Ponder ISD

📢 Ponder High School Parent Information Night! 📢 NEW DATE & TIME 📅 Date: Wednesday, March 26th 🕕 Time: 6:00 PM 📍 Location: PHS Auditorium Join us for an informative evening covering exciting academic opportunities for our students! Learn more about: ✅ Dual Credit ✅ OnRamps ✅ LaGrone Academy ✅ NCTC CTE Program Representatives will be available to answer questions and provide details on these programs that can enhance your student’s educational journey. Don’t miss this chance to explore pathways to college credit and career readiness! We look forward to seeing you there! 🎓🦁 #ponderlions #ParentInfoNightt #CollegeAndCareerReady #MadeForGreatness

📢 Reminder: There will be no school for students Wednesday, March 26, due to a staff development day and the Academic UIL Meet hosted at Ponder High School. We will see students back on Thursday!

📢 Now Accepting Applications! 🌟 Ponder ISD’s 2025-2026 Dual Language Program is now open for applications. 🎉 📚 Available for PK - 1st Grade 🗣️ Students learn in English & Spanish 🎯 Goal: Bilingualism, Biliteracy, and High Academic Achievement 📅 Lottery for placement: April 17th Apply today! ⬇️ 🔗 https://www.ponderisd.net/o/pisd/page/bilingual-esl-services ¡Solicite hoy el Programa de Lenguaje Dual de Ponder ISD! 🌍📖 Más información aquí: 🔗 https://www.ponderisd.net/o/pisd/page/bilingual-esl-services

📢 Parent Information Night Canceled 📢 Due to our dual credit partners being unable to attend, tonight’s Parent Information Night has been canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. We are working to reschedule the event and will share the new date as soon as it is confirmed. Stay tuned for updates! Thank you for your support!

🚨 Playoff Game Alert! 🚨 🏀 Ponder vs. Tatum 🏀 📅 Tuesday, February 25, 2025 ⏰ Game Time: 7 PM (Doors open at 6:30 PM) 📍 Location: Caddo Mills High School 📍 3049 S. FM 36, Caddo Mills, TX 75135 🎟️ Get your tickets here: https://www.cmfoxathletics.com/HTtickets District Passes and Coaches Passes accepted. Come out and cheer on the Lions as they battle for victory! Let’s pack the stands and show our support!

Join us for the Integrated Athletics Track Meet on April 24th from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM! Don't miss this exciting event celebrating teamwork, determination, and sportsmanship. See you there! 🏅🎉

📢 Weather Update 📢 At this time, all Ponder ISD campuses will remain open as scheduled today and tomorrow. We are in close communication with Denton County Emergency Services and area superintendents to monitor weather conditions. We will continue to track the forecast throughout the evening and early morning. If any changes occur, we will communicate updates as soon as possible through all appropriate channels. With temperatures expected to be very cold, please make sure all students wear their jackets and stay bundled up when heading to school. Stay warm and safe! ❄️

📢 Join Our Team – Become a Substitute at Ponder ISD! 🍎🏫 Ponder ISD is looking for dedicated and passionate individuals to join our team as substitutes! This is a great opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our students while enjoying a flexible schedule. Whether you're a retired educator, college student, or community member looking to get involved, we’d love to have you on board! ✅ Flexible scheduling ✅ Rewarding experience ✅ Opportunity to support our students & staff Apply today and help us continue providing a great learning environment for our students!

🏀 Ponder Lions Playoff Game 🦁 📢 Ponder Lions vs. Life Oak Cliff 📢 📅 Date: Monday, February 17th ⏰ Game Time: 7:00 PM (Doors open at 6:30 PM) 📍 Location: Haltom High School 📍 Address: 5501 Haltom Road, Haltom City, TX 76137 🎟 Ticket Link- WILL GO LIVE ON MONDAY Feb 17th at 8 AM 👉 https://gofan.co/event/3215846?schoolId=TX99648 ✅ Passes Accepted: Senior Citizen District 9-3A & 10-3A TGCA, THSCA, THADA, TASO 🚨 Important Reminders: 🔹 Clear Bag Policy in Effect 🔹 No Outside Food or Drinks (Including Water Bottles)

🏀 Girls Area Playoff Game – Come Support the Lady Lions Basketball Team! 🏀 🔥 Ponder Lady Lions vs. Winnsboro 🔥 📅 Date: Friday, February 14, 2025 ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM (Gates open at 5:30 PM) 📍 Location: Farmersville High School 📍 Address: 499 S State Hwy 78, Farmersville, TX 75442 🎟 Tickets: Online only – Get yours here 👉 https://events.ticketspicket.com/agency/b7029d7b-d3fb-4076-a549-5e8203292073/events/bc282334-9eec-4887-b091-3a35b3b4c9df ✅ Passes Accepted: THSCA, Senior Citizen, TGCA, District Pass, TABC Come out and cheer on the Lady Lions as they battle for the Area Championship

Ponder ISD is now accepting applications for our state-based Pre-K program for the 2025-26 school year. If your child will be four years old on or before September 1, they may qualify for this free, high-quality early learning opportunity. Learn more at https://www.ponderisd.net/article/2006044

📢 Join Us for the PISD Job Fair! 🗓️ Date: March 8th ⏰ Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Ponder ISD is a great place to be! With amazing students and an incredible team, we are proud to say we are #MadeForGreatness. Don't miss this opportunity to join our outstanding district and make a difference in the lives of our students! We can't wait to meet you! ✨

Ponder ISD is hosting a Gifted & Talented Information Meeting on Thursday, January 23rd, from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM in the Ponder ISD Board Room. This event will provide valuable insights into the Gifted & Talented program, including an overview of what it means to be gifted and talented, the referral process, and what the program looks like within Ponder ISD. Open to everyone, this meeting is especially beneficial for families interested in learning about the program, including those with children already enrolled. Join us to explore opportunities and resources available for gifted and talented students in the district!

🚨 Weather Update 🚨 All Ponder ISD campuses, schools, and extracurricular activities will be CLOSED on Friday, January 10, due to ongoing snow and ice.

All Ponder ISD campuses, schools, and extracurricular activities will be closed on Thursday, January 9, due to inclement weather. We are closely monitoring conditions for Friday, January 10, and will keep you updated. Safety is our top priority—stay safe and warm!

Did you get the chance to see the beautifully decorated tree at PHS? Mrs. Steele’s class has created something special this holiday season just for the tree—a custom Ponder Lions Christmas Tree Topper! This unique piece highlights the creativity and talent of our students while celebrating school spirit. Thank you, Ms. Steele’s class, for adding a touch of Lion pride to the holidays!

Texas law now requires school districts to distribute information to parents and guardians about the safe storage of firearms. The attached information will help you learn about options for, as well as how to talk to your child and others about, the safe storage of firearms. In 2021, 4,613 Texans experienced gun-related deaths. The Texas Department of State Health Services (SHS) reports that 55% of Texas firearms deaths in 2020 were suicides and that 59% of all suicides in Texas were by firearms. Suicide attempts involving firearms have a 90% fatality rate. Restricting access to guns is critical in reducing acts of violence, whether as self-harm or towards others. Acts of mass violence and interpersonal violence often end in suicide. It is unlawful to store, transport, or abandon an unsecured firearm in a place where children are likely to be and can obtain access to the firearm. Under Texas Penal Code 46.13, a person commits the offense of making a firearm accessible to a child if the child gains access to a readily dischargeable firearm, and the person with criminal negligence: -Failed to secure the firearm; or -Left the firearm in a place to which the person knew or should have known the child would gain access The penalty for allowing a child access to a firearm can range from a Class C misdemeanor (punishable by a $500 fine) to a Class A misdemeanor (punishable by a $4000 fine, a year in jail, or a combination of the two). Texas exempts the purchase of firearm safety equipment from Texas Sales and Use Tax. Remember, a gun should be stored unloaded in a safe or locked container, with ammunition stored elsewhere. You can learn more and find additional resources from the Texas Department of Public Safety at https://safegunstoragetexas.com. Safe gun storage is critical to preventing suicide, unintentional shootings, and other tragedies.

Dear Ponder ISD Parents and Guardians, This is a friendly reminder that all campuses will have early dismissal this Friday, 12/20/24. Dismissal Times: Elementary Campuses: 12:15 PM Secondary Campuses: 1:00 PM Please note that Elementary ESD (Extended School Day) will not be available on Friday due to staffing limitations. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Thank you for making the necessary arrangements to accommodate this schedule change. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your campus office. Thank you for your continued support of Ponder ISD! Warm regards, Ponder ISD Administration

🎉 Save the Date! 🎉 We’re excited to announce our 1st ParentU meeting on January 13, 2025! 🗓️ 📌 Schedule of Events: ➡️ 5:30 PM: Rising 9th Grade Parent/Student Meeting ➡️ 6:00 PM: Sessions for ALL High School parents covering a variety of topics This is a fantastic opportunity to connect, learn, and gain valuable insights to support your student's success. Stay tuned for more details—we can’t wait to see you there! 🦁🐾

Join us for *Hope for the Holidays: Coping with Grief* on Wednesday, December 18, from 6-7 PM at the Ponder Junior High School Library. Grief specialists will share tools for living with hope during the holiday season. Activities include creating a memory ornament (bring a small photo), decorating a luminary, and writing a love letter to a loved one. Hot chocolate, coffee, and snacks will be provided. Don't miss this special event to honor your loved ones and find comfort this holiday season.