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A weekly newsletter - February 26, 2020
Message from Ameka Hunt, Principal of PHS
Greetings Panther Family,
Time flies when you’re having fun. It’s difficult to believe, but we are already gearing up for the last nine weeks of this school year. The fourth nine weeks grading period will begin March 22nd. The deadline to change your student’s Mode of Instruction (MOI) from in-person to virtual learning or vice versa is quickly approaching. If you would like to change your MOI, please contact your student’s counselor by March 3, 2021, at 4:00 PM.
As families have an opportunity to change the Mode of Instruction (MOI) next week, please note the following about STAAR administration. “PfISD campuses are required to participate in the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR® in April and May. Each campus will assign students in grades 3-8 and those enrolled in STAAR EOC courses (Algebra I, Biology, U.S. History, English I and II) to test on dates within the window.
Students who participate in face-to-face instruction will participate in STAAR tests in April & May according to the campus schedule that will be shared in late March.
Students who participate in remote instruction will be contacted by campus administrators in late March/April to arrange times for students to be on campus to participate in STAAR tests. Students who are not able to be on campus will participate in remote asynchronous instruction on test dates.”
Additionally, “The SAT School Day testing event on March 3 has been rescheduled due to delays in shipment of test materials from College Board after our Winter storm event. SAT School Day testing will be offered on Wednesday, March 24 to all juniors in PFISD at all four high school campuses: Connally, Hendrickson, Pflugerville, and Weiss. Contact your campus with questions about the March 24 SAT School Day testing. Follow these steps to be ready for test day."
Please continue reading this newsletter for campus updates/information.
Next School Year Course Selection Process
Students have been busy selecting their courses for next year and meeting with their counselors one on one to review their selections. In the past we would send home a paper verification sheet, now we have the ability for you to view their selections online through your students Skyward account. Below you will see the tab that will take you to the current course requests for next school year.
Please review your students' selections as a family. If you feel changes are needed, please email your students' counselor with your request no later than March 11th. These requests are then used to build our master schedule and determine how many sections of each class gets built, so it is very important that students are satisfied with their selections, as very limited changes will be allowed after the deadline.
**Transfer students have not rolled over to next year yet. PfISD Admin. is currently working on getting them pulled over. As soon as they are, their course selections will be updated as well.
PHS Counseling Team:
A-D: Christina.Powell@pfisd.net
E-J: Lindsay.SaylorCarroll@pfisd.net
Seniors: Order your Cap and Gown by March 1
Attention Senior Class of 2021 : Graduation announcements and caps/gowns will be distributed April 20th. Please be sure that all fees/fines are paid. If you have not ordered your cap/gown please do so by March 1st to ensure proper sizing of your custom PHS cap & gown. Click HERE for the link. Please note: This date is subject to change pending delivery of items.
Supporting Your Virtual Learner: What Parents Can Do to Maximize Success
For many students, the remote learning environment created by COVID-19 has been a challenge. Adjusting to virtual learning can be frustrating for everyone involved — especially parents. We’re here to help. Please join us each month to l earn about tools and strategies for successfully navigating this new learning environment and supporting your child both academically and emotionally.
Please see the flyer below to add the link to a web browser, or scan the QR code to log in to the meeting in zoom.
PPE, Cleaning, and Hygiene supplies distribution by UPLIFT AUSTIN
UPLIFT AUSTIN is a PPE, Cleaning, and Hygiene supplies distribution for Black and Brown communities in Travis County taking place on February 27, 2021. The distribution is sponsored by Contigo Wellness, Austin Latino Coalition, Hispanic Star, Del Valle Community Coalition, American Youthworks, Black Leaders Collective, Central Texas Allied Health Institute, KDH Giving Fund, Hustle for the Cause, and Southwest Key. In partnership with Proctor & Gamble, the event will distribute $200,000+ worth of supplies in the eastern crescent of Travis County.
Click this link for more information: https://upliftaustin.com
From Our Department Chairs
SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT
Panthers,
We are sneaking up on the end of the 3rd 9 weeks! Please be checking on Skyward and completing assignments. Take advantage of any retake opportunities to max your 3rd 9 week average. This has been a year for the history books for sure and your Social Studies teachers know you have faced and overcome many challenges! Let’s finish this year strong. You are living through history right now and writing your own story.
Please reach out to your teachers if needed. We are here to help you navigate this unique school year.
Karen Hense
Social Studies Department Chair
ELA DEPARTMENT
Dear ELA Parents,
February has been quite the month. But we persevered and are looking forward to a great March.
Upcoming Events:
AP Intervention: For English III (Language and Composition) and English IV (Literature and Composition) are now hosting AP Test Prep sessions as a way to prepare for May’s exams and earn extra credit. Please speak with your student about this great opportunity.
Looking for an English challenge: Consider keeping a Writing Journal. Some benefits from journaling for students include:
Helping them deal with “big feelings” in a healthy and safe way;
Improving their writing skills, including spelling, sentence structure, vocabulary, and grammar;
Enhancing their reading skills;
Enhancing their communication skills (both written and verbal);
Taking advantage of an outlet for things that are difficult to express or uncomfortable to share;
Exploring and identifying their emotions;
Allowing themselves to feel “taboo” emotions like anger;
Courtney Ackerman, MSc.
There are several types of journals that a writer might keep. A few are:
Bullet journal: Focusing on bulleted lists is a great method to use for personal organization and tracking progress. Use this journal to make to-do lists, brainstorm about projects, and record goals.
Transfer journal: Write down concepts or information that you are learning in class and explore how you could draw on these (“transfer” them) in the future.
5 Ws journal: When you’re learning new information, or even trying to understand a real-life situation you’re in, it can be helpful to break the information down by the 5 Ws (who, what, when, where, why). This can help you organize the information and even commit it to memory.
Gratitude journal: Being a student can be stressful at times. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s good to remember what you’re grateful for.
University of St. Augustine
REMINDER: For the ELA department, Zoom meetings are NOT optional and should be attended each class period unless otherwise communicated to the teacher. As we continue our hybrid model of teaching (some students virtual and some students in-person), students will have an asynchronous time in class and a synchronous time in class in the form of Zoom.
Together in Education,
Lisa Wernli
PHS English Department Chair
ACC Dual Credit - Upcoming Deadlines
Parents,
Dual Credit information for Summer and the upcoming school year is now available. Please be mindful of the deadlines indicated in the "What's Next" section. After viewing the information, please reach out to your student’s counselor for questions/concerns.
Please click on the option below that best describes you (your student):
Stay Connected to PHS With our App
Don't miss any important information from PHS. 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 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.
PHS Weekly Newsletter
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