Parent Newsletter #39: 5/30/25

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,

Well, this is just about it. We have a shortened week ahead with special schedules each day. Lunch will be available should you child want something before they leave campus.

Families of seniors, please see specific information below about graduation next Thursday. Please note that we will ask that all families exit the stadium after the PMS graduation so that custodial can clean. Once that is finished, we will allow families to enter.

Stay cool this weekend. Note: I will have a final newsletter that will go out on June 6th.

Best,

Dr. Yoshihara

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

June 5: Graduation Practice (11:45 am, Witter Field)

June 5: Graduation (5 pm, Witter Field)

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

August 7: New Parent Meeting (TBD)

August 8: Walkthrough Registration (12-6 pm)

August 11: First day of school

August 22: Senior Sunrise (6:30-8 am, TBD)

August 29: ASB Friday Fest (TBD)

Monday:

Tuesday:

Final Exam 3. 8:30-10:30 AM

Brunch 10:30-10:50 AM

Final Exam 5. 11:00-1:00 PM

Wednesday:

Final Exam 4. 8:30-10:30 AM

Brunch 10:30-10:50 AM

Final Exam 6. 11:00-1:00 PM

Thursday:

Final Exam 1. 8:30-10:30 AM

Final Exam 7. 11:00-1:00 PM

6/2: 8am to 11:50am and from 1-1:30pm

6/3: 8am to noon

6/4: 8am - 1:30pm

6/5: 8am to noon

6/6: 8am to 2pm

We are 1 week (or less) away from graduation!

Please review the Road to Graduation for some updates. Highlights include:

• There is new guidance for graduation streaming. Also, the Commencement seating chart and walk-in order is ready.
• There is an updated Code of Conduct for Grad Night.

Other reminders:

• Seniors, review the walk-in order closely! You should be lined up by 11:45 am on June 5th for walkthrough practice. We'll be there to help. [corrected on 5/30]
• We are 1 week out from due dates for items to be returned. There have been over 200 books returned to the library so far...and we have over 500 to go! Please return all books, technology, sports equipment, and complete your senior survey ASAP!

If you have any questions, please out to Mr. Marik!

From Raffi w/ TPH:

The Idea Drop was launched on April 28 as a way for students to share suggestions for improving our school. In just three weeks, students submitted an amazing 303 responses! From practical fixes to bold new ideas, students showed that they’re ready to shape campus life. Thank you to everyone who participated! Your voices matter, and we’re listening.

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@piedmont.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

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 (confirmed)
• PSAT - Saturday, 10/11/25 (confirmed)
• SAT - Monday, 3/16/26 (still tentative)

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

• Summer School Online: If your student needs to remediate credits, typically earning a D or F (D for UC/ CSU), please reach out to their counselors. Their counselor can talk to your student about summer school credit remediation options.

After June 5th

• Counselors are here after graduation/finals for one more week. After that, if you need something, please see the information below:
• Transcripts: Our registrar Darlene Low will be here until June 18th.
• Concurrent enrollment forms for Community College: Again, counselors will be here until June 13th. After that, an administrator will be back at school in late July.

• Work Permits: Mrs Low can help with work permits until June 18th. After this, please go to the district main office for help with work permits or email Rosalina Barrios

Senior Survey: We still have about 40 students who have not done their Naviance senior survey, which includes telling us where to send the final transcript.

Seniors, please check your emails to see if you have a notification about your Naviance survey. If you have completed the survey and are confused about why you're still getting the notification, please see your counselor ASAP!

Final transcripts will be sent via Parchment ( UC/ CSUs/ Community College) and Common Application by counselors the week of June 9th.

Don’t Miss the Ultimate Send-Off!

REMINDER TO TURN IN PERMISSIONS SLIPS. MANY ARE MISSING AND YOU WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO BOARD THE BUS WITHOUT THIS.

Also, do not block the permitted bus zone that will be posted on Magnolia. This will delay the departure of our graduates.

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.

This week's student is Mara Pisani. Thank you for getting your responses to me so quickly. We start off by having Dr. Hayden share some thoughts on Deniz.

1. What quality(ies) best describes this student? Mara is inquisitive and excited about learning.
2. How long have you known the student? I have know her since the start of the school year.
3. What is the most memorable event you have of this student? Just the other day, I was working through a problem on the board and about half way through, Mara’s face lit up, she mouthed “OMG”, and her jaw dropped as she realized where the problem was going and how it connected to what we were learning earlier in the week. She was so excited!
4. How does this student Achieve the Honorable? Mara exhibits integrity, compassion, and humility in all of her interactions.
5. If there was one word to describe this student, what would it be? I would describe Mara as inquisitive.

And from Mara herself:

1. So far this year, what has been your most memorable experience? My most memorable experience this year has probably been joining the water polo team for the first time. There was only a varsity team for both boys and girls this and the practices were hard for me at first but I needed up loving it and now it’s one of my favorite sports.
2. If you were to describe PHS to someone who is thinking about coming, what would you say to them? I really like PHS and I think it’s a super good community with nice people. The classes and teachers are all super good and there are so many opportunities to take a lot of different classes.
3. If you were in charge at PHS, what is one action you might take to make it better? I think it would be really beneficial for students to have more breaks in the day. Mental health is really important and it’s important for students to take a break once in a while and check in with themselves.
4. If you could share one sentence with your parents/guardians, what would you say? If I could share one sentence with my parents it would be thanking them for driving me to school every day and driving me to all my extracurricular activities. Swim and water polo practices were in different locations this year because of the pool construction, and sometimes it was a struggle to get to practices on time because of the commute, but my parents were always there to help and make sure I got to them.
5. What is your favorite word? My favorite word is Banana.
6. What is your favorite song? My favorite song is I Told You Things by Gracie Abrams.
7. What is your favorite food? I love açaí bowls or smoothies.
8. Can you share a photo of something from your summer and why it is special to you? I love hanging out with my friends and this photo means a lot to me because I’m with one of my best friends after getting ready for an event.

• Kudos to AD Small for the Student Athlete/Parent Orientation this past Wednesday.

Thanks to all those that participated in the Highlander Trivia question in the last newsletter.

The question for the last two weeks was: Of the posts on Instagram this year, this one from PROM was the most viewed. How many views did it actually receive? This particular video received 4,976 views and was watched a total of 14 hours and 26 minutes. I guess our goal for next year will be 5,000+ view.

Congratulations to Noah S with his guess of 5,002. Pretty impressive.Please come to the main office at your convenience to claim your prize. That concludes our trivia for this year, and I'll see what we have in store for 2025-26.