Dear PfISD Staff,

It's Teacher Appreciation Week, and I wanted to publicly take a moment to say that our teachers are exceptional in PfISD. Your passion for education and love of your students has shown how much you care and have been an inspiration to everyone this year. 

I hope all our staff, students, and parents will take some time out of their day this week to thank at least one teacher for all they do. There is so much that happens in our schools that makes them great, and our teachers play a significant role in making them that way.

Our Community Relations staff is compiling a list of any discounts or specials businesses are running in support of Teacher Appreciation Week. This list is on The Pfair page on our intranet here: https://www.pfisd.net/site/Default.aspx?PageID=6228#Health. 

If you see any deals for our teachers, let the team know by tagging or mentioning us on Facebook, Instagram @pflugervilleisd, or on Twitter @pfisd.

Leave for COVID Close Contacts
If employees are exposed to an individual who tests positive for COVID-19 while at work or during their job duties and must quarantine, PfISD will still provide additional paid COVID leave at the district’s expense in these situations. Beginning next week, PfISD will no longer provide the additional paid COVID leave for individuals who must quarantine as a result of a close contact due to community exposure. An employee may use their state and local leave in these situations. 

We encourage all our staff to consider being vaccinated for COVID-19, not only for your protection, but for the protection of those in our district whose immune systems do not produce antibodies or create protection against COVID-19 and even if they were to be immunized.

Federal Funding Update
The State of Texas recently released ESSER III federal stimulus allotments to school districts using Title 1 funding formulas. PfISD's share of these federal funds totaled $29,707,029. The TEA is making approximately $19.4 million available to us now to specifically address costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic and address learning loss due to the pandemic. 

It is crucial to note that these federal funds are temporary and will cover a 3-year period which will be heavily audited. As such, they will address some of our projected budget shortfall. We will continue to communicate with staff on the District's progress with formulating a plan and having that approved by the TEA and monitor the continued guidance that the Agency releases.

There will be an application process through TEA to access these funds, which involves a grant application process and receiving student, staff, and community input to create a "plan" to expend these funds. 

The remainder of our available funds through the federal government's ESSER III stimulus is being held while TEA awaits a response from the U.S. Department of Education for any specific language or details on how the funds may be spent. Often, federal money like this comes with strings attached, which limit how we can use it.

Staff Contracts Deadline Reminder
A reminder that we have issued Administrator, Professional, and Educator employment contracts. Any employee who receives a contract and does not sign by TOMORROW, May 5, 2021, will be considered uninterested in PfISD contractual employment for the 2021-2022 school year. Exited employees will need to reapply for employment with the District for the 2021-22 school year if re-employment is desired. 

Letters of Reasonable Assurance for Non-Exempt Staff
Letters of Reasonable Assurance (LORA) for specific non-exempt staff members will be issued next week. Non-exempt employees continuing employment with PfISD for the 2021-22 school year will need to sign the letter by the deadline.  

Canvas End-of-the-Year Procedures
All Canvas courses generated by Skyward will conclude for teachers on Jun. 14. Once completed, teachers will still be able to view course materials; however, you will have read-only access. Manually created courses, such as Sandbox Courses, will not be concluded. 

Teachers who may want to retain the ability to edit materials within their Skyward-generated courses should either copy the course content into a new manually created course or export their course material. Here is an End-of-Year Canvas checklist, which provides more information on doing either of these tasks.

Students will not be able to submit assignments through Canvas after May 27, and they will not be able to access or view any course materials after Jun. 7. If you need to allow students to submit through Canvas after May 27, contact Rachel Naugle for instructions. 

Canvas FAQs:
Q: Will I still be able to access my courses from this school year?
A: Yes. You will continue to have full access to manually created courses such as your Sandbox courses or any other courses you created this school year.

However, Skyward-generated courses will conclude on Jun. 14, and you will have read-only access to course materials. 

Q: If I want to work on my courses this summer, how can I edit any materials I created this year?
A: You can create a new manually-created course and copy your current course materials into this course. By copying the course materials into a manually-created course, you will be able to edit assignments, pages, etc., once the Skyward-generated courses finish on Jun. 14. Once Master Schedules are finalized for the Fall and your new course tiles are available from Skyward, you can copy the manually-created course into your new Skyward-created course.

Q: If I want to work on my courses this summer, do I have to make a copy of the course before I leave for summer break?
A: No. Since you will continue to have read-only access to previous courses, you can copy course materials at ANY time into a manually-created course or your new Skyward-generated courses for the next school year. 

Q: I have a student who needs to turn in an assignment after the last day of school. How can that student turn in the assignment?
A: Students will be able to view course materials until Jun. 7, but students will be unable to submit assignments through Canvas after May 27 automatically. After May 27, students can email you the assignment directly, or you can contact Rachel Naugle at Rachel.Naugle@pfisd.net to receive additional instructions to allow the student to submit the assignment through Canvas.

Q: What happens to my Google Classroom courses?
A: Your Google Classroom courses will be archived on Jun. 14.

Q: Will Google Classrooms be populated by Little SIS in the fall?
A: No. Google Classrooms will NOT be automatically created in the Fall.

Canvas will serve as the District LMS, and Google Classrooms will not be automatically created in the Fall. 

PEF Campus Grant Applications Open
The Pflugerville Education $10,000 Campus Grant applications are now open! This annual grant is a one-time grant for an innovative program or project to support higher levels of learning. The purpose of this grant is to enhance, promote and augment classroom instruction in areas not routinely allocated in regular budgetary funds. Eligible proposals must be submitted by PfISD principals and turned in by Jun. 4.

For more information, contact the PEF at 512-594-0375 or pef@pfisd.net. Download the application here: www.thepfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Campus-Grant-Application-fillable-doc-2021.docx. 

Future Virtual Learning Survey
The Texas Education Agency has not authorized virtual learning beyond the 2020-2021 school year. However, Pflugerville ISD desires the opportunity to create a permanent virtual school should it become a viable option. We are soliciting input from our teachers, parents, students, and community. Please consider completing the PfISD Virtual Learning Interest and Planning survey form linked in this email. The survey will remain open until May 11. This form aims to help us gauge student and family interest in virtual learning beyond this year and help us plan an effective virtual learning experience for our students and families, should virtual learning become a permanent option. 

Update to Returning to In-Person Learning
Earlier this month, we began allowing parents to move their children from virtual learning to in-person at any time for the remainder of the school year. Formerly, students were only able to switch to in-person learning at the end of a grading period but could move to online learning at any time. 

This change in protocols was made to better support student learning and attendance needs. Thank you, staff, for doing whatever it takes to help our students succeed, even during these difficult times.

Athletics Update
It was a pretty crazy weekend for athletics due to the weather. The rain threw a wrench in the softball playoffs that caused delays, rescheduling, site changes trying to find turf fields instead of natural grass and dirt, and then some. The PHS team won their game and will face Waller in College Station on Thursday and Saturday. 

Hendrickson lost its 3-game series with a suspension of Game 1 when the rain came on Friday, then finished on Saturday at a different location. Weiss never got to play at its regular time due to the rain. On Saturday, their game was moved to Liberty Hill then suspended due to rain, with the Wolves trailing 23-16. They resumed the game Monday and ultimately lost.

It was quite a dramatic weekend for all our softball teams. Thank you to our coaches and student-athletes for their dedication and managing the stress of not knowing when or where you were going to play. Good luck to our Lady Panthers this week in Round 2!

UIL State Track & Field Championships are this week! We have three athletes competing on Friday. This year's meet is not as large as in previous years, with only one heat for each running event. Weiss senior Michaela Francois looks to defend her 100m state title from 2019 as the defending champion. She also is set to run the 200m. Hendrickson's Monty Thompson competes in the Boys 100m and Suzan Ogunleye takes the runway in the triple jump.

Congratulations to Max Richter and Marisol Palacio from PHS. They finished third in mixed doubles at UIL Regional Tennis and will be the alternates for the state championship tournament.

Baseball playoffs are around the corner. Hendrickson tied for the district championship and defeated Elgin in a seeding matchup to get the No. 1 seed from our District. The Hawks face Crockett this weekend. PHS will play McCallum and Weiss faces Anderson. Dates and times are TBD.

Fine Arts Update
Hendrickson High School One Act Play had a strong showing this year reaching the UIL Regionals in Pasadena. Their performance of Bob: A Life in Five Acts came just short of qualifying the Hawks for State. Congrats on a great year Hendrickson OAP!

Good luck to all our band, choir and orchestra students competing in the upcoming UIL State Solo and Ensemble Contest. Students who earned a Division I rating on a Class 1 music selection at the regional competition qualify for state. This year's state competition is virtual and students have until May 15 to submit their video performance recordings and sheet music for judging. Each solo judge is allowed to designate exemplary soloists as Outstanding Performers. We had two Outstanding Performers in 2019. Good luck to this year's musicians!

PEF Golf Tournament a Smashing Success!
Last week, some of our District's biggest supporters hit the links to play in the Pflugerville Education Foundation's annual Schoolhouse Scramble golf tournament at the Golf Club at Star Ranch. 

With the turnout, sponsors, and more, this year's golf tournament raised more than $56,000 to PEF! That is the most ever in this event's 15-year history!!

Thank you to everyone who participated, worked, or sponsored this event! Because of you, PEF will be able to help our students and teachers and make an impact in the classroom. Please click the link below to see photos and more from this year's Schoolhouse Scramble.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q-Cxk1Y0LEApytXU_fFpWoViwa_NVggS/view

Staff COVID-19 Vaccine Update & Incentive Reminder
Now that APH is hosting walk-up vaccination clinics and many restrictions on who is eligible for the shot have been lifted, we will no longer be providing a staff survey link to register. School staff are encouraged to schedule their own first dose appointments with APH online or by telephone, or to use the walk-up option. School staff may also seek out vaccine from another vaccine provider. If you are waiting on your second dose, APH will contact you with your appointment time, date, and location. PfISD does not schedule ANY appointment, it is all through APH. 

APH has expanded online vaccine scheduling of vaccine appointments. You must have an account to schedule an appointment online. You can register for an account and schedule online at https://covid19.austintexas.gov. Anyone 18 years or older may log in to join the scheduling queue.

Going forward, the appointment scheduling system will be open from 7 p.m. on Fridays to 7 a.m. the following Friday and will reopen again at 7 p.m. that evening for appointments for the following week. The 12-hour closure of the scheduling system on Fridays will allow APH to finalize the appointment schedule and update appointment times for the following week. 

Click here for tips for online scheduling.

To resolve any issues with second doses through APH, feel free to contact APH at APHSchoolInfo@austintexas.gov with questions.

Telephone Scheduling
If you cannot access the online scheduling system, please call 3-1-1 or 512-974-2000. Call takers can assist with technology issues, account creation, and pre-registration. For additional assistance, they will take your name and number and provide it to APH Equity Hotline for a call back. 

In addition to the APH availability, below are vaccine opportunities from Walmart as well as a group called Tex-Vax Volunteers serving the community to help others register for vaccinations.

Tex-Vax Volunteers Services
We have been presented with an outside source to help you secure a COVID-19 Vaccine appointment. Barbara Najera, past president of the Rotary Club of Pflugerville, past DAAC Committee member, and long-time local volunteer in Pflugerville, has reached out to us to offer their team's assistance. About 2 months ago, after about a month of flying solo, Barbara joined forces with a neighbor, Jazz McBride, who had created a Google Form to secure appointments for anyone in Texas. Their team, Tex-Vax Volunteers, has grown to now consist of 12 members from the Austin and Pflugerville area! Together they have made more than 1,500 appointments for folks all over Texas, and they have volunteered to help PfISD secure appointments for our staff and faculty.

Things to know: 

• The information they collect is minimal. They do not ask for insurance information or your medical information, only whether or not you have insurance.
• They ask that you please be specific with your schedule/dates & times available and travel distance requirements so that they can best serve you.
• They primarily use HEB to secure their appointments because of the limited amount of information needed to book these appointments.
• At times, you may receive an email or Text from one of their members with a link to a local mass vaccination or clinic. 
• Sometimes you will be presented with next day appointments (if it fits the schedule you have indicated on their form).
• They DO NOT share your information with anyone outside of their group!! Your information will be kept private at all times.

If you are interested, you can fill out their Google Form here:  https://forms.gle/G9wYm1QMipf9K9kr9. You can also share this form with anyone you know in Texas who is still in need of a vaccine appointment.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Barbara Najera directly at bnajera8@gmail.com or call 512-934-3764.

Walmart now has COVID-19 vaccine appointments available at local Walmart pharmacies. Eligible persons may call 1-833-886-0023 to schedule an appointment. Appointments are also available to eligible household members. 

What do I bring to my Walmart appointment?  
On the day of your appointment, please bring your ID, proof of vaccine eligibility if applicable, and insurance card (red, white and blue card if over 65) if you have one. Please plan to stay on-site for at least 15 minutes after your shot while they monitor you for allergic reaction. 

PfISD also is now offering a $100 incentive to all PfISD employees who receive the vaccine thanks to a unanimous vote by our Board. This incentive is good through the end of our fiscal year on Aug. 31. As larger shipments of doses of the vaccine are being delivered across the country and access expands, we anticipate more employees who want the vaccine will be able to receive one before the end of August. Our hope is to boost immunity in our District by offering this incentive.

Please click here to complete the form and to attach a copy of your vaccine confirmation for the COVID-19 vaccine stipend: https://forms.gle/QFFUC7fAXzXPu68j9. Please do not complete this form until you have received both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Substitutes, temporary employees and student teachers are not eligible for the stipend. If you have any questions about the stipend, please contact Eva Davila at eva.davila@pfisd.net.

Please continue to socially distance as much as possible. Wear your mask. Wash your hands. We're in the final phase of the school year. Keep pushing to improve yourself, your students, and your community in whatever way you can.

Together we are strong. Together we are a Pfamily. Together we can do anything.

In the best interest of children,
Dr. Douglas Killian
PfISD Superintendent of Schools

Dear PfISD Staff,

We officially have less than 30 school days remaining in the year. It’s hard to believe how quickly this year has gone by despite all the challenges that made it seem to drag out as well. Just like Willie Nelson sang, “Gee, ain’t it funny how time slips away.” 

I know our teachers and staff are putting in a lot of effort to make sure our students will have valuable learning experiences over these last few weeks. This year has had its challenges, but our students have shown a great ability to bounce back from any setbacks time and time again. I have no doubt they will finish strong.

One way we can all support our students is by giving to the Pflugerville Education Foundation. This organization helps raise additional funds that go directly to our teachers and campuses to impact our students in the classroom through grants and scholarships. The annual gala, which was held virtually this year, is the PEF’s biggest event, and this Thursday, the PEF Schoolhouse Scramble golf tournament will be another fundraising opportunity. If galas and golf tournaments aren’t your thing, you can also make a donation of any size directly to the Pflugerville Education Foundation to help them invest in innovation and build the future for PfISD students today. To learn more visit their website:http://www.thepfoundation.org/

Staff Contracts Issued this Week
Administrator, Professional, and Educator employment contracts will be issued later this week. Any employee who receives a contract and does not sign by the due date (May 5, 2021) will be considered not interested in PfISD contractual employment for the 2021-2022 school year.  Exited employees will need to reapply for employment with the district for the 2021-22 school year if re-employment is desired.

Update to Returning to In-Person Learning
As of last Friday, parents wanting to move their children from virtual learning to in-person can do so at any time for the remainder of the school year. Formerly, students were only able to switch to in-person learning at the end of a grading period but could move to online learning at any time. 

This change in protocols was made in order to better support student learning and attendance needs. Thank you, staff, for continuing to do whatever it takes to help our students be successful, even during these difficult times.

Contactless Registration for New Students Available
All of our campuses are now offering contactless and/or in-person new student registration for the 2021-22 school year through May 21. Also, 15 of our campuses offering in-person registration will have a contactless option.

For details on registering your new-to-PfISD student please visit: https://www.pfisd.net/domain/232. We also encourage you to share this link and information with any neighbors or friends who have children who may be joining one of our campuses for the first time this fall.

Employee Discounted Daycare at Northwest Child Development Center
Pflugerville ISD, in partnership with YMCA of Greater Williamson County, is opening registration of its Northwest Elementary Child Development Center for the 2021-22 school year. We offer discounted childcare for full-time district staff members only. There is limited availability in the program, with admission provided on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Childcare is provided from ages 8 weeks to a max of 4 years. We are unable to provide care for students who have turned 4 years old or older.  Care will be provided based on the 187-day teacher calendar, from 6:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. each Monday through Friday at Northwest Leadership Academy, 14014 Thermal Dr., Austin. Discounted rates are listed below. Rates include breakfast, lunch and snack.

Payments will be deducted from the employee’s paycheck on the 27th of each month from Sept. 27, 2021 through June 27, 2022. Proration will occur based on the student’s start date. 

To apply, download and complete the YMCA Childcare application as well as the Payroll Deduction Authorization and return it to Natasha Drumgoole at natsha.drumgoole@pfisd.net.

Age	Monthly Rate
8 weeks - 18 months	$700
18 months -max 3 years	$625
3 years - max 4	$600

For more information, please contact Natasha Drumgoole, Assistant Director of Human Resources at 512-594-0042, email, natasha.drumgoole@pfisd.net or Phil Hooper, YMCA, at 512-615-7870.

Student Device Summer Update
After feedback from campus staff and parents, PfISD is working to allow students to continue to use their district-issued Chromebooks over the summer if preferred.

• Students will still be able to return their device if they choose to not keep one over the summer.
• Students that withdraw and/or graduate from PfISD are still required to return their device prior to leaving the district.
• Graduating seniors must return their device prior to graduation ceremonies in order to participate.

This week, all parents will receive email messages containing a link for inventory review. This link will provide a detailed inventory for the devices associated to students in PfISD. Students will also receive an announcement in Canvas asking for a check on their device(s).

We do need help from parents and students to ensure that devices are in full working order prior to the summer. The district will repair devices prior to the end of the year so that they are not in a damaged condition for summer use.

So, please be on the lookout for an email from PfISD Technology later this week.

Virtual Public Display of Instructional Materials
Pflugerville ISD is holding a virtual public display of instructional materials (textbooks and other instructional resources) offered for adoption in AP Science, AP Social Studies, and elective high school Social Studies courses. Community members are welcome and encouraged to review samples of materials and provide comments. Please use this information to access the materials and utilize the comment form to provide anonymous input and feedback. Materials can be viewed until April 23.

Courses with instructional materials under consideration for adoption:

• Biology AP
• Chemistry AP
• Physics AP
• Human Geography AP
• Macroeconomics AP
• U.S. History AP
• World History AP
• Ethnic Studies: African American Studies
• Ethnic Studies: Mexican American Studies
• Sports Psychology 

ICYMI: 2021-22 Boundary Alignment
With our District opening two new campuses this fall and another in 2022, it was necessary for us to create attendance zones for Carpenter Elementary School, Bohls Middle School while adjusting the zones for some of our current campuses.

At February’s Board Meeting, our trustees approved boundary adjustments for 2021-22 as well as 2022-23 when we open Elementary 23. As Pflugerville continues to grow, changes like these are inevitable.

The following current campuses were impacted by the 2021-22 boundary adjustments:

• Barron Elementary
• Cele Middle School
• Dessau Middle School
• Kelly Lane Middle School
• Mott Elementary
• Park Crest Middle School
• Pflugerville Elementary
• Wieland Elementary

If your child attends any of these campuses, please visit the PfISD Interactive Boundary Map linked below and follow the instructions to see if your home has been re-zoned.

How to “find my school” on the interactive map:

1. Go to the PfISD Interactive Boundary Map here: https://pflugervilleisd.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=31efcf8bf72348d6b7598ababe58880e
2. Type your address into the search bar.
3. Click the options for Elementary Schools 2021-2022, Middle Schools 2021-2022 or High Schools 2021-2022 to turn on the shading function for those respective schools.

The interactive map for the 2022-23 school year has not been added to the website yet.

Full details on the boundary adjustments, “grandfathering” and intradistrict transfer options are available on the District’s Boundary Alignment page on its website. We invite you to review those new boundaries and presentations made to the Board at www.pfisd.net/domain/1594.

The District sent multiple communications to potentially impacted campuses and posted those communications and presentations made to the Board of Trustees throughout the process of determining and approving these boundaries. 

The addition of these new schools to our District is a result of a school bond measure on the ballot of the November 2018 election. We are fortunate to have a supportive community that overwhelmingly approved that bond to help our students in many ways. As our District continues to grow, boundary adjustments will occasionally be necessary.

I appreciate your understanding of our need to make boundary adjustments at this time. Pflugerville is part of the on-going growth in the Greater Austin Area, and as more businesses and companies are attracted to Central Texas, that means more people are moving here.

I am happy to see our community grow because I believe Pflugerville and Pflugerville ISD have so much to offer. If you have a new neighbor, I hope you would welcome them to our PfISD Pfamily and show them what makes this community so special.

Pecan St./685 Construction
The City of Pflugerville will begin a road construction project at the Pecan Street/FM 685 intersection this week. This project will limit access to Dessau Road and could result in traffic delays. Our community members are asked to plan ahead for longer drive times during morning and afternoon commutes.

Drivers traveling west on Pecan Street will not be allowed to turn left onto Dessau Road. Those drivers will be detoured south on Immanuel Road to Wells Branch Parkway to access Dessau Road. This detour is expected to last through the month of June.

This project will also limit access to the H-E-B parking lot at Pecan Street and 685 with one of the entrances on Pecan being closed. Sidewalks in the area will also be closed during this construction project, as well as the tunnel on Gilleland Creek Trail (aka Heritage Loop Trail) that crosses under 685.

The city has provided this website, https://www.pflugervilletx.gov/city-government/capital-improvement-program-cip/projects-overview/pecan-street, for the community to view updates regarding the project and any other potential detours.

Legislative Advocacy Page
With the Texas State Legislature in session right now, it is another year in which public education could, and most likely, will be impacted by new bills passed at the state capitol. Funding for public schools and other agenda items that will affect our classrooms are sure to be discussed on the floor.

Our Pflugerville Education Foundation wants our parents, staff and community to be as informed as possible and provide an avenue for them to easily advocate for our public schools. On the PEF’s website is now a link to a public education legislative advocacy page. This page will have information and links to bills being discussed at the legislature.

I am excited about the ability to submit a form letter directly to our state representatives and senators from the site as well. The site includes forms letters that you can click on that are automated with information and language in support of public education in our state. All you have to do is input your name and address and it will be emailed directly to our elected officials showing your support of public education.

Never before has supporting public education been more important as more and more changes come with each legislative session. I hope you will take some time to explore this website.

PEF Legislative Advocacy site: http://www.thepfoundation.org/get-involved/#/

Staff COVID-19 Vaccine Update & Incentive Reminder
APH has announced that they will make immunization appointments available for PfISD staff. The number of appointments is limited each week.

If you HAVE NOT received any COVID immunization and are interested in going through APH, please complete the new survey link: https://forms.gle/pqh7vRNxaerEyjY8A

APH will contact you with your appointment. We will be sending a NEW survey weekly. Due to the limited number of appointments available to PfISD staff, please keep completing the surveys until you receive your first dose. Surveys will close each Thursday at noon.

If you are waiting on your second dose, APH will contact you with your appointment time, date, and location. PfISD does not schedule ANY appointment, it is all through APH.

In addition to the APH availability, below are vaccine opportunities from Lone Star Circle of Care and Walmart as well as a group called Tex-Vax Volunteers serving the community to help others register for vaccinations.

Tex-Vax Volunteers Services
We have been presented with an outside source to help you secure a COVID-19 Vaccine appointment. Barbara Najera, past president of the Rotary Club of Pflugerville, past DAAC Committee member, and long-time local volunteer in Pflugerville, has reached out to us to offer their team's assistance. About 2 months ago, after about a month of flying solo, Barbara joined forces with a neighbor, Jazz McBride, who had created a Google Form to secure appointments for anyone in Texas. Their team, Tex-Vax Volunteers, has grown to now consist of 12 members from the Austin and Pflugerville area! Together they have made more than 1,500 appointments for folks all over Texas, and they have volunteered to help PfISD secure appointments for our staff and faculty. 

Things to know: 

• The information they collect is minimal. They do not ask for insurance information or your medical information, only whether or not you have insurance.
• They ask that you please be specific with your schedule/dates & times available and travel distance requirements so that they can best serve you.
• They primarily use HEB to secure their appointments because of the limited amount of information needed to book these appointments.
• At times, you may receive an email or Text from one of their members with a link to a local mass vaccination or clinic. 
• Sometimes you will be presented with next day appointments (if it fits the schedule you have indicated on their form).
• They DO NOT share your information with anyone outside of their group!! Your information will be kept private at all times.

If you are interested, you can fill out their Google Form here:  https://forms.gle/G9wYm1QMipf9K9kr9. You can also share this form with anyone you know in Texas who is still in need of a vaccine appointment.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Barbara Najera directly at bnajera8@gmail.com or call 512-934-3764.

Lone Star Circle of Care in Pflugerville:
1501 W. Pecan St. 
Suite 102
Pflugerville, TX 78660

They are vaccinating staff and their families with the Moderna vaccine. At the time of the first appointment, the second appointment will be scheduled.

Time slots will be on April 21-23. If interested or if you have any questions, please email Rachel Mercado, rmercado@lscctx.org directly to schedule an appointment.

Walmart now has COVID-19 vaccine appointments available at local Walmart pharmacies. Eligible persons may call 1-833-886-0023 to schedule an appointment. Appointments are also available to eligible household members. 

What do I bring to my Walmart appointment?  

On the day of your appointment, please bring your ID, proof of vaccine eligibility if applicable, and insurance card (red, white and blue card if over 65) if you have one. Please plan to stay on-site for at least 15 minutes after your shot while they monitor you for allergic reaction.  

PfISD also is now offering a $100 incentive to all PfISD employees who receive the vaccine thanks to a unanimous vote by our Board. This incentive is good through the end of our fiscal year on Aug. 31. As larger shipments of doses of the vaccine are being delivered across the country and access expands, we anticipate more employees who want the vaccine will be able to receive one before the end of August. Our hope is to boost immunity in our District by offering this incentive.

Please click here to complete the form and to attach a copy of your vaccine confirmation for the COVID-19 vaccine stipend: https://forms.gle/QFFUC7fAXzXPu68j9. Please do not complete this form until you have received both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Substitutes, temporary employees and student teachers are not eligible for the stipend. If you have any questions about the stipend, please contact Eva Davila at eva.davila@pfisd.net.

Please continue to socially distance as much as possible. Wear your mask. Wash your hands. We’re in the final phase of the school year. Keep pushing to improve yourself, your students, and your community in whatever way you can. 

Together we are strong. Together we are a Pfamily. Together we can do anything.

In the best interest of children,
Dr. Douglas Killian
PfISD Superintendent of Schools

Dear PfISD Staff,

Only six weeks left in the school year. Wow! Looking back on what we have been able to accomplish together as a community this year makes me very proud of our teachers, staff, students and their parents. I am thankful for everyone’s flexibility to make adjustments and the creativity shown by everyone to find ways to make learning happen. I know everyone’s situation is unique, and it makes me happy to see how resilient our district has been. We really have done it together and we will finish this school year strong, together as well.

 

Update to Returning to In-Person Learning
As we enter into the school year's final stretch, we want to make you aware of a change in protocols for our method of instruction. Formerly, students were only able to switch to in-person learning at the end of a grading period but could move to online learning at any time. 

In order to better support student learning and attendance needs, beginning this Friday, April 16, all students will have the option to switch to in-person learning at any time. Thank you, staff, for continuing to do whatever it takes to help our students be successful, even during these difficult times.

 

District Assessment Plan Input 
As we plan for the next school year, we are seeking input on the 2020-21 district assessments. Please review the district assessment process and calendar from 2020-21 below and then provide the Curriculum & Innovation Team with input on district assessments and calendar by clicking on the survey.

Your input will be reviewed by campus and district leadership and utilized to develop the 2021-22 assessment plan and calendar.

• Assessment Plan
• Calendar
• Survey

Becoming a Trauma-Skilled Schools District
The pandemic has reinforced the concept that trauma-impacted students need relationships and experiences that reshape mindsets and build resiliency to succeed in school. As educators, we are increasingly aware of trauma’s existence and attempt to become more “trauma-informed” and “trauma-sensitive.” Action, however, not just information and sensitivity, is required if we are to reach, teach, and graduate this growing segment of our student population.

As a result, PfISD is focusing on becoming a Trauma-Skilled Schools District. The process began with the designation of a Trauma-Skilled District Leadership Team. This team has participated in training to guide the district in the collaborative work to create a trauma-skilled district.

What does a trauma-skilled district do?

• It builds the capacity within PfISD to deepen the understanding of trauma
• It creates strategies to foster resilience
• It develops policies and procedures that support all students and staff
• It establishes a culture that eliminates practices that may be detrimental to trauma-impacted students, such as punitive disciplinary practices
• It does not identify trauma-impacted students; all students benefit from trauma-informed practices.  

We Need Trauma-Skilled District Committee Members
Our next step is to identify members of the PfISD community to serve on our steering committee. The steering committee members will be tasked with providing feedback and input to the Trauma-Skilled Schools Leadership Team and will be expected to meet with the Leadership team once a month. Ideally, we would like to have a committee of various experiences, backgrounds, and expertise to help shape our practices to serve our students best. We desire members who show leadership and passion related to creating a positive culture and climate in PfISD that fosters resilience and supports students and staff's well-being. For the model to be effective, our entire district must believe in the power of trauma-skilled practices. 

We hope that the steering committee members will provide feedback to the leadership team while facilitating discussion among colleagues and spreading the message and benefits of trauma-skilled practices throughout their learning community.

If you desire to serve on this committee and want to be considered, then please complete this form.

 

Legislative Advocacy Page
With the Texas State Legislature in session right now, it is another year in which public education could, and most likely, will be impacted by new bills passed at the state capitol. Funding for public schools and other agenda items that will affect our classrooms are sure to be discussed on the floor.

Our Pflugerville Education Foundation wants our parents, staff and community to be as informed as possible and provide an avenue for them to easily advocate for our public schools. On the PEF’s website is now a link to a public education legislative advocacy page. This page will have information and links to bills being discussed at the legislature.

I am excited about the ability to submit a form letter directly to our state representatives and senators from the site as well. The site includes forms letters that you can click on that are automated with information and language in support of public education in our state. All you have to do is input your name and address and it will be emailed directly to our elected officials showing your support of public education.

Never before has supporting public education been more important as more and more changes come with each legislative session. I hope you will take some time to explore this website.

PEF Legislative Advocacy site: http://www.thepfoundation.org/get-involved/#/

 

PfISD following updated APH Quarantine Guidelines
Pflugerville ISD will be following the updated recommendations from CDC and Austin Public Health regarding identified Close Contacts who are fully immunized and the need to quarantine.

For the purposes of this guidance, people are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 2 weeks after they have received the second dose in a 2-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or 2 weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson and Johnson (J&J)/Janssen).

Fully vaccinated people may be able to refrain from quarantine and testing following a known exposure if they are asymptomatic.

If you are deemed a close contact due to a direct exposure:

Please complete the COVID-19 intake form. If you have received the full dose of a vaccine, you will need to submit a copy of your shot record to verify your dates of COVID immunization(s) and Human Resources will notify you if you are cleared to return to work early. You must be cleared by Human Resources, not your campus/department supervisor. Please do not return to work until you are cleared by Human Resources staff.

Staff should always closely monitor themselves for symptoms after an exposure. If you develop symptoms, you should remain at home and seek the advice of your health provider for further testing.

Staff COVID-19 Vaccine Update & Incentive Reminder
APH has announced that they will make immunization appointments available for PfISD staff. The number of appointments is limited each week.

If you HAVE NOT received any COVID immunization and are interested in going through APH, please complete the new survey link:https://forms.gle/g5kuUExiC4zVEjTS7

APH will contact you with your appointment. We will be sending a NEW survey weekly. Due to the limited number of appointments available to PfISD staff, please keep completing the surveys until you receive your first dose. Surveys will close each Thursday at noon.

If you are waiting on your second dose, APH will contact you with your appointment time, date, and location. PfISD does not schedule ANY appointment, it is all through APH.

You must bring your School ID or a recent paystub to verify that you are a district employee.

In addition to the APH availability, below are vaccine opportunities from Lone Star Circle of Care and Walmart.

Lone Star Circle of Care in Pflugerville:
1501 W. Pecan St. 
Suite 102
Pflugerville, TX 78660

They are vaccinating staff with the Moderna vaccine. At the time of the first appointment, the second appointment will be scheduled.

Time slots will be on Wednesday, April 21 or Friday, April 23. If interested or if you have any questions, please email Rachel Mercado, rmercado@lscctx.org directly to schedule an appointment.

Walmart now has COVID-19 vaccine appointments available at local Walmart pharmacies. Eligible persons may call 1-833-886-0023 to schedule an appointment. Appointments are also available to eligible household members.  

What do I bring to my Walmart appointment?  

On the day of your appointment, please bring your ID, proof of vaccine eligibility if applicable, and insurance card (red, white and blue card if over 65) if you have one. Please plan to stay on-site for at least 15 minutes after your shot while they monitor you for allergic reaction. 

PfISD also is now offering a $100 incentive to all PfISD employees who receive the vaccine thanks to a unanimous vote by our Board. This incentive is good through the end of our fiscal year on Aug. 31. As larger shipments of doses of the vaccine are being delivered across the country and access expands, we anticipate more employees who want the vaccine will be able to receive one before the end of August. Our hope is to boost immunity in our District by offering this incentive.

Please click here to complete the form and to attach a copy of your vaccine confirmation for the COVID-19 vaccine stipend: https://forms.gle/QFFUC7fAXzXPu68j9. Please do not complete this form until you have received both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Substitutes, temporary employees and student teachers are not eligible for the stipend. If you have any questions about the stipend, please contact Eva Davila at eva.davila@pfisd.net. 

Please continue to socially distance as much as possible. Wear your mask. Wash your hands. We’re in the final phase of the school year. Keep pushing to improve yourself, your students, and your community in whatever way you can.

Together we are strong. Together we are a Pfamily. Together we can do anything.

In the best interest of children,
Dr. Douglas Killian
PfISD Superintendent of Schools

Dear PfISD Staff,

We know this has been a challenging year for our staff and we are truly sorry for all the changes and struggles each of you have had to endure. We still have one final impact we have to address. Our budget.

As we said last week, the district faces a $5 million shortfall for the current school year and a $14 million shortfall for the 2021-2022 school year, both due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent drop in student enrollment. (To learn more about this, please review the email from Wednesday, April 7, or view this short video from our Chief Operations Officer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B89YNGrN0h5M2pPJHtvdxkZKKdC8S1Ou/view.)

We have evaluated all positions within the district to determine how best for us to move forward next year. Our priority for decreases was at the central office and support services level to minimalize the impact on our campuses. After those determinations were made, our Human Resources team worked with our principals to determine staff positions for next year, based on student enrollment. At this time, we are working to repurpose staff with each individual maintaining their employment. We are also not filling any current vacancies which have not been deemed critical. 

After these evaluations and discussions with district and campus leaders, we have identified the following approximate position decreases:

• Central Administration – 14% (plus 5% cut to department budgets)
• Support Services – 5.5% (plus 5% cut to department budgets)
• Campuses – 2%

This week, our Human Resources department is working with Central Administration leaders to inform staff members whose job functions will change with the next school year. Additionally, HR personnel is meeting with principals this week to share what positions on campuses will be repurposed for the upcoming school year. Once principals are notified this week, they will begin notifying their directly impacted staff members through next week.

We have done our best to look at all positions and resources thoroughly before making any decisions in order to minimize the impact on our classrooms, and our staff is working as quickly as they can to inform those affected.

We understand this is a difficult time for everyone in our district, but know that we will get through it together, and we will continue to passionately serve our students to the best of our ability.

In the best interest of children,
Dr. Douglas Killian
PfISD Superintendent of Schools

Dear PfISD Staff,

As we enter into the school year's final stretch, we want to make you aware of a change in policy for our method of instruction. Currently, students are only able to switch to in-person learning at the end of a grading period but can move to online learning at any time. 

In order to better support student learning and attendance needs, beginning April 16, all students will have the option to switch to in-person learning at any time. Thank you staff for continuing to do whatever it takes to help our students be successful, even during these difficult times. 

In the best interest of children,
Dr. Douglas Killian
Superintendent

Dear PfISD Staff,

As you are aware, the district is currently facing a budget shortfall for the current year and next year due to the COVID-19 pandemic – both from the drop in student enrollment as well as other expenses incurred due to safety measures in place to combat the pandemic and keep staff and students safe. For the current school year, we are looking at a $5 million shortfall, and for next year we are anticipating a $14 million budget shortfall.

The loss in student enrollment is a double hammer, as it decreases the amount we will receive from the state for student enrollment next year (as we are not expected to reach our previous projections for 2021-2022) and it also caused PfISD to lose its status as a fast-growth district, which alone is a $6.1 million decrease. For more information on how these shortfalls came about, please view this short video from our Chief Operations Officer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B89YNGrN0h5M2pPJHtvdxkZKKdC8S1Ou/view.

Though these shortfalls are no fault of our district, we must still take action to reduce our spending and balance our budget for the upcoming year. Our first step in this process was reducing all administrative departments by 5% earlier this year, and we will carry this over into the next budget year.

We are now looking at positions within the district to determine which positions are necessary for us to move forward next year, starting with central office and support services positions in our attempt to minimalize the impact on our campuses. After those determinations have been made, we will then work with our principals to determine any staff positions which will be impacted. At this time, we are only looking to repurpose staff into necessary positions rather than cutting individual staff members. We expect to inform impacted staff members within the next few weeks.

I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, especially when it is due to a situation out of any of our control. Please be assured, we are doing everything in our power to reduce spending wherever available and minimize the impact on our students and our staff members. Additionally, we are also asking TEA and our legislature to appropriately fund public education in light of the hurdles we have faced this school year. This includes advocating for school districts to receive federal relief funds received by the state of Texas to assist schools with fully reopening. 

I know this is a difficult thing to add on top of an already difficult year, but working together as a Pfamily and keeping our focus on passionately serving our students will continue to guide us as we move forward.

In the best interest of children,
Dr. Douglas Killian
PfISD Superintendent of Schools

Dear Pflugerville ISD Teachers & Staff,

I would like first to thank all our teachers and staff who completed the survey conducted by our TIA Committee. This data was beneficial and provided information some of the subcommittees needed to complete their portion of our TIA Committee's charge to construct a potential TIA Designation System for PfISD. 

In reviewing the data from this survey, the TIA Committee has determined that a weighted system of 60% Student Growth, 30% Teacher Observation, and 10% Optional Components would best suit a potential PfISD TIA Designation System.

Three Optional Components received a lot of support from the survey: Teacher Leadership (57%), Teacher Attendance (60%), and Student Experience surveys (42%). Based on this feedback, the Committee recommends that Domain 4 scores be included under Optional Components along with Student Experience Survey responses. Again, Optional Components are only weighted at 10% of a teacher's total TIA rating. 

Approximately 20% of respondents said they supported the Shared Teacher option. About 45% supported the Designated Teacher only option, and more than 34% said they would support whatever the Committee recommends. Those numbers made it clear to the Committee that awarding the designated teacher and not dividing up a small portion to other teachers was the staff's desire.

Districts are allowed to hold a portion of the overall allotment for district use, such as professional development opportunities and program costs. The PfISD TIA Committee has decided to go with a 90%-10% model, giving the awarded teacher 90% of the allotment and holding 10% for professional learning and TIA program administrative costs (i.e., cost associated with the Panorama Student Experience survey platform). The survey showed overwhelmingly that this was the option our employees supported with more than 85% of the votes. 

I believe the Committee's decisions to go with a 90%-10% stipend distribution and the 60%-30%-10% weighted plan fall in line with our teachers' and staff members' desires. 

While the final decision to apply for a PfISD TIA system has not been made, the Committee was tasked with thoroughly investigating TIA and determining if it could fit within our District's mission and ultimately increase our teacher's compensation options. The Committee's final step is to present the plan to our teachers and solicit feedback before making a final recommendation to me. 

If you have any questions about TIA, please visit our PfISD TIA website: https://www.pfisd.net/Page/8094. The Committee will update this site as more information becomes available. 

The TIA Committee would like more feedback from our teachers and staff and has created a second survey. This survey will gauge your support for PfISD’s plan (the details of the plan are included in the survey) and help the Committee with its final recommendation to me. The deadline to complete this survey is April 13. Here is a link to the PfISD TIA Committee Second Survey:https://forms.gle/Aohw1hyWWiwuimyr6.

Please review the information contained in the survey closely and provide us with your feedback as this will weigh into the District’s final decision of whether to implement the TIA system in PfISD. The survey will close on April 13.

If you are unfamiliar with TIA, I invite you to please watch this 30-minute video from the TEA that explains TIA in detail to learn a little more: https://youtu.be/Q1no6VQ6a2 

Thank you for taking the time to read this message and for completing this critical survey. Your feedback is crucial in helping our TIA Committee understand our teachers' views on TIA and how to build a model that best fits our District.

Sincerely,

Brandy Baker
Chief Academic and Innovation Officer
Pflugerville ISD

Dear PfISD Staff,

I hope you all enjoyed a long weekend as we move into the last eight weeks of the year and are refreshed, recharged and ready to tackle the final push of the school year. From here out we have no more student or staff holidays. It is crunch time, and I know our principals, teachers and staff will bring passionate service to make sure our students close this school year strong.

We are preparing to recognize our teachers, rookie teachers and humanitarians of the year from each of our campuses. Keep an eye out in your neighborhood for special yard signs recognizing these amazing staffers!

Speaking of amazing staffers, this week is National Library Week. I would like to take a moment to thank all the librarians in the District for their dedicated work to provide a space for our students to explore the world of reading and discover their interests. Librarians play a key role in sparking an interest in reading and learning for our students and their work is a valuable part of the educational journey our students take in PfISD. 

Employment Contracts
School Board action regarding employment contracts is scheduled to occur at the April 15 regular school board meeting. Eligible district employees will receive their employment contract during the week of April 19 via the OEMS system. A notification via email will be sent to all qualifying employees.

Teacher Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) Waiver Approved for 2021-2022
Due to effects related to COVID-19, the PfISD Board of Trustees and the Texas Education Agency approved a SLO (student growth) waiver for PfISD teachers for the 2020-21 school year.  For this school year only, teachers during end of the year summative conferences will not be required to submit their teacher reflection on the SLO process or their End-of-Year Conference Student Growth Tracker to their appraiser.   Measuring student growth is a critical portion of the T-TESS appraisal system so the full SLO appraisal component is scheduled for the 2021-22 school year. 

Student Chromebook/Device Return
All checked-out student devices, except those to be used for Summer School, are to be returned to the district at the end of the school year.  Inventory is currently being compiled so that parents and guardians can verify serial number of devices checked out to students. Details for drop off and inventory mismatches will be provided in the coming weeks.

Pre-K & Kindergarten Registration
New student registration for pre-k and kindergarten students is coming up soon! If you have a student who will be entering pre-k or kindergarten at one of our elementary schools this fall, please visit our registration homepage for more information on requirements for pre-k.

Pre-K/Kindergarten Registration: https://www.pfisd.net/Page/6207

• Kindergarten registration is Wednesday, April 7, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Both Pre-K and Kindergarten registration will be available on Thursday, April 8, from 1-7 p.m.

Please note, for parents registering a child for Carpenter Elementary, registration will be held at Weiss High School.

Some campuses will be offering contactless packet pick-up registration, while others will have onsite in-person and contactless registration or onsite in-person by appointment AND contactless registration. Please visit our general registration page to see which option your campus is offering: https://www.pfisd.net/domain/23 

Please note, if your kindergarten-aged child is currently attending pre-k in PfISD this year, your child is already enrolled at their zoned home campus. You may email the campus registrar to confirm.

Transfer Window Open
The In-District transfer window is currently open and closes this Friday, April 9 for any students wishing to attend a school outside of their home’s attendance zone. Parents will receive responses to their transfer requests beginning May 21.

The Out-of-District transfer window opens April 12. Campuses should begin providing responses to transfer requests beginning May 28.

For more information regarding both in-district and out-of-district transfers please visit our Student Transfer Information page:https://www.pfisd.net/domain/109.

Staff COVID-19 Vaccine Update & Incentive Reminder
APH has announced that they will make immunization appointments available for PfISD staff. The number of appointments is limited each week.

If you HAVE NOT received any COVID immunization please complete this survey https://forms.gle/fTzoKtiapTrdbher7.

APH will contact you with your appointment. We will be sending a NEW survey weekly. Due to the limited number of appointments available to PfISD staff, please keep completing the surveys until you receive your first dose. Surveys will close each Thursday at noon.

If you are waiting on your second dose, APH will contact you with your appointment time, date, and location. PfISD does not schedule ANY appointment, it is all through APH. 

You must bring your School ID or a recent paystub to verify that you are a district employee.

In addition to the APH availability, Walmart now has COVID-19 vaccine appointments available at local Walmart pharmacies. Eligible persons may call 1-833-886-0023 to schedule an appointment. Appointments are also available to eligible household members. 

What do I bring to my Walmart appointment?  
On the day of your appointment, please bring your ID, proof of vaccine eligibility if applicable, and insurance card (red, white and blue card if over 65) if you have one. Please plan to stay on-site for at least 15 minutes after your shot while they monitor you for allergic reaction. 

PfISD also is now offering a $100 incentive to all PfISD employees who receive the vaccine thanks to a unanimous vote by our Board. This incentive is good through the end of our fiscal year on Aug. 31. As larger shipments of doses of the vaccine are being delivered across the country and access expands, we anticipate more employees who want the vaccine will be able to receive one before the end of August. Our hope is to boost immunity in our District by offering this incentive.

Please click here to complete the form and to attach a copy of your vaccine confirmation for the COVID-19 vaccine stipend: https://forms.gle/QFFUC7fAXzXPu68j9. Please do not complete this form until you have received both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Substitutes, temporary employees and student teachers are not eligible for the stipend. If you have any questions about the stipend, please contact Eva Davila at eva.davila@pfisd.net.

Please continue to socially distance as much as possible. Wear your mask. Wash your hands. We’re in the final phase of the school year. Keep pushing to improve yourself, your students, and your community in whatever way you can.

Together we are strong. Together we are a Pfamily. Together we can do anything.

In the best interest of children,
Dr. Douglas Killian
PfISD Superintendent of Schools

Dear PfISD Staff,

And just like that, March is over. Although the 2020-2021 school year is unlike any I have seen in all my years in education, some things never change, including the rapid slide into summer after Spring Break. Only two short months left in this year and we still have a lot to accomplish for both students and staff.

While we just returned from a long break, I hope you all enjoy the upcoming long weekend this week, and our last holiday of the school year. Friday is a Student/Staff Holiday for all, and Monday will be a Student Holiday and Planning & Prep Day for teachers and staff. Stay safe and please continue to socially distance, wash your hands and wear your mask.

Planning & Prep Day, April 5
There will be optional learning opportunities for teachers on the April 5 planning and preparation day. These offerings are not required. Here is the information for learning that is available on April 5.

All staff will work from their duty location for the April 5 planning and prep day, with our safety protocols in place, i.e. physical distancing, masks, and handwashing. The planning and prep days are still designed by the teachers and can be used at their discretion for professional activities.

Pre-K & Kindergarten Registration
New student registration for pre-k and kindergarten students is coming up soon! If you have a student who will be entering pre-k or kindergarten at one of our elementary schools this fall, please visit our registration homepage for more information on requirements for pre-k.

Pre-K/Kindergarten Registration: https://www.pfisd.net/Page/6207

• Pre-K registration is Tuesday, April 6, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Kindergarten registration is Wednesday, April 7, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Both Pre-K and Kindergarten registration will be available on Thursday, April 8, from 1-7 p.m.

Please note, for parents registering a child for Carpenter Elementary, registration will be held at Weiss High School.

Some campuses will be offering contactless packet pick-up registration, while others will have onsite in-person and contactless registration or onsite in-person by appointment AND contactless registration. Please visit our general registration page to see which option your campus is offering: https://www.pfisd.net/domain/232

Please note, if your kindergarten-aged child is currently attending pre-k in PfISD this year, your child is already enrolled at their zoned home campus. You may email the campus registrar to confirm.

Transfer Window Open
The In-District transfer window is currently open and closes on April 9 for any students wishing to attend a school outside of their home’s attendance zone. Parents will receive responses to their transfer requests beginning May 21. 

The Out-of-District transfer window opens April 12. Campuses should begin providing responses to transfer requests beginning May 28.

For more information regarding both in-district and out-of-district transfers please visit our Student Transfer Information page:https://www.pfisd.net/domain/109.

Virtual Spring College Night
PfISD is excited to host its Spring 2021 College Night tonight from 6:30-8. This year’s event will be hosted virtually. All PfISD high school students in grades 9-11 are welcome to attend.

If you are interested in attending the Virtual College Night, please register by using this Google Form. The deadline to Register is March 30. Please keep in mind that you will not receive a confirmation until the week before the event.

During the event families can expect to learn all about the college application process. Counselors will discuss the topics listed below and allow for an interactive Q/A session.

• General Tips & Tricks for Applying to College
• Automatic vs. Holistic Review
• SAT/ACT Test Scores (Including Test Optional Advice)
• How to write a good essay/résumé
• Letters of Recommendation
• And so much more.

The PfISD College and Career Team look forward to seeing you virtually at their annual event!

TOY/HOY/Years of Service/Retirees Celebrations
Due to the pandemic, we are unable to hold our typical banquets for our staff members in the Spring. We are working on several different ways to honor our staff members for the accomplishments and longevity – some virtual and some in-person.

We have created campus-specific yard signs for each campus to give to their Teacher of the Year (TOY), Rookie Teacher of the Year (RTOY) and Humanitarian of the Year (HOY). Additionally, we will have posts created for each of these individuals to share on their campus social media sites. For our District TOYs, HOYs and RTOYs, we have created larger yard signs and we will create a small group to serve as a prize patrol to visit these staff members on their campus to surprise them with the news that they have won. We will video these surprises and create a video similar to last year’s video to play on our District YouTube channel and will be shared on our website and social media.

For our Years of Service and Retirees, we will honor them with a webpage showcasing all of our staff members marking their work anniversaries and also create social media posts for their individual campus social media. We will be reaching out to these individuals to provide us with some Q&As that we can incorporate into the story. It would be fun if our teachers celebrating milestone anniversaries could send in a photo from your first year in PfISD, your favorite thing about working PfISD, how teaching/education has changed in your years here, your favorite memory from PfISD. We will also ask our campus principals to take photos/videos to send to us to compile into a large video honoring these staff members which we will showcase on our YouTube channel. 

Additionally, we will have pottery for all of these winners that will be sent to campuses for distribution.

I am disappointed that the pandemic has taken these events away from us as far as their traditional setting as it is one of my favorite banquets every year. Seeing the joy on our employees’ faces when they receive their pottery for years of service or being recognized as the Teacher of the Year for their campus is a special moment. I hope we can be back to normal next year, but am glad we can still find a way to honor these individuals virtually.

Staff COVID-19 Vaccine Update & Incentive Reminder
APH has announced that they will make immunization appointments available for PfISD staff. The number of appointments is limited each week.

If you HAVE NOT received any COVID immunization please complete this survey https://forms.gle/XRVKkqYPVTUxtomv7.

APH will contact you with your appointment. We will be sending a NEW survey weekly. Due to the limited number of appointments available to PfISD staff, please keep completing the surveys until you receive your first dose. Surveys will close each Thursday at noon. 

If you are waiting on your second dose, APH will contact you with your appointment time, date, and location. PfISD does not schedule ANY appointment, it is all through APH.

You must bring your School ID or a recent paystub to verify that you are a district employee.

In addition to the APH availability, Walmart now has COVID-19 vaccine appointments available at local Walmart pharmacies. Eligible persons may call 1-833-886-0023 to schedule an appointment. Appointments are also available to eligible household members. 

What do I bring to my Walmart appointment?  On the day of your appointment, please bring your ID, proof of vaccine eligibility if applicable, and insurance card (red, white and blue card if over 65) if you have one. Please plan to stay on-site for at least 15 minutes after your shot while they monitor you for allergic reaction. 

PfISD also is now offering a $100 incentive to all PfISD employees who receive the vaccine thanks to a unanimous vote by our Board. This incentive is good through the end of our fiscal year on Aug. 31. As larger shipments of doses of the vaccine are being delivered across the country and access expands, we anticipate more employees who want the vaccine will be able to receive one before the end of August. Our hope is to boost immunity in our District by offering this incentive. 

Please click here to complete the form and to attach a copy of your vaccine confirmation for the COVID-19 vaccine stipend: https://forms.gle/QFFUC7fAXzXPu68j9. Please do not complete this form until you have received both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Substitutes, temporary employees and student teachers are not eligible for the stipend. If you have any questions about the stipend, please contact Eva Davila at eva.davila@pfisd.net. 

2021 Graduations Update
Speaking of events, our biggest and best one every year is beginning to come into view. Graduation dates have already been set and announced. They are provided again below as a refresher.

At this time, we are planning to allow six tickets per graduate. This is subject to change as we could possibly allow for more or fewer tickets depending on the local status with regard to COVID cases and protocols.

The graduation schedule is:

• Connally – Tuesday, June 1
• Weiss – Wednesday, June 2
• Hendrickson – Thursday, June 3
• Pflugerville – Friday, June 4
• PACE – Friday, June 4 (11 a.m.)
• Bad weather make-up date – Saturday, June 5

All graduations will be held at The Pfield and begin at 8:30 a.m. We know there are many questions as to what the ceremonies will look like, but many decisions will be based on guidance from local and state health officials depending on the situation at that time. At this time, we are anticipating providing 6 tickets per graduate; however, that could change as we get closer to the date depending on health guidance at the time. We will provide additional information as soon as decisions are made.

Athletics Update
PfISD had a strong showing in the UIL Soccer Playoffs last week, and we have four teams competing in the second round tonight. Hendrickson Boys Soccer will host Magnolia West at The Pfield at 6 p.m. Weiss Boys Soccer is in the playoffs for the first time in school history and travel to take on Giddings. For the Girls, Hendrickson faces Magnolia in Brenham and PHS is on the road at College Station. 

Good luck to our soccer teams in the postseason. 

Also last week, we had Roman Anderson and Aiden Keith from Hendrickson competing at the state championship meet in weight lifting. They finished 4^th and 7^th, respectively in their weight divisions. Congratulations to these two young men for representing their school at the state meet!

Please continue to socially distance as much as possible. Wear your mask. Wash your hands. We’re in the final phase of the school year. Keep pushing to improve yourself, your students, and your community in whatever way you can. If we all play our part, we can come together as a community to help slow the spread of COVID-19, and together we can make a difference.

Together we are strong. Together we are a Pfamily. Together we can do anything.

In the best interest of children,
Dr. Douglas Killian
PfISD Superintendent of Schools

Dear PfISD Staff,

I hope you all returned to work this week refreshed and recharged after Spring Break! The final nine weeks of the school year are officially here, which means we will have all the usual things that make this time of year so busy, and exciting, at the same time. Some of those events just might look a little different than normal. 

As we begin this final portion of the year, I ask that we all stay vigilant in our safety precautions for COVID. Many of our staff members have taken advantage of the opportunity to get vaccinated, and I appreciate your willingness to be vaccinated very much. However, just because vaccinations are increasing does not mean we can let down our guard. There is light at the end of the tunnel, but we are not there yet. Soon!

Staff COVID-19 Vaccine Update & Incentive Reminder
APH has announced that they will make immunization appointments available for PfISD staff. The number of appointments is limited each week.

If you HAVE NOT received any COVID immunization please complete this survey https://forms.gle/KZ4wTF8198vsrUYx6.

APH will contact you with your appointment. We will be sending a NEW survey weekly. Due to the limited number of appointments available to PfISD staff, please keep completing the surveys until you receive your first dose. Surveys will close each Thursday at noon.

If you are waiting on your second dose, APH will contact you with your appointment time, date, and location. PfISD does not schedule ANY appointment, it is all through APH.

You must bring your School ID or a recent paystub to verify that you are a district employee.

In addition to the APH availability, Walmart now has COVID-19 vaccine appointments available at local Walmart pharmacies. Eligible persons may call 1-833-886-0023 to schedule an appointment. Appointments are also available to eligible household members.  

What do I bring to my Walmart appointment? On the day of your appointment, please bring your ID, proof of vaccine eligibility if applicable, and insurance card (red, white and blue card if over 65) if you have one. Please plan to stay on-site for at least 15 minutes after your shot while they monitor you for allergic reaction. 

PfISD also is now offering a $100 incentive to all PfISD employees who receive the vaccine thanks to a unanimous vote by our Board. This incentive is good through the end of our fiscal year on Aug. 31. As larger shipments of doses of the vaccine are being delivered across the country and access expands, we anticipate more employees who want the vaccine will be able to receive one before the end of August. Our hope is to boost immunity in our District by offering this incentive.

Please click here to complete the form and to attach a copy of your vaccine confirmation for the COVID-19 vaccine stipend: https://forms.gle/QFFUC7fAXzXPu68j9. Please do not complete this form until you have received both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Substitutes, temporary employees and student teachers are not eligible for the stipend. If you have any questions about the stipend, please contact Eva Davila at eva.davila@pfisd.net.

P-TECH Parent Meeting on Wednesday
As we prepare to launch our P-TECH academies at Connally and Weiss next school year, there will be an informational meeting for parents on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

This meeting is open to all parents of 8^th graders (rising 9^th graders) interested in learning more about the P-TECH academies regardless of which high school they are zoned to attend. Applications for the Computer Information and Technology Academy at CHS or the Pfuture Teachers Academy at WHS for rising 9^th graders are currently being accepted.

The meeting does require an RSVP so the District can have representatives from the Multilingual Department on standby for translation services if needed.

Parents may RSVP with this link: https://forms.gle/mxa9Gn6ViGQoXEdF8

Virtual Spring College Night

PfISD is excited to announce its Spring 2021 College Night. This year’s event will be hosted virtually on Tuesday, March 30 from 6:30-8 p.m. All PfISD high school students in grades 9-11 are welcome to attend.

If you are interested in attending the Virtual College Night, please register by using this Google Form. The deadline to Register is March 30. Please keep in mind that you will not receive a confirmation until the week before the event.

During the event families can expect to learn all about the college application process. Counselors will discuss the topics listed below and allow for an interactive Q/A session.

• General Tips & Tricks for Applying to College
• Automatic vs. Holistic Review
• SAT/ACT Test Scores (Including Test Optional Advice)
• How to write a good essay/résumé
• Letters of Recommendation
• And so much more.

The PfISD College and Career Team look forward to seeing you virtually at their annual event!

Pegasus Enrollment
The Pegasus Program offers a high-quality, caring and affordable pre-kindergarten experience to children of PfISD staff or their family members. In the program’s inclusive model, the 3- and 4-year-olds serve as positive “role models” for other students in the class who have disabilities. 

Why choose Pegasus for your child? 

Accessible, Dependable Care

• Pegasus is open each day a teacher is on contract, from 7 a.m. until 5:15 p.m.
• With locations at 11 PfISD campuses, you can choose the site most convenient for your commute.
• Pegasus is open to 3- and 4-year-old children — or nieces, nephews, or grandchildren — of any PfISD staff member, guest educator, or Aramark employee.

Quality Kindergarten Preparation

• Each Pegasus classroom is led by a certified teacher who plans all learning experiences on regular school days. 
• Each class is also staffed with highly qualified educational associates, one of whom will work with your child on critical foundational academic and social skills until 5:15. 
• Pegasus follows the PfISD Prekindergarten curriculum and Texas Pre-K Guidelines to ensure well-rounded, rigorous instruction throughout the year. 
• Instruction is differentiated based on individual needs and abilities. All 4-year-old role models are regularly assessed using the same Ready, Set, K! screener used in general education Pre-K classes. Three-year-old students are assessed using a checklist that tracks skills necessary for success the following year.
• Want your preschooler to begin learning a second language? Our Pegasus Program offers two bilingual classrooms to jump-start their Spanish fluency.

Fun Activities for the Whole Child

• Every day offers a fast-paced, immersive schedule of individual and cooperative centers, circle time, small group activities, music and movement, recess, and more!
• Students practice not only the academic skills necessary for Kindergarten success but also the equally-important social skills.
• Daily snacks are included in the cost of tuition.

Download this Flyer to learn more about the Pegasus Program, or watch this video to see Pegasus in action. When you’re ready to enroll your child, fill out the Pegasus Application. Open enrollment is being held until March 30th. 

Pegasus 2021-2022 Parent Agreement

If you have any questions, contact Julie Schwarz at 512-594-0173 or Julie.Schwarz@pfisd.net.

Pre-K & Kindergarten Registration
New student registration for pre-k and kindergarten students is coming up soon! If you have a student who will be entering pre-k or kindergarten at one of our elementary schools this fall, please visit our registration homepage for more information on requirements for pre-k. 

Pre-K/Kindergarten Registration: https://www.pfisd.net/Page/6207

• Pre-K registration is Tuesday, April 6, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Kindergarten registration is Wednesday, April 7, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Both Pre-K and Kindergarten registration will be available on Thursday, April 8, from 1-7 p.m.

Please note, for parents registering a child for Carpenter Elementary, registration will be held at Weiss High School. 

Some campuses will be offering contactless packet pick-up registration, while others will have onsite in-person and contactless registration or onsite in-person by appointment AND contactless registration. Please visit our general registration page to see which option your campus is offering: https://www.pfisd.net/domain/232

Please note, if your kindergarten-aged child attended pre-k in PfISD in 2020-21, your child is already enrolled at their zoned home campus. You may email the campus registrar to confirm.

Pam Yantis Memorial Service
The PfISD community was deeply saddened by the loss of one of our PHS administrative assistants, Pam Yantis, just prior to Spring Break. Pam was a valued staff member at PHS and PfISD, where she served for many years.

We have received information from Pam’s family regarding her memorial service.

A celebration of life service will be held for Pam at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 27 at First Baptist Church of Pflugerville.

Cyber Security Training
Cybersecurity is one of the highest priorities to PfISD and we have seen a rise in attempts to steal data and money from our users in the past 24 months. In accordance with Texas House Bill 3834, PfISD has enrolled all employees in an online comprehensive Security Awareness Training. Each employee will receive an email from our training partner, KnowBe4, that provides a link to the required training and should take between 30-45 minutes to complete.

The deadline for completion of the training is set for Friday, April 30. Thank you so much for your efforts in keeping our student and staff data safe. 

PPE Stipend Reminder

All qualifying full-time employees should have received a $500 stipend for PPE from the District on Friday, March 12. Qualifying part-time employees should have received $250. We encourage you to check your pay stub to ensure the stipend was included. Your work and dedication during these trying times is truly appreciated. 

 

Athletics Update
Spring is here, and that means lots of outdoor sports. Baseball, softball and track & field are in full swing… and so is golf!

Keeping in line with the success of our fall and winter sports, our soccer teams had a great season and many are headed to the UIL Playoffs.

Hendrickson Boys Soccer won the district championship and plays at Lockhart on Thursday night in the first round of the playoffs. Joining the Hawks in the playoffs are Weis and Pflugerville HS. Weiss takes on McCallum at House Park on Friday night, and PHS faces Northeast Reagan on Thursday also at House Park.

On the girls’ side, PHS won the district title and enter the postseason ranked No. 4 in the state! They will host LASA on Friday night at Kuempel Stadium in the first round. Hendrickson takes on Ann Richards at The Pfield on Friday at 5 p.m. and Weiss will take on Anderson immediately following that match.

We also have two student-athletes headed to the state championship in weightlifting from Hendrickson. Roman Anderson and Aiden Keithwill represent the Hawks at the meet in the 181-pound and 220-pound divisions, respectively. If you’re familiar with 1980s “Saturday Night Live”, you might get a chuckle out of knowing the coaches at Hendrickson call them Hans and Franz.

Good luck to all these dedicated student-athletes in the postseason! 

Please continue to socially distance as much as possible. Wear your mask. Wash your hands. We’re in the final phase of the school year. Keep pushing to improve yourself, your students, and your community in whatever way you can. If we all play our part, we can come together as a community to help slow the spread of COVID-19, and together we can make a difference. 

Together we are strong. Together we are a Pfamily. Together we can do anything.

In the best interest of children,
Dr. Douglas Killian
PfISD Superintendent of Schools