
Renner Middle School eNews
November 20, 2020
UPCOMING EVENTS:
November 17-30 - Parents can change their child's learning environment (F2F or Remote)
November 23-27 - Thanksgiving Break, No School
November 30-December 2 - Boys Basketball Tryouts
December 18 - Early Dismissal & Last Day of Fall Semester
December 21 - January 4 - Winter Break
January 5, 2021 - Students Return to Campus - Spring Semester Classes Begin
3rd 9-Week Changes to Instructional Environment
Families now have an opportunity to make a change to their child’s learning environment for the third 9-week period. As we have worked with Collin College, our higher education partner for dual credit, it became necessary to adjust the timing of the selection process in order for both organizations to have the information needed for staffing and scheduling second semester. For that reason the following slight adjustment is being made to the selection window:
- Revised selection window: November 17-November 30
(Originally scheduled selection window: November 30-December 4)
The new window for selection is November 17-November 30 for all levels (elementary and secondary students). Students will be scheduled in the selected instructional environment, which will go into effect on January 5, 2021. If no changes are made in Parent Portal, then the current instructional environment will remain in effect until the fourth 9-week selection period opens.
Changes to Instructional Environment Selection
Plano ISD understands that families may want to change their instructional environment based on the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Changes may be made beginning November 17. Instructional environment selections will be valid through the end of the school year unless you make a change at the end of the third 9-week cycle in February.
These changes will become effective on the first day of the third 9-week grading period through the end of the grading cycle. To view the environment selection for the current 9 weeks by campus, visit www.pisd.edu/school@home_selection.
Parents Who DO NOT Want to Make a Change of Environment – NO ACTION REQUIRED
Process for Changing Instructional Environment Selection
- All primary guardians will receive a notification prior to the change selection period.
- Changes may be made in the Parent Portal.
- Instructions on how to complete the process are located in the Parent Portal.
- Any changes made in the Parent Portal will go into effect on the dates listed below.
- Selection Period for the third 9 weeks: November 17-30, 2020, effective January 5, 2021
- Selection Period for the fourth 9 weeks: February 15-19, 2021, effective March 15, 2021
- Elementary students changing their environment may be assigned to a new teacher or teacher. Change in environment will almost always result in a teacher change.
- Secondary students making changes to their learning environment selection are not guaranteed to be assigned to their same teacher or class schedule based upon availability. Some staff may need to shift to align with new learning environment choices. Therefore, even students who do not change learning environments could experience a change to their teacher(s), course availability or class schedule.
The Texas Education Agency has issued guidance that allows school districts to stop offering virtual instruction to individual students with poor grades or attendance.
NEW Please Note: Campuses will notify parents if a student’s attendance and/or academic performance in one or more classes puts them at significant risk of severe learning loss in the PISD School@Home or the hybrid schedule remote days.
A student’s lack of engagement and poor academic performance could result in revoked access to the remote learning environment or PISD School@Home. In which case, the student may be required to return to the face-to-face learning environment (or hybrid 4 days a week). Campuses will notify and collaborate with parents regarding learning environment changes if their student is not demonstrating academic success.
Virtual "Progress Reports"
As of 3:30 on Friday, November 13, teacher gradebooks should be up to date so that you can view your child's grades through Parent Portal / Parent Viewer.
- Instructions for accessing Parent Portal: https://www.pisd.edu/parentportalhelp
- If you are having trouble logging in, and you have an account, please call the Helpdesk (469-752-8767).
- If you need to register, please go to: https://parentportal.pisd.edu/Registration/NewRegistration.aspx
We need your help
Mustang Parents-
With regards to following COVID-19 protocols, we have been running into the following situations here at Renner that we need your help with:
IF your Renner student tests positive, the student cannot come to school. Please notify Mrs. Engelking & Nurse Brandi immediately regarding the positive test.
IF a family member in your household tests positive, your PISD students must immediately quarantine at home. Please notify Mrs. Engelking & Nurse Brandi immediately regarding the need to quarantine.
IF a family member in your household is awaiting test results, your PISD students must stay home until a negative result is received. Please notify your child’s teachers that your student will be learning from home until a negative result is received. If the family member tests positive, please notify Mrs. Engelking & Nurse Brandi immediately.
IF your PISD student is awaiting their own test results, the student (and all other PISD students in the household) must stay home until a negative result is received. Please notify your child’s teachers that your student will be learning from home until a negative result is received. Please notify Mrs. Engelking & Nurse Brandi immediately regarding a positive test.
IF your student comes into close contact with someone outside of your household who has tested positive, the student must quarantine at home for 14 days. Please notify your child’s teachers, Mrs. Engelking, & Nurse Brandi regarding the need to quarantine.
With our co-seated instruction, students who test positive or must quarantine can learn from home without interruption to instruction; we must follow these protocols in order to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Brandi Shrier (School Nurse): brandi.shrier@pisd.edu
Jill Engelking (Principal): jill.engelking@pisd.edu
Thank you so much,
Jill Engelking, Principal
Nosotros necesitamos tu ayuda
Padres de Renner-
Con respecto al seguimiento de los protocolos COVID-19, nos hemos encontrado con las siguientes situaciones aquí en Renner con las que necesitamos su ayuda:
Si su estudiante de Renner da positivo, el estudiante no puede venir a la escuela. Por favor notifique a la Sra. Engelking y la Enfermera Brandi inmediatamente sobre la prueba positiva.
Si un miembro de la familia en su hogar da positivo, sus estudiantes de PISD deben ponerse en cuarentena inmediatamente en casa. Notifique de inmediato a la Sra. Engelking y la enfermera Brandi sobre la necesidad de poner en cuarentena.
Si un miembro de la familia de su hogar está esperando los resultados de la prueba, sus estudiantes de PISD deben quedarse en casa hasta que se reciba un resultado negativo. Notifique a los maestros de su hijo que su hijo aprenderá desde casa hasta que se reciba un resultado negativo. Si el miembro de la familia da positivo, notifique a la Sra. Engelking y la Enfermera Brandi de inmediato.
Si su estudiante de PISD está esperando sus propios resultados de prueba, el estudiante (y todos los demás estudiantes de PISD en el hogar) deben quedarse en casa hasta que se reciba un resultado negativo. Notifique a los maestros de su hijo que su hijo aprenderá desde casa hasta que se reciba un resultado negativo. Por favor notifique a la Sra. Engelking y la Enfermera Brandi de inmediato con respecto a una prueba positiva.
Si su estudiante entra en contacto cercano con alguien fuera de su hogar que ha dado positivo, el estudiante debe estar en cuarentena en casa por 14 días. Notifique a los maestros de su hijo, la Sra. Engelking y la Enfermera Brandi sobre la necesidad de la cuarentena.
Con nuestra instrucción compartida, los estudiantes que dan positivo o deben estar en cuarentena pueden aprender desde casa sin interrumpir la instrucción; debemos seguir estas reglas para ayudar a detener la propagación de COVID-19.
Brandi Shrier (enfermera de la escuela): brandi.shrier@pisd.edu
Jill Engelking (Directora): jill.engelking@pisd.edu
Muchas gracias,
Jill Engelking, Directora
Check out this PSA Video on COVID-19 from the Plano Senior High Student Congress Senior Chairman for Health and Safety
An Important Message for Parents & Guardians
Parents, please remember that we are following guidelines to minimize contact at this time. In the interest of following those guidelines, we ask that you please only bring items your student has forgotten that are necessary for them to have during the school day. These items include:
- Forgotten lunches from home (please remember that cafeteria lunches are offered at no cost through December)
- Medication
- Water bottles
- We are NOT accepting fast food lunches for students.
- The only drink allowed in classrooms is water. If a student would like to drink something other than water in the morning before class, they may go to the cafeteria.
- If you are picking your student up from school for an appointment, please call (469) 752-5805 to let us know the approximate time you will arrive to get your student. This will allow us to call your student from class and make sure they are ready when you get here. Also, please have your driver’s license ready to show our staff.
- We also ask that you please wear a mask when you stop by school to drop items off for your student, pick them up from the nurse’s office or for an appointment.
Renner Yearbook Request for Pictures
This week, the yearbook staff is looking for selfie pictures of you! Use the link (https://images.jostens.com/415464672) to submit your best selfie picture for consideration in the yearbook. Please only submit photos without any creative filters or edits.
After School Coding Opportunity for MS Students for CS Education Week
Plano ISD, in partnership with USAA, is providing all middle school students the opportunity to participate in a coding event during Computer Science Education Week. This is celebrated December 7 -13, 2020. We currently have three dates available for students to sign up to participate. Each event will be open for up to 85 middle school students.
- Monday, December 7, 2020
- Tuesday, December 8, 2020
- Wednesday, December 9, 2020
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CfZPkvrJCsei8nY_tawPn-9grORGfIw_alO4LZp0myU/edit?usp=sharing
Student Clubs & Organizations
7th & 8th Grade Boys Basketball Tryouts
All students trying out for the basketball team must have a physical and medical history form turned in to their coach prior to tryouts as well as completion of other UIL forms on www.rankonesport.com.
Tryout Schedule:
7th Grade:
- Monday, November 30th / 3:45pm - 5:45pm
- Tuesday, December 1st / 3:45pm – 5:45pm
- Wednesday, December 2nd / 3:45pm – 5:30pm
8th Grade:
- Monday, November 30th / 6:15am - 8:15am (Doors open at 6am)
- Tuesday, December 1st / 6:15am – 8:15am (Doors open at 6am)
- Wednesday, December 2nd / 6:30am – 8:15am (Doors open at 6:15am)
*On Wednesday, December 2nd after 7pm all tryout participants can come to the school to see if there # is listed on the Final List of those players who made the team or wait to the next morning to see the list. The list will be posted on the doors at the front of the school.
Evaluation: Cuts will be determined by the coach’s objective evaluations of players’ performances in fundamental drills (dribbling, passing, defense, running, hustling, shooting, following directions, and understanding of how to play), as well as scrimmages. Teamwork and a positive attitude are a must to be a part of the Renner basketball program. Grades, attitude, and classroom behavior are highly considered as well. All decisions are final, and no exceptions will be made in adding or subtracting any players. No outside select team performances nor outside coaches opinions will be considered. We do not discuss other players with any other parents.
For more information, please read our Renner Boys Basketball Tryouts Letter.
If you have questions, please email us.
Coach Nelson Hooks (8th)
Coach James Hamilton (7th)
Renner's Social-Emotional Learning Calendar for 2nd 9 Weeks
Donate to World Wear Project
November is America Recycles Month
Renner Middle School 2020-2021 Athletic Event Information
Parents-
Please read the following information carefully if you or your student(s) plan to attend athletic events. Remember that rides home for student spectators should be arranged in advance and should be timely in their arrival to pick up students when the game is over.
Tickets
- Tickets will be sold on a week-by-week basis
- Ticket sales will open up to the General Public on Monday at 8:00am for all games occurring for the current week
- Tickets are required for school-age children kindergarten through 12th grade
- Ticket prices: Adult-$4, Student $2
- A maximum of 2 tickets can be purchased per transaction
- All ticket sales will be online
○ If available, tickets can be purchased on a mobile device by using the QR code at the gate
- You will purchase your tickets on the home team event site
- There will be no passes accepted at the gate
Tickets can be purchased at https://www.pisd.edu/Page/23044
Spectators
- All spectators must wear a face covering in order to enter.
- All spectators must complete the COVID-10 self-screening
The PISD bag policy will be in place.
- Social distancing is expected in all areas of the stadium including the student section
- Congregating in the concourse area or walkways will not be allowed.
- At the conclusion of the B-Team game, spectators and participants will be asked to exit out of the designated doors. The A-Team spectators will then be released to enter the gym.
- Tickets are available online only
- Rides should be arranged in advance for transportation home in a timely manner
Game Schedules
Follow Us on Social Media
Free Meals for all Plano ISD Students
Due to a waiver issued from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), all Plano ISD students (whether enrolled in face-to-face instruction or School@Home) will receive free breakfast and lunch meals through December 31, 2020, or while USDA funds last.
Weekly meal bundles for PISD School@Home learners may be picked up each Tuesday from 9:30 am to 10:30 am or 4:45 pm to 6:00 pm at Clark HS, Shepton HS or Williams HS. Bundles consist of 5 breakfasts and 5 lunches. Anyone picking up meals for students without the student present, must bring appropriate documentation in the form of a school issued ID, report card, parent portal attendance summary form, or birth certificate. More info: https://www.pisd.edu/grabandgo
Comidas Gratis Para Todos Los Estudiantes de Plano ISD
Los paquetes de comida semanal para los estudiantes de PISD School@Home pueden ser recogidos cada martes de 9:30-10:30 AM o de 4:45-6 PM en Clark HS, Shepton HS o Williams HS. Los paquetes, consisten de 5 desayunos y 5 almuerzos. Cualquier persona que recoja las comidas para los estudiantes sin que el estudiante esté presente, debe traer la documentación apropiada en forma de una identificación emitida por la escuela, tarjeta de informe, formulario de resumen de asistencia del portal de padres, o certificado de nacimiento. Más información: https://www.pisd.edu/grabandgo
Update Emergency Contacts
Please login to the Parent Portal (https://parentviewer.pisd.edu/Login.aspx) to review and update emergency contacts. This is vital (this year more than ever before) as it will be important to be able to contact parents in a timely manner in the event of an emergency. Thank you for your cooperation with this matter.
Family Hot Spot Internet Access
If your family is experiencing difficulty with home internet access, please contact our Campus Technology Assistant, Jonathan Loveday, at jonathan.loveday@pisd.edu.
Renner PTA Website: https://rennerpta.membershiptoolkit.com/
Attention Blue Nation!
This is your chance to represent the BLUE NATION and own an official 2020 Blue Nation T-shirt! Each year, the Wolf Den PTSA provides the official Blue Nation t-shirt to all 2600+ students and 250 staff members at Plano West Sr. High School free of charge in an effort to promote our "Blue Nation" community. This year, the Wolf Den PTSA is excited to offer the official 2020 Blue Nation T-shirt for purchase to all our Plano West feeder schools! A portion of the sale of each 2020 Blue Nation t-shirt will be donated directly back to your feeder school PTA as designated when ordering your shirt. Blue Nation shirts are $10 for Youth Small to Adult XL, $12.50 for Adult 2XL and $13.50 for Adult 3XL with sales tax included and $2 of every shirt purchased will be donated back to the PTA of your choice. Our hope is to increase our Blue Nation visibility, promote a sense of community among all the Plano West feeder school families & staff, as well as supporting our feeder school PTA programs and campuses because together we are all part of the BLUE NATION!
To order your 2020 Blue Nation shirt, click here or visit our website at www.wolfdenptsa.org. For questions, please contact Venetia Robertson at programs@wolfdenptsa.org. Go Wolfpack!
Tom Muehlenbeck Rec Center Update
Masks are required to be worn at all times in the facility except when participating in certain activities where 6 ft social distance can be safely maintained.
Activities or spaces NOT available currently.
1. Lobby furniture has been removed. No waiting or congregating in the lobby is allowed.
2. No Game room activities are available.
3. No basketball court activities, or access to the basketball court is available.
4. No Leisure swimming is available.
5. No day passes are available to enter the facility, only members may gain entry. Memberships are available.
Activities that ARE available to youth members.
1. Lap Swimming. 1 person per lane, continuously moving. Masks must be worn to and from the pool.
2. Walking/Running track. Children under 11 must be supervised by an adult. Mask Required at all times.
3. Open play table tennis or badminton. If they bring their own equipment, and obey all open play rules. Open play schedule here: https://www.plano.gov/DocumentCenter/View/16510/Weekly-Recreational-Activities
Additional details about our status and changes can be found here: https://www.plano.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/14
Renner Middle School
Website: www.pisd.edu/renner
Location: 5701 W Parker Rd, Plano, TX 75093
Phone: 469-752-5800