Parent Newsletter #38: 5/23/25

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,

We have just concluded our last full week of the school year, and what a week it was. We started with Senior Awards Night and concluded with Day on the Green. With musical performances, sports playoffs for baseball and softball, and Cap & Gown Day; it was definitely action packed.

We are down to 8 days, and we encourage our Highlanders to finish strong.We will have a Student Athlete/Parent Orientation on Wednesday at 7 in the AHT for families/students interested in sports. For our Class of 2025 parents, there is some important information in this newsletter for you.

Have a fantastic, safe holiday weekend.

Best,

Dr. Yoshihara

May 26: Memorial Day

May 28: Community Education Event on Opioid Use/abuse and Naloxone (Narcan) Training and Distribution (6:30 pm, Student Center)

May 28: Student Athlete/Parent Orientation (7 pm, AHT)

June 3: Senior Sunset (6:30-8:30 pm, Witter Field)

June 5: Graduation (5 pm, Witter Field)

June 5: Grad Night (7 pm, Front of PHS)

Tuesday: Monday Schedule (all periods)

Wednesday: W/F Schedule

Thursday: T/Th Schedule

Friday: Special Schedule

1 8:30 AM 9:30 AM

Brunch 9:30 AM 9:35 AM

Passing 9:35 AM 9:45 AM

2 9:45 AM 10:45 AM

Passing 10:45 AM 10:55 AM

3 10:55 AM 12:00 PM

Lunch 12:00 PM 12:30 PM

Passing 12:30 PM 12:40 PM

4 12:40 PM 1:40 PM

Passing 1:40 PM 1:50 PM

5 1:50 PM 2:50 PM

This Wednesday, 5/28, is our LAST Academy Support session of the school year. Students are using Infinite Campus to either tag a teacher or be tagged by a teacher. The deadline for tagging a teacher is midnight on Tuesday.

Students must check in IC before Academy to see where they are supposed to be for Academy. If they are in their homeroom, it will show that in IC. (No email will be sent by IC like it was done by FlexiSched).

Below are videos for students (PUSD restricted access) to view for:
How to Tag a Teacher

How to Check Who Tagged You

SENIORS - return your Chromebook and charger to the IT staff on Wednesday 6/4 1pm - 2pm or Thursday, 6/5 9an - 10:30am in front of the Student Center. After that drop device and charger off in the bin in the front office. You MUST return your technology to receive your diploma. If you lost your charger, go to the IC Store and purchase a replacement charger. Bring a printout of your receipt. If you lost your Chromebook, email help@piedmnot.k12.ca.us to get the depreciated cost of the device, pay it in the IC Store and bring a printout of your receipt.

EVERYONE ELSE - you will keep your Chromebook over the summer. PUSD will continue to filter your device's content. If you lose your Chromebook or stops working, email help@piedmont.k12.ca.us and let them know; they will reply with next steps. within a few days. Consider wiping down your display and keyboard with a slightly damp cloth and one drop of liquid soap on the damp portion. Dry thoroughly. NO liquid should enter the cracks of the devics.

Did you miss the band concert yesterday? Well, you're in luck, because we have video of the event. You can not relive the moment from the fabulous combos, singing, and symphonic orchestra. It was a wonderful event.

Band Concert Video, Part 1

Band Concert Video, Part 2

Thank you to all the students and families in the class of 2025 who participated in Senior Awards Night this past Monday. This was a most elegant affair and our students were so well deserved!

You may watch the video footage below.

Senior Awards Video, Part 1

Senior Awards Video, Part 2

Next Thursday (5/29), PRD will be hosting a multi-school track meet on Witter Field. They are expecting 200+ participants. Only residents with permits will be permitted on El Cerrito at Magnolia. Please allow extra time for parking or make alternate plans during student release.

We have fewer than 50 copies left of this year’s AMAZING yearbook!

To purchase the yearbook, please click on the link below and follow the instructions on the site: PHS Yearbook 2025_Jostens. We came very close to selling out last year and printed fewer books this year, so please don’t delay in purchasing a yearbook!

Are you missing yearbooks from your student's time at PHS? Do you want to complete your set? The Yearbook Staff has a limited number of extra copies from the past three years. If you are interested in purchasing these previous editions at a discount, ordering information can be found in IC. $75 for the 23-24 edition, $50 for the 22-23 edition, and $25 for the 21-22 edition. If you want to purchase all three as a set, the price is $100

If you have any questions, please email our Yearbook Advisor, Melanie McCauley (mmccauley@piedmont.k12.ca.us)

We will offer the following college entrance exams next school year. The dates are still tentative but we want to get information out to you know for planning purposes. All orders will be made through Infinite Campus School Store which can be done when the school year starts next year. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Marik

Pre-ACT - Saturday, 10/4/25

PSAT - Saturday, 10/11/25

SAT - Monday, 3/16/26

We need volunteers for Walkthrough Registration on August 9, 2025. Already? Yep, already. Part of what makes PHS amazing is the level of advanced planning of our parents. Please lock in on this date if you can. It'll be a beautiful, sunny California Classic day!

PHS Walk Through Registration Signup

Seniors (and parents), did you know that we have an alumni network? This was launched this year and is used as a tool for PUSD to reach out to our alumni to give back to our schools. Some examples of ways that alumni can support our schools is through activities like Career Day, chaperoning field trips, or even subbing in our schools.

This can also be a resource for alumni to get in touch with each other. Linked HERE is a page on our PUSD website to invite alumni of PHS and MHS to sign up. If you wish to sign up directly, you may do so HERE.

Are are honored that Chief Bowers has agreed to speak at the 2025 graduation on June 5. Chief Bowers was selected from a very distinguished group, and has taken it upon himself to "study up" for this event by meeting with students and staff to find out more about what is meaningful to PHS students.

We consider ourselves fortunate to have Chief Bowers speak one last time before his retirement and look forward to a memorable evening. Thank you so much and appreciation to our Parent Club for helping with this process.

Please follow this link for information related to parking and seating for PHS 2025 graduation. This information may be updated periodically as we get closer to the event on June 5.

Click on the image to see full PDF of image.

*Note: PHS does not specifically endorse the Piedmont Post. We do work at being good partners with local media.

The class of 2025 will be getting onto buses immediately following the graduation ceremony on Thursday, June 5th. So the grads have the most time with their families and friends on the field it has been the tradition that the junior class staffs volunteers to load the kids on the buses. It is a simple 1 hour commitment and we are paying it forward for our grad nite next year. If you have the time, we would love your help. please sign up below. Thanks in advance for your help. (Senior parents are excused.)

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409054EAFAD23A13-56676314-2025#/

All grades- We are coming close to the end of the year and graduation and the last progress report has been entered into Infinite Campus.

Seniors & Parents/ Guardians- PLEASE review your grades, as the counselors send in final transcripts to your colleges, universities that you will be attending. Colleges are typically asking you to keep up your rigor and grades for admissions.

Also, if there are any classes needed for graduation that you are in danger of failing, it is imperative that you connect with your teachers.

Naviance senior survey- Seniors should be inputting admissions decisions into their Naviance account along with where to send in their final transcript. Please have this done before finals week.

Don’t Miss the Ultimate Send-Off!

The countdown to graduation has begun, and there's one tradition you absolutely can't miss - GRAD NIGHT 2025! This legendary celebration is your final chance to come together as a complete class before you all head off in different directions.

Why join the nearly 100% of your classmates who make this their last high school memory?

• Create lasting memories with ALL your friends in one place

• Exclusive access to amazing activities, dining and surprises (we're keeping the details secret!)

• A safe, supervised environment where you can truly celebrate

• The perfect bookend to your high school journey

Event is entirely self-funded. If you have not already, please purchase your ticket by May 15th!

Every year, nearly every graduate attends—be part of this tradition!

https://piedmontstore.org/products/grad-night

Questions? Contact the Grad Night Committee (details in link)

Note: If you have any special considerations around your student joining in the Grad Night fun, please reach out to the Grad Night committee [follow the link to Grad Night in piedmontstore.org] and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

Wednesday, May 28, 2025 @ 6:30 pm - Piedmont High School Student Center, 800 Magnolia Avenue, Piedmont

April Rovero of the National Coalition of Prescription Drug Abuse and the Naloxone Distribution Project will join the Piedmont Unified School District Nurses for an important discussion regarding prescription/illicit drug use and abuse, fentanyl awareness, and how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose. Overdose rescue training utilizing the opioid-antagonist naloxone will be provided, and free naloxone will be given to adults at the conclusion of the training.

All community members welcome: please bring your middle and high school students, and learn about the dangers of fentanyl and how to possibly save a life.

For more information, contact the PUSD Nurses at: nurses@piedmont.k12.ca.us.

This week's student is Deniz Radzik. Thank you for getting your responses to me so quickly. We start off by having Mr. Meseroll share some thoughts on Deniz.

I have known Deniz for two years, and the word that best describes him is dependable. As the only drummer in Jazz Band, our rehearsals and performances truly rely on his presence and he consistently delivers. He has rarely missed a class and has never missed a performance.

In addition to Jazz Band, Deniz has contributed to the Orchestra concert as a percussionist and took on the demanding role of playing drum set for the musical. Through all of this, he has proven to be one of the most dedicated, hardworking, and reliable students in the PHS music program.

At the concert yesterday, Deniz showcased his talents once again by performing a wide selection of pieces including the infamous "Caravan" arrangement from the movie Whiplash.

And from Deniz himself:

1. So far this year, what has been your most memorable experience? The most memorable experience was working at the pit during the musical.
2. If you were to describe PHS to someone who is thinking about coming, what would you say to them? I would describe PHS as primarily academic/STEM-focused but flexible and versatile.
3. If you were in charge at PHS, what is one action you might take to make it better? I would find a way to pay teachers more.
4. If you could share one sentence with your parents/guardians, what would you say? I would share "I've grown as a person thanks to your help, but I am my own individual person now."
   
5. What is your favorite word? My favorite word is nasty.
   
6. What is your favorite song? My favorite song is "Butterfly" by Herbie Hancock.
7. What is your favorite food? My favorite food is a Lion king roll .
8. Can you share a photo of something from your summer and why it is special to you? This photo was taken during spring break when me and a few friends went thrifting together in San Francisco. Originally my friend was in the photo next to me but I cropped it, we got ice cream and deli sandwiches and listened to music sitting under palm trees. Although the thrift sucked we had a good time. Its special to me because I experienced a lot of great events during that day when I took the photo, and I value the friends I spent time with, which makes the picture and the experience more treasured.

• Kudos to all the folks who helped create a successful Maker's Faire last Sunday. It was a tremendous event with so much great projects, crafts, and food too.
• Shout out to Mr. Meseroll for some amazing performances this week. And our Highlanders--couldn't be more impressed. They've set the bar high for next year.
• A big Thank You to AD Small for the Senior Recognition Ceremony this past Wednesday. It was great to hear the coaches speak to highly of our student athletes as they move on to their next chapter of their life.
• High Fives to Ms. Adams and all the ASB students for pulling off a beautiful, successful Day on the Green. They brought the sun and the fun. Job well done!

Thanks to all those that participated in the Highlander Trivia question in the last newsletter. We will run the contest for one more week.