Superintendent Weekly Note #19
"Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will.”
–Zig Ziglar
Each week I will highlight some of our opening day themes:
#7--You are willing and motivated to improve daily. Getting better at what you do is
not a choice, it’s a requirement.
RIS Mission: Our mission is to inspire and empower all students to reach their
maximum potential: one student, one lesson, one day at a time.
Things I CAN Control…
1. My ATTITUDE
2. My EFFORT
3. My BEHAVIOR
4. My ACTIONS to be a Great Team Member
Continue to focus on the RIS four core beliefs:
It’s about Kids! —Accountability—Transparency—Communication.
J Positives across the district………..
Russell Primary School (From the desk of Mr. Cassity)
It was great to see the hallways and classrooms busy once again this week. It didn't take
long for students to get back in the swing of things! Our attendance was pretty good for
the week with several days above 96%!! Several students (and teachers) were spotted
doing a snow dance on Thursday night. Needless to say, it was a quiet day at RPS on
Friday.
Russell-McDowell Intermediate (From the desk of Mrs. Wright)
Students and staff did a great job transitioning from winter break to the second
semester! It was awesome seeing all of the smiling faces!
Four classes had 100% of their students meet their AR Reading goals! Congratulations to
Mrs. Arbogast's Class, Mrs. Brown's Class, Mrs. C Smith's Class and Mrs. Lintner's
Class! What a great achievement!
All classes are finishing up their mid year assessments in Reading and Math. Data from
these assessments is showing lots of progress for our kiddos!!
Russell Middle School (From the desk of Mr. Moore)
• Building looked and smelled amazing. The custodians got the building squared
away to welcome students back.
• Teachers and students quickly back in the grove of learning.
• Disaster and Earth Quake Drill went flawlessly. We appreciate everyone taking
these drills seriously.
• New member of the RMS Family-Branham Park a 9.1lb baby boy and almost 22
inches long was born to Mrs. Chelsea Park. Mother and baby are doing great!
Russell High School (From the desk of Mrs. Chaffin)
• Semester attendance average was 95.97%!!!!
• RHS Faculty attendance is 96.41%
• Katie Bess was honored as Beacon’s Best.
• Girls’ basketball team defeated Ironton and Raceland to improve to 10-4 on the
year.
• Red Cross Blood Drive will be held on Jan. 23rd.
• Boys’ basketball defeated Paul Blazer on Friday!
Russell Area Technology Center (From the desk of Mr. Trimble)
We had a great week back at RATC this week. Our student organizations are preparing
for regional competitions, as students will represent us in FBLA and SkillsUSA. Both of
these organizations provide awesome opportunities for our students to develop leadership
roles and to collaborate with students from area schools. We look forward to continuing
to see their hard work and dedication as they prepare for these events!
Russell Preschool (From the desk of Mrs. Staton)
Preschoolers were glad to be back at school this week!! We spent some time learning
about artic animals and created a graph showing our class favorite! We also went outside
and explored the snow!
What’s happening at central office / district this week?
• January Board of Education Meeting—Monday, January 23 at 6:00 PM at
Russell High School library. This is an open meeting and a great opportunity
to learn what is going on in the district. Great leadership opportunity!
• MLK Day—NO School—Monday, January 16.
• NTID Days—As we move into the winter season…Please make sure you have all
of your NTID material ready to go at a moments notice. Hopefully, the weather
will cooperate, but make sure your students are prepared and understand the
process of NTID.
Have a Great week Russell!!!! Sean