Ponaganset Monthly
Ponaganset = CommUNITY
February 2019
Welcome!
At Ponaganset High School, we are a community continuously working towards creating experiences for our students which include project based learning, collaborative tasks and partnerships with outside organizations. Our goal is to empower our teachers and students to take ownership for their learning and work collaboratively to expand their knowledge through authentic experiences. Our high school is a school where community is at the core of what we do and who we are, and encourage our students to engage in academic, extra and co curricular involvement to facilitate this mindset.
Sincerely,
Dr. Renee Palazzo
Principal
Mission Statement
Tim O'Brien Speaks at Ponaganset High School
Chris Stanley: “Students tend to discover the joy of History and English later in life. In high school, they tend to dismiss these subjects as boring and tedious. To many students, these subjects mistakenly mean reading long-winded, exceedingly dry textbooks or drilling innumerable facts into their heads. They don’t necessarily see the importance of studying something that happened fifty years ago. Therefore, we tried this year to get our students to really care about what they’re learning. Doing so involved bringing the subject to life for them. The Vietnam War now feels more real to our kids as they participated in the interactive and immersive activities over the past few months.
The entire community embarked on a deep and often painful examination of the Vietnam War in connection with O'Brien's work, The Things They Carried. While our efforts include an ambitious schedule of school and community events taking place throughout the months of November, December, and January it was the veteran's stories that afforded our students the opportunity to truly understand the price we all pay when we go to war.
Tim O'Brien, John Musgrave, Roger Harris and Wayne Smith who all appeared in Ken Burn's film told stories. They evoked something student's keep buried deep inside of themselves. As Mr. O'Brien asserted, our job is to make our students learn facts but to also get their stomachs to churn and their tongues taste that sour, metallic lemonade that creeps up your throat when you sense real fear. Our students learned and they learned not from a cold, mechanical textbook but through the power of a story. You helped us to compete with the distractions of technology and find a way to truly engage our students. They were moved by Mr. O'Brien's stories and because of this, they will carry Vietnam with them forevermore. “
Terri Spisso: “We are always amazed at how our little district in the woods is able to pull off such grandiose opportunities for our students and community!” On our 5:15am drive to the airport this morning, Mr. O’Brien reiterated what he said several times during his visit- that he felt such a sense of humor, friendship, and kindness that our teachers and administrators have for each other and especially for students. Because of that, he felt that our school was the perfect place to debut a reading from his forthcoming book about fatherhood, which was very moving.
To read the full Valley Breeze artlcle, click HERE
Senior Alex Parrillo asking Tim O'Brien a question about his book.
A long line of people waiting to get their book signed.
Tim O'Brien speaks to students in a small group session.
STUDENTS IN THE NEWS
Congratulations to our students who were recognized by The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers in the annual Scholastic Art Awards. Their work was recognized by a panel of creative professionals as the most outstanding work submitted among their peers in RI.
Since 1923, the Awards have recognized some of America’s most celebrated artists while they were teenagers, including: Andy Warhol, Richard Avedon, Idelle Weber, Ken Burns, Paul Chan, and Kay WalkingStick.
We are proud to count them among these esteemed Scholastic Awards alumni!
Kenney Hawkins won a GOLD KEY for his portrait "Mirage" as well as a GOLD KEY for his senior portfolio.
Madison Young won a GOLD KEY for her photograph "Layered"
both students will have their work on display at Dorrance Hamilton Gallery at Salve Regina University from from Feb 3- 17 and will also progress on to the National Scholastic competition!
Deanna Kennedy, Renzci Cairo, Alannah Forman and Maddox Realejo received Honorable Mentions.
Annie Dooley's "Cherries"
Congratulations senior Annie Dooley who was accepted into the Emerging Young Artists Juried Exhibition. Annie was one of 80 students chosen from all over New England. Her piece will be on display from January 22nd - February 9th at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.
Senior, Hannah Brennan receives her CNA License.
Congratulations!
Ponaganset High School: Outstanding Athletes in the News
Winter Sports
Valley Breeze January 24-30, 2019: Ponaganset girls basketball stun Scituate
Valley Breeze January 31-February 6, 2019: Chieftains start strong, stop Lions
Embracing Diversity in Our Lives
Chinese New Year begins February 5th
PARENT INFORMATION
Rhode Island Department of Education - SurveyWorks
SurveyWorks is a statewide survey sent out annually to hear from Rhode Islanders directly about their experiences in our state's public schools.
SurveyWorks 2019 is open from January 14th through March 31st: Be Heard!
Please click here for more information and your access code. Students will be participating in the survey during the week of February 25th in their advisories.
Reserve your YEARBOOK Online!
Dear Parent,
You can pre-order this year's yearbook online. It's easy & convenient. Reserve your copy today at ybpay.lifetouch.com using the Yearbook ID Code 13539319.
Thank you!
Pre-order online today!
PHS Parent Coffee Hours: 8 am
WHERE: Ponaganset High School Student Success Center
April 2, 2019: "Keeping Kids Safe from Opioids and other Dangerous Substances"
April 30, 2019: Introduction to High School for 8th Grade parents
PARENT RESOURCE CENTER
What parents need to know about juuling?
Talk to your teens and know the risk of vaping/juuling.
https://5210.psu.edu/what-parents-need-to-know-vaping-juuling/
https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/documents/SGR_ECig_ParentTipsheet_508.pdf
National School Counseling Week February 4-8
National School Counseling Week 2019 will be celebrated from Feb. 4-8, 2019, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems. National School Counseling Week, sponsored by ASCA, highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.
To Learn More about: Why School Counselors Matter, click on the link of this article.
In celebration of National School Counseling Week, the counselors will be available in various locations for students who want to stop by and say Hi.
The locations are:
Monday: Cafeteria during lunch
Tuesday: 2nd floor South Building during the morning passing time
Wednesday: Success Center during Advisory
Thursday: PE corridor North Building during the morning passing time
Friday: Cafeteria during lunch
Teens and Nutrition
DATES TO REMEMBER
Winter Ball
Saturday, Feb 2, 2019, 07:00 PM
Rhode Island Convention Center, Sabin Street, Providence, RI, USA
School Committee Meeting
Tuesday, Feb 5, 2019, 07:00 PM
PHS Library
SENIORS & PARENTS: FAFSA Completion Day
We are offering another FAFSA Completion Day for Seniors and their parents!
A representative from the College Planning Center of RI will be at Ponaganset High School on Friday, February 8th between 8:30am and 2pm to help families complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
Appointments are 30 minutes in length and will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis. We have a limited amount of slots available so please call Ms. Kenney, Guidance Secretary, to make an appointment at 401-710-7500 x. 3199.
Please bring the following to your FAFSA appointment:
CREATE FSA ID’s for BOTH parent and student. At www.FSAID.ed.gov prior to appointment. Need FSA ID for student and parent to complete forms.
Entire 2017 Federal Tax return, for parents and student
W2s 2017 for parents and student( if the student worked in 2017).
Please be sure you know parent’s date of marriage and if divorce date of divorce (month & year only)
Resident card number ( If applicable)
Please know how much is in your checking and savings (parent and student)
Annual amounts of untaxed income received in the household (SSDI, child support..)
Total value of all investments (stocks bonds, mutual funds, CD’s, NOT retirement A list of schools the student is applying to.
Some of the private schools require another financial aid form called the CSS Profile. If so, make sure to check their deadline and make an appointment directly with the College Planning Center of RI before that date. 401-736-3170 or www.cpcri.org.
Don't delay! Please call Ms. Kenney to schedule your appointment.
Friday, Feb 8, 2019, 08:30 AM
PHS Guidance Conference Room
Ponaganset High School Band & Chorus Concert
Wednesday, Feb 13, 2019, 07:00 PM
Ponaganset High School Auditorium
PONAGANSET LINKS BELOW
Ponaganset High School
Email: rpalazzo@fgschools.com
Website: http://fosterponaganseths.ss11.sharpschool.com/
Location: 137 Anan Wade Road, North Scituate, RI, USA
Phone: 401 710-7500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ponaganset-High-School-Chieftains-1632730590310010/
Twitter: @reneepalazzo