Cougar Nation News
August 2025

๐พ Cougar Nation News ๐พ
๐ซ A Message from the Principal
Dear Students, Families, and Staff,
As we step into the final stretch of the school year, May brings with it a sense of accomplishment, reflection and celebration. Our campus has been filled with energy as students demonstrate the knowledge and skills they have worked so hard to develop throughout the year.
This month is especially important as we prepare for end of year assessments, recognize student achievements, and celebrate milestones such as graduations. I encourage all students to stay focused, finish strong and take pride in their progress.
To our families, thank you for your continued support and partnership. Your involvement plays a vital role in the success of our students and staff, I am deeply grateful for your dedication and commitment to excellence every single day.
Let's make these final weeks meaningful, supporting one another, celebrating successes and looking ahead with excitement for what's to come.
Congratulations to Class of 2026!
Wishing everyone a strong and successful finish to the school year.
With appreciation,
Dr. Lacey Ajibola
The Connally High School Counseling Department is here to support all of our students with their academic, personal, and social needs. Please do not hesitate to reach out.
Registrars
A - L - Savannah Ruedas email: savannah.ruedas@pfisd.net
M - Z - Elizabeth Okagbare email: elizabeth.okagbare@pfisd.net
Counselors (Student Last Names)
A - Fi - Carla Compton email: carla.compton@pfisd.net
Fl - I + 9/10 NC - Laura Holtz email: laura.holtz@pfisd.net
J - Mi + 11/12 NC - Cecilia Sanchez email:cecilia.sanchezarellano@pfisd.net
Mj- Ran - Gabriela Saenz email: gabriela.saenz@pfisd.net
Rao - Z + PTech - Marlexa Phillips email: marlexa.phillips@pfisd.net
College and Career Advisor - Stephanie Lopez email: stephanie.lopez1@pfisd.net
Principals
Testing - Jacqueline Okpala email: jacqueline.okpapla@pfisd.net
9th Grade - Mike Adams email: michael.adams@pfisd.net
10th Grade - Currently supported by all assistant principals.
11th Grade - Grace Zamorano email: grace.zamorano@pfisd.net
12th Grade - Yolanda Wilkins email: yolanda.wilkins@pfisd.net
Associate Principal - Scott Ford email: scott.ford@pfisd.net
Principal - Lacey Ajibola email: lacey.ajibola@pfisd.net
Support Services
Social Worker - Taylor McIntyre email: taylor.mcintyre@pfisd.net
SPED Coordinator - Brittany Slover email: brittany.slover@pfisd.net
๐พWelcome to CHS ๐พ
About CHS ๐ญ
Established in 1996, John B. Connally High School is a comprehensive 5A high school with 1,920 students and 197 faculty and staff members. The campus is home to a diverse population making it one of the most heterogeneous high schools in Central Texas.
The students of CHS speak over 22 different languages. This diversity is the strength of the campus community. The unique educational experiences that John B. Connally High School offers, illustrates our commitment to passionately serve our community and the world around us in the best interest of our students.
John B. Connally High School
13212 N. Lamar , Austin, TX 78753
Main Phone: 512-594-0800
Counselor Office Phone: 512-594-0825
Counselor Fax: 512-594-0806
CEEB Code: 440305
CHS Assessment 2025-2026 ๐ฏ
Advanced Placement Exams
Assessment Room Location
Please check your email for specific campus information.
Campus News๐ฐ
Please join us in congratulating our 2026 Teacher, Humanitarian and Rookie Teacher of the year. We are incredibly fortunate to have them on our team.
Teacher of the Year- Mr. Williams
David Williams, a dedicated Special Education Behavior Teacher, has profoundly impacted the program at John B Connally High School by fostering meaningful relationships with his students. His approach emphasizes teaching strong coping skills, empowering students to manage their emotions effectively and navigate challenges with resilience. Through his commitment to restorative practices, David ensures that student accountability is not just about consequences but about learning and growth. His efforts have not only enhanced the educational experience for his students but have also contributed to a more supportive and inclusive school environment.
Humanitarian of the Year- Mr. Zach Wilborn
Zach Wilborn exemplifies the spirit of humanitarianism through his unwavering dedication to his students, treating each one as if they were his own family. His selflessness is evident in the countless hours he volunteers to ensure every student receives the support and attention they need to thrive. Beyond the classroom, Zach is a beacon of compassion, always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need, regardless of the time or circumstance. Such commitment to others truly makes Zach Wilborn a deserving candidate for the Humanitarian of the Year award.
Rookie Teacher of the Year- Ms. Maya Dossing
Maya Dossing exemplifies the qualities of a Rookie Teacher of the Year through her deep passion and dedication to her students in Special Education Essential Academics. Her commitment to providing a nurturing and engaging educational experience ensures that all her students thrive and actively participate in campus life. A proud graduate of Hendrickson High School, Maya brings a unique perspective and fervor to her teaching, making her an invaluable asset to our district. Her unwavering devotion to her students and their success truly makes her one of our district's stars.
Connally Stars โญ๐
๐We have excellent news to share with everyone!
Stars are back2back - Crowdpleasers Dance - National Champions!
CHS AP Program๐คฉ
The AP Program offers several AP Scholar awards to recognize high school students who have demonstrated college-level achievement through AP courses and exams.
We are proud to celebrate our outstanding students recognized by the AP Programโs Scholar Awards. Their dedication, perseverance, and commitment to academic excellence reflect both their hard work and the strength of our academic program.
CHS Fine Arts ๐ญ๐ง๐ปโ๐จ
Kudos to our Connally Band program for their remarkable achievement at the annual UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Evaluation.
Symphonic Band earned a Division 1 rating for their stage performance, showcasing their hard work, dedication, and musicianship.
Wind Ensemble earned the prestigious Sweepstakes Award by receiving Division 1 ratings both on stage and in the Sight Reading evaluationโan incredible accomplishment and one of the highest honors a band can achieve at UIL.
ART ๐จ
Sports Highlights ๐๐๐โฝ๐ฅ๐๐ป๐
Cougar Football: A Remarkable Playoff Run ๐
Our Cougar Football team wrapped up an impressive playoff journey, demonstrating exceptional sportsmanship, leadership, and determination throughout the season. From the first kickoff to the final whistle, our athletes showcased discipline, teamwork and a competitive spirit.
Although the season has come to an end, the legacy of this year's team will carry forward. We are proud of their accomplishments and grateful for the excitement they brought to our school.
Congratulations on a fantastic season, Cougars ๐พ๐
Let's celebrate our Academic All District players, leaders on and off the field.
Boys Powerlifting team๐๐ป
HISTORY MADE!! Our Boys Powerlifting Team brought home the win at the Cedar Creek Iron Eagle Invitational, earning Connally's first team title since 2007!
Congratulations to our athletes and coaches on this amazing accomplishment!
Tennis ๐พ
Congratulations to our Girls Tennis Team on their big win!
Congratulations to Brandon, Daniel, Jeniyah,and Angela for their medal winning performance in San Marcos on Friday! Varsity will be in Copperas Cove.
๐พCongratulations to the Tennis team for their second place finish in the district championships this week! Seniors Brandon Tran, Daniel Ho, and Jeniyah Chargois for qualifying to represent Connally at the regional championships in two weeks! Go Cougars!
ART 2-DRAWING & ART 3-ADVANCED DRAWING
Helpful information ๐พ
Phones AWAY for the DAY
I want to share an important update about a new state law that will impact all Texas schools, including Pflugerville ISD.
Beginning this school year, a new law, House Bill 1481, requires that students not use personal devices during school hours. This means that from the first bell at (9:00 am) to the last at (4:15 pm), students must keep items like cell phones, smartwatches, earbuds, tablets, and gaming devices put away and out of sight. The law applies to any personal wireless device that can send or receive data, unless it's been issued by the school for instructional purposes.
Hereโs what this means in everyday terms:
- Personal cell phones, tablets, gaming devices, smartwatches, Bluetooth headphones or earbuds, and even fitness trackers that can send or receive messages must stay stored away during the school day.
- There are exceptions for students with documented medical needs or special education accommodations
This law aims to help students stay focused, reduce distractions, and create a safer and more respectful learning environment for everyone.
What Devices are Restricted:
Personal cell phones
Tablets
Gaming devices
Smart watches
Bluetooth headphones or earbuds
Fitness trackers that can send or receive messages
Personal computers not being used for instructional purposes
Two-way radios
Pagers
Any other device capable of digital communication.
๐ Bus Information ๐
Go to pfisd.net โ Scroll down and click on "Bus Routes"
Food and Child Nutrition ๐๐
My School Bucks: allows you to add money to your studentโs account for snacks and beverages (ex. chip, cookies, bottled water) that is not covered by the free/reduced lunch program. Visit here for more information: https://www.pfisd.net/Page/504
๐ Attendance Matters!
Did you know that regular school attendance is one of the biggest factors in student success? When students miss school, even just a day or two each month, it can add up quickly and impact learning.
Why Attendance Matters:
-
Builds strong learning habits
-
Keeps students on track academically
-
Helps students feel connected and involved
-
Prepares students for future responsibilities
Letโs work together to build a culture of showing upโbecause every day counts!
Targeted Improvement Plan
As part of state accountability requirements, our campus is developing a Targeted Improvement Plan to address areas of need and ensure improved outcomes for our students. Your input is an important part of this process.
Here you will find a draft of the Targeted Improvement Plan. We invite you to review the plan and share your feedback or suggestions so that we can strengthen it together.
Student's Chromebook ๐ป
Parents, please make sure this is completed before Tuesday so your student is ready to use their Chromebook. Click the link provided.
Enter your studentโs S number using a capital S (example: S123456).
You will see two boxes โ one green and one blue.
In the top green box, click the word โhereโ (it will be hyperlinked) to view the Chromebook policy.
The Chromebook Agreement Form will open as a PDF. You may notice two scroll bars:
The scroll bar closest to the right edge of your phone screen will let you move the PDF out of the way.
Scroll down to reach the signature section at the bottom.
Sign and submit the form online.
๐ปโ ๐ง๐ปโ๐ป๐ฉ๐ปโ๐ป
Student's are issued a school Chromebook to support learning both in and out of the classroom. Here is helpful information and link for parent agreement.
- Care & Responsibility: Chromebooks should be handled carefully. Students should avoid dropping or damaging their device.
- Technical Support: If a Chromebook is not working properly, please follow tips in image below or call Help Desk 512.594.0212
- Acceptable use: Chromebooks are for school-related work only. Students must follow the school's technology use policy.
We encourage families to review these guidelines with their students to ensure a successful and productive school year.
Chromebook Responsibility Agreement ๐ป
Class of 2026 ๐
๐๐จ๐ปโ๐๐ฉ๐ปโ๐Attention Seniors & Senior Parents:
Graduation order time will be here before you know it & is right around the corner.
Please plan accordingly as online orders will start the week of October 20th for your custom Connally cap & gown, Class Ring & graduation announcements etc.
Graduation Items can be ordered individually or as Graduation Packages.
Stay tuned for more information and online ordering instructions.
Congratulations to the Class of 2026 & Go Cougars!!
Senior Walks
Senior Breakfast 2026
Our goal is to raise $4,000 to cover all costs for a catered 2026 Senior Breakfast. Every tax deductible gift goes toward the cost of creating a fun and memorable experience!
How to support Senior Breakfast (Thursday May 21st, 10 am):
Donating $10 per student will help us reach this goal
Ask family members or friends to contribute
Sponsor additional students
Help spread the word to other 2026 Grad families
- ANY and ALL donations help!
Make online donations here.
$10- Green Level- support your senior
$25- Silver Level- sponsor additional students
$50- Gold Level- shout out in the newsletter
FAFSA ๐
Dear Senior Parents and Guardians,
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is officially open for the Class of 2026! Completing the FAFSA is the most important step in securing financial aid for college, trade school, or career training programs.
This application determines eligibility for:
Federal grants (money you donโt repay)
Work-study opportunities
Low-interest federal student loans
Many state and college-specific scholarships
How the FAFSA Works This Year:
The student begins the FAFSA with their own username and password.
The student will then invite one parent/guardian (called a โcontributorโ) to log in with their own username and password.
That parent completes their section, and then the FAFSA is submitted.
Important: Only one parent needs to fill out the FAFSA. Which parent is used depends on the family situation:
Married parents (to each other): Both parentsโ information is included, but only one parent logs in as the contributor.
Divorced/separated parents: Use the parent the student lived with most in the past 12 months (or who provided more financial support).
If that parent is remarried, the stepparentโs info must be included too.
Single, never married parent: Only that parentโs info is needed.
Why act quickly?
Some financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Many colleges require the FAFSA on file before awarding scholarships.
Even if you donโt think you qualify, itโs still worth completing.
Youโll need your 2024 tax information to complete the form.
Click here to begin: https://studentaid.gov/
Cap and Gown ordering ๐
Graduation ordering time is officially here!
Please take the time to go online & order your official Connally graduation items as soon as possible.
Items can be ordered individually or as a graduation package as seen online.
**Invitations orders should be placed no later than February 14th to allow sufficient time for mailing to your guests.
Follow the below link to order your items and congratulations to the Class of 2026!!
Mark It! ๐
May 1: School Principals Day
May 4-8: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 6: Natโl School Nurse Day
May 15: Senior Sunset at CHS field
May 18: Senior Walks
May 19: Graduation Rehearsal #1
May 20: Graduation Rehearsal #2
May 21: Senior Breakfast
May 21: Last Day of School- Early Release.
May 25: Memorial Day / Staff Holiday
May 27: Graduation- 8 PM at the HEB Center in Cedar Park