Parent Newsletter
March 19, 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 20: LAST DAY TO PICK UP A DEVICE FROM SMITH FRONT OFFICE! 8:00-11:00AM
March 23: Deadline to Order a 2019-2020 Smith Yearbook!
March 23-April 3: eLearning Continues
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
Frisco ISD Continues eLearning Plan
Thank you for partnering with us as we transition to support students through this new eLearning environment. We are committed to providing students with a positive learning experience through this challenging time. As we move into an extended school closure, I wanted to provide some additional communication.
As we begin to introduce new content, it is important to share that district-wide adjustments were made for next week based on our lessons learned this week. Here are the key changes beginning on Monday, March 23rd:
- The deadline for all lessons/activities from this past week (March 16-20th) has been extended to 11:59 PM on Sunday. This deadline will remain the same as we continue eLearning to help support our families with monitoring their child’s work completion, to assist with working parents and households with multiple children.
- The eLearning instruction beginning March 23rd will focus on new content and standards. Please note teachers will begin tracking student progress on completed assignments based on the activities submitted through eLearning. I will work with teachers on ensuring we have a clear process for communicating student progress.
- The eLearning lesson plans for the upcoming week will be sent to parents or posted on our campus website at 12:00 PM on Monday which will include one, 15-20 minute review assignment chosen by your child’s grade level to complete.
- The Monday schedule and virtual office hours have been revised to reflect time for teacher collaboration.
- Virtual office hours for accessibility are:
- 1:00-3:00 PM on Monday
- 9:00-11:00 AM and 1:00-3:00 PM Tuesday - Friday
As a reminder, your child’s teacher is your first point of contact in supporting your child through this eLearning process. Therefore, I encourage you to maintain close communication with your child’s teacher through the utilization of the virtual office hours established. In addition, your child’s teacher can further support you if you are unsure of your child’s log-in information to any necessary resources. Please contact your child’s teacher if you do not have this information.
As previously communicated, if your family needs access to a technology device for the eLearning process, please complete the district form using the link below and come to the Smith front office between the hours of 8:00 AM-11:00 AM to come check out a device. TOMORROW WILL BE THE LAST DAY TO PICK UP A DEVICE FROM THE SMITH FRONT OFFICE!
Link to form for requesting a device:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf94HH8Ika6y1Dik26_G3Py-QRp5E-RYKqAthqMdOoHmTZgpQ/viewform
I want to thank you for your patience and partnership throughout this eLearning process. I look forward to continuing to support our Smith staff in the days to come.
FISD eLearning for Students
FAQ
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.
Centralized Wifi Coverage for Parents & Students
The FISD Technology Department is adding additional wireless access points to some of our buildings so that parents/students can pull into the parking lot to get access. This is going to take a bit, so it should be operational by Friday afternoon, 3/20 Please click this link for the buildings and parking lot locations. To be safe, families should follow social distancing and remain in their car while accessing the wifi.
These sites were chosen based on quadrants of the district, parking lot proximity to the building, and age of the building. Please notice there are very specific lots that will have coverage. Older construction allows for greater range to the outside of the building for connectivity. This is one of the instances where older is better!
Connectivity resources for students who don't have it:
- FCC agreement stating that providers will waive late fees, not cutoff service for lack of payment, and open hot-spots.
- Comcast COVID-19 response: offers free WiFi for 2 months to low income families plus all Xfinity hot-spots are free to the public during this time
- Charter Free Internet offer for 2 months
- AT&T COVID-19 response: offers open hot-spots, unlimited data to existing customers, and $10/month plans to low income families
- Verizon COVID-19 response: no special offers, but following the FCC agreement.
- Sprint COVID-19 response: follows FCC agreement, provides unlimited data to existing customers, and, starting Tuesday, 3/17/2020, will allow all handsets to enable hot-spots for 60 days at no extra charge (I expect others will follow).
- T-Mobile COVID-19 response: follows FCC agreement, plus unlimited data to existing customers, and, coming soon, will allow all handsets to enable hot-spots for 60 days at no extra charge (I expect others will follow).
Please see info regarding additional wireless installs at schools:
The goal is for all to be operational by Friday afternoon, 3/20.
- Allen ES- 2 WAPs added for front driveway/parking lot coverage
- Anderson ES- 2 WAPs added in back of campus, parking lot near POD 1 and 2
- Career and Technical Education- 3 WAPs added to F-Hall (SE part of building), and Print Center (NW potion of building)
- Corbell ES- 2 WAPs added for front driveway/parking lot coverage
- Gunstream ES- 2 WAPs added for front driveway/parking lot coverage
- Heritage HS- 3 WAPs added for front and side of C-Hall (front-right wing and SE part of building)
- Lone Star HS- 3 WAPs added to D-Hall and Library (West and NW part of the building)
- Ogle ES- 2 WAPs added for front driveway/parking lot coverage
- Rogers ES- 2 WAPs added for front driveway/parking lot coverage
Student/Family Member COVID19 Self-Reporting Link
If a Frisco ISD student/family member indicates COVID19 self-quarantine, mandated quarantine or positive test of the Corona Virus, please send them the link below to the COVID19 Self-Report Form to complete.
Frisco ISD to Continue Providing Counseling Services Online for Students
Families may request Virtual Counseling sessions through this link:
Smith Virtual Counseling Request
Mrs. Hendrix has set up a Google Voice number if parents need to contact her immediately and not through email. COUNSELOR GOOGLE VOICE PHONE NUMBER- 469-213-8077
K-2 Growth Mindset Family Meeting:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1RXajNdWULmoSlwCT8IkgF1UgFNTX1fIrC215X7INEtg/edit?usp=sharing
3-5 Growth Mindset Family Meeting
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1m34o3GqjZ9sC_hzz88Lo7Sits_FPZlmTrUnWPHsSz8I/edit?usp=sharing
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