VISTA Newsletter
Volume 11, No.3 — January 2006
School Report Card
With this newsletter you will find a copy of the school’s and the district’s annual Report Card from the Oregon Department of Education.
VISTA Newsletter
Volume 11, No.3 — January 2006
School Report Card
With this newsletter you will find a copy of the school’s and the district’s annual Report Card from the Oregon Department of Education.
PHHS
received an 
overall
rating of Satisfactory
.
By analyzing each category we can see that in the Academic
Achievement/Student Performance
rating we were Satisfactory
(all test scores are again above state average); Attendance/Dropout/Student
Behavior
rating we were Exceptional
;
Improvement
rating we were About
the Same
and School
Characteristics
we were Exceptional
.
I have to agree that our Student
Behavior
and School
Characteristics
are Exceptional
also! Another item to note on our report card is the Accountability
Information Required by the Federal No Child Left Behind Act .
Again, we made Adequate
Yearly Progress (AYP) .
This
state report card measures how last year’s group of sophomores
compared to the previous year’s sophomores. The Oregon
State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Susan Castillo, is
attempting to see if Oregon can be one of ten
states
to use a growth-based accountability model based on the progress of
each individual student. She is also advocating for the end of
the CIM and CAM. Students would still be required to take state
assessments, but schools would not be awarding certificates to
students based on their level of success. Even though the state
superintendent has proposed this, there has not been time for
the legislature to act, nor do we know what they will decide. Therefore,
our students will still be awarded a CIM if they meet state standards
in Math, Reading, Science, Writing and successfully complete all work
samples. Students will soon be starting the process of state
testing. This year in all subjects, except writing, students
will be tested on computers by using the TESA (Technology Enhanced
Student Assessment) system. This will provide students up to
three testing opportunities to meet standard. Please feel free to
contact me to share any questions or concerns you may have about the
report card or state testing—phone 747-4541/e-mail (
tscurto@lane.k12.or.us
).
With Warmest Regards, Tony Scurto
ASVAB Testing – On February 9, all juniors will take the ASVAB test. PHHS uses the ASVAB as part of the career development activities which are required in order to meet graduation requirements. The ASVAB Career Exploration Program is designed to help students learn more about themselves and the world of work, identify and explore occupations, and develop an effective strategy to realize their goals.
Junior
Parent Night
– Mark
your calendars for the annual Junior Parent Night to be held on
Tuesday, March 21 at 7:00p.m. Information presented will include
college 
search, entrance tests, scholarships, and more. Transcripts
will also be available to review your student’s academic
progress.
Senior Parents – remember that both you and your student need to complete your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application as soon as possible. Apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov or stop by the counseling office for an application.
Reminder – Be sure to check out the College and Scholarship Bulletin which is posted in various locations around campus and also on the PHHS website. Information which includes upcoming college fairs/visits, scholarships and financial aid, summer opportunities, and more are located in the bulletin.
Juniors interested in taking the SAT this spring can register for a SAT Preparation Workshop through the University of Oregon. Stop by the counseling office for more information or call the UO, 346-3226 to register.
Seniors who have received scholarships for next year, please stop by the counseling office to update us on what you have received.
Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors – Are you interested in experiencing what it feels like to be on a college campus, attend classes, etc.? Then you need to look into the many summer opportunities that are being offered at colleges and universities across the U.S. Stop by the counseling office for more information.
You can see the latest scholarship bulletins on the webpages at http://www.pleasanthill.k12.or.us/Schools/High/Departments/Career-Counseling/currcollege-careerbullet.htm
The ASPIRE office has moved to the counseling office. Sonia Mayhood, ASPIRE coordinator, can be reached at the same phone #, 736-0714.
Billie Bulletin and Yearbook Advice
Dear Parents and Community Members:
I am the advisor for the Billie Bulletin and the Yearbook, Hepta . Regarding the Bulletin , I know articles can rub the wrong way or be just the right thing. I want the paper to, in a sense, reflect the world of the students. I try to guide them to good journalism, but I also want to give them a sense of ownership, even if I don’t agree with their perspectives or ideas. However, I also believe that students should hear from you — particularly if they do something well. Also, we are always looking for story ideas. So email me at tmeinzen@lane.k12.or.us or at billiebulletin@yahoo.com with your ideas, your praise, or your critiques. We will read and consider all.
Regarding the yearbook, please consider purchasing a page sponsorship ad for $25. You will get your business or family name printed at the bottom of the page. With our small yearbook necessitated by budget cuts, the page sponsorships help allow us to purchase new equipment. Simply send a check to PHHS (Yearbook) for $25 (or more for more pages) and the information you want at the bottom of the page and we will take care of the rest.
Thanks so much, parents, for the great support!
You can see the latest issue of the Bulletin on the webpages at http://www.pleasanthill.k12.or.us/Schools/High/BillieBulletin/Issue_1_2006(January)/1_2006_1.htm
—Tim Meinzen
Music News
Late Winter Band Concert
The Late Winter Band Concert for students in grades 7 – 12 is Wednesday, January 25 th at 7:00 p.m. in the HS gym. Detailed information will be given to students soon!
Breaking
news! The district is having a dinner AND dance February 11th. The
dinner is in the high school gym and the dance is in the GP room. And
it's for you, parents. The dinner theme is that favorite Italian
restaurant on the corner. We will have subdued lighting, pretty table
settings, musica
,
three choices of pasta, salad, bread, 
beverages,
and spumoni! The cost is $5.00 per person; $8.00 for two; and $15.00
for a family of four. Tickets will be for sale ahead of time. After
dinner, we will watch the kids (two and older) while you enjoy
dancing the night away in the GP room for just $5.00 single, or $8.00
per couple! Live music! Not only will you have dinner and
entertainment covered when you arrive Feb. 11th, but you will be
helping the PHMS Student Council and the high school music program
raise funds for leadership and music field trips! Everything is set
except for what you'll wear! The
Pleasant Hill Music Department is presenting a Dessert Social and
Concert at the Community Theater on Friday, march 3rd and Sunday,
March 5th. A Silent Auction will also be taking place for the
hard labor of our HS Music Students. They are trying to earn
their way to the Fullerton Jazz Festival in California. More
information will be available as soon as details are finalized. The
Pleasant Hill Jazz Festival is Saturday, April 15 th
.
All Music Students, grade 7 – 12, will be participating
in this event and we need your help! Please set aside this
weekend and partake in the festivities! A volunteer will be
contacting you soon with details.
Jonathan Light, Band Director • 736-0480 jlight@lane.k12.or.us
Kris Kasten, Vocal and Jazz Festival Director
736-0425 • kkasten@lane.k12.or.us
Spring Sports Sign Up is February 8, 2006
The
spring sports sign up will take place at the high school on
Wednesday, February 8, 2006, from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. in the high
school office. 
ALL
athletes who plan to play baseball, softball or run track must turn
in their insurance forms, physical forms, pay the sport fee of
$150.00 (If the sport fee is paid on Sport Sign Up Night, it will be
discounted to $125.00. If you sign up to work two events for
the Boosters during the spring season, it will be discounted to
$100.00) and have their grade eligibility approved at that time. If
an athlete has participated in a fall or winter sport, they will not
need to turn in a new insurance form but they must pay the sport fee
and have their grade eligibility approved and obtain an Athletic
Clearance Form signed by an authorized individual. 
Athletes
must have a sport physical every two years. The two-year period
cannot expire before June 1, 2006. If the
two years from the date of the last physical expires before June
1, 2006, you must have a new physical dated prior to the start
of spring practice, which is February 20, 2006. ATHLETES
WILL
NOT BE ALLOWED
TO PRACTICE UNTIL THEY HAVE
OBTAINED AN ATHLETIC CLEARANCE FORM AND TURNED IN THE PINK COPY TO
THEIR COACH.
Insurance and physical forms can be obtained the main high school office.
If you have questions concerning this, contact either Steve Smith at 736-0730 or Linda Gilman at 736-0708.
The contestants for the 2006 Mr. Billie Pageant have been chosen! They are: Joe Banks, Blair Bronson, Scott Brown, A.J. Gaulton, Stephen Ferguson, Mike Newson, Cam Pope, and Andrew Smith.
This year's event will be Saturday, March 18th, at 7:00 p.m. in the high school gym. You are invited to attend an evening of entertainment, community spirit, and school pride all aimed at raising money for the Children's Miracle Network.
The Mr. Billie candidates will be at Gatehouse Pizza on Friday, February 10, from 5:00-10:00 p.m. to help bus tables and fill their jars with donations for the Children's Miracle Network. Gatehouse Pizza will contribute a portion of the proceeds that evening toward CMN so please come out and support the boys in this fund raising effort. CMN contributes only to local health charities, mainly the Sacred Heart Neonatal Unit, but also the Pediatrics Department, Ask-A-Nurse, and other health promotion and education programs. Please support out senior boys in their effort to help provide medical and health services to our area children.
|
Jan. 26 |
End 2nd Quarter/1st Semester |
|
Jan. 27 |
No School: Grading Day |
|
Jan. 30 |
No School: Inservice |
|
Feb. 8 |
Spring Sport Sign Up-6:00 |
|
Feb. 9 |
ASVAB test |
|
Feb. 17 |
No School: Inservice |
|
Feb. 20 |
No School: Presidents Day |
|
March 4 |
Destination Imagination |
|
March 18 |
Mr. Billie Pageant |
|
March 27-31 |
Spring Break |
|
April 8 |
Booster Auction |
|
April 13 |
End 3rd Quarter |
|
April 14 |
No School: Grading Day |
|
April 15 |
Jazz Festival |