Plano Middle School Weekly Update

Monday, January 30th - Friday, February 3rd

Poetry Contest

Student Council is hosting their first ever school-wide poetry contest! This Valentine’s themed contest asks that students submit any type of poem about “Why they love Plano Middle School” to mconroy@plano88.org. The contest is open from Monday, Jan. 30th to the end of the day on Friday, Feb. 3rd. While writers are encouraged to share their names, there is an option to submit without your name for those of you who wish to be anonymous. 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place winners will receive an exciting prize and school-wide recognition! If you have any questions about the contest, please contact Ms. Conroy or Mrs. Rogers for more information.

Annual Illinois 5 Essentials Survey

Students and teachers across Illinois will have an opportunity to participate in the eleventh annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about your child’s school.

On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois 5Essentials Survey will be administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These five indicators that affect and predict school success are:

  • Effective Leaders
  • Collaborative Teachers
  • Involved Families
  • Supportive Environments
  • Ambitious Instruction

Prior research in more than 400 schools has shown that schools that were strong on at least three of these “5Essential” indicators were 10 times more likely to improve student learning gains in math and reading than those that were weak on three or more Essentials.

All teachers and students in 4th through 12th grade will be responding to this survey. 5Essentials Reports will be generated for schools if their teachers and/or students meet the response rate threshold of 50 percent. These reports will be sent to schools and districts in May 2023 and will also be included in the State School Report Card.

Additionally, Plano Middle School will provide the Parent Supplement survey. If at least 20 percent of Plano Middle School parents complete this survey, a parent supplement report will also be generated. The parent data will not be reported on the State Report Card.

Your participation in the parent portion of the survey will help us understand the conditions at your child’s school and guide improvement. Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.

The Illinois 5Essentials Survey for students and teachers will be conducted January 24, 2023 through March 31, 2023. The Parent Survey Supplement will be conducted during that same timeframe. To take the survey please visit http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/ and select the appropriate survey to begin.

For more information about the Illinois 5Essentials Survey, or to view previous years’ Reports, please visit https://5-essentials.org/. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact 5Essentials Client Services at 1-866-440-1874 or impact-surveys@uchicago.edu.

Gaming Club Merchandise!

Click this link to check out our Gaming Club Merch!


Orders are due by February 17th, thank you for your support!

One School, One Book

As a school community, we aim to develop engaged readers in order to enhance a love of learning through literacy.


This week we are reading, doing trivia, AND other activities for chapters 8-12 this week!

7th grade ELA Activities

Students were reviewing the advertising techniques they'd learned earlier this week. They participated in a scavenger hunt with a partner that took them around the room and into the hallway, as they followed clues to find QR codes. With their partner, they scanned the code, watched an ad, then analyzed the advertising technique in writing.

Monday - January 30th - Bubble Wrap Day

"The greatest gifts come in the most tattered wraps." - Craig D. Lounsbrough


SPORTS:

BOYS BASKETBALL:

Practice 5-6:30pm


WRESTLING:

3:10-5pm


GIRLS VOLLEYBALL:

Practice 3:15-4:45


CLUBS:

HOMEWORK CLUB:

3:15-4pm


GAMING CLUB:

B-Group 3:15-4pm

Tuesday - January 31st - Inspire Your Heart with Art Day

"Creativity doesn't wait for that perfect moment. It fashions its own perfect moments out of ordinary ones." - Bruce Garrabrandt


SPORTS:

BOYS BASKETBALL:

Gym Unavailable


WRESTLING:

HOME VS Morris/Seneca 4:30pm


GIRLS VOLLEYBALL:

HOME GAME vs Sandwich 4:15pm


CLUBS:

HOMEWORK CLUB:

3:15-4pm

Wednesday - February 1st - Freedom Day

"Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth." - George Washington


SPORTS:

BOYS BASKETBALL:

Practice TBD


WRESTLING:

Practice 3:15-5pm


GIRLS VOLLEYBALL:

3:15-4:45pm


CLUBS:

HOMEWORK CLUB:

3:15-4pm


YEARBOOK CLUB:

3:15-4pm

Thursday - February 2nd - Groundhog Day

"The best way to predict your future us to create it." - Abraham Lincoln


SPORTS:

BOYS BASKETBALL:

Practice TBD


WRESTLING:

HOME MEET VS Sandwich 4:15pm


GIRLS VOLLEYBALL:

GAME @ Joliet Gompers 4:30pm


CLUBS:

HOMEWORK CLUB:

3:15-4pm


ESPORTS CLUB:
8th Grade Team 3:15-4pm

Friday - February 3rd - Bubble Gum Day

"Flattery is like chewing gum. Enjoy it but don't swallow it." - Hank Ketcham


SPORTS:

BOYS BASKETBALL:

Practice TBD


WRESTLING:

Practice 3:15-5pm


GIRLS VOLLEYBALL:

8th Grade Tourney

7th Grade No Practice


CLUBS:

NONE

Valentine's Spirit Week (Feb. 13th - Feb 17th)

Monday: PJ Day

Tuesday: Pink & Red Day (Valentine's Day)

Wednesday: Mismatch Day

Thursday: Sports Day (Wear a team you LOVE)

Friday: Plano Spirit Day

INCLEMENT WEATHER INFORMATION / E-LEARNING DAYS

On inclement weather days, the safety of our staff and students is the most important consideration. When in-person attendance is not safe or during hazardous weather, the Plano School District will be utilizing E-Learning Days instead of “snow days.” E-Learning Days do not extend the school year calendar, but conventional snow days require additional days to be added to the end of the school year calendar.


Plano Middle School teachers will post lessons and learning activities by 9 am. This information will be accessible through class Schoology pages after 9 am. Teachers will be available through email between 9 am and noon to answer any questions and provide any clarifying instruction.


The Technology Help Desk is available to all Plano School District students. Please contact the Tech Hotline at 630/552-3178, extension 7557, if you are experiencing issues with your Chromebook. Please note that the Tech Department cannot support WiFi connectivity issues in your home or personal devices.


On inclement weather days, all buildings will be closed to provide staff time to clear the lots and sidewalks and check on the school’s mechanical systems. Practices and games will be canceled and rescheduled dates will be announced as soon as possible. E-Learning Day messages, and information about when in-person classes will resume, will be sent via email, text and posted on the district website and social media outlets. Please check your PowerSchool account to make sure your email addresses and phone numbers are correct. While you are there, check to make sure your home mailing address is up-to-date.


Remember, safety is key, so please be cautious and patient when the weather takes a turn for the worse.

Important Dates

February 3rd - Spelling Bee

February 17th - Early Dismissal

February 20th - President's Day

March 17th - Early Dismissal

March 27th - Spring Break

April 3rd - Classes resume after Spring Break

April 7th - Spring Holiday

April 10th - Classes resume after Spring Holiday

April 28th - Early Dismissal

Informational Reminders

How and Where do I check my students Grades?

Schoology is used as our active gradebook. To check your student's grades on a daily or weekly basis make sure you have an active Schoology account and have access to see your student's classes, assignments and grades. PowerSchool gradebook is updated for mid term and end of term grade reporting, but it is not the go to to check in on daily progress. If you do not have a Schoology account see the links below to set one up. When setting up your account if you need an access code please email your students Advisory teacher for the code or call the main office.


If your student is absent due to illness or other reasons:

To stay up to date with class work, students should check Schoology pages daily to access assignments, lessons, and activities during their absence. Contact teachers directly via email with any questions related to school work.


  • Click here for a listing of all Plano MS Athletic Schedules.
  • Click here for information regarding E-Learning/Inclement Weather Days
  • Parents have you created a Schoology account? here
  • Parents are you receiving email updates with your students grades? here
  • Breakfast and Lunch Menus here
  • Click here for a list of Food Pantries