Paly Community Update
Week 6
Viking Families!
Wishing you a wonderful and safe weekend. Included in this update is information from Mr. Kline, Principal and our Guidance Department.
Principal's Update
Hello School Families!
Even in the midst of distance learning, our students continue to share a strong interest in being involved in aspects of Paly outside of their academic responsibilities. A great example of this enthusiasm was the number of students interested in being members of the newly formed Principal’s Advisory Group (PAC). This year, we had sixty students apply for the PAC. Last week, I was joined by the students’ assistant principal, for a brief interview with each candidate. After careful consideration, we selected a group of students that represent a variety of student groups and interests. The results of the selection process were communicated to those students that applied for the PAC last Friday. I am happy to share with you this year's PAC:
Principal's Advisory Committee 2020-2021
Progress Reports
Last week Progress Reports were published on Infinite Campus. Please have a conversation with your student and encourage them to seek teacher feedback to make any adjustments necessary. Teachers can be accessed directly during office hours 3:10-3:40 PM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Links are available on Schoology.
If your students received a grade of C- or below, please encourage your student to check in with their teachers for support. Many teachers have written individual comments with recommendations for improvement.
How to Access Your Student’s Progress Reports through Infinite Campus
Teachers have completed the first Progress Reports for our students. While the progress reports have been published to the Parent Portal, they are sometimes difficult to find. For additional information about Infinite Campus, please visit the pausd.org website for FAQ. Here are the steps you’ll need to follow to access these mid-quarter reports:
Sign in to Infinite Campus.
There will be an alert that there is a new message in your Inbox.
Select the child whose report they wish to review, the language (English or Spanish)
Select "Generate" a report.
Club Fair
Principal's Update--Students
In an attempt to increase communication with students, I shared a short video with our students earlier this week. I thought it might be helpful to also share this video with parents as well. Here is a link to this month's Principal Chat: https://youtu.be/EanpbYNGvPk
Thank you PiE --Palo Alto Partners in Education
Partners in Education (PiE): PiE raises money from parents and the community to provide all Palo Alto Unified School District students an educational experience beyond what is possible with public funding.
On behalf of the entire Paly Teachers and Guidance Department we send our Thanks for the donations you have made to PiE. Your funds help to cover associated costs with the Teacher Advisor (TA) program, Science staff, Wellness Outreach Worker, CASSY Therapist, College and Career Advisor, and other Counseling and Guidance staff.
The 2020-2021 fundraising campaign has begun. See here what PIE at Paly supports.
Paly Guidance
Advisory
The first progress notes of the year have been posted, making it the perfect time to talk about exactly what those marks mean. In both the 9th and 10th Grade Advisories this week, they did just that. TAs also helped the students understand how to be self-advocates. In education, like life, it is their responsibility to understand what they are learning and where to go for help or clarification. The lessons mapped out an action plan made up of 3 steps that will help them be successful. One of the most useful tools within the lesson is learning how to craft a message to a teacher. To see more of the Sophomore lesson, look here. For Freshman, look here.
If your student has follow-up questions about what was reviewed in Advisory this week, please have them reach out to their TA. If a student was sick and absent from advisory, please have them review the slide deck found in their Advisory class in Schoology and then follow-up with their TA with any questions they might have. If students have feedback to offer about advisory lessons, please have them speak with their TA or email Ann Deggelman (adeggelman@pausd.org).
Junior Parent Night
This coming Wednesday 9/30/20 is our fall Junior Parent Night. Please use the following link to join us from 6-7:30 pm: https://pausd.zoom.us/j/92780350451
College and Career Center
UC App Help Workshop
Seniors working on UC applications: the C&CC will host a virtual workshop Tues., Sept. 29 at 3:10 pm. This is a time to get questions answered and/or work on your UC App with College Advisors in the “room” to offer assistance and advice. Please find the Zoom meeting ID in the event on the C&CC Class of 2021 Schoology course calendar. This workshop is for students, only. If your student can’t make it, be sure to check out the “Tips for Completing the UC Application Online” document in the CSU/UC folder in the C&CC Class of 2021 Schoology course.
PS: The CSU application doesn’t open until Oct. 1; we’ll host another workshop, later, for it.
All scheduled future workshops are listed on the main calendar on paly.net. In addition, all are listed in the C&CC Class of 2021 Schoology course calendar.
Sophomore Parent Night
Thank you for attending Sophomore Parent Night via zoom on Wednesday. Here is the slide deck that was used.
Wellness
Virtual Wellness Fair Oct 5-9
We’ll be raffling off prizes each day for attendees, so stay tuned for more info here and on our Instagram: @palywellness
Transcripts (reminder from week 1)
Transcripts ordered through parchment have a turnaround time of 24-48 hours to be released (not including weekends). For prior approved courses taken over the summer, an official transcript must be sent to Merilyn Tonga (mtonga@pausd.org) directly from the institution/college.
Students must contact the teacher of record for any grade-change requests (due to errors or pre-arranged agreements). All other inquires to our registrar (mtonga@pausd.org) will have a reply back within 48 hours.