Panda News
December 6, 2021
Connect with Us!
Email: sshetzer@houstonisd.org
Website: https://www.houstonisd.org/pershing
Location: 3838 Blue Bonnet Boulevard, Houston, TX, USA
Phone: (713) 295-5240
Twitter: @PershingPandas
Welcome to Pershing!
I hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend.
We have a busy next couple of weeks as we head into Winter Break. Students will be taking District Level Assessments the week of December 6th and December 13th. The District Level Assessments cover the material taught from the beginning of year to now. Teachers are able to tell students what content will be covered on the test; however, they have not seen the test themselves so they cannot create an exact review sheet. The DLA will count as a test grade for students. Science (8th grade only) and English Language Arts (Grades 6-8) will test on December 9 & 10, while Math (Grades 6-8) and Social Studies (8th grade only) will test on December 14 & 15.
Today is picture make-up day. Students who need retakes and/or need to take a pictures because they were absent, have been provided passes and will report to the auditorium this morning.
We also have several Fine Arts performances the next two weeks. Please be sure to check out the calendar below for dates and times.
Have a great week Pandas!
Steven Shetzer, Principal
Week @ A Glance
December 6
- School Picture Make-up Day (see email from Ms. Van den Bossche)
December 8
- Band Concert @ 6:00 p.m.
- JJP Swim Meet v. West Briar @JJP (4 p.m.)
December 9
- District Level Assessments: Science & English Language Arts
- Band Concert @ 6:00 p.m.
December 10
- District Level Assessments: Science & English Language Arts
- Progress Report #3 cut-off
December 14
- District Level Assessments: Math & Social Studies
- Gymnastics Holiday Performance @ 6:00 p.m.
- PTO Meeting @ 6:30 (Cafeteria)
December 15
- District Level Assessments: Math & Social Studies
- JJP Swim v. Lanier (@ JJP)
- Guitar Concert @ 6:00 p.m.
December 16
- Orchestra Concert @ 6:00 p.m.
- Girls Basketball @ Lanier @ 6:00 p.m./7:00 p.m.
- Boys Basketball @ Pershing @ 6:00 p.m./7:00 p.m.
Say Something
Pershing is once again encouraging the use of the “Say Something Anonymous Reporting System” (SS-ARS). This program teaches students, teachers, and administrators how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, of individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and Say Something to a trusted adult OR use its anonymous reporting system. Specifically, the program educates participants to:
- Recognize the signs and signals of at-risk behaviors – especially within social media
- Take every sign and signal seriously; act quickly to get help by talking to a trusted adult OR
- Report it anonymously through SS-ARS 24/7 Crisis Center, mobile app, or website
- Respond to and manage the submitted tip via a multi-disciplinary educator and administrator teams
- Sustain the curriculum and awareness via student clubs, in-school activities and call-to-action weeks
Our students often are aware of the problems their peers are facing, so we must empower them to know the danger signs and give them the tools to help each other with the assistance of trained and caring adults. As you know, most conversations are taking place on social media, therefore it is critical that we teach our students to be looking out for one another as these digital conversations are taking place. SS-ARS teaches them what to look for in text, video and photos while empowering them to act quickly to help a fellow student.
The SS-ARS program is being provided through Sandy Hook Promise (SHP), a nation-wide non-profit organization. SHP’s programs are in 50 states – with 7,000+ schools and over 3.5 million students and adults trained. They have a track record, reputation, and knowledge of how to work effectively with kids, parents, and teachers to improve school safety and culture. The program is age-appropriate and research-based. They also have funding to provide and sustain the program at NO COST to the district. To date, SS-ARS and other SHP prevention programs have helped stop multiple school shootings, suicides, and gun threats; reduced bullying and cyberbullying; intervened upon cutting, drug use, racial conflicts, and other violent and victimization acts. We know this program will do the same for our district.
Students will be trained on using the SS-ARS program this week during the Homeroom Wellness Wednesday session. The link to the SS-ARS program is on our webpage under Pershing MS Quick Links.
Student Dress Code Change
- Jeans must be blue or black (no other colors allowed)
- Jeans must sit at the waist and not sag. Students should wear a belt if their jeans are too big.
- Jeans must be free of holes and rips that show skin. Jeans with patches are ok.
Please remind your student that the final decision about jeans rests on whether they follow the rules or not.
Also, we need your help. Students are not allowed to wear joggers, stretch pants, pajama bottoms, or sweatpants to school. Please remind your student of this rule.
And as always, grade level shirts and sweatshirts are required.
PTO Meeting
Get Your Yearbook!
Need Assistance?
- Where can I find contact information for my child's teacher? Our website directory is an excellent place to find our faculty and staff email addresses.
- How can I monitor my child's grades? HISD Connect Parent Portal is the spot! Click here for information on setting up an HISD Connect Parent Portal account.
- I have a question, but I'm not sure who to reach out to for an answer. If you have a question, you can reach out to your child's Homeroom teacher, Counselor, or Assistant Principal for assistance.
- I need to schedule a meeting with a teacher, what do I do? Please email the teacher(s) you wish to meet with and allow them 24 hours to respond. Teachers are provided with a planning period each day, so they will send you those times to schedule a meeting. You can also call the main office at 713-295-5240 and leave a message for the teacher.
- I feel disconnected now that my child is in middle school. How can I get involved? This is easy. Join the PTO and attend the regularly scheduled meetings. We also recommend you attend the sporting events, fine arts performances, and PTO events throughout the year.
Student Information Verification
Contact Information
Steven Shetzer, Principal
Carrie Curtis, 6th Grade Assistant Principal
Maria Jackson, 6th/7th Grade Assistant Principal
Tyesha Beller, 7th Grade Assistant Principal
Alberto Fernandez, 8th Grade Assistant Principal
Amy Ford, 8th Grade Assistant Principal
Grisury Candelaria, Magnet Coordinator
Campus Support Team
Sherman Parker, 6th Grade Counselor
Enitsha Allen-Cooper, 7th Grade Counselor
Sara Graur, 8th Grade Counselor
Alesha Rushing, Wraparound Specialist
Jolynn Vallejo, CIS Social Worker