Community Newsletter 12/9 - 12/13

As we approach the final stretch of the semester, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support and partnership. Our students have accomplished so much, and now we’re gearing up to finish strong! This week is especially important for our students as it’s their last opportunity before semester exams begin. Being present in class each day is critical to ensure they have the support they need to review key concepts, participate in final lessons, and feel confident going into exams.

I also want to remind everyone that the Exemption Portal opens this week. To guarantee your student’s eligibility, please take a moment to clear any outstanding fines and fees as soon as possible. Exemptions are a wonderful way to reward our students for their hard work and dedication, and we want to make sure everyone has the chance to qualify.

It might be hard to imagine but it's time to prepare for graduation! Balfour will be on campus to assist with ordering official Pearland High School graduation supplies. This includes graduation announcement cards, senior rings, and caps and gowns.

Dates and Location:

• Monday, December 9th - Wednesday, December 11th
• Location: Pearland High School (front entrance area)

Important Details:

• A $50.00 deposit is required for graduation supplies.
• Add your 2025 class ring for an additional $50.00 deposit!
• Order forms can be found in the graduation packet provided to seniors.

Balfour representatives will be available to help with any questions or customizations for your orders. For more details or to explore ordering options online, visit www.balfourgrad.com or scan the QR code in the attached flyer.

Don’t miss this opportunity to ensure your senior is ready to celebrate their graduation in style!

Pearland High School students have the opportunity to qualify for semester exam exemptions by meeting the following criteria. Please review this policy carefully to ensure eligibility. The exemption portal can be accessed at this link on December 12th.

General Exemption Criteria

Students must meet all the following requirements:

• Number of Exemptions Allowed by Grade Level:
  • 12th Grade: 4 exemptions
  • 11th Grade: 2 exemptions
  • 10th Grade: 2 exemptions
  • 9th Grade: No exemptions
• No more than 5 excused or unexcused absences (school-approved activities do not impact exemptions).
• No assignments to ISS, OSS, or ALA during the semester.
• No unserved disciplinary consequences.
• All fines and fees must be cleared.

• Regular and PAP Classes:
• Semester average of 80 or above.
• AP Classes:
• Option 1: Semester average of 90 or above.
• Option 2: (For one-semester AP courses): Semester average of 70 or above, with pre-registration, payment, and agreement to take the AP exam in May.

Additional Information

• STAAR-tested Classes: Students may not exempt STAAR-tested courses in the fall semester.
• Bonus Exemption: Perfect attendance in 3rd period earns one additional exemption.

Key Dates

• Exemption Portal Opens: Thursday, December 12th, at 7:00 AM
• Exemption Portal Closes: Monday, December 16th, at 3:00 PM
• Exempt Student Lists Provided to Teachers: Monday, December 16th

This is an excellent opportunity for students to reward their hard work and dedication throughout the semester. Parents, please encourage your students to review their eligibility and submit their exemptions through the portal before the deadline. Students who do not meet the requirements or do not submit their selections on time will be required to take all exams.

PTA will be providing a Holiday Soup Bar to show appreciation to our teachers and staff on Tuesday, December 17th. PTA is asking for donations to help provide a hearty lunch for this day. You can sign up at this link https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094EA8AF28A3FFCF8-52884654-phsholiday

Please refer to Sign Up Genius link for more information. Items can be dropped off Tuesday, December 17th by 10am (9am if need to be warmed).

This week, students have another opportunity to showcase their hard work through STAAR retesting. Your encouragement can make a big difference in their confidence and performance.

How to Help Your Student:

• Offer a pep talk to boost their morale.
• Ensure they get a good night’s sleep for better focus.
• Provide a healthy breakfast to start the day strong.

Testing Schedule:

• Monday, December 9th: English 2 and Biology (make-up for missed Friday tests)
• Tuesday, December 10th: Make-up testing for any absentees

Thank you for supporting our students as they work toward academic success!

Thespians Shine with A Christmas Carol Performance

Congratulations to our talented Varsity Theatre team on their wonderful production of A Christmas Carol last Wednesday evening! Their hard work and dedication brought this holiday classic to life and showcased the incredible talent of our PHS Thespians.

We are so proud of their accomplishments both on and off the stage, including their recent success at the Texas ThesFest, where several team members qualified for nationals. Keep up the amazing work!

Boys Basketball – A Strong Start to the Season
The Boys Basketball team had an impressive performance in the St. John’s Basketball Tournament, going 2-1 with a tough overtime loss to a highly-ranked St. John’s team. Devan Brown was named to the All-Tournament Team after a standout 34-point, 9-rebound game.

They followed up with a clean sweep over Alvin High School, with all levels earning victories. The Varsity Boys leaned on their outstanding defense to secure a 41-26 win. Catch your Oilers in action at home next Tuesday against Manvel. Go Oilers!

Girls Basketball – Record-Breaking Achievements
Congratulations to all three Girls Basketball teams on their victories over Alvin High School! Way to go, Lady Oilers!

Thank you for supporting our students as they continue to excel on and off the court!

We’re continuing the holiday cheer at PHS with fun-filled themed dress-up days leading up to the break! Students are invited to participate and show off their holiday spirit. Please note that all outfits must remain school-appropriate.

Here’s the lineup for this week:

• Monday, December 9th: Santa & His Elves – Seniors and juniors dress as Santa, sophomores and freshmen as elves!
• Tuesday, December 10th: Mistle’toes – Show off your holiday spirit with festive Christmas socks!
• Wednesday, December 11th: Do You Want to Build a Snowman? – Dress like a snowman or wear blue and white.
• Thursday, December 12th: Holiday Movie Magic – Dress as your favorite holiday movie character (Grinch, Elf, etc.).
• Friday, December 13th: Cozy Up for the Holidays – Wear your holiday pajamas.

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

There are only a few weeks left to get your 2024-2025 yearbook at the current price.

Please see below for how to order and the year's pricing breakdown. Please note that we will receive the books in late July/early Aug. to allow us to place the entire year, including graduation and baseball/softball state runs, in the yearbook.

The 2024-2025 Yearbooks and Student Recognition/Dedication Ads are on sale now at https://www.jostens.com/.

Yearbook Prices for the Year

October 1 - December 31 - $95

Spring Semester and/or Sold Out - $100

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.