Senior Parent Letter - Informational

April 14, 2014

Dear Parent/Guardian,

            Graduation is approaching quickly and while we sent our senior newsletter in February, we wanted to send a few reminders regarding the end of the year.  Please note there is one CHANGE regarding senior athletic awards night.  It was originally scheduled for Sunday, June 1^st however, we were notified after the newsletter that the state track meet is on Sunday, June 1^st.  Therefore, we moved the event to Monday, June 2nd at 6:30 p.m.

·         Senior Showcase – Thursday, May 8^th – 7:00 p.m. (CVTE students only)

·         Senior Art Show – Thursday, May 15^th – 7:00 p.m.

·         Senior Athletic Awards Night – Monday, June 2^nd – 6:30 p.m. (NEW DATE)

·         Graduation Status Finalized – Friday, May 30^th

·         Class Day – Friday, May 30^th – 8:30 a.m. (ALL Seniors)

·         Senior Academic Awards Night – Wednesday, June 4^th – 7:00 p.m. (invites will be mailed home)

·         Senior Dinner Dance – Thursday, June 5^th  - 6:00 p.m. (Popponesset Inn)

·         Graduation Rehearsals – June 3^rd & 6^th – 11:00 a.m. – MANDATORY for all Seniors

·         GRADUATION – Saturday, June 7^th – 9:30 a.m. at Memorial Hall

We share the above information with your children on a regular basis however we wanted to make sure that you have all the details as well.  Finally, attached is a memo we created for seniors last year that has been updated regarding school attendance during their final month of school.  Attendance is always the biggest question.  Please review the attached document to review our guidelines.

Please do not hesitate to contact the high school with any specific questions that arise.  We are looking forward to celebrating with the class of 2014.

Sincerely,

Patricia C. Fry

Principal

 

Seniors - End of Year Attendance FAQ

SENIORS….End of Year Attendance…Frequently Asked Questions

                                                                                             

At this time of year there always are many questions regarding ATTENDANCE.  I have tried to highlight many of the guidelines and rules that we follow.  Don’t hesitate to see me with any additional questions!

SENIORS & AP Testing

·         If you have any concern about your attendance or tardies to school, please plan to be in school every day, all day, until May 30^th.

·         If you are participating in an AP test and it is in the morning, please report directly to the testing center.  You are expected to return to school after the exam unless you have a note from your parent/guardian.  If you are in jeopardy for attendance, you must return.

·         If you have two AP tests in one day that is an excused absence.

·         If you have the AP test only in the afternoon, you are expected to come to the school in the morning and you need a dismissal note to be dismissed for the exam that should be submitted to student services.  If you have no issues with attendance, and your parent/guardian approves with a written note, you may miss school.  You are not allowed to miss any school without a note from your parent/guardian.

·         If you play a spring sport, and have an AP exam – you must be in school the other part of the day due to MIAA guidelines in order to participate in the game/practice.

·         During SENIOR EXAMS, all exams are scheduled in the morning.  If you are exempt from an exam due to your grade status, and you do not have attendance issues, you do not have to come for the exam.  In addition, you may be dismissed after the exam with a note from your parent/guardian.  However, if you have attendance issues and the days will exceed the allowed days, you must remain for the entire day of school.

Senior Exam Schedule – REMINDER – Exams are 10% of your Final Grade

Exam Times	Fri. 5/23	Tues. 5/27	Wed. 5/28	Thur. 5/29
7:20-8:52 a.m.	A Period Exam	C Period Exam	D Period Exam	G Period Exam
8:56-10:26 a.m.	B Period Exam	E Period Exam	F Period Exam

 

AP Exam Testing Schedule:

May 5^th – Chemistry, Psychology

May 6^th – Spanish

May 7^th – Calculus

May 8^th – English Literature & Composition

May 9^th – English Language & Composition, Statistics, & Studio Art

May 12^th – Biology, Physics, Music Theory

May 13^th – U.S. Government and Politics

May 14^th – U.S. History, European History

May 15^th  – Microeconomics, Macroeconomics

 

When in doubt….come to school ALL DAY every day!!!

 

Grade 8 Orientation - Highlights

Each year at our grade 8 orientation we share some of the many successes at South...listed below are the highlights that will be shared tonight at our 8th grade orientation!

 

Plymouth South High School

“…A snapshot….of the many successes…”

•          Students are offered 14 different Advanced Placement Course Options – in addition we purchase “AP” t-shirts for all students as well as honor them through a school plaque and breakfast.

•          We have developed a senior project model and we have had three consecutive years of students who have participated in a “Senior Showcase.”   Our goal is to expand this to all students at PSHS.

•          PSHS has been asked to speak at two National Principals Conferences (San Francisco & Tampa) as well as showcases in New Hampshire and Las Vegas to share our school success stories!  Our strong school culture, freshman academy, and advisory program have been highlighted as model programs.

•          During the 2011-2012 school year, ALL fall and winter sports teams that are eligible to qualify, have qualified for state tourney play…NINE FOR NINE!   State tourney play is very common  for south athletes.  This year,  in fact, our football team played in the super bowl at Gillette Stadium!  .

•          Two of our seniors have been selected as National Merit Scholars and two students have been selected as Presidential Scholars!

•          The Panthers wrestlers recently captured their third consecutive MA South Sectional Title. 

•          We offer ALL students an extensive Virtual High School Program

•          We provide PSAT testing for ALL students in grades 10 & 11 and SAT testing for all grade 12 students – free of charge!

•          Our student failure and retention rates have seen dramatic improvement over the years.  In addition our student behavior statistics have improved dramatically.  This is thanks to our faculty and student body!

•          Our Panther TV news program is a four-time New England Champion program.

•          We have worked to embrace social media to enhance communication with students. PSHS has a facebook page and you can follow the principal, the library, the athletic director, and guidance on twitter.

•          We mandate community service for all athletes – students give back to our local community throughout the year.

•          We have an alternative high school and credit recovery program  for students who struggle with their courses.

•          Our DECA and Skills USA students regularly compete and win state and national competitions.  Just this weekend we won 28 medals at the Skills USA competition.

•          Our school resource officer, adjustment counselor and assistant principal coordinate anti-bully efforts for our students in grade 9.

•          Our building has had a major technology upgrade.  The equipment in each classroom is identical to the equipment that is in the “new” North High School. These classrooms are state-of-the art!

•          Year after year we are recognized for local, state, and national art and music awards.  Most recently MANY students in the art and graphic arts program have received Boston Globe recognition.

•          Students create “Turkey Baskets” for needy families from the PSHS community during the holiday season.  The generosity and spirit is remarkable.

•          Our National Honor Society students provide tutoring after school for struggling students.  In addition, a math lab has been created for all students and it meets four times per week.

•          Our school store was redesigned recently– in the 53 year history of the DECA competition, PSHS school store was the first in the state to receive the gold medal and has now received it for the 8^th year – even with the new first year design. 

•          We mandate Concussion Impact testing for all PSHS athletes. 

•          A recent Department of Education audit has identified our school as a “model” comprehensive high school. 

 

 

 

Art Awards...Congrats!

Congratulations PSHS Art Students!!  Top 3 in Massachusetts (14-17yrs)

·         1st place - Monica Shields, 11

·         2nd place - Madeline Arnold , 12

·         3rd place - Julia Delisle, 11

Each year our illustration student’s research and create art that visualizes the importance of Aviation, both historical and for our future. Students use illustration to depict a theme designed by the National Association of State Aviation (NASAO) in Washington, DC. This year's theme is “Flying Saves Lives”. In the past our student's illustrations have placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in Massachusetts. Their art work has been exhibited in our Nation’s Capital, Massachusetts State House and traveled as far as Italy for international judging. This year our student’s 2014, 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place illustrations will go to Washington for national judging. The national winner from the U.S. will be forwarded to Switzerland for the international judging.

South Panthers - Gillette/Superbowl Update & Information

Super Bowl Information Sheet

Plymouth South High School vs. Tewksbury High School

Saturday, December 7, 2013

6:00 p.m. @ Gillette Stadium

 

Ticket Information:

·         Tickets will be available via Ticketmaster beginning Monday, December 2. Tickets will also be available on game day at the Gillette Stadium ticket office, located outside the Patriot Place Gate, beginning at 8:00am.   All fans will enter the stadium via the NRG Gate, located near The Hall at Patriot Place and CBS Scene.

·         Admission to the MIAA Football Championship experience at Gillette Stadium is $17 for adults and $14 for students/senior citizens. The ticket price includes parking, admission to all six MIAA state championship football games and a game day discount of $3 at The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon. Also included in the price of each ticket this year is a $2.55 Town of Foxborough User Fee.

General Information (Parking, Weather, Tailgating, etc.):

·         The games are scheduled to be played on Saturday, December 7, 2013. However, if the games cannot be played on that day due to weather or other considerations, then the Championship Games will be rescheduled at a later date as determined by the MIAA and Gillette Stadium.  Inclement weather decisions will be made at 5:30 a.m. on game day.

·         Parking is free for this event.  Tailgating will not be permitted at this event.

·         Ticket office opens with parking lots at 8:00 AM and will close at halftime of the last game. Gillette Stadium ticket office is located adjacent to The Hall at Patriot Place – Presented by Raytheon.

·         Entrance to stadium – NRG Plaza Gate - Patriot Place Gate will be the only gate used on game day and is located between the Ticket Office and The Hall at Patriot Place – Presented by Raytheon. Patrons will be directed to the appropriate sidelines by signage located inside the gates. Fans of the respective teams will sit on the East side of the stadium and will not have access to seating on the West sideline.

 

 Directions:

·         From I-95 South (Boston):

I-95 South to exit 9 (Route 1 South).

When exiting I-95, stay straight off the exit ramp (Route 1 South).

Follow Route 1 South for three miles to Gillette Stadium.

Enter P1 entrance and follow directions to the Dana-Farber Field House

·         From I-495:

Take exit 14/Route 1 North

Follow Route 1 for 3 miles to Gillette Stadium

Take P8 entrance and follow directions to the Dana-Farber Field House

 

Approximate Game Times & Other Information:

·         Please note that the first game will kick-off at 9:07 a.m. but subsequent games will kick-off 15 minutes after the conclusion of the preceding game. Participants and fans alike should be aware of this and plan accordingly.

·         Fans are recommended to arrive thirty minutes prior to kick-off to allow for parking, ticket purchases and entry to Gillette Stadium.

Announced Time                  Approximate Kick-Off

Game No. 1       9:00 a.m.                              9:07 a.m.

Game No. 2      11:00 a.m.                               11:07 a.m.

Game No. 3      1:30 p.m.                                1:37 p.m.

Game No. 4      3:30 p.m.                                3:37 p.m.

Game No. 5   6:00 p.m.                           6:07 p.m. – PSHS vs. Tewksbury

Game No. 6      8:00 p.m.                               8:07 p.m.

*While all games are scheduled to kick 15 minutes after the conclusion of the previous game whether the schedule is running early or late, there is one scenario in which a kick would be held. If the early games go quickly and the “1:30” game ends prior to 3:22 (15 minutes before a 3:37 kick), the kick for this game would be held until 3:37 to allow CSN to get off the air and WSBK to get on. That is the only scenario in which a game would not kick 15 minutes after the end of the previous game.

·         Each game will be played with four 10-minute quarters.

·         Each team will have three time-outs per half.

·         Halftime will be 13 minutes - Teams are required to be on the field and ready to play with 2 minutes and 30 seconds left on the clock as the 2nd half will kick-off when the clock hits zero.

·         There will be a total of 15 minutes between games (running time). Game will start when clock hits zero. Teams will take the field at 10-minute mark on countdown. Not prior to then.

 

GO SOUTH PANTHERS!

SAT Testing Day - Seniors - Important Info. October 16th

SENIORS

Thanks for a great opening to the school year.  The class of 2014 is already very impressive on many different fronts!  You are the first class that is benefiting from the SAT “School Day” program where the Plymouth Public Schools are paying for you to take the test during the school day. A few important items that you need to know regarding Wednesday, October 16^th!

·         Testing will end at approximately 12:20 p.m.  You will all be dismissed to have lunch from 12:30-1:00 p.m. in the cafeteria.  Dr. Maestas has allowed me to let you (if you are interested) bring in dismissal notes for the remainder of the school day.  If you bring a note from your parent/guardian, to the main office PRIOR to Friday, October 11^th you can leave, with your own transportation, after lunch is over.  There will be no dismissal notes or calls into the office accepted after the 11^th unless it is an emergency situation.  If you choose to remain in school, we will be giving you free time to work on other classes, etc. between 1:00 and 2:00 p.m.  Students in grades 10 & 11 will be attending F and G period classes. 

·         English teachers will be telling you what room your testing will take place.  Just a reminder, that unlike MCAS, there are specific time requirements for the SAT’s so it is critical that you are on-time to school on the 16^th.  A copy of the room assignments are also on the back of this memo!  You are to report to these rooms directly on the 16^th.

·         When you registered for the SAT, you should have printed a copy of your REGISTRATION TICKET.  This is the same process for Saturday SAT exams.  To ensure that all necessary paperwork is in order, we are asking that you ALL bring in a copy of your registration ticket this week to STUDENT SERVICES.  If for some reason you did not print the ticket, go back into your SAT account and print a copy.  If you are still struggling, see your guidance counselor ASAP.  No student will be allowed to take the exam without a ticket.

·         Similar to SAT’s on Saturdays, we will need you to have a photo ID with you the day of testing.  Please plan to bring your license, school ID, etc. If you do not have one, see us this week, and we will make sure you are provided an ID verification in advance.

·         Finally, just a reminder of a few events:

o   Tuesday, October 8^th is the Financial Aid Night at 6:30 p.m. at Plymouth NORTH.  We encourage you and/or your parents to attend.

o   Next Tuesday, October 15^th, is the College Fair also at NORTH from 6-8:00 p.m. We also started a tradition of staff wearing college t-shirts to school on the day of the college fair a few years ago.  We invite SENIORS to participate in this day on the 15^th as well!

Again, do not hesitate to ASK if you have any questions.  We are fortunate that the Plymouth Schools are supporting this school-wide testing initiative!

South High - MCAS Update

Plymouth South High School would like to congratulate its students on the impressive scores they received on the spring 2013 MCAS tests.  More than 100 students (better than 40%) who took the ELA test earned scores in the “Advanced” category.  Scores in the “Advanced” category have risen 3% in both ELA and math when compared to the 2012 scores.  More than 50% of our students achieved “Advanced” scores in the math!  Over 80 students (more than 25%) who took the science tests achieved “Advanced” scores, reflecting a .6% increase in comparison to 2012 scores.

In the ELA, math, and science categories the numbers of failures are low, and all departments are focusing on closing the achievement gap.  PSHS’s goal is always to move more students towards “Proficient” and “Advanced” scores.  Our students who did not achieve a passing score are already working hard with teachers, math lab tutors, and MCAS tutors to ensure they pass the tests this year.

PSHS was designated a Level 1 school—the highest possible rating--by the Massachusetts Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education due to seven indicators of high performance.  These indicators include good attendance of students participating in testing and a low dropout rate.  PSHS is on or above the targeted progress and performance goals set by the state.  We are proud of the students’ test results.  We’d like to thank all of the teachers, tutors, and parents who ensured the students were prepared to do a good job during the testing days.  Passing the MCAS tests is a graduation requirement, and we want all Plymouth South High School students to have a diploma that represents a high school experience that has prepared them to be successful on their college or career paths.

Seniors who have been recognized as Adams Scholars will be recognized and notified Monday of next week!