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About Us

Campus Information

School Hours: 7:40 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
School Colors: Red, navy blue and silver
Mascot: Stars
Motto: Reach for the stars.
Year Opened: 1996

Feeder Schools:

Skaggs Map

Skaggs Elementary History

Woman standing behind a chair.

 

 

Mary Alice Skaggs was born in Celina, Texas in 1908. She grew up in Dallas and graduated from Gunter Bible College High School. After earning a teaching degree from Austin College, Mrs. Skaggs returned to her alma mater and taught English and Latin. In 1930 Mrs. Skaggs became the first teacher in Plano to earn a Master’s degree. She was hired as an English teacher at Plano High School and earned an extra $25 per month because of her unique, advanced degree.

1952 The Planonian Yearbook
After teaching high school English for three years, she married and resigned from her position, teaching only occasionally as a substitute. In 1942, she returned to Plano High School, where she quickly emerged as a significant influence within the school community. She assumed the role of editor and sponsor of the school yearbook, The Planonian. Prior to her tenure, the school had produced only three yearbooks—and those intermittently (1914, 1923, and 1926). Under Mrs. Skaggs’ leadership, The Planonian began annual publication in 1943, with the sole exception of 1944, when a World War II paper shortage prevented its release.
The Junior Thursday Study Club

Mrs. Skaggs also served as the long-time sponsor of the Junior Thursday Study Club, a literary organization for young women. Each year, approximately sixteen to twenty girls were selected for membership and assigned topics for scholarly study, guided by the club’s motto: “to learn something new every day.” During World War II, the club contributed to the war effort by serving as Red Cross hospital aides. Mrs. Skaggs sponsored the organization for fifty years, and the club continued its activities until 2002.

10 smiling women, some sitting on a couch and some standing.

Front Row:Betty Graves, Shirley Renfrow, Mary Virginia Arnold, Pamela Hasford. Back Row: Lynn Fessler, Linda Lou Junker, Dottie Walker, Janis Frye, Mrs. J. H. Skaggs, Rochelle Lundberg. (Courtesy of Mrs. J. H. Skaggs)

In 1958, she was awarded the Teacher of the Year. Mary Alice Skaggs retired in 1970. She was honored in 1996 with an elementary school named in her honor, and in 2000 she was recognized as one of Plano ISD's "100 Heroes". Mrs. Skaggs lived to be over 100 years old. She passed in 2009. To this day, Skaggs Elementary consistently works to promote the values of excellence Mrs. Skaggs embodied during her life and her career.
Two smiling women and one smiling man.

Principal Carol Johnson and Superintendent Doug Otto pictured with Mary Alice Skaggs (center) at the dedication of Skaggs Elementary School.