Happy New Year!

 

Dear Parents:

Each new year is marked by resolutions and opportunities for a fresh start for students, parents, teachers and administrators.  At PHS, students will quickly be reacquainted with their curricular opportunities as our course registration process begins as soon as we return in January. This month each student’s 2019-2020 educational program will be created through various meetings with teachers, counselors, parents, and administrators.

Parkland High School offers rigorous and standards-aligned curriculum for students of all ability levels, and our 2019-2020 school year course offerings menu is unparalleled in its diversity and quality.  Students currently in grades 9, 10 and 11 will receive their course registration books along with a live course registration process television presentation during an extended homeroom period on Wednesday, January 2, 2019.  All parents of students currently enrolled in grades 9, 10 and 11 are invited to and should attend a “Parent Meeting for Course Registration for Classes of 2020, 2021, 2022” on Thursday, January 3, 2019 at 7 PM in the Parkland High School Auditorium.  All students currently enrolled in grades 9, 10 and 11 must submit their 2019-2020 PHS Course Registration Form to their high school guidance counselor by Friday, January 11, 2019.  Throughout the months of January, February, and early March, the teachers, counselors, and administration will assist your child with the course selection process.

The high school and middle schools use a team approach to provide course registration information to our current 8^th grade students and parents.  Activities involving career inventories will take place at the middle schools during early January to aid our students in selecting a career pathway. Course registration books will be provided to each 8^th grade student at Orefield and Springhouse in a joint presentation at Parkland High School on Thursday, January 3, 2019.  All parents of 8^th grade students at Orefield and Springhouse are invited to and should attend a “Parent Meeting for Course Registration for the Class of 2023” on Monday, January 7, 2019 at 7 PM in the Parkland High School Auditorium.  All 8^th grade students must submit their 2019-2020 PHS Freshman Registration Form to their middle school guidance counselor by Friday, January 18, 2019.  Throughout the month of January, teachers, counselors, and administration will assist your child with the course selection process. 

Just a reminder for parents: Students who did not yet demonstrate proficiency on the Algebra or Biology Keystone Exam will be retested on January 8 & 9 (Biology) and January 10 & 11 (Algebra).  World Language midterm exams will be administered in class on January 17 & 18. The four core subject midterm exams will be administered on Wednesday, January 23 (English/Social Studies) and Thursday, January 24 (Math/Science). We will have a 11 AM dismissal on Wednesday, January 23 and Thursday, January 24. On Friday, January 25 PHS will dismiss at 1 PM.

Congratulations to our music program on their wonderful winter concert performances this past month.  The exceptional quality of their concerts showcases the talents of our students, their incredible work ethic, and the passion shared by our music educators and students.  This year’s concerts were remarkable and helped make this principal’s holiday season that much more enjoyable! 

Sincerely,

Mr. Moniz

Principal

E-Mail:  monizj@parklandsd.org

 

 

Athletic News

Congratulations to the Girls Volleyball and Girls Soccer team on being named The Morning Call All-Area Team of the Year.  Individuals winning all-area selections include: 

Field Hockey - Aubrey Semler and Olivia Vaccari (Honorable Mention) 

Cross Country -  Madison Zaun and Nicholas Bower (First Team), Riley Williamson (Second Team), Matthew Santacoloma (Honorable Mention)

Football - Adam Piston (First Team), Connor Bernecker (Second Team), Michael Bennett (Honorable Mention)  

Boys Soccer - Justin Douglas and Connor Burke (First Team)

Girls Volleyball - Grace Steurer and Adriana Goetz Morales (First Team), Brooke Kratzer (Second Team)

Girls Soccer - Ava Schaller and Giavanna Litz (First Team), Madison Warminsky (Second Team), Ava Hanna, Louise Gottwald, Jocelyn Fowler and Zoe Shutter (Honorable Mention) 

 

Winter Sports

Winter sports are up and running.  Boys Basketball is 6-3, Girls Basketball 6-2, Wrestling 2-1, Girls Swimming 3-0 and Boys Swimming 2-0-1. All teams are back in action starting January 3.  Best of luck to all of our teams for 2019.

 

MARK YOUR SPORTS CALENDAR!

Cheerleading tryouts for next school year’s squads will be held the end of May.  Students will need a PIAA physical or PIAA recertification form to tryout. Any 6^th grade student interested in trying out must have a PIAA physical done for try outs.

Spring 2018-2019 sports physicals will be held Saturday, February 2, 2019 at Parkland High School.

Boys: 8 AM - 9:30 AM and Girls: 9:30 AM - 11 AM (free of charge)

No student can participate in a spring sport without a full PIAA physical.  Recertification forms may be used for a spring sport if the athlete had a full physical for a fall or winter sport in 2018.  The Parkland Athletic Department understands that it may not be convenient to come to our scheduled free physical event.  However, those who miss must get a PIAA physical on their own prior to March 4, 2019. Paperwork for the PIAA physical can be found online at https://www.parklandsd.org/departments/athletics under Forms.  All Parkland athletes must get an ImPACT test once during their four years at PHS and before participation. 

The first day of spring sports is Monday, March 4. 

 

Alumni Recognition

Photos in the trophy case – the Parkland Athletic Department recognizes current NCAA Division I and II Parkland alumni by placing their signed photographs in the school cafeteria lobby trophy case. These pictures stay there until graduation from the students’ respective colleges and are then permanently displayed on the walls of our ticket sales area at PHS. If you are a current college athlete or have a child who meets the criteria for recognition, please send us an 8” x 10” autographed, glossy action photo from their college media guide or action shot from a game.  The photo can be dropped off at PHS or mailed to:

Parkland High School Athletic Office
2700 North Cedar Crest Blvd.
Allentown, PA 18104

 

 

Counseling Corner

 

Course Registration

The registration and scheduling process for the 2019-2020 school year begins at Parkland High School during the month of January. Throughout the next few months, students will be selecting courses that best meet their academic goals, administrators will be calculating student enrollments, staffing assignments will be prepared, and a master schedule will be created for next school year.

All students, eighth through eleventh grade, will receive a copy of the 2019-2020 Parkland High School Course Study Guide to begin the registration process. This is a valuable resource and reference guide for students and parents selecting a program of study for the next school year. Several informational meetings will be held for parents and students throughout the month of January to highlight new course offerings, review graduation requirements, and provide guidelines for selecting appropriate course levels. Planning your child's program of study is one of the most important tasks completed each school year. Counselors, faculty, and administrators will work closely together to guide your child through this important process.

Course registration forms are due in the Counseling Office on Friday, January 11, 2019.

 

College Admissions Testing

Juniors interested in taking the SAT should select and register for a March, May, June and/or August test. Registration for the SAT is now available online at www.sat.org/register. Many SAT prep courses are available to students, and detailed information can be found in the College and Career Resource Room. Juniors should carefully plan their spring testing schedule and follow the registration procedures required by the College Board. Juniors planning to apply to selective schools where SAT II: Subject Tests are required, need to remember that these tests are offered in May, June and August.

Underclassmen may also want to consider registering for an SAT II: Subject Test if they are currently completing an honors or advanced placement course where no further study is available (i.e., AP United States History).

Juniors may also want to consider the ACT as a college admission test option. The ACT is offered in February, April and June in the Lehigh Valley. Students can register for the ACT at www.act.org/student. All colleges and universities will accept the SAT and/or the ACT for admission purposes. Please feel free to consult your counselor if you have any questions.

 

January Testing Calendar

January 11, 2019 - Registration deadline for the February 9, 2019 administration of the ACT and ACT Assessment plus Writing.

 

Driver's Education 

 

The CLIU-21 offers On-the-Road-Skills Training that consists of six hours of individual behind-the-wheel training for students who have their PA learner's permit. Register online at www.cliu.org/driversed by selecting the 'Behind-the-Wheel Training' option.  Follow the prompts; if you have any questions, please call 610-769-4111, ext. 1299 or email driversed@cliu.org.

 

Tips for Maintaining Tire Traction in the Winter

Awareness of your speed, acceleration, and braking can help you keep from losing tire traction on the road when turning and stopping.

A few other tips to keep in mind:

• Stay away from the tire tracks of other vehicles. Packed snow is more likely to cause your wheels to spin.

• Make any accelerations gradually.

• Decrease your speed. The higher your speed, the easier it will be to lose traction.

• Don't be afraid to stop. If conditions get really bad, don't let the pressure of getting where you are going on time get in the way of your judgment. Whenever driving conditions become unsafe, pull off the road and wait. Pushing through on roads that have not been plowed during a storm that has taken a turn for the worse, will cause more problems in the long run than if you are a little late for your destination.

• Stay home. Even better, if the weather prediction is bad, choose to stay home and stay off the roads if possible.

Health Room Information

 

Prevention Information for Cold and Flu Season:

• wash hands frequently
• get a flu shot
• cover your cough
• get adequate rest
• eat healthy and nutritious foods

 

Flu Season Guidelines

Please keep your child home from school (even if they have a test or sporting event) if he/she is experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• fever of 100 degrees or more
• vomiting and/or diarrhea
• severe head cold
• persistent cough
• severe sore throat             

          (Note: These are the same criteria the Health Room uses as guidelines when sending students home from school)

Students should not return to school until they are fever free for 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medications.

 *Reminder: the Health Room does not have cold or allergy medicine.*

 

11th Grade Physicals

All eleventh grade students should return their completed physical forms to the Health Room as soon as possible.

New Immunization Requirement - the meningitis vaccine is required on or after your student's 16^th birthday.  Students currently in 11^th grade will be required to have this immunization on the first day of their senior year. The 11^th grade physical is a good time to complete this requirement. Forms are available on the PHS website at https://www.parklandsd.org/departments/student-services/health-services/health-forms.  

As always, if you have any questions for the Health Room do not hesitate to call 610-351-5616.

Library Lines

 

Students can start their year off right by visiting the Parkland High School Library to research, study, read, do homework, meet with a National Honor Society tutor, use the Makerspace, or get help with research papers. 

The PHS Library is open Monday - Friday from 7 AM - 4:30 PM.

 

The PHS Library's Makerspace continues to grow in popularity each month. Upcoming maker events include:  knitting, OSBot Fun, New Year’s goal setting using bullet journal techniques, and paper crafting.

If you or your students have any suggestions for books, Makerspace events, or anything library related, please communicate with PHS Library staff as soon as possible so plans can be developed for next school year. See Mrs. Dickerson or Mrs. Brader with your ideas, or email us at phslibrary@parklandsd.org.

 

Week Day	Date	PHS Upcoming Event
Tuesday	1/1	Happy New Year!
Wednesday	1/2	Welcome Back!
		"B" Schedule
		LEO Club Meeting - C200 at 7:15 AM
		Course Book Distribution
Thursday	1/3
		Class of 2020, 2021, 2022 Parent Meeting - Auditorium at 7 PM
Monday	1/7	Class of 2023 Parent Meeting - Auditorium at 7 PM
		French Honor Society Meeting - C220 at 3 PM
Tuesday	1/8	Post Prom Committee Meeting - Library Classroom at 7 PM
		Winter Keystone Exams - Biology
Wednesday	1/9	Winter Keystone Exams - Biology
Thursday	1/10	Winter Keystone Exams - Algebra I
Friday	1/11	Winter Keystone Exams - Algebra I
Tuesday	1/15	Ted Ed Club Presentations - C200 at 3 PM
Wednesday	1/16	Key Club Meeting - C220 at 7 AM
		LEO Club Meeting - C200 at 7:15 AM
		Parent Forum - C200 at 6 PM
Thursday	1/17	FBLA Meeting - C200 at 3 PM
Monday	1/21	School Closed - Professional Development Day
Tuesday	1/22	Ted Ed Club Presentations - C200 at 3PM
Wednesday	1/23	Mid-Term Exams
		Early Dismissal - 11 AM
Thursday	1/24	Mid-Term Exams
		Early Dismissal - 11 AM
Friday	1/25	Makeup Exams - Auxiliary Gym
		Early Dismissal - 1 PM ("C" Schedule)
		End of 2nd Marking Period
Monday	1/28	"B" Schedule
		First Day of 2nd Semester
Wednesday	1/30	Skills USA - Auditorium at 7 PM
Thursday	1/31	Skills USA Snow Date

 

Seniors - Class of 2019 

 

Mr. Parkland 2019

Saturday, February 9 at 7 PM

in the PHS Auditorium

Tickets cost $8 and will be available to students for advance purchase during lunches starting January 29.

Tickets will also be available at the door.

Proceeds benefit the Senior Class.

Please direct any questions to Mrs. Keifer at keifera@parklandsd.org

 

 

Please drop off dues in Room B127

---

 

Sophomores - Class of 2021

To order shirts: Please make checks payable to Parkland High School and include "Class of 2021 Shirt" in the memo space. Turn in or mail your order to Mr. Greth. Shirts will be delivered to students in class.

To pay class dues: Please make checks payable to Parkland High School and include "Class of 2021 Dues" in the memo space. Turn in or mail your dues to Mr. Greth. Students who owe class dues and money for the Save Around Books will receive a notice in homeroom the first week of January.

---

Freshmen - Class of 2022

Please remember to pay your $20 class dues.

Make checks payable to PHS, and include “Class of 2022” in the memo space.

Turn in cash or check in an envelope to Mrs. Yenser in Room C241.

Please contact Mrs. Sarah Yenser at Parkland High School with any questions.

---

 

Addiction to Fortnite 

 

Many parents struggle with a nightly battle to remove their children from the online video game Fortnite.  Please see the article below from Families Managing Media for information and strategies to address this issue.  If you have questions, please feel free to call the Student Assistance Program team at 610-351-5600.

 

 

Visual and Performing Arts

 

December was a very “rewarding” month, with many students qualifying for recognition in the arts.

On Saturday, December 1, over 800 students from 69 schools auditioned for PMEA District 10 Band and Orchestra.  Parkland qualified 12 students for the Band, by far the most of any school attending.  Wind players for the Orchestra are determined by taking the very highest-ranking players for each instrument.  Six Parkland Band members were taken for the Orchestra, again the largest group from any of the participating schools. The following students from Parkland qualified: 

Megumi Takahashi - flute (band/orchestra)

Laura Ruozzi - flute (band)

Serena Vrablik - oboe (band/orchestra)

Alex Tang - clarinet (band/orchestra)

Olivia Latshaw - clarinet (band/orchestra)

Olivia Wilkinson - clarinet (band/orchestra)

Jordan Bucks - clarinet (band)

Maggie Gareca - horn (band)

Brody Segan - trombone (band)

Jared Lazansky - euphonium (band/orchestra)

Andrew Syslo - euphonium (band)

Coby Lindenmuth - string bass (band/orchestra)

The District Band Festival will take place the weekend of January 24-26 at Catasauqua High School.

 

The following Parkland strings students qualified for the District 10 Orchestra Festival that will be held the weekend of January 10-12 at Boyertown High School:

Ella Wu, Jessica Tseo, Aija Tighe, Angelina Roccamo, Hasun Noh, Conrad Lee, Sophia Lee, Seana Isaac, Raphael Ettinger-Finley, Jane Cho, Anam Ali, and Suchir Agarwal – violin

Anya Pant, Ee-Ning Ooi, and Victor Cai – viola

Kevin Tong, Christine Hutchinson, and Amanda Giltz – cello

Jacob Schultz, Coby Lindenmuth, and Ashleigh Budlong – bass

---

All three of our music groups, the Chorus, Band, and Orchestra, placed the most students in all three of the upcoming District events. This is a great representation for Parkland.

---

In early December, members of the PHS International Thespian Society attended the PA Thespian State Conference held at North Penn High School. Students participated in workshops, performed for colleges and to qualify for Nationals. The fall play, "26 Pebbles," was presented to the entire conference.

The following Parkland students were recognized for their success at the conference.

All-star cast for "26 Pebbles" - Daniel Stewart 

Individual Event Superiors:

Acting - Aubree Williams

Musical - Yaritza Almonte, Emily Babinchak, Olivia Behr, Shanyn Kaiser

Stage management - Shaye Harrer

Scholarship Winners:

Performance scholarship - Olivia Behr

Technical scholarship - Kailey Kloiber

Performance Hall of Fame - Aubree Williams

Technical Hall of Fame - Riley Allsop

Hall of Fame Theater Excellence - Daniel Stewart

Technical Challenge:

First place: Parkland team #1 - Riley Allsop, Kailey Kloiber, Shaye Harrer, Lynsey Reynard, Lauren Petrocelli, Alexis Peng

Second place: Parkland team #3 - Heather Mello, Chaz Broadbent, Ethan Johnson, Jada Pinsley, Isabella Costanzo

Costume quick change - Isabella Costanzo and Jada Pinsley

Scenery (legging a platform) - Kailey Kloiber and Riley Allsop

Stage craft (knot tying) - Kailey Kloiber (She beat her own State Record by 4 seconds)

---

PHS will be presenting "Curtains" on the main stage this spring. “It’s the brassy, bright, and promising year of 1959. Boston’s Colonial Theatre is host to the opening night performance of a new musical. When the leading lady mysteriously dies on stage, the entire cast and crew are suspects. Enter a local detective, who just happens to be a musical theatre fan!” PHS performances promise to be filled with large production numbers, dancers, singers, and a mystery needing to be solved.

A hilarious journey for both performers and the audience, the original Broadway production garnered eight nominations at the 2007 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. This “play within a play” will be presented on the PHS stage April 10, 11, 12, and 13 at 7:30 PM and April 14 at 3 PM. Tickets are on sale at www.showtix4u.com. Simply visit the site to choose your own seats from the comfort of your home.

---

During the month of January, the Trojan Art Gallery will feature the works of PHS students studying AP Studio Art: 2-D Design and Drawing 3, Portfolio Preparation, and Jewelry and Metals 1.