October 2016 Parent Newsletter

ParentNewsletter The La Salle

FOR PARENTS AND FRIENDS OF LA SALLE HIGH SCHOOL • PASADENA • CALIFORNIA • OCTOBER 2016

Principal Ideas goal with the new schedule is the academic success of students and we will be making adjustments to be sure this goal is met in the best way possible.

Learn•Serve•Lead

Academic Awards August and September were full of hustle and bustle. Among the many activities was our Academic Awards Assembly. On September 8 we celebrated the achievements of our students.

Students at La Salle are dedicated to learning and taking advantage of the high quality education they receive here as demonstrated by the remarkable number of students who received awards:

Hello. Although in some ways it seems like we just started school, we have already been back for well over a month, and it has been a busy start to the school year.

A/B Schedule Our students and teachers have been adjusting to the new A/B schedule and Academic Support period. I have appreciated the constructive feedback we have received from students and faculty about the things that are going well and ways we can improve the schedule. Our

• 114 students received the Lasallian Academic Excellence Award (GPA of 4.0 or higher in both previous semesters) • 25 students received Gold Certificates (spring GPA of 4.0 or higher) • 74 students received First Honors (spring GPA of 3.7-3.999) • 92 students received Honors (spring GPA of 3.33.699) • 25 students received the Academic Achievement award for increasing their GPA by 0.5 or more from first to second semester • 18 students were inducted into the California Scholarship Federation • 9 students were inducted into the National Honor Society.

Principal Ideas Continued on page 2

More About Saint La Salle and The Christian Brothers Saint La Salle, through the Christian Brothers, brought discipline, order and focus to many charity schools where there was slackness or chaos. As the Brothers converted the schools, they established fixed schedules, regular school hours, effective instruction in reading arithmetic and writing, as well as daily prayer, catechism classes and Mass.

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ParentNewsletter

OCTOBER 2016

Principal Ideas Continued from page 1

We truly have outstanding students here at La Salle. In addressing the students that day, I shared my belief that the true reason we celebrate their academic achievements is not merely to congratulate them for being able to ace a test or create a stellar presentation. Rather, we celebrate that their achievements in the classroom means they are gaining knowledge and understanding that, in conjunction with their moral and spiritual learning, will help them to make our world a better place. I reminded them of the words that we as Lasallians are so familiar with –Learn, Serve, Lead – and challenged them to think about how they can use what they learn to be of service.

Lasallian Service Projects A BUSY MONTH AHEAD

As we continued September, our students did begin stepping out of their comfort zones and participating in service projects. Our freshmen participated in their first service project as La Salle students by helping at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, and our seniors started their ongoing service projects with their religion classes.

Additionally, our student life team had their first “60 Seconds of Service” event, encouraging students to take one minute out of their lunch break to make one sandwich for someone in need.

Partner Schools

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October brings with it more activities and excitement. Our Admissions Department is working with partner schools to bring eighth grade students on to our campus and find out more about La Salle as they head into the stressful process of selecting a high school they can call home for the next four years. Those of us who are already part of the La Salle family know what a special place it is. Our students benefit from receiving an excellent academic education while also having the opportunity to grow personally and spiritually through the many extra and co-curricular activities La Salle offers. Many of you probably first heard about La Salle through word of mouth. If you have friends with 8th graders, please share your La Salle experience with them and encourage them to reach out to our Admissions Department about

visit opportunities for students and the upcoming Open House in November.

Lancer Homecoming

Homecoming also arrives in October.

The schedule of activities this year is a bit unusual because of a faculty faith formation/pupil free day on the Monday of the week and testing day on the Wednesday. Despite these unique circumstances, I know our Student Life Council is planning an exciting week of activities and events for the entire student body focused around the theme of “Road Trip.”

The week will conclude with the football game against St. Paul High School on Kohorst Field Friday night, followed by our homecoming dance Saturday night. I hope to see many of you in the stands on Friday, October 21 for what is sure to be an exciting night.

Testing Day

Our annual testing day is Wednesday, October 19. Freshmen, sophomores and juniors will be occupied by a morning of standardized tests. The freshmen and sophomores will be taking the Pre ACT exam while the juniors will take the PSAT. (For seniors, this day would be a great opportunity for a local college visit as they continue their application and search process.)

I hope that each student approaches these tests seriously. We know that standardized test scores are an important part of the college application process, and these practice tests help students prepare for the tests that will be sent to colleges.

Additionally, doing well on these tests can reap great rewards.

National Merit Scholarship

Case in point, I am very proud and excited to share that Phillip Krings has qualified as a Semifinalist in the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program. About 1.6 million juniors in more than 22,000 high schools entered the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2015 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®).

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OCTOBER 2016

The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest scoring entrants in each state. Phillip is one of these 16,000 semifinalists. As such, he has the opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth about $33 million that will be offered next spring. We are so proud of Phillip and wish him good luck moving forward in the competition.

Additionally, nine of our La Salle students received Letters of Commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for scoring among the top 5% of students taking the 2016 PSAT/NMSQT. Congratulations to: Isaac Caldas Christopher Dinkel Miles Gelinas Evan Hansen Howard Ho Riley Kuttruff Tiantian Liu Julian Malaby Alex Xu

Semester Grading Period

On October 14 (Thursday) we will conclude the first grading period for the semester.

Report cards will be mailed home October 21.

Please be sure you are discussing the report card with your student, and, if he/she is struggling, you start talking about what he/she can do in the second quarter to achieve more.

Throughout this busy month, I hope to continue to meet more parents, students, and friends of La Salle.

Go Lancers!

Mrs. Courtney R. Kassakhian Principal

Faith, Service, Community The Purpose of Lasallian Education: to provide a human and Christian education to the young, especially the poor, according to the ministry which the Church has entrusted to it.

The Rule of the Brothers of the Christian School, 1694 Saint John Baptist de La Salle Patron of All Teachers Founder, Brothers of the Christian Schools

Let us remember... ...we are in the Holy Presence of God.

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ParentNewsletter

OCTOBER 2016

La Salle Matters

Daniel Burnham, the great architect of modern Chicago, offered this advice to those who would aspire to leave a legacy of buildings for those who would come after them:

Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood OUR MASTER PLAN WILL ENABLE US TO CONTINUE ALL OUR EXCELLENT PROGRAMS

What is challenging about that advice is that it is all too easy to make the big plans for the buildings we aspire to create the sole justification for their existence. Remembering that these buildings are intended to serve a noble purpose sometimes gets obscured by our excitement to put them in place.

An educational consultant, whose friendship I cherished for more than a decade, once described the temptation of high school presidents to focus their energies on building construction as an “edifice complex.” English teachers will recognize his play on words in reference to Sigmund Freud’s take on Greek mythology relative to the complicated relationship of children to their parents. In some ways, an “edifice complex” can mimic the often complicated relationships between children and parents.

I reflect on this dynamic because, after 10 long years of pursuing City of Pasadena approval of La Salle’s Master Plan (happily achieved on September 19th), it can feel like we are afflicted with an “edifice complex.” It would be a mistake, however, to assume that our ambitious campus development plan (second gymnasium, aquatics and fitness centers, visual and performing arts center and field house) is simply about putting up shiny new buildings. Each project became a priority in our Master Plan only after years of careful scrutiny with respect to what will benefit the students entrusted to our care. As La Salle engaged in a second round of strategic planning (round one took place over 15 years ago), it became clear that the existing facilities were not up to the crucial task of supporting 21st century learning objectives. I have been fond of justifying the need for a second gymnasium, for example, by reminding folks that, with over 20 athletic teams competing for practice time, I need our freshmen to be doing their homework at 9:00pm, not practicing basketball in the Duffy Lewis Gymnasium. Similarly, the terrific success of our visual and performing arts programs necessitates that plays and dance recitals must take place in a performance space across town that is twice as large as the Grinstead Theatre.

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In a highly competitive educational marketplace such as the one here in Pasadena (many people are unaware of the fact that PUSD is home to the largest number of private schools - per capita than anywhere else in the country), a failure to focus on the importance of ongoing improvement in the delivery of educational outcomes means schools go backwards in terms of their attractiveness to families who have excellent choices from which to select. The projects which form the core of our Master Plan will enable the School to continue to deliver excellent programs in academics, arts and athletics (what I like to call the “three legged stool” of the La Salle Difference).

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While these buildings are necessary in order to continue to distinguish La Salle from other well-regarded college prep schools in and around Pasadena, they aren’t sufficient to ensure that we excel at delivering 21st century learning objectives. To accomplish that objective, we need buildings, programs and educators that are facile at responding to a rapidly changing educational environment. It goes without saying that technology has transformed - and continues to transform - the way we think about, create and deliver instruction in and out of the classroom (by way of example - I am authoring this column for the ParentNewsletter on my iPad while flying to Denver).

Happily, we have a wonderful new Principal who comes to La Salle with a deep background in curriculum and instruction. Mrs. Kassakhian has spent the better part of the last ten years managing curriculum and instruction at the elementary and secondary levels. Her experience is the perfect fit for where La Salle needs to go in the 21st century.

I have already observed the positive impact she is making on the classroom environment just by virtue of the questions she is asking.

As La Salle works to put buildings, programs and services in place to enable the students entrusted to our care to be effectively prepared for college and beyond, I hope you will see, as I do, that we are putting the pieces in place to ensure that the La Salle Difference continues to make us the school of choice in the San Gabriel Valley.

OCTOBER 2016

La Salle High School

3880 E. Sierra Madre Blvd.

Pasadena, California 91107-1996 • Telephone 626.351.8951 Facsimile 626.351.0275 www.lasallehs.org • The La Salle ParentNewsletter is published monthly except January and July

by La Salle High School of Pasadena, Incorporated

© 2016

• Editor, Designer John Blackstock ’67 Director of Communications

Richard Gray, Ph.D. President

Telephone: 626.696.4316 • email: jblackstock @ lasallehs . org

Transforming Lives Since 1680

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ParentNewsletter

OCTOBER 2016

From the Parent Association

Testing, Testing, Testing!

As we are full steam ahead into the new school year, the students are settling in nicely.

Sometimes this job of parenting is so overwhelming.

Transitioning from making all of the important decisions for our kids to helping them spread their wings and choose for themselves is daunting. These next few years will be filled with the great pressure of making a huge decision on their own…where will they go to college? I remember our oldest stressing at 16 because he didn’t know yet what he wanted to do in life. We reminded him that neither Parent Association his father nor I landed where we thought we would have when we were 16 and very Meeting few people do. Life throws you curve balls October 11, 2016 sometimes and never falls in a straight line.

6:30pm This is in some respects the most exciting time for our kids. The world is their oyster.

Blakeslee Library It is theirs for the taking. I have to say being through this route once before, you could not be at a more supportive place than La Salle. They assisted us in every way to transition to college.

Testing often seems to be that cloud that hangs over us. There are two schools of thought.

There are those who feel it is an important tool to measure student’s progress and those who feel it does not effectively reflect a students' academic level and abilities. As a parent who has children that do not test particularly well, testing has always been a great but necessary burden. To help all of us navigate this, our next Parent Association meeting program will be “Why Standardized Testing Matters.” There are several changes to the testing programs for college admissions starting this year so this is an important opportunity for parents to get up to speed on all of the requirements. Ms. Tina Bonacci, from our counseling department, will be our featured speaker. We will also be reviewing Naviance, Power School and Schoology programs to make sure you are getting the most out of them.

Our next Parent Association meeting will be on Tuesday, October 11 in Blakeslee Library starting at 6:00pm hospitality and 6:30pm meeting.

Immediately following are our booster group meetings for Arts, Academics and Athletics. All parents attending receive one service hour. There

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were several inquiries after our last meeting from parents who wish to attend more than one booster group. You are welcome to be in one, two, or all three booster groups. We are addressing the meeting overlap and hopefully we will come up with a feasible solution.

Our Lancer Armory Store is up and running. We are now open everyday at lunch and immediately after school. We have added drinks and light snacks so that any of your students who stay after school can grab something. We have our “Pink Out” T-shirts in stock for our “Pink Out” games sponsoring Breast Cancer Awareness in the month of October. 10% of the T-shirt sales will be donated to a Breast Cancer Awareness Organization. We have just placed an order with lots of new gear. We will have a booth at the Mother’s of Alumni Luncheon Boutique on Thursday, December 1 and a parent shopping day at the Armory in early December. Lancer gear makes great stocking stuffers and gifts.

The Crystal Ball will be having their first event of the year on Saturday, October 8 in the Dining Hall. The fall Gift Gathering Tailgate Party is one of the most fun social events we have. Come in your favorite team gear or stop by the Armory in the next week to get Lancer gear. This event is a great time to bring your friends or make some new ones if you are a new family. We are having yummy appetizers, a taco truck, and desserts as well as Margueritas, Sangria, and beer. We will have corn hole toss, ladder toss games and a football pool and a raffle. College games will be playing on the projection screens and, best of all, your attendance secures you two service hours! You get all of this for a $30 per person minimum donation.

This year is already flying by, and I hope you are getting the most from your year so far.

Blessings,

Jacky Samartin P'15,'19 Parent Association President

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OCTOBER 2016

Crystal Ball Tailgate Gift Gathering Party

Saturday, October 8, 2016

IT IS A FUN WAY FOR NEW PARENTS TO MEET THE LA SALLE FAMILY

Dining Hall • 6:00pm to 10:00pm

Join us for our exciting tailgate party!

Wear Your Favorite Athletic Team Attire

Games will be shown on all four Dining Hall walls •

$30 per person donation. Adult admission includes all food, beverages and signature cocktails.

Two service hours per family will be given for attendance!

Crystal Ball donations include gift cards to your favorite stores and restaurants, tickets to plays, concerts and sporting events and, of course, cash, checks and credit card donations are always accepted and needed.

RSVP Jacky Samartin jsamartin@charter.net 626.379.4723

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ParentNewsletter

OCTOBER 2016

City Council Approves La Salle Master Plan

Rendering of La Salle’s campus after completion of Phase 3, which is expected to be within 10 to 15 years. – Courtesy Gonzalez Goodale Architects. The Master Plan was approved on September 19, 2016.

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The Pasadena City Council recently approved a monumental project for La Salle High School that will revamp the school’s facilities.

The La Salle Master Plan, which is the first in school history, consists of three-phases, spread over 15 years, and is meant to “address various athletic and programmatic needs.”

Dr. Richard Gray, president of La Salle, pled his case before the council, arguing that the school needed “excellent facilities, to support excellent programs.” Gray described his institution, which is indeed the largest private Catholic high school in the city, as the “most ethnically, economically, and demographically diverse school in Pasadena,” serving “more middle income students thanany other high school in Pasadena” and providing “more and greater financial aid than any other school in Pasadena.”

With 22 varsity sports teams, (more than some small colleges), La Salle’s current facilities are not capable of accommodating practice for all of its teams on campus. In addition to the baseball and softball programs being outsourced to fields in Arcadia, La Salle’s lack of facilities presents its teams with significant scheduling conflicts, resulting in some teams having to practice

ParentNewsletter at unorthodox times. “I need my freshmen to be doing homework at 9:00pm, not practicing because teams have to share one facility,” said Dr. Gray.

The school’s performing arts facilities are also underwhelming, relative to the size of its student body. Dr. Gray described the current circumstances as “inadequate, uncomfortable, and cramped.”

Therefore, in order to more properly accommodate its students’ needs, the La Salle Master Plan will construct five new buildings: a new practice gymnasium, aquatic center (includes outdoor swimming pool with a sound wall to minimize noise), performance arts/sound stage building, classroom building, and a field house.

Construction will require the demolition of two existing buildings, removal of the baseball field, and renovation of the existing classroom/ administrative building. Additionally, the Master Plan calls for “reconfiguration and extension of [the] existing surface parking lot (north parking lot) and extension of the southern surface parking lot,” according to city staff’s report.

There will be no increase in student enrollment, but five new faculty members will be added, increasing the staff’s size from 90 to 95.

The project will result in a net increase of 83,874 square feet and, upon completion of all three phases, “the proposed gross floor area of the campus would be 179,375 square feet.”

Phase 1 is projected to occur within five years and phases 2 and 3 will occur 10 to 15 years down the line.

Residents submitted their own recommendations, including making the aquatic center indoors/soundproof and lowering the overall building height, to name a few, but, in the end, Council decided to move forward with staff’s recommendation (with a few minor changes).

Upon Council’s approval of the Master Plan, Mayor Terry Tornek struck his gavel and jokingly addressed the crowd of La Salle students and cheerleaders in full uniform: “You are dismissed.”

OCTOBER 2016

The Lancer Cheer Squad supported the La Salle Master Plan at City Hall on September 19.

Text edited from the Pasadena Independent

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ParentNewsletter

OCTOBER 2016

Dirt: A One-Man Show About Substance Abuse and Choices POIGNANT PLAY FOR STUDENTS TODAY

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Student Life sponsored Dirt during our assembly on September 21. Dirt is a one-man show that explores the challenges and decisions that young people face every day. Dirt gets to the heart of issues related to drugs, bullying, and self esteem in a manner that resonates with audiences in a real and meaningful way. Through the portrayal of relatable and memorable characters, John Morello, playwright and actor, gives voice to those who sometimes feel as though they are not heard and reassurance to those who sometimes feel as though they are not understood.

Morello did not preach, teach, or lecture; instead, he took our students on a journey that challenged them to think about the choices they make and how those choices impact their own lives and the lives of those around them.

Mr. Ed O’Connor, Director of Student Life, said this is the fourth performance of Dirt at La Salle since 2005. “Morello hits a home run every time he performs here,” explained O’Connor. “The students were focused and you could here a pin drop. Yet there was humor and laughing, thinking, reflecting and even a few tears.”

The Student Life Assembly was in context of our Lasallian Core Principles, especially respect for all persons and inclusive community. “I anticipate Dirt will be back in the foreseeable future,” commented O’Connor.

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OCTOBER 2016 OCTOBER 2016

From Institutional Advancement

Welcoming the Class of 2020

School is back in session, the Class of 2020 is now on campus, and the activities of the academic year are well underway. We often think of the summer months as being a slow time for our School, but there are numerous activities associated with the various summer programs at La Salle High School. Many campus facilities received needed attention during that time so that our campus and facilities were ready to go when the students arrived in mid-August.

Support for our School and its various needs are provided through a combination of annual giving and planned giving. In any given year, tuition and annual giving programs are keys to providing the financing necessary for that year. The results of sound financial strategies through the years provide additional security and support in these efforts.

However, as we look ahead to the mid and long term financial needs of the School, we rely on Planned Gifts to support these needs and to enhance our endowment. Planned Gifts are often considered to be large in nature, and oftentimes this is the case. But even a modest Planned Gift is a strategic part of this program.

PLANNED GIVING AND LONG TERM GOALS

Certain characteristics of a Planned Gift include (but are not limited to):

• Leaving a Legacy without giving up assets

• Enhancing the rate of return on one’s portfolio

• Reduction of income tax liability with the potential to eliminate capital gains taxes • Portfolio diversification • Providing additional sources of retirement income

The members of the class of 2016 are off on their various collegiate ventures and opportunities. Many of them will continue to be active participants as part of the Alumni Association. The classes of 2017-2020 are back at School and busy with their various commitments, and our School is actively pursuing new students for future years.

With all that is going on, let us consider the possibilities of supporting the long term needs of our School through a Planned Gift that is beneficial to both the donor and La Salle High School.

Please review the Planned Giving articles in future publications of both the Parent Newsletter and Lancer Magazine for ongoing updates in the Planned Giving Program.

In Summary

La Salle High School can provide more information, both generically and specifically, regarding the benefits available through Planned Giving. For more information, please contact Jon Keates, the Director of Institutional Advancement at 626.696.4344.

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ParentNewsletter

OCTOBER 2016

OCTOBER 2016

From the College Counseling Center

College Center News

By Owen Hou ’90, Tina Bonacci '94 and Marcia Yu, College Counselors

Colleges Scheduled to Visit La Salle in October

The College Center has already hosted many fine colleges during the month of September, and many more colleges are scheduled to visit La Salle in October.

Colleges are being added to the College Visit Calendar every day. Please check the Naviance website under ‘visit schedule’ or the College Center bulletin board for the most up-to-date schedule.

Please also encourage your student to list his or her colleges of interest in Family Connection

by Naviance, as it automatically generates e-mail reminders to your student when a college he or she is interested in visits La Salle.

Individual Senior Meetings NOTE UC AND CAL STATE UPDATES

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Ms. Bonacci, Mr. Hou and Mrs. Yu are busy meeting with students who have completed their Senior Surveys. Unfortunately, a significant number of students have not completed them.

Please encourage your student to complete their Senior College Planning Survey online at Family Connection by Naviance if he or she has not done so already.

Monday, October 10, Monday, October 17, Wednesday, October 19, and Monday October 24, are days off for seniors to catch up on the college application process. Seniors can use these days wisely by visiting local and far away college campuses, start or complete their college essay/ personal statement or finalize their college list on Family Connection. Seniors will find the process to be less stressful once they finalize their college lists and start their applications. Those four days are also excellent times to submit Cal State applications and to check them off their ‘to do’ list and lighten their load.

SAT/ACT Testing

Seniors have their last opportunity to take standardized tests in December.

SAT/ACT Subject Tests Test Date: November 5; registration deadline October 7. (Late registration date is October 25).

Test Date: December 3; registration deadline: November 3. (Late registration date is November 22).

ACT: Test Date: December 10; registration deadline November 4. (Late registration date is November 18).

UC & Cal State Update

The College Counselors attended the UC Counselor conference last month and were told that the UC system plans to enroll 2,500 more undergraduates for the 2017-18 school year.

However, the representatives from the individual campuses weren’t able to comment on the specifics (which campus(es) will be taking more students, freshmen vs. transfers, etc.) until they receive their budgets in mid-January. To put this into perspective, last year they were told to enroll 5,000 more undergraduates for the 2016-17 school year and the campuses combined to meet that target.

This partially explained why more of our Class of 2016 matriculated at the UCs and fewer of our students attended out-of-state colleges compared to the year before.

The University of California application is currently available at http://www. universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/. The UC application filing period is November 1 to November 30 - NO EXCEPTIONS.

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The California State application, www. csumentor.edu, opened on October 1 and will remain open until November 30. Many of the 23 California State University campuses are impacted for First Time Freshman. Go to http://www. calstate.edu/SAS/ for the full listing of CSU campuses. We suggest students apply broadly to the CSU campuses. Reminder, La Salle High School is considered a local high school to CSU Los Angeles and CSU Northridge which means that our students will be accepted to these campuses as long as they are CSU eligible given the CSU eligibility index (GPA and test scores on a sliding scale).

OCTOBER 2016

Standardized Testing for 9, 10 and 11 Grades:

Just a reminder that all 9, 10 and 11 grade students will be testing on Wednesday, October 19.

Freshman and Sophomore students will take the PreACT, and Juniors will take the PSAT. Everyone should bring their calculator and number two pencils. All students should finish around 11:30am.

College Tours

We are offering the following college tours in the spring. Additional details will be available later this semester.

Most private colleges utilize the Common Application and can be accessed electronically at www.commonapp.org. Check each out-of-state and private colleges’ websites for their application procedures.

San Diego College Tour Spring 2017 UC San Diego, University of San Diego and San Diego State University.

College Planning Question and Answer Session October 4, 2016

Bay Area College Tour Monday and Tuesday, February 6-7, 2017 UC Davis, University of the Pacific, St. Mary's College, UC Berkely, University of San Francisco and San Francisco State University.

This session is open to Freshman, Sophomore and Junior parents.

Tentative Schedule for Q&A 6:30 – 6:50pm: Overview of College Planning Process and How the La Salle Counseling Department Helps.

6:50 – 7:00pm: Standardized Testing Overview 7:00 – 7:40pm: Question & Answer Period

The College Night, specifically for Juniors Parents and Students, that was originally scheduled for Tuesday, October 4, has been moved to January.

FAFSA Workshop Wednesday, November 16, 6:30-8:00pm, Blakeslee Library

NOTE COLLEGE TOUR DATES

Greater Los Angeles College Tour Monday, March 6, 2017 University of Southern California, UC Los Angeles and Loyola Marymount University East Coast College Tour (During the Easter Break)

We will be touring colleges from Boston to Washington, D.C. with Campus Excursions this spring (itinerary and colleges to be determined).

A separate mailing for this tour will be sent to all junior families in late October/early November.

Please see Mrs. Elmslie-Britt if you have questions about this or any other college tour.

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ParentNewsletter

OCTOBER 2016

Our Lasallian Core Principles

The prayer service on September 30th focused on the five Lasallian Core Principles: Faith in the Presence of God. Lasallians believe in the living presence of God in our world. Concern for the Poor and Social Justice. We demonstrate a sensitivity toward the poor and those suffering from injustices. Respect for all Persons. A concerted effort by the School to respect the dignity of all persons.

Quality Education. An education is provided that prepares students not only for a job and college, but also for life. Inclusive Community. A united community where diversity is respected, where no one is left out, and everyone finds a place. Go to our Flickr gallery and view photos from this prayer service.

RETREAT DEADLINE NOVEMBER 30

Upper Division Retreat Registration

Registration for all upper division retreats is exclusively an on-

line process. Please visit the Student Life Page on the La Salle Website, choose “Retreats” and follow the prompts.

We are asking that all junior and senior students interested in attending one of our retreats sign up for their preferred retreat date by November 30th. Retreat spots are limited so please sign up soon.

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If you have any questions, email Paula Moore at pmoore@lasallehs.org.

ParentNewsletter

OCTOBER 2016

La Salle's No-Cost Fundraisers Free to you, La Salle makes money, and you earn a service hour!

Register ON OR AFTER SEPTEMBER 1st by signing onto your Ralphs.com account and selecting La Salle High School (81179) under “Account Summary” and “Community Rewards.”

Ralphs gives back a percentage to La Salle on each purchase!

Please ask family, friends and neighbors to participate.

1) Register your Credit/Debit/Grocery cards for shopping in stores, restaurants and on line at www.escrip.com. Use the registered cards and eScrip gives money directly to La Salle!

2) For on line shopping, please download the Forget Me Not Toolbar or shop directly at shopping.escrip.com to find hundreds of vendors. The toolbar will alert you if it’s a participating vendor, you shop and La Salle gets money!

Virtual gift cards are purchased and delivered within seconds to the mobile app for immediate in-store redemption. While shopping at stores like Wal-mart, Home Depot, Target or Whole Foods, you can download a gift card to your phone and use it at check out.

La Salle gets a percentage of the sale at no cost to you! You can also send gift cards directly from your phone to family and friends! Download the Benefit App, select La Salle High School, enter your payment method and start shopping!

GREAT WAYS TO SUPPORT LA SALLE

When you shop directly at smile.amazon.com and designate La Salle High School as your charitable organization, Amazon will donate 0.5% of your purchases to La Salle. Bookmark smile.amazon.com, shop smile.amazon.com and help La Salle at no cost to you!

La Salle has earned over $150,000 through current and past programs!

With no cost to families and friends, sign up today and support La Salle.

Please visit the La Salle website under “Support LSHS” and “No Cost Fundraisers.”

Any questions? Please email: Michele Hardy mlhardyconsulting@yahoo.com or Kari Helgeson khelgeson2002@ yahoo.com

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

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ParentNewsletter

OCTOBER 2016

OCTOBER 2016

Speech & Debate Team Brings Home Trophies

The weekend of September 24 held both excitement and intense competition as the Lancers participated in the 20th Annual Jack Howe Speech & Debate Tournament at California State University, Long Beach.

Students alternated debating, speaking, and performing in front of various audiences, showcasing their abilities to create sound and valid arguments. Ms. Elizabeth Meerson, moderator of the team, indicated that “the entire team worked incredibly hard, supporting one-another through the entirety of the competition.” She continued to describe the students as “rock stars who performed admirably!”

At the conclusion of the competition, La Salle was awarded several trophies: • In a field of 94 Varsity teams, John Nahas '18 and Jack Crawford '18 won 1st place gold in Public Forum debate.

• In a field of 50 Novice teams, Sebastian Dunbar '19 and Nikki Strubinski '19 won 3rd place in Public Forum Debate • In a field of 38 Novice entries, Hunter Newell '18 received 5th place in Dramatic Interpretation.

The Lancers faced stiff competition from over 90 varsity teams from all over California, Nevada, and Oregon.

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From left, Sebastian Dunbar, John Nahas and Jack Crawford.

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25th Annual Lancer Golf Classic Save the Date October 10, 2016

OCTOBER 2016

Mr. Patrick Bonacci

San Gabriel Country Club 11:00am Shotgun Start La Salle High School Voted Beacon Media 2016 GOLD

FAVORITE CATHOLIC SCHOOL 2016 SILVER

FAVORITE COED HIGH SCHOOL

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ParentNewsletter

OCTOBER 2016

Student Life: What’s Happening in October Road Trip Themed Homecoming Week October 18th-21st A FUN OCTOBER FOR THE LANCERS

October 18 What’s in My Closet Day (Mismatched Clothes) Lunch activity in the Amphitheater October 19th National Testing Day October 20th Western Day (Wear your favorite country western clothes) Lunch activity in the Amphitheater October 21st Alaskan White Out Day (Wear all white)

Student Life

Christmas Trees are Available for Order.

See eOrder Form Attached.

Lunch activity in the Amphitheater Homecoming Rally Homecoming Tailgate on the baseball field at 6:00pm Homecoming football game, Kohorst Field, 7:00pm October 22nd Homecoming Dance 7:30 -10:30pm in the Dining Hall October 24-26 Junior Retreat October 31st Faculty/Staff and Students can wear costumes to school Costume Contest in the Amphitheater

Women’s Pregnancy Care Clinic of Pasadena Openings

Nurse Manager The Nurse Manager is a part time paid position and has the responsibility of supervising the daily medical operations of the Pasadena Clinic. This would include overseeing patient visits, running pregnancy tests, conducting ultrasounds, as well as supervising a staff nurse and volunteer nurses. We are looking for an organized leader with friendly demeanor, who has a heart for those experiencing crisis pregnancies. She should exhibit spiritual maturity, and a commitment to prayer and spiritual growth. RN degree required, bilingual is a plus. Please email Kathie Treachler at

wpccnurse@gmail.com.

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Volunteer Nurses and Sonographers We are also looking for caring nurses who would like to volunteer for four hours shifts. We work with your schedule. Please contact Lydia Berding at

wpccpasadenanurse@gmail.com.

ParentNewsletter

OCTOBER 2016

Tiger at the Gates

Students in the theatre arts department are in rehearsal for the upcoming fall play.

Following on the heels of the successful spring musical, Nice Work if You can Get It, a group of actors, designers, musicians and technicians are working on Tiger at the Gates, also known as The Trojan War Will Not Take Place (La guerre de Troie n’aura pas lieu).

Tiger at the Gates is a play written in 1935 by French dramatist Jean Giraudoux.

Within the framework of the Iliadic myth of the Trojan War, Giraudoux criticizes diplomacy and the behavior of the national leaders and intellectuals who brought about World War I and the lead-up to World War II. Written as an allegory while the French anxiously awaited Hitler’s march into Paris, the play which is set during the Trojan War, explores the conflict between pacifism and patriotism. Hector, Troy’s greatest hero, returns from war intent on keeping the peace. However, he soon learns that the Greeks, under Odysseus, are coming to try to force his brother, Paris, to release the abducted Helen. Tiger at the Gates opens on November 4.

The Lancer Armory

GOOD STUFF TO KNOW

Regular Armory Hours Tuesdays and Thursdays Regular Schedule (Day A) Regular Schedule (Day B) Special Schedules

12:15pm - 1:15pm 11:15am - 12:15pm 7:00am - 8:15am

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ParentNewsletter

OCTOBER 2016

Check your School calendar for event times and dates

October Highlights CRYSTAL BALL TAILGATE PARTY OCTOBER 8

LANCER GOLF CLASSIC OCTOBER 10

HOMECOMING vs ST PAUL OCToBER 21

OPEN HOUSE NOVEMBER 6

October 4 Faculty & Staff Convocation 3:00pm Grinstead Theatre College Night 6:30-8:00pm Dining Hall October 7 Orange County College Tour October 8 Crystal Ball "Tailgate" Gift Gathering Party 6:00pm Dining Hall October 10 Columbus Day School Holiday Lancer Golf Classic San Gabriel Country Club 10:00am - 8:00pm October 11 Parent Association Meeting 6:30pm Blakeslee Library Parent Boosters Meetings 7:30pm Campus Locations

October 14 FOOTBALL vs Cathedral High School Varsity 7:00pm Kohorst Field October 17 Student Holiday Faculty Faith Formation

8:00am Bishop Alemany HS October 18 Great California Shake Out Campus October 19 National Testing Day October 21 Rally Schedule Homecoming FOOTBALL vs St. Paul High School Varsity 7:00pm Kohorst Field October 22 Saturday Homecoming Dance 7:30-10:30pm Dining Hall October 24-26 Junior Retreat

October 24 VOLLEYBALL vs Bishop Montgomery HS Senior Night 6:00pm Duffy Lewis Gymnasium October 28 FOOTBALL vs Harvard-Westlake High School Varsity 7:00pm Kohorst Field October 31 Halloween November 1 All Saints Day Liturgy 9:15am Dining Hall November 3 Winter Sports Parents Meeting 6:00 - 8:00pm Dining Hall November 6 Sunday Open House 12:00 - 2:30pm Campus

Celebrating 60 Years of Lasallian Educational Excellence

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