Weekly Smiles (Parents 2/18/22)

Rice Ranger Parents,

We have had a great KINDNESS week here at Rice and I have heard lots of good conversation around how to treat others and how to show kindness. I thoroughly enjoyed watching your students while they were "bombing" the penny war buckets of other teachers. Keep scrolling to see how that turned out! Please take a moment to watch the video above. As a parent, the first and last speaker's words were a punch in the gut. Remember that "the same letters that spell the word listen spell the word SILENT."

There is one more housekeeping issue that I want to put in this newsletter for those that maybe didn't get the text regarding Rice car tags. As we want to ensure that students are only picked up by the proper people, we are going to tighten up on our car tag policy. Starting Monday you must present a valid Rice car tag to pick up your children from the campus whether you use Ranger Road or Park&Walk. We have ordered extra car tags and you may visit the front office to get an additional tag if you ever need to send Crazy Uncle Lou to pick up your children. If someone does not have a car tag then they will need to park and enter the front office with their ID to pick up a child. Thank you for understanding our policy and ensuring your children are safe!

-Mr. Smiley

TOMORROW! - Prospective Rice Student Brunch (Rice Library @10am)

February 21-25 - BOOK FAIR! See flier below regarding muffins with mom, donuts with dad, etc.

Tuesday, February 22nd - "TWOS Day" which is 2/22/22 and falls on a Tuesday. Campus wide 2 minute dance party at 2:22pm! Also, bus driver appreciation day.

Thursday, February 24th - 2nd grade musical/PTA mtg

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Feb 28th-March 4th - Read Across America Week (daily book themes in the library!)

Tuesday, March 1st - Panorama Student Survey

Wednesday, March 2nd - Book Character Parade - Dress like your favorite book character!

Friday, March 4th - Parents' Night Out (see flyer and info below)

Are you ready for some BOOKS?!?! We have spent the last couple of days getting ready for the annual book fair! One of the most important things you can do with your children is read to them and with them. There are opportunities to visit the campus and book fair with your children throughout the week (see flyer below). Join us in taking a concentrated focus on literacy!

Coming up on Thursday, February 24th will be our annual 2nd grade musical and PTA mtg. I will begin by discussing attendance and upcoming campus initiatives. Also, please feel free to swing by the book fair and shop from 4:30-5:55pm

Students better get ready for a 2 minute dance party at 2:22pm on 2/22/22 and feel free to wear a TUTU!

Some hearts are going to break this year for the Penny Bomb War! We raised an overall amount of $3,188.72 which is over $700 more than last year! Each grade level winner will receive a donut party, the overall winner will get to silly string their teacher, and the class with the most total money raised will also get a special treat. Here are the winners!

PK - Betty Berndt

K - Baylie Evans

1st - Farrah Johnson

2nd - Jennifer Cobern

3rd - Katie Baker

4th - Rachel Neeley

5th AND Overall Winner - Jordon Phillips

Most money raised - Kenzi Hall with $471.70 (I know Pyle's class will be mad!!!)

Mrs. McIntosh did a great job integrating Black History month into her STEM lessons by including historical figures and inventions they contributed!

Students have been working hard on projects that are focused on African American historical figures who have positively made positive contributions. Each class has spotlighted a different person and created a product to outline their accomplishments. Below you will see a couple great examples. This upcoming week we will perform a gallery walk around the school to view those different projects.

Are you in need of a 3 hour child free date night?!? Well listen up! We are excited to partner with East Texas Martial Arts for an exciting opportunity for YOU as parents as well as your children. Please see the flyer below and use this custom Rice Signup Link if you would like to participate!

Students had a great week learning about how to be kind to others. They searched the hallways for the "warm fuzzies" that were hiding. Poor Mr. SImms in 5th grade (only male teacher on campus) was a great team player as well!

Do you know someone interested in sending their student to Rice? Tell them about our prospective student event TOMORROW at the Rice Library starting at 10a.m. They will hear from myself, PTA, Rice teachers, and tour the school. We will spotlight our literacy lab, stem lab, and coding lab in addition to all the other awesome things at Rice!

This week's staff spotlight is also the Rice TEACHER OF THE YEAR! She is our 4th grade STEM guru and has been teaching at Rice for 15 years. She has been married for 27 years and has two grown children. Outside of teaching 4th grade science she enjoys playing the guitar, gardening, estate sales, and DIY projects. One thing I can personally attest to about Mrs. McIntosh is that she PRAISES good behavior rather than pointing out negative student behavior. It's crazy how many praises I hear come out of her mouth while in her class and the negative behaviors melt away. I have NEVER heard her say a negative thing and if you have ever met her then you would agree how she is such a positive person. The next time you see her please congratulate her on being named the Rice teacher of the year!

What is a panorama student survey? It is a survey instrument that elevates student voice on school climate, teaching and learning, relationships, and belonging. Your 3rd-5th grade students have the exciting opportunity to provide anonymous feedback to our teachers by answering an online questionnaire regarding their classroom culture, engagement, instruction, etc. This is simply a tool and a means to let our teachers know how their students perceive them. If you would rather your student not participate you may opt them out. Please e-mail me directly at john.smiley@tylerisd.org if you would like to know more about this or opt your student out.

Remember that as a Leader In Me campus, when teachers spot students practicing one of the 7 habits they give them a ticket to go into a drawing. Every week we will draw more lucky winners!

Everyone can win: I balance courage for getting what I want with consideration for what others want. I make deposits in others’ Emotional Bank Accounts. When conflicts arise, I look for third alternatives.

Tuesday is bus driver appreciation. If your child rides a bus and you get a chance then thank your bus driver!

Don't forget to check us out on social media!

Email: john.smiley@tylerisd.org
Website: https://www.tylerisd.org/o/ricees
Location: 5215 Old Bullard Road, Tyler, TX, USA
Phone: (903)262-2555
Facebook: facebook.com/RiceTylerISD
Twitter: @RiceTylerISD