Richland Springs ISD is proud to announce Sara Hedley as Valedictorian and Kensie Green as Salutatorian of the 2011-2012 class.I would like to congratulate the students on 100% attendance during last week’s STAAR/TAKS testing. Thanks to the staff and faculty the week of the state assessment testing went smooth-ly. Elementary and middle school students are taking the bulk of their STAAR tests this week, but the passing standards for those exams won’t be released until the fall. STAAR’s phase-in will start with the same passing standards this year and in 2013. They will be raised for 2014 and 2015, and final standards will be in place by 2016.The standards, announced Tuesday by the Texas Education Agency, are broken down into three categories:Level I is unsatisfactory academic performance, meaning the student did not pass the test.Level II is satisfactory performance, for students who meet the passing standard.Level III is advanced performance, for students who are well-prepared for the next grade or course.While teachers and students now know how the scoring will be configured, they still don’t know how many questions must be answered correctly to pass. The number will vary from year to year, depending on how many questions are on the test and how each question is weighted. That information will be released in June.School events are numerous. Upcoming events include: 8th grade noon luncheon at Baptist Church, Wednesday, May 2Elementary Sports Field Day Thursday, May 3 at Zephyr Junior/Senior Prom Saturday, May 5, 7:30 at Richland Springs Cafetorium 12th grade noon luncheon at Baptist Church, Wednesday, May 9Rotary Honor Banquet at San Saba Civic Center, Thursday, May 10 at 6:30Heart of Texas Literature Book Grab, Thursday, May 10Sports Banquet, Friday, May 11, in the RS Cafetorium at 6:30Alumni Banquet Saturday, May 12 in the RS gymnasium at 6:00, meal at 7:00 Senior Baccalaureate Practice and Luncheon Wednesday, May 16 at 11 a.m. National Honor Society Induction at 3:00 in Cafetorium, Thursday May 17Semester Awards and High School UIL Academic Awards, Thursday, May 17 at 6:30 Pre K & K Field Trip to Mill Pond Park Friday, May 18Baccalaureate, Sunday, May 20 at 6:00 at First Christian Church Mirabeau B. Lamar Senior Banquet, Monday, April 30 at 6:30 at San Saba Masonic Lodge AR Swimming Party, Tuesday, May 22 at San Saba Pool 12:30-2:30 8th Grade Graduation, Thursday, May 24 at 6:30 p.m. Last Day of School, Friday, May 25 Graduation, Friday, May 25 at 7:30 at First Baptist ChurchTeacher Work Day, Saturday, May 26There are only three weeks of school remaining. Please urge your child to be at school each and every day. Community involvement is the key to our success!