COVID-19 Update for Plano ISD Families - 4/8/20 

APRIL 9, 2020

Reminder: Plano ISD is following the current, adopted academic calendar and, therefore, the designated bad weather makeup days, April 10 and April 13, remain student holidays and will not be used as instructional days. We hope our students and families enjoy the long weekend. We look forward to resuming remote learning on Tuesday, April 14.

NEW! North Texas Food Bank Mobile Food Pantry Distribution

In partnership with the North Texas Food Bank, Plano ISD is holding a mobile food pantry distribution on Wednesday, April 15, from 9:00 a.m. - noon, while supplies last, at Plano Senior High School, 2200 Independence Pkwy, Plano. The distribution will be located in the parking lot on the east side of the building, bordered by Westside Drive and W. Park Blvd. This event is open to anyone in the community who is in need of food.

Updated College Board, IB and TSI-A Information

• AP: College Board has announced that AP exams will not be administered as usual. Find the latest information, dated April 3, online at apcoronavirusupdates.collegeboard.org. This update includes the exam schedule for individual courses as well as the updated format of each test, which will be online (for most courses) and 45 minutes in length, as well as other valuable information for our students and families.
    
• ACT: The April 4 test date has been moved to June 13. Students registered for April 4 will receive an email from ACT that will include instructions on how to reschedule their test for June 13 test date or another national test date. There is no fee to reschedule. A free practice test is available on the website as well as free online test prep through the ACT Academy, www.act.org.
   
• SAT: The March and May SAT exams have been cancelled and refunds will be issued to students. The College Board will be announcing the status of the June SAT in the coming weeks and will also be providing information about additional test dates. Free online practice tests and personalized learning tools are available for students online at www.collegeboard.org. The College Board is encouraging students to prepare for future SAT testing opportunities through the online platform at Khan Academy. The College Board will be unable to provide additional opportunities for students to take the SAT during the school day for the current school year. The College Board is working to provide additional opportunities for students to take the SAT at school or outside of the school day when the situation allows.  
   
• IB Testing: May 2020 exams will no longer be held. The announcement and initial FAQs can be found online: www.ibo.org/news/news-about-the-ib/may-2020-examinations-will-no-longer-be-held/  
   
• TSI-A: As of April 2, TSIA testing at Collin College is suspended until further notice.

Grading During Remote Learning

During our Remote Learning Plan for School Closure, the goal for grading is to monitor progress of student learning in order to provide feedback, tailor support and design instruction that maintains educational continuity. These Grading Guidelines are designed to benefit and support students as they continue the transition to a new format of learning. Read more.

 

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COVID-19 Update for Plano ISD Families - 4/8/20 

APRIL 8, 2020 

Grading During Remote Learning

During our Remote Learning Plan for School Closure the goal for grading is to monitor progress of student learning in order to provide feedback, tailor support and design instruction that maintains educational continuity. These Grading Guidelines are designed to benefit and support students as they continue the transition to a new format of learning.

The extended emergency closures caused by COVID-19 are unprecedented for area school districts. There has been extensive discussion and collaboration about how to handle grades during remote learning. As a district, keeping students at the heart of our decisions, these guiding principles were used in the development. Priority is placed on:

• Students’ social and emotional well-being
• Students’ opportunity to continue learning (equity and access)
• Student success (mastery approach)
• Valuing student work and teacher expertise

Our plan is designed to relieve student stress and encourage participation as we help students master the remaining curriculum content with meaningful teacher feedback. 

Our goal is grace > grades.

View and download the Grading Guidelines for Remote Learning.

  

Grading Guidelines FAQ  

General Questions:

• Were grades taken for assignments completed during Phase 2 (March 23-April 3)? 
  Grades were not taken during Phase 2. Only assignments made and completed on or after April 6th (Phase 3) will be used to determine whether a student has “Met Standard”. 
   
• How will assignments be graded? 
  Kindergarten - 2nd Grade:  We will continue to use the portfolio method of collecting evidence of student growth. The 4th 9-week portfolio will continue to indicate S or N based on weekly evidence. Art, Music, PE and Citizenship/Work Habits will not be assigned a grade for the 4th 9-weeks.
  Grades 3-12:  In lieu of numerical grades for assignments during the 4th 9-weeks, teachers will record student progress as: 
  • Met Standard (Listed as MS in the gradebook)
  • Not Met Standard (Listed as NM in the gradebook)
     
• How will “Met Standard” be defined? 
  In order for a student to achieve “Met Standard” on assignments, teachers will evaluate student participation within the content as well as performance on each assignment and progress toward mastery of the essential standards. Board policy defines mastery or passing as 70%.\
   
• How will 4th 9-weeks grades be calculated for grades 3-12 in each course/subject? 
  In order for a student to achieve “Met Standard” for the final 4th 9-weeks grade, teachers will evaluate student participation within the content as well as performance on each assignment and progress toward mastery of the essential standards throughout the grading period. At the end of the 4th 9-weeks:
  • A 100 will be recorded in the grade book for students who have demonstrated that they have “Met Standard” for the course/subject.
  • A 69 will be recorded in the grade book for students who have “Not Met” the standards of the course/subject. 

6-12th Grade:

• Will students in grades 6-12 take semester exams? 
  No, semester exams will not be administered in the Spring of 2020. 
   
• How will the Spring Semester grade be determined for grades 6-12? 
  For the Spring Semester of 2020, the 3rd and 4th 9-weeks final grades will be averaged to calculate the semester grade for each course. As a reminder, the 3rd 9-weeks grading period was completed before spring break. 
   
• What will happen if a student does not earn credit for a course? 
  Students who do not receive course credit will be required to regain credit through opportunities provided by the district. 
   
• How will ranking GPA be calculated for seniors? 
  The 3rd 9-weeks was completed before spring break, so GPA calculations for current seniors were not impacted by remote learning. 
   
• How will GPA be calculated for secondary students in Grades 11 and below? 
  Semester averages will count toward the student’s GPA for all high school courses taken in spring 2020. However, students may choose to opt out of including the spring semester grade in the GPA calculation.  Grades will appear on the transcript, but not be included in GPA calculations under the opt out plan.
   
• Will courses still be weighted as Honors (4.5) and Distinguished (5.0) in the GPA calculations? 
  Yes, GPA will be calculated using the weights provided in PISD Board Policy. 
   
• When will students be able to opt out of GPA for grades 11 and below? 
  The district will set a deadline for this opt out request. Information will be shared by each campus regarding procedures and timelines as they are available. 
   
• Why is the district providing an opt out opportunity for GPA?
  In order to remove any potential penalty for students in this remote learning environment, students will have the choice to opt out of including this semester in GPA calculations.
   
• Will Dual Credit students use the same grading guidelines? 
  Students enrolled in Dual Credit courses will follow the grading guidance provided by Collin County Community College. The same GPA opt out policy will be available for students in dual credit classes. 
   
• How will these grading guidelines be applied for students at the Academy High School? 
  PAHS will continue to use the standards-referenced, proficiency-based scoring for reporting student progress throughout the spring semester. The same GPA opt out policy will be available for students at Academy High School. 

Student Activities

Spring Activities for Seniors

Plano ISD is committed to honoring our Senior Class of 2020. For spring events, such as proms, banquets, etc, we will continue to monitor recommendations and guidelines related to COVID-19, while seeking creative solutions for celebrating our seniors, and will provide updates as available. We will hold off for as long as possible regarding final decisions about graduation because we really want to host these ceremonies for our seniors and their families if at all possible. We are developing contingency plans in case we are not able to host ceremonies in person, as well as considering later dates.

Tryouts and Auditions for the 2020-2021 School Year (Secondary Students)

 

Due to Plano ISD’s extended school closure in accordance with Governor Abbott’s order on March 31, 2020, and depending on whether students are able to resume in-person classes this semester, the district is in the process of exploring available options for student activities that involve a tryout or audition component for the 2020-2021 school year. Examples include, but are not limited to, musical ensembles, high and senior high cheerleading, drum majors, drill team officers, senior high show choirs, and color guards. Options being considered for these auditions include the traditional, in-person processes once schools reopen, as well as virtual options. Additional communication and details are forthcoming.  

Sixth Grade Band and Orchestra Instrument Selection

 

Due to Plano ISD’s extended school closure in accordance with Governor Abbott’s order on March 31, 2020, and depending on whether students are able to resume in-person classes this semester, the district is in the process of determining when the remaining instrument fittings for incoming sixth grade orchestra and band students can take place. Once confirmed, the dates for instrument fittings will be communicated through campus band and orchestra directors. 

Counseling Services

The SMU Center for Family Counseling at Plano ISD is now offering telehealth counseling services provided free of charge. Services are provided by SMU Counseling Program students during their Practicum and Internship experiences and will be supervised by SMU full-time and adjunct faculty. Services are for adults, children (play therapy), adolescents (activity therapy), couples, and families for a variety of presenting concerns including anxiety, depression, behavior difficulties (e.g., opposition, defiance, aggression), grief and loss, peer relationships, stress, trauma, career transition and parenting.

Additionally, clients are being accepted for five new support groups: Adult Mindfulness Group, LGBTQ+ Parenting/Caregiver Support Group, Adolescent Support Group, LGBTQ+ Adolescent Support Group and LGBTQ+ Adult Support Group. 

Service hours and contact information is as follows: Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday 3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Appointments are available - please call to schedule (469) 752-3098.

An FAQ for Telehealth Counseling services may be found HERE.​​​​​​​

 

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COVID-19 Update for Plano ISD Families - 4/7/20

APRIL 7, 2020

#PISDPoweredbyLearning

Plano ISD wants to stay connected and engaged with our community. Please use the hashtag, #PISDPoweredbyLearning, to share your stories about the many ways you are connecting and learning together while staying apart. 

 

Meal Access

April 10 & 13 Student Holiday - No Meal Service

District-provided meals will not be available during the scheduled April 10 and April 13 student holidays. 

Minnie’s Food Pantry Meal Distribution April 8, for the Long Weekend

In preparation for the long student holiday, April 10-13, Minnie’s Food Pantry will be distributing family meal boxes to any family in need of food. The distribution will take place on Wednesday, April 8, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., while supplies last, at Bowman Middle School’s parking lot in the back of the building.   

New Requirements for Free Plano ISD Meals

Effective today, new rules from the Texas Department of Agriculture require that parents picking up free meals from the district must bring documentation for children who are not in the vehicle. Please note that verification is not required when children are present with a parent during meal pickup. Acceptable documentation includes a school-issued student ID, report card, birth certificate or the verification message that parents received from the district. Learn more. See a revised list of grab-and-go meal locations as of this week.

  

Free Internet Access at Plano ISD Sites 

Need Internet Access?

Be our guest on the PISDGuest network. Free wireless Internet access is available in the parking lots at several schools throughout the district. Visit www.pisd.edu/wifimaps to find out where to park-and-play on the PISDGuest network. All families are asked to remain in their vehicles while on district property. For more Internet access options visit www.pisd.edu/Page/22491.

 

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COVID-19 Update for Plano ISD Families - 4/6/20 

APRIL 6, 2020

This week, we launch Phase Three of the Remote Learning plan. Your teachers and campus administrators will continue sharing information with you related to this new phase. Please continue sharing your feedback and questions via email to askPISD@pisd.edu. 

 

#PISDPoweredbyLearning

Plano ISD wants to stay connected and engaged with our schools, students and families during this time of social distancing. Please use the hashtag, #PISDPoweredbyLearning, to share your stories about the many ways you are connecting and learning together while staying apart. With your help, we can continue to engage in our common interest of educating and empowering students during these uncommon times.

 

Meal Access

New Requirements for Free Plano ISD Meals

Effective today, new rules from the Texas Department of Agriculture require that parents picking up free meals from the district must bring documentation for children who are not in the vehicle. Please note that verification is not required when children are present with a parent during meal pickup. Acceptable documentation includes a school-issued student ID, report card, birth certificate or the verification message that parents received from the district. Learn more. See a revised list of grab-and-go meal locations as of this week.

April 10 & 13 Student Holiday - No Meal Service

District-provided meals will not be available during the scheduled April 10 and April 13 student holidays. 

NEW Minnie’s Food Pantry Meal Distribution

In preparation for the long student holiday, April 10-13, Minnie’s Food Pantry will be distributing family meal boxes to any family in need of food. The distribution will take place on Wednesday, April 8, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at Bowman Middle School’s parking lot in the back of the building.   

 

Free Internet Access at Plano ISD Sites 

Need Internet Access?

Be our guest on the PISDGuest network. Free wireless Internet access is available in the parking lots at several schools throughout the district. Visit www.pisd.edu/wifimaps to find out where to park-and-play on the PISDGuest network. All families are asked to remain in their vehicles while on district property. For more Internet access options visit www.pisd.edu/Page/22491.

 

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COVID-19 Update for Plano ISD Families - 4/3/20 

APRIL 3, 2020

Thank you for your partnership as we conclude another week of at-home learning. We hope that you will all unplug and enjoy a restful weekend with your families. We look forward to continuing to partner with our parents and families in the care and support of our students. Please continue sharing your feedback and questions via email to askPISD@pisd.edu. 

Meal Access

New Requirements for Free Plano ISD Meals, Effective April 6

Starting Monday, April 6, new rules from the Texas Department of Agriculture require that parents picking up free meals from the district must bring documentation for children who are not in the vehicle. Please note that verification is not required when children are present with a parent during meal pickup. When present, any child 18 years of age or under can receive a grab-and-go meal. If the child is not present, acceptable documentation includes a school-issued student ID, report card, birth certificate or the verification message that parents received from the district. Learn more.

Updated Grab-and-Go Meal Locations, Effective April 6

This program serves all students attending any Plano ISD school. Families can pick up meals curbside in the carpool lanes* (unless otherwise noted) at the campuses listed below. Access to enter the buildings is not available. Learn more at www.pisd.edu/grabandgo.

• Armstrong Middle School
  *(pickup at this location is the bus lane at the rear of the building)
  3805 Timberline Drive, Plano, TX 75074
• Barron Elementary School
  3300 Avenue P, Plano, TX 75074
• Christie Elementary School (New starting April 6)
  3801 Rainier Road, Plano, TX 75023
• Daffron Elementary School
  3900 Preston Meadow Drive, Plano, TX 75093
• IB World School at Huffman Elementary
  5510 Channel Isle Drive, Plano, TX 75093
• Meadows Elementary School
  2800 18th Street, Plano, TX 75074
• Mitchell Elementary School (New starting April 6)
  4223 Briargrove Lane, Dallas, TX 75287
• Sigler Elementary School
  1400 Janwood Drive, Plano, TX 75075
• Thomas Elementary School
  1800 Montana Trail, Plano, TX 75023

April 10 & 13 Student Holiday - No Meal Service

District-provided meals will not be available during the scheduled April 10 and April 13 student holidays. 

North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) Mobile Drop Monday, April 6

In partnership with the NTFB, Plano ISD will be hosting a Mobile Food Pantry distribution on Monday, April 6, beginning at 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., while supplies last, at Bowman Middle School in the parking lot at the back of the building. This is open to any family in the Plano ISD community who is experiencing a need for food.

 

Free Internet Access at Plano ISD Sites 

Need Internet Access?

Be our guest on the PISDGuest network. Free wireless Internet access is available in the parking lots at several schools throughout the district. Visit www.pisd.edu/wifimaps to find out where to park-and-play on the PISDGuest network. All families are asked to remain in their vehicles while on district property. For more Internet access options visit www.pisd.edu/Page/22491.

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COVID-19 Update for Plano ISD Families - 4/2/20 

APRIL 2, 2020

Please continue sharing your feedback or questions by emailing askPISD@pisd.edu.

  

Meal Access

New Requirements for Free Plano ISD Meals, Effective April 6

Starting Monday, April 6, new rules from the Texas Department of Agriculture require that parents picking up free meals from the district must bring documentation for children who are not in the vehicle. Please note that verification is not required when children are present with a parent during meal pickup. When present, any child 18 years of age or under can receive a grab-and-go meal. If the child is not present, acceptable documentation includes a school-issued student ID, report card, birth certificate or the verification message that all parents will receive from the district.

 

All households will receive a verification letter via email for each student enrolled. Please print the verification letter and place it on the dashboard of your car for each student who is not present, but receiving a meal. If you do not have access to a printer, you can show the verification message to district personnel from your cell phone. Learn more.

April 10 & 13 Student Holiday - No Meal Service

District-provided meals will not be available during the scheduled April 10 and April 13 student holidays. 

North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) Mobile Drop

In partnership with the NTFB, Plano ISD will be hosting a Mobile Food Pantry meal box distribution on Monday, April 6, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at Bowman Middle School in the parking lot at the back of the building. This is open to any family in the Plano ISD community who is experiencing a need for food.

 

Remote Learning Plan: Phase 3 

Our Commitment

We continue our commitment to providing educational continuity for all students. Our partnership with parents is critical to the success of every student, now more than ever. We are in unprecedented times and engaging in learning in completely new ways. Be assured that all PISD staff remain committed to serving our families. 

We will be moving into Phase 3 beginning April 6. Thank you for your patience and partnership! Stay in contact with your student’s teachers and let us know how to help. 

Phase 3 in Elementary

• Instruction will continue to include teacher-developed assignments and experiences as were launched in Phase 2 last week (PreK - 5th grade).
• Teachers will soon be sharing more information with you and students about the new tools in Phase 3. Students and parents will see two new tools for literacy instruction on their Webdesk: 
  • PathBlazers, to supplement English literacy instruction, Kindergarten - 5th grade
  • iStation to supplement Spanish literacy instruction, Kindergarten - 5th grade
• Grading guidelines coming soon.

Phase 3 in Secondary

• The courses listed in the linked chart, Courses with District-wide Virtual Content, will transition to a blended model of instruction with district-wide virtual content supplemented by some teacher-developed assignments.
  • Students will see an Edgenuity icon on their Webdesk that will enable them to access virtual content.
  • Next week, students will watch an orientation video and be given time to learn how to navigate inside the Edgenuity tool.
• Courses not included in the linked chart will continue with teacher-developed assignments and experiences as were launched in Phase 2 last week (grades 6-12).
• Grading guidelines coming soon. 

School Calendar Update

Plano ISD will follow the current adopted academic calendar. The designated bad weather makeup days, April 10 and April 13, are student holidays and will not be used as instructional days this spring. Additionally, regardless of whether campuses re-open to students this school year, the last day of instruction will be May 22.

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COVID-19 Update for Plano ISD Families - 3/27/20

MARCH 27, 2020

As we conclude our first week of at-home learning, we want to say thank you for being our partners in your child’s education. We hope everyone will take some time to enjoy the weekend and we look forward to “seeing you" for a second week of online learning on Monday. Please continue reaching out to us with any questions, concerns or needs by emailing askPISD@pisd.edu.

  

Pre-Kindergarten Roundup 

Due to school closure, pre-k registration has been postponed. Watch for updated information online at www.pisd.edu/Page/441.  

  

PASAR Tuition Questions 

Customers will be credited for tuition fees for the weeks that Plano ISD is closed or PASAR is not operational. This will be calculated on a monthly pro-rata basis. Since the school district has extended the closure into April, billing for April will not be calculated and reflected in the PASAR Parent Portal until the reopening date is known. At this time, please do not make a payment for April PASAR tuition. For more information, visit www.pisd.edu/pasar.

  

IB World School at Huffman Elementary, Application Deadline Extended

Due to the COVID-19-related school closure, the registration timeline for applying to the IB World School at Huffman Elementary has been extended as follows: Registration closes on April 3; parent will be notified of status through email on April 10; and parent decisions to accept or deny must be made by April 20. APPLY HERE.

 

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COVID-19 Update for Plano ISD Families - 3/26/20

MARCH 26, 2020

Plano ISD would like to thank our students and families for your flexibility and patience as we have launched this first week of at-home learning. We will continue sharing regular updates to keep our families informed and we hope that you will continue reaching out to us with your questions or concerns by emailing askPISD@pisd.edu.

 

Chromebook Distribution/Support

If you have a broken Chromebook or if you missed the timeframe for picking up a device at your campus, the Plano ISD help desk is available to assist you in obtaining a working Chromebook. Contact the help desk Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at (469) 752-8767, or email tsos@pisd.edu. The help desk will work with your campus to coordinate the repair, pickup or delivery of your device. 

 

North Texas Food Bank Mobile Food Pantry

A mobile food pantry drop will be available for Plano ISD families this Friday, March 27, from 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM at Bowman Middle School, 2501 Jupiter Road, Plano, in the parking area located at the back of the building. The pantry is open to anyone in our community in need of food.

 

PASAR Tuition Questions

If you have questions regarding tuition for PASAR after school care, please email financeofficepasar@pisd.edu.  

 

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COVID-19 Update for Plano ISD Families - 3/25/20

MARCH 25, 2020

As Plano ISD schools and facilities remain closed as a response to COVID-19, we want to continue sharing regular updates to keep our families informed. If you have any questions about today’s update, please email askPISD@pisd.edu.

 

Family Resources

The link below is a searchable list that families, community members and school staff can utilize to help find community resources in order to meet a family’s needs. 

The list is searchable by agency name, zip code and category. Categories include such areas as basic needs (food assistance, housing assistance), health care (medical, dental, vision), and mental health (substance abuse, counseling, etc.). 

• Link to the site at: www.pisd.edu/familyresources 

Plano ISD Athletic Facilities and Fields 

All Plano ISD facilities, grounds and fields are subject to Governor Greg Abbott’s Executive Orders and the Collin County Stay-at-Home Order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Social gatherings in groups of more than ten people are prohibited. Social distancing should be observed:  

Social distancing means:

• Maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet between yourself and others
• Avoiding congregating with other people
• Avoiding unnecessary physical contact

North Texas Food Bank Mobile Food Pantry

A mobile food pantry drop will be available for Plano ISD families this Friday, March 27, from 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM at Bowman Middle School in the parking area located at the back of the building. The pantry is open to anyone in our community in need of food.

 

Chromebook Care & Technical Support

Guidelines for Chromebook Care at Home: 

• Chromebook care (English)
• Chromebook care (Spanish)

Chromebook and Other Technical Support: Contact the Plano ISD Help Desk via email at tsos@pisd.edu. 

Free WiFi Access: The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has developed guidance for providing Internet Access to students.

  

Transcripts 

Senior High School registrars are regularly checking and processing requests for transcripts through Naviance. If a student has a need for a transcript for a university that doesn’t utilize Naviance, the registrar will respond to the request by sending a password protected PDF file of the transcript to the student or university. This would also apply to those students who have a need to provide a transcript to a scholarship review committee.

At this time of year, sending official transcripts for seniors in a timely manner is necessary to ensure a student’s college enrollment, and we are committed to meeting this need.

  

Curriculum Resources in Spanish 

Families can access curriculum resources in Spanish online at: www.pisd.edu/Page/22462

 

Meal Access for Families
New Hours This Week: Monday - Friday, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

During this pick-up time, families are able to get lunch, along with breakfast for the following day. Read more.

 

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COVID-19 Update for Plano ISD Families - 3/24/20

MARCH 24, 2020

Plano ISD remains closed to the public through April 3. As we navigate this revised way of learning and teaching from home, we want to continue sharing regular updates with families. If you have any questions about today’s update, please email askPISD@pisd.edu.
 

STAY-AT-HOME ORDER

Collin County announced a stay-at-home order in a press conference today, advising businesses to take all necessary actions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Plano ISD is responding to this order by further limiting district activities to only the essential operations of the school district to help reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19; however, we want to reassure you of the things you can still expect of our school district.

While all campuses and other district facilities will be closed during this period, Plano ISD will continue implementing the following essential activities:

• Meal Service will continue at our designated grab-and-go sites. 

• Chromebook Distribution will continue through Wednesday, March 25, in order to equip all students with a device for at-home remote learning. Chromebooks need to be picked up at your student’s school as soon as possible. It is essential for each student to have a device for online learning. Contact your campus today if you have not already done so to schedule a time to check out a device for your student.  

• Remote Learning will continue allowing students and teachers to participate in online learning while observing this stay-at-home order. 

Even during this stay-at-home order, Plano ISD is dedicated to ensuring that our students continue receiving meals and have the resources they need to continue their education at home. The stay-at-home order is an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19, focused on slowing the spread of the virus so that medical facilities are not overwhelmed. To do this, people are asked to practice social distancing and protective hygiene measures.

• Social distancing means:

  • Maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet between yourself and others

  • Avoiding congregating with other people

  • Avoiding unnecessary physical contact

• Protective hygiene measures include:

  • Not touching your face

  • Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue

  • Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds

  • If soap and water are not available, using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer

MEAL ACCESS FOR FAMILIES

NEW HOURS THIS WEEK: MONDAY-FRIDAY, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

During this pick-up time, families are able to get lunch, along with breakfast for the following day. Read more.

 

SCHOOL GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING

If you need information or support from your school counselor, you may contact them via email. You can find a list of counselors and their email addresses at www.pisd.edu/contactpisd or on your child’s schools website at www.pisd.edu.

 

School social workers are on staff at some campuses and they may be contacted by parents in the same way as counselors.During school closures counselors and social workers are able to continue to support students and families with academic success, social and emotional growth, and college, career and military readiness.

 

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From PISD RE: Stay-at-Home Order - 3/24/20

March 24, 2020
 

Dear Plano ISD Community,

First, let me say that I am so proud of our students, families and staff as we began at-home learning yesterday. Thank you for all that you are doing to support your children in their learning. I want to bring you up to date on what is happening in Collin County with an announcement made just minutes ago.

The Collin County press conference and Stay-at-Home Order advises businesses to take all necessary actions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The order takes effect immediately, March 24, and will be in place for the next seven days.

Plano ISD is responding to this order by further limiting district activities to only the essential operations of the school district to help reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19; however, we want to reassure you of the things you can still expect of our school district. While all campuses and other district facilities will be closed during this period, Plano ISD will continue implementing the following essential activities:

• Meal Service; will continue at our designated grab-and-go sites.
• Chromebook Distribution will continue through Wednesday, March 25, in order to equip all students with a device for at-home remote learning. Chromebooks need to be picked up at your student’s school as soon as possible. It is essential for each student to have a device for online learning. Contact your campus today if you have not already done so to schedule a time to check out a device for your student.
• Remote Learning will continue allowing students and teachers to participate in online learning while observing this Stay-at-Home Order.

Even during this Stay-at-Home Order, Plano ISD is dedicated to ensuring that our students continue receiving meals and have the resources they need to continue their education at home. If you have any questions, please contact your campus or email us at askPISD@pisd.edu.

Please take care of yourselves and your families during this time. Thank you for your continued support.
 

Sincerely,
 

Sara Bonser
Superintendent

 

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COVID-19 Update for Plano ISD Families - 3/23/20

MARCH 23, 2020

Plano ISD remains closed to the public through April 3. As we navigate this revised way of learning and teaching from home, we want to continue sharing regular updates with families. If you have any questions about today’s update, please email askPISD@pisd.edu. 

 

SCHOOL CLOSURE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Get the most current information and resources via our new dedicated website: www.pisd.edu/infoandresources.

 

UPDATED CHROMEBOOK DISTRIBUTION PLAN

With nearby Dallas County’s declaration on Sunday afternoon implementing a Shelter in Place protocol starting midnight on March 23, Plano ISD is expediting our Chromebook distribution to get as many devices as possible handed out on Tuesday, March 24. Read more.

 

MEAL ACCESS FOR FAMILIES
NEW HOURS THIS WEEK: MONDAY-FRIDAY, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Starting today, March 23, hours for the district’s grab-and-go breakfast and lunch program changed to 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM. During this pick-up time, families are able to get lunch, along with breakfast for the following day. Read more.

 

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COVID-19 Update for Plano ISD Families - 3/20/20

MARCH 20, 2020

Plano ISD remains closed to the public through April 3. As we navigate this revised way of learning and teaching from home, we want to continue sharing regular updates with families. If you have any questions about today’s update, please email askPISD@pisd.edu. 

REMOTE LEARNING PLAN DURING SCHOOL CLOSURE

Get ready for remote learning, which starts on Monday, March 23. View Plano ISD’s three-phased plan at www.pisd.edu/homelearningphases, and take advantage of these online resources on our new webpages: www.pisd.edu/infoandresources. 

 

CHROMEBOOK DISTRIBUTION PLAN

Chromebook Distribution for students will start at each student’s home campus beginning Tuesday, March 24 and go each day through Thursday, March 26 from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Communication from your home campus will come through email and/or School Messenger with specific details regarding Chromebook pickup. It is our hope to get Chromebook to our students as quickly as possible using next week’s schedule. However, additional times for pickup will be scheduled as necessary.

 

REPORT CARD INFORMATION

Report cards for the third grading period have been processed and published to both the Parent Portal and the PISD mobile app for students in grades 3-12. Printed report cards will not be distributed at this time.

 

COLLEGE BOARD INFORMATION

Today, the College Board provided some information related to AP testing:

• AP Teachers will be communicating expectations about remote learning during school closure activities. 
• No face-to-face exams will be given.
• Students who have registered for exams will have the option to take an online, at-home AP Exam on one of two dates to be announced by April 3rd.
• Students will have the option to cancel their registration and receive a refund if they wish.
• Students and teachers will have access to free streaming AP review sessions hosted by AP teachers from across the country.
• More detailed information can be found at https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/about-ap/news-changes/coronavirus-update.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND UIL

All scheduled activities related to Plano ISD schools are canceled during the school closure, including all contests, practices, rehearsals, banquets and other student activities.

Additionally, the University Interscholastic League (UIL) is extending its suspension of all UIL sanctioned activities at this time. Read more on the UIL website.  

 

ENROLLING/WITHDRAWING STUDENTS

During this time of school closures, if you have a need to either withdraw or enroll your student please contact Anna Schardt at anna.schardt@pisd.edu   She will provide you with information about required documents and will assist you in the beginning steps of this process.

 

MEAL ACCESS FOR FAMILIES

We are excited to share that in the first week, the district has been able to serve 11,291 meals to our students! This district-wide program serves children 18 and younger. Families can pick up meals for students curbside at the campuses listed below in the carpool lanes*(unless otherwise noted). Access to enter the buildings will not be available.

 

NEW HOURS NEXT WEEK: MONDAY-FRIDAY, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Starting Monday, March 23, hours for the district’s grab-and-go breakfast and lunch program will change to 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM During this pick-up time, families will be able to get lunch, along with breakfast for the following day. 

• Armstrong Middle School *(pickup at this location is the bus lane at the rear of the building)
  3805 Timberline Drive, Plano, TX 75074
• Barron Elementary School**
  3300 Avenue P, Plano, TX 75074
  ** Meal service at this location begins Monday, March 23
• Daffron Elementary School
  3900 Preston Meadow Drive, Plano, TX 75093
• IB World School at Huffman Elementary
  5510 Channel Isle Drive, Plano, TX 75093
• Meadows Elementary School
  2800 18th Street, Plano, TX 75074
• Rose Haggar Elementary School
  17820 Campbell Road, Dallas, TX 75252
• Sigler Elementary School
  1400 Janwood Drive, Plano, TX 75075
• Thomas Elementary School
  1800 Montana Trail, Plano, TX 75023

ACCESS TO CAMPUSES

UPDATED STUDENT AND FAMILY ACCESS: 

Information regarding picking up instruments and athletic equipment for secondary schools will be shared with families on the Plano ISD website. 

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COVID-19 Update for Plano ISD Families - 3/19/20

MARCH 19, 2020

Plano ISD schools remain closed to the public through Friday, April 3, in an effort to support the community, region and nation’s need to slow the spread of COVID-19. The district will continue to monitor this health concern and reassess whether there is a need to extend the suspension of normal district operations beyond April 3. Although our buildings remain closed to the public, we will continue to meet the academic and social emotional needs of our students and families. We will stay connected with you through our multiple communications channels. Please use virtual communication channels, sending any questions you may have to askPISD@pisd.edu. 

Remote Learning Plan During School Closure 

Phase One - Preparing Students and Staff (Week of March 16-20, 2020) What Students Should Do to Prepare for Remote Learning 

STEP ONE: Start Gearing Up for Remote Learning and Take Advantage of Home Learning Resources

Website for At-Home Learning Support: www.pisd.edu/athomelearning

This website is organized by grade level and subject area and provides online resources, as well as suggested off-line activities to support student learning from home. The resources provided on this website are to help engage students in continued learning but will not be submitted to teachers for assignments or for feedback. 

 

STEP TWO: Know Your Username and Password

All Plano ISD staff and students have a PISD username and password.
If students have forgotten their passwords or are otherwise experiencing problems trying to login, please contact Plano ISD's Technology Help Desk for assistance:

• Email: helpdesk@pisd.edu
• Phone: 469-752-8767

STEP THREE:  Access to Technology

Plano ISD has a Chromebook for every student in the District should they need a device. These devices are being re-imaged from an enterprise configuration to an individual usage functionality for home use and prepared for deployment. It is important for every student to have a device and not one per family. Chromebooks will be checked out to parents next week from the student’s home campus. Please be watching for the Sign-Up Genius form to schedule a time to pick up a Chromebook should you need a device or devices.

 

STEP FOUR: PISD Webdesk and MyBackpack

After signing in to Google Chrome, navigate to webdesk.pisd.edu which is PISD's portal for digital learning resources. All students have an app in Webdesk called MyBackpack which provides easy access to course resources. It is a lightweight alternative to carrying textbooks around all day! And it's helpful to have the necessary resources in one location.

• Sign In to Webdesk - PDF document with steps for signing in | YouTube Video demonstrating the steps for signing in
• Webdesk App for Phones/Tablets - Webdesk is available via app, too! It's free for iOS or Android. Please search for Plano ISD after installing the app. Choose to sign in with ADFS then enter the student's PISD Username and Password.
• MyBackpack - All course-related resources are stored in one spot! Look for the MyBackpack tile in Webdesk.
• Accessing H: Drive - Files stored on the PISD Network, such as the H: Drive, can be accessed via Webdesk.
• Webdesk Resources - A collection of YouTube videos to demonstrating ways to use Webdesk | The PISD Webdesk resource page

What Teachers Are Doing to Prepare for Remote Learning

• Teachers are working with the Academic Services team and are attending virtual professional learning on remote learning platforms (Google, Zoom, etc.)
• Teachers are setting up or refining their online instructional and communication platforms
• Teachers are working with campus collaborative teams to create Phase 2 online lessons to be used in the delivery of remote learning
• Teachers will begin reaching out to parents to ensure communication channels are established

Phase Two: Launching Remote Learning (Week of March 23-April 3, 2020)

STEP ONE: Establishing Online Learning Communication Channels

• Teachers will continue reaching out to each student/parent to ensure they have an accurate email address/method of communication
• Teachers will provide an explanation of the online platform that will be used in delivering instruction and feedback to students
• When communicating with parents and students via email, teachers will include the grade level/course in the subject line
• Teachers will convey “virtual office hours” to students and parents in order to provide answers to questions and feedback to students
• Teachers are expected to give timely feedback to students after an assignment is completed and/or clarification 

STEP TWO: Remote Learning Format

• Secondary teachers will be providing 1-2 lessons/week which total no more than 3 hours of instruction/application activities 
• Elementary teachers will plan for a variety of daily learning experiences such as:  teacher-created videos, activities, resources from unit plans, and reading resources

 

Time for Students to Spend on Each Subject

Grade(s)	Literacy (Reading/ Writing)	Math	Science	Social Studies
PreK	60/day	30/day	15/2x per week	15/2x per week
K-2nd	60/day	45/day	30/2x per week	30/2x per week
3rd-5th	45/day	45/day	30/day	30/day

 

• Evidence of student learning:
  • Lessons may include 1-2 student submissions showing evidence of student learning from the lesson. 
  • Submissions may include responses, practice, products. 
  • Teachers may provide feedback for submissions and will create flexible timelines for student submission.

STEP THREE: Resources

• Teachers will be using resources provided by the district through adopted textbooks, curriculum documents, and supplementary materials 
• No resources, platforms, or apps requiring student fees or an associated cost to the family will be required at any time. 

STEP FOUR: Grading

March 23-27, 2020

• Teachers will provide assignments for student completion, with plans to provide feedback to individual students; however, no grades will be recorded in the gradebook for the week of March 23-27.
• Focus on instruction and assignments:
  • Students getting connected online
  • Establishing a comfort level with online tools for learning, application, and submission of assignments
  • Establishing communication, instructional, and feedback processes between teacher and students
  • Notifying students and families of virtual office hours
  • Determining levels of support for students who receive services in Special Education, ESL/Bilingual, or 504

March 30-April 3, 2020

• More information will be coming about grading practices beyond March 27.

Phase Three - Remote Learning through Digital Learning Platform (April 6 and Beyond)

Plano ISD has always written its own curriculum written by our own teachers and staff.  For that reason, a learning management system for all instructional materials and learning delivery has not been needed.  We are planning for movement to a new digital learning platform should the school closures extend beyond April 3.

 

If the closure of schools is extended beyond April 3, we will implement Phase Three of the remote learning plan to provide additional support and consistency for the majority of courses and grade levels across the district.  During this phase, instruction will include teacher-developed assignments in combination with district-wide virtual content.

 

The Academic Services team is aligning content and designing training for staff that will roll out next week so that we are prepared for this transition if it becomes necessary. Student schedules are being uploaded into the digital platform at this time so we can customize the digital platform to each individual student. Parents and students will also be provided training on this platform and more information will be provided as training becomes available.

Meal Access for Families

New Location Added (Barron Elementary)
New Hours Next Week: Monday-Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Starting Monday, March 23, hours for the district’s grab-and-go breakfast and lunch program will change to 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. During this pick-up time, families will be able to get lunch, along with breakfast for the following day. This cuts down on the number of times our families will need to leave home to pick up meals each day. Also beginning Monday, Barron Elementary will be added as a new location for meals.

This district-wide program serves children 18 and younger. Families can pick up meals for students curbside at the campuses listed below in the carpool lanes*(unless otherwise noted). Access to enter the buildings will not be available. We are excited to share that in just four days, the district has been able to serve 8,000 meals to our students!

• Armstrong Middle School *(pickup at this location is the bus lane at the rear of the building)
  3805 Timberline Drive, Plano, TX 75074

• Barron Elementary School**
  3300 Avenue P, Plano, TX 75074
  **Meal service at this location begins Monday, March 23

• Daffron Elementary School
  3900 Preston Meadow Drive, Plano, TX 75093

• IB World School at Huffman Elementary
  5510 Channel Isle Drive, Plano, TX 75093

• Meadows Elementary School
  2800 18th Street, Plano, TX 75074

• Rose Haggar Elementary School
  17820 Campbell Road, Dallas, TX 75252

• Sigler Elementary School
  1400 Janwood Drive, Plano, TX 75075

• Thomas Elementary School
  1800 Montana Trail, Plano, TX 75023

Mobile Food Pantry at Williams High School, Friday, March 20

North Texas Food Bank will host a mobile food pantry in the Williams High School parking lot on Friday, March 20 from 3 to 5 p.m. Families will be able to drive through and receive a box of shelf-stable items. North Texas Food Bank is anticipating being able to serve up to 500 families, so please spread the word and help our Plano ISD community take advantage of this opportunity.

 

Instrument/Equipment Pickup at Secondary Campuses

Due to the continued closure of Plano ISD campuses and postponement of district activities, specifically in the extracurricular areas of band, orchestra, and athletics, we have scheduled specific windows of time in which students may come to their respective campus and pick up their musical instrument or personal athletic equipment. We realize that having the instruments and equipment will allow students the opportunity to continue practicing and maintaining their skills during this unique time in which the regular rehearsals, sectionals, practice sessions, and competitions are not occurring.

Pick-up times for instruments and/or personal athletic equipment are

• Monday, March 23 or Wednesday, March 25
  • 9:00am – 11:00am     
  • 1:00pm – 3:00pm         
  • 5:00pm – 7:00pm

A limit of five students at a time may enter and exit using designated entrances in the fine arts or athletic areas. Students will be required to sign in and no access to any other part of the campus will be allowed. More details are available on the Plano ISD website. Thank you for your flexibility and understanding.

 

Off-Campus PE

• The 2020-2021 Off-Campus PE (OCPE) application will be posted on the Plano ISD website at a later date to be determined.
• All current 2019-2020 OCPE students are not expected to attend instruction at their facilities. Any student that chooses to attend their OCPE site for instruction is at the parent’s discretion.
• Grades for this last nine weeks of spring 2020 are being discussed and information regarding this topic will be shared at a later date.