Hawk News 8/8/2025

Hawk Nation,

Ready or not, the 2025–2026 school year is here!

If you're new to Hendrickson welcome! If you're returning here's to another incredible year together.

One of the biggest conversations this summer has been around the new law banning cell phones during the instructional day. This marks a major shift, especially since many students have used personal electronic devices to support their learning. But here's the upside: for every student who was distracted by their phone, this change is a real opportunity. Research shows that reducing screen time can lower anxiety and stress, improve peer relationships, boost creativity, and sharpen critical thinking.

Will it take time to adjust? Absolutely.
Will it help students focus, connect, and achieve more? Without a doubt.

That’s why it’s more important than ever that students bring a fully charged Chromebook every day, as many classes will rely on them for daily instruction.

We also know that some parents may have concerns about the new law. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with your questions—I’m here to help navigate this change with you.

On our end, I’ve challenged our teachers to bring their very best every day. We’re committed to delivering engaging, thoughtful lessons that unlock the full potential of our students.

So why are we here? What’s the end goal of high school?
This summer, Dr. Shepherd, our superintendent, gave us a clear and powerful focus: preparing every student for one of the Three E’s—Enrollment, Employment, or Enlistment.

That journey begins Wednesday, August 13—and we couldn’t be more excited.

To start strong, here’s what we need from every Hawk:

Show Up

Challenge Yourself

Get Involved

More information will be sent out next week for the first days of school. Enjoy tax free shopping this weekend, look for lanyards for your student ID that match your fit. IDs must be worn and be visible.

The details of the PfISD policy can be found here.

One of the most important decisions facing our students is selecting courses within the high school curriculum to provide a foundation for college and career readiness after graduation. Students select courses for the next school year before the Spring Break with guidance from the counselors on their campuses. Careful planning and discussions with parents and guardians are an important part of the scheduling process, and we encourage families to login at home to review the career plan in Skyward. Make course selections for the next school year carefully. Registering for a course indicates a commitment to take the course. Class creation and teacher assignments are based on student course requests, therefore we can only honor schedule change requests that meet certain criteria. Importantly, course changes will be made only if educational need is demonstrated and space is available in the subsequent course.

Specifically, schedule corrections will be considered the first two days of school for the following reasons only:

• The student is a senior and does not have a course required for graduation

• The student does not have the prerequisites for a course

• Course credit was previously received (i.e. through summer school, TXVSN, CBE)

• A data-entry error made by the school (i.e. two first period classes, or a schedule that does not have the full number of classes)

• Student has previously failed this course with the same teacher

For a semester or a year-long course, a student may not request a change to a different course until after they have attended the class for five (5) days and a student may not withdraw after the fourth week of the course. However, to meet individual student needs, the principal may use his or her discretion to approve a course change.

A student who withdraws from a course will have the grade in that course applied to the new course. It is highly recommended that the replacement course be in the same discipline. A student who changes courses assumes responsibility for the full content of the new course on the final exam.

Click Here For The Schedule Change Request Form

***Attention all 9th grade and new students. Parents you must fill out the Chromebook Agreement Form Link before you are issued a Chromebook. You will need to know your student's student ID number, please include the "s". Here is the link: https://pfisd.incidentiq.com/policy/626bd99f-8463-4406-9957-d56763ebf4b7/lookup

Teacher Planning and Prep Day

District Convocation 2 pm at Kalahari

Volleyball at WHS (Scrimmage)

Volleyball at Georgetown (Scrimmage)

DCI Watch Party 6 pm Cafeteria

😅

Teacher Planning and Prep

Meet the Teachers 5 pm - 7 pm

Take Flight (Freshman Orientation) 10 am - 11:30 am

Volleyball vs. Dripping Spring 5:30 pm

First Day of School! 9 am

Second Day of School! 9 am

Volleyball at Westwood Tournament

9th Grade Football Only (Scrimmage) vs. Dripping Spring 5 pm

XC at Lion Park 7:30 am

Students must provide completed permit agreement, valid drivers’ license, proof of insurance, and $25 annual fee (paid by cash or check). Permit should be affixed on the front windshield, inside lower right-hand corner and must be in original, purchased condition. Students may park only in the general student parking lots (A, B & C) located on the southwest part of the property as well as the lots located near the athletic Fieldhouse and tennis courts. Students are strictly prohibited from parking in Faculty Parking areas and will be ticketed and/or immobilized (booted). Citations for not having a permit are $25 and parking in non-student areas are $15. Also seniors who have bought parking spots have exclusive rights to the space during school hours.

Email: Michael.Grebb@pfisd.net

Instagram: hendricksonhighschool