December 2012 - January 2013 Parent Newsletter

ParentNewsletter The La Salle

FOR PARENTS AND FRIENDS OF LA SALLE HIGH SCHOOL • PASADENA • CALIFORNIA •DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013

Principal Ideas Learn•Serve•Lead

And where did it go? I simply can not tell you!

What I can tell you is that our fall semester is quickly coming to an end in a few days. Our classroom time, events, and activities have moved with great speed in bringing the first part of our academic year to a rapid conclusion. Before we depart for a well-deserved break later this month, we have some serious business to tend too. Of utmost importance for each student is to finish each class well by completing all assignments and projects in a timely fashion and then properly preparing well for those wonderful (!) semester examinations beginning on Tuesday, December 18 and finishing on Friday, December 21. As a note of information, teachers are not required to administer early semester examinations because of planned family travel. I would encourage families not to seek early semester examinations for you may receive an unfortunate response.

Big Thanks

Our first four months of school have been filled with many successes both inside and outside the classroom. I want to acknowledge some of our activities that are not “big ticket” events and may go unnoticed by the larger school population. Bravo! to our young thespians in the Visual and Performing Arts Department who presented the well known Oscar Wilde production of The Importance of Being Ernest in the Grinstead Theatre to eight SRO audiences. Mr. Chang’s Robotics team was victorious in its first competition this fall paving the way for its entrance into the World Championship competition to be held in April, 2013. Also, our well established Mock Trial program represented us very well in competition in November, as I saw them in action against another school.

Open House

On Sunday, November 11, La Salle opened its doors to prospective students and families who Continued on page 2

The words of St. John Baptist de La Salle to the first Brothers “All your life should be given up to the work of rendering your students good Christians. Watch over them with great vigilance.”

Saint John Baptist de La Salle c.1703 Meditations for Sundays

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Principal Ideas Continued from page 1

are in search of a college preparatory high school experience. I wish to express my thanks to the countless parents, boosters, and students, who along with the entire faculty and staff made for such a welcoming experience for our visitors. It was another proud day for the Lancer community!

The Lancers LANCERS ENJOY CIF SUCCESS

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The sports frontier of La Salle tends to garner the most notoriety because of the local papers and general public interest. Sometimes as fans, we can get caught up in the wins and losses to determine if an individual or team was successful.

While I sometimes subscribe to this notion, I often try to take a much larger view and realize that merely choosing to participate in a sport or activity is a positive move towards growth and maturity.

Much is to be learned by being a part of a team: cooperation, selflessness, hard work, commitment to a goal, humility and sportsmanship. While these are only some of the components I use for being able to judge a teams’ season successful, they are good indicators for me.

With that being said, parts of our athletic program have distinguished themselves by noteworthy performances this semester. Senior Daniel De La Torre has culminated his Cross Country career at La Salle by repeating as the MVP of our league. He also again won the Southern Section Division 4 Boys Individual Championship at Mt. SAC and during Thanksgiving Break he won the CIF State Division 4 Boys Individual Championship in Clovis, California.

By all accounts, our Varsity Football team had a very successful season under its new coach Russell Gordon. Beginning last spring, a solid foundation was laid and it showed this fall. The team compiled an impressive preseason and league record of 10-0. They were the Del Rey League Champions and advanced to the Southern Section playoffs before losing a very close game.

The Varsity Girls Volleyball team had a remarkable season by winning the Del Rey League title and then capturing the Southern Section Girls Volleyball Championship banner that will be proudly displayed in our gymnasium. They

competed in the CIF State tournament and were narrowly defeated in the match. Their overall record was an impressive 32 wins and 3 losses.

Back to School Night

When school resumes in January we will again hold our Second Semester Back to School Night on the evening of January 10. As in the past, your student will bring home to you a special schedule to follow for the classroom/teacher visits that will occur. Additionally, we will have a special Senior Parent Meeting that will take place immediately following the general meeting. The purpose of the senior parent meeting is to review various senior activities as we anticipate a successful and meaningful final semester for our seniors. At least one parent of each senior is asked to be in attendance. Both of these events on January 10 are focused on enhancing communication and expectations. PLEASE plan on attending!

Why We Celebrate Christmas

Amidst all of the hullabaloo that surrounds the Christmas season, its actual meaning can get lost and forgotten. It is altogether fitting and appropriate that we pause and remember that Christmas is our remembrance of the miraculous event that occurred over two thousand years ago when Jesus Christ entered our midst in the form of a child. His presence on earth and dying on the cross was his gift of love to us.

May this Christmas season abound for you with all of our Saviors gifts: peace, joy and everlasting love. May you have a truly Blessed Christmas!

Brother Christopher Brady, FSC Principal

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From the Parent Association

Giving Thanks for the La Salle Difference

Kathi and I hope all our La Salle community of their service hour participation and the need of had as enjoyable a Thanksgiving as did the some to jump onto the volunteer bandwagon! We Snodgrasses. Among my personal thanksgivings, are planning to have update notices go out in midI made a few notes of what I’m thankful for at January.

La Salle: for our talented faculty who inspire And speaking of the Christmas Season, and nurture eager young minds toward academic please remember to register (if you have not excellence; for our caring staff who tackle every already done so) and take advantage of the many bureaucratic puzzle with grace and cheer; for our opportunities to make your holiday purchases tireless administration who conceive of a grand under the school’s No Cost Fundraising (eScrip) vision and purpose and bring it to reality; for the Program. Be sure to check out what’s available generosity of those who go far beyond their share at www.escrip.com for additional information to contribute time and treasure solely to be part about the many other ways that you can help of something bigger than themselves; and for our support La Salle through eScrip. If you have any students and their families – representing every questions, please contact Kathi Snodgrass, at walk of life – who consistently aspire to the title of snodgrassfamily@earthlink.net, or Cheryl Butler Quality Individual and truly define The La Salle at cheryl_butler@yahoo.com, or Michele Hardy at Difference. mlhardyconsulting@yahoo.com.

I hope everyone has had the opportunity For our January 2013 general Parent to take part in the recent school events that will be Association meeting, we will be featuring Ms. Teresa added to the Lancer heritage: to share the pride of Baldonado and Mr. Owen Hou representing La our cross-country team as they boost senior Daniel Salle college admissions and advanced placement.

De La Torre to the State championship; to witness They will report on the class of 2012 our girls’ volleyball team capture the CIF Southern admissions updated with current trends NEXT Section title; to experience the excitement during La for the class of 2013 and will also discuss Parent Association Salle's undefeated Del Rey League football season; standardized testing including Advanced Meeting: Tuesday, to roar at the hilarious theatrical performance of Placement scores and opportunities.

January 8, 7:45pm the fall production’s rendition of Oscar Wilde, With the Christmas holidays Blakeslee Library and to observe the numerous individual honors now upon us, Kathi and I wish for every our students have earned ranging from various La Salle family a time of celebration academic, artistic and athletic accolades to senior with loved ones and friends always remembering Tracy Cresta’s selection to the 2013 Rose Court. the special time of year that it is. We pray that God Whatever the event or occasion, we have been left gives His blessings to all. with a feeling of satisfaction for our children and a defining moment that they will remember long With best wishes for a Merry Christmas after their high school days are over. This is what and a Happy New Year, the La Salle Difference is all about.

Before you know it, the Christmas Holidays will be here and we’d like to remind all parents to log in to our service hour website (http:// lasallepa.chapterweb.net) and record your hours.

Our dedicated Service Hour Committee will be Craig Snodgrass, P’09, ’12, ’14 updating their reports and will be notifying parents Parent Association President PAGE 3

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La Salle Matters

FISH FRIDAY IS BACK MAYBE

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The Catholic Bishops in the United States assemble each autumn to discuss issues of common concern, address social challenges and debate proposed changes in Catholic life and worship. As I write this, the Bishops are finishing up this year’s assembly in Baltimore. Their annual gathering begins with an address by the Conference President, Cardinal Timothy Dolan. One of the points he made to his brother Bishops was the suggestion that they reconsider the forty-year old policy regarding abstaining from meat on Fridays in Lent. Bear with me - this only sounds like a Catholic version of “inside baseball.” Catholics of a certain age (i.e. my age and older) remember Catholic life before Vatican II. It was rich in the use of signs and symbols which were distinctly Catholic (although, I must admit, our Anglican/ Episcopalian brethren shared many of the same customs).

Any Catholic who experienced the “Baltimore Catechism” will recognize the distinction b et we e n “ i n t e r n a l ” a n d “external” signs of faith.

Abstaining from meat on Fridays in Lent, for example, is an “external” sign of faith.

What Cardinal Dolan encouraged the Nation’s Bishops to consider was a return to the pre-Vatican II custom of abstaining from meat on every Friday, not just the ones occurring during the 40 days of Lent. His argument was simple and pastoral: “We need to recapture the significance of Friday as a day of penance in union with Jesus on the cross.” This exhortation of the value of penance may sound odd to Californians who have grown up in the Golden State accepting as an article of secular faith that the “good life” is within easy reach; but it is very much in harmony with the challenges facing all people of faith on the West Coast. A variety of media

outlets, for example, have described the “rise of the nones,” those who check “none” on surveys of religious affiliation. If the “nones” were a church, they would be the fastest growing sect in America.

The Los Angeles Times, for example, recently reported that: “About 75% of Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 now consider themselves “spiritual but not religious.” In other words, organized religion does not matter to them. This raises the obvious question: Should it matter? And, secondarily, what does this disturbing trend have to do with abstaining from meat on Fridays? The answer to the first question is to be found in the number one priority of Pope Benedict’s pontificate: the “New Evangelization.”

One media definition of the concept works for me: “the new evangelization aims to reach out to alienated Catholics who in many cases have become effectively secularized.”

It goes without saying that the survey data on declining American participation in organized religion highlights the importance of the Pope’s initiative to re-engage alienated Catholics. So, what does this have to do with eating (or not eating) meat on Fridays? Cardinal Dolan’s initiative to revisit the limitation of Friday abstinence to the 40 days of Lent is couched in substantive sociological research regarding the markers of success for organized religion. Cardinal Dolan puts it this way: “any faith community to remain coherent and vibrant has to have certain external signs;” which identify the religious organization as distinct and different from other religious organizations.

Cardinal Dolan goes on to note that scholars of religion report that exterior marks of membership

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help make a religion cohesive and attractive.

“Cradle” Catholics understand this sociological imperative. Many of us grew up in a world where the Rosary was prayed daily, children were given the names of saints, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament was preceded by a religious procession and the smell of incense was a familiar one. These external marks, along with a year-round abstinence from meat on Fridays “marked” Catholics as belonging to a distinct group of people. As our world has become more ecumenical and, obviously, more diverse; it is becoming increasingly more difficult to know where the boundary between organized religion and secularism is to be drawn. External signs of faith not only define that boundary but also reinforce the value of membership. Andrew Greeley in his book, The Catholic Revolution: New Wine, Old Wineskins, and the Second Vatican Council, underscores the role abstinence from meat played in defining our Catholic identity: “Fish on Friday had been a symbol that most visibly distinguished American Catholics from other Americans.” These markers reinforce our conviction that to be Catholic (or a member of an organized religion) is to believe that one has been graced by God with a faith that offers comfort in this life and happiness in the next.

It may seem odd, therefore, to call for greater discipline by abstaining from meat once a week in order to reinforce the comfort in this life that our faith offers; indeed, I take issue with the penitential practices of Lent in my Blog (“Odd” Ash Wednesday) http://lasallehs.blogspot.com/.

Nevertheless, if our faith is to mean anything, we must be reminded of the power of its promise to secure happiness with God in the next life. Perhaps a little less meat will not only improve the health of our body, but our soul as well.

Richard Gray, Ph.D

La Salle High School

3880 E. Sierra Madre Blvd.

Pasadena, California 91107-1996 • Telephone 626.351.8951 Facsimile 626.351.0275 www.lasallehs.org • The La Salle ParentNewsletter is published monthly except January and July

by La Salle High School of Pasadena, Incorporated

© 2012

• Editor, Designer John Blackstock ’67 Director of Communications Telephone: 626.696.4316 • email: jblackstock@lasallehs.org

President

Transforming Lives Since 1680

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Crystal Ball 2013 Cirque De La Salle

Rêvez Grand Auction Through the generosity and support of people like you, The Crystal Ball, our School’s largest fundraising event, has raised funds to support many of our worthwhile programs such as academic, visual and performing arts, athletic, tuition assistance, faculty/ staff professional development and technology.

CRYSTAL BALL APRIL 12

In support of these efforts, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to this year’s Crystal Ball, which will be held on April 12, 2013, at the Langham Huntington, Pasadena. We expect over 350 guests to enjoy the evening themed “Cirque De La Salle Rêvez Grand (Dream Big).”

There are many ways you can donate!

Donation ideas include: • Gift Certificates • Memorabilia • Vacation Homes • Airline Miles

• Gift Baskets • Event Tickets • Hotel Points • Unique Collectibles

• VIP Tours • Theme Park Passes • Movie Tickets • Spa Certificates

You or your company can become a sponsor, or place an ad in our Crystal Ball program.

Sponsorships include: Maître D’Anneau (Ring Master) $20,000

Contorsionniste (Contortionist)

$5,000

Artiste de Trapèze (Trapeze Artist) $15,000

Acrobate (Acrobat)

$2,500

Lance-Flammes (Flame Thrower) Artiste Aèrien de Sole (Aerial Silk Artist) $10,000

$1,500

For local small business professionals like realtors and restaurants, a Business Card ad is the perfect way to promote your business to others in the area. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, donor or advertiser, please contact Pamela Jacques at 626.826.1601 or email at jacquespamela@gmail.com. We sincerely appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you at the Cirque De La Salle.

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The Crystal Ball 2013 Committee wishes the La Salle community a safe and blessed holiday season!

We would also like to thank two very special La Salle families who hosted our previous gift gathering parties this year at their home:

Peter and Allison Viehl P'13 Casino Night Mark and Jennifer Montoya Christmas Gift Gathering Party Both events were a tremendous success and we thank these generous families for opening up their homes to us.

Our next event will be the San Miguel Social to be held at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Dino Clarizio ’75, P'06 on February 10, 2013. We hope to see everyone there!

Please check your mail for the Save-the-Date cards and mark your calendar for the 2013 Crystal Ball event on April 12, 2013.

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013

McCreary Earns Gold Award

ARTS THE AMAZING VALUE

Mary Marie Miranda McCreary completed her Gold Award in June 2012.

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest honor a Girl Scout can earn. This past year, 267 girls earned this esteemed award and collectively contributed nearly 21,000 hours of service through community action projects that spotlight critical local, national and global issues. Miranda focused her project on the elderly in her community by bringing awareness to many of the elderly people who don not have family in their lives. She developed a program at a local nursing home, Country Villa Glendale, that spotlights an elderly person each month through a story and photos of their life. This was a project that was near and dear to her heart. She raised awareness by talking to people about the problem in which many elderly people are left without anyone to care for them. Miranda was part of troop 424 in Pasadena lead by troop leader, Kristen McGregor. Miranda is a Junior at La Salle High School where she also plays water polo, softball and is a member of Pi Alpha Chi. PAGE 7

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Biology Students Conduct Eaton Canyon Field Study

By Briam Miller '79, Science Department

IT SEEMS SO FAR AWAY YET IT IS SO CLOSE

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The La Salle Biology classes took their annual trip to Eaton Canyon for students to begin their Environmental Studies and Field Study Blogs project. Students worked in partnership to locate a site in the canyon and create an initial field study of the Eaton Canyon chaparral that is so common to the San Gabriel foothills.

Students mapped a birds-eye view of their viewing site and created a one-hour log of their observations during their visit. Working in teams of two, the students accumulated evidence through video and photos of their experience.

During the month of November, students created an online blog to share their experiences with their teachers and fellow students.

This project allows students to interact with nature in a way that many of them no longer experience. Biology teachers take

students on an opening hike to discuss dangers and safety in the canyon. The students then journey out in teams to locate their viewing site. Students learn to make and record observations, collect data, and identify and classify plants and animals within the region.

This is an introductory experience that will be expanded to a student choice Biome Blog project that will be completed in the second semester.

In the past, we were surprised at how many of our students do not experience

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the outdoors beyond their own backyards or school property. This project provides opportunities for our students to explore and experience the amazing natural resources we have right here in the San Gabriel Valley. By introducing the experience of nature in a controlled environment and then allowing students to go out and choose regions in the Southern California area for them to continue that interaction in the spring, it is our hope that our students gain an increased appreciation for this world that we share.

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Royalty Crowned at Homecoming ALUMNI RETURN AND LANCERS ROLL

The theme for Homecoming Week was “Around the World in Five Days.� Students dressed in traditional costumes from different parts of the world each day of the week.

From Africa, (lots of animal costumes), Asia, (Kimonos, Saris etc.), to South America and outrageous Halloween costumes. All Souls Liturgy was held on Thursday and Friday was homecoming so all the students dressed in Red and Blue for the afternoon rally. The Homecoming King and Queen was crowned at half time. The band and cheer squad performed and the 10th Battalion Alumni Athlete Award for our alums who have had outstanding college athletic careers was presented. The Lancer football team was victorious beeting Bosco Tech High School 73 to 3.

The La Salle 2012 Homecoming King and Queen, Judah Lacy and Paul Hoffman. Below, Judah's brother, Isreal, gains yardage against Bosco Tech.

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From lefte: Riley Worley '15, Christina Nguyen '14, Patrick Sullivan '13 Jamie Quiambao '16, Ben Poon '16, Ian Quinn '13, Jack Trager '16, Santiago Lakatos '16.

Mock Trial Team Rests Their Case

La Salle’s Mock Trial team ended their 2012 season with a resounding Round One victory by the defense, but lost in Round Two to a formidable team fielded by Gabrielino High School. Senior Patrick Sullivan and junior Vanessa Boull’t received the MVP award, given by their opponents in recognition of their outstanding performance as attorneys.

Junior Jack Goyette earned a rare perfect score of 15 from the Round One judges for his role as the defendant. He was also selected as the Outstanding Defense Witness for the entire Los Angeles County Competition.

Congratulations to team Moderator, Jane Osick and to all who devoted so much time and effort to the team this year, most especially our volunteer attorney coaches, Michael Martinez '88 and Karen Darling.

Students interested in joining the team are invited to attend the offseason spring semester practices (times and dates TBA), or may contact Ms. Osick for details on next year’s competition.

Inset, Patrick Sullivan Below, Attorney Coach Michael Martinez '88

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From the Athletic Boosters

Santa Came Early to La Salle

JOIN THE ATHLETIC BOOSTERS AND SUPPORT THE LANCERS

Merry Christmas to all from the La Salle Athletic Boosters, it is hard to believe we are coming up on the end of the year, with 2013 just around the corner. I am still stuck in late September, but I guess time waits for no one.

December brings with it a time for reflection on what is important in your family’s life and what we should be grateful for. I think we can look at the environment our children go to school in and how they are pushed to be their best. They are taught to not be selfish, but to look beyond themselves to do service to others to their community. And, with all that, to compete at a high level in athletics.

La Salle fall sports ended on a high note. Our Girls Volleyball team won the Division 1 title ranked as #1 in the SGV. Last year, they came in second in Division 2AA. But this great bunch of young ladies have come back and taken the title under the direction of Coach Tiare Tuitama in Divsion 1A. It is wonderful to see how athletic our team is and how they support each other on and off the court. I have watched several games and I would not want to be on the other side of one of their kill shots. On November 20, our team, seeded #5 in Division 1A, traveled to Fresno to compete in a state championship match. They fought down to the wire finally losing the last game 15-12 against Clovis West.

What can we say about Daniel De La Torre and our Cross Country Team? Daniel has won the CIF Division IV title for the second year in a row and qualified for the State meet in Fresno on November 24, where he won in 15:30. He is our first individual State Champion. See his photo on page 13 as he passes the half way point during his championship run.

Girls Golf has finished their season with three members qualifying for the individuals, with Brianna Steger finishing in the top five.

Girls Tennis is also headed for postseason play. Chloe Beauvois qualified for CIF in Singles and Paige Graves and Claire Fitzgerald qualified for doubles, so we hope to report back to you more good news in the next newsletter.

Last, but not least, is football and the finish of a fantastic season. First, our team finished 10-1 losing to Centennial Compton 12 to 10 in their final game, and honestly for just a few plays here For Specific Game Dates, Times and Locations Log on to Lasallelancers.org or lasallehs.org Athletics. Please visit the La Salle Athletics page at www.lasallelancers.org under Boosters for volunteer opportunities.

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and there, we would still be playing in the CIF playoffs.

The Athletic Boosters have a tradition of bringing food to the locker room after the games. This time the locker room was very quiet except for the tears of these young men, mostly the seniors. These young athletes, who are so tough and have fought together so hard all season, knew it was over and it was hard to deal with. The coaches were great with them.

This is one of the life lessons Coach Gordon has talked to them about. In the end, the La Salle Varsity Football team is the 2012 Del Rey League Champion, with an unbeation league record of 10-0. They also earned a School record with the most consecutive wins for a La Salle football team. That is nothing to be ashamed of. In addition, the JV team went 7-2-1. A good season to get ready for varsity next year.

Homecoming and Senior Night were together this year and all our athletes were introduced with their families to the crowd. It was a great night and a sad one because we have to say good-bye to these athletes. I was really touched to see Coach Peterson there to shake the hands of these boys along with Coach Gordon. Coach Peterson has meant a lot to these seniors and the fact that both Coaches, past and present, were together in friendship for our boys speaks volumes about what La Salle is really about. So, to both coaches, thank you for being the fine examples you are to, not only my son, but to the entire School. This is truly the La Salle Difference.

Our Athletics Booster Discount Cards are back, the cost is $10.00 and entitles you to discounts from 10 to 20% at places like Casa Del Rey, Dona Rosa’s, Village Pizza and NikkiC’s just to name a few. We have over 20 establishments working with us and I bet you will get your $10 back in the first or second purchase. See Associate Athletic Director, Shari Baugh, in the Athletic office, and she will be more than happy to help you support Lancer Athletics and the businesses that also support La Salle.

We hope to see you at our next Athletic Booster’s meeting in January. We are always looking for people to get involved so, if you are interested in becoming a board member, please contact me. If you just want to volunteer please visit the La Salle athletic website at www.lasallelancers.org under Boosters for volunteer opportunities.

I would like to finish by thanking all the parents that have volunteered for the football and volleyball games this season. Truly, without your help, these games would not be possible.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

WINTER SPORTS ARE HERE

God Bless, John D. Cina P'13, '14 Athletic Boosters President

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ParentNewsletter From the College Counseling Center

College Center News

By M. Teresa Baldonado and Owen Hou ’90 College Counselors

College Applications

College visits are now over and the seniors are deep into the application process. All University of California applications are completed and submitted, as are the Cal State applications.

Parents, please remind your seniors to contact the College Board / The ACT to send official SAT / ACT scores to the schools where they are applying.

Students must add the colleges they are applying to and request transcripts on Naviance.

Letters of Recommendation COLLEGE NIGHT FOR JUNIORS January 16

COUNSELOR: All seniors should have turned in their “Recommendation Form” to their College Counselor in November. If your student applies to another college not on the list, they must submit any school/counselor report forms to Mr. Hou or Ms. Baldonado by Friday 12/7. The college counselors must complete forms/letters of recommendation to colleges before holiday break to meet most deadlines.

Mr. Hou and Ms. Baldonado will not be able to write letters of recommendation or fill out school/counselor reports over the Christmas break. Please plan ahead!

TEACHER: All seniors should have asked teachers to write their letters of recommendation in November. All forms & envelopes (if needed) must be given to the teachers by Friday 12/7.

The teachers must complete forms/ letters of recommendation to colleges before holiday break to meet most deadlines. They need time to write good letters of recommendation, and the best letters will not be written over vacation. Give the teachers any forms they need, together with stamped envelopes addressed to the Admissions Offices of the colleges.

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When seniors find out about their college acceptances (and denials), they should share their news with Ms. Baldonado or Mr. Hou and enter the results in Naviance.

Financial Aid

La Salle’s College Center will host a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) workshop presented by Tamara Collins, Senior Financial Aid Administrator at the University of La Verne on Monday, December 3, at 7:00 p.m. in the Blakeslee Library. Ms. Collins will go over the FAFSA form that must be filed with the government by all families applying for financial aid. She will go through the FAFSA line by line and answer any questions parents may have regarding the financial aid process. Please note: all college admission and financial aid officers strongly advise that all students submit the FAFSA. Access the FAFSA online at

www.fafsa.ed.gov. The 2013-14 FAFSA form will be available January 1st.. Financial aid offices advise students to electronically submit the form as soon as possible after January 1st. Parents and students

ParentNewsletter can go online before January 1st to select a PIN number.

Juniors - Plan for College Night

Believe it or not, Ms. Baldonado and Mr. Hou will begin the formal college counseling process for juniors in January. We will meet with juniors and their parents on Wednesday, January 16, at 6:30 p.m. in the Dining Hall. Junior students will receive a packet of information that includes material explaining the college application process.

Attendance is mandatory for Junior students. We strongly suggest at least one parent attend with your student. After the meeting, junior students will be able to access the Junior Plan for College Survey, online via Naviance. The completion of the online survey will start the one-on-one college counseling process for juniors.

Schedule: 6:30 – 6:50pm: Opening Speaker, Ed Devine, Lafayette University, West Coast Regional Director of Admissions 6:50 – 7:00pm: UC & Cal State Admission Requirements 7:00 – 7:25pm: College Planning Process 7:25 – 8:00pm: Utilizing Naviance 8:00pm: Question & Answer Period

SAVE the DATE – College Forum for Freshman, Sophomore & Junior families

La Salle’s College Forum will be held on Wednesday, April 10, at 7:00pm. As in the past, college admission representatives from many colleges will present important information to our families (see tentative sessions below). The College Forum is a great opportunity for students to learn about the College admission process and learn how to research and identify the right college for them.

So highlight the College Forum on your calendar.

Presentations Topics (tentative) Tips for Admission to Highly Selective Colleges The Visual Arts: The Application Process and Portfolios Navigating Naviance: Family Connection, Admission Stats, and More Studying the Sciences and Engineering Understanding UC Admission

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013

Standardized Testing, SAT, ACT and Subject Tests Successful Transition to College for Students with Learning Differences Making the Moment Count: College Visits!

Pursuing STEM at a Liberal Arts College ROTC and Service Academies College Search for African-American Students Understanding Need and Merit-Based Financial Aid The NCAA, the Student Athlete & Admission Health-Related Majors and Special Programs More detailed information will be published in the February ParentNewsletter.

College Tours

We will have our annual San Diego College Tour on Friday, February 8, and will be visiting UC San Diego, San Diego State, and University of San Diego. This is a great opportunity for sophomores and juniors to see a variety of campuses before they begin their college application process. The cost for this tour is $95 per student and the registration deadline is Friday, January 11. Itinerary and registration forms can be found as attachments to this newsletter.

COLLEGE FORUM APRIL 10

Meanwhile, all junior families should also have received information for the East Coast College Tour, to be held over Easter Break (April 1-6, 2013). Please contact Mr. Hou if you are interested but have not registered.

Standardized Testing

You may recall that all freshman, sophomore and junior students took standardized tests in October. During December 11th Mentor period, Freshman and Sophomore students will receive and review their Explore and PLAN results and Junior students will receive and review their PSAT results. Please do not hesitate to contact your College Counselor (Mr. Hou-last names A-K; Ms. Baldonado-last names L-Z) if you have any questions about test results.

SAT/ACT Test Preparation

This Spring, La Salle’s College Center will host the Princeton Review on our campus for a SAT College Counseling Continued on page 16 PAGE 15

ParentNewsletter College Counseling Continued from page 15

test preparation course. Students taking this course should register for the March 9, 2013 SAT exam.

ACT FOR JUNIORS FEBRUARY 9

Princeton Review Courses: This six week course meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:006:00pm and 6:00 to 9:00pm with practice tests on Saturdays. Both the classes and practice tests will be held at La Salle. It begins on Saturday, February 2. Information for the course was sent to families via email in November and it will also be given to students when PSAT results are distributed in December during Mentor period.

Juniors and their parents should review the PSAT and PLAN (from last year) results to decide if a prep course is necessary. La Salle High School does not specifically recommend test prep courses or endorse specific test preparation companies, but we try to make the information and services available for those who want to utilize them. Test preparation courses can help alleviate test anxiety and can help students learn test-taking techniques.

They cannot replace the learning, the homework or the instruction that should have taken place during the past twelve years of formal schooling. You may learn more about the Princeton Review at www. princetonreview.com.

Reminder: assigned homework will not decrease during the Princeton Review course schedule. Homework will continue to be the student’s first priority.

February 9 ACT for all Juniors

Reminder: All Juniors are required and registered to take the ACT on Saturday, February 9th at La Salle. Given the recent cheating scandals, both the ACT and SAT have created new protocols for test registration. Even though all juniors have registered, they must do the following in order to be admitted for the February 9th ACT: 1. ACT ID (registration) numbers will be given to each junior during the December 11 Mentor Period (the same day they receive their PSAT results).

2. Students will then go to the ACT website, www. actstudent.org, to create their ACT account with their ACT ID. 3. Once the ACT account is created, then students will need to upload a recent photo onto their ACT account.

4. After that, print out the Registration Ticket (with photo).

5. Bring Registration Ticket and a picture ID to the February 9th ACT.

Once the ACT account has been created and linked with the ACT ID, your student can change the test location and/or change to a later test date, if necessary. Please note: La Salle has already paid for this test and there is no expense on your part. Should your student decide not to take ACT this academic year, then we will have to bill the cost back to you.

Ms. Baldonado and Mr. Hou wish you a very Merry Christmas and a fun but safe New Year!

Library Volunteer Opportunities The Blakeslee Library is in need of after-school monitor volunteers each school Continued on pageday 18 afternoon from 3:00-5:00pm. This is a good way to fulfill your Parent Volunteer Hours obligation.

Donations of snacks and drinks will be accepted for the Café Bibliothèque events in the library. The dates for events are: January 24, February 14, March 14, and April 25.

Please call Janet Hagen at 626.696.4332 or Delia Swanner at 626.696.4313 to sign up.

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ParentNewsletter

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013

EASY WAY TO SUPPORT LA SALLE

Download THE eScrip Flyer AttacheD to THis Electronic NewsletteR

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ParentNewsletter

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013

THE AMAZING MUSICAL TOUR

La Salle Grand Band European Tour 2014

In the Spring of 2014 a group of musically inclined students will embark upon one of the most ambitious trips in the history of LaSalle’s music program. The eleven-day tour includes performances in Salzburg, Vienna, and Prague, and features many other music-related stops along the way.

The trip is open to members of Advanced Band, String Ensemble, and Choir, and truly represents the chance of a lifetime for these young musicians. Our students will follow in the footsteps of Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert, plus a whole slew of Strausses and (of course) Falco.

A series of fundraisers will be held throughout the next year to help defray the estimated $3000 per student costs.

Parents considering accompanying the group should contact the Arts Boosters Newsletter liaison for a list of “bloody marvelous watering holes” along the route.

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ParentNewsletter

DECEMBER/JANU-

PARENTS: YOU NEED HOURS! And we need Volunteers!

Some of these events have no workers signed up.

Please help!

HERE IS HOW TO SIGN UP FOR hours:

Go to the La Salle Website.

Click on “Parents” at the top of the screen.

Click on “PA volunteer website” on the left side of the screen.

Click on “member log in.”

Enter your user name, this is your firstname_lastname (lower case).

Your password is your last name (lower case).

Once you are in the La Salle Parent website you can click on the «calendar» at the top of the screen.

Now you can look through the calendar year and click on the events that you are interested in volunteering for.

Please check to see how many volunteers are needed, and how many have already signed up.

VolunteeR TODAY

ACADEMIC BOOSTERS EVENTS 2012-2013 DATE

ACADEMIC BOOSTER EVENT

START TIME*

12/3/12

FAFSA Workshop

6:00 PM

2

1/10/13

Back to School Night Semester 2

5:30 AM

2

1/16/13

Junior “Planning for College” Night

5:30 AM

3

1/26/13

Entrance Exams & Interviews

7:30 AM

5

2/2/13

Entrance Exams & Interviews

7:30 AM

5

3/9/13

Registration & Freshman Pledge

7:30 AM

5

4/10/13

College Forum

6:00 PM

3

5/14/13

Academic Awards Night

5:30 PM

4

5/23/13

Senior Uniform Buyback

11:30 AM

3

5/23/13

Baccalaureate Mass & Reception

5:00 PM

4

5/24/13

Commencement Exercises

6:00 PM

3

6/5/13

Used Uniform Buyback

9:00 AM

3

7/11/13

Used Uniform Sale Set-Up

7/12/13

Used Uniform Sale

HOURS*

TBA 11:00 AM

*Start time and number of service hours is approximate. Volunteers will be advised of exact start time prior to the event. Credit will be based on actual hours served.

8

Volunteer Coordinators: Ellen Hoffman Diane Taylor ehoffman929@gmail.com dtaylorfamilyof5@gmail.com

Cookies are needed for most of these events.

Earn one service hour for each two dozen HOME-BAKED cookies.

Please sign up on the calendar where you see “Cookie Club.”

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ParentNewsletter

Mac Luncheon Ignites Holiday Spirit HOLIDAY GIFTS GOOD FOOD AND FRIENDS

The Mothers of Alumni Council (MAC) held its 6th annual Christmas luncheon and boutique on Thursday, November 29, 2012 at Noor in the Paseo Pasadena. Brother Christopher Brady, FSC was the guest speaker. Guests were entertained by the La Salle choir and did early Christmas shopping with the various vendors. All proceeds benefit the financial aid program at La Salle.

Jeane Ward P’99, Pat Bonacci, AFSC P’94, ’97, Jamie Gray P’13,'14.

Christine Marez P’14, Monica Cowell P’14, Pam Cimino P’14.

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Dr. Gray with MAC Chair, Yolanda Valadez P’08.

Ann Marie Baluyot P’12 ,’13, Dana Jones-Brooks P’11, '12.

Sharon Algeo GP’13, Vicki Keros P’13, Dana Bouton P’13.

ParentNewsletter

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013

SEE More MAC Luncheon PHOTOS on the La salle Website La Salle Choir.

Br. Christopher Brady, Madeline Doerning P’81, ’99, GP ’11, ’15 and Pat Bonacci, AFSC P’94, ’97.

Monica Borquez P’14 and Cissy McGregor P’13, 15.

Jeanie Barta P’13 and Paula Knop P’14, 16.

Stella Lira, Denise Valadez, Maria Lara P’05, ’06, ’09, Yolanda Valadez P’08.

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ParentNewsletter

Oscar Wilde's Gem Luke Bolle '14, and Tesia Meza '13.

It's Important to be Ernest

The fun-filled excursion into the English countryside where mistaken identities and duplicity run rough shod over Victorian manners in Oscar Wilde’s delightful comedy, “The Importance of Being Earnest” played to SRO crowds during it's nine-performance run.

Directed by Jude Lucas, Wilde’s comedy is a biting satire of Victorian manners. The comedy tells the story of two young gentlemen living in 1890’s England who have taken to bending the truth in order to put some excitement into their lives.

This was another outstanding theatre performace showcasing the extraordinary talents of La Salle students and highlighting our all-encompassing Arts Program.

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Cheyanne Williams '13 and Ari Harris '13.

Gianni Consiglio '13, Jessica Messineo '14, Tesia Meza '13.

ParentNewsletter

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013

From the Arts Boosters

A Busy Month for the Arts Boosters With the Holiday Season upon us, thoughts turn to Christmas Carols, decorations, dancing and festivities. Which at La Salle means everyone looks to the Visual and Performing Arts department to provide a bit of entertainment.

Parents with elephantine memories may recall one unfortunate year, long past, when the Athletic Department was recruited to enhance the seasonal celebrations instead. The re-enactment of the “Twelve Days of Christmas” seemed so full of promise as the students demonstrated their prowess as swans-a-swimming and lords-a-leaping, but broke down when required to provide drummers and pipers without the aid of drumline and band, and took a decidedly nasty turn with an over-literal interpretation of the activities of the six geese.

Fortunately, this year it once again falls to the artists amongst the student population, supported as ever by the Arts Boosters, to make the season bright. To kick off the festivities, the annual Christmas Band and Choir Concert was held on December 1st. Band and Choir members also performed the following night at the Crystal Ball Gift Gathering Party.

This weekend will also be a busy one. The Fall Dance Concert takes place on Friday, December 7th, at 7:30pm in the Grinsted Theatre, with an encore performance on Saturday, December 8, at 7:30 pm. Also, on Saturday the AP Art show will open at 4:00pm in the Library, where it will be on display through December 13th.

Lastly, for all of you who ordered See’s candy (and a big Thank You to those who did) it will be available for pick up on December 8th.

The Board of Regents Campaign for the Arts continues with over $125,000 in gifts and pledges to date. The $300,000 initiative is tailored to add to the strengths of each of the School’s six programs in the Arts (Visual Art, Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, Dance, Theatre, Film and Video Production). More than 43% of La Salle students benefit from the Schools award-winning Arts programs at a time when many other secondary schools are reducing or eliminating these programs.

The Regents Campaign for the Arts (RCA) runs through June 30, 2013, and aims to raise $100,000 to endow a scholarship in the Arts, and an additional $200,000 for capital purposes, including the refurbishment of the Linda M.

Grinstead Theatre, the Mareina Dance Studio, and equipment purchases (sound and video upgrades for the theatre; acoustic shells and instruments for instrumental and vocal music; technology upgrades in the visual arts; and broadcasting, lighting and sound upgrades for LTV, and film and video production).

Gifts may be made through the La Salle website, where you will find the Regents Campaign for the Arts on the left side of the homepage; or you can go directly to the giving page at www.lasallehs.org/.

Check out the new page for the Visual

SEE THE NEW WEBSITE FOR THE ARTS

and Performing Arts at www.lancernetwork. com/ArtsVideos.

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ParentNewsletter

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013

Meaghan Susank, Gerald “Robbie” Snodgrass, Ian Greenstreet, Matt Crabtree.

Lords & Ladys of the Rings Annual Leadership Ceremony Bestows Rings and Inspiration Stones on Juniors

Steffi Sibal, Myles Hernandez-Henderson, Carina Henry.

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Ninety members of the class of 2014, were honored at the Junior Leadership Ceremony on November 19. This annual event is a time for the faculty and administration of La Salle to recognize the growing role in leadership the juniors are entering.

“While some embrace it willingly, and some come into it unknowingly, all of the students at La Salle are challenged and encouraged to embrace roles of leadership and embrace the School motto, Learn, Serve, Lead,” said class moderator Tom O’Connor.

As the juniors enter into the next few years of their lives, leadership roles will take a more prominent place at La Salle, in their church, in their clubs, and at their jobs. After the rings and stones were blessed

by Father Mark Strader, pastor of Saint Luke Catholic Church in Temple City, members of the class received La Salle Class Rings and Leadership Stones. The stones were inscribed with a word of inspiration which the parents of each student chose for them, such as,

ParentNewsletter

Jamie Kwong, Robert McAlister.

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013

Solina Beringer, Melissa Mena, Kate DoVale, Vanessa Alvarez.

Savannah Sanchez, Alexandra Ghantous.

Olivia Kavanaugh, Brandon Busbee, Benjamin Dalgarn, Marisol Dakan, Brittney Baird.

Wisdom, Vision, Faith, and Courage, to symbolize their belief in them now, and their hopes for them in the future. English department member and retreat coordinator Paula Moore was chosen as the keynote speaker, and gave a remarkable witness to the topic of leadership.

Left to right: Matthew Cina, Alexander Corwin, Michael Thompson, Dean Brumm.

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ParentNewsletter

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013

From Guidance and Counseling

Advent is Preparation for Christ's Birth

By Susan E. Keens, Ph.D. Clinical and School Psychologist, Department of Guidance and Counseling

THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

It seems that every year, the Christmas season begins earlier. Thanksgiving has become the holiday which precedes the onslaught of the Christmas shopping frenzy, known as ‘Black Friday’.

‘Black Friday’ today is the busiest Christmas shopping day at the beginning Christmas shopping season. This current phenomenon is troubling because it seems to begin the Christmas season and perhaps sets the tone for a solely material Christmas.

The challenge for us as a people of faith is to make the centerpiece of the Christmas season the birth of Christ. Advent is the liturgical season which during which the liturgy redirects our attention to our spiritual preparation for Christmas. Advent penance services, the color of the priest’s vestments and the Advent wreath in the sanctuary serve as reminders that we are preparing for the celebration of our Savior’s birth. During Advent, one of the four candles on the Advent wreath in the sanctuary is lit at the beginning of the Mass. Each Sunday another one is lit to mark each week of the Advent season. This ritual calls our attention to the approach of Christmas. The Sunday readings direct our attention to the Israel’s hope and the Christian belief that the prophecies about the coming of the Messiah were fulfilled with the birth of Christ. Families can participate in the Advent season by making or purchasing an wreath. This can be lit at the dinner table before meals. A crèche is a fundamental part of the ‘Christmas decorations’ in your home. In whatever way you are able, make your home a place where people who visit know by your decorations that you recognize and celebrate Christmas as the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The faculty and staff of La Salle High School wish you a Christmas which is filled with grace and peace.

New Student Financial Aid Deadline In order to properly allocate financial aid for incoming freshman for next year, we have added an earlier due date.There will be two Financial Aid Deadlines in 2013.

1) Incoming Freshman and Transfer Students (includes new siblings); DEADLINE: January 18, 2013 (the same date that the applications are due). For this deadline, parents must submit 2011 tax returns.

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2) Returning Students without new siblings; DEADLINE: February 4, 2013. Parents must submit 2012 tax returns.

Financial Aid applications will still be available beginning December 1st.

If you have questions plese contact Mr. Robert Packard, CFO at 626.696.4334 or rpackard@lasallehs.org.

ParentNewsletter

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013

The Obsequious Observer

By John Blackstock, The Editor

Names in the News

Here’s some exciting music student news.

Jad Nachabe '16, (violist in String Ensemble) has been accepted to the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra. Sean Lee '14, (guitarist in Jazz Ensemble) won a scholarship to study with guitarist Steve Cotter at the Pasadena Conser vator y of Music. And Steven Toyama '13, (trumpet/ drumline/Advanced Band) and his band “Fairview Turnaround” performed at the House of Blues in November where they took third place in the Battel of the Bands.

Feeding the Troops Members of the Support Our Troops Club took breakfast to the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines Reservist Station in Pasadena in honor of Veterans Day. Club members participated in the raising of the colors and then took a tour of the Station.

They had the opportunity to sit in military vehicles,

SOME STUFF TO KNOW

Boxes of Love

L a S a l l e ’ s S u p p o r t O u r Tr o o p s club partnered with Student Life for our annual Boxes of Love Food Drive.

Support Our Troops Club worked with “For Families of Active Military” to bring Thanksgiving food boxes to needy military families at

try on military gear and speak to the Marines and Reservists on site and thank them for their service.

Arts Videos

Please view the new Arts videos at www. lancernetwork.com/ArtsVideos. It features all the amazing facets of our Visual and Performing Arts Department.

Christmas Concert Fort Irwin and Camp Pendleton. The School community generously filled 83 Boxes of Love and raised nearly $2,000 to pur- chase grocery store gift cards for military families to buy a turkey to complete their Thanksgiving Dinner.

The faculty and student body enjoyed a wonderful Christmas Concert assembly on November 27. The band, choir, jazz band and dance classes performed along with a number of teriffic solo artists. Original film and LT V features were also shown.

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a ParentNewsletter

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013

Check your School calendar for all event times and dates

December/January Highlights

ADOPT-AFamily Christmas Party December 15 SEMESTER FINAL EXAMS DECEMBER 18-21 SnowBall Dance DECEMBER 21 Back to School Night January 10

December 8 Saturday Adopt-A-Family Wrapping Party Alumni Wrapping Party and Visit with Santa Grinstead Theatre 10:00am-12:00pm ACT AP Art Show and Reception Blakeslee Library 4:00pm Fall Dance Concert Grinstead Theatre 7:30pm

2013

January 7 Classes Resume No Late Start CSF Applications Available Room 346 NHS Applications Available Room 307

January 21 School Holiday Martin Luther King, Jr.

January 8 Booster Meetings 6:30pm on Campus Parents Association Meeting 7:45pm Blakeslee Library

January 28-February 1 Catholic Schools Week

December 12 Dress Up Advent Liturgy Dining Hall 9:20am

January 9 Rally Schedule

Winter Sports Rally 1:30pm Duffy Lewis Gymnasium

December 15 Saturday Adopt-A-Family Christmas Party Campus, Dining Hall 11:00am-1:00pm

January 10 Special Schedule Assembly Concert 9:30am Dining Hall Back-to-School Night and Senior End-of-Year Parent Meeting 6:15pm Dining Hall

January 11 CSF Applications Due

December 18-21 Semester Final Exams December 21 SnowBall Dining Hall 8:00-11:00pm December 24 - January 6 Christmas Holiday

January 16 College Night for Juniors 6:30pm

Dining Hall

January 24 Cafe Bibliothèque Blakeslee Library.

February 1 Liturgy Schedule Dress up Day Catholic Schools Week Liturgy 9:15am

Dining Hall February 7 Parent /Teacher Conferences

12:30 to 2:00pm and 4:30 to 6:00pm February 8 Student Holiday Teacher Inservice February 13 Liturgy Schedule Dress up Day Ash Wednesday Liturgy 9:15am

Dining Hall February 14 Special Schedule

Dress-Up Day Academic Awards Ceremony 9:15am Dining Hall

Important PowerSchool Notice The PowerSchool Parent Portal will be closed from the beginning of the exam period (6:00pm Monday, December 17) until the posting of first semester grades (9:00am Wednesday, January 9).

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