Providence Hall High School

Turning Setbacks Into Strength

As we wrap up our focus on strategic decision making, we are shifting this month toward something that helps both students and adults make better choices: resilience. Whether you are a teen facing school pressures or a parent trying to guide your child, resilience plays a huge role. When we know how to handle challenges, manage stress, and stay steady when life throws us curveballs, we think more clearly and make stronger decisions. Good decision making often starts with the ability to bounce back.

Resilience is not about being tough or pretending that difficult things do not bother us. It is the ability to recover, adapt, and keep moving forward after a setback. That could mean taking a breath after a tough test grade, trying again after a bad practice, or having an honest conversation after a misunderstanding. A great example of resilience comes from Thomas Edison. While working on the lightbulb, he tested thousands of materials that did not work. Instead of seeing those attempts as failures, he treated each one as progress. He said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” His mindset shows that resilience grows every time we learn from frustration instead of walking away from it.

So how do we build resilience in our daily lives? It starts with noticing our emotions and finding simple ways to calm our minds and bodies. That might be taking a short break, writing down what we are feeling, practicing deep breathing, or talking to someone we trust. For students, this helps you approach problems with a clearer head. For parents, supporting your teen’s resilience often means asking thoughtful questions like “What do you think your next step could be?” instead of immediately stepping in to fix everything. Saying “I can see why you feel disappointed. What do you want to try next?” helps teens feel understood while still giving them ownership of their next move. And when both teens and adults show how they handle their own frustrations or changes, everyone learns that resilience is a skill, not a personality trait.

Resilience grows a little every time we try again after something hard. It grows when we sit with our emotions instead of avoiding them, when we reflect instead of shutting down, and when we choose to take the next step—even if it is small. Just like Edison, the goal is not to avoid challenges but to learn from them. When students and parents both see setbacks as part of learning rather than something to fear, confidence grows, problem solving improves, and families become stronger together.

How to Practice Resilience

Parents, Try This:

Ask guiding questions instead of giving immediate solutions.
Validate feelings before offering advice.
Share your own stories about learning through setbacks.
Encourage effort, reflection, and trying again.
Model calm responses when things don’t go your way.

Students, Try This:

Take a short break when emotions feel big.
Practice deep breathing or write out what you’re thinking.
Look at setbacks as information, not failure.
Ask yourself, “What can I try next?”
Talk to a trusted adult when you need support, not rescue.

Please take time to review this week’s Principal's Update thoroughly—it includes important information about:

UPCOMING EVENTS
SENIOR SECTION: Cap & Gown Ordering Deadline
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Ronald McDonald House Charity Drive, Help for the Holidays 2025, Second Semester ACT Prep Course, Family Support Resources, Lunch Balance Fundraiser, & East Coast Trip
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
RAVE REVIEWS
COMMUNITY NEWS
& MORE!

Choose to have a great week, Patriots!

Melissa McPhail
PHHS Principal

THIS WEEK AT PROVIDENCE HALL

Mon. November 17:
Tue. November 18: Home Boys Basketball (3:30, 5:15, 7:00pm)
Wed. November 19: Home Girls Basketball (5:15 & 7:00pm)
Thur. November 20: Home Boys Basketball (3:30, 5:15, 7:00pm)
Fri. November 21: Debate Tournament
Sat. November 22: Debate Tournament

ON THE HORIZON

Tue. November 25: Non-Friday Short Day (School Ends 1:15pm)
Wed. November 26 - 28th: No School: Thanksgiving Break
Fri: December 5: Midterm Deadline
Fri. December 12: Winter Waltz Assembly
Sat. December 13: Winter Waltz Dance (Semi-Formal, PHHS Gym)
Mon. December 22 - January 2: Winter Break
Wed. January 14: A Day Finals
Thurs. January 15: B Day Finals & End of First Semester
Fri. January 16: No School: Grade Transmittal Day
Mon. January 19: No School: MLK Jr Day

Senior Upcoming Events

Nov. 24: Cap & Gown Ordering Deadline
Dec. 1: U of U, Weber State, USU & SUU Scholarship Priority Deadline & Westminster Early Action Deadline
Dec. 15: BYU Final Application Deadline
Jan. 1: Opportunity Scholarship Application Opens
Jan. 23: Opportunity Scholarship Priority Deadline
Jan. 24: Senior Dinner Dance (Tentative)

Each year, Providence Hall fills an entire bus with donations for the Ronald McDonald House, and we’re proud to be one of their largest non-monetary contributors. The Ronald McDonald House provides a “home away from home” for families whose children are receiving life-saving medical treatment, offering free lodging, meals, and support during the most difficult times.

This cause is personal to me. My cousin Remzie was born with a serious heart condition, and the best doctors for him were in California. While my aunt and uncle faced overwhelming medical expenses, the Ronald McDonald House gave them a safe place to stay at no cost. That small act of kindness made a huge difference.

Please consider donating this week. Your generosity directly supports families navigating their hardest moments, and it truly goes a long way.

The Providence Hall community is eager to support families in need this holiday season. If your family, or a family you know, could use assistance, please complete this confidential form by November 21. Only the administration will have access to the information you provide, and your privacy will be fully respected.

To ensure we focus on supporting our own school community, we ask that nominated families have at least one student currently attending Providence Hall High School.

After the form is submitted, a member of the administration will reach out to discuss specific needs and how we can best offer support. Thank you for helping us come together in kindness and generosity during this season of giving.

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Child Nutrition Programs at USBE has an agreement with the Utah Food Bank (Utah Food Bank) to administer The Temporary Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).General information about the TEFAP program operations in Utah can be found on the USBE CNP Website.

Households which meet the The Emergency Food Assistance Program Income Guidelines may be eligible to receive food for home use. To qualify, adults must provide household size and income information on a confidential application at a participating food distribution location.

This list of TEFAP Sub-ERA locations is the most current information we have about participating locations where TEFAP may be received. Households are encouraged to visit the Utah Food Bank’s pantry finder for more information.

Households can also visit the https://211utah.org/ website or dial 2-1-1 for additional resources in their area.

Families can apply for free and reduced meal benefits at any time.

Last year, Providence Hall students had over $6,000 in unpaid lunch balances. Every family’s journey is unique, but together we can make a big difference! Your donation—no matter the size—will go directly toward reducing student lunch debt across all three schools. Help us make sure every Patriot has a healthy meal and the energy to learn and succeed. Join our No-Fuss Fundraiser and help support our students. Every dollar fills a tray and fuels a mind! Click the image below or use the following link to donate: https://sfnd.io/qnjw5

Fuel Their Minds: Help Cover Student Lunch Balances | SuccessFund

Hosted by Providence Hall Administration Last year, Providence Hall students had over $6,000 in unpaid lunch balances. Every family’s journey is unique, but together we can make a big difference! Your donation—no matter the size—will go directly toward reducing student lunch debt across all three schools. Help us make sure every Patriot has a healthy meal and the energy to learn and succeed. Join our No-Fuss Fundraiser and help support our students. Every dollar fills a tray and fuels a mind!

sfnd.io

Cooke College Scholarship

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program is an undergraduate scholarship program available to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend and graduate from the nation's top four-year colleges and universities. Minimum cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.75. Families with annual gross income up to $95,000 are considered.

More information: https://www.jkcf.org/our-scholarships/college-scholarship-program/

Deadline: November 12, 2025

Visionary Scholarship Program

Our Visionary Scholarship is a bi-annual award. There are five (5) awards given with each bi-annual deadline - with a total of ten (10) college scholarships awarded for each school year. Awards range from $1,000 to $2,500 each.

More information: https://americancollegefoundation.org/college-planning-visionary-scholarship-details/

Deadline: December 1, 2025

Denny's Hungry for Education Scholarship

Denny’s Hungry for Education™ scholarship program is awarding scholarship money to deserving high school and college students and helping bring communities together. Students must provide a 300-word (high school) or 500-word (college) essay on “How Denny’s can help bring communities together?”.

More information: https://www.ushli.org/dennys-scholarship-application/

Deadline: December 8, 2025