Talon Talk October 15, 2019

We will have altered schedules on October 16th and 17th, 2019. We will have an early and late bus service on October 16th to accommodate testers and non-testers, but on Thursday, October 17th, Wheels will run a normal schedule, so students riding the bus the day after the PSAT will arrive to school early and can go to the library. Wheels bus schedules will be on our website when finalized.

PSAT Practice Guides Available

PSAT practice/student information guides are available now in the counseling office for any student who signed up to take PSAT on October 16. Students can pick up a guide in the counseling office outside the Wellness Center.

CHKS Survey for Grades 9 & 11 October 22

During FLEX, On Tuesday, October 22, 2019 we will be administering the California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) to all 9th and 11th grade students. 9th and 11th grade students are being instructed to bring their district issued Chromebooks to FLEX on the day of the survey. Students whose parents opted them out during walkthrough will not be administered the survey.

The purpose of this survey is to obtain information from the students about their knowledge, attitudes and behavior about things that affect learning. It deals with such issues as truancy, safety, harassment, substance use, school connectedness, and learning supports.

Student participation is voluntary . It is also very important . The information provided will help guide district and school efforts to promote safety, enhance learning supports, improve student achievement, and reduce health risks that stand as barriers to learning.

This is an anonymous survey. It is designed so that no one can be identified from the data. Students do not have to respond to any questions that they feel could be used to identify them. They will be instruct to simply skip any such questions.
All questions apply to Foothill High School only.
The results are for the use of the district. CDE and WestEd will preserve data confidentiality and any data requests should be referred to the district.

PTSA Meeting on October 16

Join us for our next PTSA Meeting on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 - when Vice Principal Mr. Norrington will speak about our Campus Safety at 7 p.m. in room C-6 (east of the library). Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend, but only PTSA members can vote.

Winter Sports Meeting on October 17

Will have our Winter Sports meeting on Wednesday 10/16. This is a great opportunity for interested athletes and parents to meet the varsity head coaches for Basketball, Soccer, and Wrestling.

If you are interested, please join us in the large gym at 7pm.

Have you purchased your child's 2020 yearbook yet?

Every May, about 100 students who think they bought a book discover they didn't. It's a sad situation that can't always be remedied. To place an order or confirm you've already placed one, go to www.yearbookordercenter.com (school code 7378).

(Questions? Visit our new FHS Yearbook website for more information about all things Yearbook!)

Senior parent TO DO's:

✓ Book your child's senior portrait appointment with Studio One today if you haven't already. The deadline to have portraits taken is the end of winter break, but appointments are booking fast , so make your child's ASAP.

✓ Create & order your child's senior ad for yearbook today. All ads are sold on a space available basis.

✓ Be sure to order your child's 2020 yearbook ASAP. If you've already ordered one, you will have an email confirmation from the yearbook order center for a 2020 book. Please note: We do not sell yearbooks at walk-thru -- only online -- so be sure to check your email for confirmation that you have bought a 2020 book.

✓ Check out our shiny new FHS Yearbook website for answers to all your yearbook-related questions!

Students who plan to take Advanced Placement (AP) exams at Foothill High School in the Spring of 2020 must register for exams by Friday, November 8th at 12:00 Midnight (PST). Registration opens October 21, 2019. The fee for 2020 AP Exams is $115. Click here for registration instructions.

Foothill High is only able to offer AP exams for courses in our program guide. Available exams are in the drop down menu. Foothill students who are not enrolled in a course at Foothill High School who wish to take the AP exam may do so on a space available basis. In cases where space is limited, priority will be given to students in higher grades.

Student Device Initiative

Our 9-11 graders have PUSD issued Chromebooks for school use. Check out this link for information on the program.

If you have concerns about your device please see our site tech, Mr. Alvarez in B-25 during his office hours Mon/Wed lunch and Tues/Thurs flex.

Our Ongoing Commitment to Safety: PUSD Safety Committee Update

Monthly Safety Drills

Every school in PUSD conducts monthly safety drills including earthquake, fire and intruder drills. Each school year, we provide the dates of the scheduled intruder drills to the Pleasanton Police Department who try to observe at least one of the three scheduled drills at each school site.

Parents should know that during these intruder drills, students are instructed that the Pleasanton PD train to follow the protocol called “ Run-Hide-Fight , ” based on guidance from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). As a school system, all staff try to teach these concepts and drills to students in an age appropriate way. For parents wanting to learn more and have conversations with their children about this protocol we encourage you to view the “ how to respond booklet ” available on the Department of Homeland Security’s website in a variety of languages.

District Safety Committee

Did you know that PUSD has a Safety Committee, which meets throughout the year to discuss efforts and improvements related to school safety? The District safety committee has met twice already this school year and is comprised of a variety of stakeholders, including site and district staff members, parents, and students. If you have feedback you would like to have the committee consider on an upcoming agenda, email our District Safety Officer, Glen Sparks at [email protected] .

Learn more about District Safety

We've also added an Emergency Preparedness and District Safety webpage to our District website for more information on District safety.

College Readiness Workshops

The City of Pleasanton is pleased to offer the following College Readiness Workshops to parents and students. Free with registration at www.pleasantonfun.com (Under Family>Other)

Nov. 7: A Smart Step After High School

Learn the facts about community college. Discover the long term resilience and academic success for community college transfer students. Course #16883

Financial Aid Night November 14

Want to know more about how to pay for college? Attend Financial Aid Night on November 14, 6:30pm in the AVHS MP.

Vision for the Future Conference

Educational Opportunities for Students with Disabilities

Learn about options after high school including:

Vocational Programs
Adult Education
Community College
University
Lifelong Learning

October 26th from 8:30am to 1:30 pm at Chabot College in Hayward. For parents and students age 14 and older. For more information click here.

Attend a Free Screening of " Angst "

Free documentary designed to raise awareness about anxiety. To register, please go online to www.eventbrite.com and search for "ANGST".

October 23, 6:30pm at the Vine Cinemas, 1722 First Street in Livermore
November 13, 6:30pm at the Center for Performing Arts & Education, 8151 Village Parkway in Dublin

In addition thanks to our generous community, Z-Cares will be hosting a very special screening of Angst November 7 at the Bankhead Theater in Livermore . This free event will feature some new guests and of course the movie producer. Also shown for the first time will be a special tribute. If you have been before, you'll want to come again. This promises to be our best event yet. Register at bit.ly/Angst11-7 /Steve Nimmo

The P-Town Bowl Raffle is Back

Ticket sales have begun! Contact your favorite Sports teams and/or Band members to buy tickets and your chance to win a brand new car! The drawing will be held during half time at the Foothill vs Amador varsity Foothball game on Friday, October 25th at Foothill High School. Questions? Please contact John Mauro at [email protected]

Dandiya & Bollywood Night Celebration

Saturday, Oct. 19, 5:30 - 10 pm @ Pleasanton Middle School

The PICD Indian community & PUSD are proud to host the 5th PUSD Dandiya and Bollywood Night: An Indian Culture & Festival of Light Celebration at Pleasanton Middle School. The event will include contemporary Dandiya, and Bollywood dance, a choir performance by Amador Valley High School, Indian music, shopping and much more. The evening will also feature the Indian Festival Lighting ceremony by Superintendent David Haglund!

Funds raised at this event will support PUSD music programs.

Get your tickets today!

Celebrate Dia De Los Muertes with a special performance of Luna Mexicana

Public Showing: Friday, October 25, 7 p.m. l Amador Theater

Ballet Folklórico México Danza and PUSD student Mariachi Band will join Oakland Ballet Company to present a special showcase of the beautiful, cultural Oakland Ballet Company’s Luna Mexicana. This family-friendly performance is filled with festive dancing, colorful costumes, and vibrant music in celebration of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). In "Luna Mexicana", a young woman’s dreams revive her relatives and friends who dance back to life in the forms of teetering skeletons, skirt swishing girls, a high flying ‘deer dancer,’ and a deathly Bride and Groom. Luna Mexicana will feature ‘Viva la Vida’ – a ballet celebrating the life and singular artistic vision of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. An event not to be missed!

Get your tickets while they last

Halloween Spirit Run Promises for a Goulishly Good Time

Sunday, October 27

Main Street in Pleasanton

Get your halloween costume ready for a ghoulishly good time at the Rotary Club of Pleasanton's Halloween Spirit Run! The Race will feature a Kid's Challenge as well as a 5K and 10K run/walk. Proceeds will benefit scholarships for PUSD high school students as well as community and national benefit work of the Rotary Club.

THRILLER Flash Mob

Participate in the pre-event flashmob to Michael Jackon's THRILLER! Learn the dance with the instructional video linked here !

Tri-Valley PFLAG Upcoming Meetings

October 9, November 13, December 11 l

All Meetings, 7 - 8:30 p.m. @ Amador Valley HS Library

Tri Valley PFLAG is an alliance of LGBTQ+ individuals, families and allies dedicated to supporting and advancing equality for the LGBTQ+ community through education, advocacy and family support.

Find Tri-Valley PFLAG on Facebook

Pleasanton Book Study

Join us to read and discuss Dr. Jennifer L. Eberhardt’s book

Biased to learn about unconscious biases and how

they impact us, our families, and communities.

Support Water Polo at Sultan's Kebab 10/ 22

A Heads-Up for Seniors from the Counseling Department!

Counselors will be meeting with all seniors to discuss post-high school plans, and will be reviewing the college application process beginning the second week of September.

Every senior who plans to apply directly to a four-year college will receive a packet of information detailing everything you need to know about the college application process. In order to best prepare for these meetings, start making a list of colleges you want to apply to and feel free to come with questions for your counselors. Parents, please review these packets with your students. This is a very exciting time for our seniors!

If you are planning to go to community college or a trade school or maybe have a unique plan for you, please let your counselor know. We will check in with you briefly now, and more detailed information regarding community college applications will come to your student in October.

Local Scholarships

Juanita Haugen Memorial Scholarships

To honor the memory of Juanita Haugen, trustee and president of the PUSD Board, who had a passion for the children in the community and was a leader in the district’s character education program. The scholarship honors students from each Pleasanton high school who exemplifies the character traits of the Community of Character Collaborative through example and service. Seniors, apply by November 11 at communityofcharacter.org/scholarships.

Livermore Amador Symphony Scholarships

For graduating seniors who have been active in music during their high school careers. The awards are based on participation in musical events and activities, particularly activities that support music education and music in the community. Applications must be submitted via email by Monday, October 21 . Click here for details.

Senior Yearbook Ads

Attention senior families! Congratulate your student and express your pride and love with an ad in the 2020 yearbook. Ads are $90 if ordered before September 1st and $110 from September 1 to October 31, 2018. Senior ads are available on a space-available basis, so be sure to place yours as soon as possible! Click here for details.

Senior Parents!

The Senior Parents Class of 2020 Parents website is now live! This website is run by a group of volunteer Senior parents.

Senior year is an exciting and busy year! With your support and help, this Senior Parents group will be putting on activities outside of the school umbrella to help make your student's senior year an exciting one. We will need many volunteers and all must be cleared by the school district to help at any event. Get your PUSD Volunteer Clearance out of the way by filling out the online Volunteer Clearance Form .

How do I get involved or get plugged into to events such as Disney Grad Nite and Baccalaureate which are not sponsored by PUSD?

1. Sign up for email updates by completing the Google form

CLASS OF 2020 PARENTS

2. Join our Facebook group here. The name of the group is "Foothill Class of 2020 Families"

3. Check out ALL of the pages on our website and get the important dates in your calendars!

Disney Grad Nite is back this year! Click here for details

Have questions?

Please contact Shawna Lombardi, Senior Parents Committee Chair at [email protected] and be sure to check out our website.

Sports Packets for Athletes

To tryout for a sport at Foothill High School, all athletes need to register online through our Home Campus program. We are asking that you go to the Foothill website ( foothillfalcons.org ) click on Athletes and Activities, then Sports Packet . Please read the instructions and you will be guided to the Home Campus Link where you will register for the sport you would like to participate in. After registering you will need to turn in a signed copy of the Confirmation Message and the Emergency form. If you were unable to upload a current physical for your athlete, please include that with the Confirmation Message and Emergency form. You will be able to tell online when your athlete has been cleared. We will also be sending you messages through this program, such as if your physical has expired or is close to expiring.

Please turn in your packets for the season you will be playing in after the Parent Sports Meeting:

Winter sports meeting will be on October 16, 2019
Spring sports meeting will be ~ January 2020
(20-21) Fall Sports meeting will ~ April 2020

Athletics Newsletter

Foothill sports fans - sign up to receive the Foothill Athletics Boosters newsletter , The Fighting Falcon , to receive athletics news straight to your in-box.

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Talon Talk is a twice monthly online publication brought to you the 1st and 15th of each month by the Foothill Parent Teacher-Student Organization (PTSA) in cooperation with school administration.