Parent Training on Autism

The RISD is providing its second session of training for parents of children with autism on Tuesday, November 17 from 8:30am - 9:30am at the Administration Building in Rm 802. The topic is How Do We Learn Social Skills ? and is presented by Scott Badger and Lea Garrett.

This workshop is designed to make parents of children with autism at Rockwall ISD better informed with regard to the educational materials our teachers use, and how students with autism learn social skills.

Fair Day & Field Trip

No school on Wednesday, 10/7 for the RISD Fair Day.

Our class will be taking our own trip to the State Fair of Texas on Friday, October 16. We can't wait! If you don't plan to use your free ticket, please donate it to our class so that we can use it on this day. Thanks!

Picture Day

Friday, September 25th during 2nd period. Dress nice.

Early Release Day

Wednesday, Sept. 23 is an Early Release Day for all RISD secondary schools. Students will be dismissed at 12:45 PM for teacher and staff professional learning.

More info regarding this and future Early Release Days can be accessed here.

Angel League

The Kiwanis Sponsored Angel League Baseball Program is absolutely FREE for all children with special needs. The program is for all children with special needs ages 4 to 15, regardless of disability, and a new team for adults aged 16 and up with mental disabilities.

Each child is furnished with a complete little league style uniform at no cost to the parent. With no strikes and no outs, children are encouraged, never forced, to conform to the rules of the game.

Each season lasts for 9 weeks in either the fall or spring. The first game this season is on Monday, September 14th at 6:30 at Tuttle Field in Rockwall.

Visit www.AngelLeague.org for more information, or send me an email.

Kris

We Believe

These our the District's belief statements, and I hold them sacred:

1. Students are the center of all decisions.

2. Instruction is meaningful and includes work that is engaging.

3. High expectations lead to high levels of success.

4. Success is dependent on the strength of our relationships.

5. Sustained success comes from shared leadership and continuous improvement.

6. Families and the community participate as partners.

These are on my mind whenever we make decisions. They are posted in a few places in our room and I read them often.

Welcome!!

Welcome to a new year!! I hope this blog is a place where we can share information about school and the community. If you have any questions or comments,please let me know. You can leave a comment here and it will notify me through email. You can also find my email address through the school website. I value your input and need it to make both my class and this space worthwhile.

Kris McDonald

County Fair

Our class will be going on a Field Trip to the County Fair Grounds on Friday, April 3rd. We'll enjoy several exciting events and exhibits related to the field of agriculture. It will be alot of fun.

President's Day

Happy Friday the 13th! Remember that we do not have school on Monday, 2/16, because of President's Day. Enjoy your 3 day weekend! Pitchers and Catchers report Tomorrow!

Darius Goes West

When I was in college in Georgia, I worked as the assistant director for a summer camp for students with special needs. My first summer was the summer after this student's brother, Mario, died.

You may have heard of the movie "Darius Goes West". The cast/crew were in Dallas this week promoting the movie and were featured on the news and on the radio. My wife heard Darius on Kidd Kraddik and asked me if I heard it. Anyways, he was one of my kids at the camp. He grew up and made a movie to raise awareness about Duchenne muscular dystrophy. It is the #1 genetic killer of children in the world and is 100% fatal. Mario died 3 months shy of his high school graduation. Darius graduated from high school in 2007. You can preview it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2yoOlicmww&eurl

The reason I wanted to share this with you is because it shows the difference (once again) that 1 person can make. Also, my wife and I just finished watching it, and I am so proud of him and all that he has accomplished I couldn't help but share it with everyone.

Darius and the crew are again traveling the country raising awareness of muscular dystrophy. They have a goal to sell 1 million DVD's by this summer. They cost $20. $17 goes directly to research, and $3 goes toward making more DVD's. http://www.dariusgoeswest.org/

I am in no way affiliated with them, I just am trying to help them spread the word.

MLK Day

Just a reminder that we will not have school on Monday, January 19th in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. We have discussed his life in our classroom, so please remind your students while they are enjoying their day off why they're not at school. We will also be celebrating the significance of his accomplishments during the inauguration activities on Tuesday, 1/20.