Summer 2021

 Good News from the Plano ISD Education Foundation 

SKI Plano 2021 - Celebrating 25 years!

The pandemic may have kept us from gathering for a large event this year, but Education Foundation supporters still found a way to have fun while raising money! The SKI Plano Committee, led by Auburn Pope and Lori Antonioli, prepared party packs for family and friends to enjoy at home. The silent auction moved to a virtual platform, and participants and supporters were encouraged to bid over a two-day period. Many small groups gathered together for fun and followship in support of Plano ISD. We appreciate the amazing support of sponsors, donors and participants. A special thank you to presenting sponsor Abernathy, Roeder, Boyd, Hullet for helping make this year's event unique and memorable. Read more....

Staging the Future Endowment Campaign Launches

The Plano ISD Education Foundation, in partnership with the Dallas Foundation, has established the Staging the Future Endowment to support the operations of the new Robbie and Lynore Robinson Fine Arts Center. Conveniently located at 1800 Alma Drive in Plano across from Academy High School, the Robbie & Lynore Fine Arts Center can accommodate the more than 325 performances, rehearsals and events scheduled each year through Plano ISD’s fine arts program, allowing an unrivaled experience for students in the district. Missy Bender, PISDEF President-elect, is serving as the campaign chair. In early May, initial donors and guests were given the opportunity to see the the facility in the construction phase. If you believe in the life-affirming experiences that fine arts play in the lives of our students and community, consider one of the many naming opportunities or Founding Patron opportunities. Read more...

CORE Store Prepped for Back to School

In a few short weeks, students will be arriving back to the classrooms across our district. The CORE Store serves as a resource for teachers who need to get necessary school supplies for the classroom to best support their students. The CORE Store has also served as a resource to collect and distribute backpacks and supplies for over 2,000 families at the Back to School Fair presented by T-Mobile. The fair will took place at Clark Stadium on August 3rd and provided families with food and school supplies. We continue to have needs for various items. We encourage you to consider hosting a back-to-school drive in your office. Resources and more information...

Education Foundation Hires New Staff

Over the last few months, Jamee Jolly, Sr. Executive Director, along with the support of the Board of Directors has added new members to the Education Foundation team. Cynthia Esparza serves as the Administrative Assistant to the Education Foundation and works part-time. Cynthia is responsible for the CORE Store, volunteer coordination, scheduling and program support. Also new to the team is Diana VanHorn, our new Finance Manager. Diana brings years of experience in accounting and financial management to the Education Foundation and will support the financial management of the organization in her part-time role. To contact staff...

Education Foundation Welcomes Summer Intern

Through the Plano Mayor's Summer Internship Program and a generous sponsor, the Education Foundation was able to host a part-time summer intern. Nadiya Berhe, a rising junior at Plano Senior High School, spent approximately 20 hours each week supporting programs such as the CORE Store and Grants to Educators, as well as assisting with office tasks. Nadiya has been involed with AVID and her interests include debate, psychology, writing and planning. It was great to have Nadiya as part of the Education Foundation team, and we wish her well this year as she heads back to school. 

August 2020

 Good News from the Plano ISD Education Foundation 

June - COVID-19 Relief Efforts 

The Spring Semester will be one for the history books. As students set off for Spring Break, the district began work on plans for educating students during a global pandemic. As students transitioned to at-home learning, the Plano ISD Education Foundation had an opportunity to pivot in order to serve our students where they were learning - at home. The CORE Store is typically available for teachers to "shop" for the supplies needed in their classrooms. They visit the CORE Store location at Coit and 15th once a semester and pick up the necessities for their students and classrooms. The store had to close due to the pandemic, but we were still able to carry out our mission. Volunteers and staff were able to assemble and distribute school supplies to over 950 Plano ISD families. The supply packs included notebook paper, pencils, rulers, notebook, composition book, art supplies, and pencil sharpener. Being able to have supplies delivered to their homes allowed for our families to stay safe during the early days of the pandemic when we were learning more about how the virus spreads and who is more vulnerable to infection. Each week for several months volunteers and staff drove around, using safety protocols, delivering supplies to doorsteps throughout the district. Students and parents were so thankful for the special deliveries. #DedicatedtoCaring

July - Foundation Board of Directors Welcomes 7 New Members 

The Foundation's Board of Directors kicks off the 2020-2021 school year by welcoming seven new directors. Directors serve for a three-year term and help provide oversight and leadership for the organization. For a complete list of directors and officers, click here. 

Joshua Bourgeois - Vice President & Assoc. Chief Nursing Officer, Children’s Medical Center Plano

Jennifer Lan – Director, Wealth Strategist, UBS Financial Services

Stewart Clancy – Sr. Director Risk Management and Associate General Counsel, Capital One

Tricia Clifton – Executive Director, CASA of Collin County

Kelley Thomas – Former President, PISD Council of PTAs

Auburn Pope – SKI Plano, Co-Chair

Tarrah Lantz – President, Plano ISD Council of PTAS

August - New Opportunities to Partner with the Foundation 

Each year the Foundation board works with Plano ISD leadership and staff to determine what priorities would be best funded through the work of the Education Foundation. We have several new initiatives that we will be partnering on for the 2020-2021 school year. Check it out here.

Special Thanks - Recent Plano ISD Education Foundation Investors  

The following organizations and individuals have recently partnered with the Foundation by making a financial contribution to support our efforts. These funds will be used to support the budgeted priorities established for the current school year, as well as address immediate needs caused by the pandemic. 

Albertsons

Sufian Anani

Lori Antonioli

Atmos Energy

Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Plano

Olga Bederman

Kathryn Bengston

Mitch Bramlett

Capital One

Communities Foundation of Texas

In Honor of William Thomas Dennis

Thomas Derby

Kimberly Deweese

Candice Emerson

Shana Fleming

William Gilkinson

Central Market

Susan Hinkle

Ralph Jacobi

KPMG

Kroger

Gina Massingill

Tim McCoy

Medical City Plano

Ann Moore

Seil Oh

Lisa Pelo

Plano West Senior High Wolf Den PTA

Randolf Brooks Federal Credit Union

Tammy Richards and Mike Douglass

Lorie Robinson

Ravish Sinha

Texas Health Resources

Kyle Theiken

Zachary Tupper

United Way of Greater Atlanta

United Way of Metropolitan Dallas

Heather Webb