The Lantern - August 2015

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LANTERN Presentation High School Parent Newsletter | August 2015

Dear Parents and Friends of Presentation,

What's Inside Attendance Reminders for the New School Year . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Senior Class Photo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Donors in Plaid: Class Dues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 College Counseling News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Community Involvement: Nicaragua Immersion Trip . . . . . . . 3 Campus Ministry Retreats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Performing Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Athletic Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 OFFICE OF ADVANCEMENT Good Luck Balloons Order Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Auction 2015: La Bella Vita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 AUGUST CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

I hope you are having (note: I will not use past tense) a great summer. For those of us in education, summer is a time to refuel and refresh, a time to do different things and spend a little more time with family and friends. It is also an exciting time to plan for a new year; unlike most professions we GET to start over every August with new colleagues, students and parents. It’s a nice perk!

So first, let me officially welcome the Class of 2019 and their parents to Pres. I met them all in April, so I can safely say they are exuberant to be Panthers and bring a great deal of friendliness and talent; they will be a boon to our community.

We also welcome 12 new faces to our faculty and staff. While we never can fully replace those who leave (nor do we wish to), new blood is positive in any group. We are very fortunate that these dynamic individuals really want to make a contribution to Pres. You will receive a profile of each one in the next edition of the Lantern.

We also have new blood in our administrative team. Julie Edson will be stepping down as VP of Academics but will remain in the school in another role. Taking her place is Katherine Cobarrubia Georgiev, who has been our VP of Student Activities. That position will be filled by Tim Case, who returns to Pres after a one-year absence.

This all sounds a bit like musical chairs, but I am very excited to be working with Katherine, Tim and Susan. We truly are here to serve you, and we will do our best to make this a great year for all.

The changes this summer on campus have been minimal by Pres standards. It has been odd not tearing the roof off or replacing HVAC; I have missed the construction trailers and constant noise and disruption. It has been heavenly! We have given some classrooms in the main building a face-lift and continue to upgrade our tech infrastructure. But it’s been relatively quiet.

It’s been too quiet, and we are ready to see all of you again– especially your daughters. Let’s work together to make this a productive and fun-filled year at Pres. In the words of our beloved former Athletic Director, Jim Reilly (who passed away this summer): “It is a great day to be a Panther.”

See you soon, Mary Miller Principal

Senior Class Photo: Aug. 13

Attendance Reminders for the New School Year

After the Opening Liturgy on Thursday, Aug. 13, all seniors are asked to go directly to the amphitheater for the Senior Class photo. Please inform your senior so she is sure to be included. Formal uniform is required for the Opening Liturgy and all seniors are asked to remain in their formal uniform for the photo.

As we start the new school year, here area few things to remember: Emergency Card/Dismissal: Please make sure you have completed the online summer mailing, especially the emergency card/dismissal portion of the online form. This must be completed and submitted before your student starts school.

Attendance Procedure Reminders: • If you are daughter is going to be coming to school late or not at all, please call the Attendance Office at 408-266-1060 no later than 9 a.m.

• All absences require a written note signed by the parent the day she returns to school.

Faxes and emails are not accepted.

• Your daughter is considered absent if she arrives after 8 a.m. (unless she has a free period) and will need a parent note when she checks into the Attendance Office.

• In the rare instance when your daughter needs to leave school for an appointment, send her to the Attendance Office before school begins with a note from you stating the reason she needs to leave school and the time of her dismissal. She will be given an early dismissal notice from the Attendance Secretary.

For further information, please review the detailed Attendance Policy located in your daughter’s Academic Planner. If you have any other questions, please contact the Attendance Office at 408-266-1060 or by email at cfurtado@presentationhs.org.

Donors in Plaid: Class Dues Last year, Presentation launched a new program called “Donors in Plaid.”

At the start of each school year, each student turns in $20 during homeroom. These class dues accumulate into a fund to be used for class activities and to purchase a senior gift for the school. Each senior class has two options for the senior gift: partially funding a student on financial aid for the following school year, or supporting the non-tuition scholarship fund. What better way to give back then to give directly to one of their sisters in plaid?

Students must turn in their class dues in homeroom by Monday, Aug. 24.

Thank you for your support of this special program. For more information, please email Kristin Schneider: kschneider@ presentationhs.org.

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The Lantern | August 2015

College Counseling News “What should she be doing?” This is a question we oftentimes hear from parents over the summer, as their daughters prepare for the fall college application process. In May, we sent an email to the Class of 2016 and posted information on the Welcome page of Naviance on this topic. But, with a couple of weeks to go before the start of school, the short answer to this question would be essays. As of August 1, both the Common Application and the University of California application have opened. Although a good deal of these applications consists of organizing personal information and data entry, this is a good time to look at the writing section and personal statements. Begin to brainstorm ideas and start rough drafts. Even if your daughter’s college list is still fluid, starting on essays now– whether they are on the Common App, the UC application or another college’s personal statement–will be helpful in managing the application process.

As a reminder, when we return to school, seniors have mandatory group meetings during collaboration with the college counselors. During this kick-off to the fall application process, we review the logistics of the college process, go over important dates and deadlines, and introduce the specific Naviance tasks that will be required of the seniors.

Seniors will attend these meetings by mentor group; classroom locations will be emailed to seniors when school starts. These collaborations are mandatory and attendance will be taken. Here are the lists of dates by mentor group: Wednesday, Aug. 19, 1:00-2:15pm: Taylor, Edson, and Mikacich Friday, Aug. 21: 1:00-2:15pm: Buell and Wang Tuesday, Aug. 25: 1:00-2:15pm: Foley and Garbo Lastly, we have been made aware that an independent college consulting company has been contacting students at local Catholic high schools and using the respective school name (Presentation, Bellarmine, etc.) to schedule an appointment. Please know that we do not ever sell or refer student names to outside independent college consultants. Moreover, we feel that this company is using you, and any uncertainties you may have about the college process, to make money. It does not offer any additional or better advice than your Presentation college counselors.

Community Involvement: Nicaragua Immersion Trip Early on the morning of Saturday, May 31, seven students and three faculty members gathered to begin a 12-day adventure to Nicaragua. Our group was ready to start our summer in service to others! For the first seven days, we were headed to Chinendega to dig irrigation trenches with the organization Amigos for Christ. After that, we planned to head to Somotillo to visit Sister Rachel and the schools we support during Mission Drive.

Despite our well-planned itinerary, weather got in our way of getting to Nicaragua; a thunderstorm in Houston caused us to miss our connecting flight. As a result, our group had two days of extra time to bond and prepare before finally arriving in Nicaragua. When we stepped off the plane, we felt more ready than ever to work hard and get to know our Nicaraguan brothers and sisters. We began the week working alongside volunteers from other schools, digging roughly 10 kilometers of ditches to bring water to rural communities. As we worked, we were amazed and humbled by the strength and determination of local community members. It seemed everyone participated in the digging, from teenagers to senior citizens.

Our experience strengthened our faith and our belief in the dignity of all people.

Despite our aching muscles, we felt re-energized as we made our way to Somotillo. After a much-needed nap, Sister Rachel gave us a tour of the small town and introduced us to many people who benefit from our Mission Drive donations. Among those we talked to was Sister Rachel’s secretary, who received a scholarship as part of our Mission Drive efforts. We also traveled to St. Ignacio School, which provides an education to children from preschool all the way through high school. Students study math and language as well as technical skills like carpentry, baking and metal work. During another visit to the IBRA technical school, we learned about intricate farming and sustainability projects undertaken by students.

Our trip to Nicaragua was certainly a life-changing one for us. The message of hard work, dedication and faith is one we look forward to passing on throughout the year!

Campus Ministry Retreats Mark your family calendars for your daughter’s class level retreat!

All students are welcome to attend these fantastic, faith-filled, free and fun experiences sponsored by Campus Ministry. During retreat, students participate in group discussions and enjoy communitybuilding activities, with plenty of free time to reflect and relax. All retreats are open to–and enriched by–students of all faith traditions.

To register for a retreat, visit the Campus Ministry page on the Presentation website: www.presentationhs.org/retreats. There, you will find a link to a form that you can download and print.

Please mail the form to Presentation High School, attention: Claire Foley. Retreat reservations will be accepted in the order they are received. Our retreats are popular and space is limited. Please register early to ensure a spot.

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Retreat Calendar Sophomores Thursday, Dec. 3 or Thursday, March 3 Monday, Oct. 26 -Tuesday, Oct. 27 or Thursday, April 7 - Friday, April 8 Monday, Jan. 25-Tuesday, Jan. 26 or Monday, Seniors March 14 - Tuesday, March 15 Juniors

Contact Claire Foley with questions: cfoley@presentationhs.org.

Your one-stop shop for Panthers on-the-go! www.presentationhs.org/panthersden www.presentationhs.org 3

Send “Good Luck” Wishes… …to your daughter with a fun and festive Back to School Balloon Bouquet!

On Monday, Aug. 24, the halls will be filled with color and excitement! You are invited to order a Back to School balloon bouquet which will be placed on your daughter’s locker. What a perfect way to say “Have a great school year!” (And why not surprise one of her friends, too?) The bouquet includes a good luck mylar balloon and two latex balloons in coordinating colors. The cost is $16.00. You can also add a Starbucks’ gift card for an extra $10.

Back to School Balloon Bouquet BALLOON ORDERS DUE WEDNESDAY, AUG. 19 Please return this form and payment to: Presentation High School, Attention: Balloons 2281 Plummer Ave, San Jose, CA 95125 NAME OF STUDENT(S): _______________________________________________________________ FROM (as you want the card to read): ___________________________________________________ NAME OF PERSON ORDERING: ________________________________________________________ PHONE NUMBER OF PERSON ORDERING: ________________________________________________ I have enclosed $____________ for ________ bouquets ($16 each) $____________ for ________ Starbucks’ cards ($10 each) GRAND TOTAL $_____________ Make checks payable to Presentation High School

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The Lantern | August 2015

Performing Arts

From the Athletic Department

FUN IN THE SUMMER: During July, our summer theater program, Presentation Repertory (PresRep), dazzled audiences with two full-scale productions put together in just five weeks. First up was Kid Dinosaur, a youth theater piece about the environment. Our main stage musical, Bring It On, brought sold-out audiences to their feet.

Congratulations to our exemplary students who produced wonderful shows, and made lifelong friends along the way! Registration for next year’s summer camp will open in February on the Presentation website. PresRep is open to boys and girls ages 11-17.

Fall sports tryouts for sophomores, juniors and seniors begin on Aug. 14; for freshmen, tryouts begin on Aug. 21. All studentathletes who tryout must have the Athletic Participation Packet completed and turned in to the Athletic Department before they can tryout. You can find the packet on the Athletics section of the Pres website.

Mark September 18 on your calendar for our Athletics fundraiser– Game of Throws 2.0! This baggo tournament will be held in the Miller Athletic Complex; it’s sure to be a fun night! Registration opens Aug. 3. Email Kevin Saldivar for more information: ksaldviar@ presentationhs.org.

For those of you lucky enough to know our former Athletic Director, Jim Reilly, you know that the Presentation Community lost a great man. Jim fought progressive supranuclear palsy for the past few years with his wife, Luvella, by his side for every day of the battle. Jim was a true character on Presentation’s campus, bringing about smiles and laughter wherever he was. He served as Presentation’s Athletic Director from 2000-2006 and head varsity volleyball coach from 1996-1999, coining the catchphrase, “It’s a great day to be a Panther.”

He was a friend and mentor to all; he truly will be missed.

CHICAGO AT PRES: Presentation is thrilled to present the Kander and Ebb classic, Chicago. This dance-heavy musical is set in the 1920s, a time when easy money and instant celebrity were sought-after commodities--much like now! Chicago tells the tale of Velma Kelly and Roxy Hart, two wayward souls lost in the haze of media notoriety and infamy. With a score of well-known tunes, including All That Jazz, Razzle Dazzle and the infamous Cell Block Tango, Presentation will be the first local school to do this musical in 18 years! The audition workshop for this production is Aug. 24.

Auditions are Aug. 26-28. Performances run Nov. 7-22. Buy your tickets early, before we sell out!

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Saturday, Aug. 8 at 11 a.m. in the Miller Athletic Complex. It will be followed by a reception in the courtyard. Per the request of Jim and Luvella, in lieu of flowers, please send donations to Presentation Athletics in his memory.

“It’s a great day to be a Panther!”

Stacey Mallison, Athletic Director smallison@presentationhs.org

ROMEO AND JULIET: For those students who are not musically inclined, but still want a chance to shine on our stage, our March play this year is a classic from Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet. Please encourage your student to participate in one theater production while they are at Pres. It is an experience they will remember for a lifetime.

WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT TADA!?: A special congratulations to our superb performing arts booster club, TADA! For the third year, TADA! is under the leadership of presidents Maeve and Terry Hannon–who raised substantial funds last year to upgrade our facilities and technical capacities in the scene shop and theater. Each weekend, this group makes its presence felt, constructing sets and costumes and organizing parent volunteers to ensure our high production values can–and will–continue. If you would like to join TADA!, information is available on the performing arts page of the Presentation website. See you at the theater!

www.presentationhs.org 5

ave the Date Saturday, Oct. 24 | Villa Ragusa AUCTION ITEM DONATION FORM Please print clearly. To access the form online, please visit www.presentationhs.org/auction.

Donor name (to appear in catalog) _________________________________________________________ Company name _______________________________________________________________________ Authorized by_________________________________________________________________________ Phone_____________________________Email _____________________________________________ Address______________________________________________________________________________ City______________________________________________ZIP________________________________ Description of item(s) Please list any restrictions. Use reverse if needed for longer descriptions.

1. __________________________________________________________________________________Suggested retail price $ ____________ 2. __________________________________________________________________________________Suggested retail price $ ____________ 3. __________________________________________________________________________________Suggested retail price $ ____________ 4. __________________________________________________________________________________Suggested retail price $ ____________ 5. __________________________________________________________________________________Suggested retail price $ ____________

Total value of item(s): $ ____________ Please check one: Store gift certificate?

Item requires pick up Item enclosed in mail/email Item will be dropped off at Presentation main office on ______________________ YES

NO

PHS gift certificate needed?

YES

NO

Name of solicitor_____________________________________Phone ___________________________ 6

The Lantern | August 2015

AUCTION SPONSOR FORM The Presentation auction is the largest fundraiser of the school year. Being a sponsor is a great opportunity for you to support Pres girls, as 24% of our student body receives financial aid. Auction sponsors make it possible for present and future Pres girls alike to take advantage of everything our campus has to offer–athletics, academics, technology, co-curricular programs and scholarships.

Our sponsorship campaign is vital to the success of our auction event, and we are grateful for your support!

Benefit PHS Donation Level

Architetto $10,000

Pittore $7,500

Vitner $5,000

Donation level qualifies for Presentation Platinum Club

Artista $2,500

Turista $1,500

Donation level qualifies for Presentation Circle

VIP Seating at event Exclusive sponsor party on Oct. 1 VIP Service

(includes express registration with separate line and delivery of all won items to your table)

Complimentary glasses of wine at Premium Wine Bar

Four glasses

Two glasses

Four tickets

Two tickets

Two glasses

Two glasses

Upgraded wine selection at guest table Upgraded table setting and specialty cocktail served to table Complimentary tickets to the auction event Specialty themed-gift

All sponsors to be listed in the auction catalog are due by Oct. 1.

Payment Information

To pay by credit card, please go online to www.presentationhs.org/auction. To pay by check, please complete form and send back with payment to: Presentation High School, Attn: Auction Sponsors, 2281 Plummer Ave., San Jose, CA 95125. If you have any questions, please contact Special Events Coordinator, Johannah Baccaglio at jbaccaglio@presentationhs.org or 408-264-5110 ext. 2493.

Sponsor Information Sponsor Name (to appear in catalog) _____________________________________________________________________________________ Email_____________________________________________________________ Phone Number ______________________________ Address________________________________________________City/State___________________________________ZIP ________ I would like to sponsor the following level: $10,000 • Architetto

$7,500 • Pittore

$5,000 • Vitner

$2,500 • Artista

$1,500 • Turista

Presentation High School is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your donation is tax-deductible as allowed by law. The fair market value of the benefits received from your sponsorship is not tax-deductible as a charitable contribution.

www.presentationhs.org 7

August 2015 SUNDAY

For complete calendar visit www.presentationhs.org/calendar

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

1

2

3

4

5

9

10

Orientation 11 Frosh 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

12

Lantern League Welcome Breakfast, 8:30 a.m., Library Auction Meeting, 6 p.m., Library

16

17

6

Frosh Orientation 8 a.m.-1:45 p.m.

Frosh Alum MotherDaughter Breakfast, 7:15 a.m., Library

18 Student ID photos 19

Student ID photos

Opening Liturgy, 1311:05 a.m., Miller

7

8

14

15

21

22

Athletic Complex

Senior Class Photo 12:30 p.m.

First Day of School

20

TADA!, 6:30 p.m., Reception Room

Booster Board Meeting, 7 p.m., Library

Incoming Parent Meeting, 6 p.m., Volunteer Fingerprinting Marian Stuckey Center Session, 4:30 p.m., Reception Rm

23

24 30

Fall Sports Parents Meeting, 7 p.m., gym

25

26 Back to School Night, 6:30 p.m., Marian Stuckey Center

27

28

Club Day/Spirit Festival, 11:05 a.m.

29 Frosh Mixer 7:30 p.m.

31

AUGUST 2015 Presentation High School The Lantern 2281 Plummer Avenue San Jose, CA 95125