I am Ruthie Rayner, Assistant Principal of Orvis Risner Elementary.  I have been blessed with 15 years of educational service here in Edmond, Oklahoma.  I am married to Kirk Rayner and we have two boys who attend school in the Edmond district.    My boys make me realize the importance of what I do each day and how it affects lives forever.    My professional preparation includes 13 years of wonderful classroom teaching, in which I was able to touch many lives.    In 2002 I received National Board Certification as a Middle Childhood Generalist.  In 2004, I received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching.  It is my love for students and learning that led me to obtain my Masters in Educational Administration in 2006.    The call to become an administrator was the same call that brought me into teaching… reaching students and helping them to become life-long learners.  In 2006, I was named Assistant Principal at Orvis Risner and continue to learn and grow.   I believe life experiences and our quest for knowledge molds us into who we are as adults.  Here at Orvis Risner my mission is to reach each student and instill that lifelong love of learning.

I hope that your summer has been one of learning, rest & relaxation!  It is time to begin another great year at Orvis Risner.  During this upcoming year I hope that discovery leads to a world of knowledge and your child’s imagination soars to endless possibilities. By focusing on your child’s individual success we will ensure that they gain the maximum benefits during this school year.   You can ensure this by becoming involved in your child’s education and creating an “educational team” approach to school, both you and your child will benefit.  We hope that you will take advantage of the opportunities that Orvis Risner has to offer by joining our PTA, becoming a Watch D.O.G., or volunteering. 

            Thank you for providing continual support to Orvis Risner teachers and staff as we make this a year of learning and growing.

The State Department of Education has asked all public schools in Oklahoma to conduct a time on task accountability report this year. Orvis Risner Elementary will be conducting the first part of this with our Faculty Advisory committee and then the classroom teachers will be analyzing the classroom time. 

            We have done many things at Orvis Risner to ensure that every minute our students are in class they are not interrupted and are able to focus.  Some of these initiatives include:

*Recess before Lunch- Research states that students are more able to focus when coming in from the lunchroom as opposed to the playground

*Limiting Interruptions/ Announcements

*Limiting out of class Activities

            We will continue to monitor on-task class time and welcome any suggestions that you may have for our committee.  Along with this study we will need to continue to look at our student attendance.  Please ensure that your child is here each day, on time.  Scheduling doctor appointments and other appointments so that they fall outside of the school day will also help your child stay in school.    If you must check your child out, we will do so by calling your child to the office when you arrive.  Please do not call ahead for dismissal as this will leave students waiting instead of in the classroom. 
            Every minute of in the classroom is used for instructional purposes.  Our teachers are teaching from bell to bell!  Please refrain from checking your child out from class 5-10 minutes early to avoid traffic.  Your cooperation with these matters will help us to meet our district and state requirements and ensure that your child is receiving the most time possible on-task in the classroom.