Foundation Programming
The Plano ISD Education Foundation's commitment
to support quality education for Plano ISD students
remain as strong as ever. We will continue to identify
and fund needed programs and work to increase community
involvement in and support of our schools. We hope
you will join us in this effort.
2009-2010 Funding Focus
STEM Partners
The Plano ISD and Plano ISD Education Foundation are dedicated to graduating all students college-ready. PISD graduates must be knowledgeable and skilled in the most advanced Science, Technology and Mathematics (STEM) coursework available to high school students. As a result, the Plano ISD Education Foundation has embarked on a STEM Partners initiative, engaging local partners in support of the district-identified STEM instructional improvement initiatives. The first district-wide improvement effort for which the Foundation provides partial funding focuses on district-wide improvement in middle school math, moving PISD instruction of Algebra I down one grade level to the eighth grade of middle school. The Foundation is partnering with area corporations and individuals including: EDS Foundation, Texas Instruments, AEGON Direct Marketing Services, Inc., ExxonMobil and Boeing Charitable Trust.
In addition to funding the improvement of Plano ISD middle school mathematics, the Plano ISD Education Foundation also partners with the Texas Instruments Foundation in making possible the annual Texas Instruments Foundation Innovations in Outstanding STEM Teaching Awards, with $20,000 in individual and school awards made possible each May to two outstanding Plano ISD secondary STEM teachers.
Also, the Plano ISD Physics Camp for Women, a two-week summer experience for Pre-AP and AP high school women, is made possible through the Women of TI Fund for qualified Plano ISD students aspiring to continue their advanced physics course work.
Read more about STEM Partners
Grants to Educators 
The Foundation provides grants
to teachers, schools and school parent groups to
support specific programs or projects that benefit
students. Over the last ten years, the Foundation has distributed
over $470,000 in incentive grants. The demand is
great—the available funds are limited. View funded grants.
Academic Enrichment
The Foundation is strongly committed to enhancing
the education of all Plano ISD students. The Foundation sponsors fifth grade student scholarships for Collin County Adventure Camp, funds the PISD middle school at-risk student tutorials, funds programs to promote literacy through the Family Literacy Program and Family Services.
The Foundation provides support to programs focused on filling the achievement gap and ensuring students are college ready. The Foundation, with community support, funds the AVID program. The AVID program ensures that all students, and most especially the least served students in the middle, will have the skills and tools they need to enter college. (AVID Year-End Report) Other programs the Foundation supports include Destination Graduation; TAKS Preparation and Tutorials; college scholarships and many more.
Emergency Assistance for Teachers/Staff in Crisis
Through the Employee Crisis Fund, the Foundation assists teachers and staff who are facing emergency situations and who are unable to meet their immediate financial obligations. Emergency grants are awarded by a volunteer district committee facilitated by the PISD Benefits and Risk Management Department. Confidentiality is maintained for all applicants.
Recruitment, Retention and Recognition of Quality Teachers
 The Plano ISD Education Foundation supports programs that recruit, retain and recognize the very best teachers. The Foundation partners with Ebby Halliday Realtors to sponsor the annual Plano ISD Recruitment Open House, a comprehensive, spring job fair drawing applicants from across the nation. The Foundation also funds other PISD recruitment needs including travel and relocation expenses. Corporate sponsorships are available for the 2010 Recruitment Open House, please contact 469-752-8272 for more information. The Foundation provides funding for professional development to teachers across the district.
In conjunction with area donors, the Foundation sponsors the Plano ISD New Teacher Orientation and Luncheon, along with senior graduation. In partnership with Baylor Regional Medical Center and THE HEART HOSPITAL - Baylor Plano, the Foundation sponsors the district's annual Plano ISD All-Employee Convocation.To foster excellence, the Foundation provides cash awards to elementary and secondary teachers of the year at the annual Teacher of the Year Banquet. Foundation partner Park Place Lexus provides the PISD Teachers of the Year with Summer of Luxury and Fun Package including the loan of a Lexus.
Connections With Community
In addition to building bridges with community patrons through fundraising activities, such as Ski Plano, Community Honor Roll and other donor events; the Foundation partners with Medical Center of Plano to sponsor student academic calendar magnets for 62,000 PISD students and employees. This helpful tool is posted on refrigerators and work stations throughout Plano reminding all of critical PISD dates.
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