Principal's Blog

Wednesday, Park Crest will be holding a Family Engagement Event! Come! Play Loteria! Taste Mexican food, listen to music!

Event begins at 5:30 pm in the Park Crest Cafeteria!

You may make your purchase online!

Replacement IDs = $5

Replacement Agendas = $5

Dear Parents and Guardians,

All 8th grade students will take the PSAT 8/9 on Tuesday, October 6th. This is a digital test that helps students and teachers identify academic strengths and areas for growth as they prepare for high school and beyond.

The PSAT 8/9 is part of the College Board’s SAT Suite of Assessments and gives students an early opportunity to experience the types of questions they will see on future PSAT and SAT exams. Please note that no testing accommodations will be offered for this administration of the PSAT 8/9.

For more information about the PSAT 8/9, including details about the test and access to practice tests, please visit the College Board website: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/in-school-assessments

Thank you for your support as we help our students prepare for this important step in their academic journey.

On Monday, October 5th- the referral window will open up to families and teachers for GT nominations.

Before making a referral, you can learn more about gifted characteristics and district services through these helpful resources:

• What is Giftedness? Read this overview from the Davidson Institute or MENSA for Kids

• "Bright Child" vs. "Gifted Learner": What's the Difference?
  View in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

If you think this might be a good program for your student, please refer them in the link below:

GT Referral Form Link

Red Ribbon Week is the largest and longest-running drug-use prevention awareness campaign in the United States, celebrated annually from October 23 to October 31. Park Crest will be celebrating Red Ribbon Week the last week in October by dressing up each day in themed outfits.

We encourage our students to participate; however, we do not expect students and parents to feel pressure and spend unnecessary amounts of money to make it happen! If your student would like to participate, it is FUN!!!

We end the day on October 30th - the day before Halloween! All students may dress up that day in a costume. Hopefully, they will choose a superhero and be part of the Red Ribbon Theme! If they choose something else, that is fine, but all dress up outfits must adhere to these rules:

1. School appropriate themes - nothing too adult, nothing violent, nothing related to drugs, alcohol, or weapons.

2. No swords, lightsabers, baseball bats, or any type of gun/knife item

3. No masks - we must see our students' faces

4. No blood

5. No inflatable costumes

Here are the themed days:

Monday- Team Up Against Drugs (Wear a jersey or team shirt)

Tuesday- Pair Up Against Drugs (Twin with a friend or teacher)

Wednesday- Marry a Drug Free Life (Dress in all black or all white)

Thursday- Lei Off Drugs (island attire)

Friday- Be a hero, say no to drugs! (Superhero costume or shirt- no masks)

Traffic and resistance to our plans to move cars through our driveway continues to be a problem. If you are a driver who drops off or picks up a student at Park Crest, please adhere to the traffic laws, be kind, turn right, and never drop off or travel through the center of the parking area.

Be a Kind Puma.

Scholastic Book Fair is Coming!

Dear families,

Get ready—the Scholastic Book Fair is coming to our school!

Dates: Oct 26-30

Location: PCMS Library

Book Fair Late Night: Oct. 29 5:00 PM-6:30 PM

School homepage: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/parkcrestmiddleschool

This is a great opportunity to build your child’s home library with new books that will get them excited about reading, while also earning funds for our school.

--> We will be going CASHLESS this year. This means your child will need to purchase books either through the eWallet or a credit or debit card. The easiest way to let your child shop the Fair independently is by creating a Book Fair eWallet through our school homepage. It’s easy to set up and easy for family and friends to add funds.With eWallet, you’ll also have the chance to contribute to Share the Fair™—the giving program that supports students at our school who need help buying books. Consider participating so that no child leaves the Fair empty-handed!We can’t wait to see you at the Fair and help every student discover a book they’ll love!

Absences: Brittany.Parish@pfisd.net

Registration/Skyward Contacts: Mattie.Clubb@pfisd.net

Medication/Immunization Questions: Jennifer.Boulay@pfisd.net

Teacher Contact Emails: https://pcms.pfisd.net/about-us/staff

The PCMS Yearbook is currently on sale for $35 through October 16th. The price will increase to $40 from October 17 to January 29, and then to $45 for the remainder of the school year. The yearbook has sold out for the last three years, so buy your yearbook now at the lowest price. To purchase your yearbook, go to www.jostens.com/bts/3185018 or call (877)767-5217.

PCMS 8th grade parents can also purchase a yearbook recognition ad to celebrate your student's remarkable journey. Go to jostensadservice.com/student to set up an account to purchase a recognition ad. All student recognition ads must be purchased and created by February 2nd. Let Ms. Scarbo know if you have any questions about the yearbook by sending an email to debra.scarbo@pfisd.net or call (512)594-2551.

If your student has been receiving their lunch via the free and reduced lunch program, their membership has ended and they may be accruing a debt in the cafeteria. Please renew now!

Free and Reduced lunch status serves two things:

- Children receive lunch at a free or reduced cost status.

- The overall percentage of students who qualify puts our school into a category that helps us with: 1) funding for our school. We are able to employ a Parent Liaison with the funds we collect. 2) School Accountability - In the TEA system, we receive a score that measures our success compared to schools that "look" like Park Crest. Our success will continue in one area of the rubric the state calculates with your completed application submitted.

Please complete the application for Free and Reduced Lunch status. Students who have previously qualified for free lunch will lose their status in September. Not only does this status affect children's ability to eat for free, it also helps our school continue to qualify for additional funding through the federal government. We use this money to purchase addition staffing positions, student opportunities, materials, and more. Our state accountability is directly impacted by our qualification number. Please apply today! LINK

PLEASE FILL OUT THIS PAPERWORK TODAY!

VB Game PCMS vs. Elgin 7th Grade Away/8th Grade Home

Get your tickets TODAY!

GREAT SEASON Cross Country! Congratulations to all of our runners and a HUGE THANK YOU to Coach Shipley for leading the team!

Monday

• 7th Grade – Morning Practice (Doors open at 6:30 AM)

• 8th Grade – After-School Practice until 4:30 PM

Tuesday

• Practice/Walk-Through during the athletic period

• PCMS vs PMS - Game will be played at PHS

• 7th grade 6:15pm

• 8th grade 7:15 pm

Wednesday

• GAME DAY

Thursday

• 7th Grade – Morning Practice (Doors open at 6:30 AM)

• 8th Grade – After-School Practice until 4:30 PM

Friday

• No Practice due to Teacher Work Day/No School!

See you after break!

For more information please check SportsYou or contact

Shawn.Sheridan@pfisd.net for Boys Athletics

Crystal.Hinojos@pfisd.net for Girls Athletics