Community Newsletter 11/30/2025

Welcome back, Oiler families! We hope your Thanksgiving break brought rest, time with loved ones, and a well-deserved pause from the fast pace of the school year. We are incredibly proud of the effort students have shown, and even more grateful for the way our families support them through every challenge and every success. Student work this fall has been impressive. Classroom discussions feel sharper, projects are wrapping up, and teachers are seeing tons of growth as we head into the final stretch of the semester.

Now we enter one of the busiest and most exciting times of the year. With only three weeks remaining until Christmas break, our goal is to finish strong—both in attendance and in performance. Consistent attendance truly matters this time of year. Each lesson builds toward final exams which are a substantial portion of the semester average. Showing up and being ready everyday gives students the best chance to enter testing week with confidence. We appreciate everything you do at home to help students stay on track and present throughout the semester’s final days.

Over the coming weeks, campus will be full of activity. Girls and Boys Basketball are heading into district contests, and our fine arts programs are preparing for winter concerts that always fill our halls with music and excitement. After the break, our theatre department will begin final preparations for its upcoming production of Seussical the Musical, and students are already deep in rehearsals. Teachers are reviewing key concepts in every subject, guiding students through study strategies, and supporting them as they prepare for finals.

Let’s make these last weeks of the semester our strongest yet

This Week

Tuesday

• Girls Basketball @ 7:00 PM vs. South Houston (Home – The Pressure Pit)
• 9:00 AM – Senior Panoramic Photos

Thursday

• Balfour on campus during all lunches (Main Entrance)

Friday

• Girls Basketball @ 7:00 PM vs. Cy Ranch
• Balfour on campus during all lunches (Main Entrance)

Next Week

Tuesday

• Swim @ Natatorium – 5:30 PM
• Girls Basketball @ 7:00 PM vs. Sam Rayburn (Home)

Thursday

• Band Concert @ 6:00 PM in the PHS Auditorium

Friday

• Choir Concert @ FUMC Pearland – 7:00 PM
• Boys Basketball @ 7:00 PM vs. Alvin – Teacher Appreciation Night

Senior Panoramic

The annual Senior Class panoramic picture will take place Tuesday, December 2nd during 3rd period. Students may purchase and pick up their panoramic photo the next day, December 3rd during lunch, following the pricing listed in the attached flyer.

Graduation

Planning for the 2026 graduation is currently underway, information below is subject to change. Due to the FIFA World Cup being held at NRG Stadium, the Class of 2026 graduation will be at The Rig.

Pearland ISD will not use a ticket system for this year’s graduation ceremonies. However, to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for all attendees—and to help us avoid reaching stadium capacity—we kindly recommend that each graduate invite no more than ten guests.

Additional details regarding parking, stadium procedures, and live streaming will be shared as we get closer to graduation.

Balfour

After the photo, our Balfour representative will meet with seniors to share graduation information and distribute ordering packets. As a reminder, Balfour will be on campus December 4th & 5th at the main entrance to assist with Cap & Gown orders and Class Ring orders. Families may also order anytime online at www.balfourgrad.com

The panoramic photo marks the unofficial start of graduation season—one of the last moments the entire Senior Class gathers together. As we move toward Graduation on May 22nd, Balfour will continue supporting seniors with required items, while our counselors and admin team help students stay on track academically. Seniors, strong attendance and grades are essential for good standing toward graduation.

Exams begin in two weeks, and many students are already preparing. To help families plan, we are releasing the draft exam schedule. The dates are final, but minor adjustments may be made to accommodate transportation between PHS and Turner HS.

Grade-Level Exemptions

• 12th Grade: 4 exemptions

• 11th Grade: 2 exemptions

• 10th Grade: 2 exemptions

• 9th Grade: 0 exemptions

General Criteria

• Meet the exemption limit for their grade level

• Have 4 or fewer absences (excused or unexcused)

• Have no ISS, OSS, or ALA assignments

• Have no outstanding discipline

• Be clear of all fines and fees

• Meet grade requirements (listed below)

Grade Requirements

• Regular & PAP classes may exempt with an 80+ semester average

• No exemptions allowed in STAAR-tested courses this semester

AP Courses

Option 1:

• Students meet the above general exam criteria.

• Semester average 90+

Option 2 (for one-semester AP courses):

• Students meet the above general exam criteria.

• Pre-register and pay for the AP exam

• Earn a 70+ semester average

• Commit to taking the AP exam in May

• Students who skip the AP exam after using the exemption will take a makeup exam in the spring.

Bonus Exemption

Students with perfect attendance in 3rd period earn a bonus exemption.

Exemption Portal

The district Exemption Portal will be open: Wednesday 12/10 at 7:00 AM → Monday 12/15 at 3:00 PM. Students must submit their selections through the portal during this window or they will be required to take all exams. Portal link: https://exm.pearlandisd.org

Our PHS Softball team is once again leading the charge in giving back to our community through this year’s Week of Giving. This tradition is one of the many ways our softball program continues to model leadership, service, and Oiler pride both on and off the field.

As part of their Week of Giving, our softball players are also hosting a donation drive to support a local family courageously battling cancer and the Haynie Spirit Bone Cancer Foundation, which provides direct assistance and hope to families navigating this devastating diagnosis.

Your donation—no matter the size—will help families cover:

• Medical and treatment-related expenses

• Travel needs for hospital visits

• Daily living costs during treatment

• Research and awareness efforts supported by the Haynie Spirit Foundation

This effort reflects the heart of our softball team: lifting others up, paying kindness forward, and standing beside families in their hardest moments.

💛 Give hope. Give strength. Give today.
Donation link: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/week-of-giving--2025

Membership

Join the PTA today! Join: Join PTA!

• Membership Drive Winners: Parker Perez, Kimberly Samuels, Carter Barnes, Lynette McManus, Denise Wilson, Lloyd Hendricks.

• Seniors: Only 12 senior signs are still available.Purchase Here: Purchase Senior Signs

• Students: All student members will receive special treats throughout the school year!

Stay Connected

Follow the Pearland High School PTA on social media to celebrate students and stay updated on events:

• Facebook Page
• Pearland High School PTA Newsletter

Next week we’re adding a little fun to our final exam preparation with festive dress-up days. Students and staff are invited to participate each day—dress code rules still apply.