PANORAMA SURVEY
Tomball ISD and Tomball High School values your feedback.
On Monday, March 4, you received an email from TISD Communications with a brief survey to tell us about your experience of Tomball High School. To ensure we continue to provide high quality, rigorous learning experiences that meet the needs of our learners and prepare them for their best futures, we need your feedback. We want to know what you think.
The survey began on March 4 and will close on March 29. You will be able to take the survey online at home or on the go on your mobile device. More information to come!
We thank you in advance for your thoughtful responses. If you have any questions about the survey administration, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 281-357-3220.
UPCOMING COUGAR EVENTS
3/12 Baseball @ Klein
3/14 Baseball vs Klein
3/19 Softball @ Klein Forest
3/19 Baseball vs Klein Oak
3/20 Boys Soccer @ Klein Cain
3/22 Tennis - Cy Fair Invitational
3/22 Baseball @ Klein Oak
3/22 Track - TMHS Invitational
3/22 Softball vs Klein Collins
3/23 Baseball vs Houston Memorial
3/23 District 15-6A UIL One Act Play Contest
ROBOTICS
Tomball Robotics did great at their competition this past weekend
The team placed 4th overall, First for Alliance Captain, and the best news is they won the First Robotics Impact Award-the highest honor given to a team.
The team also qualified for state competition in April.
The next competition is the Space City event March 29-30.
TAFE
Last week TAFE (Texas Association of Future Educators) members attended the Teach for Tomorrow Summit where they competed at the State level. This amazing group of teens came away with 6 members qualifying for Nationals, 3 Gold awards, Silver and Bronze. Congratulations to Stella Absher (Gold), Ella Andrejczak, Olivia and Isabella Alvarez, Hannah Brinkley (Gold & National qualifier), Camryn Caswell (Silver), Emmaline Conner (National qualifier), Sarah Gaetz (Gold & National qualifier), Laura Gainey (Silver) , Amelia Preston (National qualifier), Maria Romero (Gold, National qualifier & $100 scholarship), Sydney Watson (Gold & National qualifier), Caitlyn Whitehead (Gold).
COLLEGE AND CAREER CORNER
Week of March 11th-22nd
College & Career Counselor Corner
- Part-Time Job Opportunities - A few local businesses have reached out to share part time job opportunities! Compiled list HERE.
- VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: City of Tomball hosts several events this spring and needs volunteers. Click HERE for more information and to sign-up. *Volunteers needed for March 16th!
- United States Military Academy West Point Summer Leaders Experience - Click HERE for details
- SFASU Summer 2024 Pre-Law Academy - Click HERE for details
- UT Austin McCombs School of Business Summer Programs - Click HERE for details
- Texas A&M University Aggie STEM Summer Programs - Click HERE for details
- SHSU College of Health Sciences Summer Camp - Click HERE for more details
- Seniors - Share your post high school plans to have your name put on the College Bound Cougar Board and have your picture taken.
- LOCAL TOMBALL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SENIORS - Scholarships still available! Click HERE for all the information. Helpful Tip: For financial information on the TISD Local Scholarship Application, if the student has NOT received their SAI information back from FAFSA, please complete the Financial Aid Estimator (option 2 in the TISD Local Scholarship application instructions) to use for that section of the application.
- TISD Service Cord - Seniors should have already submitted their hours in Student Link. Hours will be reviewed and approved. Students will be notified of receiving the cord. Cords will be distributed in May. TISD has updated the hour requirement for students to earn the TISD Service Cord. Class of 2024 - 120 hours, (update) Class of 2025 and beyond - 160 hours. Students submit all hours through their Student Link (same login as HAC, can also be accessed through HAC by clicking on the Tomball “T”).
- FAFSA (Free Application For Federal Student Aid) - The 2024-2025 FAFSA is undergoing changes and IS NOW OPEN FOR YOU TO COMPLETE! 🙂. https://studentaid.gov/
- Senior Financial Aid Requirement: For those who have submitted your FAFSA, please take a screenshot of the home screen when you log in that shows your FAFSA is under review, then upload that screenshot into your Student Link. Due to some of the delays in FAFSA processing, it’s ok if the screenshot doesn’t say “processed”. For the confirmation number, just enter “I don’t know”. For those submitting TASFA, screenshot proof that it was submitted and no confirmation number needed. For those not submitting FAFSA/TASFA (or at least not at this time - the opt out form does not prevent you from applying for financial aid later!), simply log into your Student Link and click the opt out form then follow the instructions. Goad Deadline to Submit Fin Aid Grad Requirement: February 15th. Be sure to submit your FAFSA screenshot, TASFA screenshot or complete the opt out form. There’s still time to submit!
- JUNIORS - It’s time to start studying for the official School Day SAT that will be held on April 3rd. Our Testing Coordinator has taken care of registration, so you just need to be sure and come prepared! Khan Academy partners with College Board for a free SAT prep course. Check it out HERE. If you would like to sign up for additional SAT or ACT testing, all the dates are HERE. *Students enrolled in the free & reduced lunch program can test for FREE. See Mrs. Nichols for the waiver code. These students can also apply to colleges for FREE, so be sure parents complete the annual lunch program application at www.schoolcafe.com
POWDER PUFF FOOTBALL
Powder Puff Registration is NOW OPEN! Ladies this is your chance to take the field and gentleman its your turn to take the sidelines to cheer and dance! Powder Puff is a fun tradition Seniors look forward to every year. There are a variety of opportunities to get involved. We encourage ALL seniors to participate. It will be a fun, hilarious, action packed event you won't want to miss! Please click on the link below for information, registration and payment.
PARENT VOLUNTEERS FOR POWDER PUFF
HELP NEEDED! Powder Puff is coming up and we need parent volunteers to help us registering kids at lunch and at upcoming practices. Please check out sign up below and make sure to put your senior’s name in comments for volunteer credit.
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/70A094EA8AE2AA02-48274504-powder
SPONSORS
Have you always wanted to own a football team? Or be a sponsor at a football game? This is your chance!! SPO 2024 is looking for sponsors for our upcoming Powder Puff Football game which is on April 10, 2024. For details please reach out to Wendi Junod at wendi_junod@yahoo.com
Important Dates for Seniors
Monday, April 8 (9:00 – 10:00) Senior Group Photo and Cap & Gown Delivery
Seniors will be dismissed from their Cougar Block after announcements to pick up their cap and gown from Balfour in the Lower Lobby and proceed to the stadium where we will take our Class of 2024 photo and our Top 10% photo. I will share these files with you after we clean them up with some photoshop touch ups. You can take them to your favorite photo print developer and make as many copies as you want.
If you have not ordered your cap and gown yet, please go to Balfourgrad.com and order.
Wednesday, April 10 Powder Puff Football Game
This is a HUGE Football Game where the Girls play football, the guys are the cheerleaders or the football coaches. We want a lot of Seniors to participate and everyone to come out to watch. It is always a fun and thrilling game and a big fundraiser for Project Prom! Seniors will sign up in early March.
Saturday April 20 Prom/Project Prom
Prom will be held at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott from 7:30-11:00 on April 20. Parking is free for students who drive using the Cynthia Woods Pavilion parking structure and walking across the enclosed breezeway to the hotel. Limos can also be used for transportation to Prom or parent drop off. Prom is a formal event and formal wear is the expectation. Many Seniors choose to go out to eat dinner prior to Prom, but there is PLENTY of food at Prom for Seniors to eat along with soda and water. Tickets will go on sale starting April 10 and are $70 each. If your Senior sold trash bags, they will claim their free ticket(s) at that time also. We do not allow dates 21 or older.
Project Prom is free for all Seniors and the Senior Parent Organization will have more information on signing up for it at a later date. It will be held at THS from 11:00 - 5:00. This event is a lock in. Doors lock at 12:30 am and Seniors and dates are not allowed to leave until the event ends at 5:00 am. You do not need to attend Prom to go to Project Prom or vice - versa.
Wednesday May 1 Top 10% Breakfast
All Top 10% Seniors will be invited to a breakfast in their honor in the Lower Lobby of Tomball High School. National Honor Society sponsors this wonderful celebration of our Top 10%. Each member of the Top 10% is allowed to invite one teacher that they choose to honor. Invitations and more information will be delivered to the Top 10% Seniors in the future.
Wednesday May 15 Senior Awards Ceremony
Seniors being recognized at The Senior Awards Ceremony will be dismissed to come to the auditorium from class. Senior dress is Sunday Best and Seniors must be in dress code to participate. Parents and family are welcome to attend Senior Awards.
Students receiving awards will be given an invitation to the Ceremony and parents of seniors will be receiving an invitation in the mail.
Families attending should enter through the Lower Lobby and into the Auditorium.
Friday, May 17 : Senior Sunset
Seniors have the opportunity to come watch the sunset on their Senior Year in Cougar Stadium. There will be food, activities, and more prizes.
Sunday, May 19 Baccalaureate
The Baccalaureate Program is put on by the Senior Parent Organization in the THS Auditorium. We ask Seniors to arrive wearing their gowns (without caps) to this program. They can also wear any earned cords and stoles if they choose.
While this is an optional program for our Seniors, it is a wonderful and more intimate opportunity to walk across the stage in Tomball for a final time and be recognized in front of family and friends. Words of encouragement and motivation as well as Praise and Worship music is standard at this program.
Monday, May 20 : Senior Final Exams
Tuesday, May 21 : Senior Final Exams
Wednesday, May 22 : Cougar Walk
Seniors will sign up in Early May and choose the elementary campus they would like to do the Cougar Walk at.
Seniors report directly to the elementary that they signed up for at 9:15 and sign in. This is how we take attendance this day. If a Senior does not want to participate, they will report to the THS Competition Gym at 9:15 for a brief meeting and attendance taking.
Seniors should wear their caps and gowns AND THEIR STUDENT I.D. for the Walk. We highly encourage all Seniors to participate in Cougar Walk as it is a memorable experience not only for the Seniors but the Elementary Students who get to cheer for the Seniors.
Seniors will meet the elementary Principal upon arrival and will be given instructions at that time.
Seniors are finished for the day after the Cougar Walk.
Thursday, May 23 : Graduation Rehearsal (Very Important)
Seniors report to the Competition Gym at 8:30 am
Seniors check the walking list to make sure they qualify to Graduate (Very Important)
Seniors Check the Updated List of Diploma Holds (If their name is on the list they should go clear their hold so they can receive their diploma packet after graduation)
We will walk through everything Seniors need to know about Graduation
Friday May 24 : Graduation
Seniors report to Reed Arena, Texas A&M between 7:00 and 7:15. (Leave with time to spare)
There is a $10 parking fee in the Reed Arena lot
Students will come down the stairs to the Practice Gym to get lined up and ready. Encourage them not to bring personal belongings downstairs as we cannot secure anything. TMHS will be in the Practice Gym as our ceremony ends. Seniors will be exiting a different way and there is no way to recover left items.
At 8:00, the Seniors will March out to the Reed Arena Floor for the Commencement Ceremony
At approximately 10:00, the Seniors will recess out of Reed Arena where they will pick up their diploma packets. (Seniors just receive the Diploma Cover when crossing the stage)
Seniors will meet their families after exiting the arena outside.
Enjoy lunch in College Station and celebrate with family.
Specific details on this Big Event coming soon.
*** Please note that ALL Seniors must be in Dress Code to participate in Graduation. All are wearing a Cap and Gown with No writing on the caps. The biggest issue we normally have that keeps Seniors from graduating is facial hair and facial piercings other than the ears and natural hair color. Please ensure that students arrive at Graduation in Dress Code so there are no disappointments on their big day.
Things for Parents to know about Graduation:
Seniors need to be there no later than 7:15.
Seniors need to be in dress code. Seniors will not be allowed to cross the stage if they are not in dress code.
Boys: Clean shaven, shirt and tie, slacks, dress shoes (no sandals or flip-flops)
Girls: Dress, skirt, or nice pants. Nice shoes (no flip flops)
Both: No facial piercings other than earrings. Hair must be a natural hair color. Seniors may NOT write and decorate the tops of their caps.
It costs $10 to park at Reed Arena. A parking map will be sent closer to Graduation
Please do not bring air horns or noise makers. The Reed Arena security will confiscate and may remove people who disrupt.
Bring as many guests as you would like to Graduation. There are NO tickets.
The Seniors will pick up their diploma packet after Graduation on their way out of the arena. The diploma packet contains their diploma, picture ordering information, and a Commencement Program as a keepsake. The diploma packet will also include a copy of their immunizations from the Registrar's Office.
There is a video link for family, friends, and relatives who are unable to attend graduation. They can live stream the Graduation Ceremony by clicking a link we will provide in the future.
Finally, make sure you save those caps and gowns for younger siblings. If your Senior does not have younger siblings and does not want to keep their cap and gown, we would be happy to take it as a donation to a student in need in future years. Seniors may also want to keep it as a keepsake.
I have enjoyed working with the Class of 2024. Your kids are amazing. I also want to thank everyone who joined and worked hard in the Senior Parent Organization. You have been making this an incredible year for your Seniors.
Enjoy the remainder of the Spring Semester and the end of the school year with your Seniors!!!
Mark Vierkant
Associate Principal for Operations
Senior Parent Organization 2024
We need all Senior Parents for the Class of 2024 to get involved.
Make sure you follow SPO 2024 on
Facebook: Tomball High School SPO 2024
Instagram: ths_spo_2024
NEW WEBSITE: www.thsspo2024.com
You can also email us at spoths2024@gmail.com
OUR NEXT MEETING is scheduled for Thursday, April 4th in the cafeteria of Tomball High
BECOME AN SPO MEMBER
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THS SPO Membership registration is $40.00 and includes one THS SPO 2024 T-Shirt. Only one membership per household is needed. Please be sure to read the full details when registering.
Let’s make this a great year for our Seniors!
NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
The purpose of the Cougar News Weekly Newsletter is to inform the community of everything going on at Tomball High School.
Feel free to email MarkVierkant@tomballisd.net with any celebrations of our students!!
I put together the newsletter, but depend on Parents, Students, Staff and the Community to get me stories to share with the community of Tomball.
Please share anything newsworthy for consideration. Photos to go along with the story is a wonderful touch to the story for the reader.