Community Newsletter 1/8 - 1/10

Happy New Year, and welcome back to what will be an exciting semester at Pearland High School! Our teachers have been hard at work over the past two days, preparing for your return and ensuring we are ready to support every student as they continue t toward academic and personal success. We’re thrilled to have everyone back and ready to tackle new challenges in 2025!

This semester is incredibly important for all of our students. From STAAR and AP testing to the SAT for all juniors, the next few months will be busy with opportunities for growth and achievement. Additionally, this is a busy time of year for our extracurricular activities, with many of our programs and teams showing their hard work and talent. Whether in the classroom, on the field, on the stage, or in competition, our students continue to shine.

Speaking of shining, we are thrilled to announce our upcoming school production of Catch Me If You Can: The Musical. This must-see event is a testament to the incredible talent and dedication of our Fine Arts Department. Mark your calendars for these showtimes:

• January 24th at 7 PM
• January 25th at 2 PM and 7 PM
• January 31st at 7 PM
• February 1st at 2 PM and 7 PM

We can’t wait to see you here at PHS, whether you’re supporting Fine Arts, athletics, or any of our other incredible programs. Your support is always greatly appreciated! Together, we will make this semester a memorable and successful one for every student.

For the next three days (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday), we will follow the modified bell schedule below. Please note that we will not have Oiler Time this week to give students time to adjust to any changes in their semester schedules. Oiler Time will resume on Monday at its regularly scheduled time.

Please remind your student to review their schedule before classes begin tomorrow to ensure they know where to go in case of any changes.

Congratulations to the Lady Oilers for an outstanding performance at the highly competitive Sandra Meadows Classic, where they placed 4th out of 32 teams! Along the way, they achieved incredible victories, including defeating the defending 4A and 6A State Champions. A special shoutout to A'zyua Blair for being named to the All-Tournament Team—an impressive accomplishment!

Join us in supporting the Lady Oilers as they return to action at home on Friday, January 10th, for our PINK OUT game honoring former Oiler Roni Burren. Let’s pack the stands and show our Oiler pride!

The online GPA Waiver Form is now available in Skyward!

What is the GPA Waiver?
Pearland ISD students can request a GPA waiver for year-long, one-credit elective courses that are not core content classes (English, Science, Social Studies, Math, or LOTE) and are classified on a 4.0 GPA scale. Qualifying electives include many CTE courses, Athletics, Band, Choir, Theater, Cheer, Prancers, and others (see the attached list for details).

Students earning an “A” in a qualifying elective can convert the grade to Pass/Fail (credit only, no GPA points). This can prevent a lower-weighted elective grade from negatively impacting your overall GPA and rank if you're taking multiple PAP/AP courses on a 6.0 GPA scale.

Key Details:

• Limit: 1 waiver per year (up to 4 total during high school).
• Courses must be year-long; semester-only courses cannot be combined.
• GPA Waivers are not allowed for AP, PAP, or Dual Enrollment electives.
• SAT Prep Bonus Waiver: Students may request an additional waiver for the Advanced SAT Preparation course.
• The GPA Waiver replaces the numerical grade on the transcript with a “P.”
• The primary parent must submit the form electronically via Skyward by the deadline.

Deadline:
The GPA Waiver Form must be submitted by the Friday before Spring Break. The portal will close at the end of the school day, and late submissions will not be accepted.

For questions or assistance, please contact your child’s counselor.

Note: Paper copies will not be accepted.

GPA Parent Waiver Parent Instructions

GPA Waiver Request Guide

GPA Chart

Pearland DECA, a high school and college program for students interested in business, is in need of volunteer judges to help judge our district competition.

Each year, over 2,000 Houston-area high school students compete in 50+ business-related events, showcasing their knowledge and professionalism. Your feedback is vital in preparing these future business leaders for success.

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025
• Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
• Location: Fort Bend County Epicenter, 28505 Southwest Fwy, Rosenberg, TX 77471

No experience? No problem! Training will be provided via email and on-site. Judges receive a community service certificate, plus lunch and snacks.

Can’t attend in person? Help evaluate written reports online beforehand from the comfort of your home!

Sign up today and make a lasting impact on our students.

Volunteer Judge Sign-Up Form

Looking for something to read or listen to? Students can enjoy library eBooks and audiobooks 24/7, even when the library is closed. Whether you’re cozying up at home or traveling, your next great read is just a click away!

Check out the PHS Library Canvas Course for easy handouts to guide you through accessing our digital collection.

Sora

Sora is an eBook, audiobook, and digital magazine lending platform. Most books are available for checkout to one student at a time.

To access Sora, download the free Sora app to your device, or go to https://soraapp.com.

• School = Pearland Independent School District
• Library Card = 6-digit Student ID number
• Pin = pearlandisd

Comics Plus

Comics Plus offers access to comics and manga titles. Books are always available with no wait list or checkout limits.

To access Comics Plus, download the free Comics Plus app to your device, or go to https://pearlandhighschooltx.librarypass.com/

• School = Pearland High School TX
• Username = 6-digit student ID number
• Password = pearlandisd

Please see below for how to order and the year's pricing breakdown. As of the first week of January, we only have 500 yearbooks left for the year.

Yearbook Prices for the Year

Spring Semester and/or Sold Out - $100

The 2024-2025 Yearbooks and Student Recognition/Dedication Ads are on sale now at https://www.jostens.com/. Ads are due no later than May 8.

Student Recognition/Dedication Ad Prices for the Year:

Full Page - $400

Half Page - $200

Quarter Page - $110

Eighth Page - $65

Skyward Orders: To order your Yearbook through Skyward, click here.

Ship to Home: Shipping your yearbook straight to your home is still available. Due to shipping costs, it will now be available for $15.

Protection Plan: Josten's offers a Protection Plan for your yearbook for $8.99. "If your yearbook is lost, stolen or damaged during your lifetime, you can get a replacement for a reduced reprint charge." If you would like to take part in this offer, please visit Jostens.com to purchase your yearbook.

Donate A Yearbook: Josten’s offers parents and/or organizations to donate a yearbook to someone. Please type DONATE in the first and last name spaces then choose “other” for grade.

In accordance with Texas Education Code (TEC) §28.0256, all graduating seniors enrolled during the 2023-2024 school year are required to fulfill one of the following to meet graduation requirements:

• Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Complete and submit the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA)

Students who do not wish to complete a financial aid application may still graduate under the Foundation High School Program by submitting a completed FAFSA Opt-Out form (attached).

If you have questions or need assistance, please refer to the links below or contact your child’s counselor for support.

TEA Financial Aide Requirement Information: https://tea.texas.gov/academics/college-career-and-military-prep/financial-aid-requirement

FAFSA Website: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa