The cuts to public education are dramatic and schools will suffer this year. Richland Springs has cut our budget and programs. Our district is already lean, and we managed to avoid wide-scale layoffs, but did have to eliminate one job position. Because the state budget cuts were spread over the two years of the biennium, districts will have to reduce their budgets again in 2012-13. Leadership and spirit of service are needed more than ever before. Our staff is being asked to do more with less, but we cannot let that stop us from increasing our own level of performance and meeting expectations that have been set for us. Hard economic times force us to think about other ways to solve a problem, and the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well at Richland Springs. This year we hear about the new STAAR testing and increased rigor. Rigor must be combined with relationships, relevance, and results in order to benefit student learning. Rigor refers to the need for students to reach higher levels of competence in academic areas. An appropriate and healthy environment for learning begins with relationships. Positive relationships among students and faculty are essential to student success. Relationships refer to coaching and encouragement from adults towards students. Education must have meaning every day for students. Relevance refers to making learning meaningful. The results of student learning are important to teachers. Data from assessing students for their mastery of standards is used to adjust instructional practices across the campus, and to individualize student support. The presence of rigor, relationships, relevance, and results prepare students to become problem solvers, decision makers, and lifelong learners. Teachers are at the heart of your child’s education process. Develop a relationship with your child’s teachers and support them in their efforts for your child’s success. Teachers should be placed in high esteem in your home, and in the community.All teams were involved in football action last week. The junior high, junior varsity and varsity Coyotes were all victorious over Gustine teams. The varsity Coyotes wrapped up their 6th consecutive victory over Gustine by a score of 64-14. District action begins this week with the varsity playing at Cherokee Friday night at 7:30. The Coyote junior high and junior varsity teams will host Cherokee with games beginning at 6:00 p.m. this Thursday at Coyote Field. Come out and support our student athletes and cheerleaders, you won’t be disappointed!The 4 R’s- Rigor, Relationships, Relevance, ResultsCommunity involvement is the key to our success!The cuts to public education are dramatic and schools will suffer this year. Richland Springs has cut our budget and programs. Our district is already lean, and we managed to avoid wide-scale layoffs, but did have to eliminate one job position. Because the state budget cuts were spread over the two years of the biennium, districts will have to reduce their budgets again in 2012-13. Leadership and spirit of service are needed more than ever before. Our staff is being asked to do more with less, but we cannot let that stop us from increasing our own level of performance and meeting expectations that have been set for us. Hard economic times force us to think about other ways to solve a problem, and the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well at Richland Springs. This year we hear about the new STAAR testing and increased rigor. Rigor must be combined with relationships, relevance, and results in order to benefit student learning. Rigor refers to the need for students to reach higher levels of competence in academic areas. An appropriate and healthy environment for learning begins with relationships. Positive relationships among students and faculty are essential to student success. Relationships refer to coaching and encouragement from adults towards students. Education must have meaning every day for students. Relevance refers to making learning meaningful. The results of student learning are important to teachers. Data from assessing students for their mastery of standards is used to adjust instructional practices across the campus, and to individualize student support. The presence of rigor, relationships, relevance, and results prepare students to become problem solvers, decision makers, and lifelong learners. Teachers are at the heart of your child’s education process. Develop a relationship with your child’s teachers and support them in their efforts for your child’s success. Teachers should be placed in high esteem in your home, and in the community.All teams were involved in football action last week. The junior high, junior varsity and varsity Coyotes were all victorious over Gustine teams. The varsity Coyotes wrapped up their 6th consecutive victory over Gustine by a score of 64-14. District action begins this week with the varsity playing at Cherokee Friday night at 7:30. The Coyote junior high and junior varsity teams will host Cherokee with games beginning at 6:00 p.m. this Thursday at Coyote Field. Come out and support our student athletes and cheerleaders, you won’t be disappointed!The 4 R’s- Rigor, Relationships, Relevance, ResultsCommunity involvement is the key to our success!