The RCISD School Board held a regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, May 13 with a packed agenda of recognitions and action items. We aim to keep you informed and up-to-date on board activities with these brief recaps. As always, complete minutes from each meeting are publicly posted upon their approval each month for your reference.
IMPORTANT DATES
North Texas Food Bank Food Assistance Opportunity: May 20
Early Release Days: May 22 & May 23
Last Day of School: May 23
RCHS Graduation: May 24
District Closed for Memorial Day: May 27
RCISD Offices Operate Monday-Thursday Starting in June
RCHS CLASS OF 2024 VALEDICTORIAN & SALUTATORIAN HONORED
Principal Brooke McMaster recognizes the hard work and academic performance demonstrated by the Class of 2024’s top two graduating students. Valedictorian Alex Hall and Salutatorian Hayden Wofford were honored for this incredible achievement.
RCHS STUDENT COUNCIL EARNS NATIONAL AWARD
For its exemplary record of leadership, service and activities that improve the school and community, the Royse City High School Student Council has been recognized as a 2024 National Gold Council of Excellence by the National Association of Student Councils (NASC). The NASC program is supported by its parent organization, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). This is the third consecutive year for the council to earn this prestigious designation. In order to achieve this, council leaders and Advisor Leah Voth put together an extensive portfolio of their initiatives, events, and accomplishments that yielded positive impacts on their campus, community, district, and state. They presented this portfolio to building Principal Brooke McMaster, who then approved and endorsed them for the recognition. After a waiting period, they learned that the National Student Council had designated them, along with 72 other high schools in the state of Texas, as the most elite “Gold Council of Excellence” honorees.
RCHS SENIOR EARNS STATE AWARD & SCHOLARSHIP
Adeline Nenzou, a senior at Royse City High School, has been selected by the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP) as a member of the TASSP All-State Academic Team. This prestigious award was designed to recognize Texas high school seniors for their understanding academic achievements and focuses attention on the rewards of superior scholarship. Many outstanding senior students were nominated by their high school principals based on their scores on the SAT or ACT test, overall academic grade point average, pursuit of an advanced diploma, and other evidence of exceptional academic ability. Each student nominated was asked to write a monitored 300–500-word essay to submit with their application. From this group of outstanding young scholars, twenty were chosen for the TASSP All State Academic Team. As a member of the TASSP All-State Academic Team, Adeline will be invited to the TASSP Summer Workshop on June 13, 2024, to receive a $500 award.
RCHS SWIMMER HONORED
Coach Zach Snow recognized three RCHS Swimmers on their success this season. Freshmen Bailey Williams is a new addition to the team who participated in the 100 Free and 100 Breastroke. Junior Torie Duaphin advanced to the regional level in the 100 Fly and 100 Back. Senior Luke Huffman was the district champ in 100 Fly 200 IM, regional champ in 200 IM and took 12 in the 100 Fly at state and 9th in 200 IM. He was named Second Team All State in both events and will attend West Point in the fall to continue swimming.
RCHS TRACK & FIELD STATE LEVEL PERFORMANCE
Coach Tiffany Null recognized and celebrated Senior Jacelyn Neighbors for claiming the Class 6A State Championship in Pole Vault. Additionally, Jammel Ward was recognized by Coach Kyle Crumpton for his performance at the state meet. Of the 747 long jump competitors this year in Class 6A, he finished the year as the 6th best. Congratulations to both of these tremendous student athletes.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION HIRED
Mr. Cody Cox was approved as RCISD Executive Director of Transportation. He joins Royse City ISD from Cleveland ISD which is one of the fastest growing school districts in the state. He brings 14 years of experience in student transportation.
CAMPUS SPOTLIGHT VIDEOS
Each month, the school board gets a glimpse into life on campus. The month of May brought spotlight to both Glenda Arnold ECLC and Harry H Herndon Elementary. Watch to learn more about the amazing things happening at school!
CAMPUS TEACHERS OF THE YEAR HONORED
Executive Director of Leadership Development Dr. Sean Walker honored each of the 10 Campus Teachers of the Year for 2023-2024. These educators were nominated and chosen by their peers for this distinguished honor.
Brandy Johnson, Glenda Arnold ECLC
Jennifer Arnold, Anita Scott Elem
Angela Black, Davis Elem
Alicia McLain, Harry H Herndon Elem
Makala Barron, Miss May Vernon Elem
Laura Vandenburg, Ruth Cherry Elem
Angela Roberts, W.R. Fort Elem
Heather Russell, Ouida Baley MS
Amy Rule, Bobby Summers MS
Angela Rouse, Royse City High School
Following this board meeting, a Teacher of the Year Luncheon was held to announce the overall Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year for Royse City ISD. Congratulations to Angela Roberts and Anglea Rouse!
ENROLLMENT UPDATE
Total district enrollment reached 9,559 by May 13, 2024 which is up from 9,536 in March of 2024.
BOND 2023 UPDATE
Bond issuance is underway for many large projects in Bond 2023. Plans are in the works for Worthy Fate High School off of FM 552 which is expected to open in August of 2027. Groundwork has begun in the Creekside neighborhood off of Highway 66 and east of Ouida Baley Middle School. The school naming process will take place this summer and the campus will open in August of 2025. Plans are also underway for David & Shirley Magness Middle School on FM 35 just south of Royse City High School. That campus will open in August of 2026.
BOND 2021 UPDATE
Paula Walker Elementary School in Waterscape is nearing completion. Furniture delivery is ongoing. The school will open for students in the 2024-2025 school year. The construction of Royse City ISD Event Center (adjacent to RCISD Stadium) is also underway and will eventually be home to community events, school board meetings and district-wide professional development training. The Event Center is slated for completion in September of 2024. A school expansion project at Ouida Baley Middle School is nearing completion to accommodate a growing community. Land purchases continue for future school sites and district facilities.
Thank you for your interest in our school board activities and business of Royse City ISD.
Communications Office
communityrelations@rcisd.org
ayudaenespanol@rcisd.org