Talon Talk Newsletter
Sebastian Bull, Principal
February 15, 2020

February 15, 2020

February 17, 2020
Holiday

March 13, 2020
Holiday

March 16 to April 3, 2020

March 18, 2020
PTSA Election Meeting
7pm in C-6
Scheduling Window Closes at Midnight Tonight
The two-week scheduling window for the upcoming Fall semester closes tonight! Visit our  Counseling website  for scheduling materials/instructions.
2020 Bell Schedule 3/23-4/3
Click here for letter that was sent to all 11th graders regarding CAASP testing, and to see the schedule from March 23 to April 3 which applies to the entire Foothill student body.
Foothill Facilities Update:
We have some plans for Foothill coming up this summer. The traffic study is still continuing and should be wrapped up soon for recommendations coming for determining a final plan for the traffic flow. Below are some more details about the projects coming our way as part of the I-1 Bond roll out. Information about the projects going on around the district can be found  here .

**Security Fencing **
Starting in June/July, perimeter fencing will be installed around Foothill's campus as part of the efforts to create a safer and more secure campus. The plans are being finalized, but the work will include some wrought iron fencing near the front of campus and some additional chainlink fencing near the rear of campus. Gates will be installed at various locations that match up with the existing walkways to allow for entry onto campus.

**Traffic Loop**
Starting in June/July, following the traffic study and finalized plans, the drop off area will be altered to accommodate additional traffic flow that exists on Foothill's campus and will also create a safer drop off area. This has been initiated by the construction of the new classroom building which requires a change to the flow and additional safety features incorporated. The work should be completed prior to school beginning, but we will provide updates as we get closer.

**New Career Technical Education/Science Building **
Starting in the summer of 2020, once the state has approved the plan, the work will begin on the new building that will be located in the front portion of campus between the J building and the A building. The work is scheduled to be completed in the Fall of 2021. The building will house our Engineering, Computer Science and Biomedical Sciences programs and will free up other space on campus in classrooms to remove the portables upon completion of the building.
PPIE Run Registration Now Open! 
Join 3,000 friends for the 8th Annual Run (or Walk!) for Education on April 19! Bring the whole family for this great community event and children 12 and under can run with Stomper the Oakland A’s mascot! Registration is now open and Early Bird discounts end March 16. We look forward to seeing you there! Click for details.
The AVID team at Foothill wants to share monthly tips and strategies that are helpful for ​ALL​ students. 
The focus of this month's AVID Newsletter is "Test Prep: SAT vs ACT".

To see previous AVID Newsletters on Growth Mindset and Goal-Setting, Note Taking , F inal Exam Check-in +Building Critical Thinking click here . You can also find the AVID page on the Foothill website under Academics, AVID.

Click image below for an enlarged, clickable pdf.
Principal's Friday Forum
Foothill PTSA has canceled the Friday Forum Friday February 28th due to low turnout in January. PTSA's next Friday Forum is Friday April 24th. But fear not, you can get your principal's update from Mr. Bull at the PTSA association meeting on Wednesday, March 18th, 7pm C-6
Learning the Facts About VAPING
Join us for a free, important panel discussion on teen vaping on March 3, 2020 from 7-8:30pm at the Firehouse Arts Center. Click here for details.
Vaping Prevention Information
 As you may know, our Pleasanton Unified Social Workers have created  this online Parent Education series  on the topic of substance abuse. There is a section dedicated to the topic of vaping, that has recently been updated that we wanted to bring to your attention. It is broken up into 3 smaller sections for easy viewing. We know that there is a lot of information out about the impacts of vaping on students, so we wanted to pass this along again to Foothill families to help have a conversation with your students:
Parenting & Adult/Teen EducationOfferings
PUSD Adult Ed has some great parent education opportunities coming up!
* Family Engagement the Love and Logic Way - begins 3/3
* Parenting through the Middle School Years - begins 2/24


There is a wide variety of classes including languages, culinary classes, retirement/finance, and computer education. Conversational Korean and Spanish start this month!
There are also handful of classes that are open to teens!
* Irish Inspired St. Patricks Day Dinner (Ages 12 and older - accompanying an adult; March 12)
* Escape to the Greek Islands Cooking Class (Ages 12 and older - accompanying an adult; April 2)
* Sewing: The Basics and Beyond (Ages 16 and older - with or without an accompanying adult; begins April 15)
Save the Date! Measure M Information Night
On Wednesday, February 26th, Pleasanton PTA Council invites Pleasanton voters to an informative panel discussion about Measure M. 
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
  • 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Inklings Coffee & Tea - 530 Main Street, Pleasanton
  • RSVP Here
Seniors! Community Service Hours Due 3/2
All seniors must complete their 20 hours of community service in order to graduate.  Community service from any year in high school counts. If student are not sure if they have uploaded community service proof, check the Class of 2020 Google classroom.  Click here for more info.  
Applying to a 4-Year University?
Your counselors have some important information for you. Please read!
Colleges NOT on Common App:
For those of you who have applied to out-of-state or private colleges NOT on the Common App, please check with their admissions offices to see if a mid-year report is required to be sent. A mid-year report includes your transcript with your first semester grades from senior year. The schools may or may not require it, but it's up to you to tell us! If they do want one, please bring a stamped, addressed envelope (1 stamp this time) to our registrar, Mrs. Burnett, as soon as you can.

Colleges on Common App:
Your counselors will automatically send a mid-year report to those colleges on Common App later this month.

UCs & CSUs:
We do not send mid-year reports to the UCs or CSUs because they do not require nor want them. It's important to continue checking your portals to ensure you have everything the UCs/CSUs need from you. If the portal says you need to submit a mid-year report, please see your counselor.

Had a recent schedule change?
It is your responsibility to inform your colleges that you have made a schedule change, especially for the UCs and CSUs. You can find more information regarding how to update the UCs with a schedule change here:   UC: After You Apply
We recommend you contact each CSU campus individually to see how they would like you to communicate the change with them.
Colleges on Common App will receive the update when your counselor sends the mid-year report, so you do not need to update Common App colleges. Other out-of-state and private colleges should be contacted individually so they can advise you how to proceed.

Thank you for reading and please feel free to see your counselor with any questions!
Spotlight on Local Senior Scholarships
Pleasanton RAGE Girls Soccer Club Scholarship
For Pleasanton RAGE high school seniors who plan to attend a 4-year or 2-year college, or a vocational or art school. To recognize and reward scholar athletes who demonstrate RAGE excellence in academic achievement and service to the community. Click here for info and application. Application must be received by February 15, 2020.
Tri-Valley Retired Educators Scholarships
The Tri-Valley Retired Educators’ Scholarship is for students planning to enter the field of education as a teacher or counselor.  Click here for information and application. Application deadline is March 20, 2020. 
AVSI Scholarships for SENIORS
For graduating seniors from Foothill , Village and Amador High Schools. Amador Valley Scholarships, Inc. is a community-based organization providing scholarships to students who will be attending a vocational,community college or 4-year college.
Students fill out one (1) application and will be considered for eleven (11) scholarships. The online application is now live, www.amadorvalleyscholarshipsinc.org. Applications be must received by 11pm on March 20, 2020 .
Stanford Health Care-ValleyCare Scholarships 
Available to seniors with a 3.0 GPA or better, planning to enter a program in a health-related profession. Completed applications are due no later than March 30.  Click here for details.
The Rotary Club of Pleasanton Scholarships
For graduating seniors. The Warren Annis Service Above Self Scholarship, Roger Dabney Memorial Scholarship, and the Harry Plett Memorial Scholarship are each awarded in honor of former distinguished Rotarians. Financial need is the main criteria for selection for all scholarships, other considerations are school and community activities, work experience, academic record, career & educational aspirations & goals as well as personal recommendations. Must plan to attend full-time at a community or 4-yr college, vocational, or trade school. Applications due March 31, 2020 .   Click here  for instructions.
Pleasanton Police Officers Foundation
Members of the Pleasanton Police Officers Charitable Foundation will recognize graduating seniors by presenting 3 students with a financial award to assist with educational expense at the college of their choice. Due April 10, 2020.
FAB Scholarships
The Foothill Athletic Boosters offers scholarships to graduating senior student-athletes who can best articulate how their experience as a Falcon athlete has prepared them to make a positive impact in this world. Click here for details. The deadline is April 12, 2020.
Foothill PTSA logo
Foothill PTSA Scholarships
Several $500 scholarships will be offered to students who have demonstrated exceptional work to enrich their school and/or community. Open to any Foothill High School senior with a minimum 2.0 GPA, who will attend an accredited 4-year university/college, or a 2-year community college or trade/technical school in the fall semester/quarter following graduation. Click here for details. Applications due April 13, 2020.  Click here for details .
Ryan Gordon Memorial Scholarship
Ryan Gordon was a 2003 graduate of Foothill High School. He played soccer at Foothill for 4 years and was planning on attending Santa Barbara City College where he planned to continue playing soccer, but was killed in a boating accident shortly after graduating. Open to senior members of the Foothill Boy’s or Foothill Girl’s Soccer Team. Application due May 8. Click here for Scholarship Application and details.
Click here for more info on scholarships . Scholarships are added to Naviance on a continuing basis so check back often.
Looking for More Scholarships?
Log into Naviance for to see all scholarships posted. 
Some are valued at $500 to $5000 and more. 


Steps:
  • Login to Naviance
  • Click on Colleges tab and, scroll all the way down to
  • Scholarships and Money

Scholarships display in Naviance as they become available so keep checking back as new scholarships are added, open, and close throughout the year.

Scholarships and grants can be awarded by multiple sources: colleges and universities, businesses, companies, non-profits, and local individuals. Click here for more info on scholarships and financial aid. Applications, recommendations and essays are just some of the requirements that may take time, but it can be well worth it!

It's never too soon to explore colleges/majors and other post high school opportunities.  Naviance  is a great tool for this! Need help logging in? Contact your  alpha counselor  for assistance.
Senior Parents!
The Senior Parents group organizes activities outside of the school umbrella to help make your student's senior year an exciting one.

How do you get informed about 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
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! tiny.cc/fhsclassof2020

Questions? Please contact Shawna Lombardi, Senior Parents Committee Chair at [email protected].
Graduation Ceremony Planning is Underway
Here is the link for parents to sign up for handicapped seating at graduation. Each graduating senior gets 6 tickets. They use their existing tickets and may request one seat, plus one caregiver seat, per handicapped/medically fragile person.   https://forms.gle/6gTo9Ypyw54PtdGa6

For more info on the Graduation Ceremony, click here .
Sports Packets for Athletes
To try out for a sport at Foothill High School, you must first register on AthleticClearance.com . Complete instructions and forms can be found on the Foothill website (foothillfalcons.org) by clicking on Athletics and Activities, then  Sports Packet . After registering on AthleticClearance.com you will need to turn in a signed copy of the Confirmation Message, Emergency form, and current physical (if you were unable to upload it). 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 was held 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.