Principal's Blog
Greetings and Happy Holidays,
As we close out the first semester, I wanted to highlight and celebrate some of our spectacular student performances last week. Our students really shined at our Band and Choir concerts, the Unipfied Dance Show and the Kickstart Belt Ceremony last week. To see the culmination of a semester's worth of hard work and skill practice is so rewarding for students, parents and our panther staff. Tremendous job panther students!!
We are very fortunate at Pflugerville MS to have such strong teachers and instructors that continue to provide high support and high expectations when working with our students. Thank you to our panther faculty and staff for pushing our students to learn and achieve great things this semester.
Parents, we are strongly encouraging students to check grades consistently and finish strong by turning in any late or missing assignments, attending tutorials and making up tests/test corrections this week. If students are hearing this message at home and at campus it will definitely increase levels of success. Thanks!
Panther PTO Family Movie Night ("Home Alone") - Tuesday at 6:30 pm (Bring your own seating!):
Panther pfamilies, our movie will start at 6:30 outside by the panther track. The votes were tallied last week and "Home Alone" was the winner! PTO will provide free hot chocolate, coffee, waters, popcorn and cookies, so bring the pfamily, chairs, blankets, etc so you can bundle up and enjoy an outdoor movie this Tuesday.
Teacher Winter Potluck – Let’s Show Our Teachers Some Love!
We’re excited to host a Winter Potluck to celebrate and thank our amazing teachers for all they do! Your donations and volunteer time will help make this event extra special.
Drop-off Deadline for Donations:
Please bring all non-perishable and store-bought items to the school by December 16th.
This gives us time to organize everything and see what we’re still missing.
Freshly Cooked Meats:
Please drop off any cooked meats on the day of the potluck December 18th to keep them warm, fresh, and ready to serve.
Donation Sign-Up Link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DAAA82CA3F5C16-61179714-teacher#/
Volunteer Sign-Up Link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DAAA82CA3F5C16-61204865-volunteers
Thank you all for helping us make this special for our teachers!
PTO Updates:
- 8th grade parents - help with End of Year Trip planning, fundraising, or to contribute donations please reach out to Tiffany Vargas tiffanykvargas@yahoo.com or Jennifer Fry nej0972@yahoo.com Every bit of help makes a difference and brings our 8th grade students closer to an amazing trip.
- Join our PTO BAND APP to Stay Connected!!!!
https://band.us/band/95596968/post/160
Book Fair Closes this Week on December 16th!!
Huge shout out to Mrs. Hornstein and her work in planning this awesome book fair this year. It takes a great deal of preparation, communication and coordination to make this happen. The student interest and excitement has been at a much higher level than year's past and this is all a testament to Mrs. Hornstein!
Winter Break Dates (Dec 20th - January 5th):
Students will return on Tuesday, January 6th to start the second semester. Teachers and staff will return on Monday, January 5th, for campus professional development. Parents, the front office and building will be open if you need anything before students return the following day.
This Friday (12/19) - Early Release @ 12:45 pm:
This is our last week before the Winter Holiday break. We will start our staggered release/student dismissal at 12:45 pm. Here is the schedule:
3rd Annual Multicultural Fair - March 28th
We are so excited to welcome the panther community to our No Place for Hate Multicultural Fair in late March. Our student leadership groups will be helping Mrs. Salcido and the NPFH coalition plan and participate in this event. This is an awesome event every year and if you own a local business and would like to participate, reserve a spot now!!! Reach out to Valorie Salcido @ valorie.salcido@pfisd.net
Practice UIL Meet Results:
The 2nd place finish at the practice UIL meet last week was a strong reflection of not only the amazing skills of our students, but the time and effort put forth by of our students and UIL coaches. This was the highest finish in my 6 year tenure at PMS and students will get another month of practice before the final meet in February.
Here are the student performance results!
Nurse and Health Information:
If your child gets the immunizations needed for 7th grade, please send a copy to the school nurse - jean.nations@pfisd.net.
Medical Consent Forms - per Summer legislation, all parents must complete the medical consent form previously sent out by district in order to provide any health care to students. If you have questions about this new law, please reach out to Nurse Nations as well. Thanks!!!
Kickstart Belt Ceremony:
Mr. Fillmore presented over 100 students with their new belt last week. Students had to demonstrate determination, discipline and the many other pillars required of the program to earn this achievement. Keep up the great work panthers!
Panther Counseling Update and Schedule Changes:
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Please note that counselors will not be making schedule changes at this time unless a student is:
- Switching between G.A.M.E. and C.A.R.E. (we already have the list of eligible students)
- Receiving an ARD-related schedule adjustment communicated by the case manager
- Part of a reasonable request made by the principal
Our counseling team has worked hard to ensure that all students are placed in appropriate and supportive learning environments, and even a single class change can impact a student’s entire schedule as well as the balance of other classes.
We appreciate your understanding and support as we work to maintain stability for all students.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out!
Winter Holiday Dress Up this Week:
Our Pfunshine/Hospitality committee has been doing great work this year and just sent out some themed days for this week. Get in the holiday spirit and dress up if you can this week!!
Panther PTO and Attendance Award Winners:
Our Panther PTO provided drinks and snacks to all students after lunch last week. Our 7th graders also earned a sweet treat as they had the highest attendance for the 2nd 6th weeks!! Thank you PTO!
Pathways to Careers Updates:
Our students recently participated in a hands-on Pathways field trip at the Austin Community College Highlands Campus, where they explored real-world careers connected to the 16 Programs of Study offered on our campus. Students engaged with industry professionals, toured state-of-the-art facilities, and made meaningful connections between classroom learning and future career opportunities. It was an inspiring day that broadened their understanding of post-secondary options and helped them envision the many pathways available to them. Here are some awesome pics from their experience!!
Winter Choir Concert:
Here are some great pics of our Choir students at the Winter Concert Friday night. They will also be singing on campus this week and bringing lots of holiday spirit to our campus. Thanks Ms. Martin and students!!
🗺️ Don't Miss Out! Travel Enrollment Still Open for Boston (2026) & NYC/D.C. (2027) Trips!
Don't forget about these amazing travel opportunities for students (and you)—it's not too late to enroll for either trip! Keep in mind that the prices include EVERYTHING (flights, buses, tours, meals, shows, tips, etc.); the only money you'll need on either trip is for souvenirs.
⚾ Historic Boston Trip - June 2026
There's still time to reserve your spot for our Historic Boston trip, which includes exciting stops in Cambridge, Concord & Lexington, Plymouth, and Salem.
Enrollment Link: www.efexploreamerica.com/2960494RJ
🗽 New York City and Washington, D.C. Trip - June 2027
You can also still enroll for our trip to Washington, D.C. and New York City!
Remember, the earlier you enroll, the lower your bi-weekly or monthly payments will be. Since this trip isn't until June 2027, you can still enroll later, but enrolling sooner is always recommended for easier payments.
Enrollment Link: www.efexploreamerica.com/2988596ZB
Questions?
If you have questions about how EF works, you can visit EF’s Help Center page. For specific questions about the trips or the enrollment process, please use the contacts below:
Call EF: 888-333-9756
Chat with EF Support: www.efexploreamerica.com/contact-us
Reach out to me (Valorie).
I am so excited to travel with our students on these adventures!
Best regards,
Valorie Salcido
________________________________________________________
Have a great week ahead and please contact us at campus with any questions or needs related to your student or campus processes!
Regards,
Mr. Clayton
Greetings Panther Community,
I want to start this edition of the blog by giving thanks and saying "congratulations" to our amazing UIL coaches, led by Mrs. Caldwell, our UIL coordinator. Though the hard work of our students and coaches, they brought home a 2nd place trophy overall in the pratice meet yesterday. I have added some preliminary pictures below and will have all student names and placements out next week.
Parents, we are excited to see you at so many winter concerts and performances. This is a great opportunity to see the amazing progress made by students this year. In the next two weeks, students will be performing for Band, Kickstart, Theatre, Choir, Dance and of course, our other UIL sports as well.
Our PMS Library Book Fair start date was delayed a bit and wil start on December 10th. Here is the flyer with the adjusted dates and information. Please connect with our campus librarian with questions @ kelly.hornstein@pfisd.net:
We have 2 weeks of hard work in front of us before our winter break. Friday, December 19th will be an early release day and students will dismiss at 12:45 pm.
Here are this week's updates:
Transportation and New Student ID's distributed Monday during Advisory:
Students that ride a bus will be getting their new ID's tomorrow during advisory. Parents, students can put this ID with thier existing ID case and will use this Monday afternoon to scan when they get on and off the bus. If students lose this ID, the bus driver will work with them to get a replacement ID. Replacement ID's for these will not be purchased or replaced on campus, but by the PfISD transportation department. Bus Drivers will monitor if students are bringing their ID consistently through this new pilot program and adjust accordingly to ensure students consistently have thier ID. For any questions about this process, please contact Greg Nestle @ greg.nestle@pfisd.net. He is the new Executive Director of Support Services.
Lost Regular School ID?? Use the QR code to purchase a new one:
Parents, please use this QR code to purchase a new regular (non-bus) student ID . Students will come to the library to have the new ID printed. Thanks!!
2nd Campus Academic Advisory Council Meeting Tomorrow (12/8) at 5:15 pm in Room A 103:
Our CAAC team will be meeting to review our Campus Improvement Plan strategies and progress. We will also review our climate survey results in efforts to prepare action plans. All families are welcome if you can attend.
Winter Band Concert - Monday, Dec. 8th at 6 pm in the PHS FAC:
Please read the Panther Band Notes for this week! Panther Band Notes 12_1_2025-12_5_2025.pdf
Please join us for our WInter Concert!
Panther PTO Updates and Meeting this Week (12/9):
In person Room A103. Virtual: Google Meet Link https://meet.google.com/xcf-wgjr-ebz Join us in planning and supporting the next events!
- Holiday Movie Night - Tuesday, December 16th 6:30-8:30 pm - PMS PTO is planning a Christmas Movie Night in December, and we want you to help us choose which movie to show! Vote for your favorite here: https://band.us/band/95596968/post/163 So far, Home Alone is winning with The Grinch - Animated running close!
- 8th grade parents - help with End of Year Trip planning, fundraising, or to contribute donations please reach out to Tiffany Vargas tiffanykvargas@yahoo.com or Jennifer Fry nej0972@yahoo.com Every bit of help makes a difference and brings our 8th grade students closer to an amazing trip.
- Join our PTO BAND APP to Stay Connected!!!!
https://band.us/band/95596968/post/160
Panther Choir Updates and Winter Concert:
Please check out our latest newsletter for upcoming events, news, etc! https://secure.smore.com/n/ces6h
Join us for our Winter Concert on Friday, December 12 at the PHS PAC!
Academic UIL Practice Meet Results:
We had amazing performances from our students yesterday at Park Crest MS. These students have been hard at work practicing specific skills after school and during advisory periods. Overall, Pflugerville MS landed in 2nd place and individually we had students place 1st through 6th in different event categories.
Panther Library Updates:
Have a great week ahead!!
Mr. Clayton
Principal
Pflugerville Middle School
Greetings Panther Community!
I hope everyone had a safe and relaxing holiday this past week. We are excited to see everyone return tomorrow and get back to working hard in the classroom. The next three weeks will go by very quickly!
We have multiple Fine Arts concerts, our Library Book Fair, our Winter Dance (this Friday) and many other events happening over the next few weeks.
Here is this week's blog information below:
Winter Wonderland Dance - December 5th (5:45-8:15) in the Panther Gym:
We are excited to host our Winter Wonderland dance on Friday, Dec. 5th. Tickets will be $5, but students may also use panther points at the school store to purchase a ticket.
Parents, student drop-off will be in the back of campus by the gym and pick-up can be in the front or the back. All students should talk with their family member picking them up and know ahead of time if they will be picked up in the front or back of the school. Students are NOT allowed to walk home, as this poses safety issues that late in the day/evening. Here are the guidelines for attendance below.
Academic UIL Practice Meet this Saturday @ Park Crest!!
Parents, if your child is participating in UIL this year, you should have been contacted by each coach/sponsor. Students are expected to arrive early and stay at the meet throughout the day. The panther team will have a group of tables in the PCMS Cafeteria. The Invitational Competition from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at Park Crest Middle School, and the District Competition at Pflugerville Middle School on Saturday, February 7, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. We will need a few parent volunteers for the district meet in February and would love to have your help.
Please contact Mrs. Caldwell @ virginia.caldwell@pfisd.net or (512) 594-2150. Thanks!!
7th Grade Big Decisions - Parent Indication of Student Participation:
Dear 7th grade families,
The week of December 11th -December 17th, our seventh-grade classes will be using a program called Big Decisions to cover sexual health. Please see the two attached letters below for detailed information about the program. You will need to indicate whether you would like your student to participate in this instruction by filling out two forms in Skyward. Please let your child’s science teacher, Mr. Alford or Ms. Brody, know if you have any questions. Please disregard this message if you have already filled out the forms.
Instructions on how to use Skyward.
Familias de séptimo grado,
La semana del 8 al 18 de diciembre, nuestra clase utilizará un programa llamado Grandes Decisiones para cubrir la salud sexual. Consulte las dos cartas adjuntas para obtener información detallada sobre el programa. Deberá indicar si desea que su estudiante participe en esta instrucción completando dos formularios en Skyward.Por favor, informe al maestro de ciencias de su hijo, el Sr. Alford o la Sra. Brody, si tiene alguna pregunta .Ignore este mensaje si ya tiene todo listo para completar el formulario.
Instrucciones sobre cómo utilizar Skyward.
7th Grade Girls Scoliosis Checks - Nurse Nations:
Nurse Nations will continue to screen 7th grade girls for Scoliosis over the next week or so. Please reach out to her directly with any specific questions or needs regarding this required check. Thank you!
jean.nations@pfisd.net
Library News and Book Fair!!:
Book Rec Order - All Recs are $2. Click here below to pay online or come by the library to pay cash..
Panther PTO Information and Spirit Wear - CYBER MONDAY SALE!!!
Sale is still on through Cyber Monday! The entire site will be 30% off - no code needed. We hope this helps ease your holiday shopping and spread smiles for parents, students, grandparents, teachers, coaches, and PMS staff. Percentage of proceeds goes toward PMS events, trips, celebrations of accomplishments. https://1stplace.sale/91530
Thank you for your support!
- Holiday Movie Night - Tuesday, December 16th 6:30-8:30 pm - PMS PTO is planning a Christmas Movie Night in December, and we want you to help us choose which movie to show! Vote for your favorite here: https://band.us/band/95596968/post/163 So far, Home Alone is winning with The Grinch - Animated running close!
- 8th grade parents - help with End of Year Trip planning, fundraising, or to contribute donations please reach out to Tiffany Vargas tiffanykvargas@yahoo.com or Jennifer Fry nej0972@yahoo.com Every bit of help makes a difference and brings our 8th grade students closer to an amazing trip.
- Join our PTO BAND APP to Stay Connected!!!!
https://band.us/band/95596968/post/160
Panther Staff Members of the Week - Mrs. Hansen and Ms. Johnson!!:
We are so fortunate to have Mrs. Hansen and Ms. Johnson as part of our panther staff for the last few years. Not only are they tremendous educators, but they work magic together in the classroom supporting student learning. Thank you both for your continued dedication to our students at PMS!
Panther Choir Updates and Winter Concert:
Please check out our latest newsletter for upcoming events, news, etc! https://secure.smore.com/n/ces6h
Join us for our Winter Concert on Friday, December 12 at the PHS PAC!
Panther Band Updates and Choir Concert:
Please read the Panther Band Notes for this week! Panther Band Notes 12_1_2025-12_5_2025.pdf
Please join us for our WInter Concert!
No Place for Hate Pfundraiser!!:
Check out these new Pfri-yay shirts! Use the QR code to help support NPFH and the Spring Multicultural Fair!!
Summer 2026 and Summer 2027 travel opportunities!
Don't Miss Out! Travel Enrollment Still Open for Boston (2026) & NYC/D.C. (2027) Trips!
Hello Future Travelers,
Reminder about two amazing travel opportunities for our students (and you)—it's not too late to enroll for either trip!
⚾ Historic Boston Trip - June 2026
There's still time to reserve your spot for our Historic Boston trip, which includes exciting stops in Cambridge, Concord & Lexington, Plymouth, and Salem.
Enrollment Link: www.efexploreamerica.com/2960494RJ
🗽 New York City and Washington, D.C. Trip - June 2027
You can also still enroll for our trip to Washington, D.C. and New York City!
Remember, the earlier you enroll, the lower your bi-weekly or monthly payments will be. Since this trip isn't until June 2027, you can still enroll later, but enrolling sooner is always recommended for easier payments.
Enrollment Link: www.efexploreamerica.com/2988596ZB
Questions?
If you have questions about how EF works, you can visit EF’s Help Center page. For specific questions about the trips or the enrollment process, please use the contacts below:
Call EF: 888-333-9756
Chat with EF Support: www.efexploreamerica.com/contact-us
Reach out to me (Valorie).
I am so excited to travel with you and our students on these adventures!
Valorie Salcido
Hendrickson HS Ornament Fundraiser:
"Support the Hendrickson High School Ceramic Holiday Ornament Fundraiser! Purchase your ornaments through the link, then join us on December 4th from 5:15–6:45 to glaze your pieces at our annual event which will take place in the Art 4 classroom at Hendrickson High School. We’ll fire your ornaments, and they’ll be ready for pick up the following week. These unique creations make wonderful holiday gifts or keepsakes and are a fun, creative activity for all ages. Buy yours today and make this holiday season special! All proceeds will go towards a field trip for our advanced art students.
Link to fundraiser: https://www.
successfund.com/g6j6x
Hope to see you there with your family! -Hendrickson HS Art Department"
Thank you so much for your support, and hope you had a lovely time with family this past week.
Warmly,
Jacky Cardenas
Instructional Coach - Parent Corner:
📌 Did You Know? Parent Corner
🧪 Did you know… watching a short “how things work” video (like engines, weather, or space) and then having your child explain it back builds the same critical thinking skills needed in science class?
Lady Panther 7/8th Grade Girls Basketball Schedule and Ticket Information for All Games:
Panther Athletics/7th and 8th Boys Basketball Schedules:
Buy Your Panther Yearbook Today !!!
Get your yearbook today before prices increase next semester!
https://photos.jostens.com/GBBLQT Share your students events photos here and be a part of the Yearbook!!!! Click the QR Code Below!!
Purchase Your 2025-26 Pflugerville MS Panther Yearbook:
Yearbook Recognition Advertisements for Sale Here:
For any questions or help with the yearbook process, please contact Ms. Johnson @ erika.johnson@pfisd.net.
Have a great week ahead and please reach out with any needs or questions this week!
Sincerely,
Philip Clayton
Principal
(512) 594-2011
Greetings Panthers and Panther Pfamilies,
I wanted to start this week's blog with some acknowledgement of our amazing Theatre Arts students led by Mrs. Driscoll. Last night, they earned 1st place honors in the One-Act-Play and will advance to compete next week at Hendrickson High School. The Panther Theatre program continues to earn amazing accolades and awards each year and it is a testament to the long hours of practice students put forth each week. Amazing job to Mrs. Driscoll and our Panther Theatre students!
Our Lady Panther and Panther Basketball season started off strong with multiple victories. It was great to see our 8th grade boys A and B team start strong with wins by 15 and 20 plus points. Although we didn't win every game last week, we won the majority of the 8 games played and all teams played hard and kept it close against Dessau MS.
Our 8th grade Pathways to Careers students were recently interviewed and many students were recorded providing testimonials of their current experience in the class. These videos were shared at Friday's State of the District event and although I was not in attendance, the feedback about these students was overwhelmingy positive. Multiple district staff have expressed how amazing these students performed, as they spoke about their experiences. This is also a reflection of Ms. Downe's impact in the classroom in only her 2nd year of teaching!
With one week left before our Thanksgiving break (Nov 24-28), we have a busy week ahead. When we return from break, it's a fast 3 week stretch to the end of the Fall semester and Winter Break. This Friday is a regular school day, NO early release. Our next early release will be December 19th.
Panther PTO Family Movie Night (THIS Thursday) and Additional Updates:
Parents, with basketball season starting and our Thanksgiving Luncheon this week, we do need a few volunteers to help serve our students and staff. If you can help for just an hour for any future events, we would be so appreciative! Please start by downloading the BAND app and submitting a district volunteer application if you haven't yet.
- 11/20/25 - PTO Pfamily Movie Night - 7 pm (track side of campus, parking in back or front)
- Free community event
- Free hot chocolate, coffee, water, popcorn, cookies
- Bring a chair and a possibly a blanket based on the weather.
- 11/21/2025 - Parent volunteers needed for Teachers Thanksgiving Lunch. Only 4 more parents are needed for the following times:
11:46 am – 12:16 pm one more parent to help serve lunch.
12:38 pm – 1:08 pm two parents to help serve lunch.
3:00 - 3:30 pm one more parent to help clean up.
Please sign up here: https://band.us/band/95596968/post/168 Thank you!
- 8th grade parents - help with End of Year Trip planning, fundraising, or to contribute donations please reach out to Tiffany Vargas tiffanykvargas@yahoo.com or Jennifer Fry nej0972@yahoo.com Every bit of help makes a difference and brings our 8th grade students closer to an amazing trip.
- PMS PTO is planning a Christmas Movie Night in December, and we want you to help us choose which movie to show! Vote for your favorite here: https://band.us/band/95596968/post/163 So far, Home Alone is winning with The Grinch - Animated running close!
Holiday Sale on our Official Spirit Wear Store! https://1stplace.sale/91530 Percentage of sales goes back to Panther PTO to support PMS events, celebrations, and rewards.
- Join our PTO BAND APP to Stay Connected!!!!
https://band.us/band/95596968/post/160
Theatre Arts and One-Act-Play Results:
Congratulations to this year’s One Act UIL Cast and Crew of Shipwrecked for winning FIRST PLACE at Saturday’s competition!
They will advance to the next round this Saturday at Hendrickson High School—everyone is invited to come cheer them on at the final competition!
Special shoutouts to our award winners:
-
Best Actress of the Day: Arilynn Rundquist (8th)
-
All-Star Acting Awards: Avyan Gupta (6th) and Everly Day (6th)
-
Honorable Mention All-Star Acting: Micah Schwegmann (8th)
-
Best Technician Award: Chester Pruett-Ponvert (8th)
Our incredible ensemble included:
6th Grade:
Adhav Sandeep
Brody Stowers
Ezmeray Trevino
Helena Rodriguez
Isaac Spencer
Lillie Truitt
Lyncoln Barlow
Nate Brown
Neev Somani
Nico Cauman
Sandy Grimes
Sian Kang
Zoey Vasquez
7th Grade:
Kamilla Spicer
Karla Panchi
Ryan Gilliland
Uriel Richey
8th Grade:
Anissa Villareal
Cora Weldon
Leigha Wood
Symphony Johnson
Extra special thank you to Directors Teri Driscoll, Adrian Rocha, and Rose Bartlett.
Break a leg next week, Shipwrecked team!
8th Grade PSAT Updates!!:
We are happy to report that PSAT scores are in!
Students can access their score reports by going to https://studentscores.collegeboard.org/home. They need a College Board account to login, so they may have to set that up first if they did not do it before the test.
New Student ID's and District Pilot Program:
Parents, earlier in the year you may remember that we were waiting on PfISD Transportation to print ID's for our campus. After some adjustments and trouble shooting, we are almost ready to distribute these ID's. We have had 101 students enroll at PMS since August 15th and we are working with Transportation to ensure we have photos for each student. Once those are printed, we will distribute these to students during advisory. Students should put these on their current lanyard with the other school ID. Students riding the bus will use this new ID for arrival and departure on the school bus. I will be sending out more information soon about replacement ID cost and procedures.
Here is the email from PfISD that was sent last week about these specific ID's:
Dear Pflugerville Middle School Parents and Guardians,
At Pflugerville ISD, student safety and family trust have always been at the heart of everything we do. We deeply value the partnership between our schools and families, and we continually look for ways to make our systems safer, more efficient, and more connected.
As part of that ongoing commitment, Pflugerville Middle School will serve as one of the pilot campuses for a new bus ID system designed to strengthen both safety and communication with parents. You may remember reading about this initiative in the Back to School edition of The Pflyer (Page 10), our district’s digital magazine.
This approach is similar to systems already in place in nearby districts, including Round Rock ISD and Georgetown ISD, which have seen positive results in student safety and transportation reliability.
Next week, we will begin distributing new student ID badges to all bus riders at Pflugerville Middle School. These badges will allow students to “check in” when they board the bus and “check out” when they exit. This simple process helps our transportation staff confirm that each student safely boarded and exited their assigned bus. It replaces manual counts and helps ensure every student’s trip is documented accurately and efficiently.
We also want to be very clear that this system does not track students or collect personal information. The Zonar system used by Pflugerville ISD relies on RFID cards called Z Pass, which only record the time, date, and bus location when a student scans their card. No GPS tracking of individual students takes place, and no biometric or sensitive personal data is collected. All information is securely transmitted, encrypted, and used only to improve safety and route management.
In the coming months, parents will be able to access this same information through the Zonar MyView app, which is scheduled to launch in the spring. The app will allow you to see bus updates and receive notifications when your child gets on or off the bus, providing greater peace of mind and transparency for families.
Our goal is simple: to make student transportation safer, more efficient, and more transparent for families. We are grateful for your support, patience, and trust as we continue to improve how we serve our students each day.
Sincerely,
Gregory Nestle
Appreciation Message from No Place for Hate Coalition:
No Place for Hate PFRI-YAY Shirts on Sale Now:
Honoring our Campus Veterans:
Last Tuesday, we were able to celebrate Mrs. Flores and Mr. Thompson as they chose to make the ultimate sacrifice in serving our country in the Armed Forces. Thank you both for the work you do every day on our campus and for serving and protecting our nation.
Lost and Found Clean Out - Friday, Nov. 21st:
Parents and Families, we invite you to come to campus and check the lost and found for any lost or missing items. We typically do a clean-out twice a year and our first one will be after school this Friday. If you need us to do a check for any items, please email me directly @ philip.clayton@pfisd.net. Thanks!
Summer 2026 and Summer 2027 Future Travel Opportunities:
🗺️ Don't Miss Out! Travel Enrollment Still Open for Boston (2026) & NYC/D.C. (2027) Trips!
Hello Future Travelers,
Reminder about two amazing travel opportunities for our students (and you)—it's not too late to enroll for either trip!
⚾ Historic Boston Trip - June 2026
There's still time to reserve your spot for our Historic Boston trip, which includes exciting stops in Cambridge, Concord & Lexington, Plymouth, and Salem.
Enrollment Link: www.efexploreamerica.com/2960494RJ
🗽 New York City and Washington, D.C. Trip - June 2027
You can also still enroll for our trip to Washington, D.C. and New York City!
Remember, the earlier you enroll, the lower your bi-weekly or monthly payments will be. Since this trip isn't until June 2027, you can still enroll later, but enrolling sooner is always recommended for easier payments.
Enrollment Link: www.efexploreamerica.com/2988596ZB
Questions?
If you have questions about how EF works, you can visit EF’s Help Center page. For specific questions about the trips or the enrollment process, please use the contacts below:
Call EF: 888-333-9756
Chat with EF Support: www.efexploreamerica.com/contact-us
Reach out to me (Valorie).
I am so excited to travel with you and our students on these adventures!
Valorie Salcido
Chess Club:
I had to get a picture of our students and Mrs. Croteau during chess club last week. Students are not only learning chess, but also engaging in important social skill development which is crucial during middle school years.
Club Updates - Astronomy w/ Mrs. Washer:
There have been a few tweaks to date and times for clubs this year. Here is the updated list for panther clubs and specifically Astronomy.
| Panther Club | Teacher Sponsor | Date/Time | Frequency (1,2X a month) |
| Gaming | |||
| Yearbook | Johnson | Tuesday/Thursday until 415 | Monthly as announced |
| Pokémon | Martinsen | Friday's untill 4:15 | every Friday |
| Robotics | Washer | Thursdays until 4:30 | Starts in January (or when Robotics kits have arrived) |
| Gardening | |||
| Dungeons and Dragons Club, (DnD) | Bartlett | Thursdays 3:45-4:30 | Every Thursday |
| Cooking club | |||
| Sewing/Knitting | |||
| ROBLOX | McGraw | Mondays OR Tuesdays until 4:15pm | biweekly - Mondays (12/1, & 12/15) or Tuesdays (11/18, & 12/9) |
| Destination Imagination | A. Griffith | Thursdays until 5:30pm | |
| Photography | Nader | Friday | |
| Dance | |||
| Math Pentathalon | |||
| Theater/Drama | Driscoll - 2nd semester (however | ANYONE else can do this also!!!!) | |
| Dungeons & Dragons | |||
| Art | Missimer | Thursdays 3:45-4:30 | Every other week |
| Anime | A. Rocha | Thursday 3:45-4:45 | |
| KPop | |||
| Astronomy | Washer | Every other Thursday until 4:30 | 2 Thursdays/month (12/4) |
| Chess | Croteau | Thursdays until 4:30 | Every Thursday |
| Cooking/Baking | |||
| Rubix Cube | |||
| Hollow Knight Club | Hernandez-James | Tuesdays from 3:45 - 4:15 | Every Tuesday |
Library Schedule and Updates this Week:
Our 6th graders won the Beanstack competition this week and that meant Ms. Missimer had a chance to sing to all of the 6th graders at lunch! Her version of Justin Bieber's "Baby" had the cafeteria singing and cheering on Friday!
6th Grade Beanstack Celebration!
Book Rec Order - All Recs are $2. Click here below to pay online or come by the library to pay cash..
Winter Wonderland Dance - December 5th (5:45-8:15) in the Panther Gym:
We are excited to host our Winter Wonderland dance on Friday, Dec. 5th. Tickets will be $5, but students may also use panther points at the school store to purchase a ticket.
Parents, student drop-off will be in the back of campus by the gym and pick-up can be in the front or the back. All students should talk with their family member picking them up and know ahead of time if they will be picked up in the front or back of the school. Students are NOT allowed to walk home, as this poses safety issues that late in the day/evening. Here are the guidelines for attendance below.
Panther Band Updates:
Here are a few important rehearsal and performance reminders. For more information, please consult the Panther Band Notes.
Beginner Band Rehearsal Wednesday 11/19 3:45-4:45. All students will need to be picked up from the front of the building. This is a mandatory rehearsal!
Advanced Bands: After School Rehearsals as normal!
Winter Band Concert: Monday 12/8 at the PHS PAC. The performance starts at 6pm. Call Time TBD.
Panther Choir Updates:
Please check out our latest newsletter for upcoming events, news, etc! https://secure.smore.com/n/ces6h
Join us for our Winter Concert on Friday, December 12 at the PHS PAC!
Instructional Coach Parent Corner:
📌 Did You Know? Parent Corner
📚 Did you know… when students listen to audiobooks while following along in the text, their reading fluency can grow as much as with traditional silent reading?
No Art Club on November 20th:
Due to the shifting campus-wide event schedule and the Annual Art Conference, there will be no Art club this Thursday.
Lady Panther 7/8th Grade Girls Basketball Schedule and Ticket Information for All Games:
Panther Athletics/7th and 8th Boys Basketball Schedules:
Buy Your Panther Yearbook Today !!!
Get your yearbook today before prices increase next semester!
https://photos.jostens.com/GBBLQT Share your students events photos here and be a part of the Yearbook!!!! Click the QR Code Below!!
Purchase Your 2025-26 Pflugerville MS Panther Yearbook:
Yearbook Recognition Advertisements for Sale Here:
For any questions or help with the yearbook process, please contact Ms. Johnson @ erika.johnson@pfisd.net.
Panther Staff Member of the Week - Mrs. Kulhavy:
Congratulations to Mrs. Kulhavy for earning the Panther Staff Member of the Week trophy last week. Mrs. Kulhavy has brought great energy and passion to our Language Arts team this year. Her drive to improve and be the best teacher she can be has made the RLA department even stronger this year. Congrats and we are so fortunate to have you as part of our Panther Pfamily!
Academic + UIL Practices and Prepping for Competition:
A+ UIL practices have begun and we are needing more students to fill our teams! Students in grades 6-8 are invited to join. Each event allows for three competitors and one alternate, and these students are required to attend practices, the Invitational Competition from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at Park Crest Middle School, and the District Competition at Pflugerville Middle School on Saturday, February 7, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Students should contact the coaches directly for events of interest to get full details. The practice schedule is as follows (please note many practices are every other week):
UIL Practice Schedule:
I hope everyone has had a restful weekend. Please reach out to us on campus with any needs this week.
Regards,
Philip Clayton
Principal
Pflugerville Middle School
(512) 594-2011
philip.clayton@pfisd.net
Greetings Panthers and Panther Pfamilies,
I am looking forward to getting back to campus tomorrow. My apologies for any unanswered emails or calls, as I missed most of the week due to illness. I am very grateful to work with such an amazing staff at Pflugerville Middle School who kept things running in my absence. The faculty and staff this year has created an amazing space for students with a strong approach of connection and relationship-building combined with stellar instruction in the classroom. Thank you Panther teachers and educational associates for your work ethic and positive attitude in your approach to serving students each day.
I want to also highlight and thank our front office staff, instructional coaches, social worker, counselors and assistant principals for pushing through a hard week last week. There are days where it is challenging to fill all of our absences and that creates additional tasks for all staff members. We have been so fortunate to have teachers and staff that are always willing to help and will cover a class or two without complaint or hesitation. Fortunately, Ms. Flores does a tremendous job working with our guest educators/substitutes, so that these days are few and far between. Ms. Flores is one of our first staff members to arrive each morning and in the midst of finding guest educators to cover classes, she is answering the phone, greeting visitors, communicating to staff via radio and managing other tasks as well. It is so important for our pfamilies and visitors to see a friendly welcoming face each day and Mrs. Flores does that with grace, while managing many stressors.
Our Counseling and Social Work Team all arrived as new Panthers in August, but you would hardly know it watching them in action each day. They have each made an enormous impact in how student's are supported at PMS and we are lucky to have them on our team. This team has also built a strong synergy through their communication and teamwork. The planning and intentional discourse they engage in, creates a proactive approach to supporting student needs. Thank you all for serving our students in such a strong way!
Lastly, I want to share my sincere gratitude and appreciation to our Assistant Principals - Ms. Roberts and Mrs. Mendoza. With Mrs. Monge out and my absences last week, they had a heavy workload and what is already a very challenging job, became exponentially more challenging. Thank you both for your leadership, persistence and communication!
With two weeks left before our Thanksgiving break, it will be very important for our students to stay focused on learning and improvement in the classroom. During middle school, children experience their second-highest peak of neuroplasticity after infancy, making their brains highly adaptable to learning new habits. This heightened malleability means that routines, time management, and organizational skills practiced during these years tend to become ingrained as long-term behaviors. Strong note-taking, organizing assignments and using a calendar for academic deadlines are all important skills and habits to be accomplished. This data point reinforces the importance of limiting screen time and monitoring internet use to avoid student's from creating negative habits as well. We have seen amazing transformations among students who have replaced negative cell phone habits with reading 30 minutes or more each day, physical exercise and other healthy activities. It not only helped some of these specific students become better readers, but their overall emotional well-being improved as well.
We have a busy two week stretch before we hit our Fall break. Basketball season kicks off this week, Theater continues to prep for One-Act-Play and our other departments and organizations prepare for concerts and competitions. Here is a comprehensive review of future events and activities for our Pflugerville Middle School students and greater community.
Veteran's Day - November 11th:
We will have school on this day as it is not a district holiday this year. I would like to thank all of our parents, guardians and family members who served in the Armed Forces. Thank you for your service to our country and your dedication to keeping our nation safe.
Mrs. Flores, our receptionist and substitute coordinator, is also a veteran and we thank you for your service to our country and to our campus. We are excited to celebrate you this Tuesday.
Scoliosis Screenings for 7th Grade Boys this Week - November 12th/13th:
Nurse Nations will be conducting Scoliosis screenings for our 7th grade boys this Thursday and Friday. The primary purpose of the screenings is to:
- To identify students who may have a spinal curvature that requires further evaluation by a healthcare provider.
- Early detection is important because the pubertal growth spurt is a time when curves can worsen, and early intervention can lead to more treatment options.
Please contact Nurse Nations directly with any questions related to these screenings @ jean.nations@pfisd.net or at (512) 594-2035.
PfISD Pfuture Ready Event - November 19th 6-8 pm @ PACE:
Pfuture Ready - Spanish Flyer:
Pfuture Ready - Vietnamese Flyer:
KickStart Central Texas Fall Qualifier -Tournament Results and Updates:
Mr. Fillmore and our KickStart students turned in some great performances at the Central Texas Qualifier in Bryan, TX. Although they brought a smaller group than last year, they were still the most dominate team in the region. 40 competing athletes came home with 30 medals! Here are some of the results:
Gold Medalists:
Alayna Duran - Weapons
Griffin Hartman - Sparring
Andrew Phan - Sparring
Jozie Holmes - Sparring
Madelynn Blackburn - Sparring
These performances have put Pflugerville Middle School in the leading position in the district and region for the 3rd straight year! Congrats Mr. Fillmore and our amazing Panther Karate team for your continued hard work and discipline!
Student Clubs/Times/Dates:
We have added a couple of more clubs sent I last sent this out. Here is each club, sponsor and the days they are being held.
| Yearbook | Johnson | Tuesday/Thursday until 415 | Monthly as announced |
| Pokémon | Martinsen | Friday's untill 4:15 | every Friday |
| Robotics | Washer | Thursdays until 4:30 | Starts in January (or when Robotics kits have arrived) |
| Gardening | |||
| Dungeons and Dragons Club, (DnD) | Bartlett | Thursdays 3:45-4:30 | Every Thursday |
| Cooking club | |||
| Sewing/Knitting | |||
| ROBLOX | McGraw | Mondays until 4:30pm | the first and third Mondays of each month (biweekly) |
| Destination Imagination | A. Griffith | ||
| Photography | Nader | Friday | |
| Dance | |||
| Math Pentathalon | |||
| Theater/Drama | Driscoll - 2nd semester (however | ||
| Dungeons & Dragons | |||
| Art | Missimer | Thursdays 3:45-4:30 | Monthly at first, potentially move to |
| Anime | |||
| Roblox | |||
| KPop | |||
| Astronomy | Washer | Mondays until 4:30 | Most Mondays |
| Chess | Croteau | Tuesdays until 4:30 | Every Tuesday |
| Cooking/Baking | |||
| Rubix Cube | |||
| Hollow Knight Club | Hernandez-James | Thursdays until 4:15 | Every Thursday that I don't have PSST meetings! |
Panther PTO Information and Meeting this Week - 11/11/25 @ 5-6 pm:
Our Panther PTO has been remarkable this year. Thank you for working to fundraise and plan for future student and staff rewards and activities. Our next meeting is this Tuesday at 5:00 pm either virtually or in person in room A 103.
On November 20th, we are welcoming the community for a Pfamily Movie Night.
Follow us to stay updated with upcoming events.
- 11/20/25 - PTO Pfamily Movie Night - 7 pm (track side of campus, parking in back or front)
- Free community event
- Free hot chocolate, coffee, water, popcorn, cookies
- Bring a chair and a possibly a blanket based on the weather.
- 11/21/2025 - Parent volunteers needed for Teachers Thanksgiving Lunch
- 8th grade parents - help with End of Year Trip planning and fundraising
- Join our PTO BAND APP to Stay Connected!!!!
https://band.us/band/95596968/post/160
Descriptions of committees are found on our BAND App, Instagram, and Facebook:
November is Positive Affirmations Month at PMS! From Mrs. Salcido and Mr. Clayton:
This month, our campus is celebrating Positive Affirmations Month—a time to pause, reflect, and speak kindly to ourselves and others. Throughout November, students and staff will focus on recognizing the good in who they are, what they can do, and the strengths they see in those around them.
Middle school can be the most challenging time for students who are searching for their identity and have many feelings of insecurity. These feelings can often times result with negative reactions to others and behaviors that are exhibited due to trauma or conflicting emotional challenges. While consequences are necessary at times, consistent positive reinforcement for students and a tiered support plan can be the great neutralizer that results in behavior changes for students.
Positive affirmations help build confidence, resilience, and a supportive school culture. Whether it’s saying something encouraging to a friend, writing a kind note, or reminding ourselves that we can do hard things, every positive message makes a difference.
We are excited to spend the month spreading encouragement, celebrating each other’s strengths, and filling our halls with positivity!
Pflugerville Food Pantries and Assistance Nearby:
With the recent government shutdown, I know many families are struggling due to delayed snap benefits and other challenges. If anyone is in need of resources as the holidays approach, here is a list of places nearby that may be able to assist. Also, each of these facilities are taking donations as well. All locations are within 6 miles. The table below did not format well, so here is the link for better readability.
Panther Library Updates:
The information below is a great example of the hard work Mrs. Hornstein does each day to grow our student readers. Reading is such an important life skill and as reading confidence grows in students, so does social/emotional confidence and learning outcomes. Thank you Mrs. Hornstein for creating a great space for our panthers each day.
Book Rec Order - All Recs are $2. Click here below to pay online or come by the library to pay cash..
Panther Band Updates from the Directors:
Band: Please read this week’s Panther Band Notes. This includes reminders about concert uniforms and rehearsals. Panther Band Notes 11_10_2025-11_14_2025.pdf
Lady Panther Athletics:
We are excited to start the 25-26 basketball season this week. Come out and cheer on the boys and girls teams this week as we take on Dessau MS!!
Panther Athletics/7th and 8th Boys Basketball Schedules:
Buy Your Panther Yearbook Today !!!
Get your yearbook today before prices increase next semester!
https://photos.jostens.com/GBBLQT Share your students events photos here and be a part of the Yearbook!!!! Click the QR Code Below!!
Purchase Your 2025-26 Pflugerville MS Panther Yearbook:
Yearbook Recognition Advertisements for Sale Here:
For any questions or help with the yearbook process, please contact Ms. Johnson @ erika.johnson@pfisd.net.
Instructional Coach - Parent Corner:
📌 Did You Know?
📚 Did you know… talking about a TV show or movie by asking questions like “Why did that character do that?” helps your child practice the same inference skills used in reading class?
Academic + UIL Practices and Prepping for Competition:
A+ UIL practices have begun and we are needing more students to fill our teams! Students in grades 6-8 are invited to join. Each event allows for three competitors and one alternate, and these students are required to attend practices, the Invitational Competition from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at Park Crest Middle School, and the District Competition at Pflugerville Middle School on Saturday, February 7, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Students should contact the coaches directly for events of interest to get full details. The practice schedule is as follows (please note many practices are every other week):
UIL Practice Schedule:
Pathways To Careers Newsletter:
The PfISD 3 E's commitment is really able to flourish thanks to the planning and hard work of Ms. Downe in our Pathways course. Through instructional content, guest speakers and a field trip coming up in December, our 8th graders have learned about so many awesome career paths to consider as they approach graduation. This learning and exposure will go hand-in-hand with students choosing a HS pathway in the spring or in their first year of high school.
Summer 2027 Travel Opportunity for 7th Graders:
Enrollment is still open!
Washington, D.C. and New York City in Summer 2027.
Enroll now with this link: www.efexploreamerica.com/2988596ZB
Please view the Help Center from EF Explore America, our travel partner. This covers all the details about EF, including options for academic credit, payments plans and what to expect on tour. Additionally, once you enroll, you will have access to your individual fundraising page and will be able to apply for EF’s Explorer Scholarship.
Still have questions? EF's Traveler Support Team can help through their online chat at www.efexploreamerica.com/contact-us or by phone at 888-333-9756. And if your student has friends who have not signed up yet, feel free to pass this message along to their families too.
Thanks everyone!
Valorie Salcido
P.S. Check out this video to learn what parents & guardians like you thought about their own children's EF tour experiences.
Have a great week ahead and enjoy the cooler weather! Please reach out to us on campus if you have any questions, needs or suggestions for us this week @ (512) 594-2000.
Regards,
Philip Clayton
Principal
Pflugerville Middle School
philip.clayton@pfisd.net/(512) 594-2011
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