Texas PTA Legislative Priorities
Written by FriscoPTA Webmaster   
Sunday, 06 July 2008

TX PTA has posted the 2009 Texas PTA Legislative priorities on their website.

The following priorities will be supported by TX PTA for this legislative season.  You can read more by viewing the full list on our web, or by visiting TX PTA .

  • Improve Indoor Air Quality of School Buses
  • Strengthen Child Passenger Restraint Laws
  • Promote Healthy Lifestyles through Increased Physical Activity, Rigorous Implementation of the Texas Public School Nutrition Policy, Support for Comprehensive Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Programs, and Parent Education
  • Restrict Use of Cellular Technology by Teens While Driving a Motor Vehicle
  • Secure Passage of a Smoke-Free Workplace Law
  • Safe Schools
  • Oppose Vouchers

TX PTA MAY SUPPORT THIS EFFORT AS WELL:

  • Secure Funding for Seat Belts on School Buses
For more information, view the full article: click here.
 
New Mascot Announced
Written by Dawn Burwell   
Wednesday, 07 May 2008

The principals of Scoggins and Stafford Middle Schools would like to announce the mascots for their newest middle schools.  

 

The Scoggins Seahawks

 

The Stafford Spartans  

 

 

 
 
FISD Summer Camp
Written by Dawn Burwell   
Wednesday, 07 May 2008
FISD is offering summer camps.  To find out locations and information, please visit their website at http://www.friscoisd.org/news/SummerPrograms.htm
 
FISD "School Beat" Newsletter
Written by FISD Electronic ENewsletter / Dawn Burwell   
Thursday, 17 April 2008
April 2008

Kindergarten Round-Up
Kindergarten Round-Up begins April 15 and continues through the 18th for parents of children who will be five on or before September 1. Elementary campuses are enrolling children now. All entering FISD kindergartners can register at their schools except for Tadlock and Elliott. Students who will attend Tadlock can register at Sem. Students that will attend Elliott can register at their current school of Isbell or Ogle.

When registering, please bring: birth certificate, social security card, immunization records, proof of residence (i.e., utility bill), and parent driver license.

If you are living in temporary housing and are purchasing a home in the FISD, you must present a proof of contract at the time of registration if you want your child to begin school in the attendance zone where your permanent home will be.

New Mascots
New Mascots are in the process of being selected for  Scoggins Middle School and Stafford Middle School. Nominations are being taken through Friday, April 11. We will then look at all of the nominations and form a ballot of the best 3-5 possible mascots. Students who will be attending these schools next year will be allowed to vote on their choice for mascot. A decision will be announced by end of April/early May. Suggestions can come from students, staff, parents and the community at-large.


The Frisco School Board has announced the following positions have been filled
Executive Director of Student Services - Rick Burnett, who has been principal of Frisco High School for 16 years and is a 33-year veteran educator, will fill this new instructional support team position.

Director of Secondary Instruction - Katie Kordel, principal of Pioneer Heritage Middle School, will take this position which is being vacated by Pat Bradley who is retiring.

Director of Information Services, Technology Department - Liz Abbott is being promoted from Coordinator in this position to the new position of Director.

Coordinator of Bilingual and ESL Education - Meredith Choate, current principal of Sem Elementary, will take this position. She is replacing Denise Brown who passed away during this school year.

Middle School Enrollment projections
Middle School Enrollment projections were discussed in a recent board work session. The Board and Administration held a work session before the regular meeting to discuss updated middle school enrollment projections. It appears that two middle schools will be needed in 2010 to relieve Roach and Pioneer Heritage.  An additional middle school will be needed in 2011 to relieve Griffin. Updated projections will be reviewed in the fall, so that construction can begin in January for 2010 openings.  At a work session last month, it appeared that the high school projections show the best plan will be to open Heritage High School in 2009 with 9th and 10th graders and to open Lone Star High School in 2010 with 9th-11th graders. The district will proceed with hiring a principal for Heritage in May and will conduct the zoning process in the fall when updated projections are available. In September the plan for zoning of the new high school will be proposed, input will be taken with a public hearing being held in October and a final decision will be made in November. The Lone Star zone will be discussed at the same time, but will not be fully established until the following year if it continues to not be necessary to open the school until 2010. A work session will be held prior to the May meeting to discuss updated elementary projections and any future adjustments or new schools that may be needed for 2009 and beyond.

Dates to Remember

May

12-13th: Pre-K Registration for 2008-2009
15th: Foundation Scholarship Awards Night
23rd: Bad Weather Days
26th: Holiday

June

5th: Last Day of School
6th: FISD Graduation Day & Staff Development/Prep Day
 
Newsletter / Website Award Deadline June 9th
Written by Dawn Burwell   
Tuesday, 11 March 2008

The deadline to submit your schools newsletter or website is June 9th.  Entry is done on line at

http://www.formsite.com/txpta/form435461147/index.html
 
Award and Recognition Forms
Written by Dawn Burwell   
Wednesday, 27 February 2008

Award and Recognition forms can be found in the Forms section of the Texas PTA member's website at www.txpta.org/members
 
2008-2009 School Calendar Approved
Written by Dawn Burwell   
Tuesday, 08 January 2008

 

The following dates are for the 2008-2009 school year:

  • First day of school: Aug 25
  • Last day of school: June 4
  • Staff development days (student holiday):
    • Aug 18-22
    • Oct 13 (parent conference day)
    • Nov 24-25
    • Jan 16
    • May 4
    • June 5
  • Holidays:
    • Sept 1
    • Nov 26-28
    • Dec 22-Jan 2
    • Jan 19
    • March 16-20
    • May 25
  • Bad weather days: April 13, May 22.
 
Top Ten
Written by National PTA   
Thursday, 30 August 2007

Top Ten Things Teachers Wish Parents Would Do

 

  • Be involved. Parent involvement helps students learn, improves schools, and helps teachers work with you to help your children succeed.

     

  • Provide resources at home for learning. Utilize your local library, and have books and magazines available in your home. Read with your children each day.

     

  • Set a good example. Show your children by your own actions that you believe reading is both enjoyable and useful. Monitor television viewing and the use of videos and game systems.

     

  • Encourage students to do their best in school. Show your children that you believe education is important and that you want them to do their best.

     

  • Value education and seek a balance between schoolwork and outside activities. Emphasize your children's progress in developing the knowledge and skills they need to be successful both in school and in life.

     

  • Recognize factors that take a toll on students' classroom performance:
    1. Consider the possible negative effects of long hours at after-school jobs or in extracurricular activities. Work with your children to help them maintain a balance between school responsibilities and outside commitments.
    2. View drinking and excessive partying as serious matters. While most parents are concerned about drug abuse, many fail to recognize that alcohol, over-the-counter drugs, and common substances used as inhalants are more frequently abused than illegal drugs.

     

  • Support school rules and goals. Take care not to undermine school rules, discipline, or goals.

     

  • Use pressure positively. Encourage children to do their best, but don't pressure them by setting goals too high or by scheduling too many activities.

     

  • Call teachers early if you think there's a problem while there is still time to solve it. Don't wait for teachers to call you.

     

  • Accept your responsibility as parents. Don't expect the school and teachers to take over your obligations as parents. Teach children self-discipline and respect for others at home -- don't rely on teachers and schools to teach these basic behaviors and attitudes.

     

From the National PTA
 
Three For Me
Written by Texas PTA   
Thursday, 30 August 2007
 

The Power of Three


There is a new PTA initiative to help you get families involved in the educational lives of their children: Three for Me. Since its inception in 2003, Three for Me has helped 500,000 people make time to help their children succeed. Now PTA is the official Three for Me organization.

What is Three for Me? PTAs ask parents to pledge three hours to help their children during the school year. Three hours doesn't seem like a lot of time, but Three for Me helps send the message that all parents are welcome and their time, talents, and skills are needed. Parents will find that it's easy to work in partnership with their school. Whether they help their children review for a test, volunteer to be a room parent, or work with a community partner, every parent can fulfill the promise and strengthen the partnership between the home and school. And as we know, when the home-school partnership is strong there is great student success.

This can be a great back-to-school project for your unit. Visit www.three4me.com or www.pta.org for more information

Increase Parent Involvement This Year—Try Three for Me

Three for Me, a program designed to increase parent involvement, asks parents to sign a promise card stating that they will dedicate 3 hours of their time to the school. When parents sign the Promise Card, their school sends the message, "We welcome you. We need you."

These hours can be spent in the school, at home, or in the community. Ask parents how they would like to dedicate their time in addition to having a list of the school’s needs. This way, parents see that there is room for creativity and new ideas.

Research shows when parents feel welcomed into the school, parent involvement increases. The more parents are involved, the stronger the home-school partnership. When there is a strong home-school partnership, not only do students benefit, but parents, teachers, principal, and the community benefit too!

Back-to-School time is fast approaching. This is the perfect time to use the Three for Me program to get all of the adults in a child’s life signed up to help make the 2008-2009 school year a success!

Visit the Three for Me website to get promotional ideas and forms for your Back-to-School Night or any event where Three for Me can be promoted.
 
President's Quick Reference Guide
Written by National PTA   
Tuesday, 12 June 2007

Your All-in-One Unit Management Tool Is On the Way

 

It’s one of the best resources for unit presidents you’ll find. It will be in your hands soon, if it’s not already. What is it? It’s the PTA President’s Quick-Reference Guide! This easy-to-read guide has all the first steps—and follow-up steps as well—a president should take for a great year.

 

The guide discusses getting started, planning and goal setting, effective meetings, and bylaws and standing rules. There is also information on finances, membership, volunteer management, and programs. At the end of the guide, there’s a section on advice from those who have gone before you, as well as a listing of tools and resources.

Each section begins with an overview then offers step-by-step activity recommendations, tools, tips, and resources for further information. This is the kind of guide to keep handy throughout the year.

 

The PTA President’s Quick-Reference Guide was sent to current local unit presidents, with the request that they forward the guide on to their successors. If you haven’t seen yours, check with your outgoing unit president. Also remember to update your unit information with your state PTA or the national office so you can receive the Back-to-School kit. The kit will contain three more quick-reference guides that go into detail on programs, finance, and membership. These guides should be given to the officers and chairs responsible for these areas.
 

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