Parent Newsletter #7: 9/5/25
Highlander News from the Principal's Office
Website | Phone: (510) 594-2626
Location: 800 Magnolia Ave, Piedmont, CA 94611
Instagram: @piedmonthigh
Bell Schedule (Regular) | Library Schedule
Road to Graduation | Athletic Newsletter
College & Career Newsletter | Yearbook Info
2024-25 School Profile | Student Handbook
Principal: Dr. Yoshihara | Asst. Principal: Mr. Marik
Please join Piedmont High School in reflection and recognition of the lives lost on September 11, 2001. On September 11, we also remember PHS alumnus John Christopher Stevens who served as the U.S. Ambassador to Libya and was killed while serving in office in 2012. As a way to honor him and his life's work, the Piedmont High School library was named the Ambassador Christopher Stevens Memorial Library in 2013. In his life and career, Ambassador Stevens believed in promoting global peace through friendships that enhanced cultural understanding among people.
We invite our community to learn more about Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens here.
We wanted to thank all our families for supporting our teachers on BTSN yesterday. We had great attendance and so many great questions.
I also wanted to do a shout out to our counseling team, Chris Hartford, Amanda Carlson, and Michelle Huang; for their willingness to share important information with our new families at the start of the night.
For families who were not able to make it and would like to review the presentations, you may do so at the link below. Thanks again for a great school-wide event!
BTSN Video (Large file--2.97 GB, may need to be downloaded)
Class of 2027, your peers need to hear from you. Please take a few moments to complete this Junior Class Survey. Make an impact, use your voice and vote! Thanks from your class reps!
Mehrad Malekpour, Junior Class Vice President
Colin Amen, Junior Class President
All PHS and MHS students are invited to audition for the musical “Grease”. The audition window closes on September 15.
Auditions are open to all students enrolled in Piedmont High School or Millennium High School. Online audition submissions are due on Tuesday, September 15 by 10:00 p.m., with callbacks scheduled for Thursday, September 18 at 4:00 p.m.
See the GREASE Audition Info Packet for full info.
Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey wrote the book, music and lyrics for this rollicking musical evoking the look and sound of the 1950s. Famous songs include “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightnin',”and “Shakin’ at the High School Hop”.
Mark your calendar for “Grease” performances Thursday, January 29, 7:00 p.m., Friday, January. 30, 7:00 p.m., Saturday, January. 31, 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, February. 1, 4:00 p.m.
Contact amoorhead@piedmont.k12.ca.us for more information.
Many of you have already completed this required task. Well done! About 152 of you still need to take the digital citizenship quiz. You will find the quiz link in your All Student Schoology Course. You must score 80% or better to pass. You can retake the quiz until you pass. You have until Sunday, September 14th to pass it. You will receive a reminder email if you have not taken or passed the quiz. If you have questions, email jbranisa@piedmont.k12.ca.us
Ariel is reaching out to gather as many student speakers as possible to advocate virtually to restore AC transit bus route 33 in Piedmont at the AC Transit Board meeting next Wed., Sept. 10 at 5pm. The closure of a part of route 33 in Piedmont is an issue that has affected some PUSD students and families.
This is a time sensitive opportunity to advocate locally and earn the PUSD State Seal of Civic Engagement on a student's transcript and diploma for college admissions purposes.
For more information, please see the link here.
Ariel will hold an informational meeting next Tuesday, Sept. 9 in Mercedes' room.
The AC Transit Board meeting is next Wednesday, Sept. 10th at 5pm. Ariel will provide students dinner and is planning to meet in Room 30A.
As we wrap up our third week of school, we continue to pivot on supporting our school to be cell phone free except for lunch. Overall, students are doing an impressive job with not being on their devices. We do want to help.
- Open Periods: If students have a free period and they are on campus, they shall not be on their phone. This reinforces the fact that we are a phone-free campus, does not send mixed messages to passing students, and allows us all to focus on learning.
- Passing periods: We know all our teachers use the cell phone hotel. Picking up your phone from that hotel and holding it in your hand for 10 minutes can be very tempting. If the temptation is too great, we encourage students to power their phone down until lunch. This reduces the temptation to see all the messages that may be popping up.
- Brunch: Students may not be able to resist the temptation to take a quick peek to type something or read a quick message. Again, we recommend powering phones down to reduce the temptation.
Starting next week, Mr. Bell, Mr. Marik, and Mr. Yoshihara will begin collecting phones and possibly devices during passing, brunch, and during open periods. Each instance of our collection will result in an entry into our student information, and the phone being kept in the office for the remainder of the day. Repeated instances of this may require the parent to pick up the phone.
We know this may be hardest for our seniors, but by being great role models, it will make it easier for our underclassmen to see how to Achieve the Honorable.
- The PreACT will be held at PHS on Saturday, Oct 4, 2025
- The PSAT will be held at PHS on Saturday, Oct 18, 2025
It is easy to register. Log into the Infinite Campus Parent Portal and click on the "School Store". Then select and pay for the tests you would like to take. Once payment is received, your student will be registered for the exam(s). The cost per exam is $35.00 (which covers the cost of the exam and proctor fees). The deadline to register is Friday, September 12. Students will receive more detailed information about the exam administration as we approach the exam dates. There are no additional PreACT or PSAT exam dates planned for this school year. These exams are for 10th and 11th grade students only. If you have any questions, please contact Darlene Low at dlow@piedmont.k12.ca.us.
Our Parent Club is seeking volunteers for our library. This will allow our students a safe space to stay during the day, primarily when they have open periods.
- Please sign up here to indicate your availability.
- Volunteers need to be fingerprinted via Livescan. The attachment is below. We cannot reimburse for the cost which is estimated to be between $70 and $100.
- Your general role is to supervise students ensuring they are not disruptive and following library rules (e.g. no eating).
- Please reach out to Karen (karenabird@gmail.com) if you have any questions.
What is PPN?
The Piedmont Parents Network (PPN) is a parent-run organization that holds monthly meetings to provide parents with the opportunity to meet, connect and discuss issues affecting their child, the school, and our community. Parents participate in monthly discussions that are facilitated by trained parent volunteers who help ensure that conversations are held with mutual respect and discretion. There are PPN groups for 6th to 12th grade, and all parents of students at PHS/PMS/MHS are welcome - there are no membership dues - just RSVP and show up!
When are the next meetings?
12th Grade:
Tuesday, September 23: 7:30-9:00 pm
Facilitators: Sara Ironside, Jen Ferguson
RSVP: jen.c.ferg@gmail.com for more information
11th Grade:
Thursday, September 25: 7:00-8:30 pm
Facilitator: Kristen Brett
RSVP: kbrett@srvusd.net - also let us know if you are open to hosting!
10th Grade
Wednesday, September 10: 7:30-9:00 pm
Facilitators: Sarah Puckett, Maggie Mittan
RSVP: sarahbeamish@hotmail.com or maggie.mittan@gmail.com
9th Grade:
Thursday, September 18: 8:45-10:15 am
Facilitators: Judy Lin, Yoko Ichikawa, Anne Hawkins
RSVP: hawkins42@gmail.com for location information
Looking forward to seeing you!
Now that we are a few weeks into school and fall sports are starting, you may be interested in general PHS Spirit Wear. This is available in the School Store, and we are starting to process orders. They are done in batches so depending on volume, it may take a few weeks to get them to you. These are great to wear on Fridays (or any day) or to any of our home games to support our student athletes.
