Happy New Year, Pike Families!

This Tidbits was originally planned to go out last week, but Mother Nature decided to give us a little bonus time off. I hope everyone was able to enjoy that unexpected time with family.

I know there were questions and concerns about the decision to cancel school so many days, but I am incredibly grateful to our district leadership for always putting the safety of our students, staff, and families first. Even today, we’ve had students slipping on patches of ice that still haven’t fully melted, despite the extensive efforts of our facilities team to clear sidewalks as much as possible. They are still out there finishing off the remaining stubborn patches, and I am grateful for their work.

Before our ice break we had a fantastic week ay Pike! One of my favorite parts of the school year is taking time to pause and celebrate the incredible accomplishments of our students—and this week did not disappoint.

Here are some numbers worth getting excited about:

• 404 students earned AB Honor Roll recognition
• 217 students earned A Honor Roll recognition
• 134 students were recognized for perfect attendance
• 12 students were selected as Quarter 2 Golden Paw Award recipients for consistently demonstrating our core values of being Safe, Respectful, and Responsible

These achievements are truly outstanding, and I could not be more proud of our students and the hard work they put in each day. Their dedication, perseverance, and character continue to make Pike a place we are all proud of.

A heartfelt thank you to the parents who were able to join us for these celebrations—and to all of our families, whether in attendance or not, for your continued support and encouragement of your students to be their very best, day in and day out.

As we move forward, I want to encourage both our students and families to keep aiming high and never settle for “good enough.” Greatness doesn’t happen by accident—it’s built daily through effort, choices, and character. Keep practicing our core values of being Safe, Respectful, and Responsible, not just when recognition is on the line, but in every moment. Don’t wait for the “right time” to be great—choose it today, and choose it often. We believe in our Panthers, and we can’t wait to see what they continue to accomplish.

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

Mr. D

School Counseling Week!! - Please take a moment to reach out to your student's counselor and let them know how much you appreciate their efforts!

2/3 - MS Open House Night - 5:30 - 7:-00

• Presentation at 6:00 in the cafeteria for current 5th grade families on all things middle school. A separate ParentSquare message will follow with the presentation we will show to families.
• Mrs. Lutkenhaus will be present to address any questions from families of students transitioning to Barksdale Middle School next year.
• Classroom teachers will be present throughout the building as students show families around.

**Reminder...this is not a night for conferences. If you need to meet with your student's teacher, please reach out and schedule an appointment with them. 

Thank you to all of our parents who have been driving their students to the back of the school this week. It has helped create a much safer and more efficient drop-off and pick-up process.

Even with an increase in cars using the back pick-up in the afternoons, we have consistently finished by 4:30, with only a few final arrivals after that time. I’ve monitored the cameras, and families who were at the back of the line at 4:15 were typically out within 12 minutes or less. This is great considering the volume of cars we have!!

Thank you again for your patience and cooperation. I know waiting in a line isn’t always the most convenient option, but I will always place student safety over convenience. I truly appreciate your support in helping us keep all of our students safe.

Thank you for those that have already sent us feedback, both positive and constructive ways we can improve. Keep it coming, as our continued dialogue is how we work together to make the school year positive for all of our Pike Panthers!

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