PHS Parent Page Prospect High School – A California Distinguished School

Dear Panther Parents, In a few weeks, all sophomores will take the California High School Exit Exam for the first time. This is high stakes testing. Students must pass the exam to earn a diploma. Students have several opportunities to take the test, but it is the first time passage rate which is included in the school-wide scores reported on websites and in the media. Not only are sophomore teachers promoting passing the test, they’re promoting acing the test. Parents of sophomores: testing dates are Tuesday and Wednesday, March 17 and 18. School starts and ends at the regular times – no special schedule for testing. Send your sophomore to school on time and with a big breakfast and plenty of sleep! Students can “Choose Success” by showing up, and demonstrating their skills in English and Math. On Monday, March 23, Prospect High School will have our WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) Mid-Cycle Review. A team of educators will visit Prospect and look at our data, our classrooms, and our action plan to determine if we are progressing and increasing student achievement for all students. I am confident that this team will recognize and see the talent, dedication, and success of our school. In order to facilitate this process, we will be on a special WASC minimum day schedule. Classes will begin at 8:00 and school will dismiss at 11:30. Please make sure that you plan accordingly. Thank you. I hope you all enjoyed your February break, and as always, I look forward to seeing you at one of our many Prospect events. Go Panthers!!! Joell Hanson Principal, Prospect High School

LETTER FROM PRINCIPAL JOELL HANSON

18900 Prospect Rd. Saratoga, CA 95070

PHONE: 408.626.3408

ATTENDANCE: 408.558.3068

INFO LINE: 408.558.3058

FAX: 408.973.1759

WEB: http://prospect.cuhsd.org

Table of Contents Page 2 - Grad Night Fund Raisers - Caught in the Act - Senior Scholarship - Guidance News Page 3 - Guidance News (cont.) Page 4 - Guidance, College & Career Center News (cont.) Page 5 - Guidance, College & Career Center News (cont.)

March Volume 8, Issue 6

PHS PARENT PAGE 2

GRAD NIGHT FUND RAISERS Applebee's Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser

Enjoy a short stack for a tall cause! You're invited to our last Applebee's Flapjack Fundraiser breakfast to support Prospect’s Grad Night 2015! Please join us on Saturday, March 21st, from 8:00am - 9:45am at Applebee’s on Saratoga Ave @ Hwy 280. Presale tickets are only $5 and are available by calling Rosemary Frieden, 408-813-0325. Tickets (same price) can also be purchased at the door. Enjoy a short stack, support Grad Night, and be served by our sensational Seniors! Please share this with your family and friends! Thank you!

GRAD NIGHT 2015

In just a few months, our Seniors will be enjoying Grad Night 2015. In order to provide all of the fun activities that we have planned for that evening, we could use your help and would love to have it! There are many ways to support our Seniors…making a donation (we welcome and appreciate any size!), purchasing Grad Night tickets early, and attending our various fundraisers. For more information, please contact either Shirley Wreaks (408-307-8093 /swreaks@hotmail.com) or Kathy Scoles (408-772-3492 / kscoles@yahoo.com). Thank you so much for helping us make this happen!

CAUGHT IN THE ACT This month we are honored to announce some great Panthers who were Caught In the Act! Francisco Corrales - a member of the Career's class working hard on many projects around campus including the student rose garden in the front entrance to Prospect's main office. Odalys Rivera - a senior who recently helped an elderly woman who suddenly became ill on the bus. She stayed with the lady, called a relative and stayed until she arrived to be a good citizen. Also recognized are Tel Tautolo and Amu Lubeck! Both students have gone above and beyond. We are certainly grateful to have such good students! Go Panthers!

SENIOR SCHOLARSHIP

Concerned if FAFSA will award you any money? Senior – Scholarship: Prospect PTSA Scholarship Applications are available on School Loop and Prospect web page. Completed applications are due back in the Main Office on or before March 11th, 2015.

GUIDANCE NEWS Make sure you complete your FAFSA online as soon as possible, some private colleges require it to be done in February; otherwise March 2nd, 2015 is the deadline.

Students and their families apply for Federal

Student Aid by completing the FAFSA online

at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Students apply for the

Cal Grant program by submitting the Cal

Grant GPA Information Release Form that

was passed out during the financial aid class

visits in December.

Financial Aid submission deadline is March 2, 2015.

Parents and Seniors can now apply for a PIN

for the FAFSA. A PIN will serve as a

password to access your financial aid

information and sign financial aid documents

electronically. Go to www.pin.ed.gov.

The CUHSD District Office electronically

submitted all GPAs for Cal Grant eligibility this

year. Students and families are

responsible for submitting the FAFSA

online only to be considered for the Cal

Grant.

Please check in Naviance Family Connection for local and national scholarships! De Anza and WEST VALLEY EARLY ADMISSIONS PROGRAM West Valley College and De Anza College will offer Seniors the opportunity to register for the Early Admissions Program during spring semester. This program offers Seniors the opportunity to take the placement tests and register for classes prior to graduating in June 2015. Dates and times to be announced.

PHS PARENT PAGE 3 GUIDANCE (CONTINUED)

Class of 2015

California State University system

If you are planning on attending a college in the California State University system, it is important to check your portal/email and make sure you complete all required testing in order to register for fall classes.

The California State University system-wide placement testing program in basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills consist of the English Placement Test (EPT) and the Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) examination. You may be required to take one or both of these tests. To attain the best possible schedule for the semester, take the placement test as soon as possible. Enrollment during orientation is dependent on the timely receipt of scores by the campus.

San Jose State University Testing Office One Washington Square Industrial Studies Building 228 San José, CA 95192-0039 408.924.5980 testing-office@sjsu.edu Fax: 408.924.5909 Office Hours: M-F 9AM-4PM

Class of 2016 - Juniors

SAT & ACT COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMS – California State University (CSU) & University of California (UC) Campuses Any students planning to take the SAT or ACT in April, May or in June should register immediately (sat.collegeboard.org or www.actstudent.org). Please register online.

2014-2015 SAT & ACT Test Dates: Prospect High School Code: 053344 &Test Center Code: 05-710 (for SAT only) SAT: Deadline: May 2, 2015 April 6, 2015 June 6, 2015 May 8, 2015 Register at sat.org/register ACT: Deadline: April 18, 2015 March 13, 2015 June 13, 2015 May 8, 2015 Register at www.actstudent.org

Students are responsible for sending their official SAT/ACT test scores to the colleges. Official test scores are sent by the testing agency – CollegeBoard or ACT.

WACAC COLLEGE FAIR at MISSION COLLEGE

Over 150 colleges/universities from across the nation will be available at the Mission College Gymnasium on Thursday, May 7th from 10:00am-12:00pm and 6:00pm-8:00pm. High school Juniors and their parents are highly encouraged to attend to speak to the various college representatives and collect college literature. Get the facts on admission requirements, academic eligibility test requirements and preparation, financial aid, special campus programs and much more!

Class of 2016 & 2017

WEST VALLEY MIDDLE COLLEGE PROGRAM Juniors, Sophomores and Parents of 10th and 11th graders who are interested in receiving more information about the West Valley College Middle College Program for 2015-2016 are invited to attend a meeting at the West Valley College campus on Thurs., March 5th at 6:00pm to 8:00pm in West Valley College Theater (Free parking during the event in Lots 1 & 7). For more information go to: westvalley.edu/admissions/outreach.

February 2015 (Focus: Testing - EAP, PSAT, ACT, SAT, SAT Subject)

Date Audience Event Content

Tues, Feb 3 -

Fri, Feb 6 9 - Freshman Freshmen Classroom Visits:

Programming Choosing classes for Sophomore year; college and career activities

on Naviance Family Connection

Thurs., Feb. 5

Room 4; Study

Hall/Lunch All grades Workshop: Coding (Part 1) A follow up to October workshop, this one will focus on the

amazing world of coding, including hands-on exercises!

Thurs., Feb. 12 Library; Study

Hall/Lunch 10,11 Workshop: SAT and ACT

Planning New or Old SAT: Schedule your SAT and/or ACT test; Find out

about Subject Tests; plan your prep

PHS PARENT PAGE 4

GUIDANCE (CONTINUED) ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE at SILICON VALLEY CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION CENTER (formerly known as CCOC) SVCTE is hosting an Open House for interested students and their parents. The Open House is scheduled for Tuesday, March 10, 2015 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm at SVCTE 760 Hillsdale Avenue, San Jose, CA 95136 (408) 723-6491 Parents and students can watch demonstrations, meet teachers from various programs and learn about the vocational classes at SVCTEC. SVCTEC is a vocational program for students who are interested in receiving training in a particular field and earning high school credit as well. Various programs are available. SOPHOMORES – CALIFORNIA HIGH SCHOOL EXIT EXAM (CAHSEE) All Sophomores (10th graders) will take the CAHSEE on Tuesday, March 17th and Wednesday, March 18th.

The CAHSEE is a graduation requirement. Test Taking Tips:

1. Get plenty of sleep the night before the

test.

2. If you feel nervous before beginning, try to

relax by taking a few deep breaths.

3. Maintain confidence in your abilities and

plan to do your best. Your attitude can

affect your performance.

4. Listen carefully to all instructions and ask

questions if you hear something you don’t

understand.

5. Focus your attention entirely on you work.

6. Position your answer sheet next to your

test booklet so you can mark answers

quickly and accurately.

7. Before answering each question, read it

completely, as well as all the possible

responses.

8. Once you complete the test, reread the

questions and check your answers.

GUIDANCE AND COLLEGE & CAREER CENTER March Focus: Careers and Post High-School Planning Attention Juniors - Class of 2016! This month we are focused on YOU! C&CC volunteers are on site every Monday in the Quad at lunch and Tuesday in the library during Study Hall and Lunch. Stop by anytime for help with college and/or career planning. Special focus will be given to the following topics on these Tuesdays in March, but we can help with any college or career question, anytime!

Naviance Tips and To Do List for March Log onto Naviance Family Connection at: connection.naviance.com/proshigh Seniors

• College admission letters will often be mailed out between March 1-31.

• Use Naviance to show where you have been accepted (or wait-listed, etc.). This information is important data for future students applying to those colleges.

Juniors

• Stop by the C&CC on Tuesdays and attend the March workshops (see previous page).

• Meet with Guidance Advisors to prepare a list of 10-20 colleges to explore.

• Register for SAT Reasoning and ACT tests in May and June (collegeboard.org and actstudent.org)

• Apply and/or enroll in summer courses, internships, jobs, travel or activities. Do something this summer that will demonstrate your maturity and seriousness about pursuing your interest.

• Consider taking an SAT Subject Test in May or June.

• Plan to visit colleges over spring break next month.

March 2015 (Focus: College Search & College Visits)

Date Audience Event Content

Thurs., March 5

Room 4; Study

Hall/Lunch All grades Workshop: Coding (Part 2)

The 2nd in a series of workshops about the world of coding.

Come learn more about this exciting career and do some hands-

on exercises, too.

Thurs., March 19

Library; Study

Hall/ Lunch 10, 11

Workshop: Finding the

Right College for YOU Public and private colleges; application differences; need- and

merit-based aid

Thurs., March 26

Library; Study

Hall/ Lunch 11 - Juniors

Workshop: College Road

Trip

Visiting colleges over spring break? Make the most of your on-

campus visit. We’ll discuss what to look for and ask colleges

when you visit them

PHS PARENT PAGE 5

GUIDANCE AND COLLEGE & CAREER CENTER (CONTINUED) Log onto Naviance Family Connection at: connection.naviance.com/proshigh (cont.) Sophomores

• Do well in the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) this month. You must pass it to graduate.

• Research colleges using Naviance SuperMatch tool.

• Start writing down all your activities, work and volunteering. Add to your Brag Sheet/Resume on Naviance.

Freshmen

• Look up college information on Naviance. Start building your “colleges I’m thinking about” list

• Explore careers in the “careers” tab

Study Hall and Lunch Time Help Remember, the C&CC is open in the library on Tuesdays during study hall and lunch. We have access to the computers and can help you log onto the internet and Naviance to explore careers, colleges, volunteer opportunities, jobs, and more. Please stop by!

~ March 2015 ~

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2

3 Golf vs. Oak Grove @ Los Lagos @ 3pm BOYS TENNIS vs. Santa Teresa @ 3:15pm Grad Night Mtg @ 7pm

4

Winter Sports Banquet 6:30pm in the gym

5 Golf vs. Oak Grove @ ST @ 2:30pm Boys Tennis @ Independence @ 3:15pm

6 SWIMMING vs. Silver Creek @ 3pm

Aida @ 7pm in the PAC

7

Aida @ 7pm in the PAC

8

9

10 Golf vs. Independence @ LL @ 3pm BOYS TENNIS vs. Live Oak @ 3:15pm PTSA/SSLC mtg @ 7pm in the faculty lounge

11

Collaboration Golf vs. Independence @ SJ Muni @ 3:45pm Badminton @ Lincoln @ 4pm ELAC @ 7pm in room 30 Panther Paws @ 7pm

12

Collaboration Boys Tennis @ Branham @ 3:15pm TRACK AND FIELD vs. San Jose @ 3:30pm

Aida @ 7pm in the PAC

13

SWIMMING vs. Independence @ 3pm BADMINTON vs. Willow Glen @ 4pm

Aida @ 7pm in the PAC

14

SAT 8am-2pm

Aida @ 7pm in the PAC

15 Spring Fling Week

16

Golf vs. Del Mar @ LL @ 3pm

17 CASHEE Testing

Boys Tennis @ Andrew Hill @ 3:!5pm BOYS VOLLEYBALL vs. Branham @ 5:30/6:30pm

18 CASHEE Testing

Badminton @ Sobrato @ 4pm

Music Boosters @ 6:30pm in the faculty lounge

19 Golf vs. Del Mar @ LL @ 3pm BOYS TENNIS vs. Willow Glen @ 3:15pm Track and Field @ Yerba Buena @ 3:30pm SOFTBALL vs. Willow Glen @ 4pm Boys Volleyball @ Pioneer @ 5:30/6:30pm

20

Badminton @ Oak Grove @ 4pm

Blackout Dance 7-10pm

21

22

23

MINIMUM DAY BOYS TENNIS vs. Yerba Buena @ 3:15pm Golf vs. San Jose @ Los Lagos @ 3pm

24

BASEBALL vs. Oak Grove @ 4pm Softball @ Sobrato @ 4pm BOYS VOLLEYBALL vs. James Lick @ 5:30/6:30pm

25

BADMINTON vs. Gilroy @ 4pm Boys Tennis @ Santa Teresa @ 3:15pm

26 Track and Field @ Live Oak @ 3:30pm Baseball @ Oak Grove @ 4pm SOFTBALL vs. Oak Grove @ 4pm Boys Volleyball @ Overfelt @ 5:30/6:30pm

27

Swimming @ Lincoln @ 3pm Badminton @ live Oak @ 4pm

28 Flea Market 6am-2pm

29

30 BOYS TENNIS vs. Independence @ 3:!5pm

31 Golf vs. Mt. Pleasant @ ST @ 3:30pm Softball @ Evergreen Valley @ 4pm Baseball @ Evergreen Valley @ 4pm Boys Volleyball @ Lincoln @ 5:30/6:30pm

Notes: