Driscoll News

Hello Driscoll community,

May has arrived and we only have 14 school days until the end of the 2024-2025 school year. I hope you enjoyed the beautiful long Fiesta weekend with your family and friends. This week we honor our teachers by celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week! Feel free to share a note of gratitude with our fantastic teachers to share your appreciation for all their hard work.

On Tuesday, our students will be taking the Math MAP test and then on Thursday, they will take the Reading MAP test. These tests are important as they help us collect data on growth that students have made throughout the year. We will run adjusted bell schedules on both of these days to allow sufficient time for the students to do their best on these tests. Thank you for ensuring that your students are at school on time and well rested before the testing days.

The calendar gets even more busy as we near the end of the year. In addition to MAP testing, our Band Spring Concert is this Tuesday evening with some special performances planned. On Friday, our student council is sponsoring a FREE dance for ALL of our students from 4 - 6 pm with a "Through the Decades" theme.

Please review the many details included in this week's Driscoll News. We will continue to finish this year strong! If you have specific questions, please reach out so we can assist with those items. If you take photos at games or events that you would like to share with us, feel free to send them to our yearbook sponsor, Mrs. Andersen, sander14@neisd.net or to Mrs. Murach lmurac@neisd.net

Mrs. Lori Murach

lmurac@neisd.net

Driscoll Middle School Principal

Thank you to many of you for taking the time to attend your child’s student-led conference on May 1. Your presence and support play a vital role in your child’s academic growth and confidence. It was a valuable opportunity for students to reflect on their progress and take ownership of their learning journey.

We appreciate your continued partnership and commitment to your child’s success.

Please review link for details about summer school.

Teachers will contact parents/guardians of students requiring summer school by May 9.

On May 12, teachers will send the parent an invitation to register their child on the employee portal.

After reviewing attached please feel free to contact the counseling office if you have any additional questions.

NEISD Middle School Summer Information

The dance theme will be "Through the Decades" and students will be admitted for FREE. The dance will run from 4 to 6pm on May 9. This is ONLY for Driscoll Students.

Join the Driscoll PTA in volunteering and sign up to help with the dance. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F45A9A728A2F4C52-56619645-driscoll?fbclid=IwY2xjawKEjxlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFsRVR1dU1hamVYTFZlblBQAR5WFT8caQwig1kjLi6ot-n22x86fDDuhzzpmZdeLXpHVcS5qiixnY3sI4SOSA_aem_AgA0lY1L_Yzs22XTIhS3tw#/

Congratulations to our May Athletes of the Month. We are so proud of the work these athletes have done this year. Talae also broke the school record for the 300M hurdles! Great job, Jazmine Barriga-Castaneda and Talae Mathis.

In accordance with Texas immunization requirements, current 6th grade students who will be in 7th grade for the 2024-2025 school year, need the following immunizations to start school:

Tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis containing vaccine (required)

• One booster dose if at least 5 years have passed since the last tetanus containing vaccine was received.

Meningococcal vaccine (required)

• One dose of meningococcal vaccine.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (recommended)

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all 11–12- year-old boys and girls receive 2 doses of the HPV vaccine to protect against HPV associated cancers.

Students must have a complete immunization record on file with the school nurse on or before the first day of school. Students with incomplete immunization records will not be issued a schedule or allowed to attend classes. Please submit an updated immunization record, including immunizations received over the summer, to the school nurse as soon as possible.

Make an appointment with your physician now to avoid the rush this summer! Attached below is the Christus Mobile Clinic schedule. Immunizations are free of charge. Please call the number listed to make an appointment and verify that the needed vaccines are in stock.

If you have any questions, please contact Nurse Harrison at (210) 356-3203. Once your student receives their vaccines, please provide a copy to the school nurse. You may drop it off in person or email the record to sharri9@neisd.net . Vaccine records must include the student’s name and date of birth. For questions during the summer hours, contact Health Services at (210) 356-9244.

Thank you to a special presentation, our 6th grade Defenders received a treat on Wednesday, hearing details about WWII and even getting to put on some gear. It was a really fun learning experience that engaged our students.

Congratulations & Thank you to Savannah Sembera, Superintendent Award recipient.

Savannah is a big part of the Driscoll Middle School family and that’s not just because she is married to the school’s head band director. She attended many athletic competitions to cheer on students, she served as a chaperone at all band events, she’s brought homemade pastries to the school staff, and volunteered time before, during and after school. A school family often extends to those closest to our students and staff. It’s what makes the community special, and we appreciate her support.

School times are being adjusted for the 2025-2026 school year, and some of our bus riders may notice a difference in route locations as well.

Early elementary school: 7:25 a.m. - 2:40 p.m.

Late elementary school: 8:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. (No change)

Middle school: 8:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.

High school: 8:55 a.m. to 4:20 p.m.

These minor adjustments will allow our Transportation Department to eliminate several bus routes in the morning and afternoons, which will improve efficiency and on-time arrivals. In addition, some middle school and high school students who live inside gated communities will experience a change in their bus stop locations. Our Transportation Department will reduce the number of stops inside some gated communities when they can be safely removed. These changes will also allow additional stops to be added to other routes, while saving approximately $165,000. Our goal is to make sure we are maximizing our time while still providing our students safe and convenient transportation to our schools.

NEISD’s Efficiency Committee, which gives parents and stakeholders the opportunity to help advise our District systems to work more efficiently, made the recommendation to review our campus start times and bus stop locations. On Monday, April 14, 2025, the Transportation Department presented this information to the NEISD Board of Trustees and they approved the changes. This aligns with our Balanced District Scorecard pillar of being good stewards of your tax dollars and systematically evaluating program, practices and procedures for effectiveness and efficiency.

If you want to learn more about this decision, please watch the April 14 regular board meeting here.

It was a busy week for the soccer teams this past week with games on Thursday and then a tournament on Saturday. More games will take place this Thursday.

Driscoll Girls Soccer Schedule 24-25

Driscoll Boys Soccer Schedule 24-25

Driscoll PTA members –

For those of you with students moving to Harris Middle School and Garner Middle School next year, the North East ISD Council of PTAs wants to help you get involved with those school PTAs. We are offering to cover your cost of joining either the Harris PTA or Garner PTA for this school year.

As you know, PTA is a vital part of our school community and provides support and resources to enhance our students' educational experience. By becoming a member of the Harris and Garner PTAs, you can learn about their PTA activities and events, voice your opinion to help shape the PTA programs and find opportunities to connect with other parents.

If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity and join Harris PTA or Garner PTA, please fill out this form and Council will cover your membership for the 2024-2025 school year. We urge you to renew your membership when the 2025-2026 school year begins.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me.

Leigh Henry

North East ISD Council of PTAs, President

cell 210-789-7529
president@necouncilpta.com

Regular attendance plays a crucial role in academic success. Students who attend school consistently are more likely to excel academically, show positive behavior, and build a solid foundation for future success.

This week, we achieved a 95.3% attendance rate. To reach our 96% goal, we need your help! Encouraging students to attend school every day is key to meeting this target. Let’s collaborate to ensure that students are consistently present and prepared to learn.

To celebrate our students' dedication, we will continue recognizing those with perfect attendance each week during Friday lunchtime. Your support in emphasizing the importance of daily attendance is invaluable and greatly appreciated. Let’s stay committed to creating a positive and productive learning environment. With your help, we can ensure our students thrive both academically and socially.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support!

Driscoll AVID is hosting their second Career Fair for their end of year activity. We are in need of volunteers to come and be a part of this event! If you are interested or can recommend someone to volunteer with their company, please contact Ms. Calvet acalve@neisd.net as soon as possible. Thank you!

Any student being enrolled in MacArthur Choir for the first time next year, there are audition dates/times for one of the Mac choirs or a cappella ensembles. This would be for current 8th graders who have signed up for choir in 9th grade.

The sign-up for both can be accessed from this smore:

https://secure.smore.com/n/hsa7ze

On the www.neisd.net homepage on the left-hand side is an orange box linked to Critical Updates for NEISD. When you click on that box, you will find many details for NEISD, especially details regarding the Campus Consolidation plans. There is an FAQ (frequently asked questions) with answers on the link/image on that page that is also linked below. Many of the questions that our parents and students have been asking are included on this link.

Teachers can recommend students attend and will be reaching out to parents/guardians to let them know that the students are specifically invited and encouraged to attend. Parents/Guardians can also sign their students up to attend and students can sign themselves up to come for the extra support. We want our Defenders to excel academically and attending Defender PRIDE Thursdays can give them a competitive advantage. Check the flyer with a QR code where students can sign up or use this link https://shorturl.at/eLAyp They should sign up by Wednesday each week before the Thursday they plan to attend.

Defender P.R.I.D.E. Thursday is a student program that focuses on remediation of core instruction and/or reteach of academic behaviors, running from right after school until 5pm in the Driscoll Library. Students can be referred to Thursday sessions by themselves, their parents, a coach/sponsor, their teachers, a counselor, and/or an administrator. During a Defender P.R.I.D.E. Thursday session, a student can complete missing or incomplete assignments (teacher made or web-based) or current assignments with teacher support. Snacks will be provided. Students who attend tutoring for the entire time will earn a free ticket to the volleyball or basketball game on that day (if games are available). If you have any questions about Defender P.R.I.D.E. Thursday sessions, contact our academic dean, Sarah Gonzalez sgonza7@neisd.net

Join our new Driscoll PTA Facebook page for information about upcoming events and ways to volunteer!

@claradriscollmiddleschoolpta

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/zrSpy8z2wdnB553f/?mibextid=K35XfP

If you haven't seen it, there is a new green bin in our front parking lot to collect and recycle old clothing, shoes, and textiles. Don't throw those items away, place them in the green bin in our parking lot. The campus benefits from every pound that is placed in the bin. Thank you for spreading the word and asking your family/friends to donate as well.

Here is a link to the 2024-2025 Bell Schedule The bell schedule is also pictured below. Most days we will be on the regular bell schedule and only on early release days will we be following the early release bell schedule.

Smoking and Vaping are NOT allowed on any NEISD campuses and disciplinary actions are taken for violations. Texas House Bill 114 was a new law that went into effect on September 1, 2023. Texas House Bill 114 requires a student to be removed from class and placed in a disciplinary alternative education program for possessing, using, selling, giving, or delivering to another person an e-cigarette or any related component, for example, an empty cartridge or the mouthpiece.

Please communicate with your students about the seriousness and harmful health risks of smoking or vaping.

Don’t wait! Get your yearbook now!

https://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A01012788

Driscoll Girls Soccer Schedule 24-25

Driscoll Boys Soccer Schedule 24-25

Driscoll Campus Calendar Link

May 5 - Cinco de Mayo

May 6 - MAP Math Testing, Band Spring Concert 6:00 pm.

May 7 - Athletic Physicals in the gym (all day), Driscoll Shirt Day

May 8 - MAP Reading Testing, Driscoll 7th & 8th Boys Soccer vs Jackson 4:45pm. away, Driscoll 7th & 8th Girls Soccer vs Jackson home 4:45pm. Defender Pride Tutoring 4 pm., College Shirt Day

May 9 - All Student Dance by StuCo 4 - 6pm, Mac/Madison Shirt Day

May 10 - Soccer Games, District Middle School Saturday School- 8am.-12pm. at Driscoll MS.

May 12 - EOY Orchestra Concert 6:30pm

May 13 - MAP Science Testing, EOY Choir Concert 6:30pm

May 14 - EOY Theatre Showcase 6:30pm

May 15 - AVID Career Fair, Driscoll 7th & 8th Boys Soccer vs Wood 4:45pm. home, Driscoll 7th & 8th Girls Soccer vs Wood away 4:45pm. Defender Pride Tutoring 4 pm., College Shirt Day

May 16 - 8th grade EOY event at NESP, 7th grade field day, 6th grade game day

May 19 - Driscoll Homecoming Event 6 - 8pm

May 20 - 7th grade awards 9am, 6th grade awards 2pm

May 21 - 7:30am Class of 2025 Senior Walk, 8th grade awards 6pm. Driscoll Shirt Day, Yearbook Distribution

May 22 - Yearbook Distribution, Last day of classes