Dear Parent/Guardian,

Our spring sports season is well underway with many of our teams just starting to get on the field for their first taste of competitive action. While our student athletes are finally heading outdoors, our spring musical, Curtains, is putting on the finishing touches and prepping to open. You can catch this terrific show Wednesday, April 10 through Sunday, April 14.  Tickets are $11 for adults and $9 for students/seniors. It is strongly suggested that tickets are purchased in advance to ensure availability.  Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.showtix4u.com.

The warmer weather brings a lot of fun outdoor student activity as well as students pushing the boundaries of our school dress code. It would be greatly appreciated if you could please take a moment to review pp. 44-45 of the student handbook to make sure your son/daughter understands what type of attire is acceptable for school. We appreciate your support in limiting/eliminating any loss of instructional time for students.

The end of the 3^rd marking period was extended to April 5 and report card distribution (April 18) is just around the corner so be sure to keep those dates in mind as grades are finalized. As you know, we are well into the scheduling process for the 2019-2020 school year.  Student requests have been tabulated and Dr. Naradko and Dr. Sandt are currently building next year’s master schedule.  You will receive a course verification letter with your child’s third marking period report card.  This letter will contain course requests for next year.  Please review these selections and report any problems to the guidance office.  Please note that course requests may be changed any time prior to June 28, 2019.

One important note for Seniors, on Tuesday, May 28, Parkland High School will hold its annual Academic Scholarship Ceremony to honor students who have received merit-based scholarships, totaling a minimum of 25% of the cost of tuition at the college/university that they will be attending.

April is also an important month for final Keystone Exam preparation. Keystone preparation programs are available, with information available on the PHS webpage.

MARK THIS DATE - On Wednesday, April 24 PHS/OMS/SMS parents are invited to a Parent University focusing on the Vaping Epidemic. The presentation will begin at 7 PM in the OMS auditorium. I highly encourage parents to attend this program to learn more about how vaping is spreading throughout the adolescent world.

Here’s hoping for a warm April!

Sincerely,

James E. Moniz II

Principal

E-Mail:  monizj@parklandsd.org

 

 

 

Athletic News

 

Swimming Awards

Congratulations to the following swimmers on their selection to the EPC all-star team:

Girls

Diving - Lexi Lehman, Alexa Brinker and Katharine Gottwald  

200 meter Freestyle - Kayla Johnson

200 meter Individual Medley - Ally Lin 

100 meter Freestyle - Kayla Johnson

500 meter Freestyle - Ally Lin

200 meter Freestyle Relay Team: Kayla Johnson, Lauren Ceh, Laurel Krause and Ally Lin

400 meter Freestyle Relay Team: Kayla Johnson, Kira Colarusso, Laurel Krause and Ally Lin

Boys

Diving - Logan Choma and Ethan Radio  

200 meter Freestyle - Gavin Webb

200 meter Individual Medley - James Zhang

500 meter Freestyle - Gavin Webb

100 meter Breaststroke - Shawn Kushner 

 

Winter Sports

Wrestling ended up with a 10-6 record. 

Girls' Swimming was 10-2 and Boys' Swimming was 10-1-1. The Swim Teams competed in the State Meet at Bucknell University.  Ally Lin placed 4^th in the 500 Freestyle and 10^th in the 200 IM. Gavin Webb came from 27^th to finish 14^th in the 500 Freestyle. Lexi Lehman was 5th and Alexa Brinker was 7^th in Diving. Logan Choma finished 7^th in Diving.

Girls' Basketball finished with a record of 15-12 and qualified for the State Championship where they lost to Abington High School. 

Boys' Basketball finished with a record of 16-11. The boys played in their 8^th District title game in eleven years and then lost in the first round of the State Tournament to Chester High School. 

The winter season is complete, and now onto spring sports. 

 

Cross-Country News

The Parkland athletic community would like to thank Coach Loretta Dodson for her time and commitment to the cross-country team over the years. Coach Dodson retired in March after 17 years as the head coach and another 5 years as an assistant. During her time as our head coach, our teams won 16 League Championships, 16 League Meet Championships and 11 District Championships. Her overall record was 418-32 for a 93% winning percentage. Thank You Coach Dodson! 

 

Mark Your Sports Calendar!

Fall 2019-2020 sports physicals will be held Saturday, June 8, 2019 at Parkland High School. 

Girls 8 AM – 10 AM, Boys 10 AM – 12 noon. They are free. 

No student can participate in a fall sport without a full PIAA physical that they received after June 1, 2019. 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 August 12, 2019. Paperwork can be found on the https://www.parklandsd.org/ website under Departments - Athletics - Forms.  All Parkland athletes must get an ImPACT test once during their 4 years at PHS and before participation. 

The first day of fall sports is Monday, August 12. 

 

CONGRATULATIONS!

 

Science Olympiad

The Parkland High School Science Olympiad Team won first place at the Central Eastern Regional Science Olympiad Competition held at Kutztown University in March. The team, made up of the following students, is going on to the Pennsylvania Science Olympiad State Tournament at Juniata College on April 27: 

Nehali Gupta, Priyanka Hanumaihgari, Vedavyas Jampanaboyana, Meghna Sequeira, Saakshi Girotra, Aishani Ramoju, Srijan Sharma, Purva Gupta, Ee-Ning Ooi, Raviteja Kanthamneni, Pranav Balabhadra, Dharshan Tharumia, Anam Ali, Tanya Mehta, Taran Anantasagar

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National History Day

On Saturday, March 23 the Regional National History Day Competition was held at Muhlenberg College. The following students from Parkland High School will be going on to the National History Day in Pennsylvania State Contest held on Friday, May 10 and Saturday, May 11 at Carlisle High School: 

Individual Paper: Jacob Roth - 1st place, Hana Yang - 2nd place

Individual Website: Tayna Mehta - 1st place, Dharshan Tharumia - 2nd place

Individual Documentary: Maggie Gareca - 1st place, Rahul Inaganti - 2nd place

Group Documentary: Julia Young and Alison Fang - 1st place 

Group Exhibit: Aishani Ramoju and Aashika Shah - 2nd place

Group Performance: Hope Broadhurst and Kiran Kadewari - 2nd place

Group Website: Ankhitha Manjunatha and Ankitha Manjunatha - 1st place

Vedavyas Jampanaboyana, Krishna Narramneni, Taran Anantasagar, Pranav Balabhadra, and Mustapha Salau - 2nd place
 

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Step Team

The National Step League's 3rd Annual Pennsylvania Championship Step Show was held at Northampton Area High School on Saturday, March 30. The Parkland High School Step Team, coached by Mrs. Jodie Ferrio, placed 2nd in an exciting competition. The team members are as follows:

Captains - Paola Muniz Rodriguez, Yacenia Glover, Alyssa Gonzalez 

Team - Nathaniel Carrasco, Lisha Brito, Lusha Goyzueta, Jonedy Jiminez, Carmen Fraderas Alix, Julainy Peralta Calderon, Joanna Lubin, Lauren Hall, Kayla-Drew Bravo, Prathysha Kothare, Kiera Colon, Abigail Graham, Gracianne Fisher, Jadah Lubin, Mya Burgos, Faith Marube, Jeanne Boateng, Kimora Rodriguez

Counseling Corner

 

ASVAB (ARMED SERVICES VOCATIONAL APTITUDE BATTERY)

On Wednesday, April 17 the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) will be administered to all students who have pre-registered for the three-hour exam. The ASVAB is an excellent opportunity for students to complete a career aptitude test that examines ten different areas including mathematics knowledge, mechanical comprehension, coding speed and general science, to name a few. Students interested in a military career must take the ASVAB for career training placement; however, all students can benefit from the information provided by this exam. The exam is free of charge and administered by military testing personnel at the high school; however, there is no obligation to meet with military recruiters if a student participates in the testing. In fact, most students taking the ASVAB are solely interested in identifying their strengths and weaknesses in the skill areas named above. In addition, an excellent workbook highlighting personal traits and several hundred career occupations is distributed to students along with their test results. Results of the test are usually available within two to three weeks. If your son or daughter is interested in taking the ASVAB, registration will be held starting April 3 through April 12 in the Parkland High School Counseling Office. Students can pick up an ASVAB booklet if they are interested in learning more about this valuable career aptitude test. 

 

GIFTED IEP MEETINGS

Gifted IEP meetings for ninth, tenth and eleventh grade students will be held April 2 through April 9 in the Counseling Office.  Please contact Mrs. Randy Hanna at 610-351-5610, ext. 73511 to schedule your appointment time for the GIEP meeting.

 

POSTSECONDARY PLANNING

Postsecondary planning presentations were conducted in the junior English classrooms during the month of March. College admissions testing, financial aid information and college application procedures were reviewed to give all students an understanding of the information needed to continue their college and/or career search. Counselors are available to discuss individual postsecondary plans with interested junior students. 

 

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TESTING – SAT and ACT

Juniors are reminded that sign-ups for the SAT I: Reasoning Test, SAT II: Subject Tests and the ACT are currently in progress. Some universities require a junior set of SAT or ACT test scores. Only May and June test dates are still available for each exam this school year. Students interested in applying to selective private colleges and universities should check if the SAT II: Subject Tests are required for admission or placement purposes. The most up-to-date information can be found on each school’s website. Students are encouraged to register for the SAT on the College Board’s website located at www.sat.org/register or the ACT at www.act.org/student.

 

JOB FAIR

On February 28, Parkland High School hosted it's 2nd Annual Job Fair where 70 employers had the opportunity to meet with 11th and 12th grade students. The employers in attendance commented that the students they met were polite and respectful, that they received impressive resumes and were looking to hire a number of students as a result of the event.

A huge thank you to the following companies for their food/beverage donations: Duck Donuts, Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza, Philly Pretzel Factory - Tilghman Street, Wawa, Niagara Bottling, Top Star Express/Subway, Weis Markets, Red Robin and Wegmans.

If you own a business or are employed at a business/organization that is interested in participating in next year's event, please e-mail Allison McPeek at mcpeeka@parklandsd.org.

Check out the opportunities below that were shared at the PHS Job Fair on February 28:

Jobs

Internships

Volunteer Opportunities

Training/Military Opportunities

 

EXCITING UPDATE

Guidance Department information is now available in Schoology for students. Be sure to have your student check their Class of 2019, 2020, 2021, or 2022 Schoology page for important information in the following folders:

• Volunteer Opportunities
• Job Opportunities
• Special/Summer Programs
• Scholarships

Students should be sure to check this site often, as items are constantly being updated and added. Any questions or concerns should be sent to Allison McPeek at mcpeeka@parklandsd.org.

 

APRIL TESTING CALENDAR

April 5, 2019 – Regular registration deadline for the SAT I: Reasoning Test and the SAT II: Subject Tests on May 4.

April 13, 2019 – ACT Test Administration.

* Parkland High School is a test center for both the May and June SAT tests.  Remember to register early! 

Driver's Education 

 

Spring driving tips for new drivers:

• Avoid Distractions. Keep your eyes on the road at all times. The weather is beautiful and the flowers will soon bloom. You have plenty of time to enjoy this, but NOT when you are behind the wheel.

 

• Have your junior license?  Remember, PA Law states you may only have 1 non-family member in the car with you. Also, make sure ALL your passengers wear their seatbelts.

 

• Be prepared for changing light conditions. Always keep a pair of sunglasses in your car and look downward toward the right side of your lane to avoid being temporarily blinded by sun glare and high beam headlights.

 

• Make sure your tires are properly inflated. As the temperature begins to rise, so does the air pressure in your tires. Remember the PSI on the sidewall of your tire is the MAXIMUM pressure; check your owner's manual for tips and recommendations for your car.

 

Attention Current Freshmen: If you are interested in taking the summer Driver Ed Theory course, pick up a registration form located outside Mrs. Bennick's office in the Main Office. There is a $175 fee for this course which runs from June 24 - July 3 from 8 AM to 12 PM.

Health Room Information

 

 

Allergy Season Reminders  

Spring has arrived and so has allergy season. This time of year is sometimes difficult and uncomfortable for students who have allergies. Please be aware that the Health Room does not have allergy medicine. If your student suffers from seasonal allergies and requires allergy medication during the school day, please be certain to administer their medication prior to coming to school.

 

Eleventh Grade Physicals

All present eleventh grade students who have not turned in their 11^th grade physical, must turn it into the Health Room no later than May 4, 2019.

 

New 12th Grade Immunization Needed

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has changed the requirements for your child’s immunization schedule.  All seniors during the 2019-2020 school year must have a SECOND DOSE of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV). This vaccination must be given at age 16 or older and prior to the first day of school in September.

When your student receives this immunization, please forward a copy to the Health Room.

 

If you have any questions, please contact the Health Room at 610-351-5616.

Library Lines

 

Last month’s “March into Happy” events were a big success.  Students created all sorts of calming crafts, listened to book talks, learned about the Danish well-being art of Hygge, and learned how to fold Marie Kondo style. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A shout out to Mrs. Kowalski, Mrs. O’Neill, Mrs. Brader, and the Multicultural Club with Mrs. Hartman and Mrs. Junge who all used the Makerspace in February!

 

April is dedicated to the Poet, as it is National Poetry Month.  Please stop by to participate in poetry readings, book spine poetry, journaling poetry and blackout poetry. Check out our displays highlighting our diverse collection of poetry.

Students who want to run an event should stop by the library and talk to the staff. We are happy to help students host approved events.  

Virtual Reality is here. Classes are now able to come to the library to use the HTC Vibe Virtual Reality headset. 

Students attending Makerspace Events and using the Vibe Virtual Reality Headset at the PHS Library:       

             

 

Weekday	Date	PHS Upcoming Events
Monday	4/1	SAT Prep Class 3-5 PM or 6:30-8:30 PM (B124 & B131)
		French Honor Society Meeting 3-4:30 PM (C220)
Wednesday	4/3	SAT Prep Class 3-5 PM or 6:30-8:30 PM (B124 & B131)
		LEO Club Meeting 7-7:45 AM (C200)
Friday	4/5	"B" Schedule - Prom information distributed to seniors during homeroom
		End of 3rd Marking Period
Saturday	4/6	Community Resource Fair 9 AM-12 PM (PHS Cafeteria)
Monday	4/8	SAT Prep Class 3-5 PM or 6:30-8:30 PM (B124 & B131)
Tuesday	4/9	NHS 3v3 Tournament 6 PM (Main and Auxiliary Gyms)
		Post Prom Committee Meeting 7 PM (Library Classroom)
Wednesday	4/10	Spring Musical "Curtains" 7:30 PM (Auditorium)
		Key Club Meeting 7-7:45 AM (C200)
Thursday	4/11	Spring Musical "Curtains" 7:30 PM (Auditorium)
Friday	4/12	Spring Musical "Curtains" 7:30 PM (Auditorium)
		"C" Schedule - 1 PM Dismissal
Saturday	4/13	Spring Musical "Curtains" 7:30 PM (Auditorium)
Sunday	4/14	Spring Musical "Curtains" 3 PM (Auditorium)
Monday	4/15	SAT Prep Class 3-5 PM or 6:30-8:30 PM (B124 & B131)
Tuesday	4/16	National English Honor Society Meeting 3-4:30 PM (C220)
Wednesday	4/17	SAT Prep Class 3-5 PM or 6:30-8:30 PM (B124 & B131)
		FCA Dodgeball Tournament
		ASVAB Testing Periods 1, 2, 3 (Library)
		LEO Club Meeting 7-7:45 AM (C200)
Thursday	4/18	"B" Schedule - Report Cards Go Home
Friday	4/19	Spring Holiday - School Closed
Monday	4/22	Spring Holiday - School Closed
Tuesday	4/23	Prom Tickets on Sale Periods 4, 5, 6, 7 (Athletic Department Ticket Office)
Wednesday	4/24	Prom Tickets on Sale Periods 4, 5, 6, 7 (Athletic Department Ticket Office)
		SAT Prep Class 3-5 PM or 6:30-8:30 PM (B124 & B131)
Thursday	4/25	Prom Tickets on Sale Periods 4, 5, 6, 7 (Athletic Department Ticket Office)
Friday	4/26	Prom Tickets on Sale Periods 4, 5, 6, 7 (Athletic Department Ticket Office)
Monday	4/29	SAT Prep Class 3-5 PM or 6:30-8:30 PM (B124 & B131)
		Prom Tickets on Sale Periods 4, 5, 6, 7 (Athletic Department Ticket Office)
Tuesday	4/30	Prom Tickets on Sale Periods 4, 5, 6, 7 (Athletic Department Ticket Office)
		PHS Band Spring Concert 7 PM (Auditorium)

 

Seniors - Class of 2019

Senior Prom

Prom Tickets will be on sale during lunches from April 23 - May 3. 

Prom Theme: “Gatsby”

Date: May 11, 2019

Location: SteelStacks in Bethlehem 

An information packet will be given to seniors during homeroom on April 5. 

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Attention Senior Parents:

Graduation Lawn Signs are available for Parkland Senior families and cost $25. Order them online by May 16 here and pick them up on May 31.

https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/ParklandSchoolDistrictEduca/gradsign.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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2019 Graduation Ceremony Blu-Ray Offer:

 

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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.

Student Assistance Program (SAP)

 

The SAP team received excellent information at the recent Pennsylvania Association of Student Assistance Professionals (PASAP) 2019 Conference.  We wanted to pass along a document that shows the different apps that our children are utilizing.  Please take a minute to read the information below.

 

 

Visual and Performing Arts

 

The calendar claims that spring is here and I hope that by the time this article is published, we are all able to wear short sleeves and sunglasses. It has been a challenging winter but the promise of warmer weather and longer, sunnier days means that the sights and sounds of the A-wing will soon be in full bloom. The first sign of spring may be a robin, but here at Parkland it is the opening of the Spring Musical.

This spring, Parkland High School will be presenting Curtains on the main stage. A hilarious journey for both performers and the audience, the original Broadway production garnered 8 nominations at the 2007 Tony Awards including Best Musical. This “play within a play” will be presented on the Parkland High School stage April 10, 11, 12, and 13 at 7:30 PM and on Sunday, April 14 at 3 PM. Tickets are on sale online at www.showtix4u.com. Simply go to that site, choose your own seats and print your tickets from the comfort of your home.

Tickets are selling at a very quick pace so make sure you do not miss your opportunity to get the best seats you can. Tickets will remain for sale online right up until the night of each show and a limited amount will be available at the box office an hour before the show begins.

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A huge congratulations to the following six students who were selected to participate in the PMEA All-State Orchestra in Pittsburgh from April 3-6:

Raphael Ettinger-Finley – Assistant Concert Master, Violin 1

Suchir Agarwal – Violin 1

Conrad Lee – Violin 2

Jacob Schultz – Principal Bass

Coby Lindenmuth – Bass

Megumi Takahashi – Principal Flute

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The following chorus students have qualified to represent Parkland in the PMEA All-State Chorus the weekend of April 3-6 in Pittsburgh:

Aylor Scandola – Alto II

Ava Del Rio – Alto II

Abigail Hill – Alto I

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Congratulations to the following instrumentalists who will be participating in the PMEA All-State Festival in Pittsburgh from April 3-6:

Alex Tang – Clarinet (All State Wind Ensemble)

Olivia Wilkinson – Clarinet (All State Concert Band)

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The Spring concert season begins with the High School Band Concert on April 30 at 7 PM in the PHS Auditorium. This yearly event features the 9^th and 10^th grade Concert Band, the 11^th and 12th grade Symphonic Band, and a number of combined pieces. Admission is free and open to the public.

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Auditions for the 2019-2020 Trojan Dance Team will be held in late April. Keep an eye on the video bulletin board at school for all of the information you need to be prepared.

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Congratulations to the cast and crew of 26 Pebbles for qualifying to perform their play at the International Thespian Festival in June. They are one of eleven productions from the entire country selected for this honor. To help the group raise funds for this exciting event, the Parkland Education Foundation has created a special link where people can donate directly to the Troupe. Simply click on http://bit.do/parkland26pebbles to help us reach our goal. Please also see the Boars Head ham fundraiser advertisement (below) and contact a cast member or the Arts Office if you are interested in purchasing a ham (orders are due April 8). Every little bit helps, and we are grateful for your support!

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It is with great honor that the Visual Arts Department announces that Kevalin Kalra is the recipient of a 2019 National Silver Medal Scholastic Art Award for his jewelry submission "Silver Fox." Kevalin competed with 330,000 entries from throughout the United States, and several other countries.

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The Trojan Art Gallery will feature artwork from Portfolio Prep, AP Art Studio, and Independent Studies of our Parkland High School students during the month of April.

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This year’s 16^th Annual Parkland Festival of the Arts is quickly approaching. The popular festival will begin with a Chorus Concert and Art Show on Thursday, May 16, followed by “Parkland’s Got Talent” on Friday, May 17, and our full day Artists on the Quad event on Saturday, May 18. We are currently accepting submissions for the “Parkland’s Got Talent” competition. All ages and performance types are encouraged to apply!

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