Ponder Junior High

May 2023

Total Enrollment - 379

6th Grade - 118

7th Grade - 126

8th Grade - 135

2022-2023 Teacher and Paraprofessional of the Year Nominees

The Teacher and Paraprofessional of the Year will be announced on Friday, May 26th at our District Luncheon. We are excited to be able to recognize staff members who go above and beyond in all that they do.


Please help me congratulate the following teachers for being nominated Teacher of the Year by their peers:


Brandi Hardin - 8th Grade Math/Algebra I

Kari Holland - 8th Grade ELAR

Elizabeth Mahan - 8th Grade Social Studies

Linda Laughlin - 8th Grade Science

Kristy Hathcock - 7th Grade CCR


Please help me congratulate the following paraprofessional for being nominated for Paraprofessional of the Year by their peers:


Kelly Melendez

Francis Shoemate

Stephanie Syrock

Ponder ISD Art Show

On April 27th, Ponder ISD's wonderful Art teacher's organized a district wide Art Show. We had a wonderful turnout and everyone enjoyed the interactive displays. There is no doubt that we have some extremely talented artists walking the halls of Ponder ISD. I want to give a BIG shout out to PJH Art teacher, Mrs. Wiggins, for helping to provide this opportunity for our students to display their work.

Spring Choir Concert

On April 27th, the PJH Choir students had their Spring Concert at the Krum Auditorium. The theme was Dark & Light and each group sang songs that they felt best represented the theme. There was a special Solo performance by Mr. Atlley McDonald. Atley chose the piece himself and learned the lyrics in Latin. His performance earned him a standing ovation. We are super proud of all of our PJH Choir students.
Student Council - End of the Year Celebration

Student Council - End of the Year Celebration

On May 9th, our STUCO students were able to take a guided tour at the Denton County Courthouse. Tours of the Courthouse offer a glimpse into the county's past and the events that led to what we know as Denton County today. The students ended their day with lunch at Andy B's. A big thank you to the STUCO sponsor Mrs. Laughlin for planning this awesome learning experience for our students.
Student Council - End of the Year Celebration
2023-2024 Student Council

2023-2024 Student Council

Selections for next years Student Council have been made. We look forward to the leadership that these students will bring to the PJH campus. Please help me congratulate the following students:



Henry Angeley

Rocco Bergara

Lucy Castillo

Mackenzie Contreras-Garcia

Maggie Escamilla

Faith Green

Luke Harden

Emmory Laney

Montgomery Martin

Riley Nelson

Ashton Nowicki

Bristol Shoemate

Gus Wells

Ryder Wells

2023-2024 Student Council

2022-2023 PJH Awards Ceremony

On May 23rd, PJH hosted our annual awards ceremony. We presented academic, athletic, UIL and classroom awards in front of a packed gymnasium. It was overwhelming to see such wonderful support of our students academic successes. I want to thank all of those who played a part in making this years program a GREAT success.


Please click below to see a list of Grade level and UIL awards.

Class Awards

UIL Awards


We also continued the PJH tradition of "Clapping Out" our 8th grade students. The sidewalk between the JH and the gym were lined with 6th & 7th students and parents sending our 8th graders off with a huge round of applause.

Connie Ford - Principal

Connie Ford - Principal

Connie Ford - Principal

501 Shaffner Street, Ponder, TX, USA cford@ponderisd.net 940-479-8220 ponderisd.net/pjh