Ponder ISD

🚨 IMPORTANT UPDATE 🚨 Due to the forecasted bad weather, the Integrated Athletics Meet scheduled for tomorrow at Ponder High School has been canceled. ⛈️ While we’re disappointed, the safety of our students, staff, and families comes first. We are working hard to reschedule the event so our amazing PISD students still have the chance to participate, be recognized, and show off their incredible skills! 🏅🎉 We apologize for any inconvenience and truly appreciate your understanding. ❤️ A huge THANK YOU to our wonderful community for always supporting our students—your encouragement means the world to us!

PROM TICKET REMINDER! Hey parents! Just a quick reminder that Jr/Sr Prom tickets are on sale now through Thursday of this week! 🎟️⏳ Make sure your student gets theirs before the deadline. Seniors attend for FREE 🎓—but they still need to pick up a ticket to get in, so don’t let them miss out! Dinner is included in the ticket price 🍽️—so it’s a full night of food, fun, and memories! ✨ Let’s help our students make it a night to remember! #Prom2025 #DontMissOut #PromReady 💃🕺

Save the Date – District-Wide Art Show! Join us on May 1st for this year’s district-wide art show 🎨✨ We’ll be showcasing over 1,000 incredible works of art from students across all grade levels! Want to get creative at the show? Preorder your exclusive art show t-shirt by April 10th at: gogandy.com/ponder-artshow25, and you’ll get fabric markers to color it in yourself at the event! 👕🖍️ Don’t miss this celebration of creativity and talent—we can’t wait to see you there! 🖼️🎉

🎉 Happy Assistant Principal Week! 🎉 Join us in celebrating PISD’s AMAZING Assistant Principals — Mrs. Carson, Dr. Green, Mr. Ramsey, & Mr. Hay! 🦁❤️ We appreciate each of you and everything you do to support our students, staff, and schools. Your leadership, dedication, and hard work make a difference every single day! 🙌🍎📚 Thank you for being such an important part of our PISD family!

🌟 It's G/T Awareness Week! 🌟 Join us in celebrating Gifted & Talented students from April 7–11, 2025! Did you know? ✨ All K–2 students in Ponder ISD receive GT instruction ✨ Ponder High offers AP & Dual Credit classes in 20+ subjects ✨ GT summer camps are available across Texas Let's recognize the amazing opportunities available for our gifted learners! Learn more: https://www.ponderisd.net/o/pisd/page/gifted-talented-program

📢 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

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 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! ✨

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

🇺🇸 Join Us for Our Veterans Day Celebration! 🇺🇸 📅 Monday, November 11, 2024 📍 Ponder ISD We’re excited to honor the brave men and women who have served our country at our Veterans Day Celebration! 🕘 Parade Line-Up: 9:00 AM – Ponder High School Fine Arts Parking Lot 🎉 Parade Start: 9:30 AM – Around all district campuses 🎈 Parade Ending & Program: Ponder Upper Elementary Gymnasium Our students will be cheering for veterans as they parade through, and we’ll wrap up with a special program, donuts, and coffee for veterans at the gym! Veterans, we’d love to see you there! Please RSVP by calling 940-479-8230. Check www.ponderisd.net for any weather updates. Let’s come together as a community to say THANK YOU to those who’ve served!

Check out the graphic for this year's theme dress days for Red Ribbon Week!

Ponder ISD is seeking passionate parents, staff, and community members to join the District Improvement Team and School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC)! The District Improvement Team helps shape the future of education in Ponder by advising on district goals and programs. SHAC works collaborative to improve student and family health through coordinated wellness initiatives. Apply today! Visit ponderisd.net/page/district-committees to learn more! Applications are due by Oct. 15.

Ponder High School’s Graphic Design practicum class, known as Pride Design Studio, has been hard at work, producing a variety of vinyl banners for community events. The talented students created 82 sports banners for Volleyball, Football, Cross Country, and Cheer, commissioned by the Ponder Athletic Booster Club. Additionally, they designed and printed two six-foot banners for the Ponder Education Foundation’s annual golf tournament. The Pride Design Studio team consists of students Rafael Montiel-Lopez, John McEwen, Jacob Miller, and Joslyn Major in the back row, and Wendy Perez Soto, Caitlyn Vanatta, Jordyn Seay, and Molly Bruton in the front row. Under the guidance of Mrs. Shelly Steele, the class has become an essential part of building Ponder Pride in the community, by blending creativity with hands-on learning experiences. These banners will be on display at various school events and the foundation’s golf tournament, showcasing the studio’s contributions to the school and local organizations.

Who is excited for FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS? As we gear up for the football season, please be aware of the following guidelines for Ponder ISD's stadium: - No outside food, drinks, alcohol, or tobacco products are allowed. - Tailgating with open flames is only permitted with prior approval. - Once you leave the stadium, re-entry requires a new ticket. - Please park in designated areas and avoid grassy spots. - Home and visitor fans must use separate entrances; crossing over is not allowed. - Children under 5th grade must be with an adult or in the Lion's Den area. - No student over 5th grade will be allowed in the Lion's Den area. - Only uniformed participants are allowed on the field. - Glass bottles, food, gum, sunflower seeds, and tobacco are prohibited on the field. - Small bags/purses only—no backpacks allowed. - Respectful behavior is required at all times; inappropriate conduct may result in ejection and a ban from future events. Join us for the first home game next Friday, August 30, at 7 PM as we take on Venus High School. Let's show our Ponder pride! #MadeForGreatness #FAM1LY

We are #PonderProud of Faith Hooper for placing 2nd in News Writing at state academic UIL. The Ponder ISD School Board was excited to recognize Faith at our recent board meeting. We have some amazing students in Ponder ISD. #MadeForGreatness