

Titan Weekly Newsletter
January 27-31, 2025

IMPORTANT DATES
February
- 3 - District-Wide ThoughtExchange Survey Opens
- 3-7 - National School Counseling Week
- 4 - Community College Night, 6:00 pm at RBHS
- 5 - Community College Application Workshop in the Titan Center; Ebike Safety Training, 6 pm @ MCHS
- 5 - PHS Engineering Academy/Pathway Info Night, 7:00 pm at PHS Room N3-107
- 7 - Cinderella Musical, 7:00 pm at PCPA
- 8 - Cinderella Musical, 2:00, 7:00 pm at PCPA
- 10 - Online Course Request Portal Opens for 25-26 School Year (Current 9-11th graders); Parent/Principal Partnership Meeting, 6:30 pm in PHS Rm. K-1
- 11 - PTSA Association Meeting, 5:30 pm in PHS Room K-1
- 17-21 - District Recess, PHS Offices Closed
- 21 - ThoughtExchange Survey Closes
- 28 - Online Continuing Student Registration Opens for 2025-26
2025-2026 School Year Information
It’s hard to believe it but it’s already time to begin to think about the 2025-2026 school year!
Here are some important dates to mark on your calendars:
Transfer Requests -The Poway Unified transfer window opens on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 8 am. If you live within the Poway Unified boundaries and want your child to attend a school different than your assigned school, submit your request online through the Transfers page on the PUSD website (this includes siblings of current students). Please make sure to still enroll your child at their assigned school of residence when new student enrollment opens on April 1, 2025. Transfer requests can only be processed once your child is enrolled in their school of residence. The transfer request window will close on March 31, 2025 at 5 pm.
Continuing Student Registration - from February 28 - March 31, all parents whose current students will continue in Poway Unified for the 2025-26 school year need to complete online continuing registration. Look for more information coming soon.
New Student Enrollment - beginning on April 1 at 8:00 am, new student enrollment opens on the Poway Unified website. We are excited to welcome our new students!
More details can be found on the Poway Unified website at www.powayusd.com.
ThoughtExchange Parent/Guardian Survey
Dear Poway High School Parents/Guardians,
On Monday, February 3, PUSD will launch its annual district-wide ThoughtExchange Survey. We are excited to gather your input on both a district and individual school level. Your responses will shape future budget decisions and program priorities.
It’s easy to participate, right from your smartphone, and you’ll even be able to anonymously see and rate the thoughts of others
Click here to participate in the Parent/Guardian ThoughtExchange Survey: bit.ly/2025pusd-parent-lcap
We are happy to provide you access to a device in our school office, should you need it.
The survey period is open from February 3- 21. Please take the survey and help us create a bright future for our students!
Respectfully,
Richard Nash
Principal, Poway High School
ThoughtExchange Student Survey
The ThoughtExchange Student Survey will open on Monday, February 3.
Students, please share your thoughts here!
The survey will be open until February 21. Thank you for your participation!
PHS Engineering Academy/Pathway Info Night - February 5
All students in grades 9-12 are invited to the PHS ENGINEERING ACADEMY/PATHWAY INFO NIGHT on Wednesday, February 5 from 7-8 pm in PHS Room N3107. This is an opportunity to hear how the program is helping students major in STEM by making a difference toward their college and career goals. You will learn about what courses to enroll in to complete the two-course Engineering Pathway or five-course Engineering Academy. There will also be a presentation about updates in the Academy, an overview of the program and hearing directly from students. There will be a question-and-answer period.
eBike Safety Training - February 5
In response to community requests and a desire to address a student safety need, PUSD has partnered with local enforcement to provide mandatory safety classes for all eBike riders. If your child rides their eBike to and from school, attending a one-hour training class with a parent or guardian will be a requirement to park their eBike on campus.
The next eBike training will be held on Wednesday, February 5 at 6:00 p.m.
Mt. Carmel Performing Arts Center
9550 Carmel Mountain Road, San Diego 92129
Advance Registration is not required. One parent or guardian must attend with their child. At the class, you will be asked to register the make and model of the eBike, VIN#, and student ID, so please come prepared with that information. Topics covered will include following the rules of the road, proper helmet usage, the safe operation of eBikes, and more.
Once you register your eBike at the meeting, you will receive a sticker to place on your eBike and your school will receive a record that you attended the safety class. We appreciate your partnership in taking this important step toward keeping our students safe.
The Poway Unified School District
PHS Titan Theatre Presents Cinderella!
Performances
February 7 - 7:00 PM
February 8 - 2:00, 7:00 PM
Poway Center for the Performing Arts
15498 Espola Road, Poway
Online Ticket Sales
$25 for reserved seats
$20 for Adults
$15 for Seniors, Military
$10 for PUSD Students, Staff with ID (1 ticket per ID)
Website: Tickets Page
Tickets Sold at the Door
$25 for Adults
$15 for Seniors, Military
$10 for PUSD Students, Staff with ID (1 ticket per ID)​​
​Cash, Check, & Venmo accepted
Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella is a classic fairytale brought to life with enchanting songs and a delightful story. It follows the story of Cinderella, a kind and beautiful young woman who, after being mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters, is granted a magical transformation by her fairy godmother in order to attend the royal ball. The story is full of romance, magic, and humor, and features iconic songs such as "In My Own Little Corner", "Impossible", and "Ten Minutes Ago". It's a heartwarming and timeless tale that has been beloved by generations of children and adults alike.
Parent/Principal Partnership Meeting - February 10
Join us in Poway High Room K-1 on Monday, February 10 at 6:30 pm for an engaging opportunity to connect with Principal Nash and other parents in our community. This is your chance to discuss important topics, share ideas, and help shape our school's success.
Our first session will focus on the Start Smart driving program. We look forward to seeing you there!
PHS Foundation's "Shamrock Fest" Fundraiser at Templar's Hall - March 14
Special Education Parent Ambassador Knowledge & Network Upcoming Events
Join Life Planning Specialist Wendy Smith for an insightful presentation on why creating a plan matters, how to take the first steps, and where to find support along the way. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions and connect with fellow parents, gaining valuable insights and support. Start building a strong foundation for your child's future today! Flier found here.
On February 27, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., Valley Elementary School will host PUSD's first-ever IEP Basics training exclusively in Spanish. In collaboration with the Exceptional Family Resource Center, this event is designed to support PUSD Spanish-speaking families of students with IEPs. More details are available in the event flier.
Weight Training/Agility & Plyometric Training
Coach Harris will be having weight training sessions after school beginning January 15 until the end of the trimester.
The workouts will be from 3:45-5:00 pm. Morning agility and plyometric training will start on January 14 from 6:00-7:00 am every Tuesday and Thursday for the next six weeks. If you have any questions, please reach out to Coach Harris at brharris@powayusd.com.
Poway Girls Lacrosse Open Workouts
Poway Girls Lacrosse will be hosting open workouts in preparation for our upcoming season. The workouts will be held on campus at the JV softball field (upper grass field) on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 4-5pm. The workouts will begin on Wednesday January 8 and end on February 7. Those who show up will need to bring running shoes and/or cleats, mouthguard, goggles, and a girl’s lacrosse stick. Hope to see anyone and everyone interested in lacrosse out there!!
CLASS OF 2025 INFORMATION
Grad Nite Logo Contest! Enter by February 14
Grad Nite 2025 Information
Grad Nite 2025 event tickets are on sale now through May 1! Early bird pricing is available through February 15 so get your tickets early. Visit our website for more details and registration/ticket purchase link: https://www.powayptsa.org/grad-nite
Event Info: Grad Nite will take place on the night of graduation, to provide our seniors a safe, drug-free, and alcohol-free way to celebrate their accomplishments and come together one last night as the class of 2025. Poway High Seniors have the opportunity to celebrate Grad Nite at Belmont Park with fellow graduates from Mt Carmel High this year. The two PUSD high schools will have the park all to themselves!
Grad Nite is more than a party – it’s going to be SPECTACULAR! There will be food and refreshments all night long, games, rides, entertainment, and all the Giant Dipper you can stand!
Cal Grant Information
As a rising senior, there will be many items on your college preparation to-do list. As a resident of California, you may be eligible for financial assistance provided through the state.
A Cal Grant is money for college you don’t have to pay back. To qualify, you must apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) by the deadline and meet the eligibility and financial requirements as well as any minimum GPA requirements. Cal Grants can be used at any University of California, California State University, or California Community College, as well as qualifying independent and career colleges or technical schools in California.
In the spring, during online registration for the 2025-2026 school year, you will be given the opportunity to verify that your information will be sent to the California Student Aid Commission or to opt out of participating in the Cal-Grant program. California education code requires public high schools to electronically submit GPAs for all 12th-grade students unless the student has opted out.
To learn more about program qualifications, go to www.Calgrants.org .
Cap and Gown and Grad Item Orders from Jostens
This is a friendly reminder to order your graduation items (including your cap and gown) as soon as possible if you haven't ordered yet.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Jostens:
Phone: 858-486-2020
Email: mark.boyer@jostens.com
Thanks to everyone who placed their orders!
TITAN CENTER COLLEGE & CAREER INFO
Community College Night - Feb 4
Come hear a presentation about the benefits of attending community colleges on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at Rancho Bernardo High School Performing Arts Center (PAC). Learn more about the Promise Program for first time college students. This program allows high school students to receive up to two years of free tuition, book assistance, priority registration and more as long as they earn a college GPA of 2.0 and above. It’s an incredible opportunity! It’s also a separate application so save this date to get more details!
Community College Application Workshop - Feb 5
Seniors, Join us at the Community College Application Workshop on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 during lunch in the Titan Center (Room K-16, next to the Counseling Office) to get step-by-step guidance from PHS staff to ensure your application is submitted on time. Bring your Chromebook or laptop, Student ID, and SSN. See you there.
FREE Cash for College Events
Seniors, need help completing your FAFSA? There are upcoming virtual and in-person Cash for College workshops! High school students (12th grade) and families can attend these FREE Cash for College events for individual help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act (CADAA) and/or Chafee Grant for Foster Youth applications. Log in any time 9am-10:45am. Sign up using this link.
Morning/Afternoon:
February 8th from 9am-12pm (locations/sites)
March 1st from 9am-12pm (locations/sites)
Evening:
February 6th at 6:00 pm–7:15 pm: register here
February 12th at 5:30 pm–6:45 pm: register here
February 18th 6:00 pm–7:15 pm: register here
February 24th at 5:30 pm–6:45 pm: register here
March 3rd at 5:30 pm–6:45 pm: register here
ASVAB Exam - March 18
PHS is offering the ASVAB exam on March 18 at 8:35am in the Library Room L-13. If you are interested, please stop by the Titan Center or sign-up using the link below. Students 16 years and older are able to take this assessment. This is not just for joining the military. If you are curious about find a job that would be a great fit for you, then you can take this exam as a career assessment.
Seniors, It's Scholarship Search Time!
It's scholarship time for our local community organizations, and we are here to help you navigate through this process.
1. Start by exploring our Scholarship Deadline Log. In this document, you will discover lots of great local opportunities, and just to name one that opened on January 15th, the San Diego Foundation Application provides students access to more than 130 scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. Also, don't forget to check out college and trade school financial aid pages for more options.
2. Connections: Talk to your family and friends to possibly find scholarship gems with employers, or even your job!
3. Stay Informed: Follow us on Instagram @counseling_PHS for the latest scholarship news and reminders.
4. Application Tips: Apply for as many scholarships as possible, even the smaller ones - they add up! Be organized, meet deadlines, and personalize your application to stand out.
5. Be Prepared: Ensure you have all necessary documents, ask for letters of recommendation early. Often times, scholarship applications will ask for a letter of rec from a teacher or counselor as well as a community resource such as an adult or non-family member, employer, club coach, or organization leader. Highlight your strengths and be genuine about your experiences.
6. Begin the FAFSA or DREAM ACT Application: Completing the FAFSA is important so start your application SOON! Check with your college financial aid office for their priority consideration deadline; sometimes it is earlier than the California priority funding deadline of March 2, 2025.
Please note that the FAFSA application is not just for need-based aid; it may be needed for merit-based scholarships, local community scholarships, student loans, and other financial benefits.
Remember, every little bit helps, so take advantage of all available resources. Good luck on your scholarship journey, and reach out if you need support!
- PHS Counseling
SAT/ACT Testing Dates 2024-25
FUNDRAISING EVENTS
Mendocino Farms Fundraiser for Poway Dance Project - February 4
Poway Cheer Youth Camp - February 4
Pizza Society Fundraiser for Poway Boys Soccer - February 7
San Diego Seals Fundraiser for PHS Girls Lacrosse - March 7
PARENT EDUCATION WORKSHOPS
Help Your Teen Manage Stress & Anxiety - February 6
Support your Poway High PTSA!
Join us in giving our Titans the very best in 2024-2025! Memberships are $15 per person and are offered to anyone interested in supporting PHS - parents, caregivers, students, teachers, staff, grandparents, etc. Joining and donating is easy to do online by clicking this link or scanning the QR code.
Please visit our website PowayPTSA.org to learn more about our PTSA, how you can help support us, ways to get involved or simply make a small, much-needed donation to support our programs here at PHS.
We look forward to partnering with you for a great year!
Green and Gray Fridays!
All students and staff members are encouraged to wear green and/or gray on Fridays to show our Titan spirit!
Poway High School
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00 am-4:00 pm
Website: http://powayhigh.powayusd.com/
Location: 15500 Espola Road, Poway, CA 92064, USA
Phone: 858-748-0245
Contact: rnash@powayusd.com