
Chief Report
September
Mr. Lester
Welcome to our incoming Class of 2024! As I have said before, this is the first time that PHS and many other schools around the country have had to open their schools doors in a Virtual/Remote environment. This is NOT ideal but necessary for the safety of our students and staff members. We continue to prepare for the eventual in-person opening of school and there have been some really exciting facility upgrades. We have a beautiful new Anthony entrance now ADA compliant with wheelchair ramp. The benches and new landscaping is fitting for a GREAT academic institution. We’ve also completed the stadium with new bleachers and more energy efficient lights. Several spaces are still being worked on such as the food and nutrition room as well as the lighting and sound in the PAC…AWESOME stuff!! My expectation is that all work will be completed fully in early November. I would also like to point out that all of this is being done without interfering with the teaching and learning process happening throughout our building every day. Continue to work hard and focus your energy on positive things in the remote learning environment. The GREAT philosopher DJ Khaled has stated, “Put the work in Devin” and that is what we must do as Chiefs! Many more exciting things are taking place so read on…
PWAY Wins 2nd Place in Contest
Congratulations, for winning 2nd Place in the PSA contest into the Middlesex County "Don't Drive Dangerously" contest. The video entitled, "Don't let Technology Drive Your Life" was produced by Ronni Garrett, features Reanna Garrett, and voice overs were done by Adrianna Carreras. The honor comes with a monetary prize for our school and a gift card for each member of the video production team.
Congratulations
Congratulations to three of our seniors in the Class of 2021 – Santiago Blaumann, Koleby Royston and Reidyn Wingate on being named College Board National Recognition Scholars! These students scored in the top 2.5% of all PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test takers in 2019! Participation in the College Board National Recognition Programs (CBRP) is available to all PSAT/NMSQT takers who qualify, another reason to take the PSAT/NMSQT seriously. The CBRP is free for those who are accepted based on test scores and enables students to highlight their outstanding educational achievements to top colleges and universities. For more information, please visit: http://www.psat.org/recognition
Ms. Busichio's Class
On Friday, September 25th, Ms. Busichio decided to get her students out from behind their computers. She had her class do an outdoor activity. The class is currently working on the brain unit so they went outside and drew model neurons in chalk. The class loved it and reminded them of being a kid while using the chalk. (See pictures below).
Lisa Sudfield - TAH Seminars
National Leadership Experience
The National Leadership Conference went virtual and became the National Leadership Experience, and the results are in. CONGRATULATIONS to Prit Patel & Siddh Parmar on their 5th place finish IN THE COUNTRY for Virtual Business Challenge!
Congratulations, to Ved Sriraman (Business Financial Plan), Nicholas Chen (Economics), and Rishi Patel (Economics) for taking the plunge and competing with hundreds from around the country.
Art Changes Everything
Art is what helps us make sense of the world - to understand the challenging aspects of our lives and navigate difficult times. We need the arts now more than ever. This year, we will share our art, love, empathy, joy, passion, and kindness with our students. We will provide a place for our students to explore their own identities, share their stories, and develop their creativity as they actively make art together.
It will feel different and strange - but our students need us. They need to see what is possible, and most importantly, they need to know that we care about them and are there for them.
Thank you for your dedication and for your creative collaboration to literally make the impossible happen. You are changing the world in your classrooms.
Welcome New Staff for 2020 - 2021 School Year
Shireen Ali, Sp. Ed.
Zachary Erdmann, Visual Art at PHS
Joseph Fay, Security
Garin Hilton, Social Studies
Deanna Kelley, Haven Secretary
Danielle Mahler, Sp. Ed.
Mirlene Nazaire, Psychologist
Laura Reyes, ESL
Kayla Torok, PE/Health
Mr. Grimm's Virtual Science Class
The science teachers of PHS are doing incredible things. They certainly are adapting through this pandemic and making a real difference for our students! As an example, check out Mr. Grimm and his remote teaching set up below. These teachers are the reason so many of our students look forward to school.
With Gratitude from PHS Graduate
I am writing this email to let you know that your class taught me many, many valuable concepts that have often appeared in my college courses. As a double-business majoring student, my classes dig deep into marketing. Your class gave me insight into marketing in the real world. I'm a senior in college and my professors are discussing the importance of the 4P's, just as you did when I took your class my senior year of high school! I just wanted to let you know that I am extremely grateful for everything that you taught me back when I was in high school. You were the teacher who inspired me to choose a major in business and eventually a 2nd major in business. It's one of the best decisions I've ever made because it's perfect for me. Thank you again, Ms. Leacy for being such an influential and inspiring teacher.
PHS Vocabulary Bowl State Champions
PHS Choir Student Competes in Music Festival
Congratulations to rising senior Cristian Thornton for participating in Independent Music Festival virtually this summer! Cristian gave a fantastic performance of the first movement of Schumann’s Waldszenen! Cristian is a member of the PHS choir and marching band. Always amazing to see our students excel not only in our classes, but also beyond the walls of PHS! Way to go Cristian!
PHS Student Named State Thespian Officer
Farewell Wishes to our PHS Retirees
Paul Bedor
Nurse Jahn
Gradie Frederick
Elizabeth Jankowsky