The following letter was sent to all parents at the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year.  It explains the basic premise of PAYS and the rules that apply to all students.

Dear Parents:

Your teenager is now a student of mine in PAYS. PAYS??? What is that??? Well, it’s simply an acronym for Preparing All Youth for Success.   PAYS is specifically designed to assure all students graduate on time and are college ready.  By the time your student finishes my class, they will know all about the college process. We will research majors and careers, practice the SAT and ACT, discuss scholarship opportunities, research and visit various college campuses, complete Apply Texas, and all seniors will complete the FAFSA application for federal financial aid. Now, although you are reading this word for word, your student saw only one word: VISIT! 

Everyone at RRHS wants to be in PAYS because we visit college campuses. In the past we have visited Texas A&M University, University of Texas, Baylor University, Texas State University, Sam Houston State University, Texas Lutheran University, Southwestern University, Concordia University, and Austin Community College. As of today, I do not have a list of our field trips for this year. This is because of the following reasons: First, many colleges have not set dates for their “college days” nor updated their websites simply because the fall semester has not started. (Most will start in the next week and their “college days” will begin to surface on their website.) Secondly, I want to let the students have a say as to where we go, so we will be discussing the choices in the upcoming weeks. Thirdly, once we make our choices I must clear them with the administration before making an official announcement. So, please stay tuned for our list of field trips, rules for field trips and field trip release forms for you to sign. HOWEVER, there is one rule that is set in stone and I want to make it clear to parents and students from day one: TO ATTEND A COLLEGE VISIT, STUDENTS MUST BE PASSING ALL CLASSES AT THE TIME OF THE FIELD TRIP. Although I have stressed this to your student, please reiterate it to them. (Especially when you get the schedule and you know a trip is on the horizon!)

If you have any questions, please check my teacher website. To do this, go to the RRHS website and select “Staff” then scroll down to Petray and select “website” by my name. (Please note the phone # on the staff roster is incorrect.)   You may also email me at christy_petray@roundrockisd.org or call me at 464-6269. 

I am looking forward to a great year with your student! Last year, I was successful in assisting many of my students in the college application process. As I am writing this letter, they are buying college textbooks, settling into dorm rooms, making new friends, and starting an exciting chapter in their life. When their senior year started, many of them did not have a clue as to where or how they were going to college. But they knew two things…they knew they wanted to go, and they knew I’d do everything in my power to get them there. I hope for the same success this year!

Sincerely,
Christy Petray