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Parent Pointer Parent-Teacher-Student Association Newsletter February, 2009 - Volume 49, Issue 3 Dear Families and Friends of Point Loma High School, Inside this issue: This has been an exciting year at Point Loma with more opportunities than ever for our students in the classroom, on Page 3 PTSA President the athletic fields, through internships, and in the visual and performing arts. We are so proud of all that our students Page 4 2009-2010 have accomplished. Please check the website regularly at Board Positions www.pointlomahigh.com to see all the activities and awards Page 5 News from of our students. Further in this newsletter please be sure to Counseling Center check the counseling section for the many student and family activities that are offered to help in academic planning and Page 8 AP Exams advising. Mark your calendar for the spring Parent Shadow Day on April 2nd from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.. New families Page 9 Fall Classes planning on attending PLHS in the future are welcome to Social Host Law attend. Parent Pledge I need to ask your help in improving our student Page 10 Naviance attendance. As you know, “being here” whether for a job or school is the first step for success. For us, there are two The Real Cost reasons we need your help. Number one is for your Page 11 of College student’s success and number two is financial. Every penny counts as we try to make ends meet in these difficult Page 13 Class News economic times and each absence, excused or not, costs us money. Please be sure your student comes to school Page 14 HSA and Wrennie every day unless they are really sick, both for their success Sponsel Awards and for our financial needs. Thank you for helping us reach our goal of 95.5% attendance. Page 15 Media Center News Planning is in full swing for three major facilities that come to us as a result of the passage of Prop S. Our projects will Page 16 Class Sales be some of the first ones started in the district. Before summer, you will see signs of construction. A new two story building will take the place of the bungalows. It will house 6 Point Loma High School PTSA Ninth District PTA, Inc., CCPTS classrooms and an athletic training facility. Construction to San Diego Unified PTA Council turn the upper half of the 900 building into a state-of-the-art 2335 Chatsworth Blvd. Music Center is planned to start this summer. The lower half San Diego, CA 92106-1699 of the 900 building will follow shortly thereafter to become an 619-223-3121 incredible Motion Picture Studio. I’ve been told it is the only www.pointlomahigh.com one of its caliber on a high school campus. Beginning on March 22nd, we will have our visit from the The Parent Pointer newsletter is Western Accreditation of Schools and Colleges. There is a published five times annually link on the website to view the full WASC Report. A big thank you to all the staff, students, family and community members Leslie Rose - PTSA President Bobbie Samilson - Principal Sandy Silverman - Editor (See PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE continued on page 2) PRINCIPAL’s message SUPPORT PLHS (Continued from page 1) who under the leadership of Shannon Toyzan THRU e-SCRIP have helped us successfully prepare the report and prepare for the visit. It is a time to The e-Scrip fundraising program celebrate all that our students and school helps the PLHS Foundation & community have accomplished. Alumni Association raise funds We have implemented a variety of ways for classrooms, sports facilities, for parents and staff to communicate with one scholarships and more — another… I hope you have utilized Parent an easy way for you to Connection, our informative PLHS website (www.pointlomahigh.com), and signed up for help us help our Pointers! our weekly eBlasts. Be sure your seniors are www.plhsfaa.org/escrip.html signed up for the Naviance College Got kids in more than one school? Guidance Program and are applying for Split your contributions! scholarships. Last year our seniors were It’s easy to do! offered more than $800,000. There is a lot of scholarship money out there, so encourage Need Help? your seniors to apply. If you need information Contact Pat Baker 619-223-9363 on any of these forms of communication, or [email protected] please call the school or contact Jennifer AND CONTACT KRIS SPATHAS Brimley at [email protected]. Thank you for at [email protected] your involvement. It is critical to student to get frequent e-blasts success. containing school information This time of year, it is important that I add and volunteer opportunities this reminder…Not only do we finalize learning in all our classes during spring semester, but testing is an inevitable happening each spring. Our incredibly important CAHSEE administration for 10th grade students is on March 17th & 18th, the ONLY 50 DONOR State testing is at the end of April, and of course – all our AP students are fully aware of BRICKS STILL the May testing window for their courses. Please help your student understand the AVAILABLE! importance of always doing their best when called upon to exhibit what they know and The sale of donor bricks for the seat wall on Chatsworth Boulevard is coming to a close, have learned. Our desire is to help each so order yours soon! student become a life-long learner; and through the course of high school learn the For a $100 donation, your family’s names and academic, social, and workplace skills to allow class year(s) will be inscribed. them to compete successfully in the 21st Century global world. To order, go to: Thank you for allowing us the privilege and www.plhsfaa.org/buyabrick.html honor of working with your students. They are or contact PLHS Foundation and the best! Alumni Association at 619-226-4509 Sincerely, Bobbie Samilson, Principal Engage, Empower, and Educate all THANKS! Students for the 21st century Page 2 Volume 49, Issue 3 A TEACHER AFFECTS ETERNITY; HE [SHE] CAN NEVER TELL WHERE HIS [HER] INFLUENCE STOPS. - Henry B. Adams With this Foundations. With so few volunteers, we feel thought in this is the most practical way to manage all the mind, the PTSA different events, work groups, and activities. has awarded This is also the time to consider volunteering three more for a position for next year. Many of us (well grants since let’s face it, we have about 10 active members the last of the PTSA!) are leaving next year, so we need newsletter. Our you to step up and take on a position. I have grants went to been volunteering with schools since my kids Melissa were in pre-school – and now I have one in Simmons to college and one a junior here at Point Loma. It purchase sheet music for the music department is time for me to leave! You will be amazed at (that is, band, choir and orchestra); Patrick the people you will meet volunteering alongside McElhaney to help fund the Fourth Annual with you – they are all fantastic. History Department Awards Banquet; and to the It is so important to show our children that it entire school to partially fund the cost of four is possible to work full -time and volunteer with Teacher Tech stations (including carts, LCD their activities and with their schools, since it projectors, doc cameras and locks). Thank you will be our children who will be the volunteering to all who have sent in their membership parents of the future. We learn by imitation. My payments – this is where your money goes! mother was an incredible volunteer when I was Our next meeting will be held March 9th at a child – and at 78, she is still volunteering in 6 p.m. in the Library. We will be discussing the Correia Library. So take a look at the major changes to the Kick-Off and to the class possible positions, and please step up next fundraising. Our thoughts are to scale down year and help our school community. Feel free both events – drop the dinner for Kick-Off and to contact me at [email protected] or 619-696- combine the class fundraising. We are also 0282 (daytime) to tell me which position you are considering combining the PTSA with the considering! Foundation, and creating an entirely new Ciao! Leslie Rose organization, similar to the Correia and Dana PTSA President [email protected] Point Loma ROP Students Make an Impression Senior Regional Occupation Program (ROP) students Taylor Baughn, Kevin Hilton, Bharat Madan and Kelly O’Donnel represented Point Loma High School at the College, Career and Technical Education’s (CCTE) annual networking event, Business & Education Direct Connect. With more than 300 business and community members in attendance, the students talked with guests about their high school’s Healthcare Essentials and International Trade courses, Athletic Training/Medical Careers pathway, and their internships and experiences at the Economic Summits in Los Angeles. The students received high praise for their poise, charisma and focus on sharing their experiences in the business world. From Friday Notes from the Office of the Superintendent, San Diego Unified School District, February 20, 2009. Page 3 Parent Pointer 2009-2010 BOARD POSITIONS As we move into the second half of the VICE PRESIDENT OF WORK GROUPS: school year, we are already scouting our oversees the following committees and boards upcoming Point Loma High Association Board — Banner solicitation, Banner Hanging and committee chairs and volunteers (worker (coordinates students and volunteers to put up bees) for the following year.