PHS Upcoming Events
Week of September 30th, 2019
Dear PHS Families,
This evening is the PHS Football Homecoming game. This is a great time to show school pride and build community. I hope to see everyone at the Turf Field as the Sandstoners take on the Malone Huskies. Go Orange and Blue!
Can't make it to the game? All Potsdam Modified, JV, and Varsity athletic contests scheduled for the turf field or the high school gym are available through live video stream or video on demand on the NFHS Network. A subscription is required to watch the live stream or the VOD can be viewed for free a short time after the conclusion of the contest. Please contact Mr. Wilson (mwilson@potsdam.k12.ny.us) in the Athletics Office with any questions.
The PHS Homecoming Dance will be held on Saturday, September 28th, from 8:00-11:00 pm. Students must arrive at the dance no later than 9:00 pm. Tickets for the evening are $10.00 per person. All proceeds go to the PHS Yearbook Club and help to defray the overall cost for student yearbooks.
Next Friday, October 4th, marks the midway point of the first Marking Period of the 2019-20 school year. Please take some time to speak with your student and check SchoolTool to make sure that all assignments have been turned in to their teachers. Progress Reports will be mailed home on October 11th.
On October 1st, the Sophomore (10th grade) class will be participating in Canton-Potsdam Hospital's “Let’s Not Meet By Accident” program. This program is aimed at helping students understand the consequences of driving while impaired or distracted. Students will be working with a number of medical and law enforcement professionals and participate in a first responder simulation with the Potsdam Volunteer Rescue Squad, a trauma simulation with CPH doctors and nurses, and a visit to the morgue with the county coroner. Students will also engage in discussions with members of the St. Lawrence County STOP DWI program and the St. Lawrence Country Sheriff's Department. "Let's Not Meet By Accident" is a very comprehensive program, and we are thankful to all of the agencies and individuals who coordinate it.
Vaping and the use of e-cigarettes by teens across the United States continues to rise. The New York State Department of Health calls it "an emerging public health threat" and the U.S. Surgeon General says it's an "epidemic." At PHS, we have been addressing this issue under the code of conduct as "tobacco possession" or "tobacco use" and have installed "vape detectors" in the restrooms to deter students from using these products. Also, we have been educating students on the dangers associated with it. However, during conversations with students, it has become evident that many students think that vaping or the use of e-cigarettes is a safe alternative to smoking.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that since September 6th, there have been 450 cases of vaping-associated pulmonary illness in 33 states and one U.S. territory. Five deaths have also been reported. According to the Upstate New York Poison Center (affiliated with the State University's Upstate Medical University in Syracuse), they have, "received 13 calls locally that are currently being investigated by the New York State Department of Health. Currently, 1 in 5 high school students say they vape, and 1 in 20 middle school students admit to trying vaping. The long-term health impact of vaping is unknown."
To help combat this growing problem, the Upstate New York Poison Center has produced an educational video to inform parents of the dangers of vaping. It is about five minutes long, and I encourage you to take the time to watch it.
The following colleges will be visiting PHS:
- October 1st at 1:30 pm - Keuka College
- October 1st at 1:30 pm - Hobart William Smith
- October 1st at 1:45 pm - Lemoyne College
- October 1st at 1:45 pm - Niagara University
- October 2nd at 9:00 am - University of New Haven
- October 2nd at 8:30 am - College of St. Rose
- October 3rd at 12:30 pm - SUNY Oneonta
- October 16th at 1:30 pm - University of Vermont
- October 17th at 11:30 am - Utica College
- October 23rd at 8:00 am - Hartwick College
- October 23rd at 9:30 am - SUNY Plattsburgh
- October 28th at 10:00 am - Cazenovia College
- October 29th at 9:00 am - North Country Community College
- October 30th at 8:00 am - SUNY Geneseo
Please help support PHS! We can earn free school supplies and equipment through the Price Chopper “Tools for Schools” program. Please consider enrolling and linking your AdvantagEdge Card to PHS to help us earn points. You can enroll at www.pricechopper.com/tools-schools. Our school code is: 49833.
The Potsdam Booster Club has begun their annual Blue & Orange Discount Card sale. Cards cost $10 each and can be purchased from any fall sport athlete or from the main office at the high school. You can also contact Mr. Wilson (mwilson@potsdam.k12.ny.us) directly for purchases. Thank you for your support of the Potsdam Athletic Program.
Athletics are in full swing; you can keep up to date on Potsdam team practices and games using the Section X Calendar. You also have the option of subscribing to the calendar and getting regular reminders and updates.
The PHS Library is open Monday through Thursday each week from 2:15 to 4:00 pm for any students to get extra help on homework, to work on a group project, or just to take advantage of a quiet space.
Next Week at PHS:
Monday, September 30 (Day 1)
- Science Olympiad (2:20-3:00 pm in Room 840)
- Whiz Quiz (2:20-3:00 pm in Room 889)
- Drama Club (2:20-3:00 pm in the Chorus Room)
- Student Council (2:20 pm in Room 894)
- Open Library (2:15-4:00 pm)
- Jazz Band (7:30-8:30 pm in the PHS Band Room)
Tuesday, October 1 (Day 2)
- Yearbook Meeting (2:20 pm in the PHS Library)
- Chess Club (2:20-3:45 pm in Room 869)
- Open Library (2:15-4:00 pm)
Wednesday, October 2 (Day 3 - Flex Schedule)
- Positivity Club Meeting (6:45 am in the PHS Library)
- Model U.N. Meeting (2:20 pm in the PHS Library)
Thursday, October 3 (Day 4)
- Varsity Club (2:20-3:00 pm in the PHS Gymnasium)
- Speech & Debate (2:20-3:00 pm in Room 887)
- Artistic Congress (2:20-3:00 pm in the Art Room)
- Environmental Club (2:20-3:00 pm in Room 886)
- Agriculture Club (2:20-3:00 pm in Room 840)
- Robotics Club (2:20-3:00 pm in Room 831)
- Open Library (2:15-4:00 pm)
Friday, October 4 (Day 5)
- End of the 1st Progress Period (1st Five Weeks)
Saturday, October 5
- SAT (7:30 am in the PHS Cafeteria)
If you ever have any concerns or questions, you can always contact me at 265-2000 x 811 or mbennett@potsdam.k12.ny.us. Have a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Mark Bennett
Potsdam Senior High School
Email: mbennett@potsdam.k12.ny.us
Website: phs.potsdam.k12.ny.us
Location: 29 Leroy Street, Potsdam, NY, USA
Phone: (315) 265-2000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Potsdam-High-School-149045258445747/?ref=your_pages
Twitter: @postdamCSD