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A Message from Kevin Parker
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3 Weeks and Counting!! The calendar is packed full of events from now until June 1
st
. Monday and Tuesday will be our last STAAR testing days of this school year. We are asking that we do not have any visitors on campus those days to ensure the best testing environment possible. Our schedule is a little different next Monday and Tuesday due to testing. It will be as follows:
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May 14th/15th STAAR Schedule
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Lunch
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Specials
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Recess
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Kinder
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12:15-12:45
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Kinder
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9:20-10:10
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Kinder
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12:45-1:15
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1st
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11:45-12:15
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1st
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12:15-1:05
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1st
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11:10-11:40
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2nd
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12:45-1:15
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2nd
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10:15-11:05
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2nd
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1:15-1:45
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3rd
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11:15-11:45
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3rd
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1:10-2:00
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3rd
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2:05-2:35
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4th
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10:45-11:15
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4th
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2:05-2:55
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4th
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1:40-2:10
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We will have a Star Party (no relation to the STAAR!) next Friday. The Texas Astronomical Society will once again bring their viewing equipment up and allow us to see the stars, moon, and anything else that might be in our view that night. We hope you can join us on the 18
th
. We will begin at dark and continue for two hours.
At the beginning of the year, we challenged the dads in our 100 Dad Challenge through our Watch D.O.G.S. program. I am extremely happy to say that with the dads we have volunteering over the next couple of weeks, we will hit our target of 100 volunteer days. Thank you to all of our dads to took the time to spend on our campus this year and a very special thanks to Henri Friloux for organizing this program!
From time to time, we have the opportunity to assist a secondary student with a special project.
Ryan Cocks, a seventh grader at Willow Springs and former Puster student, has asked for our support and help. He is a Life Scout who is working on his Eagle Scout Project, Kids Against Hunger. Working with the Send Hope organization (www.send-hope.org), Ryan's goal is to pack over 5,000 meals, which will be sent to needy children and families in Honduras.
On Monday, May 21st, Ryan will lead a meal-packing event with our Puster students during the school day. He will instruct and then supervise our students as they safely package and organize nutritious meals for shipment to Honduras.
Ryan requests two things from our Puster family. First, he requests parents to help their children pack meals on May 21st. Second, he requests your financial support. Each meal costs the Send Hope organization 25 cents. Ryan hopes to pay a portion of Send Hope's cost by contributing to them. He has placed a large water jug in the School's rotunda. He asks you or your children to consider contributing something to help support the cause of feeding needy children and families. The entire collection will be donated in Puster Elementary School's name to Send Hope.
Ryan's work will be on the same day as our Field Day activities. We will send out a schedule next week for the entire day of the 21st. We hope you can join us as Puster students make a small difference to our world.
Pride in Puster,
Kevin
Please let me know if I can do anything for you. You can always reach me on my cell phone at 469-667-2280.
Follow Mr. Parker on Twitter @peskevinparker and follow what's happening on our campus @pusterlearners.
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May 11 - 4th Grade Field Trip to Austin
May 11 - Kindergarten Splash Day
May 14 - STAAR Testing 3rd and 4th Grade Math
May 15 - STAAR Testing 3rd and 4th Grade Reading
May 17 - Watch Me Sculpt
May 18 - 4
th Gr. Beach Bash at SCIS @ 4:00
May 18 - Star Party 8:00 - 10:00 PM
May 21 - Field Day
May 22 - 24 - BOGO Book Fair
May 28 - Memorial Day Holiday
May 30 - Kindergarten Talent Show and EOY Celebration
May 30 - 4th Grade Graduation
June 1 - Early Release @ 12:00
June 1 - Puster Pride @ 8:15
June 1 - Yearbook Signing (Students only)
June 1 - Pizza Lunches in the Classrooms
June 1 - 4th Grade Walk @ 11:45
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Foundation for Lovejoy Schools
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Denim and Diamonds 2019
Planning for Denim and Diamonds 2019, which will be Saturday, February 2nd at the Marriott Legacy Town Center in Plano, is now underway. The Foundation is gathering ideas and working on some new, fun and exciting things for next year's event.
The Foundation is requesting your input and help. If you are interested in learning more about the different areas in which you may serve or just want to provide feedback, this is an opportunity for you. Please join us for a lite lunch on May 10th at Rick's Chophouse in McKinney at 11:30 AM. This will be a great time to talk about Denim and Diamonds, answer questions, listen to ideas, and plan for next year.
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Absences/Tardies
Please e-mail Kendra Card @ Kendra_card@lovejoyisd.net
each day
that your child is absent. Absences accompanied by a doctor's note are considered excused.
Parents of children who are absent (unexcused) for 3 or more days or parts of days within any 4 week period will receive a letter from our office. A meeting/action plan may be requested for any child who is absent 10 or more days within any 6 month period.
Please remember that students need to be seated in their classrooms when the 8:00 a.m. bell rings. Otherwise, they are considered tardy
If you have questions or need more information regarding our district policy on absenteeism, please contact our Assistant
Principal,
Holly Haynes: 469-742-8227 or email :
holly_haynes@lovejoyisd.net.
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Lunchroom Visitors
You are welcome to have lunch with your child throughout the year. Please keep in mind that you may only bring food for your child to eat. We have many students on campus with food allergies and this will ensure that students are not put at risk. Also, just as in years past, we ask that only you and your child sit at the designated tables closest to the hallway windows.
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Morning Drop Off
This routine will stay the same as in years past. Cars will enter the north driveway and come to the back of the campus. Either staff or Safety Crew students will be waiting to assist your child out of the car. On the first day of school, students will go immediately to their classroom regardless of what time they arrive. Beginning on August 22, students who arrive before 7:45 AM will report to the cafeteria (3
rd
/4
th
graders) or the gym (KG, 1
st
, 2
nd
graders). They will then move to their classes when the bell rings at 7:45 AM.
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Afternoon Pick Up
Students will be dismissed at 3:05. Car riders will be dismissed to the back of the campus. Please have your car number visible so this procedure will go as smoothly as possible. If you plan to walk up to the front door to pick up your child, we will ask that you wait outside until the bus riders come through the front door. We will then release your child to you. This ensures the buses get out in a timely manner, as well as, we know exactly who your child is leaving campus with. The safety of your children trumps everything else we do at Puster.
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PUSTER NEWS
STAAR TESTING
As a reminder, our students will be taking the STAAR test on Monday 5/14 and Tuesday 5/15. In order to maintain a secure testing environment,
we ask that there are no visitors or volunteers in the building on those two days
. The daily schedule for those days will be adjusted:
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May 14th/15th STAAR Schedule
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Lunch
|
|
Specials
|
|
Recess
|
|
Kinder
|
12:15-12:45
|
Kinder
|
9:20-10:10
|
Kinder
|
12:45-1:15
|
|
1st
|
11:45-12:15
|
1st
|
12:15-1:05
|
1st
|
11:10-11:40
|
|
2nd
|
12:45-1:15
|
2nd
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10:15-11:05
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2nd
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1:15-1:45
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3rd
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11:15-11:45
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3rd
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1:10-2:00
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3rd
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2:05-2:35
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4th
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10:45-11:15
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4th
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2:05-2:55
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4th
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1:40-2:10
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NEW! Important News from Student Nutrition
Regarding Change in Student Meal Accounts
In an effort to help minimize negative balances at the end of the school year, beginning Monday, May 14
th
, and for the remainder of the school year, students will no longer be able to charge meals which result in the student incurring a negative meal account balance. Students may continue to use their lunch accounts as long as they have a positive meal account balance. Households with students who currently have negative balances will receive reminder emails and phone calls. Federal regulations prohibit us from rolling over negative balances to the next school year. Please arrange to remit payment for any negative lunch accounts your child may have incurred.
All positive balances will be rolled over to next school year. If you have a graduating senior, funds may be transferred to any sibling in the school district. To request a meal account refund, please complete a refund request form, located on the
Student Nutrition website
. For assistance, please contact us at
469-742-8041
.
The Department of Student Nutrition Services thanks you for your understanding and for allowing us to serve your student(s) this school year.
New! Order School Supplies Now for 2018-2019
Online Ordering Only!
Now thru June 24th!
2. Enter the school ID, PUS011
3. Follow the directions to complete your order
4. Keep your online confirmation as you're your receipt
NEW! Star Party
Puster Elementary School will host a Star Party on Tuesday, May 18 from 8:00 - 10:00 on the playground east of Puster Elementary School. This event is open to the public. We hope you will join us and bring your friends and family.
Puster Teacher Request Information for 2018-2019
It is the time of year when we (already!) begin thinking about next school year. Please follow the link to fill out our Puster Teacher Request Form. Information collected in this form will be provided to current classroom teachers to consider as they create classes for the 2018-2019 school year.
If there is information you wish to keep confidential, please make a note within the form or email me directly at holly_haynes@lovejoyisd.net.
This form will remain open April 19 - May 11:
Register your Kindergarten student now
for the 2018-2019 school year.
If you have a child who will be 5 years of age on or before September 1, 2018, please come to the Puster Office and register.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR STUDENT REGISTRATION
:
Completed Enrollment Forms
-
we will have hard copies at our campus or they can be found at: www.lovejoyisd.net, click on Parents/Parent Resources/Enrollment & Registration/New Student Registration Requirements and Forms
Copy of original birth certificate
Copy of Social Security Card
Current Copy of Immunization Record
Proof of Residency:
Copy of Driver License
Copy of current utility bill
Copy of current rental agreement
469-742-8003
*Only complete packets will be accepted*
Students and parents will be invited to the school in May for a Kindergarten Sneak Peek.
We Look Forward to Meeting You
Puster Elementary
Watch D.O.G.S. 100 DAD Challenge
Take a day or ½ day to be a hero for your child. Get your picture on the Puster Watch D.O.G.S. wall with your child.
Signup below for your day. Let's see how fast we can fill this up.
What is WATCH D.O.G.S and how do you participate?
Watch D.O.G.S. is a program that helps bring dads and other male role models into our school. Dad's spend a day with their child at school and get to interact alongside the teachers, help with carpool, monitor hallways, help out in the classroom, help with specials...the possibilities are endless.
Each Watch D.O.G. dad will need a T-shirt that he will wear on the day he is volunteering at the school. Your child/children may also want a "My Hero" shirt to wear that day too. Below is the link to purchase your t-shirts.
*Dads order the official "Watch D.O.G.S ®" t-shirt
*For your kids order the "My Hero" t-shirt
To participate in the Watch D.O.G.S. at Puster you must be an approved volunteer. Please complete the Lovejoy ISD 2017-2018 Online Volunteer Application:
Go to
www.lovejoyisd.net , selecting "Parents - Parent Resources" from the top tool bar, and "Volunteer Application" from the right side of the page.
Please get your application in quickly to allow the district time to perform the background check prior to your volunteer day as a Watchdog. If you are not approved you will not be allowed to volunteer
If you have any questions you can contact Henri Friloux at henri.friloux@gmail.com or 972-365-5478.
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Notices from the Library
Over the next few weeks, you may receive a notice by email or Thursday folders about overdue library books. This is just a reminder to check around the house for library books that need to be returned before the end of school. The cost to replace the book is listed on the notice for your information. If you are certain that the book is lost or damaged, please use the Puster Library Book link on Revtrak/Online Payment Center to make a payment. Thanks for your help!
Graphic Novel Workshops-- 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders
The GN workshop groups will not meet during the week of May 14-15 due to STAAR testing. We will plan to meet one more time in May. Students are encouraged to continue to work on their projects in their free time. This is not an assignment, of course. We just want the students to feel like writing and creating is enjoyable and is something they can do anytime (not just when assigned!).
Summer Reading Kickoff
This year, we have a different kind of challenge for summer reading! Instead of logging minutes, all Lovejoy schools will be promoting summer reading with a gamification approach. Mrs. Smithwick will be meeting with all classes during LOJO Book Week (May 21-25) to share the program and some great books. We will also announce how Mr. Parker will celebrate summer reading success if we meet our goal! #staytuned
BOGO Book Fair
The Buy One Get One Free book fair is coming to Puster May 22-24. This is a great time to stock up on titles for summer reading. There will not be a student preview this time, and we will not be selling toys and trinkets at this fair.
It's going to be short, simple, and sweet! A volunteer sign up is available now:
You can also find the link on our Facebook and Twitter feeds.
Future 4th Graders-- Morning Crew Auditions
Third graders who are interested in participating in the Morning Crew (announcements) next year will have auditions during recess on May 16, 17, and 18. We have been sharing information and giving instructions about the application on the morning show every day for the past two weeks. Here is the link to access the application which closes on Saturday, May 12.
Future 4th Graders-- Leopard Leaders
The application for Leopard Leaders is now available on the library website. Third graders who are interested in utilizing one recess a week to be a servant leader in our school can complete the application. This year, we've had 4th graders lending helping hands in art, music, PE, Pre-K, Kinder, and 1st grade classrooms. We also have library, makerspace, and recycling helpers. This program is very popular with students and teachers. We are excited to have a new group involved next year!
https://pes.lovejoyisd.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=383485&type=d&pREC_ID=1073765
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DISTRICT NEWS
2018-2019 LISD Calendar
Go to this link for a copy of the calendar for next year:
NEW! Swim Camps
Metroplex Aquatics will host summer camps:
June 4th - June 22nd
June 25th - July 13th
July 16th - August 3rd
The camps are open to all levels of swimmers who are able to swim 1 length of the pool without stopping or holding on to the lane rope. For additional information, please
click here
NEW!
FC Leopard Indoor Summer Soccer
Two Lovejoy parents, Abby Gray and Dan Murphy, are forming a Lovejoy 4th Grade girls indoor soccer team. The idea of the team is for girls with a similar interest in soccer to get to know each other and have fun. The goal is to have a team of girls from Lovejoy, Hart and Puster Elementary Schools. Basic information follows:
- 1-2 practices at the beginning of the season to understand the rules and get to know other players
- 8 total games, 45 minutes long, no playoffs, no trophies - just having some fun, getting some exercise, and getting to know other girls
- It's indoor at PSA Murphy so it will always bright and air-conditioned. Games are from June 2nd through August 12th
- Fast-paced, non-stop action. The clock never stops and the substitutions are real time
- Since we will not be having practices, we are looking for girls who have played soccer within the last year
- Both recreational and competitive players are welcome
- For additional information, please contact Dan Murphy at murpdj72@gmail.com or Abby Gray at abbybauer@hotmail.com
May Student Nutrition Newsletter:
NEW! Lovejoy High Summer Musical Theatre Camp
The Lovejoy High School Theatre Department will produce Disney's The Jungle Book - KIDS this summer.
Students will work together to produce and perform Disney's The Jungle Book- Kids. Students will develop confidence, sharpen their musical and theatrical skills, and create wonderful memories along the way. Directed by Jessica Brewster, LHS Head Theatre Director, and musically directed by Anne Tracy, Puster Elementary Music Specialist, this show will be sure to be an unforgettable experience.
There are three camp opportunities available, which will run simultaneously:
● Lovejoy HS Summer Musical Theatre Camp
- for students completing 3rd grade through 6th grade who want to perform on stage.
● Lovejoy HS Summer Technical Theatre Camp
- for students completing 3rd grade through 6th grade who want to work behind the scenes.
● Lovejoy HS Summer Musical Theatre Intern Camp
- for students completing 7th grade through 8th grade who want to work with the LHS Theatre staff to produce the show.
You may
click here
for additional information and for registration
Performance Course Spring and Summer Sessions will be offered Lovejoy for all ages. For detailed information, please click on the links below.
Lovejoy Country Run -
May 12th
Join us for the 12th Annual Running with the Leopards Country Run on Saturday, May 12th at Lovejoy High School. The 1k Fun Run will begin at 7:30 AM and the 5k Run will begin at 8:00 AM at Leopard Stadium. The Country Run is coordinated by Lovejoy Leopards, Inc. (LLI) and benefits the Lovejoy athletic booster clubs. Please
click here
to register. If your business is interested in sponsoring the Country Run, please
click here
for the sponsorship form
Lovejoy Parent Authors Book
Susan Hoemke, a Lovejoy parent, has authored a book titled,
Healing Scarred Hearts which will be released on May 8th. Following is information shared by Susan:
"After we lost our son Hayden in 2014 to drug overdose and our family was impacted the 8 years as he struggled with addiction and personality disorder, I began to feel the need to educate other families about what all we learned. I have been working with Kathy Stone to build a better drug awareness program. In 2016, when the Opioid crisis made the news, I decided to write a book and in 2017 Brown Books Publishing accepted my manuscript and this began the process to bring our story to the frontline.
Healing Scarred Hearts will be released May 8th with hopes to bring education and healing to the complicated issue of substance abuse, addiction and overdose. My book also shares the crisis of legal issues that many times are associated with kids and substance abuse."
Kids 1st Summer Camp
Kids 1st is no accepting registrations for summer camp. To to this link for additional information:
Sewing Camp
Join the fun at Summer Sewing Camps to be held at Willow Springs Middle School. Sewing Basics 101 teaches machine and tool basics while making a pillowcase and PJs. Sewing Skills Builder 201 continues to develop your skills with your choice of an individualized project. Choose 1, 2 or all 3 sessions, which will take place in June and July. To reserve your spot, email
Louisekingtx@gmail.com
. Hurry, as sessions will fill quickly.
Click here
for additional information and to learn more about the special 3rd week option: a t-shirt quilt.
Summer Enrichment Camps
Online registration is now open for Summer Enrichment camps. Click here for details.
Twitter and Facebook
Are
you following the district on
Twitter
? Have you liked us on
Facebook
? Join us on social media for news and announcements.
School Bus Safety Practices
We would like to remind everyone of the following school bus safety practices:
*When you see a school bus, assume children will be in the area, and take extra care: leave lots of space around the bus.
*When the bus turns on its flashing yellow lights, the bus is either preparing to stop at a railroad crossing or preparing to stop to pick up or drop off children. Please slow down and prepare to stop.
*When the bus turns on its flashing red lights traffic must stop in both directions. Never pass a school bus with flashing red lights.
Thank you for your assistance in helping to keep our students safe.
SchoolMessenger
Lovejoy ISD is adding text messaging capability to SchoolMessenger, the system we use for phone calls and email communications for information such as school closings due to inclement weather. SchoolMessenger will be configured to send text messages to your wireless phone number(s), with your approval. Please confirm we have your accurate wireless phone number in the PowerSchool Parent Portal and then opt-in to participate by following the directions below.
In order to receive messages from Lovejoy ISD or your student's school via SMS text we must have your wireless number(s) in SchoolMessenger and receive an "Opt-In Confirmation" from your wireless device.
You can easily opt-in by simply sending "Y" (or "Yes"), via text message, to our SchoolMessenger Short Code number 67587.
The wireless number(s) you enter into the PowerSchool Parent Portal are updated nightly. If you update your wireless number, or add a new number, in the PowerSchool Parent Portal, the new number will automatically be sent an Opt-In message.
To access the PowerSchool Parent Portal,
please click here
. If you have any questions, or if we may be of any assistance, please contact Stacey Dillon at 469.742.8003.
MySchoolBucks Convenience Fee
MySchoolBucks, the district's online meal prepayment program, has provided notification regarding an increase in the convenience fee paid by parents using the online payment feature. The fee will be increasing from $1.95 per payment to $2.49 per payment and will be effective as of December 11, 2017. This increase is the result of an increase in card scheme fees. The district does not receive any convenience fee funds from MySchoolBucks.
In light of the increase, the district contacted MySchoolBucks. They agreed to increase the maximum payment from $120 per deposit to $240 per deposit. This payment deposit increase is effective immediately. You may contact MySchoolBucks directly by telephone at 855.832.5226 or via email
Text Link
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