www.providencehigh.org
Volume 6, Number 3
PROVIDENCE HIGH SCHOOL 2011-2012 Message from Head of School, Mr. Joe Sciuto On Monday, October 24th, Providence High School and former Vice Principal, Mr. Vic LeBreton, were honored at an awards dinner at The Queen Mary in Long Beach. This 8th Annual Jim Staunton Champions for Character Award Ceremony was hosted by the CIF Southern Section. PHS was represented at the ceremony by Head of School, Mr. Joe Sciuto, Athletic Director, Mr. Andrew Bencze, Assistant Athletic Director, Ms. Karri Kirsch, Director of Advancement, Mr. Paul Kaminski, Dean of Students, Mr. Dennis Bullock, Board of Regents members, Parent Board members, coaches, faculty, staff, parents, Mr. LeBreton and his family, and ASB Student Body President, Saoirse McAllister. One of Providence High School’s most important Core Values is respect. Providence was named a “Champion for Character School” because of our athletic department’s commitment to respect and sportsmanship. The Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Mark Rogondino from Fox Sports, commented that Providence High School has won three straight CIF-SS Liberty League Sportsmanship Awards, and he also cited our Cheer Team’s inclusion of opposing cheer teams, our well thought-out sportsmanship policies, our active administrative support at athletic events, and our athletic teams’ community service projects.
Mr. LeBreton was named an “Administrator for Character.” Mr. Rogondino spoke about Mr. LeBreton’s 30 year relationship with PHS, and his commitment to proper sportsmanship and respect. Mr. Rogondino also commented about Mr. LeBreton’s now legendary daily public address sign-off of “Study hard, stay safe, and God bless you.” It was quite fitting that Mr. LeBreton was honored so appropriately after retiring from PHS last spring. Mr. Rob Wigod, Commissioner of Athletics for the CIF-SS said, “It is with great pleasure that I congratulate all of tonight’s honorees and thank them for their dedication and commitment to representing the highest ideals of sportsmanship and character among the 581 member high schools in the CIF-SS. Our Champions for Character award winners truly represent the very best of the Section, and tonight we recognize them for being the outstanding schools and individuals they are.” It is clear that the CIF-SS has recognized the high level of respect in our community. Congratulations to Mr. LeBreton, our athletic directors and coaches, and all of our Pioneer athletes! Joe Sciuto
NOVEMber 2011 PROVIDENCE OPEN HOUSE Sunday, Nov. 20th 12-3pm Save the Date:
PHS’s Annual Gala April 28, 2012 Lakeside Golf Course Honoring Susan and Victor Georgino
CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUE Friday, Dec.2nd 12-7pm Contact Marla L'Angelle if interested in having a booth mangelle@sbcglobal.net
YOU BELONG HERE.
www.providencehigh.org
Volume 6, Number 3
Letter from Dean of Students, Mr. Dennis Bullock The first grading period has ended and we are well on our way to the mid-point of the first semester. The time is flying by! The kids are settled in, though the activity on campus still seems to go at a frenetic pace. Indeed, we are barreling toward the Thanksgiving Break, but there is much occurring between now and then. The Mock Trial team will be competing in the Constitutional Rights Foundation’s annual Mock Trial competition against 63 other schools in Los Angeles County on various dates in November. The Drama Department will be presenting their production, Rumors, during the second and third weeks of this month as well. Cross Country and Girls’ Volleyball will be wrapping up, while Girls’ and Boys’ Basketball and Soccer will be ramping up. There will be a blood drive and various fundraising efforts for various causes by various groups on campus—from Key Club to UNICEF Club to Campus Ministry. All the while, a great deal of studying will be taking place, and the rigors of academics will surely keep your kids as busy as they possibly can be. If your child is involved in any, or in many, of these goings-on, you can rest peacefully (when you have time to rest) in the assurance that all of these activities are positive in a multitude of ways, and that your child is growing in ways that will make her/him a better person tomorrow. Is it stressful?—sure. But it’s the best stress around. Never hesitate to contact me with any problems or concerns.
Parent Service Hours Opportunities Donation of Case(s) of Water (36 Bottles/16 oz.) are always accepted for our various events on campus. Please deliver the water to the front office with your receipt attached, and write your student’s name at the top. Please contact Mrs. Bordey (818) 846-8141 x100 if you have any questions. Ms. Paolone is in need of parents for the following: Winter Formal – Email her for a long list Senior Lunch & Break Prom Fundraisers/Sales Senior T-Shirts The Parent Board is still looking for an 11th grade Class Rep to serve on the board. Contact Marla L'Angelle for further information at mangelle@sbcglobal.net. The SAC Snack Shop still needs you, and you need those Service Hours!!! Open during all PHS sporting events. Volunteers needed for all shifts. Please contact providencesnackshop@gmail.com if you can help. Homemade baked goods are needed for the Christmas Boutique Dec. 2nd. Bring your donation to campus that morning (include student’s name and grade to receive service hours). Please check the portal, website, or parent newsletter for service hour and donation opportunities.
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www.providencehigh.org
Volume 6, Number 3
News from the Advancement Dept. Advancement is looking for parents to be on our sponsorship committee for our annual Gala. Please contact Paul Kaminski. Paul.Kaminski@providencehigh.org Volunteers needed for Silent Auction committee for our annual Gala. Please contact Vickie Bagwell Vickie.Bagwell@providencehigh.org
Congratulations to sophomore Sam Mouradian! He has been selected as the new HOBY Ambassador to represent PHS at their Annual Conference in June 2102. He was nominated by our faculty in recognition of demonstrating his potential to lead others. Sophomore Marianna Deffendini has also been nominated to represent PHS in the case he cannot attend. Congratulations to both students!
Order Your Providence Sweatpants! Popular with students, and now Parents! The Jerzees brand Sweatpants are knee-length, green, with “Providence” written above the left knee. They’re $15.00 and range from size S-2XL (unisex sizes). They can only be purchased on a presale basis. Contact Karri Kirsch, PE Dept. Chair, at (818) 846-8141 x.608, Karri.Kirsch@providencehigh.org or send cash or check (made out to PHS) and size request w/ your child by the th beginning of homeroom (8:00am) November 30 . They will arrive before Christmas break.
Update from Clara Gaitan, Academic Counselor Dear Senior Parents, During November your students should be: • Completing Cal State and UC applications – November 30th deadline • Completing private school applications • Requesting letters of recommendation as necessary • Seriously researching & applying for scholarships • Taking the SAT Reasoning and Subject Tests if necessary And now a few words for our juniorsIt is time for all of you to begin seriously thinking about your college plans; not only about where you want to go, but HOW you are going to get there!! Juniors should: •
Begin a list - seriously consider colleges and universities you may want to attend. There are lots of resources on the College Counseling portal page!
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Gather information and devise a chart - investigate admissions requirements for those colleges (required tests, required courses, etc.)
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Start a filing system - organize information; review what you have - discard irrelevant material; create a file for individual schools & SAT information, AP information, financial aid information
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Create a calendar - decide when to begin taking the required entrance tests; plan college campus visits 3
Providence High Arts Presents:
RUMORS A Comedy by Neil Simon “Deputy New York City Mayor Charlie Brock and his wife have planned a party to celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary. The list of guests include his team of lawyers, his therapist, the famous host of a cooking show, and a soon to be State Senator. Unfortunately the party never begins because Charlie shoots him self in the head (only a flesh wound) after his wife goes missing. Why did Charlie shoot himself? Where is his wife and why did she disappear? Will the rest of guests be swept up in the scandal? Find out in Neil Simon’s hilarious comedy, Rumors.”
Presented live at The Box Stage II, Providence High School’s new and improved black box thrust theatre built from the imagination up.
• • • •
November 10, 11, 12, 18, 19 – 7pm November 19 – 2pm November 9 – Faculty/Staff Preview Night – 7pm November 20 – Open House Performance – 3:30pm (Free to all Open House participants only NOT a public performance)
Please visit www.providencehigharts.org/buy-tickets/ to purchase tickets. These shows are going to SELL OUT so get your tickets early!!!
Ticket Prices: • $12 Section B Presale – $15 at the door • $15 Section A Presale – $18 at the door • $22 VIP IMPORTANT MESSAGE RE: ABSENCES & TARDINESS In the event of an absence or tardiness of one or more periods, the parents or legal guardians (not an older sibling or other family member) MUST CALL the attendance office line at (818) 846-8141, Ext. 507, EACH DAY of the absence. When a student returns to school, the student must present a note to the attendance office FIRST THING upon returning to school (before attending classes or homeroom), and MUST PRESENT A NOTE signed by a parent or legal guardian. (E-mail notes are not sufficient/acceptable.)
From the Desk of the Dean of Studies, Claire Hickey End of Second Grading Period Look for the Progress Report arriving in the mail. November 16th is the last day for grades to be recorded and put into the Progress Report. This grade will cover the first 12 weeks of studies. NO Conferences will be scheduled this time, so if you have concerns about the grade earned by your student, parents are encouraged to call or make an appointment with the teacher of the subject in question. Spring Semester “Zero” period Digital information Literacy Currently, the required semester computer course, Digital information Literacy, is being offered at the “zero” period, 7-8 a.m. Monday-Thursday. Students should have completed this course prior to beginning 10th grade here at PHS. Upon request, Digital information Literacy will be offered at the “zero” period 2nd semester if more than 20 students enroll. (Note: 9th graders in the Medical Focus Program already have this in their schedule either period 2 or 4, so should NOT enroll in the “zero” period). The alternative is that students will need to take it in Summer School. If your student is interested in registering for Spring semester “zero” period Digital information Literacy, please contact the Dean of Studies, claire.hickey@providencehigh.org
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Friends Against Drugs During Go Red Week the officers were nominated for F.A.D. A special congratulations to our new officers: Lauren Vega, President; Andrew Carrillo, Vice-President; Elizabeth Velez, Secretary; Julie Chambers, Treasurer; Alyssa Hitchcock, Historian. We are always accepting members into F.A.D. - contracts are available on our portal site or on Ms. Collins door.
NOW: PAY TUITION ONLINE Join hundreds of other parents in paying your tuition bill online! The quickest and most accurate credit to your account happens when you make your payments on-‐line by check or credit card. No additional fees are ever charged for this service. Please check the portal and website to access this service.
Fresh & Easy Service Hours! Remember -- between now and December 31, Fresh & Easy will donate $1 for every $20 worth of receipts Providence collects. You can shop at any Fresh & Easy -- Tell friends and family to keep their receipts, too. You will earn 1 service hour for every $190 in receipts turned in. You can save them up and turn them all in at once, or you can turn them in as you get them, and we will keep track. Just be sure your child's name & grade is on each receipt for credit. We consider 1 service hour equal to $10. Based on this formula, you are also getting a little for your time to shop for your family's food! Watch for our PHS Shopping Night at Fresh & Easy-- coming soon. Providence will earn 5% of the total sales of the time period from every shopper AND we also still earn the receipts. One service hour will be given for coming to shop that night!
Ralphs Service Hours By now, your student has brought home a Ralphs flier with a bar code at the bottom to make it EASY to register your Ralphs Rewards card. Take it with you the next time you go to Ralphs -- have the cashier scan it with your Ralphs Rewards card or telephone number attached to the card. You get a service hour, Providence earns money every time you shop. You only have to have the bar code scanned ONCE per school year.
Gift Card Drive Want an easy way to earn your Parent Service Hours? Send in new gift cards to grocery stores, electronic stores, book stores, restaurants, etc. during our Silent Auction Gift Card Drive, which goes through November 18th, and you will receive one service hour credit for every $10 in gift card value (please be sure to write your student's name, grade and homeroom on the envelope to ensure you get the credit). But that's not all! If your student's homeroom has the highest gift card value total at the end of the drive, their entire class will win a "Free Dress" pass, so everyone wins! Here's what one of our parents had to say:
"As a new parent at Providence High School, I was excited to get involved with the upcoming Gala dinner dance/Silent Auction. There are so many ways to get involved and maybe one way parents have not thought about. I recently noticed on my visa statement that I had earned points that I can convert to a gift card from numerous companies, like Von's, Best Buy and Starbucks. I went on-‐line and got a Von's gift card for $40.00. By donating that to the school I also earn four service hours. With busy lives and juggling several children this was such an easy way to help such a great cause." Jenny Breakman, parent of Noah Breakman-‐freshman 5
Volume 6, Number 3
www.providencehigh.org
ANNUAL FALL BLOOD DRIVE Providence HS invites parents to participate in its Annual Fall Blood Drive on Tuesday, November 15th in the Multi-Purpose Room from 7 AM to 2 PM. Parents will receive 3 service hours for every pint of blood donated (no limit so please bring other members of the family or relatives to receive additional hours) Eating a good breakfast/lunch/snack before arriving will make your donation a pleasant experience. The entire process takes about 1 hour. Walk-ins are welcome. However, we encourage you to make an appointment at ext. 206 and leave a clear and complete message stating your name, your child's name and grade level, your contact information, and the time of the day that you would like to come to the MPR and donate. You can contact Dr. Harjani at arjan.harjanimd@providencehigh.org or ext. 206.Thank you for your support. Blood Saves Lives!
Providence will hold its annual Open House on Sunday, November 20th from 12:00-3:00 pm (last tour leaves at 2:15). Please encourage friends and family that are searching for a high school to experience the sights and sounds of Providence!
Open House – Sunday, November 20th Parent Service Opportunities · · · · ·
Set-up 9:00- 12:00 Hospitality 11:00- 4:00 Traffic Control 11:00- 4:00 Clean-up 2:30- 5:30 Tour guide Assistants (Limited number needed)
Please contact Judy Umeck – judy.umeck@providencehigh.org or Rose Piazza rose.piazza@providencehigh.org
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER: Nov. 1st All Saints’ Day Mass Nov. 10th Christian Service Hours due Opening Night of School Play Nov. 11th Veteran’s Day-No School Nov. 15th Blood Drive Nov. 16th End of Second Grading Period 6
Nov.18th Gift Card Drive Ends Nov.20th Open House, Noon-3pm Nov, 21st Fall Sports Banquet, 6pm Nov. 22nd Thanksgiving Prayer Service Nov. 23rd -25th Thanksgiving Break-No School Nov. 30th Noon Dismissal; Faculty Training30t