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Volume 6, Number 6
PROVIDENCE HIGH SCHOOL 2011-2012 Message from Head of School, Mr. Joe Sciuto Dear Providence Families, Catholic Schools Week 2012 is being celebrated from January 29th – Feb. 4th. The annual observance starts the last Sunday in January and runs all week. This year’s theme for Catholic Schools Week is “Catholic Schools: Faith. Academics. Service.” The theme focuses on three priorities that Catholic schools establish that make them stand out from other educational institutions. Children are taught faith – not just the basics of Christianity, but how to have a relationship with God. Academics, which in Catholic schools are held to very high standards, help each child reach his or her potential. Service, the giving of one’s time and effort to help others, is taught both as an expression of faith and good citizenship. I feel it is appropriate that our Homecoming Week at PHS coincides with Catholic Schools Week this year. This week has been filled with a lot of excitement and community gatherings. The students are excited for the Homecoming basketball games and the halftime announcement of the Homecoming Court, and of course they are all looking forward to the big Homecoming Dance on Saturday night. In keeping with the theme of Catholic Schools Week, our students continue to be taught faith in their religion classes, through Campus Ministry, and through liturgies and Masses on campus. Our faculty recently spent a day at a Mission and Ministry Retreat led by Mrs. Fenstermaker and Mr. Vega. Of course, academics are held to very high standards here at PHS. I am proud of the progress we have made with our Academic Support Center (ASC) under the leadership of Mrs. Muller. This has been a terrific resource for students who seek extra academic help before school, at lunch, or after school. Also, all of our teachers are available outside of class time to help students. I love visiting classes because the discussions are always lively, and students are learning a lot. Lastly, we continue to stress the importance of service to others. Our Christian Service hours requirement was recently due, and we have many students who were honored at a recent Mass who have completed many more hours than were required. I know that you value the Catholic education that your child is receiving at PHS, and we will continue to provide a top-level faith, academics, and service program. Yours in Providence, Joe Sciuto
FEBRuary 2012
The Providence Gala April 28, 2012 Lakeside Golf Club Honoring Susan and Victor Georgino .
Congratulations to all our students for completing the 1st Semester strongly ! YOU BELONG HERE.
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Volume 6, Number 6
Letter from Dean of Students, Mr. Dennis Bullock The first semester is behind us—it left as quickly as it came. This second semester promises to bring both opportunities and challenges to all of us. The construction is proceeding well, and the new buildings will be brought in within the next couple of months. The campus disruption has been skillfully minimized by the construction crew and morning drop-offs /afternoon pick-ups are moving along relatively well (though we must stress the importance of continuing to pull as far forward as possible and dropping off in the left lane so students do not cross traffic). Activity this semester will be about as frenetic as first semester. Please make sure you stay up-to-date with the calendar—as well as the e-mailed updates. One important change that will occur involves the schedules for both March 23rd and March 30th. March 23rd is being reinstated as a full school day—it is no longer a day off. This was done to accommodate an un-calendared event on March 30th: Career Day. Career Day on March 30th will be an all-day event, though notice will be given for dismissal time; the schedule is still being finalized. Since classes will not meet on that day, it was necessary to reinstate March 23rd as a full school day. More on this to come. Let’s have a great semester! Please never hesitate to contact me if you need something or have a question! 818-846-8141 ext. 204
ATTN: Freshmen and Sophomore Parents Dear Sophomore Parents: Mrs. Kuklish, the 9th and 10th grade academic counselor, will be meeting individually with the sophomores regarding their course selections, PSAT, and college choices this month. During these meeting, students will receive their College Handbook and access to our new college and career program called Naviance. Please remind your sons and daughters that they need to be doing the following: • Working to achieve and maintain good grades (C or better) for college admission consideration – remember a D or F MUST be repeated for college admission eligibility! • Beginning to think about college choices and summer enrichment programs in fields of their interest. Dear Freshmen Parents: Our freshmen students have successfully completed their first semester at Providence High School! They are working hard to maintain their grades. During the Freshmen Seminar on February 3rd they will be presented with an overview of the course registration process. Within this month if they are in a focus program additional information regarding the process will be given to them during their class. The Counseling Department will also be available to them after school to field their questions. The college handbook is available for them to review on the College Counselor’s portal site, which we will show the students during Freshmen Seminar. PHS offers additional support for students who need help in their classes. Teachers offer after school tutoring, and peer tutoring is available in our Academic Support Center. If you are interested in having your son or daughter receive the services of the ASC please contact Mrs. Kuklish at ext. 109. Thank you, Ms. Michele Collins Director of Guidance and Counseling (818)-846-8141 x108
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Volume 6, Number 6
Parent Service Hours Opportunities The Blood Drive will take place on February 7th from 7:30-2:30 in the MPR. Each unit will save a life and parents donating blood will receive two(2) service hours/each unit. To sign up please call Mrs. Ashjian, ext.265 The Annual Math/Science/Technology Fair will take place on March 13th in the SAC. We need parent volunteers, cookies, water, and other supplies. If interested in earning parent service hours please call Mrs. Ashjian ext. 265. The Math, Science and Technology Fair Committee needs 20 big-ticket items to raffle among the participating students. We need i-Pods, i-Phones, lap tops, tablets, graphing calculators... appealing items for teenagers. Contact Mr. David Bird, extension 407 or at David.Bird@providencehigh.org Donate to the Silent Auction for Service Hours. You can earn one (1) Parent Service Hour for every $10 in value of whatever you donate. For example, if you donate a $50 Best Buy gift card you would receive five Parent Service Hours. Anything you bring in from soliciting businesses also counts, so you don't have to spend money to get service hour credits. Please come to room 403 to pick up solicitation letters and donor forms. Case(s) of Water (36 Bottles/16 oz.) are always needed. Please deliver the water to the front office with your receipt attached, and write your student’s name at the top. Contact Mrs. Bordey (818) 846-8141 x100 if you have any questions.
Reminder regarding Financial Aid for 2012-2013 School Year
To be considered for financial aid for the 2012-2013 school year, you must submit an application by February 10, 2012. If you are already receiving financial aid, you still need to reapply each year. The application and instructions are available at www.providencehigh.org under Admissions/Tuition and Financial Aid, or you can pick up an application in the front office.
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General Parent Meeting Who: Freshmen, Sophomore, Junior Parents When: Tuesday, February 21st Time: 7:00 – 8:00p.m. Location: MPR Topic: Course Registration Process & College Information Parents will receive hours for their attendance.
BLOOD DRIVE Providence High School’s Blood Drive which will take place on February 7th, 2012 starting from 7:30 to 2:30PM in the MPR. Each unit of blood could save a life and donor will receive two (2) parent service hours. Please sign up with Sona Ashjian ext. 265.
From the Desk of the Dean of Studies, Claire Hickey
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By now, 1st Semester Grades have been mailed and second semester is well under way.
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Any student receiving an “F” or “D” in a course MUST go to summer school (6/257/20/2012) and make-up this course before returning in the fall next year. Therefore, vacations must be planned accordingly, in order to accommodate your student’s academic needs.
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The Counseling department will host Mock SAT Tests Saturday, February 11th. This is a very good way to prepare for both the PSAT (current sophomores) as well as the SAT (current juniors). The PSAT taken as a junior can result in being a National Merit Scholar, which opens many doors to the University of California institutions.
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There is an essential General Parent Meeting February 21st for parents of freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. The meeting covers information related to the Course Selection process for the coming year, particularly recommendations for Honors and Advanced Placement classes. Students have already received all their materials and have begun the process of planning for next year. Parents are strongly encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities, which benefit the students. Parent hours are given for meeting attendance. Parents of seniors need not attend this meeting.
News from Advancement NEED PARENT SERVICE HOURS?? Looking for an easy way to earn your Parent Service Hours? Why not donate gift cards to our upcoming Silent Auction! For every $10 in value of the gift card you donate, you earn one Parent Service Hour. For example, if you donate a $50 Best Buy gift card you would receive five Parent Service Hours. Anything you bring in from soliciting businesses also counts, so you don't have to spend money to get Parent Service Hour credits (we have solicitation letters and donor forms for you to submit to businesses in room 403). Please make sure to print the name of your student on the outside of the envelope you put the gift cards inside, and send them to the attention of Kathy Nelson in room 403. 4
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Volume 6, Number 6
AnimationFest
OPEN TO STUDENTS 9 YEARS + FEBRUARY 16, 2012 4:00 TO 7:00 PM PROVIDENCE HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:
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STOP MOTION ANIMATION FLASH COMPUTER ANIMATION • CLAY ANIMATION SPECIAL GUESTS & DINNER INCLUDED • REGISTRATION IN THE MPR at 3:50 pm
So that we may plan for your participation and food, please respond by February 11th to: Providence High School 511 S. Buena Vista St. Burbank, CA 91505 Attn. Cathy Main 818-846-8141 ext. 278 Cathy.Main@providencehigh
Department of Choral Activities Wednesday, February 1st- Third Installment due for competitions (Check your packets to confirm amount) Saturday, March 3rd – Choir Retreat (Daytime Only) 10:00 am -7:00 pm Wednesday, March 14th – Mount San Antonio College High School Choral Invitational 6:00-9:00 pm.
Chaperones Needed!!! April 21-22 at the Disneyland Resort, “Music in the Parks” Competition Parent Hours Available
USA Biology Olympiad As the premiere biology competition for high school students in the United States, the USA Biology Olympiad (USABO) enriches the life sciences education of nearly 10,000 talented students annually. It provides the motivation, curricular resources, and skills training to take them beyond their classroom experience to the level of international competitiveness. Providence will have biology students take this challenge competition exam on February 9th from 3:15- 4:30 PM. High scorers may qualify to join twenty nationwide finalists at Purdue University from which four will represent the US at the International Biology Olympiad (IBO). In 2011, Team USA achieved the coveted #1 position in the world—a first for the USABO. Please pray for our students and wish them good luck if they are participating in this competition. Thank you, Dr. Harjani, Science Chair 5
Volume 6, Number 6
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Family Pledge Program The Family Pledge Program supports every student, teacher and program on campus. http://www.diamondmindinc.com/providence.html
2012 Winter Formal Saturday Feb. 4 th 7:30 to 11:00pm
PAY TUITION ONLINE! The quickest and most accurate credit to your account happens when you make your payments online by check or credit card. No additional fees are ever charged for this service. Please check the portal and website to access this service.
From the Desk of the College Counselor, Clara Gaitan Senior Parents: The information necessary for Cal Grant GPA Verification was submitted electronically for all seniors. In order to be considered for any Cal Grant, parents need to submit the FAFSA by March 2nd. To check the status of your student’s Cal Grant, please have your student create an account at the following website: https://mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov/logon.asp It is the student’s responsibility to verify their Cal Grant status and to inform the Counseling Department if there is an issue with their Cal Grant Verification before March 2nd. Also, any schedule changes in the senior year need to be reported to each institution to which an application was submitted. Feel free to call me if you have any questions or concerns. Please remind your students to continue working hard this semester. Admissions are always provisional - schools will rescind acceptances if grades drop in the second semester! Junior Parents: I am currently meeting with all juniors regarding their course selections, PSAT exams, and college choices. During this meeting, students will receive their College Handbook and access to our new college and career program called Naviance. Please remind your students they need to be doing the following: • Registering for the SAT or ACT exams • Preparing for the SAT/ACT through various methods: College Quickstart (Collegeboard), books, computer programs or commercial courses • Working to achieve and maintain good grades (C or better) for college admission consideration – remember a D or F MUST be repeated for college admission eligibility! • Beginning to think about colleges. Students should gather information, start a filing system, and plan a campus visit.
Clara Gaitan College Counselor 818-846-8141 x405
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Volume 6, Number 6 Parents of Students in grades 9 through 11 should have received your re-enrollment package. Please take time to fully read all materials. In order to ensure your student’s re-enrollment, please note that the deadline for the return of all forms with your registration fee is March 19, 2012. If you believe something is missing from your packet, please contact the office. If you have any questions regarding tuition or fees, contact Mrs. Green, Director of Finance, at ext 502. Please note that tuition payments begin June 1, 2012. Families choosing the Monthly Payment Option will pay tuition over eleven months, through April 1, 2013.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER: Feb.4th Winter Formal Feb.7th American Math Competition Feb.7th Blood Drive Feb. 10th PHS Financial Aid Applications Due Feb.13th Math, Science, & Technology Fair
Feb. 15th Sophomore Retreat Feb.19th-25th Close Up Trip Feb. 20th President’s Day-No School Feb. 21st Parent Meeting, 7:00PM 9th, 10th, & 11th Grade Parents ONLY March 23rd Full Day of School (CALENDER CHANGE) 7