Will Drama will be cancelled from the middle school curriculum next year.  It is disturbing that this decision was made with no input from parents or the children themselves.  Drama is a wonderful outlet for these youngsters.  Is this the beginning of the end for Fine Arts in PISD?
The district shares your frustration. Due to lack of state funding coupled with new legislation that prohibits school districts from raising taxes without a rollback election, Pearland ISD is in a very tight financial situation.  Superintendent Dr. Cain will be presenting a budget overview to the board of trustees March 25 to address these concerns.

Unfortunately, the lack of funding from the legislature requires the district to decrease spending. Some costs are beyond our control: utility bills, insurance, gasoline, etc. We are looking at scaling fine arts, athletics and career and technology programs across the district. Consequently, until the legislature adequately funds schools, we are forced to make some difficult decisions about programs.

This financial crunch is affecting school districts across the state. Concerned citizens who want the Texas legislature (who control school district purse strings) to restore financial security to public schools should contact their representatives.

For the most part, the PISD web site is very good. It would be helpful if the district had consistent web site appearance and navigation requirements for all campuses. Are there any plans to centralize the design and implementation of all web sites to make it easier for the community to navigate among the different campus web sites? Thanks for being sensitive to the needs of the community. Keep up the good work!
Plans to update the structure of the web site are being looked at now. We appreciate all input to our web site and strive to make it as useful to the public as possible.

Why are some questions NOT posted?
The Because You Asked feature is one of the most popular pages on the Pearland ISD Website. We receive approximately 200 inquiries per month through the Website. For this reason, we answer the most frequently asked questions that are general in nature. Questions may be combined or edited for brevity and clarity. Therefore, if we receive six questions covering the same topic, we combine the questions and provide an inclusive answer.
Often citizens ask very individual questions. We do not post the answers to detailed questions that might identify a student. Detailed inquiries should be addressed at the campus level. When we receive those questions, we refer them to the campus.
People also asked questions that have previously been answered. We do not post repeat questions again.
If questions require research, the answers are not posted until the research is completed.
If your question is urgent, please contact your child's campus (numbers listed under Campuses <http://www.pearlandisd.org/pisd/schools.htm> page) or the central administration office (281.485.3203).

I'm a student at PHS and I'm considering going to AIM. I'm a grade behind and was told by my counselor there's no way for me to graduate on time. I'll still have half a year left! I went on PEARLAND ISD website to look at the AIM website, and it took me to PACE. Does the AIM program offer classes for sophomores who are supposed to be juniors who are graduating in 09?
To obtain an application and additional information about the AIM program, contact AIM Principal Cynthia Henry at 281-412-1599.

Where do we get information on after school care through YMCA?
Susan Plemmons at the YMCA (281) 485-6805 will provide you with information about after school care provided by YMCA.

How do I sign up for K-12 Planet?
Contact your child's campus for access to K-12 Planet.

There are two Assistant Superintendents for Secondary Education. Do they have unique job descriptions or do they have overlapping responsibilities? Where can one find all specific job descriptions with division of labor identified for the administrative staff?
Job descriptions are posted on the Human Resource Web page. Go to Job Descriptions/Appraisals and click Administrative Professional.

What precautionary measures Pearland ISD is taking in order to avoid any outbreaks of the staph infection?
We provide ongoing training for staff members to be aware of precautionary measures they should take with the students to prevent the development and spread of infections including staph infections. Teachers also educate students on the importance of avoiding germs by washing their hands and not sharing personal items. In addition, the maintenance department uses a product called quat-cleaner manufactured by Buckeye to sanitize. This product is better than bleach, and comes in different scents. Sinks, toilets, etc. are cleaned daily. When notified of a problem with staph infections, the custodians do extensive cleaning with the quat-cleaners.
For public benefit, we have provided links on our Website to information about staph infections.
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/health/antibiotic_resistance/educational/whatyouneedtoknowstaph.pdf and
http://www.pearlandisd.org/special/nurse.htm.

How does Pearland ISD notify students when schools are closed?
Link to http://www.pearlandisd.org/pisd/info2.htm#closing
Closing information.

Are there any plans to have sidewalks built from the corner of John Lizer and Old Alvin to the Alexander Middle School parking lot? I see students walking down Old Alvin to and from school and the traffic is heavy.
Pearland ISD has no plans to build a sidewalk in the area you describe. The district does not own the property. The district cannot build sidewalks on property it does not own.

I would like to know where future elementary, middle schools will be located?
The district has a long-range growth plan that includes details of additional campuses through 2012. This plan is based on a projected enrollment of 28,799 students by the 2012 - 2013 school year.
WHERE WE ARE:
Bond referendums have approved the construction of Berry Miller Junior High on FM 1128 to be completed in 2008; Elementary #12 on Max Road and Elementary #13 on John Lizer Property to be completed in 2009; and Dawson High School on Cullen Blvd. to be completed in 2009.
WHERE WE ARE GOING:
If growth continues at the current rate, the long-range plan proposes additional facilities to be approved in future bond referendums. If approved by voters, additional facilities will be built on property owned by Pearland ISD. Future campuses may be built on the property across from Pearland High School and across from Pearland Junior High South on Bailey Rd. Additional campuses may also be built on the south side of FM 518 just across from Chili’s and on the property south of Massey Ranch Elementary on Bailey Road.

Which Pearland ISD schools have the pre-kindergarten programs and how old does the child have to be in order to start pre-k?
A student must be 4 years old on or before September 1 to qualify for pre-kindergarten. All pre-k enrollment requirements are detailed on the Pearland ISD Website.

Are the school buses equipped with cameras and audio capabilities?
All Pearland ISD school buses are equipped with audio and video recording devices.

Will the "Oil Rig" football stadium be renamed since it will be serving two different high school teams? 
Both coaches have agreed to keep the moniker "The Rig".
The PHS symbol will be removed from the elevator tower. "Home of Eagles and Home of Oilers" will be added to each ticket booth. The insignia on the turf is changing. Both coaches will agree before any major changes are made.

Why were the stadium lights on at the football field between Rogers Middle School and Berry
Miller Junior High at 1:14 am Monday 27, August 2007?
After receiving your e-mail Pearland ISD contacted the contractor who installed the field lights to find a resolution to the problem.
The normal process after installation requires the lights to burn continuously for 72 hours. Pearland ISD has made arrangements for this ‘burn in’ to take place only during daylight hours while still keeping the warranty on the lighting system.
Once the lights are ready for normal use they will require adjustment.  These adjustments insure that the field is well lighted for the safety of our students and enjoyment of the spectators. 

Why are Pearland ISD assistant superintendents not required to file a conflicts disclosure statement and questionnaire form to be posted on the district web site? What does HB 914 require?
Effective September 1, 2005, the records administrator of a school district is required to maintain and make available to the public a list of local government officers (superintendent and school board members).
Effective January 1, 2006, local government officers (superintendent and school board members) and vendors are required to file a conflicts disclosure statement and questionnaire, respectively, with the records administrator of the school district. If a school district maintains a Web site, the statements and questionnaires (forms) must be posted on the district’s Web site.
HB 914 defines local government officers as "the executive officer of the local governmental entity." In Pearland ISD the executive officer of the district is the superintendent. Pearland ISD remains in compliance with the provisions of HB 914. These documents may be viewed at http://www.pearlandisd.org/pisd/hb914.htm.

Comment:

Many people complain when things go wrong, but never express appreciation when things go right. Today I would like to take a minute of your time to express my appreciation for the staff at Jamison Middle School.

Yesterday I had to remove my child from school for a dentist appointment. I was running late; the appointment was very important; and I did not have identification. When I got to the school and attempted to get my daughter the receptionist asked me for identification. I did not have any. I was told that my daughter would not be released to me. I became upset and irritated and expressed that to the lady attempting to help me. I asked her to find another way to release my daughter. I was informed I needed a picture I.D. or that someone on her release list with a picture I.D. could be called. I was further (politely) informed that under no circumstances would they release her to me without an I.D.

I was mad then, but I am thankful now. To know that your child is safe when not under your control is a great feeling. I’m sorry for neglecting to get these three ladies names but in my book they are heroes and God knows how many countless children they have protected over their tenures as administrators/educators. Pearland I.S.D, thank you for these ladies tenacity and dedication. Without professionals like these, our children could be in grave danger. Once again thank you.

This e-mail may be perceived as being a little over the top and that was my intent. What happened at Jamison Middle School yesterday with these three ladies is nothing short of outstanding. I for one take pride in knowing I live in a community where these three ladies work. Please let them know of my appreciation.    

Thank you so much for telling us what is right with Pearland ISD. The safety and security of our students and staff is a priority throughout the district. Our conscientious personnel are dedicated to educating and protecting students while they are in our care. We will be certain to forward your comments to the three ladies at Jamison Middle School.

My child is part of the Gifted and Talented (GT) program at Jamison Middle School. It looks like our address has been rezoned so that he would attend Sablatura next year. I've been told that Jamison is going to be the GT Middle School. Is that correct information? Will there be a GT program at Sablatura Middle School next year? I was told that all GT students will attend Jamison beginning next school year, but I don't see any information about that on the website.
We do not have a GT magnet school program in Pearland ISD. Jamison and Alexander Middle Schools will both begin the process of becoming IB schools next year. There are GT students at every school in Pearland.

In light of the recent shootings at Virginia Tech, I would like to know what precautions Pearland ISD has in place to secure campuses in case of a gunman or intruder.
Pearland ISD operates under a district Emergency Preparedness Manual which is updated each year with the cooperation of the Harris County Department of Education and the National Incident Management System of Homeland Security.  Emergency response procedures in the manual describe what to do in the event of a wide variety of crisis situations.  Each campus participates in crisis drills throughout the year. Many drills involve the Pearland Police Department or the School Resource Officers (SRO) assigned to various district campuses.

Do parents & students have any recourse if they question a student's standardized tests results in Texas? Is there a 100% accuracy rating in the grading Process?
Because the test is multiple-choice, there is no standard error in grading According to TEA. The only way that a child might get an incorrect score is if that child neglects to fill out the answer sheet or if the child skips a problem and gets out of sequence with the "bubbling." In those cases, the parent can request a hand scoring from the test booklet through the district testing office. The charge of $100 is assessed for hand scoring. If a parent wants a rescore, it is $10 per subject per test.

I am concerned about this one-size-fits-all approach to the current way that standardized tests are administered.
Testing is here to stay. It may not be perfect, but it is the system we have. Professional educators strive to meet the learning styles and needs of all students. Teachers teach students in different ways while preparing them for standardized testing. The state of Texas actually uses a criterion referenced test as opposed to the norm-referenced test that most adults are familiar with---therefore, the standard error of measure issue does not apply. A criterion referenced test is a test that is written to assess how much of a curriculum a student has mastered. A norm-referenced test is used to assess a student's knowledge against a set norm.

Is there any way for citizens to become involved with the various committees that make decisions in the district? 
We do have a district advisory committee, District Education Improvement Committee. This committee includes educators, parents, business leaders and community members. You can find more information by reviewing our website.

In addition, each campus has a Campus advisory committee which includes educators and parents.

Interested parents, grandparents and community members can get involved by volunteering at one the Pearland ISD campuses. As the partnership develops, the campus principal may make recommendation for your membership to one of these advisory committees.  

What is the thought behind changing the Board meeting start times? 
In an effort to conclude school board meetings at an early evening hour, the board of trustees has changed the start times of the summer meetings. Please note the schedule for the upcoming board meetings.

Executive Session: 5 p.m.
Open Session: 6 p.m.
Citizens’ Participation sign-up: 4:30 – 5:55 p.m. (remains the same)
Citizens Participation: 6 p.m. (or later)

The board of trustees will evaluate the success of the earlier start times to determine whether or not they are beneficial.
The audio files of school board meetings are still available online for citizens who are unable to attend scheduled meetings. Visit the Website for additional information about the Pearland ISD school board meetings.

What ranking are the schools in PISD?
District 2005 Accountability Ratings          

Where can I find the criminal back ground report, so that I may go on a field trip w/ my daughter?
Become A Pearland ISD Volunteer

Comment:

Why can't the bus transportation rules be changed to "be at the bus stop by the time the bus arrives or you will be left"? Hopefully this would inspire or teach kids a little respect and discipline. Those of us that drive down 518 every morning to go to work get pretty tired and frustrated when we have to wait 5 to 8 minutes for a bus because they sit and wait for these kids that walk slower than a "snail", literally.

Why aren't the minutes from the board meetings published to the website within a couple of days of the board meeting? I realize the minutes have to be approved before they are posted but they could be posted pending approval.
To promote accurate information, board minutes will not be posted until they are approved. Audio files of board meeting are posted within 24 hours of most meetings on the Pearland ISD default page and the Board of Trustees’ page.

I would like to know the percentage rates of student races in Pearland ISD.
You may review Ethnic Distribution in Pearland ISD by the visiting the District Profile Page of our Website.
http://www.pearlandisd.org/pisd/profile.htm

Why is there no set time for a Computer Literacy course in the middle school level? I see it is also not a requirement in the junior high levels, like it was a few years ago.
The computer literacy initiatives have been spread across the curriculum. Students are exposed to the various strategies that were previously taught in Computer Literacy in their other classes. Because today's students have prior knowledge of computers, they do not require the intense training as they did a few years ago. We are watching the skill level of average students and if we observe a lower level of competency, we would certainly consider other instructional methods.

Are there dual language programs for elementary students in Pearland ISD?
We do not offer dual language programs for elementary students in Pearland ISD. We do serve Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade students with an English as a Second Language (ESL) Program. In addition, we offer a bilingual program for students Pre-Kindergarten through sixth grade.

What classes will be offered this summer in summer school?
Classes may be similar to last year’s selections. The planning process will not be complete until end of April. The summer school schedule will be posted on the Website as soon as it is available.

Dress Code

Comment:

I think the standardized dress code is unnecessary in the elementary schools, the middle schools and the junior highs.  At the very least, it should be even more lenient than the high schools.  I think the kids should be able to express themselves through their clothing, within reason.  No vulgarity or sexually explicit clothing.  Thank you.

Response:
The Pearland ISD board of trustees originally adopted the current dress code in August 2001 after considering input from parents and other patrons of the community.

One of the goals of the dress code is to create a safe learning environment conducive to the success of every student. The board has sought to create a dress policy that sets high standards, yet allows flexibility with a variety of colors and styles.

The board and the administration have made adjustments to the dress code to facilitate compliance. They continue to monitor and evaluate the student dress code standards.

A dress code committee meets periodically to review the guidelines established for the district. Parents who have concerns about the dress code may submit information to the committee in writing through Executive Director of Intermediate Education Sonia Serrano.

Pictures of Students in Dress Code i

What is IB?
IB stands for International Baccalaureate

Archive