Connect with PHS
A weekly newsletter - August 21, 2020
A message from Ameka Hunt, Principal of PHS
Dear Pflugerville Panthers,
Virtual learning is well underway. I want to commend all of our parents for the amazing job navigating virtual learning. This parent newsletter will be sent every Friday. It contains resources and useful information that will support you throughout this school year. Please continue reading the newsletter to stay connected to the most updated information.
Update: Attendance
OOPS! If you received an automated phone call about your student being a “No Show” and you know that your student has been in attendance, please know that this call went out in error.
This is, however, a perfect opportunity for parents and students to take a moment and check attendance in Skyward. The attendance icon is once again available!
If your student was absent from class, please know that parents, guardians and medical offices can email excuse notes to cathy.martinez@pfisd.net or fax to 512-594-0505. Please be sure to include the student name and ID in the email/fax.
We do apologize for the error and hope you have a great Panther Weekend.
Important: Parents, Please Complete the Online Verification to Register Returning Students
Our online verification process for the upcoming school year is available online for all campuses. We are requesting that you complete two forms for School Year 20-21 available online through the Skyward Parent Portal. The Student Verification and Student Health forms for School Year 20-21 will replace our traditional end-of-year paperwork and first day of school packets.
Please access your Skyward Family Access account to complete the forms. Forms should be completed by Tuesday, September 1.
Anyone needing a Skyward Family Access account or with additional questions should contact Skyward support at parentportal@pfisd.net or their campus registrar by email. Please include your name, your student’s name, and your student’s school on the email to the parent portal. Please ensure that you log on using the Parent Portal and not the Student Portal. Families may translate the forms using Google Translate. (Google Translate instructions here)
Reduced-Price Internet for Qualifying Families
The Spectrum Internet Assist program is offering help with reduced-price internet service for families who qualify with free/reduced lunch, Medicaid or SNAP Benefits, or Over 65 on SSI. Click here for information on Spectrum's webpage.
If you would like to have assistance in submitting the form, including proof of eligibility, please contact Ana Bowie at Ana.Bowie@pfisd.net or Kristen Hernandez at Kristen.Hernandez@pfisd.net.
Stay Safe! Top TIps from Donna Bartko, Nurse at PHS
Remember the three W’s!!
WASH your hands
WATCH your distance
WEAR your mask
Stay well and have a great Panther year!
School Supplies for Qualifying Families
Attention Parents: The District is hosting a drive-through school supply distribution for students receiving free or reduced lunch on August 26 from 12:00-2:00 and from 3:00-7:00 at the Pfield. Please see the flyer below for details.
For more information, please contact Ana Bowie, Social Worker at PHS: 512-594-0539
Parents - Digital Learning Video
Parents,
Need help opting in to receive Summaries on Google Classroom? Please click here for a video showing how to receive Guardian Summaries on Google Classroom.
If you would like to view slides of the presentation, click here.
Our Digital Learning Instructional Coach, Meg Jameson, provides Digital Tips each week for parents. Be sure to read next week's newsletter for new information that will help you support your student's virtual learning.
Sleeves for Chromebooks
If you did not receive a sleeve for the Chromebook at distribution last week, they have arrived. Students can pick up sleeves and Chromebooks outside the PHS Front Office on Friday & Monday Aug. 21 & 24, 8:30am-4:15pm. After that, contact Laura Owen for an appointment at Laura.Owen@Pfisd.net
From our Counseling Staff
Panther Families,
If you are wanting to set up an appointment with your school counselor, social worker or college and career advisor, please feel free to fill out this form. For general questions, you are always welcome to email us. Please visit our counselor webpage for links to our emails and lots of other great resources.
Click here for the Counselor Visit/Meeting Request Form
Click here for the PHS Counseling Team Webpage
Additional contacts:
College/Career Counselor: Nicholas Howell - Nicholas.Howell@pfisd.net 512 594 0527
Social Worker: Ana Bowie - Ana.Bowie@pfisd.net 512 594 0539
SPED Coordinator: Valorie Salcido - Valorie.Salcido@pfisd.net 512 594 0578
ARD Facilitator: Crystal Beck - Crystal.Beck@pfisd.net 512 594 0576
LSSP: Becky Luquire - Rebecca.Luquire@pfisd.net 512 594 0602
504 Coordinator: Margaret Wofford - Margaret.Wofford@pfisd.net 512 594 0544
From our College and Career Counselor
Hello Panthers! Here's the latest from the College and Career corner:
College Application Presentation (all families) – PHS will be hosting a virtual College Application Presentation on August 25th, 2020 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm. During this event students can learn more about the college application process, scholarship opportunities, hear from our special guest (Rice University & The University of Alabama), and learn about the My Brother’s Keeper and College Forward programs. I highly encourage all families join us, as the college application process has changed for this year. You must register by visiting this website.
College and Career Website (all families) – The College and Career Center has a new website where you can learn more about the college application process, connect with a military or career representative, request documents from PHS (transcripts, etc.), receive assistance the financial aid and scholarship process, and even schedule a meeting with Mr. Howell. Please bookmark this page as it is updated often.
Meet with Mr. Howell (all families) – I highly encourage members of the Class of 2021 and 2022 to set up an appointment with Mr. Howell (virtually) this fall by visiting this website.
Nick Howell
College and Career Advisor
Pflugerville High School
(512) 763-2415
https://nicholashowell.wixsite.com/collegeandcareer
PHS CEEB Code: 445-500
Attention Juniors and Seniors - Remind texts
Juniors and Seniors (and Senior parents),
Be sure to sign up for Remind texts to keep up to date on:
- Information on School Year
- School Events
- College and Career Information
- Counseling Information
HOW?
SENIORS - CLASS OF 2021
STUDENTS:
Text 81010 with code below:
Last Name A-D (Student): @phs2021ad
Last Name E-J (Student): @phs2021ej
Last Name K-O (Student): @phs2021ko
Last Name P-R (Student): @phs2021pr
Last Name S-Z (Student): @phs2021sz
PARENTS:
Text 81010 with code below:
Last Name A-M (Parent): @phsparam
Last Name N-Z (Parent): @phsparnz
JUNIORS - CLASS OF 2022
STUDENTS:
Text 81010 with code below:
Last Name A-F (Student): @pfhs2022af
Last Name G-O (Student): @pfhs2022go
Last Name P-Z (Student): @pfhs2022pz
From our Department Chairs
SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT
Hello Panthers!
The struggle is real but we so appreciate your joining us for the fight!!! It has been a great first few days of school and we are amazed at both our student’s attendance and effort!
Every day we are in synchronous learning the first 30 minutes or so of class. The easiest way to join us if you haven’t yet is by checking our Google Classroom pages for links to our Zoom meetings. Each class has a specific time and link. Students should “name” themselves with their first and last name so the teacher recognizes the student as belonging to the class.
It is wonderful to see your faces!! A special thank you to the students for showing grace with us teachers as we struggle to implement this new technology, we know it’s not perfect yet, but we sure are trying and getting better every day!
If you haven’t already, please arrange to pick up a district laptop. It has all the software on it to run all the programs required by all the classes at PHS!
I’m sure there is more information on that in this newsletter. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions, we are here to help!
Karen Hense
Social Studies Department Chair
MATH DEPARTMENT
Hello Parents,
It's very important that students gain access to the online textbook because homework assignments may be given from the textbook. Here's how to access the online textbook:
From the district website: www.pfisd.net
Click the student tab
Click Clever
Log in as though logging into school computer
Choose ConnectED from top row and you should be able to see your textbook there.
After you click on the cover, then click on the GREEN box in upper right corner that says EBOOK.
Please let us know if you have questions or need help with online resources.
Toby Day
Math Department Chair
ELA DEPARTMENT
Dear ELA Parents,
Virtual learning is in full swing, and teachers are presenting some fantastic lessons via several online applications. Your student may be asked to join a Zoom meeting with their teacher for synchronous learning, watch a Loom video for asynchronous learning, use Flip Grid to turn in information, or check Google Classroom for classroom agendas and important information.
Regardless of the platform, please remember that teachers are here to help and answer questions. Several of the students have stated that they have not picked up the district provided Chromebooks for use during this time. The following site will help you with information about laptop pickup: PHS Laptop Distribution
Additionally, summer reading will be assessed soon. Please check out the following link for summer reading choices: 9-12 Summer Reading HS 2020.pdf
Thank you to parents and students for a successful beginning to our school year. We look forward to continued success this week with our online learning.
Sincerely,
Lisa Wernli
PHS English Department Chair
LOTE DEPARTMENT
Bonjour Parents,
I don’t know about y’all, but the first two days of school were an absolute blur!
It has certainly been an adjustment for all of us having video calls be the manner in which we meet our students for the first time. I’m definitely missing the feeling of being in a classroom, of observing those awkward moments students experience scanning the room hoping to see a familiar face, their carefully curated outfits, expressions bordering confusion and nervousness - those are the little joys of the first days of school, for me at least.
The LOTE dept has been doing an outstanding job giving students challenging activities in this remote learning setting. By today, all of our language classes have had at least one speaking assignment; honestly, the little bit of silver lining in all of this - the focus on interpersonal communication skills!
I’d love to invite all parents to check out our teachers’ class websites where you will find all matter of useful information. For French, you will find a teacher blog on the first page, and soon-to-come brag posts for each level! The students are truly doing a wonderful job, all things considered, and those triumphs deserve to be highlighted. <3
Until next time,
Wendy Faz
LOTE Dept Chair
I missed the laptop distribution - can I still get one for my student?
If you have not yet picked up a Chromebook computer for your student, please click here for updated pick-up information. There is also a FAQ section.
Please note that after Monday, August 24, Chromebook pickups will be by appointment only.
Meet the PHS Administrators
We are excited to announce our leadership team who will continue to support the student body of PHS. Please contact your administrator with any questions or concerns you may have. Assistant principals will support students based on their last name. See the information below for details.
PHS Administrative Team:
Ameka Hunt - Principal
Dr. Emily Delgado-Associate Principal
Dr. Sara Butler-Intervention & Testing Principal
Argie Flores- Principal (A-E)
Sara Dardeau- Principal (F - Lon)
Crystal Keck – Principal (Loo - Riv)
Dr. Cristobal Saldana - Principal (Ro - Z)
Tips to Successfully Navigate Virtual Learning at PHS
Tips to Successfully Navigate the First Day of School and Virtual Learning at PHS
Attendance will be taken daily. It is imperative students complete assignments everyday each period in order to be marked present. Remote learning sessions will include synchronous sessions( Two-way , real-time/live, virtual instruction between teacher and students), and asynchronous sessions (Instruction that does not require having the instructor and student engaged at the same time). All students will need to log into their teacher’s Google Classroom via the PHS website at the appropriate times to engage in synchronous sessions. Students have until 11:59 PM everyday to submit asynchronous assignments. Please review the schedule below for class times this week.
Return to Learn - Remote Learning Website
Pflugerville ISD has provided a webpage with information on starting the 2020-2021 school year. Please click here to learn more about virtual learning and on-campus learning.
Breakfast is served! Free breakfast for All PfISD Students
Parents,
Pick up your free Curbside Breakfast for enrolled PfISD students at Timmerman Elementary School Mon-Fri 7:00 - 9:00 AM.
Lunches are available at standard prices, reduced prices, or free, depending on the student's eligibility. Lunches are served 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, also at Timmerman Elementary School.
Students can come by themselves to pick up meals and/or a parent/guardian can come without the student to pick up meals. Students can pick up both breakfast and lunch at the same time.
Personalize your mask - make it yourself!
Mrs. Bassett and Mrs. Pasquarella of our Family Consumer Science Department have provided the following link from the CDC for effective masks for staying protected.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-to-make-cloth-face-covering.html
Choose a fun fabric that shows your style!
Healthy Meals on a Budget
Looking for great-tasting meals that don't break the bank? Check out these ideas:
https://instagram.com/5dollardinners?igshid=11fi7zin50afe
https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/cheap-dinner-ideas/
Your family will thank you for it.
¿Necesita ayuda en español?
Teléfono: 512-594-0583 (deje un mensaje de voz si no contesta)
Correo electrónco: Kristen.Hernandez@pfisd.net
Ella le brindará la ayuda que usted necesita.
There's an App for That!
Now more than ever, it's important to keep up to date The School Info App for Pflugerville High School is a great way to stay connected and informed. Notifications are sent in real time for ever-changing situations. Be in the know—download the app today!
Click on the attached QR code or this link: http://siap.ps/eaedd6, or search for Pflugerville High School in the app store. Be sure to allow notifications so you get all the notifications and news feeds to keep current with what’s happening at PHS.
Subscribe today!
We will be sending our parent newsletter regularly throughout the school year. Don't miss an issue! Click “Follow Ameka Hunt” at the top or bottom of this page to subscribe to the weekly newsletter.