At PJH, we’re in our “setting goals and good habits” era! Students and teachers have been teaming up to set goals and chase big dreams, build strong study routines, and leaving a little extra sparkle in our hallways. Because we’re all about recognizing those fearless efforts, our very first round of POSITIVE BEHAVIOR nominees and Sonic drinks (aka liquid gold) will be rolling out this Friday, 8/29. Consider it our way of saying: you’re rocking this school year like it’s your Wildest Dreams. Keep the positivity rolling!
Lions
Mrs. McCage
A Letter From The Principal
Counselor's Corner
Meet the Counselor
Dr. Bragg
Why did you choose to be a counselor? I want to help kids. My uncle was a counselor and I have always looked up to him.
What made you come to Ponder? I needed a change, and I wanted to spread my wings.
What is your favorite part about being a counselor? Why? I like to learn about kids. I hope all children can trust me with their secrets.
What is your favorite book? The Bridge to Terabithia
Do you have any hobbies? Gardening
What is your favorite sport? Volleyball
Wellness Wednesday Lessons
Throughout the month of September we are learning about Bullying; what it is and what it is not!
What is Bullying?
The Texas Administrative Code Sec. 37.0832 states that bullying is a single significant act or a pattern of facts by one or more students directed at another student that exploits an imbalance of power and involves engaging in written or verbal expression, expression through electronic means, or physical conduct. This includes cyberbullying.
Has the effect or will have the effect of physically harming a student, damaging a student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or of damageto the student’s property
Is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive enough that the action or threat creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for a student
Materially and substantially disrupts the educational process or the orderly operation of a classroom or school
Infringes on the rights of the victim at school
Types of Bullying:
Physical bullying: using physical force or aggression against another person (e.g., hitting)
Verbal bullying: using words to verbally attack someone (e.g., name-calling)
Social/relational bullying: trying to hurt someone through excluding them, spreading rumor's or ignoring them (e.g., gossiping)
Cyberbullying: using electronic media to threaten, embarrass, intimidate, or exclude someone, or to damage their reputation (e.g., sending threatening text messages).
Bullying is not…conflict, having a disagreement, harassment, an in the moment reaction, or someone just being mean.No matter what; if you see something, say something. Contact a trusted adult if you or a friend feel that they are being the target of bullying.
PJH Lions at Lunch
Did you know? We started having recess at the end of lunch time.
Inside the Classroom
By: Truitt Laney, Parker Jackson, Logan Mueller, Kendall Custy, Maddie Wright, and Katelyn Starr
Mrs. Batt's class learning the definitions of different words.
Coach Ryan’s class learning about the climate in different regions of the world.
Mrs. North's math class doing a hands-on activity.
Student Spotlight
By:Liam Lapinski, Cooper Moore, Triston Sands, Eddie Jones, Andrea Soto
Easton Rausch
This is Easton Rausch, he plays baseball and basketball. He stays on top of his grades by completing work when he gets it. What keeps him motivated is his dad. When he has free time he likes to eat. He is an amazing student and person, keep up the great work!
Anistyn Kirkpatrick
What’s your favorite hobby?Volleyball/Basketball
What’s your favorite school subject? Math
Who do you look up to? Her Mom
What's your favorite food? Steak
How many siblings do you have? 2
Boys Athletics
By: Kannon Barksdale, Beau Penland, Levi Davis
6th grade team lined up before a play in a scrimmage last Saturday against Argyle.
Ponder WON!!
Great work from our amazing cross country team on Wednesday! They traveled to Wichita Falls for their first cross country meet.
Also did you know that this year they added pre-athletics for 6th graders.
Boys Athlete of The Week
By: Truitt Morris, Mason Garcia, Parker Calhoun
Fortress Chidiebere
Interview questions
How does it feel to play tight end? It feels really good.
How does this new position feel? Something new to me and I’m excited to play it.
How are you liking football so far? It’s so awesome and fun.
What is your favorite play at tight end? Nuggets drag because I get the ball.
Who is helping you the most at tight end? Coach Warner and Richard Warner have been the most helpful.
Girls Athletics
By: Madi Reid, Georgia Angeley, Cori Johnson
Volleyball Practice
Volleyball is off to a great start.
This is Georgia serving from Monday against Boyd and we beat them both sets 2-0.
Girls Athlete of the Week
By: Lilli Allred and Kaylee Martin
Aubree Mitchel
Interview Questions
What does leadership mean to you? Aubree said that you’re responsible and respectful to others.
What does sportsmanship mean to you? Aubree said you're respectful and you cheer on your teammates and your kind.
What is your favorite sport and why? She said she likes to play with her friends and to be a part of the community and environment.
What is your favorite candy? Trollis!
What's your favorite subject and why? Science because of the teacher and the projects that she does.
Happenings at PJH
By: Mason Hanes, Easton Nordie, Tucker Dishman, Rozalee Sanchez, Iker Carcia, and Jesus Jimenez
We are all connected together at PJH.
New games found on MSN!
Atoms, molecules, and compounds!
Studying for our test in coach Wisdom's class on Friday.
We are learning about the regions of Texas in Coach Wisdom's Texas history class!
PE
All About Books
By: Braxton Wood and Eve Raymond
Book spotlight!
The Harry potter series by JK Rowling follows a young boy who finds out he is a wizard on his 11th birthday, he than has many many adventures with his friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley.
2nd Author spotlight!
Author James Dean, born in 1957, is a self-taught artist, and has made this famous children's book, Pete the Cat and His White Shoes. You probably have also read this one as a child, or at some point in your life. Published in 2008, it rose to the New York Best Seller List’s 8th place position.
Pete the Cat and His White Shoes is a book and song about a blue cat and his white shoes (if you didn't read the title..). Throughout the story, he steps in various substances, which ruins his shoes and changes their color. However, “Pete never loses his cool”, and changes his attitude toward the shoes. When he steps in mud, he “loves his brown shoes”, and does the same for red and blue shoes. Finally, he steps in a water bucket, which removes all the color on his shoes and turns them back to white, along with Pete continuing to sing.
Weather
By: Ethan Johnson
Staying weather aware:
Living in the US, we deal with a lot of tornadoes. This is due to climate change increasing CAPE,a measure of atmospheric instability in the atmosphere. Tornado signs include lack of noise outside and greenish skies. If there is a tornado, get to a storm shelter or an interior part of your house. It also helps to have an emergency kit and preparedness plan. Follow weather safety tips and stay weather aware!
Fun Facts
By: Jackson Fairbanks
On August, 26 2025 Travis Kelce proposed to pop star singer Taylor Swift and she said yes. I called it mom. On top of that Taylor Swift also announced her 15th album.
Over in Vietnam, they are planning on evacuating due to a major typhoon and will need to be updated on that, and will update you next week.
Teacher Spotlight
By:Madeline Hunt, Charlie Chappell, Saylor Nightengale
Mrs. Deranger
Mrs. Deranger - Secondary GT Teacher and Instructional Coach at PJH
Mrs. Deranger is the PJH GT teacher! She has 2 kids, one named Gavin, in 7th and Cooper who is a junior in high school (11th grade). She loves anything outside like gardening, animals, picnics, and way more. So far her favorite thing to teach in GT is STEM and of course her students. From when she was 3-4 old, she wanted to teach because her parents taught. She is driven by kids to continue teaching.
Ponder Junior High
940-479-8220
501 Shaffner Street. Ponder, TX 72259