
RMS Staff eNews
Season 2: Edition 8-Week of September 21-25
From Robin Cropper's Family
(card located on board between my office & Rayna's office):
Renner Faculty and Staff,
Thank you so much for the lovely sympathy card. Your kind words about Robin touched our hearts, especially, "She loved the unlovable ones the most, and that's one of the many things that made her so special." It was so wonderful to know that she was so well loved. Thank you, too, for the Heart of fresh white daisies, carnations, lavender roses, and spray roses. I left all the flowers in chruch where they could be enjoyed by everyone and thrive longer. I placed your spray next to our veteran's memorial area. It was so pretty.
We were so happy for Robin when she was hired permanently at Renner. She had always wanted to teach in Plano. It was a long hard road for her to get there, and I tried to encourage her telling her that God possibly had something for her in her future. At the time it was hard for her to "fathom" that thought. I kept praying, and she kept "plugging away." She never gave up. I truly believe that Renner is where God wanted her to be.
It is with deep gratitude that we thank you for having Robin on your faculty.
In reading all the posts on her Facebook page from teachers who had subbed with her at other schools, I truly feel as though wherever she was and whatever the subject matter was, she "put her ALL" in her teaching.
We are so proud of her as a teacher and a beautiful and loving human being, one who was compassionate and loved everyone.
Please continue to pray for Robin and our family. With God's grace and all the absolutely beautiful comments about Robin, these are the things which will bring us through this sorrow.
Our love and thanks,
Whitney & Caroln Cropper
Brennan & Sara Cropper & Family
***CROPPER'S CORNER***
Please vote on what tree you think will be best to celebrate Cropper.
IMPORTANT DATES
Picture Day for Remote Students
SBIC Meeting
8th Grade Girls Volleyball Game at 6pm vs Otto
MAP Testing - through regular Math class
Tuesday, September 22nd
MAP Testing- through regular Math class
Wednesday, September 23rd
Picture Day for Face to Face Students
MAP Testing - through regular Math class
Happy Birthday Septemberificators!
SEPTEMBER
Lisa Rakofsky 9/9
Susan Stern 9/16
Lauren Akolkar 9/18*** IT'S TODAY!**
Arien Hardin 9/25
Nelson Hooks 9/25
NEW STAFF SPOTLIGHT!
Meet Joe Gonzales!
Hello Renner family! My name is Joe Gonzales, and I am thrilled to be joining the Renner family this year. I will be teaching seventh grade Spanish. I am married and my wife and I were blessed with having two children, Will-10 and Elizabeth-6. Most of my spare time is spent with my family, riding my bike, and watching Formula 1 racing. I am originally from Houston, but have called Dallas my home for the last 12 years. I look forward to a great year at Renner and meeting all of you!
Note: Mr. Gonzales is the long-term sub for Ms. Boisvert.
Meet Loretta Reid!
Hello Renner family! My name is Loretta Reid, and I am thrilled to be joining the Renner family this year. I am subbing for Ms. Andrea Blythe in Spanish. I have been subbing for PISD since 2009. My teaching experience has been on the college level but no matter, PISD students know I really care about them, and they enjoy immensely my sense of humor (dry as it may be).
This is how I introduce myself to my Spanish students:
"Knock, knock." (Students: "Who is there?") "Nacho!" (Students: "Nacho who?") "I am nacho regular teacher!"
When I am not subbing, I teach Public Speaking at Richland College. This semester I was not offered a class as the enrollment was too low, thus giving me the opportunity to sub here!
I have been married to my husband for 42 years; yes, I know, time for a change. We have two grown children. One resides in California, the other in Massachusetts. I am never at a loss for where to vacation! I absolutely need a vacation after having to walk one of our two dogs every day, twice a day. I hear what you are saying, "But that's great exercise!" Yes, and if I didn't have these dogs, I wouldn't have to exercise!
I look forward to surviving google classroom while having a great year at Renner. Please stop by room 407 to say "Hello." I look forward to meeting you!
Celebrations!
Help us celebrate your Renner team/class/students/club by sending notification and pictures to Katie Aycock. She is in charge of updating the school’s Twitter and needs to know what awesome things you and students are doing!
Top Words in 2020 to NOT SAY around Jingles...don't say that you weren't warned.
This week's new additions:
Vestibule (this is more Trags than Jingles..thanks Loveday!)
Foyer
---------------------------
New Normal
Agnostic Document
Pivot
PPE
(more to come as the list grows)
BELL SCHEDULE & LEARNING SCHEDULE
*ACTION REQUIRED: *ALL STAFF!*
Cultural Proficiency Training. Due: Tuesday, September 22nd at 4pm!
*Shout-out to Karen Bradshaw for making this presentation!
Link to Training: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1syskggqPkX4VfAjSRUd6RoLJm7mh3iwJ9Y6PtcRXHv8/edit?usp=sharing
*ACTION REQUIRED *TEACHERS ONLY*
Review 360 Training Form. Due: Tuesday, September 22nd at 4pm.
Form here: https://forms.gle/wh1wdtLKJoTbmJFE8
Quick Admin Reminders: MUST READ!
***NEW INFORMATION***
1. Grades
UIL eligibility and progress reports will be collected on September 21st. As you plan your lessons and grades, you should have a minimum of 1 or 2 major grades and 5 daily grades in your gradebook by this point. On September 21st we ask that you not make any changes on grades until the following day. All grades need to be updated before 8:00 am on September 21st. This will help us with our eligibility report for UIL.
2. Exterior Doors
Exterior doors should not be open at any time.
3. Seating Charts (all classroom teachers must complete)
Each teacher has their own folder. If there is not one listed for you, please add under the correct subject area.
Each seating chart must include: Teacher Last Name, Class Period, Name of Class. Make sure to have key identifiers (teacher desk, door, etc)
Be sure to update the seating chart if there are any changes
Be sure to keep notes of any changes to the seating chart that may randomly occur (ex: 9/2 student sat in another seat due to chromebook needing to be charged
- https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1SsHzSjOR9ob0mHhxeO5F3jIi4XVkRXcq?usp=sharing
- **PLEASE ADD A BLANK SEATING CHART TO YOUR GOOGLE FOLDER THAT ADMIN CAN REFERENCE**
*OLDIES, BUT GOODIES*
Holidays
Please do not plan to have any big assignments due or any assessments on the following dates:
Friday, September 18th (Rosh Hashanah is Saturday, September 19th, but the district allows the day prior for traveling)
Monday, September 28th (Yom Kippur)
New Students
When you receive a new student or transfer student to your classroom, please add that student to your Google classroom as soon as possible.
Cell Phones
Cell phones can be used to sign out/in using the QR code in your room. Remind students to leave their cell phones in the class. They are not to be used in the hallways or bathroom. We will also be reminding students of the cell phone policy.
Renner All Emails
Please be mindful of your Renner All emails. We completely understand that they need to be sent occasionally, but please do your best to limit them.
Library is Open!
As of Wednesday, (9/16), the library is open for students to check out books, and it is now listed as an option on the hall pass QR code. Feel free to send one student at a time down if they are done with their work and need a book.
Katie Aycock
Photo Credit: Travis Ragsdale (Let's see if we can get him to video himself chasing the lovely creatures...)
Positive Phone Calls
Form here: https://forms.gle/Bk5yUCvXj7iVSrmi9
**Please make sure to include the student's entire first and last name(s) when filling out the form. Be detailed in your reason for recognition as Ms. Cindy will read it verbatim to the parents.
Self Care is ESSENTIAL!
Please Join the Renner PTA!
**32 more staff members to go!**
We only have 32 more staff members needed to meet our goal of 100% PTA membership!
------------------------
Below is a direct link to the faculty membership form where you can join PTA:
Renner-2-Renner:
Caitlyn Bennett (Douglas)
You are doing a great job with science fair...you asking questions shows how much you care about your kids having fun and doing well this year. Keep it up!!
Katie Aycock
I'm late to the show but I LOVED the old 80's song references on the posters in the halls! STOP! (collaborate and listen. -Vanilla Ice.) TURN AROUND (bright eyes - Bonnie Tyler). Genius!!!! Completely made my day!
Julia Hayter
I appreciate you taking the time (even though you plate was beyond full) to help me with a super cute email signature! Mwah!!
Counseling Team
I love our team and beyond grateful for you guys!! Thank you for covering for me while I was out.
Halley Radebaugh
As I am walking to my 4th and 5th period Advisory classes in the Yellow Hall, I am serenaded with the most beautiful voice echoing from the halls. She uplifts my spirit. Thank you Halley
Beth Ridley
Beth has been going above and beyond to help one of her students with motivation and organization!
Maru Lopez
Maru continues to do.it.all. We would be lost without her.
Hudson & Beall
Thank you for teaching me (and possibly scarring me for life) so much about ducks.
Arien Hardin & Katie Aycock
For helping in the front office when we were short folks! Thank you!
Hayter & Yianitsas
Thank you for sacrificing time to help me troubleshoot MAP testing!
Math Department
Thank you for all the troubleshooting and trial running to figure out the best way to do MAP testing this year. You guys are so flexible, and I appreciate your hard work to help things run smoothly!
Winners from the August random drawing are: ****Cindy Clay & Athulya Bright!****
**At the end of each month, I will draw TWO names from the shout-out list who will receive an item from their Staff Favorites list.***
**To give a staff shout-out or two, please complete the form. It doesn't take long and it goes a long way to support one another. Link here: https://forms.gle/s5S2SzGgBQ6y7hea6*
Final Thoughts.
**REPEAT INFORMATION!**
Are you a technology expert who is willing to help out fellow teachers?
We are putting together a list of our campus experts on various technologies.
If you are super confident in a technology and willing to help a staff member in using it, please complete this 2 question, 20 second form.
Form here: https://forms.gle/9AZqfpJPZWP3SVXJA
ATPE
Hi! I am the campus REP for ATPE.
ATPE stands for: Association of Texas Professional Educators
Do you buy a house or rent an apartment without insurance? Do you drive your car without insurance? Being a part of any teacher organization gives you the protection you need in any unprecedented situation. ATPE provides you liability insurance by simply the cost of a takeout meal once a month. There are several options to sign up. You can pay online for a discounted rate, you can use payroll and have 12 deductions, or you can pay in full by check. All pricing can be found on the application or on ATPE website. Our Plano Local ATPE provides monthly social events for our members, opportunities for you to attend different region socials, and will pay for you to attend Summit- the biggest convention for any teacher organization. We know this year looks so different, but we will have creative ways to still make all of these events happen! Please, let me know if you have any questions.
Your Campus Rep,
Sara Andrade, CALT
Academic Specialist
(469) 752-5892
(brochure below)
Staff Favorites List!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12oSpmykcFO0XWMw4GqanBPFC8tx1IIdDBr5Gs9qHdPY/edit?usp=sharing
Important Information:
Optional Technology Help for Teachers
PL and DLT will be providing additional training sessions and office hours in order to support our teachers. Teachers can sign up to attend Online Tools for Synchronous Learning: Google Meet and Zoom, one of the back-by-popular-demand sessions from Friday’s training. Additionally, the teams will be available to answer questions related to Zoom, Meets, and google Classroom during office hours. To see the full schedule and registration links, click here.
August 7 PL Sessions - Recordings Available
Thank you for your participation and engagement on Friday, August 7 District Day. Several of the sessions from this day were recorded and are now available for viewing. Teachers may access the recordings of these sessions in this folder. If prompted, please sign into Google Drive using your PISD login information.
Core Store
Launched in 2016, the CORE Store has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars in supplies and classroom materials to teachers throughout Plano ISD. The CORE Store allows teachers to shop for additional school supplies for their students at no cost. The Foundation was proud to adjust our services during the COVID-19 closures and deliver school supplies to over 900+ families during the Spring Semester. We continued to provide supplies directly to families by partnering on the district’s Back to School Fairs. Our next phase will include teacher shopping days in the CORE Store. We will limit shoppers to 6 teachers at a time and we ask that shoppers do not arrive early. Please plan to view the shopping list in advance and plan ahead since shoppers will only be allowed 20 minutes. More information on how to utilize the CORE Store can be found at https://www.pisd.edu/corestore.
Fall Shopping Days:
- September 16 & 18 2:00-6:00pm for 20 minute increments
- September 19 9:00am-2:00pm for 20 minute increments
Employee Crisis Fund
The mission of the Employee Crisis Fund is to provide a source of financial assistance to Plano ISD employees who are facing an emergency situation and are unable to handle immediate short-term financial obligations associated with the crisis. If you find yourself in this situation, please visit our website to learn how you can submit a request for assistance. At Plano ISD, we are dedicated to caring for our PISD family.
Step by Step Instructions: Making Parent Email Groups for Outlook
Copyright Info
I was looking up a copyright situation for a teacher just a minute ago and came across this great link from the Library of Congress about what remote learning teachers can post online and how it applies to copyright: https://blogs.loc.gov/copyright/2020/03/teaching-from-a-distance-and-copyright-considerations/
Good Info:
- Direct Deposit: Please use link provided to submit changes online https://myforms.pisd.edu/Forms/directdeposit
- W-4: Please use link provided to submit changes online https://myforms.pisd.edu/Forms/W4_2020-standalone
- Payroll Questions: If an employee has a payroll related question, please have them send an email to payroll@pisd.edu.