of the RISD Equity Policy
2019–20 Operating Budget
Trustees continued discussions about the 2019–20 operating budget, a process that began in January. Board members evaluated potential expenditures based on projected available revenue.
Learn more about the May 6 RISD Board meeting, including video
RISD School Counselor of the Year!
Berkner Spring Signing Day
Congratulations to these Berkner HS student-athletes for signing collegiate letters of intent to continue their academic and athletic careers in college.
Logan Ehr, McMurray U. — Baseball
Joni Schneider, Ouachita Baptist U. — Volleyball
Tyrone Pratt, Kansas Wesleyan — Football
A’dc Williams, Eastfield College — Girls Soccer
Mason Elmore, UT Dallas — Cross Country / Track
Shazae Alexander, Missouri Valley College — Track
Lejend Jackson, Missouri Valley College — Track
District Calendar
- May 5–11 Teacher Appreciation Week
- 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
Upcoming Meetings, Events & Fundraisers
- RISD Athletic Events Calendar
- May Fine Arts Calendar
- RISD Assessment Calendar
- Class of 2019 Elementary Senior Breakfasts & Walks
- May 5–11 — Teacher Appreciation Week
- May 11 — LHHS Mock Trial Shred Event
- May 13–14 — LHHS Construction Program Indoor Building Project
- May 14 — Richardson Athletic Booster Club Golf Outing
- May 17 — Hospitality Industry Job Fair — RISD Professional Development Center
- May 17 — Berkner Booster Club Scholarship Golf Outing
- May 24–25 — Wallace ES Seussical Jr. the Musical
2018–19 Individual Student STAAR Results
Individual student results are now available for the first administration of the 5th & 8th grade Texas Math & Reading STAAR assessments. Parents may access individual student STAAR results through the Focus student information system. Individual student results of STAAR tests in other grades and subjects are expected between May 30 and June 12.
STAAR exams for grades 3–8 will be administered the week of May 13–16.
Parents without access to the Internet may contact their child’s school for a paper copy of individual student STAAR results.
Learn more about accessing individual student STAAR results
Learn more about creating a Focus account to view student STAAR, grade, and attendance information
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.
Richardson ISD — www.risd.org
400 S. Greenville Ave., Richardson, TX 75081, U.S.A.
