The Cougar Chronicles
September 21, 2024
Parent University
“We are excited to invite you to our first Parent University session of the 2024-2025 school year, "ADHD, My Superpower!", on September 30th, from 5:00-6:00 p.m. at Timber Creek Elementary.
In this session, we will explore what ADHD is, focus on its positive aspects, and show how it can truly be a superpower! We'll delve into the biological basis of ADHD and discuss its influence on emotional regulation, executive functioning, and social interactions. Additionally, we'll share practical strategies for supporting students with ADHD at home and in school.
Upcoming Parent University Sessions:
- Empowering Digital Citizenship: Ethical and Responsible Use of Generative AI – October 15th
- Pre-K Parent Engagement: The PK Experience – November 5th
For a full calendar of Parent University sessions, please visit the Tomball ISD Parent University webpage.”
Student of the Week
Congratulations to these students who are recognized as our students' of the week:
Kylie Uriostegui (Winner of a Marcos Pizza)
Emily Patton
Jordyn Pierce
Jacey Schriewer
Nanci Vu
Ana Ramirez Padilla
Harper Edelman
Abigail Tadlock
Christian Williams
Hailey Ramos
From our Counselors
“We are excited to invite you to our first Parent University session of the 2024-2025 school year, "ADHD, My Superpower!", on September 30th, from 5:00-6:00 p.m. at Timber Creek Elementary.
In this session, we will explore what ADHD is, focus on its positive aspects, and show how it can truly be a superpower! We'll delve into the biological basis of ADHD and discuss its influence on emotional regulation, executive functioning, and social interactions. Additionally, we'll share practical strategies for supporting students with ADHD at home and in school.
Upcoming Parent University Sessions:
Empowering Digital Citizenship: Ethical and Responsible Use of Generative AI – October 15th
Pre-K Parent Engagement: The PK Experience – November 5th
For a full calendar of Parent University sessions, please visit the Tomball ISD Parent University webpage.”
Hi Cougars!
First - a big thank you to everyone who has signed up to support the ongoing PTO events and activities. Your help is what makes fundraising possible. And those funds enable us to help make TJHS the amazing school it is for our students, teachers, and community. We've had a really great response to the recent requests for help with the Snack Shack and Tortilla Challenge and are incredibly grateful for that!
Here's what's happening this week:
For those of you who ordered yard signs, they are here! Two upcoming pickup opportunities are below:
• Monday September 23 after the Football game from 3:30 to 4:30 pm
• Thursday September 26 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm
You can pick up your sign under the awning outside the cafeteria closest to the football field.
The Teacher Tortilla Challenge is on September 25 at the Pep Rally. Voting is underway to see who will go head-to-head in what is sure to be a fun event for the students! In addition to voting during lunches through September 24, here is a link to the online voting form: https://tomballjrhpto.membershiptoolkit.com/form/m/307669.
And finally, mark your calendars for what's coming up:
- September 25: Snack Shack is open!
- September 25: Spirit Night at the Deck Prairie Sonic 5:00-8:00 pm
- September 26: HTeaO Spirit Night from 4:00 pm-close
- October 17: Next PTO meeting at 1:00 pm in the TJHS library
--
Chris Doherty
PTO Vice President
ONE TEAM, ONE GOAL 2024-2025
Spirit Night at Sonic
September 25th
Spirit Night at HTeaO
September 26th
Snack Shack
September 25th
Student Spectators at the TJH Sporting Events
If you drop off your TJH student at a sporting event to be a spectator, they are expected to have appropriate behavior. There will be an announcement made 30 minutes before the event is to end. Any TJH student spectator who is still at the event after 30 minutes could lose the privilege of attending another event.
Homecoming Parade Information
Homecoming Day Parade is next Wednesday, September 25th at 6:00pm
Please make sure that you have signed the attached permission slip for your student to attend and represent TJHS STUCO!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-iXJExf7HRRs9ok8JYqtA7kfxeRlcHoP9rnCp3X5WBk/edit?usp=sharing
Assessment Information
TJHS will participate in NAEP Testing this year on October 17th. NAEP is a national assessment that monitors what U.S. students know and can do in key subject areas at the middle school level.
This assessment will not affect your child’s scores, grades, future college acceptance, etc. The information collected is used for statistical purposes only. The assessment will take place during the school day and take approximately 90 minutes to complete for most students. Not every student will participate, NAEP has randomly chosen 50 students to take this assessment. If your child has been chosen to participate in NAEP, you will be notified by a letter that will be sent home.
October 9th- 8th graders ONLY will be taking the PSAT (Practice SAT). This will take place during the school day. Parents do not have to pay for their child to take the PSAT in 8th grade. The PSAT will give 8th graders experience for what the SAT is like.
Student Council
Student Council Members are invited to a Junior High Home Football game on October 15, 2024. Water will be provided and be sure to bring money for snacks at the concessions. If your student wears the club red shirt they will get in for free. Students will be sitting together cheering the team on as they play.
Drop off is at 3:45 and pick up is at 7:00 located at the TJHS football field by the cafeteria/bus entrance. If your child wants to stay longer you will need to stay at the game with your child.
All members planning to attend need to return the signed permission form before attending the game. Extra forms can be found in room 202.
Volleyball Super Servers
Super Servers of the week:
8th Grade; Mallory Wright and Victoria Shotwell (2nd week in a row).
7th Grade; Stevie Chase and Taylor Murray (2nd week in a row)
B-Team Tournament Recap:
7th Grade went 2-2
8th Grade went 2-2
Both 7th grade and 8th grade B teams had a competitive tournament this past weekend in the Klein/ Tomball/ Waller ISD tournament. Both teams improved and were able to showcase their resilience and teamwork, making it an exciting tournament. Both teams finished with a record of 2 wins and 2 losses. Way to go girls!
Cougars vs. Magnolia Game Re-Cap;
Tomball Volleyball took on Magnolia at the Mustang house on Thursday evening.
8th grade played some great volleyball but couldn't stop the mustangs from victory.
7th Grade fought for each point and pushed games into overtime! In set 3, both A and B teams came out with a win!
Players of the game;
7th Grade: Harper Petry and Mia Lewis
8th Grade: Sophia Hurd, Emily Patton, Kohen Gonzales and Ashlynn Gafford.
Great job to our lady cougars for always making TJH proud with their effort and attitude.
Next week the Volleyball team return back to the Cougar den hosting another HOME GAME Thursday night! Come on our to support your lady cougar volleyball team.
Go Coogs!!!
Band Information
9/27, 8th grade TJHS band students will participate with the high school marching band at the high school football game. Wish us luck! Go COOGS!!
From our Librarian
Other Future Dates to Remember
TJH Spanish Spelling Bee October 2nd
October 10th, 11th, and 14th NO SCHOOL for students
TJH Spelling Bee October 23rd
October 29th - Student Picture Re-takes
May 21st - 8th Grade Step-up Ceremony @ THS
Ainsley’s Angels is a non-profit organization honoring a sweet angel girl that completed her earthly race in 2016. They advocate for individuals with disabilities in the Greater Houston area and on Saturday, October 5th are hosting the annual Twilight 5k run and celebration of inclusion at the Tomball ISD Event Center/Stadium.
Our TJH Cheerleaders are cheering the athletes along! You can come support Ainsley’s Angels by registering to run or walk!
Come join the fun!
Sign up link
https://runsignup.com/Race/TX/Tomball/AinsleysAngelsTwilight5K
NJHS Information
Homecoming Day Parade is next Wednesday, September 25th at 6:00pm Please make sure that you have signed the attached permission slip for your student to attend and represent TJHS NJHS! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-iXJExf7HRRs9ok8JYqtA7kfxeRlcHoP9rnCp3X5WBk/edit?usp=sharing
TJH Spanish Spelling Bee
October 2, 2024
TJH Spelling Bee
October 23, 2024
Student Drop-Off and Pick-Up
Please make sure that you have your student here on time each day. Here the student drop-off/pick-up area. Please do not drop off or pick up your student in the staff parking lot, this is a safety concern. The two lanes merge, so please be courteous of cars merging. Your patience is appreciated.
Bus Transportation Info
Bus schedules will be available on August 2, 2024 on Smart Tag Admin and Parent App.
If no bus information is available in Smart Tag Portal, refer to infofinderi via http://www.infofinderi.com/ifi/?cid=TI05693839218
Wear ID tags on Lanyard around neck while loading and unloading.
Do you want to sponsor TJH?
Are you interested in becoming a sponsor for Tomball Junior High? Find out here! https://tomballjrhpto.membershiptoolkit.com/form/m/296318
What's going on at Tomball High School?
Delivery Policy
According to the Student Handbook: Deliveries of personal nature (such as flowers, balloons, gifts, cards, etc. for birthdays, homecoming, Valentines Day etc.) will not be permitted. Food may be brought for your student only (not a group of students) and only by a students parent or grandparent and if the parent is not having lunch with the student, must be left at the front table. The receptionist will not send for the students nor monitor who takes the lunch. Doordash, uber eats, etc. deliveries will be turned away at the door.
Dress Code
Please make sure that your student is following the TJHS dress code. It will be strictly enforced.
Highlights of the Dress Code that all students should be aware of include but are not limited to:
- All students must wear clothing that adequately covers the body. Shorts and/or skirts must reach the mid-thigh. Spaghetti straps, strapless, backless, see-through and low-cut tops are not allowed. Tops must cover the midriff.
- Students are not allowed to wear hats, bandanas, or other head coverings. Please leave your hats at home.
- No Pajamas. No slippers.
- Hair should be clean and neatly groomed. It should not cover the eyes or be colored (including partial coloring or tips) or styled in any way that is distracting to the learning environment (i.e. unnatural hair colors, such as but not limited to, pink, purple, blue, green including highlights and tips).
If it is determined that a student’s grooming or clothing violates the school’s dress code, the student will be given an opportunity to correct the problem at school and return to the classroom. If the problem cannot be corrected at school, the student may be assigned to in-school suspension for the remainder of the day, until the problem is corrected, or until a parent or designee brings an acceptable change of clothing to the school. A student who wears a hat or unacceptable jewelry will be asked to correct this violation of the dress code. A student who continues to violate this part of the dress code will surrender the item to an administrator. These items may be kept by the administrator for a period of time to be determined by the administrator, including until the end of day or the end of the year or until the parent comes to the school to retrieve the item.
VAPING Law
Texas House Bill 114 was passed by the Texas legislature last spring and requires school to place students in the District Alternative Education Program (DAEP) any student who is in possession of, uses, sells, gives, or delivers an e-cigarette (or vape) on school grounds or at any school related event. What this means for your student is that if your student has an e-cigarette (even if nothing is in it) on school grounds or at a school related event, he or she will be recommended for a DAEP placement of at least 10 days. Your student is responsible for any item in his or her possession, even if it does not belong to your student. **To note, this means just the device alone will result in DAEP; it does not have to contain any nicotine or THC at all. Please talk to your student about not "holding" anything for anyone, and to guard their backpacks/lunch boxes/possessions at all times. Lockers in pe/athletics must be locked at all times.
**Please see the district letter below for full information**
New Law: Mandatory DAEP Placement for E-Cigarette Violations
Cell Phone Usage
Students are allowed to bring their cell phone to campus. However, students are only permitted to use their phones/earbuds/electronic devices before school, during lunch, and after school. This includes the use of apple watches for any non-watch function.
TJH is a 1:1 campus and any activity that requires a device in class, teachers will rely on our district technology to support learning in the classroom.
If a student has his/her device out during a time that is not permitted, the device can be taken to the office by any staff member at TJH.
1st Offense: Student can pick up after school
2nd Offense: Parent must sign for the phone and can pick it up
3rd Offense: $15.00 fine and parent must pick up and sign for the phone
A $15.00 fine and parent pick up each time after 3rd offense
I.D. Badge Required
For safety reasons, students are required to wear an I.D. badge around the neck daily and at all times. Please remind your student/students about this district requirement. The replacement cost for replacing an I.D. badge are:
$3.00 for the I.D.
$1.00 for the lanyard
$1.00 for the plastic sleeve
Those students who do not have an I.D. will be sent to the office
TJHS Staff Contact and Social Media Links
Tomball Junior High School
Your 2024-2025 TJHS Administration and Counseling Staff
Charlie Gerszewski - Principal
Diana Herbst - Assistant Principal - 7th Grade
Dr. Clint Vick - Assistant Principal - 8th Grade
Tony Scherrman - Counselor - 7th Grade
Latasha Thompson - Counselor - 8th Grade
Email: charlesgerszewski@tomballisd.net
Website: www.tjhs.tomballisd.net
Location: 30403 Quinn Rd. Tomball, TX 77375
Phone: 281-357-3000