Plano Community Unit School district is proud to present our "Virtual Backpack" for distributing information from non-profit organizations, intergovernmental agencies and business partners. Approved flyers from these organizations will now be available from the district website. This will not replace all paper items sent home with our students, but it will help reduce the amount.

Any organizations that wish to submit information to the Virtual Backpack may do so by emailing a PDF to Plano Community Unit School District #88 at adminoffice@plano88.org. Please include a contact name, phone number, requested dates of posting, title for the backpack listing, grade level, and any other pertinent information regarding the posting.

Materials posted on this page are the responsibility of the organization represented and endorsement by Plano Community Unit School District #88 is neither direct nor implied.

ACTIVITIES/THINGS TO DO-COMMUNITY PARTNERS

• Waubonsee Community College Open House - Tour the Sugar Grove Campus on Saturday, April 20th from 1-3 PM and learn about financial aid options, scholarships, programs and much more! Enjoy free treats and live jazz courtesy of WCC students. Click here for a copy of the flier for more information.

• Reaper Golf Outing - Community partners are invited to sponsor a hole or donate raffles prizes for the 2024 Reaper Golf Outing to be held Saturday, June 1st at Cedardell Golf Club. Click here for a copy of the flier with more information about how you can register to advertise your business at the golf outing. Click here for a copy of the flier to participate in the outing. Proceeds go to Unified Special Olympics and PHS Athletics/Golf.

• Juneteenth Celebration - The Juneteenth Celebration will be held on Saturday, June 15th from Noon-9 PM at Emily G Johns School. This 4th Annual Event will feature music, dance, food trucks and fireworks in a family-friendly setting. Plan to attend this fun event!

• FREE Summer Football Camp - Aurora Central Catholic is offering a free youth football camp for students in grades 6-8. The camp will be held from June 17-19 from 11 AM-12:30 PM on the ACC Practice Fields. Click here for a QR code to register.

• Autism Research Study - Parents with children between 3-12 years of age with and without a diagnosis of autism are eligible to participate in a research study exploring coordination and balance at NIU. The study takes about one hour and children will receive a toy. Click here for a copy of the flier and registration info.

• NIU Summer STEAM Camps - From July 8-August 2nd, Northern Illinois University will host day and residential camps for aspiring scientists, engineers and creators. Explore engineering, health sciences, robotics, drones, filmmaking, and other STEAM topics. There are camps for students entering grades 2-12. Early bird pricing through April 30th. Click here to check out the flier and registration link.

• Help Restore Plano's Reaper - For decades, parades in Plano have featured an 1883 Plano Manufacturing Company Harvester, often referred to as the Reaper.  Plano Historical Society has partnered with The Plano Area Chamber of Commerce, who oversees this celebrated symbol of our history, to raise funds for needed restoration and maintenance. Click here for the QR Code to order tees or sweatshirts to support this fundraiser. Click here to directly access the order form for "Restore the Reaper" merchandise.

• Gwendolyn Brooks Youth Poetry Awards Competition - This competition honors the legacy of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and Illinoisan Gwendolyn Brooks as well as the tremendous creativity of young writers through the State. Parents may access a toolkit with containing prompts, advice, the competition rubric, and more. Download the toolkit here: bit.ly/GBYPA-Toolkit.

• Learn English with Waubonsee - English Language Acquisition (ELA) will help you improve your reading, writing, speaking and listening skills and be more confident at your job. Classes are TUITION-FREE. Click here for a copy of the flier for more info.

• Millbrook Mighty One's 4-H Club - Students age 8-18 are invited to join the Millbrook 4-H Club that meets at Millbrook Methodist on the third Monday of the month. Students learn leadership skills, learn about themselves and how to help the world. Students also work on service projects for the community. Click here for an informational flier and who to contact for more information.

• Plano Community Library District - Click here for the January-May, 2024 library newsletter. Check out dates for awesome Kids' Events, card making, yoga and painting classes, and other groups and clubs.

• Be a Girl Scout - Come make new friends and learn more about the Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois. Email Beth Bustard or click here for a flier with a QR code with more information on local troops and activities.

• Join Cub Scouts - Attention boys & girls in grade K-5 - Cub Scout Pack 317 will meet at First Baptist Church at 116 N. Hale Street in Plano. Email information@pack317plano.org. Click here for a copy of the Cubs Scout flyer.

• University of Illinois Extension - Workshops, clubs and camps for kids Kindergarten through age 18. Find all programs at extension.illinois.edu/dkk/events.

• Visit the Official Northwestern Soccer Camps website where you’ll find more information as well as their registration page. Summer camps available!

• Spirit Cheerleading - Their mission is to promote and encourage the values of teamwork, learning, confidence, dedication, health, exercise and sportsmanship through the sport of cheerleading & dance. Click here for the the Spirit Cheerleading website.

• Volunteer at the Plano Community Garden - The Plano Community Garden helps supply food to the Kendall County Community Food Pantry. You can provide food to the community by watering, weeding, harvesting and planting plots. Click here for their Facebook page to volunteer to help!

SCHOOL-RELATED EVENTS

• Kindergarten Readiness Summer Workshop - District 88 will offer a Kindergarten Readiness Summer Workshop from June 3-27 (Mon-Thurs) from 8-11:30 AM. Click here for a copy of the flier with more information and a QR code to register. Registration is open April 15-30.

• Kindergarten Registration - Register your Kindergarten student for the 2024-25 school online. Click here for more information.

• PHS Offers Summer Programs - From June 3-27, Plano High School will be offering summer drivers education classes and credit recovery courses.  Classes will run from June 3-27 (Mon-Thurs) from 8-11:30 AM.  Click here to access a newsletter with more info and a QR code to register.

• Reaper Golf Outing - Click here for a copy of the flier to participate in the outing on Saturday, June 1st at Cedardell Golf Club. Community partners are invited to sponsor a hole or donate raffles prizes for the 2024 Reaper Golf Outing. Click here for a copy of the flier with more information about how you can register to advertise your business at the golf outing. Proceeds go to Unified Special Olympics and PHS Athletics/Golf.

• Join the PTO! - PH Miller, Centennial and Emily Johns parents are looking to start a Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) for the 2023-24 school year. Volunteering and socializing with other parents to support your child's school is fun, healthy and rewarding! Email plano88parents@gmail.com or click here for a copy of the flier with more info.

• Stock up on Reaper Spirit Wear - Fall is right around the corner and Plano High School has a store for parents, grandparents and community members to purchase spirit wear (shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, etc.) Click here to access the website.

Plano School District will have early dismissals on the following dates during the 2023-24 school year (subject to change):

• April 26, 2024

• May 24, 2024

Early Dismissal Times are as follows

• Plano Early Learning Center (PK) - 10:00 AM

• PH Miller School (PK-1) – 10:30 AM

• Centennial School (2-3) – 10:30 AM

• Emily G Johns School (4-6) – 12:00 NOON

• Plano Middle School (7-8) – 11:20 AM

• Plano High School (9-12) – 11:20 AM

Please mark your calendars for these early dismissal dates and times. Click on this link to access the entire school calendar, which includes dates that school is not in session and all of the information that is provided above.

ASSISTANCE - FREE MEALS/FOOD & CLOTHING PANTRY INFORMATION

• FREE Drive-Thru Satellite Food Pantry - The next FREE food pantry date is April 19, 2024. The pantry is held the third Friday of each month from 6-7:30 PM at the First Lutheran Church of Plano located at 200 N. Center Street in Plano.  Open to everyone in need. Bring your food pantry ID or, if you don't have one, you will be easily issued one on the spot.

• 2-1-1 Human Services in Kendall County - Kendall County 2-1-1 can put you in touch with organizations ready to help you with: emergency shelter, health resources, rent or utility assistance, food pantries, elderly care, employment assistance and much, much more. Call 2-1-1 and operators are standing by to answer your questions 24/7/365. Click here for a copy of a flier with more info in English and Spanish.

• Kendall County Community Food Pantry - Drive-thru food option is available every Thursday from Noon-6 PM.  In-person food shopping is open Thursdays from 12-5:30 PM. Clothing shopping is open Mondays from 9 AM-1 PM. Pet food shopping is open the first two Mondays of the month from 9 AM-1 PM. Click here to reach the website for more details about shopping or donating to those in need. In order to shop, please bring your food pantry ID to 208 Beaver Street in Yorkville.  Email info@kccfp.org for eligibility information.

• Micro Food Pantry - The First Lutheran Church of Plano offers a micro food pantry on the Clark Street entrance of the church, which is located at 200 N. Center Street in Plano. Those in need of a few emergency meals or items to help for a few days are welcome to stop by anytime 24/7.

• St. Mary's Mobile Food Pantry - Dates, times and locations vary.  No ID or proof of income required.  St. Mary's is located at 901 N. Center Street in Plano.

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR OUR STUDENTS/FAMILIES

• Help Restore Plano's Reaper - For decades, parades in Plano have featured an 1883 Plano Manufacturing Company Harvester, often referred to as the Reaper.  Plano Historical Society has partnered with The Plano Area Chamber of Commerce, who oversees this celebrated symbol of our history, to raise funds for needed restoration and maintenance. Click here for the QR Code to order tees or sweatshirts to support this fundraiser. Click here to directly access the order form for "Restore the Reaper" merchandise.

• Learn English with Waubonsee - English Language Acquisition (ELA) will help you improve your reading, writing, speaking and listening skills and be more confident at your job. Classes are TUITION-FREE. Click here for a copy of the flier for more info.

• Reaper App - Did you know PHS now has a brand-new athletics app this year? The Reaper App will provide fans with a mobile one-stop-shop that includes schedules, team information, and fan guides. Fans can download the app today from both the App Store and Google Play by searching "Plano Reapers."

• Plano Parks Historical Exploration Guide –

  Click here to check out this newly published guide offering fun things for families to see and do all summer long.  Check out a kid-friendly scavenger hunt, information about parks and benches around town, read about local heroes, and much more!  This guide helps families get to know more about the Plano community, including history and nature, in a fun and educational way. 

• Xfinity offers Low Cost or FREE Internet - Internet Essentials from Xfinity provides reliable, high-speed home internet to qualifying households for a low monthly price or free if families qualify for and enroll in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Click on this link to check out a flier in English and Spanish with more details.

• Learn English or Earn your GED - Waubonsee Community College is offering tuition-free English Language Acquisition (ELA) and High School Equivalency (HSE) classes at the Plano campus. If you are interested in learning English or earning your Illinois High School Diploma, please call 630/966-4600. Click here for a copy of the flier in English and click here for Spanish.

• Financial Peace University - PH Miller School is offering Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University to district families and staff member FREE this school year. Learn to pay debts, create a budget, invest for retirement and more! There are nine lesson and classes are self paced. Click here for a copy of the flier and to access a QR code to get started.

• Host an International Student - Each year, more than 2,300 exchange students from 90 countries come to the United States on AFS Programs to study in high schools and live with host families. Consider hosting a student in the fall. Click here for a copy of a flier, in English and Spanish, with more info and contact information.

• SAFE Before and After School Program - The Fox Valley YMCA in Plano offers before and after school programs for children in Plano schools. Programs are located on school premises and offer homework assistance, creative enrichment activities, supervised athletic play and many other social activities for children. Click here to access their website and get more info.

• Heartland Bank and Trust offers bank accounts for Plano School District families, plus students who have jobs and need debit cards. Heartland can also set up accounts for college students that parents can access, in order to help their students while they are away. Contact Joel Recchia at the Plano Branch at 630/552-1414. Click here to access their website and learn more about the many products they offer Plano families and students.

• Waterford Place Cancer Resource Center - Provides services and support, at no cost, to anyone affected by a cancer diagnosis. Services include mind, body, spirit; wellness; salon and spa therapies. Click here for their website to learn about services and virtual programs.

• Illinois Rental Payment Program can provide financial assistance for rent to income-eligible Illinois renters and their landlords who have been impacted by COVID-19 pandemic. Illinois renters may be eligible for up to $25,000 and 18months of emergency rental payments under the program. Click here for a copy of the flier.

• The federal Emergency Broadband Benefit is a temporary program that provides discounts of up to $50 a month for internet service at home. Participants also get a one-time discount of up to $100 for a device (purchased through a participating provider). A household can qualify if at least one member:

  • Participates in a federal assistance programs like SNAP or Medicaid;

  • Receives benefits under the free and reduced-price school meal program;

  • Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; or

  • Lost a job or experienced a substantial loss of income during the pandemic.

  • Click here for a copy of the flyer in English and here for Spanish.

• Prairie Legal Services If you are behind on your rent, your landlord can now file an eviction case in court for non-payment of rent unless you give your landlord a written declaration. The declaration form is available online at www.ihda.org. If you get an eviction notice, ask for legal help online at Prairie State Legal Services or call your local office available at pslegal.org/offices. Click here for a flier with more information.

• Nicor Gas offers bill payment assistance to support Nicor Gas residential customers who have past-due balances and may be affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In many instances, this is the first time families are experiencing financial hardship and are not sure where to turn for help. Nicor Gas believes every family deserves affordable and reliable energy. Click here for a copy of the flier with more information.

• Parents and students are invited to check out Frankie's Guide to Fire Safety at  https://www.adtsecurity.com/fire-safety-guide/ for fire safety tools, potential hazards in your home, a safety quiz, tips on preparing your own fire safety plan for your home and more important information. Click here for a NEW resource that provides a visual description of the typical timeline of a house fire. It shows how quickly a fire spreads and how much time a typical family has to evacuate from the moment a fire ignites. The timeline delves further into the leading causes of home fires as well as the percentage of homes that had an operable smoke alarm when a home fire fatality occurred. Check out this link that serves as a necessary reminder of how important it is to have your home equipped with all necessary fire prevention equipment and to have an evacuation plan in effect. Check out this link to access a recently published resource guide to help return a house that has suffered fire damage back into a loving home. Finally, this link provides educational and fun activities to help students learn about fire safety.

• Lyon Farm in Yorkville - Each year the Kendall County Historical Society holds special events at the Lyon Farm which draw visitors from all over. The farm is only open to the public during these special events, but if you are interested in using the farm on other dates please contact them for more information.

• Cozy Corner Kennel - Located at 2013 Beecher Road in Plano, Cozy Corner Kennel is accepting donations for its dog rescue program.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

• Plano 88 is now hiring for School Bus Drivers and Aides.

  Will train qualified applicants and drivers may qualify for benefits. Perfect for parents or grandparents who wish to work when students are in session.

  Please call Transportation Coordinator Rod Hill at 630/552-8980. Click here for a copy of the flier.

• The City of Plano hires Crossing Guards. Hours and work days will vary according to the school calendar. They are looking for a flexible individual to assist Plano school children to stay safe before and after school. Interested candidates should fill out an application and submit it to the City Clerk at the City of Plano offices located at 17 E. Main Street.

• Work when you can and when you want! District 88 also has positions available for Substitutes in many employment areas--teachers, registered nurses, food service, custodial and recess aides.

• Please click here to go directly to the employment page to view all current postings in the district.