The Basis
Patriot High School - April/May Newsletter
Principal's Message
Dear Pioneer Community:
As the end of the school year approaches, and after a hopefully restful Spring Break, preparations are continuing to prepare students for the coming events—whether it is an Advanced Placement (AP) exam, a Standard of Learning (SOL) assessment, or graduation. Patriot’s faculty and staff will continue to strive to make sure each child is prepared to demonstrate mastery on those assessments.
The AP exam schedule, set by the College Board, begins May 7 and concludes on May 18. SOL assessments will be from April 26 through May 15. More information on the SOL and final exam schedule will be shared as the dates draw closer.
The graduation ceremony for the class of 2018 will be Tuesday, June 5, starting at 7 p.m., at the Jiffy Lube Live venue. Seniors have been asked to contribute $25 in senior dues and clear any possible financial obligations they may have accrued.
Many congratulations are due to our students and Patriot staff. This has been one of the most successful years as many athletes and teams have secured District, Regional, or State playoff success with many also earning individual recognition at the various levels. Congratulations are offered to our Boys’ Basketball team, as they secured the school’s first District title, and head coach Sherman Rivers who was named coach of the year! Our performing arts programs have earned high marks and distinguished themselves at District level assessments. Debate team members, participants in the 28th Annual Youth Oratorical Contest, students who completed community service projects, and student participation in Unified basketball have demonstrated how determined and driven Pioneers truly are!
Our teachers are truly the champions of the building and perform remarkable deeds every day. In special recognition, Kathryn Jett-McVea, a FACS teacher, has been recognized as a FCCLA Master Advisor. Furthermore, Cassandra Weathersbee, an earth science teacher, has been accepted to be a Science Communication Fellow with Ocean Exploration Trust which is an oceanographic expedition on the Nautilus in the Eastern Pacific Ocean for up to three weeks.
A symbol of our drive and determination is being recognized for the second year as a Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) School of Excellence (SOE). The SOE celebration for Patriot High School will be held on Thursday, May 3, starting at 2:30 p.m. More information will be available closer to the date.
Even as this school year is ending, planning is underway for the 2018-19 school year. Patriot is looking to enhance many school events such as Back-to-School night and orientation events, so be on the lookout for upcoming changes! Part of this is a new “Future Pioneer Parent Information Night” that we are implementing for our rising 9th-graders by working with our feeder middle schools. Early communication and expectations can only make our class of 2022 more at ease during their first year at Patriot.
Once again, I thank you for your continued support of Patriot High School.
Respectfully,
Michael E. Bishop, Ed.D.
Principal
School Counseling Department News
Schedule Changes
In March we have been wrapping up our scheduling visits with students for next year. All students should have met with their counselor to pick out their course selections for next year. Please talk with your students about their schedule requests and make sure that these selections match with your student’s commitments both in and outside of school.
In May/June students will be given a copy of what we currently have in the computer for their course selections for next year. Please review this with your student, make final selections of courses and return the form by the first day of exams. This is the last day that we will make changes to your course selection.
Not all changes will be honored as we do look at recommendations, class size and remaining availability. Students who wish to make a change in a class and are in need of a recommendation, are encouraged to go back to your teacher and discuss this request. The teacher can amend their previous recommendation, if appropriate, and will inform the counselor of this change.
Students who take a summer school class(es), and pass, will automatically be moved to the next level for that subject area.
We will not be changing any schedules except in cases of a wrong class in the fall. Please be confident in the courses you have selected, and if you have questions, consult with your counselor and teachers.
Follow us on Twitter
Want to keep up with what is happening in counseling? Follow us on our new Twitter account:
@PTHSCounselor
A few reminders from Mr. Lavely about school security:
- Students should know they are always able to report safety concerns or bullying incidents directly to him.
- School threats noticed on social media should be reported immediately.
- Students should not wear headphones during the school day. Why? Because if there is an emergency you will not hear what is going on.
- Cell phones should be off and put away out of sight unless being used for instructional purposes.
- The speed limit on campus for all drivers is 5 miles per hour.
- At the beginning and end of the school day, please watch for pedestrians and students. You must stop for anyone in a crosswalk on campus.
Supporting disABILITIES around the World 5k Walk/Run
Saturday, Apr 28, 2018, 07:30 AM
Patriot High School, Kettle Run Road, Nokesville, VA, USA
Digital Citizenship Dos and Dont's
Do: Build Your Own Brand
Your Internet presence is your personal brand – so make sure you promote yourself positively online and protect your reputation. Only do things online that you’d be happy for your parents to see.
Did you know that 40% of employers admit to checking the social media profiles of candidates when deciding who to employ? What would they think of yours.
Don’t: A person is known by the company they keep. Everything you do online leaves a footprint, so choose carefully who you hang out with online, and don’t break the law.
Don’t forget that online acts such as swearing, racism, insulting others, and posting photos of drinking, drug use, or pornographic material have all cost people real-life job opportunities.
For citation purposes… this information is courtesy of www.teachthought.com.
English Department News
National English Honor Society
NEHS students continue to volunteer their time reading to students and assisting teachers at T. Clay Wood Elementary. Their annual book drive will be held in the spring. The date is still to be announced.
Teacher of the Year
Christina Badorrek was honored by the Prince William County School Board and Superintendent on Tuesday, Jan. 30th for her nomination for Teacher of the Year for Patriot High School. Mrs. Badorrek’s colleagues and students submitted an overwhelming number of narratives speaking to her talents and compassion in the classroom. Thank you Mrs. Badorrek for making student learning a rigorous, dynamic, and joyful experience.
Upcoming Pre-AP English 10 Field Trip
On April 25th, Pre-AP English 10 students will be traveling to the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, VA for a performance of Taming of the Shrew, a play they will be reading in class. The play is performed using Shakespeare's actual staging conditions in a replica of the Globe Theatre. After the play, students will participate in a Q&A with the actors about the play and performance.
Upcoming AP Mock Exams
AP Literature and Composition will hold their mock exam after school on April 23rd OR April 24th (students can pick the day that works for them), in rooms 1104, 1105, 1107, and 1110. Please see your AP Lit. teacher if you have any questions. AP Language and Composition will hold their mock exam the morning of Saturday, April 7th in the auditorium. Doors will open at 7:30; exam will start promptly at 8:00. Please see your AP Lang. teacher if you have any questions.
Patriot High School
Check PTHS Facebook and Twitter (links above) as well as PTHS activities and Boosters on social media (links below) for news and information.
Athletic Information Twitter: @PatriotPioneers
Boosters Twitter: @BoosterClub_PHS
If you are having trouble with the school website, please email us at patriotwebsite@patrioths.com.
Website: https://patrioths.pwcs.edu/
Location: 10504 Kettle Run Road, Nokesville, VA, United States
Phone: 703-594-3020
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ThePatriotHS
Twitter: @ThePatriotHS