ParentNewsletter THE LA SALLE
FOR PARENTS AND FRIENDS OF LA SALLE HIGH SCHOOL • PASADENA • CALIFORNIA • NOVEMBER 2017
Principal Ideas Learn•Serve•Lead
Hello. We have reached November and are more than half way through the first semester. Our first quarter ended October 13. The report cards that were mailed home are snapshots of how your child was doing at the midpoint of the semester; they are not final grades. Semester grades, which are given after final exams in December, are the permanent grades and are placed on each student’s transcript. There are six weeks before final exams. These weeks will go by quickly! If your child is doing well, encourage them to keep it up for the rest of the semester. If your child is not achieving their potential at this point, talk to them about what changes they can make to achieve the grades they will be happy with and proud of at the end of the semester. Getting in contact with his/her teachers and/or academic advisors to get strategies for success is also something I would encourage parents to do. This year we added an additional piece of information at the quarter: attendance letters. These letters were sent out to students who had four or more absences from any one period. (Absences for school activities, such as athletic dismissals were not included in the count). Regular attendance in
class is an important element of academic success, so much so that our handbook states students may lose credit for a class after more than seven absences. With that said, students who are sick should of course stay home. If your child does have an extended illness that would cause multiple absences, be sure to contact our Dean of Students, Ms. Osick. However, if your child has numerous absences due to reasons other than illness, we hope these letters could start a conversation in your family about the importance of regular attendance. October Activities October was not only a marking point for the academic program, it was also filled with extra and co-curricular events. I’d like to thank Mr. Ed O’Connor and all the faculty and students involved in student life for a wonderful homecoming week. Movie Mania was filled with school spirit and fun activities. Our community also took part in a number of service activities throughout the month. Through the Boxes of Love campaign, led by Mrs. Kristen Schultz '98, Principal Ideas Continued on page 2
In the Words of Saint John Baptist de La Salle "You must help student to be kind to one another, compassionate, mutually forgiving, just as God has forgiven them in Jesus Christ, and loving one another as Jesus loved them." Saint John Baptist de La Salle Patron Saint of Teachers, c1705 Meditations for the Time of Retreat
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ParentNewsletter
NOVEMBER 2017
Principal Ideas Continued from page 1
BUSY TIMES AHEAD
our community collected enough goods and money to send 102 boxes and a check for $2,600 to purchase turkey gift cards to the organization serving military families. Additionally, we held our first blood drive of the year in coordination with Huntington Hospital on October 25. October also had our first group of junior students attending their retreat. Thank you to Mrs. Paula Moore and the rest of the retreat team for enabling our students to have this important opportunity for spiritual reflection and growth. And at the end of the month Ms. Julia Frisina '11 and Mr. David Soltis '90 accompanied a group of students on El Otro Lado, a border immersion trip done in coordination with another Lasallian school - San Miguel High School in Tucson. Lancer Athletics October was also a busy month for athletics as league play hit high gear. Boys and girls cross country, boys water polo, girls golf, girls tennis, and girls volleyball all finished their regular league seasons, with our cross country, golf, tennis and volleyball teams all moving into play-offs. Our football team continues their league season into this month. Our Rose Queen One of the most exciting highlights of October for our La Salle community was the selection of our very own senior, Isabella Marez, as the 100th Rose Queen! The announcement and coronation took place at the Pasadena Playhouse
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and I was lucky enough to be in attendance at what was definitely an exciting and memorable event for Bella, her family, and our La Salle community. Queen Isabella is the third Rose Queen to hail from La Salle since our school started admitting girls in 1991. (See page 26, 27). Another Busy Month November will be just as busy as the last few months have been. The month begins with a bang as we welcome prospective students and families to our campus for our annual Open House on Sunday, November 5. If you have friends or family with children currently looking at high schools, be sure to let them know about our Open House and invite them to attend. The event is 12:00 – 2:30pm and visitors will be able to get information on all of the academic and co-curricular programs La Salle has to offer.
An additional highlight will be the ability to check out our brand new STEAM Lab and makers space. This special space, which has been under construction since the summer, will be open that day. We are excited about this space and the opportunities it will give our students to learn through a multi-disciplinary, hands-on approach. On November 6th and 7th our sophomores will go on their annual retreat and service days and on November 9 we will have our Veterans Day As-
ParentNewsletter
sembly honoring the men and women of our military. And although Halloween has passed, we will stay spooky at La Salle with the opening of our Fall Play, the musical The Addams Family on November 10. Thanksgiving And of course, like me, I am sure many of you are looking forward to Thanksgiving at the end of the month. This has been a difficult fall in many ways: wildfires have burnt much of our state; hurricanes have swept through southern parts of our country and Puerto Rico, leaving destruction in their wake; earthquakes have rocked Mexico; and we continue to see reports of violence, such as the events in Las Vegas and New York City, far too often. This could leave people to wonder, “What is there to be thankful for?” Willie Nelson is quoted as saying, “When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.” Despite the very real sadness and struggle that our world faces, I know I personally have abundant blessings. Like so many of you, I think my greatest blessing is to be a parent. I am grateful that every day when I come to La Salle I am able to drop my son off at a school where he learns and is well cared for. Thank you for continuing to let La Salle be that place for your own child. I am sure I speak for all of the staff and faculty when I say that I am thankful to work with all of your students whom you have entrusted to our care.
NOVEMBER 2017
Thanksgiving Boxes of Love The Support Our Troops
Club would like to thank the
entire La Salle Community for your support of the 8th
Annual Box of Love Drive to provide Thanksgiving food boxes for needy military families.
Thanks to everyone’s
participation, we were able to fill 102 food boxes and
donate $2,600 for the pur-
chase of turkeys and other
dinner trimmings to allow our military families to have a
Thanksgiving meal together.
An extra special thanks goes
out to Mr. Scott DoVale’s mentor class who filled ten boxes
and Mr. Ed O’Connor’s mentor class who filled six boxes.
May you be fortunate to spend your Thanksgiving Day with your family and friends and enjoy a thanksgiving meal to celebrate your own blessings.
Mrs. Courtney R. Kassakhian Principal
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ParentNewsletter
NOVEMBER 2017
La Salle Matters Anyone who has spent any time in my native NYC knows that there are three major daily newspapers: The New York Times, the New York Daily News and The New York Post. Journalists call the NYT a “broadsheet”, the News and the Post “tabloids.” Like everything else in NYC, there is a pecking order, and a “broadsheet” is considered more respectable than a “tabloid.” So, imagine my surprise when I discovered that it was the “tabloid” Post that published this headline on October 4th:
Moms thank MLB prospect who shielded them from Vegas gunman That MLB prospect is Bowdein (“Bubba”) Derby ’12 and this is what the Post reported: “Jori Apsit Jellison, a California native, says Milwaukee Brewers prospect Bowdien “Bubba” Derby, 23, saved her and a friend during Sunday’s deadly mass shooting, offering his support and staying with them until the horror was over.”
FEAR DID NOT PREVENT NOBLE AND HEROIC ACTION
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Not only that, but Bubba and his family shared their hotel suite with the two women until they could be safely reunited with their families.1 With the recent spate of mass shootings in public places, there has been a plethora of stories describing personal heroism in the face of outrageous danger. We are encouraged by these stories because they express, for us, the hope that, should we face similar circumstances, we would be similarly inclined towards heroism. It’s easier to feel that way when the heroic act is far removed and performed by a stranger we’ll never encounter. When the heroic act occurs closer to home and is performed by someone well known to us, there’s a certain sense of awe – perhaps fear - with which we greet the possibility that we, too, would be able to respond in a similar fashion. That having been said, we can’t ignore the fact that, when so many were fleeing the rain of bullets, Bubba risked his own life in choosing to care for the safety of two strangers. As I reflect on Bubba’s act of heroism, I can’t help but think that this moment of spontaneous reaction to the needs of another person is not learned but ingrained in him by his family, his friends and (I hope) his school (both La Salle and Holy Angels). I am humbled to have been a part of his world since 2008 (and his two sisters since 2000). Watching the three of them grow up at La Salle, I know that his parents, Al and Julie, are the central explanation for Bubba’s behavior as a teenager, a young adult and a hero. Because I have had the privilege of knowing his family for the better part of two decades, I am confident in my belief that Bubba could not not have acted any other way on that fateful night. And yet, he readily acknowledged his own fear:
ParentNewsletter
NOVEMBER 2017
Bowdein “Bubba” Derby ’12
“I remember looking in [my aunt’s] eyes, and it was that look of ‘Are we about to die? Is this it for us?’” That all-too human fear didn’t prevent Bubba from doing what he knew he had to do; which reminds me of Eleanor Roosevelt’s famous comment on heroism: We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up ... discovering we have the strength to stare it down. Bubba has had a lifetime of discovering the strength to stare down obstacles in his path. While I’d like to think La Salle had a part to play in that process, I am convinced now, more than ever, that, in Bubba’s exemplary behavior that awful night, we find the true measure of the School’s success: when our graduates have something to teach us about what is noble and, in the end, heroic.
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
© 2017
• EDITOR, DESIGNER JOHN BLACKSTOCK ’67 DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS TELEPHONE: 626.696.4316 • EMAIL: JBLACKSTOCK @ LASALLEHS . ORG
Richard Gray, Ph.D. President
Transforming Lives Since 1680 1 For more info - http://nypost.com/2017/10/04/moms-thank-mlbprospect-who-shielded-them-from-vegas-gunman/
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EVEN ParentNewsletter
NOVEMBER 2017
From the PArent AssoCiAtion
Community As the holidays are upon us, let’s take a moment to reflect on the amazing community we have at La Salle High School. La Salle is a special gem in our Pasadena community. I recall when my son was in elementary school; he knew more about La Salle than we did as a family. However, once we were brought up to speed and learned about this amazing school community, we fervently committed. So many families have suffered these past few months, whether through the variety of recent hurricanes, illness or the recent wildfires. We have come together as a community to give support to each of these families in our own way. As Thanksgiving approaches, our school community Parent Association will be spending time with family members. Let’s give thanks and rekindle our thoughts and prayers to the amazing faculty, administrators, parents, and students we have here at Meeting La Salle High school.
November 14, 2017 6:30pm Blakeslee Library
At our next Parent Association meeting on November 14, 2017, we will be featuring a presentation on Cybersafety. Our Dean of Students, Ms. Jane Osick, will be providing our parent community with in depth information based on a conference we attended a few weeks ago. Working in the technology securities industry, I thought I knew all the tricks about hidden apps. This event provided me with more insight and was extremely valuable. Every parent at La Salle needs to be empowered with this information. This November’s meeting is our Holiday meeting and will be hosted by Dr. Gray, if you have not had an opportunity to attend a November meeting in the past, or if this is your first, you will not be disappointed. We will not have a Parent Association meeting in December, however there are many events taking place that month. The Parent Association will be hosting our Faculty & Teacher appreciation luncheon. The Crystal Ball committee will be hosting the Gift Gathering party and Student Life produces the Adopt-A-Family Christmas Party. This is an amazing event in which our La Salle High School students and families host underprivileged families in our community. This will be my third year attending this event and I have to say, it is truly incredible to experience the gratitude of the children and families’ attending this event. Lastly, as we make our shopping list for the holidays, please consider shopping at our Armory and using our no cost fundraisers (Ralphs, eScrip, Benefit, amazonsmile). I would like to thank our Parent Association Leadership team, Our Booster Presidents, and our parent volunteers. Thank you for your service.
“By reflecting on the moments of Jesus’ and Mary’s lives, we discover what matters most and what matters least, and a beautifully clarity emerges.” By Matthew Kelly
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Emily Vaughn Henry P'18 Parent Association President
ParentNewsletter
Mont La Salle Evacuation Lifted - Clean up Begins
NOVEMBER 2017
LIVE JESUS IN OUR HEARTS FOREVER
The Lasallian Community of Pasadena watched the Northern California fires closely as the De La Salle Christian Brothers District Offices, retreat center, retirement community and archives in Napa were threatened by the "Nuns" fire. Fire crews concentrated on the fire less than two miles to the north, which posed a significant threat to Mont La Salle. The loss of this property would have been devastating to the Christian Brothers, but we feel our prayers were answered and St. La Salle watched over the Brothers in Napa. Our continued prayers for all those who have been affected by this disaster. - The Editor. October 25, 2017 7:00 A.M. PST, NAPA, CA
The fire-tinged
It has been announced that Mont La Salle is no longer under evacuation order. As of 3:00pm on October 24, Napa County had lifted all of its remaining evacuation orders and road closures, including those for Mont La Salle, Hess Winery, and Redwood Road.
Mont La Salle.
Napa sunset
as seen from (Photo Br.
James Joost)
The ending of the evacuation and road closures will now allow for property cleanup and recovery procedures to begin. While Mont La Salle did not sustain any burn damage from the area’s extreme wildfires, the property and its facilities experienced prolonged exposure to smoke and ash from the fires, resulting in contamination damage. That will require professional restoration, including cleansing facilities and their contents, as well as purifying HVAC systems. Also, general facility and grounds maintenance will have to be brought back on schedule. All work is expected to begin on October 26. There is no definite time frame for completion of these tasks as of yet. During the recovery process, Mont La Salle, including De La Salle Institute (DLSI) offices, will remain closed. The Brothers of Mont La Salle’s Holy Family and Provincialate Communities will continue to stay with other Bay Area communities, and DLSI staff will continue to work online from home. Updates on the restoration process will be given as they become available. The date of Mont La Salle’s reopening will be announced as soon as it is determined. Some services will be open November 1.
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ParentNewsletter
NOVEMBER 2017
Homecoming 2017 Movie Mania was the theme for homecoming Week. Each day featured a movie where students could wear costumes reecting that movie theme. A "Think Pink" rally featuring the band, Pink Lemonade, played in support of "Breat Cancer Awarness" month, and the homecoming rally that introduced the Homcoming Court was held on Friday, October 20. The homecoming game saw dozens of alumni return for the event and to honor the 10th batallion honorees, Kimberly Takaoka '10 and Sterling Shuster '11.
R'Mon Huff, #2
Thousands of students, parents, friends, faculty
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and visitors enjoyed band and cheer at halftime as the Lancers beat Salesian High School 51-7.
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NOVEMBER 2017
Homecoming Court 2017, from left, Princess Natalie Gohrick, Prince Raphael Navarro, Princess Mary Harman, Prince Anton Aritz, Princess Hannah Anderson, Prince Anton Aritz, Princess SoďŹ a Sanchez, Prince Will Dalgarn, Princess Cammy Bragg and Prince Garien Agapito.
MORE PHOTOS ARE IN THE LA SALLE FLICKR GALLERY
Homec oming King an d Quee n, Natalie Gohrick , and Raphae l Navarr o and on their "M agic Carpet" at the ra lly.
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ParentNewsletter
NOVEMBER 2017
NOVEMBER 2017
A SPECIAL EVENT TO HONOR OUR VETERANS
Veterans Honored In commemoration of Veterans Day, the La Salle High School Alumni Association is hosting a special assembly in front of the student body on Thursday, November 9 to honor all members of the La Salle community who have served or are currently serving in the Armed Forces. If there is a member of your family that you would like to have included in this special event as an honored guest please contact Kristen Schultz ’98 in the Alumni Office at 626.696.4362 or kschultz@lasallehs.org.
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La Salle High School’s Veterans Day Assembly November 9, 2017 9:15am La Salle High School Duffy Lewis Gymnasium Active duty military and veterans should feel free to wear military uniforms, as appropriate.
ParentNewsletter
NOVEMBER 2017
LA SALLE CHRISTMAS TREES ORDER BY NOVEMBER 6 • PICK UP ON DECEMBER 8 AND 9
Don’t need a tree for yourself? Help us spread some holiday cheer and support our troops. Purchase a tree for a military family at Fort Irwin in Barstow.
SEE ORDER FORM ON WEBSITE
You only need to buy a tree and La Salle will handle the delivery..
SEE CHRISTMAS TREE ORDER FORM ATTACHED TO THIS ENEWSLETTER
YOU CAN ALSO ORDER ONLINE WWW.LASALLEHS.ORG/XMASTREE2017 ALL PROCEEDS SUPPORT STUDENT LIFE All trees must be picked up on the La Salle field. Trees can be picked up on December 8 from 4:00 to 7:00pm and December 9 from 9:00am to 1:00pm.
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ParentNewsletter
NOVEMBER 2017
NOVEMBER 2017
From the College Counseling Center
College Center News By Tina Bonacci '94, Owen Hou ’90 and Marcia Yu, College Counselors
College Application Filing Deadlines Please be reminded that November 30 is the last day to apply to the University of California (UC) and the California State University (CSU) systems. Please note that both systems make no exceptions for late submissions. In order to avoid frustration, do not wait until November 30 to file electronically. The servers may be very slow accepting files due to the many students filing on the last day. We recommend students to submit their applications before the Thanksgiving holiday. Applications for private colleges are also available. Please pay close attention to the application requirements and deadlines for your specific colleges – many colleges have unique deadlines. Please encourage your student to have a balanced list of colleges that they are applying to, meaning that they have safety, realistic and stretch goals in their list. SUBMIT FAFSA APP NOW
We also encourage parents and students to have a discussion about what colleges are a good fit in terms of affordability. Most colleges offer a net price calculator in their websites that provides an initial estimate in terms of the cost of attendance, as it varies from family to family based upon factors such as family income and size.
Standardized Testing (Seniors) In most cases, the last standardized test date that most colleges will accept in their admissions process is December (December 2 SAT and December 9 ACT). Please be aware that the last day to register for the December SAT is November 2 and for the December ACT is November 3.
Senior Meetings with College Counselors Ms. Bonacci, Mrs. Yu, and Mr. Hou have met with all the students who have submitted their Senior College Planning Surveys to discuss their college opportunities. Please encourage your student to complete the survey if he or she hasn’t already done so.
FAFSA and Cal Grant GPA Verification The 2017-2018 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) has been open for submission since October 1, 2017. Parents will complete it using their financial information from the 2016 tax year. We recommend that the FAFSA be submitted as soon as possible as financial aid funds are limited and are disbursed on a first come first served basis to those who qualify. The FAFSA can be completed at https://fafsa.ed.gov/.
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La Salle has electronically submitted GPAs to the California Student Aid Commission for all our seniors who completed coursework at La Salle.* The California Student Aid Commission is responsible for the Cal Grant program (money for California students attending college in California). Students who submitted the FAFSA will automatically be considered for the Cal Grant. Please see your student’s College Counselor if you have questions about the submission process or about financial aid in general. *Accept Senior transfers
ParentNewsletter
NOVEMBER 2017
Class of 2018 – February 10 ACT During Academic support last month, all juniors were supposed to have signed up to take the ACT at La Salle on February 10, 2018. Please confirm with your student on whether they have signed up and whether they have uploaded their photo. They have all created an ACT account and are able to retrieve their ACT registration information at www.actstudent.org. 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 the ACT this academic year, we will have to bill the cost back to you.
Classes of 2019 and 2020 - College Tours We are offering the following college tours in the spring: San Diego College Tour February 5, 2018 University of San Diego, UC San Diego, San Diego State University Bay Area College Tour March 5-6, 2018 Santa Clara University, UC Santa Cruz, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, Saint Mary’s College of CA
sAn diego stAte
sAntA ClArA universitY
Finishing Each Semester Well Please encourage your student to finish each semester at their best academically. By doing so, students are better prepared for more advanced coursework and for standardized tests, which will eventually translate into a competitive application to their colleges of choice in the future as well as being a contender for college scholarships. Even if your student is a senior, it is still important to be at their best because their first semester grades are sent to private schools they are applying to and all colleges expect that their applicants will demonstrate a strong senior year in high school.
CHECK COLLEGE TOUR DATES
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ParentNewsletter
NOVEMBER 2017
A FUN AND FRIGHT FILLED NEW PLAY
“The Adams Family - A New Musical Comedy” Opening Night: Friday, November 10th at 7:00pm.
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Additional shows: Saturday, November 11th - 2:00 and 7:00pm. Sunday, November 12th at 4:00pm. Thursday, November 16th at 5:00pm. Friday, November 17th at 7:00pm and Saturday, November 18th at 2:00 and 7:00pm. All performances will be held at Porticos Art Space, 2033 E. Washington Blvd, Pasadena, 91104. Tickets and information call 626.694.4415 or send request to dneedles@lasallehs.org
ParentNewsletter
NOVEMBER 2017
From the Arts Boosters
Support the Arts… Drink More Coffee!
MAKES A GREAT GIFT FOR FAMILY FRIENDS AND FACULTY
2017 Holiday Fundraiser to Benefit the La Salle Arts & Media Program
8 Artisanal Blends Including Decaf, Plus Hot Chocolate! Whole Bean • Ground • Reusable K-Cups Available Order by November 30th • See the eAttached Order Form for Details
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ParentNewsletter
NOVEMBER 2017
La Salle's No-Cost Fundraisers Free to you, La Salle makes money, and you earn a service hour! Register ON OR AFTER SEPTEMBER 1st by signing onto your Ralphs.com account and selecting La Salle High School (81179) under “Account Summary” and “Community Rewards.” Ralphs gives back a percentage to La Salle on each purchase! Please ask family, friends and neighbors to participate.
AN EASY WAY TO SUPPORT LA SALLE
1) Register your Credit/Debit/Grocery cards for shopping in stores, restaurants and on line at www. escrip.com. Use the registered cards and eScrip gives money directly to La Salle! 2) For on line shopping, please download the Forget Me Not Toolbar or shop directly at shopping.escrip.com to find hundreds of vendors. The tool bar will alert you if it’s a participating vendor, you shop and La Salle gets money! Virtual gift cards are purchased and delivered within seconds to the mobile app for immediate in-store redemption. While shopping at stores like Wal-mart, Home Depot, Target or Whole Foods, you can download a gift card to your phone and use it at check out. La Salle gets a percentage of the sale at no cost to you! You can also send gift cards directly from your phone to family and friends! Download the Benefit App, select La Salle High School, enter your payment method and start shopping!
When you shop directly at smile.amazon.com and designate La Salle High School as your charitable organization, Amazon will donate 0.5% of your purchases to La Salle. Bookmark smile.amazon.com, shop smile.amazon.com and help La Salle at no cost to you!
La Salle has earned over $160,000 through current and past programs! With no cost to families and friends, sign up today and support La Salle. Please visit the La Salle website under “Support LSHS” and “No Cost Fundraisers.”
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Questions? Please email: Loretta Whittingham - lorettawhittingham@att.net or Emily Vaughn Henry - evaughnhenry@gmail.com
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
ParentNewsletter
NOVEMBER 2017
The Mothers of Alumni Council Invite you to our
10th Annual
Holiday Luncheon, Boutique and Fashion Show
A GREAT WAY TO START THE SEASON
Friday, November 17, 2017 Boutique Hours: 10:00am to 2:00pm Unable to stay for the luncheon? Come by and shop our Boutique for some great holiday items.
La Salle Holiday Choir performs at 11:00am. Luncheon at noon RSVP online by November 14, 2017 at www.lasallehs.org/MACLunch2017 Cost for Luncheon is $50 Charmayne Ealy Mills at charmayne@aol.com or Nancy Larr at nblarr@earthlink.net
Altadena Town & Country Club 2290 Country Club Drive Altadena, CA 91001
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ParentNewsletter
NOVEMBER 2017
25th Annual Lancer Golf Classic October 9, 2017
San Gabriel Country Club
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See all the match and dinner photos on our Flickr site.
ParentNewsletter
NOVEMBER 2017 NOVEMBER 2017
Halloween
TO VIEW MORE PHOTOS, GO TO LA SALLE HOME PAGE, LINK TO FLICKR AT BOTTOM LEFT
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ParentNewsletter
NOVEMBER 2017
Convocation Honors Faculty and Staff By Courtney Kassakhian, Principal
30 Years Donald DesHarnais
Of the many people who have served in varying capacities during their time here at La Salle, I think Donald takes the cake. With Pat Bonacci's help, here is at least a partial listing of the various “jobs” Donald has managed at La Salle over the last 30 years: ·• Classroom teacher – French, Religion and Business ·• Coordinated Bookstore and the purchasing of textbooks ·• Managed every La Salle HS WCEA/WASC over the last 30 years from the gathering of the data to the preparing the final report and coordinating the visitation. He has also been a team member and a Chairperson of WCEAs at other schools too many times to count 90 YEARS OF SERVICE
·• Director of our Advising Program ·• Vice-Principal for Curriculum & Academics ·• And manager of all things related to PowerSchool, as well as all of the other programs La Salle has used over the last 30 years to create and manage the class schedule matrix as well as to collect and share grades. Donald has twice been recognized with the Signum Fidei and once with the Lasallian Educator of the Year award. Thank you Donald for your consistent dedication to our Lasallian Catholic heritage and traditions. La Salle would not have achieved all that it has without his untiring efforts and talents. Donald is an absolute treasure trove of institutional knowledgeand we thank him for these many years of service to La Salle.
20 Years Paula Moore
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Paula has been at La Salle for twenty years. She is such an excellent teacher because she takes the job seriously and treats it as a craft. The time and effort she puts into planning lessons are evident in the results she achieves with her students in the classroom. But the classroom is not the only place she connects with and educates our students. Paula is also a vital part of our
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NOVEMBER 2017
Student Life team. In her role as retreat director she helps students understand La Salle, each other, themselves, and God better. For her work she has been honored twice by our students with the Signum Fidei Award and once by her colleagues as the Lasallian educator of the year. Thank you Paula.
20 Years Jane Osick
Jane is another one of our many titled employees: English teacher, English department chairperson, academic advisor, Farm Friends’ moderator, summer school director, mock trial coach, and now this year, Dean of Students. Jane’s reputation as an excellent teacher precedes her. After announcing her appointment as interim Dean this summer, the most common comment I received from parents was something like, “That’s great. She’ll be a great dean, but we so hoped our younger child would have her for a teacher. Our older child loved her.” Jane is always up for doing anything asked of her and always does it with a smile. She has three times been awarded the Signum Fidei and has also been named the Lasallian Educator of the year. Thank you for your years of service to La Salle.
20 Years Robert Packard
It’s not often that a President gets to celebrate the accomplishments of his CFO – usually they find themselves in a contest between spending money and not spending money – and usually the CFO wins. At La Salle, thanks to Robert Packard’s prudential management of the School’s resources – everyone wins: parents, teachers, and especially, students. The School has experienced a number of dramatic moments – six million dollar construction debt, the double impact of the Great Recession and the Baby Boom Bust and the neverending challenge of providing sufficient resources in order to competitively compensate the people primarily responsible for delivering the Mission on a daily basis: teachers, staff and coaches. Throughout the last 20 years Robert has kept the School’s Mission front and center: he successfully liquidated the construction debt, ensured that the School’s Endowment reached the $2 million mark, increased financial aid from $400,000 in 2008 to $2.6 million this year and never once froze salaries during the Great Recession. Most importantly, his concern for the students entrusted to his care ensured that no family would have to leave the School because of financial difficulty. And, perhaps, the greatest testimony to his commitment as a Lasallian has been his willingness to act as a Student Mentor when that program was launched nearly ten years ago. A Signum Fidei awardee, Robert is an example of why at La Salle, everyone is an educator, some happen to teach. Robert Packard is an educator who teaches by example.
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ParentNewsletter
NOVEMBER 2017
From Institutional Advancement
Year End Tax and Financial Planning in Support of La Salle Through the Planned Giving program at La Salle High School, donors and supporters can contribute to the School’s endowment through one of a number of Planned Giving Instruments. Though this program is supported throughout the year, it can be especially strategic and helpful to the donors and supporters as the end of the year approaches.
The following are examples of Planned Gifts that are typically utilized at or near the end of the year. •
By donating appreciated securities (that have been held for more than a year), properly structured, the donor avoids paying any income tax on the appreciation. A tax deduction for the full value of the securities is also available to the donor. Securities include stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. This strategy can also extend to appreciated real estate. At this time of the year, it is normal to review one’s portfolio to see what, if any, strategic moves are warranted based on one’s own financial goals and objectives. With the stock market continuing to reach all-time highs, the consideration of a Planned Gift of appreciated securities is a part of one’s year end financial and tax planning.
THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO SUPPORT LA SALLE
•
Taxpayers who have attained the age 70 ½ are required to take an annual distribution from their IRA. Such distributions, in addition to the tax due on the distributions, can serve to reduce the tax benefits of other attributes being reported on one’s tax return. Taxpayers meeting this age requirement can transfer up to $100,000 from such a plan to La Salle High School without having to report the distribution as part of one’s income. The provision of this within the Internal Revenue Code was made permanent in 2015, and California tax law also recognize this strategy.
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Making gifts to family members is another estate planning strategy that is addressed as the end of the year draws near. While there is no significant income tax benefit to doing so, these gifts can be an integral part of one’s estate planning. In this process of contemplating such intrafamily gifting, consideration should also include gifting to La Salle High School. Such gifts, properly structured, can provide a significant tax savings to the donor while supporting the long term financial goals of the School in its support of its Mission.
ParentNewsletter
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Funding a Charitable Gift Annuity allows the donor to receive not only a tax deduction but also a stream of income at a very competitive rate of return, part of which is received free of income tax. With bank interest rates hovering at or below 1% over the past several years, the Annuity program is a great alternative to safely increase one’s rate of return on invested cash.
NOVEMBER 2017
Matching Gifts
WE ARE ALWAYS THANKFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT
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Naming La Salle High School as a full or partial beneficiary of a life insurance policy is also a common estate planning strategy. This can be established without incurring any out of pocket cost to the donor/ owner of the policy.
These are some of the common examples of a Planned Gift to be considered as the end of the year approaches. 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.
In Summary 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.
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.
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ParentNewsletter
A WONDERFUL WAY TO START THE HOLIDAY SEASON
Holiday Open House
Please join us on Saturday, December 2, 2017 for our wonderful Crystal Ball Christmas Gift Gathering Party at the historic home of Carol and Mark Forbush P'14,'16, from 6:30 to 9:30pm Ring in the season with music performances by the La Salle Jazz Trio and Holiday Chamber Choir. Enjoy fine foods and drinks with laughter and holiday cheer on this beautiful one and a half acre Estate built in 1925 by the world famous architect Roland Coates. See the La Salle website for tickets and more details.
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RSVP Cherry Andelamo at 626.720.3697, cherrya77@gmail.com or through the website
Admission is $40 minimum cash donation or auction item per person. Includes all food and beverages.
ParentNewsletter
SEE ORDER FORM ATTACHED TO THIS eNEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER 2017
ORDER POINSETTIAS TODAY
Let's Make a Date: May 4, 2018
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ParentNewsletter
NOVEMBER 2017
Bella is Crowned the th 100 Rose Queen
THIS LANCER MAKES A DIFFERENCE “Ladies and gentlemen, the 2018 Rose Queen, our 100th Rose Queen is… from La Salle High School, the 100th queen, Isabella Marie Marez."
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On Wednesday, October 18, seven princesses and hundreds of supporters gathered at the Pasadena Playhouse for the 2018 Tournament of Roses Queen Announcement and Coronation. Senior Isabella Marez is involved in a number of campus activities, including La Salle Student Ambassadors, Student Life, Support Our Troops Club, Key Club, and Unbreakable Club. She is a part of the Hispanic National Honors Society and National Arts Society. Marez also plays varsity golf, varsity softball, and on a travel/club softball team. Off campus, she continues to serve her community as a Youth Ministry leader and Junior Ambassador for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Marez is not only the 100th Rose Queen – she is also the third Rose Queen from La Salle High School. It should be noted that though La Salle was founded in 1956, it has only been a co-educational school since 1991. Since her coronation, Marez and the 2018 Royal Court have made several public appearances at community and media functions, including participation in La Salle’s Blood Drive in partnership with Huntington Hospital. This year, the theme of the 2018 Tournament of Roses is “Making a Difference.” La Salle is proud to have a student like Isabella Marez, who, with her participation in Lasallian co-curricular activities and service to the school and the surrounding community, makes a difference each day.
ParentNewsletter
NOVEMBER 2017
NOVEMBER 2017
2018 ROYAL COURT From left to right: Princess Georgia, Princess Sydney, Princess Julie, Rose Queen Isabella, Princess Alexandra, Princess Savannah and Princess Lauren
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ParentNewsletter NOVEMBER
OPEN HOUSE NOVEMBER 5
PARENTS WINTER SPORTS MEETING NOVEMBER 8
JUNIOR LEADERSHIP CEREMONY NOVEMBER 13
CRYSTAL BALL CHRISTMAS PARTY DECEMBER 1
NOVEMBER 2017
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November Highlights November 5 Sunday Open House 12:00 - 2:30pm Campus November 8 Parents Meeting - Winter Sports 6:00 - 7:00pm Dining Hall November 9 Veterans Day Assembly 9:15am Duffy Lewis Gymnasium November 10 School Holiday Veterans Day Observed Fall Play Openings 7:00pm Porticos, Pasadena* November 13 Junior Leadership Ceremony Dress Uniform 7:00pm Dining Hall November 14 Parent Association Meeting 6:30pm Blakeslee Library Parent Boosters Meetings 7:30pm Campus Locations November 17 MAC Christmas Luncheon and Boutique 10:00am - 2:00pm Altadena Country Club November 19 Fall Play Final Performance 7:00pm Porticos, Pasadena*
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November 20 B6 Special Schedule 6,7,5,4 November 21 Prayer Service Dress Uniform A1 Special Schedule Thanksgiving Prayer Service 9:15- 10:15pm Dining Hall November 22-24 Thanksgiving Holiday November 30 Application Deadline for Cal State and UC Colleges December 1 2017 - 2018 LSHS Financial Aid Applications Available Crystal Ball Christmas Holiday Gift Gathering Party 6:30 - 10:30pm Pasadena Dance Concert 7:00pm Porticos, Pasadena* December 2 Saturday AP Art Show 4:00pm Blakeslee Library Dance Concert 7:00pm Porticos, Pasadena* December 8 Liturgy Schedule Dress Uniform Feast of the Immaculate Conception 9:15am Dining Hall
December 8 continued Christmas Tree Distribution 4:00-7:00pm Grass Field Jazz Band Concert 7:00pm Grinstead Theatre December 9 Saturday Alumni Adopt-A-Family Gift Wrapping Party and Visit with Santa 10:00am - 12:00pm Grinstead Theatre Christmas Tree Distribution 9:00am -1:00pm Grass Field Band, Choir, Strings Concert 7:00pm Dining Hall December 16 Saturday Adopt-A-Family Christmas Party Campus, Dining Hall 11:00am - 1:00pm December 18-21 Semester Final Exams December 21 Thursday SnowBall Dance 7:00 - 11:00pm Dining Hall December 22 - January 9 Christmas Holiday January 9, 2018 Classes Resume *Porticos Art Space
2033 E Washington Boulevard Pasadena, CA 91104
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