Titan Weekly Newsletter

January

• 6 - Return to School from Winter Break
• 11 - Saturday School; Senior Disneyland Trip
• 17 - End of Six Weeks - Trimester 2
• 20 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No School
• 25 - FAFSA/DREAM ACT Application Workshop
• 31 - Cinderella Musical, 7:00 pm AT PCPA

Happy New Year to each and every one of you! I hope you have had a joyous and restful holiday season, full of cherished moments with your loved ones. As we step into 2025, it is a good time to embrace new beginnings and fresh possibilities that the new year brings to our Titan community.

I would like to warmly welcome all our students back to school and encourage each one to start the new year with renewed energy, enthusiasm, and a steadfast commitment to regular attendance. The start of a new year is the perfect opportunity for us to set positive intentions and habits, and consistent attendance is fundamental to creating a robust learning environment and setting the tone for the rest of the school year.

Regular attendance is crucial as it enables our students to fully participate in the learning process, fostering a deeper understanding of the curriculum, enhancing academic achievement, and promoting a sense of belonging and healthy social interactions. Each day missed is a lost opportunity for learning and growth. Let us work together to ensure that every student can make the most of the educational opportunities provided at Poway High.

I urge each family to support our commitment to regular attendance by:

- Establishing and maintaining consistent routines.

- Encouraging a positive attitude towards school and learning.

- Communicating openly with teachers and school staff about any concerns or barriers to attendance.

I believe that with the collective effort of our dedicated teachers, supportive parents, and ambitious students, we can create an atmosphere where every child can thrive and achieve their fullest potential. Let’s make 2025 a year full of learning, remarkable achievements, and regular attendance!

Respectfully,

Richard Nash

Principal

On Saturday, December 15, three teams from PHS showcased their skills at the third Parli/Public Forum tournament of the year, with two teams earning awards in a particularly competitive setting. Unlike previous tournaments, this event had no Novice division, meaning students of all experience levels competed against one another, making the achievements even more impressive.

In Open Public Forum, Kaden Gustafson and Sherwood Kao debated whether the United States should “substantially reduce its military support of Taiwan.” The team delivered a strong performance, finishing with a 3-1 record and earning well-deserved medals. At this tournament, teams with 4-0 and 3-1 records are recognized for their success.

In Open Parliamentary Debate, Kai Powell and Hannah Jones, and Shab Bagheri and Joanna Flores took on challenging topics with only 20 minutes of preparation time before each round. Throughout the day, the teams debated issues such as Syria, tax-exempt status for religious organizations, and subsidizing water treatment facilities. Team Powell and Jones finished the tournament with a 3-1 record, securing medals for their outstanding performance.

The Speech and Debate team continues to excel this year, and with momentum on their side, they are optimistic about continued success in the upcoming tournaments. Please join us in congratulating the student and their teacher/coach Katie McMillan on their hard work and well-deserved successes!

We are excited to announce an upcoming E-Bike Class for students and their parents, aimed at promoting safe and responsible e-bike usage. The class will take place in the Performing Arts Center (PAC) at Mt. Carmel High School on Wednesday, January 8 at 6:00 pm. Attendees are highly encouraged to arrive at 5:30 so they have enough time to find parking and the PAC.

Performances

January 31 - 7:00 PM

February 1 - 7:00 PM

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.

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 .

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!

Hi PHS parents and students, check out the 2024-25 Counseling Canvas Page Announcements to stay up to date on all the events hosted by the Counseling Dept./Titan Center! All students should be enrolled in PHS Counseling 2024-25.

FAFSA/DREAM ACT applications are now open! High school students (12th grade only) and families can register below to attend our Financial Aid Application workshop. This workshop will provide individual help with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act (CADAA) and/or Chafee Grant for Foster Youth applications on Saturday, January 25, 2025, from 9am - 12pm.

Filling out FAFSA?

Please get your FSA ID in advance and bring your login information with you.

Creating an FSA ID Worksheet

Filling out the CA Dream Act?

Please create an account in advance and have the login/PIN ready if possible or get started on this day.

Material Needed

FAFSA/CADAA Checklist

More details will be shared in early January!

The San Diego County Office of Education is once again sponsoring the 8th Annual San Diego Black College Expo on Jan. 30th from 11am-1pm and it is free for students to attend. Transportation will be provided from PHS and students would depart at 9:30am and return at 1:45pm. This is a really good opportunity for students to be exposed to what HBCU's (Historically Black College & Universities) offer. Please let us know if you are interested in attending by emailing or speaking to Mrs. Taylor (email through Canvas or at mtaylor@powayusd.com).

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.

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!

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

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