Rice Elementary is located in Wellington, Colorado, a small rural community located 10 miles north of Fort Collins. Built in 2007, it is one of four schools in Poudre School district (PSD) with the same floor plan. The PSD Sustainable Design Guidelines were used which makes Rice an inspiring place to learn in. Rice Elementary was designed to earn the Energy Star and has scored a perfect 100 in the past two years.
History
Rice Elementary School opened fall 2007. The school is named after Edgar Rice, Jr., a long-time and well regarded educator, administrator, and resident of the Wellington area.
Leader in Me
Welcome to Rice Elementary, A Lighthouse Leader In Me School. There are over 400 Leader in Me schools globally including schools from the United States, Canada, Singapore, Australia, Japan, Mexico, Hungary, and the Philippines. They are all committed to the cause of helping students develop the leadership and academic skills they need to survive and thrive in the 21st century. Our goal is no different. We reached Leader in Me Lighthouse status in the fall of 2022, this means we shine our light for leadership as an example for other Leader in Me schools.
A leadership culture actively engages students in their own learning; even the youngest students set goals and track progress. All students become active participants in the direction of the school and many of the decisions that are made. The 7 Habits are the foundation of the leadership culture.
Habit 1 - Be Proactive - You're in Charge
Habit 2 - Begin with the End in Mind - Have a Plan
Habit 3 - Put First Things First - Work First, Then Play
Habit 4 - Think Win-Win - Everyone Can Win
Habit 5 - Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood - Listen Before You Talk
Habit 6 - Synergize - Together is Better
Habit 7 - Sharpen the Saw - Balance Feels Best
Habit 8- Find Your Voice
A leadership culture reinforces every member’s capabilities. It encourages exploration, inquiry, technology infusion, project-based learning, and experimentation within a safe, secure environment. One of the foundational principals of this culture is for members to find their voice (their unique gifts and talents), and to help others find theirs. Once students find their voice, they are inspired and motivated. Inspired and motivated students are intrinsically motivated to do the right thing. Our goal is to find the leader in every child! Find out more about our school at theleaderinme.org.
"We first make our habits,
and then our habits make us".
~Stephen R. Covey~
Learning Culture
At Rice Elementary, students engage in learning with Head, Hands and Heart. Appropriate academic challenge is provided for each child; hands-on projects keep students actively engaged; and relevant subject matter makes learning a joyous experience. High expectations are established for both academic achievement and behavior. Rice is a Positive Behavior Support school. Students exhibit SOAR behavior every day. SOAR stands for Self control, Optimism, Appreciation, and Respect.
Academic Environment
The staff and parents at Rice have chosen to embrace the PSD standards-based literacy and mathematics curriculum and follow the Colorado Academic Standards. A focus on inquiry and critical thinking skills characterize instructional delivery.
Instructional & Enrichment Programs
Art, Music, P.E., and Media-Tech, provide students with a well-rounded curriculum. Extra units of study such as guitar in music and the traversing wall in P.E. make our specials program unique. After school enrichment programs include a variety of classes such as choir, dance, sign language, scrap-booking, and brain games. The Raptor Squad, a student technology, team films and broadcasts the school news daily. AlphaBest childcare is available before and after school.
Opportunities for Parents
Parents play an integral role on our site-based decision making team. There are many opportunities for parents to volunteer in our classrooms, office, and media center. Our Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) plays an active role in fundraising, supporting teachers, and hosting community and family events. Family events include Thanksgiving Lunch, Science Night, Art & Tech Night, and the Someone Special Barbeque.