Pennridge High School
Proud*Principled*Prepared
A Special Thanks!
I trust everyone is having a safe and relaxing summer! Despite the slower pace of the summer months, everyone at Pennridge High School has been working hard preparing for a new school year.
Every summer I am impressed with the staff of custodians and secretaries who work tirelessly organizing, cleaning, and updating the building to prepare for our students and staff to return in August.
I cannot thank the custodians enough for their hard work and ongoing pursuit of a beautiful and welcoming building.
The same is true of our wonderful secretarial staff. They continue to support our students, parents, teachers, and administration throughout the summer.
Points of Pride!
Advanced Placement Results!
We have a great deal to be proud of, starting with our Advanced Placement scores in all areas.
During the month of May, there were 278 students that took a total of 506 AP exams for 20 different AP courses, of which 84% scored three (3) or higher!
Our Math department outperformed itself with an average score of 4.519 in AP Calculus BC, and 4.44 in AP Calculus BC:AB Subscore!
Our Social Studies department also proved excellent with an average score of 4.072 in AP Psychology and 4.538 in AP World History!
Finally, we had 87 AP Scholars, 9 of whom are National Scholars!
Well done! We are proud of our students and teachers!
Last year we encouraged all students to identify an area of interest and strength and make a personal goal to take a higher level course or courses as students move through their high school career. This year, we'd like to continue that goal and, thanks to many teachers and department leaders, have added three (3) new AP courses for this coming school year, 17-18!
US News and World Report!
We are proud of our students and teachers for being ranked in the US News and World Report for college readiness! Well done, Pennridge High School!
What is SEL?
The goal of the Pennridge School District K-5 Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Curriculum is to develop competence in the use of SEL skills to reinforce social and emotional learning in our students. We strive to accomplish this by providing instruction in and opportunities to practice, apply and be recognized for using SEL skills in the context of a safe and supportive community learning environment. "Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning, 2015)." These competencies have been identified by leaders in child development, education and the business world as critical skills for the success of students.
To support this, the District has identified ten themes to develop the competencies of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making--those ten themes form the acronym T.A.K.E.S. P.R.I.D.E. These themes will be used to shape social and emotional learning for all students in Pennridge.
We celebrate one character trait each month of school to correlate with T.A.K.E.S. P.R.I.D.E.
- September = Trustworthiness
- October = Acceptance
- November = Kindness
- December = Empathy
- January = Service
- February = Perseverance
- March = Respect
- April = Initiative
- May = Dependability
- June = Esteem Building
Samples include:
- Assemblies on various monthly themes
- Daily T.A.K.E.S. P.R.I.D.E. announcements
- Naviance activities for High School
- Advisory period activities for Middle School
- Elementary curriculum lessons
- T.A.K.E.S. P.R.I.D.E. poster display throughout district
- E-mail posters contest
QR Code for the Pennridge SEL Website:
Changes for 2017-2018
Throughout the year, many suggestions came in through the feedback box, surveys, dialogue, and trial & error.
Below are some changes for 2017-2018!
- We have a new location for the College and Career Center in room 354. This location is near the Guidance Office. Guidance Counselors will assist Cindy Lewis in staffing the CCC and providing needed support to our students.
- The audion will be outfitted with new carpet and tables and chairs. This will become a 'commons' area where staff can take classes and provide instruction in an comfortable, laid back environment. It will also be a comfortable area for students to socialize.
- Link Crew will make their debut for the first year at Pennridge High School. Link Crew is a leadership program that welcomes freshmen and helps them transition and makes them feel comfortable throughout their first year in high school.
- The HS will be outfitted with 120+ new digital cameras before the start of the school year.
- The HS will also have a new phone system installed in all classrooms, offices, and common areas.
- Service Learning Pilot will commence this year. Service Learning experiences should be connected to real-life learning, help the students build character, provide students with opportunities to serve, develop civic responsibility and help to create a positive change in the community. Students will be able to sign up for this pilot during our club sign up days in September.
Parent Pick Up & Drop Off Change
Please remember that during the hours of 6:30AM - 7:15AM and 1:40PM - 2:30PM, the main driveway in front of the high school building (runs parallel to 5th Street) will not be accessible due to buses dropping off and picking up students.
Canvas Updates!
We are entering our second year of utilizing a unified learning management system called Canvas. The use of Canvas allows students to have access to course materials and due dates in a central location. Additionally,parents are able to create observer accounts which allow them to view all course information and materials. To create a parent observer account, please follow these directions. Parents will need to have their student help them create these accounts as the student needs to enter his/her credentials. This information will be provided to students on the first day of school. Observer accounts created last year will continue to work this year!
Students and parents can expect that all teachers will be providing key course information via Canvas. This includes the posting of all due dates, the listing of a daily agenda, the use of the syllabus page, and the uploading of handouts as often as possible.
For more information regarding Canvas and the value of a unified learning management system see the Canvas presentation found on the Pennridge School District’s Parent University found on the district website.
Staffing Updates!
- Transferring ~ Scott Ware (HS Special Ed Supervisor)
- Transferring ~ Dave Clark (Math)
- Returning ~ Kim Roberts (Business)
- Returning ~ Darcy Rabenda (HPE)
- Allison Costello (Special Education)
- Joseph Warner (Social Worker)
- Megan Graham (Spanish)
- John Matz (Math)
- Aaron Rapsinski (Math)
- Laura Myers (LTS ~ Math)
- Kelsey Foster (Math)
- Thomas Brucker (LTS ~ English)
- Adam Rabuck (Science)
- Johann Rene (FCS)
- Mitchell Coleman (LTS ~ Social Studies)
- Cody Muller (Social Studies)
- Megan Lankford (Special Education)
- Brent Koch (Art)
- Joshua Nevells (Special Education)
- Chris Durante (Science)
We look forward to seeing everyone in August!
Get Involved and Join a Club!
Class Picnics
- Seniors ~ Tuesday, September 26th
- Juniors ~ Wednesday, September 27th
- Sophomores ~ Thursday, September 28th
- Freshmen ~ Friday, September 29th
Fall Sports!
2017-2018 Important Dates from the Guidance Department!
Important Dates:
- Saturday, September 9 ~ ACT Testing at PHS (7:45 am)
- Monday, October 2 ~ College and Career Fair in the White Gym
- Tuesday, October 3 ~ Financial Aid Seminar in LGI 3.3 (6:30pm)
- Saturday, October 14 ~ PSAT Testing at PHS (7:45 am)
- Wednesday, October 18 ~ College Admissions & Selection Seminar in LGI 3.3 (6:30 pm)
- Saturday, November 4 ~ SAT Testing (7:45 am)
*Future dates/times will be posted in and around the guidance department and building. Please look for Black Board Connects from the guidance department for important information. Also, please visit the guidance webpage for current information.
https://sites.google.com/a/pennridge.us/guidance-dept/
College Planning:
Please visit the guidance website to gain knowledge on planning your future and using Naviance to do so. It's a checklist that is broken down by grade level.
https://sites.google.com/a/pennridge.us/psd-guidance/planning-your-future/college-planning
Some Friendly Reminders!
Fall Sports
- Football starts Monday, August 7th
- All fall sports begin on Monday, August 14th
HS Student Schedules
- Power School Portal will officially open for all students on Friday, August 18th. Until that time, we continue to fix conflicts and adjust schedules accordingly
Laptop Distribution
- Freshmen will receive their laptops during the first two (2) weeks of school in their English class. Schedule will follow.
- Upperclassmen can pick up their laptop August 21st, 22nd, 23rd, & 24th between 7:30AM and 3:00PM in room 304
- It's important to note that Infosnap must be updated and/or completed, including ADP payment or opt out response, before laptops can be released to students. NO EXCEPTIONS!
Important Upcoming Dates
- August 21st & 22nd ~ Link Crew Leader Training
- August 25th ~ Freshmen Orientation
- August 28th – First Day for Students
- September 4th – No School/Labor Day
- September 7th – Open House (7PM)
Early Morning Arrival
Handbook On-line Only
Dress Code Reminders
Student appearance/dress may not substantially and directly endanger physical health and safety, damage property, disrupt the educational process, distract those engaged in that process, or go beyond the community and school definition of modesty. If an administrator deems an article of clothing inappropriate, the student will be asked to cover the article of clothing or change into something that meets the code before being allowed to return to class.
The Appearance – Dress Code requires students to wear:
· Clothing that does not expose underwear or the abdomen.
· Skirts/shorts at the palm or longer when arms are held to the side.
· Clothing that covers cleavage (front and rear), the back, and torso up to the underarms. Strapless tops and spaghetti straps are prohibited.
· Clothing that is free of pictures or wording that contains profanity, vulgarity, innuendo, weapons and violence, or the ridiculing of any person or group or the references to alcohol, tobacco, or illegal activity and clothing that may cause disruption to the school environment.
· Hats, hoods, head-coverings, and sunglasses must be removed by 7:13 a.m.
· Students may not wear potentially dangerous/destructive clothing/footwear, such as rivet jewelry, cleats, ornamental belts, heavy gauge chains/wallet leaches, or choke collars.
· Any special “dress-up” days must be approved by the administration.
Canine Searches
Class of 2018 Information
Grade Level Principal: Mr. Nick Schoonover
Guidance Counselors:
- Ashley Bierman (A-K)
- Jennifer Pennebacker (L - Z)
Administrative Assistants:
- Christine Wampole
- Diane Rock (Attendance)
It is strongly recommended that all college applications are completed before Thanksgiving.
- Students should finalize their list of colleges.
- Students should finalize their resume.
- Students should register for the fall SAT, ACT, or SAT Subject tests, if needed.
- If they haven’t already done so students should ask two academic teachers for recommendations. Students can also ask a coach, group sponsor, religious leader, etc.
- Students should be aware of all application deadlines.
Class of 2019 Information
Grade Level Principal: Mr. Raymond Ott
Guidance Counselors:
- Lori D'Angelo (A-K)
- Shannon O'Sullivan (L-Z)
Administrative Assistants:
- Cindy Paul
- Samantha Pavone (Attendance)
The PSAT will be administered in October. This is the last opportunity for students to take the PSAT.
- Students should study for the SAT by uploading their PSAT scores to Khan Academy which creates a tailored study program based on their results.
PHS hosts a college fair in October which over 100 college representatives attend. Students should review the list of colleges attending in advance and create of list of who they would like to speak to and what questions they would like to ask.
Students should review GPA and SAT admission requirements for each school that they are considering applying to by using the compare me tool on Naviance.
Pennridge High School has college representatives visit the College and Career Center, room 354, on a weekly basis. Students should routinely check the schedule on Naviance and sign up for any visits that they are interested in.
Students should register for the SAT and/or ACT at least 1 time (recommended 2 times) during the spring of junior year.
- The SAT is offered during the months of August, October, November, December, March, May and June. Advanced on-line registration is required. www.sat.collegeboard.org/register
- The ACT is offered during the months of September, October, December, February, April and June. Advanced on-line registration is required. www.actstudent.org
Students should ask two academic teachers for letters of recommendation. Students may also ask a coach, group sponsor, religious leader, etc.
Class of 2020 Information
Grade Level Principal: Mr. David Laboski
Guidance Counselors:
- Yesenia Cuthbert (A-K)
- Dean Behrens (L-Z)
Administrative Assistants:
- Janice Skilton
- Samantha Pavone (Attendance)
It is recommended that students take the PSAT during their sophomore and/or junior year in October.
- The PSAT is a preliminary version of the SAT. It is recommended that students who are considering applying to college take the PSAT in the Fall of their Sophomore and/or Junior year. The cost is approximately $20 per student and advanced registration is required.
Students should begin to consider college search criteria that is important to them such as majors, location, cost, school size, athletics, admission criteria and tuition. Students should begin saving colleges they are interested in under the tab, Colleges I Am Thinking About, in Naviance.
Pennridge High School has college representatives visit the College and Career Center, room 354, on a weekly basis. Students should routinely check the schedule on Naviance and sign up for any visits that they are interested in.
Class of 2021 Information
Grade Level Principal: Mr. Scott Hegen
Guidance Counselors:
- Erik Henrysen (A-K)
- MaryAnn Moffett (L-Z)
Administrative Assistants:
- Brenda Roth
- Diane Rock- (Attendance)
Parents should have access to your child’s Power School and Canvas accounts.
- Power School is PSD’s grading system. Parents can view your child’s courses, current grades, and individual assignment grades in each course.
- Canvas is an on-line learning management system. Students have a Canvas site for each class which shows curriculum, assignments, handouts, and due dates.
Students should get involved in school clubs and community activities and begin building their resume in Naviance including all work experience, volunteer experience, extracurricular activities, honors, awards and special interests.
Students should investigate summer programs such as work, pre-college programs, community service, etc.
Please access this link for more information