Prosper High School Newsletter
December 15, 2019
A Note from Dr. Burdett
The season of gratitude continues to fill the halls of PHS. We are extremely thankful for Jackson Harrington's healing and recovery from his brain tumor! Make-A-Wish sent Rowdy and a few Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders to PHS to join us in our sendoff for Jackson to go see the Cowboys (see photo below). Thank you to our Creative Writing Club for taking time to read their original holiday stories to elementary kids in our library. We are so proud and thankful of our volleyball team for having every player and every manager make the All-District Academic Team! To qualify for this, our student athletes have to have a minimum of a 90% cumulative average. In addition, congratulations to Taylor Kaiser and MacKenzie Jefferson for making Academic All-State for the Texas Girls Coaches Association. To qualify for TGCA All-State, you have to be a senior with at least a 94 grade point average. Congratulations to our student-athletes! We are also proud of the 229 students who were inducted into the National Honor Society. This is testament to the hard work of our kids who are involved in multiple activities, who serve others, and who lead. Congratulations to all of our Journalism students who received accolades at the Central Texas Meet (see list below). Our Eagle Nation Online earned SNO Distinguished Site again! What an incredible night we had on Thursday when our PCIS (Prosper Career and Independent Study) students presented the work they are researching with their professional mentor. Thank you to Mrs. Ballard for teaching and supporting all of our kids as they explore their possible career and partner with their professional mentor to do work in that field. Real learning in real time! Thank you to all of our parents and families who support all of our kids and their success! We are truly blessed.
I am so excited to announce the launch of a podcast brought to us by two incredible students: Aaron Boateng and Katie Johnson! The podcast is called "PB&J" (Principal, Boateng & Johnson) and I love that this is student created, student led, and it gives me the opportunity to hear from our kids on what is important to them. You can hear the podcast for each week by clicking the podcast link below. In our first PB&J podcast, we discuss toasted peanut butter sandwiches, we give thanks, and we discuss some upcoming changes to Eagle Time.
Beginning Monday, January 13th, we are going to enhance Eagle Time to provide intentional opportunities for our kids to develop and deepen relationships with each other and with our staff. Our Hope Squad and Student Council have been creating activities that invite students and staff to engage with each other socially and emotionally while in their 3rd or 7th period class. We will stay in place for Eagle Time each Monday and we will focus on making connections with each other. English Priority Day will move to Friday. It is such a privilege to be in a place where we can let our kids lead this opportunity for all of us to get to know each other in a more purposeful way and to create an environment where we feel as a part of the Eagle Family. Each Monday will be "Make it Matter Mondays" because we will focus on what matters most- our kids. Mr. Toth and I have been collaborating on this adjustment to Eagle Time for several months and I want to thank him for all of his ideas, feedback, and inspiration. We will continue to ensure that we focus on the social and emotional health of our kids and align our practices at both high schools in order to create a positive culture where our kids feel as a part of the PISD family at-large and as a part of the Eagle and Blue Hawk families at our respective high schools.
Speaking of culture...I want to say "Thank you" to Dr. Watkins, Mrs. Ferguson, Dr. Bradley, and our School Board for their incredible support of our kids. Recently, we had the privilege of learning from Dr. Kimberly McLeod on the topic of Cultural Responsiveness. We were challenged to look at what cultures we are currently creating in our district and it inspired us to see what incredible cultures we can create as we continue to focus on all kids. Our cup runneth over in PISD with people who love every kid by ensuring the academic, social, and emotional well-being of every student!
Basketball, Swim & Dive, Wrestling, and Soccer are in season and I hope you take time to come see our incredible athletes compete and represent Prosper. We have an abundance of athletic talent at PHS and I am proud that our students are able to compete at the highest levels in Texas.
Please look at the calendar and see what you can attend. Our students would love to see you supporting them and noticing how our inputs are affecting our outcomes.
Finally, one of our kids passed away this week and our hearts go out to the family. I appreciate everyone respecting the privacy of the family and not asking for details. I hope we all take time to hug the ones we love, to tell them that we love them, and to be present in the lives of those we love.
Eagle Time Schedule - Beginning January 13, 2020
Jackson Harrington
ENO Students
Photo by Emily McDonald and edited by Rin Jackson
STUCO Students
UIL Interscholastic Press League/Texas Association of Journalism Educators Central Texas Meet Results
Creative Writing Club and Class
Wrestling Results
The girls had a strong showing this weekend, placing in almost every weight class. The boys had a strong showing in spite of missing four of their varsity starters. They competed against some of the top teams in Texas and North Desoto (#1 team in Louisiana)! More results
Catholic Student Association
Catholic Student Association is sponsoring a blanket drive to benefit:
Project Warm Us
Dec. 13 - Jan 17
Donation sites will be in the main hall
UIL Academic Teams
Would you like to participate and compete in something that is not a sport? Come join one of our MANY UIL Academic Teams.
We look forward to you joining our team!
Leveling Down from Pre AP/AP Classes
Prosper High School Parents/Guardians,
If your student is considering leveling down from a Pre AP or AP class at the end of the 1st semester, please note the following required procedures.
If a student is currently struggling in their class, they must communicate with the teacher as soon as possible to discuss setting up a Plan for Success. This plan may include tutoring before or after school, Eagle time tutoring, additional resources, working with them on their study habits, etc. This form needs to be picked up from your student’s AP/Pre-AP teacher of the class that they want to level down in.
These steps must be followed in order to change the schedule:
- Student AND Parent communicates with the teacher as soon as possible
- Success plan is created – Student Success Form is picked up from teacher
- Student, parent and teacher follow the steps outlined in the Student Success Form
- Student Success Form is turned into teacher by December 13.
- Counselors will change schedule and new schedule will begin the first day of 2nd semester.
Our Pre AP/AP teachers want the opportunity to assist our students in overcoming hurdles and achieving their Pre AP and AP goals by working with them to meet their potential.
Please let your student's counselor or Administrator know if you have any questions about this process.
Cultural Responsiveness Training
Prosper ISD leaders and counselors at all levels attended Cultural Responsiveness training last week with Dr. Kimberly McLeod. Dr. McLeod has been a public educator for over twenty years. She has served in various roles including that of teacher, counselor, administrator and a university professor. She has published research nationally and internationally and lectures all over the world. She believes in advocating for disadvantaged populations by equipping systems to adequate prepare and deliver services to populations equitably, efficiently, and effectively. Her research interests include topics concerning resilience and creating culturally responsive classrooms.
The leaders and counselors in Prosper ISD walked away from their time with Dr. McLeod inspired and motivated to serve all students at a higher level. Professional development and preparation are necessary tools in order to protect the academic prosperity of our diverse learners. Prosper ISD looks forward to continuing training opportunities for the larger staff moving forward.
Counseling in the News
In the last six years the number of students graduating from coding bootcamps has reportedly increased 11-fold. But increasingly, bootcamps are discovering that it takes more than new financing options, job promises and teaching hard technical skills to enable graduates to succeed. The phenomenon is explored further in this piece, Beyond Bootcamps: How employers can Help nontraditional learners succeed.
LRT Sports is providing a platform for college student-athletes to rate their coaches and college recruits to rate their scouting experience. It also provides all the information about the recruiting process, policies and checklists needed before committing to a particular school, including scholarship opportunities.
The key facts about ACT and SAT score reports have been discussed at great length. What is perhaps more mysterious to test-takers, yet equally important, is how to interpret their PSAT score report.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst looks at the freshman year of Bronny James, son of LeBron James. He's part of a barnstorming national basketball powerhouse at Sierra Canyon, and part of a high school that is focusing its' culture in unique and creative ways.
***Lovepacs Prosper Recipients***
Please use this link register to receive a box of food for the 2 weeks upcoming Winter Break. This form MUST be filled out as the last is no longer in use. Our previous automated form had some challenges and we sincerely apologize for any confusion or disruption it caused in our attempts to serve you. The password for the link is: Lunch
We look forward to serving you during this holiday season.
If you have any concerns or issues please contact Jeni Sexton at jeni.sexton@lovepacs.org
Order your 2020 yearbook
Find your campus and order your yearbook
Please contact Lyndsey Hamlin at lghamlin@prosper-isd.net, if you have any questions.
Calendar of Upcoming Events
PISD Highlights Magazine
WATCH D.O.G.S. Volunteers
Thank you to our Watch D.O.G.S Volunteer this past week- Jay Grant, Paulo De La O, Steve Bunger
Interested in joining?
Creative Writing Club
The Creative Writing Club (CWC) is sponsoring a community event on Tuesday, December 17 from 6:30-7:30 at the Prosper High School Library.
Our Creative Writing Students from CWC and the class will be reading their work to friends and family. Students will read their original work, but in a more formal setting. Refreshments and dessert will be provided. These stories will also be bound in a book, and sold at the event.
For Parents of Students with Special Needs: Let’s Get Organized!
Overwhelmed with documents, records, and other important paperwork for your child? Start the new year with practical strategies for organization and guides to help document important information about your child for future caregivers.
Thursday, January 16, 2020- 6:30 – 8:00 PM
Folsom Elementary School - 800 Somerville Drive
- Create a care binder to keep all of your special needs child’s important information organized (i.e., school paperwork, medical records, agency contacts, legal documents)
- Begin writing a letter of intent to document important information about your child’s needs, preferences, routines, and your desires for his or her future
- Discuss transition topics, learn about community resources, and ask transition-related questions
Please RSVP through the link or by emailing Julia Chalker at jtchalker@prosper-isd.net.
***Childcare is also available by reservation through the same link.***
Go Cyber Start Registration Opens
Governor Abbott recently issued a press release about a partnership with the SANS Institute on a program called GirlsGoCyberStart. The partnership will focus on recruiting high school female students in fifteen states, including Texas, for a free online game for students to discover their talents in cybersecurity and learn more about computer security training.
I wanted to make sure that you are aware of this opportunity for your female students. We encourage all young women to participate, especially those who do not study computer science, have IT knowledge or experience. Teachers interested in becoming Club Advisors do not need experience either. Potential Advisors can visit www.ggcs.online/teacher-resources for the free promotional packs to support and motivate students.
All that is required is a computer and an internet connection. Young women in high school in Texas who excel in the GirlsGoCyberStart game will have the opportunity to win computers and other prizes. Here’s a site where your students can try a couple of the challenges. https://medium.com/girls-go-cyberstart/girls-go-cyberstart-challenge-teasers-ea7d0c35c5d3
Last year, Texas finished first of participating states in student participation and high school participation, and we’d love to keep that ranking and continue to increase participation in this program.
- 1,471 young women registered to participate CyberStart Assess in the hopes of winning scholarship money and free CyberStart gaming licenses for their schools.
- Texas had 64 clubs across the state qualify for the CyberStart Game, totaling 3,200 licenses awarded to Texas high schools, that students had access to through June 28th.
- Texas teams won accolades with one team placing 3rd in the Nation, and 6 more teams placing in the top 50. These teams have not only won monetary prizes for themselves but also for their schools.
This year there are 56 states and territories participating and we need your girls to keep Texas on top.
Registration is open now through January 31. Student teams will complete an assessment (CyberStart Assess), and those teams that qualify will move forward to the CyberStart Game. The earlier a team is registered, the more time they have available to complete the assessment, which also closes on January 31. See www.GirlsGoCyberStart.com for more information.
We hope to see your students join in the games!
Nancy Rainosek, Chief Information Security Officer
Office of the Chief Information Security Officer
Texas Department of Information Resources
Email: DIRSecurity@dir.texas.gov
Volunteers for the AP Research Program at PHS
In AP Research, students cultivate the skills and discipline necessary to conduct independent research and inquiry in order to produce and defend their scholarly work. At the conclusion of the course, students will have a publication-ready writing of original research they personally conducted and analyzed. More information on how to volunteer
PHS Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
More information on how the PTO benefits the students and staff.
Please contact us with any questions or concerns via email - ProsperHighPTO@gmail.com
Like us on Facebook - @PHSPTO
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