Panda Post

April 26, 2022

A Message from Dr. Shetzer

Dear Panda Parents,

A HUGE shout out to Catherine Beebe, our Bingo Chair, and the rest of the Pershing PTO for an awesome Family Bingo Night! It was a huge success and brought so many families together once again.

We are a week away from our first STAAR test. 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

Cycle 5 Report Cards
Friday, April 29
“Willy Wonka Jr.” Musical
Friday, April 29 & Saturday, April 30
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.

Have a great week!

Steven Shetzer, Principal

Panda Praise and Highlights

JV Baseball

Giant Panda Celebration for the JV baseball team who beat Hogg 8-6 for the JV Baseball Championship!!!

Pershing Wind Ensemble

The Wind Ensemble went out to Seven Lakes HS, performed 3 prepared pieces for a concert, sight read a piece they had never seen before, and wound up with 1's from all 6 judges that listened to them which is the best set of scores a band could receive!

Listen to the recording that was provided by the UIL team.

Pershing Library

Big week in the Pershing library!

7 pallets were delivered!

That’s 170+ boxes!!!

For a total of 5,166 NEW BOOKS added to our library!

Pershing Softball

Pershing softball beat Frank Black MS in the HISD softball district championship game 9-1 Monday Night.

Congrats to the District Champs!

Top row. Left to Right: Lauren Magid, Kirsten Moon, Micayla Jonkins, Rebecca Wise, Jordan Bey, Maggie Hester,Maureen Faustermann, Margot Royston, Coach David Burgan

Bottom row, Left to Right: Caroline Loper, Anjali Kumar, Natalie Giannone, Elliot Loper, Allysandra Filis, Penelope England, Catherine Russo and Kyra Nguyen

President's Message

Hello Panda Families!

On Friday April 22, we hosted our first Family Bingo Night in two years and it was a huge success with over 350 people in attendance! Check back next week for the grand total of money raised.

Thank you to Catherine Beebe, the Bingo chair, for her leadership and time spent creating such an amazing night! A huge thank you to all of the volunteers before, during and after the event that made the night work smoothly. And we could not have put on the event without ALL of the donations we received from our corporate sponsors and Panda families.

Looking forward to next year!

Alison Moorhead

PTO President

[email protected]

Apr. 29th - Report Cards Sent Home

Apr. 29-30 - Willy Wonka Jr. 7:00

May 2nd-6th - Teacher Appreciation Week

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

Bingo Night was a HUGE hit!

Thank you to the following families and sponsors.

Big Prize Donors

Houston Orthodontic Specialists - $500 Amazon Gift Card
Martha Turner Sotheby’s Int'l Realty - Electric Scooter
Southside Animal Clinic - Oculus VR Headset
Mathnasium - Air Pods
Parker-Evans Custom Builders - Oculus VR Headset
F45 Training - Bluetooth Speaker
The Amir-Parvis Family - Dave and Buster Gift Card
The Jaworsky Family - Movie Night
The Schilling Family - Apple Airpod Pros & Nintendo Switch
The McNulty Family - Palace Social Gift Card
The Sharp Family - Samsung TV

Popcorn Concessions

Camarata, Shisler & Taylor Pediatric Dentistry Group

Gift Card Donors

The '401
SmooTea
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Boutique
Breakaway Speed Sports Training
AvenU Fitness
The Village Bakery
Messina Hof Winery
Rover Oaks Pet Resort
Moeller's Bakery
Amore Reflexology
Dewberry Farms
Starbucks
Rockin' R
Row House

Gift Basket Donors

Trader Joe's
Bellaire Pediatric Dentistry
Central Market

Signage Donor

Event Yard Greetings

Pershing Family Donors

The Badgwell Family
The Barker Family
The Beebe Family
The Fareez Family
The Garrett Family
The Hester Family
The Marshall Family
The McGlamery Family
The Moorhead Family
The Scafidi Family
The Scott Family

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

7th and 8th Grade

Parents

We have coordinated a field trip to Main Event in Stafford on Thursday, June 2, 2022 from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM.

In order to attend the field trip students must first have a Behavior Agreement competed and turned in by Friday, April 29, 2022. We will hand out permission slips and collect it along with the fee after the student has turned in a signed Behavior Agreement.

If you are interested in chaperoning, please complete the Main Event-Parent Information Google Form and begin the VIPS process. Both links and QR Codes are provided at the bottom of the attached Behavior Agreement or use the link below to directly access the Parent Chaperone request form.

Main Event Parent Information

6th Grade End Of Year Behavioral Contract

7th Grade End Of Year Behavioral Contract

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!!

Book Your Birthday Wish Today

Looking for a special way to recognize your student’s birthday?

Post a Birthday Wish on the Pershing Marquee located on Stella Link.

Birthday wishes will appear on the marquee for three days, usually the day before, day of and day after depending on when it falls.

$25 per Birthday Wish

Form and payment must be received two weeks in advance.

All request must be made online here

Questions?

Contact Sandy Smith

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

Tryout for the Lamar HS Rangerettes Dance Team

April 11th - Virtual Tryout Materials in Instagram account bio

April 26th - Tryouts in person

Come be a part of the award winning dance team!

Sports

Pershing Girls Soccer

Apr. 28 5:00 @ West Briar at West Briar

May 19 5:00 @ Revere at PERSHING

Pershing Boys Soccer

Apr. 28 6:00 @ West Briar at West Briar

May 19 6:00 @ Revere at PERSHING

Pershing Girls Lacrosse

Apr. 30 End of Season Tournament for 5th/6th

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

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.