Pearsall Intermediate School News

Dear Intermediate School Families,

We are almost halfway through the 5th six weeks. The 5th six weeks it a crucial part of the semester as we continue to prepare our students for the STAAR. Our teachers are working intentionally each day to strengthen academic skills, review important standards, and build students’ confidence. Your support at home helps reinforce what is happening in the classroom and allows teachers to focus their time on targeted instruction and small-group support.

Here are a few simple ways you can help support your child’s learning and help our teachers prepare students for success:

• Ensure your child attends school every day and arrives on time. Consistent attendance is critical during this important instructional period.

• Encourage your child to take their classwork, practice activities, and tutorials seriously. These lessons are directly aligned to what students need to know for STAAR.

• Ask your child what they learned each day and have them explain a problem or concept to you. Talking about learning strengthens understanding.

• Make sure your child gets plenty of rest and comes to school ready to learn each day.

When students are present, focused, and supported at home, our teachers are able to provide the highest level of instruction and support possible. Together, we can create the conditions our students need to feel confident and prepared on test day. See our "All About STAAR" Section below for definitions and extra information on STAAR.

Other Ways to Help:

• Show students you care about their academic performance. Check their binders. Students are tracking their growth in their binders.
• Ask students about STAAR Strategies & Posters (RACES, ROMP)
• Join us for Reading Night to learn more about these strategies.
• Encourage students to get on IXL or Lexia at home

💬 Stay Connected

Keep up with campus events, photos, and updates by following our Pearsall Intermediate Facebook page, Class Dojo, and checking the school website regularly.

Thank you for standing with us and for helping our teachers prepare every student for success. We truly appreciate your partnership.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Baker

Principal

Pearsall Intermediate School

What does each STAAR Performance indicator mean? The picture above provides an indicator of what students need in each category.

Students who fall in the "Low Did Not Meet" performance level need 30 additional hours of small group instruction, which could take place during intervention times, or tutorials.

Students who fall in the "High Did Not Meet" performance level need 15 additional hours of small group instruction, which could take place during intervention times, or tutorials.

Additional details can be found on the TEA website linked below.

STAAR Testing Days:

Tuesday, April 14 - Reading STAAR Grades 3-5

Tuesday, April 21 - Science STAAR Grade 5

Wednesday, April 29 - Math STAAR Grades 3-5

Congratulations to Pearsall Intermediate for having the highest attendance for the 4th six weeks! The students were ecstatic about winning the attendance belt! Please help us keep the belt for the 5th six weeks. Every day matters!

We will be collecting plastic bags for the plastic bag recycling challenge sponsored by HEB. Bags will be collected from March 2nd through April 2nd. The grade level with the highest number of bags recycled will win. We are teaching students the importance of recycling.

• Plastic bags of all sizes are accepted
• Not accepted...rolls of unused bags, unused bags purchased or taken from the store.

Mar. 6: Professional Development Day (No School for Students)

Mar. 9-13: Spring Break

• Backpacks - Backpacks are checked each morning. We ask that you ensure your child is only bringing necessary school supplies in their backpacks. We also ask that extra items hanging from backpack zippers be removed (except hand sanitizers). Please check your child's backpack daily for notes and homework.
• Snacks - We don't mind students bringing snacks, but please only send personal snack size items (no larger than 2 oz) that can be eaten during lunch.
• Water Bottles - Please only send water in refillable water bottles.
• Birthdays - We don't mind recognizing your child's birthday at school, but please only send store bought cupcakes that can be distributed at the end of the school day. No pizzas, please.
• Walkers - We understand students may have to walk to a particular location after school. With that in mind, please help stress the importance of safety when walking. Students who do not practice safety while walking may be required to be picked up at school.
• Pick-Up - Please pick up students in the areas designated by the pickup map. Students should not be picked up through the teacher parking lot.