From the Desk of Jeri Duncan, Plano ISD Council of PTAs President
PTA Leaders,
Strong PTA leadership makes a powerful difference in how our schools and communities thrive. Here are a few ways leaders can set their teams up for success this year:
Communicate with Purpose: Clear and timely communication through meetings, newsletters, and check-ins keeps everyone aligned. Sharing updates on goals, events, and progress ensures members feel informed and valued.
Delegate and Build Leaders: PTA is strongest when many hands and voices are involved. Share responsibilities across your board and committees, and encourage volunteers to take ownership. This approach not only gets things done but also develops future leaders.
Stay Mission-Centered: Every activity, fundraiser, and event should connect back to PTA’s mission to make every child’s potential a reality. Reminding your team of this bigger picture helps sustain focus and energy during busy seasons.
Recognize and Celebrate: A sincere thank you or public acknowledgment goes a long way. Recognizing milestones and volunteer contributions builds momentum and keeps members engaged.
Leadership in PTA is more than managing events. It is about inspiring others, uplifting families, and ensuring every child has a voice. By leading with clarity, teamwork, and purpose, you will help your PTA flourish this school year.
Your partner in supporting Every Child with One Voice,
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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🌟 Local PTA Impact Grants: Apply Now
🚨 Now Accepting Applications for the Local PTA Impact Grants! 🚨
Is your PTA planning an innovative program that supports students, families, or campus life? Apply now for a Plano ISD Council of PTAs Impact Grant and bring your idea to life!
These grants provide financial support for projects that enrich learning, promote wellness, build leadership, and foster stronger school communities. Past recipients have launched language inclusion initiatives, student outreach programs, and more!
✅ Eligibility: All Plano ISD PTAs in good standing 🎯 Focus Areas:
Academic enrichment
Health & wellness
Family engagement
Leadership development
Social-emotional learning
Before you apply, be sure to: 1️⃣ Develop your project proposal 2️⃣ Get principal approval 3️⃣ Submit your application
The Delegate Meeting scheduled for October 23rd will be held via Zoom instead of at the Admin Building due to a scheduling conflict. Registration details and the Zoom link will be shared with you soon.
Minutes Matter: Notes from Rachel Good, Council Secretary
I hope your school year is going well! My name is Rachel Goode, and I am your Secretary contact on the Plano Council of PTAs. The Council board’s goal is to help you and your PTA succeed—and I’m here to support you.
• Work with the president to set a process to approve the minutes. The options are: – Secretary reads minutes at the next meeting for approval. – Secretary emails minutes in advance; approval at the next meeting. – President appoints a Minutes Review Committee of three members to review prior to the next meeting.
• Know your quorum for Board and Membership meetings (in your Bylaws).
I hope this checklist helps simplify your role. Please reach out if you have questions or need support. Thank you for serving your school community!
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.
Plano ISD News
National Principals Month
October is National Principals Month, and we're giving a special shoutout to ALL of our outstanding campus principals! Your leadership, vision, kindness and care contribute to the success of our students and staff!
Plano ISD Academy Open Houses
8th graders + families: Explore your future at Plano ISD Academy Open Houses next week!
📝 Description: Join us for the upcoming School Board Meeting to stay informed and engaged with our district's updates and decisions.
📅 Meetings are held regularly, and you can find the full schedule, along with live streaming options, at 🌐 pisd.edu/PISDLIVE.
👥 Stay connected and informed about the future of Plano ISD! 🎥
National Bullying Prevention Month & Plano ISD Upstander Week
As part of National Bullying Prevention Month, Plano ISD is launching a Kindness & Upstander Campaign during October. This effort is about encouraging students to speak up with kindness and confidence when they see someone being treated unfairly or left out.
Look for a note from your principal soon with more on how our schools are focusing on kindness, courage and respect. Follow us on social media all month, and thank you for helping us build a community where every student feels safe and valued.
Skyward Student Information Update Form
Plano ISD is excited to share that, following a close partnership with Skyward Q, families can now update specific student data within the Family Access Portal. This form will be available on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
Families can submit changes once per day, with the daily limit resetting at midnight. Updates must be at the individual student level, as forms are not linked across siblings.
What can be changed?
Consents and authorizations
Families will see the original consent or authorization chosen during annual selections. Updates can be made to reflect new responses, which campuses will see immediately on their end
Emergency contact information
Families will be able to add the names and phone numbers of emergency contacts for their student
Emergency contact changes will be reflected in the system as soon as the campus approves the form
If you need to edit an existing emergency contact, you may need to contact your campus directly.
Address changes will remain at the campus level. If you require an address change, please contact your campus directly to submit acceptable proof of residency.
If you require assistance with an immediate change, please contact your campus directly. Skyward Student Information Update Form
Plano ISD is launching an Electrical Engineering Academy in partnership with East Texas A&M University, starting in the 2026–27 school year at Jasper and Plano West. Students can earn up to 53 college credit hours—including engineering courses—while still in high school.
This new program completes Plano ISD’s goal of offering academy pathways at all senior high schools. Applications open soon for current 9th graders.
Texas PTA requires that every PTA bank, credit card, and e-commerce account statement be reviewed each month by a PTA member who is not an authorized signer. This review is an important monthly checkpoint that supports your end-of-year Financial Reconciliation and is also required by your PTA insurance.
The reviewer is appointed by the President and approved by the executive board. Using the official form at txpta.org/treasurer, they examine each month’s statements for accuracy and accountability.
Completed forms are filed with the Secretary, with copies for the Treasurer and reviewer, and reported at the next board meeting.
This simple step protects PTA funds and keeps your association in compliance all year long.
2025–2026 Executive Board Members
Congratulations on your new position! Here are a few steps to help you get started.
(These are tasks newly elected officers can complete now. Some steps in theResource Guide may be easier to do after the new board meets or the fiscal year begins.)
Register as an Officer with Texas PTA: All officers must register with Texas PTA. Use the “President-Elect” option only if your PTA follows the President-Elect board structure. Register here.
Complete Required Training: Texas PTA requires all Board members to complete two training requirements. FOUNDATIONS Essentials and Basics can be completed online and should be taken within 30 days of election or appointment. Complete training.
Review Bylaws and Standing Rules: Take time to review your PTA’s bylaws and standing rules to understand the structure and expectations of your role.
Meet with Your Predecessor: Schedule a meeting with the outgoing officer to learn more about the position and plan the transfer of materials at the end of the fiscal year.
Develop a Plan of Work: Draft a plan of work for your role and submit it to the executive board for approval at an upcoming meeting.
Contact Plano ISD Council of PTAs with Questions: If you have questions or need support, Plano Council is here to help! Contact us.
Support Your Local PTA: Donate at their World Wear Bin
Help us keep our campuses clean! Please place all donations inside the World Wear bins. Items left outside not only detract from the appearance of our campus but can also create safety concerns.
🧤👟 Many Plano ISD campuses have a World Wear Project bin!
👚👞 Donate clothing, shoes, purses, belts, backpacks, toys & more
💰📚 Proceeds support local PTAs & our students
📢 Anyone can donate—tell your neighbors!
📍 Look for the bin on your campus (often near parking lots or fields)
🛍️➡️ Fill bags so they fit inside the bin—if full, please return later
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.
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! 🎉🙌
For the November 4, 2025 election in Texas, the voter registration deadline is Monday, October 6, 2025.
TXPTA Connect Resources
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.
The H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards program provides cash grants to finalists, winners and their schools. An application is the first step toward transformative recognition and real resources for educators and their communities.
Apply now for the 2026 Awards at HEBLovesTeachers.com. Applications close November 2nd!
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.
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
National PTA is here to help you every step of the way.
Stay Connected with Us
If you haven't already, join the Local PTA Leader Facebook Group and follow National PTA on social media to expand your network and stay in-the-know.
Make Joining Your PTA Easy
Because membership is the force behind PTA’s strength and ability to influence policies that benefit ALL children, we need everyone to join and become part of the PTA family! All of our members and leaders are responsible for growing PTA’s membership. We made it easy for people anywhere to join your PTA online through PTA.org. Don't see your link? Send us your link to be added.
Thrive is PTA’s online learning community for volunteers and PTA members. It offers engaging, short courses that you can take at your own convenience, time and pace that cover a variety of topics like how to lead through change, manage conflict and build an inclusive team along with how to grow membership and become a stronger leader.
🌟 National PTA School of Excellence
This recognition program helps open communication and build strong school communities through data-driven decisions. It’s a fantastic way to grow your PTA family and create long-term impact for students.
Step 1: Enroll by Oct. 15
Gather feedback, build an action plan, check in with your community, and then celebrate your excellence next August!
Our VP of Programs, Kelsey Plichta, programs@PlanoPTA.org, has personally gone through this program—she is happy to walk you through it if you’re curious. Her advice: if you’re considering it, just sign up!
Join the City's community information sessions to share updates and gather feedback about the future of Davis Elementary, Forman Elementary and Armstrong Middle School.
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer and more connected. It's a great opportunity to:
Meet your neighbors
Connect with Plano Police Officers
Strengthen community spirit
Help prevent Crime and build trust
If your neighborhood or HOA would like to participate, we’d love to hear from you! Contact Emily Jackson with the Plano Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit at ejackson@plano.gov or 972-841-2134.
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.
When: October 18, 2025, 11 am – 5 pm Where: Haggard Park, Plano Cost: Admission and parking are free.
Tour the world and improve your health & wellness at the Plano International Festival! Enjoy food trucks, cultural entertainment, kids’ activities and displays from around the world. Take advantage of free health services, screenings and fitness demos in the Wellness Fair and Fitzone. Admission and parking are free! Happening 11am - 5pm on Sat. Oct.18, Haggard Park, Plano.
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.
OCTOBER 2025👔 10/1-31 National Principals Month 🧹 10/2 School Custodial Workers Appreciation Day 📚 10/5 World Teachers Day 🚌 10/20-24 National School Bus Safety Week
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
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