Prosper High School Newsletter
January 17, 2021
A Note from Dr. Burdett
We had another great week at PHS! The kids are off from school tomorrow and I hope that you take time to reflect on the impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Many of us know of his quotes either through our readings, through audio/video, or through posters displaying them. Ones that really speak to me when I think of our PHS family include the following:
- We must learn to live together as brothers or we will perish together as fools.
- Life's most persistent and urgent question is, "What are you doing for others?"
- Intelligence plus character, that is the goal of education.
- Everyone can be great - because anyone can serve.
There are many others, but these really remind me of our kids and our families because of how we care for and respect each other, how our kids are young people of character, and how generous our families are with their time, their gifts, and their talents. We are blessed beyond measure with our kids and I am sure that Dr. King would be moved by the people that make up the Eagle Nation.
Beginning today, my portion of the Newsletter will have two bolded words that encapsulate my vision for PHS. You can see below that the two words are Connect and Grow. I want us to be connected in as many ways as possible so that every student and staff member at PHS feels like they are a part of the Eagle Nation Family. Through these connections, we get to know each other better and we learn how we can facilitate our individual and our collective growth. Underneath each of these words, you will find information on how we are living out this vision.
Connect
We are wanting to gauge the interest of a possible eSports team in Prosper ISD. eSports is a form of competition using video games. Please have your student fill out the form in this link if interested.
Some of you know Lexi Bell who graduated from PHS in 2020. Lexi was diagnosed with bone cancer (Ewing's Sarcoma) and has gone through extensive chemo treatments, surgery, and therapy. We are so please that Lexi is doing well and we are excited to let you know of a blood drive in her honor and Tommy Wainwright (another Prosper resident). See the flyer below for more information and please donate if you are able!
I hope that you are able to join PISD Superintendent Dr. Holly Ferguson and Mayor Ray Smith to find out about the exciting things that are happening in our community and the district.
- Date: Thursday, January 21st
- Time: 6 PM
- Facebook Live (www.facebook.com/prospertx.gov | https://fb.me/e/4JE7g8qK6)
The inauguration of a United States President is a historically significant time for our country. This year the inauguration will take place on January 20, 2021. We wanted to make you aware that we will be viewing the inauguration in courses where the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (curriculum) requires instruction specific to current events on this topic, just as we did during the last presidential inauguration in 2017. Please be aware that due to the length of the inauguration students may not be able to view the inauguration in its entirety.
Grow
We continue to find ways to develop leadership in our kids and in our staff. One of the ways we do this is through our fundraising efforts. We just finished our Sole4Souls donation event and now we are looking forward to our Stuff the Bus event February 8-11. Our Student Council and Hope Squad kids are spearheading this event for us and I know that this will further develop leadership traits in them. I am very proud of our kids and their willingness to lead through service to others! Please see the flyer below for more details on Stuff the Bus.
In visiting several classrooms, and in visiting with several teachers this week, it is evident that our kids are constructing the learning in our classrooms. It is great to see our kids doing presentations of their learning whether it is individually or within a group. Along the lines of growth and leadership in our classrooms, course selections open this Tuesday and close on February 5th. You can read more under the "Counseling Office" section, and if you have questions about course selection for next year, please contact your counselor using the contact information found at the end of the Newsletter.
Our kids are not only leading in the classroom, but they are also leading in the numerous academic, athletic, and fine arts competitions that we enter. Please read below about the many student highlights that our students have earned through their growth in their respective areas.
For Kids, John
Email: jmburdett@prosper-isd.net
Office: 469.219.2185
Cell: 469.573.1488
I am currently reading The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek.
Athletics-
- Boys Basketball - we return to action this Friday at McKinney HS.
- Girls Basketball - we return to action this Friday at home against McKinney HS.
- Boys Soccer - we went 1-2 in the Keller Tournament and return to action this Friday for a home match at Children's Health Stadium against Wylie.
- Girls Soccer - we went 3-0 at the Governor's Cup in Georgetown. We return to action this Tuesday for a home match at Children's Health Stadium against Rockwall Heath.
- Swim - District Diving is this Wednesday @ McKinney, Girls District Swimming is Thursday @ Allen, and Boys District Swimming is Friday @ Allen.
ENN-ATPI (Association of Texas Photography Instructors) judges reviewed 4500 entries from 92 schools, and recognized Eagle Nation News in several different categories.
- Advanced Advertisement/PSA- 3rd Place: Cade Richardson "Wear A Mask"
- Advanced News Video Package- Honorable Mention: Emily Baldwin "Hali Moore", Honorable Mention: Caden De La Garza "New Football Jerseys", Honorable Mention: Julia Bisaillon "Slow Return To Normalcy", Honorable Mention: Sailor-Jane Mackenzie "Sujo John Interview"
Fine Arts
- Cheer- 6th place in the 6A Division 2, State Championship Spirit Competition! See the photo below of our incredibly talented Cheer Team.
PROSPER ISD FFA Collin County Show Results:
Rabbits: Meat Pens
Delaney Ginty - Grand Champion, Jourdan Edwards - Champion Lightweight, Lucas Shepard- 4th Place, Molly Baugher - 5th Place, Abby Leatherman, Lauren Marr, Emma Nalls
Breeding Rabbits
Adeline Alcala - Best Opposite French Lop, Adain Yeboah - Best Opposite Lionhead, Ashlee Holmquest - Best of Breed Flemish Giant, Ashleigh Wagnon - 1st place New Zealand
Brooke Huiatt - Best of Breed Californian, Calleigh Archer - Best Opposite New Zealand, Emily Cox - Best of Breed Creme de Argent, Best Opposite Rex, Kaley Kern - Best of Breed Rex, Trinity Rigoni - 2nd place White New Zealand
Poultry:
Molly Baugher - 4th place, Kara Clayton
Swine:
Corleigh Carr- Breed Champion White OPB & Breed Champion Duroc, Caden Clay - 3rd Place White OPB, Addison Scott - 6th Place Black OPB, Kendall Scott - 5th Place Hampshire, Bowden Janecek - 6th Place Cross
Also exhibiting their swine projects: Molly Baugher, Taylor Cavender, Ashlee Holmquest, Laci Alsdurf, Madison McDow, Brooke Archer
Lambs:
Kynzlee Nuttall- Reserve Champion Senior Showmanship, 1st place in class, Lauren Helbling - Reserve Champion Dorper, Kaley Kern - 2nd place in class, Angelina Clampet - 4th place in class, Lilli Munir - 4th place in class, Ashley Manganilla - 6th place in class, Marissa Hunter, Bryan Thomason, Josey Clagget
Horticulture:
Brooke Black - Reserve Grand Champion, Lauren Marr- Champion Greenhouse Division, Michaela Lukowich - 1st place in class, Abbigail Koury - 1st place in class, Jenna Shade - 2nd place in class, Erika Barone - 2nd place in class, Kendall Scott - 2nd place in class, Christi Norris - 2nd place in class, Ashley Angle - 3rd place in class, Ethan Lafon - 3rd place in class, Kylie Barrows- 3rd place in class, Tilly Mote - 4th place in class, Ryleigh Faubion- 4th place in class, Lauren Helbling- 5th place in class, Madison McDow - 5th place in class, Abigail Schrah - 5th place in class, Laci Alsdurf - 6th place in class, Molly Baugher - 6th place in class
Also exhibiting: Brynan Lyle, Rayna Taylor, Tori Humphrey, Calleigh Archer, Ashlee Holmquest, Sydnee Udy, Gabriella Campobasso, Suhyoon Lee, Tyson English, Sydney Hull
Steers:
Jett James- Grand Champion Steer, Kyson Kirkland - Breed Champion - British, Dylan McCutcheon - 4th place, Jonathan McCutcheon - 4th place
21-22 Course Selection
Parents and Guardians,
Course selection for all incoming freshmen through rising seniors has now opened and will close February 5th. In-Person students will be given the documents needed for course selection in their 6th period classes. These documents include the Advanced Academics guidelines, and a reference sheet with all available courses. Links to these documents can be found on the high school website under the Counselor tab and on the bottom of this page.
Course selections must be done online in SKYWARD. The SKYWARD portion is done in the student’s account. We have attached written step-by-step instructions as well as a video to instruct your student how to do the course selections in SKYWARD.
Students can find the Course Guide, Graduation Plan Information and CTE Course Applications on the Course Selection Information page on the Counselor tab of the PHS website.
Students will have the opportunity to review their course selections with their counselor individually after the course selection window closes and courses may be updated to make sure that students fulfill all graduation requirements at that time.
Course selections drive hiring and the master schedule of courses for the campus; therefore, the final opportunity to make changes to course selections is April 30th.
VIDEO: How to Select Courses in SKYWARD
Click HERE for written instructions for selecting courses in SKYWARD.
Click HERE for the Course Reference sheet
Click HERE for CTE Course Applications
Click HERE for Advanced Academic Guidelines
Click HERE for the Prosper ISD Course Guide
Counseling in the News
School counselor Bonnie Hayman is charged with taking care of 1,100 middle-school kids and almost 100 staff during a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic…’The school is not just an educational entity. It is a social and safety construct for our children and that has been stripped away from them.’ The Chicago Tribune examines a day-in-the-life of her struggles and triumphs.
College Parent Central offers forth a new and useful podcast that offers guidance and tips for moving forward with yet more months of online learning. Regardless of your student's age, these ideas can be incorporated for further success or a new lease on motivation.
If you’ve ever received news of the death of a loved one, you know the feeling: full-body grief that hits you from the inside out. You may breathe more rapidly or feel nauseous; your blood pressure may rise. In “The Anatomy of Grief,” a famed psychologist uncovers the very real physical changes that accompany mourning — and the mental processes that grief entails.
Despite what we've often been told, positive thinking and visualizing success can be counterproductive. We may spend too much time chasing an impossible mirage. As this perspective explores, there are happily, other strategies available for fulfillment.
Have Questions About College? Ask ADVi!
ADVi is a chatbot who can answer your questions about attending public colleges and universities in Texas. ADVi, short for “adviser”, is free for Prosper HS students and can answer your questions 24/7/365. To start a chat with ADVi, just text "college" to 512-829-3687.
You can ask ADVi anything – no question is too silly or too hard! You can ask questions like: What is ApplyTexas? How long does the FAFSA take? What is the TASFA? Where can I look for scholarships?
ADVi was created by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and is made possible through a partnership with AdmitHub. Learn more at www.askADVi.org.
List of All Test Optional Colleges 2021
This list contains the test-optional colleges that changed their admission policies due to COVID-19.
Virtual Counseling Office
Check out the Virtual Counseling Office.
Utilize the UNT GO CENTER
They will assist you with all of your college questions, applications, ACT/SAT registration, and FAFSA. The GO Centers will be open Monday - Friday: 8am – 8pm
How to access the Chat: Please click here. Then click on the chat feature.
AP Important Deadlines
Key dates:
- March 2nd - Last day to cancel an exam and receive a full refund.
Monthly Career Spotlight
For more information contact: Alicia M. Schulze (aschulze@prosper-isd.net)- College and Career Counselor - Collin College for Prosper and Rock Hill High Schools
Blood Drive- Saturday, February 27, 2021
9:00am – 4:00pm
Class of 2021
Reference the Prosper High School's website throughout the year for senior updates.
What is PISD Graduation Celebration?
Over 14 years ago, a group of Prosper High School parent volunteers created a non-profit, PHS – Project Graduation. The goal was to follow the national charter, which promotes drug and alcohol alternatives for students on the night of their high school graduation. The event was typically at a venue in Frisco, started at 11 pm on the night of graduation, and concluded at 5 am the following morning. Tickets were sold for the event to cover both the cost of the venue and to purchase prizes for the seniors. Ticket prices have varied over the years from $50 to $150, depending on the class size and the price of the venue. More Information
Purchase a Yearbook
PHS Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
Prosper High School PTO is a volunteer organization made up of parents, teachers, administrators, and support staff who are all dedicated to the successful education of our children. Click here to go to our website and become a member. We hope if you have some time that you will volunteer with us. Please let us know your interests and availability and we will find a spot for you.
The next PTO meetings will be held virtually on February 4th at 10am, and April 1st at 10am.
More PTO information can be found here
Spiritwear- Check out the new Spiritwear available for purchase on the PHS PTO website.
Hope Squad/Be Kind Shirts for Sale
Our Hope Squads will sell "Be Kind" yellow T-Shirts as a symbol to simply be kind to one another, which is why you often see "yellow" shirts scattered throughout our district on Wednesdays each week. This stems from supporting our cause of suicide awareness and prevention.
To purchase a shirt, log in to My School Bucks, Go To School Store, Look for Hope Squad T-shirt, Select T-Shirt option (See options below) Student Name. Homeroom = 1st Period Classroom
Orders will be placed at the end of each month with delivery to campuses the following month. 1st Period teachers will hand them to students when they arrive.
PISD will continue to light up the new Children's Health Stadium every Wednesday evening as a simple reminder for our community to show kindness and compassion to one another. If you find yourself driving around Prosper on Wednesday evenings, drive by the stadium to enjoy PISD's symbol for kindness.
Calendar of Upcoming Events
January 18- School Holiday
February 12- Student Holiday / Staff Professional Learning
February 15- Bad Weather Makeup Day
March 8-12- Spring Break
April 2- School Holiday
April 5- Bad Weather Makeup Day
May 3- Student Holiday / Staff Professional Learning
Saturday, May 22, 2021- Class of 2021 Graduation - 7:30 pm at Children's Health Stadium
Tuesday, May 25, 2021- (Graduation Rain Makeup date) - 7:30 pm at Children's Health Stadium.
COVID-19 Daily Screening
A huge THANK YOU to our families who have taken the precaution of keeping students home who are displaying symptoms of sickness. This is helping to prevent the spread of illness whether it is COVID-19, a cold, or other yuckiness! Parents should review the COVID-19 Screening Questions on the District website each day before sending their child to any in-person Prosper ISD activity. If your child tests positive, has been exposed to a COVID positive individual, or has one or more of the symptoms on the screening questionnaire, use the link at the bottom of the questionnaire to notify the school nurse and do NOT send your child to school until receiving clearance to return from the school nurse. Please do your part and keep your student home if he/she is displaying symptoms of sickness.
*If your child has a chronic condition that presents as one of the symptoms on the screening questionnaire, it is recommended that you contact the school nurse and your child's teacher about the chronic symptom so that both of these key school personnel are aware.
Check in/Check out Procedures
Please give us a two hour notice for checking out your student. This will give us enough time for us to get your student ready for you when you arrive. Please email at least two hours in advance to phsattendance@prosper-isd.net. This email is accessed by our House Secretaries to identify who needs to check out from school. Please call when you arrive at the front of the school, but do not try to enter the building. We are closed to visitors unless you have an appointment. Once a member of the Administrative team or a member of our Prosper ISD Police Department verifies the identity of the parent/guardian, your student will come out to your vehicle. When your student returns, he/she will go to their House office to submit their absence note.
State Requirements for Attendance Reporting
We have received further clarification from the Texas Education Agency on attendance procedures. Beginning Tuesday, October 13th (the start of the 2nd nine weeks), a student will be counted present or absent based on their chosen Method of Instruction (MoI): in-person or virtual.
Students who are in-person learners will be counted present only if they are physically in the class when the teacher takes attendance. Otherwise, they will be counted as being absent. Students who are not physically in class can still log in to the Google Classrooms and online class meetings for learning purposes, but they will be counted absent.
Students who are forced to quarantine by the school nurse due to COVID-19 protocols will automatically be switched to being a virtual learner during the mandatory quarantine period. For students who are forced to quarantine, but have an in-person only class(es), the student will have an excused absence with the code “E-PN”. Students under quarantine are responsible for all missed work and encouraged to communicate with their teachers. We will switch the student back to in-person learning at the end of quarantine.
Students who are virtual learners will be counted present when they log in to the Google Classroom/Meet by the time the teacher takes attendance and they are to remain active for the class. Teachers will determine if the virtual student can turn off their microphone and/or their camera based on the needs of the lesson. Students who do not comply with the teacher’s directive for microphone/camera operation may be counted absent due to inactivity during the class. Virtual students who are enrolled in an in-person only class will continue to attend these classes in-person, as they have been.
Submit anonymous tip to Prosper ISD
Tip411 is a new tool to enhance student safety. It is an internet-based communication system that gives students or any concerned citizen a means to quickly and anonymously report threats, potential self-harm, concerns, suspicious or criminal behavior at school or beyond school hours regarding PISD schools, students and/or staff.
When you submit a tip, it is sent to a 3rd party tip service acting as a privacy buffer between you and the Prosper ISD Police Department to preserve your identity and contact information. If you have a tip for the Prosper ISD Police Department please use any of the options on this page to provide important information on crimes or criminals that will help us to keep Prosper ISD safe for everyone.
Tip submissions may not be received until the following day. In case of emergency dial 911.
Contact Information
Email: phsinfo@prosper-isd.net
Website: https://www.prosper-isd.net/phs
Location: 301 Eagle Drive, Prosper, TX, USA
Phone: (469) 219-2180
Twitter: @ProsperHS