Huffman Elementary
"SOARING TO REACH NEW HEIGHTS IN LEARNING"
Hello From Huffman
WELCOME TO THE NEW SPRING SEMESTER
It was wonderful to see our returning students last week, and we warmly welcome our new families to Huffman, many of whom are reading the Huffman eNews for the first time! Our attention is already focused on the academic rigor and expectations for the new spring semester. As we work hard to accelerate the learning of all students, we appreciate you collaborating with us in maximizing the learning. The power in communication and teamwork cannot be underestimated. Should you have any questions regarding your child’s academic progress, social development or have ideas to share, do not hesitate to contact any member of the Huffman staff as we are ready to assist in any way.
When children are at school on time, they are more ready to learn. We appreciate you having your child at school no later than 7:45 a.m. each day. As you know, the building door (cafeteria side) opens as early as 7:00 a.m. Be mindful that excellent attendance positively affects student learning and is also an important factor in measuring school performance ratings each year. Please know that your ongoing partnership and participation contributes to the overall success of your child and our school.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
READERS ARE LEADERS
Huffman Elementary is participating in an exciting program that encourages students in grade K through 6 to read for fun. Read to Succeed is a free program sponsored by Six Flags Theme Parks. Every student who completes six hours of recreational reading before February 24, 2017 and turns in their reading log is eligible for a free admission ticket valid to the Six Flags Theme Parks in Arlington. Parent letters and student logs will be sent home this week. Any student needing an extra reading log should see Mrs. Bishop in the library. Also, did you know that reading at least 20 minutes each day for fun will help strengthen student focus, vocabulary, comprehension and increases reading speed leading to improved grades, confidence and overall student success in learning at school. Happy Reading!
SCIENCE FAIR JUDGES NEEDED
Please contact fourth grade teacher Ms. Rowda Albelbaisi at rowda.albelbaisi@pisd.edu If you are interested in volunteering to judge Huffman Science Fair projects, on January 18th at 8:00 AM in the library. Thanks in advance for helping with this request.
WEEK AT A GLANCE
Monday, January 9
College Week: http://elist.pisd.edu/eNews/S_(Student_Version)College_Week_2017.pdf
- 3:00 - 4:00 Lego Robotics League (F104)
- 6:45- 8:45 PSA Basketball
Tuesday, January 10
- 2:45 - 3:45 NTCC Rehearsal (Music Room)
- 6:45- 8:45 PSA Basketball
Wednesday, January 11
- 6:45- 8:45 PSA Basketball
Thursday, January 12
- 9:00 4th and 5th Grade Spelling Bee (Library)
- 6:45- 8:45 PSA Basketball
Friday, January 13
- 8:30 3rd Grade Spelling Bee (Library)
- 9:30 2nd Grade Spelling Bee (Library)
- 10:30 1st Grade Spelling Bee (Library)
LOOKING AHEAD
Monday, January 16
- Student/Teacher Holiday
Tuesday, January 17
- Science Projects Due
- MLK Tribute Program, Williams High School, (pre-show 6:30) 7:00-8:30 p.m. All families are invited to attend this PISD community event.
Free Vision Care for Students – Lion’s Club
The Lion’s Club is sponsoring a free vision clinic for all Plano ISD students at Sigler Elementary School on Saturday, January 28, 2017. The clinic is meant to serve students whose family income falls below 200% of the federal income guidelines. In addition, it is meant to serve students without insurance coverage for vision care. Students will receive a free examination and be fitted for free glasses on the same day. The glasses will be delivered about 4-6 weeks later. The parent must attend with the student. Sigler Elementary is located at 1400 Janwood Dr., Plano TX. 75075. There are limited appointments available. If you are interested in having your child evaluated, please contact Nurse Mary Palmer at 469-752-1909 or at mary.palmer@pisd.edu as soon as possible. Free Vision Care for Students – VSP coupons: Nurse Mary Palmer can also provide a coupon for free vision care which includes an examination and glasses (limited frame choices). These coupons are for families with limited or no insurance. The same income guidelines apply.
COMPUTERS@HOME
Plano ISD Huffman Elementary offers a unique Computers@Home program to help increase academic achievement by providing a home computer system to students who do not have technology available in their home. This program is completely free to all eligible students in Plano ISD. Plano ISD's Computers@Home program is an excellent way to enrich the learning environment for an entire family. Plano ISD students are eligible to participate in this program through their school. For participation information, contact your child's principal or counselor Tonya Grant (tonya.grant@pisd.edu for grades 3-5) Erin Howard (erin.howard@pisd.edu for grades pre-k-2). For additional information or questions about the program, contact Instructional Technology at 469-752-8054.
ACCESS WEB-BASED MATH AND READING PROGRAMS FROM HOME
THINK THROUGH MATH PARENT INFORMATION
Your child has been enrolled in Think Through Math, a web-based mathematics program for students in grades 3-8 and Algebra I. Think Through Math personalizes student learning with unprecedented levels of differentiation, explicit instruction, meaningful practice, unparalleled motivational tools, and unlimited access to LIVE, state-credentialed teachers. Click on the link below to learn how your student can access Think Through Math from home:
http://elist.pisd.edu/eNews/S_THINK_THROUGH_MATH_INFORMATION_FOR_PARENTS.pdf
DREAMBOX MATH LEARNING PROGRAM
Huffman Elementary School has purchased DreamBox Learning's Math Program for grades K-2, an online, Intelligent Adaptive Learning(tm) program that helps all students achieve better, faster math proficiency. Your student can access DreamBox Learning from any computer, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by following these directions:
http://elist.pisd.edu/eNews/S_DreamBox_ParentLetter_Huffman.pdf
- Open the Chrome or Safari web browser
- Go to clever.pisd.edu
- Enter student username (firstname.lastname.#, Ex: jordan.smith.1) and network password
iStation READING PROGRAM
iStation is a comprehensive reading and intervention program that delivers web-based individualized instruction and provides information, resources and materials to help students become successful readers in grades PK-5. Click on the link below to learn how to access iStation from home for your child. Contact your child's teachers with any questions you may have.
http://hotspot.pisd.edu/UserGuides/IstationHomeUseforParents.pdf
STAY INFORMED AND CONNECTED
Please be informed of the following methods for which Huffman Elementary and PTA will be keeping you up to date about the GREAT things that are happening at our school.
- Huffman eNews: This weekly broadcast is the primary method of communication for important and relevant information from both the school and PTA. Sign up for the Huffman eNews and district news at http://elist.pisd.edu
- Facebook: Join our "Huffman Elementary Facebook at "https://www.facebook.com/huffmanelementaryplano1 Facebook group for last-minute reminders about activities and deadlines, photos of school events, questions from our community and more!
Remind 101 Text for school updates and important messages from Principal Strickland. To sign up, please click HERE
- Huffman PTA Website: Visit www.huffmanpta.org to check out up-to-date information about PTA and school events and programs, a calendar of important dates, our online family directory, and much more.
- Huffman Elementary Website: http://k12.pisd.edu/huffman-elementary-school for school and staff information, event photos, and district resources
- PISD Resources: go to the parent portal at http://parentviewer.pisd.edu to view your child's attendance, test scores, grades, and to register for PASAR and summer school. Visit:http://paypams.com to pay for school lunches. Get your volunteer background check completed at http://pisd.edu/volunteer.
2016-2017 PISD SCHOOL ONLINE CALENDAR
http://www.pisd.edu/common/calendar/calendar.glance.1617PlanoISD.shtml
TITLE I PARENT INFORMATION AND GENERAL OVERVIEW VIDEO
http://pisdtv.pisd.edu/communications/features/aQ4VwfT0MOeaOyGxjBwW
PLANO ISD ONLINE VOLUNTEER APPLICATION INFORMATION
Please complete your Volunteer Application Form today so you will ready to volunteer when the new school year begins. Volunteer applications for the 2016-2017 school year can be completed now at http://www.pisd.edu/parents/pta.volunteers/index.shtml. All volunteers must complete a new Volunteer Application each year.
Look and Listen for school and PTA information via our marquee in front of the school, phone messages from school and district, and emails from teachers.
PASAR (after school care for our students)
Register for after-school care at: http://www.pisd.edu/parents/program.pasar/index.shtml If you need care on the first day of school you will want to register as soon as possible. It generally takes a few days to get students into the system. Contact the PASAR Finance Office at 469-752-8915 with any questions you may have.
WHAT’S COOKING IN THE KITCHEN
Main home page for FANS:
http://k12.pisd.edu/food-and-nutritional-services
Meal Viewer http://schools.mealviewer.com/ - You can now access all school cafeteria menus in the palm of your hand! We have launched our menus in MealViewer, an app and website that allows everyone to access all breakfast and lunch menus for every school in Plano. It even shows what major allergens are in each item, as well as nutritional info! The MealViewer app can be downloaded for free through both the App Store and Google Play for mobile phones, and can be accessed online at schools.mealviewer.com. You can also go to www.pisd.edu ->For Parents ->Food & Nutritional Services (FANS) ->Menus and Nutritional Information. From there you can click on the MealViewer logo and access online instructions.
Pre-pay for School Meals at www.paypams.com. Login to the site at least one week before the beginning of the school year. Balance transfers from year to year. Please direct any questions you may have to Huffman‘s FANS Manager is Heather McKissick at heather.mckissick@pisd.edu
CHECK OUT OUR AWARD-WINNING PTA
The 2016-2017 Huffman PTA Website is open and ready to serve you! On the website you can learn more about our outstanding PTA, see a list of our 2016-2017 PTA sponsored programs, view the PTA calendar of events, join PTA, buy school supplies, spirit wear and more at www.huffmanpta.org.
- Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HuffmanPTA
- Follow us on Twitter at @huffmanpta
Warm regards,
Toni Strickland
Huffman Elementary Principal
Like us on FACEBOOK at www.facebook.com/huffmanelementaryplano1
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