Greetings Panther Families!

Today I had the privilege of talking with a group of students about leadership, doing the right thing, and being role models for their peers and younger classmates. Middle schoolers are incredibly impressionable—what they see and hear, they often absorb, whether it’s positive or negative. While friends and classmates certainly play a big role in shaping who they are, home is still the most powerful influence. I want to take a moment to thank our families who are teaching their children the values of respect, hard work, and striving to be the best version of themselves. It shows every day when your students walk through our doors.

This is also a season of life when kids are learning how to advocate for themselves, ask for help, and take ownership of their future. Here at Pike, they are surrounded by a staff dedicated to helping them succeed—not just academically, but as people. From our counselors and nurse, to our teachers, coaches, and even our food services team, every adult here is committed to making sure your child succeeds.

If you have a chance this week, I encourage you to reach out with a quick note of appreciation to your child’s teacher or even come join your student for lunch. If you could see the love, care, and dedication that I witness each day, I know you’d be inspired by the community we are building together.

I am proud to be a Pike Panther, and even prouder to serve as the principal of such an amazing school. Thank you for being our partners in this journey—because when home and school work hand-in-hand, our kids are the ones who truly win.

Until next time....y'all keep on keepin' on, and always KEEP BELIEVING!

Mr. D

Next Week

9/8 - Pike Tennis

• Pike v. Chisolm Trail @ Northwest HS @ 4:30 PM

9/9 - "Panther Pride is Timeless" (Decade Day)

9/9 - Pike Football

• 8th Grade v. Tidwell @ NISD Stadium
• 7th Grade v. Tidwell @ NHS Sub-Varsity Field
• B Teams start at 5:00PM, A Team follows as soon as B is complete

9/10 - Pike Cross Country

• @ Pike Middle School
• Meet begins at 5:00 PM in this order....8th Grade Boys / 8th Grade Girls / 7th Grade Boys / 7th Grade Girls

On the Horizon

9/15 - Pike Tennis

• Pike v. Tidwell @ Byron Nelson HS
• 4:30 start time

9/17 - Pike Cross Country

• @ Hillwood Middle School
• Meet begins at 5:00 PM in this order....8th Grade Boys / 8th Grade Girls / 7th Grade Boys / 7th Grade Girls

9/18 - Twin Day

As part of our ongoing commitment to support the academic, personal, social, and emotional growth of every student, our district offers access to certified school counselors and intervention counselors. Beginning June 20, 2025, in compliance with Texas SB 12, we are required to obtain parent or guardian consent before providing these counseling services. These are the same traditional school counseling services that have been available previously.

This form allows you to grant permission for your child to receive school counseling services as needed throughout the school year. Please note, if a student is upset and we do not have consent on file to provide counseling, they will be allowed to spend up to 10 minutes in a quiet space to calm down before returning to class.

Our counseling team is truly amazing! Sometimes, our students simply need a caring voice to listen and guide them as they navigate the challenges of adolescence. Counselors aren’t there to analyze every thought, but to equip students with the tools and support they need to make it through the school day with confidence.

Here is the link to consent to supports given by the Counselor.

https://forms.nisdtx.org/Forms/Consent-to-Counseling-and-Support-Services 

In compliance with Texas Senate Bill 12, all Texas school districts must receive parent or guardian permission for nurses and athletic trainers to attend to students in certain situations. These can include routine health-related services.

Examples of health-related support that require consent include:

• First aid and injury evaluation
• Monitoring chronic health conditions such as asthma or diabetes
• Support during illness or injury while at school
• Administration of medications (upon parental request and physician order)

If you want your child to continue receiving all services that require written parental consent, please fill out the form below. Forms must be filled out for each student. 

Please be aware that a delay in submission will prevent the prompt implementation of these services for your child.

https://forms.nisdtx.org/Forms/Consent-for-Health-Related-Services

**Note: Days/Times/Sponsors coming soon!!**

If your Panther has expressed interest in joining clubs at Pike Middle School, please read the message below carefully. In accordance with new state laws, students are not allowed to join a club until parents have completed a permission slip.

You are able to complete 1 form for all of your students' clubs at Pike Middle, however should new clubs join later in the school year, you will will have to complete the form again (I'll leave this link on these tidbits throughout the year).

If your student has a desire to be in a club that is not listed, they need to do a few things:

• Decide what kind of club they want to help start.
• Find a staff member that can sponsor them. If they don't know where to start they can email me and I can forward to staff to see who might be able to sponsor.
• Work with that teacher to establish a day/time/location.
• Recruit some other students to join the fun!
• Email Mr. D for final approval
• Parents will fill out the permission slip

The form is linked below. If you have any questions about the form, please reach out to us. If you have questions about the specific clubs, please reach out to the sponsor of that club.

PIKE STUDENT CLUBS - CLICK HERE

State of the IDs Update:

As of 9/4, we have had 266 students not come to school with their ID and have to be issued a new one. Here's the breakdown:

• 6th Grade - 122 students (13 with 2 or more issued)
• 7th Grade - 83 students (8 with 2 or more issued)
• 8th Grade - 61 students* (9 with 2 or more issued)

For the safety of our campus, students must wear their ID around their necks at all times during the school day. We will conduct checks at both entry points in the mornings. Any student without an ID will be issued a new one, and a $4 charge will be added to their account.

Starting next week, teachers will be asked to ensure that students are wearing their ID before entering the classroom. If a student does not have their ID, they will be directed to the CAP Center to receive a replacement.

Northwest ISD bands will host a special performance at the district stadium on Monday, September 29, with proceeds benefiting the district’s band programs.

The seventh annual Northwest ISD Band Showcase, sponsored by Bell’s Music Shop, will begin at 7 p.m. at Northwest ISD Stadium. Marching bands from all three comprehensive high schools – Byron Nelson, Eaton and Northwest – will perform. Also performing will be all seven Northwest ISD middle school band programs. The event will culminate with a combined performance from all district band students.

Gates will open to the public at 6 p.m. for admission. Tickets are just $5, with children ages 3 and younger receiving free admission. Additionally, all district band students who show their student IDs will receive free admission.

Tickets can be purchased at the gate or by clicking here.

Northwest ISD has called an operations funding election, Proposition A, to reduce class sizes, and the district invites questions and feedback on the ballot measure. Voters will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the proposal at several town hall events taking place in the coming weeks.

In-person meetings are scheduled to take place throughout the district in September and October, with an online Facebook Live taking place October 16. A full list of presentations can be seen at www.nisdtx.org/election, with additional town halls being added as they are scheduled.

Early voting will take place October 20 to 31, and Election Day takes place Tuesday, November 4. If approved by voters, the election is projected to generate at least $12 million in new revenue for Northwest ISD. Of that projection, $8 million would go toward lower class sizes and student programs, and $4 million would go toward raises for teachers and support staff.

https://www.facebook.com/GenePikeMiddleSchool/

https://www.facebook.com/genepikepta