PfISD Employee Express

• Upcoming Events & Holidays
• Back-to-School Information
• STAAR results from Spring 2023
• Ask, Listen, Talk, Repeat
• 2023-24 PfISD Leadership Academy Opportunities
• Signing in to a Raptor Kiosk
• Overtime Regulation 23-24
• Non-Proft Organization Helps pay off Student Lunch Debt
• School Staff and Parent Bus Finder Tools
• Free & Reduced Lunch Meal Application/CEP Campus Application
  
• Benefits Brief
• Grade Point Average Calculations in PfISD
  
• Taking Courses Pass/Fail in PfISD
• CTE Corner
• Athletics
  
• Connect to M.S Math
• Staff Shout Outs

Aug. 17- Board of Trustees Regular Meeting

Aug. 26- Connect to Middle School Math Day

• 📝 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

Families now have access to STAAR results from Spring 2023 administrations. For the convenience of PfISD parents, we have established a single sign-on feature in Skyward's Family Access. Log in to Skyward’s Family Access and click “Texas Assessment” for the easiest access. More information about how to access results is available on our website.

Students who are new to PfISD and tested in another district can access test results directly on the state’s family portal. The “Unique Student Access Code” will be available from the campus where the student last tested.

The Texas Education Agency provides STAAR resources for families at this link.

Our children’s mental health matters.

Let’s talk about mental health, learn how to be there for our kids, seek help when needed, and break the stigma. Get tools and tips at AskListenTalk.org. #AskListenTalkRepeat

Did you know 1 in 6 children in the U.S. has a mental health condition?

Mental health conditions are common, treatable, and help is available. Supporting the mental health of our children and youth starts with a conversation.

So, how do I talk to my kid about their mental health? Follow these four steps.

1. Ask: Start the conversation.

2. Listen: Hear without judgment

3. Talk: Support their emotions.

4. Repeat: Keep the conversation going.

As parents, caregivers, and teachers, we can create a safe space for our kids to talk about

mental health. Learn how to start a conversation, support their emotions and get help when

needed. Get the tools at AskListenTalk.org. #AskListenTalkRepeat

All staff who visit a campus or facility within the district will be required to sign into the building using a Raptor Kiosk. You should select Sign In as you enter the building. Then select staff, enter your E number with the e included. Click Proceed. As you leave the building, please remember to sign out.

This will be replacing the pen and paper that we have used in the past. This is 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.

As per board policy, as quoted in the Employee Handbook: Nonexempt employees are not authorized to work beyond their normal work schedule without advance approval from their supervisor. -Employee Handbook, p.27, Overtime Compensation; Policy DEAB

Staff are NOT authorized to work overtime unless they request that overtime in writing, in advance, from their supervisor. Staff direct supervisors are authorized to approve NO more than 10% (ie 4 hrs per week for a 40hr employee) of overtime for an employee per week. Overtime in excess of the 10% direct supervisor approval must be submitted for approval to central office Cabinet members by a direct supervisor with their approval in advance of the overtime.

Special accommodations may be made in areas where vacancies are impacting the completion of

the mission (ie transportation, custodial, maintenance or other areas where vacancies necessitate

the approval of overtime to try to keep up with the mission). Seek that approval in advance in writing from the appropriate cabinet member.

Last week, these students presented a check for $12,682.09 that will go towards alleviating this debt.

Thank you, Maxx and John! The district values the significant impact of their initiative and encourages ongoing support for their nonprofit. With the proactive approach of these students and the PfISD community, the district is confident in its ability to make a lasting difference and create an inclusive environment where all students can thrive.

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.

Infofinder 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

The free meals program provided by the USDA and Texas Department of Agriculture for all PfISD students during the pandemic ended with the 2021-22 school year. For the 2023-2024 school year, students must complete the necessary form to receive free or reduced lunch. PfISD will continue to offer free breakfast at all campuses, all school year.

PfISD is encouraging families whose students qualified for the free/reduced program at the end of the 2022-2023 school year to complete an application. Households will see their student’s coverage (2022-2023 school year) continue for the first 30 days of the 2023-2024 school year. Then, they must complete an application at the beginning of the new school year to receive benefits all year long. We encourage families and households to submit an application immediately. Applications can be submitted throughout the school year.

Please take note: the free meals that have been available to all students, regardless of their application status, are ended after the 2021-2022 school year. Students who have previously been part of the free/reduced meal plan or newer students who enrolled in PfISD during the 2022-23 school year may be eligible for the traditional free and reduced program for 2023-2024 and must apply to continue receiving free or reduced meals. Applications must be submitted each school year.

Click HERE for a Free & Reduced Lunch Application.

Pflugerville ISD has seven campuses which qualified to operate under the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which allows PfISD to provide breakfast and lunch at no-charge to all students, eliminating the need for the free and reduced meal application under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). These campuses MUST complete and submit a socio-economic form via PfISD’s Skyward student information system.

The CEP-Qualifying schools are:

Delco Elementary School

Dessau Elementary School

Northwest Elementary School

River Oaks Elementary School

Ruth Barron Elementary School

Dessau Middle School

Westview Middle School

PfISD is requesting that families complete our District's Socioeconomic Information Form for any students at these seven campuses. If you have students at a campus in PfISD other than these seven, you must also complete the free and reduced application. Your reported income levels found on the form and the form itself will not be sent to TEA. PfISD will only report a student's socioeconomic status to TEA using the information found on the form.

The online form is available online through the Skyward Parent Portal, available by clicking “Log in here” at: https://www.pfisd.net/Page/5670

General Information regarding CEP can be found here: https://www.pfisd.net/Page/500

CEP Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)- English

Spanish C.E.P. FAQ

Optum Financial will soon be issuing new health savings account (HSA) payment cards. Your

new card will have an updated look and longer expiration date. It will replace the HSA card you

have today. Here’s a sneak peek of the new design:

Here’s what you can expect:

• New cards are arriving in waves that started in July and ending in mid-August.

• Your old HSA card will deactivate on a date listed in the materials you receive.

• Be sure to activate your new card right away to prevent payment disruptions.

• Review the new card tips in the emails to take advantage of card benefits like

Mastercard’s ID Theft protection services and adding your card to digital wallet.

If you have any questions when your new card arrives, please call the number on the back of

your card.

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.

Teachers, do you know an 11th or 12th grade student in a CTE program who’d be a great representative of the program and school? Interested in becoming an ambassador?

Reasons to become an ambassador:

• College Applications
• Networking
• Leadership Skills
• Recruiting for CTE Program
• Industry Connections
• Access to Emplybility Skills

Fill out the form by September 18, and become an ambassador today!

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!