Rushing Raptors Newsletter

Rushing Middle School Families,

We wrapped up a fantastic first few days, and now we are officially stepping into our first full week at Rushing Middle School! It has been incredible seeing our hallways filled with energy, school spirit, and students eager to learn.

As we settle into our full academic routine, our focus this week is on establishing strong habits, building connections, and maintaining momentum. Thank you for your continued partnership—ensuring your Raptors arrive on time, stay organized, and come ready to engage makes all the difference. Let’s make it a great week!

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.

🗓️ Tuesday, August 18th - Chick-Fil-A PTO Spirit Night 6am - 9pm

• Special Meet and Greet with the Principals 4:30-6pm

🗓️ Wednesday, August 19th and Thursday, August 20th - we will begin our block day rotations - Block Schedule Begins this week

Dear Families, here are a few quick sign-up links you can use right now to join the PTO and support your student's school.

1) JOIN THE PTO & support your school! Memberships include EXCLUSIVE GIFTS such as a travel mug or a stadium blanket.

Rushing Middle School PTO - Home Page

2) SHOP RUSHING SPIRIT WEAR!

Rushing Raptors – My School Spirit Shop

3) SPIRIT DAY 8/18: Mark your calendar now for Spirit Night at Chick-fil-A Windsong Tuesday 8/18 ALL DAY 6am-9pm. That evening there will be a special time to meet and greet your Rushing admin team inside at Chick-fil-A from 4:30pm - 6pm. Come say hello, meet the Rushing team and support the PTO. Busy schedule? Visit the drive thru and mention RUSHING. We appreciate your support either way!

Our PTO is busy making it a great year for your loved one and we appreciate your support!

-Rushing PTO

The Prosper ISD Profile of a Learning Leader represents a shared, unified vision created through the collaborative efforts of our entire school community — including teachers, staff, administrators, students, parents, and community partners across the district. This foundational document captures the core attributes, values, and mindsets we strive to cultivate in every member of the Prosper ISD family. Serving as our guiding star, it embodies the leadership and learning aspirations we hold for everyone within our system, fostering growth, excellence, and continuous improvement from our youngest learners all the way to the superintendent.

This profile didn't start from scratch — it grew directly out of our 2025–2030 Strategic Priorities, which were themselves built through months of listening to teachers, students, families, and staff across the district. Once those four pillars — Together We Champion, Together We Cultivate, Together We Empower, and Together We Prosper — were set, small groups from across Prosper ISD came together again to answer a more personal question: what does it actually look like, day to day, for a student or an employee to live out these priorities? The Profile of a Learning Leader is the answer.

At Rushing Middle School, this profile is more than just a set of ideals — it is an active, daily practice. As a campus community, we are dedicated to intentionally teaching, reinforcing, and building upon these core characteristics in all that we do. Whether through instructional practices, collaborative leadership, or daily interactions, we ensure that every student, educator, and staff member is supported in developing these traits. By embedding the Profile of a Learning Leader into our school culture, we create a supportive environment where every individual can achieve excellence every day in every way.

If your student has a doctor’s note or other supporting documentation for an absence, please use the new Attendance Note Submission Form to submit the documentation.

How to Submit:

• Complete the online Attendance Note Submission Form.
• Upload the doctor’s note or supporting documentation directly within the form.
• You will need your student’s 8-digit ID number, which can be found in Skyward Family Access.
• This process applies to both full-day and partial-day absences.

Please Note: A parent notification submitted through Skyward Family Access indicating that a student had a doctor’s appointment does not qualify as a doctor’s note. Supporting documentation must be submitted through the Attendance Note Submission Form.

Thank you for helping us keep attendance records accurate!

Click on the link below for the 26-27 school supply list. For those that purchased the school supply packs, all packs were delivered to students this week.

https://www.prosper-isd.net/o/pisd/page/schoolsupplylist

• Doors open at 7:20AM

• Students report to the cafeteria until 7:50AM. Students will then be moved to designated areas until dismissal to first period (6th grade to 6th Grade Hallway, 7th/8th Girls to the Gym, 7th/8th Boys remain in cafeteria).

• Parent drop-off/pick-up lines. There are two areas for student drop-off and pick-up - Front parent line and back parent line. Please follow signs and staff instructions when dropping off or picking up for student safety. Communicate with your child where you will be picking them up each day. Typically, if you drop off in the front car line, please pick up in the front car line. If you drop off in the back car line, please pick up in the back car line.

• Walkers, Bike/Scooter Riders- Please use the bike racks on the west side of the building to secure bike/scooter. Students are responsible for securing their bike/scooter each day with their own lock.

We want our processes for drop-off and pick-up to be safe and efficient. To help with that, please review the maps below if you use the car lines. To keep traffic moving, please pull forward to fill any space in front of you. The star on each map indicates a sign that reads Pull Forward Here for Drop-Off & Pick-up. The purple areas are the drop-off and pick-up points for the car lines. Students can exit or enter your vehicle along the curb anywhere in those areas. Rushing staff are positioned along the car lines as crossing guards and to help move traffic along. Please follow the direction of those staff members. Always be safe, patient, and courteous. We have a large number of car riders. Please plan accordingly to allow time for your student to arrive on time in the morning.

If your student rides a bike or scooter to school, please review the newsletter linked below. Remind them to "Walk their wheels" whenever on campus.

https://app.smore.com/n/7g36d

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.

https://app.smore.com/n/0se73

We are VERY excited about our students having the opportunity to participate in the University Interscholastic League (UIL) A+ Academics Competition in grades 2 - 8.

Students who are interested in learning about, practicing, and competing in these events will need to start prepping NOW for the events they are interested in at home. The prep information can be found at a link at www.prosper-isd.net/uilacademics

You will be able to indicate areas of interest for your student. Please keep in mind that there may be conflicts with practice and/or competition times, and it may not be possible to participate in multiple events.

If you would like your child to participate in UIL Academics, please complete this form BEFORE September 18, 2026. Please complete a separate form for each student.

Competitions available for students to compete in are listed below. HERE is a link to the contest descriptions. https://app.smore.com/n/exn684

After forms are returned, please start studying and prepare for the first contests in September (Middle School) and October (Elementary School).

Form to sign up all ES and MS campuses - https://forms.gle/52b2SnRsp9oczwFU7

Are you a parent or guardian of a GT student?

We are thrilled to launch the new school year with our district "Be Kind" shirts and sweatshirts. This isn't just apparel—it's a movement. Every Wednesday, students and staff all across Prosper ISD wear yellow to promote kindness. Use the link below to order this year's Be Kind shirt.

https://prosperisd.revtrak.net/district-store/#/v/hope-squad-be-kind-t-shirt

• 🗓️ School Calendar – https://www.prosper-isd.net/o/rums/events

• 🩺 Student Absence Reporting– mailto:rushingattendance@prosper-isd.net

• 🚌 Bus Routes & Transportation Info – https://www.prosper-isd.net/page/transportation

• 💻 Student Technology Help – https://www.prosper-isd.net/o/pisd/page/technology

• 💬 Report a Concern (tip411) – https://www.prosper-isd.net/o/pisd/page/tip411