April 2019 Taft High Newsletter

Volume XVIII | May 2019

Taft Charter PTO Monthly Parent Newsletter

Please tell other parents to join us as well, for important updates, and to connect you with your teen's school.

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PTO Corner

Taft PTO’s mantra is “All for One and One for All!” For the PTO, this means we are there to support our students, teachers and administrators…all of our academic programs—IHP, Humanitas, STEAM Magnet, Resident School, AIAT—and electives…as well as teams and clubs. NONE of this is possible without YOU!

Volunteerism is an integral pillar of support that makes Taft special. With parent support, PTO, teachers and administrators can provide more to our students. While our students are young adults with great ideas/aspirations/energy, let’s face it, they still need guidance and support to realize all that high school can offer. The more parents involved in PTO, the greater our accomplishments!

Parents assist with special events, home sports games, club activities, apparel sales, banner sales, graduation and so much more! We volunteer on campus, off campus and from home. Last, but certainly not least, parents donate! High school students are expensive! The more donated and raised, the more we can provide our students—they’re definitely worth it!

My 11 years of volunteerism at Taft are winding down—I honestly cannot believe it! One would think that as my years at Taft increased, my volunteerism waned; but the opposite is true. I have found that there is no greater sense of satisfaction than knowing you are doing something to make the Taft experience better for our students--it is an investment in the future…of our kids AND our community! I could not get enough!

I leave knowing that there are so many wonderful families at Taft that can and will grab my volunteerism “baton” and take it greater heights, and that is exciting. With all of your assistance—great or small—Taft will continue to improve in its ability to serve our students! Please reach out to Carrie Adelman (our new PTO President) and let her know how you can help—our kids will be forever grateful!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

-Randi Theodosopoulos, 2018/2019 PTO President

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PTO meetings are open to all Taft parents and are located in the Parent Center Conference Room from 7pm to 8pm

September

My article this month is about a very special parent volunteer, Randi Theodosopoulos who has been a parent volunteer in LAUSD for over 20 years. Her youngest of four will graduate from Taft HS this year and I know she will continue to be a part of our school community but it will definitely be different. Randi’s involvement began with her oldest son James when he started at Wilbur ES. Her involvement has never been about her own kids. She has always been a champion for all kids and the entire school community. For Randi, it has always been about advocating for kids with the bigger picture in mind whether through fundraising, involvement with various school-based and district committees, or advocacy with elected officials. To name a few Randi has been a member and President of SSC at multiple schools, as well as PTO and Booster clubs, Randi has also served on various district committees as well including Parent Community Sunshine Committee 2012 to present, Parents as Equal Partners Task Force 2011, Local District Parent Advisory Board. She has worked with multiple Local District Superintendents over the years and has presented to multiple stakeholder groups over the years including Parents, Principals and District Personnel. In all my years I have never seen a parent as involved or as talented and knowledgeable as Randi, I do not know how we will continue without her. Taft HS will be forever in debt to Randi for her contributions and we thank her for all that she has done for all of us over the years.

-Daniel Steiner, Principal

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Coffee with Principal

Hope to see you next year at Coffee with Principal

Important Upcoming Dates

May 23rd: Cheer Team Try Outs 3:30-6:00

Dance Team Try Outs 3:30-6:30

Choir Spring Concert 6:30-8:00

May 24th: Dance Team Try Outs 3:30-6:30

May 27th: NO SCHOOL

May 29th: Senior Awards 6:00-8:00

May 30th: Freshman Orientation 6:00-8:00

June 4th: Final Exams 1 & 4

Minimum Day 12:37

Cap/Gown/Grad Ticket Pick Up 12:30-3:30

Friedman & Friends Dinner @ 6:00-8:00

June 5th: Final Exams 2 & 5

Minimum Day 12:37

June 6th: Final Exams 3 & 6

Minimum Day 12:37

Graduation 7:00-9:00

June 7th: Last Day of Instruction

In the Spotlight

Taft’s Humanitas-Pierce Program

· Academically Enriched coursework

· Designed for traditional students who want to be challenged beyond the standard curriculum

· Discussion-focused, in-depth interdisciplinary program where teaching is

done thematically

· Homework more manageable

· Students graduate with a post-graduation plan

· Designed for high school students to earn college credit to fulfill the

Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) while

earning a high school degree concurrently

· Will prepare students to transfer to a four-year university, achieve college and

career readiness

· Puts students on track to receive their A.A. degree shortly after high school,

without APs or SATs/ACTs

· Within a semester or two after high school, students can receive their college

degree, allows for an easier transition to 4-year universities--sidestepping

time, expense and stress involved in building a competitive

application/resume

Coursework and Classroom Setting

· Students stay together all 4 years

· Proscribed courses

9th 10th

*Health 11 / Comm 101 Spanish 1 / Spanish 2

*Counseling 40 / Anthro 121 Cinema 107 / Soc 2

* *English English

**Biology World History

Math Math

PE/Sport PE/Sport

11th 12th

Anthro 101 / Psych 1 English 101 / English 102

Anthro 111 / English 28 Math 227 / Poli Sci

English English elective

US History Gov/Economics

Chemistry Other core or elective

Math classes

*First 2 classes are semester-long Pierce college courses taken on Taft’s campus

* *The classes in bold are taught by Taft Humanitas teachers

· Coordinated projects and essays across classes

Selection Process

· Students self-select by notifying Taft counselor of their interest in

Humanitas

· Students should have a 2.5-3.5 GPA

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Taft Ask Letter

Dear Taft Families,

We are thrilled that you have chosen Taft High School! Did you know that the Taft Charter Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) works with all the students, teachers, clubs and teams to help support their needs and put on school events like Homecoming? So many of the great things here at Taft that our students use and enjoy are NOT PAID FOR BY LAUSD, but rather by the PTO through the generosity of our parents and community.

This is why we are asking for your help.

For the cost of just one Starbucks latte or fast food value meal a week, you could help your child’s school provide all the following opportunities and more:

-Social events like the homecoming parade and dance and the Halloween costume contest.

-Stipends for our academic departments (Math, Science, English, History) to purchase supplies and classroom materials such as toner not paid for by LAUSD.

-Stipends for our elective departments like drama, music and visual arts.

-Trophies for all of our athletic teams.

-Support for our student clubs, student newspaper, college office and library.

-Need-based scholarships for community service and school volunteers

-Teacher appreciation events and school tours.

Yes, public school is free, but all of the extras are not, so we need your help. WE ARE ASKING EVERY FAMILY TO PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A DONATION!! We are suggesting a donation of $250 per family, but EVERY DOLLAR HELPS, so give whatever you can…

Your tax-deductible donations can be paid in full or monthly installments. Please make donation checks out to TAFT CHARTER PTO, and put donation on the memo line along with your child's name and grade, and return them in a sealed envelope to the main office or your child's English Teacher. You will be sent a receipt and donation letter. If you want to pay by cash or credit card,

please email Carrie Adelman at cadelman3681@gmail.com