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December 9, 2018
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| Our Winter Sports start Bay League competition this week |
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WILLENBERG VISIT
Our partnership with the Willenberg Career and Transition Center continued this past Wednesday when more than 60 students from Willenberg joined us at Peninsula for the day. Students from Palos Verdes High School's Skills for Independence program and from our own Skills for Independence program also joined in on the fun! Pen High students greeted our visitors as they came off of the buses, and then participated in games, crafts, cookie decorating, and tours of the school. Everyone ate lunch together and then joined the rest of the school in the gym during lunch for a heartwarming holiday show, performed by the Willenberg students and their incredible teachers. The gym was packed! After the show, the students enjoyed an impromptu dance party, "getting down" to some of their favorite songs. It was a memorable, festive and joyful day on our campus!
This Wednesday, several bus loads of Pen High students including band members, spirit squad, and many, many elves will pull up to Willenberg to visit and entertain all of the Willenberg students and staff.
MUSIC DEPARTMENT
I hope you got a chance to hear our jazz band and choir performances this past week. Under the guidance and direction of Dan Doctor, the Women's Treble Choir, Varsity Voices (coed), and Chamber Choir performed three times over two evenings to an audience that filled Rolling Hills United Methodist Church. It was a beautiful show full of joy and celebration. Our band director Fred Steiner led his Intermediate and Advanced Jazz Bands in a splendid performance in the Fieldhouse on Friday evening.
The Peninsula High Music Department has a couple of more shows coming up:
- Orchestra Winter Concert, this Friday, December 14 at 7:30 PM at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 2200 Via Rosa in Palos Verdes Estates. Ticket information is available HERE on the school website.
- Concert Band Winter Concert, Wednesday, December 19th, in the Kelly Johnson Fieldhouse, at 7:00 PM. This concert is FREE for everyone!
DRAMA FALL PLAY
 After months or rehearsals and set building , our award winning Drama students have opened their fall play
She Kills Monsters.
This play is a comedic romp into the world of fantasy role-playing games and
tells the story of high school student Agnes Evans as she deals with the death of her younger sister, Tilly. (Rated PG for mature language). Teachers and staff were treated to a sneak preview performance on Thursday evening and we enjoyed the show very much - the costuming was extraordinary and the intricate sword fighting scenes were very well done. You can view a short trailer for the show HERE on the school website.
Tickets ($13 for adults, $10 for students) are available in the Student Store during school hours and at the door starting one hour before curtain.
REMAINING SHOW TIMES
Thursday, December 13 @ 4:30pm
Friday, December 14 @ 7pm
Saturday, December 15 @ 7pm
Sunday, December 16 @ 2pm
PLUS FORUM 
A PLUS forum is a 2 hour meeting where our PLUS leadership students invite other Peninsula students to engage in activities designed to break down barriers and build connections among students. These newfound connections between the students are then used to solve student issues on campus that affect the school climate. Students then work together with each other and PLUS members to come up with student led solutions to student issues. The PLUS team will then make sure the solutions are put into action to the best of the team's ability. The next PLUS forum will be on Tuesday, December 18th. Students who would like to participate in this forum can sign up online on the PLUS website. Or pick up a permission slip in the Hawthorne Office. Contact Mr. Daley for more information at daleyp@pvpusd.net
BEACH CLEANUP
 Help keep our beaches clean by joining Service Learning Leadership for a beach cleanup this Saturday, December 15th at RAT Beach from 9:00am to 10:30am. Sign-ups are required and can be completed online HERE.Email any questions to alicia.carmona9302@gmail.com. Permission slips must be turned in to Ms. Myrick's Hawthorne Office mailbox no later than Panther Time this Thursday.
CAP AND GOWN INFORMATION FOR SENIORS
 Attention seniors - cap and gown prices go up again very soon. Don't spend more money than you have to! Herff Jones, our graduation product company, will be on campus this Friday, December 14 during lunchtime next to the amphitheater to collect Cap and Gown Order Forms. Order forms are available on the school website under 'Panther Picks'. Cap and gown purchase price is currently $38 ($52.82 including tax and handling) until Dec. 31st, so don't wait! Prices go up on January 1st!
Friday is also the deadline to turn in the Cap & Gown Loaner Reservation Contract for seniors that prefer to use a loaner cap, gown, medallion, and tassel at graduation. The Cap & Gown Loaner Reservation Contract is available in the Activities Office - P115.
DISTRICT CALENDAR SURVEY FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS
The PVPUSD calendar is a negotiated item with our union partners. As such, discussion on the calendar is confidential and requires collaboration. To that end, we value the input of all stakeholders. We appreciate you taking the time to provide us with valuable feedback by completing this calendar survey. These survey results will inform the Board of Education and administration for the 2019-2020 school year.
DISTRICT TESTING MESSAGE
 PVPUSD is committed to educational excellence through continuous improvement in the areas of instruction. This year, in collaboration with administration and teachers, schools will employ a variety of formative assessment measures that are designed to have minimal impact on classroom instructional time and will provide needed information that will guide the improvement and refinement of classroom instruction. Students will interact with a range of sample question types to from Interim Assessment Blocks to assist our students in their preparation for state and college testing. The California Department of Education has additional information regarding the Interim Block Assessments at
HERE. Understanding the degree to which our students are learning will provide our teachers with data to evaluate and inform their instructional practice in order to reach our goal of moving each student towards mastery of grade-level standards and content skills. The utilization of assessment data will allow teachers to collaborate across and within schools to align practices and to ensure equity of achievement for all students. This ongoing work will also serve to drive our District's continued professional development in the area of instruction and to help to create increased common experiences for our students across all our sites. While these formative assessments are not subject to opt-out requirements as this information is not reported to any state database, we will provide opt-out-out options which can be reviewed
HERE.
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CAPITOL CONVEY APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED
 Last call for applications from students interested in joining the 2019 Capitol Convoy. Students selected will be invited to represent Peninsula High School in a PTSA-sponsored advocacy trip to Sacramento on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 19-20, 2019. The purpose of this trip is to work as a team with parents, teachers, administrators, and other students to represent and discuss PVPUSD's advocacy points with legislative representatives. If you want to represent PVPUSD in this unique experience, please click
HERE to download an application and return it by
this Wednesday, December 12.
SPEECH AND DEBATE UPDATE
Last weekend the Peninsula Speech and Debate Team traveled to La Costa Canyon High School to compete in the annual Winter Classic Tournament. Hundreds of students participated in the speech part of the tournament. Peninsula High had three competitors make the semi-finals. Sophomore Jeanie Benedict reached semi-finals in Varsity Oratorical Interpretation, Junior Ailun Shi reached the semi-finals in Varsity Impromptu and Senior and team captain Cassandra Diviak reached the semi-finals in Varsity Original Advocacy. Way to go Panthers!
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AMERICAN MATHEMATICS COMPETITIONS SIGNUPS
 All students are invited to participate in the American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) which will be held on Thursday, February 7, 2019 at Peninsula High School from 3:00PM to 5:00PM. According to the Mathematical Association of America, AMC 10 and AMC 12 are "America's longest-running and most prestigious math contests. Many well-known colleges and universities request scores from these contests and use them for recruiting and admissions." You may learn more about these competitions at
amc.maa.org. Interested students should sign up in S45 during lunch on Wednesday, December 19th, or Thursday, December 20th. Please bring $5 cash. If you have any questions, please email
penmathteam@gmail.com.
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The following is another in a series of weekly columns from guest writer, Dr. Moe Gelbart, Executive Director of the Thelma McMillen Center.
UNDERSTANDING AND PREVENTING ADOLESCENT SUICIDE: PART I
Adolescent suicide has become a national health crisis. Although it is difficult to talk about, and most of us would like to act like it doesn't exist, knowing some of the causes, risk factors, and ways to get help can save tremendous distress, and even lives. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that it is the second leading cause of death among youth, ages 15-19. In 2016, 2,061 adolescent suicide deaths were reported, accounting for 18% of all reported deaths in this age group. Males are much more likely to die by suicide, by almost three times as much as females. While females have higher incidence of suicidal ideation and behavior, males are more likely to carry out the acts. Almost 20% of teenagers have contemplated suicide in the last year.
The causes and risk factors of suicidal thoughts and behaviors are a combination
 of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Mental health issues are clearly related to such thoughts. 20% of youth have a significant mental health issue, including depression and bipolar disorder which are most commonly associated with suicidal threat. Other psychological disorders are also related, including anxiety, conduct disorders, substance abuse, post traumatic stress, and eating disorders. When these problems are combined with external circumstances for teens, they often feel overwhelmed. Interpersonal losses, disciplinary problems, school failures, conflicts with peers, and bullying can lead to a sense of hopelessness. Adverse Childhood Events (ACE) and significant and serious family issues, like physical and sexual abuse, are high risk factors. Children who have gender identity or sexual identity conflicts are at high risk, with LBGT adolescents having the highest rates of suicidal ideation.
Suicide is a relatively rare event, and difficult to predict, but there are some warning signs. As listed by the American Psychological Association, these include:
- Talking about dying or suicide. Any mention of such thoughts should always be taken seriously, and evaluated
- Recent loss, including death, divorce, separation, break up
- Change in personality: withdrawn, anxious, irritable, indecisive, apathetic. These can be indicators of problems other than suicidal thinking.
- Change in behavior: can't concentrate, perform routine tasks
- Change in sleep patterns: insomnia, too much sleep
- Fear of losing control: acting in erratic or self harming ways
- Low self esteem: feeling worthless, shame, guilty, self hatred
- No hope for the future: sense of hopelessness and no ability to see things getting better.
- Inability to experience pleasure: especially from events which used to be fun
- Giving away prized possessions
- Prior suicide attempts
- Increased drug or alcohol use
- Preoccupation with death and dying
I know that the issue is overwhelming and daunting. Knowing the risk factors and recognizing warning signs can definitely reduce acting out. In the next article, Part II, I will discuss preventive measures parents can take, as well as specific actions to take if you have concerns. The most important is to take all verbalization or signs as very serious, and to immediately seek professional, therapeutic evaluation and help. Thinking that these thoughts will pass is not a good strategy. Proper assessment and treatment is essential. If you have concerns, do not be afraid to talk to your children, and ask them how they feel. Parents sometimes think that bringing up these issues can put thoughts in their children's heads - instead, it is a message and assurance that someone cares, and will give them the opportunity to talk about their problems.
Remember, if you have issues you would like to see addressed, please email me at
askdrgelbart@gmail.com
. Your inquiries will always remain anonymous.
Moe Gelbart, PhD
Psychologist
Executive Director, Thelma McMillen Center
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PSAT SCORES
Test scores for sophomores and juniors who took the PSAT in October will be available online this Wednesday, December 12th. Scores can be accessed on the College Board website here. Students will need to log in with their College Board account or create a new account if they don't have one. Students who have trouble accessing their score reports can see Mrs. Breitenstein in the Main Office during lunch. Students' exam booklets and scored answer sheets will be returned in early January.
DROP DEADLINE
The deadline to drop a class with a "W" on the transcript is this Wednesday, December 14th. Drop forms, which require parent signature, are available in the Counseling Office.
SOPHOMORE LESSON
This Thursday, December 13th, our counselors will be visiting all sophomore English classes to deliver a guidance lesson on "What's Your Game Plan?" They will be talking about coping skills, academic pressure, peer pressure, etc. A letter with more details has been mailed home and should arrive in the next few days.
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2018 HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE - A SUCCESS!
Thank you to Boutique Chair, Lori Eurich for a tremendously successful boutique. Thank you to the vendors, and to the 100's of shoppers! Helping to raise funds for all Peninsula athletes - that's what it's all about!
A BLACK & GOLD AFFAIRE - SEEKING SPONSORS
The ABC Black & Gold Affaire will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2019, at 6pm. This is the PVPHS Athletic Booster Club's Major Fundraiser benefiting all Palos Verdes Peninsula High School athletics. Become one of the Black & Gold Affaire sponsors by completing the online
Black & Gold Affaire Sponsorship Form!
Thank you to our current ABC members for your continued support of PVPHS athletic programs. We are truly appreciate your contributions.
IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN THE ATHLETIC BOOSTER CLUB
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VARSITY SPORTS
COMPETITIONS ON CAMPUS THIS
WEEK
Bay League competition begins this week!
Boys' Soccer
Tuesday @ 3pm vs Mira Costa
Girls' Basketball
Tuesday @ 6pm vs Mira Costa
Boys' Basketball
Tuesday @ 7:30pm vs Mira Costa
Girls' Water Polo
Thursday @ 3pm vs Redondo
Girls' Soccer
Friday @ 3pm vs Leuzinger
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Monday, Tuesday,
Thursday, and Friday
(Regular)
Period 0: 7a-7:55a
Period 1: 8a-8:53a
Period 2: 8:59a-9:52a
Panther Time: 9:52a-10:10a
Period 3: 10:15a-11:14a
Period 4: 11:20a-12:13p
Lunch: 12:13p-12:48p
Period 5: 12:54p-1:47p
Period 6: 1:52p-2:45p
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Wednesday
(Late Start)
Period 0: 9a-9:40a
Period 1: 9:45a-10:25a
Period 2: 10:30a-11:10a
Period 3: 11:15a-11:45a
Period 4: noon - 12:40p
Lunch: 12:40p-1:15p
Period 5: 1:20p-2:00p
Period 6: 2:05p-2:45p
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Follow Pen High on the following official sites
@pvphs_principal
@pvphsasb
@pvphszoo
@pvphs_panthers
@pvphs_athletics
@pvphs_store
Have a great week!
Brent Kuykendall
Principal
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