Jasper High School
Jag News
Week of April 27th
- Follow us on Twitter @JasperJaguars
- Bookmark our Jasper High School Website. You can find the answer to almost every question here!
Parent Guidance for Viewing Student Progress
With recent policy changes to our grading practices during remote learning, traditional progress reports generated through Pinnacle will not reflect how we are measuring progress and determining mastery for the 4th Nine Weeks grading period. We want to make sure there is common understanding behind what you will see in the gradebook. During this time, you will notice either MS, NM, or a blank instead of the number grades you typically would see. Please visit the document below for an explanation of what each grade means and for instructions on accessing student grades online.
Building Access
At this time, no students or families are allowed to access the campus. Textbooks and other materials are not accessible.
Resources for Families during School Closure
Plano ISD Counselors and School Social Workers are committed to provided the resources that you need while campuses are closed. The information below will be updated as new information is made available regarding resources that provide services under current conditions.
Please keep in mind that your campus counselors and social workers are available every weekday and can be reached via email or phone. Please reach out to them at any time and they will respond to your message as quickly as possible.
From Jasper Counseling
We sure miss seeing everyone at school! We want to remind you that we’re here if you need us. Please don’t hesitate to let us know if we can help in any way!
Counselor Contact Information:
· A-Du - Melissa McAnderson - melissa.mcanderson@pisd.edu
· Dy-Kh - Danny Burch - danny.burch@pisd.edu
· Ki-Oa - Toby Schulte - toby.schulte@pisd.edu
· Ob-Sh - Robin Gott - robin.gott@pisd.edu
· Si-Z - Jana Hall - jana.hall@pisd.edu
We will periodically be sending out guidance lessons written by the PISD counselors. We are hoping these lessons don’t feel like just one more thing to do, but are a tool to help spur on discussions with your kids about things during this crazy time.
- You can find the lessons here each week.
- The district has also compiled many, many resources all in one place to help at this time. You can find those here.
- This link will take you to some excellent resources for kids and families to help with Emotional Well-Being from Common Sense Media.
Jasper Counselors sent out a brief check-in survey through the Counseling Department Google Classroom April 16. Please encourage your student to complete the check-in to assist counselors in providing support and guidance for students.
https://tinyurl.com/JHSCheckIN
Is your student feeling isolated? Does your student need ways to connect? Below are some great ideas for ways to keep kids connected to others during this time.
1. Connect via Facetime or Zoom with friends.
2. Play games over Facetime or Zoom with a family member.
3. Find a cousin or friend for your child to become pen pals. Practice those writing skills!
4. Get walkie talkies if your child has a nearby neighbor friend.
5. Have a Netflix Party online with cousins, friends or neighbors.
6. Start a garden or teach your pet a new trick.
Chromebook Distribution/Support
Technology Access
Plano ISD provides many digital tools to support in-class learning, and our students have access to these resources which are aligned to their classes through the Plano ISD Webdesk and the student digital backpack. All Plano ISD students have been issued a username and password to access these digital tools and content. If students have forgotten their passwords or are otherwise experiencing problems trying to login, please contact Plano ISD's Technology Help Desk for assistance by email at helpdesk@pisd.edu or by phone at 469-752-8767.
Parents without home access to the Internet may consider these free WiFi opportunities from area providers:
Instructional Continuity and Remote Learning
Please make sure your child has logged in to Google Classroom for each of their classes. All core and electives classes are engaged in learning at this time. Grades are being taken on work completed from April 6th through the end of the year per the PISD Remote Learning Grading policy that was shared last week. We appreciate you working to ensure that your child is engaged in learning!
Parents of students who receive instruction in the special education setting will be contacted by special education teachers to develop plans. Information will also be provided from the district Special Education Department. We are committed to working with you to provide services and support for your student(s).
Phase 3 of PISD's Remote Learning plan began on Monday, April 6th.
- The courses listed in the linked chart, Courses with District-wide Virtual Content, transitioned to a blended model of instruction with district-wide virtual content supplemented by some teacher-developed assignments. Students will see an Edgenuity icon on their Webdesk that will enable them to access virtual content.
- Students will watch an orientation video and be given time to learn how to navigate inside the Edgenuity tool.
- Courses not included in the linked chart will continue with teacher-developed assignments and experiences as were launched in Phase 2 last week (grades 6-12).
Parent Portal Accuracy for Contact Information
Teachers and counselors will continue to reach out to parents and students using the contact information from Parent Portal. Please log in to your Parent Portal account to verify that your contact information is accurate and up to date.
Virtual Tutor: SAT/ACT Prep Course
Students will begin Virtual Tutor courses by taking pretests to determine their strengths and weaknesses and create an individualized content review program. Students then work through the course content, completing frequent assessments so they can monitor their own performance.
Students may “self-enroll” in these courses when they log in to Edgenuity. The content of these courses is completely optional, will not be monitored by a teacher, and will not count towards the 4th Nine Weeks grades.
AP Exams
Please visit the links below for current information regarding AP exams for this Spring. Information can change quickly in our current environment. Please visit the College Board website's Updates for AP Students and Schools for the most up-to-date information.
General AP Exam Information 2020
AP Computer Science Principles College Board Exam Changes
Preparing to take the AP Exams? Use this Checklist prior and during each exam to make sure you have the necessary information and materials to take your AP exams.
Explainer Videos: New videos are available to give students quick, easily accessible information about their test day experience, what they need to do to prepare, exam security, and more. Explore the playlist.
Free Grab-and-Go Meals Monday through Friday
Plano ISD is providing free grab-and-go breakfast and lunch meals at several locations across the district. From 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, students can get lunch, along with breakfast for the following day. Students must be in the vehicle, or appropriate verification must be provided. Adjustments to this schedule may be made as needed, so please watch for updated communication at https://www.pisd.edu/Page/22497.
TIME: Pick Up Tomorrow's Breakfast with Today's Lunch, Monday-Friday, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
This program serves all students attending any Plano ISD school. Families can pick up meals curbside in the carpool lanes* (unless otherwise noted) at the campuses listed below. Access to enter the buildings is not available.
- Armstrong Middle School *(pickup at this location is the bus lane at the rear of the building)
3805 Timberline Drive, Plano, TX 75074 - Barron Elementary School
3300 Avenue P, Plano, TX 75074 - Christie Elementary School (starting Monday, April 6)
3801 Rainier Road, Plano, TX 75023 - Daffron Elementary School
3900 Preston Meadow Drive, Plano, TX 75093 - IB World School at Huffman Elementary
5510 Channel Isle Drive, Plano, TX 75093 - Meadows Elementary School
2800 18th Street, Plano, TX 75074 - Mitchell Elementary School (starting Monday, April 6)
4223 Briargrove Lane, Dallas, TX 75287 - Sigler Elementary School
1400 Janwood Drive, Plano, TX 75075 - Thomas Elementary School
1800 Montana Trail, Plano, TX 75023
Plano ISD Industries Academy at the Collin College Technical Campus - Deadline Extended to May 4th
Start the application process: www.pisd.edu/Page/21973
Tryouts and Auditions for the 2020-2021 School Year
Due to Plano ISD’s extended school closure in accordance with Governor Abbott’s order on March 31, 2020, and depending on whether students are able to resume in-person classes this semester, the district is in the process of exploring available options for student activities that involve a tryout or audition component for the 2020-2021 school year. Examples include, but are not limited to, musical ensembles, high and senior high cheerleading, drum majors, drill team officers, senior high show choirs, and color guards. Options being considered for these auditions include the traditional, in-person processes once schools reopen, as well as virtual options. Additional communication and details are forthcoming.
Just a Little Guidance for Success
As you prepare to tryout for specialty classes for next year with auditions and interviews or just start thinking about summer jobs please review the attached interview tips. There are best practice recommendations for before, during, and after interviews. Please also note you can view previous issues of tips from Just A Little Guidance for Success in our Counseling Google Classroom.
Student Activities
All scheduled activities related to Plano ISD schools are cancelled during the school closure, including all contests, practices, rehearsals, banquets and other student activities.
Additionally, the University Interscholastic League (UIL) is extending its suspension of all UIL sanctioned activities at this time. Read more on the UIL website.
Minnie's Food Pantry
Plano ISD is partnering with Minnie's Food Pantry to help support district families who may be experiencing food insecurity. The best way to support Minnie's as they work to support district families is by giving food, money and time. For pantry hours and more information on how you can assist their efforts, visit Minnie's website.
Food & Supply Donations: Food and supply donations can be dropped off or shipped to Minnie's Food Pantry located at 661 18th Street, Plano, Texas 75074. Some of the most critical needs include:
- Bags of beans
- Boxed pasta meals
- Cereal and breakfast bars
- Canned fruit
- Canned meat
- Clorox wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Jelly (in plastic containers)
- Lysol spray
- Miscellaneous snack items (kid-friendly items preferred)
- Spaghetti / spaghetti sauce
Monetary Donations: If you would like make a monetary donation, there are three ways to give:
- Online by visiting Minnie's donation webpage
- By phone by texting the word MINNIES to 41444
- In person by visiting Minnie's Food Pantry during their current hours of operation
Volunteering: Due to the effects of COVID-19, Minnie's is experiencing a shortage of volunteers, and they are vital to the food collection and distribution process. To register to volunteer, visit Minnie's volunteer webpage.
Census Reminder
Connect with PISD
School Messenger Text Notification
- Plano ISD has implemented a text messaging option to provide our community with more ways to receive school and district information. Opt in today by texting “Y” to 67587.
- If you don’t opt in manually, and the district has a cell phone number for you, you will receive a text message from Plano ISD in the coming days inviting you to opt in. The message will read:
- “Plano Independent School District messages. Reply Y to confirm, HELP 4 info. Msg&data rates may apply. Msg freq varies. schoolmessenger.com/tm”
- You must reply to this text message with “Y” to opt in to continue receiving text messages from the district. For more information, please visit: www.pisd.edu/textoptin.
Mobile App
Another available communication resource is the Plano ISD Mobile App. The app is a powerful tool to help keep families informed and connected. For more information on the app, including download instruction, visit www.pisd.edu/mobileapp.
Questions
Please direct district-level questions to: askpisd@pisd.edu
Plano West Tennis
Anyone interested in trying out for the Plano West Tennis Team for next year needs to contact Coach Walker at Plano West as soon as possible to get needed information and forms (morgen.walker@pisd.edu).
PWSH Early Learning Center Enrollment Is Open!
The Early Learning Center Preschool is a part of the CTE program at Plano West Senior High. Our 3 year olds meet Monday-Thursday, 8:30-11:00 am and our 4 year olds meet Monday-Thursday, 12:00-2:30 pm. Email mandy.chidichimo@pisd.edu to schedule a phone call or Zoom to learn more!
Jasper High School
Website: https://www.pisd.edu/jasper
Location: 6800 Archgate Drive, Plano, TX, United States
Phone: 469-752-7400
Twitter: @jasperjaguars