Rushing Raptors Newsletter
Raptor Report - October 18, 2026
π¬ A Note from the Principal
Rushing Middle School Families,
The second grading period is underway at Rushing Middle School! This is a great opportunity for students to reflect on the first grading period, set new goals, and make a fresh commitment to academic success. Developing strong habits early can make a big difference throughout the nine weeks. Students are encouraged to stay organized, complete assignments on time, participate in class, ask questions, and seek help whenever they need additional support.
If your child is struggling in a class or needs extra help understanding a concept, please remember that each teacher offers tutorial times to provide additional assistance. We encourage students to take advantage of these opportunities before small challenges become bigger concerns. Students and parents are also welcome to reach out to teachers directly with questions about grades, missing assignments, classroom expectations, or overall academic progress. Open communication between home and school is an important part of helping every student succeed.
We encourage families to make it a habit to review student grades in Skyward each week. Checking grades regularly allows parents and students to identify missing assignments, monitor progress, celebrate improvements, and address concerns early. We also encourage families to have regular conversations about upcoming assignments, upcoming assessments, and goals for growth.
Get ready to show your school spirit! Rushing Middle School will host our Pink Out Pep Rally on Friday, October 23rd! We encourage all students and staff to wear pink as we come together to show our support and fill Rushing with school spirit. This is a great opportunity to celebrate our Rushing community, build excitement, and demonstrate the power of coming together for a meaningful cause. Letβs make it a sea of pink and show our Rushing pride!
Go Raptors!
Jeff McDonnell
Principal, Rushing Middle School
At Rushing Middle School, we foster a community where every student feels seen, valued, and supported as they grow in character, empathy, and fortitude.
π Important Dates & Information
π Pink Out Pep Rally - October 23rd
π Red Ribbon Week - October 26th - 30th
π Veterans Day Celebration - November 11th
π Pink Out Pep Rally This Friday! π
We will have a modified schedule this Friday for our Pink Out Pep Rally in support of Breast Cancer Awareness! We encourage all students to wear pink and show off their Raptor spirit. We want to see our Raptors decked out in PINK from head to toe!
The school bells will run according to the modified schedule and guide students through their day, so families do not need to print or prepare anything for students.
π Please take note if you are:
Dropping off a lunch for your student
Have a student participating in Off-Campus PE
If either applies to your family, please review the modified schedule so you know the appropriate times.
π Pink Out Spirit Reminders
As students get ready to show their school spirit, please keep the following expectations in mind:
Body paint, glitter, and hair paint are welcome as part of the fun, but they must be applied at home.
Please do not send these items to school for students to apply on campus.
If students bring these items out at school, they will be asked to put them away. If the items are brought out again, they will be taken up.
We want everyone to enjoy the pep rally while keeping our classrooms and campus clean! Please review these expectations with your students before they come to school on Friday so everyone knows what is and is not allowed.
β° Early Pick-Up Reminder
If your student has an appointment or needs to leave campus before the end of the school day on Friday, please plan to pick them up before 2:00 PM.
Due to the pep rally schedule, no students will be checked out after 2:00 PM on Friday. Please plan accordingly.
Thank you for helping us make Fridayβs Pink Out Pep Rally a fun, spirited event for everyone! Letβs see our Raptors decked out in pink as we show our support for Breast Cancer Awareness! ππ¦
π©Ί A Note from Nurse Reed
Calling All Rushing Family Veterans!
Rushing Middle School is honored to recognize and celebrate the veterans who are part of our Rushing family! We invite family members of Rushing students who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces to join us for our Veterans Day Celebration on Wednesday, November 11, at 8:30 a.m.
This special celebration will include a light breakfast and a program honoring the service and sacrifice of our veterans. Whether they are a parent, guardian, grandparent, aunt, uncle, sibling, or another special family member, we would be honored to have them join us!
Please click the link below to RSVP and let us know you will be joining us.
We look forward to coming together as a Rushing community to honor and celebrate those who have served our country! β€οΈπ€π
RMS Yearbook Needs Your Photos!
π A Note from Officer Nelson
πͺ Door Security
π± A Reminder About Cell Phones & Smartwatches
We are seeing an increasing number of students coming to the front office during the school day to pick up items telling us that their parent texted or called them. We understand that things come up, but these interruptions can take students away from instruction and learning.
As a reminder, Texas law requires schools to prohibit students from using personal communication devices during the school day, including cell phones and smartwatches with texting or communication capabilities.
If you need to get a message or drop off an item for your student during the school day, please contact the front office, and we will be happy to assist.
Thank you for partnering with us to minimize disruptions and keep our students focused on learning!
Red Ribbon Week Dress Up Days
HEB Excellence in Education Awards
H-E-B is now accepting applications for the 2027 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards, which awards cash prizes to educators who go the extra mile to serve their students and their communities. To commemorate 25 years of excellence in education, H-E-B will award more than $1 million in cash prizes to Texas educators and their schools in 2027.
All state-certified public school educators currently teaching in Texas, as well as Texas early childhood education centers/schools, are eligible to apply before November 1, 2026 at heblovesteachers.com/apply/.
Richland Orchestra Performance
October 28-29, 2026
7:00 PM
Richland Auditorium
Tickets - $10
RMS Parent to Staff Shout Outs
π A Note From Our Librarian
RMS Campus Information
Skyward & Technology Troubleshooting
As students return to school this week, here are some helpful links with information on Skyward troubleshooting and Back to School Technology information. As part of our secondary student authentication policy, all incoming 6th graders will now use pictographs to log in. Students will be automatically prompted to complete this setup during their very first login of the school year.
π» Accessing Google Classroom From Home
Students can access their Prosper ISD Google Classroom from home to complete homework and keep up with class assignments. On a home computer, students should go to the Student Portal and log in using their Prosper ISD account. From the Student Portal, they can access Google Classroom and view their assignments, announcements, and class materials.
Parents can encourage students to check Google Classroom regularly so they don't miss important assignments or updates.
Rushing Happenings...
π€ Student Clubs
Rushing Athletics
PTO Happenings...
Prosper ISD Happenings...
Raider Softball Workouts
October 5, 19, 26
November 2, 9
K-4 5:15 - 6:30 pm
5-8 6:45 - 8:00 pm
Cost - $150
π Helpful Links
ποΈ School Calendar β https://www.prosper-isd.net/o/rums/events
π©Ί Student Absence Reportingβ https://forms.prosper-isd.net/Forms/ProsperISDAttendanceNote
π Bus Routes & Transportation Info β https://www.prosper-isd.net/page/transportation
π» Student Technology Help β https://www.prosper-isd.net/o/pisd/page/technology
π¬ Report a Concern (tip411) β https://www.prosper-isd.net/o/pisd/page/tip411
π² Stay Connected & Get Involved
BEST PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN TEXAS
Named by HEBβs Excellence in Education Awards as the Best Large District in the State of Texas, Prosper ISD has an established 67-year history that is grounded in the humble roots of a farming community, now soaring to the fastest growing school district in Texas, due in no small part to the pursuit of excellence in the arts, academics and athletics. Our students and staff are routinely recognized on the local, state, and national levels for outstanding achievements, and our teachers are highly qualified experts who bring out the best in every student.
ABOUT PROSPER ISD
Prosper ISD is a school district located north of Dallas in Collin and Denton Counties. The district spans approximately 58 square miles and serves more than 32,000 students in 20 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, 4 high schools, and one early childhood school.
π«Ά THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY FOR SUPPORTING OUR TEACHERS & STUDENTS
In November 2023, an overwhelming majority of voters approved $2.7 billion to continue building excellence in Prosper ISD. Thank you for your continued financial commitment to our district.
And while our facilities are second to none, we know that it is the people who make the difference in Prosper ISD. From our bus drivers to our teachers to our teacher assistants, our staff is here to support students as they pursue their dreams of excellence in academics, fine arts, and athletics.
Location: 3080 West First Street, Prosper, TX 75078
Phone: 945-678-7400