Parent Information Meeting

Rice Middle School

Planning for the 6th Grade 2026-2027 School Year

Meeting

Purpose:

• To provide general information about 6th grade and the Rice MS course registration process.
• Final course selections are due December 19th, 2025.

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• We will not be able to discuss specific questions relevant to only your student during this meeting. However, you may contact your elementary school counselor to discuss your particular concerns.

Rice Middle School Administration Team

Mr. Chris Glasscock

Principal

Mrs. Cortney Davis

Assistant Principal

Mrs. Linda Alloju

Assistant Principal

Rice Middle School Counseling Team

Maggie Jimenez

6th Grade Counselor

margaret.jimenez@pisd.edu

(469) 752 - 6018

Sheila Underwood

7th Grade Counselor

sheila.underwood@pisd.edu

(469) 752 - 6017

Michelle Schuler

8th Grade Counselor

michelle.schuler@pisd.edu

(469) 752 - 6016

Monisha Pinkston

Registrar & Counseling Secretary

monisha.pinkston@pisd.edu

(469) 752 - 6015

Meet your counselor

6th grade counselor

Mrs. Maggie Jimenez

Margaret.jimenez@pisd.edu

Texas Tech University

Hungry Bear

Teddy Roosevelt

Little Mister

Required Courses

English (ELA)

Honors or On-level

Math

Honors /On-level/*Math Rocks

Science

On-Level

Social Studies

On-Level or *PACE

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Physical Education

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Pre-Athletics or PE

Two Electives

Band, Choir, Orchestra, Art, Theatre, or Spanish 1 (HS credit)

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Future Ready

(6th grade only)

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( * = Students have to have already been in PACE/ Math Rocks to be enrolled in the course.)

Core Classes

English On-Level

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OR

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English Honors

Every 6th grader takes On-Level Science.

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Honors Science will be a choice in 7th.

Social Studies-World Cultures

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OR

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Social Studies - World Cultures PACE

English

Science

Social Studies

Plano Academic and Creative Education (PACE)

• GOAL: to provide a challenging learning environment that nurtures the unique potential of gifted and talented students

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• Project Based Learning Curriculum

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• Emphasis on Humanities
• Philosophy, Theatre, Music, Dance, Art, Architecture, and Literature

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• Open enrollment in the spring is based on testing, teacher recommendations, grades, and student initiative

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• Integrated via Social Studies- no longer getting pulled out of class.

Questions about PACE?

Please visit the PACE website

here

Math

If your student is not not in Math Rocks once they enter 6th grade; Math Rocks is no longer an option.

Credit By Exam (CBE)

Information regarding CBE can be found here :

Middle School CBE information

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• Keep in mind that the student should be excelling in math and already mastered the Math 6 Honors curriculum and skills that would be missed.
• Strong foundations in math are extremely important for success in future math classes. There is not a race to get to a higher math class.

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If you feel your student is qualified to take a math CBE-please contact your elementary school counselor

Honors Classes

• Classes are at an accelerated pace

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• Consider academic history when placing students in honors-level courses
• State assessments, report cards/progress reports, work ethic, teacher feedback, etc.

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• Honors-level options for 6th grade
• Math
• English

Standard 6th Grade Example Schedule

All 6th grade courses are a full year.

Math Lab and ELA Lab

• Students may be placed in a Math Lab and/or ELA Lab class based on a need for additional literacy or foundational math support.
• This decision is based on academic data (STAAR, MAP, etc.) and historic performance in the designated subject areas.
• These academic support classes are a full year and would take the place of an elective.

Physical Education (P.E. or Pre-Athletics)

Charles Ostertag, Athletic Director

charles.ostertag@pisd.edu

You need 4 semesters of P.E. and/or Athletics before you leave Rice MS.

6th graders will complete 2 semesters. In 7th grade, you must take 2 more semesters.

Everyone must change clothes to exercise. You may purchase a uniform, but it is not required. This can be purchased through the PTA Website .

What is 6th Grade Pre-Athletics?

Course Description

Designed to equip and prepare any student for 7th and 8th grade athletics. Students will learn the fundamentals of:

• strength and conditioning
• dynamic stretching
• health/nutrition
• sport specific skills

Highly recommended for any student wishing to participate in PISD Athletics

Introduction to multiple sports that are offered at middle schools, high schools, and sr. high schools

Students will also participate in character development curriculum

Students will be expected to dress out for daily workouts (a uniform is required to be purchased)

*Sports participation (basketball, football, volleyball, etc). is not offered until 7th and 8th grade, but Pre-Athletics helps prepare students.

*Students do NOT have to participate in Pre-Athletics to be in 7th and 8th grade Athletics.

Fine Arts

Annalee Hixson

Band Director

annalee.hixson@pisd.edu

Emily De la Torre

Orchestra Director

emily.delatorre@pisd.edu

Orchestra

Chelsea Farmer

Choir Director

chelsea.farmer@pisd.edu

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Choir

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Band

Art

Theatre

Lauren Well

Art Instructor

lauren.well@pisd.edu

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Kaci Wilhelm

Theatre Director

kaci.wilhelm@pisd.edu

Please note: Your student’s instrument choice may change based on the fitting/audition process. Auditions are typically held in the Spring. Dates and times are TBD and will be communicated to families. If you choose two music fine arts as your #1 and #2 elective choice (e.g. Band and Orchestra), you are expected to attend BOTH tryouts.

Spanish 1

Course Description

• Learn how to communicate with others effectively in the target language.
• Strengthen your confidence and collaboration skills.
• Have a fun time learning new skills while learning everything about Spanish

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By the end of the year, you will be able to…

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• Introduce yourself, your friends, and your family
• Talk about your daily routines and chores at home
• Describe your social life at school and in your community

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High School Credit

Spanish 1 in 6th grade meets the high school requirement, and does NOT count towards GPA.

Consecutive TWO YEAR COMMITMENT

Course Selection Process

• Elementary counselors will guide students through the registration process via Skyward; Rice Middle School will also have families complete a course registration form.

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• Parents must review their student’s selections and finalize course selections by December 19th, 2025.

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• No elective changes can be made after the deadline. Please choose all elective options very carefully.

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• For any course selection process questions, please reach out to your child’s elementary school counselor.

Want to know more about electives?

Refer to the Plano ISD course catalog:

https://www.pisd.edu/coursecatalogs

(click on“Middle School Courses” and browse by category)

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As a reminder, 6th grade elective choices are:

• Choose Two
• Choir, Band, Orchestra, Art, Theatre, or Spanish 1 (HS credit)
• Choose One
• P.E. or Pre-Athletics

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Helpful Hints

• Tutorials are a positive means to keep up with the curriculum and helps students succeed. Morning tutoring, please arrive by 7:50 am.

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• Parents/Guardians can monitor their student’s grades via Skyward Family Access.

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• Maintain open and collaborative communication with teachers; Teacher contact information can be found on the Rice MS Website

• Partner with your child to check their Google Classrooms regularly for information about upcoming tests, assignments, and projects.

Reminder!

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• Parents must review their student’s selections and finalize course selections by December 19th, 2025.

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• No elective changes can be made after the deadline. Please choose all elective options very carefully.

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• For any course selection process questions, please reach out to your child’s elementary school counselor.

Virtual Office Hours for Parents

I will be offering virtual office hours for parents to drop-in and ask questions.

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November 13th, 2025 at 4- 5pm

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November 14th, 2025 at 7:45-8:45am

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Join using this ZOOM LINK!

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Thank you for joining us!

I will be available to answer questions following the meeting.

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This presentation is available on the RMS counseling website.

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You may also call or email:

469-752-6018

margaret.jimenez@pisd.edu

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