Parent Newsletter #16: 11/15/24

Website: https://phs.piedmont.k12.ca.us/
Location: 800 Magnolia Ave, Piedmont, CA 94611
Phone: (510) 594-2626 | Instagram: @piedmonthigh

Parent Newsletter: Archives

2024-25 School Profile | Bell Schedule (Regular)

Road to Graduation | Yearbook Info

College & Career Newsletter | Athletic Newsletter

Principal: Dr. Yoshihara

Assistant Principal: Mr. Marik

Dear Highlander Families,

While I know we started the week off on a heavy, somber note, I'm hopeful we will end it on a great one at the football game tonight. I'm sure it will feel like winter but the fan enthusiasm will keep us warm.

Lots of great stuff happening this week. I encourage everyone to come see the amazing efforts put forth by our theater students at this week's fall play: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. It is not too late.

One more week until the Thanksgiving break. Have a wonderful weekend.

Sincerely,

Dr. Yoshihara

November 19: Community College Night (6-8 pm in Christopher Stevens library)

November 21: Financial Aid Night (6:30 pm start in the Alan Harvey Theater)

November 22: PR 3 grades available

November 25-29: Thanksgiving break

December 3-4: PHS/MHS Senior Portraits (9-4 in the AHT Lobby)

December 3: Ceramics Night Open Studio

December 6-7: PHS Winter Dance Concert (7 pm start in the Alan Harvey Theater) [Not an ASB Dance]

Wednesday - Academic Support for all - students can tag their teacher for homework help, study support or assessment questions. Remind your child to tag a teacher in FlexiSched starting Tuesday morning at 8am.

Friday - Academic Support for grades 10, 12

Grades 9,11: GSA Presentation in Alan Harvey Theater (report to Academy for attendance first)

Seniors: Though the common November 1st college application deadline has past, any seniors that still need help with college applications, please come see their counselor or the College and Career Center with Mrs Manalo- LeClair. Happy to help students who are still finishing applications!!

Seniors: Keep your grades up! Counselors will provide your first semester grades to your Common Application schools when they are ready in January.

Financial Aid Night and Community College Night: Please read the latest C & CC newsletter for more information on these important presentations.

Looking for a Peer Tutor? Connect with a peer who has had your class previously to support you with homework, test prep. In Flexisched, look up "Peer Tutoring" to schedule time during academy.

And most importantly, take care of yourself! We know that this can be a tough time; college applications, tests, keeping up your grades, maybe you are starting a Winter Sport, a new job.

• Find time for yourself to do a hobby or get some needed rest
• Make time to talk to friends, family
• Ask for help from teachers- "Can we review Schoology together?" "Can we look at what is coming up in class?" "What is the best way to prepare for the class quizzes/ tests?"
• And of course, come visit your counselor to check in!

The Holidays are here and with it our chance to celebrate our amazing faculty and staff at PHS and MHS. The luncheon will be held Friday, December 13th. Please help us make our Holiday Teacher's Luncheon a success by signing up to donate food and drink items!

Holiday Staff Appreciation Luncheon

Cheers!

The PHS Hospitality Team

Next week is our last week before break and UC and CSU applications are due 12/2. Ideally you submit these a few days before applications are due to avoid any computer issues. Mr. Hartford and Ms. ML will be available in the College and Career Center during lunch next week to answer your questions.

We are formally announcing that we will be offering the SAT on Monday, March 17th 2025. The exam will be digital and operate in the same way the PSAT has for the last two years. Priority for testing will be current 11th and 12th graders. More information and ordering details to come in January 2025. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Marik.

We have added the following AP exams to the list of tests being held at PHS in May:

• AP European History ( ZEPJE4 )
• AP US Government & Politics ( WRL74L )
• AP Macroeconomics ( 49Q23D )
• AP Physics C: Elec & Magnetism ( G42XEW )

If your student wants to sign up for any of the above, follow the instructions provided in the AP Ordering Section of PHS Parent Newsletter #10 and use the Join Codes provided in parenthesis above.

If you have any questions, contact Darlene Low at dlow@piedmont.k12.ca.us or Joe Marik at jmarik@piedmont.k12.ca.us

Giving Campaign Reaches $2 Million—More Support Needed to Set Students Up for Success

PEF is thrilled to share that the annual Giving Campaign has raised an impressive $2 million in contributions. Yet, as we aim to provide outstanding educational resources and opportunities, additional support is needed.

Rick, a parent of a recent Harvard graduate, shared his gratitude for his daughter Genevieve’s education in Piedmont City Unified School District (PUSD). "Our daughter received a top-notch education through her years at Havens, PMS, and PHS, with access to a strong mix of regular, Honors, and AP courses, plus great extracurriculars and friendships," he said.

Success stories from alumni like Genevieve, Chloe Fineman (cast member on "Saturday Night Live"), and Dr. Gary Ruvkun (Nobel Prize winner) highlight the impact of PUSD’s educational support.

Visit www.piedmontedfoundation.org/donate to support our students.

This week's students is Isabelle Myers. We start off by having staff share some thoughts on Isabelle.

1. What quality(ies) best describes this student? Isabelle stands out as particularly cordial and cheerful. She also comes to class with a positive attitude and greets me before sitting down. She takes genuine interest in her work and asks great questions that reflect her knowledge and the thought that she has put into each assignment.
   
2. How long have you known the student? I met Isabelle at the beginning of this school year when she was assigned to my APCSP class (almost 3 months).
   
3. What is the most memorable event you have of this student? What leaves the greatest impression is Isabelle’s consistent focus, friendliness, and hard-work.
4. How does this student Achieve the Honorable? Isabelle is both respectful and hard-working. She values understanding the material, not just getting the work done.
   
5. If there was one word to describe this student, what would it be? Gracious

And from Isabelle herself:

1. So far this year, what has been your most memorable experience? I went to a Vance Joy concert at the Greek in Berkeley. That was my first time at the Greek and it was amazing. The amphitheater was huge and beautiful, and the concert was incredible. He was great, and he sang a song with his openers that sounded amazing.
2. If you were to describe PHS to someone who is thinking about coming, what would you say to them? It is a small school with great education programs, challenging classes, helpful teachers, and lots of stairs.
3. If you were in charge at PHS, what is one action you might take to make it better? I would fight for more money for teachers and try to get more funding for the school.
4. If you could share one sentence with your parents/guardians, what would you say? Thank you for giving many so many memorable experiences, and helping me grow into more and more of an amazing person.
   
5. What is your favorite word? Unicorn
   
6. What is your favorite song? Riptide by Vance Joy
7. What is your favorite food? Sushi
8. Can you share a photo of something from your summer and why it is special to you? I went to Switzerland and Venice and Sardinia and Ibiza. In Sardinia we celebrated our family friends’ wedding. The night of their wedding, we partied at a villa with live DJ’s and danced until sunrise.

• A big Thank You to Ms. Tayler and the entire cast of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. What a show!
• Thank you to Chief Bowers and his entire team for their commitment and dedication to the safety of all our students this past Tuesday. It does not go unnoticed.
• Shout Out to Karen Bird for the generous donuts to all our staff on Wednesday. We are so grateful for parents like you.
• Much gratitude to Julia A for always correcting me every time I call her Julie. Actually, she is a great student that very much embodies the principles of being a Highlander--and very funny too.
• Appreciation to Milana for always spreading joy in the morning. While she usually walks pretty fast, she never hesitates to say "hello", "have a nice day", and "thank you".

Have someone you'd like to appreciate? Please use the form below.

Thanks to all those that participated in the Highlander Trivia question last week. The competition was fierce and rather close too.

The first question was: Our students were amazing on the 2024 CAASPP exams. For the senior class, what percent met or exceeded state standards in ELA?

PHS had 93% of our current seniors meet or exceed standards--pretty amazing!

The second question was: For the senior class, what percent met or exceeded state standards in mathematics?

Almost as impressive, PHS had 80% meet or exceed standards in math.

Congratulations to Abha Kothari for the closest response with a combined proximity of 14.9%. Abha, please come by (or your daughter can come too) and claim your prize.