Titan Weekly Newsletter

August

• 14 - Student course lists available at https://sis.powayusd.com
• 15-16 - Student Parking Permits Issued in Front Office (10-11 am, 2-3 pm)
• 16 - 9th Grade Special Education Open House, 10-11 am
• 20 - Open House, 12-3:00 pm; Student schedules available at https://sis.powayusd.com and on StudentVue and ParentVue apps after 4 pm
• 21 - Freshman Orientation, 8:15-9:15 am
• 21 - First Day of School - Modified Bell Schedule (9:35 am start time)
• 22 - Modified Bell Schedule - Speaker, Rollout Rotations; Club Rush at lunch
• 23 - Modified Bell Schedule, School Photos
• 24 - Morp, 7-10 pm @ PHS
• 26 - Regular Bell Schedule resumes; School photos

Dear Poway High School Community,

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! As we embark on this exciting new chapter, I am thrilled to share some significant changes and our key focus for the year ahead.

Firstly, we are introducing a new bell schedule designed to enhance our students' learning experience. This updated schedule, with its more flexible class periods, will ensure that each student has ample time to engage deeply with their studies. This adjustment will create a more dynamic and responsive learning environment tailored to meet the diverse needs of our student body and ultimately lead to a more fulfilling academic journey.

In addition, we are excited to unveil our new school branding. This fresh look, which reflects our commitment to innovation and excellence, is not just a visual update. It's a symbol of our dedication to growth and our forward-thinking approach to education. We hope it will foster a renewed sense of pride and unity within our community, and we can't wait to see it on our campus and in our communications.

The start of the year will also bring a few changes to our first few days of school. These adjustments ensure a smooth transition into the academic year, allowing students to acclimate to their new schedules and the updated campus environment.

Our primary focus for the 2024-2025 school year will be building a thinking culture. This initiative aims to cultivate critical thinking, creativity, and intellectual curiosity among our students. We believe fostering a culture where thoughtful inquiry and problem-solving are central to the learning experience will better prepare our students for success in an increasingly complex world.

To support this focus, we will implement proven classroom strategies and resources validated by research, encouraging students to question, analyze, and explore beyond the surface of their studies. We are also planning various workshops and activities to engage students in meaningful ways, both academically and personally. Rest assured, we are fully committed to this initiative and will provide all the necessary support for its successful implementation.

I encourage our students, parents, and staff to embrace these changes with an open mind and a positive spirit. Together, we can create an environment where everyone is empowered to think critically, act thoughtfully, and contribute meaningfully to our school community.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to Poway High School. With our collective efforts, this year will be one of growth, discovery, and achievement.

Here is to a fantastic 2024-2025 school year!

Respectfully,

Richard Nash

Principal, Poway High School

Student course lists for Trimester 1 will be available on Wednesday, August 14 after 5:00 pm by visiting the https://sis.powayusd.com website using any web browser (the ParentVue and StudentVue apps will be offline until August 20). This list does not yet include class periods or teacher assignments.

Please review your student’s course list. Student course change requests can be made from August 14-16 through the following form: Course Change Request Form. This form will open at 5pm on August 14 and close at 4pm on August 16. You will have another opportunity to request changes once school starts.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf5gTMczfxGmaEIooa5wM_OxTl0YcQVJy8-dnuAYLFRAH3ODQ/closedform

Student schedules, including class periods and teachers, will be available online at https://sis.powayusd.com and on the ParentVue and StudentVue apps on Tuesday, August 20 after 4:00 pm.

Schedules may change due to continued balancing by the counseling department. If you need a paper copy of your schedule or you cannot access your schedule electronically, please come to Titan Center before school beginning at 9 am on Wednesday, August 21, and your schedule will be printed for you. Students should review their schedule the morning of the first day of school and follow that schedule on the first day.

This is also a reminder that the ONLY schedule changes for Trimester 1 will be for students with the following situations:

• The student needs to repeat a class because of a D or F grade

• The student is missing a prerequisite for a class that is listed (i.e. Integrated Math 3A before Integrated Math 2B)

• Seniors who need a class for a graduation requirement

• A class that has already been taken is on the student's schedule

• The schedule has an error (i.e. two classes are listed in the same period, or the same class is listed twice)

Students can avoid the line at Open House and get their Parking Permits early on August 15 and 16 between 10-11 am and 2-3 pm in the Poway High Administration Building.

All students must have a valid parking permit for the current school year to park in any of the PHS student lots.

• Click here to review and complete the parking permit form

• A current driver’s license and vehicle registration must be provided at the time of issuance.

Students must attend Start Smart before obtaining a parking permit. Please sign up for a class if you have not attended Start Smart already and wish to get a parking permit during the first week of school. Click here to register for Start Smart.

Let's Welcome Back our Teachers and Staff for 2024-25! PTSA would be grateful for volunteers who are interested in contributing items for the staff breakfast by August 16.

Please click here to sign up!

Nominate Poway High for Sprouts' Back to School Sweepstakes to win a fully stocked teacher's lounge! Click here!

Titan Ambassadors and Peer Counselors will be on campus to give tours and answer questions while teachers are preparing for the school year in their classrooms.

The Student Store will also be open to purchase Titan apparel, PE clothes, and PE locks.

Student Parking permits will also be issued (see below for important parking information).

PARKING

All students must have a valid parking permit for the current school year to park in any of the PHS student lots. Click here to review and complete the parking permit registration form. Both parent and student must review and consent.
Completion of the Start Smart Defensive Driving Class is mandatory prior to obtaining a parking permit.

The next Start Smart class will be on August 14, 2024. Please sign up for this class if you have not attended Smart Smart already and wish to get a parking permit during the first week of school. Click here to register for the Start Smart class.

We are so excited to meet and greet our freshman Class of 2028 and welcome you into the Titan Family!

Freshman Orientation is on Wednesday, August 21 from 8:15-9:15 am in the PHS Gym.

We invite all incoming 9th graders to attend the Freshman Orientation hosted by our Titan Ambassadors and Peer Counselors on Wednesday, August 21 before school from 8:15-9:15 am beginning in the Poway High School Gym. The orientation is for students only - parents/guardians and visitors will not be permitted.

Drop-Off: 9th-grade students can be dropped off in the Bus Loop off of Espola Road in front of the school, where student leaders will escort them to the Gym.

We are so excited to meet and greet our Class of 2028 and welcome you into our Titan Family!

The first day of school is August 21, 2024 (8/21/24 modified bell schedule - click here). School will begin at 9:35 am. Students report to their first-period classes for attendance and will proceed with their classes to the stadium for a Welcome Back Assembly hosted by ASB. Students with first-period off-roll are encouraged to attend the assembly.

School IDs and textbooks will also be distributed during selected class periods on Wednesday.

On their second day of school, students will rotate with their third-period classes through various activities, including a speaker in the Performing Arts Center and Discipline Rollouts in the Gym. Textbooks will be distributed during selected class periods. (8/22/24 modified bell schedule - click here).

We will hold a mandatory drill on August 23, 2024 (8/23/24 modified bell schedule - click here).

Student photos will be taken during and textbooks distributed during selected class periods.

Hello Families of the Class of 2025,

It's time to schedule senior portraits! All yearbook portraits must be taken by Keane Studios. Please schedule soon for a sitting this summer. This week you will receive an email from Keane with a link to an account already set up for your senior. If at registration you opted out of sharing information with 3rd party partners, you will not get an email, and you will need to contact Keane directly to set up an account: https://www.keaneseniors.com/book-session We want every senior in the yearbook, so please make a plan for portraits!

Poway High's bell schedule has changed for the 2024-2025 school year!

Regular Daily Bell Schedule

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 8:35 am-3:35 pm

Wednesday (late-start): 9:35 am-3:35 pm

Click here for the 2024-2025 daily bell schedule.

School release time has changed from the previous school year from 3:45 to 3:35 pm and the late-start Wednesday start time has changed from 9:55 to 9:35 am. We will no longer have homeroom in our bell schedule.

• Parents/guardians may email us at phsattendance@powayusd.com each day your child is absent or tardy. Please be aware that only your valid PUSD registered email will be accepted to clear any absences or tardies, or you may call the absence hotline at 858-748-7016 and follow the instructions.
• All absences and tardies must be excused within 24 hours of the absence/tardy or a consequence (i.e. detention) may be issued.

You can find the attendance policies on the Poway High School website here: https://powayusd-powayhigh.edlioschool.com/apps/pages/attendance

Student drop-off and pick-up spots are available on Espola in front of the stadium and at the back of campus on Titan Way. The bus loop in front of the school is off-limits to pick up and drop off when buses are en route, present, or departing.

Student parking information can be found on our website: https://powayusd-powayhigh.edlioschool.com/apps/pages/parking

All students should bring their fully charged Chromebooks with them to school daily. Students in grade 9 will receive new Chromebooks this year during the first days of school in the PHS Library. This will occur during their Freshman PE classes. All students in grades 10-12 should bring their current district-issued Chromebook.

Poway Rotary Parade - September 14 (parade begins at 9am)

Students can get community service hours signed off by Poway Rotary

Volunteer check-in will be at the Poway Library entrance - must sign up on Poway Rotary Parade Volunteer Page

Morning set up report time 6:30am

• Put up signs, tables, EZ -up shades at the Grandstand starting 6:30am (rotary would love to have school teams or clubs volunteer along with individuals)
• Assist with any needed duties between set up and take down
• Tear down signs, tables, EZ-up shades at approximately 11:30am at conclusion of parade

What to wear

• Comfortable shoes for active work on pavement
• Sunscreen and hat are recommended; be sure to hydrate the day before and during the event
• Parents/family are welcome to volunteer as well
• 
  

Poway Rodeo - September 27-28

Click here for more student volunteer opportunities!

All students and staff members are encouraged to wear green and/or gray on Fridays to show our Titan spirit!

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!

Please note if a test center decides to close, students will receive direct notification from the College Board. You can register for the SAT at the College Board website here. You can register for the ACT at the ACT website here. We will have more information for the PSAT in August 2024.

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

The Poway Unified School District (PUSD) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its employment practices or education programs. For our full Nondiscrimination policies, please visit the PUSD website.