From the Desk of Jeri Duncan, Plano ISD Council of PTAs President
Gratitude is our November theme, and there is so much to be thankful for in Plano ISD. As your Plano ISD Council of PTAs President, I want to say thank you to every local PTA leader, campus principal, teacher, and family who shows up for kids. You are the reason PTA works. Because of you, students have Reflections art programs, book fairs, family nights, senior celebrations, programs that teach safety and kindness, and a strong voice in our schools. That does not happen without real people giving real time.
This month, as we head into Thanksgiving, I want to encourage you to pause and celebrate your PTA wins. Did you help a new family feel welcome? Did you recruit one more member? Did you support a staff member on a hard day? That counts. That is PTA.
Thank you for serving, leading, and keeping students at the center. On behalf of Council, I am grateful for you, I am cheering for you, and I am proud to partner with you to make every Plano ISD school stronger.
When Plano ISD 5th graders head to camp, chilly weather shouldn’t stand in the way of their adventure! ❄️ The Plano ISD Council of PTAs is collecting warm hats and gloves to help fill the 5th Grade Camp Closet, ensuring every student can enjoy camp—no matter the temperature.
✨ Here’s how you can help: • Bring donations to the Council Delegate Meeting on November 20 at 10:00 a.m. 📍 PISD Administration Building • Shop online with the button below • Need another drop-off time? Email President@PlanoPTA.org to make arrangements.
Want to go a step further? 🏫 Consider hosting a mini collection at your own campus or sharing this effort with your PTA community. Together, we can make sure every camper stays warm and ready for outdoor fun! 💙
Your 2025–2026 Council dues were due by the first Council Delegate meeting on September 11, 2025 🗓️.
💵 Dues ensure every PTA has a voice 🗣️, strengthen collaboration across campuses 🤝, and support programs that uplift students, families, and educators 🎓🏫💡.
Together, we build connections that make every child’s potential a reality 🌈👧👦
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📢 November Delegate Meeting
The Delegate Meeting scheduled for November 20th at the PISD Admin Board Room.
The Plano ISD Council of PTAs proudly recognizes our Community Membership Sponsors for their commitment to education and community through Community Membership Packages.
When leaders invest in schools, they invest in our schools and communities—amplifying student voices, enriching learning, and building strong connections with families.
👏 With gratitude, we recognize:
Richardson package
Thank you:
Kelley Thomas
Mary Rohr
Amir Omar, Richardson Mayor
This package includes membership to the elementary school PTAs where Richardson residents may be zoned, and their feeder schools including middle, high and senior high schools. Schools in this package are: Aldridge Elementary, Miller Elementary, Schell Elementary, Stinson Elementary, Murphy Middle, Otto Middle, Wilson Middle, McMillen High School, Williams High School, Vines High School, Plano East Senior High School, and Plano Senior High School.
Plano East package
Thank you:
Nancy Humphrey
Richonda Hunte
Jeri Duncan
This package includes membership to all the Plano East Senior High feeder school PTAs: Barron, Boggess, Dooley, Hickey, Hunt, McCall, Meadows, Memorial, Mendenhall, Miller, Schell, Stinson, Bowman, Murphy, Otto, McMillen, Williams, and Plano East.
Academy add-on
Thank you:
Jeri Duncan
Add the Academy High School to the feeder pattern of your choice!
Hughston package
Thank you:
MK Werner
This package includes membership to all the Hughston Elementary feeder school PTAs – Hughston, Haggard, Vines, and Plano Senior.
Stinson package
Thank you:
Julie Richard
This package includes membership to all the Stinson Elementary feeder school PTAs – Stinson, Otto, McMillen, and Plano East Senior.
Huffman package
Thank you:
Brittnea Ussery
This package includes membership to all the Huffman Elementary feeder school PTAs – Huffman, Renner, Shepton, and Plano West Senior.
PTA Membership Leaders
Plano ISD Council of PTAs proudly supports every local PTA in growing membership through JoinPTA.org and our Community and Vendor/Sponsor Membership Programs. Council itself does not have individual members—instead, we recruit on your behalf! 🙌
Each month, memberships purchased through Council programs are sent to Texas PTA along with rosters and dues. Because of this, your membership count might look a little different from Texas PTA’s total—but that’s okay! More members mean more voices, and that benefits all of us. 💙
💵 When Will Our PTA Receive Our Portion of the Dues?
Council holds your local portion of the dues in escrow until the next payment period. Checks are distributed twice per year—in late fall and late spring.
Membership names and contact information are shared with locals about once a month, so you can keep your roster and outreach current.
📋 What Should Our PTA Do with This Information?
✅ DO add these members to your full roster ✅ DO include them in all-member communications (newsletters, emails, etc.) 🚫 DO NOT report them again to Texas PTA 🚫 DO NOT give them access to school directories (unless they’re also a parent/guardian at your campus)
💌 Added Ways to Show Appreciation
• Send a quick thank-you email—or better yet, a handwritten note! ✉️ • Give a public shoutout at your next meeting, on social media, or even on your school marquee 🎉
🔍 A Few Things to Remember
i) Membership totals may not always match perfectly—sometimes TX PTA receives updates before you do, or vice versa. ii) Give it two weeks before worrying about number discrepancies. iii) TX PTA’s totals are the official counts used for awards, celebrations, and recognition across the district. 🏆
Together, we’re building a stronger PTA community—one member, one thank-you, and one connection at a time! 💫
Plano ISD News
Upcoming PISD Events
The following event dates and times are live updates from the Plano ISD district calendar. If you have any questions, please reach out through the PISD Let’s Talk page.
✅ Huge shoutout to all our Plano ISD PTAs for your incredible work completing this year’s Standards of Affiliation (SOA) tasks! We’re almost there—just waiting on final IRS confirmations for the remaining 990s.
As of October 28, here’s where we stand: • 45 PTAs in Good Standing 🎉 • 14 Active (990 pending) ⏳ • 4 Inactive (missing 20 members and/or Bylaws or Standing Rules) ⚠️
If your PTA still has open items, please finish them as soon as possible. After November 30, any incomplete tasks will result in Restriction status with Texas PTA.
Through our Community Connections Sponsorship Program, these local businesses have partnered with us at the Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum level to support Council and your local PTA.
Support our Sponsors by visiting their websites, exploring their social media, or contacting them directly to learn how they can benefit your school. Their products and services could be a perfect match for your PTA and broader community needs.
Plano ISD Council of PTAs proudly thanks our Platinum Sponsor, EPI Educational Products, Inc. (EPI), for their outstanding support and commitment to our schools and families. EPI has long been a trusted partner in education, providing high-quality school supplies and resources that make a real difference in the lives of students and educators. By partnering with Plano PTA, EPI not only enhances educational opportunities across our district but also demonstrates their dedication to community growth and future leaders. Their support impacts more than 19,722 members and over 47,000 students, boosting visibility for their brand while reinforcing their reputation as a reliable and community-focused organization. We are grateful for their investment in our mission of advocacy, education, and family engagement. Learn more about EPI at www.EducationalProducts.com or connect with them on Facebook and Instagram.
Gold Sponsor
A huge shoutout to our Gold Sponsor, Wize Computing Academy, for inspiring young innovators and creators in our community! With engaging programs in coding, robotics, game design, and more, they’re equipping kids with 21st-century skills to succeed.
Through their hands-on approach, Wize Computing Academy makes learning fun while fostering creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork for students of all ages. Thank you for empowering the next generation of leaders and thinkers!
Located at 8400 Preston Rd in Plano, Dumont Creamery & Café is more than just a coffee stop—it’s a cozy local gem serving up delicious treats, rich espresso drinks, and handcrafted ice cream made with heart. Whether you’re catching up with friends, treating your family, or grabbing your favorite latte before school events, Dumont Creamery & Café brings warmth and community to every visit.
North Texas Performing Arts is dedicated to developing the character of youth through performing arts education and family entertainment. Headquartered at Willow Bend Center of the Arts in Plano, NTPA offers classes, camps, and productions for youth ages 5-18. NTPA is comprised of five youth theatre troupes in Dallas, Fairview, Frisco, Plano, and Southlake, and offers specialty troupes including NTPA Academy offering an innovative academic learning environment for grades 6-12, with an enhanced focus on the fine arts; NTPA Studios, film production program; NTPA Starcatchers, therapeutic arts troupe for individuals with disabilities; NTPA Deaf Theatre; and NTPA Repertory Theatre, its adult theatre company.
Plano ISD Council of PTAs proudly thanks our Silver Sponsor, Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union (RBFCU) is a financial cooperative dedicated to helping members save time, save money, and achieve their financial goals—from opening accounts to planning for retirement. Serving over 1 million members with more than 60 branches across Texas and beyond, RBFCU’s success is built on its people: 2,300 employees, dedicated leadership, and loyal members.
🌟 Take the lead in supporting over 47,000 students and nearly 20,000 PTA members across Plano ISD! 🎓✨ By partnering with the Plano ISD Council of PTAs, your business can:
✯ Drive Change: 🚀 Invest directly in the future of our schools, creating better educational experiences and resources for students and educators. 📚🎒
✯ Maximize Exposure: 🌐 Showcase your brand’s commitment to local education and get noticed as a key player in community development. 🏢🤝
✯ Build Loyalty: ❤️ Align with an organization trusted for over 100 years, cementing your reputation as a dedicated partner in supporting our children’s success. 👧👦🌟
💡 Don’t miss this opportunity to make a lasting difference—become a sponsor today! 🎉🙌
Every vote tells a story—of care, community, and commitment to our children’s future. The Plano ISD Council of PTAs encourages all eligible voters to take part in this November’s election. Your participation shapes the schools, neighborhoods, and opportunities that help every student thrive. 🌟
When families, educators, and community members stay engaged, our shared voice grows stronger. Let’s model active citizenship for our students—they’re watching, learning, and counting on us! 💪📚
Together, we make a difference—one vote at a time. ❤️
Texas PTA Senior & Staff Scholarship Applications Open
Texas PTA’s annual scholarship program is now open! This program provides:
Senior Scholarships – $1,000 awards for graduating high school seniors who are college or technical school bound. Applicants must be members of a PTA/PTSA that is active by December 1.
Faculty/Staff Scholarships – Up to $500 awards for Texas educators and staff working at schools with an active PTA/PTSA.
Key Dates:
Applications close: November 15, 2025
PTA membership required by: December 1, 2025
Recipients announced: April 1, 2026
These scholarships not only provide financial support but also recognize leadership, community engagement, and academic success.
Need a ready-to-go program for your families or meetings? TXPTA Connect has you covered with presentations (in English & Spanish) on topics like:
College readiness
Vaping
Financial literacy
School safety
Each program includes a video, facilitator guide, discussion questions, and activities. Some are as short as 10 minutes—perfect for adding to a general meeting.
New dates added! Celebrate the beginning of winter break with family, fun and incredible memories! Texas PTA is teaming up with Kalahari Resorts & Conventions to share an exclusive discount for your next getaway. Right now, you can choose to visit Kalahari Round Rock on the weekends of November 7th-10th, 14th-15th, or December 18th-19th for member-only rates!
Use the links below and select “Attendee” to book now to start your next adventure - whether it’s family fun or a friends’ escape.
Not a PTA member? Join now at JoinPTA.org to help make every child’s potential a reality. We can’t wait to see you there!
📅 LAUNCH 2026: July 10–12 at the Gaylord! 🎉
Mark your calendars now —next year’s LAUNCH will be July 10–12, 2026 at the Gaylord! You won’t want to miss it!
National PTA News
Auto-Generated GoFundMe Pages: What PTAs Can Do
In mid-October, it was reported that GoFundMe automatically created millions of donation pages for organizations registered as nonprofits across the U.S. without the organizations’ direct consent or knowledge. Among the “auto-generated” pages, are pages that were created for PTAs across the country.
In response to nonprofit and donor backlash, GoFundMe has since announced policy changes, stating now that nonprofit pages will be opt-in only going forward, and that unverified or unclaimed pages will be removed or de-indexed from search.
What PTAs Can Do
PTAs can search for their GoFundMe listing by your association name or EIN using the nonprofit search portal.
If a donation page is identified for your PTA and you would like to claim it, click on the “start verification” button at the bottom of the page. You will be prompted to verify contact information for your association and your EIN. You will also be prompted to create an account within GoFundMe if you do not already have one. You will have to provide your name, role, email, phone and address to verify the account. After your page has been verified, you can keep it hidden or de-indexed until you are ready to use it, go to your account settings to unpublish the page or use the fundraising tools as your PTA may wish to do so.
November (all month long): November is Healthy Lifestyles Month. A healthy lifestyle is a key component to our students' ability to thrive. National PTA offers educational resources and engagement opportunities that empower students and families to make better-informed health decisions. Learn more.
November (all month long): November is National Family Engagement Month. Over 40 years of research shows that the most effective way to increase student achievement is for families to be actively engaged in the education of their children. Learn more.
Nov. 20: Join National PTA at 3 p.m. ET on our YouTube channel for a webinar "50 Years of IDEA: Celebrating Progress and Creating an Inclusive Future for Students with Disabilities" to honor the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); highlight its transformative impact on public education; and engage families, educators and advocates in a forward-thinking conversation about ensuring equity, access and inclusion for all students with disabilities.
Visit PTA.org/Events for a full calendar of what's coming soon.
City of Plano News
Citywide food drive to support local food banks and pantries
Plano Residents & Community Leaders,
The Neighbors of Hughston Planning Committee is organizing the Plano Food Fight, a citywide food drive and fundraiser to support local food banks and pantries serving families impacted by the ongoing government shutdown.
As federal benefits and paychecks are delayed, food insecurity is rising. Within the North Texas Food Bank’s 12-county service area, more than 460,000 residents rely on SNAP, and nearly half are children. The loss of these benefits represents over $80 million each month in grocery assistance. Community support is urgently needed to help fill that gap.
How to Participate
Residents, businesses, schools, churches, and organizations can take part in one or both of the following ways:
Submit a Weight Receipt:
For a full list of eligible items, visit our Facebook event.
Deliver your collected donations to the North Texas Food Bank, 3677 Mapleshade Ln., Plano, TX 75075.
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. and Saturday, 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Organizations that already have food drives or standing partnerships with another local pantry or food bank are also eligible. Just submit a weight receipt from that organization.
Donate Online:
Contribute to our virtual food drive, hosted by the North Texas Food Bank.
The link will be available at our Facebook event on Monday, November 3. Each dollar donated provides three meals for North Texans in need.
Recognition and Zones
The Plano Food Fight will recognize:
The top zone (East Plano, Central Plano, or West Plano) for both food and funds raised
The top three neighborhoods or organizations within each zone
Zones are based on geography and align with the Plano East, Plano Senior, and Plano West high school areas.
Get Ready for Texas Recycles Day 2025
Clean your attic and garage of reusable donations and benefit local non-profit organizations that support our reuse and recycling efforts.
Sporting goods – except for fitness gear, treadmills, ellipticals, exercise bikes, weight plates, bars, benches and anything with wheels.
Electronics – except for TVs, LCD or CRT monitors with broken screens
Secure on-site paper shredding – maximum of two standard file-size boxes
Visit Plano.gov/TRD for a complete list of this year’s accepted items and other important details. Items not listed will be turned away. As you prepare your items, please pack them by category so your car can be unloaded faster and your items can be sorted more efficiently.
Can’t make it to Texas Recycles Day? Our convenient Community Recycling Events are available on the first, second and third Saturday of every month and accept some of the same items.
Join the Plano Symphony Orchestra for an unforgettable evening with Beethoven’s Fifth & The Music of Star Wars. The concert opens with Beethoven’s iconic Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, a powerful and dramatic masterpiece that has captivated audiences for centuries. The second half takes you on an epic journey through the Star Wars universe with selections from John Williams’ legendary scores, including music from The Phantom Menace, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, and The Force Awakens.
This concert dedicated to the memory of Wanda June Parker.
Student tickets are available in certain sections with a valid student ID!
Calling all talented young artists! The Downtown Plano Arts District is looking for talented youth to showcase their creativity in our Street Banner Design Contest.
Youth ages 5-18 are invited to submit original winter themed artwork in Downtown Plano. The ten artists selected to have their artwork displayed on banners throughout Downtown Plano will each receive $100.
Who can participate:
• Youth ages 5-18
• Artist must reside within Plano ISD boundaries
Submissions:
Art MUST be vertical in orientation
Digital art MUST be hi-res
Physical art is best if it’s on unlined paper or canvas
Bold colors do best, with limited open white space
How to submit:
• Vertical artwork should be 8x11, approximately the shape of a regular piece of paper.
• Submit DIGITAL artwork at michelleha@plano.gov
• Submit PHYSICAL artwork by dropping it off with staff at Bibliobar, Ten 20 Art Gallery or Municipal Center labeled “ATTN: Michelle Hawkins.”
Please include your child’s name and age, and parent’s contact information on the back.
• All artwork must be received by 11:59 pm November 11th.
Winners will be notified by November 24th. Artwork will not be returned.
Collin County News
Frisco/Plano Student Org Seeking Judges
Business Professionals of America – Area 1 Region 3 is seeking judges for our regional-level student contest entries and would love your help!
Our high school students in this organization will have been working over several months to prepare their research, business skills, and presentations for regional, state and national competition. We’re inviting you to take part in this first round, and have the opportunity to see the great work our students will have been doing. They rely on YOU to HELP THEM get better!
Take a few moments to review the sign-up online at https://area1region3.bpa.org/judges/. We’ve provided the link to each event’s description for your convenience. For some events, we’ve broken the pre-submitted materials judging into a technical evaluation and a presentation evaluation; please pick the type of scoring you’re more comfortable doing.
Materials will become available for your review starting December 20, 2025. We will need them back graded by January 5, 2025, so we can release finals. Our Finals in-person event is Saturday, January 17, 2026 at Reedy High School in Frisco, Texas.
As you decide from these events, we ask that you keep your selections to a maximum of two so that everyone has a chance to participate. However, you are welcome to sign up to judge two pre-submitted categories AND serve on-site at our in-person regional competition on January 17, 2026. Due to scheduling conflicts, you can only judge one in-person event. If you would like to judge more than two pre-submitted events, please talk with Julie or Matt for additional information.
Finally, if you are a member of an organization, church, neighborhood association, professionally-oriented friend group, or a business that promotes community involvement, PLEASE forward out to your colleagues. We’d love to share the work our kids are doing with as many people as possible.
It’s that time of year again, SKI Plano (Supporting Kids In Plano) is right around the corner!
We’re thrilled to invite your participation once again in support of the Plano ISD Education Foundation’s largest fundraising event, benefiting teachers and students right here in your campus community. As we celebrate 30 years of SKI Plano, our goal is to make an even greater impact across the district and we can’t do it without YOU!
As the needs of our district continue to grow, your involvement is more important than ever. There are many ways to get involved, from spreading the word of our upcoming fundraising events to donating a themed basket to SKI Plano. Every dollar raised directly supports programs that empower Plano ISD students and educators in meaningful ways.
SOCIAL SUPPORT:
Your support doesn’t have to consist only of donating a basket to SKI Plano; we also value your social support! Feel free to share our SKI Plano and Cork & Fork posts on your social media platforms to help amplify the message, raising more funds to stretch across our campuses.
To kick things off, join us for our 2nd annual Cork & Fork event, where the community gathers to donate wine bottles and gift cards for the SKI Plano Cork & Fork Pull. The more we receive, the more we can give back to our students and educators across Plano ISD.
TO ENTER, you must RSVP and bring a bottle of wine or restaurant gift card valued at $25 or more! All donations will go towards the Cork & Fork pull at SKI Plano.
Upon registering, you will receive an email confirmation and parking information closer to the event. And Yes, parking is COMPLIMENTARY!
If your PTA is interested in donating a themed basket this year, please complete the in-kind donation.
form and email it to our SKI Plano 2026 PTA Committee Lead, Kelsey Pichta at kelseyplichta@gmail.com.
DROP OFF LOCATIONS:
Once you’ve completed your basket, we ask all baskets be delivered to one of the following addresses by
January 23.
● West Plano Location: 5925 Pebblestone Lane, Plano, TX 75093
● East Plano Location: 3412 Greenbriar Lane, Plano, TX 75074
We’re so grateful for your help in us continuing this legacy of impact and celebration. Let’s make this year’s SKI Plano the GREATEST one yet!
2025-2026 School Appreciation Days 🗓️
Planning ahead for school appreciation days helps PTAs show meaningful support for our dedicated school staff and educators. By marking these dates on your calendar now, your PTA can organize thoughtful recognition events and ensure every member of your school community feels valued throughout the year.
NOVEMBER 2025 🧠 11/3-7 School Psychologist Week 👥 11/19 Education Support Professionals Day 📝 11/21 Substitute Educators Day
JANUARY 2026📋 1/1-31 School Board Recognition Month 👮 1/9 Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
FEBRUARY 2026❤️🚌 2/1-28 Celebrate your bus drivers! 🚸 2/6 School Crossing Guard Appreciation Day 👮♂️ 2/15 School Resource Officer Appreciation Day 💭 2/2-6 School Counselor Appreciation Week 👮♂️ 2/15 School Resource Officer Appreciation Day 🚌 2/22 School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
MARCH 2026🤝 3/2-6 National School Social Worker Week
APRIL 2026 👥 4/1 Paraprofessional Appreciation Day 📚 4/4 School Librarian Appreciation Day 👔 4/6-10 National Assistant Principals Week 🌟 4/20-24 National Public School Volunteer Appreciation Week 💼 4/22 Administrative Professionals Day 🚌 4/28 School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
MAY 2026 👔 5/1 School Principal's Day 🍎 5/1 School Lunch Hero Day 📚 5/4-8 Teacher Appreciation Week ⚕️ 5/6 School Nurse Day 🗣️ 5/18 Speech Pathologist Day
Events
Subscribe: If you would like to subscribe to any of these calendars, please visit the Subscription page to find out how.
