Andrews Elementary

We had a fantastic week back after the long weekend and are looking forward to settling into the routine of full five-day weeks ahead. Excitingly, Ms. Garcia has been working diligently to organize our annual College and Career Week, taking place next week, January 27–31.

As part of the celebration, we have themed dress-up days, included the the flyer as part of this week's newsletter. Daily reminders will also be sent to help you plan what students can wear if they choose to participate. Additionally, we encourage students to take part in an OPTIONAL Growth Mindset activity sent home earlier this week. Students can decorate the provided graduation cap and include their favorite Growth Mindset quote to enhance their artwork.We’re also thrilled to welcome guest speakers to each grade level on Friday, January 31. It’s a wonderful opportunity for students to explore potential future paths and careers while having fun along the way.

Morning Drop-Off Reminders
A big thank you to everyone who has been following the morning drop-off reminders shared last week! Your efforts have made a noticeable difference in helping students enter the building quickly and safely each morning. These reminders are included again below for your convenience. Together, we can ensure that all students are inside and ready to learn before the 7:40 a.m. tardy bell rings.

• East Carpool: Opens at 7:00 a.m. for students to wait in the gym.
• Front Carpool: Opens at 7:25 a.m. for students to go directly to class.
• Helpful Tips for a Smooth Drop-off:
  • Pull all the way forward to keep the line moving efficiently.
  • Students should exit the car promptly when it stops by the curb—no need to wait for an adult to open the door. Encourage them to open it themselves and hop out!

PTA Opportunities in February
Our amazing PTA has two exciting ways for you to get involved next month:

1. Donuts with Dear Ones
   Join us in the library on Friday, February 14, from 6:45–7:20 a.m. for a special come-and-go event to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your Andrews Eagle. To help us plan, please complete the RSVP form included in the newsletter by Wednesday, February 12, at 3:00 p.m. Weekly reminders will be sent until the event.

2. Join the PTA Board as Communications Chair
   We’re seeking a new PTA Communications Chair to serve through the end of the school year, with the option to be considered for the 2025–2026 school year if desired. If you’re passionate about sharing the incredible work of our students, community, and PTA, this role is for you! For more information or to express your interest, please contact the PTA President or VP of Volunteers.

We can’t wait to see who will step up to help share our story!

Thank you for your ongoing support, and have a wonderful weekend!

- Ms. Daly and Ms. Dias

• College and Career Week Dress Up Days
• Birthday Board
• Donuts with Dear Ones - RSVP by 12/12
• 21-Day Snack Challenge
• January Counselor's Corner
• SKI Plano 2025
• PTA Communications Chair Interest
• PTA Spirit Wear Survey
• PTA Membership
• PTA After School Programs Fall Semester 24-25
• 2024-2025 Volunteer Application - VOLY
• Spring Semester Lunch Visitors
  
• Spring Semester Musical Mornings
• Stay Connected

Beginning THIS SEMESTER, parents can celebrate their child's birthday via our Birthday Board located in the school's main hallway. If you choose to celebrate your child this way, you will complete the form below. The form will also be included in each Andrews Family Newsletter this semester if you choose to complete it at a later date. In addition to the completed form, your payment of $10 will need to be made via Rycor prior to your child's celebration day.

If your child had a birthday during the first semester, has a summer birthday, or their birthday is on the weekend, you can still celebrate the second semester by completing a form and selecting the date of your choice. Additional questions? Please reach out to Leigh Anne Hickman at leigh.hickman@pisd.edu.

We are excited to invite our students' Dear Ones to enjoy donuts and coffee the morning of Valentine's Day! The event will be held in the library from 6:45 - 7:20 am (last entry into the event will be at 7:15 am). Students are welcome to bring a max of two guests per student. To help us plan for the event, you need to complete the RSVP linked below to help us plan for those attending. We look forward to seeing many of you at Donuts with Dear Ones on Friday, February 14!

This year Andrews is encouraging students to participate in the 21-Day Snack Challenge sponsored by Medical City Healthcare. Students will participate in learning during PE about healthy snack choices. If you would like to sign you child up to participate, please see the flyer below.

The PTA is looking to fill the Communications Chair for the remainder of the semester. If you enjoy it then you could also be considered for the role in the next school year. If you would like more information, reach out to either our interim President (president@andreswspta.org) or VP of Volunteers (volunteers@andrewspta.org).

If the PTA reopens the sale, would you be interested in ordering a “We Are Eagles” spirit wear shirt?

We are gauging community interest to see if we can meet the minimum order requirement. This is a great opportunity for families who joined Andrews after the fall sale, missed placing an order, or may have misplaced, damaged, or outgrown their current Spirit Wear shirt. It’s also perfect for anyone who would like to have this design in a new size for future use.

Please let us know if you’re interested before we officially retire this year’s Spirit Wear design! Click on the link below to submit your response. Thank you, all!

We are excited to announce that our PTA was awarded the Golden Apple Award this year for 100% staff membership. For those of you new to Andrews, or if you have been here awhile but not joined the PTA, we would love to have you become a member this month! Visit the Andrews PTA Website to get information and complete the membership form and payment. We know that it is in partnership with the PTA that we can help Andrews have a successful year!

The PTA is excited to offer after school program options for the Spring 24-25 school year. Please remember that attendance for these programs is first come, first served and limited to active PTA families. If you are not a PTA member, and would like to participate in the After School Programs, get your membership now so that you will be ready when registration for Spring programs opens.

Important information regarding After School Programs (ASP)

• Registration is open for all programs! See flyer for ways to register your student in these enriching programs!
• Students are expected to follow the same code of conduct during ASPs as they do during the regular school day.
• If a student is absent, or sent home sick, then they will not be able to come up to school to participate in the ASP later that day.
• Pick up policy: After the third late pick-up a student will not be able to participate in ASPs the remainder of the semester.
• All ASPs require a parent volunteer (registered w/ VOLY) on site. Please consider signing up or being a back-up, as programs will be cancelled if a parent volunteer is not available.

Links to each flyer are included below providing additional information on each program.

If you would like to volunteer during the 2024-2025 school year, an application must be completed through Plano ISD's volunteer system, VOLY. Applications must be completed each school year for you to be eligible to volunteer.

Returning volunteers can access the application for this year with their same username and password from before to complete this year's application, orientation and background check.

New and Returning Volunteer Applications -

When you are done the following will be GREEN:

Volunteer Type - Plano ISD Volunteer Application - Orientation

When you are done the following will be YELLOW:

Background Check Form

There will be a PURPLE box stating "PENDING" for Plano Background Check Application.

Families who would like to eat lunch with their child will be able to do so utilizing the designated guest tables in the cafeteria. Space will be limited so we ask that families who wish to participate sign up in advance. As a courtesy to others, we ask that families only register for ONE SLOT PER STUDENT during this semester.

Additional information can be found on the Andrews Lunch Visitors - Spring 2025 Sign-Up.

**Please note that if you sign up please only take one slot. You are welcome to bring two guests but if you select two people are coming then both slots will fill and no additional guests will be able to come.**

This year, Ms. Riordan will once again host Musical Mornings for students on selected days. If your child would like to participate this semester, please choose a day using the sign-up linked below.

Did you know that Plano ISD has an app for smartphones?

On the app you can:

• View student grades and attendance
  
• Access school and staff info
  
• View news stories
  
• Receive important alerts
  
• View calendar info
  
• Access PISD's tipline

More information can be found at: https://www.pisd.edu/mobileapp

Visit the Google Play or Apple App Store to download it today!

Plano ISD is implementing a text messaging option to provide our community with more ways to receive school and district information. Opt in today by texting “Y” to 67587.

If you don’t opt in manually, and the district has a cell phone number for you, you will receive a text message from Plano ISD in the coming days inviting you to opt in. The message will read:

“Plano Independent School District messages. Reply Y to confirm, HELP 4 info. Msg&data rates may apply. Msg freq varies. schoolmessenger.com/tm”

You must reply to this text message with “Y” to opt in to continue receiving text messages from the district. For more information, please visit the Text Opt in webpage.