Pistor Paw Prints

Greetings Panthers and Families,

"The most important thing a parent can do for their child’s success is to listen actively, communicate openly, and encourage their efforts. Parents create the foundation for lifelong achievement."
— Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg

If you have been following the news lately, you might have heard that Australia recently passed a groundbreaking law banning children under 16 from using certain social media platforms, citing concerns over the detrimental effects on young users. The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 requires platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram to verify users' ages and block accounts for those under 16. Companies have until late 2025 to comply or face significant penalties.

This law reflects growing evidence about the negative impact of social media on adolescents, particularly those aged 10 to 14. Common concerns include:

• Mental Health Challenges:

• Studies link excessive social media use to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and loneliness in preteens and teens. The constant exposure to curated, idealized versions of others' lives can foster negative self-comparisons and lower self-esteem.

• Sleep Disruption:

• Social media often leads to screen time late into the night, disrupting sleep patterns, which are essential for cognitive and emotional development during adolescence.

• Exposure to Inappropriate Content:

• Platforms may expose children to harmful content, such as violence, cyberbullying, or unsafe online challenges, which they might not be equipped to handle or process effectively.

• Cyberbullying:

• Social media provides a platform for bullying that can feel inescapable, contributing to feelings of isolation, fear, and shame. Victims of cyberbullying are more likely to experience emotional distress and mental health issues.

• Addictive Behaviors:

• Features like endless scrolling and social validation through likes and comments can create addictive behaviors, reducing time spent on physical activity, face-to-face interactions, and hobbies.

• Social Skills Development:

• Over-reliance on virtual communication may hinder the development of essential interpersonal skills needed for real-world interactions and relationships.

• Data Privacy Risks:

• Young users often lack an understanding of online privacy, potentially sharing sensitive information that can lead to exploitation or long-term consequences.

• Identity Formation Challenges:

• Adolescents are in a critical phase of identity development. Constant exposure to influencers and peer opinions may distort their sense of self and delay authentic identity formation.

While efforts like Australia's recent law aim to mitigate these risks by limiting access and encouraging safer online environments, it is parental guidance and open communication that are most important in helping children navigate social media responsibly.

Thank you and be safe!

Mrs. Gunnels, Principal

12/3/2024 - District Media Day at Pistor MS

12/4/2024 - Baby, It's Cold Outside - Wear Winter Gear

12/5/2024 - Mistle Toes - Wear Christmas Socks

12/5/2024 - Q2 Writing Benchmark Testing

12/5/2024 - Boys Volleyball @ Gridley

12/6/2024 - Holiday Hair - Don't Care - Wear holiday hair accessories

12/6/2024 - Girls Basketball @ Secrist

12/9/2024 - Candy Cane DAa - Wear Red and White

12/9 to 12/13/2024 - Scholastic Book Fair in the library 8:00 AM to 4 PM

12/9/2024 - Boys Volleyball vs. McCorkle @ Pueblo HS

12/9 & 12/10 - Q2 ELA Benchmark Testing

12/10/2024 - Deck the Halls - Wear Holiday Accessories

12/10/2024 - Family Engagement Meeting @ 4:30 PM

12/10/2024 - Guitar & Mariachi Concert @ 5:00 PM

12/11/2024 - Family Photo Day - Wear Your Comfy Flannel

12/11/2024 - Band & Orchestra Winter Concert @ 5:00 PM

12/12/2024 - Winter Wonderland - Wear Blue and White

12/12 & 12/13 - Q2 Math Benchmark Testing

12/13/2024 - Festive Friday - Wear Your Ugly Christmas Sweater

12/13/2024 - Girls Basketball vs. McCorkle @ Pueblo HS

12/16/2024 - Rockin Around the Christmas Tree - Dress Like a Christmas Tree or Present

12/17/2024 - Santa is Coming to Town - Dress Like Santa or an Elf

12/18/2024 - New Year's Glamour - Wear Glitter and Sparkles

12/19/204 - Polar Express Day - Wear Your Pajamas

12/20/2024 - Grading Day - No School for Students

12/23 - 1/3/2025 - Winter Break

Looking Forward to January 2025

1/6/2025 - First Day Back from Winter Break

1/18/2025 - TUSD Spelling Bee - OUr Champion, Veronica Canez, will be competing!

1/21/2025 - Family Engagement Meeting @ 3:30 PM

1/21/2025 - Site Council Meeting @ 4:30 PM

When I come to school the first thing, I want to say to a student is good morning. It becomes a problem when I now must dress code or take their phone from them because they are not following the basic school rules.

These are what I call unnecessary problems, having to have conversations about things that have been in effect since July when many families went to our back to school kickoff event and signed the acknowledgement that Pistor is a uniform school and we follow the Tucson Unified School District policy regarding cell phones at the middle school level.

Cell Phones and Dress Code

Parents, I can truly use your help in supporting your child(ren) to avoid these unnecessary problems. Cell phones should be in their backpack or small side bag during school hours. Some of the biggest concerns we see with dress code are sweatpants now that the weather is getting colder, crocs, ripped jeans, printed shirts, wearing a shirt color that is not part of the uniform and rolling up shirts to turn them into crop tops. A shirt should not be rolled up in the back to show off a student’s torso as this is now a violation of dress code. Please review these policies and let us avoid these unnecessary problems in December and the new year.

Communication

I am always here to support you if you feel you’re not hearing from a teacher when you reach out. The best way to contact me is email. Many times, a conversation needs to happen between the teacher and the parent. If you need support in talking with a teacher, please reach out so I can support you.

Bananas Form

We’ve seen a lot of success with the bananas form. Students are reporting things that they might not otherwise, and the staff is working hard at addressing these concerns.

Happy Holidays!

As December unfolds, we reflect on the achievements of the first semester and look forward to an exciting new year. We hope you were all able to relax and connect with family and friends this time. While we know it was very different for most of us (and quite cold if you gathered outside!), we hope everyone still found ways to connect. As we move through these busy weeks before winter break, we offer this gentle reminder to give grace and patience, not only to yourself, but to family members and those around you as well. The holiday break can be exciting for many students, but it can also be a difficult time for others. This year will likely be very different for all of us. Thank you for your continued support in making our middle school a thriving, supportive learning community. We wish you a joyous holiday season and a wonderful start to the new year!

Surviving and Thriving During the Holidays

For many people, the winter months mean fun parties, festive food, and lots of extra time with family. However, the joys of the holiday season can also bring a lot of stress. If you are starting to feel anxious about the holidays, you are not alone. So how do you manage it? Here are 5 tips to survive and thrive during the holidays.

1. Breathe.

When we are anxious, we tend to take shallow or rapid breaths. This tells our sympathetic nervous system to be on alert, and activates our body so it’s ready to take action. This can make stress feel worse. However, we can use deep breathing to reverse this response and tap into our ability to relax. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Try a simple 4-8 breath: Inhale for a count of 4 and exhale for a count of 8. When you lengthen the exhalation, you allow your body to release tension. Just be sure to breathe through your belly (think of inflating it like a balloon) rather than your chest.

Deep, slow belly breathing has a calming effect. It’s a quick and easy way to ease holiday stress.

2. Choose.

Instead of saying yes to every single holiday activity, prioritize the ones that are most important to you – and schedule down time for yourself. Although you may be expected to go to some family activities, you can talk to your parents or caregivers about giving you some freedom too. This will enable you to truly enjoy the things that are important to you while giving you space to take time for yourself.

3. Move your body.

Exercise is a well-known mood booster, and can help when you’re feeling anxious or stressed out. Try to build a little exercise into every day. This can mean taking a walk with a friend, shooting a few hoops, or putting on your favorite song for a family dance party. Need a quick exercise fix? Do 20 jumping jacks and then run in place super-fast – this has the added benefit of feeling silly, so you may just laugh out loud!

4. Connect.

For many people, the holidays are packed with family time. You may find yourself feeling disconnected from your friends. Plan ahead to see your friends over the winter break. If you can’t connect in person, schedule a video call instead. Taking breaks from family time to see your friends will keep you feeling connected and help you avoid feelings of family overload.

5. Practice gratitude.

Research suggests that people who practice gratitude tend to feel happier and more fulfilled. Each morning, pick 3 things that you are grateful for, and spend some time reflecting on how these things (or people) improve your life. Focusing on the things you are truly grateful for can be centering and uplifting.

The holidays can be the most wonderful and the most stressful time of year. And yes, it’s ok to feel both! Use these tips to stay grounded so that you can get the most out of your holiday time, your vacation time, and your family time.

This Holiday Season (and every other day) there are some things that you can do for your child that may mean more than "things" and guess what...they are FREE!!!

Nine Gifts You Can Give Your Child - For FREE

1. Talk less, listen more. Spend 90% of the conversation with your child listening and 10% talking.

2. Don't sweat the small stuff.

3. FOLLOW THROUGH when it comes to discipline. Think before you say it, but once it is said, no matter how hard it is, you must stick to it. If the punishment is dropped, they learn nothing. Be careful with the punishments, however. If you get angry and take away your child's participation in a baseball game, you have put yourself in a bad position. Not only do you have to stick to what you said, but you are now punishing the entire team, which depends on each player.

4. Label the behavior, not the child. Never call a child a bad boy or bad girl. There are no bad children, only bad behaviors/choices.

5. Give hugs and kisses often. Show affection for your children, no matter what their age, in a way that is meaningful to them.

6. Be a parent, not a friend.

7. Be an advocate for your children. Be a part of their educational experience. Be the voice for them when no one else seems to be listening

8. Establish expectations. While I praise my children for good academic achievements, I will not give them rewards (too often). I tell them that I expect them to do their best and bring homework that reflects their efforts.

9. Teach kids about money and investing. To teach my children about real-world choices, my children put money into two bank accounts, one for spending and one for saving.

CRISIS Response

• Text HOME to 741741
• Text, Call or Chat 988 available24/7
• National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255

Text, Talk, Act

Text START to 89800

HOW IT WORKS

1. Youth gather in groups of 3-4.
2. Groups text into our platform and follow the text message prompts.
3. Together, the group discusses mental health and how to help others.
4. Youth become more comfortable talking about mental health and learn where to get help.

The Counseling Department is dedicated to ensuring that students are set up for success this school year. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have. You may contact Ms. Rivera at mcristina.rivera@tusd1.org

Please check out the district bond information website. We want you to be aware of the specific projects that are slated for Pistor and to see bond dollars are at work!

The website is intended to provide updates on our Bond projects with estimated timelines (may be subject to change). Here is the website link: Bond 2023 (tusd1.org)

Please take a moment to register your child(ren) for the upcoming school year! With the holidays coming, it is very easy to let this get put on the back burner. Your confirmed registration for the upcoming school year helps us to keep funding for all the wonderful electives and programs we have when budget season comes around!

• If you are continuing at Pistor MS, please go to your ParentVUE account, confirm or update your student’s information.
• If choosing a different school, please visit tusd1.org/discover.

Please NOTE: Online registration is required for all students every school year.

If you need assistance, please call the front office at 520-908-5400. Ms. Alejandra, Ms. Diane, and/or Ms. Kristina will be more than happy to help!

Pistor Power Hour in the Library Tuesday - Fridays 7:45 to 8:45 AM

Homework Helper in the Library Monday, Tuesday, & Thursdays 4:00 to 5:00 PM

Mandatory Tutoring Monday - Thursdays 4:00 to 5:00 PM, Wednesdays 3:00 to 4:00 PM

• Mandatory Tutoring is assigned by teachers and coaches if a student is excessively absent, is in danger of being retained, or athletes ineligible to participate due to failing grades.

Middle School Interscholastic Sports Offerings and Dates

Third Season January 6 – March 5

• Boys and Girls Soccer

Fourth Season March 17 – May 4

• Boys and Girls Track & Field

Athlete Requirements

An athlete needs to have all paperwork and participation fees submitted before they can begin practices, tryouts, games.

• Active Sports Physical (must be dated March 1, 2024, or later) - You MUST have an active completed sports physical prior to try outs!
• Athlete Packet
• Emergency Information Card
• Parent/Guardian Permission
• Athletic Informed Consent
• Activity Specific Parent Permission
• Provisions of Transportation (FT1002)
• TUSD Interscholastic Athletic Transportation Guidelines (ISC1000)

Participation Fees

There is a $30 for middle school interscholastic fee per activity.

• Partial scholarships may be available, please contact Mr. Casillas for more information.

At the Tuesday, January 21st, Site Council meeting, we will be reviewing our school letter grade and what we are doing to bring up our grade.

Our next Site Council meeting will be Tuesday, January 21st at 4:30 PM in the Conference Room.

Please contact Mr. Gerald Acevedo, Site Council Facilitator, if you would like to add a topic for discussion to the agenda.

Here are some important reminders and updates to ensure access to a learning environment conducive to student success and to ensure safety while on campus for all students, faculty, staff, and families.

1. Attendance - If you child(ren) are absent or late, please be sure to notify the front office at 520-908-5414 within 48 business hours. Students with excessive unexcused absences (10+ per semester, will not receive credit for their class and may be subject to retention. Please see attached bell schedule.

2. Backpacks - Students will be expected to carry a clear or mesh backpack from class to class while on campus. Students who bring a backpack that is not see-through, will be provided the opportunity to check their bag and have it stored for the day.

3. Cell Phones - Students must have their cell phone (if they have one), turned off and out of sight from the time the first bell rings (8:50 AM) until the last bell rings (3:50 PM/2:50 PM on Wednesdays). This is a zero tolerance policy, no warnings will be given. Students who are observed with a cell phone (or other electronic devices such as ear buds, gaming devices, etc.) will have the device collected, and turned into the office for parent pick up.

4. Dress Code - We are a uniform school. Based on the feedback from students, families, and staff, the Pistor Middle School dress code for this year was revised during the summer to ensure clarity and safety yet still remain flexible for students and families. Here are the main highlights:

Top Garment

• Plain, solid colored shirt in red, black, white, or gray. No logos or print of any kind.
• Shoulders and midriff must be covered. No tank tops, spaghetti straps, crop tops, etc.

Bottom Garment

• Jeans, pants, shorts, or skirts in solid black, blue, or khaki. No rips, holes, tears, or fraying.
• Bottom garment must fit at the waist - no sagging.
• Sweatpants, pajama pants, leggings, bicycle shorts, athletic/basketball shorts, etc. are not allowed.

Shoes

• Athletic shoes, sneakers, or sandals in any color.
• Crocs, slides, slippers, flip flops, etc. are not allowed.

5. Supplies for Success - All students must bring the following items daily:

• Backpack – clear or mesh bags only
• Laptop, fully charged w/charging cord – checked out to student at the beginning of the year
• Refillable water bottle (no glass)
• Paper, Pens, and Pencils

Please be sure to see the attachment below for more details.

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

Just a reminder that the campus opens at 8:00 AM and closes at 4:00 PM, except on Wednesday, which closes at 3:00 PM.

Please do not drop off students before 8:00 AM. We do not have any supervision before 8:00 AM.

Please be sure to pick up your child by 4:00 PM, 3:00 PM on Wednesdays. We do not have any supervision after these times.

The only students who should be on campus before 8:00 AM or after 4:00 PM (3:00 PM on Wednesdays) are students who are participating in a CCLC club or tutoring or students who are participating in athletics. They will be supervised by their coach, teacher, or club sponsor.

The office opens at 8:00 AM and closes at 4:30 PM Monday through Friday.

We want to make sure that all students are safe.

1. Fully charged laptop with charging cord
2. Notebook and/or binder
3. Pen and pencil
4. Refillable water bottle (no glass)

Pistor MIddle School Website
Location: 5455 South Cardinal Avenue, Tucson, AZ, USA
Phone: 520-908-5400
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