The Panther Pulse

Spring Break is one week away and we have a busy week ahead of us. Our sixth graders leave for Camp Cuyamaca on Monday. A big thank you to our 6th Camp Coordinator Mr. Carlos Ramon, the Pershing Foundation Board, and all of our parent volunteers who have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure everything is in place for our 6th graders to have a great experience!

On Wednesday, our 8th graders travel to Patrick Henry High School to participate in Patriot Day and see their future school. Our athletics also had another great weekend participating in the Middle School Athletics Soccer Championships. Please be sure to read all the details below. A reminder the campus will be closed for Spring Break March 27-31. We hope you have a wonderful week off with your loved ones.

Sincerely,
Melanie Kray

LAST CHANCE TO COMPLETE THE PARENT PORTION OF THE CALIFORNIA HEALTHY KIDS SURVEY

Please take a moment to click on the link to the 2023 California Healthy Kids Parent Flier & Survey Link. and complete the survey. On average, the survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. Your participation assists Pershing staff to guide our decision-making process in determining further student supports from year to year - we need the voices of as many families as possible in this process! We ask that all families complete the survey before the end of March.

ENGINEERING CLASS IN NEED OF PARENT VOLUNTEERS

Thank you to the families who have made donations to the Engineering Program. A Big shout-out to Shawna McCarthy at Pacific Building Group for the much needed wood donation!

Has anyone had a tree removed from their yard and looking for a place to get rid of the pieces? The Advanced Engineering Class is looking for tree trunk pieces to use as stools for an outdoor space! Please email Mrs. Maggio at mboeche@sandi.net with any information!

CAASPP STATE TESTING MAY 1-18.

Each year the State of California has all 6-8th graders take the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). These tests are used by the state to measure student progress in English and Math. This year students will be taking their English CAASPP in their English classes the Week of May 1st and then they will take their Math CAASPP in their Math classes the Week of May 8th. Eighth grade students are required to take one additional state test the California Science Test or CAST. Eighth graders will take the CAST in their science classes the Week of May 15th. We are required to have at least 95% of our students take these state exams so we wanted to make sure families have these dates early so vacations and medical appointments are not scheduled during these state-wide tests. As we get closer to the testing dates more detailed information will be provided to families.

A REMINDER: PERSHING HAS A NO LUNCH DROP OFF POLICY

To help ensure disruptions to the classroom are minimized and ensure our office staff is able to stay focused on their daily responsibilities Pershing has a no lunch drop off policy. Please know all students are able to receive a free breakfast and lunch every day at Pershing so if they forget their lunch they will not go hungry. We also ask that families not attempt to circumvent the no lunch drop off policy by setting up a separate meet up time with their child during the school day to give them the lunch through the fence. Our most important responsiblity is to keep your children safe and we thank you in advance for your support and understanding regarding this policy.

PERSHING FOUNDATION UPDATE - STAY CONNECTED

There a lots of a ways to stay involved and support Pershing Middle School starting with our fabulous Pershing Parent Foundation. Be sure to check out their website: https://pershingmiddleschoolfoundation.org/ and visit them on facebook @parentsofpershingpanthers. On their facebook page they have information on how to sign up for Amazon Smile so that a portion of your amazon purchases support our school.

PERSHING SCHOOL WEBSITE

https://pershing.sandiegounified.org/

Do you have suggestions for our school website? CLICK HERE to complete our website feedback survey.

ATTENTION ALL STUDENTS - T-SHIRT DESIGN OPPORTUNITY

The Pershing Panther Challenge Course is coming soon! This will be an all school fundraiser and fun field event held on Friday, May 19th. Event T shirts will be earned by all students who raise $25 in donations for the Pershing Foundation. This year the Pershing Foundation would like the t-shirt to be designed by one of our students.

Would you like to see your art design on event T shirts for the Challenge Course?

Please submit your artwork to your first period teacher or via email: Pershingmiddleschoolfoundation@gmail.com by April 7th (week after returning from Spring Break).

To be considered, art must be:

• The students' original artowrk

• May be done on paper, other art media or computer graphically generated

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

• Be tasteful and respectful

Please email the Foundation with any questions: Pershingmiddleschoolfoundation@gmail.com

Congratulations to our Boys Soccer Team on a great season and a tremendous effort against a tough Challenger team in the Eastern Division Championship game this Saturday. Despite being down five players our Panthers played with a lot of heart and kept the game competitive. The final score was 1-0.

And Congratulations to our Girls Soccer Team on bringing home the Eastern League Championship. Like our boy's basketball team, our Girls Soccer players have made history winning the first Eastern League Championship in San Diego Unified Middle School Athletics. The girls defeated DePortola 8-0 and Jasmine Singletary was named MVP of the Eastern League. Congrats to Jasmine and the rest of our Lady Panthers!

MIDDLE SCHOOL SPRING SPORTS UPDATE:

The sign up window for Boys and Girls Flag Football is closed. Tryouts for flag football will be held the March 20 - April 7.

COVID PRE-TEST REQUIRED TO ATTEND CAMP

A big thank you our 6th Grade Camp Coordinator, the Pershing Foundation, and all our parent volunteers for making our pre-test event on Sunday a big success. More than 200 students were tested this weekend. A reminder to the 15-20 families that were not able to attend the pre-camp testing event, you must provide proof of a negative COVID test in order to attend camp. The following tests are acceptible:

• PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival at camp (usually 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on a Monday)
• Rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours of arrival at camp (usually 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Monday)

Please do reach out to the Foundation's 6th Grade Camp Coordinator with any questions: Carlos Ramon 619-846-0110 carlos_ramon@hotmail.com

DROP OFF PLAN FOR MONDAY

Please take a moment to review the "6th grade camp letter" above. This is the same letter that came home with your children last week and that was emailed to you. Students should come to school on time on Monday, March 20 at 8:00 AM. If the weather is good (i.e. not raining) students will drop their luggage off in the west parking lot in front of the 100 building (signs will be posted). If the weather is not good (i.e. raining) luggage will be brought up the service ramp in front of the main office and stored under the overhang by the auditorium. Let's home for some good weather Monday morning!

Informational Items

Cuyamaca Outdoor School FAQ

Student Packing List | Qué Llevar a la Escuela al Aire Libre

For students needing medications administered at camp: Medical Authorization Form

Para estudiantes que necesitan medicamentos administrados en el campamento: Formulario de Autorización Médica

Souvenir T-shirts & Hats Order Form - Help support Cuyamaca Outdoor School and get a fun memory for your student

Address to send postcards/letters while students are at camp:

Cuyamaca Outdoor School

Attn: student name

12561 Hwy. 79

Descanso, CA 91916

Please address any questions to the Foundation’s 6th Grade Camp Coordinator

Carlos Ramon

619-846-0110

carlos_ramon@hotmail.com

SPANISH TUTORING AVAILABLE

Does your child need help with Spanish? Mr. Barry is offering tutoring support on Tuesdays in Rm. 104 afterschool.

8TH GRADE HENRY HIGH SLIM PARENT NIGHT

If you were not able to attend the meeting CLICK HERE to see the slide deck the Henry team presented.

COVID-19 cases are on the rise in our area, with San Diego County recently entering the Medium COVID-19 Community Level. Other illnesses such as the influenza virus (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and the common cold also remain highly prevalent and easily transmissible. Practicing good health hygiene habits – washing hands, staying home when sick, and considering wearing a mask indoors and in crowded areas – can help prevent the spread of illness and is especially important during this time when many will be traveling or gathering with family and friends.

The district is providing all students and staff with at-home COVID-19 test kits to help our school communities have greater peace of mind about returning to school safely on Tuesday, Jan. 3 after the winter break.

The California Department of Public Health now recommends self testing for COVID-19 the day before coming back to school and two or three days after returning. We encourage students and staff to test on Monday, Jan. 2 and again on either Wednesday, Jan 4 or Thursday, Jan 5.

Testing before returning to school is recommended but not required. Additional test kits for students and staff are available at the Ed Center COVID-19 testing facility. If you test positive for COVID-19, please do not attend school and report your illness here.

Please do not send your child to school if they are feeling sick or experiencing symptoms of any cold-like virus, until those symptoms start to improve and there is no fever for 24 hours (without use of fever-reducing medication). Keeping your sick child home will be a great benefit for the health and wellness of our students and staff.

What Symptoms to Look For

• The flu and COVID-19 are both spread from person-to-person, especially indoors and in crowded places. Symptoms for both viruses can include nasal congestion, fever, headache, and muscle and joint pain, as well as a sore throat and coughing.
• RSV is a respiratory virus that has been detected in previous cold and flu seasons. Symptoms of RSV include cough, runny nose, and fever. Treatment consists of managing symptoms.

Tips to Avoid Getting Sick [English | Español)
Public health officials offer these tips to prevent getting sick:

• Consider wearing a well-fitting, good-quality mask, especially indoors or in crowded spaces
• Wash hands thoroughly and often
• Use hand sanitizers, if unable to wash hands
• Stay away from sick people
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Clean commonly touched surfaces and/or wash/sanitize your hands after using them.
• Stay up to date on COVID-19 and flu vaccines

Mar 15: Coffee with the Principal @8:30 AM via zoom

Mar 20-24: 6th Grade Camp

Mar 27-31: Spring Break (NO SCHOOL)

Apr 19, 20, 21: Seussical School Play @6:00 PM

May 1-18: CAASPP School-wide testing

May 19: Pershing Foundation Challenge Course

Jun 8: 8th Grade Evening Awards Assembly

Jun 9: 8th Grade Dance

Jun 12: 8th Grade Promotion Practice

June 13: 8th Grade Promotion Practice & Dave & Buster's Trip

Jun 14: 8th Grade Promotion