Parent Newsletter
March 15, 2020
Our Mission:
We will collaborate to inspire and connect to each child by knowing every name and need to ensure success.
OUR VISION:
We will be leaders of learning and growing.
Important Upcoming Dates:
March 9-13: Spring Break--NO SCHOOL
March 16-20: SCHOOL IS CLOSED Due to CVOID-19
TBD: PTA Sponsored Program for Students-Dinosaur George
TBD: PTA Spring Carnival 11:00 AM-2:00 PM
March 23: Deadline to Order a 2019-2020 Smith Yearbook!
Frisco ISD Develops Alternative Education Plan
Starting on Monday, March 16, all in-person classes will be suspended and replaced with virtual instruction and other alternative learning options. On Monday, educational staff will prepare for remote learning for students that will begin on Tuesday. As required by TEA, Frisco ISD will continue educational services during this suspension.
Our campus has been working diligently through spring break on preparing these alternative services to allow educational staff to continue educating our students as we look to maintain a healthy and safe learning environment.
We understand that not every family may have access to the internet and a connected device (computer, laptop, iPad/tablet, chromebook, smartphone) at home and are prepared to work with families that may need additional support to continue student education remotely. If your family needs assistance in accessing these resources, please respond to this email to initiate a request for alternate resources.
The District continues to work with local and state health officials on this rapidly changing situation. We appreciate your support and patience during this time. Detailed specifics of daily eLearning expectations for your students will follow soon.
Frisco ISD Develops Meal Pick-up Plan for Students on Free/Reduced Lunches
We understand at this time, many people may be facing challenges with being able to feed their children without the availability of school meals.
Because of this, Frisco ISD will be providing "To Go" meals to students of FISD beginning Monday afternoon, March 16th, at the sites listed below. At the time of pickup, a packaged lunch for the day will be provided as well as a breakfast for the following day. Meals will be provided free of cost. The student(s) must be present and provide their name/student ID number.
Hunt Middle School, 4900 Legendary Drive, Frisco, TX 75034
Lawler Middle School, 12921 Rolater Road, Frisco, TX 75035
Pearson Middle School, 2323 Stonebrook Parkway, Frisco, TX 75036
Roach Middle School, 12499 Independence Parkway, Frisco, TX 75035
Trent Middle School, 13131 Coleto Creek Drive, Frisco, TX 75033
Meals may be picked up from the sites between 11:30 am - 12:30 pm, Monday-Friday. Pickup site will be located at the front of the campus by the flag pole.
If you are interested in participating in this pickup meal program, please complete the form below so we are aware of the number of meals to have available at each site.
Receive Text Messages for Campus and District Updates
As Frisco ISD works to communicate timely information to parents and staff during this period of school closure, we encourage you to ensure you are receiving text messages. The District utilizes the School Messenger system to deliver text messages, straight to your mobile phone with important information about events, school closings, safety alerts and more. You may recognize the School Messenger name as the system that currently sends emails and phone calls.
Many of you have opted in to text message service, which has primarily been reserved for emergency communication. If you are uncertain as to whether you have opted in, you may participate in this free service simply by sending a text message of “Y” or “Yes” to our school’s code number, 67587.
You can also opt-out of these messages at any time by simply replying to one of our messages with “Stop”.
SchoolMessenger is compliant with the Student Privacy PledgeTM, so you can rest assured that your information is safe and will never be given or sold to anyone
A Note from Fine Arts
Fine Arts teachers are working diligently to create meaningful learning experiences for students during the school closing period. It is important that students take time daily to engage in their regular artistic studies for a smooth transition back to the classroom in the coming days. While our wonderful Fine Arts educators are working diligently to create meaningful, robust, and relevant arts experiences for students, please work TOGETHER to use this time as a special opportunity for focused personal artistic growth. Daily practice of fundamentals and upcoming performance repertoire in all areas of visual art, music, dance, or theater should continue in addition to the assignments and lessons provided by teachers.
Frisco ISD to Continue Providing Counseling Services Online for Students
Counselors will continue to work to help that staff and students have a continued sense of feeling cared for, capable, and connected by providing virtual counseling services and consultation as well as psychoeducation for students and parents. In an effort to provide this type of support, counseling supports can be utilized by signing up for virtual appointments which will be made through a unique link to your specific counselor.
Counselors will be setting up their unique consultation links on Monday and communicating those through the campus (Newsletter, campus website, email). Additionally, wellness activities will be provided on the eLearning platforms where you find your teacher assignments and activities.
2019-2020 Smith Yearbooks for Sale!
Smith Yearbooks are now on sale! The deadline to order a yearbook is March 23, 2020--don't miss out! If you place your order by March 23rd, the cost of a yearbook is $20. If you wait to purchase an extra copy when they arrive on May 8th, the price goes up to $30 and will be available first come, first serve!
Click on the link below to order your 2019-2020 yearbook NOW!
https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/Order/LookupJob?jobNumber=13578920
Student Council Fundraiser Announcement
Fight for Scottish Rite
Student Council is having a Fundraiser this year to Help the Hospital! Student Council has partnered with Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas to learn about what games and supplies the children there love to make their stay a little better. Starting March 16th and running until April 3rd we are asking grade-levels to bring new, unopened toys for the children at Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas. Each grade-level has been assigned a different item to bring. Each grade will be competing for prizes each week for the most items brought. At the end of the fundraiser we will deliver these toys directly to the hospital for them to use. You can find the list for each grade-level below. If you have any questions about what to bring please contact either colemo@friscoisd.org or littleb@friscoisd.org.
Kindergarten- Puzzles and dolls
1st- Hot wheels and Barbie’s
2nd- LOL Dolls and Legos
3rd- Board and card games
4th- Craft items/paint
5th- Books, movies, and nail polish
Pre-K Spring Registration Event
Parents,
If you have a child that will be 4 years old by September 1st and might qualify for our free full-day Pre-K program, please get signed up for a registration slot. We’re excited to begin registration for the 2020-21 school year in April!
When: April 20-23 and 27-30, 3:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Early Childhood School, 10330 Red Cedar Drive, Frisco 75035
Follow this link for eligibility requirements and how to get registered:
Pets on School Grounds
Free money for our school! MAKE SURE YOU PARTICIPATE IN THESE PROGRAMS THAT DONATE MONEY TO OUR SCHOOL!
TOM THUMB:
Fill out a form and turn in to the Customer Service Desk (Nonprofit Org. #6936)
KROGER:
Online or call 800-576-4377 option 3 (Nonprofit Org. # 82997) You must re-link each year.
AMAZON SMILE:
Anytime you shop Amazon be sure to go to smile.amazon.com and link your account to say:
Supporting: PTA Texas Congress 3980 Noel A Smith PTA
New to FISD?
All FISD Campuses Will Utilize the Video-Based entry monitoring system.
As part of Frisco ISD’s continued commitment to ensure the safety and security of all students, staff and visitors, all FISD campuses have installed a video-based entry monitoring system. This new entry system is designed to further protect students and staff by restricting unnecessary access to our schools during normal school hours.
The new system, similar to a Ring doorbell device used in residential homes, will require visitors to press a button and wait for an attendant to respond when approaching the main exterior door. The attendant will then visually verify the identity of the visitor and the purpose of the visit. Once the visitor has been validated (either by way of simple recognition, or by having the visitor provide a valid Driver’s License or U.S. passport presented directly to the camera), the receptionist will buzz the visitor into the secure interior entry vestibule. The visitor will then proceed to the reception desk to receive a visitor badge.
We realize this process may take some getting used to, and may require additional time when a school visit is required. Please plan accordingly. When planning your school visit, arrive early and allow for extra time required for the screening process. As always, bring approved forms of valid photo identification for verification by school personnel. As a reminder, those who are unable to provide an approved form of identification may be refused entry. In addition, if the nature if your visit is impromptu or unplanned, be prepared for the extra time that may be required for the screening process, particularly during those periods in which multiple visitors are using the new entry system simultaneously. If you are exiting the building and see that a visitor is going through the screening process, please wait until they have been buzzed through before exiting the doors.
Frisco ISD appreciates your patience with this new process, and also your continued partnership and commitment to the safety and security of our students and staff. If you have questions, please feel free to call the front office at 469.633.2200.
Smith Elementary
Email: smith@friscoisd.org
Website: http://schools.friscoisd.org/ES/smith/site/home
Location: 9800 Sean Drive, Frisco, TX, United States
Phone: 469-633-2200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Noel-Smith-Elementary/171764046491667
Twitter: @smithelem_noel