Panda Post

May 3, 2022

A Message from Dr. Shetzer

Hello Panda Nation!

This week is our first round of STAAR testing. For those students in Algebra and Biology, the STAAR End of Course is required for graduation. All other students are expected to pass if they do not want to be placed in the additional 30 hours of accelerated instruction next year. We need 100% participation for STAAR. If a student misses a STAAR testing day, they will have to make up the test either on May 12 or May 13. Please note that if you choose to keep your child home for STAAR, they will have to be out the entire testing window, otherwise if they return before the testing window is over, they will have to take the STAAR. Students who opt not to take the STAAR will be required to take the additional 30 hours of accelerated instruction next year.

Here is the schedule for STAAR testing:

This is a reminder that visitors are NOT allowed on STAAR testing days. Please make sure you child has everything they need, including their lunch, before they get to school.

Upcoming Events

Teacher Appreciation Week
May 2 – May 6
8^th Grade Dance
May 20 @ 6 p.m.
6^th & 7^th Grade Field Trip to Main Event (Stafford Location)
Thursday, June 2
8^th Grade Field Trip to Schlitterbahn
Friday, June 3
8^th Grade Picnic/Yearbook Signing
Monday, June 6 @ 11 a.m.
8^th Grade Promotion @ Butler Gymnasium
Tuesday, June 7 @ 9:30 a.m.
Summer School
June 13 – July 7 (Monday-Thursday)
Student Holiday July 4-5

Cell Phones

The use of cell phones and other electronic devices during the school day are not permitted from 8:30 – 4:00, including transitions in the hallways, at lunch, and in the restrooms. Pershing faculty and staff are allowed to confiscate a student’s cell phone. A $15 fee will be charged for the retrieval of the phone. Students who do not comply with a request to turn over the phone will face additional disciplinary consequences, as outlined in the HISD Student Code of Conduct. For more information regarding the cell phone policy, please see the HISD Student Code of Conduct or the Pershing Student Handbook.

Attendance

We are seeing an increase in student absences. As a reminder, students who have more than 10% unexcused absences will not receive credit for their course, which means they will have to attend summer school in order to be promoted. Vacations, including those where you are leaving school before June 7, will be considered unexcused and can result in retention. The school district calendar has been published since March 2021, and the last day of school has not changed. Please make sure that you are sending excuse notes for doctor/dentist appointments and if your child was sick so that we can excuse their absence. Let’s all do our part as attendance impacts your child’s promotion status and Pershing’s budget.

Have a great week!

Steven Shetzer, Principal

Panda Praise and Highlights

Sports Season Highlights

Cross Country

8th Grade Girls placed 3rd in our Zone
8th Grade Boys were Zone Champs

Football

7th Grade were Zone Champs
8th Grade were the undefeated Zone Champs

Volleyball

7th Grade finished 2nd in Zone
8th Grade were the undefeated Zone Champs

Basketball

7th and 8th Grade Girls finished 2nd in our Zone
7th Grade Boys were 2nd in Zone
8th Grade Boys were the undefeated Zone Champs

Lacrosse

Boys finished with a 7-7 record
Girls won the GHGYLA League and are District Champs

Swim

7th Grade Girls finished 2nd in our Zone
7th Grade Boys, 8th Grade Girls and 8th Grade Boys all finished 3rd

Rugby

Playing in Championship Game

Baseball

JV Team finished as the City Champs
Varsity Team finished as the undefeated City Champs

Softball

Girls finished as the HISD Champs and City Champs

Former Panda Athlete Updates

The following is a list of former Pershing Panda athletes who have signed college scholarships to continue their athletic skills in college.

Rylee Glenn - Bossier Parish Community College - softball

Sasha Arlinghaus - Campbell University - lacrosse

Randy Masters - Univ. of Nevada Las Vegas - football

Cailen Graham - Washington and Lee University - football

Javion Green - University of Washington - football

Collin Wright - Stanford - football

Pershing Lacrosse

Congratulations to Pershing Lacrosse for being the GHGYLA League

Champions.

They are also District Champs!

President's Message

Hello Panda Families!

I am excited to announce that Family Bingo Night made $7,800 for our school! This money will go directly back to the campus to support our students and teachers! Next year, let’s shoot for $10,000!

Don’t miss the school store sale on May 4 after school. And don’t forget to bring your gently used uniforms to our uniform drive.

Have a great week!

Alison Moorhead

PTO President

pershingpres@gmail.com

May 2nd-6th - Teacher Appreciation Week

May 4th - School Store Sale 4:00-5:00

May 26th - Library Books Due

Attention Parents!

We need to hear from you.

Please take a moment to complete the Title I – Parent and Family Engagement Survey by clicking on the link below.

English: English Title I Survey

Spanish: Spanish Title I Survey

Are you interested in getting school items for next year?

The School Store is having a sale!!

May 4th

4:00-5:00

All current in-stock inventory will be 20% off!!

6th and 7th Graders

National Junior Honor Society is taking application for the next school year.

If you have great grades with a high cumulative GPA, and a desire it help others, please fill out the

NJHS Application.

They are due Thursdays May 26.

Vote for the 2021-2022 Fan Favorite Teachers of the Year

Houston Independent School District is gearing up to name its “Fan Favorite” Teachers of the Year, and you can vote for your pick starting May 2 during Teacher Appreciation Week.

Vote for Mr. Dosewell for

Teacher of the Year Fan Favorite.

Voting closes Friday, May 6th.

https://blogs.houstonisd.org/news/2022/04/29/vote-for-the-2021-2022-fan-favorite-teachers-of-the-year/

All JJP Library books are due Thursday, May 26^th

Kona Ice Wednesdays !!!

4:00- 5:00 pm

Pershing’s small lot off of Braes Blvd.

Prices range for $4-$6

Kona Ice will donate a portion of its sales to the PTO.

Donations Needed

Show The Staff Some Love

Let's show our love for our Pershing teachers and staff by filling the teacher/staff pantry.

Order from our Amazon Wish List and the items will be sent directly to the school.

Pringles Cans

8th grade History needs your empty Pringles cans for an upcoming project.

8th grade needs these by May 16.

Please drop off your empty Pringles cans in the box in the Main Office.

8th Grade News

8th Grade Event Dates

Save the date, 8th Graders!

8th Grade Dance - May 20th 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

8th Grade Field Trip - June 3rd (all day)

8th Grade Promotion - June 7th at Butler Stadium

8th Grade Ice Cream Social or Breakfast - June 7th

Sports

Pershing Girls Soccer

May 19 5:00 @ Revere at PERSHING

Pershing Boys Soccer

May 19 6:00 @ Revere at PERSHING

Pershing Girls Lacrosse

May 7 End of Season Tournament for 7th/8th

A big thank you to these

Panda Partners who supported Willy Wonka Jr.

Event sponsor: Ascent Emergency Medical Center

Water bottles: Contemporary Dental and Orthodontics

Playbill production support:

Greater Houston Orthodontics

Firehouse Subs

Cammarata, Shisler & Taylor Pediatric Dentistry Group

Pershing Middle School is grateful to participate in programs that reward our school based on the customer loyalty and patronage of our families. A percentage of the proceeds spent on the rewards programs are donated back to the school. Please review the list of retailers on our PTO website and participate where you can. Remember that grandparents, Pershing alumni, neighbors, and friends also can designate Pershing on most reward programs – spread the word!

Need Assistance?

Here are some frequently asked questions from parents who have been looking for assistance.

Where can I find contact information for my child's teacher? Our website directory is an excellent place to find our faculty and staff email addresses.
How can I monitor my child's grades? HISD Connect Parent Portal is the spot! Click here for information on setting up an HISD Connect Parent Portal account.
I have a question, but I'm not sure who to reach out to for an answer. If you have a question, you can reach out to your child's Homeroom teacher, Counselor, or Assistant Principal for assistance.
I need to schedule a meeting with a teacher, what do I do? Please email the teacher(s) you wish to meet with and allow them 24 hours to respond. Teachers are provided with a planning period each day, so they will send you those times to schedule a meeting. You can also call the main office at 713-295-5240 and leave a message for the teacher.
I feel disconnected now that my child is in middle school. How can I get involved? This is easy. Join the PTO and attend the regularly scheduled meetings. We also recommend you attend the sporting events, fine arts performances, and PTO events throughout the year.