Pearce-Aug 13

Pearce Seniors will be selling Class of '08 T-shirts at registration as well as Class of '11 T-shirts for the incoming Freshmen. All shirts are $15 and the proceeds will benefit Senior class activities including Prom.

The Texas Education Agency has confirmed that Richardson Independent School District has again earned the distinction of being a "Recognized" school district, based on 2006-07 student performance. It marks the second consecutive year RISD has earned the distinction, the largest urban district in Texas to do so.

"Congratulations are in order for our talented and dedicated teachers, support staff, PTA, community partners and students," said RISD Superintendent Dr. David Simmons. "While we will continue to address our challenges, this news is further recognition of something our community has known for a long time - RISD is an excellent place to receive an enriching, well-rounded education."

In addition to maintaining its Recognized rating, RISD increased its number of "Exemplary" rated campuses by 50 percent. Overall, 81 percent of rated campuses are either Exemplary or Recognized, compared with 79 percent a year ago.

The Texas accountability system provides for districts and individual campuses to receive one of four annual performance ratings, "Academically Unacceptable, Academically Acceptable, Recognized and Exemplary." The ratings are based on student performance on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS), spread across grade levels, subjects, and demographic groups. In all, there are 24 possible rated categories, and campuses and districts must meet specific standards in all 24 to attain higher ratings. The system is designed such that if any student group doesn't meet a categorical standard, their entire campus (or district) rating will be affected, regardless of the performance of other student groups. Thus, mathematically, campuses and districts with more student groups face a more difficult task than their counterparts with fewer student groups.

The Texas accountability system should not be confused with the Federal No Child Left Behind Act, which assesses districts and campuses using different methods.

everyone's invited - annual Pearce Athletic Booster Club Kick-off Cookout

The entire Pearce community is invited to "Kick off" the new school year with a hot dog cookout on Wednesday, August 29th from 6:00-8:00 at Pearce on Senior Way. This is your chance to purchase all of the new Pearce Spirit Wear, meet the Football and Volleyball teams, and see performances by Pearce's award winning Cheerleaders, Pacesetters, Band AND our newest spirit group - The Mustang Stampede, a country-western dance group. And for even more fun, The WOLF 99.5 will have a live remote from our cookout.

Debut of Pearce Spiritwear 2007-08

Don't miss out on the newest spirit wear items!! We have great new T-shirts, Hoodies, Flip Flops, Women's and Men's Polos, and much more. We will be selling during registration on August 13th, August 16th, and August 17th! Items will also be sold at Freshman Orientation on Thursday, August 16th from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. For more information, contact Lisa Albert at (972) 733-4252 or Tricia Gold at (972) 931-3061.

BASKETBALL CAMP SET FOR AUGUST 18TH!

The Pearce coaches will host their Late Summer Basketball Camp for all interested 1st through 6th grade boys and girls from 1-4 on Saturday, August 18th at Pearce. Sign up now and get the early bird price of $35. Cost includes a Mustang t-shirt and chance to be ball boy for a game! Lots of fun - lots of basketball! Walk-up registration available ($40). To register or for more information contact: Kathy Shoope or call her at 972-234-0851.

Football Parents please make note of the following dates and times:

August 12, 3:00 PM MANDATORY all Football Parent’s meeting

August 13 FOOTBALL PRACTICE BEGINS all grades

7:00 -9:00 AM & 4:00-6:00 PM

August 17 First day in Pads

August 18 Football Team Pictures all teams

Coach Robertson is sending all football players a letter with many more details.

Also don’t forget to always check the football Web Site www.PearceFootball.org

Calling all Junior and Senior Girls!!

If you would like to help support the 2007 Varsity Football team we are starting a new group (similar to “Diamond Darlings”).

Be one of the original members to start a new JJP tradition. If interested contact: Tammy Amyx 469 556-3365 or Carol Ann Miller 972 991-7917.

Pearce Season Football Tickets

There are three chances to get your season football tickets!

Freshmen Schedule Pick-up on Thursday, August 16^th from 8:00-2:15. Junior and Sophomore schedule pick-up on Friday, August 17^th from 8:00-4:00 AND at the Kick-off Cookout on Wednesday, August 29^th. Any questions???? Please contact Paige Hefner

friday night lights this friday

All Elementary and Junior High students and parents are invited to Friday Night Lights for All Pearce Area Mustangs. Come watch the

Varsity Football Practice and stay for autographs and pictures after the scrimmage with the players. This Friday, August 17 at the Pearce

Football Field from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Hope you will join us!

Mustang Tennis

On Monday August 20th, try outs will be held and practice will begin at for the Pearce Tennis Team. Come on out from 4:30-6:00 p.m.

August 24th & 25th Varsity will play in a tournament Plano West. On August 28th Varsity will play against Forney and Junior Varsity will

play Forney on August 30.

Mustang Wrestling News

Wrestling is holding open mat time from 4:00 - 5:30pm each Thursday until school starts. There is no cost and no need to sign up, just drop by and join last year's JV and Varsity wrestlers. If you are interested in joining Mustang Wrestling for the 2007-2008 season, please contact Coach Hazlewood. You can also join wrestling after football season is over. Wrestling is always looking for new athletes to join the team!
Wrestling is also looking for team managers for the 2007-2008 season, if interested please contact Coach Hazlewood. The Mustang Wrestling parent meeting is usually held towards the end of October/beginning of November. However, if you have any questions, please contact Coach Hazlewood or Wrestling Team Rep Karen Brown.

pacesetter officers excel at officer camp

Congratulations to the 2007~2008 JJPearce High School Pacesetter Officers! They are Captain Emma Clarke, First Lieutenant Caren Mandelbaum, Junior Lt. Nadia Bahramnejad and Junior Lt. Hayley Shelton! The officers participated earlier this summer in the Starmakers Drill Team Officer Camp, bringing home top awards in all categories! For the Opening Night Performance, they won the highest honors of Superior Award and Outstanding Precision Award; and they followed up with superior awards/blue ribbons - also the highest awarded - in all five of the other required dances of Opening Jazz Dance, Field Routine, Compulsory, Choreography, and Chosen Routine. These capable and talented young women, along with Director Jaclyn Weaver, will lead this year's team of 32 Line Members at JJPearce High School.

congratulations to the 2007-2008 wranglers

We look forward to creative entertainment and spirited antics from this year's team of Pearce Wranglers. They are: Co-Captains Taylor Knight and Tim Sekiguchi, Brian Miller, Tyler Miller, Naeem Munaf, John Redlinger, Evan Schutza, Daniel Shnider, Chris Stewart, Zach Sutton and Taylor Van Donk.

The Mustang Mum Store will BE CLOSED the week beginning Monday, August 13. We will reopen on Monday, August 20 at 9:00 am. Hours are typically Monday through Saturday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm and Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. These hours are subject to change once school opens and we begin full production. Now is the time for students to work for their NHS hours, and for supporters of booster clubs to work for their respective booster club. PTA board members, we need you to work your 10 hours for PTA before working for the booster clubs. So, come on down to 1465 Campbell Road. We are right next to Run On and Richardson Bike Mart. We need a good many more volunteers to come assist with this worthwhile project.

If you did ANYTHING for Pearce during the months of May, June, July or August, it is time NOW to report those VOLUNTEER HOURS! Simply go to the PTA website at www.jjpearcepta.org and click on 'Volunteer Hours', or click on the link above, or email your name, the dates and hours you worked and the activity to one of the email addresses below. This information is used in garnering awards for our school and promoting Pearce and RISD within the state and country in various areas such as real estate, business development and RISD development. The recognition that we receive for the volunteer hours worked strengthens the reputation of our school and our neighborhoods and benefits us all. Volunteer Hours include attending meetings, baking, and helping with fundraisers such as the Mum Store or any Booster Club or school event—anything that you or your student does for Pearce that does not result in a grade. Always include 15 minutes driving time to and from school—and keep track of the time you spend running errands on behalf of a school event. You may record your summer hours in a combined total and enter a general description of your activities. Remember, the NUMBER of hours is much more important than a detailed description of the volunteer activity! If you have already signed in at the Mum Store or at another event, those hours have already been submitted and should not be duplicated. Thank you for supporting JJ Pearce! Renee Stone 972-735-0758 or Diane Fleschler 972-931-3090

WaMoola for Schools!
Washington Mutual has a debit card reward program that can gives points to Pearce each time you use your debit card. At the end of the year, the points are converted to a $$$ donation from Washington Mutual!! All you have to do is apply for the card, or if you already have one, specify you want to join the "WaMoola for Schools" program for Pearce High School. Please check Washington Mutual at Campbell and Mimosa or visit wamoolaforschools.com
Questions? contact Jeremy Pratt at Washington Mutual, Debbie Webb (972)387-1405, or Ann Yamada (972)991-1199

The Richardson Symphony League Debutante and Honor Guard program is currently in its recruitment period. The program, a cultural and service organization, is open to young ladies and gentlemen in the Richardson area in grades 9-12. The next Summer Social will be held Sunday, August 12 at Catherine McCoy's home 5109 Coachman Court in Plano from 2:30 - 4:00. Come find out about these great service organizations which benefit the Richardson Symphony Orchestra. Open to all 9th through 12th grade students. Bring your parent and a friend! For more information, contact Mrs.Chris Walker, Executive Advisor at 972-238-1612.

The Richardson Camber of Commerce has scheduled the 49th annual New Teacher's Luncheon for Thursday, August 16, at 11:30 a.m. at the Renaissance Dallas-Richardson Hotel. This special event honors new teachers entering the RISD and demonstrates the Chamber's support of quality education. Retired U.S. Air Force Captain Scott O'Grady will be the key note speaker.

Each year the Chamber collects door prizes and tote bag items to be given to new teachers at the luncheon. This event, presented by the Chamber Education Committee, is the Chamber's longest-running and largest event.

For more information contact Randi Gordon at the Richardson Chamber of Commerce at 972 792-3816 or randi@telecomcorridor.com or register online to attend the luncheon at www.telecomcorridor.com.