District Digest home
Plano ISD Staff Newsletter • Volume 37, number 5 • November 5, 2009
Isaacs students and staff

Isaacs Early Childhood panda bears invite community to November 10 school dedication

The Plano ISD Board of Trustees and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Doug Otto will join the Isaacs Early Childhood School students, parents, staff and community in dedicating the district's newest campus at a dedication ceremony to be held at 6:50 p.m. on Tuesday, November 10. One of three early childhood schools in Plano ISD, Isaacs is home to more than 600 young learners whose mascot is the panda bear and motto is "We're climbing high!" Principal Dr. Elaine Schmidt explains that "high expectations" and "happy choices" are the hallmarks of Isaacs, whose namesake, retired Plano ISD educator Sara Isaacs, will be guest of honor at the dedication. Read More
Rose Haggar Staff

Red Ribbon Week celebration emphasizes drug abuse prevention

Plano ISD's faculty and staff encouraged and challenged the district's 55,000 students to live drug abuse-free lifestyles during October's national Red Ribbon Week anti-drug campaign. Creative and educational activities flourished at schools district wide. Visit the district website to view our Red Ribbon Week photo gallery for district wide images and reports.		 PTA Representatives

PTA celebrates state's 100th anniversary with historic gift to district

The Plano ISD Council of PTAs celebrated the centennial birthday of Texas PTAs with a gift to Plano ISD's historic classroom located at the Cox Building on Avenue H in downtown Plano. An historical PTA scrapbook is now showcased in the classroom. Council officers and past presidents were honored by the school board this week. Read More

Around the district

PSHS's Karen Shepherd and Glenn Davis
A "moon tree" has landed at Plano Senior High School, bringing NASA officials who spoke to students about caring for the environment in a global sense.
Read More
 Ski Plano Gift Givers
The Plano ISD Education Foundation kicked off its annual Ski Plano event with a "Gift Giving Party." The first-ever event helped raise donations for Ski Plano's silent auction.
Read More
 School Speed Limit Sign
A new law enacted by the Texas legislature prohibits the use of cell phones and texting while driving through a school zone, unless the driver is using a hands-free device. Read More

Board briefs

School trustees took the following action at their November 3 meeting.

Recognitions

  • National Inclusive Schools Week Resolution - Board Vice-president Brad Shanklin read a resolution in honor of this special week and presented the resolution to Teri Kuchur, chairman of the Plano ISD Council of PTAs SAGE (Special and Gifted Education) Committee.
  • Texas PTA's 100th Anniversary Resolution - Karla Oliver, executive director for government and community relations, shared comments about the Texas PTA centennial anniversary and the Plano ISD Council of PTAs (see article in this newsletter)
  • "Best Places to Work 2009" Resolution - Tamira Griffin, executive director of human resource services, accepted a "Best Places to Work" resolution on behalf of all employees. Board Vice-president Brad Shanklin read the "Best Places to Work" resolution.

Consent Agenda

  • The board approved several routine business items, including bids, purchases, construction items, financial reports, the flexible benefit plan document and employee health benefit plan document and new course recommendations for 2010-2011.

Reports

  • Annual Financial Reports - Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2009 - Richard Matkin, associate superintendent for business services, reviewed the function of the Board Audit Committee. The district's audit firm, Weaver and Tidwell, provided highlights of the annual financial reports for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009. Trustee Duncan Webb spoke for the Board Audit Committee and recommended adoption. The board approved the required Annual Financial Reports for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009.
  • 2010 -2011 Budget Calendar - Richard Matkin presented a budget report outlining the budget calendar.
  • Bond Sale Report - The district's financial advisor First Southwest Company reported the result of the bond sale that was authorized by trustees at the October 6, 2009, board meeting.
  • Diversity Advisory Committee Report - Niyaz Ansari, committee chair, presented the annual report from the Diversity Advisory Committee.
  • Highly Qualified Teachers Report - Tamira Griffin, executive director for human resources, presented the Public Reporting of Progress in Meeting Highly Qualified Teacher Requirements on No Child Left Behind (NCLB). The NCLB Act requires districts to publicly report progress of the district and its campuses toward meeting highly qualified teacher standards no later than December 15, 2009.
  • Student Mobile Device Project Update - Mary Hewett, executive director for instructional technology, and Kary Cooper, principal of Robinson Middle School, presented a report on the student mobile device project set to begin this month at Robinson.

Policy Adoptions

  • CRD(LOCAL) - Insurance and Annuities Management: Health and Life Insurance - first and final reading
  • FFAC(LOCAL) - Wellness and Health Services: Medical Treatment - revised and first reading

View the agenda with all supporting documents on BoardBook.opens in new window

Watch the November 3 school board meeting video.video icon (Length: 1:07:16)

 
Notable Notes
Achievements
Upcoming Events
11/10 Isaacs ECS Dedication
11/11 Veterans Day
11/15 American Education Week
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EmployeeSpotlight
Jana Fry

Jana Fry Captures Award for Outstanding Teaching of Humanities

"'Project' is usually a dirty word to students," says Williams High School Teacher Jana Fry, but in her humanities class it's the one word that students use to describe what they love most about the two-year course.

For exhibiting exemplary leadership in her field, Ms. Fry has captured an "Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities" award from Humanities Texas / National Endowment for the Humanities, a nonprofit educational organization that supports research, education and public programs in the humanities.

Next week, Ms. Fry, who teaches Advanced Placement World History and humanities, will be presented with a $5,000 award and $500 for the Williams High School Humanities Program during an official visit by U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson.

Currently a curriculum and instruction doctoral student at the University of North Texas, Ms. Fry is constantly sharpening her teaching skills and is reinforced by fellow doctoral students that Williams High School and Plano ISD provide an exemplary humanities education program.

Digest: What sets Williams High School's Humanities Program apart from other programs?

Jana: An interdisciplinary approach to teaching. Students learn best when they can make connections across disciplines. Our academic teaching teams support groups of approximately 150 students each to constantly monitor student achievement and ensure their success. Math, science, social studies and English teachers all plan units together to support these small learning communities.

Digest: What is involved in the teaching of the district's humanities course?

Jana: Honor students in grades 9 and 10 enroll in humanities to earn an English credit and AP World History credit over a two-year period. Humanities I explores ancient civilizations through the Renaissance. In Humanities II, we study history and cultures of man from the Renaissance period through modern day.

Digest: What makes humanities such a unique course of study?

Jana: The humanities unlock creativity, which is one of the highest levels of thinking. By having students design lessons, projects, presentations and class discussions, my students operate at higher thinking levels.

District: What is the foundation of a humanities course?

Jana: The humanities are not just about developing an appreciation for all things cultural or artistic. True humanities courses focus on critical thinking processes that foster deep understanding, truth and problem-solving.

Read More

Did You Know...

© 2009 Plano Independent School District

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