Plano ISD Public Schools 

An online directory of Plano Texas ISD Public Elementary & Middle Schools & the Plano Texas ISD School Calendar are listed below. Click on the name of the school to go to their website. Visit the Plano Independent School District Website. 

View the 2010 -2011 Plano ISD School Calendar here or see below for the complete Plano ISD School Calendar. Follow this same link to see Back to School Nights & Registration Dates.

Get the Plano ISD School Supplies List & PISD Dress Code for your 2010-2011 School Year!

 

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Fresh Ideas for Fall Picnics

Fresh Ideas for Fall Picnics

Crisp, sunny weather and dramatic fall colors beckon us outdoors for picnics this time of year. For some people, though, preparing a picnic can be daunting. Not anymore. Sandra Lee, the internationally acclaimed lifestyle expert, bestselling author and host of Semi-Homemade, offers tips for an easy, fun and satisfying picnic experience without all the work.

Here are her easy tips. The “quicknic” is all about simplicity. Use items that don’t require cooking such as an assortment of gourmet crackers, cheeses or fruit and nuts. Pre-washed raw veggies and sliced fruits from your grocery store are always refreshing. Just put them in a plastic container and squeeze a little lemon over the fruit to retain freshness.

Grab it and go! Fast-food restaurants are a great source for quicknics with salads, low-fat yogurt and fruit and made-to-order sandwiches. One new option is Wendy’s Frescata deli sandwiches. The four varieties are made with fresh baked artisan bread, premium-quality turkey and ham and topped with tasty condiments like pesto mayonnaise and honey mustard.

Semi-Homemade is based on the 70/30 rule: 70 percent ready-made products and 30 percent creative, homemade touches allow you to take 100 percent of the credit for a great quicknic experience. For example, pair a homemade side dish with a rotisserie chicken from the grocery or takeout from a favorite restaurant for an easy shortcut to a great meal. Ms. Lee has created a special side dish perfect for a quicknic – Poppy Seed Cole Slaw a mixture of fruit and vegetable.

Also, add special touches to a quicknic by garnishing packaged foods. Sparkling water gives a casual picnic a sophisticated feel when spruced up with a sprig of mint or sliced lemons and limes. Slice them before you leave the house and throw them into a plastic bag. Or, bring disposable containers of your favorite ice cream toppings like sprinkles, marshmallows or other treats to dress up frozen desserts purchased from a near-by store, restaurant or park vendor.

And, always be ready to turn any meal into a quicknic! Turn your winter car-emergency kit into a fall quicknic kit by filling a tote bag with a blanket, Frisbee, plastic flatware, dishes and cleanup items like paper towels and a garbage bag. So when you hit the drive-through next, you’ll be ready to drive to the nearest park and enjoy the outdoors. Consider bringing along a portable radio or iPod for a little mood music. Or a good book to read.

According to Sandra remember to keep it fresh and keep it simple.

Courtesy of ARA Content

How to Make Time for Family Fun 9.17.06

How to Make Time for Family Fun

Moms know it can be difficult getting kids to sit down for a meal. With everyone’s busy schedules, including all the after-school activities, meal times are often rushed and even skipped altogether, and many families have a hard time finding a few moments to spend together.

When life becomes too busy, moms need quick, convenient mealtime solutions with the flavor and variety of foods kids love, and the wholesome nutrition moms know their kids need. “Kid Cuisine is a great mealtime savior for stressed, time-starved moms, because it provides delicious, convenient, fun food that with the continued fun inside, kids will enjoy eating. It is a real meal made with real ingredients such as white meat chicken and real cheese kids will really eat and with many essential nutrients, moms can feel good about serving,” said John Plaso, marketing director, Kid Cuisine.

Family Fun

Whether it’s mealtime or anytime, variety really is the spice of life. This fall, try one of the following activities to add variety to your busy schedules and keep kids’ bodies and minds active. Moms and kids alike will enjoy the extra family time.

* Eat outside. Switch up your mealtime routine by moving the meal to the backyard or porch.

* Explore the world around you. Set out on a “nature hike” around your neighborhood. Take a shopping bag with you to collect any “treasures” you find along the way. Upon your return, create a picture with the leaves and flowers you find.

* Dancer-size! If the weather doesn’t allow for outdoor fun, turn on the radio and start dancing! Move from room to room, cleaning and straightening up as you go. Be sure to slow down if you’re around windows or other breakables. The kids will love showing off their moves – they won’t even realize they’re completing chores. And everyone gets a workout!

* Exercise the mind. Create activities that are engaging, interactive and keep the mind in shape, such as researching your family’s history, writing stories or joining a book club.

Mom “Me Time”

To keep from getting overwhelmed, it is suggested that moms invest in regular mom “me time” – time moms take for themselves. Some ideas:

* Share the love! Rotate child-care duties among other neighborhood parents once a week to give everyone a little more time.

* Incorporate ready-to-eat meals into the family’s weekly menu. This allows moms to free up time normally taken by mealtime preparation for other activities.

* Give dad his share of duties! Let dads take the kids once a week (or even more often) so moms can have a morning, afternoon or night out.

* Rise and shine! Set your alarm clock an hour earlier in the morning. Use the extra time to enjoy a cup of coffee, read the paper or check e-mail.

Courtesy of ARA Content