RioRancho

PublicSchools

Igniting Student Potential

CONTENTSI am always amazed at how quickly �me flies. March is nearly here which means spring break and PARCC tes�ng are just around the corner. Recently, we held a PARCC Parent Forum to discuss our results and to provide guidance on understanding student PARCC reports and resources to help parents support their child's learning. The forum was a success and I am grateful for each of you and your hard work as we prepare our schools and students for the PARCC tes�ng. Thank you for con�nuing to inform and work with parents while ensuring that each student is working towards maximum growth and grade level success.

We are con�nuing to make progress on our strategic planning efforts. Our Pillar Teams (Team, Community, Student Success and Process and Resources) have each developed 1-2 principal goals. The goals are as follows:

Community:1. Rio Rancho Public Schools will engage

with all stakeholders to establish the belief that high quality, public educa�on is a valuable asset to the community.

Team:1. RRPS is commi�ed to recrui�ng, induc�ng and retaining quality employees who are dedicated to ensuring the success of our students.

Process and Resource:1. The district's use of communica�on and engagement/collabora�on strategies with internal and external educa�onal stakeholders is designed to enhance trust, foster meaningful interac�ons, and shape a posi�ve public percep�on. 2. The district will have clearly ar�culated processes across the system which are documented and evaluated.

Student Success:1. RRPS will increase and maintain the capacity to address and meet the social/emo�onal needs of our students.2. RRPS will ensure a guaranteed and viable

MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

Message from the Superintendent

Signing Day

HR Tips

Did you know?

District Highlights

Do you have great news you would like included in the staff newsle�er? Please email Beth Pendergrass at bethany.pendergrass@rrps.net

Staff NewsletterFebruary 26, 2016

Con�nued on page 2

curriculum within a technology-rich environment resul�ng in high levels of achievement for all students.

At the February 22 board mee�ng, the leaders from each pillar team presented their goals to the Board of Trustees and collected feedback on what the board would like to see as the ac�on planning begins. On March 3, all four pillar teams will come together to create SMART Goals and ac�on plans under each of the goals listed above. It is our goal to have the

process completed and ready to present to the Board at the April 25th board mee�ng. If you are interested in reviewing the work that has been done, please visit RioNet and select “Stategic Planning and Engagement” under the “Departments” tab.

Thank you again for all you do to ensure student success and ignite student poten�al.

Dr. V. Sue Cleveland,Superintendent of Schools

RRPS Volunteer Process Reminders

Message from Superintendent Cont.

HR TIPSMovement: Do you sit or move more throughout the day? Today’s focus involves concentra�ng on the movement we get each day. Movement is necessary for a healthy heart! Si�ng may seem like a harmless ac�vity, but it actually has a nega�ve impact on our lives. An increased risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers are all found to be associated with a sedentary lifestyle. Today, focus on the amount of movement you get throughout the day. Set a goal to keep adding more! Try some of these ideas to add movement:

Ÿ Park further from your des�na�onŸ Take the stairsŸ Take a short walk on your breakŸ Play with the kids at recessŸ Dance to your favorite music

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”

Benjamin Franklin

Several changes were ins�tuted to our District's volunteer process earlier this school year to increase security while also reducing obstacles for volunteers.

The en�re applica�on process is now online and can be accessed from the RRPS website on the Volunteer page. This eliminates the need for volunteers to make appointments with mul�ple administrators, drive to different schools, and request signatures from a variety of individuals. This also makes it possible for volunteers to be cleared much more quickly; the average processing �me is two days instead of two weeks.

Volunteers are no�fied by email when their background check is completed and they are cleared to start. Their volunteer

profile is in Raptor which allows them to volunteer at any of our sites as soon as they are cleared. Addi�onally, volunteers may track their volunteer hours or search for volunteer opportuni�es they would be interested in by using their “Virtual Volunteer” login.

Plas�c badges are no longer issued to volunteers. They may sign themselves in using one of the kiosks available in our front offices, or front office personnel can sign them in. The volunteer's clearance is verified prior to an ID s�cker being printed each �me they sign in. School personnel with Raptor access can batch print ID s�ckers prior to a field trip or other event in order to reduce the traffic in the front office during busy �mes.

Project Unify Con�nues to Provide Exci�ng Experiences for StudentsProject Unify recently played a 7-minute game during hal�ime at the CHS vs RRHS basketball game. It is always exci�ng to see the community rally around and cheer for our students!

Congratula�ons to CHS Wrestling State Champions (pictured above) and RRHS Bowling State Champions (pictured below)!

DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTSStar Wars Read-A-ThonMar�n Luther King, Jr. Elementary School PTSA hosted their annual Read-a-Thon assembly on Feb 4. This year, the theme was Star Wars. Prizes for students who won the most reading �me per grade level included Kindle Fires, Fall-out �ckets, and goodie backpacks full of prizes. Students could read up to 180 minutes per night and could collect dona�ons for reading minutes that would benefit the PTSA.

RRHS JROTC Named Western Regional Champions in MarksmanshipFive JROTC Cadets from the Marksmanship Team represented Rio Rancho High School at Salt Lake City and returned as the JROTC Western Regional Champions.

The team was composed as follows:Cadet Sergeant Elizabeth McGee (Team Captain)Cadet Gunnery Sergeant Yolanda VigilCadet Staff Sergeant Andrew AldridgeCadet Sergeant Gabriella MayesCadet Lance Corporal Chelsea Brown

Cadet Yolanda Vigil came back as the Regional Champion! Cadet Gabriella Mayes was the individual runner up, and Cadet Elizabeth McGee placed 5th. Way to go, RRHS JROTC!

RRHS and CHS Associated Students Earn Pla�num Student Council of the Year AwardRio Rancho High School and Cleveland High School Associated Students received the Pla�num Student Council of the Year Award from the New Mexico Associa�on of Student Councils at the State Student Council Conference. The Pla�num Award is the highest honor a student council can receive from the NMASC. Student councils must earn a minimum of 90% of possible points on their student-council-of-the-year applica�on for three consecu�ve years in order to qualify for the Pla�num award.

LMS Students Visit RoundhouseLincoln Middle School student council students recently visited the roundhouse during the 2016 Legisla�ve Session. The students really enjoyed the experience as they were able see the session in progress. Representa�ves Dan Lewis (LMS parent), Jason Harper (he and his wife are LMS grads), Paul Pacheco and Jane Powdrell-Culbert introduced the students on the house floor. Also, Secretary of State, Brad Winter, took �me to take selfies with the students. Below students pose for a picture with Secretary of State Brad Winter.

Sandia Vista GirlologySandia Vista Elementary School recently held their Girlology science night. Girlology is a monthly science club for girls grades pre-k to 5th. This month's topic was healthy hearts. A nurse came and showed the girls how to take blood pressure. They also learned how the heart works and the fire department came to show the girls how fire personnel help people stay safe and healthy. Mrs. Brigid Fair and other volunteer teachers plan and run this monthly event.

Actress Jasmine Guy visited with students at Independence High School on Thursday, February 25.