Pistor Paw Prints
November 2024
School Policy Reminders - The ABCs and D
Just a few reminders about some important school policies...
Attendance - Students need to be on time to each class. Students who are late and do not have a pass will be required to get a late pass at the Tardy Station (main hall). Students who are chronically late and/or absent will be assigned consequences according to the TUSD Code of Conduct for a Level 1 violation, including lunch detention and up to In-School Intervention days.
Backpacks - At the beginning of the school year, we announced that Pistor MS was moving to a clear/mesh backpack policy this year. Beginning in January, when we return from Winter Break, we will be in full implementation mode, meaning that if a student brings a solid backpack or large bag, they will be directed to check their bag and then pick it up at the end of the day.
Cell Phones/Electronics - At Pistor MS, we follow the TUSD Governing Board Policy regarding student use of electronics during the school day. Per TUSD Regulation JICJ-R Cell phones and electronic signaling devices may NOT be used:
- during instructional classroom time, including assemblies or other activities, which take place during the regularly scheduled classroom periods.
- during passing periods.
- during elementary and middle school students' lunch periods.
- to take pictures at any time that violate personal privacy.
- on field trips or excursions, which are conducted during the normal school day and during regular classroom instructional hours.
Cell phones and other electronic devices (ear buds, game controllers, etc.) must be turned off and out of sight. Visible devices, regardless of whether they are being used or not, will be confiscated and held for Parent Pick Up at the end of the day. Continued violations will result in consequences according to the TUSD Code of Conduct for a Level 2 violation.
Dress Code - Pistor MS is a uniform school. The dress code was revised slightly last year to make it a little more flexible for students and families. We expanded our basic uniform to allow for solid, non-collared shirts (rounded neck in red, white, black, or gray) and blue jeans (no rips, holes, tears, or fraying and no sagging). Everything else remains exactly the same. Students who violate the dress code policy will be asked to correct their attire if possible and will be assigned consequences according to the TUSD Code of Conduct for a Level 1 violation should the violations continue. See the complete Pistor Dress Code policy on our website.
Campus Hours
Just a reminder that the campus opens at 8:00 AM and closes at 3:50 PM, except on Wednesday, which closes at 2:50 PM.
Please do not drop off students before 8:00 AM. We do not have any supervision before 8:00 AM.
Please be sure to pick up your child by 4:00 PM, 3:00 PM on Wednesdays. We do not have any supervision after these times.
The only students who should be on campus before 8:00 AM or after 4:00 PM (3:00 PM on Wednesdays) are students who are participating in a CCLC club or tutoring or students who are participating in athletics.
We want to make sure that all students are safe.
Healthy School Initiative
This year Pistor MS is taking part in the Healthy School Initiative focusing on smoking and vaping in schools.
We are conducting an anonymous survey concerning the tobacco usage of preteens and teens today. This will assist the wellness coordinator, in working with our health department, as well as our administration, to work with our students and community in gaining knowledge about how to better serve our students in their needs to stay healthy. We are taking part this year in In order for your child to participate you will need to complete the survey consent form below. I am also including a link to the survey so that you can review the questions students will be asked.
This is our consent form
Survey Consent Form (jotform.com)
This is our Survey
https://forms.office.com/r/EDna2vWHQr?origin=lprLink
Please contact Ms. Suzette Gorrell at suzette.gorrell@tusd1.org if you have any questions or concerns.
Schedule Change Request Reminder
If schedule change is requested, it should be requested in writing by the parent/guardian or within the first ten (10) school days of the course. Most middle school courses are year-long. Schedule change requests should be addressed through the schedule change form available in the front office.
The following are NOT necessary reasons for a schedule change (this list is not exhaustive):
- Requests to change teachers, specific periods, lunch periods, "change of mind", incomplete summer assignments, or electives (academic or non-academic) are not considered to be necessary.
Necessary changes include (this list is not exhaustive):
- the addition of courses required for promotion, addition of courses required to fill empty periods, deletion of courses already completed, or deletion of courses "doubled up" during a specific period. Schedule changes that involve a scheduling error (for example, the student has already received credit for the course) will be made by the student's counselor throughout the school year.
In addition to the 10-day deadline above, all requests for schedule changes must meet the following criteria:
- Space is available in requested course
- Must be approved by the teacher and site administrator
If a request for a schedule change is due to a concern with a specific classroom, the following procedure should be followed before a change will be considered:
- Parent/student requests a conference with the teacher to discuss concerns and to seek a resolution.
- If the above is not successful, the parent/student requests a conference with the teacher and site administrator to seek resolution.
- If the above does not resolve the issues/concerns, the student/parent may submit in writing details of the concerns and the remedy sought. Such a letter should be submitted to the designated Assistant Principal.
Please remember, students request classes NOT teachers. Occasionally, a request is made to change from one teacher to another. We will not consider such requests unless one of the following conditions has been met:
- The parent/student has initiated efforts to resolve whatever issue or concern with the class may be and allowed an opportunity for improvement of the situation (per guidelines above).
- The student has had the teacher for a prior course and experienced difficulties that were not resolved. The parent will be asked to provide documentation of attempts to resolve the previous situation. Past difficulties are not applicable to siblings who may have had a certain teacher. Each situation is specific to the student currently in the class.
- Even if the above condition(s) exist, we will not move a student unless another section with space available exists. Please understand we cannot overload classes.
Students may be allowed to transfer out of a course outside the 10-day deadline in the event of an exceptional hardship or in response to a teacher recommendation. Failure in the course alone should not be considered an exceptional hardship. Factors which interfere with a student's mastery of the content such as a catastrophic event or extended illness would be examples of an exceptional hardship. Requests for schedule change due to exceptional hardships should be made in writing by the parent/guardian to the principal.
Any parent not satisfied with the decision of the teacher and site administrator regarding course changes may contact the principal or his/her designee. The Principal's decision is final.
If you would like to read the policy in its entirety, please use this link https://govboard.tusd1.org/Policies-and-Regulations/Regulation-Code-JG-R
The ABCs (and D) for a Successful School Year 2023-2024
At Pistor Middle School, we come to school each day, on time, prepared to learn, focused on learning, and dressed for success!
Here are some important reminders and updates to ensure access to a learning environment conducive to student success and to ensure safety while on campus for all students, faculty, staff, and families.
1. Attendance - If you child(ren) are absent or late, please be sure to notify the front office at 520-908-5414 within 48 business hours. Students with excessive unexcused absences (10+ per semester, will not receive credit for their class and may be subject to retention. Please see attached bell schedule.
2. Backpacks - Students are expected to carry a clear or mesh backpack from class to class while on campus. If you need assistance, getting a clear or mesh backpack, please reach out to Ms. Valencia, our School Community Liaison. Students who bring a solid backpack or large bag that is not see-through, will have the opportunity to check their bag and have it stored for the day.
3. Cell Phones - Students must have their cell phone (if they have one), turned off and out of sight from the time the first bell rings (8:45 AM) until the last bell rings (3:50 PM/2:50 PM on Wednesdays). Any cell phones or other electronic devices that are confiscated will be available after school for Parent Pick Up only.
4. Dress Code - We are a uniform school. The dress code was revised slightly last year to make it a little more flexible for students and families. We expanded our basic uniform to allow for non-collared shirts (rounded neck in red, white, black, or gray) and blue jeans (no rips, holes, tears, or fraying and no sagging). Everything else remains exactly the same. See the Pistor Dress Code policy on our website.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Panther Buck Store
The Panther Buck Store operates with a zero budget, meaning everything we have to give to students is donated. We are looking for donations to help us keep the store fully stocked. If you have or would be willing to donate ANY of the following items, your assistance would be greatly appreciated.
- candy (anything and everything, they are particularly fond of chocolate and Mexican candy)
- chips (they love the spicy ones)
- stickers
- croc charms
- fidget toys
- anything 10 - 14 year olds like
If you would like to donate, please ask for Ms. Diane, office manager. She will be happy to take your donation.
Remind for the 2023-2024 School Year!
If you would like to receive text messages with time sensitive information and important updates, please subscribe to the following Remind groups. Parents and Guardians only. We will only use Remind in cases were information is time sensitive (i.e. cancellation of sports or events, emergency situations, etc.).
6th Grade - text @pistorms6 to 81010
7th grade - text @pistorms7 to 81010
8th grade - text @pistorms8 to 81010
You do not have to download the app to use Remind. This is a private thread meaning that you will be able to receive text messages but only from the principal and/or assistant principals.
Campus Hours
If your child arrives to school after 9:00 AM, a parent or guardian must come in to the office to sign them in.
All students are expected to leave campus by 4:00 PM unless they are participating in a supervised sport, club, or activity.
Dress Code Reminder - Tops
Dress Code Reminder - Bottoms
If a student is out of dress code, they will given a warning for their first offense. Subsequent offenses will follow the TUSD Code of Conduct for a Level 1 offense.
Registration Open for CCLC - Activities, Clubs, Tutoring, etc.
Here are the links to register to save your spot:
English version: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=4FBwvMxLCUiSReqLZQhIZdhfN4vrf9ZKjENwcRC4BdlUN1hIMTBVN0oyNDE1U05MT1BSS1FFWk9ETS4u
Spanish version: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=4FBwvMxLCUiSReqLZQhIZdhfN4vrf9ZKjENwcRC4BdlUNjhGWElSM1lXMTczWUVXQjUwNlk2RFE0
For more information, please contact Ms. Elizabeth Brown and/or Ms. Suzette Gorrell.
Look at all the things happening at Pistor before and after school!
Cheerleading with Coach Manjarre
Chess Club with Ms. Gallego
Cosplay Club with Ms. Corcoran
Fashion with Ms. Munoz
Good Brothers with Coach Aaron
Henna Club with Ms. Rakam
Language Arts Support with Mr. Coens
Math Support with Ms. Qureshi
Self Defense with Coach Hawke
STEM with Ms. Marya
Tutoring with Mr. Serrano and Ms. Starks
Weightlifting with Mr. Cole
Pistor Athletics
Middle School Interscholastic Sports Offerings and Dates
Third Season January 8 – March 5
- Boys and Girls Soccer
- Boys and Girls Track & Field
Athlete Requirements
An athlete needs to have all paperwork and participation fees submitted before they can begin practices, tryouts, games.
- Active Sports Physical (must be dated March 1, 2023, or later) - You MUST have an active completed sports physical prior to try outs!
- Athlete Packet
- Emergency Information Card
- Parent/Guardian Permission
- Athletic Informed Consent
- Activity Specific Parent Permission
- Provisions of Transportation (FT1002)
- TUSD Interscholastic Athletic Transportation Guidelines (ISC1000)
If your child makes the team, in order to maintain eligibility, students MUST be passing ALL of their classes. If an athlete is suspended for any reason, they will not be able to play of the remainder of the season.
Participation Fees
There is a $30 for middle school interscholastic fee per activity.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mr. Casillas, the Assistant Principal in charge of Athletics and Activities.
ROAR - Respectful, Organized, Accountable, and Responsible
- Fully charged laptop with charging cord
- Notebook and/or binder
- Pen and pencil
- Refillable water bottle (no glass)
About Us - Pistor Middle School
Email: kathryn.gunnels@tusd1.org
Website: https://pistorms.tusd1.org/
Location: 5455 South Cardinal Avenue, Tucson, AZ, USA
Phone: 520-908-5400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063651666094