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Archive
- Extracts from our Newsletter
May
Newsletter
UPCOMING
BOND
PACKAGE
Plano ISD Board of Trustees to Present $490
Million Bond Package to
Voters for Facility and
Technology Needs on May 10 Election Ballot!
Renovation funds for Hedgcoxe Elementary that
are included in the Bond
Proposal total $10,805,761.
Other proposals recommended to trustees by the
2008 Facilities
& Technology Study Task Force,
include:
♦ Pre-funded Projects $27,850,000
♦ New Construction $140,855,112
♦ 20-year Renovations $121,166,629
♦ Additions and Modifications
$62,182,369
♦ Capital Improvements / Instruction
$10,497,000
♦ Capital Improvements / Physical
$25,203,500
♦ Systems and Compliance (47 sites)
$36,154,394
♦ Curriculum and Technology
$66,090,996
♦ Total $490,000,000
Information Sources
For more information about the bond election,
please refer to the
following school district resources.
Website - www.PISD.edu
Hotline - (469) 752-8010
E-mail - AskPISD@PISD.edu
eNews - eList.PISD.edu
Speakers - To schedule, call (469) 752-8147.
Please vote on this important Bond Proposal!
April
- Newsletter
LEGISLATIVE
& ADVOCACY
ISSUES
March 4, 2008, the P.I.S.D Board of Trustees
unanimously approved the 2008 Bond Taskforce’s
recommendations providing the voters of Plano
the opportunity to vote on the $490,000,000 Bond
Package May 10, 2008. Every four years, since
1996, the voters of Plano have voted on bond
packages for the facilities and technology
needs of P.I.S.D.
Hedgcoxe Elementary is once again slated for
renovations in this package. The $10,805,716 is
budgeted for follow-up renovations at
Hedgcoxe.
Maintaining relevance and accessibility is the central theme of this
bond package and nowhere is that more apparent than in the vision of
access via the Internet. “Things that think want to
link,”
said Nicholas Negraponte, MIT Media Lab. His quote supports a slide
showing internet accessibility at school, libraries, malls, Starbucks
and homes. The
variety of programs, users, and technology
needs of the district, are as wide and diverse as the
district itself.
Early voting begins April 28 at 8:00 AM. and
ends May 6 at 7:00 PM. Election Day, May 10, voting is
from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Details about voting
locations and times are accessible at
http://www.pisd.edu/about.us/board.of.trustees/
documents/EDEVPollPlacesMay08.pdf.
Details about the Bond Package can be reviewed
at http://www.pisd.edu/news/2008bond/index.shtml
This site has several concise documents to
provide information for voters about the various aspects of
the package. Anyone wanting a speaker to
present to
their group about the Bond Package is to contact Nancy Long, PISD
Communications Department 469-752-8147.
Demonstrate responsible citizenship to your
children
by exercising your right to vote in the May 10 Bond Election. Make
certain you have your say in the future of your child’s
educational facilities and technology—VOTE!
~ Deb Levy, Legislative Chair
PLANO
ISD COUNCIL of PTAs
Join RISD and PISD Councils of PTAs as we join
forces again to present an evening of brainstorming
on the subject of programs. Open to all
officers and chairs.
When: Tuesday, April 15 at 6:30pm
Where: Richardson Administration Auditorium
(400 S. Greenville, Richardson, 75091)
Please come with a laundry list of programs:
- that were a hit and those that
weren’t
- for large and small audiences
- for big and small budgets
- for local unit crowds or the entire council
Please share what your members liked and
didn’t like, good sources for program ideas, and anything
else
you’ve pulled out of your hat. Contact Karen Schultz at
President@PlanoPTA.org for details.
Reprinted from www.PlanoPTA.org
AREA
15 PTA
‘07-08 Area 15 Spring Conference
Date: Saturday, April 26, 2008
Location: Wylie High School
2550 W. FM 544
Wylie, TX 75098
Reprinted from www.Area15.TxPTA.net.
TEXAS STATE PTA
Texas PTA, with a current membership over
630,000,
is a branch of the National PTA. It is organized into 18 geographic
areas, 93 councils and more than 2,600 local campus level PTAs. It is
governed by a 26 member board of directors, with state headquarters at
408 West 11th Street, Austin, Texas 78701-2113.
Reprinted from www.TxPTA.org
NATIONAL
PTA
Child Safety: As parents, you experience
pressures
and concerns not faced by previous generations. Despite these
challenges, many parents make heroic efforts to raise healthy children
in safe environments despite uncertain times. For tips on child safety
and other helpful information, check out the Parent Resources section
of the national PTA’s Web site.
Reprinted from www.PTA.org.
March
- Newsletter
LEGISLATIVE
& ADVOCACY ISSUES
In this country, we have the freedom to make
our choices known and to have a hand in selecting our
leadership at the local, state and national
level. As parents, it’s our job to stay involved in the
process
and to model responsible citizenship for our
children.
Our country is currently participating in the
presidential primaries
with great excitement, but don’t forget that we also have a
very
important election going on at Hedgcoxe.
Nominations for the 2008-09 PTA Board are
being considered right now and we will be voting on
candidates March 27th. Make sure your voice is
heard. And remember, the kids are watching.
PLANO
ISD COUNCIL of PTAs
YOU’RE INVITED!
What: Plano ISD Council of PTAs - Annual
Program
and Vendor Fair
When: Saturday, April 5, 2008, from 9:00 am
– 1:00 pm
Where: Jasper High School Gymnasium, 6800
Archgate Drive, in Plano, Texas.
All school administrators, staff members,
student organization
sponsors, booster club officers, music and athletic directors, and
PTA/PTSA leaders are encouraged to attend.
This event provides an opportunity for school
and community leaders to
explore new fundraising options, programs, and services available to
youth groups. Vendors of interest include fundraising and school supply
companies, student programs and assemblies, entertainment venues,
academic enhancement providers, spirit wear and embroidery companies,
photographers, caterers, college prep academies, health &
fitness
providers, and more. Representatives will be on hand to demonstrate
products, provide samples, and answer your questions.
The event is free and open to the public. For
further information,
please contact Dana Bilbray at 972-516-1557 or visit the Plano ISD
Council of PTAs website, www.PlanoPTA.org.
Reprinted from www.PlanoPTA.org
TEXAS
STATE PTA
PTA takes a stand on issues and principles
— not on candidates or
political parties. Issues may become identified with partisan politics
because of the differing approaches to the solution, but the basic
principles involving the welfare of children and youths are matters of
public concern and, therefore, PTA business. Some examples of past
Texas PTA non-partisan legislative positions include mandatory recesses
in elementary schools, the establishment of standards for the
educational programs in alternative education settings, and the
identification and tracking of dropouts at all grade
levels.
Per http://TxPTA.org
NATIONAL
PTA
It is important for children to come to school
emotionally and
physically healthy. Studies have shown that children’s
physical
well-being has a significant effect on their learning and long-term
success. When children are wellrested, well-nourished, and physically
fit they are more ready to learn.
PTA, with the support of PTA Proud National
Sponsor GlaxoSmithKline,
has put together PTA Healthy Lifestyles: A Parent's Guide, which
contains up-to-date, reliable information on nutrition, physical
activity, and more.
Download the guide at http://www.PTA.org.
February
- Newsletter
LEGISLATIVE
& ADVOCACY ISSUES
Unless you’ve just come from total
isolation you are aware this
is a presidential election year. All over the world people have lost
their lives for the right to vote. In 2004, the U.S. voter turnout was
around 60% of eligible voters, but just 7.2% participated in the
presidential primaries. Even though there has been much made about the
voter turnout in the early primaries, we’re still well below
a
respectable percent of the eligible population deciding who the
candidates will be this fall. By now you should have received your 2008
voters registration card. If you haven’t, or aren’t
sure
you are registered, go to http://www.Co.Collin.TX.US/. On the right
side of the page is the navigation panel. You will
find the voters registration link under Online
Services. You are able
to check your status and register if you are not already. It is easy to
get overwhelmed with information in the political process.
Don’t
let the information intimidate you or keep you from voting. Which of
the major issues do YOU believe are the most critical to providing your
children the world you want to leave them? Focus on those few areas.
Educate yourself on candidate’s positions in
‘your’
areas. Google the candidate’s name and you’ll find
their
various sites. Share with others what you have learned and get their
insights. Talk with your children about how they see the world and
their perspectives. Take your kids with you to vote and discuss current
events with them. As our world becomes more connected, our children
need to be aware of how issues and events
impact, not only our country,
but the world. Remember, more is caught from us than is taught by us.
What are your kids catching from you about being involved in the
political process?
~ Deb Levy, Legislative Chair
TEXAS
STATE PTA
Here's what Texas PTA did for you this 2007
legislative
session:
♦ Worked to defeat ALL voucher
legislation
♦ Secured $7.5 million in funding
for the Clean School Bus
Program for the next two years; school districts may now apply for
funds to retrofit diesel bus engines, allowing more children to breathe
cleaner air en route to/from school
♦ Secured $10 million in funding for
Tobacco Cessation and
Prevention programs over the next two years; saw the establishment of a
grant program for communities and school districts to apply for funding
♦ Continued educating and seeking
legislation for improved child safety seat laws to ensure that all
toddlers are safely restrained in motor
vehicles
♦ Achieved passage of legislation
requiring campus personnel to
complete training in CPR training and use of AEDs (defibrillators),
also requiring districts to have AEDs at UIL athletic events on a campus
♦ Established a relationship with
newly elected Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples, better
positioning Texas PTA to participate in the
development and implementation of Texas' new
School Nutrition policy, a critical component
of our efforts to address obesity and encourage healthy
lifestyles
♦ Achieved passage of legislation
requiring at least 30 minutes
of vigorous physical activity a day for grade school students, and for
students in grades 6th though 8th, thirty minutes a day, four out of
six semesters
♦ beginning in '08-‘09, to
combat childhood obesity and encourage healthy lifestyles
♦ Your efforts, whether in the form
of capitol visits, testimony,
calls or faxes, made a difference. Thanks to you, Texas PTA is a
powerful voice that speaks on behalf of the children of Texas!
Per http://TxPTA.org/2007accomplished.htm
AREA
15 PTA
The Area 15 Web site has been updated with all
the latest area news and
events. The full list of Fall Membership Award Winners and
Historian’s Guidelines can be found at www.Area15.TxPTA.ne
January - Newsletter
LEGISLATIVE
& ADVOCACY ISSUES
Our Hedgcoxe motto is really pretty simple:
Take care of yourself ~ Commit to making your
lifestyle healthier in 2008. For some, that may mean
eating five servings of fruit and vegetables
daily. For others, it may
mean getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, or 60 minutes of
moderate intensity exercise daily.
Take care of others ~ The fact that you are
reading this means you are a part of the Hedgcoxe
Community. Check the PTA website for
opportunities to help others. Your
place of worship or a plethora of non-profit area entities also offer
opportunities to help others. Focusing outside of ourselves helps us
put things into perspective.
Take care of Hedgcoxe ~ This year is an
election year with much at
stake for all of us. In May, there will likely be a bond election.
November brings the presidential election, along with various state and
local elections. If you’re not already registered to
vote—register! Read up on the candidates and issues. Check
out
the League of Women Voter’s Web site for a non-partisan
review of
the candidates positions’ on the issues. Most importantly, be
an
informed voter who actually votes.
Take care of yourself. Take care of others.
Take care of Hedgcoxe.
It’s so simple, yet not so easy. If each of us actually
followed
our motto, what a wonderful world this would be!
~ Deb Levy, Legislative Chair
PLANO
ISD COUNCIL of PTAs
Life Member Banquet by Cara Mendelsohn
3rd VP Membership, Membership@PlanoPTA.org.
Every year local PTAs have the opportunity to
honor extraordinary
volunteers, staff or community partners that have made a significant
impact on their PTA at the Texas Life Member Banquet. The banquet is
coordinated by the Plano ISD Council of PTAs and we are proud to have
returning sponsor AXA Advisors and new sponsor Class Act School Packs.
We are also pleased to announce that
The Honorable Brian McCall, Texas State
Representative and Texas PTA
Life Member (awarded by Plano Council) will give our opening remarks.
This is a big affair and we expect over 600 guests!
Invitations will go out to all the PTAs by the
first week of January.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at 6:30 PM at the
Plano Centre (just east of
Spring Creek and Central). Tickets are $25 per person, dinner included.
RSVPs are needed by the end of January. Be sure to check out the PISD
Council of PTA’s Web site for more information on council
events
and PTA news in and around Plano.
Reprinted in part from the
Council site at www.PlanoPTA.org.
STATE
AND NATIONAL PTA
Microsoft Corp., the Parent Teacher
Association (PTA) and Super Bowl
champion Jerry Rice recently joined forces to unveil new parental tools
as part of the “Safety is no game. Is your family
set?”
campaign. They include a PACT, a family contract intended to foster
family discussion about screen time guidelines, as well as a new
parental control feature, the Xbox 360 Family Timer. The Family Timer
will enable parents, for the first time, to set the appropriate amount
of gaming and entertainment
time on the Xbox 360 for their kids, on a
daily or weekly basis. The
family PACT is a comprehensive, proactive approach to setting rules on
media use, and asks parents and children to agree on the level of
Parental involvement; the amount of Access children can have, including
who they are allowed to play and interact with online; the types of
Content children are allowed to play or watch; and the
amount of Time children can use media. The
family PACT is available at www.Xbox.com/IsYourFamilySet.
Another all-new parental tool is the Xbox 360
Family Timer, an addition
to the console’s existing set of industryleading parental
control
features. The new Family Timer can restrict children’s
activity
time and can be set on a per-day or per-week basis. Helpful
notifications will appear to warn the gamer that the session is nearing
the end, and the feature will automatically turn off the console when
the
predetermined time limit has been exceeded.
Reprinted in part from the Texas and
National PTA Web sites at www.PTA.org
December - Newsletter
STATE
AND NATIONAL PTA NEWS
Registration is going on now for the Texas
PTA's 99th Annual
Convention. The event will take place February 22-24, 2008 at the
Marriott Waterway Hotel in The Woodlands, TX.
See TxPTA.org/2008Conv.htm for details.
LEGISLATIVE/ADVOCACY
ISSUES
The 18th annual American Health Rankings have
been Released and Texas
remains at #37. The study considers a number of factors ranging from
the number of uninsured to binge drinking and obesity rates. In the
past 19 years American’s over all health has declined 0.3%,
this
despite reductions in cancer rates. Find out more at
UnitedHealthFoundation.org/AHR.html.
According to the principle clinical sponsor of
the report the primary
goal of the report is to get individuals "make appropriate personal
health choices, actively support local community-based organizations
and institutions, and advocate with elected and public health officials
for necessary resources." (Quoted in Business Week, November 6, 2007
“Health of the Nation: State by State”
by Zoe Galland.) While our legislature made
strides in its last session
towards healthier meals and more activity for our children, there is
much more to be done. This is the time of year as Americans we
typically over indulge in food, alcohol and material goods, not
anything any of us need. Make it your family’s goal to
demonstrate healthy behaviors throughout the holiday season in eating
and activity levels. Take family walks. Organize games of touch
football. Play soccer. Ride bikes. Just
do something physically active daily during
the winter recess. And
don’t forget to participate in the school’s healthy
cooking
cookbook endeavor. Let’s finish the year, and start 2008, by
committing
ourselves to healthier living. Who knows,
Texas may just move up in the health rankings next year.
~ Deb Levy, Legislative Chair
November
- Newsletter
STATE
PTA NEWS
Texas PTA Receives Go Green State of the Year
and Presidential Commendation at Go Green Earth
Summit. The Texas PTA, along with partners
Keep Texas Beautiful and the
Recycling Alliance of Texas, received a Presidential Commendation from
the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States, for
efforts to make Texas the Go Green State, and for teaching students the
importance of protecting the environment. The President and Mrs. Bush
recognized Texas PTA for its environmental programs in schools and for
encouraging students to help keep America beautiful for future
generations at their schools and homes. Texas PTA was also recognized
for its initiative in
being the first state to formally adopt the Go
Green Initiative and establish a working relationship with
other organizations. For more information, go
to GoGreenInitiative.org.
LEGISLATIVE/ADVOCACY
ISSUES
Before you read on please take a moment to
check this site out: Health.MSN.com/Reports/Obesity.
As you’ll see, Texas has the dubious
distinction of being one of
the states with the highest adult obesity rate. Senate Bill 530 is an
effort to begin to address the issue of obesity. Texas will be the
first state to comprehensively gauge physical health as part of a new
fitness focused law that targets growing waistlines. The tool to
evaluate and track student’s physical health is called the
Fitnessgram. This test will measure aerobic endurance, body fat,
flexibility and muscle strength. Student must score in the 80th
percentile or better than seven out of 10 peers, for age and sex to
pass. Those
students who fail will not be penalized.
Parents will be able to request the results. Why this focus?
Around one third of Texas’ 4 million
public school students are
considered overweight. This places Texas well above the national
average. Health risks associated with obesity are well documented and
include hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, heart disease and
higher incidence of some cancers. At least as well documented is the
benefit of 30 to 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise most days
of the week. It is never too early, or too late, to work on a healthy
lifestyle.
To assist you on our own Web site at
HedgcoxePTA.org, the PTA developed
a primer on Healthy Lifestyles. We’ve also included a number
of
Web links on health and fitness for children. To borrow a popular ad
slogan: JUST DO IT! ~ Deb Levy, Hedgcoxe Legislative Chair
October
- Newsletter
2008
Bond Proposal
Chances are that the reputation of PISD had
something to do with your
decision to live in Plano. In order to continue offering one of the
best public educations in North Texas, a PISD-appointed task force is
trying to address the following questions:
• How can we improve our facilities
and technology for students, staff and facility needs?
• How can we best meet those needs?
• What makes financial sense for
Plano ISD?
The answers to these questions will most
likely be the basis for the
upcoming bond election on May 10th. These decisions will shape our
children’s learning environment as they progress through
PISD.
You can keep apprised of the progress of this group by going to:
http://EList.PISD.Edu/Login.php and signing up for updates. In case you
think it really doesn’t affect your family, consider this:
The cafeteria where we lunch with our children exists only
because of the prior bond election.
For more PTA News, see the Links Page.
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