Turner- Back to School

Hello Railcats,

As promised, here is the next installment of the Railcat newsletter. The information below contains what was originally shared in the last newsletter sent on July 18th, as well as additional information to prepare you for a successful 1st day of school.

Classes begin next Monday, 8/12/24 at 7:15 am and I can't wait to see you then.

Sincerely,

Kai Bouchard

Student schedules will be available to be viewed in Skyward on Friday, August 9th and can be accessed either through the Student Portal or the Family Access Portal. The counselors are currently balancing a few classes so minor adjustments may still be made before the first day of school. Students will be a given a copy of their official schedule on the first day. When the students report to school on August 12th they will be issued a hard copy of their schedule in their advisory class period.

Students, once you have reviewed your schedule, you can click here to contact your counselor should you have any questions or concerns.

Students who were not able to attend our Railcat Depot last Thursday will be issued an official School ID during their first period class on the 1st day of school. They will be expected to always wear their ID while on campus. Students who lose or misplace their ID throughout the course of the year must purchase a replacement for $5 in the AP’s office.

Students interested in driving to school must park in the student parking lot and purchase a THS Parking permit. The THS Parking Permit Application can be completed and purchased here. We will begin distributing the passes during the first week of school. Students that will be taking courses at PHS and DHS will not need to pay for two passes. Simply show your receipt at DHS or PHS to obtain their campus parking passes.

Those students who have already registered for Bus Transportation will be able to access their route information on August 7th by clicking here. Students who have not registered for transportation (as part of the registration process) will not be permitted on the busses. So, please register and check your bus routes prior to the first day of school. If you have questions regarding bus transportation, please review the Bus registration found later in this newsletter or contact our transportation department at 281-485-3562.

Every year the State of Texas makes changes to the Texas Education Code which in turn cause schools to adjust. This year the state has increased the minimum amount of time that CTE classes must meet each week. Given that Turner offers so many CTE courses, and that Turner is one of the rare schools that offer an 8-period bell schedule, these new guidelines will affect Turner more than most. Consequently, we have had to alter our bell schedule to add a little bit of time to each class so that we are compliant with the new CTE funding guidelines.

As we worked through the process of creating the new schedule it was important for us to keep the following priorities in mind-

• 1. We must increase the amount of time each class meets each week.
• 2. We will not increase the length of the school day. Our instructional school day will be from 7:15 am-2:35 pm, just as it has for the past several years.
• 3. We will retain our 8-period block schedule. So much of what make Turner programs unique can be attributed to an 8-period block schedule, and the flexibility that it provides.

Fortunately, we were able to create a new bell schedule that allows us to meet the state’s new expectations yet maintain the aspects that allow us to offer the truly unique opportunities and programs to our students. Please see the new THS Bell Schedule attached-

Please bear in mind that traffic is extremely heavy on the first few days of school. Car riders and student drivers are encouraged to leave their homes early to make sure they arrive safely and on time.

Click Here for information regarding our Food Services department, and instructions for depositing money into a student’s lunch account.

There will be no travel courses on Monday 8/12/24. All Turner students who would normally travel to DHS or PHS for their 1st period will need to meet in the THS cafeteria on the first day of school. All PISD intra-district travel courses will begin on Tuesday 8/13/24.

Cat Camp will be held from 4pm-7:30pm on July 29th. Cat Camp is an opportunity for our incoming students to learn more about our campus. Students will be able to tour the building, be given information about clubs and organizations, learn how to read their schedules, and will be given a free Class of 2028 T-Shirt.

• Last names (A-Gi)- 4:00- 5:30 pm
• Last names (Gj-O)- 5:00-6:30 pm
• Last names (P-Z)- 6:00- 7:30 pm

Parents are welcome to attend. While students tour the building, Dr. Bouchard will meet with parents to discuss what students and parents can expect from the first few weeks of school.

Come and join us on August 1st at our Railcat Depot, your one-stop shop for Railcat gear! The event will be held in the Turner Cafeteria and students will be able to-

· Purchase Railcat Spirit Wear (T-Shirts, Hoodies, etc.)

· Pick up their Student ID’s (must have completed online registration)

· Reset their PISD Passwords

· Pick up their new district-assigned Laptops.

• Please note that students are not required to use district-assigned laptops at Turner. They may use their own. However, parents who would like their student to receive a district device must sign up for one as part of the registration process. We will not be able to issue a device to a student who has not requested one through the registration process.

· Pick up their Parking Permits- please note that students must preorder their parking permits at least 24 hours prior to picking them up on August 1st. To preorder your THS Parking Permit click here.

When: 10am-4pm, August 1st, 2024

Where: THS Cafeteria

Every year all Pearland ISD students, whether they are new to district or they are returning students, must complete an online Verification/Registration process. This year the Student Verification Portal will open on July 22nd. Remember, that you must have submitted your utility bill or affidavit for district approval to gain access to student verification. You have likely already received emails with detailed information regarding the verification process, but if you have not, or would like to look at more detailed information click here. Registration needs to be completed prior to the first day of school.

If you need assistance with this process, Pearland ISD will be hosting a Family Enrollment Support Session from Noon-7pm, on Thursday, July 25th. Location: Educational Support Center, 1928 North Main, Pearland, Texas 77581.

• Students must be registered for bus service through Skyward and scheduled for service BEFORE receiving home-to-school/school-to-home transportation. Once students are scheduled to begin service the parent/guardian will receive notification from the Transportation Department with a date for services to begin.
• Shuttle bus service is provided during the school day for students who travel between Turner High School and Pearland High School/Dawson High School for classes. Students do not need to be registered for bus service to participate in this campus-to-campus shuttle service during the school day.
• Students enrolled in Turner HS who have first or last period at their zoned high school campus may request additional transportation service for both campuses before or after school. Without this request, the student will only be scheduled for bus service to and from Turner HS.
• Students participating in extra-curricular activities after school at a campus other than the one where their last period class is located may request additional transportation service to that campus at the end of the school day. Without this request, students will only be able to ride their scheduled bus route home.

To request additional route services as indicated above, complete this form.

We have many students on our THS waitlist, and we accept them as space becomes available. Please be aware that once the school year begins the transfer window closes and we lose our ability to select students from the waitlist. Consequently, once the year begins Intra-district transfer requests to Pearland High School and Dawson High School will not be granted. Parents, if your THS student intends to transfer to PHS or DHS please contact Ms. Suggs (registrar) at suggsb@pearlandisd.org no later than August 5th so that we may process the transfer request and select a new student from our waitlist.

Our counselors are working diligently on student course schedules. All students will be able to view their course schedule via Skyward on Friday, August 9th. Schedules will only be available to students and parents who have completed the Online Registration Process.

• Seniors and Teachers: Scholarships and grants through

• PISD PTA Council

• Texas- TXPTA.org

• National- PTA.org

• All Students:

• Volunteer hour opportunities

• Fun Programs geared towards your interests. Be a voting member!

• Parents:

• Access to programs to educate and update, and communication on upcoming events.

• Every Member:

• Discounts for insurance, trips and more!

• Join as of August 1st at: www.Joinpta.org

The school year will begin on Monday, August 12th. Students will be distributed an official copy of their schedule and attend periods 1-4 (A-Day). Student who are unable to attend our Railcat Depot will receive their ID’s on the first day. Additionally, students who missed the Railcat Depot will receive their laptops (assuming they ordered them through the registration process) and any relevant textbooks during the first week of school.