PHA Middle & High School Newsletter
September 29, 2023
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Note From The Principal
Dear Families,
It's hard to believe that we are already halfway through quarter 1! Be on the lookout for an email this week informing you that students' grades are updated in Powerschool to reflect quarter one assignments!
I'm also excited to share that we are returning to a pre-pandemic tradition of hosting Curriculum Night in both the Middle & High School this year. Mark your calendars for October 26, and come in to meet the teachers and hear about what your students will be learning this year in their classes! Curriculum Night- October 26, 5:30-7:00PM
Please note that next Wednesday, 10/11 is PSAT and College Application Bootcamp Day in the High School. All 10th and 11th graders will be taking the PSAT and all seniors will be given the day to work on their essays and college applications with the support of the College Counseling Team. Dismissal for grades 10-12 on Wednesday, October 11 will be at 12:00 noon instead of 1:00. 9th graders have regular classes and will be dismissed at 1:00.
Please read on for more information related to upcoming events and other updates!
All the best,
Christine Douglas
For all resources related to supporting our PHAmilies please see our the Family Central page on the PHA website!
Announcements & Updates
Picture Day
It's almost time for school pictures! We will have Geskus Photography on October 20th, 2023 capture your child's school portraits. You can be among the first parents to order your prints online within 48 hours after the picture day. On-line ordering expires 48 hours after picture day date.
Middle School Updates
Many of our middle school students have been spending time socializing or playing basketball at Sennott Park before school starts. While we see some benefits to this social time, many students have been staying at the park for too long and regularly entering the building after 8:00, making them late and unprepared for their first period class. Students can enter the middle school at 7:50 am each morning, which provides them with time to briefly connect with friends and then get settled and prepared for class to begin at 8:00. If you drop your student off at the park or know that they go there before class, please consider requiring them to go directly into the building rather than go to the park, or remind them of the importance of being on-time to school. Thank you for your help with this issue and please reach out with any questions.
Meals Information
Please note that families are no longer required to pre-prder meals!
Family Engagement Updates
Upcoming Events
The NEXT FAB [FAMILY ADVISORY BOARD] FORUM for Grades 7-12 FAMILIES on November 30, 6:00-7:30 PM on ZOOM
Join other parents and families of PHA Middle and High Schoolers to hear school news and updates from our Principals. Ask questions and share your experiences with campus leadership and community. Zoom link will be provided by email and text.
WEEKLY WEDNESDAY Parent & Family FAB HOUR for PreK-12 FAMILIES, EVERY WEDNESDAY at 5:30 PM on ZOOM
FAB (Family Advisory Board) HOUR is a virtual gathering for families with kids in PreKindergarten through 12th Grade to discuss all aspects of PHA, build community and support among families, and deepen our connections with teachers and staff. Zoom link will be provided by email and text.
Counseling and College Counseling Updates
Fall College Counseling Updates
Please join us in welcoming our new college counselor! Below is a note from her:
I am very excited about joining the PHA High School team as the new College Counselor. Understanding that the college process and planning for the future can be a very stressful process, I am here to help all my students and families navigate it, and support them and ease the stress and anxiety it may bring! I am not only passionate about college and all students' futures, but also supporting them with their academics and their needs here at PHA on a daily basis. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns, as I am here to help support you and your child in planning for their bright future! I am so excited for a great school year!
Best,
Devan Martin
Sophomores & Juniors
The College Counseling Department is excited to share that we will now provide large group programming for our 10th grade, and this will be delivered through Advisory by Mr. Costa in Semester 1.
Juniors will participate in College & Career Readiness 11 class once a week in Semester 2, and this class will also be taught by Mr. Costa.
Seniors
All seniors are enrolled in College & Career Readiness 12 (CCR) once a week, all year. Ms. Martin will be teaching 3 sections of this course, and Mr. Costa will be teaching 1 section.
Attendance: On-time attendance is essential in CCR class as this is where students learn about completing their applications and financial aid. We need family support in ensuring on-time attendance to this class! The counselors will be notifying caregivers after the first instance of an unexcused absence or after any two consecutive absences. Students also will be meeting regularly with their individual college counselor, and they have received instruction on how to do this in CCR class.
Financial Aid: The federal government has introduced several new changes to the financial aid process, including a new timeline for completing these documents. Previously, the FAFSA (financial aid form required by all colleges) became available in October, and we hosted a FAFSA Fill-in Night for families at this time. This year FAFSA will go live after the winter break, so please keep an eye out for a family financial aid event in January. Below are 2 webinars, one in English and one in Spanish, put on by a trusted financial aid organization (MEFA) that families can attend if desired this fall.
MEFA English link: https://www.mefa.org/events/financial-aid-101?utm_campaign=Guidance2023&utm_source=SchoolCounselorWave4&utm_medium=email&utm_content=CTA1
MEFA Spanish link
Erin McElligott, Director of College & School Counseling; Alumni Support
Devan Martin, College Counselor, CCR 12 Teacher
Leo Costa, College Counselor, CCR 11 & 12 Teacher
Enrichment Updates
Athletics Department Updates
Fall Sports Updates
Our fall sports teams have begun their seasons. Support them and attend a game this fall!
Fall Sports Schedules Linked Here
Girls Volleyball
Boys/Girls Soccer
Cross Country
Please email Mr, Lerner with any questions- glerner@phacs.org
Health Office Updates & Reminders
Any student who will be entering 7th or 10th grade must provide an updated physical exam and immunization record for re-enrollment. In addition ALL STUDENTS need to have an updated physical exam on file with the nurse in order to participate in field trips off campus.
You may submit the physicals by email to: nurses@phacs.org
Thanks so much for your attention to this!
-PHA's Nursing Team
Contact Information for Administrative Team
Michele Quinlan- 7-12 Administrative Assistant- mquinlan@phacs.org
Dominga Soto- 7-12 Administrative Assistant - dsoto@phacs.org
Christine Douglas-7-12 Principal- cdouglas@phacs.org
Ben Spencer- Middle School Assistant Principal bspencer@phacs.org
Jacques Faublas jfaublas@phacs.org
Amy Dickson- High School Assistant Principal for STEM- adickson@phacs.org
Holly Fritz-High School Assistant Principal for Arts & Humanities- hfritz@phacs.org
Patrick Nolan- 9-12 Dean of Students- pnolan@phacs.org
High School Front Desk- 617-284-7921
Middle School Front Desk- 617-284-7920
If your student is absent or late to school, please contact us to excuse the absence/tardy::
7-12 Absence Phone Line- 617-284-7990
Email Michele Quinlan for grades 9-12: mquinlan@phacs.org