The Rhino Report
Rylander Elementary School Newsletter
Rylander Elementary School Newsletter
October 8, 2026 ๐๐
How To Translate the Rhino Report to Other Languages
Dearest Rylander Families!
What an AMAZING close to our first grading period! Just to name a few...
5th Grade had a Holes Celebration to finish out their unit on the Holes Book written by Louis Sachar. They came in dressed up as different characters from the story and did an amazing job sharing supporting evidence for their creative dress-up choices today. ๐งก๐๐
Several of our students were filmed today as part of a district social media series that will be aired next week! ๐ท๐
We finished out the day with our fall Rhino Rah-Rah Rally and were able to celebrate several students (nominated by staff) and staff (nominated by students) with a Rhino RAH-RAH for showing excellence in modeling what it means to be a 3R RHINO! ๐ฆ๐
We hope you all have a FALL-tabulous break, and we will see our RHINOS back on Wednesday, October 14th. Don't forget, when they return, it will be Class Picture Day! Only students who have the privacy code "Y" or "O" will be allowed in the class photos. Have a blessed weekend! ๐งก๐
Serving in Love,
Jia Paek
Your Grateful RHINO Principal ๐ฆ
Week of October 12th at Rylander:
MONDAY (10/12) Fall Break Student Holiday / Columbus Day - NO SCHOOL
TUESDAY (10/13) Fall Break Student Holiday - NO SCHOOL
WEDNESDAY (10/14)
- Hula Hoop Team Practice
- 2nd Grading Period Begins
- National School Lunch Week
- Provine Class Picture Day and Individual Picture MakeUps for 9/3/Retakes (bring original packet)
THURSDAY (10/15)
- Happy Birthday Principal Paek ๐๐
- Meet the Teacher for New 4th and 5th Grade Classes at 5:00-5:30 PM
- Ms. Ripperger (4th)
- Ms. Campbell (5th)
FRIDAY (10/16)
- Rhino Cart
- PTA Science Night at 5:30-7:30 in GYM
Coming Up Next:
10/23 - Student Holiday & Campus PD Day (Parent Conference Day)
Class Picture Day (Oct. 14) & Individual Retakes/Make-Ups
Hi Parents!
Class Pictures will be taken Wednesday October 14th when we return. Click below to order.
https://provinehouston.accessmyevent.com/Rylander26Grps
Portrait retakes and absentees will be taken for Rylander Elementary on Wednesday, October 14th. You may visit https://provinehouston.accessmyevent.com/REInd26 to prepay for your package online. Please have your student dressed in their best for their Fall photo.
If you previously purchased a package, and would like your photo retaken, ALL purchased items must be returned to the photographer the day of pictures. We can then exchange the old photos and place a new order for your childโs retake photo at no additional cost.
Everyone who didnโt purchase should have received a 2nd chance flyer with your childโs proof on it. If you havenโt, please email the below information to provinehouston@gmail.com. We can then send you a link to view & order your photos.
School Name: Rylander Elementary
Childโs Name:
Teacher name/Grade:
Purpose: Please send logon information to view & order fall photos.
๐WELCOME TO RYLANDER!!!๐คฉ
Dear Rylander Families,
October is a special month at Rylander as we recognize National Bullying Prevention Month and celebrate Red Ribbon Week October 26-30! Throughout the month, our rhinos will learn the importance of kindness, respect, inclusion, and being an UPstander who speaks up and supports others. During Red Ribbon Week, we will also celebrate making healthy choices that help our students build strong minds, healthy bodies, and bright futures.
We invite you to join us in encouraging your child to choose kindness, make healthy choices, stand up for others, and be the best version of themselves! Together, we can make a difference!
Love ang Logic Parenting Classes
PurposeFull People
PurposeFULL People is the character education program that Katy ISD has adopted for elementary students. The curriculum focuses on fostering the whole child through social-emotional learning and character development. During the month of October, our rhinos will be learning all about Responsibility. One way to define Responsibility is โtaking action and understanding the impact of our choices.โ Taking action can mean doing the right thing or completing the tasks you have been assigned. Understanding the impact of our choices means that our actions matter. Positive and responsible actions can help people, and irresponsible actions can hurt others. I encourage you to talk to you children more responsibility and come up with ways they can be a little more responsible at home and at school.
Love and Logic parenting classes will be offered during the Fall semester of 2026. Katy ISD families from any campus may register to attend.
Families who wish to participate in Love and Logic courses may pay $10 for the cost of the Love and Logic workbook through the Pay 'N Go system.
Please reach out to the campus Love and Logic facilitator to sign up and arrange to pick up materials.
Food for Families
Katy ISDโs Partners in Education invites you to support families who could use a little extra help during the winter break through our Food for Families campaign. Campuses identify students in need, and with support from the community, Partners in Education will provide grocery gift cards and a heartfelt note.
Each gift is delivered by a campus staff member, reminding students that their Katy ISD family cares.
Help us turn a gift card into something more: Donate to Katy ISD Food for Families by Thursday, December 10 through Katy ISD Pay Nโ Go or by check payable to Katy ISD Food for Families and mailed to:
Partners in Education
Katy ISD ESC
6301 S. Stadium Lane
Katy, TX 77494
RRE Staff Birthdays ๐๐
Car Rider Drop-Off & Pick-Up Safety Reminders
- ๐ Stay in your vehicle while in the car rider line.
- ๐ต Stay phone-free while in the car rider line to help keep everyone safe.
- โก๏ธ Keep traffic flowing by pulling forward when directed.
- ๐ฆ Follow staff directions to help keep our Rhinos safe.
- ๐ Show patience and kindness to fellow Rhino families.
- ๐ Give grace! We all have the same goal: a safe arrival and dismissal for our Rhinos!
RRE First Day Digital Packet
Helpful Info for Rylander Families about Campus Procedures
Every parent should have received this QR code at Meet the Teacher or on the first day of school. If you did not, please reach out to your child's homeroom teacher for a copy. The QR code is also provided below or you can use the following link: https://tinyurl.com/RRE1stdaypacket26-27
HEB Loves Teachers ๐
Nominate an Outstanding Educator for the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards!
The H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards honor outstanding public school professionals who go above and beyond for their students and communities every day. Since 2002, H-E-B has awarded more than $14 million to teachers, counselors, principals, school boards, districts, and early childhood education centers across Texas. This is a wonderful opportunity to recognize the incredible educators who inspire, lead, and make a lasting difference. Use the link below for your nomination. Letโs celebrate and spotlight the amazing educators who make Rylander Elementary School and Katy ISD so special!
Who We Are as RHINOS...
...
What We DO as RHINOS...
Arriving On Time
Parents, we need YOUR help to help our rhinos arrive on time for school. Teachers and other staff members arrive at their duty station and classrooms to receive students at 7:30 am. Please ensure that your child arrives at school between 7:30-7:50 am. The tardy bell rings at 7:50 am. This means that students must be inside the school building by the 7:50 am tardy bell to be considered at school on time. We highly encourage that our students be brought to school as close to the 7:30 am time when our doors open to allow them more time to get unpacked and settled into their classrooms to be ready to begin their day of learning and instruction. School announcements begin promptly at 7:50 am.
For all students that arrive later than the designated 7:50 am tardy cut-off time, they will be directed to the front office for a late arrival check-in. Parents must bring a current physical government issued ID (ex. Driverโs License and/or passport) and escort their child(ren) into the school building to be checked-in tardy at the front office. Students are not allowed to walk in without an adult after 7:50 am as safety is our number one priority. Parents may be called if this policy is violated.
Thank you so much for your understanding and support in helping all of our Rhinos have a great start to each day! โค๏ธ
Elementary Health TEKS and Parent Consent
In accordance with Texas Education Code 28.004 and Senate Bill 9, 5th grade students will receive instruction on the required health TEKS specific to abuse prevention and violence prevention.
Under Texas statute, parents/guardians must provide consent for their student to participate in the lessons that address the topics of abuse prevention and violence prevention.
On Tuesday, September 1, 2026, parents/guardians will receive information via email on how to view associated lessons and record their decision for student participation in these lessons.
Below are the windows for both the parent consent and when lessons will be taught:
Parent Consent Window: September 1, 2026 โ September 30, 2026
Instruction Window: November 3, 2026 โ December 17, 2026
Are You Signed Up to Be a Volunteer ??
Volunteer Registration Katy ISD is grateful for the thousands of volunteers who make a difference in our schools each year. To help maintain a safe and secure environment for our students and staff, all volunteers serving on or off campus during or outside the instructional day are required to register annually through the district's Raptor volunteer management system.
A valid government-issued photo ID and email address are required to complete registration. Your information will remain confidential and will not be shared outside of the volunteer program, except for applicants who register as a Community Volunteer (not a parent, grandparent, or guardian of a current Katy ISD student) or as a KEYS Mentor. For these volunteer roles, the information required to complete a background check will be shared only with our authorized background screening provider, JDP. Once registered and approved, volunteers can:
โข Sign up as a campus volunteer by completing the volunteer recruitment form provided by their campus organization(s) or by contacting the campus volunteer coordinator.
โข Track volunteer hours through their volunteer profile for every Katy ISD campus where they serve.
โข Quickly and easily submit individual off-campus volunteer hours.
Volunteer Application - English
Volunteer Application - Spanish
2026-2027 Instructional Calendar
GMAIL FIX
NEW: Front Office CLOSED During Dismissal
Beginning with the 2026โ2027 school year, the Front Office will be closed daily from 2:50โ3:20 PM for all office business and visitor assistance.
During this time, our entire teamโs priority and focus will be ensuring that all students are dismissed safely, efficiently, and to the correct dismissal locations. Limiting Front Office activity during this important part of our school day will allow our staff to remain fully focused on the safety and supervision of our students. Once dismissal has concluded, the Front Office will reopen for visitor assistance until 3:45 PM.
We appreciate your understanding, cooperation, and support as we implement this new campus procedure. Thank you for partnering with us to help ensure a safe and smooth dismissal each day for all of our Rhinos!
Chromebook Insurance
For Students in Grades 3-5:
How do I pay for the insurance?
- Select insurance during the annual enrollment update. You will get an email with a link to pay for the insurance ($20).
- If you do not see the email, it will be under STUDENT FEES in Pay Nโ Go
If you did not select insurance during Enrollment or PowerSchool Annual Update, you can send an email to changemyrequest@katyisd.org and provide the following information: Studentโs Name, Studentโs ID, Studentโs Campus
CHANGE: Student Meal Prices
Meal Prices
As the 2026 โ 2027 school year approaches, we'd like to remind you of an upcoming change to school meal prices.
In response to federal regulations and economic impacts, breakfast and lunch prices will increase beginning this school year. While these adjustments are necessary to help us continue providing high-quality, nutritious meals for our students, we understand that any increase can affect a family's budget. That's why we've worked hard to keep meal prices as affordable as possible. In fact, this is the Districtโs first meal price increase in more than 10 years.
Beginning with the 2026 โ 2027 school year:
- Breakfast at all campuses will increase from $1.25 to $1.50.
- Elementary lunch will increase from $2.25 to $2.75.
- Junior high and high school lunch will increase from $2.75 to $3.25.
Please note that these changes do not affect Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) campuses. Students at participating CEP campuses will continue to receive free breakfast and lunch throughout the school year.
Online Safety and Student Device Monitoring
To help ensure student safety, Katy ISD actively monitors online activity whenever students are logged into district accounts. This includes both district-issued Chromebooks and personal devices.
As part of ongoing efforts to enhance student safety and digital wellness, the district recently transitioned its online activity filter from Content Keeper to GoGuardian Beacon. GoGuardian Beacon provides improved tools to help schools identify and respond to concerning online behavior while promoting responsible digital citizenship.
Families can learn more about GoGuardian Beacon and its student safety features by visiting www.goguardian.com/beacon.
Kroger Community Rewards
Do you shop at Kroger? If yes, you could be earning money for Rylander Elementary at no extra cost to you. The Kroger Community Rewards program gives nonprofit organizations in the community a percentage of the sales everytime you shop at Kroger. Reward members that have RRE linked to their card raise funds for Rylander Elementary. Below is how to link your card if you are interested.
Thank you for your support.
- Go to krogercommunityrewards.com
- If you don't have an account, click Create an account
- If you already have an account, click Sign in
- Enter your zip code, email address, and create a password
- Click My Account and use your email address and password to continue
- Add your card number or create a virtual card number
- Select Community Rewards
- Select Enroll Now or Edit
- Enter the name or NPO number of the organization you want to support 9. Enter the name (Roberta W Rylander Elementary) or NPO number (UL070) of the organization you want to support.
Here is a fun way to celebrate your childโs birthday by donating a book to the Rylander library! Your child will select a book from our shelf of new books that he/she wishes to donate to the library. A book plate will then be put into the front of the book with the childโs name and birthday on it. Students will also present his or her book on the daily school announcements.
Cafeteria Payment Instruction
CLICK HERE to view Cafeteria Online Payment Instructions for Breakfast & Lunch.