Monday Memo

Rice Middle School is an accepting, nurturing, safe community where students are given the freedom to learn and grow as responsible individuals.

Plano ISD Strategic Plan:

https://www.pisd.edu/strategicplan

It's always hard to come back from a break, but at least we have another one to look forward to in a few weeks. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Break.

Grades should have been updated before 8:00 A.M. this morning. Please make sure you are taking the time to work with those students who are failing to ensure they have the opportunities to get caught up with their work. If you need assistance, please reach out to your grade level counselor and/or administration. We can assist in finding additional opportunities to help students catch up with their work.

Wednesday School is this week, you will need to decide on the students who need to attend and contact parents. Jan will not be able to do this this week.

Friday Night Lights is schedule for this Friday, December 6.

The PTA along with Mrs. Jimenez have been working together to plan a Wellness Week during the week of December 9. There are going to be daily events, or items of interest that will be shared with you soon. A couple dates we would like for you to keep in mind are December 9 and December 13.

• There has been a request that NO Homework assigned the night on Monday, December 9. There is a Pack the Gym night for basketball and also there will be an awareness and self-care message shared with staff and students that day. Thank you in advance.
• December 13 will be our Block Lunch which will include SEL activity suggestions. Jo will provide more information and follow-up this week.

We have two Block Lunches scheduled to end the semester. The first one is on Friday, December 13 and the activities should be focused on SEL based activities. Jo Cole has sent out the link of ideas for activities, please make sure you sign up for a session.

The second Block Lunch will be on the last day of school. The students will have lunch through their grade levels and then will need to report to the pod areas for the sessions. This is similar to the first week of school, a time for the students to unwind as well as allowing the teachers to have some extra time to enter final grades for the semester. Grade level teams can develop the schedule for the day. 7th grade has the first lunch, 8th grade will go to B lunch, and we will conclude with 6th grade.

From Michelle's email:

As it’s already December, let’s celebrate all of the amazing educators that make Rice THE place to be! Yes, it’s time to select Rice Middle School’s 2020 Teacher of the Year!

After clicking on the “Voting Form” (linked below) and casting your vote, please:

• review the criteria at the top of the form;
• vote for your TOP THREE Raven Educators, and complete the response questions; and,
• submit your vote by 3:30 P.M., Monday, December 9th.

Teacher of the Year Voting Form

Also:

• should a run-off be needed, check your email on Tuesday, December 10th , for instructions; and
• prepare for some fun at RMS’ TOTY Reveal!

RMS TOTY Reveal Party

Library

PTA Luncheon

Friday, December 20, 2019

Roz Keck will be coming out the afternoon of January 6th to meet with the staff from 1:30-3:00 to discuss the collaborative team process. She led the professional development we had at the beginning of the school year with Alan November.

This is the day we all return from break, so I wanted to put this out there now. I will share further details at a later time.

The advisory group met a couple of weeks ago and we are going to continue looking at how to implement this for the 20-21 school year. We will be meeting and looking at options during the second semester.

One item that came out of the discussion is looking at implementing the Second Step SEL program more often throughout the semester. I will be looking at the calendar for next semester and put together dates when we can put together a schedule that will allow for the Second Step to be taught while still meeting with the rest of our classes. I'll share these dates once I have it planned out.

We will also send out proposed dates for the second semester block lunches to help you plan ahead.

We were informed that the magnetic door stops that are installed on the door frames will be removed soon (possibly over the winter break). The reason is that they are against the fire code. The reasoning: each door is rated to keep a fire within the room for a certain length of time (silver tag on inside of door), if there was a fire in the building and the rooms were propped open at the time, any damage outside the classroom would not be covered by insurance.

I will be checking with safety and security about other options and if doors do need to be locked at all times.

12/13: Block Lunch

12/13: End of the Semester Staff Holiday HH Choir Practice - 4:00 - Pluckers in Plano

12/20: Last day of the First Semester - PTA Staff Lunch (after student dismissal!)

Student Winter Concerts to get you in the holiday spirit:

12/3: Beginning Band Concert - 7:00 - Rice Gym

12/10: Choir Winter Concert - 6:30 - Custer Road UMC

12/11: Orchestra Winter Concert - 6:00 - Rice Gym

12/13: Band Winter Concert - 6:30 - Plano West Senior High

There is plenty of basketball over the next few weeks as well!

Find a home game on these dates:

12/4 (8th Boys), 12/5 (7th Boys), 12/9 (8th Boys), 12/12 (7th Boys)

12/9 is PACK THE GYM NIGHT and NO HOMEWORK ASSIGNED NIGHT!!!!

Are you overwhelmed with grading, projects, lesson plans, family, festivities, the end of the semester rush etc. and would like to take a moment to relax and learn strategies for taking care of yourself?

The LOTE department would like to invite you to a 1 hour of PD with Ms. Phyllis Smith, on December 11th from 4-5 pm in room 818 or Library if needed. Ms. Phyllis Smith, Co-founder of Live Free Yoga, is a specialist in Yoga and Mindfulness Programs for Adolescents & adults who serve them (teachers, counselors, coaches, etc). In this 1 hour workshop you will be introduced to the meaning of mindfulness and the benefits of self-care and our students. This workshop also includes direct experience with various mindfulness practices and a downloadable handbook with 5 mindfulness tools that you can implement in your life or in the classroom.

Please, let me know if you are attending using this form so that we can plan for it:

https://tinyurl.com/RicePDSEL

This is the first year we have stepped away from the canned food drive for the Plano Santas. We have always exceeded our expectations as Rice Ravens when we are giving, please encourage your students to participate. If you have ideas for incentives, let me know.

THANK YOU for helping those in need this holiday season.

Plano Police Association Christmas Cops Program

We are proud to announce that the Rice MS Student Council has partnered with the Plano Police Association Christmas Cops program. Christmas Cops is a non-profit organization comprised of police officers and volunteers who assist with some of our less fortunate Plano families during the holiday season.

The Plano Police Association Christmas Cops program began in 1984 during the holiday season by a handful of compassionate Plano Police Officers. These men and women saw a tremendous need in the community and knew they could make a difference—and the Christmas Cops story began. Large boxes are placed at local businesses, and now our school, to collect children’s toys, coats, non-perishable food items, and miscellaneous household items. Shortly before Christmas, our Officers and Santa’s Helpers will make deliveries to the families in need.

The Christmas Cops toy and clothing drive will begin at Rice on Monday, November 11th and end on Friday, December 13th. The organizers of the Christmas Cops program have requested our assistance with donations specifically for middle school age children. Examples may include clothing items, clothing accessories (e.g., belts, wallets, purses, etc.), toiletries items (e.g., cologne, perfume, deodorant, makeup kits, etc), age appropriate board games, arts and craft or science kits. Please donate anything you think a preteen would love to have as a gift for the holiday.

For more information about Christmas Cops please visit https://planopa.org/christmas-cops/christmas-cops-about-us. If you have a specific question not answered by the website, feel free to email our School Resource Officer, Tyrone More at Tyrone.More@pisd.edu.

Remember, Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much!

Tuesday, December 3

• Beginning Band Concert - 7:00 pm - Rice Gym

Wednesday, December 4

• 8th Grade Boys Bball Game - 6:00 pm - Rice Gym
• 8th Grade Girls Bball Game - 6:00 pm - Renner Gym

Thursday, December 5

• 7th Grade Boys Bball Game - 6:00 pm - Rice Gym
• 7th Grade Girls Bball Game - 6:00 pm - Renner Gym

Friday, December 6

• Choir and Jazz Tour (students out for the day)

Monday, December 9

• 8th Grade Boys Bball Game - 6:00 pm - Rice Gym - PACK THE GYM
• 8th Grade Girls Bball Game - 6:00 pm - Otto Gym

Tuesday, December 10

• Choir Winter Concert - 6:30 - Custer Road UMC

Wednesday, December 11

• Orchestra Winter Concert - 6:00 pm - Rice Gym

Thursday, December 12

• 7th Grade Boys Bball Game - 6:00 pm - Rice Gym
• 7th Grade Girls Bball Game - 6:00 pm - Otto Gym

Friday, December 13

• Band Winter Concert - 6:30 - Plano West Senior High School

Saturday, December 14

• Speech Tournament - Haggard Middle School

The district is going to hold another Trade Learning Saturday on February 1, registration opens January 14.

As a reminder, In addition to the district and campus designated Professional Learning days each year teachers will be required to earn 15 Professional Learning Trade Hours (7.5 personal trade hours and 7.5 campus trade hours) in lieu of working on November 25th, 2019 and April 13th, 2020. The Campus Trade Hours are required, we have provided many of these opportunities since the summer and most everyone should be at 7.5 hours.

The 7.5 Personal Trade Hours must be completed by April 3, 2020. If you don't complete these hours, you will have to enter for unpaid leave on April 13.

Detailed information can be located on the district's professional learning website.

This was shared by Frankford Middle School as an opportunity to gain some trade hours in case you are still looking. 3 hours and it is this coming Saturday.

Please continue to be aware of the religious holidays and also any night there are some big events for the students, so that you don't schedule a test or major project on the next day.

Happy December Birthday!

3: Amy Lin

10: Rocio Martinez

17: Maggie Jimenez

18: Mande Young

23: Janeth Pak

Thank you to those teams who have been sharing the agendas to the collaborative team meetings. Remember, this is an expectation from the district that teachers are meeting on a regular basis to discuss these questions:

These PLCs focus on these Three Big Questions:

1. A Focus on Learning
2. A Collaborative Culture with a Focus on Learning for All
3. A Focus on Results

The Four Essential Questions to Guide the Planning Discussions:

1. What do we want students to learn?
2. How do we know students are learning?
3. How will we respond when students do not learn?
4. How will we enrich and extend when students are proficient?

The agenda and minutes can be saved here.

CIP Goal:

The campus administration and faculty will share a common understanding of the expectations of the collaborative teaming process as evidenced by 85% of responses at 4 or higher (out of a 5 point scale) on related HRS Levels 1 and 2 survey questions administered during the 2019-2020.

We went over the Plano ISD Strategic Plan at the beginning of the year, but I wanted to remind you of the reason behind why we do what we do as well as the reason for the HRS model.

Strategic Plan 2019-2023

• There is a legacy of excellence in Plano ISD, with high aspirations for all students—from pre-k, through graduation and beyond. To continue that legacy, Plano ISD began a year-long strategic planning process to set the course for the district's future. Drawing on the collective experiences and knowledge of a diverse and representative group of district stakeholders was an important part of the in-depth, self-examination process. The Plano ISD Board of Trustees adopted the 2019-2023 Strategic Plan on April 9, 2019

PLANO ISD STRATEGIC PLAN:

Beliefs

We Believe:

• ALL students are at the heart of our decisions.
• High expectations lead to growth and achievement for each student and staff member.
• Graduates must possess the skills and knowledge that prepare them to become responsible citizens and successful leaders.
• All students will utilize social, emotional and academic skills in order to become resilient and resourceful lifelong learners.
• The highest levels of learning occur when students are engaged in work that is relevant, authentic and challenging.
• Equity and access to equal opportunities are essential to reaching the highest levels of student achievement.
• As good stewards, we provide access to resources that enable each student to reach his/her aspirations.
• Our diverse, innovative and future-focused employees are the most valuable resource vital to the growth, care and success of each student.
• We embrace families, staff, students, and our community in the shared responsibility of educating our children.
• Developing meaningful, collaborative relationships in a welcoming, safe and caring environment is essential for student success.
• Quality public education is the foundation of a thriving community.

Vision & Mission

Vision

Committed to Excellence
Dedicated to Caring
Powered by Learning
Plano ISD Proud.

Mission

Our Plano ISD learning community will educate, inspire and empower every student to activate their unique potential in a dynamic world.

Pillar 1: Learning and Teaching

Pillar 2: Life Ready

Pillar 3: Talent Acquisition, Support & Growth

Pillar 4: Culture of Community

Pillar 5: Strategic Resource Management

Find more detailed information on the Plano ISD Strategic Plan Website.

Email: chris.glasscock@pisd.edu
Website: https://www.pisd.edu/rice
Location: 8500 Gifford Drive, Plano, TX, United States
Phone: 469-752-6000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiceMSRavens
Twitter: @RiceMSRavens