January 2016 Lantern by Presentation High School

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LANTERN Presentation High School Parent Newsletter | January 2016

Counseling By MaryLynne Rodriguez | College Counselor

January is a month of “new beginnings” and “fresh starts” that, for many, often includes a promise to themselves to improve upon their health. However, for parents of seniors, it is the beginning of the end, as the pivotal high school graduation is a mere five months away. Oftentimes these months are fraught with nervous energy as college decisions become solidified, and the conversations about how to afford college are center and forefront. This leaves little time for pleasant dialogue, as conversations are often riddled with purpose and intent. A mere “How was your day?” could start an argument, and the hustle and bustle of everyday life leaves us often wondering in May, “Where did the time go?” As I prepare my office and my students for Christmas break, I am going to make a conscious decision to reflect on what I would personally like to work on in the New Year beyond my usual exercise and positive thinking goals. I am going to be more active in appreciating life’s little moments. With both of my young children’s birthdays in January, I am going to savor their last days as seven and five-year-olds. I am going to take time to look them in the eye when they share their latest playground adventures with me, and hold them tight when they wake up at 5:30 on weekend mornings, instead of shooing them back to bed. I am going to savor these moments as I still can.

What's Inside DEPARTMENTS Attendance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Department Spotlight: Social Studies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Red Cross Club. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Community Involvement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . College Counseling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Campus Ministry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Choir. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Theater. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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ATHLETICS Athletics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Home Games Schedule. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 OFFICE OF ADVANCEMENT Board of Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . From the Parent Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fashion Show 2016: Committee Photo Day. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fashion Show 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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JANUARY CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

For parents of seniors, harrowing tales of recess adventures and middle-of-the-night interruptions are a thing of the past. But, take time to ask yourself what it is that you too will miss once your daughter begins her journey. If something did not immediately come to mind, life may have gotten in the way of the little moments that make up the memories we look fondly upon as they walk across stage to accept their diplomas in May. While January is a month of fresh starts, it is also a time to “begin again.” Reminisce on the relationship you had with your daughter when she was a child, and work to recreate those special moments with her while there is still time left to savor. My hope is that when graduation day does come, you will be able to fondly look back on the last semester of her high school career in appreciation of the relationship and bond you forged together.

Follow Pres on Twitter: @presentationhs

To purchase Presentation balloons, go to: http://www. presentationhs.org/data/files/gallery/ContentGallery/ BalloonOrderForm_20151.pdf To purchase Starbucks gift cards, go to: http://www. presentationhs.org/data/files/gallery/ParentsFiles/ Starbucks_Flyer.pdf.

From the Parent Board By Lisa Matthews | Parent Board President lmatthews@spsinc.biz

Happy New Year! Can it be 2016? We hope the holidays were happy and healthy, and you are ready for an exciting new year. The Parent Board gets busy right away with two big events in January. First, the Principal’s State of the School Address is Thursday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. in the Valenzuela Theater. Current and prospective families are invited to hear what Mary Miller has planned for the next year. Among the topics, Ms. Miller will discuss academics, co-curricular activities and future educational trends. Her insight and wisdom are always invigorating. There is no charge to attend and reservations are not required. Then, on Saturday, Jan. 30, it’s time to party during Presentation’s annual Crab & Pasta Feed. This is Parent Board’s biggest event of the school year, and it is not to be missed. This year’s theme is “Party, Party, Party.” It promises to take you back to every great party you’ve ever attended, from New Year’s Eve to birthday parties, holidays and wedding celebrations. We will keep you informed as to what the situation is with crab for this season. Our crab supplier seems optimistic that all will be okay by the end of January. Regardless of the menu, Parent Board volunteers will work tirelessly and always come through with amazing results. I assure you the Parent Board crew will create an event that will go down as one of the school’s best! If working behind the scene is something you are interested in, volunteers are needed before, during and after the Crab Feed to help with decorations, food prep and set-up/clean-up. To sign up, please contact Jane Jeziorski at jjeziorski@presentationhs.org. Don’t forget, Parent Board also sells all-occasion balloon bouquets (birthday, good luck, congratulations and to cheer you) and Starbucks gift cards. You can order a balloon bouquet to be left as a surprise on your daughter’s locker.

The Lantern | January 2016

Or, if you wish to order in person, you can go to the Office of Advancement during business hours. The office is located across the street from Presentation’s main building (the brown house with the white picket fence). I hope to see you at January’s events, and thank you for your continued support.

Board of Trustees By Marc Parkinson | President, Board of Trustees

With January upon us and the first quarter of the fiscal year starting, I feel now is a particularly good time to talk to you about the Board of Trustees Finance Committee. I am a part of this group (naturally they put the CPA’s on it) and I also serve as the chair of the Investment Sub-Committee. Most of our committee members have been involved with the school and its finances for some time. Our Finance Committee members are as follows: • Fred Crary, Chair • Marian Stuckey • Lisa Allen • Harvey Armstrong • Neil Fanoe • Ron Piziali • Donna Teresi • Katherine Georgiev • Mary Miller ‘72 Our Finance Committee helps with the preparation of the school budget, meets with auditors to review our annual audited statements, reviews salaries of our team to ensure we are keeping pace with other schools in the market and much more. Our Investment Sub-Committee monitors the performance of our money managers, the Lohbeck Group. We meet monthly and try to have one of our fund managers at each meeting to discuss investment philosophy and performance. We look forward to a healthy fiscal year ahead for Presentation, and we wish your families a healthy and happy New Year as well!

A Note from the Attendance Office Happy New Year! Let’s start off the new semester with a few reminders from the Attendance Office: • Please remember to call in your daughter’s absence by 9 a.m. The number is (408) 266-1060. • Your daughter is considered absent if she arrives after 8 a.m. Please send her with a note from you. • Absences require a signed note from you when she returns to school. Faxes and emails are not accepted. • In the rare instance when your daughter needs to be dismissed from class for an appointment, send her to the Attendance Office before school with a signed note from you stating the time she needs to leave class and the reason. She will receive an early dismissal slip. • Remember, your daughter may carry some over-the-counter medicine in her backpack, including Advil, Tylenol, cold medicine, Midol, cough drops, etc. The Attendance Office cannot legally administer medication to your daughter, so it is good for her to have her own supply available for those times when she has a headache, cramps or a cold.

students debated various foreign policy options in addressing the North Korean nuclear threat. Finally, this semester we’ve had several opportunities to bring the real world into the classroom. AP Government students experienced a virtual tour of historic Philadelphia, visiting places like Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell using Google virtual reality goggles and software. Freshmen in World History gained greater depth in their understanding of Islam by hearing from a guest speaker from the Islamic Speakers Bureau.

The Red Cross Club The Red Cross Club has had a busy fall semester. The officers and members have been working tirelessly in conjunction with the local chapter of the American Red Cross to complete service projects and activities that will make a difference at PHS and in their local and global communities.

We appreciate your help in following our guidelines; it’s going to be a great semester!

Department Spotlight: Social Studies By Dr. Andrea Duwel, Social Studies Department Chair

In the Social Studies Department, we give students the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning. As part of their neuroscience unit, AP Psychology students mapped the cerebral cortex on swim caps to help them learn the "geography" of the brain. To culminate the development unit, students participate in Baby Day during which they apply what they have learned by observing and playing with little children and babies who visit for a class period. Civics and AP Government students discussed gun control legislation through a simulation of the legislative process during which students played the roles of Congress members, constituents, the media and interest groups.

In response to the devastating California wildfires at the beginning of the semester, the club members collaborated with the Community Involvement Club to bring in supplies (blankets, coats, camping supplies, etc.) for people who lost everything. In October, the club officers organized a school-wide earthquake drill with an educational component on earthquake readiness as part of The Great California ShakeOut. In November, the club members put their baking talents to good use and hosted a bake sale that raised more than $200 for the Red Cross International efforts with the Syrian Refugees Crisis. During the December club meeting, members wrote letters and decorated holiday cards to be delivered to members of the U.S. armed forces currently who are currently deployed and won’t be with their families on Christmas.

We also focus on using theoretical frameworks for understanding current events. Students in AP Macroeconomics combined Keynesian theory and independent research to address a socioeconomic problem in a country of their choice. Modern History students learned about the proliferation of nuclear weapons and followed the Iran Nuclear Deal brokered by President Obama, researching the arguments given in support of and in opposition to the deal. After learning about North Korea's nuclear program,

As the first semester comes to a close, the officers and members are now looking forward to another activity-filled semester including the club’s biggest event of the year: the annual Presentation Blood Drive. The drive will be held on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 in the Marian Stuckey Student Center from 12-6 p.m. Please mark your calendars and watch the PHS bulletin and website for announcements. We are hoping to meet or exceed the success of previous blood drives. www.presentationhs.org 3

Community Involvement I would like to thank each member of our community who donated to our annual Holiday Drives. Whether you donated food, coats, diapers, money or your time, you helped us achieve our goals and ensure that everyone in our community had a special holiday season. We came together to donate 12,688 food items, 21,479 diapers, 367 cans of formula, 19,374 hygiene items, 1,032 coats and blankets, 983 frozen turkeys, $16,472, 2,024 toys, 207 helmets, and more than $2,500 worth of gift cards. These donations went directly to Sacred Heart Community Service, which served 4,000 people this year. Our donations made up 10% of the holiday food boxes and toys given out for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Each year I am in awe of the generosity of our students, faculty and staff, parents and alumni. This year was no different. Thank you for making a difference this holiday season!

College Counseling Happy New Year from the College Counseling office! This semester brings much in the way of college happenings for our seniors, juniors and sophomores. For seniors, January is a key month for the financial aid part of the college process. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) becomes available to complete on Jan. 1. All colleges and universities require the submission of the FAFSA for a student to be eligible for financial aid. Some colleges require the CSS Profile form, which is found on the College Board website, in addition to the FAFSA. Other important tasks for the seniors this semester include completing a CalGrant GPA verification form and submitting it to the College Counseling office (if applying for financial aid), meeting any deadlines that individual colleges have for financial aid applications, and updating their Naviance accounts as they submit applications and receive decisions. Juniors have lots going on this semester regarding college counseling. The college counselors will hold a mandatory collaboration with each junior mentoring group as part of our college guidance. The school calendar shows three dates. Each mentor group will attend one meeting; the assignments are below. Please do not schedule appointments during the assigned time. We will also host four evenings for parents throughout the semester, kicking off with the 4

The Lantern | January 2016

College Information Night on Jan. 27. Please watch your email for more details. For sophomore parents, we will host the Join Sophomore Parent Night on Feb. 10, which is the second of two information nights held with Bellarmine and Notre Dame San Jose. During this event, representatives from UC and CSU campus--as well as from an out-of-state public university and a private university--present information on their particular system. More details will be emailed to sophomore families. Important dates • January 12, 1-2 p.m. Mandatory College Counseling Collaboration: Mentor groups Fields, Garrett • January 14, 2-3 p.m. (after scheduling meeting): Mandatory College Counseling Collaboration: Mentor groups Gutto, Healy, O’Byrne • January 25, 1-2 p.m. Mandatory College Counseling Collaboration: Mentor groups Iorgulescu, Purdy • January 27, 7 p.m. College Information Night for Junior Parents. Valenzuela Theater

Campus Ministry “A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new glorious morn!” On Jan. 13 our candidates for confirmation and their sponsors will meet for their second evening session, which will be focused on prayer. The first disciples asked our savior Jesus Christ to teach them to pray (Luke 11:1); this question is still relevant for the Christian community today. Prayer is an important part of an adult relationship with God. Our confirmation candidates and their sponsors will learn more about different styles of prayer and how to integrate prayer into their daily lives. We ask that you pray for them as well, especially as we approach the Lenten and Easter seasons. Our first opportunity to worship as a school community and receive the Eucharist will be on Jan. 20 at 11:05 a.m. During this liturgy, we will reflect on our hopes for the new year and new semester; we will also consider the areas of our lives where we need God’s wisdom and guidance to succeed. The first of two senior retreats is happening Jan. 25-26. This retreat is devoted to coming to know God’s call – in yourself, through others, in prayer, through challenge and in acts of service. 56 seniors will join us on this overnight retreat to the Jesuit Retreat Center in Los Altos. There are still a few spots on our sophomore, junior, and senior retreats in the spring semester. Retreats are free and open to students of all faiths. Interested students should fill out a retreat registration form (which can be found on the retreat section of Presentation’s Campus Ministry web page). Many blessings for a healthy 2016! Mrs. Foley & Mrs. Calin

Choir

Theater

By Ankitha neelavar '17

By Jim Houle | Performing Arts Director

‘Twas the season to be jolly indeed! In December, the girls from the Music Department ended 2015 with a bang. Their performances in the Valenzuela Theatre and the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph were truly spectacular. The girls really enjoyed spending their fall semester together singing their amazing repertoire. Highlights from the fall season include decreeing samosas as official Bella Voce food, the debut of the all-freshman choir Cantabile, and a lot of great smiles and laughs during rehearsal.

Our spring play this March will be a stylish retelling of the classic tale of two star-crossed lovers, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Spoiler alert: it ends badly!

The girls are back at it again in the spring semester; their performance calendar is sure to impress. The ladies of Bella Voce will start off the year with another retreat to brush up on their skills and discuss and practice new pieces. Soon after, both Bella Voce and Cantabile will begin their Visiting Choir Series at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph. On Feb. 4, the girls will again perform in the Presentation Talent Show. On March 4, the girls will start the competition season at the San Jose State University Choral Invitational.

Auditions will be held Jan 19-20 and performances are March 12-20. Consider this activity as an opportunity for your student to work on a team, speak in front of an audience and polish those cooperation and compromise skills. Mark your calendars to see this classic show, which will be presented with the usual Pres panache!

The audition process begins with our Audition Workshop, held on Jan. 13 from 3-5 p.m. in the Valenzuela Theater. The workshop is open to all Pres students and all high-school-aged boys; it is guaranteed to improve self-presentation skills!

As always, the girls are steadily fundraising for their upcoming performances in Ireland this summer. Please support us at our many upcoming concerts. From all the ladies in the Music Department at Pres, we hope you had a spectacular holiday and, as always, we look forward to seeing you soon.

Dance Team

December was a terrific month for the Dance Department with record-breaking attendance at the Dance Cabaret. The successful show included performances by our Presentation Dance Team, third and fourth period dance classes and our after-school dance program, as well as our Bella Voce and Cantabile choirs. Now, the Dance Team is preparing for its competition season which begins in January. Please join the team on Jan. 30 at Homestead High School for the Forte Dance Competition. For more information and competition times, please contact Sara Fugate: sfugate@presentationhs.org. The Dance Department is also offering an opportunity for middle schoolers to take classes with the Presentation Dance Team. The fee per student is just $50. Participants will attend six classes and perform in our Spring Dance Concert. • Classes: March 15 and 22, April 5, 12, 19 and 25 (4-6 p.m.) • Dress Rehearsal: Monday, May 2 (5:30-6:30 p.m.) • Spring Dance Concert: Wednesday, May 4 (5 p.m. call time; 7 p.m. performance)

On Jan. 16-24, our student-performed production of the Broadway hit Bring It On will begin its run on the Valenzuela Theater stage. This high-octane musical is about high school cheerleading squads and the rivalries and romances that ensue. The cast has been preparing vocals and choreography for months, and the amazing cheerleading stunts should be well-mastered by opening night. This rousing, rapping, back-flipping show is limited to five performances only, so do not get locked out; make your reservations now! Just go to www.presentationhs.org/boxoffice to buy tickets. See you at the theater!

Committee Photo Day Presentation & Co. Fashion Show 2016 Sunday, Jan. 24 | 8 a.m.

Presentation & Co. general committee volunteers: don't forget photo day is Sunday, Jan. 24 at 8 a.m. in the gym. All committee members should wear black dresses. Please arrive at least 15 minutes beforehand to allow time for check-in and the photo line-up. For more information, contact Leah Schnoor, Fashion Show Chair at leahschnoor@gmail.com. www.presentationhs.org 5

Presentation’s annual fashion show returns this spring with Presentation & Co., A Fashionable Tradition for 50 Years. Capturing the timeless elegance of the classic movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s, this year’s fashion show will dazzle while staying true to its mission to raise much-needed funds for the Endowment for Financial Aid. More than 25 percent of Presentation students turn to financial aid to make their dreams of a college-prep education come true. For 50 years, the Presentation Fashion Show has been a key component in keeping the endowment strong for future generations of Presentation girls. Now is your opportunity to join the show and make a difference! Students and families from all grades are encouraged to attend the show and get involved. Become a Show Sponsor

Choose from a variety of sponsorship levels that offer fun benefits, including preferred tickets to see the show! Sponsorships also show your school spirit by featuring your business or family’s name in the Presentation & Co. Fashion Show program and on the video screen during the show. Advertise Your Business

Align your business with Pres by promoting it with an ad in the Presentation & Co. Fashion Show program. A variety of sizes and prices are available! Sponsor a Program Photo of Your Daughter

Put your Pres girl in print in the Fashion Show program. Sponsor a shout-out ad, class photo, sports or club team photo, or even organize a group of friends for a special memory photo. Senior parents –donate to the senior class photo featured as a two-page spread in the program, and receive your own 11” x 17” senior class photo to keep for years to come.

The Lantern | January 2016

Help Fill the Presentation & Co. Wish List

Consider donating cash or a special item--such as tickets to a sporting event, airline miles, new electronics or a stay in a vacation home--to help fill the raffle prize packages. Join the Presentation & Co. Crew

Parent volunteers are needed before and during the show to help with backstage dressing and production. This is an exciting way for parents of younger students to learn more about fashion show. Don't Miss the Show!

Nothing beats the fun and excitement of a live show! Catch the lunch or dinner show to see the latest runway styles, one-of-a-kind designs created by our own Pres fashion designers, the national championship-winning dance team, and students from the Class of 2016. All this information can be found on the Presentation & Co. Fashion Show Web page. Visit www.presentationhs.org/ fashionshow for further information and details.

Happy New Year, Panther supporters! The Presentation basketball team is off to a great start! Varsity earned first place at Lynbrookâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sandi Stober Classic Tournament with wins over North Monterey, Burlingame and Cupertino. On Dec. 19, we hosted the Varsity Shootout and then traveled to the West Coast Jamboree over Christmas break. The season officially begins Jan. 6 against St. Ignatius. Plus, be sure to mark your calendars for our annual Faculty Appreciation Night on Jan. 13 against Valley Christian at 7:30 p.m. Please join us in recognizing and thanking our amazing faculty and staff for all they do for our students. The soccer team has posted seven straight wins to start the 2015-2016 season, including victories over Carlmont, Pioneer, Los Gatos and Leland. So far, the team has outscored its opponents 32-4! The WCAL season begins at home on Jan. 4 at 3:15 p.m. against Mitty. Beyond its performance on the field, the team has also been impressive off the field. The team paired with an organization called One Million Good Nights to provide pajamas and books to children in need. The teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contributions will go a long way to helping the organization with its goal of providing pajamas and books to one million children. Also, be sure to mark your calendars for the annual Alumnae Soccer Game, which will be held on Jan. 2 at 1 p.m. on the Mani Hernandez Field. See you there! Make sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @PresPanthers. Go Panthers! Stacey Mallison Athletic Director

Varsity Home Games Soccer

Basketball

Saturday, Jan. 2 Alumnae Game | 1 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 13 vs. St. Francis High School | 3:15 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 6 vs. St. Ignatius College Prep | 7:30 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 4 vs. Archbishop Mitty | 3:15 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 20 vs. Valley Christian | 3:15 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 13 vs. Valley Christian | 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 9 vs. St. Ignatius College Prep | 11 a.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 20 vs. Archbishop Mitty | 7:30 p.m. www.presentationhs.org 7

January 2016 SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

For complete calendar visit www.presentationhs.org/calendar

SATURDAY

School Holiday: New Years Day

Students return to school Parent Board Meeting, Library, 7-9 p.m.

LAMP, Jenvey Conference Room, 7-8 p.m.

9 First Semester Grades Available

16 Bring It On: The Musical, Valenzuela Theater, 7 p.m.

17 Bring It On: The Musical Valenzuela Theater 7 p.m.

Bring It On: The Musical, Valenzuela Theater, 2 p.m.

18 School Holiday: Martin Luther King Jr. Day

25 Lantern League, Valenzuela Theater, 5:45-9 p.m.

19 Fashion Show Committee Meeting, Library, 7-9 p.m.

26 Romeo & Juliet Parent Meeting, Valenzuela Theater, 6:30-8 p.m.

20 Parent Scheduling Night, 7-8:30 p.m.

27 College Information Night for Junior Parents, Valenzuela Theater, 7-8:30 p.m.

New Year's Liturgy, Miller Athletic Complex, 11:05 a.m.

Math & Science Colloquium, Valenzuela Theater, 7-8:30 p.m.

28 State of the School, Valenzuela Theater, 7-9 p.m.

22 Bring It On: The Musical, Valenzuela Theater, 7 p.m.

29 Crab Feed, Miller Athletic Complex, 6:30-11 p.m.

23 Bring It On: The Musical, Valenzuela Theater, 7 p.m.

JANUARY 2016 The Lantern | January 2016

Presentation High School The Lantern 2281 Plummer Avenue San Jose, CA 95125