June/July 2018 ParentNewsletter

ParentNewsletter THE LA SALLE

FOR PARENTS AND FRIENDS OF LA SALLE HIGH SCHOOL • PASADENA • CA. • JUNE / JULY 2018

Principal Ideas Learn•Serve•Lead

We made it to June! I for one cannot believe that the academic year has ended. It went by incredibly fast for me, probably because of all the exciting and fun activities and milestones that took place at La Salle throughout this year. This last month was an especially busy and fun one and a great way to close out the 2017-2018 school year.

Founder’s Day On May 15 we had our annual Founder’s Day Liturgy. Every year at this event we announce our Lasallian Educator of the Year. This year that honor was bestowed on Mr. Rand Laird. Mr. Laird has been a part of the La Salle community since 2007 and in his 11 years here has held a number of roles. Besides teaching English, Mr. Laird also chairs the English department, directs our summer school program, and coordinates LEAP – Lasallian Educational Advantage Partnership. He challenges all of his students, while also making them feel supported, and they leave his class prepared to enter college.

We also honored Ms. Julia Frisina with the St. Joseph School Service Award. Ms. Frisina ’11 has taught in our religious studies department since 2015 and this school year took on the position of Service Coordinator on our Student Life team. In that role she has organized service trips to Union Station, monthly 60 seconds of service events, Adopt-a-Family and all of our Catholic Schools Week service projects. Besides that, she can be seen on the sidelines at most home games and supporting our students, as well as her colleagues, in a hundred different little ways every day. We are happy to have been able to honor and thank these two very special individuals who truly embody the qualities of St. La Salle.

Showdown V Just before Founder’s Day, we had our 5th annual Showdown on Friday, May 11. It was an awesome display of spirit and school pride and all in attendance, including parents who came to watch in Principal Ideas Continued on page 2

In the Words of Saint John Baptist de La Salle

1

"You should pray that there is nothing in you displeasing in God's sight since you have to instill his love in the hearts of those you instruct."

Saint John Baptist de La Salle Patron Saint of Teachers, c1705 Meditations for Sundays 39.1

ParentNewsletter

JUNE / JULY 2018

Principal Ideas Continued from page 1

the stands, had a great time. The seniors won, helping the class of 2018 end their time at La Salle on an exciting high note.

Advanced Placement And, as it does every year, May brought Advanced Placement (AP) exams. One hundred ninety students took more than 300 exams in 15 different subjects. Mrs. Yu in our counseling department did a fantastic job organizing the testing and we are grateful for all her work.

Blakeslee Learning Commons The week after AP testing, the Blakeslee Library (to be renamed the Blakeslee Learning Commons) closed down so that work could begin on the renovation of the space. In the two weeks since it has been closed, a lot has gotten done – walls have come down, windows have been removed, and the blue print is beginning to become a reality. I believe our students are going to love the new space that will emerge from the process next fall and I will be keeping our community updated as progress continues.

MAY AND JUNE EVENTS REPORT

Graduation of the Class of 2018 And, of course, we ended May with our annual graduation events. Events included Baccalaureate Mass at the Church of the Assumption, Senior Presentation and Signum Fidei Awards in the Duffy Lewis Gymnasium, grad-night at Magic Mountain and commencement at the Church of Nazarene. Presentation is always a special event: our seniors are honored in front of the student body and all of our students get to meet the recipients of the Golden Diploma – alumni who are marking 50 years since their graduation from La Salle. However, this year was made even more special by the performance of our band, strings, and choir. They performed Reflections, a piece composed and conducted by graduating senior Samuel Christopher. This piece had been performed at April’s Band, Strings, and Choir concert, but Presentation was the first time it was performed in front of the student body. It is fair to say that everyone in the gymnasium that day was blown away. It was a fantastic musical celebration of the four years our seniors spent here at La Salle. With their graduation, we look forward to hearing about the many successes of our seniors as they move on to college and beyond.

Faculty Farewell

2

The end of every school year means not only students moving on, but also some faculty and staff. This year we are saying goodbye to four members of our community.

Mr. Anthony Harris is leaving La Salle after seven years as Athletic Director. During Mr. Harris’ time at La Salle, our athletic program has had great success: 18 CIF Southern Section, 36 league and one state championship, as well as 77 student-athletes earning NCAA scholarships/commitments. We

ParentNewsletter

JUNE / JULY 2018

wish him well as he moves on to new and exciting challenges.

Mr. David Needles started at La Salle in 2004. During that time he has not only taught our students in the classroom, he has also worked with them in the Improv Club and provided endless support to all of our Arts and Media events. We will miss him, but hope that he will thoroughly enjoy retirement.

After 21 years at La Salle High School, we are very sad to be losing Ms. Jane Osick. Ms Osick is probably best known as an English teacher and long-time English department chairperson. However, those roles are just two of many she has had over the years including French teacher, mock trial coach, summer school director, academic advisor, and most recently interim dean. Those who know her, know Ms. Osick has a passion for animals, one she shared with many students involved in the Farm Friends club that she has moderated. This passion has led her to an exciting opportunity working with Farm Sanctuary in upstate New York. She will be greatly missed, but we are excited for her to get to follow her passion in this new position.

WE SAY FAREWELL BUT NOT GOOD BYE

Mr. Willie Tuitama is leaving La Salle and moving to the San Diego area to work in a family business. As an assistant coach on the football team for the past several years, Willie has made strong connections with our students and helped them learn and grow as athletes and people. He will be greatly missed, most especially by our student athletes.

We wish all of our departing friends the best in their future endeavors and thank them for their service to the students of La Salle.

Our New Athletic Director

As some say goodbye, we welcome others to new roles at La Salle. As announced in May, we are very excited to have Marc Hernandez take over leadership of the athletic department. Mr. Hernandez started at La Salle last August as an English teacher, but his extensive background in athletic administration made him the perfect fit for our new Athletic Director. Mr. Hernandez has already been busy meeting with coaches and getting things organized for a successful 2018-2019 school year. We know the next year is going to be a great one for the Lancers.

As we conclude another academic year, I want to say thank you for entrusting your students to our care and working in partnership with all of us here at La Salle to educate your students. As Principal, I am blessed to be surrounded by a terrific and talented group of educators and support staff who work hard and are diligent in caring for all of our students.

For our returning families, we will be mailing to you our summer packet of information in mid-July. In the meantime, please be sure to check our website for the summer reading list, as well as the 2018-2019 booklist. Returning students received their preliminary class schedules the last week of school; freshmen schedules will be mailed out this month. Please use this to determine which books you should be purchasing.

I hope all of you have a restful and rejuvenating summer. I look forward to seeing all of our students on the first day of school on Wednesday, August 15!

Mrs. Courtney R. Kassakhian Principal

3

ParentNewsletter

JUNE / JULY 2018

La Salle Matters The Friday of Memorial Day weekend was my 19th Graduation exercise at La Salle. As I greeted parents of the Class of 2018, I noted that their child was not alive when I started at La Salle. Their reaction was consistent: pause…smile…and express surprise at how fast life passes by. As I think about the last 19 years, I find myself reacting in a similar manner. In the last 19 years: • Four Presidents have occupied the White House (one survived impeachment) • Three Governors have presided in Sacramento (one was recalled by the voters) • Four Mayors have attempted to manage Los Angeles • Three Popes have occupied the Chair of Saint Peter (one was the first to resign the position in over 500 years) • 9/11 happened • The Arab Spring unfolded • Stanley Kubrick died (it matters to Baby Boomers) • The US fought two wars simultaneously • Disastrous hurricanes became a fact of life • The Great Recession nearly robbed us of the capacity for hope • Smartphones became a “thing” • Major League Football finally acknowledged the game’s impact on the health of its players (while it paid way too much attention to a semi-inflated football) CELEBRATE THE VALUES OF A LASALLIAN EDUCATION

I could go on, but you get the idea – we are so busy with the present moment that we fail to notice how much has happened when we take the time to look in the rear view mirror. We are too busy to pay attention to the impact national, regional and local events have on how we live our lives.

All of the events noted earlier have shaped our worldview and form the basis of what teenagers take for granted. By way of example, for those of us of a certain age, we take for granted that: • we will be successful in our world of work because our parents shaped that expectation when we were young (and a robust economy made it possible) • having lived through three unwinnable wars, we tend to be suspicious of any military action • achieving middle class stability is a reasonable expectation • respect for the other is less an obligation than a function of our independent world view

4

None of these assumptions (okay, perhaps the suspicion of military action) can be attached to the worldview of the Class of 2018. They are about to enter college – and later – the workforce with little confidence that they will secure meaningful work. They face a world in which two household incomes are the minimum requirement for a middle class lifestyle. And, happily, they approach adulthood in which respect for the other is taken for granted, rather than an obligation (that’s still a work-in-progress if you live in the inner city).

ParentNewsletter

JUNE / JULY 2018

I became a Catholic school educator over 40 years ago because I believed (and still do) that Catholic schools offer the best opportunity for young people to become good students and good people. And, yet, the world I entered as a 22-year-old teacher is not the world I occupy as a 63-year-old administrator. I’m not complaining, mind you. I am far more enthusiastic about the power of Catholic education to shape the values and perspectives of young people than I was 40 years ago. In many ways, I find that the Catholic school world teenagers occupy today is far more conducive to the transmission of Gospel values than what I encountered in the 1970s. Some of that is a product of the course of events which have shaped how we understand the world around us and some (perhaps, more?) of it is a function of how our Church has evolved in its ongoing effort to minister to the changing needs of the folks in the pews. Without a doubt, I am convinced that how we deliver Catholic education in the 21st century is infinitely superior to that which I inherited when I first entered a classroom on the day after Labor Day in 1978.

And, yet, the Class of 2018 faces an incredibly uncertain world. Even students with a 4.0 GPA cannot assume that they will be accepted by the college of their choice. Students in the middle of the GPA spectrum can, happily, count on attending a four-year college, but they may not assume that their Baccalaureate will translate into a rewarding job which aligns with their chosen career path. And students who, for whatever reason, do not go on to matriculate to a four-year college or university, will, undoubtedly find themselves on the economic margins of society some twenty years later. As of 2016, a third of US citizens had achieved a Baccalaureate degree – that is the highest percentage in over 75 years. From an income perspective, graduates of four year colleges and universities are expected to earn almost double what a high school graduate will earn and those possessing a graduate degree will earn nearly 50% more than those with a Baccalaureate. Happily, a whopping 75% of La Salle’s Class of 2010 (the most recent year for which statistics are available) are in the workforce with a Baccalaureate degree in their pocket (the national average is 59%).

But this isn’t about celebrating the value of a La Salle education relative to college and career success.

Rather, what I want to point out is that it was ever thus.

La Salle Matters Continued on page 7

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

© 2018

• EDITOR, DESIGNER JOHN BLACKSTOCK ’67 DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS TELEPHONE: 626.696.4316 • EMAIL: JBLACKSTOCK @ LASALLEHS . ORG

Transforming Lives Since 1680

5

EVEN EACH ParentNewsletter

JUNE / JULY 2018

Summer Reading List English Department Summer Reading List

English I Freshmen (Non-Honors) Summer Reading and Assignment (Link to Libguide) English I Honors "Cry the Beloved Country" Amazon English II and English II Honors Sophomore Summer Reading (PDF Link) CHECK EACH DEPARTMENT READING LIST

English III “Hunger of Memory: The Education of Richard Rodriguez”(First 2 chapters) ISBN 0-553-27293-4 English III Honors "1984" Amazon "The Great Gatsby" Amazon "Playing in the Dark" ISBN 0-679-74542-4 AP Language and Composition "1984" Amazon "The Great Gatsby" Amazon "Language Essay Collection" (PDF Link) English IV "The Nose" (PDF Link) English IV Honors "Frankenstein" Amazon "After Many a Summer Dies the Swan" Amazon

6

AP Literature and Composition "Frankenstein" Amazon "All the Pretty Horses" Amazon "After Many a Summer Dies the Swan" Amazon

Science Department Summer Reading List-Summer Physics and Physics Honors (suggested reading) "The Talent Code” by Daniel Coyle.

The reading will add to the students’ understanding and our discussion about the philosophy of standards based grading. An extensive summary of the book will be covered during the first week of school.

Social Studies Department Summer Reading List AP European History “Bismark: A Life” by Jonathan Steinberg (ISBN 978-0199975396) for summer reading.

Students should read the first half of the book (to page 258, Chapter 8) during the summer in order to discuss the book during the first semester. Students will conclude the book during the end of the first semester.

ParentNewsletter

Lancer's Girls Volleyball Coach Announced

JUNE / JULY 2018

La Salle Matters Continued from page 5

High school and college graduates have always faced an uncertain future. The twelve events, of the many I experienced over the course of the last 19 years at La Salle, can be replaced by twelve other events from 40 years ago and will be replaced by twelve events twenty years from now.

These trends inform and shape our worldview, but they don’t determine it. The “A” a student received in an Advanced Placement course doesn’t translate to an “A” in marriage or parenting or service to the community. Those “A’s” are scored by how our students respond to the challenges of daily life, which are shaped by what went before and by what will come next.

Obviously, none of us can predict what will come next; but we can ensure that the young people entrusted to our care possess the skills and character traits necessary to respond ethically and dynamically to the unexpected changes the world will throw at them. My prayer for the Class of 2018 is that they will achieve an “A” in life.

La Salle High School Athletic Director, Marc Hernandez, announced that Shari Iwatani will be the Lancer’s Head Girls Volleyball Coach, beginning July 1, 2018.

Richard Gray, Ph.D.

“I’m excited to partner with Shari and President entrust her with our girls' volleyball program.

Shari's experience, knowledge and athletic network will be vital to the continued growth and success of Christian Brothers Vocations our team. With her impeccable reputation she will The National Religious Vocation Conference be a valued asset to our Girls’ Volleyball program,” (NRVC) has announced that the second annual said Hernandez Religious Brothers Day was celebrated on May

Coach Iwatani is the head coach of the 1, 2018, the Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker.

South Pasadena Girls Volleyball team. She has Begun in 2017, Religious Brothers Day is a recognition and celebration of the gift of the been the Tiger’s head coach since 2015. She is vocation of religious brotherhood. Members of also the head coach of San Gabriel Valley Elite the Church are invited to, in the words of the Volleyball. She is the former Varsity assistant coach Vatican document, Identity and Mission of the at Flintridge Prep Academy from 2012 to 2014 and Religious Brother in the Church, “shed light on was previously the Varsity Head Coach at Pasadena the identity of the Religious Brother and the value and necessity of this vocation.”

High School in 2010 and 2011. She was the Head For the Lasallian family, it is a chance Coach and Director of Operations at Arroyo to give thanks specifically for the De La Salle Volleyball Club from 2001 to 2008.

Christian Brothers, as well as to inspire and

“I am very proud to be a part of a school invite young men to consider a vocation to the Brothers’ life. that has a great reputation for core values and a winning volleyball tradition,” said Iwatani.

7

ParentNewsletter

JUNE / JULY 2018

146 Lancers Graduate at La Salle’s 59th Commencement SEE SENIOR PRESENTATION ON FLIKER

8

La Salle High School graduated 146 seniors at its 59th Commencement on Friday evening, May 25, 2018. Commencement Exercises took place at the First Church of the Nazarene, next door to the School.

Isabella Marez, magna cum laude, gave the Welcome Address and Mary Harmon, summa cum laude, was chosen by the Faculty Commencement Committee for the honor of delivering the Commencement Address.

Cristina De La Cruz, summa cum laude, received the General Excellence Award for the highest cumulative grade point average in the class. She also received the Scholar Award for Liberal Arts. This fall, Cristina will attend Stanford University.

Samuel Christopher, summa cum laude received the General Merit Award for the second highest cumulative grade point average in the class. He also received the Scholar Award for Visual and Performing Arts and Mathematics and Science. Samuel will attend Yale University in the fall.

Ethan Patrick and Julia Macabuhay received the Brother Celestine, FSC - Excellence in Athletics and Sportsmanship Award. Melody Griffith received the De La Salle Service Award for academics, leadership and service to others. Mary Harmon received the Pro Deo et Patria Award for service to God, her community and her class.

Jeffrey Daley and Ashley Mayo received the Christian Brothers Provincial’s Lasallian Leadership Award.

Ninety-seven percent of La Salle’s graduating class will attend colleges or universities in the fall and 89% of the class will matriculate to four-year institutions in 20 states and the District of Columbia.

Giovannia Martinez, above, gave the Invocation.

Isabella Marez, far left, gave the Welcome Address and Mary Harman gave the Commencement Address.

ParentNewsletter

JUNE / JULY 2018

Samuel Christopher

2018 SIGNUM FIDEI RECIPIENTS This award is given by the Senior Senate to individuals who have served the School in an extraordinary manner.

Cherry Agapito P’18,'20 John Blackstock '67 Liz Cadwalader Roy Chang

Cristina De La Cruz

Teresa Elmslie-Britt '03 Tamara Flowers Jenne’ Hakanen P’15, P’15 Yona Han Colette Richards P’18 Collette Salvatierra Kathy Sanchez-Fitzgerald Elizabeth Serhan Ellen Slatkin P’00

9

ParentNewsletter

JUNE / JULY 2018

JUNE / JULY 2018

Lasallian Educator of the Year

Text by Mrs. Courtney R. Kassakhian, Principal, from Founder's Day celebration on May 15.

Jackie Robinson said, “A life is not important except for the impact it has on the lives of others.” Today at our Founder’s Day Mass we celebrate St. John Baptist De La Salle whose life had a tremendous and positive impact on so many throughout the world and over the centuries. As faculty and staff here at La Salle, we are always trying to follow in his footsteps and serve our students as best we can.

To celebrate that, the Lasallian Educator of the Year is given annually to a faculty, staff member or administrator, chosen by their peers, who exemplifies the qualities of St. La Salle… specifically meeting the following criteria: • A dedicated and committed individual who is a qualified educator • A person who understands their own dignity as a child of God so that he or she can pass this on to their students • A person who cherishes and cares for their students like an older brother or sister, And, above all, someone who is committed to a life of faith and prayer so that they can teach their students in the spiritual life, instilling living values. Without a doubt, our recipient this year exemplifies these criterion.

DEDICATED LASALLIAN EDUCATORS

10

Those who nominated this year’s recipient described our honoree this way: • He goes above and beyond to show care and support to his students. He is an example to them in his integrity and commitment to learning.

• Students respect him and he makes learning fun. He is dedicated to all students at all levels of learning.

• He spends extra time with students and is cooperative with his fellow teachers. Students are always at the center of his thinking about teaching.

• He puts his heart and soul into his classes, the LEAP program and the summer school program. He challenges the students, while also being a person they can come to to talk through life challenges.

So, with the last quote it is probably clear to most of you that our honoree today is Mr. Rand Laird. As I said at an event with our faculty and staff earlier this year where Mr. Laird was honored for 10 years of service at La Salle, in his 10 years at La Salle Mr. Laird has taken on 20 years’ worth of job titles and experiences: English teacher, English department chair, associate summer school director, LEAP coordinator, sophomore class moderator and more; he’s done and does a lot. Mr. Laird has twice been recognized with the Signum Fidei Award and we are proud to honor him today as the 2018 Lasallian Educator of the Year.

Rand Laird, right, receives and additional reward from a representative of Pasadena Rotary.

ParentNewsletter

JUNE / JULY 2018

St. Joseph School Service Award Text by Mrs. Courtney R. Kassakhian, Principal, from Founder's Day celebration on May 15.

The St. Joseph Service Award honors a faculty member, staff member, or administrator who goes above and beyond in service to the school community in general. The following criterion were used in selecting this year’s recipient.

• Manifests daily actions that support the mission of the school • Demonstrates a steady commitment to fellow workers an students by exhibiting patience, understanding and humor.

• Is flexible with one’s time and is willing to assist others.

• Participates in the co-curricular life of the school • Is selfless in not expecting any recognition Faculty and staff members were asked to nominate a deserving individual who meets the established benchmarks, and I am in full agreement with the person they chose this year.

Here is how some members of this school community described this year’s recipient of the St. Joseph School Service Award.

"No one on campus serves people more. Whether it is her fellow faculty, her students, or a complete stranger, she is always willing to lend a helping hand."

"She humbly serves, makes constant sacrifice of time and energy and the students she works with respect her." " She shows up to almost all sporting events to support the students.

Students know she is on their side rooting for them in school, sports, and life. From working with faculty and staff to coordinating Adopta-Family and Riley’s Race for Change, to helping with softball, this person always contributes and makes a positive impact on everyone she interacts with."

"She has transformed the service program. She is at every lunch or after school service project with a joyful spirit.

When she is not doing that, she is supporting kids at games, retreats, plays and more."

Therefore, I am please to announce that our recipient this year is Julia Frisina.

Frisina Ms. Frisina graduated from La Salle in 2011 and returned as a faculty member of the religious studies department in 2016. This year she has become an important member of our Student Life team as the service coordinator while also teaching and working with athletics. She truly embodies the words Learn, Serve, Lead.

DEDICATED TO THE LASALLIAN CORE PRINCIPLES

11

ParentNewsletter

JUNE / JULY 2018

JUNE / JULY 2018

From the College Counseling Center

College Center News

By Tina Bonacci '94, Owen Hou ’90, P'21 and Marcia Yu P'21 College Counselors

Class of 2018

Congratulations to the Class of 2018! We wish this class all the success in college and in life.

We very much enjoyed working with each graduate and look forward to staying in touch!

Class of 2019 NOTE SAT AND ACT TEST DATES

In May, we completed our meetings with all juniors. Our students received a list of prospective colleges on Naviance to investigate and prioritize by their level of interest. Summer is a good time to research, visit colleges, and work on a personal statement. Ms. Bonacci, Mrs. Yu and Mr. Hou highly recommend all students to narrow their college list down to 6-8 schools by the fall.

Fall Events

The College Planning Survey for Seniors and a parent questionnaire will be available on Naviance mid-July. Both student survey and parent questionnaire are due by September 7. In the fall, College Counselors will meet with each member of the class of 2019 to review their college list in preparation to the college application period.

To minimize the number of meetings for our parents, the Senior College Information Night will be held on the same evening as our Back-toSchool-Night on Wednesday, August 29. Seniors and their parents should mark their calendars to attend this mandatory College Information Night.

During this meeting, we will be discussing the application protocol/paperwork, letters of recommendation, essay writing tips and lots of other pertinent information.

College Visits

12

Visiting colleges during the school year is one of the most valuable experiences in the college planning process. Not only does it help your student determine whether a college is a good fit, it also sends a strong message to the college admission office that your student is seriously considering their college. Looking at next year’s calendar,

the best time to plan an out-of-town visit is during mid-October, as there will be no school on Monday, October 8 (Columbus Day) and Wednesday, October 10 (Standardized testing for all non-seniors).

Standardized Testing

All members of the class of 2019 should have taken the ACT and/or the SAT by this time.

Students who plan to apply to certain colleges should also take two SAT Subject exams in the fall. A list of colleges that require/recommend SAT Subject Tests can be found at http://www. compassprep.com/subject-test-requirements-andrecommendations/. Although the UC's no longer require two SAT Subject Tests, they are still recommended and strongly recommended for engineering and science majors. The fall exam dates are as follows:

SAT Reasoning and Subject Tests: August 25 October 6 November 3 December 1

Please note that not all Subject Tests are offered on all dates.

ACT: September 8 October 27 December 8

Register early! Registration deadlines are usually about five weeks before the test dates.

Class of 2020

The class of 2020 will be taking the PSAT on Wednesday, October 10. PSAT/NMSQT stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. It is a standardized test that provides first hand practice for the SAT. It also gives Junior students a chance to enter the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) scholarship programs.

ParentNewsletter

All Junior students will also be taking the ACT at La Salle on February 9, 2018 for no charge.

They will register for the ACT at school in the fall so there is nothing to do on your part. In addition, most juniors will be taking the SAT for the first time in the spring of 2019. If the family is considering a test-prep course for the SAT, we suggest that you choose a program that finishes close to the test date. Students who are involved in a winter sport, theatre or have a full schedule during the months of January, February and March, might consider taking a test prep course over the summer and take the SAT in August.

Use Naviance! Remind your student to add their school and non-school activities and awards they received during freshman and sophomore years in “My Resume”. This is a great place to gather information and keep it organized for the college application process. Also, complete the ‘career interest profiler’ assessment. Successful completion of this assessment will generate a report that will provide your student with important information about ‘matching occupations’. Your student will learn about careers that match their characteristics, their personal strengths and blind spots, how they negotiate in their daily life, and a host of other useful information.

Class of 2021

This year, the Class of 2021 registered on Naviance during Mentor period. Naviance is a college planning website where students can research colleges, their interests and careers. Your student can start keeping track of their school and nonschool activities and awards they received during freshman year in “My Resume”. Naviance is a great place for students to organize and keep track of their information for college applications. Parents also have a personal log-in. Please contact Mrs. Yu if you have not received your unique registration code for Naviance.

Both the classes of 2021 and 2022 will take the PreACT on Wednesday, October 10. The PreACT is a practice for the actual ACT, which students take in their junior year. The ACT is as widely accepted among the colleges as the SAT. In addition to providing practice for the ACT, PreACT has a unique section that tests science skills, which provides valuable feedback to our science department.

JUNE / JULY 2018

General Information Summer activities

Students should use their summer time wisely. It is a great time to read (helps build vocabulary and critical thinking skills), find a job (helps with time-management and communication skills) participate in an activity that they are passionate about (athletics, music, theatre, academics, etc.) or give their time to an organization that can use an extra pair of hands. A list of volunteer opportunities is published by the City of Arcadia and can be found at https://www.arcadiaca.gov/home/ showdocument?id=558 Colleges That Change Lives event

The colleges featured in Loren Pope’s book Colleges That Change Lives (aka CTCL) will have an information session and a college fair on Sunday, July 29, 2018, 11:00am and 3:00pm (choose one to attend).

CTCL FAIR SUNDAY JULY 29

Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City Room A-D 555 Universal Hollywood Drive Universal City, CA 91608

All students and parents who are interested in learning more about these liberal arts colleges and universities and interested in hearing more about the CTCL philosophy – namely that there are great college options for every student (not just for the strongest students) and that the college search should focus on finding the best match for each student – are invited to attend. There is no cost to attend and pre-registration is not required. Please read Loren Pope’s book or go to www.ctcl.com for additional information on the colleges in the CTCL group.

NHS and CSF Registration

If your student is eligible for membership in the National Honor Society (NHS) and/or the California Scholarship Federation (CSF), please remind him or her to register. CSF and NHS applications will be available in late August.

We wish all La Salle families a restful and safe summer. We will be checking our emails and voicemails on a periodic basis, so please do not hesitate to contact us with any question you may have regarding college counseling.

13

ParentNewsletter

CIF Baseball Finals

The amazing Lancer Baseball team ďŹ nished their season in the CIF Division 3 Championship game against Maranatha High School. The Lancers (18-10) were unranked and unseeded going into the playoffs, yet they defeated four major Division 3 opponents before falling to the Minutemen 2-4 on June 2, at Goodwin Field on the campus of Cal State Fullerton.

14

JUNE / JULY 2018

ParentNewsletter

JUNE / JULY 2018

Seven

Ethan Patrick scores the winning run against Long Beach Poly in the CIF semi-ďŹ nal game.

When you see the icon below, it means there are more photographs connected to the article. Go to the La Salle home page and click the Flickr icon.

It will take you directly to our Flickr photo gallery.

15

ParentNewsletter

JUNE / JULY 2018

From Institutional Advancement

Changes in the World of Charitable Giving

With the passage of the 2018 Tax Reform Act (signed into law on December 22, 2017), several changes are now in effect that impact (1) levels of charitable giving, and (2) the use of 529 Plans for education expenses. Under prior law, charitable deductions were limited to 50% on one’s adjusted gross income (AGI) on the federal income tax return; under the new law, this has been increased to 60% of AGI. 529 Qualified Tuition Plans allow for tax benefits (namely potential tax-free growth) when the funds are used for specified education expenses. Under prior law, these expenses were restricted to post-secondary (namely college) school expenditures. The new tax law allows 529 benefits of up to $10,000 of a child’s (grandchild) annual tuition expenses at an elementary or secondary school for distributions after 2017. These changes are very favorable. However, at this time, the state of California has not adopted these provisions; as such, there could be negative tax consequences (including penalties) at the state level by taking advantage of these new federal provisions.

NEW WAYS TO SUPPORT LA SALLE

There has been widespread discussion of the impact of higher standard deductions in 2018 and how these might adversely affect the tax impact of charitable giving. However, these higher levels of standard deductions also enable a taxpayer/donor to utilize other deductions that might have been eliminated under the law by increasing charitable giving.

The 2017-2018 academic year has drawn to a close, and we proudly congratulate the class of 2018. The recent graduates are headed off to a most impressive list of universities and will be pursuing courses of study representing a wide variety of disciplines. The La Salle High School campus will still be very busy during the summer months as new, veteran and potential future students will be a part of the many athletic and academic activities provided.

In August, we welcome the members of the class of 2022!

The mid to long term needs of our School tell us that Planned Gifts are an integral part of funding for these. A Planned Gift can be one of many different types of opportunities. Some of these more common Gifts have the following characteristics:

16

3

Diversification of one’s portfolio

3

Leaving a Legacy without giving up current assets

3

Reduction of one’s income tax liability and the potential to eliminate capital gains taxes on appreciated assets. With the real estate and stock markets at high levels, leaving a gift of appreciated assets (stocks, securities, and real estate held over one

ParentNewsletter

JUNE / JULY 2018

year) allows for a tax deduction of the full value of the asset while avoiding the income tax hit that would be paid if the asset was sold.

3

Providing current and future streams of partially tax-free income oftentimes at rates that are higher than current conservative market rates

We congratulate the class of 2018 and send them off with our best wishes. Members of our community are very proud of what we have at our School. We should bear in mind the importance of maintaining, nurturing and advancing the foundation of our School and providing an environment to enhance it for the students of the future. Consideration of a Planned Gift is a great way to be a part of this worthy effort.

Please review the Planned Giving articles in future publications of both the Parent Newsletter and Lancer Magazine for ongoing updates in the Planned Giving Program.

La Salle High School can provide more information, both generically and specifically, regarding the benefits available through Planned Giving. For more information, please contact Jon Keates, the Director of Institutional Advancement at 626.696.4344.

WE ARE ALWAYS GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT

If you are an employee of a matching gift company, we would love to work with you.

This is an easy way to raise funds for La Salle.

If you are not sure if your company participates, you can ask your employer or contact Tara Morales at: tmorales@lasallehs.org or call 626.696.4381.

17

ParentNewsletter

JUNE / JULY 2018

Seniors Rule Showdown V Showdown V, part of our Founder's celebration was held on May 11. Following a damp afternoon of pre-event activities, food and desserts, all four classes (seniors; green, juniors; pink, sophomores; purple and freshmen; pink) jammed into the Duffy Lewis Gymnasium for an evening of athletic challenges, games, and obstacle courses. The seniors, once again, prevailed!

18

TO VIEW MORE PHOTOS, GO TO LA SALLE HOME PAGE, LINK TO FLICKR AT BOTTOM LEFT

19

ParentNewsletter

JUNE / JULY 2018

Shown above are some of the 2017 - 2018 Confirmendi.

Confirmandi 2017 - 2018 A special lunceon was held on May 9, for the 56 La Salle students that received the Holy Sacrament of Confirmation during the 2017-2018 school year.

20

Name

Grade

Church

Victoria Garcia Max Esquivel Kevin Lima Isabella Nelson Briana Beddawi Elena Morales Mary Grace Salvatierra Kelsey Albino Erin Simone Collette Allen Brandon Clarizio Giana Froio Theodore Lee Jacqueline Posada

10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10

Holy Angels Holy Angels Holy Angels Holy Angels Holy Angels St. Philip St. Philip St. Philip St. Rita St. Rita St. Rita St. Rita St. Felicitas St. Felicitas

Kathleen Derose Daniel Jose Gregory Pavon Hannah Labbe Eric Rivero Aaron Escamilla Natalia Rodriguez Colin Zavala Alexandra Quijano Andrew Lopez Josefina Alvarez Alexa Buluran Noah Mejia Marcos Vargas Emma Dillion

10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10

St. Bede St. Luke Assumption Assumption Assumption San Gabriel St. Dominic St. Dominic St. Elizabeth St. Benedict Holy Angels Holy Angels Assumption St. Philip St. Rita

ParentNewsletter Name Grade Church Trey Phipps 10 Incarnation Sofia Ibbotson 10 St. Rita Kent Kachigian 10 Assumption Nick Pando 10 Assumption Samuel Jacobs 10 Assumption Isabella Santoro 10 St. Dominic Leo Anaya 10 Holy Angels Nicholas Ary 10 Holy Angels Angel Sanchez 10 St. Ignatius Vitsa Tello-Vallejo 10 Resurrection Nathaniel Lucas 10 St. Felicitas Mika Watanabe 10 St. Dominic Alexander Parseghian 10 St. Philips Gabriel Bohanec 10 St. Rita

JUNE / JULY 2018 Adrian Puga Crystal Ramirez Andrea Flores Sarah Aguirre Gennaka Valarao Nathan Ganguin Carmen Compton Yocelyn Marquez Fernando Urteaga Joseph Rivera Kayla Mena Marco Venegas Oliver Richards Total = 56

10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 11 11 12

St. Elizabeth Dolores Mission Nativity St. Ignatius Holy Angels St. Philip St. Felicitas St. Andrew St. Rita Holy Angels St. Rita St. Andrew St. Elizabeth

Lancer News & Notes New Student Life Officers Josh Ng, President Isabella Chavez, Commissioner of Activities Alyssa Cortes, Co-Commissioner of Rallies Kelli Samartin, Co-Commissioner of Rallies Cameron Agapito, Commissioner of Service Brianna Antillon, Commissioner of Spirit Michael Malicdem, Assistant Commissioner of Spiritual Life

Poetry Contest Winner

Tristan Kuo '19, participated in the Sierra Madre Woman’s Club Poetry contest earlier this past semester. His work is was on displayed in the Main Pasadena Public Library and in the Sierra Madre Public Library.

Girls State

The following Juniors have been selected as this year's Girls State representatives.

Gwyneth Schoenbaum -- delegate, Amanda Feghali -- 1st Alternate and Daniella Gersh -2nd Alternate.

GOOD STUFF TO KNOW

Lancers to Play Softball in Cuba

Jackie Castro '20 and Sophia Sansone '19 play on the same travel softball team and they have both been invited to play in an exhibition tournament in Havana, Cuba in July.

The tournament is called Copa Amistad and their team will compete against the Cuban Junior Olympic team as well as the Cuban Women’s National Team.

CHECK OUT FLICKR FOR MORE PHOTO GALLERIES • Crystal Ball • Boys Volleyball CIF Semi Finals • End of Year Concerts • Junior - Senior Prom • Senior Presentation • Baccalaureatte Mass • CIF Baseball Championship ...and much, much more!

21

ParentNewsletter JUNE / JULY

ATHLETIC PHYSICALS JUNE 16 JULY 7

NEW AND USED UNIFORM SALE JUNE 25

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION AUGUST 14

C���� ���� ������ �������� ��� ����� ����� ��� �����

June / July Highlights June 16 Athletic Physicals 9:00am - 1:00pm Band Room June 18 Summer Program Begins Office Hours: 7:30am to 3:00pm Campus Kids Klub Continues until August 10 June 25 Used Uniform Sale 11:00 - 3:00pm PE Room CKW New Uniform Sale 1:30 - 2:30pm Dining Hall July 3 School Ambassador Training and Workshop 9:00am - 2:00pm Dining Hall July 4 Independence Day School Holiday

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL AUGUST 15

22

JUNE / JULY 2018

July 7 Athletic Physicals 9:00am - 1:00pm Band Room

July 11 Student Life Council meeting July 18 Student Life Council meeting July 20 Final Day Summer School July 25 Student Life Council meeting August 1 Student Life Council meeting All Student Forms and Electronic Signature Forms Due August 8 Student Life Council meeting August 9, 10 Faculty / Staff Retreat 8:00am Campus August 13 Faculty and Staff Safety Training 9:00am - 12:00pm Dining Hall

August 14 Special Schedule New Student Welcome and Orientation Casual Dress 9:00am - 2:00pm Lunch Provided Lancer Armory Open New Parents’ Orientation 6:00- 8:00pm Dining Hall Lancer Armory Open August 15 Special Schedule First Day of School Dress Uniforms with Ties Mass of the Assumption August 16 A1 Schedule First Day of Classes Regular Uniforms August 24 Last day to add/drop class Football vs Salesian 7:00pm Kohorst Field August 25 Saturday Welcome Back Dance 7:30 - 10:30pm Dining Hall Note: Blakeslee Library is closed for renovations until October, 2018.

Summer Athletic Physicals The Athletic Department NEEDS THE HELP OF DOCTORS AND NURSES! If you are a doctor or a nurse, or know a doctor or a nurse who would be willing to help during physicals on June 16th and / or July 7th, please contact Alicia Santos at alownessantos@lasallehs.org or call 626.696.4393. We will also need parents to help set up, sign in, and tear down the examination room. We will need help from 9:00am to 1:00pm; however, any amount of time is much appreciated. La Salle will provide all volunteers with coffee and snacks throughout the morning. Also parent volunteer hours will be awarded.

All proceeds from this event go toward athletic training room supplies (tape, emergency supplies, rehab supplies, travel kits for each sport, hydration stations, etc.) that all of our Lancer studentathletes will use next school year.