Paul Duke STEM Newsletter

Tuesday, November 1, 2022

5:30-6:30 PM

All Families Invited to Attend

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://gcpsk12-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEoce2prDoqEtbRVx_n-4woXtcpPVrReT45

The Office of Family Engagement presents Operation Graduation: Supporting College, Career, and Other Post-Secondary Options featuring GCPS Career and Technical Education,

Thursday, November 3rd virtually from 5:30 pm until 6:30 pm

Register here: https://gcpsk12-org.zoom.us/.../tJMofuCqrDIiGtfZHCVJsjeg9...

GCPS aims to create a school calendar that fosters student achievement, while at the same time meeting the needs of our students, families, and communities. GCPS values your input and feedback on the calendar options for the 2023-24 school year. The survey is open until Oct. 31.

Please click here to view the four calendar options and participate in the survey.

Registration Dates: September 30th – November 4th

• All payments will be done online at www.mypaymentsplus.com (credit cards, debit cards, or e-checks).
• If a student does not currently have an account at MyPaymentsPlus, he/she must set one up before paying.
• For every exam, the student MUST be enrolled in that teacher’s class section in AP Classroom, using the correct class period’s join code.
• If a student plans to take an exam, they must sign up for the exam in AP Classroom AND MyPaymentsPlus.
• Every student must pay a one-time, non-refundable $10 registration fee.
• Every student receives one free exam if he/she is enrolled in the class(paid for by GCPS) and if the test is ordered during the registration window.
• Each additional exam is $97.00 per exam. Please note that AP Seminar/Research exams are $145, NOT $97.
• Any tests ordered AFTER November 4th will incur a $50 NON-REFUNDABLE fee unless the registration is for a 2nd-semester single-semester course.
• NO STANDBY exams this year. Place your order properly. If you forget to order a test, there will be no standby opportunity to take it!
• Students who are interested in taking an AP exam for a course that is not currently offered at Paul Duke STEM should speak to a member of the AP Testing Team (see page 2) to discuss your AP test preparation plan.

Also, there is still time to complete your free and reduced lunch applications.

Families confirmed eligible for free or reduced-price meals will only pay a $10 registration fee.

Apply here or check your application status here

Through our Teacher Wish program, you can support our teachers and staff in creating innovative learning experiences for our students.

There are opportunities for everyone to support a specific teacher or a specific school department with an array of items from the Sign Up Genius Teacher Wish List.

Thank you for your continued support of our teachers, staff and students!

Three Ways to Get Involved

1. Participating in Project Based Learning Units (this involves coming to the school and providing relevant and timely feedback to students during the process of their projects and/or attending presentations at the conclusion of their projects)
2. Hosting an Intern (every senior takes the Senior Experience and Exhibition (SEE) class. One of the options for a senior taking SEE is to find an internship. We need local businesses and organizations willing to accept a senior for an internship)
3. Providing SEE Consultancy Problems (another option for students taking SEE is to stay on campus and become a consultant for a local business/organization. We are seeking problems that your business/organization might have that a group of students could solve)

The purpose of this form is to submit your contact information and level of interest in supporting students at Paul Duke STEM High School

At Paul Duke STEM High School, our mission is to ignite and foster success and creativity in all students through a challenging STEM curriculum, which connects students to their future through technology and relevant learning experiences. We do this through project-based learning, problem-based learning, integrated lessons, investigative research, and public performances.

We are excited to host Paul Duke STEM’s Student Showcase, which will happen on November 9-10 and November 15-16. This is an opportunity for our students to highlight and showcase their work and present their work to a public audience. All students at Paul Duke STEM will present one of their favorite STEM lessons in each of their seven classes.

We are cordially inviting parents, community members, and industry professionals to come and participate! You will be able to choose which classes you want to experience based on the schedule that day. During that time, we ask you to give presenters honest feedback on the content and presentation style. You can give that feedback in the moment, and we'll also have a tool you can fill out and give back to us. For more information, visit our website. We look forward to seeing you!

If you have any questions please email Carly Scholz, carly.scholz@gcpsk12.org.

Come and learn about the ESOL program, Flex Friday, Parent Portal, Access Test, Summer School, and Graduation requirements.

*Interpretation will be available

Paul Duke STEM High School’s International Night is a great opportunity to showcase your family’s background and to teach others in our community about the many cultures represented in our school. Families may display crafts, flags, currency, stamps, clothing, maps and photos. Whether you’re Irish or Italian, whether your ancestors are Chinese or Cherokee: your family has an interesting heritage to share.

Parents are encouraged to support their children's efforts to educate one another on the unique differences in their own family's culture.

Please congratulate these DECA officers for their placement in competition at the Fall Leadership Conference last Thursday and Friday. Great job!

Ashley Wright believes it is important for her to evoke change by understanding the importance on equity centered lessons and school communities. She explains, “Throughout the year I focus on building relationships with my students. Last year I worked with a struggling student who was not on task and completing his work. After working with him one on one and building a relationship where he knew I cared, he shared his viewpoints and we came up with a design he was proud to print and showcase.” Mrs. Wright is most proud of the work she and her students put in during the pandemic to open Paul Duke STEM’s ‘Print Shop’. “The vision was to build an inclusive community of student designers to grow and achieve success through building a creative-based business for all,” Mrs. Wright shares. “Students came in on Saturdays, wearing masks and social distancing, to print and assemble the store. When we welcomed students back in January 2021, the grand opening was truly an accomplishment for myself and my students. Our total sales from January to April was $3,000. Those profits continue to help our staff supply more materials and equipment for the Graphic Design Program.”

Mrs. Wright began her career with GCPS in 2018 as a Graphic Design teacher at Paul Duke STEM High School. She has a bachelor’s degree in Business Education from Valdosta State University and a master’s degree in Instructional Technology from Kennesaw State University.

Georgia Technology Student Association Fall Rally (Tech Day)

Georgia National Fair. Perry, GA

TBA (in Top 10 but most likely Top 3) Manufacturing Product - Caleb Odunade, Mihir Pai, William Reilly

Congratulations to ABIGAIL DONKOR! Abigail is this year's CTE Student of the Year and will represent Paul Duke STEM at the district level where she can win up to a $1500 scholarship.

Abigail has been extremely active in the AVTF program here at Paul Duke STEM and is currently a producer for PDS TV. She has also been active in TSA where she is also a State Champion in the Digital Video Production event. This year Abigail also helped launch the new PDS STEMINISM club.

The National Merit® Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. Approximately 1.5 million high school students enter the program each year. These smart and hard-working Trailblazers scored among the top 1% of the 1.5 million students nationwide who took the PSAT/NMSQT last year as juniors. The PSAT/NMSQT is a standardized test administered by the College Board.

Congratulations to Rohan Pai and Nathan Chen, Paul Duke STEM's National Merit Semifinalists.

"She loves everyone in the classroom and creates a positive and productive environment. She makes the classes very simple and can explain complicated things in a simple and understandable way."

"She goes above and beyond keep the Media Center running. She is a true "Jack of all trades" by working with students, addressing tech issues, organizing the Media Center, handling book orders, and creating the best displays to keep our students interested and engaged."

Lunch generously sponsored by the Sama Family

On Tuesday September 6th our school received the STEM certification banner from the Georgia Department of Education. Achieving Georgia DOE STEM certification, Paul Duke STEM is now.....

the LARGEST whole school STEM certified High School in Georgia
the FIRST Title I whole school STEM High School in Georgia
the FIRST majority Latino STEM High School in Georgia
the FIRST and ONLY non-criteria admission STEM High School in Georgia!

Thanks to the @gadoe_stem_steam for the support and recognition! #TeamGCPS Gwinnett Schools

The Gwinnett County Foundation Scholarship catalogue is now available. Click here to access.

If you missed the FAFSA Night event here is the PowerPoint presentation

FAFSA PowerPoint with recorded directions

Gwinnett County has purchased a wonderful college and career planner called Naviance. Counselors will be showing students all of the features in their classrooms, but as parents, you have access to explore as well. You will need to be logged into your student's Eclass page for access.

Please click on the links below for quick "how to" videos.

How to link your Common App to Naviance

Career Assessment and Exploration

Student Journey in Naviance

Student Tour and Overview

*Click the link twice in order to open*

Applying to a college who requires supplemental writing prompts? Take a look at this website!

Supplemental Essay Guide 2022-2023. Essays are listed by college with writing tips!

Love working on cars and want to make it a career? Check out Gwinnett Tech's diploma program!

The Care Team has created a wish list to help keep our "Need One, Take One" personal care supplies stocked. It's been a tough year, and some may find themselves having to pick and choose what makes it into the grocery cart each month. We have placed a bin in one of our girl's and boy's restrooms, hoping to share items in a more discrete way.

Thank you for your support of our students!

Please, click here to view our Care Team Amazon Wish List

For only a $5 donation to the Counseling Care Team!

Form found in MYPayments Plus under School Fundraisers

A Certificate of Enrollment is required to test for both driver's permit and driver's license. Students must submit a request form to receive this document. The request forms are available in the front office. The cost for this document is $3.

If you lost your ADAP certificate, you may get a replacement from the front office. ADAP certificates can be replaced for $5.

Please note there is a 48-hour turnaround for Certificate of Enrollment and replacement ADAP certificate requests.

Eligible licensed student drivers must provide proof of insurance, a valid driver's license, and a completed parking application. Click here for an application. Additionally, students must pay $70 for their parking pass. Click here to pay through MyPaymentsPlus. Students parking without a valid parking pass will be subject to disciplinary consequences including a boot on their car.

Click here for INSTRUCTIONS FOR MINORS

Are you planning on doing some community services but don't know where to start?

Contact Ms. Dobbs in the Parent Center or email at olaya.liranzo@gcpsk12.org

We need students who:

*Love their community

*Have a passion helping others

*Bilingual preferred but not required

Routine COVID-19 testing (also called surveillance testing) can quickly detect individuals who are positive with COVID-19 and trace contacts who should quarantine. The testing, which is free and will be conducted on a weekly basis at the school, uses a short Qtip-type swab to collect a sample from inside the nose. This testing will allow GCPS to test, receive test results (within 24 hours), and notify individuals of a clin­ically significant reading. By participating, students and staff members can help to minimize the spread of the virus within our schools, which benefits us all.

Although participation in surveillance testing is not required for students or staff members, it is strongly encouraged. Participation will contribute to the success of this mitigation strategy and our schools’ ability to limit the spread of COVID and keep students learning in person.

Learn more about the COVID testing being offered to Norcross Cluster students and staff by reviewing our frequently asked questions.

Communication is really important to us and we want to make sure you are up to date with PDS school communications.

In addition to verifying that your cell phone number is accurate in the system, you also will need to subscribe to the text message service if you wish to receive emergency texts from the school system. You can do so by texting the word “SUBSCRIBE” to the number 67587. You will receive an immediate response by text. If you do not, please contact your wireless provider, as some providers do not accept texts that use short code (SMS) messages. (Note: If you subscribed to receive text messages last year, there is no need to resub­scribe unless your number changed.)

SchoolMessenger messages from Gwinnett County Public Schools will come from the number 1-844-248-6644. Please add this phone number to your contacts so you can easily identify the call as coming from Gwinnett County Public Schools. If you miss a phone message, you can call this number to retrieve and replay phone notifications.
https://www.gcpsk12.org/Page/26742

Parents, if you have any changes to your student's phone numbers, emergency contacts, etc. please note that these can be made by you in the Parent Portal. However, address changes need to be made at the school. Thank you."

Parents, if you’re on Facebook, join the Paul Duke Stem High School (PDSHS) class groups, a virtual community hosted by the PTSA, open to all PDSHS families, we look forward to seeing you there to share information, opportunities and maybe even a laugh. Find the graduating class that corresponds to your students and stop on by

https://www.facebook.com/groups/pds.ptsa.co2024

https://www.facebook.com/groups/pds.ptsa.co2025

https://www.facebook.com/groups/pds.ptsa.co2026

We look forward to connecting, and as always thank you for your support!

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Email: olaya.liranzo@gcpsk12.org
Website: https://www.gcpsk12.org/pauldukestemhs
Location: 5850 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Norcross, GA, USA
Phone: (470) 323-3600
Facebook: facebook.com/PaulDukeSTEM
Twitter: @Paul_Duke_STEM