Principal's Message

Back to School Message 2011

by Lori Sitzes
August 10, 2011

As we begin to gear up for the new school year, I want to take this opportunity to welcome back our students, parents, community members, and employees. We ended the year on a good note with improvement on our state assessments and our federal report card as well.

Although we did not maintain our "recognized" rating, our campus is rated recognized and exemplary in 18 of the 21 indicators. We are disappointed that not all of our student subgroups performed at this level and we will be working very dilligently this year to make sure we continue to strive to be exemplary with all student groups. For a copy of the high school ratings by subgroups, click on 2011 HS Rating Tables.

We have already had two very succesful events at PPHS in the past few weeks. On July 29, approximately 90 incoming ninth graders participated in our fifth annual FISH camp (freshman orientation). This is a great group of students and parents and we are excited to have them start their Bearcat adventure. On August 6, the Bearcat Booster Club, hosted their annual meet the coaches night, dinner, and auction. It was great to see the cafeteria completely full with our enthusiastic Bearcat fans. The auction was very successful and raised over $15,000 to support our men's and women's programs.

Our teachers and staff will begin their year starting on Thursday, August 11, with new staff training. We are proud to welcome the following new teachers to PPHS: Brandon Carder, technology; Trisha Vickers, technology and yearbook; Mike Gallegos, science; Mike Woodward, social studies; Kelly Lokey, mathematics; Kurtis Kloiber, social studies; and Kandis Milner, mathematics. On Monday, August 22, all teachers and staff are coming together to prepare for the upcoming year. Thanks to Midway Church for providing lunch for our staff members on Monday. Thanks also to Northstar Bank, Point Bank, and Denton Area Teachers Credit Union for providing lunches and breakfasts throughout the week.

It is going to be another exciting and challenging year ahead of us. We look forward to the year and to working together to make it the best year yet at PPHS!

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