Welcome back to the recap of what happened last week! Last week on Tuesday and Wednesday Polk held their first football games of the year starting with big wins over the Field Vikings. Thanks for everybody that came out and showed support. On Monday and Thursday, our Lady Panthers were back in action also facing the Vikings. Tuesday, NSHS hosted College Night and many Polksters were able to hear and learn more about college from over 60 colleges in attendance! Wednesday, students received their progress reports highlighting their academic progress thus far. Our upcoming progress report will be for UIL eligibility, so students do not forget about your grades and keep putting in the effort in your classes. With football and volleyball seasons beginning, athletes were honored for their leadership in the opening weeks of school, below are our athletes of the week. This week there will be an informational meeting for 8th grade parents and students interested in attending the Washington D.C trip next semester, check below for more information. Lastly, don't forget to participate in "Celebrate Freedom Week" as we acknowledge our freedom and National Constitution Day (On Tuesday).

Imagine the smell of popcorn, candy, and much more. You are sitting in the bleachers with sweat down your face. Ready to spring up in the air, as the last play of one of the biggest games to start our season happens. The crowd roars as the clock hits zero and the final whistle deafens the sound of our screams and shouts. This is what happened as our 8th grade football teams went up against the Vivian Field Vikings. Both teams started out strong and fought hard being able to hold on to the lead for the win. Our B team had a dominant win of 28-0 and our A team kept the double win dream alive with a win of 18-6. Our 7th Grade B Team ended up tying 6-6 in the last seconds of the game. However, our A Team had a dominant win 16-6.

On Wednesday Night, our 7th grade football players took the field of Polk Stadium for their first competition of the year, the Field Vikings. Being many of their first time playing football, you would not have been able to tell as our players came out for playing like seasoned veterans. Outstanding defense from Joshua Turner and Jonas Carpio, and the player of the night Leonel Anguino helped secure Polk victories in their home opener with both A and B team starting out the season 1-0. Come out next week to support our Panthers as they take on the Blalack Bears at home.

Last Monday, our 7th grade A Team and B team took on the Vivian Field Vikings. It all came down to the last seconds as our 7th grade A and B team put up a great fight in our volleyball games, however as Muhammad Ali once said, "You can not win everything, so move on and get prepared for the next." Our 7th grade Lady Panthers are getting each better each week and will soon be a force to be wreckened with.

"Roll it, shake it, victory let's take it!" This was what was echoing throughout the gym as our eighth-grade volleyball teams rallied against the competitive Vivian Field Vikings. Our eighth grade Lady Panthers B-Team started out slow but, with spectacular offensive plays from Citllali Ramirez they were able to win the first set with a score of 26-24 with a game-winning serve from Ramirez. Not only did she have a great first set but she also helped secure a victory with the assistance of Crystal Gallegos in set two with a final score of 25-12 and going 2-0. Unfortunately, our Lady Panthers A-Team came up short in the first set but, came back in the second with a win by two points. Then it came down to the last set where the vikings were able to steal a win. Unfortunately, our Lady Panthers were unable to bring home another victory. Better luck next time Lady Panthers!

Congratulations to our 8th Grade Boys and Girls Panther Athletes of the week K’Nya Johnson, Alyssa Hughes and Mi’Lisa Paige and Jaden Coulter and Luis Posadas.

Congratulations to our 7th Grade Boys and Girls Panther Athletes of the week Hailey Campos, Adriana Sullivan, Katelynn Gleinser and Leo Anguiano and Josh Turner. Way to work hard, and more importantly, play hard!

Have you ever wondered what the slope of stairs are, but you do not know how to do it? Well that's what one of our amazing 8th grade math teachers did in a fun, engaging project. Great Job Mr. Merck! This spotlight is on all classes of Mr. Merck and his project about slope. His class went to the north stairwell and measured the rise and run of each stair. They made a great project with great student involvement and very successful learning. “I want for my students to have fun, just as much as I do through this project.” - Mr Merck

On Tuesday at Newman Smith High School, there was a district-wide College night with over 60 colleges and universities. People came to go in, talk, and learn more about your favorite colleges. There were many colleges there including Texas Christian University, Texas A&M, and more. All high schools in the area went there for this amazing night, creating a wonderful night to bond and hang out with your friends from other schools. This was a very successful night and created countless wonderful memories.

Are you an 8th grader?
Have you ever been to DC?
Would you like to take a trip with your peers?
If you answered yes to any of these questions please have your parents come out to an informational meeting on September 19 at 5:30 in the cafeteria. You won't want to miss out on this once in a life time experience!

Polk has a strong and steady base of a parent-teacher association, or PTA for short. PTA, helps out #PolkNation events and supporting our students and teachers. They are also in charge of the new awesome campus spirit wear! Be sure to join PTSA using the link below, https://www.polkptsa.com/

Below is the link to PTA's facebook, they constantly update and upload new things they are doing or helping in.

Attention Polk Panthers. Are you interested in showing off your creativity? If so, be sure to enter in this year's reflection contest. The theme is, "Look Within," and students can compete in many categories including dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography, and visual arts. If your interested in competing see Mr. Lockwood in E128 or fill out the form .https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc0YRohZFLKpsw3etTHiUL4pAA2zIAlh7irGowrQcDMDfc99Q/viewform

Polk Panthers, do not forget that next week is Texas' time to celebrate our freedom as a country and state together as a whole. Celebrate Freedom Week is a week designed to show and explain the teaching of the country's origins with an emphasis on the founding documents. On September 17th, next Tuesday, members of the Constitutional Convention signed the final draft of the Constitution. It has been 222 years since that faithful day of 1787 that we created our governing document.

Monday September 16th, 7th Grade V-Ball vs. Blalack MS

and 7th Grade Football vs. Blalack MS

Tuesday September 17th, 8th Grade Football vs. Blalack MS

Thursday September 19th, 8th Grade V-Ball vs. Blalack MS

Monday September 23, Picture Retake