Rhino Report January 30,2023

Rhino Report - PTA January 30, 2023

Ms. Heard Highlights

As a reminder, we will call Severe Weather when there is flooding, storming and/or lightning. Regular rain this week does not require a Severe Weather Dismissal. However, if the forecast changes, we will call Severe Weather Dismissal by 2:30 PM. Also, I know we had a few issues last Tuesday with Severe Weather Dismissal. If you are concerned regarding your child’s alternate transportation, please contact your child’s homeroom teacher for verification or check your child’s bookbag tag to make sure it is correct.

Valentine’s Day is closely approaching. Just a reminder that the district allows us to host two class parties a year. Valentine’s Day is not one of those party days. Please do not send treats for the entire class on Valentine's Day. You are welcome to send Valentine’s Day cards for each student in homeroom. You may contact your child’s homeroom teacher to get a student count. We are also asking that the Valentine’s cards are not personalized with each student's name on them. This takes up a lot of time to pass out. We are asking that you just put on the front of the card who the card is from.

There will be a student holiday on Monday, February 20, 2023.

Have a great rest of the week and don’t forget to view the rest of the newsletter. Lots of up-and-coming fun activities and events for our students have been planned!

Tanya Heard
Principal
Rylander Elementary School

Counselor's Corner

Hello Rhino Parents!

For the next 3 weeks here at RRE we will be focusing on the character trait: Empathy. One way to think about Empathy is "understanding and connecting with other people's feelings." Empathy is a practice that can help us grow strong relationships. 

As a family, schedule a family movie night so that you can specifically watch for feelings and emotions. Let everyone know that you'd like them to point out how the characters in the show are feeling and that you will pause periodically to discuss Empathy. As emotions are identified, invite one another to Empathize by sharing about a time they felt that way or imagining how they might be feeling in that moment.

Attention 5th Grade Parents

Course Selection Information

Course selection is officially open. Please make sure to fill out your child's course selection on SchoolLinks using their student login and password and on the paper form that was provided from each feeder school. Both are due by January 31st.

It is important for all students to understand how to use technology safely and responsibly. This week we will learn about a different aspect of being a positive digital citizen each day during morning announcements and library lessons. 

Katy Virtual School Registration

Katy Virtual School (KVS) online classes are a way for secondary students to acquire graduation credits and/or expand their learning opportunities through paid, online supplemental high school credit courses during the summer and school year. 

KVS courses: 

• Provide flexibility in scheduling.  

• Allow students to get ahead on credits. 

• Provide opportunities to access courses that are not offered on the home campus. 

• Help students moving into Katy ISD from outside Texas to meet graduation requirements.  

• Courses are developed and taught by Katy ISD teachers.  

KVS offers over 55 approved College Board Advanced Placement (AP), Katy Advanced Program (KAP) and academic level courses. The cost is $200 per semester with reduced or no fees for students identified as economically disadvantaged. Courses are also approved by the NCAA for student initial eligibility.  

Registration opens February 1, 2023, for summer 2023, fall 2023 and spring 2024. Questions can be answered through your home campus counselor, Katy Virtual School FAQ, or email katyvirtualschool@katyisd.org.

2023-2024 Student Transfer Application

The Student Transfer Application for the 2023-2024 school year will open on January 3, 2023, and close on February 10, 2023. The online application can be found on the Katy ISD Student Transfers webpage. 

All students currently on an approved transfer must reapply, except for children of employees who meet the criteria for automatic renewal. The Student Transfer Application for the 2023-2024 school year must be submitted by February 10, 2023. Failure to submit a transfer application by the deadline will revert your child(ren)’s campus assignment to their home-zoned campus. Late applications will not be accepted.  

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Jackie Cerame, Student Transfer Specialist, at 281-396-2357. 

Advanced Academics

The Katy Advanced Program (KAP) provides students with an opportunity to engage in above-grade level coursework in the areas of math, science, language arts, and social studies. KAP courses are available beginning in 6th grade and are open to all students. Every student is encouraged to take at least one advanced level course in an area of interest.  

The district will host a KAP Awareness Night via Zoom on Thursday, December 8, 2022, at 6:30PM. This is an opportunity for parents of students in grades 5-6 to learn about KAP prior to course selections. Parents of students who are considering KAP courses for the first time should plan to attend.  

Join Zoom Meeting (English) https://katyisd-org.zoom.us/j/88395524565  
Join Zoom Meeting (Spanish) https://katyisd-org.zoom.us/j/83344833228 

5th Grade Course Selections Via SchooLinks

The 2023-2024 online course selection season starts January 20. This is a special time of year when all current 5^th grade students are able to select their core courses and fine arts elective for their 6^th grade year. Coming soon, 5^th grade students will begin learning how to navigate the SchooLinks platform and begin selecting their courses for junior high. Stay tuned to the weekly digest as well as your student’s campus communications for upcoming information. See the course elective fair flyer and course selection timeline below. 

The KISD Course Selection Elective Fair will be held at Morton Ranch HS on January 12, 2023 from 6-8pm. See flyer below for more details.  

Course Selection Elective Fair-English  
Course Selection Elective Fair-Spanish 

Course Selection Timeline

December 1, 2022 - Parents have access to view their student’s course plan. Students have access to view and edit their course plan pending the additions of school board approved courses. Counselor meet with all students individually beginning on Feb. 6 to review course plan. Students log in to SchooLinks via MyKaty Cloud, then select the SchooLinks logo. 

January 20 - January 31, 2023 - Course Selection Window opens for students to select courses in SchooLinks 

January 31, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. - Course Planner will become “viewable only” for parents and students. 

February 6- March 10, 2023 - Counselors will meet with all students individually to review course requests 

March 20 - March 28, 2023 - Course Verification Window (Parents can verify and submit course change requests) 

2022 Winter Graduation Ceremony