Dear Families,

Congrats to our Pershing athletes who started off the Spring Season with a bang. All four teams, girls and boys wrestling and girls and boys flag football started the season undefeated. Great job Panthers!

Also congratulations to our EGG Robotics team that was invited to showcase their robot at UCSD this weekend. They were able to see the Patrick Henry Patribots in action and cheer on Dailard's FLL teams that were competing in regionals. The future of robotic is bright in the Henry Cluster!

I also want to remind families that Spring Break is nearly here. It is normal for students to feel the sometimes contradictory emotions of being very worn down and ready for the break but also being very energized and excited about the break. Please remind students of the importance of staying on top of their school work and finishing off the week strong. The Pershing campus will be closed April 1-5. School will resume on Monday April 8.

And finally, sixth grade families, please be sure to review the sixth grade camp section of this newsletter as it contains important updates including the 6th grade camp packing list and information about 6th grade camp depature and return details.

Sincerely,

Melanie Kray

Would you like to see your art design on the Challenge Course Event T-shirts this year?

The Pershing Panther Challenge Course is coming soon! This will be an all-school fundraiser for the Pershing Foundation and fun field event held on Friday, May 24th. Event T-shirts will be earned by all students who raise at least $40 in donations. In keeping with a new tradition, the Pershing Foundation would like the featured artwork to be designed by one of our students!

Please submit your artwork to your first period teacher or via email to PershingFoundation@outlook.com by 8:00 AM on Monday, April 8th (the Monday we return from Spring Break).

To be considered, art must be:

• The student’s original artwork

• May be done on paper or computer graphically generated

• Include: Either the name "Pershing" and/or a depiction of the mascot (a panther)

• Be tasteful and respectful

Please email the Foundation with any questions: PershingFoundation@outlook.com

Winners will be chosen at the Foundation meeting on April 10th.

1st place winning design will go on the front of our 2024 Challenge Course T-shirts as well as next year’s Foundation Thank You cards

2nd place winning design will be our 2024 Challenge Course Water Bottle Stickers

SPRING BREAK IS APRIL 1-5

A reminder that the Pershng campus is closed and there is no school April 1-5 due to Spring Break. School resumes on Monday, April 8

PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEED TO HELP WITH 6TH GRADE CAMP DEPARTURE AND RETURN

6th grade families we need you. We are looking for a handful of 6th grade families who can help out with logistics like loading luggage, ensuring the verbal health check screening occurs, etc. If you are able to help please sign up to support departure or return or both.

Monday, April 8 Volunteers Needed

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080448AAAE2EAAFC1-48659553-6thgrade

Friday, April 12 Volunteers Needed

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080448AAAE2EAAFC1-48659487-friday

P3 HONOR ROLL AND PRINCIPAL'S HONOR ROLL CERTIFICATES

Students that earned Honor Roll (3.5-3.79 GPA) or Principal's Honor Roll based on their P3 grades will receive their certificates this week. Congrats to all our outstanding scholars.

HAVE YOU TAKEN THE CALIFORNIA HEALTHY KIDS SURVEY FOR PARENTS:

Families please take a moment to complete the parent survey for this year's California Healthy Kids Survey. The information you provide is critical and helps our site determine areas of need and how to allocate resources. Our goal is 80% parent participation:

CA Healthy Kids Survey Link for Parents: https://wested.ugam-apps.com/wested/ts/a6cr

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.

SPORTS PHOTOS FOR THE YEARBOOK

Yearbook needs your help. We are including the Pershing sports teams in the yearbook but we need pictures. If you happen to have any pictures that we can use, please sent them our way. We have plenty of track pictures. We are still in need of both girls and boys basketball as well as the new sports that are starting, soccer and volleyball. You can email your photos to sruckle@sandi.net. Any photos you have will be helpful. Thanks in advance for your help and support.

It was a busy and successful weekend for our Panther athletes!

Congratulations to the Boys' and Girls' Wrestling who opened the season on Saturday with shutout victories against the Lincoln Hornets. Nice work Panthers! There are still spaces available on the girls' team. See Mr. Bowman in Rm. 205 if you are interested.

Also congratulations to our Girls' Flag Football team. They start their season 2-0 after winning their first two games on Saturday. Our Boys' Flag Football team also starts the season undefeated with wins against Montgomery and DePortola. Way to go Panthers!

6TH GRADE CAMP IS NEARLY HERE. PLEASE VIEW SOME OF THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION BELOW

STUDENTS ATTENDING CAMP WEEK OF APRIL 8-12

Departure on April 8: Students should go to school at the regular time on Monday, April 8. Students will drop off their luggage in the designated luggage drop off area (west parking lot) before 8:00 AM and then head into campus and when the bell rings, go to their first period class. During first period, they will receive a few final instructions from staff and go through a verbal health check (i.e. no fever, illness, etc in the last 24 hours). Then students will walk with their teacher over to the auditorium so they can be organized to load on the busses. The buses typically departs around 9:00 AM. Families are welcome, but not expected, to be there for the send off.

Luggage: Students may bring one suitcase and one bed roll (sleeping bag/blanket, sheets, and pillow). No backpacks. Please make sure your child's suitcase and bed roll are labeled with the luggage tags they will be provided this week. The luggage tag should have your child's name and the school's name. Place your child's bed roll in a large trash bag to protect it from the elements. We recommend packing an extra trash bag for your student's return trip. We will have extra luggage tags available in case your child loses theirs.

Luggage will be dropped off in the west parking lot in front of the 100 building (signs will be posted). Family volunteers to help with luggage would be greatly appreciated. Please use the sign-up genius below if you are willing to be a departure/arrival day volunteer.

Medication: Students with prescription medication need to bring the medication to Nurse Kalish in the main office on Monday, April 8. Parents will also need to pick up their child's medication when students return on April 12. Nurse Kalish will have a table set up in the luggage pick up area where families can get the medication. Please DO NOT send any medications to camp in your child's suitcase.

Return on Friday, April 12: Students normally return from camp between 11:00-11:30 AM. We request that parents be there for the early return. Families wishing to sign students out when they return on Friday may take their student and their luggage as soon as both arrive. We expect the students will be very tired when they return. Students and luggage may be picked up in the 6th grade turnaround parking lot on Friday. Any student not picked up will keep their luggage with them in the auditorium.

Students who remain at school will be dismissed at the usual time of 2:50 PM and PrimeTime will be open until 6:00 PM.

STUDENTS STAYING ON CAMPUS APRIL 8-12

Student not going to camp the Week of April 8 will participate in Pershing's Camp on Campus Week. Students will report to school on Monday, April 8 at the normal time and when the bell rings they will go to their first period classes. All students will walk with their first period teacher to the auditorium. Once in the auditorium they will receive their student group and schedule for the week. Then a teacher will walk them to their first class for Camp on Campus. During the week, students will be rotating to different teachers so they can participate in a mix of fun activities and academics. Students should bring their backpacks and school materials every day that week.

PARENTS ARE YOU ABLE TO HELP WITH DEPARTURE AND RETURN LOGISTICS FOR CAMP?

Monday, April 8 Volunteers Needed

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080448AAAE2EAAFC1-48659553-6thgrade

Friday, April 12 Volunteers Needed

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080448AAAE2EAAFC1-48659487-friday

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to:

6th Grade Camp Coordinator | Erika Ohnesorgen | erikarenae28@gmail.com

We are fortunate to have a very active parent community and an engaged foundation that works tirelessly to ensure our school has the funds it needs to allow our students to have enriching academic experiences beyond the typical program.

Email: pershingfoundation@outlook.com

Website: https://pershingmiddleschoolfoundation.org/

Facebook: https://facebook.com/pershingpanthers

• Mar 1: P3 Grading Window Closes
• April 1-5: Spring Break
• April 8-12: Sixth Grade Camp (Group 1)
• April 19: P4 Grading Window Closes
• April 30: Spring Fest: Exhibition of Learning
• May 6-17: School-wide Testings CAASPP English & Math

Follow Pershing Middle on Instagram & Threads

@Pershing_sdusd

Interested in volunteering on campus?

Contact our Community Assistant Ms. Johana Moreno at jmorenoperez@sandi.net

Email: mkray@sandi.net
Website: https://pershing.sandiegounified.org/
Location: 8204 San Carlos Drive, San Diego, CA, USA
Phone: (619) 352-3550
Twitter: @melanie_kray