Connect with PHS
A weekly newsletter - September 28, 2020
A message from Ameka Hunt, Principal of PHS
Greetings Panther Families,
The second 9-weeks grading period begins October 13th. During the second nine weeks, all students have the option to change their method of instruction (MOI) to in person learning. We will do our best to minimize disruptions, but anticipate schedule changes as students transition from virtual instruction to on-campus instruction. Families who would like to change their child’s method of instruction are encouraged to contact their student’s counselor. Please continue reading this newsletter a list of counselors, their contact information and campus related updates.
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
September is National Suicide Prevention Month
We want to use this time to share resources and support in an effort to shed light on this often unspoken and stigmatized topic. We also want to raise awareness and connect individuals with their campus social worker if they need more resources.
It is also important to ensure that individuals, friends and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention.
Suicidal thoughts, much like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. In fact, suicide is often the result of an untreated mental health condition. Suicidal thoughts, although common, should not be considered normal and often indicate more serious issues.
Every year thousands of individuals die by suicide, leaving behind their friends and family members to navigate the tragedy of loss. In many cases, friends and families affected by a suicide loss (often called “suicide loss survivors”) are left in the dark. Too often the feelings of shame and stigma prevent them from talking openly about suicide.
Mental Health Spotlight: Depression
What is Depression?
In your lifetime, it is possible that you have experienced symptoms of depression. In fact, depression is much more prevalent than the common cold. When your symptoms are persistent and don't go away you might have Depression.
Symptoms of Depression include:
- Feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism
- 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
Ana Bowie, Social Worker
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.
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
From our Counseling Staff
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- (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
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
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)
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
National Honor Society
Interested in joining the National Honor Society? Use the following form to complete your application for induction this fall! Applications are due Friday 10/2 at 4:30 pm.
https://forms.gle/qhKzt9jrBWhx7SxG7
Kaitlynn Andre and Jessica Matthews
Pre AP and AP Chemistry
Kudos to ELA Teacher Rebecca Cohen
Rebecca Cohen was selected as a finalist for the Phi Beta Kappa Alumni Association of Greater Austin Teaching Excellence Award. The winner of the award will be announced in early October.
This award recognizes Austin area high school teachers who have demonstrated instructional expertise, classroom innovation, and the ability to cultivate students’ ability to think critically, who expand their own knowledge in liberal arts and sciences, and who share their own classroom success for the benefit of their colleagues”.
We are so proud of Rebecca as she is very deserving of this honor. Congratulations, Rebecca, on being named a finalist for the Teaching Excellence Award!
Masks Required in the Stadium
From our Department Chairs
FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
Job well done and congratulations to all of our students, parents, guardians, teachers and staff on completing our first two weeks of Hybrid school. The FCS department continues to recognize the many challenges that face all of us but are proud to be a part of the Panther Pfamily that has optimistically faced those challenges.
We remind those students who have chosen to stay virtual to attend their daily class Zooms and keep up with their daily assignments and assessments. Communication is key with both in person and virtual learning and we are impressed with our student’s ability to advocate for themselves when they are unsure of something. Together, we can keep this year going in the right direction and celebrate with you all of the accomplishments thus far! GO PANTHERS!
Brettany Kokes
Family & Consumer Sciences Dept. Chair
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
FAQ: Chromebook laptop distribution
Can students still get a Chromebook?
Many of our returning students are realizing they would prefer a Chromebook to bring back and forth to campus. Yes, they can still pick up a Chromebook.
When and How?
Parents/guardians will need to make an appointment from 3-5pm. Contact Sara.Dardeau@pfisd.net or Laura.Owen@pfisd.net
Is a parent/guardian required to be here?
Yes, with an ID. The student does not need to be present.
Is this only for families “in need”?
No. The Board approved a 1-to-1 policy, providing EVERY STUDENT in Middle School and High School with his or her own device.
Student wasn’t issued a sleeve to protect the Chromebook.
Student should contact Laura.Owen@pfisd.net in the library and she will get one to the student.
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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