The Basis
Patriot High School - Fall Newsletter
Principal's Message
Dear Patriot HS Community:
Welcome to a new school year. The 2017-18 school year starts August 28, and we have been busy preparing the building for the arrival of students. Our school has experienced a great deal of success since its opening year in 2011, and a large part of that is due to the students who walk our halls and the support we have from our community. As you may know, Patriot High School was recently named a Gold Medal School by “US News and World Report,” as one of the nation’s best high schools – the first Prince William County Public High School (PWCS) to attain that recognition. We also rank in the top 3% of all schools nationwide based on the “Washington Post” Challenge Index, 15th in the state of Virginia using that scale, and are fully accredited by the State of Virginia. At the beginning of August, we were awarded the State Board of Education School of Excellence award by the Virginia State Board of Education. We are quite proud of our students’ accomplishments.
In planning for the opening of school, our 9th Grade Open House will be held on August 23 from 5-7 p.m. at the school. Two identical informational programs for students and parents will be presented at 5:30 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. in the auditorium – you only need to attend one. Student schedules will arrive via email on August 24 and posted to Parent Portal on August 25. The first week of school provides us an opportunity to direct new students to their classes, familiarize themselves with new teachers, and define expectations for students at our school. I would ask that you review the PWCS “Code of Behavior” with your child prior to the start of school; it can be accessed here. Parents/guardians are asked to review all first day forms, update, if needed, and return the emergency card by September 5. We encourage you to download the My PWCS app to access digital resources, including information about transportation.
Student sports and extracurricular activities are now in full swing. I extend an invitation to attend one of our fall events, and see the great things our students can accomplish – on the field, court, or as part of the marching band – they are all worth the experience! Student clubs and groups will also start with the opening of school, and information about them can be found here. In addition, student parking passes are currently being sold; please click here for more information.
One final piece of information for parents of seniors: the window for the 2018 graduation is currently June 1-8, 2018. With the end of the school year pushed back, it will be important to plan accordingly for senior events as well as graduation. More specific information about senior events and graduation will be forthcoming later in the school year.
In closing, please remember that the new school year is always a bustling and exciting time for students, and we want their transition to the new year to be a positive one. Should they need assistance, their classroom teacher, counselor, or administrator is always available to help them.
Respectfully,
Michael E. Bishop, Ed.D.
Principal
Middle and High School Schedules to be Emailed to Students
PWCS middle and high school students will receive class schedules via email for the first time. The 2017-18 schedules will be emailed on August 24 to all student household email addresses. Schedules will be accessible on ParentPortal, but only after August 24.
Save the Date: 9th Grade Open House
Patriot High School’s 9th Grade Open House is scheduled for Wednesday, August 23. The event, starting at 5 p.m., is designed to allow rising 9th-grade students an opportunity to visit the school, giving them time to become familiar with the layout of the building ahead of the first day of school on August 28. During the event, there will be two identical presentations at 5:30 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. in the auditorium, which will provide specific information regarding expectations for the students as they begin their high school journey. Patriot High School’s Ninth-Grade Open House will conclude at 7 p.m.
School Counseling Department News
Parents of Transfer Students (coming to Patriot from outside of Prince William County):
The Patriot Ambassadors invite Transfer Students and their Parents to a "Welcome to Patriot" Pizza Dinner on Tuesday, August 22nd at 6 pm in the Commons 2 area. REGISTRATION/RSVP IS REQUIRED. Contact the Counseling Office at 703-594-3628 or boddiegd@pwcs.edu to RSVP .
Follow us on Twitter
Want to keep up with what is happening in counseling? Follow us on our new Twitter account:
@PTHSCounselor
Drivers Ed 90 Minute Teen/Parent Traffic Safety Meeting
Prince William County Public Schools provides the driver education instruction that meets the Virginia State requirements for students to receive their driver's license. In tenth grade physical education (HPE II), each high school provides a minimum of thirty-six classroom hours of driver education instruction. Parents/guardians and their student drivers are required to attend a 90-minute traffic safety program as part of the in-classroom portion of the driver education curriculum. This program requirement MUST be met before a student receives a Driver Education Certificate of Completion card (DEC-Distric 8 card) and during the time the student is enrolled in HPE II. Patriot will hold their meetings on September 20, October 9 (Teacher Workday after our Touch Base) and November 15. Our meetings on Sept 20 and Nov 15 will begin promptly at 7pm. Please check the website for other dates and locations in PWCS: http://tinyurl.com/PWCSMeetings
PE Uniforms Available for Sale
Patriot High School spirit apparel is offered by the Patriot PE department. Our web-store is open Aug 11 - 25th and offers PHS gear in both men and women's styles. Pioneer spirit apparel is great for wearing to Physical Education class and on school spirit days; parents can also purchase items to wear as you support your favorite PHS athletes and competitors at our many different school events and activities. Clothing will be delivered directly to students at school. Samples will be available to try on at the school open house dates.
Math Department News
As we approach the beginning of this school year, it's a good time to get a head start on supplies. Math students at Patriot are expected to have a graphing calculator of their own to use in class, on homework and on assessments. Typically students in Algebra 1 and Geometry find the Casio 97/98xx Series the best and easiest to use. Upper level math students - Algebra 2, Functions, Calculus and Stats students (especially those who plan to study math within their courses in college) - will benefit from learning how to use the TI 83/84 Series of calculators. Now is a great time to check out the different types of calculators available and purchase one before the back-to-school rush, when limited supplies and out-of-stock scenarios may occur. Below are the calculators approved by the state:
CASIO 9750 G Series,
CASIO 9850 G Series,
CASIO 9860 G Series,
CASIO PRIZM fx-CG10
TI-82,
TI-83 Series,
TI-84 Series,
TI-Nspire in TI-84 Plus mode,
TI-Nspire (non-CAS),
TI-Nspire CX (non-CAS),
TI-73 Explorer
Please visit the Math Department website on School Messenger for calculator information and if you have specific questions regarding the purchase of calculators, please contact Lisa Bussian, Math Department Chair at Bussiae@pwcs.edu.
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