Principal's Blog

You may make your purchase online!

Replacement IDs = $5

Replacement Agendas = $5

Dear Parents and Guardians,

All 8th grade students will take the PSAT 8/9 on Tuesday, October 6th. This is a digital test that helps students and teachers identify academic strengths and areas for growth as they prepare for high school and beyond.

The PSAT 8/9 is part of the College Board’s SAT Suite of Assessments and gives students an early opportunity to experience the types of questions they will see on future PSAT and SAT exams. Please note that no testing accommodations will be offered for this administration of the PSAT 8/9.

For more information about the PSAT 8/9, including details about the test and access to practice tests, please visit the College Board website: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/in-school-assessments

Thank you for your support as we help our students prepare for this important step in their academic journey.

Online Resources:

ELA:

Textbook: StudySync (accessed through Canvas) Go to the student's ELA class's navigation tab and click on "McGraw Hill K-12 SSO".

Reading materials: StudySync, Library, Sora

TEKS Snapshot: 6th grade, 7th grade, 8th grade

Academic Vocabulary- 6th grade, 7th grade, 8th grade

STAAR Reading Language Arts Resources (TEA)

Social Studies:

Social Studies online textbook access (All grades):

1. Login to Classlink

2. Search for Navigate Texas

3. Select the Unit Tab on the left hand side of the screen

4. Choose the Unit the student is currently working on.

Getting ready for Social Studies STAAR or reviewing for a test:

1. Login to Classlink

2. Search for IXL

3. Select the Learning Tab at the top and Social Studies on the toolbar below

4. Choose the Unit the student is currently working on

*email your child's History teachers for suggestions on topics to review.

Science:

Science Online Access: The Park Crest Middle School science students should utilize our Savvas textbook through Classlink. 6th & 8th graders have each been given a copy of the textbook to take and leave at home as an additional resource. 7th grade teachers put in digital textbook readings in Canvas because they utilize the paper textbook pages in class for activities. All three grade levels also have a science notebook (journal) that is used most days in science. They are either adding new information to it, or utilizing information from it. This notebook serves as a vital resource for completing assignments and preparing for tests. It should be with them everyday at school.

6th grade science specific ways to study: Every test we take will have a review module accessible through canvas. This is the best way to review and prepare for their test. The module is filled with review games and power points such as Blooket, Wayground, and teacher created review power points. Every test will also have an extra credit review sheet they can complete for bonus points on their test. Completing the review sheets helps them study but they also get the benefit of earning bonus points.

7th grade science specific ways to study: Students can log into Canvas where digital copies of everything they have in their INB notebooks are available. This is so they have access to everything they do in class at home. It's also there for any students who may have missed a day of school. There are also power point slides to review for each unit as well as literacy passages and blooket game reviews.

8th grade science specific ways to study: Notes and other study links get posted in Canvas throughout the unit of study. Before each test a study guide is provided to help them focus their attention on what is most important to study for unit assessments. There are also lots of online and app based study sites students can access to make flashcards and do quiz games. TEA also offers free online practice tests for STAAR.

Math:

Agile Mind (Access through ClassLink)

IXL (Access through ClassLink)

Khan Academy

Reach out to their individual math teacher for additional resources not listed above.

Band

www.musictheory.net - Music Theory Lessons and Exercises

www.noteflight.com - Music Notation Software with Social components

www.philtulga.com/counter.html - Visual Rhythm Counting

www.tonalenergy.com - Tuning/Metronome/recording app compatible with mobile devices and personal computers

glisso.net/flashcard - Brass Fingering/Position training tool with sight reading and music examples

Choir

www.noteflight.com This website is used for music composition activities and to help students learn more about musical notation

www.richmanmusicschool.com/products/name-that-note This website features online flashcards to help students memorize the letter names of the treble and bass staff.

Tech Apps

typing.com

code.org

learning.com

Fundamentals of Computer Science

typing.com

Nitrotype.com

Codehs.com

learning.com

Our parking lot is small and does not easily accommodate the number of people who wish to travel it. We need you to follow the rules so that students are safe and everyone can get to where they need to be. Not doing so, puts all of us at risk. Be patient.

Here are the rules/expectations:

1. No cars enter the back parking lot in the morning or in the afternoon till after 4 pm.

2. Drop off occurs in the front parking area or along Pfennig -- only the side closest to Park Crest and never in the fire lane.

3. There are 2 lanes of traffic in the front loop and no drop off should take place in the parking area. Please do not block others' ability to park.

4. There is a RIGHT TURN ONLY sign posted on our property -- this means that ALL cars must turn right when leaving the front loop. If you turn left, you are taking the chance of receiving a citation. Police are watching and writing tickets for this behavior.

5. Making a U-TURN on Pfennig after you make the right turn is dangerous. Please do not put our children in danger to save a few minutes.

6. You may not park on the far side of Pfennig at pick up -- it is a traffic violation.

7. Buses cannot turn onto our road if you are parked too close to the corner at Railroad. Be courteous and move your car to a new location.

Ultimately, we want to keep our students safe. Drivers - you must make decisions to provide safety for all of our PUMAS!

PCMS Picture Day will be held on Thursday, September 24th. Photo information envelopes will be sent home with students about a week before picture day. The information is attached below in case you would like to complete the purchase online at www.diannepurschphotography.com

Please remember that the students will still need to have the envelope on picture day. Please fill out the student's information, the package you purchased, and the transaction date. Contact Debra Scarbo at debra.scarbo@pfisd.net or 512-594-2551 if you have any other questions.

We have the honor of welcoming author Adrianna Cuevas to Park Crest to speak to many of our 6th grade students this year. Adrianna is the author of multiple middle grade books, including one that was on the 2025 Lone Star List.

Book People is offering to have her visit PCMS for free. If you would like to support Book People and their author program, you can buy one of Adrianna's books using this link or QR code. She will sign the books and have them ready when she comes to visit for anyone who has bought a book.

If your student is not in 6th grade but would be interested in purchasing a book, please do so, as your support helps both the library and Book People. Mrs. Collins will make sure they are taken care of.

Absences: Brittany.Parish@pfisd.net

Registration/Skyward Contacts: Mattie.Clubb@pfisd.net

Medication/Immunization Questions: Jennifer.Boulay@pfisd.net

Teacher Contact Emails: https://pcms.pfisd.net/about-us/staff

The PCMS Yearbook is currently on sale for $35 through October 16th. The price will increase to $40 from October 17 to January 29, and then to $45 for the remainder of the school year. The yearbook has sold out for the last three years, so buy your yearbook now at the lowest price. To purchase your yearbook, go to www.jostens.com/bts/3185018 or call (877)767-5217.

PCMS 8th grade parents can also purchase a yearbook recognition ad to celebrate your student's remarkable journey. Go to jostensadservice.com/student to set up an account to purchase a recognition ad. All student recognition ads must be purchased and created by February 2nd. Let Ms. Scarbo know if you have any questions about the yearbook by sending an email to debra.scarbo@pfisd.net or call (512)594-2551.

Please complete the application for Free and Reduced Lunch status. Students who have previously qualified for free lunch will lose their status in September. Not only does this status affect children's ability to eat for free, it also helps our school continue to qualify for additional funding through the federal government. We use this money to purchase addition staffing positions, student opportunities, materials, and more. Our state accountability is directly impacted by our qualification number. Please apply today! LINK

PLEASE FILL OUT THIS PAPERWORK TODAY!

The new bleachers are being completed! We should have our home game here at Park Crest this week! See you on Thursday to support our students!

The XC team will compete on Wednesday night at 5 pm at Elgin MS.

Great Win for Our Pumas!

Another great week for Park Crest Football! This week, our Pumas faced a tough opponent in Cele Middle School, and through hard work, perseverance, and determination, both teams battled and came out on top.

Our 7th Grade Pumas earned a hard-fought 14–7 victory after falling behind early in the first quarter. The team stayed composed, continued to compete, and responded when it mattered most.

Bella Vita Realty Players of the Week – 7th Grade

• Offensive Player of the Week – Isaiah Hardeway
• Isaiah led the offense with 14 carries for 113 rushing yards and a touchdown.
• Defensive Player of the Week – Daniel Thomas
• Daniel had a strong defensive performance with 6 tackles and 2 tackles for loss (TFL).

• Offensive Player of the Week – Kamdyn Selby
• Kamdyn led the offense with 78 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns.
• Defensive Player of the Week – Andrew Britton

Andrew was all over the field, finishing with 9 tackles and 4 tackles for loss (TFL).

Great job to all of our athletes for continuing to compete, improve, and represent Park Crest with pride!

NEXT UP: DEFEND HOMEFIELD!

Next week, we set our sights on returning to PCMS and defending our home field as we take on Bohls Middle School.

• 7th Grade – 5:30 PM
• 8th Grade – 6:30 PM

We would love to see our Park Crest community come out, get loud, and support our Pumas!

Next Week’s Practice Schedule

• Monday: 7th Grade early morning practice — doors open at 6:30 AM. 8th Grade will practice after school until 4:30 PM.
• Tuesday: Walkthrough during the athletic period for both grades.
• Wednesday: Recovery Day during the athletic period.
• Thursday: 7th Grade early morning practice — doors open at 6:30 AM. 8th Grade will practice after school until 4:30 PM.
• Friday: Walkthrough/practice during the athletic period.
• One week at a time. Keep working, Pumas!

Coach Shawn Sheridan

Park Crest MS Athletic Coordinator

For more information please check SportsYou or contact

Shawn.Sheridan@pfisd.net for Boys Athletics

Crystal.Hinojos@pfisd.net for Girls Athletics