Wildcat Weekly
2023-2024 Vol. #37 April 13, 2024
Welcome back to this week's edition of the Wildcat Weekly! We had another great week at TMHS!
We are entering the home stretch of the 2023-2024 school year, which means our EOC and AP testing activity begins to ramp up. This week we will administer our English I and II exams on Tuesday, April 16th. Please help us ensure students are prepared and on time to make these exam days flow smoothly.
Please be sure to check out all the announcements and events in this week's edition!
#GOCATSGO!
Testing Information!
We are quickly approaching our annual EOC exams in several content areas. Students will take their STAAR exams for their respective courses on the dates listed below. It is important for students to arrive to school on time and prepared each day, especially on exam days!
April 16th - English I and English II
April 23rd - Biology and US History
April 30th - Algebra I
AP Exams begin on May 6th and run through May 17th (more information coming).
Spring 2024 Final Exams
As the end of the school year approaches, we wanted to take a moment and remind everyone of our Spring 2024 Final Exam Schedule and our Exam Exemption Guidelines.
A high school student may exempt second semester exams on a course-by-course basis by meeting the specific requirements of the course:
- For courses with STAAR assessments:
- Achieve “Approaches” or “Met Standard” on the STAAR End of Course Test and
- Be passing the course for the semester
- For ALL other courses:
- Have a minimum of an 85 average for the semester
Additionally, all exam exemptions are contingent upon the student meeting the following criteria:
- The student must have no more than four (4) absences (excused or unexcused) the 1st semester in a full-year course, and no more than three (3) absences (excused or unexcused) the 2nd semester prior to the day of the exam.
- The student must not have more than (10) unexcused tardies or late arrivals for the year.
- All students must be in attendance on the day of the semester exam review or they forfeit their exemption.
- All textbooks must be clear.
- All outstanding fees must be paid.
- Students must not have incurred more than two (2) days of ISS assigned for the year. Students who were assigned OSS or AEP during either semester may not be exempt.
- Attendance hardship cases may be appealed to the Exam Exemption Committee. The hardship appeal forms for exam exemptions may be picked up your student's AP office beginning April 22, 2024, and returned no later than May 03, 2024.
Please make sure you review the Spring Final Exam Schedule and the Exam Exemption Guidelines for exam days, times, and important information regarding Finals Week.
GO WILDCATS!!
Summer School is Coming!
Take a look at the TISD Summer School information on the district website. More information is being added daily.
Registration for original credit course is open! Visit this link to get registered.
Counselors Corner
Pass/Fail Course Information:
TISD students who are participating in a defined four-year program that does not have quality (weighted) point options at Levels III and IV (usually the 11th grade and 12th grade courses) such as TAP/AP/Dual Credit may opt to take the approved course as a Pass/Fail course. Course grading will follow the normal grading guidelines, and a numerical grade will be recorded and reported for progress reports and report cards. The semester grade will be calculated with the two marking period grades and the final exam (unless exempt). Provided that the semester average is at least 80, the numerical semester average will be converted to a grade of Pass for the transcript. The grade will not be included in GPA calculations. The student must be in 11th or 12th grade and requesting a course which forms either Level III or IV of a four year program for which the student has completed levels I and II.
Pass/Fail courses are best suited for students with an overall GPA at or above 100. If a student’s overall GPA is below 100, choosing to take a course as Pass/Fail may not be advantageous. Students can speak with their counselor for further information if needed.
- Only rising juniors (class of 2026) and seniors (class of 2025) need to complete the application at this time.
- Students may only take two Pass/Fail courses in any one school year.
- Students must successfully complete the application process advertised by the campus each year and meet any required deadlines.
- Students must commit to the program prior to August 1, 2024.
- Students may not change their decision after August 1, 2024.
- Students must earn a semester average of at least 80 to qualify for the conversion to a Pass for the transcript record. Semester averages of less than 80 will be posted according to regular guidelines and will be included in GPA rankings.
See the Tomball ISD 2024-2025 Course Catalog for eligible courses.
Click HERE to view this information online.
Free Tutoring!!
Free tutoring is available to all students through Varsity Tutors! Students can log on through Classlink!
Distance Learning and Correspondence Course Information:
- Students may take up to 2.0 credits through correspondence.
- Credits will only be accepted through Texas Tech University, University of Texas, and Texas Virtual Network.
- Courses to consider:
- Health
- Speech
- PE
- Students must obtain counselor approval prior to enrolling in a correspondence course.
- Course must be completed by December 1st of a student’s senior year of high school.
- To request approval, complete the TISD Request to Enroll in a Distance Learning or Correspondence Course form.
- Reach out to your student’s counselor if you have any questions.
Congratulations TMHS Cheerleaders for your Post-Season Honors!
The TMHS Silver Stars Dance Team presents "What A Ride" May 3-4 at 7pm in the TMHS Auditorium. Tickets on sale now at tmhssilverstars.net
El equipo de baile Silver Stars presenta su show "What a Ride" en Mayo 3 y 4 a las 7pm en el auditorio de TMHS. Boletos para el show estan disponible en tmhssilverstars.net
Attention Navy Empire!!!
Senior Class of 2023 - 2024!
Parents, please be sure to watch your email for "Senior Email #" from Assistant Principal Ms. Henry. These emails will be your information highway to all things senior year!
Senior Slide Show Information:***Very Important: Senior End of the Year SlideShow
We are beginning the process of putting together the Senior Slide Show for the end of the year. This slide show is shown to the Seniors during their Senior Breakfast and will be playing as everyone enters Reed Arena on the day of graduation.
The Reed Arena Staff is requesting the completed video to be submitted by May 3. Yes, that is weeks prior to graduation. For that reason, we need to start this project earlier than we have done before. We need all photos to be submitted by April 29, 2024. This will give us time to upload all pictures and put on the final touches.
We need 2 pictures for each Senior
- 1 from when they were growing up
- 1 current photo
These photos do not have to be professional photos. They can be candid shots from holidays, school events, vacations, and so on.
Inside the Google form is a place for you to type your Senior’s Name, ID number, and upload photos from your electronic device.
**Please do not respond to this email with your attached photos. Please click the link in blue.
Prom /Project Prom/ Outside Guest Forms
The TMHS Prom is April 27th from 8:00-11:30 pm at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott.
To purchase tickets or claim your free tickets, students will use the QR code on the link below. FYI: There are no physical “tickets”. If your Senior purchases a ticket or they have earned one from the trash bag fundraiser, their name will be on the list when they check in for prom along with any approved “Outside Guest” names.
Click here to purchase a Prom Tickets
Prom/ Project Prom Outside Guest Forms- Deadline April 12, 2024
Seniors are allowed to bring one (1) guest to Prom and Project Prom. All guests that do not attend Tomball Memorial HS need to be approved by completing an Outside Guest Form. These forms can be found in all Alpha offices, the Front Office, and by clicking the link below. They must be submitted by April 12, 2024 for approval. Students WILL NOT be allowed to show up to Prom or Project Prom with an outside guest who does not have an approval form on file. They will be turned away. All students and outside guests must have an ID with them when they check in.
Click Here for the Prom and Project Prom Outside Guest form
Project Prom Questionnaire, Tickets, and Transportation
Project Prom is an event that takes place after Prom and is sponsored by the Senior Parent Organization. Seniors will have an opportunity to win lots of prizes such as electronics, gift cards, dorm room items, and much more. Project Prom provides an opportunity for Seniors to celebrate their year in a safe and exciting way. It will be held at Main Event on 249 after prom. It will take place from 12:00 am- 5:00 am. Doors will be locked at 12:30am with no one being allowed to leave until the event ends. Once students enter, they will not be able to leave until the doors open at 5:00 am.
If your senior needs transportation from The Woodlands Waterway Marriott to Main Event 249, we will have a bus that students will need to register for in advance so we can plan for enough buses to be available.
The link below, students can let us know if they are interested in attending Project Prom and register for a bus to take them to Project Prom from Prom.
Project Prom Questionnaire and transportation to Project Prom Link
Project Prom Tickets for Non-TMHS Seniors
All TMHS Seniors will be allowed into Project Prom for FREE. However, if you bring a guest that is not a senior or someone from another school, you will need to purchase that person a ticket. Tickets are $30. Click the link below to purchase your guest a Project Prom Ticket
Click Here to Purchase your Guest a Project Prom Ticket
Graduation Cap and Gowns:
I currently do not have a date for their delivery. I am in touch with our Balfour rep who is going to get back with me this week to coordinate a date. I will send out a brief email once I have the date.
National Honor Society Students
We need to send the Graduation Program to the printer by April 4th. If any NHS student does not have their required amount of service hours by that time, they will not have the NHS designation by their name in the program. NHS Seniors will have time to continue earning their hours and will still receive the NHS designation on their diploma and be able to wear the NHS stole at graduation, if all hours are submitted. However, the NHS flame designation will not be in the program if not submitted by April 3, 2024. If you have any questions, please direct them to the NHS sponsor James Woodard at jameswoodard@tomballisd.net.
Mr. Wildcat-April 7, 2024
Click Here To Purchase Tickets to the Mr. Wildcat Competition
Graduation- Questions and Answers
This is the first of many emails regarding graduation. All information will be coming out over the next few months. However, here are some answers to questions that I am receiving:
When is graduation? Answer: May 24, 2024 at 12:00pm.
Where is graduation? Answer: Reed Arena at Texas A&M, College Station
Do we need tickets? Answer: No. All seating is first come, first serve.
How many people can we bring? Answer: As many as you want.
Is there handicap parking and seating? Answer: Yes, both are available.
What time will the doors open? Answer: Seniors can begin entering at 10:00am. But all parents and guests can enter at 11:00am.
IMPORTANT SENIOR DATES (some locations and times TBD):
April 27th: Prom - 8:00 - 11:30 pm
April 27/28th: Project Prom - 11:30 - 5:00 am
May 14th: Senior Awards Practice
May 16th: Senior Awards - TMHS Gymnasium @ 8:45 am (Invitation only)
May 16th: Senior Sunset and Yearbook Distribution - Wildcat Field starting at 6:30 pm
May 19th: Senior Baccalaureate - TMHS Auditorium @ 6:30 pm
**MORE DATES AND DETAILS COMING**
Important Student Reminders: Dress Code and Cell Phones
In this link you will find a copy of the TISD Dress Code Reminder that was distributed at orientation and Wildcat Camp. Please review the document with your student before the first day of classes. As a reminder, students are not allowed to have body piercings other than earrings, no visible tattoos, no hats inside the building, hair must be of natural color, clothing must adequately cover the body, and our male students must be clean-shaven each day. It is also the expectation that students wear their ID badge, visibly, at all times.
In addition, the TISD handbook also outlines expectations for cell phones during school hours. Cell phone usage is prohibited during instruction time unless permission has been granted by the classroom teacher. The cell phone policy at TMHS reflects that of the TISD handbook and will be enforced as such. Failure to abide by the policy may result in cell phone forfeiture to an administrative office or other disciplinary consequences. This policy also includes the use of earbuds.
Cell phones should not be utilized in the hallways during class time! This includes restroom breaks. Phones being used in the hallways/restrooms during class time (Not class changes) are subject to confiscation from the administration!
The TISD handbook in its entirety can be found HERE.
New Texas Law - Vaping
The state of Texas has issued a new law in regard to student vape and/or e-cigarettes. Please review the new policy with your student before the first day of classes. The new update pertains to a student found in possession of, using, selling, giving, or delivering e-cigarettes or vape devices on school grounds or at a school-related event. You can click HERE or scan the QR code on the right for additional information and TISD details.
Calling all Volunteers!
Future dates to remember:
April 13th: Superintendents Fun Run
April 27th: Prom/Project Prom
May 3 - 4th: Silver Stars Spring Show
TISD Safety and Security
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN [Standard Response Protocol]
Tomball ISD is committed to the safety and security of students, faculty, staff, and visitors on its campuses. The district maintains an Emergency Response Plan that outlines the district’s approach to emergency management and operations. It provides general guidance of emergency management activities and an overview of the district's methods of mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
Dr. Jeff Bailey
Principal
Jill Hayes
Associate Principal of Instruction
Charlie Gerszewski
Associate Principal of Operations
Meredith Henry
Assistant Principal
Jade Lopez
Assistant Principal
Grant Granquist
Assistant Principal
Mike Crocker
Assistant Principal
David Sherman
Assistant Principal
Lashelle Nix
Lead Counselor
Erika Zeno
Counselor
Mark Floyd
Counselor
Alfred Jones
Counselor
Sheri Forsyth
Counselor
Brenna Williamson
Counselor
Norma Phelan
College and Career Counselor
TMHS Staff Contact and Social Media Links
Tomball Memorial High School
Your 2023-2024 TMHS Administration and Counseling Staff
Dr. Jeff Bailey - Principal
Jill Hayes - Associate Principal of Curriculum and Instruction
Charlie Gerszewski - Associate Principal of Building and Operations
Jade Lopez - Assistant Principal
Grant Granquist - Assistant Principal
David Sherman - Assistant Principal
Mike Crocker - Assistant Principal
Meredith Henry - Assistant Principal
Lashelle Nix - Lead Counselor
Sheri Forsyth - Counselor
Erica Zeno - Counselor
Brenna Williamson - Counselor
Mark Floyd - Counselor
Alfred Jones - Counselor
Norma Phelan - College and Career Counselor
Meet the TMHS Feeder School Administrators:
Kevin Williams - Principal at Willow Wood Jr. High
Kim McKinney – Principal at Grand Lakes Jr. High
Caitlin Cain – Principal at Northpointe Intermediate
Sara Rush – Principal at Oakcrest Intermediate
Email: charlesgerszewski@tomballisd.net
Website: www.tmhs.tomballisd.net
Location: 190100 Northpointe Ridge Lane, Tomball, TX, USA
Phone: 281-357-3230
Facebook: facebook.com/TomballMemorialHighSchool
Twitter: @tisdtmhs