Panda News
January 2, 2022
Connect with Us!
Email: sshetzer@houstonisd.org
Website: https://www.houstonisd.org/pershing
Location: 3838 Blue Bonnet Boulevard, Houston, TX, USA
Phone: (713) 295-5240
Twitter: @PershingPandas
Happy New Year Pandas!
I hope that everyone had an amazing Winter Break and that you were able to relax and enjoy time with your family and friends.
Students return to school tomorrow. We've already heard from some families that their student has recently tested positive for COVID. I would encourage you to please email Nurse Macomber or call the main office tomorrow and provide your name, your child's name, and your phone number so that the nurse can get in touch with you regarding return dates. The COVID isolation/quarantine protocols have changed. The district is updating the Ready, Set, Go Plan and that will be available soon online.
HISD's mask mandate is still in effect and all faculty, staff, students, and campus visitors are required to wear masks. Students who do not wear their mask properly will be moved to isolation. The parent will be called and the next time the student does not wear a mask, they will be sent home and marked absent. Additionally, all visitors are required to have a mask on upon entry. If you do not have a mask, we will be happy to provide one for you.
With the increase in cases, HISD is returning to virtual meetings only. This means that all parent/teacher conferences, administrator/parent conferences, counselor meetings, PTO meetings, SDMC meetings, etc. will be held virtually. With this change, we will not be able to meet with parents who come to the building. Please call the main office or email the person you wish to meet with directly to schedule a meeting.
Sporting events and fine arts performances will go on as planned; however, we have not received guidance yet on spectators/audience members. For this week. we are asking that there be no spectators at our sporting events until we receive additional guidance.
While we do our best to maintain 3 foot distancing in classrooms, we know that this is not possible at all times. In both the classrooms and cafeteria, students will be required to follow the seating chart and maintain social distancing, when possible.
I know that if we all work together and follow these guidelines, we will be able to keep our faculty, staff, and students safe and healthy. By all means if your child has any symptoms, please DO NOT send them to school.
As always, if you have any questions, please let us know.
Have a great week!
Steven
Week @ A Glance
January 5
- JJP Swim v. Pin Oak (@ JJP)
January 11
- SDMC Meeting @ 4:15 (via Zoom)
- PTO Meeting @ 6:30 (via Zoom)
- JJP Swim v. Black (@ JJP)
January 14
- Semester 1 Ends
Revised Bell Schedule BEGINNING January 19, 2022
Visitors to Pershing
Say Something
Pershing is once again encouraging the use of the “Say Something Anonymous Reporting System” (SS-ARS). This program teaches students, teachers, and administrators how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, of individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and Say Something to a trusted adult OR use its anonymous reporting system. Specifically, the program educates participants to:
- Recognize the signs and signals of at-risk behaviors – especially within social media
- Take every sign and signal seriously; act quickly to get help by talking to a trusted adult OR
- Report it anonymously through SS-ARS 24/7 Crisis Center, mobile app, or website
- Respond to and manage the submitted tip via a multi-disciplinary educator and administrator teams
- Sustain the curriculum and awareness via student clubs, in-school activities and call-to-action weeks
Our students often are aware of the problems their peers are facing, so we must empower them to know the danger signs and give them the tools to help each other with the assistance of trained and caring adults. As you know, most conversations are taking place on social media, therefore it is critical that we teach our students to be looking out for one another as these digital conversations are taking place. SS-ARS teaches them what to look for in text, video and photos while empowering them to act quickly to help a fellow student.
The SS-ARS program is being provided through Sandy Hook Promise (SHP), a nation-wide non-profit organization. SHP’s programs are in 50 states – with 7,000+ schools and over 3.5 million students and adults trained. They have a track record, reputation, and knowledge of how to work effectively with kids, parents, and teachers to improve school safety and culture. The program is age-appropriate and research-based. They also have funding to provide and sustain the program at NO COST to the district. To date, SS-ARS and other SHP prevention programs have helped stop multiple school shootings, suicides, and gun threats; reduced bullying and cyberbullying; intervened upon cutting, drug use, racial conflicts, and other violent and victimization acts. We know this program will do the same for our district.
The link to the SS-ARS program is on our webpage under Pershing MS Quick Links.
Need Assistance?
- Where can I find contact information for my child's teacher? Our website directory is an excellent place to find our faculty and staff email addresses.
- How can I monitor my child's grades? HISD Connect Parent Portal is the spot! Click here for information on setting up an HISD Connect Parent Portal account.
- I have a question, but I'm not sure who to reach out to for an answer. If you have a question, you can reach out to your child's Homeroom teacher, Counselor, or Assistant Principal for assistance.
- I need to schedule a meeting with a teacher, what do I do? Please email the teacher(s) you wish to meet with and allow them 24 hours to respond. Teachers are provided with a planning period each day, so they will send you those times to schedule a meeting. You can also call the main office at 713-295-5240 and leave a message for the teacher.
- I feel disconnected now that my child is in middle school. How can I get involved? This is easy. Join the PTO and attend the regularly scheduled meetings. We also recommend you attend the sporting events, fine arts performances, and PTO events throughout the year.
Contact Information
Steven Shetzer, Principal
Carrie Curtis, 6th Grade Assistant Principal
Maria Jackson, 6th/7th Grade Assistant Principal
Tyesha Beller, 7th Grade Assistant Principal
Alberto Fernandez, 8th Grade Assistant Principal
Amy Ford, 8th Grade Assistant Principal
Grisury Candelaria, Magnet Coordinator
Campus Support Team
Sherman Parker, 6th Grade Counselor
Enitsha Allen-Cooper, 7th Grade Counselor
Sara Graur, 8th Grade Counselor
Alesha Rushing, Wraparound Specialist
Jolynn Vallejo, CIS Social Worker