The Basis
Patriot High School - December/January Newsletter
Principal's Message
Dear Pioneers,
Hopefully, everyone had an enjoyable Thanksgiving break; whether it was spent with family, resting or shopping—hopefully it was productive! In just a few short weeks, right before winter break, second quarter interims will be sent home. Please watch for them.
Patriot has attained School of Excellence status for a 2nd consecutive year. This is due to the hard work of our teachers, staff, and students. For the 2017-18 school year, our Gifted and AP Scholars program has grown as more students challenge themselves. Every student at Patriot is provided an opportunity to demonstrate success in a multitude of ways. As we move forward with the current school year, adjustments are made in order to assist students with content mastery with a primary instructional focus in all core classes on reading, vocabulary readiness, and math studies.
Several of our fall sports programs and individual athletes deserve congratulations and recognition for their efforts while representing Patriot. Congratulations to our cross country, football, golf and volleyball programs for successful playoff runs. Many clubs have volunteered in the community as they prepare for Operation Turkey by helping families with food donations, holding a blood drive for the Red Cross, and giving to UNICEF. I encourage you to attend a performance from our marching band, orchestra, or chorus. Our talented theatre students recently performed “Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Students involved in these endeavors continually demonstrate their leadership abilities in these successful events.
The success of Patriot High School is a partnership between teachers, staff, students and parents. Please take time to become involved at Patriot by supporting our PTSA and Booster programs. We can do great things when we work together for the benefit of the students in our school. I hope you can join today to support both these organizations that give so much back to Patriot. Recently, PTHS Key Club added a “Giving Tree” in the main office. Teachers have requested small items for their classrooms like colored pencils or tissues. We encourage you to stop by and select a teacher’s name and request to help with the classroom needs of our World-Class teachers.
As 2017 closes, Patriot has great opportunities planned for 2018 as we prepare your children for their future. We look forward to your support.
Respectfully,
Michael E. Bishop, Ed.D.
Principal
Patriot High School
School Counseling Department News
Patriot High School is pleased to offer a new course, "Intro to Law", beginning in the Fall of 2018. This course is the first of its kind to be offered in Prince William County. The content will focus on a variety of law related topics that are typically covered in law school. Students will have an opportunity to engage in project based learning including mock trials and jury selections. Potential guest speakers from the community including law enforcement, lawyers and courthouse employees will be invited to discuss their role in the judicial branch of our government. Any questions about this course can be directed to your student's counselor.
Follow us on Twitter
Want to keep up with what is happening in counseling? Follow us on our new Twitter account:
@PTHSCounselor
Congratulations to Jarrod Haselbauer, Technology Education Teacher at Patriot High School, who has been recognized as a Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Master Teacher. He has been an integral part of growing the PLTW program at Patriot. PLTW is a nationally recognized program designed to expose students to university engineering courses during high school. Mr. Haselbauer is currently the only PLTW Master Teacher in Prince William County.
News from the Key Club
With over 400 members, Key Club has started off the year with tremendous work for the Patriot Community:
· We have raised over $1000 with UNICEF for the annual Trick or Treat that we split between both clubs with a donation of $500 each.
· Students volunteered for STEM at local schools.
· The sales of Duck Donuts at the football games raised $500+ for the Children's Hospitals.
· Key club had their 1st successful blood drive of 94 units donated in October and is looking forward to our next blood drive in the Spring.
Some upcoming events include sponsoring Mr. Patriot in February and other community volunteer opportunities. Thank you to the students and the community for all of their support and help to make KEY CLUB a success.
Patriot High School has nominated Christina Badorrek, English teacher, for Prince William County Public Schools Teacher of the Year Award. The PWCS teacher of the year will be considered a finalist in the Washington Post’s Teacher of the Year Award Program. The committee considers teachers who instill in students a desire to learn and achieve; understands the individual needs of students, encourages their talents, and fosters their self-esteem; demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the subject matter and the ability to share that knowledge effectively with students; fosters cooperative relationships with their colleagues and the community; and demonstrates outstanding leadership. Ms. Badorrek exemplifies all of these qualities and many more. We congratulate her on the nomination!
A few reminders from Mr. Lavely about school security:
- Students should know they are always able to report safety concerns or bullying incidents directly to him.
- Students should not wear headphones during the school day. Why? Because if there is an emergency you will not hear what is going on.
- Cell Phones should be off and put away out of sight unless being used for instructional purposes.
- The speed limit on campus for all drivers is 5 miles per hour.
- At the beginning and end of the school day, please watch for pedestrians and students. You must stop for anyone in a crosswalk on campus.
Patriot Choir News
On November 16-18th, 2017, two singers represented Patriot at the Virginia Music Educators Association Senior Honors Choir. Timothy Nam and Anthony McCombs were part of the 130-member choir who performed at The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia, under the direction of Deen Entsminger (Belmont University). Congratulations to Timothy and Anthony for this honor!
Patriot Singers and select members of Concert Choir will perform G.F. Handel’s “Messiah” on Wednesday, December 6th at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. This collaborative performance with Osbourn Park and Brentsville District High Schools is free for any Patriot student with their Student ID. Tickets must be purchased through the Hylton Center Box Office, located at 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA 20110.
The PHS Choirs will present a winter concert, “Sounds of the Season”, on Thursday, December 14th at 7:00pm in the PHS Auditorium. Works by Grieg, Tchaikovsky, Whitacre, Shaw, and a variety of seasonal favorites will be featured. The concert is free and open to the public.
Digital Citizenship Do's and Don'ts
Do: Build Your Own Brand
Your Internet presence is your personal brand – so make sure you promote yourself positively online and protect your reputation. Only do things online that you’d be happy for your parents to see.
Did you know that 40% of employers admit to checking the social media profiles of candidates when deciding who to employ? What would they think of yours.
Don’t: A person is known by the company they keep. Everything you do online leaves a footprint, so choose carefully who you hang out with online, and don’t break the law.
Don’t forget that online acts such as swearing, racism, insulting others, and posting photos of drinking, drug use, or pornographic material have all cost people real-life job opportunities.
For citation purposes… this information is courtesy of www.teachthought.com.
11/17/17 ASL 3 went on a field trip to Gallaudet University, in DC. The students had a great time visiting the campus!
Patriot High School
Check PTHS Facebook and Twitter (links above) as well as PTHS activities and Boosters on social media (links below) for news and information.
Athletic Information Twitter: @PatriotPioneers
Boosters Twitter: @BoosterClub_PHS
If you are having trouble with the school website, please email us at patriotwebsite@patrioths.com.
Website: https://patrioths.pwcs.edu/
Location: 10504 Kettle Run Road, Nokesville, VA, United States
Phone: 703-594-3020
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ThePatriotHS
Twitter: @ThePatriotHS