On Sunday, November 29th, our neighbors on Seleta Drive in Windy Hill Farms suffered devastating tragedies. The Martin family lost their husband / father and their home that morning. Murphy is a wonderful, close knit community and many requests have been received from friends and neighbors wanting to offer assistance. The family needs Murphyʼs help with the many financial obligations and burdens this has placed on the them.

A fund has been set up at the Bank of America branch on FM544 in Murphy (972-509-7030) and donations can be made to the “ Karen Martin Family Assistance Fund “ at that location. For anyone who does not live in Murphy, you can go to any Bank of America and tell them that a contribution account was set up on December 2, 2009 at the Murphy, Texas branch.

May God bless you and your family and may He bless the Martin family
during the holiday season.

Option 3 - HUGE IMPACT on PESH classes offered and student enrollment
 
Monday night, a group of concerned parents and teachers and neighbors attended a quickly called meeting at PESH in the cafeteria.  The discussion addressed Option 3 plan as proposed by the School district. 
 
The first point expressed was the redistribution of the student population attending the 3 senior high schools.  If we applied Option 3 to this school year's attendance numbers we would have -
        1,883 in PESH (currently 2,803 students - functional capacity 2,867),
        3,075 in PSHS (currently 2,626 - functional capacity 2,726), and
        3,355 at PWSH (currently 1,947 students - functional capacity 2,600).
The above proposed changes dramatically redistributes the student population.  There were no numbers provided for the magnet school. (Information obtained from PISD website)

PESH would maintain its UIL ranking of 5A. It would be a small 5A school. If we use the current student population at PESH and their residency, it appears the school's extra curricular programs would be "decimated". Who knows what the affect on the Honors and AP classes would be?  If student enrollment decreases by approximately 1,000, courses other than electives would be reduced too. The football program would decrease by 62%. For additional impact on electives, see below -
 
IMPACT OF OPTION 3 TO PLANO EAST ELECTIVES

Organization       Now   Option 3
Tennis                  25     10
Drill Team            50     23
Band                  205     82  Currently 4 performing ensembles, down to 1
Choir                 110      35  Currently 6 performing groups, down to 2
Orchestra           140     44  Currently 4 performing ensembles, down to 1
Jazz Band            23        2 Course would not be offered
Ath. Trainers       24      10
Softball               30       14
Speech/Debate    26       22
Girls Soccer        50       18
Theatre MS        23        20
Cheer                 26        13
Music Theory     125      30 Currently 5 classes, down to 2

Band directors would go from 3 positions to 1 position
Orchestra Directors would go from 1-1/2 positions to ½ position  
 
The feeling is Option 3 has already been decided. As East side parents, we should insist on balance enrollment by keeping Clark an East side feeder school instead of the proposal of Clark students attending PSHS. The balance enrollment if CLARK STAYS EAST would approximately be-
        2,600 in PESH (currently 2,803 students - functional capacity 2,867),
        2,554 in PSHS (currently 2,626 - functional capacity 2,726)
       
Also, the ramifications of change to Williams High School was discussed. Supposedly no structural remodeling would occur if changed to a magnet school but $600,000 would be requested for equipment. The students who live near Williams and would come to McMillen may have a difficult time being able to participate in extra-curricular activities if transportation is not provided. I know having a neighborhood school offers numerous benefits that these kids will lose.
 
The International Baccalaureate program will remain at East.  PISD does not have control of where IB programs are offered.  Last night it was expressed, that there may be an impact on the pre IB classes offered at Clark(?). 

PISD school board should not be voting on option 3 until there is a "plan" that defines what the magnet school will offer, projected enrollment, costs of implementing option 3... We will potentially have Williams High School not being used to its full potential as well as PESH.  We recently approved the completed Fine Arts addition and a Science Wing at PESH. The projected student population of 1,883 would have the school at 65% of capacity.  The student population growth for PESH is not expected to grow dramatically over the next 10 years.  There are few new developments being built as we East residents know.  Obviously PSH and PSWH would need remodeling based upon the estimated population of over 3,000 when functional capacity of the campuses are 2,726 and 2,600 respectively. 
 
Is Option 3 fiscally responsible?  With one senior high school only being 65% at capacity and the others being over capacity?  If Clark stays East then the resulting student population at the senior high schools would be close to functional capacity. 
 
I know there are other issues, I'm just a little overwhelmed with the thought that we've only known about the option 3 plan for 3 weeks? and it is being considered for a vote by the board on December 15th??? 
 
If you can attend the meeting tonight at Sockwell Center at 6:30, please wear black.  We would like to show a united front.  If you can come early, please do.  No questions will be accepted.  If you wish to speak to the School Board, you are limited to one minute.  The thought is at this point is that Option 3 will be approved.  What we are requesting is to "tweek" the current Option 3 proposed to KEEP CLARK EAST which will balance the PISD student enrollment and not affect the PESH student's electives, AP and Honor courses that are offered. 
 
Carrolyn Moebius

MOMS Club Open House
Wednesday, November 4th
10:30 am - 12 pm
Sachse First United Methodist Church
1520 Blackburn Road
***Now open to moms of Wylie!!*** 

An opinion editorial respectfully submitted by State Senator Florence Shapiro

November 3 is a big day for Collin County.  Sure it's Election Day across our state, when Texans in every municipality will cast their votes on the 11 Constitutional Amendments the Legislature passed this spring.  But for our community, it's an opportunity to preview a new pilot program that could become the model for Texas elections in the future. 

Collin County has been selected to participate in the countywide election program, allowing voters in our community to cast ballots at any of 57 vote centers, or polling places, rather than precinct-specific locations.  The idea is to make voting as convenient as possible, thereby increasing voter turnout.  The County applied to the Secretary of State's office for this pilot, and was selected.  According to the Collin County Elections Division, this special election will be a trial run for the countywide concept to ensure voters are not confused, and that polling places are able to close and report totals in a timely fashion. 

The initial pilot program for countywide elections was created in 2005 and continued in 2007 with legislation that I helped sponsor.  During the 81st session this year, the program was permanently placed into state statute for counties wishing to participate.  I am proud of this program and hope that my friends and neighbors in Collin County will help make it a success statewide.  

This Election Day, Collin County voters will not only cast ballots on the Constitutional Amendments, but they'll also be able to vote in the City of Farmersville Local Option election, and on the Wylie ISD Bond Propositions.  The countywide program applies only to this November's special election.  To find out where the nearest polling place is, log onto the County's website wt www.collincountytx.gov. 

I encourage you to vote on November 3 - not just to make your voice heard, but to participate in this exciting new, convenient, approach to the way Texas holds elections.  Be a part of history in the making, and make Collin County proud. 

Senator Florence Shapiro has represented District 8, consisting of Collin and Dallas Counties, since 1993.  For the past six years she has chaired the Senate's Committee on Education, focusing on reforms at both the public and higher education levels. 

The Plano ISD Feeder School Alignment Committee, appointed by the school board, has completed planning sessions in preparation for public hearings. The committee is considering several feeder scenarios which can be viewed on our Feeder School Alignment Website. Three public hearings will be held as follows so that the committee may receive input.

**Monday, October 5 – Plano East Senior High School, 3000 Los Rios Blvd., Plano, 75074, 7:00 p.m., Cafeteria

Wednesday, October 7 – Plano Senior High School, 2200 Independence Pkwy., Plano, 75075, 7:00 p.m., Cafeteria

Thursday, October 8 – Plano West Senior High School, 5601 West Parker Road, Plano, 75093, 7:00 p.m., Cafeteria

Following the public hearings, the committee will reconvene to form its recommendation to the Plano ISD Board of Trustees for consideration on November 3.

http://www.pisd.edu/feeder.realignment.committee/Feeder_Models_E.pdf

Currently the scenarios show Hunt, Boggess and a future elementary feeding into Murphy MS.  Miller, Stinson and Schell will be feeding into the new Otto MS.

The scenarios all currently show Murphy MS feeding into McMillen HS.  However, there are scenarios that show Otto feeding into either Williams or McMillen.

Geographically, Armstrong and Boggess are the two schools closest to Williams HS. 

I encourage everyone to attend the meeting and make your thoughts known.  If you are unable to do so, since it is short notice, please email Mike Collinsworth, East Cluster Area Asst. Superintendent at mike.collinsworth@pisd.edu

Colleen Halbert

On Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009; U.S. Citizens in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, are invited to cast a transparent, and constitutionally correct, paper ballot for up to three (3) citizen delegates to represent their state at the Continental Congress 2009.

For two weeks in November, delegates representing The People of the fifty states will join together in the tradition of the Founding Fathers and their Continental Congress of 1774. Continental Congress 2009 will convene as a national assembly of We The People and attest to the increasing abuses of our Governing Documents. Together, we will decide what peaceful, legal steps can be taken to bring about compliance with our Freedom documents. For voting information see: www.CC2009.us

There will be a Voting Center open Oct 10th,  from 10AM-4PM for walk up paper ballots in Collin County.........
VFW Post 4380
3420 Avenue K, Suite 122
Plano, TX 75074
In the Northeast corner of Parker and Ave. K
(next to Rent-A-Center)
 
For further questions on the Plano Voting Center, please contact Grady Hamlett, the Team Leader for the Plano Voting Center @ 214 681-9420
grady.hamlett2@verizon.net

Pull out your favorite “Corn” recipe and enter the first annual Corn Cook-off at the Murphy Maize Days Celebration on September 26, 2008 at the Murphy City Hall complex. 

As part of the event festivities, a Corn Cook-Off sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints will be held at 2:00 p.m. with a panel of local celebrity judges.  Awards will be given out at 3:00 p.m. at the main stage on the East side the Murphy City Hall. 

To be considered for judging, all entries must be received between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.  Categories include appetizer or side dish, main dish entrée, rolls or breads or muffins and desserts.

Registration forms are available at City Hall or at www.murphymaizedays.com.  All Registration forms must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on September 24, 2009.  Contest rules and general information are listed below.  Please contact Natalie Montgomery, Contest Coordinator, at 214-415-8998 or nataliemontgomery@hotmail.com for more information or questions.

Schedule of events for the Corn Cook-off
 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Corn Cook registration and drop off
 2:30 p.m.  Judging
 3:00 p.m.  Winners Announced at Main Stage

RULES AND INFORMATION:
• All entries must have “Corn” as an ingredient.
• No refrigeration is available.
• Participants may enter more than one category, but only one entry per category.
• Registration forms must be received by September 24, 2009 at 5:00 p.m.  Please return registration forms to Natalie Montgomery or to Aimee Nemer, City Secretary, 206 N. Murphy Road, Murphy City Hall.
• No entries will be returned.

RODEO HAS BEEN POSTPONED!!!

RAINDROPS KEEP FALLIN’ ON OUR RODEO!!
 
Due to the poor arena conditions and in consideration of the safety of our sponsors, participants, vendors and patrons, we must postpone the Wylie Championship Rodeo.  Our new dates will be Friday, October 23rd from 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm and Saturday October 24th, from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.  We apologize for the inconvenience, and look forward to seeing you in October!

Chris Anderson, his son Aiden and daugher Isabella, lost almost everything they own in a tragic fire that destroyed most of their home in The Ranch in the aftermath of the storms Friday night. 

Lightening struck the Anderson home around 6:15 p.m. Friday evening resulting in flames and smoke that could be seen from many neighborhoods in Murphy and Wylie as five surrounding areas' fire companies battled together to put out the flames.  A busy night for the Murphy FD and PD, after putting out a smaller fire on Rodeo Drive earlier in the storm, they worked throughout the night to secure the area to ensure the safety of local residents, who turned out in full force to support the Anderson family in their hour of need.
 
Chris is a detective for the Dallas Police Department and has served our country in the US Air Force.  Chris has spent his life trying to make our world a safer place to live, now we have a chance to bless him the way he has blessed us and so many others.  Please help us continue to support the Anderson family with monetary donations. 

Gift cards to Wal-Mart or Visas that can be spent anywhere are recommended.  Their immediate needs have been addressed by neighbors, coworkers and classmates, but their long-term needs will be greatly helped by your generous donations. 

Donations can be dropped off at or mailed to The Assist the Officer Foundation 1412 Griffin Street East, Dallas, TX  75215.  Donations can also be made via the Foundation’s website at www.atodallas.org  Please designate your donations for the Chris Anderson family.
 

Our cat, too, disappeared from our front yard at 1017 Brentwood Drive, on Wednesday afternoon. She is a gray, long haired cat, with some orange in it (a diluted gray torti cat). She is about 12 years old and very pretty. We miss her like crazy. We put up signs but they have not withstood the weather. Her name is Isis, and is dearly loved. Pictured is “Iris” with our son. Would you please contact us if you find her? hwaterhouse78759@yahoo.com or call 214-533-6465.