Upcoming Events:
Siblings of Children with Disabilities Learning Lab.
Coffee and Chat Children's Mental Health Overview.
Creative Parenting. January 20th, 10AM CST. Free. This workshop will highlight some of the unique challenges that go into parenting a child with a disability and guide parents to consider some “creative parenting” techniques. We will provide an opportunity for parents to consider their unique situation, then share and hear creative ideas from other parents.
Stress management and resiliency. January 28th, 10AM CST. This workshop helps parents understand the importance of managing their stress and building their resilience to stress. We will teach parents how to identify stressors and the main sources of their stress. We will discuss ways to deal with stress and improve resiliency, and then will teach parents some relaxation techniques that they can use to reduce their stress levels.
Any events listed are not associated with PISD or PTA, but provided with the intent to help parents.
FOR MORE EVENTS, CLICK HERE!
Welcome back to Schimelpfenig for the start of the second semester of the 2020-2021 academic year!
Special greetings to all the students who are in virtual or face to face!
Special welcome to students new to Schimelpfenig and some who have returned Face-to-Face for the first time this week. It's a big building but it's full of friendly faces willing and able to help with any questions you might have.
Hope you all have a great semester!
This month, we have two important PTA Events coming up:
- Our Virtual Information Security Program for parents and students, postponed from December, will now be on Tuesday, January 19 at 6:00 p.m.
- Our next Virtual PTA General Assembly Meeting & Coffee with Dr. Perry will take place on Thursday, January 21 at 9:00 a.m.
Further details on both events, including advance signups, will be sent out next week.
In addition, the 87th Texas Legislative Session begins on Tuesday, January 12th. Public education issues and funding will be topics of importance. See documents HERE for Texas PTA and PISD Legislative Priorities.
Michele Rohleder
SMS PTA President
Thank you to all who donated to our World Wear bin. In December, we collected a total of 682 pounds and received $81.84!
Clean out your clutter of old toys, kitchen items, unused towels and bedding and of course CLOTHES! Bring them up to the BIG BLUE Bin located in the west parking lot.
Visit our Fundraising Page here for more information.
It’s hard to believe that it’s the middle of December, the winter solstice is upon us, and the year 2021 will soon be here.
There is light at the end of the tunnel that is 2020! Our winter break starts tomorrow, after an early release at 12:45, and we will see you back at Schimelpfenig MS on January 5, 2021.
From your SMS PTA Board, we wish you all:
Happy Holidays and Cheers to
a bright, healthy, prosperous new year!
It's that time of year to nominate a deserving staff member, parent or community member for PTA's highest honor, the Lifetime Membership or Extended Service Award.
These are the highest honors that can be given to a person from the Texas PTA and allows that individual know how much we appreciate their dedication to our children and SMS community. The Extended Service Award is given to individuals who are already Lifetime Members and have been actively involved in Texas PTA for a minimum of 10 years.
Please fill out the form and nominate any deserving candidates today!
Deadline extended to January 1, 2021.
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 as long as funds are available.
For meal bundle pickup locations, schedules and menus visit www.pisd.edu/grabandgo. Anyone picking up meals 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.
Our first virtual family program has been postponed due to a scheduling conflict.
It’s not paranoia if they really are out to get you. An Information Security Primer for Parents and Students.
Further details and signup for this program will be available soon. Keep your eye on your email!
Thank you to all who donated to our World Wear bin. In November, we collected a total of 701 pounds and received $84.12!
Clean out your clutter of old toys, kitchen items, unused towels and bedding and of course CLOTHES! Bring them up to the BIG BLUE Bin located in the west parking lot.
Visit our Fundraising Page here for more information.
Pie Day 2020 was a huge success!
We received over 100 pies and were able to give a pie to every teacher and administrator, day and night custodial staff, FANS staff, bus drivers, and the crossing guard. We also received assistance from the Principals for the Day -- Sasha F. and Ella M. -- who delivered pies to the staff via the pie cart. Thank you to Sasha and Ella and to everyone who donated a pie(s) for our amazing Schimelpfenig staff!
This past Tuesday was Giving Tuesday, a day when people are encouraged to donate to the charity of their choice. You still have the opportunity to donate to your SMS PTA to support our students and staff on the PTA website!
As always, feel free to contact me any time at president@smspta.org with questions, problems, or if you just want to join our wonderful SMS PTA Board!
Michele Rohleder
SMS PTA President
Please also consider donating to the PISD CORE Store. Plano Council of PTAs is having a drive to restock the CORE Store. The CORE Store is accepting items for donation on December 5th and December 12th between 9 and 12. Please see the graphic below with a list of most needed items. Monetary donations can be made here.
Next week, the School Board meets on Tuesday, December 8th at 6:00 p.m. Our Plano Council of PTAs President, Tarrah Lantz, will be presenting a State of PTAs Address to the Board of Trustees. In addition, the Board will be voting on the calendar for the 2021-2022 school year. For more information about Board Meetings, click HERE.
Please help us to wish a happy “Thanks”-giving to our wonderful Schimelpfenig staff members! Pie Day is tomorrow, Friday, November 20th. Please sign up by noon today to bring a store-bought pie(s) tomorrow before noon – F2F students can drop off pie donations in the front office before school and @Home parents can drop off pie donations on the cart that will be in front of the school on Friday morning.
Our first-ever eSport tournament on Friday was a bit chaotic but ultimately a fun time! Our winning team showed some impressive Rocket League gaming skills. Thanks to everyone who joined in our Virtual Fall Social!
And don’t forget the remaining goals for our Healthy Lifestyles week:
- Rethink Your Drink Thursday: increase your intake of water versus sugary drinks, try new ways to hydrate yourself!
- Feeling Great Friday: show kindness and gratitude to others and yourself!
- Wisdom Weekend: learn something new, try a new hobby, explore your community!
Here is some important information from PISD:
- 3rd 9-Week Changes to Instructional Environment
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.
- PISD Calendar for the 2021-2022 school year – PISD School Board presented three calendar options at the November 17th Work Session meeting. The final calendar vote will take place at the December 8th School Board meeting. Information regarding the three choices can be found in the Draft Calendar Presentation located HERE.
As always, feel free to contact me any time at president@smspta.org with questions, problems, or if you just want to join our wonderful SMS PTA Board!
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone from your SMS PTA Board!
Michele Rohleder
SMS PTA President
TX PTA's Legislative Priorities for the 87th Legislative session. The 87th Legislature convenes on January 12th, 2021. 
