Pershing K-8 is a safe community where all students learn at high levels being prepared for a global society.

Parents, we’re in the final stretch — but it’s not over yet!
Mid-quarter hit on 4/25, and we are still charging forward with powerful teaching and learning every day. Our MAP testing is in full swing, and now, more than ever, we need your partnership to finish strong! Let’s fuel our students with focus, energy, and support so they cross the finish line with pride. There are 17 days left — every one of them counts. Let’s stay committed, stay fired up, and make these last days the best yet!

Pershing will send home the final mid-quarter progress report this week. This is a valuable opportunity for families to review how students are doing, identify any missing work, and understand what still needs to be completed. There is still time to make a valuable impact on grades.

Link to Staff favorite snacks HERE

Cox CARE Mobile will be at Pershing on Wednesday, April 9th from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. to perform sports physicals and immunizations. 7th graders will need a Tdap and meningococcal vaccine to meet state requirement for 8th grade. Students will also have the option to receive the vaccine now to be compliant for next year. By clicking the link below you will have access to the necessary paperwork for the CARE Mobile, including both English and Spanish consent forms. To ensure a smooth process, we kindly ask that all completed paperwork must be returned by April 2nd. You can either email the forms back to Nurse Newman at lcnewman@spsmail.org or have students drop them off at nurses office.

The Cox CARE Mobile staff need time to review the paperwork before their scheduled visit to our site. You can find consent packets and additional information HERE.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Nurse Newman

Click the link to access the Pershing Elementary Newsletter

https://secure.smore.com/n/3rafy

March 6th- Glendale Scheduling Day (During School)

March 14- Teacher Work Day (No School for Students)

March 17th-21st- SPRING BREAK

March 26th-28th : Galileo Assessment Testing

April 8th- Election Day (No School for Students)

April 24th-May 9th MAP Test

Pershing is excited to announce the Pershing Best Buddies program. This program is designed to cultivate friendships between middle school students with and without intellectual disabilities(IDD), in which they share interests, experiences, and activities. This program will help to promote an inclusive school culture for all students. If your student is interested in joining please visit bestbuddies.org/join

School counselors will begin sharing information regarding how to complete a Selection of Studies. Selections of Studies is a digital form we use for students to select class requests for the next school year. Your child will receive their Selections of Studies form when the counselor visits his or her classroom to begin the process.

High School Class Scheduling Presentation Dates with Students:

• January 8th – Went into classrooms to cover ICAP (Individual Career Academic Plan) for upcoming Freshman

• January 15th - Kickapoo Scheduling/Selection of Studies for upcoming Freshman

• January 16th – Parkview Scheduling/Selection of Studies for upcoming Freshman

• January 27th – Central Scheduling/Selection of Studies for upcoming Freshman

• March 6th- Glendale Scheduling/Selection of Studies for upcoming Freshman

Pershing Middle School Class Scheduling Presentation Dates with Students:

• February 25th - Current 5th grade feeder night at Pershing K-8 (more information to come)

• January 22nd & 24th- Current 6th grade

• January 29th & 30th- Current 7th grade

Parent Informational Meetings and Resources:

Video guide for selection of studies-students going into 6th and 7th grade

Video guide for selection of studies-students going into 8th grade

6th Grade Selection of Studies Form (current 5th graders) pdf view

7th Grade Selection of Studies Form (current 6th graders) pdf view

8th Grade Selection of Studies Form (current 7th graders) pdf view

We are looking forward to supporting students and families throughout the next chapter. Please don’t hesitate to let us know if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Pershing Middle School Counselors

Brooke Shivers - bnshivers@spsmail.org | (417) 523-2460

Renee Wise- rmwise@spsmail.org | (417) 523-2461

Click Link HERE to signup for this night.

At Pershing we believe in being Safe, Responsible and Respectful. The matrix below outlines what does it means to be safe, responsible, and respectful in different settings of the school.

February 17th- No School: Presidents Day

February 25th- Future 6th Grade Scheduling Night

March 14- No School for Students

March 17-21- SPRING BREAK

Eighth-graders may apply for Transitional Transfer for the 2025-2026 school year.

SPS fifth and eighth-graders have the opportunity to request a Transitional Transfer for the 2025-2026 school year to a high school of their choice that is open to transfers. Students interested in this option may submit requests between 7:30 a.m., Friday, Nov. 1st, and 5:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6th.

This type of transfer is offered as part of Springfield Public Schools’ open enrollment option. If your child plans to attend the high school assigned to them based on the student’s home address, no action is needed.

The Transitional Transfer request form for the 2025-2026 school year must be completed electronically. Requests are granted on a first come, first served basis determined by an electronic time/date stamp.

If your student is interested, visit www.sps.org/transfers to learn more.

Please join us for the 1st Thursday of every month as we D.E.A.R. (Drop everything and read campaign).

Important Dates

Nov. 25-29 Thanksgiving Break (students out)

Dec. 5- Drop Everything and Read for 30 minutes

Dec. 17- Winter Orchestra Concert- 7 pm.

Dec. 19- Winter Band Concert - 6 pm

Dec. 23-Jan. 3 - Winter Break (students out)

Pershing will hold parent-teacher conferences from October 21 to November 1. This is an opportunity for you to meet with your student's teacher to discuss celebrations, concerns, academic progress, and ways to support learning at home. There are still appointments available, so please reach out to your student's core teachers (English Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, or Math) to schedule a time.

School pictures are ready!

To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an account using your student's student ID number.

All families can also log on and order a FREE Digital SmileSafe card.

More about the Smilesafe program here. Also, picture proof's were given out to students last week to aid you in the decision of ordering pictures.

Picture Make Ups will be Oct. 30th

Thank you!

October

17- Elementary Boo Bash

18- NO School for Students

• 6th grade Costume Ball 5pm-6:30pm
• Last day of the Quarter

21st-Nov. 1st Parent Teacher Conference Window

30- PICTURE MAKE UP DAY

NOVEMBER

4- No School for Students

5- No School For Students

7- SPS UNIVERSITY: Kickapoo High 5-8pm

Nov. 25th-29th: Thanksgiving Break

Please follow the map above as you enter and exit the campus of Pershing K-8. School will be in session from 8am-4pm, with door opening at 8:30 am. Please help us ensure all who are entering and exiting our campus is safe by drop students off the designated areas at the designated times.

Students will begin entering the building at 8:30 am.

• Elementary Students- Will report to the cafeteria

• 6th graders will go to the Elementary gym

• 7th and 8th graders will report to Main gym.

• Students eating breakfast will go directly to the cafeteria.

Dismissal Procedures

Elementary: begins at 3:45 pm and must be picked up on the elementary side of the building.

• If you child has a middle school sibling, the middle schooler can walk to get their siblings @ 4pm.
• We will have adults assisting students that are walkers after school.

Pershing Cell Phone/Earbud/headphone Procedures:

Philosophy: Cell phones are a part of the modern world. As such, we must teach students how to use devices appropriately. Therefore, our policy is centered on protecting instruction time and helping students to grow and learn.

Students are taught expectations in the classroom PBIS rollout, grade level meetings, and in whole group instruction during the seminar. Expectations are revisited and retaught as needed.

Policy: The expectation for students is that cell phones are not to be seen or heard during the school day with the exceptions of before school, after school or lunch. This is also to include headphones/listening to music as well. The only exception is if there is a teacher-approved classroom activity/assignment with a clear academic purpose. Free time on phones will NOT be permitted, even if students finish classwork.

Students will be allowed to utilize their phones during lunch. This is a privilege that may be revoked. Other than the designated times, phones/earbuds/headphones must be turned off and out of sight.

Springfield Public Schools provides free/reduced price meals for eligible schoolchildren unable to pay the full price of meals under the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. Each SPS family will receive information outlining family-size income criteria by mail during the summer months for the next school year. Families must apply for free and reduced meals each school year. If a family member becomes unemployed or if the family size changes after filing your application, a new application will need to be filed.

• To complete an online free and reduced meal application, click here. The online application can be translated with Google translate.
• Applications are available in each school office.
• Translated Free and Reduced Price Meal Application forms can be accessed here.

Practice Football, Volleyball, and Cross Country will begin August 19th @ Pershing.

Football: 4:15pm-6pm

Volleyball:

• 7th Grade 7am-8:30am
• 8th Grade 4:15pm-5:45pm

Cross Country: 7:30am-8:30 am

Students must have up to date sports physical on file before practicing and Annual Requirements forms must be completed.

Fall Athletic Schedules

Volleyball- HERE

Cross Country- HERE

Football- HERE

August

19- 1st Day of School

September

2- Labor Day: No School

5- SPS University/Open House 5-7pm

13- Middle School Madness

24- FALL PICTURES

Dear Pershing Families,

Welcome to the new school year at Pershing K-8! I am thrilled to have each of you as part of our vibrant school community. As your principal, it is my honor to work alongside our dedicated staff to provide a supportive and engaging learning environment for all our students.

We believe the mission of Pershing K-8 is to be a safe community where all students learn at high levels being prepared for a global society. As we embark on this exciting journey together, I am confident that, with your support, we can make this school year a remarkable and rewarding experience for our students. Let's work together to make Pershing a place where every student can thrive and achieve greatness.

Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education. I look forward to an incredible year ahead beginning on Monday August 19, 2024.

Warm regards,

Tommy Wells

Principal

Pershing K-8

Click the picture.

• Springfield Public Schools Back to School Bash is an event for students and families to get resources and information to start a successful 2024-2025 school year. This event will offer backpacks, hygiene kits, groceries, immunizations, connections to community resources and more! SPS is dedicated to providing district families with the support they need. The event is open to all SPS students and families. Click HERE for more information.