Grizzly Gazette

Grizzly Families,

Welcome back and Happy New Year! I hope that all of you had a wonderful winter break and a joyous holiday. I am so happy to be back at York Junior High, and to be surrounded by all of our wonderful students! I'm currently 2 months post-surgery, and in the thick of radiation appointments, but I'm doing well. It's so wonderful to be back with the kids! Thank you again for your continued prayers and support.

I wanted to say how proud I am of how hard our students worked during midterms. For our 7th graders, this was their first time navigating this style of schedule and assessment, and everyone did a fantastic job. I look forward to seeing their continued success throughout the semester.

As always, if you need anything, please don't hesitate to reacho out.

Lindsay Ardoin

• Jan. 6: Students return to school
• Jan. 6: OPDT Board Meeting at 7:00 PM
• Jan. 8: PTO Meeting at 9:30 AM
• Jan. 8: MOD Pizza Spirit Night
• Jan. 8: Boys Basketball at Moorhead; Girls Basketball at York
• Jan. 9-10: Boys Basketball Tournament
• Jan. 10: Western Art Show; Choir Region Workshop
• Jan. 14: Cheer Booster Meeting at 6:00 PM
• Jan. 14: YCC Meeting at 6:00 PM
• Jan. 15: Boys Basketball at York; Girls Basketball at Brabham Middle School
• Jan. 16: CTE Criminal Justice Day
• Jan. 17: Theater Troupe to Beauty and the Beast downtown
• Jan. 19: MLK Holiday; No school
• Jan. 21: Incoming 8th Grade Meeting- Course Selection; 6:00 PM
• Jan. 22: Incoming 7th Grade Meeting- Course Selection; 6:00 PM
• Jan. 22: Grizzlies for Greatness at 9:30 AM
• Jan. 23: Rock Your School
• Jan. 23: AB Honor Roll Celebration during lunch
• Jan. 24: Boys Basketball Tournament at York
• Jan. 24: Choir Treble Region Auditions
• Jan. 29: Boys Basketball at GOHS; Girls Basketball at Calfee

Sign up to tryout for Girls Track HERE: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSegsBjQivJNI0-DnqOsCfhfs6ASau0_K99xzmbwk9sk_ZVL-w/viewform

Mark your calendars! York CTE will be hosting a Career Fair on February 5 from 6-8 pm. This is a great opportunity for students to meet professionals in a variety of careers and have the opportunity to ask them questions. Please plan to attend.

We are also still looking for presenters. If you are interested in setting up a table to highlight your career and willing to talk to students, please e-mail Karen Stewart klstewart@conroeisd.net.

Students are not permitted to receive food deliveries (such as DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, etc.) during the school day. This policy is in place for several important reasons:

• Safety and health concerns: We cannot verify ingredients or potential allergens in food items that are delivered.

• Identification issues: Deliveries often arrive under a parent’s first name and first letter of the last name, which makes it difficult for staff to determine which student the order belongs to.

• Logistical challenges: The front office can become very busy during the day, and sometimes a delivered lunch goes unnoticed until lunch blocks have already ended. At that point, we must call the student out of class to ensure they can eat, which means they are missing valuable instructional time and disrupting their learning. Additionally, it is the student’s responsibility to come to the front office to pick up their lunch. We have no way of knowing whether you’ve informed your student that a delivery was arranged for them that day.

──────────────────────────────────────────────

⚠️ To ensure consistency and fairness, our front office attempts a call home and keeps a record of any instances when this rule has been disregarded. We appreciate your support in helping us maintain a safe, organized, and productive environment for all students.

🥪 You are always welcome to drop off a meal directly to the front office with their name clearly labeled — you as parent bringing the lunch, or another entrusted family member/ friend.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

We have a limited amount of York JH PTO Spirit Wear available in our inventory! Support the PTO by purchasing your Grizzly spirit wear directly from us: https://yjhspiritwear.cheddarup.com/

York JH PTO is looking for local businesses to partner with! We offer Community Sponsorships that offer great visibility to our community, while supporting the PTO. We have several different levels for our business partners. Please email fundraising@yorkpto.com or visit https://www.yorkpto.com/sponsors-and-fundraising to partner with us today!

Connect with us! We post frequently on our York Junior High PTO Facebook page. Make sure to give us a follow to stay in the loop: https://www.facebook.com/YorkPTO. We also have a website: www.yorkpto.com. Both are great sources of information!

During the 2025 fall semester, Conroe ISD’s Attendance Boundary Committee (ABC) will review attendance boundaries in preparation for the opening of Kacy Arnold Elementary and Grand Oaks Junior High. Kacy Arnold Elementary will be located at 5175 Woodson's Spring Dr., Spring, Texas, 77386, and is expected to open in August 2026. Grand Oaks Junior High will be located at 28075 Woodson's Grand Dr., Spring, Texas 77386, and is expected to open in August 2027. Grand Oaks High School Ninth Grade Campus will also be located at 28075 Woodson's Grand Dr., Spring, Texas, 77386, will have the same zoning as the senior campus, and is expected to open in January 2027.

For more information about the process, please visit the rezoning website.

Many of you may have heard that Governor Abbott signed a new law (HB 1481) that prohibits any child in a K-12 school to use their personal cell phone/electronic device during the day. Please note that this new law conflicts with what I told you at the York JH Parent Orientation and what is different from what I shared with your children at their Clark/Cox Pep Rally in May.

Texas House Bill 1481 says that student use of personal electronic devices, such as cell phones, personal iPad, smart watches, etc. is prohibited during instructional time. The CISD School Board has adopted a policy supporting HB 1481 stating electronic devices will be prohibited for the entire day. Electronics should be off and away for the entire school day. This means once school begins at 8:50 AM, their electronics must be shut off and put away. This is in the hallways, in the classrooms, and during lunch. The CISD School Board also discussed that campus consequences, such as confiscation of these devices, will occur if the child is not following directions.

I know this will be a big adjustment for some of our students and parents, but I believe we will see benefits in classroom engagement, interaction, and content retention. We will follow the state law and Board policy as written, but it will take support from you to help us. Please have conversations with your child NOW, so they are prepared for this new adjustment.

Additionally, your children's cell phones will stay with them during the day, they just have to be "away for the day." They may use them during dismissal time when school is over. They may also reach out to you (with permission), if an emergency arises.

• Students riding the bus will be dropped off in the back of the school. These students will then report to the cafeteria, if it is before 8:20 AM. If after 8:20 AM, they will go to HOMEROOM.
• Students riding their bike may LOCK their bike in front of campus, at the bike racks.
• Car Riders- please have patience and be nice to your neighbors. Use the "zipper" approach- one enters the front drive from the west side of Waterbend Cove, then the east side, and so forth and so on.
• Car Riders- we will allow "double stacking" of cars in both lanes to help more traffic flow on Waterbend Cove.
• Car Riders- follow the signage on the sidewalk and in the street. Pull all the way forward before dropping your child off from the passenger side.
• Car Riders- There will be several staff members outside to help you and TEACH you the "York Way." Most importantly, PULL ALL THE WAY UP, PAST THE FRONT DOOR, UNTIL ASKED TO STOP. The more cars we have pull all the way up, the more we are able to get kids out efficiently.
• Car Riders- Please pay attention to the county signs on the street that prohibit parking and pickup/drop off on Waterbend Cove. Police officers will be out there to provide citations to those who do not follow this rule.

• York JH dismisses at 4:05 PM.
• As soon as buses begin to arrive, bus riders are called from their last period class to load.
• Car riders, walkers, and bikers, will be released out the front doors closer to 4:00-4:05.
• Car Riders- follow the same procedure as arrival. Drive SLOWLY and look for your child. Pull all the way forward and allow your child to enter from the passenger side.
• Do not CUT or PASS others in order to move to the front of the line.
• Do NOT pickup your child on Waterbend Cove. All students are to be picked up near the front doors, next to the flag pole.
• At 4:15 PM, any remaining bus riders will be released to wait in the cafeteria.

CHARGING UPDATES

During the school year, we are limiting the amount of charges that a child can make on their account. After a child charges 15 days of meals, they will no longer be able to charge, and will NOT RECEIVE A LUNCH. Please make sure you are up to date on payments.

Breakfast Meal Prices

· Student Breakfast $2.00

· Student Reduced Breakfast $0

· Non-student Breakfast/2nd Student Breakfast $3.10

Lunch Meal Prices

· Student Lunch $3.20

· Student Reduced Lunch $0.00

· Non-student Lunch/2nd Student Lunch $4.70 (Teachers, Parents, Siblings)

My School Bucks

Beginning August 1, 2025, payments may be made online at https://www.myschoolbucks.com

Free and Reduced Meals

Parents can apply online for Free and Reduced meals NOW!! https://www.myschoolapps.com

Below is the list for the 25-26 school supply list. You'll find that supply lists are different at the junior high level, rather than elementary/intermediate. We ask that each family provide their child with supplies that they will keep and use throughout the year. Please buy what your child will be able to use and keep in their backpack. Second, we have a "donate" list to bring to campus. Many teachers will provide a supplemental list of supplies during the first week. The list below is a recommended list for junior high. Because times are tough for many of our families right now, the classroom supplies are optional. However, anything you are able to purchase will make a huge impact in the daily learning for your child. See the list below.

Some families have asked "what do we need?" Thanks to a tremendous outpouring from last year, we don't need much to get us started this year. However, we have added a few items to our Amazon Wish List to help us decorate campus, get our classrooms ready, and have some treats for teachers. Check out our wish list here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2IFZ2FR1EYVY4?ref_=wl_share

Starting in 7-12 grade, ALL students in CISD will be required to wear an ID badge. All students will be provided a new badge at the beginning of the school year. Any child who loses their badge during the school year and needs a replacement, will incur a $5 charge, which covers the badge, sleeve, and lanyard.

Interested to know if your child is eligible to ride the bus? Want to know how to register your child for the bus? Click the link above (Conroe ISD Transportation Information) to learn everything you need to know about CISD Transportation.

Transportation cannot change addresses for students. All student information is uploaded from campuses, and it is used to route our students. Parents, you will need to contact Shelita Hebert, Registrar, if needing to change your address. Once the campus makes the address change, it takes about 48 hours for Transportation to process the change.

Parents or guardians must submit an Alternate Stop Request Form each school year for service to an alternate stop. Students who are not eligible for transportation services may not be allowed to request or utilize an alternate stop. Parents can request an alternate stop when they request transportation for their child (register). They can do that at the following link: https://apps.conroeisd.net/AlternativeTransportation/

We do not offer transportation to students who live under a mile from the campus. Our one-mile measurement is made from the point at which the residence’s driveway meets the public road to the nearest point where any campus driveway meets the public roadway or where any pedestrian walkway (greenbelt) provides access onto campus property (through a gate or driveway). The distances are measured using the District’s dedicated school bus routing software and the Montgomery County Appraisal District (MCAD) maps to determine distances if necessary.