Hawk Talk
Peninsula High School - March 5th, 2021
A Message from Dr. Potts
Dear Seahawks,
We are truly thrilled to begin the hybrid instructional model for students who selected that option. To insure a safe and sanitary learning environment, we are preparing the school for an orderly transition. Included in our newsletter is important information that will assist families to navigate a return to PHS.
Please take a moment to review the important content in this newsletter. You will find information about bell schedules, directions for first day back to PHS, and a message from the school nurse regarding safe and sanitary practices while at school.
The translation of the hybrid schedule and tracks has not been without challenges. The primary challenge has been the scheduling of singleton classes—that is classes that are one of a kind—one section, one period of the day. Many of these classes—and we have 45 of them—are filled with upper-class men and women. Another challenge has been scheduling students in our categorical programs on particular days.
We will work hard, if possible, to accommodate families with siblings in secondary schools. Some changes will be possible, and some will not unless there is a willingness for a wholesale schedule change out of some classes. This is not a preferred or desired strategy for solving the issue for families. We are willing to “problem solve” with families to ensure that students have access and to assist families with supervision issues.
Our parent night webinar will be available on Monday at 5:00PM. This will include information for families about a return to school. This will be a pre-recorded video that you can access a anytime that works for you. A similar and jointly produced video about remote learning will be available at 6:00PM on Monday the 8th for those PSD high schoolers who have selected the remote platform for their learning this spring.
Let me conclude with a word of appreciation for our families and students for your patience and persistence during this challenging time. We certainly do appreciate you, and if we can help, contact us.
Sincerely yours,
Joe Potts, Ph.D.
Important Dates
- March 8th- Hybrid Informational Video will go live
- March 8th- Virtual Informational Webinar @ 6:00 PM
- March 10th- No Homeroom
- March 11th- 9th Grade Cohort A
- March 12th- 9th Grade Cohort B
- March 15th- All Grades Cohort A
- March 16th- All Grades Cohort B
Bell Schedules
Hybrid Cohorts
Hybrid Cohorts have been finalized. You can find your student's cohort by logging into Parent Portal and clicking on the "My Schedule" tab on the left. You will see "student track" and it will read an A, B, or C.
A Cohort- Attend in-person on Monday & Thursdays
B Cohort- Attend in-person on Tuesday & Fridays
C Cohort- All remote classes.
Informational Videos for Families
We are excited to share all the details of how hybrid will look at PHS. We have decided the best way to share this information will be with a video for you to view asynchronously. We will launch this informational video on March 8th at 5:00 pm. It can be found on our website, our Facebook page, and it will be sent directly to families in School Messenger.
If you missed the Webinar we hosted about Hybrid/Virtual in January, you can view the recording HERE.
For students who are continuing with virtual learning for the remainder of the year, please attend the Virtual Learning open Zoom hosted by Dr. Potts (PHS) and Mrs. Suiter (GHHS) on Monday, March 8th at 6:00 pm.
Meeting ID: 925 9455 2511
Passcode: 635347
First Day Back Directions
- Student ID- If they don't have one yet, we will get them one on their first day in the building.
- Completed Attestation Form- You will receive these in the mail in the coming days.
- Chrome Book or their own device
- Water Bottle- Water filling stations are open, but fountains have been turned off.
Arrival
- Students will arrive and go through the health screening at one of the designated entrances.
- If students want a free breakfast they will grab one in the commons and eat it in the commons before they head to their 1st period.
- All other students will head directly to their 1st period.
Lunch
- There will be NO off campus lunch.
- All students will need to sit in their designated area during lunch- commons or main gym.
- Free lunch will be provided.
- There will also be some seating outside in the grand stands.
Departure
- We will be doing a staggered release by classroom.
- Students will exit immediately.
Hybrid/Remote Requests
Please understand that with creating schedules for two different platforms, it has limited the options and seats available in all classes.
Library
Now is a good time to look for overdue library and textbooks.
When students return to PHS they can drop them off in the library. Books from other schools can be turned in at PHS also.
If you’re not sure if anything is checked out, check the Bookkeeper online for fines. Once items are turned in, fines will be removed.
A Message from our School Nurse
Dear families,
Our health team is so excited for the return of students to our hallways. Our priority is, and has always been, the health and safety of our staff and students. The success of high school reopening plans is fully dependent on a partnership between staff, students, and families to adhere to the guidelines established by state and local health agencies. There are several strategies in place to mitigate and prevent the spread of COVID-19--including health screening and temperature checks, social distancing, mask wearing, hand-washing, and staying home when sick. These individual measures must be followed collectively to be effective, as no single one is enough to ensure the health and safety of all.
Each building has a COVID-19 safety plan that includes steps each building is following in order to keep staff, students, and visitors safe. The building safety plan can be found HERE. We will continue to update this document as we prepare for hybrid return.
If your student reports any symptoms of COVID-19 before school, they should remain at home. Students that report “Yes” to any question on their daily attestation form or become symptomatic at school will be isolated and a parent/guardian will be called immediately for pick-up. We understand that this can be very difficult for working families, but request that your emergency contact list is up-to-date with individuals who can be available to pick up your student if you are unable to. Below is a resource for indicating how long a student will be asked to remain out of school per the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department guidelines following reports of symptoms consistent with COVID-19. The document can also be accessed HERE. If you have any questions or concerns regarding whether or not your student should return to school, please feel free to contact your school health team.
We look forward to seeing your students and wishing you a happy and healthy remainder of the school year!
Jocelyn Hanson, RN
253-530-4423 (Office)
253-311-4375 (cell)
Virginia Hiser
Health Technician
253-530-4424
AP Testing
If your student has an AP class and you did not pay by the regular deadline, you can still pay up to the final late deadline of March 10th. You will have to write a check out to the high school and pay the bookkeeper in person. There is an additional $40 late fee for each test that the College Board requires for any test paid after the regular payment deadline.
Peninsula High School
Website: https://phs.psd401.net/
Location: 14105 Purdy Drive, Gig Harbor, WA, USA
Phone: (253) 530-4400
Facebook: facebook.com/PHSBEAWESOME
Twitter: @Peninsula1947