Kindness is catching; help your child spread it
Children aren't always kind to one another. They pick on others or say mean things behind people's backs. But your child doesn't have to accept unkindness as the norm. Help her think through actions she can take if she sees a classmate being treated unkindly. Then challenge your child to do at least one nice thing for a classmate each week. She'll learn she has the power to make a difference.
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To help with math, a positive attitude is a plus
You can help your child learn math even if you don't remember any of the math you took in school. Here are some tips: Let him know that math is important, useful and fun. Ask questions about his homework, such as "How did you arrive at that answer?" or " Do you see a pattern in this page of problems?" Then involve your child in the math you do at home, such as measuring. And build daily math practice into his routine.
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Did you know that Royal ISD had a demographer conduct a study of the district? According to that study, the Early Childhood Center is projected to be over capacity in the next 3-4 years. You can see more from that report on www.royalisdbond.com.
Encourage active, organized and persistent learning
To learn well, your child needs to do more than just listen in class. She needs to arrive at school well-rested and prepared, with completed homework and supplies. In class, she should ask questions, offer opinions and participate in discussions. At home, help her create a system she can use to organize her schoolwork. Encourage your child to be persistent, and show confidence that her efforts will pay off!
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Use a variety of methods to encourage reading
By the ages of seven and eight, many children are starting to read "chapter" books on their own. Some kids, however, are losing interest in reading. To keep enthusiasm alive, find books on your child's interests. Or share books you loved at his age. You might get a craft book and make a project together, or try interactive books that let him direct the story. To boost his confidence, ask him to read to a younger child.
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Set your child up for homework success
What can you do to help your child with homework this year? First, make sure she has a quiet, well-lit place to work, a regular daily homework time and basic supplies, such as paper, pencils, pens and a ruler. Then, ask questions, such as: What's your assignment today? Is it clear? When is it due? Do you have a long-term assignment? Have you made a plan for completing it? Do you need special resources?
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A new library card is cause for celebration
What do you do to celebrate special days in your child's life? Did you take pictures on the first day of school? Did you save a lock of hair from his first haircut? Getting a library card is another big "first." It opens a world of learning to your child. If he doesn't have a library card yet, take him to get one. Then do something special to celebrate. Take a picture or fix a treat. And be sure to make regular library visits all year.
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Parents play a part in safety at school
You want your child to behave and be safe at school. So, be sure to discuss behavior and safety issues. Review the school rules and discipline policies together, and let your child know you expect her to follow them. Get involved with school efforts to prevent problems such as bullying among students. Meeting your child's friends and their families will also help you ensure that she spends time in safe, well-supervised settings.
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It's time for Fun Fact Friday! Did you know that Royal ISD earned a "B" from the Texas Education Agency? That grade comes from multiple categories that a district and its schools are rated on. Learn more at www.royalisdbond.com.
Join us tomorrow morning at the RJH auditoriium at 10:00am to hear direcetly from Superintendent Dr. Stacy Ackley on the details of this bond proposal. Come with your questions!
Time spent daydreaming can be time well spent
It may sound surprising, but daydreaming can be a useful activity as kids start thinking in more abstract terms. Daydreaming helps children reduce stress. It allows them to be creative, develop empathy and spend time on self-reflection. Give your child some free time and a place where he can daydream undisturbed. Build a little downtime into family activities, too. After a ball game, relax on a hill. Watch the clouds.
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You have what it takes to help your child learn
Research makes it clear: All parents, no matter their own level of education, can help their children succeed in school. To do it, set high, but realistic, goals for your child. Then stress the importance of persistence, and praise her efforts and progress. Set reasonable rules and consequences. Keep in touch with your child's teachers, and spend time with your child. Listen to her, and share your family's values.
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Welcome back from the long weekend! Have you wondered how the bond package was deleveloped? Obtaining different perspectives from the entire community was very important to the planning of RISD's 2019 bond. Find out more at www.royalisdbond.com
Make reading time fun and frequent
As Mark Twain once noted, a person who doesn't read books has no advantage over a person who can't read them. To motivate your child to read, allow him to keep the light on at bedtime as long as he is reading. On weekends, take the whole family to the library to browse, then go out for ice cream. Plan regular family reading times, too, where you turn off screen devices and read a favorite book together.
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Set the stage for a productive study routine
Just as a bedtime routine prepares kids to sleep, a homework routine can help them prepare to study. Start your child's routine with an announcement that homework time is about to begin. Offer prompts on what to do: "Put your toys away." "Clear the table." "Get your books." Ignore complaints and attempts to bargain for more time. To set the stage, bring a glass of water or school supplies to the table.
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Three things that make mornings easier
For some kids, getting out the door in the morning with everything they need is a challenge. To help your child, tackle three areas: 1. Time management. Block out regular times for study, play and getting organized. 2. School things. Put a big box where your child can't miss it. School things go in it when she gets home. So does completed homework. 3. Evenings. Together, lay out clothes, make a lunch and pack the backpack.
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Attendance is critical for your child's success
Children who don't attend school regularly fall behind and score lower on tests. They can have a hard time making and keeping friends. And frequent absences in elementary school can set a pattern that makes a child more likely to drop out of school later. Don't let your child skip school for reasons other than illness or emergency. If he regularly resists going to school, talk to the teacher.
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RISD will be closed Monday 9/2/2019 for Labor Day and Tuesday 9/3/2019 for Staff In Service. All students return on Wednesday September 4, 2019.
How much current debt does Royal ISD have and when will it be paid off?
Royal ISD’s last bond was in 2006. It was for a total of $62,950,000 and funded the construction of the new Royal High School and Royal Early Childhood Center, along with other renovations and improvements. Prior to that the District voted $13,700,000 in May 2000.
Currently, Royal ISD has $62.9 million of principal outstanding (total P&I of approximately $88 million) from those two bond elections. Current annual payments on the outstanding bond is $4.6 million per year. Based on current amortization schedule, these outstanding bonds would be paid off in 20 years - 2039. The district does, however, have the ability to pay bonds off earlier and Royal ISD has always utilized opportunities to refinance bonds when able. Since 2013, the district has saved over $14.7 million in debt service by refinancing bonds at lower interest rates.
The district’s appraised taxable values have a large impact on its ability to pay back debt sooner. Royal ISD’s tax base has been on the rise in recent years with new commercial development that has come to the area. The district has averaged 8% growth per year the past 5 years and, in 2019 alone, experienced 22.6% growth in assessed taxable valuation.
School districts have the ability to finance bonds up to 40 years, and the proposed 2019 bond election is built on the assumption of a 25-year payback period, which will incur much less interest for the district.
What is Royal ISD’s total tax debt as a % of Taxable Assessed Valuation?
Royal ISD’s ratio of total tax debt to taxable assessed valuation is currently 4.12%. This percentage compares quite favorably to many Texas districts, including Royal’s neighbor Katy ISD, which has a ratio of total tax debt to taxable assessed valuation of 4.73%
It’s also important to note, that Royal ISD does not receive any funds from the state to support debt or put towards facilities. Based on its wealth per student it does not qualify for funds through the state’s Instructional Facilities Allotment (IFA) program or Existing Debt Allotment (EDA).
The largest portion of the district’s current debt is from the new high school. In planning for the new high school, it was decided to build a school large enough to sustain the district for decades to come and build a school large enough for expected long-term growth. The new high school has a program capacity of 938 students (maximum capacity of 1,250). The current enrollment sits at approximately 630 students, providing capacity to continue to grow. The high school will continue to serve our community past when we are well done financing it. Most school buildings serve communities for 50 or more years.
Lastly, for those of you referring to the Texas Comptroller’s website, please note that the data is from 2017 and is not a current accurate picture or comparison. For example, many of the districts Royal ISD is compared to have had bond elections in the past two years and their debt is not current, including Gilmer ISD’s $35,250,000 bond, Aubrey ISD’s $51,000,000 bond, and Monahans-Wickett-Pyote ISD’s $140,000,000 bond.
Try a kitchen timer to motivate your child
Kids hate to be told what to do. Nagging, arguing and scolding don't usually motivate them. But a kitchen timer can. When you want your child to do something, set the timer. Then see if she can "beat the clock." Say, "Let's see if you can pick up your toys before the timer goes off." A timer also works to enforce a time limit: "When the timer rings in 15 minutes, it will be time for bed."
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