Day: March 17, 2020

Dear Plano ISD Families,

As the changes in the world unfold here at home, I can honestly say that the vision statement for Plano ISD has never shined more brightly. Watching this community pull together to help students and families demonstrates so clearly what Plano ISD and the communities we live in are all about—caring for one another first and foremost. While schools are closed, please know we are hard at work to find ways to provide support and educational continuity for your child.

As the District manages all of the facets the decision to close schools presents, one thing is certain, we will need every person in our community to support one another through these decidedly uncertain times. That said, I want to thank each person who has taken the time to send us questions, ideas, suggestions and offers of support. Each email or phone call we get, helps us consider solutions from every angle so that we are supporting students and families to the greatest extent possible. I would encourage you to please continue to reach out to us at askpisd@pisd.edu. Together, I feel sure that we can meet the needs of our students and families as needs arise.

In order to provide academic support and instruction, Plano ISD has a short-term plan that will be implemented this week that will provide tools for students and parents to utilize to reinforce previous learning and mitigate the short-term impact of the school closure. You will be receiving information this week that gives directions on how to access these resources and learning tools. As we have come back from spring break, we have been rolling this plan out to our administrators and teachers so that they are prepared to support our students and families. In addition, we have been devising and will communicate a long-term plan should an extended school closure become necessary. As of today, we have been notified that there will be no required STAAR testing this spring as Governor Abbott has waived this requirement. Please be watching for information in the coming days that explains how we will regain instructional continuity.

Thank you for your partnership and support as we manage this rapidly changing situation. Please know our priority is to help manage the public health situation and at the same time provide continuity for your child’s education. We will continue to update you on the status of the school closure this week and any possible decision to extend the closure as we understand that these decisions affect each family in our district.

So what can you do from home during this time?

• Take care of one another
• Continue to check our website regularly to stay updated on all communications sent from the District: www.pisd.edu/healthupdate
• View a current list of available resources: www.pisd.edu/closureresources
• If you have not already done so, complete the PISD Technology Survey sent by the District so we can provide the tools and access needed for remote learning should a longer school closure become necessary
• Wash your hands and cover your mouth when coughing
• Practice social distancing
• Practice social responsibility recommended by the City of Plano: City of Plano COVID-19
• Reach out if you need help
• Be kind

Plano ISD wants to do whatever we can to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 but also realize the pressure this puts on our families. We have had many organizations already reach out to us and we want to make sure we are connecting resources to needs. We will be updating you regularly to let you know what we are doing to support and care for our students, especially as it relates to food and support with basic essentials in the days ahead.

Meeting the basic needs such as feeding our students is a priority. We have six schools that are serving grab-and-go meals daily for FREE to all PISD students and hope that families will take advantage of this resource for the duration of the school closing.

Meal Sites: Daffron Elementary, Huffman Elementary, Meadows Elementary, Rose Haggar Elementary, Sigler Elementary and Thomas Elementary
Breakfast, 7:30-8:30 a.m./Lunch, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Your child may be asking questions about COVID-19, and we want to ensure we are doing everything we can to ease their worries. You might find this resource helpful: Talking to Kids About COVID-19.

At times like these, we can be thankful to call Plano ISD home. Our community has a tradition of teamwork for excellence that makes us proud to call this our home. We want you to know that we care, are committed to supporting the community, and stand ready to greet the challenges this situation presents. We thank you for your support and patience and look forward to your partnership as we take care of one another in the days ahead.

Sincere thanks,

Plano ISD Superintendent

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Plano ISD School Information

School Related Student Travel
All travel that is scheduled to occur during the school closure is cancelled as of this time.

Campus Activities
All scheduled activities related to Plano ISD schools are cancelled during the school closure. This also includes all district events and competitions.

Medication Pick-Up
If your child has medication that needs to be picked up from their campus, please contact your school nurse via email to schedule a pickup. Medication can be picked up curbside as entry into the building is not allowed.

Community Services

Free Grab-and-Go Breakfast and Lunch
Plano ISD is providing free grab-and-go breakfast and lunch meals at six locations across the district beginning Monday, March 16. Adjustments to this schedule may be made as needed, so please watch for updated communications and regularly check www.pisd.edu/closureresources for new information.

Grab-and-go meals will be available for curbside pickup at the following times:

• Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
• Lunch: 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

This program serves students attending any Plano ISD school, grades pre-k through 12. Families can pick up meals curbside in the carpool lanes at the campuses listed below. Access to enter the buildings will not be available.

• 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
  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 Open on 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. Williams High School is at 1717 17th St., Plano, TX 75074. Families will be able to drive through and receive a box of shelf-stable items.

Other Community Resources
A current list of resources available to Plano ISD families can be found at www.pisd.edu/closureresources.