Prosper High School Newsletter
September 20, 2020
A Note from Dr. Burdett
We had a great week at PHS and it was topped off by our Meet the Eagles event last night at Prosper ISD's Children's Health Stadium. A special thank you to Dr. Ferguson for making this happen! Another event that Dr. Ferguson is giving us the opportunity to have is our Homecoming Parade on Wednesday, October 14. We are excited that we get to have a parade and provide the cherished high school moment for our kids and our community. We will have two modifications to the parade that are in alignment with our COVID-19 protocols: 1) we will not pass out candy and 2) only PHS clubs/organizations will be allowed to have a float in the parade. Both of these actions will allow us to have tighter controls on preventing the spread of COVID-19 while allowing us to have a parade to spotlight our incredible kids! Thank you again, Dr. Ferguson!
Last week, I shared some data points highlighting the incredible academic achievements of our kids. We are certainly proud of what we have accomplished! However, we always want to be forward facing and focus on what we are going to do by emphasizing the inputs that will lead to our outcomes. As we have previously communicated, in-person and virtual learners are held to the same high standards and expectations for learning and achievement for their class assignments, homework, and assessments (quizzes, tests, performance tasks). I am hearing from teachers that we have the vast majority of our students who are giving 100% effort, but there are still a few who are not living up to their full potential. Students will earn the grade that they receive whether they are in-person or virtual. In doing so, I know that this will build each student's self-esteem, pride, and personal accountability in knowing that the amount of work put into their own learning has produced their own outcomes. The expectations for active participation in class and for achievement are exactly the same for in-person and virtual learners. If your student is struggling, our teachers are available for in-person and virtual tutoring, we are available during Eagle Time, and we are available during class time for questions and additional support. I hope that our students take advantage of these opportunities to close any gaps in learning or to extend their learning.
In addition to our focus on academics, we continue to seek out opportunities for the social and emotional development of our students. We are pleased to announce that Collin Kartchner will be coming on October 8th to speak about the dangers or social media and how social media has a negative impact on the social and emotional well-being of kids. We will live stream this event for our kids at PHS and Mr. Kartchner will have an event for parents that evening. You can see below the flyer for the parent event on October 8th and a brief bio of Mr. Kartchner.
Thank you to everyone who participated in Prosper Education Foundation's 'Day of Giving'! Our goal was to raise $30,000 for teacher grants to positively impact students. We more than doubled this goal by raising $62,486. This money will directly impact our teachers and students and we appreciate all of the support of our Prosper Education Foundation. Thank you again for your generosity and for investing in our teachers and our kids!
We will have our first pep rally this Friday. It is our USA pep rally so wear red, white, and blue! Remember that this is for students only. No parents or visitors are allowed. We will have a modified bell schedule and we will accommodate those students who are traveling to/from RHHS for class. Students with late arrival should note the start time of 2nd period (10:07). In a nutshell, we are moving Eagle Time (10:00-10:36) to the end of the day. More details on the pep rally are at the bottom of this Newsletter.
For Kids, John
Email: jmburdett@prosper-isd.net
Office: 469.219.2185
Cell: 469.573.1488
I am currently reading Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power & Greatness by Robert K. Greenleaf.
Eagle Nation Online is the recipient of an International First Place Award. Eagle Nation Online was named one of only two Texas publications that ranked in this often-labeled "most challenging" of all critique-and-evaluation-service programs. Here's the link to see the schools recognized from throughout the nation: Quill & Scroll 2020 News Media Evaluation Top Programs. In addition, here is the judge's feedback that our kids received:
You should be proud of a job well done. This site is a true testament of the time, effort and
dedication your staff devotes to it. While the work is surely not always easy, your staff seems
able to adapt to make necessary changes to continue its mission to serve its audience with
credible, up-to-date information. You have the right mindset for producing a website. You
understand the importance of timeliness against the foundational backdrop of truthfulness and completeness. You also harness the power of the tools available to be engaging and interactive. From your self-evaluation, you always seem ready and able to work through problems to find workable solutions, even when circumstances present unforeseen and unprecedented challenges like you saw this spring. Your site is definitely on the right path.
Virtual Counseling Office
Check out the Virtual Counseling Office.
Coffee with the Counselors/Principal
We will have our first virtual Coffee with the Counselors/Principal this Thursday, September 24th at 9:00 am. We send invitations to attend this virtual event.
Senior Individual Meetings
On September 10th, the PHS Counselors will begin their individual senior guidance meetings. Here is the link to our Senior Presentation with helpful information for applying to college, financial aid, college essays and other important senior information. Senior Presentation
Please take the time to view this presentation with your student. Each counselor will meet individually with your senior student to do the following: ensure they are on track for graduation, discuss career and counseling resources, review their transcripts and answer any college application questions as needed. Please understand that it will take us several weeks to complete these meetings. If your student is virtual, we will be setting up Google Meets to hold these meetings.
We are looking forward to meeting with your students!
Leveling Down from an Honors or AP class
If your student is considering leveling down from an Honors or AP class at the end of the six weeks, 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/Soar time tutoring, additional resources, working with them on their study habits, etc. The student and parent must commit to the success plan until the end of the 6th week of school. If the student and parent still want to level down, then the student needs to pick up and complete a Request to Drop an Advanced Academic Class Form from their teacher or the counselor’s office to receive a schedule change.
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 - Request to Drop an Advanced Academic Class Form is picked up from teacher or counselor’s office.
- Students, parent and teacher follow the steps outlined in the form.
- Form is turned into the Counselor's office.
- Counselors will change schedule and send new schedule to student
Our Honors/AP teachers want the opportunity to assist our students in overcoming initial hurdles and achieving their goals by working with them to meet their potential.
The following form can be used as a guide to understanding the process. Please let your student's counselor or administrator know if you have any questions about this process.
Fall Virtual College Fairs
Thinking about college? Here's your chance to hear firsthand from those-in-the-know at hundreds of colleges and universities nearby, across the country, and around the world.
How? Attend a NACAC Virtual College Fair. See the fall schedule below. Sign up at virtualcollegefairs.org
Save the date! More than 600 colleges and universities will be online to talk with high school juniors and seniors on each of these dates this fall:
- Monday, Oct. 12: 1 - 9 p.m. ET
- Sunday, Oct. 18: 12 - 8 p.m. ET
- Sunday, Nov. 8: 2 - 10 p.m. ET
Each virtual fair is a free, one-day event. Attend as often as you like. Parents are invited too.
Simply sign up at virtualcollegefairs.org now and register for one or more fairs. On the event date, use your phone or computer to log in. Learn, connect, ask questions, and discover your best college fit!
DARN Virtual College Week- Sept. 8th – 10th
- Sept. 8th - College 101 and Paying for College – 6:00 PM Register here
- Sept. 9th – University Spotlights Night #1 Register here
- Sept. 10th – University Spotlights Night #2 Register here
PSAT & SAT on October 14th
On October the 14th, we will administer the PSAT and SAT at Prosper High School. These tests will be free of charge to all participants enrolled in PISD. In order to participate, students must physically be present at school on this day. There is no remote/online option available for these tests at this time.
All freshmen present will take the PSAT 8/9 diagnostic test. This is a real, preliminary exam from the College Board which provides progress monitoring information for students and families.
Sophomores and Juniors will take the PSAT. For Juniors, this will also count as their National Merit Semi-finalist Qualifying Test. This is a very important opportunity for our Juniors. Even students who may not achieve semi-finalist status can potentially qualify for scholarships at colleges and universities based on their score on this test.
Seniors will have the opportunity to take an SAT on this day, if they have committed by submitting the form previously emailed in the Skyward system. If you have not signed up and wish to participate, please email testing coordinator Amy Viars (arviars@prosper-isd.net) before Sept. 15th with your request.
Although we recognize that many remote students may choose not to test in person with us, we are planning space for every high school student. All students will receive an email the day prior to the exam with their testing room location, and PHS staff will also have master lists to direct students.
Students not physically present, and seniors who decide not to participate, will have a late arrival on this day and follow a special bell schedule; however, all students not testing and remote students must sign in and complete a counseling support assignment for attendance purposes. The assignment can be found HERE and must be completed/submitted prior to 11am on October 14th in order for students to be counted present. Please do not complete the form/assignment prior to Oct. 14th, as this will not be accepted to document attendance. Non-testing students are to arrive by 12:40 for their 1st period class and follow this abbreviated bell schedule. Remote students not on campus should log into their classes according to the times on the bell schedule. Remote learners who test at school this day will have time to return home to log into their class.
More information about the PSAT and SAT School Testing Day, along with resources and information about the potential benefits of these college entrance exams can be found in this presentation.
If you have any questions about your student’s participation in this program, please contact Amy Viars (arviars@prosper-isd.net).
Stress and Anxiety Round Table
PISD is planning to host a Stress and Anxiety Round Table on September 28. We are asking students and parents to submit questions for this presentation.
Please click HERE to submit a question that you would like addressed.
Counseling in the News
Accepting constructive criticism and understanding feedback can be challenging. Teacher Kristy Louden offers forth methods for getting students to take these offerings to heart.
It's college ranking season! The new 2021 guides to the top schools are out and readily available. Read insights and rankings from The Princeton Review, College Raptor, Niche, U.S. News & World Report, and Times Higher Education.
For an alternative list that focuses on socially conscious rankings of universities, read the interesting writeup and peruse the listings of Washington Monthly.
‘Life Is in Chaos’: How 13,000 High School Students Are Weathering the Pandemic. This is a thought-provoking interpretation of survey results from questionnaires sent to students during the height of the pandemic this past spring.
Wearing masks, social distancing, facing financial instability, being stuck at home for months: It’s hard to be your best self. Parents are stressed to the max and there’s no end in sight. Writer Judy Mandell explains how to tame your temper when pandemic parenting stress has you boiling.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS - Game Information
TICKETS
● ALL tickets are ONLINE only - www.spicket.events/prosper
● DO NOT redeem ticket until at the gate
- No passes will be accepted.
- No student-athletes stickers.
- No ISD badges will be accepted.
● SUNDAY - 1 pm - Parent Ticket Sales - Limit 4 - Use Student ID#
● MONDAY - 7 am - Current Season Ticket Holders - Limit 2 - Use code that will be emailed
● MONDAY - 12:30 pm - Current HS Students Ticket Sales - Limit 1 - Use Student ID#
● WEDNESDAY - 7 am - General Public & VISITORS Ticket Sales
SPECTATOR RULES
● Spectators must wear face coverings at all times
● All spectators must answer No to the COVID screening questions to be allowed entry.
● Spectators must maintain social distance from other spectators not in their party
GENERAL INFO
● NO CASH ACCEPTED at concessions. Credit Cards only
● All games are at 7 pm
● Gates open at 6 pm, unless otherwise noted.
● Band/Drill will be on the Visitor side - Sections 108-111
● NO CROSSOVER is allowed
● Athletes, Team Personnel & Fine Arts groups are not allowed to interact with spectators
CLASS OF 2022
Junior World Affairs Council
School Picture Retake Day- Thursday, October 15
Anyone who has not yet had their picture taken - in-person, virtual, or anyone that would like a retake. Location: downstairs arena foyer. Sign up here
Please contact Lyndsey Hamlin -lghamlin@prosper-isd.net - if you have any questions.
Purchase a Yearbook
Yearbook recognition ads are a great way for parents, families and friends to commemorate student achievements and important milestones. In addition, revenues from recognition ads help our school to create a better yearbook. To purchase your ad online, follow the instructions on the form below.
PHS Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
We are a volunteer organization made up of parents, teachers, administrators, and support staff who are all dedicated to the successful education of our children. This year provides some unique challenges, but your PTO is working hard to help make this year great for our students, teachers, administration, support staff, and parents.
The PTO Board and I look forward to meeting all Eagle Nation families virtually or in person. We welcome you as PTO members and hope if you have some time that you will volunteer with us. Everything we do is based on volunteers and we are always looking for help to make a difference in the lives of our children. Please let us know your interests and availability and we will find a spot for you.
Let’s keep in touch. Monthly PTO General Membership meetings are held the first Thursday of every month at 10am. Currently, meetings are virtual with a sign-up posted a week in advance. Meeting minutes are published as soon as possible on our PTO website. We also have a Facebook page and a Twitter account (@ProsperHS_PTO). Please follow us for the latest news.
Thank you for supporting Prosper High School PTO! Here’s to a great year full of growth and excitement for learning as we navigate this new normal together.
Respectfully,
Catherine Williams
2020-2021 Prosper High School PTO Board
Catherine Williams - President
Keena Arias - Vice President
Ariadne Popovich - Treasurer
Chrystalee Thompson - Secretary
Judy Barnes – Parliamentarian
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
October 12: Columbus Day / School Holiday
October 13: Beginning of 2nd 9 Weeks
October 15: School picture retake day - Sign up here
October 30: Professional Learning / Elementary Conference / Student Holiday
November 23-27: Thanksgiving Break / School Holiday
December 18: Early Release / End of 2nd 9 Weeks
December 21-31: Winter Break / School Holiday
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.
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.
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. Remember, your student can log in to classes from home and you will not be counted absent if you log in within the first 20 minutes of the class. This also allows you to keep your student safe and the other 2,000 students at PHS safe and helps to prevent the spread of illness. 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.
Stadium Regulations
Please review the following information about regulations for events held at PISD Children's Health Stadium. More detailed information including ticketing information can be found HERE.
- Access to seating, press-box, and field will be allowed only with required ticket and/or pass issued by Prosper
- Authorized personnel ONLY on the field or in team area before, during or after
- All spectators & personnel must self-screen for COVID symptoms
- All spectators & personnel must also answer No to having tested positive or having close contact in the past 14 days with someone who has tested
- All spectators & personnel must wear a face covering during the entire game, unless maintaining 6 feet of distance.
- UIL COVID regulations state, “All participants should maintain separation from non- participants and fans. Individuals not essential to the team or group should not be given access to contest areas, performance areas, courts, or fields at all before, during, or after contests and events.”
- West side of the stadium is home seating and the East side is visitor seating. Tickets must be purchased for your team’s side only.
- No crossover between East and West sides of the stadium will be allowed.
- No re-entry to stadium without the purchase of a new ticket, including passes.
- No outside food or drink is allowed.
- No outside balls, skateboards, etc.
- No solicitation other than athletic, band and drill team booster clubs.
- No videotaping without authorization of both schools and stadium staff.
- No comfort pets and/or live mascots will be allowed.
- All PISD policies regarding banned substances such as tobacco, alcohol, and e-cigs will be strictly enforced.
- All spectators must be appropriately clothed. Administrators reserve the right to eject anyone wearing offensive items.
- No golf carts allowed on the premises. All golf cart parking is at Boyer Elementary.
- In the event of an emergency evacuation, please refer to the copy of “Prosper ISD Stadium Evacuation Plan”.
- PISD stadium has a clear bag policy.
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 phsadministrativeattendance@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.
Pep Rally
Pep Rallies are back and our first one will be on 9/25!!!!! The pep rallies will have strict guidelines that we will enforce. We appreciate your understanding as we do our best to have fun and follow COVID-19 protocols of social distancing and face mask/coverings.
- Pep Rallies will be for students, staff, and set up crew only. No parents, families, or other guests will be allowed. We will stream the pep rallies for you to see from home.
- Seniors will be allowed to attend each pep rally and we alternate one other grade level in attendance for the pep rallies. The other students will stay in class and watch the pep rally via live stream.
- We will space students as much as possible in the arena during the pep rally and face masks/face shields will be required for those in attendance.
Afternoon Event Bell Schedule
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