Trail Blazer Bulletin Oct 15-18

Congratulations to our 2024 Homecoming Court & our Homecoming Queen Stacy Knight and Homecoming King Lochlain Morris.

From the dress-up-themed days, to the HOCO tailgate and our Texas “mum” days we had so much fun watching our students show their Trail Blazer school spirit this past week.

Great news for the Class of 2026! The deadline for ordering your student’s custom class ring has been extended by one additional week—until OCT. 23rd! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to commemorate YOUR student’s high school achievements! Click here to be taken directly to our school’s homepage at Jostens. Celebrate the moments that matter!

Here are three key reasons why student attendance is crucial:

1. Academic Achievement: Regular attendance keeps students on track with lessons and assignments, leading to better understanding and improved grades.

2. Skill Development: Consistent attendance builds essential skills like reading, writing, and problem-solving, which are vital for long-term success.

3. Socialization: Regular school attendance allows students to interact with peers, fostering important social skills such as teamwork, communication, and empathy.

All absences, excused and unexcused, count toward the state’s compulsory attendance law. When a student's attendance rate drops below 90%, the student may earn credit for the class or a final grade by completing a plan approved by the principal. All absences can easily be submitted in the form at the top of our campus website. Learn more about the attendance policy.

Frisco ISD is committed to our students' success and looks forward to seeing everyone at school every day!

Frisco ISD has 4 propositions on the ballot this year. (include this graphic)

Important Election Dates to keep in mind:

• Early Voting: Oct. 21 - Nov. 1

• Election Day: Nov. 5

Find your polling location: Denton Polling Locations | Collin Polling Locations

Proposition A is a VATRE (Voter-Approved Tax Rate Election), which proposes a tax increase of less than 3 cents to fund operating expenses like teacher salaries, utilities, and student programming.

Propositions B, C, and D: Bonds for Campus Upkeep & Technology
100% of bond funds stay within FISD. View a complete list of projects by campus. School bond ballots are required by state law to include the statement “This is a property tax increase.” even though these bonds are not projected to result in an additional tax increase.

• Proposition B: Over 20 campuses are nearing 25 years old, and this proposition will fund essential updates like:

• 25-year campus refresh

• Staley Middle School replacement

• General facility maintenance, paving, landscape repairs

• Safety & security improvements

• New turf for baseball/softball fields with seating less than 1,000

• Transportation and equipment needs

• Proposition C: Provides funding for technology, including replacement devices for staff and students on a 5-year rotation, along with network updates and improved wireless access.

• Proposition D: Funds a new tennis center with 16 outdoor courts to serve students and the community.

Introducing this year's FISD Council of PTAs Inclusion T-shirt. bit.ly/24-25Inclusion

Inclusion empowers our diverse, atypical and typical learners to grow and contribute to their world. Inclusivity means ALL students in Frisco ISD. Please join us in supporting the inclusion of ALL students by proudly sharing the message, "In a world where you can be anything, be KIND".

In the spirit of recognizing and reinforcing positive behaviors on campus, our staff has nominated students based on September and October's character strengths—Creativity and Proactivity. Each teacher selected one student in their class/program that they feel exemplifies one of these character strengths. If your student’s name is on the below list, they will receive a certificate in the coming days that includes a short statement on why their teacher nominated them. Congratulations to all the students who received recognition for Creativity and Proactivity!

PSAT/NMSQT results for 10th and 11th graders who took the exam on October 2, 2024, will be available online beginning Thursday, October 24th at 5pm. Testers will receive a detailed email from our campus CTF on the morning of October 24, with directions on how to view PSAT/NMSQT scores through the student’s College Board account.

Questions about PSAT Scores? Contact Lauren Phillips at PhillipsL@friscoisd.org

All FISD students classified as 11th grade are automatically registered to take the official SAT during the school day on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. There is no exam fee and students do NOT register for this exam through the College Board website. Students will receive exam details via email closer to the exam date. There is no make-up date for this exam.

How to Prepare: SAT Digital Prep

Questions about the SAT on March 5, 2025 Contact Lauren Phillips at PhillipsL@friscoisd.org

AP exam payment for full year and fall semester AP courses is now open and the deadline to pay is October 31. (This date is prior to the date given by the College Board, but due to the volume of testing and processing time, this date is the final deadline for all FISD students.)

Payment can be made online through Online School Fees. Payment finalizes the student’s AP exam registration.

Students who apply and qualify for free/reduced lunch benefits will be charged $15 per exam - discount is automatically applied in Online School Fees.

Registration and payment for Spring semester AP courses will be available starting January 21, 2025. Payment Deadline for Spring courses is February 7, 2025.

For more information about AP Exams, go to FISD Advanced Academics.

For questions about AP Exam payment, please contact Campus Testing Facilitator, Lauren Phillips @ phillipsl@friscoisd.org.

We will administer the Digital Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) to interested 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students on Thursday, November 7, 2024.

Students can register by clicking the link below. Registration ends on Sunday, October 27, 2024.

Registration Link: https://bit.ly/LTHSASVAB24

Test Date: Thursday, November 7, 2024 (B Day)

Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

ASVAB Parent Flyer

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our Campus Testing Facilitator, Lauren Phillips, at phillipsl@friscoisd.org.

All pre-sale tickets will be online beginning Monday @ 10:00 am

• Pre-sale ticket prices will be $4.00/students, and $6.00 for adults (plus additional convenience fees)

• 3:00 pm the day of the game, ticket sales will increase to $10.00 (plus additional convenience fees)

• Tickets can be purchased on the Frisco ISD website (tickets.friscoisd.org) or by credit card at the gate.

• THERE WILL BE NO CASH SALES

Click here to access the Frisco ISD website to purchase ticketing online

Fans can additionally download the free Home Town Fan App on their mobile phone for redeeming tickets and entry into the venue. The app is available in both Apple App Store and Google Play.

Frisco ISD Facility Guidelines

• No outside food/drink allowed

• Concessions will be available

• Bag policy will be in place

Congratulations to all our Cross Country Teams and Special congratulations to our varsity teams for advancing to Regionals! Go Trail Blazers!

Huge shout out to Andrew (Drew) Malan for his fantastic 2nd place finish in the District Varsity Boys Championship!

Congratulations to our Trail Blazer Swim & Dive Boys team for their wins against Emerson, Panther Creek and Memorial High schools. Congratulations to our Trail Blazer Swim & Dive Girls team for their wins against Emerson and Memorial High Schools.

October 20 is the National Down Syndrome Walk in Frisco. Please help our LT Best Buddies Group & Ms. Kimberlin show our support and raise awareness for our students with Down syndrome.

Join TREaT - a District-wide event that celebrates reading, community connections, and FISD libraries. There will be food trucks, crafts, read-alouds, giveaways, and more!

Please view this week’s Counselor Corner for CTEC Interactive Open House information, and upcoming College Visits at LT for students during Mega Lunch.

It’s Official! Graduation for the Class of 2025 will be Friday May 23, 2025 at 5:30 PM at the STAR in Frisco

• All graduates will be required to ride the bus to their graduation ceremony to assist with parking/ingress/egress traffic.

• Each student will receive 12 graduation tickets.

• As we get closer to the date, more information will be shared.

The latest PTSA Blog is now available!

We encourage you to use this form to nominate a teacher or staff member who you believe deserves special recognition for their contributions. I look forward to sharing your “Staff Shout Outs” with the LT staff.