PfISD Employee Express

Welcome back to another exciting school year at PfISD! We hope you had a rejuvenating summer break, and we are thrilled to have you back with us.

In this edition of the PfISD Employee Express, you will find various helpful resources and timely reminders to gear up for a successful Back-to-School season!

These newsletters will be recurring weekly, packed with essential information and exciting updates on all the fantastic things happening in PfISD.

We look forward to the 2023-2024 school year!

• Upcoming Events & Holidays
• Back-to-School Information
• Elementary Meet the Teacher Dates & Times
• School Staff and Parent Bus Finder Tools
• Athletic Events PSA
• Staff Visiting Campuses/Facilities
  
• Grade Point Average Calculations in PfISD
  
• Taking COurses Pass/Fail in PfISD
• Fire Code Expectations for Staff
• Student Password Changes
• Holdsworth Educator Retreat Flyer
• CTE Corner
• Help PfISD Design and Develop Employee Housing
• Back-to-School Pfair : Thank you!
• Metal Detector Procedure at the Pfield
  
• Connect to M.S Math
• Staff Shout Outs

Aug. 11- Convocation

Aug. 14- Student Holiday/ Staff Planning & Prep

Aug. 15- First Day of School

Aug. 17- Board of Trustees Regular Meeting

• 📝 Make sure your annual forms are completed. Annual forms for returning students are required for every student each school year. If your student’s annual forms have not been completed, please access these forms in your Skyward Family Access Account

• 🚌 Use the School & Bus Route Locator to find bus routes. Type in your home address for the closest stops, pick-up and delivery times, and bus numbers. For more information about transportation services, visit the District’s transportation website.

• 🎒 The schools supplies list for every campus is available! Visit the school supplies page on the district website to see the full list.

For more information on back-to-school immunizations, the student's code of conduct, and more, please click the button below or go to https://www.pfisd.net/backtoschool

If you would like to view the list of Elementary school meet-the-teacher dates and times, please go to District webpage.

We're absolutely thrilled to kick off the upcoming 2023-2024 school year alongside you. We extend our heartfelt appreciation for including us in your launch event invitations. It has been truly inspiring to witness the active involvement of the PfISD Pfamily in our community.

We want to draw your attention to our approach to extending elected officials' invitations. While it might be new to the pages of the Employee Handbook, the practice itself is well-established. Kindly spare a moment to familiarize yourself with this protocol. Should any queries arise, please don't hesitate to contact Shari Thorn.

You might wonder why we're implementing a protocol for inviting elected officials. The answer lies in our desire to adhere to specific laws. If the number of attending Board members surpasses three (amounting to four or more), it results in the formation of a quorum of our Board. The Open Meetings Act stipulates that all quorums must be publicly announced/posted 72 hours before the event. By implementing this protocol, we ensure we can make the necessary public announcement. Or advise Board members that a maximum of three members can attend the event; this step ensures compliance in cases where the 72-hour notice is challenging to meet.

Note: We are including a guide here so school staff can be knowledgeable when assisting parents in installing the app. This tool works for all students including those in special programs.

Stopfinder is the easy-to-use, all-in-one app that allows parents/guardians to have the most accurate information about their student’s bus schedule at anytime from anywhere. They can also create GeoAlerts for their student, which will notify them when the bus has arrived or departed from any location on their student’s route, including their assigned bus stop and school.

Hot Tip Student Access: In some cases, it may be helpful for a student to use the Stopfinder app to know their schedule and track the location of their bus. Parents can share their subscription with their student directly from the app if you choose to.

Getting Started with Stopfinder

1. Check parent/guardians email for an invitation:

a. From: no-reply@stopfinder.com

b. Subject: PFISD - Welcome to Stopfinder

2. Follow the instructions in the email to set up Stopfinder

3. That’s it. Parents are ready to see your students' information in Stopfinder

Important Note:

If parents/guardians want to see the GPS location of the bus in Stopfinder they will need to create at least one GeoAlert.

For more transportation information visit our PfISD Transportation page.

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In preparation for the new school year, we want to support our PfISD staff by providing you with the resources to assist parents in finding their children’s school bus assignment.

Info finder i for Staff and Parents

The main tool for finding any and all buses available at an address is Infofinder i. The only exceptions are students assigned to special programs. (Special programs stop information will be available in the parent’s Stopfinder App. See details below) You can use the Infofinder i service from either a desktop or a mobile device. Some communities listed at the end of this section can only find their bus by using the

"Easier - Point and Search" option.

Getting Started with Infofinder i

Easy - Address Search

Desktop, iPhone, and Android

1. Type in the student's home address.

2. Click “Search”.

3. If not found, a list of possible matches to the address will display below the "Search" button.

4. Click on the student’s home address.

5. If the address is found, the schools that students in that attendance zone may attend will display at the bottom.

Easier - Point to Search

Desktop

1. Click on the map pin icon. (Located to the right of the Zip Code field)

2. Move the mouse cursor over the map.

3. Find and click on the desired location.

4. Schools that students in that attendance zone may attend will display.

iPhone and Android

1. Find the desired location on the map.

2. Tap and hold with your finger on the desired location.

3. After a moment, schools that students in that attendance zone may attend will display.

If the student is in an ESL, BILINGUAL, or ASCEND program, the parents will be informed of the schedule by the program coordinator and the student's schedule will be available in the parent's Stopfinder App once the account is activated.

Once you have determined which school your student will attend, note that the box in Infofinder i will indicate whether or not bus transportation is provided. If transportation is provided, the bus number, along with other pertinent route information will display. If transportation is not provided, it will state “NO BUS TRANSPORTATION”.

Community Stops

The communities listed below have a single address with multiple lots.

• Branch Creek with River Ranch 2G
• Boulder Ridge North and South
• Dessau Fountain Estates
• River Ranch
• 
  

Here is how you can find the bus stops and schedules in these communities.

• Use the option "Easier - Point to Search" above
• Select the exact lot location in the Infofinder i map

UIL and PfISD are here to remind all fans that we play a crucial role when we join high school sports.

PfISD urges fans to remember that we are all part of our students' educational journey, and even if we're not aware, we set an example for them. Let's be role models and display good sportsmanship at all times!

Win or lose, that's the name of the game. Show your support for UIL & PfISD athletics by exemplifying good sportsmanship!

Please view the form below to read the varsity football tailgating guidelines and rules. This form also includes information of how to reserve a spot.

All staff visiting a campus or other building within the district will be required to sign into the building using a Raptor Kiosk.

Once you have signed into Classlink (Technology has sent emails regarding this), you can log into Raptor as a staff member using your E #.

This will replace the pen and paper that we have used in the past. This will allow for full accountability during a drill or an event for that campus/building.

Please also remember to sign out when you leave. Thank you for your

assistance in keeping everyone safe.

The determination of Grade Point Averages (GPAs) in PfISD is governed by school board policy EIC (Local) which was updated for students graduating in 2023 and beyond.

The following information can be found in the PfISD High School Course Guide and denotes the courses that are utilized for GPA calculation for students graduating in 2023 and beyond.

The District shall include in the calculation of class rank all semester grades earned in high school credit courses, unless excluded below. The calculation shall include failing grades.

The following courses shall not be used to determine a student’s GPA:

• Summer school courses taken outside of District;

• Any distance learning course, unless the course is either assigned to the student by the District or offered as a course option along with traditional District courses;

• An audited course;

• A credit recovery course;

• Local credit courses;

• Pass/fail courses;

• Courses taken via home school programs;

• Grades earned at a nonaccredited school or in a home school program;

• Credit by examination scores (with or without instruction).

The following courses shall be used to determine a student’s GPA:

• TEKS-based and TEKS-modified courses;

• Advanced Placement, Advanced and Accelerated courses;

• Dual credit;

• Dual enrollment;

• Articulated courses;

• Innovative courses;

• Summer school courses for acceleration taken within the District;

• High school courses that are delivered in one semester in high school and delivered in two semesters in middle school

• High school courses taken in middle school for state credit;

• All Physical Education courses, Athletics, Fine Arts and equivalents.

PfISD students may take a course beyond those needed for graduation on a pass/fail basis. This shall apply to students who have completed or are enrolled in courses in excess of those needed for graduation and have previously satisfied content specific graduation requirements (i.e., physical education course or equivalent past 1 credit, fifth credit of mathematics or science).

Students are required to declare this option in writing to their campus within the first three weeks of school with the intent to take a course pass/fail. This applies to half-credit courses that start during the Spring semester. PfISD utilizes this form to document Pass/Fail courses. Students and parents/guardians should communicate with their campus counselor to complete the form which requires parent and student signatures.

For the 2023-2024 school year written communication needs to be provided prior to the end of daySeptember 6, 2023.

Welcome to all of the new staff members to PfISD. For those returning, welcome back!

As you begin to set up, prepare and decorate your classrooms (and offices) to start the school year, please keep in mind that we have to remain in compliance with all Fire Code regulations.

Please review the following list of fire code regulations to get you started. If you have any questions, please get in touch with your campus administration as they also have a more inclusive list that they will be sharing with all campus staff members.

• Walls (hallway and classroom) cannot have more than 35% covered with flammable materials (each wall is separate)
• Items hung on cabinets/bookshelves/shelving units counts towards the 35% of wall coverage
• All Items hung on walls must be at least 18 inches from ceiling
• Items hung from ceiling must be hung at least 18 inches from ceiling with wire or fishing line only
• Items on cabinets or shelving may not be stored closer than 18 inches from ceiling (on top of cabinets is prohibited)
• Doors should not have excessive paper on them, this includes the inside and outside of a room, as it diminishes the fire rating and protection of the door (limit door decorating to teacher’s name or one seasonal item like a wreath)
• No items should be hung above the classroom door
• Microwave, refrigerators and portable heaters must be plugged directly into wall (not into an extension cord or surge protector)
• Portable heaters must have a “tip over” safety feature
• Only one extension allowed (cannot be plugged into another surge protector or power strip) and must be unplugged when not in use
• Fire pull stations and fire extinguishers must have a 3 foot clearance around them at all times

As part of our beginning of year procedures, student password changes will take place as follows:

PK – 4th Grade students

o Passwords will be reset to a unique district default password on August 15, 2023.

o PK-4th students are not required to change their passwords and are encouraged to use the

unique password assigned to them.

5th -12th grade students

o Password changes will be forced for their computer accounts on August 11, 2023. Students

will need to create a new password

o Please do not change their passwords before August 11th; passwords changed before

August 11th will be forced to change again.

All campus staff members will have access to tools to help students find and reset their new default password if needed.

Student Emails Accounts Grades EE – 7th

We continue to implement processes to improve and enhance our cybersecurity posture. As an added layer of protection for our students, student email accounts for those in grades EE through 7th will be restricted to communication within the PfISD domain. Student accounts will only be able to send and receive emails with the “pfisd.net” domain in the email address.

Please know that PfISD takes cybersecurity seriously and we are working to improve the safety of our student and staff data.

Thank you all for your support and we are looking forward to a great school year!

Want to honor a teacher? Nominate them for a weekend retreat at The Holdsworth Center’s Campus on Lake Austin.

Help us honor teachers in the Austin and San Antonio area with a two-day retreat at The Holdsworth Center's Campus on Lake Austin, a one-of-a-kind place dedicated to the idea that public education holds worth.

Nominations end September 1, 2023.

At the retreat, teachers have an opportunity to unplug, talk with peers and learn about ways to manage stress and enhance their well-being.

Learn more and nominate a teacher at holdsworthcenter.org/retreat.

Did you participate as a Pflugerville ISD high school student in the Teaching/Training program (Ready, Set, Teach) and now work for the District? We want to celebrate you!

Please complete this short, 6 question Google Form survey.

Are You Interested In Helping PfISD Design And Develop Employee Housing?

Our work force housing initiative is moving forward. We may have the option to provide housing for staff other than teachers (custodians, bus drivers, education associates, etc.). Therefor, we're looking for teacher and staff participation in our feasibility study. This study is a preliminary exploration of our proposed housing project to help us determine its merits and viability.

If you want to participate in housing focus groups, surveys, and other study methods, please complete this Google document. We would love to have you join us. Thanks for helping PfISD create housing options for our teachers (and possibly other staff), the ability to live within our city and be part of the same community as their students and families, and provide the convenience and cost-savings of living close to where they work.

We extend our sincere gratitude to our partners whose invaluable contributions led to the success of the first ever Back to School Pfair.

We are thrilled to share that we distributed over 800 backpacks!!!

PfISD wants to thank every staff member and volunteer who made a contribution to help with this event. Your efforts do not go unnoticed, and we appreciate everything you do for our community!

We want to acknowledge the presence and support of the following businesses for their contributions that made the event possible: Ally Medical, Dell’s Children’s Health Plan, Manos de Cristo, Capital Idea, Out Youth, Parkway Church, Saffron Trust, Randolph-Brooks, Foundation Communities, Pflugerville Fire, Backpack Friends, Pflugerville Library, and Pflugerville Parks and Recreation.

Your efforts were essential in making this event a resounding success.

Pflugerville Independent School District is committed to ensuring a safe environment by protecting the health, safety, and welfare of all students, staff, and visitors of The Pfield Stadium. In addition to clear bags, this year, The Pfield will also have metal detectors at all entrances to the stadium. The presence of metal detectors provides the community, parents, and staff with a sense of security when they know everyone in the facility has been screened. Providing a safe environment allows spectators to enjoy the game and feel safe.

Anyone who does not consent to a metal detection screening may be denied admittance. The process for spectators is below:

• Spectators who seek admission into the facility must first proceed to the metal detector screening area.

• Stadium Staff will instruct spectators on how to enter the metal detectors and guide them through the entrance. Spectators will be instructed to empty the metal contents of their pockets and carry them through the metal detector above their head.

• If the metal detector alarm sounds while being screened in any areas besides the “above the head” signal, the spectator will have the opportunity to empty the contents of the area in question and the spectator will be wand-screened. The hand-held scanning device should be passed along the front, back, and both sides of the person being scanned without touching the body.

• If the hand-held scanning device also activates, the law enforcement official or principal or designee will ask the spectator once again to produce the signal-triggering metal object.

• Any illegal objects (i.e., firearms, knives, or other implements which can be used as weapons) found during the search will be turned over to law enforcement officials.

• Spectators who refuse cooperation will be denied access into the facility.

The metal detector checks shall be neutral and non-discriminatory. No person shall be selected to be searched based solely upon his/her gender, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, physical appearance, manner of dress, or association with any particular group of persons.

Join PfISD for a Family Math Day tailored to our middle school families!

When? August 26th

Where? The Rock Gym

Time? 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

The event will have an exciting lineup, including snacks, engaging games, a photo booth, giveaways, and other enjoyable activities. Get ready for a day filled with fun and learning!

We love our PfISD staff members and we know our parents do too! We want to provide an opportunity for our parents to publicly recognize and thank our staff members who serve our students, staff and the community. We have created a Google Form to provide information directly to us to share with our staff as a whole and let you see the difference you are making in a student's life every single day. Please click here for the Google Form.

These Shout Outs will be included in upcoming issues of the Parent and Staff Newsletters. If a Shout Out directly references a student, we will not include the parent name to protect the child's anonymity. If you are recognized in an anonymous Shout Out and want to learn the parent's name, please contact Tamra Spence at tamra.spence@pfisd.net.

THANK YOU TO OUR AMAZING PFISD STAFF MEMBERS FOR EVERYTHING THEY DO FOR OUR STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY!