Grizzly Gazette

Welcome to York Junior High School!

It is officially July and that means school is just around the corner. No need to panic just yet! You still have plenty of summertime left. This newsletter will serve as some basic information for back-to-school. Until then, please continue to make those memories and have the best summer ever!

See you soon!

Lindsay Ardoin

• Aug. 1: 7th Grade Girls Athletic Screener (for new students; info below)
• Aug. 4: York Junior High staff returns
• Aug. 7: Football Equipment Pick-Up at 5:00-8:00 PM
• Aug. 13: First Day of School; Doors open at 8 AM
• Aug. 14: York PTO Meeting at 9:30 AM
• Aug. 14-20: Girls Volleyball Tryouts (more info to come)
• Aug. 18: YCC Moms and Daughters "Hat Bar" Event at 6 PM
• Aug. 19: CISD Board Meeting at 6:00 PM
• Aug. 20: YCC Meeting at 6:00 PM in Gym
• Aug. 21: Volleyball Parent Meeting at 5:00 PM in cafeteria
• Aug. 21: GOHS Varsity Football Scrimmage at Tomball HS at 7 PM
• Aug. 22: 7th Grade Luau Dance right after school (4:15-6:00)
• Aug. 29: GOHS Varsity Football at Planet Ford Stadium at 7 PM
• Sept. 1: Labor Day Holiday; No School

Get ready for our "Back-to-School-Bash!" Join us on Friday, August 8th for our big back-to-school event. Students will be able to meet Principal Ardoin, purchase Spirit Wear from PTO, get information on school clubs, take self-guided tours of the campus, meet staff, and pick up their schedules. Due to the high volume of students and parents, we ask that 7th graders come between 3:00-4:30 PM. 8th Graders are invited to attend from 4:30-6:00 PM. This is a "come and go" event.

Expect high volumes of traffic and parking issues. We are permitting you to park on Waterbend Cove or the Cox Intermediate parking lot if needed.

We can't wait to see our Grizzlies!

All student schedules will be released at the "Back to School Bash" on August 8. Please know that if your child has seen their schedule online this summer, those are not finalized. We are still making last minute adjustments to schedules, and many of them are still being revised and edited.

We are so excited to continue the "House System" at York Junior High next year!!! For those of you who have been apart of the Grand Oaks community, you are aware that Clark and Cox Intermediate "sort" students into houses in 5th grade, allowing them a chance to to belong in different groups, show their pride with healthy competition, and overall learn the benefits of being a GOOD person. Here's how it will work:

All students who were previously in a house at Clark and Cox Intermediate will continue in their house at York JH. Lists of your child's house have been given to the York JH staff.

For those students who are new to the area, they will be sorted at the Back to School Bash. After picking up your schedule in the gym, head to the cafeteria where the House Sorting Party will take place. "Unsorted" students will be able to get sorted right there, get a free shirt, courtesy of Mourtisen Orthodontics, and join the ranks of all their friends in various houses. MUCH MORE information to come! Get excited!!

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 students arrive on campus they must put the electronics 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.

• On Wednesday, August 13, doors will open for students at 8:00 AM. Students who arrive this early will be allowed to wait in the cafeteria until around 8:20.
• Please know that at the junior high level, parents do not walk their child in on the first day. Take the pictures at home and allow them to come in on their own.
• At around 8:20 AM, all students will be released to a HOMEROOM class. This is only something we do on rare occasions. In secondary schools, all junior high and high school students attend a homeroom on the first day of school. The homeroom is listed on their schedule.
• If they are unsure we will have posters and signage all around the cafeteria to help them find their homeroom number.

While in homeroom, the York administration and student success staff must complete a required "audit" or "balancing" of enrollment. We will be checking to see who arrives, who is withdrawn, etc. Once our audit is complete, students will be released to their 1st period ORANGE day class. It's an unusual day, but it is a requirement that we must complete, by law, to ensure all enrolled students are properly accounted for.

During Homeroom, students will:

• Go over important procedures
• Receive an updated schedule (in case changes were made over the weekend)
• Receive lunch assignments.

• 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.
• At 4:15 PM, any remaining bus riders will be released to wait in the cafeteria.

During the first week of school, we will begin the process 10-15 minutes early!!! Plan accordingly. Additionally, please know this is a work in progress. We will make adjustments as needed.

As a friendly reminder, all students must be caught up on vaccines or have a current exemption form before they are able to pick up their schedules August. Incoming 7th graders are required to have their Tdap and MCV4 vaccines. Incoming 8th graders have no new required vaccines. If you have not already done so, please bring updated records to Nurse Allie, or email them to arweaver@conroeisd.net. Please reach out to the clinic for any questions or if you need assistance.

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 $0.40

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

Parents can pre-pay online for meal accounts beginning August 1, 2024. Click the "Child Nutrition Information" link above.

Free and Reduced Meals

Parents can apply online for Free and Reduced meals beginning July 22, 2024, at 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.