Trojan Update
December 16th, 2015
A Long Day's Semester Coming to a Close
It is an interesting time in the world in the wake of Paris and San Bernardino, a little like the weeks and months after 9/11 when we wondered if the country and world would right itself. There are pointed speeches and opinions about how we should move forward collectively as a country. Our students struggle with making sense of all this, confused when they come to realize the adults don't really have answers. Our children grow and mature in the cocoon of the family; parents deliberately keep children safe and protected from certain elements, and our children ideally come to rely on us for advice and direction. It is high school when those children shift their perspective and begin to see their own place and direction. That is why we believe it is critical to guide them during these moments of national and international confusion. We must describe to our children the awkward tension between protecting our ideals and freedoms, and our fear for our individual and collective safety. It is tempting as it was after 9/11 to succumb to xenophobic fear and the desire to triple wrap the cocoon of safety. But that retreat will come at a cost to freedom and to our competing desire to embrace all comers and celebrate the diversity of opinion, race, religion and gender.
Our slogan this year at Petaluma High is Every Voice Heard. We believe all voices do matter and that our PHS community has established a commitment to listen and respond. This holiday season, we hope you'll find the time to talk as families about these central issues, discuss fears, and consider making room in your mind for the perspectives of others.
From all of us at Petaluma High School, we wish you a safe and joyful holiday season. We have all earned it!
FFA Potluck Auction Serves it Up!
In related news, Ms. Arntz learned last week that the Petaluma Wildlife Museum has received a $24,000 donation to remodel the reptile room facility. The funds will allow us to install state of the art housing for the animals in our living collection - something we have needed for many, many years! We expect the work to begin in late January of 2016.
If you haven't been inside the Museum, put a visit on your New Year's Bucket List!
Auctioneering in Action!
Watching the bids...
Did you say $700?!
Industrial Technology Shop Gets a Face Lift (Thank You, Pete!)
In the last update, I inadvertently omitted an important person who has been critical to making the industrial tech lab hum. I want to especially thank Pete Bordiga for helping out both in the clean up and by volunteering his time in the lab with students! He is in almost everyday working with students, showing them how to safely build, design, weld and clean up. He is one of many examples of the glue that makes teaching and learning happen at PHS. Thank you, Pete!
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BwfnXkby_8SGOENXTm1OLVRsVzA&usp=sharing
COMING UP November/December Events
DECEMBER/JANUARY:
December 16th to 18th - FINALS - 3/6; 4/5, 1/2: End of the Semester.
December 21st to January 4th...Winter Break......Happy Holidays!!!
January 4th - Teacher Work Day - NO SCHOOL
January 5th (Tuesday) - First Day of Second Semester
January 9th - PHS Gym Grand Opening
January 11th - Principal's Tour
January 11th - Elective Passport Day
January 11th - PTSA @6:30pm
January 14th - Club Rush 2
January 14th - Site Council
January 14th - 8th Grade Parent Night
January 18th - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL
January 23rd - Winter Formal dance
February 18th - AP/Honors Evening
Trojans Crack Open Basketball Season With Road Victory over Gauchos, Then Continue Hot Start
Led by a trio of double digit scorers (Perez, Zedek, and Garber) and guided from the top by Ryan Cox, the Petaluma Trojans overcame a slow start and eventually put away the Casa Grande Gauchos. Down 19-9 toward the end of the first quarter, Coach Scott Behrs called for a full court trap. The momentum shifted and by halftime, the score was almost level. After a close and energetic third quarter, the Trojan depth helped them pull away for the final 61-49 win. Well done, Trojan boys! For a recap, see the PD article:
After the strong opening victory at Casa Grande, the Trojan boys have continued to be road warriors. Last Tuesday, they took on San Rafael High, overcoming a slow first quarter to run away with a 51-42 win. They followed this performance with a strong 56-47 victory over Novato High last Thursday. Ryan Cox and Ryan Perez each poured in 19 to lead the way.
BREAKING: Trojans Shock Santa Rosa With Late Comeback
Music on the Move!
Don't miss the Varsity Jazz Ensemble @ The Mystic Theatre, performing a benefit concert for the PHS Music Dept. on January 16th at the Mystic Theatre with headliner "Con Brio." Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here:
See the poster below!
And last Thursday, Cliff and Kevin (Klemonok) presented the Winter Concert in the Multi - wonderful to hear the 8th graders coming up and the growing greatness of our own bands. On Friday, Cliff and the choir performed beautifully at Elim Church. Proud of our music program!
Young T-Girls Coming Together
Holiday Market Smashes Records, Crushes Wall Street, Leads to Singing in the Streets
Superintendent Callahan Does Some Christmas Shopping at the Holiday Market
Floral Design Comes Alive!
CAASPP Testing - Coming in April!
Wrestling Going At It...
Crab Feed - Forewarning!
Holiday Surprise!
Some Light Holiday Reading
Petaluma High School
Email: dstirrat@petk12.org
Website: petalumahighschool.org
Location: 201 Fair Street, Petaluma, CA, United States
Phone: 707-778-4652
Twitter: @PetalumaHS