Trojan Update
April 17th, 2019
A Lot Happens in Two Weeks!
Lots of goings on at PHS these last two weeks, including the PEF Awards, the Mahoney Family Community Achievement Awards, the PHS Wildlife Museum Pasta Feed and Auction, a couple of dances, and the Every 15 Minutes program. Please see details in the update below.
I wanted to thank everyone for your participation in Every 15 Minutes. It is an emotionally draining program, but if some of our students can avoid bad choices that can ruin the lives of themselves and others, then it may be worth it.
CAASPP testing is continuing this week for our juniors. Don't forget AP testing coming up starting in early May.
Check the calendar below for upcoming dates including the West Side Band Festival and the Spring Drama Production.
A couple of other quick updates:
- We have recently observed quite a few Door Dash or UberEats deliveries to campus. Please let your son or daughter know that school is NOT an address where meals, smoothies, etc will be accepted for later pickup by the student. If a representative from Door Dash or other delivery service shows up with a meal for a student, we will not be accepting delivery.
- A reminder that PHS is a closed campus during nutrition break. Students are not allowed off campus during this time. In the event that a student is off-campus, he or she is subject to discipline, Saturday School, etc.
- We will be holding an assembly on Monday, April 22nd for our freshmen students regarding vaping and the dangers associated. Thank you to PPAD for partnering with us on this important topic.
Hope everyone is enjoying the Spring weather to come after this hopefully last April shower!
Have a great week.
PHS Wildlife Museum Pasta Feed
More than 500 people toured through the PHS Wildlife Museum last Saturday night, oohing and aahing about the displays and learning from our student docents about the goals of the museum. Guests also heard about recent updates including new installations, new paint, and new flooring. A number of new board members were also introduced, all in the spirit of reimagining the possibilities of the museum.
Then it was on to the Multi for a fabulous pasta feed and silent auction. It was great to see a full house supporting the students as they plan next year's trip to San Diego. Numbers are still being tallied but all signs point to a very successful night!
Dinner and Silent Auction
In the museum
Mr. Tacata presents...
NEON DANCE!
Lining up
Colors!
Our tired ASB crew after clean up. Great job!
FFA Success in Fresno
FFA had another excellent weekend, this time in Fresno. Our Dairy Judging, Ag. Mechanics and Livestock teams had a great day competing at the 71st annual Fresno State FFA Field day.
Our Dairy team placed 1st in reasons and 4th high team overall.
Our Ag. Mechanics team placed in the top 5 in 5 of 6 areas of the contest and ended up 5th overall anchored by another strong performance by senior Derrick Pomi.
Our Livestock team was short a couple of members but used the event as a a warm up for the upcoming state FFA finals Field Day to be held on Saturday, May 4. All three teams look forward to this next challenge!
Keep it going, Petaluma FFA!
Emily Cooper, Amanda King
Samantha Gambonini, Logan Pomi, Olivia Poncia, Audrey Arntz
Matt Forney, Andy Ghirardelli, Derrick Pomi, Ben Forney
Press Democrat Youth Service Awards 2019
PHS Students Honored at PD Service Awards; Cheda Top 10!
Our very own Lucas Cheda was named as the Press Democrat 2019 scholarship winner for his leadership and volunteerism in the field of agriculture. For his efforts, Lucas will receive $2000 toward his future educational goals. Many other PHS students were also nominated and it should be noted what a high honor it is to be considered for this honor. Other PHS nominees included: Samantha Andrews (Arts); Serena Horvath (Athletics); Ava Schafbuch (Community Action); David Aragon Jacinto (English Education/Foreign Language); Kayla Pearson (Environmental Science); Ebony Berry-Brown (Health Sciences); Jorge Villabos-Brizuela (Mathematics); and Griffin Epstein (Journalism);
Below is the PD article describing Lucas's work!
Lucas Cheda: Petaluma High School
After years of involvement with local agricultural groups, Lucas Cheda sprang into action after the October 2017 wildfires erupted in Sonoma County.
Cheda, who has been a 4-H junior leader and has aided the Petaluma FFA, said he spent more than 100 hours at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds helping set up and run a livestock evacuation center to take care of animals during the wildfires. He covered several overnight shifts, as well as helped build corrals, set up watering systems and distributed food to a variety of animals, including nearly three dozen of his own family’s calves.
One moment that sticks with him was when a man and his daughter and their three pets pulled up to the fairgrounds. The man couldn’t find his wife. Cheda said he helped get the man’s animals settled for the night so that he would have one less worry.
“It was so hard to see how quickly someone’s life is turned upside down, but also very fulfilling to be in a position to help, to make it better for this family,” Cheda said.
Cheda’s volunteer work also includes assisting younger 4-H members who raise hogs for local fairs and mentoring a child with emotional and learning disabilities.
Allison Keaney, CEO of the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds, described Cheda as a willing and professional worker with the maturity to balance his agricultural passions with school and sports.
Cheda hopes to pursue a degree in agriculture education at Montana State University starting this fall before becoming a teacher.
Community Achievement Awards @ PHS
The PHS Seniors in the the top 10 include:
10th Grade Top Students
11th Grade Top Students
Ethan Shabazian accepts his award
Important Upcoming Dates
Don't forget the following dates:
April 20th - Junior States of America (JSA) Hosts Chapter Meeting at PHS
April 22nd - Spanish 3 Field Trip
April 22nd - Scholarship Recognition Night
April 22nd - Athletic Boosters
April 23rd - Bodega Bay Field Trip - MarS
April 24th - WestSide Band Festival
April 24th - Staff Meeting
April 25-27th; May 2-4 - SPRING MUSICAL - Once Upon A Pea
April 25-28th - SkillsUSA State Convention
April 27-30th - FFA State Convention
April 29th - MarS Parent Orientation
April 30th - Coffee With the Principal @ 9AM at Aqus Cafe
May 1st - Department Meeting
May 6th-17th - AP Testing
May 26th - Senior Prom at Bentley Reserve
May 31st - Last Day of School
June 1st - Graduation 10AM
Petaluma Educational Foundation (PEF) Awards
Valentin accepts his award
...and more!
Cole Stremlau and George Tynes
Principles of Engineering Students Work Robotics With Valley Vista
Students from Ms. Eaton's Principles of Engineering program shared their robotics projects with Mr. Granger's Valley Vista 5th grade class last week. This is a great way to excite our younger students about
PoE Students...
...showing Valley Vista 5th Graders...
...the elements of robotics.
BSA City Lights Dance!
Ms. Moreno and Ms. Lua offer dancing tips
After the dinner feast
Future PHS student demonstrates pinata skills
Every 15 Minutes
Summer School Information
Petaluma High School
Email: dstirrat@petk12.org
Website: petalumahighschool.org
Location: 201 Fair Street, Petaluma, CA, United States
Phone: 707-778-4652
Twitter: @PetalumaHS