Connect with PHS
A weekly newsletter - October 2, 2020
Message from Ameka Hunt, Principal of PHS
The cooler weather is here and with that comes football, pumpkin spice and the excitement of the upcoming holidays. I wanted to take a few minutes to remind parents the importance of reviewing their students grades in Skyward. You can do this by going to your Skyward account under the parent portal, click “Grading” and “Grading” again. If you do not have access to your Parent Portal, please see the article included in this newsletter that will provide those directions.
Keeping up to date with your student’s progress and communicating concerns with their teachers is helpful to the teachers but more importantly the students. We thank you all for your support as we continue to serve our students and community.
Reminder: The first 9 weeks of the school year end on Thursday
Reminder for students
Students, be sure you are checking your emails daily so as not to miss out on Important information.
Thank you.
Parking Permit Applications
In order to ensure the safety of our campus, we have started the Parking Permit Application Process. For all students who plan to drive to the PHS campus for school, please visit the link below to begin the process of purchasing a permit.
It’s Okay To Talk About Suicide
It’s Okay To Talk About Suicide, and here are the Numbers as to Why you Should:
- Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-34 in the U.S.
- Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S.
- The overall suicide rate in the U.S. has increased by 31% since 2001
- 46% of people who die by suicide had a diagnosed mental health condition
- 90% of people who die by suicide had shown symptoms of a mental health condition, according to interviews with family, friends and medical professionals (also known as psychological autopsy)
- Lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are 4x more likely to attempt suicide than straight youth
- 75% of people who die by suicide are male
- Transgender adults are nearly 12x more likely to attempt suicide than the general population
- Annual prevalence of serious thoughts of suicide, by U.S. demographic group:
o 4.3% of all adults
o 11.0% of young adults aged 18-25
o 17.2% of high school students
o 47.7% of lesbian, gay, and bisexual high school students
Watch this story about How to have open conversations about suicide with your kids
https://www.today.com/video/how-to-have-open-conversations-about-suicide-with-your-kids-92853317937
Sign up for a Virtual One-on-One Appointment https://calendly.com/ana-bowie
Ana Bowie, LMSW
She/Her/Hers
Pflugerville High School
Campus Social Worker
Google Voice 512-594-0539
From our Counseling Staff
AP Exam Information
Please click on this Link to 2021 AP Exam Information
- Students must join their teacher’s AP Classroom in order to sign up for the exam.
- Exams must be confirmed by October 30th with a down payment in order to be officially ordered.
- Payment this year will be through RevTrak, first down payment is due by October 30th.
Click here for AP Exam Scholarship Application for non-free and reduced students.
Connect with your Counselor - What to know how to contact a counselor or our social worker? What to know how to set up a meeting or what resources are available to support your student, check out our short video to walk you through how to connect with us: https://www.loom.com/share/a76d977d757c4fe4be4f92a5005de7f4
Sarah Cable
Counselor for student last names P-R
PHS Lead Counselor 512-594-0526
Counseling Team
Parents & students, please know that we are there to support you academically and emotionally. If you are needing support from your counselor please feel free to email or call.
Counselors by alpha split:
A-D: Christina.Powell@pfisd.net / 512-594-0533
E-J: Lindsay.SaylorCarroll@pfisd.net / 512-594-0575
K-O: Mathew.Doeckel@pfisd.net / 512-594-0529 (current sub for Mrs. Johnson on maternity leave)
P-R: Sarah.Cable@pfisd.net / 512-594-0526
S-Z: Geminesse.Scott@pfisd.net / 512-594-0530
Social Worker: Ana.Bowie@pfisd.net / 512-594-0539
College & Career: Nicholas.Howell@pfisd.net / 512-594-0527
PHS Administrators
Please be assured that our leadership team will continue to support the student body of PHS. Please contact your administrator with any questions or concerns you may have. Assistant principals will support students based on their last name. See the information below for details.
PHS Administrative Team:
Ameka Hunt - Principal
Dr. Emily Delgado-Associate Principal
Dr. Sara Butler-Intervention & Testing Principal
Argie Flores- Principal (A-E)
Sara Dardeau- Principal (F - Lon)
Crystal Keck – Principal (Loo - Riv)
Christopher Riley - Principal (Ro - Z)
PHS Support Staff
Panther Families,
Our panther family has experienced recent losses that have impacted our community in different ways. We have a team of dedicated emotional support staff that are available to speak with students and parents.
In light of the recent losses to our school community, we will be hosting virtual emotional support on Monday, Oct 5 and Tuesday, Oct 6 from 8-9:30am and 3-4:30pm for any student or parent.
Morning Counseling Support - Oct 5 & 6, 2020 08:00-9:30 AM
Join Zoom Meeting: https://pfisd-net.zoom.us/j/89224588975
Meeting ID: 892 2458 8975 Passcode: PHShelp
Afternoon Counseling Support - Oct 5 & 6, 2020 03:00-4:30 PM
Join Zoom Meeting: https://pfisd-net.zoom.us/j/85201452948
Meeting ID: 852 0145 2948 Passcode: PHShelp
We encourage parents to stay connected with your students and engage in positive conversation regarding emotional wellness. Ask your teens questions about how they are managing their stress, friendships and academic workload. These are some warning signs of depression:
Feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism or irritability
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
Decreased energy or fatigue, moving or talking more slowly
Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
Appetite and/or weight changes
Thoughts of death or suicide, or attempts to die by suicide
Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and/or that do not ease even with treatment
It is okay to ask your teen if they feel depressed or suicidal. If it’s an emergency, call 911 and ask for a mental health deputy. Do not leave your student alone.
If you are seeking counseling services take a look at these possible places to help:
Your Employer’s Employee Assistance Program
To find a local therapists search on Psychology today www.psychologytoday.com
For free or reduced therapeutic services - Austin Integral Care at 512-472-4357 for Travis County Residents and Bluebonnet Trails 1-800-841-1255
Suicide Hotlines/Crisis support 800-273-TALK(8255)
Included below is a list of all support staff here at Pflugerville High School. If you would like to email us, our email addresses are always first.lastname@pfisd.net.
PHS Support Staff
Student Last Name Counselor
A-D Christina Powell: 512-594-0533
E-J Lindsay Saylor-Carroll: 512-594-0575
K-O Cortney Johnson: 512-594-0529 (Current Sub: Mathew Doeckel through Dec.)
P-R Sarah Cable: 512-594-0526
S-Z Geminesse Scott: 512-594-0530
All Grades Ana Bowie, Social Worker: 512-594-0539 or Google Voice: 512-827-7802
Shobha Shankar, School Psychologist: 512-594-0581
Please feel free to contact us at any time.
Sincerely,
Your PHS Counseling Team
PARENT CONFERENCES
Parents,
Teachers will be holding optional virtual parent conferences on Friday, October 9. If you would like to visit with your student's teachers, please watch for communication from them and sign up for an appointment.
Parenting Strategies for Challenging Times
Join us for Zoom sessions to help parents with their virtual learning. See below for more details.
Please remember to do your Health Screening AT HOME before arriving on campus
Please see the checklist below indicating what COVID-19 symptoms to screen your student for, and what to do if they are positive for symptoms.
Donna Bartko, RN
Pflugerville High School
From our Department Chairs
Social Studies Department
Well Panthers, here it is, the end of the 1st 9 weeks. It seems like we have been at this virtual stuff forever; it also seems so very new.
As we start to get into a pattern this year it is important to stay caught up with grades and assignments. Remember that communication is the key and teachers can’t always predict what causes students to struggle.
Parents, encourage your students to advocate for themselves and ask questions during Zoom time or via Google Classroom or email. Students, you know best what you need so reach out and let us know. We love to see your faces on Zoom so turn those cameras on more!
Parents of seniors, your senior is being offered the opportunity to register to vote as part of their Gov’t or Eco classes. If virtual, there is a link in their Google Classrooms with instructions and they can come by the school as a box of voter registration cards is outside the front door. All they have to do is complete the form and mail it in by Oct. 5. Please encourage your seniors if eligible (18 by Nov. 3 and a citizen) to register to vote and practice their right to vote this November.
Karen Hense
Social Studies Department Chair
English Department
Dear ELA Parents,
Wondering how to get your student to read more? Well PHS Librarian, Laura Owen, is starting the PHS yearly book club. This year the book club will be reading Young Adult and NonFiction titles dealing with diversity. After reading the novel(s), students will meet via Zoom to discuss the readings. Please consider the wonderful reading opportunity.
Pre-AP/AP Drops: Teachers of Pre-AP and AP students should be contacting you if students are struggling in the advanced courses. It is imperative that each student be appropriately placed for maximum educational success. Please reach out to teachers if you have any concerns regarding advanced classes.
For the ELA department, Zoom meetings are not optional and should be attended each class period unless otherwise communicated to the teacher. As we begin our return to campus, students will have an asynchronous time in class, which is why technology is so important, and a synchronous time in class, which may take the form of a Zoom.
It is now time for students to consider UIL opportunities available to them through the ELA department. If your student is interested in Poetry/Prose, please have them reach out to Mrs. Guevara at victoria.guevara@pfisd.net. If you have a student interested in Spelling, Ready Writing, or Literary Criticism, please have them contact Mr. Elam at justin.elam@pfisd.net.
Sincerely,
Lisa Wernli
PHS English Department Chair
Chromebook laptop distribution
Chromebooks are still available. If your student is returning to on-campus learning on Oct. 13 and you would prefer for them to use a District device, please make an appointment during the week of Oct. 5-9 from 8:30-4:30. Contact Sara.Dardeau@pfisd.net or Laura.Owen@pfisd.net .
PSAT In-person Thursday, October 29th, 2020
Parents,
Due to COVID-19 limitations, the PSAT will look a little different this year. You MUST sign up this year, and space is limited. The deadline for signing up is Thursday, October 22.
Only 9th Graders in Algebra II or Higher will be allowed to take the PSAT this year. All other 9th Grade Students will take it next year. Any 10th or 11th Grade Student can take the PSAT, but they must sign up.
Bus transportation will be provided, but students will need to check “Yes” in the Form provided below.
Please bring a SACK lunch. PHS will provide a SACK lunch if you forget.
All Non-Testing PHS Students will be virtual on October 29th, 2020.
Please Complete the Following Form To Register for the PSAT at Pflugerville High School on Thursday, October 29th, 2020 IN-PERSON. PHS PSAT Form
Masks Required in the Stadium
College and Career Counselor
Good Afternoon PHS Families –
I hope that you are all doing well at this time. Please remember that if you need assistance from the College and Career Center, we are just a click away. Visit http://www.calendly.com/phscollegeandcareer to set up an appointment. If your student is a member of the Class of 2021, please read the information below:
College Applications (Class of 2021) – We are in full swing for the College Application season. We encourage that students complete all of their College Applications by October 31st. This will make sure that students have met the priority deadline for most colleges across the US. If your student is applying to Texas A&M University (College Station), please encourage your student to complete that application as soon as possible (majors will start to fill up soon). Please keep in mind that every student in the Class of 2021 is required to complete an Apply Texas application by October 31st in order to graduate from a PFISD High School. If you need assistance or have any questions regarding the graduation requirement, please email Nicholas.howell@pfisd.net
Financial Aid (Class of 2021) – The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) opened October 1st, 2020 for the 2021-2022 academic school year. Please make sure that you are filling out the 2021-2022 application as this is the year your student would begin their college career next year. Please note that every student in the Class of 2021 is required to complete a FAFSA or TASFA by November 30th, 2020. If you have questions about this requirement or need assistance filling it out, please email Nicholas.howell@pfisd.net. Once you fill it out, please forward Mr. Howell your confirmation email for graduation.
Financial Aid Workshop (Class of 2021) – Pflugerville High School will be hosting a virtual Financial Aid workshop for current seniors on October 8th, 2020 from 5:30-8:30 pm. During this event, families will be able to work one on one with a financial aid expert to complete the FAFSA or TASFA form. You must register before the event here.
Scholarships – Please continue checking this website as there are many opportunities updated weekly under the links provided in the National Scholarship Programs section. Our Local Scholarship programs typically start in January. We are encouraging every single senior to continue working on the College Board Opportunity Scholarship Program.
Nick Howell
College and Career Advisor
Pflugerville High School
(512) 763-2415
https://nicholashowell.wixsite.com/collegeandcareer
RM #: A-103
PHS CEEB Code: 445-500
Virtual College Fairs
Pflugerville ISD Virtual College Fair:
This year’s Pflugerville ISD College Fair will be hosted virtually. This series of events will happen Monday-Saturday (September 28th-October 3rd) and feature hundreds of colleges. Central Texas schools are working with the Texas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (TACRAO) to host virtual college fairs. Pflugerville ISD wants learners to attend the events hosted and conducted by TACRAO. Students and parents/guardians should use the Central Texas schedule listed below to plan to attend any virtual fair that works best for their schedule.
Monday to Friday Sept. 28 to Oct. 2
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Saturday Oct. 3
12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
NOTE: the TACRAO virtual college fair website is still being updated. As they work to finalize the website, students and family members may visit this site to pre-register and watch a short video about what to expect at the TACRAO virtual college fair.
Nick Howell
College and Career Advisor
Pflugerville High School
(512) 763-2415
https://nicholashowell.wixsite.com/collegeandcareer
RM #: A-103
PHS CEEB Code: 445-500
Student Sign out procedures
Parents, as a result of the limited access to our campus, please be aware of the current office procedures when you arrive to sign your PHS student out early:
1) Parents/Guardians/Emergency Contacts should approach the PHS Front Doors and call the front office (512-594-0500).
2) Please let the receptionist know you are standing at the Front Doors and are needing to sign out your student
3) The staff will look up your student's record. Please have your photo ID ready to show them at the door.
4) Once your ID has been checked, a staff member will be called to escort your student down to the front office, where they will sign out. Please build in lead time when picking up your student as availability and proximity of staff available to escort students varies throughout the day.
5) As a reminder, students may not be signed out after 4 pm.
Reminder - Bell Schedules
Bell Schedule
Please see below for a chart of bell schedules.
Google Classroom
Both in-person and virtual learners will continue utilizing digital learning platforms to engage in learning throughout the year. Maintaining continuity in the digital learning world will help to ensure the students' learning experiences continue with as few transitions as possible as we navigate learning through this COVID-19 pandemic.
Attendance
Parents and students, please take a moment and check attendance in Skyward. The attendance icon is available!
If your student was absent from class, please know that parents, guardians and medical offices can email excuse notes to cathy.martinez@pfisd.net or fax to 512-594-0505. Please be sure to include the student name and ID in the email/fax.
Youth Advisory Council
The City Council approved the creation of a Youth Advisory Council (YAC), a program to teach local high school youth about city government and get them involved in their city. The Mayor will serve as council representative and liaison to support the youth participants.
The YAC participants will volunteer at city events, tour city facilities and attend various board and commission meetings. Each class will select a class project to complete over the course of the year.
Members are required to be residents within the city limits of Pflugerville, current high school students, and at least 17 years old by the October 1 start date of the program year. Applications are accepted starting August 1st of every year. The program begins in October of each year and meets monthly through the academic school year. Application can be found here.
For additional information, please contact the City Secretary, at 512-990-6103 or by email citysecretary@pflugervilletx.gov
Affordable Internet Options for Qualifying Families
The District is working to lessen the burden of internet connectivity some of our families may be experiencing. Over the summer, PfISD Technology increased the Wi-Fi signal on its campuses to extend into the parking lots. Students who may not have reliable internet access at home could, therefore, come to the campus and connect to the school’s Wi-Fi from the parking lot.
Also, for families that do not have internet service at home, a number of providers are offering discounts during the COVID-19 pandemic to families that are on the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), also known as Free and Reduced Lunch.
- Spectrum is offering Spectrum Internet Assist, an affordable and reliable high-speed option for $17.99 per month to families in the NSLP, the Community Eligibility Provision of the NSLP or who are on Supplemental Security Income (SSI). If you believe you qualify for this discounted internet service, visit www.spectruminternetassist.com. You can enter your ZIP code to see if the service is available in your area and complete an application form. Spectrum Internet Assist Flyer
- SuddenLink has an option for families that qualify for the NSLP as well for $14.99 per month. More details can be found at www.alticeadvantageinternet.com or call 844-358-3147 to see if you qualify. SuddenLink Flyer: English | Español
- Grande Communications also offers an affordable option for low income families through its Internet First program. Pricing for eligible families is $9.95 a month. For more information and to apply go to https://www.internetfirst.com/.
- AT&T also has options available for affordable internet during these times. More information is available on its website: https://www.att.com/internet/access/
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Services
Meals During Remote Learning
Tips to Successfully Navigate Virtual Learning at PHS
Tips to Successfully Navigate Virtual Learning at PHS
Attendance will be taken daily. It is imperative students complete assignments everyday each period in order to be marked present. Remote learning sessions will include synchronous sessions (Two-way, real-time/live, virtual instruction between teacher and students), and asynchronous sessions (Instruction that does not require having the instructor and student engaged at the same time). All students will need to log into their teacher’s Google Classroom via the PHS website at the appropriate times to engage in synchronous sessions. Students have until 11:59 PM everyday to submit asynchronous assignments.
Return to Learn - Remote Learning Website
Pflugerville ISD has provided a webpage with information on starting the 2020-2021 school year. Please click here to learn more about virtual learning and on-campus learning.
¿Necesita ayuda en español?
Teléfono: 512-594-0583 (deje un mensaje de voz si no contesta)
Correo electrónco: Kristen.Hernandez@pfisd.net
Ella le brindará la ayuda que usted necesita.
There's an App for That!
Now more than ever, it's important to keep up to date The School Info App for Pflugerville High School is a great way to stay connected and informed. Notifications are sent in real time for ever-changing situations. Be in the know—download the app today!
Click on the attached QR code or this link: http://siap.ps/eaedd6, or search for Pflugerville High School in the app store. Be sure to allow notifications so you get all the notifications and news feeds to keep current with what’s happening at PHS.
Subscribe today!
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