PAABSE Monthly Newsletter-February

Staff Spotlight

TABSE Teacher of the Year!

Big congratulations goes to Plano ISD, PAABSE member and teacher spotlight of the month, Sahar Khoshkar. She was the recipient of TABSE's Teacher of the Year Award!

Sahar pictured with PAABSE President Montrail Davis at the 2023 TABSE Conference.

TABSE Student Spotlight!!!

Congratulations to Plano East Senior High Student Mr. Wade Dennis!

From left to right: Poet and social activist Langston Hughes, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, and novelist Toni Morrison. All three are among the Black luminaries taught as part of a new AP African American Studies course that is being piloted in high schools across the U.S. in 2022 (From Getty Images)

Kevin Ford, founder of Tell Me Something Sweet, was born into a family legacy of cooking and baking as a way of showing love and hospitality not only to family members but also to the community. His earliest memories are filled with wonderful smells coming from the kitchen as various dishes and desserts were made from scratch for large family events or Sunday dinners. These third-generation recipe sweets are now shipped nationwide as friends, couples, family members & communities “tell each other something sweet”, giving the gift of gathering around good old-fashioned, home-baked sweets.

Plano ISD embraces the diverse community in which we live and work. There are a variety of ways to demonstrate a culture of inclusivity and belonging. Each year from February 1 - February 28, Plano ISD recognizes African American History Month. We encourage you to celebrate African American History Month on your campus. There are several ways you can celebrate and honor members of our diverse communities on your campus. If you need more guidance, please contact Brian Lyons, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

PISD Resources: African American History Month

• Historical Facts: During morning or afternoon announcements, you can read a historical fact. Click on the Historical Facts LINK.

• Campus Display Areas: Outside your campus library or secure common area, set up a table with bulletin boards, artifacts, or biographies of African American culture.

• Community Event: Partner with your campus PTSA to host an African American History Month Celebration to invite community members to talk or share something cultural for an evening event. You can have someone come and provide a dance/stepping lesson, cultural cooking lesson, or crafts. Please have your campus PTSA contact Brian Lyons, with any questions.

• Door Decorating Contest: Have a club, group, or staff member organize a door display contest. CONTEST RULES

If you have any questions regarding campus recommendations for African American History Month, please contact Brian Lyons, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Research a topic related to Black History and create a project in Google Slides, Docs or Sites to demonstrate what you learned!

Plano ISD, TONI&GUY Hairdressing Academy Launch New Cosmetology Program Partnership for Students

During their regular meeting on Tuesday, January 10, the Plano ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved a new partnership with the TONI&GUY Hairdressing Academy to launch a cosmetology program for Plano ISD juniors and seniors. Plano ISD is the first school district nationwide to offer this joint collaboration with the TONI&GUY Hairdressing Academy. Students will be selected based on a lottery and will attend the Academy starting in the fall of their junior year. Successful completion of the two-year program will allow students to take the state cosmetology licensing exam.

PISD’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion would like to spotlight members of the Plano ISD learning community of African American heritage as we recognize African-American History Month throughout February.

Principal Courtney Washington- https://youtu.be/MSzcJeUpaF4

Assistant principal Eric Lockett: https://youtu.be/fSJ5xed9xdw

Assistant Director of Communications & Community Engagement: https://youtu.be/pCZbrCctyxA

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Courtney Gober: https://youtu.be/lHm6zmrlJOc

Plano West Sr. High Class of 2023 Bertha Mkwawa: https://youtu.be/aB8KwlihMhg

The Plano ISD Board of Trustees and District Leadership have recently begun a Strategic Roadmapping process to provide a long-range plan for the district. After an initial brainstorming/curation process, PISD has identified several areas for community input. Trustees and district leaders will host a series of sessions for the community to gather feedback on the topics related to the Strategic Roadmap for the district’s future planning.

Community members are invited to attend and participate in activities designed to receive input and gather interest regarding the following topics:

• Career and Technical Education (CTE), particularly related to plans for the new CTE Center as part of the recent Bond

• Academics including advanced academics, special education and multilingual programming

• Instructional technology, particularly related to classroom technology to be potentially funded by the recently passed bond propositions

To provide a more efficient process for those who wish to speak during Plano ISD board meetings, an online sign-up process will be piloted beginning with the January 24, 2023, Board Work Session.

The online sign up period for regular meetings and work sessions will be open from 8 AM to 5 PM the day of the meeting. At all other board meetings, sign-up will be available from 8 PM to 5 PM the business day prior to the scheduled meeting. A device will be available in the lobby of the Plano ISD Administration Building during the online public comment period for individuals who do not have computer or mobile phone access.

Happy Black History Month!

Plano Area Alliance of Black School Educators is an organization of Educators and those who support education working with Kindergarten through twelfth grade students to enhance their academic performance in pursuit to becoming productive citizens.

Email: Plano_AABSE@tabse.net
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