The Paly Post
Palo Alto High School Community Edition - November 17, 2017
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Vikings,
As we head into Thanksgiving break, let me extend my sincere appreciation and gratitude to our community. I am thankful for...
- our students who have shown empathy, kindness and compassion to others. I am filled with tremendous hope about the future as I listen to student concerns and ideas for making the world a better place for all. I am so proud of our students.
- our hardworking teachers and support staff who always have the best interest of students at heart. I feel so fortunate to work with caring, creative and inspiring colleagues. Our "Paly Family" makes it a pleasure to come to work every day.
- our parents who acknowledge our hard work and effort in the classroom. Thank you for sending the teachers and staff uplifting notes and providing positive feedback. Keep them coming!
As always, I thank you for your continued partnership and support. I wish you safe travels and plenty of quality PDF - "play time, down time and family time" this Thanksgiving break. It's great to be a Viking!
With appreciation,
Kim Diorio
ANOTHER GREAT TURKEY FEAST
WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND CAMPUS?
We survived our first major rainfall of the year with only a few leaks and large puddles. Hundreds of students ate lunch in the MAC to stay dry and did a great job keeping the space clean.
The Library Renovation project is moving along, and we're still hopeful for a January 2019 completion. Fingers crossed the wet weather ahead doesn't delay this exciting project.
Another project you may have heard about it the building of a new student deck near the quad (thank you Benatar family!). Here is a great article in the Paly Voice that explains the design. We're hoping much of this work will be completed over the upcoming break.
MESSAGE FROM THE INNOVATIVE SCHEDULE COMMITTEE
We need to hear from you!
The Innovative Schedule Committee wants to ensure we design a schedule that enhances student learning and well-being. The more informed the committee is by your valuable perspective, the better the result. This afternoon you will be receiving an email from the ISC committee. Please use the unique link sent to your email to complete a brief survey about the bell schedule. The survey is being sent to you and the Paly community- students, parent, and faculty.
Please make sure your voice is heard.
Thank you,
The Innovative Schedule Committee (ISC)
Stay up-to-date on the work of our committee by visiting our webpage which can be found here. You can also send us your feedback at palyisc@pausd.org
HELP SUPPORT RISE TOGETHER EDUCATION
You can support Rise Together Education by making a tax deductible donation. To donate, please send a check to:
Rise Together Education
PO Box 29
380 Hamilton Ave
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Or via paypal by clicking this link.
CONGRATULATIONS PALY THEATER!
ADVISORY SCHEDULES
WAY TO GO FALL STUDENT-ATHLETES!
Here are some highlights from our fall season...thank you Sports Boosters and sko Vikes!
- Cumulative GPA of all Fall Sports: 3.49
- SCVAL League Champions: Girls Cross Country, Girls Golf, Girls Volleyball (JV & Varsity)
- CCS Championships: Girls Golf
- Nor Cal Regionals: Girls Volleyball
- Playoff Appearances by: Cross Country, Football, Girls Golf, Girls Volleyball, Girls Water Polo
- Hosted: NCAA Info Night, Sports Boosters Auction, Peery Center Grand Opening
COMING UP - FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE
It's been our experiences that sometimes a student may have 3 finals on one day. When that happens, students have the option to move one of their finals to another testing period in order to better balance out their schedule for the week.
If you know of a student in this situation, please encourage them to talk with their teachers before final exams begin to reschedule their test. Our teachers are flexible when it comes to accommodating students who find themselves in this predicament and are happy to work with students to make arrangements that will best meet their learning needs. If you need advice, please contact your Teacher Advisor or the grade level School Counselor. They're here to help!
Review Days - Are currently scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Monday, December 14-18 before final exams begin. No new instruction takes place during these days. From our student handbook, the following information includes what to expect regarding Review Days...
"There will be no field trips and activities that interrupt class time, excluding athletics, during the week before final exams. Teachers should not remove students from classes other than their own during review days or finals week. Major projects should not be due during finals. At a minimum, there will be two class periods set aside for review before finals, and no major tests at least two class periods before finals begin."
As always, if you have specific questions or concerns regarding final exams or review days, please reach out to the teacher directly.
9th Grade Advisory - Please be assured that our Teacher Advisors discuss final exam strategies and skills with their students in December so our freshman are well supported in this area.
Food for Thought - extended library hours, after school tutoring help prior to finals and "healthy brain food" between final exams is currently being planned. More details after the break. If you'd like to volunteer or donate, please contact Beth Martin at bmartin@pausd.org and Mary Ellen Bena at mbena@pausd.org.
COMING UP - SOURCES OF STRENGTH NIGHT
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, November 28th, 7-8:30 pm in the MAC. We hope you will join us.
Gunn and Paly families, students and community members are invited to learn about Sources of Strength, the wellness program based on building resilience at both high schools. Our guest speaker for the evening will be Dr. Shashank Joshi of Stanford University, to share his research and knowledge. He will be joined by Gunn and Paly Sources of Strength Student Peer Leaders. Please see our full flyer here.