PRINCIPAL'S UPDATE
September 18, 2016
     
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Panthers Welcome Titans
REMEMBERING THE TITANS
On behalf of Peninsula High School and our football program, I would like to express my gratitude to all the Titans who joined us on Friday afternoon as we "Remembered the Titans" and celebrated the rebuilding of Panther Football. None of this would have been possible without the efforts of Garry Poe, John Papadakis, and many other Rolling Hills High School alumni.  Our football program respects the strong lineage of Titan AND Panther football, and our current players are working hard to carry on the traditions.  The Panther football team was especially thrilled to have the opportunity to run through a tunnel created by Titans; you could feel the connection.  On Friday, we honored everyone who ever called our school campus home.  We are committed to making this an annual event and we will find additional ways to honor our Titan heritage, while still being proud Panthers.  I think this YouTube video created by our ASB says it all: Remember the Titans!
 


PEF PLEDGE DAY - SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
Thank you to all the Panther families who have donated to the Peninsula Education Foundation so far this school year. Your commitment to our schools is appreciated!
We need the support of every family to ensure our students have a world class education.  Last year 26% of our Panther families donated to PEF and we hope to raise that  number to 28% this year.
Peninsula High History of PEF Donation Percentages

Your generous donation ensures funding for valuable personnel and programs here at PVPHS:
* College and Career Center Staff
* SMERT
* Additional Academic Counselors
* Science Fair Funding
* Senior Scholarships
* School Site Technology Support
* Chuck Miller Teacher Grants
* More Teachers!
 
If you have not donated to PEF, there is still time! Pledge your support, in any amount, on or before September 21st and be part of Pledge Day! You will have until June 30, 2017 to fulfill your pledge. Visit www.pvpef.org to donate today!
 
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
Dear Parents,
You are cordially invited to attend Back to School Night on Thursday, September 22, 2016, from 6PM to 8PM. Please log on to your Aeries portal account and print out your student's schedule of classes for reference and planning purposes for Back to School Night.
 
As a reminder, Back to School Night is to serve as an opportunity for parents to meet their student's teachers. Teachers will share information regarding homework/grading policies and instructional planning for the semester. This information is valuable in assisting your student's success!
 
Please remember, Back to School Night is not the time to talk with teachers about individual student concerns. If you have a concern, please contact the teacher directly via email or phone to schedule an appointment.

If you have any questions regarding Back to School Night, please email Mr. Wanmer, wanmerm@pvpusd.net
 
We hope to see you at Back to School Night, September 22, 2016, from 6PM-8PM.
SCHEDULE
6pm - refreshments begin; provided by the PTSA
6p-8p - stop by and visit the CCC
period 0 - 6:15p-6:25p
period 1 - 6:35p-6:45p
period 2 - 6:50p-7p
period 3 - 7:05p-7:15p
period 4 - 7:20p-7:30p
period 5 - 7:35p-7:45p
period 6 - 7:50p-8p
 

CONGRATULATIONS 2017 NATIONAL MERIT SEMIFINALISTS
On September 14, 2016, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced the names of approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the annual National Merit Scholarship Program.  Fourteen Peninsula High seniors were included in this distinguished list of talented students who will now compete for the 7,500 National Merit Scholarships, worth more than $33 million, that will be offered next spring.
Congratulations to the following National Merit Semifinalist
Andrew J Arrieta
Anna C Benedict
Caroline H Kim
Kaila M Kim
Eudora Y Lee
Janice Lee
Lindy Liu
David S Nagoshi
Eric N Nguyen
Theodore J Shiao
Ethan Uetrecht
Kyle K Watanabe
Madison A Westergaard
Julianna G Yonis
 
PSAT SIGNUPS
The PSAT is the qualifying exam for National Merit for juniors. Signups continue this week for the PSAT 8/9 for our 9th graders and the PSAT for sophomores and juniors. Bring $25 cash or check payable to PVPHS PSAT to the Student Store. Price goes up to $30 next week (while supplies last!)


SENIOR SUNRISE
This Friday, September 23, the annual Senior Sunrise will be taking place on the football field starting at 5:30am!  Donuts, bagels, coffee, and fruit will be provided! Come in pajamas and bring a shirt to tie dye! Can't wait to see the class of 2017 bright and early Friday morning!
 
LINK CREW BBQ link Cres
Link Crew is excited to invite all freshmen and transfer students to our third annual BACK TO ZOO BARBEQUE this Friday the 23rd from 12-2pm!   This ultra-fun event will take place on the softball field right after school gets out for the minimum day. Admission is FREE to all Link Crew Card holders; simply bring your ID with you to get in. No Link Crew Card? No problem! $10 tickets are available for sale from Ms. Dibble in P103 or at the door on Friday. Lunch is included (pizza, hotdogs, and even Chick-fil-A for the first kids in!), but bring extra money to buy Zoo accessories, popsicles, or snacks. Awesome activities are planned...BE THERE OR BE MEDIUM RARE!

FULL EVACUATION DISASTER DRILL SUCCESS
Associate Principal, Michael Wanmer, did an excellent job organizing the disaster drill on Tuesday, September 13, 2016.  Thank you to our wonderful students who took the drill seriously and continue to impress me with their maturity and excellent conduct.  Our teachers also did an excellent job showing that they truly know what to do should we have an emergency situation.  Finally, thank you to our PTSA and many community members who served as observers and offered constructive suggestions in the wrap up meeting.  Peninsula High takes emergency preparedness seriously and cares deeply about the safety of everyone on campus.  
ATTENTION STUDENTS WITH A ZERO PERIOD - ANOTHER  DISASTER DRILL
On Tuesday September 20, 2016, we will have a zero period disaster drill.  It is important that students and staff who have zero period classes know exactly what to do in case of an emergency.  Many of the key personnel in a disaster drill are not at school during zero period, so we have designated zero period personnel to take on many of the responsibilities.  The 9/20 zero period drill will begin at approximately 7:10am and end by 7:40am.  Students who do not have a zero period should not arrive early on Tuesday, September 20.

GREAT CLASS COMP
Seniors Won, but the Freshmen put up quite a fight!

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY WITH THE   PANORAMA   NEWSPAPER
The Panorama is looking for three writers and two photographers. Writing assignments will include boys and girls sports from freshman to varsity, news, features, and profile stories. Photo journalists need their own cameras for fast action sports, plus a creative eye for future projects.  Students interested must understand that they will be responsible for at least one byline/photo credit in each edition, and must be available for editorial meetings usually on Sundays. See Mrs. Gerber in the Counseling Office for more information about this internship.   www.peninsulapanorama.com
This is a great opportunity

BOOKS OVER SEAS CLUB
The Books Over Seas Club is dedicated to collecting gently used books to donate to less developed countries. Last year, the club worked hard during their book drives and other book collections. By summer, the club had 1201 books boxed and catalogued, ready to be shipped to Sri Lanka. The shipping company picked up the books in July and the shipment has been sent to Sri Lanka through ocean freight by Trico Maritime International. Some more details are mentioned on the club's website  www.booksoverseas.info. We are grateful to the Wathugala family for their help and to our donors: Steve Kwon's SAT/Excel Learning Center and Sundari LLC.
Books Over Seas Club

"CHUSEOK" - KOREAN THANKSGIVING DAY CELEBRATION AT PENINSULA HIGIH SCHOOL
Chuseok, also known as Korean Thanksgiving, is one of the most important and festive holidays in Korea.   On Thursday, September 15, the Korean Parents Association and our Korean Language classes sponsored wonderful lunch time activities and demonstrations to celebrate Chuseok. Students from our Korean classes performed traditional drums and gave mini lessons to the Panther Community. There was a "Jegichagi" Contest, similar to western Hacky Sack and many other games. Our staff was treated to a fabulous lunch. Thank you to the students and the Korean Parent's Association for this memorable event that I hope becomes an annual tradition at Peninsula High. 
Thank You For a Wonderful  Staff Lunch
Chuseok Fun For Panthers



ATHLETIC BOOSTER CLUB NEWS
Looking for a way to support our student athletes and have some fun at the same time?  Join the Athletic Booster Club!

Upcoming events you won't want to miss!
Back to School Night ! Thursday, Sept 22nd! Great time to purchase your Panther Cards and exciting new Panther merchandise!
* 26th Annual All Sports Kick-Off Party! Sat., Oct., 8th, 5:00pm. Free to attend! 2 Clear Vista, RHE. See party invitation below for more information! Please rsvp # of guests to athleticboosterclubpresidents@gmail.com
* ABC Meeting, Wednesday, October 5th, 7:00pm, Community Room, S22
* Holiday Boutique, Friday, December 2nd. Main Gym. The best holiday shopping in town!

Welcome Freshman Families! Join the Athletic Booster Club today! The ABC helps to support the salaries of assistant coaches and athletic trainers, the improvement of facilities, field improvements, and capital assets. For more information, visit us at pvphsabc.com.
A big thank you to those families that joined the ABC! Memberships continue to come in everyday and it is so exciting to see the great support from our Panther parents!  IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN! ABC Membership online registration is quick and easy. Register today by visiting www.pvphsabc.com
GO PANTHERS!

SPIRIT CLINIC
We have started our Football season and have an exciting opportunity for younger kids to join in the FUN!
 
The Spirit Team is offering a Spirit Clinic for K-8th graders in a 2 day workshop to learn cheers, chants, and routines. At our Friday home football game the participants will have the opportunity to perform the material in front of a LIVE crowd and the ZOO. We are excited to offer this opportunity to our extended Panther Family. If you have any little ones or know of any friends that do, please consider this event!!! Very excited :)
Please see attached files for more information or contact Loretta Alvillar at alvillarl@pvpusd.net. Download the FLYER AND WAIVER FORM HERE
 
MARCHING BAND UPDATE
  • The Marching Band will travel to the away game against Beverly Hills on September 23.
  • PVPUSD Intermediate School musicians will be joining our Marching Band in the stands at the home game on Sept. 30th, against Centennial.  
  • The Marching Band and Color Guard will perform at 4:00 PM, Sept 24, at the Cirque De Soleado Carnival, Soleado Elementary School.
ALUMNI NEWS
MICKEY BABEK - PEN CLASS OF 2016 FEATURED IN WILLIAMS RECORD
 
ENA SHIBAHARA - PEN CLASS OF 2016 FEATURED IN BRUIN NEWS
PARENT UNIVERSITY - SPONSORED BY PEF
Panther families should mark their calendars for these two great speakers coming to our community.  Dr. Ginsberg spoke at Peninsula High three years ago and has an important message for parents and students about resilience.  Frank Bruni's book is read in Peninsula High English classes.  Please mark your calendars now!
 
Coping With Life While Being a Positive Bystander  presented by Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg.  PVIS January 17, 2017, RIS January 18, 2017, MIS January 19, 2017 from 6:00-7:30 pm.  Dr. Ginsburg is an expert in the field of building resilience in children and teens and will be leading two student assemblies, one parent presentation and one administration consultation at all three intermediate sites.   
Dr. Ginsburg is an expert in the field of building resilience in children and teens.  He is a pediatrician specializing in Adolescent Medicine at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania School of medicine.  He is a best selling author of "Building Resilience in Children and Teens" and "Raising Kids to Thrive", just to name a few.
 
"Where You Go Is Not Who You'll Be"  presented by Frank Bruni. March 23, 2017 9:00-10:00 am (adults only)  and again from 6:00-7:00 pm (adults and students welcome). Miraleste Intermediate School Gymnasium. In his best selling book "Where You Go is Not Who You Will Be" Frank Bruni explains why giving students and their parents a new perspective on the path for the future can reduce much anxiety.  Through statistics and stories of hugely successful people who didn't attend the most exclusive schools, Dr. Bruni demonstrates that many kinds of colleges serve as ideal springboards.  Mr. Bruin is a best selling author and a columnist for the New York Times. 

Contact Associate Principal Farrell           farrellm@pvpusd.net

LEVEL DOWN DEADLINE:  The level down in a course or drop a class without penalty deadline is October 7th.  December 9th is the deadline to drop a class with a "W" on your transcript.

SENIORS : Please be aware of the Letter of Recommendation Packet Deadline for Regular Decision, USC, and International Universities is 10/10/16 at 2:45pm.

SENIORS : the CSU application window opens October 1st! APPLY EARLY!!! The deadline is November 30th.

PARENTS OF FRESHMEN : Please mark your calendars for "The Freshman Parent Presentation" on Friday, October 14th at the Palos Verdes Public Library's Community Room. We will be delivering the presentation twice (8:30 am-9:30 am or 1:30pm-2:30pm), please come to whichever time works better for you.

WORK EXPERIENCE AND INTERNSHIP STUDENTS: Please remember to sign-in with Mrs. Jo on Thursdays between 9:30am -1:30 pm in the Counseling Office. And a friendly reminder your initial paperwork packet and first assignments are due Sept 22nd.

SENIOR ATHLETES:
  • Planning to play NCAA Division 1 or Division 2 sports in college? --Please register with the NCAA at eligibilitycenter.org
  • Send in an official transcript, ordered from Mrs. Juge in the counseling office. To verify that your PVPHS coursework will meet NCAA requirements, you can submit a request to your counselor asking to review the requirements.


 

                  
Contact Mrs. Lewallen  lewallent@pvpusd.net
Visit the CCC Website

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID INFO PRESENTATION 
Thursday, October 13th @ 6:30 P.M. in the CCC
" How to Fill Out Your FAFSA App"


 If you missed this week's Sports Update 
you can read it here



 Follow Pen High on the following official sites

                 @CressPenhi

                 @pvphsasb

                 @pvphszoo

                 @pvphs_panthers

                 @pvphs_athletics

           
Have a great week!tracks 
 
 
Mitzi Cress
Principal