FEBRUARY 2/1-2/5 National School Counseling Week 2/2 School Board Meeting 2/15 Professional Development Day (Student Holiday) 2/16 School Board Work Session 2/22 Plano ISD Council of PTAs Annual Life Membership Ceremony at PWSH 2/24 Elementary Early Release-12:00 p.m. (ECS-no a.m. classes) 2/26 Secondary Report Cards myPISD.net Parent Portal   Parent Education Classes View Complete Calendar

Sign up as a fan of the district on Facebook to view ongoing district news, school updates, photos, interviews and videos.

Follow Plano ISD on twitter to receive district news in brief text updates. You can also follow our senior high schools on twitter:
Plano East | Plano | Plano West

The Plano ISD Education Foundation is proud to announce that its "Ski Plano 2010" fundraiser enjoyed another record-setting year for underwriting and net proceeds. Surpassing its goal of $200,000, Ski Plano 2010 was a huge success.

View the Ski Plano 2010 Event Photo Gallery.

Lisa Raskin, Foundation board member and Ski Plano chair (pictured, right, with Joa Muns, co-chair) reported that 700 guests donned their favorite winter sweaters, scarves and vests on January 30 to join friends and colleagues at Southfork Ranch Lodge in support of the Foundation. Guests enjoyed silent and live auctions, dinner and dancing to the the Mars Hill Band. Proceeds from Ski Plano 2010 underwriting, auctions and raffle sales will benefit the Foundation's programs for Plano ISD students, teachers and schools.

Among the fabulous live auction items at the event was a Lexus Sampler Package (drive a different Lexus every month for a year) won by Don and Sydna Gordon (of Gay, McCall, Isaacks, Gordon & Roberts, the event's Aspen sponsor at $35,000). Foundation Board Member Mark Ball is pictured admiring one of the Lexus vehicles on display at the Ski Plano event.

Plano ISD Education Foundation President Beth Webb took to the stage to welcome guests. She also drew Avalanche raffle prize winners on stage throughout the evening. All four Avalanche raffle prizes were provided by Neiman Marcus Willow Bend. A live surprise raffle included mugs decorated by Plano Family Literacy participants which sold at $100 each. One lucky winner had a coupon in his/her mug good for an autographed copy of Laura Bush's book.

State Representative Brian McCall (pictured) served as event emcee throughout the evening. Also among the stage presenters was Superintendent of Schools Dr. Doug Otto, who introduced a video showcasing Plano ISD students and teachers and the many programs funded by the Plano ISD Education Foundation.

(Pictured in the photo at the top of this newsletter, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Doug Otto and wife Bobbi Otto browse auction items.)

Where the Money Goes

Plano ISD Education Foundation’s mission is to help all students in Plano public schools achieve their full potential by providing financial support for educators and programs. The Foundation’s goal is to help fill the funding gap to continue providing academic excellence.

• Each year the Foundation gifts approximately $1 million to Plano ISD to support district-wide programs that make a difference, such as:
• grants to teachers and schools to enhance the instruction of our students.
• funding pilot programs that hold the promise of bridging student achievement gaps and ensuring all students are college-ready.
• supporting initiatives that recruit, retain and recognize the very best educators.
• funding programs that enhance the math and science curriculum and other programs.
• 700 scholarships for 5th grade science camp.

For more information, visit the Foundation website.

Thank you for subscribing to eNews. Your colleagues, friends and neighbors may sign up for this free service and view archived messages on our eNews website.