The Panther Pulse

This week is National School Counseling week and I wanted to take a moment and thank Mr. Castro, Mr. Salazar, and our counseling intern Ms. Vu for all the work they do, day in and day out, to create a great environment for our students. We have one of the best counseling teams out there and I am so glad our students have such caring individuals looking out for them - Eli, Conrado, and Nikki, thank you for all the work you do, we look forward to celebrating you this week!

I also wanted to remind families how important it is for children to be in school every day and to come to school on time. The research is clear, students that have good attendance do better in school than students with poor attendance. The research also indicates attending school more than 90% of the time in 6th grade improves the chance for students to graduate on time! I bring this up because we have noticed an increase since the return from Winter Break is students arriving tardy to Period 1. Please help make sure your child(ren) are getting up a little earlier and getting out the door in time to make it to school on time. The first bell rings at 7:55 AM, school begins at 8:00 AM. Thank you for your attention and support in helping get students to school on time.

ARTICULATION CARDS FOR CURRENT 6TH AND 7TH GRADERS ARE DUE MONDAY

Last week our counseling team met with our current 6th and 7th graders to talk about classes for the 2023-24 school year and review their elective options. CLICK HERE to view the presentation.

At the presentation students were given their articulation cards for next year. Those cards are due on Monday, February 6th. Students will turn the cards in to their elective teachers. Also, please be aware that several electives (ASB, AVID, and Engineering) all have applications that must be completed in order to students to be enrolled in the course. For your convenience links to those applicatons are listed below:

• ASB (see Ms. Robe in Rm. 305)

• AVID

• Advanced Engineering

• Yearbook

FAMILIES WE NEED YOUR INPUT! PLEASE COMPLETE THE SURVEY

The site will use information from this needs assessment survey to develop budgets and strategies for the 2023-24 school year. Input from families is critical. We have extended the deadline to complete the survey. Please complete this form by Friday, February 10th

PERSHING FOUNDATION MEETING THIS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH

We hope you will be able to join us at this month's Pershing Foundation Meeting @6:30 PM in the library this Wednesday. While we hope you will be able to join us in person, we know that can be challenging for some families so we also have a hybrid option so you can join the meeting via zoom. The zoom link is below:

https://sandiegounified.zoom.us/j/82023260346

Meeting ID: 820 2326 0346

SDUSD SUMMER PROGRAM SIGN-UPS NOW OPEN

SDUSD is excited to announce the Summer Program Menu of options for all current SDUSD students. Please click on the link below for information on Summer Academics/ESY, Summer Enrichment, Summer PrimeTime and other exciting opportunities for your child during the upcoming Summer!

Summer Programs Information Link

PERSHING 2ND ANNUAL COOKBOOK

Share a recipe... family favorite, something you can't live without, or something that represents your heritage.
The google from is open until the end of February. Link to the google form has been given out in history classes.
https://forms.gle/iAfMU9ZpeFMcNUsC8

Tdap VACCINATION NEEDED FOR ALL FUTURE 7th GRADERS

A friendly reminder that before students can enter 7th grade they need a Tdap booster. We know how challenging it can be to get appointments so if your child is currently in 6th grade don't forget to ask your physician about scheduling their Tdap booster.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 15TH IS A REGULAR BELL SCHEDULE DAY

For planning purposes we wanted to remind all families that Wednesday, February 15th is a regular bell schedule day not a modified day. School will end at 2:50 PM that day.

PERSHING FOUNDATION UPDATE - STAY CONNECTED

There a lots of a ways to stay involved and support Pershing Middle School starting with our fabulous Pershing Parent Foundation. Be sure to check out their website: https://pershingmiddleschoolfoundation.org/ and visit them on facebook @parentsofpershingpanthers. On their facebook page they have information on how to sign up for Amazon Smile so that a portion of your amazon purchases support our school.

PERSHING SCHOOL WEBSITE

https://pershing.sandiegounified.org/

Do you have suggestions for our school website? CLICK HERE to complete our website feedback survey.

It was a great weekend for Pershing's Middle School Athletics. Our boy's volleyball team had two great victories including a win against #1 ranked Bethune. Congrats to Jaden Harden and Brian Hammerstrand on being names Players of the Game. Our girl's volleyball team fought hard and ended the weekend one and one with a victory over Standley.

Our soccer teams also competed well and both teams took home two victories this weekend. Our Girl's team defeated Bethuen 12-0 and DePortola 10-5. Congrats to Jasmine Singletary and Syra Said on being names Players of the Game. And our Boy's soccer team defeated Clark 6-0 and Bell 7-1 this weekend. Gavin Dreyfus and Riley Smith were named Players of the Game. Congrats Panthers on a great weekend and a big thank you to Ms. Perales and Ms. McNeil for providing regular updates so we can celebrate our student-athletes!

Each team will have two regularly scheduled practices per week: Middle School Winter 2023 Practice Schedule.

MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETICS GAME/SCHEDULE/STANDINGS UPDATES

• Soccer Schedules/Scores

• Soccer Standings

• Volleyball Schedules/Scores

• Volleyball Standings

The families of 6th graders attending Cuyamaca Outdoor School March 20th - 24th need to be aware of the following items:

COVID Testing Requirement - Before coming to camp, each student, regardless of vaccination status, is required to provide proof of a negative COVID test or provide proof of a positive COVID-19 diagnosis from within the last 90 days. This FAQ from Cuyamaca Outdoor School has more details. The Foundation and school are coordinating a COVID testing event the morning of Sunday, March 19th at Pershing. More details to come on this. Please put this on your calendar.

Volunteers Needed - We will need help with the following items. Please use the SIgnUp Genius links below.

Volunteer to help with COVID Testing

Sunday, March 19th

9:30am - 12pm

Setup testing, help administer COVID tests, put away tables

Volunteer to help with luggage

Monday, March 20th

8am - 9am

Friday, March 24th

11:15am - 12:15pm

On Monday, help load the truck that will carry luggage to camp.

On Friday, help unload the truck.

Informational Items

Cuyamaca Outdoor School FAQ

Student Packing List | Qué Llevar a la Escuela al Aire Libre

For students needing medications administered at camp: Medical Authorization Form

Para estudiantes que necesitan medicamentos administrados en el campamento: Formulario de Autorización Médica

Souvenir T-shirts & Hats Order Form - Help support Cuyamaca Outdoor School and get a fun memory for your student

Address to send postcards/letters while students are at camp:

Cuyamaca Outdoor School

Attn: student name

12561 Hwy. 79

Descanso, CA 91916

Please address any questions to the Foundation’s 6th Grade Camp Coordinator

Carlos Ramon

619-846-0110

carlos_ramon@hotmail.com

SPANISH TUTORING AVAILABLE

Does your child need help with Spanish? Mr. Barry is offering tutoring support on Tuesdays in Rm. 104 afterschool.

8TH GRADE HENRY HIGH SLIM PARENT NIGHT

If you were not able to attend the meeting CLICK HERE to see the slide deck the Henry team presented.

COVID-19 cases are on the rise in our area, with San Diego County recently entering the Medium COVID-19 Community Level. Other illnesses such as the influenza virus (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and the common cold also remain highly prevalent and easily transmissible. Practicing good health hygiene habits – washing hands, staying home when sick, and considering wearing a mask indoors and in crowded areas – can help prevent the spread of illness and is especially important during this time when many will be traveling or gathering with family and friends.

The district is providing all students and staff with at-home COVID-19 test kits to help our school communities have greater peace of mind about returning to school safely on Tuesday, Jan. 3 after the winter break.

The California Department of Public Health now recommends self testing for COVID-19 the day before coming back to school and two or three days after returning. We encourage students and staff to test on Monday, Jan. 2 and again on either Wednesday, Jan 4 or Thursday, Jan 5.

Testing before returning to school is recommended but not required. Additional test kits for students and staff are available at the Ed Center COVID-19 testing facility. If you test positive for COVID-19, please do not attend school and report your illness here.

Please do not send your child to school if they are feeling sick or experiencing symptoms of any cold-like virus, until those symptoms start to improve and there is no fever for 24 hours (without use of fever-reducing medication). Keeping your sick child home will be a great benefit for the health and wellness of our students and staff.

What Symptoms to Look For

• The flu and COVID-19 are both spread from person-to-person, especially indoors and in crowded places. Symptoms for both viruses can include nasal congestion, fever, headache, and muscle and joint pain, as well as a sore throat and coughing.
• RSV is a respiratory virus that has been detected in previous cold and flu seasons. Symptoms of RSV include cough, runny nose, and fever. Treatment consists of managing symptoms.

Tips to Avoid Getting Sick [English | Español)
Public health officials offer these tips to prevent getting sick:

• Consider wearing a well-fitting, good-quality mask, especially indoors or in crowded spaces
• Wash hands thoroughly and often
• Use hand sanitizers, if unable to wash hands
• Stay away from sick people
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Clean commonly touched surfaces and/or wash/sanitize your hands after using them.
• Stay up to date on COVID-19 and flu vaccines

Feb 8 - Pershing Foundation Meeting @ 6:30 PM

Feb 13 - SGT Meeting @ 3:00 PM in the Library

Feb 14 - SSC Meeting @3:00 PM in the Library

Feb 17 - Holiday (NO SCHOOL)

Feb 20 - Holiday (NO SCHOOL)

Mar 3 - P3 Grading Window Ends

Mar 15 - Coffee with the Principal @8:30 AM via zoom

Mar 20 - 6th Grade Camp

Mar 27-31 - Spring Break (NO SCHOOL)

Jun 8 - 8th Grade Evening Awards Assembly

Jun 12 - 8th Grade Promotion Practice

June 13 - 8th Grade Promotion Practice & Dave & Buster's Trip

Jun 14 - 8th Grade Promotion