Schools and Departments Celebrate Volunteerism and Community Service on Sept. 11

September 11, 2009

The Plano Independent School District is embracing “A Call to Action” as it celebrates the first annual observance of the National Day of Service and Remembrance on Friday, September 11. On this day, which was established by the U.S. Congress, all campuses and departments are engaging in activities that embrace volunteerism and community service.

Administration building representatives "Fill the Tent" with donations for Collin County Adventure Camp students in need and other local organizations. Pictured are (l-r) Dr. Doug Otto, superintendent of schools; Danny Modisette, deputy superintendent; Liz Tycom and Linda Madon, financial services; Jun Melvin, human resources; Karla Oliver, communications; and Mary Hewett and Dr. Christie Duke, academic and technology services.

Deputy Superintendent Danny Modisette said, “I have invited and encouraged our district staff and students to be creative and proactive in choosing an activity to participate in on this National Day of Service and Remembrance. I can think of no better way to honor the lives of those touched by the historic September 11 event than to give back to our local community through volunteerism.”

School projects will include blood drives, food drives, clothing drives, supply drives, card and letter campaigns and student-made gifts for various organizations.

School and Department Activities

Administrative Departments

“Camp Central” has been erected in the lobby of the Administration Building and will overflow with donated items such as new sleeping bags, winter coats and jackets, flashlights, rain ponchos and personal care items for fifth grade students to use at Collin County Adventure Camp.

Plano ISD Education Foundation Executive Director Monica Shortino (left) and Executive Director for Community and Government Relations Karla Oliver (center) are pictured with Niki Faris of 6 Day Dental & Orthodontics which donated 500 toothbrush and toothpaste kits for students attending adventure camp. Also donating 200 toothbrush and toothpaste kits was Marshall V. Johnson, D.D.S., M.S., P.A.

Each year, about 700 students are in need of camp scholarships and the related items to make their camp experience enjoyable as well as educational. The Plano ISD Education Foundation is also accepting monetary donations for camp scholarships.

The superintendent's and area assistant superintendents', student and family services, communications and records management offices and others supported "Camp Central" donations for adventure camp goers.

The human resources department is collecting children’s books in English and Spanish to give to Plano Children’s Medical Clinic. The goal of the clinic is that every child receiving an immunization will have a book to take home.

The academic and technology services department conducted a food drive for the Plano Food Pantry, and the safety and security office collected food for Hope's Door women's shelter.

The financial services department adopted a family and purchased clothing, food and school supplies. Pictured are members of the team, including (front, center) executive director Linda Madon.

The following schools reported special activities.

Beaty Early Childhood School

Beaty is hosting a baby shower to benefit Collin County Children’s Advocacy Center, whose mission is to identify, protect and improve the lives of abused and neglected children in Collin County.

Beverly Elementary School

Representatives from the Allen Police and Fire Departments visited Beverly Elementary on September 11 to receive notes and cards of appreciation from the fifth and second grade students, respectively. The students also presented a banner signed by the entire Beverly student population for the firefighters to take with them. The event was coordinated by Counselor Michele Austin.

Beverly students pictured are Camden Aragon, Brannen Blakley, Aryan Jasani, Carter Banker, Callie Beauchamp, Marie Loy, Joshua Cheung, Monserrat Perez. Adults are Counselor Michelle Austin, Allen Fire Department officials and Principal Elizabeth Kirby.

Beverly Principal Elizabeth Kirby, Mackenzie Garcia and Allen Police Department officers.

Christie Elementary School

On September 10 and 11, students in Christie Elementary School kindergarten, first and second grades will make placemats to thank the Woodlawn Retirement Center for providing school supplies for Christie students. Third, fourth and fifth grade students will make cards to remember military veterans, firefighters, policemen and others who have given their time and talents in service to our community.

Christie students proudly display their original placemats and cards (back row) Fernanda Velasquez, Kathryn Duncan and Erica Minter; (front row) Kamden Martinez-Seegers, Jacob Fitzgerald and Nolan Eckoat.

Clark High School

Clark AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) students are teaming up with the Plano Parks and Recreation Department to clean up Oak Point Park and Preserve from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 11.

Haun Elementary School

Haun is planning a flag ceremony at 8:00 a.m., including pledges and a moment of silence. Student band members, school board members and other special guests will participate. School namesake Bettye Haun will celebrate with the students and staff as they raise their student-designed new Haun School flag. Additionally, Haun is supporting the Habitat for Humanity organization with posters, signs and words of thanks.

Hughston Elementary School

Hughston Elementary students made placemats for residents at a local retirement home to brighten the dining rooms and to celebrate the American spirit of giving and helping others.

Hughston students pictured are Natalie Scott, Justin Martinez, Ryan Haefling, Samantha Garman and Bryce Bristow.

Mendenhall Elementary School

Mendenhall students in grades K-5 created cards, letters and placemats to share their back-to-school experiences with the residents of the Plano Community Home.

On Friday, Sept. 11,Mendenhall 5th grade "Longhorn Leaders" members helped fill mailboxes in the community home by hand-delivering friendly messages created by Mendenhall students. Pictured are Justin Snailum, Julie Uh (Community Homes - Service Coordinator), Erica Pace, Mayra Portillo, Claudia Perez, Mesa Brown, Abram Lopez and Eduardo Cruz.

Pearson Early Childhood School

Pearson is collecting boxed tube toothpaste for Operation School Bell, a program supported by the Assistance League of Greater Collin County. Families brought toothpaste to the family picnic on September 10 and to school on September 11.

The Pearson "Monkey" class is pictured: (back row) Ms. Mathis, Ms. Thumann, Ms. Luce and Principal Dr. Cheri Izbicki; students (back) Molly Bush, Melody Lang, Ana Garnica, Emma Barron, Andrew Ad, Kaden Hallas and Ellie Rogers; and (front) Scott Watkin, Kaitlin Pegram, Joey Granada, Hailey Gatica and Jayden Garcia.

Plano West Senior High School

Students and staff at Plano West celebrated the school's recognition on the 2009 TBEC Honor Roll.

Students at Plano West celebrated on September 11 with their annual remembrance ceremony during the Friday pep rally.

Rice Middle School

Chris Glasscock, assistant principal, reported, "Rice Middle School had a great response from its community! During the past 16 hours, the Rice community has donated approximately 750 canned food items in the 'AmeriCANs Food Drive.'  We plan on donating the items to "Hope's Door," a shelter and counseling center that offers comprehensive programs and services that are designed to help break the cycle of domestic abuse."

Saigling Elementary School

Fifth grade students helped box up canned food donated by Saigling students to be delivered to The Giving Boutique in Plano. The fifth graders also wrote about "How They Can Be A Volunteer" in their community or country with some students sharing their letters on the school morning announcements. Fourth grade students cut "JOY" puzzle pieces out, writing about something that Just Happened to them, an Opportunity they would like to do, and what makes You Special. JOY also stands for Just One of You.

Fifth graders Jonathan Chu, Claire Thompson and Skylar Schlabs shared their letters on the school morning announcements.

Schell Elementary School

Students at Schell honored the lives of those touched by September 11. The organization Schell chose to assist is called “My Friend’s House," which is home to more than 400 children who are removed from their homes due to abuse, abandonment and neglect. My Friend’s House is a safe haven that provides emergency care and shelter for children in Collin County.

According to school Counselor Brittany Code, Schell students donated such items as peanut butter, canned foods, baby food, powdered formula, detergent, toilet paper, new hair brushes, combs, bar soap, bar soap covers, tooth brush covers, twin sheets and small bottles of shampoo and lotion.

Schell students pictured are (top) Ibrahim Saifullah, Zawge Daniel, William Dikeocha, Rianna Schlaff and Kristine Gauch; and (botton) Vishnu Raghunath, Sydney Ludlow and Gabrielle Eversole.

Shepard Elementary School

In honor of remembrance day  The Shepard Elementary  Community is having a blood drive.

Pictured is Angie Spangler, Shepard Elementary School PE coach, who courageously gave blood.

Shepton High School

Shepton celebrated September 11 as Hero Day, asking students in all fourth period classes to identify who their heroes are and ways to say "Thank you," to them.

Dr. Eileen Zack's Spanish III Honors fourth period class chose firemen as their heroes and cooked lunch for them several days during the week.  On Thursday, the firemen visited the campus and gave the class a tour of the fire engine, answered questions and ate lunch.

Firemen from Fire Station #5 in Plano are pictured with Shepton High School's (l-r) Vipul Kohli, Mark Zamani, Austin Simon, Sara Um, Paige Womack, Ryane Burke, Naomi Shapira, Lomi Vangruber, Elizabeth Kerr, Kara Simon, Devin Sephens, Jennifer Kurkowski, Biana Yalamanchili, Haley Smith, Captain Matt Nelson, Sean Pruneau, Kearby Miliner, Lena Hairadin, Andrea Fa, Katie Bauer, Zach Ralstin, Rohit Gadiraju, Dr. Eileen Zack.

Stinson Elementary School

Stinson students are collecting teddy bears for the Plano Police Department from September 4-11. The teddy bear drive is also part of the Stinson Cares—Spread the Kindness Program. Stinson will take the bears to the Plano Police Department.

Weatherford Elementary School

Weatherford just completed it's "Call to Action" plan, collecting snacks for CITY House (Collin Intervention to Youth runaway center) with huge success. 

Weatherford students Ellie Moeller, Lexi Griffin & Jacob Barron are pictured with Andrea Cockrell, assistant principal.

Wyatt Elementary School

Wyatt hosted a donation drive for My Friend's House. Patsy McGeehon, the shelter director, visited the school on September 11 to accept the donations, telling campus representatives that Wyatt's donation was the most that any school had given the shelter.

Wyatt's Student Council officers and all the boxes of donations for My Friend's House.

To have your school reports and/or photos added to the list above, please e-mail Mary.Gorden@pisd.edu in the school district's communications office. Thank you.