PRINCIPAL'S UPDATE

May 14, 2017
     
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ON MAY 16th - TUESDAY NIGHT - PEN HIGH PRESENTS "IF ONLY"
Prescription drug abuse, specifically opioids, is a national crisis. In partnership with Chadwick School, the Mark Wahlberg Foundation, Steel Partners Foundation, and South Bay Families Connected, Peninsula High is hosting the movie "If Only," followed by a panel discussion.  James Wahlberg will be flying in from Boston to introduce his film and lead the panel discussion.  DO NOT MISS THIS EVENT!


SOCIAL HOST ORDINANCE
On Friday, Peninsula High students viewed the movie "IF ONLY" and also heard from retired Manhattan Beach Police Chief Rod Ueyda about the new Social Host Ordinance that has been adopted by cities on the Peninsula.   Last week this Daily Breeze article discussed the Social Host Ordinance effort.

Mr. Ueyda Speaks at Pen High

Rancho Palos Verdes Posting

PVPHS KOREAN CULTURE NIGHT 2017
On Friday evening the amphitheatre was filled with Panthers celebrating the first- ever PVPHS Korean Culture Night.   Everyone enjoyed delicious traditional foods, and fabulous entertainment.  Peninsula High's successful Korean Language program was established two years ago with the support of the Korean Language Cultural Foundation, the Korean Parents Association, and PVPUSD.   In the fall of 2015, the program began with two sections of Korean 1, and this fall there will be five sections that will include Korean 1, 2, 3 and 3 Honors.  Korean language teacher June Choi is credited with the impressive success of this program. 

Thank you to Assistant Superintendent Kim Fricker and PVP Council of PTAs President Beth Meyerhoff for joining us in celebrating the Korean Culture.
 
The Korean Parent's Association (KPA) made a $5,000 donation to support the new Student Center to promote wellness, specifically for the furniture needs.  The KPA has a long history of support, including the first outdoor classroom, and the projector and screen in the PAC.  On behalf of the Panther Community, thank you to the KPA for their continued support.  
KOREAN CULTURE NIGHT

AP EXAMS WINDING UP
AP exam season will finish up this week with a few days of makeup exams. Thank you to our AP Coordination Team - Counselor Mary Fournier and volunteers Susan Breitenstein and Marie Blackwood - for their months of detailed planning and preparation which enabled us to successfully administer nearly 2500 exams to 1150 Pen High students. AP exam scores will be available on the College Board website on July 5.

PENHI DRAMA STUDENT PRODUCTION
Don't miss  Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike  a comedy play  by Christopher Durang.   Shows will be this coming Friday the 19th at 7 p.m., followed by 2pm performances on Saturday and Sunday the 20th and 21st. Tickets will be $5 at the door.   Also, on Saturday, if students show up with their IDs and in full prom outfits, their admission will be free.
 

PEN FRESHMAN KATHERINE HE ON TV TONIGHT
Katherine will appear on NBC's Little Big Shots show this Sunday May 14 at 8pm.   Here is the episode promotion clip:  https://youtu.be/pT-Kkb6xf54
 
Here is a sneak peek of her act (just the warm up part; more on the show)
Great job Katherine!

THE MAIN EVENT WAS A GREAT SUCCESS
The "Night in IBIZA" inspired Main Event was a blast.  The entertainment, the food and the dancing made for a night to remember.  Thank you to all our parents who attended, made donations and helped on committees.  Thank you to all our students who volunteered for the evening, including our talented Pen Advanced Jazz Band, Symphonic Orchestra, Varsity Voices and Robotics Team!  
Panthers Waiting to Perform at the Main Event

Panthers Received a Standing Ovation

JOIN NATIONAL ENGLISH HONOR SOCIETY
Attention incoming juniors and seniors! Are you a bookworm or proud of your abilities in literature or poetry? Apply for the National English Honor Society for 2017-18! Applications are due June 2nd to Room P222. Existing members do not need to reapply.
APPLICATION FOR SENIORS         APPLICATION FOR JUNIORS
 

PTSA SPONSORED INTERNATIONAL LUNCHEON
Help Us Deliver a Culinary Adventure as a Tribute to Pen's Teachers and Staff  
Do you love to cook?  Do you like to cook?
Do you have a favorite restaurant you can order from?
 
The PVPHS PTSA International Luncheon is approaching and we need your help.  This event is a favorite tradition for all Peninsula teachers and staff (over 230 people) and you can help us say thank you as we provide an amazing international end of the year spread.   
 
What we need:  
  • Main Dishes:  10-15 hearty servings of your favorite "international" dish (Italian, Persian, Greek, Asian, Mexican, Indian, etc...) American food would also be great...Texas chili, Louisiana Jambalaya, Southern Fried Chicken, Hawaiian chicken, casseroles, etc...) 
  • "International" Side Dishes, Salads, Finger foods 
  • Desserts (cakes, cheesecakes, pies) 
 
The event is Wednesday, May 31 in the main gym.  Start thinking about what you could make, bake, cook, purchase, order and deliver that day.  And, if you have a friend that you know would love to contribute also, but you know they are too busy cooking to have read this announcement, please send us their contact info and we'll ask them ourselves.   

Please contact the following PTSA members with your questions or commitments:
Leslie Scow:  Lesliescow@gmail.com
Stefanie Goldenberg:  sgoldenberg00@msn.com
Laura Beaudoin:  beaudoinrpvca@aol.com  

Please contribute to this very special event!  
 
SLL SPONSORS BLOOD DRIVE
Did you know? One pint of blood has the potential to save up to three lives! Please sign up for the UCLA Blood Drive hosted by Service Learning Leadership on Friday, May 26th. Students, parents, staff and community members are encouraged to sign up. Parental consent is required for all students! Questions? Please contact Mrs. Myrick at myrickh@pvpusd.net. Each donor will also receive a free movie ticket!

SENIOR DITCH DAY
Senior Ditch Day is tomorrow!  Seniors going to Ditch Day can find all of the details regarding the day in the senior mailer, which can be viewed here.
We'll start checking in seniors onto the buses at 7:45/8:00.  Buses will leave at 8:15 am.  Don't be late- the buses will leave without you!  We're looking forward to a fun day celebrating this awesome Class of 2017!
 
TWO MORE DAYS TO BY PROM TICKETS
The Junior and Senior Prom is May 20th from 7 pm until 11 pm at Henson Studios. This year's theme is 'A Night at Gatsby's'.  If Sophomores or Freshmen would like to attend, they may do so if their date is a PVPHS Junior or Senior. Ticket prices are now $125 w/ASB and $135 w/o ASB. Ticket price includes dinner, dessert, a dj, a live band, and many Gatsby-themed surprises.
When purchasing a ticket, students also need to turn in this permission slip. If bringing a guest who attends a school outside of PVPUSD, this guest pass needs to be turned in.  
 
SENIOR INFORMATION
Class of 2017 and parents of grads- don't forget to order your Class of 2017 mug! Only $10, and it has all of the names of our graduating class!  Order form here.


 
ARTS PROGRAM COMES TO PEN HIGH SFI STUDENTS
On Wednesday, March 8, Able ARTS Work came to Peninsula High to provide a collaborative workshop for our Skills for Independence (SFI) students with the support of their student mentors.  The workshop is called "Paint it BIG, Paint it BOLD!"  It invites students to collaborate on a large-than-life size canvas creation!  Through the collaborative process, this workshop encourages dialog, exchange of ideas and the development of a shared vision. Each student contributed an individual idea(s) to a large canvas which ultimately represents the collective expression of their classroom or group.
This team of professional arts educators, with the support of our student mentors, guided students in the process and facilitated a vibrant discussion around creativity. The final product will be proudly displayed in my conference room.
Able ARTS Work is a non-profit arts organization providing inclusive creative arts programs for the community since 1982.
 
Claire and Monkey
PENINSULA JUNIOR ARTICLE PUBLISHED
Junior Claire Litchfield was inspired by Mrs. Sidella's Social Injustice Project and wrote an essay about the controversy of the Bureau of Land Management mustang treatment and the need for mustangs to be adopted.  Claire is an avid rider and has a mustang, named Monkey.  Her passion for riding and mustangs led her to research the environmental impact of mustangs who are living on the plains in the United States.  Her essay - Home on (or off) the Range - was published in TeenInk, a website for teen writers.  Claire hopes that her article will bring awareness and higher adoption rates for mustangs.

 
RAAM TAMBE & JERRY WANG INTERVIEWED
As individuals, Peninsula High Seniors Raam Tambe and Jerry Wang are skilled teen competitors with distinct personalities and skills. As a team, they are high school debate's reigning national champions. End of discussion.

Jerry and Raam

SPANISH 4 SELF-PORTRAIT EXHIBIT 
Spanish 4 students studied the life and art of Frida Kahlo, a famous Mexican artist who mostly painted self-portraits.  After learning about the different life events and experiences that inspired Frida's paintings, students created their own self-portraits and wrote short essays explaining the meaning and symbolism behind them. These self-portraits are now on display on the first floor of the P building. 

FRIDA EXHIBIT

MUSIC UPDATE
Saturday, May 13th - Symphonic Orchestra, Advanced Jazz Band and Varsity Voices will perform at the PEF Main Event.
Monday, May 15th - the Music Booster Board will meet at 7:00 PM, in the Band Room.
Tuesday, May 16th - Music Booster Banquet, Palos Verdes Golf Club, at 6PM Seniors arrive at 5:30PM, Tickets - $40 each, purchase tickets by May 6th at www.pvphsmusicboosters.com
Thursday, May 18th , Spring Concert - Concert Band and Color Guard will perform at 7:00 PM in the Kelly Johnson FieldHouse, the concert is free!
Friday, May 19th , Spring Orchestra Concert, Rolling Hills United Methodist Church, 7:00 PM,  For online tickets, visit the Music Boosters Website. Ticket prices: $5 advance ticket sales available through May 18th, $10 at the door, $5 for Middle School students with ID at the door
2017-2018 Color Guard Audition Workshops  will be held May 23rd, 24th and 25th, in the Kelly Johnson Fieldhouse from 3:15 - 5:15 PM.
Thursday, May 25th , Spring Jazz Concert, Kelly Johnson FieldHouse, 7:00 PM, ticket prices will be $7 for non-booster members and will be sold at the door.   Booster members attend for free!
Thursday, June 1st, - Tri-M Scholarship Concert, PAC, 5:00 PM, more information to come.
Friday and Saturday, June 2nd and 3rd -  PVPHS Choir Spring Pops Concert, Rolling Hills United Methodist Church, 7:30 PM.
 
PTSA IS SEEKING HELP WITH REGISTRATION
Registration Volunteer sign ups are now available!  Follow the link below to sign up for your favorite registration job.  Never volunteered to help with registration??  Welcome, we would love to have your help.  Over 100 panther parents volunteer each fall!  
Click here  to sign up online.
Make sure to include your first and last name and click SAVE after you have chosen your spot.  
 
Junior and senior registration times are in the morning and sophomore and freshmen registration time is in the afternoon.
When you sign up to volunteer, your child will receive a wristband to enter the Registration Day Fast Pass line.
 
If you are a PVPUSD employee and would like to volunteer, please email Nancy Shafer at pvphsptsa@gmail.com .  We have spots at registration that can only be filled by district personnel and we would love your help!
 
Registration Day is Monday, August 21 and Late Registration is Monday, August 28 (the first day of school).
 
BE A PART OF SERVICE LEARNING LEADERSHIP
Service Learning Leadership Applications  are due on May 19th
Interested in being a change-maker? Have ideas to positively affect our school and community? Apply for our Service Learning Leadership course! This UC approved elective focuses on community service both on our campus (Willenberg, Walk for Life, Canned Food Drive, Blood Drive, etc.) and in our community (volunteer based field trips, PEACE 4 Kids Day, BIONIC Team, etc.) This class gives students the opportunity to make a lasting impact on our world. Applications can be picked up from Ms. Myrick in the North Dance Room. Email her with questions: myrickh@pvpusd.net , and check out this youtube video to learn more about who we are and what we do.

PHYSICS BOAT RACES ARE COMING!





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


Contact Associate Principal Farrell  farrellm@pvpusd.net

Junior Conferences- May 16th & 17th
Counselors will meet with junior students in their English classes to go over the college application process, develop a list of colleges, requesting Recommendation letters, deadlines and much more. 

May 19th
The deadline to withdraw from a course with a "W" on the transcript.

May 23rd
Non-PVPUSD course forms are due.  If you plan on taking a non-PVPUSD course this summer you must have your counselor's approval prior to signing up for the course.

May 25th- Alumni Day
English classes will host recent graduates will talk to the current seniors about their first year in college experience and what to expect.

 
2017-2018 Final Course Request Letter!

A letter informing all incoming 8th graders coming to PVPHS and current freshmen, sophomores and juniors of their course requests for the 2017-2018 school year was mailed home last week.  The letter should be reviewed carefully by parents and students to make sure that it's accurate.  If there are any errors noted in the course requests, please return the letter to the PVPHS Counseling Office with corrections clearly listed, including a parent/guardian signature no later than May 19, 2017.  No change can be made without a parent/guardian signature.

Any course request for which the student was not recommended and does not meet the course prerequisites must be accompanied by a "Request for Placement" form.   These forms may be found on the pvphs.com website under COUNSELING and are also due in the Counseling Office by May 19, 2017.
 




 Follow Pen High on the following official sites

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                 @pvphsasb

                 @pvphszoo

                 @pvphs_panthers

                 @pvphs_athletics

           
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY


Have a great week! tracks
 
 
 
Mitzi Cress
Principal