PWSH Wolf Howl

October 20, 2026

Dear Plano West Families,

Every student who walks through our doors deserves to feel safe, respected and welcome. This month, our students are showing us what that looks like.

Earlier in October, we celebrated Upstander Week as part of National Bullying Prevention Month. Throughout the week, students talked about what it means to be an upstander: noticing when something isn’t right and choosing to do something about it. Sometimes that means inviting a classmate to sit with you at lunch. Sometimes it means refusing to join in or pass along something hurtful. And sometimes it means telling a trusted adult. Speaking up can take courage, and when students do, we’re here to listen and help.

These conversations connect to our Code of Civility, which asks all of us to treat one another with dignity and respect, including when we disagree. It's a standard for adults as much as for students, and it shows up in everyday moments in and outside of the classroom, including online. Before posting, sharing or commenting, we're encouraging students to think about the person on the receiving end and the impact their words may have.

We’ll keep that momentum going on Wednesday, October 21, for Unity Day. Students and staff are invited to wear orange to show that we stand together for kindness.

Your partnership matters here. Ask your child what they learned during Upstander Week. Talk about what respect looks like, the responsibility that comes with social media and how to get help when something feels wrong. And when you see your student being trustworthy, caring, responsible and respectful, whether that's telling the truth, owning a mistake, showing kindness to someone else or treating others with dignity, celebrate it.

If your child ever needs help, please reach out. Our teachers, counselors and administrators are here to listen, and students and families can also use the Plano ISD Tip Line, which includes an anonymous option. The district's guidance on addressing bullying, harassment and all forms of hate explains how concerns are handled. We take every concern seriously and respond promptly.

Our students shape this school every day, and their choices matter. We're encouraging them to choose kindness, speak with care and stand up for one another.

I'm proud to be part of this community. Every student belongs here, and each of us has a part in making that belonging real.

Sincerely,

Billie Jean Lee

Principal, Plano West Senior High School

This Week at Plano West

Monday, October 26 Baseball Booster Club Meeting (Cafeteria, 6:00 pm); Cross Country Region 1 6A Meet

Tuesday, October 27 Golf RG Invitational (Sherrill Park)

Wednesday, October 28 RMS Orchestra Concert (Plano West Auditorium)

Thursday, October 29 Engineering Test (Room G 113); PAL-o-ween (Plano West Cafeteria, 6:00 - 8:00 pm)

Friday, October 30 Speech/Debate Tournament (Plano West); Varsity Football v Lake Highlands - SENIOR NIGHT (Clark Stadium, 7:00 pm); Pep Rally/Stay Day (Alternate Schedule)

Saturday, October 31 Speech/Debate Tournament (Plano West)

Jostens Cap and Gown Information

Dear Senior Parent/Guardian,

Jostens delivered information for your senior about their 2027 graduation cap & gown and other senior year items. We thought you would appreciate having a copy of what was handed out during English class.

In order to receive the best pricing of the year, please be sure to order by the date printed on the information sheet. When you order by this date, you will be a part of the Early Order Pricing and can save both money and the stress of waiting until spring. Click here to be taken directly to our school’s homepage at Jostens.

Thank you,

Toni Bennefeld

Texas Grad Shop

Office Administrator

214-383-9502

Attendance Information

Attendance is Important!

Benefits of Attendance:

Students who attend school every day experience higher graduation and success rates.

Students with regular attendance are 2.5 times more likely to finish high school.
Finishing high school opens the door to colleges, special training programs, and better jobs.

Beneficios de asistir a clases:

Los estudiantes que asisten a la escuela todos los días tienen mayores tasas de graduación y éxito.

Los estudiantes con asistencia regular tienen 2,5 veces más probabilidades de terminar la escuela secundaria.
Terminar la escuela secundaria abre las puertas a estudios universitarios, programas de capacitación especializada y mejores empleos.

Plano West Athletics

IMPORTANT STUDENT PARKING UPDATE

Please be aware that additional parking spaces in the Student and Old & Current Senior Parking areas have been designated for Staff and Visitors. These spaces are labeled on the ground, and temporary signs have also been placed throughout the affected areas to identify the changes. Please remind your student to pay close attention to the new markings and signage and not to park in any spaces designated for Staff or Visitors.

Picture Retakes

PICTURE RETAKES REMINDER

Picture Retakes are Tuesday, September 22!🚨CADY Studios will be on campus 📸 to take photos for the yearbook during your LUNCH period in the Plano West Auditorium foyer.

Juniors, this will be your student ID and yearbook photo.

Seniors, this will ONLY be your student ID photo. Seniors need to schedule with CADY Studios to be included in the yearbook. Seniors must have their yearbook pictures taken with CADY Studios by Oct. 15, to ensure they are included in the yearbook.

Information from PISD Food and Nutritional Services

Students who were approved for free or reduced-price meals at the end of last school year will continue to receive meal benefits for the first 30 operating days of the 2026–27 school year, or until a new eligibility determination is made, whichever comes first.

To ensure uninterrupted meal benefits, families must submit a federal meal application for the 2026–27 school year. Students without a current application on file after the 30 day grace period will change to full-paid eligibility status effective September 22, 2026.

If your household has already submitted an application for the current school year, no further action is needed. For those who still need to apply, the federal meal application can be completed online through School Cafe.

Applications will be processed within 10 business days, and eligibility notifications will be sent via email. Be sure to check your junk or spam folder if you do not receive the message in your inbox.

Wolfpack Way Information

At Plano West we follow the Wolfpack Way as part of our Positive Behavior and Intervention Support efforts. Please take a moment to review our campus expectations.

Virtual Academy Application Updates

Spring 2027 Virtual Academy Application

The application for students interested in enrolling in the Virtual Academy for Spring 2027 will be available in Skyward Family Access beginning September 14. The application window will close on September 30.

Students must continue to meet the Virtual Academy’s established eligibility requirements. Please note that spring enrollment will be limited based on available staffing capacity. Submission of an application does not guarantee placement in the program.

Important Information about Library Materials

Welcome to another exciting school year! We're thrilled to support your child’s learning journey, and part of that is providing access to a balanced selection of library materials. Our school and classroom libraries each offer unique opportunities for students to engage in self-guided reading and exploration.

Please see the links below for more information:

Plano West Library Notification for Parents (English)

Plano West Library Notification for Parents (Spanish)

Class Ring Information

Dear Junior Parent/Guardian,

Congratulations! Your student has officially qualified to order their 2028 custom Class Ring!

A class ring is more than a piece of jewelry—it’s a 120-year tradition celebrating your student’s high school journey, accomplishments, and memories.

On WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16TH, Jostens will be sharing information with your student on how to take part in this 120-year tradition.

Please watch your inbox for an email from the school with a copy of what your Junior received in their English class- including ordering details, options, and the deadline to receive best pricing.

We encourage you to review the information together and place your order by the deadline so your student can enjoy this special tradition and proudly wear a ring that represents their Class of 2028 journey.

This is their moment. Let’s make it memorable! Order by the deadline on the information sheet to receive the best pricing and prepare to celebrate with your student!

Senior Portrait Information

Construction Updates

Bus Information

The school bus route finder is located at the following link: https://www.pisd.edu/departments-66/transportation-services. Rider eligibility is based on a student’s home address. Buses pick up and drop off at the bus lane on the North side of Building A.

Parent Pick-Up & Drop-Off

For student safety and efficient traffic flow, all parent pick-up and drop-off traffic must enter from Parker Road using the second driveway labeled "Cars Only Entrance." Follow the designated traffic pattern to the left, stopping at the end of the driveway near the B Building entrance to load or unload students. Afterward, continue straight and exit the parking lot between the B Building and G Building. Please follow all posted signs and staff directions to help keep traffic moving safely.

Morning Transportation for Students CTE Classes

Subject: 🚌 Seamless morning transportation for your student's CTE classes!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are thrilled to welcome your student to their morning Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center classes this year! To make their daily routine as smooth and convenient as possible, we provide a free, dedicated shuttle service to transport them safely between schools.

Here is everything you need to know about their morning transit for their 1st & 2nd period classes at the CTE Center:

Morning Departure: Your student just needs to arrive at their home campus by 8:30 AM to catch the morning shuttle straight to their 1st and 2nd period CTE classes. (Or, you may drop your student off at the CTE Center at AHS for their 9:00 AM class: 1701 Alma Drive)
Worry-Free Return: As soon as their morning CTE sessions wrap up, we handle the rest! Full return transportation is provided to bring them safely back to their home campus for the remainder of the school day.

This built-in shuttle service is designed to save you a trip and give you total peace of mind knowing your student's round-trip transportation is completely covered.

Students who are eligible to drive themselves may drive from their home campus to the CTE Center, where we have student parking available. For the first 9 weeks, the home campus parking pass can be used. A $10 parking pass will be required for parking at the new CTE Center facility and will be available for purchase beginning the 2nd 9 weeks.

If you have any questions about the morning shuttle routines, please feel free to reply directly to this email. Thank you for partnering with us to give your student a fantastic head start in their career program!

Student Parking Information

The cost for student parking permits is $75 for the school year (August – May).
Parking permits are now sold through Rycor. See the information below for instructions on how to purchase your parking permit.

Using Rycor/Student Quick Pay

First-time registration: When using Rycor for the first time, registration is required. Once registration is complete, there may be a one-time delay before the parent will be able to see their child’s meal account balance. After that time, account payments will be posted throughout the day.

How to Register to Create an Online "Student Quick Pay" Account

Please visit this link for step-by-step instructions. The district is pleased to be able to offer this full-service comprehensive on-line payment option to all Plano ISD parents.

You will need to complete the 20 Plano 26-27 West Parking Agreement (click here). Afterward, you may pick up your parking permit on Thursday, August 6 during “Calling the Pack”. Beginning the first day of school, all students will need a parking permit to park on campus, including those who have already purchased a senior parking spot. After August 6, all parking permits can be picked up in the Arctic office in the Student Services Office. You will need a copy of your receipt and your driver's license. If you have any questions, please contact Patty Hollenkamp at 972-469-9716 or by email at patty.hollenkamp@pisd.edu.

PARKING PERMITS ARE REQUIRED TO PARK IN THE PLANO WEST PARKING LOTS DURING THE SCHOOL DAY. STUDENTS MUST PARK IN AREAS DESIGNATED AS “STUDENT PARKING ONLY”. Cars will be towed when parked in ALL other areas.

Student Identification Badges

This year, all students who were enrolled at Jasper, Shepton, or Plano West last year will be able to get your badge at Calling the Pack on Thursday, August 6. Students who are new to our campus will have an opportunity to get a badge made that day. Once yearbook photos are taken on August 20, you will receive a replacement badge.

Per PISD school board policy FNCA (LOCAL), “Students in grades 6–12 shall wear an approved student identification (ID) card while on school grounds and while aboard District school buses or other District-provided transportation. Wearing student ID cards may be required at school-sponsored or school-related events as determined by the campus principal. Students may be excused from wearing ID cards during classes where doing so presents a hazard to student safety. While on school grounds, at other District facilities, or at school-sponsored or school-related events, students shall provide access to their ID card to any staff member when requested.”

“Student ID cards shall be worn on a neck lanyard so that the front of the card (photo side) is visible over the outermost layer of clothing. No sticker, pin, or other item shall be affixed to the front of the ID card. Any neck lanyard provided to students by the District shall have a breakaway feature.”

This expectation will begin on day 1 of the school year, so all students are encouraged to attend Calling the Pack to receive your badge. Plano West does not provide temporary badges. Students who forget or lose their badge will be required to purchase a new badge in the student services for $5.00.

Lunch Information and Schedule

Students will find out whether they have “A” or “B” lunch on their first day of school. Lists will be posted throughout the school, and this information will be available from their teachers.
Students have a 50-minute lunch. Several hot lunch options are available daily in the Plano West Cafeteria. Students are allowed to go off campus for lunch with parent permission.

2026-27 Renewal of Free or Reduced-Price Meals

Families who may qualify should complete a federal meal application for free or reduced-price meals, available on the Plano ISD Food and Nutritional Services website https://www.pisd.edu/departments-66/food-and-nutritional-services. Click the green SchoolCafé button to begin.

Families who already have a SchoolCafé account can log in to complete the meal application. Families who do not have an account can create one by selecting that option on the main SchoolCafé page. View this SchoolCafe information video for instructions on how to complete the application.
Holds on schedules: If your son or daughter has any financial holds, it is important that they clear these holds prior to the first day of school. You will receive a School Messenger if you have any fees to clear.

Counseling Department Information

Senior Release: If a student has senior release 6th or 7th period, he or she needs to plan to be picked up or have his or her own transportation. Students may not be on campus unsupervised. If you have not met CCMR requirements, among other requirements you do not qualify for senior release.

Students and parents should check the Parent Portal for updates to schedules, and all students should reprint their schedules Tuesday, August 11, before coming to school.

Note to seniors about college applications: PWSH counselors will be visiting English classes in late August to review the application process, transcript request and procedures for requesting letters of recommendation.