WELCOME TO THE RICE RAVENS PTA!

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Raven Fest is TODAY! Let the FUN begin!!

The Pre-orders are closed but the students can still buy the tickets during lunch and at the door. Price will be $20 CASH only for a Wristband + (5) Tickets. Extra tickets can be purchased in the multiple of 5s.

Raven Fest is FRIDAY - Get Tickets NOW!

Don’t miss out—Get your pre-order discount! Get ready for an amazing day of fun, games, food, and more!

Order by October 23rd to lock in your tickets at discounted prices. Prices go up at the door, so now is your chance to save! Door price will be: Wristband bundle with 5 tickets at lunch on the 25th for $20.00 - CASH ONLY.
Raven Fest: Friday, October 25th
Order now: www.riceravenspta.org -> Online Store -> RavenFest Tickets or click on the flyer below.

October is National Box Tops Month!

For every person that downloads the Box Tops App using the Rice

referral code - LZZX6UKL and scans just one receipt (any receipt)

will raise $10.00 for the PTA.

RavenFest is here! Mark your calendar for Friday Oct 25th!

Volunteering opportunities available at: Sign-up to volunteer

Anti-Bullying/Pro-kindness workshop for Parents & Caregivers:

October is National Bullying Awareness Month and the PTA is excited to sponsor this program which will be presented to our students at their assemblies

on October 8th, and to our community that evening!

Please join us and equip yourself to build on what your student learned!

RavenFest is here! Mark your calendar for Friday Oct 25th!

Our Fall Social is here, pre-order the tickets by October 14th! Prices go up at the door.

Volunteering opportunities available at: Sign-up to volunteer

SPIRIT WEEK at Handel's is Here!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Why does it make sense to use Alice first? (Why not learn C/C++/Java directly?) https://personal.utdallas.edu/~veerasam/alice/why_alice_first.pdf

More details about Alice Coding Club:

What is Alice?

Alice is a drag-and-drop visual programming tool that enables you to master programming concepts. Alice is an innovative block-based programming environment that makes it easy to create animations, build interactive narratives, or program simple games in 3D. Alice motivates learning through creative exploration. Alice is designed to teach logical and computational thinking skills, fundamental principles of programming and to be a first exposure to object-oriented programming.

What will be covered as part of the sessions?

https://personal.utdallas.edu/~veerasam/alice/

What are the hardware requirements?

PC or Mac is required - Alice does not work on Chromebook.

What setup do I need to complete before the classes begin?

Prior to class begins, download the free Alice tool from alice.org/get-alice/alice-2 and unzip it on the computer.

More details about Java Club:

An online platform called Codio will be used to code & test Java programs. The access to online platform is FREE but if you'd like to track your child's progress,

sign up for a 5 month subscription for $15 (OR you can sign up for one whole year for $25 - Python club in Spring 2025 will be covered at no additional fee), click for registration: utd.link/javaf24

Reach out to codingclub@riceravenspta.org for any other questions.

Back-to-School Spirit Wear Sale closes Aug 18th:

We wrapping up the Back-to-School Spirit Wear Sale by August 18th, and there’s just one week left to grab your favorite gear! Don’t miss out on the chance to show off your pride and support in style every Tuesday/Friday for weekly "theme" Days.

Support the PTA by Purchasing a Membership which renews every school year! We are offering a Free T-shirt if you buy the BUNDLE.

2024-2025 School Supplies List:

6th Grade Supplies list

7th Grade Supplies list

8th Grade Supplies list

There will be a very limited supply of school supply packs for sale beginning August 1st on a First-come-first-serve basis.

2024-2025 BUNDLE is Here until JULY 14th!

Don't wait...act fast...

Did you know that PTA membership need to renew each year for the coming school year. Signing up for PTA doesn’t mean you have to volunteer, although we appreciate those who do.

Why join PTA? Since we don’t hold traditional fund raisers at Rice, our membership dollars are key to supporting all the wonderful activities and services offered each year.

Membership dollars help fund classroom wish list items, student programs, teacher conference registrations, parent education programs, teacher appreciation luncheons and special amenities throughout the building.

Purchase your PTA Bundle today to get an Exclusive FREE T-shirt when you purchase together PTA Membership + 1 or more Spirit Wear item(s) + $20 minimum Donation!

Make sure to add the Short Sleeve White T-shirt to your cart, it will be discounted to be FREE.

Pre-Order today, the entire purchase is Tax-Free.

INTRODUCING THE 2024-2025 PTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Introducing your 2024-2025 Rice MS PTA Board of Director!
President - Shelly Rogers

Treasurer - Sirisha Vemulapalli

Secretary - Belle Wallace

VP of Programs - Farin Padamsy (pending August Board vote)

VP of Membership - Devika Gupta

VP of Ways and Means -Nehali Narayan

VP of Volunteers - Elora Chowdhury

Parliamentarian - Alyson Pawlik (pending August Board vote)

Council Delegate - Amber Steward (pending August Board vote)

Communications Chair - Gabby Ortega

SAGE Chair - OPEN

There are positions open which we plan to vote on during the August General Membership Meeting. If you want to join this group of talented and amazing community members, please email Shelly, the 2024-2025 PTA President at President@RiceRavensPTA.org.

Thank you all for your wisdom and willingness to serve!

OPEN PTA CHAIR AND COORDINATOR POSITIONS

Want to meet other Rice Raven families? Exercise your skills and share your perspectives? Be part of the conversations that shape our community and PTA priorities? There is a place for you on our PTA Board and/or committees!

We encourage everyone to consider participating! The Rice MS PTA is a supportive, fun and flexible group and we are grateful to those who choose to volunteer their time!

The PTA is If you are interested in learning more about the positions available you can visit RiceRavensPTA.org and click volunteer on the toolbar or contact the current Rice PTA President, Shelly, with any inquiries at president@riceravenspta.org.

We look forward to having your family at Rice and would appreciate your support for our PTA!

RICE MS PTA RECEIVES THE MAY FLOWERS AWARD!

We're thrilled to announce that Rice Middle School PTA has recently been honored with the May

Flowers Award for adding ten new members by the end of May. 🌷🪻🌹

Thank you all for being part of the 2023-2024 membership journey. We've built a vibrant and robust community that positively impacts the lives and futures of our students.

Thank you to all our dedicated parents, teachers, and supporters for your unwavering commitment! 💖

REFLECTIONS 2024-2025

The 2024-2025 Reflections Theme has been announced! This year's theme, "Accepting Imperfection" was submitted by Paige Opaska from Barbara Bush Middle School PTA in Texas.

It's not to soon to start planning for your project now!

Reflections has been a staple arts program in many schools for over 50 years. Through the efforts of our Local PTAs, millions of students have found a creative outlet in the areas of dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts.

For more information, visit RiceRavensPTA.org.

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!

Rice Raven Parents, we need you!! If you want to take part in our events as a volunteer, you MUST sign up through plano.voly.org each school year. It takes only a couple of minutes.

Every Monday, parents who sign up will receive an email from VOLY with all the opportunities that Rice Ravens PTA are offering. VOLY applications for the 2024-2025 school year can be submitted beginning July 1, 2024.

You can download the VOLY app directly from your phone in the app store or google play!

For more information, contact the VP of Volunteers, volunteers@riceravenspta.org

PTA MEMBERSHIP SPECIAL AWARDS

Because of all our fabulous PTA members, the Rice Ravens PTA has been awarded these special membership awards so far this year! Thank you all!

Texas PTA - Membership - May Flowers Award

This award is presented to each Local PTA that recruited 10 additional members by May 31st.

Texas PTA - Membership - Golden Apple Award

This award is presented to each Local PTA that has 100% faculty memberships.

Texas PTA - Membership - Welcome Back Award

This award is presented to each Local PTA that recruits at least 10 new members in January.

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION

PTA HONORARY LIFETIME MEMBER RECIPIENTS

Please help us in congratulating the 2024 Texas PTA Honorary Lifetime Member Recipients! Receiving an Honorary Life Membership Award is one of the highest forms of recognition to let a volunteer know how much a campus truly appreciates their dedication to our children and the community. The following individuals in the Rice community have either been recognized at Rice Middle School or another nearby campus in the State of Texas.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

Did you know that there are some super easy ways for you to contribute to Rice while you shop - all at no cost to you?

Kroger Community Rewards donates to Rice PTA based on the shopping our

members do every day. Enroll at kroger.com/account/community rewards. Search for Rice Middle School PTA, or use our organization number: XV558. Then use your Kroger Plus card every time you shop to support PTA!

Box Tops for Education now offers an easier way to raise money for Rice MS PTA! Simply download the Box Tops for Education app and use it to scan your receipt each time you shop. No scissors necessary and credits are given to Rice MS PTA immediately.