Providence High School: January Parent Newsletter

Providence High School Blazing Educational Trails

January 2011 www.providencehigh.org

A Message from Mike Collins, Interim Head of School To the Providence Community, January’s school Mass was dedicated to the topic of Peace and Justice, symbolized by the observance of Martin Luther King’s birthday. It was especially touching because of the recent episode of violence in Tucson, Arizona that struck down many who were seeking a peaceful assembly with their elected congresswoman. Such a vile act is diametrically opposed to what Reverend King, and all people who respect life, represent.

As I witnessed Mass and the hundreds of Providence High School students who participated, I was moved by the emphasis on peace, respect, kindness and service, as represented by hymns, our priest’s sermon, and the outreach of our student ministry. How great it is for students to spend formative years in an environment that promotes academic excellence, and the moral and spiritual development of our country’s future citizens. This is what our school has represented for over fifty years, and it must be gratifying to the Sisters of Providence to know that their life’s work is honored in this manner.

Recently, we engaged the services of a research firm to determine attitudes about Providence High School. The survey results will lead to a promotion of our school within the region’s communities.

This “branding” is needed to be sure we are on the right track in our promotion activities. A significant outcome to the survey among our families was the emphasis Providence High School places on the appropriate balance of academics (knowledge), values, self-confidence and perseverance to succeed wherever one’s “personal journey leads.”

We want our graduates to make a difference in the world, as leaders, thinkers, problem-solvers, and as involved citizens. We want our students to be kind, and compassionate individuals, those who enhance life for their fellow human beings. We are thankful to serve Providence High School and its students.

Yours in Providence, Michael E. Collins Interim Head of School

Important Reminders from Claire Hickey, Dean of Studies 

Semester Exams are completed. Report cards will be mailed January 27th.

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Second Semester begins on Wednesday, January 26, 2011.

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Any student receiving an “F” or “D” in a course MUST go to summer school (6/27 -7/28/2011) 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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On January 28th, the 9th and 10th grades will be taking the (ACT) Explore/Plan Tests to provide a baseline assessment of academic progress. 11th grades will participate in Mock SAT Tests. 12th grade will participate in AP preparation.

Seniors not involved with AP courses are encouraged to use this opportunity to work on their Christian Service Hours.

There is an essential General Parent Meeting February 15th 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.

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.

Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Immunization Requirements for Students For the 2011-12 school year, all students entering 7th through 12th grades will need proof of a Tdap booster shot before starting school. This requirement:   

Begins July 1, 2011.

Applies to all public and private schools.

Does not affect students enrolled in summer school.

From the Advancement Office: 

A big thank you to all who have contributed to the Providence Fund! You are helping to provide much needed tuition assistance. It’s still not too late for those of you who still wish to give! All donations are tax deductible.

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If you’d like to establish a “Named Scholarship” please contact Paul Kaminski at ext. 402

Sponsors Needed!

Did you know that PHS has a robotics club?

Pioneer Robotics made its debut this fall. A team of students will be competing in this year’s Botball competition in San Diego on March 19th.

The challenge is to build a robot that can complete several different tasks, in a limited time, given spatial parameters. There is also a documentation portion of the contest. If you are interested in sponsoring Pioneer Robotics, please contact Mrs. Susan Beckenham at ext. 201.

Go Nerds!

In Praise of Providence Who Says We’re Never Going To Use This Stuff ?

If I had a nickel for every time I heard math students say, “When are we ever gonna use this stuff” I could retire tomorrow. It seems that as long as there has been higher math, students have complained about its lack of practical application. This is really a shame too, because algebra and its siblings, geometry and calculus, are all very much sought after in the modern business world. Where education seems to have failed is in making this connection for our students. Too often math has been presented in a theoretical vacuum, concentrating on the function rather than the application. Fortunately, we at Providence have teachers and department chairs that have a different vision and methodology.

I had occasion to substitute in Mr. Shaikh’s Calculus class on a day in which students were presenting their math projects.

The experience was amazing to say the least. Rather than dry and theoretical presentations, all of the students had managed to intertwine their work in calculus with creative, real-world application. One group researched and presented an equation that forecast the point of diminishing return on advertising versus unit sales. The entire presentation was steeped in terminology and concepts taken from their economics class and then melded with what they had learned in calculus class.

Another group researched and then employed an equation that permitted them to determine the best price point for a line of jeans they were selling in a theoretical business they had created. When asked to explain the process, they deftly used the ideas and terminology they had learned in economics to show how they arrived at the best price. A third group mixed chemistry with their calculus project. They tried to develop an equation that would prove that water cools from boiling to room temperature at a standard and therefore predictable rate (they correctly called it exothermic exchange). They ended up proving that it does not. The fact that their thesis was incorrect is not nearly so important as the fact that their methodology and equation was spot on.

Industry, retail sales, politics, civic planning, they all use the same skill sets and knowledge these students were demonstrating. This is an important concept to grasp and these students clearly had. What’s even more important is that they obviously enjoyed the process. To a person, they were all happy, excited and very proud of what they had done. This is what effective, holistic education is all about and I’m more than a little proud to say it’s going on every day at Providence High.

Reece Talley, Dean of Faculty

Counseling Corner Seniors Parents, Well, by now college applications are almost completed and mailed in! Congratulations - to you and your student!! It is, as you have seen, quite a process.

Some colleges have begun to notify applicants of admission status. But most colleges and universities will send their letters beginning in March. The UC schools will notify students from March 1 - March 31 (UCLA and Berkeley most likely at the end of March). Private schools vary in their notification times. So, now is time for patience!

Your student should be continuing to: 

Study hard and achieve good grades (all admissions are provisional - final admission is dependent on final grades!)

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Search for scholarships - search the internet, and watch for announcements in the media and at school through the scholarship newsletter

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Complete and mail FAFSA and CSS forms - the deadline is March 2nd!! PHS will submit all GPA’s for Cal Grant consideration electronically.

Junior Parents, If you did not attend the PSAT presentation, please send your student to pick up their results. I will be meeting with all juniors individually in February, to explain the PSAT, college entrance exams and select courses for next year.

Clara Gaitan 11th & 12th grade Counselor

Earn Your Service Hours by Donating to the Silent Auction!

Be creative - what would you like to bid on?

Items that generate the highest bids:   

A week at a Time Share or Vacation Property Private tour of Movie Studio Lunch with a celebrity on the set of a movie or television show

Gift Cards for :   

Entertainment Ideas:

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The Pantages Theatre

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Center Theatre Group

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The Hollywood Bowl

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Gibson Amphitheatre

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The Greek Theatre

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Disney Concert Hall

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Movie Theatres

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Amusement Parks

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Miscellaneous:    

Please include a completed donation form (see opposite page) and sales receipt with your gift, and bring them to the Advancement Department in room 403. You’ll receive one service hour for every $10 in value.

Best Buy Macy’s Nordstrom Pottery Barn Sephora Urban Outfitters William Sonoma Sur La Table Your favorite stores

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Jewelry Day Spa gift certificates Restaurant gift cards Digital cameras Cooking classes Photography classes Singing or acting lessons Landscaping services Plumbing or other services

Providence HIGH SCHOOL

2011

Celebrating our school …celebrating our community Saturday, April 9th, 2011

Donor Form Donor Name: Student Name: Email: Address: City: Home Phone:

State:

Zip: Cell Phone:

DONATION DESCRIPTION FOR AUCTION CATALOG

Value: $

Expiration date:

PLEASE ENCLOSE THIS FORM WITH YOUR DONATION AND BRING TO:

PROVIDENCE HIGH SCHOOL Office of Advancement, Room 403 Questions? Please call Kathy Nelson at: (818) 846-8141 ext. 409 WE WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT IF YOU WOULD SEND YOUR ITEM BY MARCH 13th

Thank you for your support!

Parent Service Hour Opportunities 

General reminder for parents: Service Hours for the 2010-2011 School Year are due to be completed by March 31, 2011. Involvement in fewer than 40 hours will result in a billing of $10.00 for each hour less than the requirement.

Current Service Hour opportunities can be viewed on the following: ○ Portal under the Parents tab - “Announcements for Parents” http://portal.phscampus.org/parents/Pages/default.aspx ○ Public Website under the Parents tab - “Parent Service Opportunities” http://www.providencehigh.org/apps/news/index.jsp?id=5

Please call Mrs. Bordey at (818) 846-8141 x100 if you have any questions. Thank you for your support! 

Ms. Paolone and the Senior Class officers need help with Winter Formal Donations.

If interested, please see the PHS public website, www.providencehigh.org for the announcement posted there. Please read the announcement carefully, as it states who to contact for which item(s) you want to donate, when and where to drop it/them off and how to turn in your receipts.

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The Math/Science Fair will take place on Tuesday, March 22, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. in the SAC. If you need service hours and would like to volunteer to help, or would like to bring cookies, water or supplies please call Susana Bordey ext. 100 or Sona Ashjian ext.265.

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The Art One classes will be starting their papier mache projects soon. They need: Vano Liquid Starch (it seems Smart and Final is the only place you can buy it), newspapers, plastic bowls, and paper cups. Please email Ms. Cathy Main for more information at: Cathy.Main@providencehigh.org

Providence Dance Information from Mr. LeBreton Dance Hours: PHS school dances begin at 7:30 and end at 11:00. Students arriving on their own must arrive by 9:00 and may not leave before 10:30. (This does not apply to students who are dropped off or picked up by their parents.)

Students are to vacate the school premises within 15 minutes after a dance. It is an imposition on faculty chaperons when they have to wait around for stragglers to be picked up after dances. Please be considerate in this regard.

Dance Attire: As was stated in the letter to all parents of PHS young ladies in December: Dresses are to be at least mid thigh, meaning not shorter than the tips of the fingers, and may not be too tight or revealing. Spandex type materials are likely to make the dress/skirt unacceptable. Plunging necklines, bare middles or side cut-outs are not allowed. A committee of faculty and staff will be at the entrance to judge whether questionable dresses are admissible.

Save The Dates Providence

Please join us for a reception welcoming

HIGH

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SCHOOL

2011

Providence High School’s New Head of School

Celebrating our school …celebrating our community

Sunday, February 13th, 2011 2:00 - 4:00 pm

The 2011 Providence High School Gala will be held Saturday, April 9, 2011 at Lakeside Golf Club in Toluca Lake.

Mark your calendars now!

In the Multi Purpose Room

DATES TO REMEMBER

DATE:

EVENT:

DATE:

January 21-25

Semester Break

February 14

January 26

Second semester begins

Noon Dismissal Faculty/Staff In‐Service

February 15

January 27

Grades will be mailed

General Parent meeting for: 9th, 10th & 11th grade parents 7:00 p.m. MPR & AUD.

February 1

Junior Retreat

February 5

Winter Formal Homecoming Dance 7:30 ‐ 11:00 p.m.

February 16

Animation Fest 4:00 ‐ 7:00 p.m.

MPR & QUAD

Blood Drive 7 a.m. ‐ 2 p.m. MPR

February 8

EVENT:

February 21

School closed President’s Day

February 24

Christian Service Hours due

Parent Board mtg.

7:00 p.m. MPR February 28 February 13

Reception for Joe Sciuto, incoming Head of School 2:00 ‐ 4:00 p.m. MPR

Hawaiian Raffle Tickets due

Winter Sports Banquet 6:00 p.m.

AUD, SAC, MPR & Quad