National Soccer Coach of the Year Bob Weir
Built Popular Program with Humility & Discipline
Plano Senior High School Boys Soccer Coach Bob Weir is in a field all his own, having been selected 2009 National Soccer Coach of the Year by the National Federation of State High School Associations. Coach Weir earned the award by exemplifying the highest standards of sportsmanship, ethical conduct, moral character and with the endorsement of his Texas soccer association. The award is based upon the 2008-09 school year, a season in which his team cornered the competition and brought home the state championship trophy, a prized possession. From his small town roots in Massachusetts to the big soccer leagues of Plano, Coach Weir has been an inspiration to students and adults alike. Read more
Kathy Kuddes Honored by National Group for Outstanding Leadership
Plano ISD Director of Fine Arts Kathy Kuddes was presented with the 2010 OAKE (Organization of American Kodaly Educators) Outstanding Administrator Award at the group's national conference held recently in Dallas. Nominated by Plano ISD elementary music specialists for her advancement of Kodaly-inspired music curriculum in Plano schools, Kathy accepted the award at the conference attended by hundreds of music educators from across the U.S., Canada, Belgium and Hungary and where Plano ISD staff members held significant leadership roles and Plano students were featured performers. Read more |
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72 Employees Nominated for Superintendent's 11th Annual Service Award
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Doug Otto has announced 72 nominees for his 2010 Superintendent's Service Award. All nominees will be recognized by Dr. Otto at Plano ISD's 45th Annual Service & Retirement event to be held on April 8 at Southfork Ranch. In a culminating surprise announcement, Dr. Otto will present the award winners. These 72 outstanding employees are among nominees in Dr. Otto's 11th Annual Superintendent's Service Award, which recognizes members of the Plano ISD support staff whose dedication, commitment and effort rise above and beyond expectations. Read more |
Around the district
Plano West Principal Kathy King and PTA President Mondrell Oz were among nearly 200 guests at the district's annual appreciation luncheon for PTA presidents. Guest speaker Paul Weaver, counseling director, thanked PTA leaders for being a "positive force" for students, parents and the district. Read more |
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Nominations are being accepted through Monday, April 5, for Plano ISD's new Academy Visioning Committee. The group will study the concept of an academy school for Plano ISD. Committee work will begin this spring and continue through fall. A link to the nomination form can be found on the district website. Read More |
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Sigler Elementary School Principal Sandy Muzquiz (pictured with Mayor Phil Dyer and Superintendent Doug Otto) and her staff co-hosted a dedication ceremony for the Sigler community to celebrate the school's brand new building. Read a story about the March 11 event and view photos on the district website. Read More |
Teacher Recruitment Open House March 27
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Plano ISD's annual Recruitment Open House for teachers, counselors and librarians will be held on Saturday, March 27, at Renner Middle School. Teachers who are considered to be "Highly Qualified" under "No Child Left Behind" will be admitted to the event, which will be sponsored once again by Ebby Halliday REALTORS and the Plano ISD Education Foundation. Read more on the district's employment website. |
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Proud annual sponsors of Plano ISD's Teacher Recruitment Open House |
Register Now for May 1 'Thrill of the Grill'
 Ahhhh, spring time in Texas, the perfect time of year for a barbeque with friends and family. It is also the best time of year to get outside and burn off some of those extra winter pounds with a nice walk, jog or run. Why not do both? That is exactly what the Plano ISD Education Foundation is doing at its 2nd Annual Central Market Thrill of the Grill. Plano ISD employees, students and community members are invited to join the Foundation for a great day of food, beverages, music, art and more, all kicked off with a 5K fun run designed for all levels of walkers, joggers, runners and hot doggers. Event proceeds will benefit Plano ISD students and staff through the programs of the Plano ISD Education Foundation. Groups and individuals are encouraged to register now on the Thrill of the Grill website.
To read Notable Notes, Achievements and Board Briefs, please select the blue buttons at the top right of this newsletter.
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| 3/27 |
Recruitment Open House |
| 4/2 |
Student/Teacher Holiday |
4/8 |
Service/Retirement Event |
View full calendar |
Health/PE Coordinator Melinda Smith Honored with Elks Citizenship Award
Growing up in Plano, when there were 10 schools and farm land as far as the eyes could see, Melinda Smith dreamed of becoming a teacher. "Every day, I experienced the positive influence of Plano teachers. They fascinated me. They cared so much about students."
One of those teachers, Rita Barnes, then basketball coach at Plano Senior High School, pulled Melinda's parents aside at a banquet and said, "Melinda will come back to teach in Plano."
And the rest, as they say, is history.
Since 1993, Melinda has made significant contributions as an elementary physical education/health teacher and, since 2002, as the district's coordinator of health and physical education for grades k-12.
While in the classroom, Melinda was twice awarded Teacher of the Year: at Mathews Elementary School in 1993-94 and Skaggs Elementary School in 1997-98. She also received a district "Excellence in Elementary Teaching Award" while at Skaggs.
Melinda has most recently been honored for "outstanding and meritorious service to humanity" in the form of a "Distinguished Citizenship Award" presented to her by the Plano-Richardson Elks Lodge.
Melinda has been instrumental in the Elks Hoop Shoot, which draws hundreds of student participants each year, many of whom advance in the competition from school to district, regional, state and even national levels.
"In all of our health and physical education classes, at every school and through special activities like the Elks Hoop Shoot, we strive to instill in each student a desire to stay healthy through physical activity and proper nutrition," said Melinda. "Our goal is for students to have 'lifetime readiness' skills."
Melinda has fond memories of athletic activities from her grade school years, when she attended Meadows Elementary School, Cox Junior High School (sixth grade), Bowman Middle School, Plano High School and Plano Senior High School as a member of its inaugural class.
Read more
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