Community Newsletter 1/12 - 1/16

As we dive into the semester, I want to take a moment to encourage all of us to focus on effort, persistence, and learning from challenges, rather than just outcomes. This week I had a great conversation with one of our teacher's whose department took a few minutes to develop a growth mindset in students, where challenges are seen as opportunities for growth and persistence leads to success. Research by Stanford University's Carol Dweck and Allie Crum demonstrates how our beliefs and expectations can significantly influence our outcomes—not just academically, but in all aspects of life. Their work highlights that when students are encouraged to focus on effort and resilience rather than solely outcomes, they develop the skills needed to navigate difficulties and thrive in various contexts.

The Mind & Body Lab at Stanford explores how our thoughts and beliefs directly impact health and performance. In a fascinating study, hotel housekeepers who were informed that their daily tasks counted as good exercise experienced measurable health improvements, such as weight loss and lower blood pressure. Similarly, when participants were told a milkshake was "high-calorie," their bodies responded physiologically as if they consumed more, even though the actual content was identical to a "low-calorie" shake. These findings underscore how belief systems can shape not only our perceptions but also our physical realities.

This applies to education and parenting as well. By developing positive mindsets in children—such as viewing stress as a growth opportunity rather than an obstacle—we can help them build resilience and achieve better outcomes. Research shows that those who adopt such empowering beliefs experience less stress-related tension, improved sleep, and even a higher quality of life. Encouraging your student to approach schoolwork with effort, persistence, and a belief in their potential can set the foundation for lifelong success.

I am excited to share a link to the "Positivity Around Pearland" Questionnaire created by our Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) committee. The PBIS team works to develop systems that encourage and inspire positive behaviors across our school, both in the hallways and classrooms.

We’d love to hear from you! Please take a few moments to share positive experiences that you’ve seen or heard about at PHS. Whether it’s a teacher going the extra mile, students showing kindness to one another, or a moment of pride during an event, your comments can help us recognize and celebrate the good happening at our school.

Your feedback may be shared anonymously during faculty meetings, weekly OilerVision videos played for students, or displayed on TV screens across campus to inspire and uplift our community.

Simply follow this link to contribute to share some positivity.

I'm thrilled to let you know that starting this week, we will return to our regular bell schedule, which includes Oiler Time. Oiler Time is a dedicated period designed to provide students with additional support to enhance their learning.

To make the most of this time, we encourage you to assist your student in logging into the RtI Scheduler, accessible through Clever, to select a location for each day this week. Students who do not make a selection will be assigned by a teacher who wishes to work with them. If neither occurs, your student will be assigned to one of their teachers at random.

Getting an early start with attending and signing up for Oiler Time is an excellent way for students to stay ahead and manage their workload effectively this semester. Your support in guiding them through this process is greatly appreciated.

This week, Pearland High School will conduct two important safety drills to ensure our students and staff are prepared for potential emergencies. Please review the details below:

Lockdown Drill – Tuesday, January 14, 2025

We will hold a lockdown drill during the transition time between 3rd Period and Oiler Time. This drill is a critical component of our safety procedures, and we want to inform you in advance to allow time for you to discuss it with your child. We recognize that lockdown drills can be stressful for some students, which is why we communicate these drills ahead of time. .

Shelter (Weather) Drill and Fire Drill – Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Both the shelter and fire drills will take place during Oiler Time on Wednesday. These drills are designed to prepare students and staff to respond effectively in the event of severe weather or a fire emergency. Teachers and staff will guide students through each drill to ensure they understand the procedures.

This Wednesday, January 15, is Picture Retake and Make-Up Day for all 9th-11th grade students. If your student missed picture day earlier in the year or would like a retake, this is their opportunity to ensure their photo is included in the yearbook and updated in our records.

Students should ask their social studies teacher for a pass to go to Room 1503 during their social studies class to take or retake their picture. Please remind your student to take advantage of this opportunity if needed.

We are incredibly proud to recognize Cecilia Castaneda-Sanchez, a senior at PHS, for her remarkable achievement in being awarded the prestigious Posse Foundation Scholarship! Cecilia has earned a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to Texas A&M University, an accomplishment that reflects her dedication, perseverance, and exceptional talent.

This year, over 1,100 students applied for this highly competitive scholarship, with only 62 scholarships awarded. Cecilia’s selection highlights her extraordinary achievements and the bright future ahead of her.

On Friday, Lady Oilers Basketball took on South Houston and secured a 67-37 victory. The Oilers have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won 17 games by 20 points or more this season.

Congratulations to the PHS boys basketball team on their impressive 66-53 victory over South Houston on Friday night! The Oilers went into halftime with a 5-point lead and maintained their momentum throughout the second half, dominating the game to secure a decisive win on the road.

Join us for Marco’s Pizza Spirit Night on Friday, January 17th, 2025, and support the Pearland High School PTA! A percentage of the proceeds from all orders placed on this day will be donated to our school.

Here’s how you can participate:

• Visit one of the two participating Marco’s Pizza locations:
  7902 W Broadway St or 1510 E Broadway St.
• Mention or show the flyer when placing your order.
• For online orders, enter the code PHS at checkout to ensure your order counts toward the fundraiser (note: the code is case-sensitive).

This fundraiser runs all day, so whether you’re grabbing lunch or dinner, you can support our school while enjoying some delicious pizza!

Thank you for your support in helping make this Spirit Night a success! Every order makes a difference for our PTA and our students.

Parents, please take a moment to review your student’s report card and verify that a final exam grade has been entered for each course. If you have any questions or concerns regarding final exams or make-ups, we encourage you to reach out to your student’s classroom teacher or counselor as soon as possible.

For questions specifically about exemptions, please contact Ms. Sebok at sebokn@pearlandisd.org.

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