Connect with PHS
A weekly newsletter - October 16, 2020
Message from Ameka Hunt, PHS Principal
Parents,
It is our first priority to ensure students are provided an optimal setting for academic success while also maintaining safety for all. The next opportunity parents or guardians will have to change the method of instruction from virtual to in person will be for the next grading period, beginning in January. Toward the end of this semester, we will send out communication providing parents with instructions for communicating any desired changes for the third nine-week grading period. If at any point, however, you would like to switch your child from in person learning to virtual, please notify your child's counselor. A change from in person to virtual can happen immediately, at the parent/guardian's request.
We also, however, want to ensure that all students are prepared for success using either method of instruction. If you have concerns with your child's progress in either a virtual or in person setting, please reach out to your child's counselor. They can help to direct you toward our support system who can help to develop a plan for success.
Order Your PVille Strong T-shirt Today!
For one week only this Pville Strong shirt will be for sale. (No orders accepted after 10/23. Preorders only.) See the picture below.
To place an order you must pay on revtrak. The shirts are $12. Money is for the class of 2021.
Click here to order online.
Thanks!
Brook Hampton
Pflugerville High School
Yearbook, Photojournalism
Senior portraits and yearbook
Attention all Seniors: The deadline to get your senior portrait taken at Prestige Portraits is November 30th. Please go to https://bit.ly/snr21portrait to make your appointment today! Spots are filling up fast for October and November.
2021 Yearbooks are for sale at www.jostensyearbooks.com. This is a year that is like none that have ever come before. The yearbook staff is hard at work collecting all the photos and stories from this school year. Be sure to order your book now before the price goes up!
Thanks!
Brook Hampton
Pflugerville High School
Yearbook, Photojournalism
Grief Support Group to Start Nov 3rd
Hello Panther community,
In response to supporting our students handle grief and loss, I am hosting a Virtual 6 week group in November and December for high school students. If your student is interested in seeking support from a small group also leaning how to manage grief, please have them scan the QR code below with phone or click link https://forms.gle/yiJPoQosYfwca2To9to to register.
Ana Bowie, LMSW
She/Her/Hers
Pflugerville High School
Campus Social Worker
Google Voice 512-594-0539
From our Social Worker: FREE upcoming workshop
Helping Your Adolescent Cope with Stress
Who: Caregivers for adolescents.
When: October 28th, 2020
Time: Wednesday, 5:30 - 7:00 PM
Where: Video Conference, once you have registered, you will receive an email with further information on how you can join this workshop.
Cost: Free, donations optional.
Adolescence is a period of significant development and change. In this workshop, caregivers will learn about common stressors in this developmental period, typical signs of stress, and walk away with tools on how to help their teens navigate these challenges.
CONTACT INFO
ACGC
workshops@austinchildguidance.org
(512) 451-2242
RELATED LINKS
Ana Bowie, LMSW
PHS Campus Social Worker
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)
From Donna Bartko, Nurse at PHS
Please continue to practice the very important safety measures of the 3 Ws!
- WASH your hands
- WATCH your distance, and
- WEAR a face mask!!
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
It is hard to believe that we are 25% through the academic year. As a teacher I can’t help but encourage all Panthers to learn from their past experiences. Now that we have all been doing this for a bit you should know what works for you and what doesn’t. Learning is not all academic, sometimes the most important lesson is about learning how to learn, what works for you, and what keeps you motivated and organized.
We all start a new 9 weeks this week with a chance to bring up our grades and show off the virtual learning skills we have developed. Continue to reach out to your teacher to allow us to help and guide you. We want you to be successful! Organization is an important part of learning; are you making your Zoom classes? Getting assignments turned in on time??
On the Social Studies front, we hope all our students are following the events surrounding a historical election. Early voting has begun in Texas and between now and election day on Nov. 3 our televisions will be inundated with political advertisements. I want to encourage parents to talk to their students about the election, how it works, why we do it, and model good citizenship in our democracy by voting. My father picked me up from school when I was young and made a point of taking me with him to vote. It was important to him and he wanted it share it me. The first presidential election I could vote in fell my freshmen year in college and I drove home from school (200 miles) to vote with my Dad. Yes, I missed some classes, but the lesson of voting for the leaders I wanted and the issues that concerned me was important and one I wanted to share with my Dad.
Have a great week and stay safe!
Karen Hense
Social Studies Department Chair
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 learn virtually from home on October 29th, 2020. In addition, learning will be asynchronous and all Zoom meetings will be cancelled for that day.
Please Complete the Following Form To Register for the PSAT at Pflugerville High School on Thursday, October 29th, 2020 IN-PERSON.
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.
Chromebook laptop distribution
Chromebooks are still available. Please click here for information.
Masks Required in the Stadium
Seniors - Important information from the College and Career Counselor
Apply Texas Graduation Requirement (Class of 2021) – Please remember that all seniors must complete an Apply Texas Application by October 31st, 2020 in order to graduate from a Pflugerville ISD High School. Please make sure to visit http://www.applytexas.org to complete this requirement. Mrs. Maritza Barrera has emailed all students who are currently missing this requirement and included an opportunity to meet with her to complete this in the next week. If you have questions, please email Mr. Howell.
College Application Completion Week (Class of 2021) – There are many institutions (UT Austin, University of Houston, Rice University, etc.) with November 1st priority deadlines. We strongly encourage all students in the Class of 2021 to set up another meeting with the College and Career Team by visiting http://www.calendly.com/phscollegeandcareer in the next week. This is to make sure you have everything situated to meet the November 1st deadline for many of our institutions.
College and Career Email (Class of 2021) – Please keep an eye out for an email from Mr. Howell this weekend with important information for seniors and their families.
Nick Howell
College and Career Advisor
Pflugerville High School
(512) 763-2415
https://nicholashowell.wixsite.com/collegeandcareer
http://www.calendly.com/phscollegeandcareer
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.
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