Providence Hall High School

This week is a short one as we head into Thanksgiving Break, and we hope everyone enjoys the time to rest and recharge. Please remember that Tuesday is a non-Friday short day, and the building will close immediately after school so we can prepare to host our upcoming wrestling tournament. We need all students to clear the building quickly so our staff can begin setting up for this event.

We also have several important updates and new information to share this week, so please take a moment to read through the full newsletter. A quick summary is included below to help you catch the highlights.

This week we are focusing on the power of a growth mindset, a belief that abilities can improve with effort and practice. For high school students, this mindset helps them face tougher classes, bigger responsibilities, and more pressure without giving up. For parents, understanding this idea supports your teen in ways that build long-term confidence rather than short-term comfort.

A helpful way to understand a growth mindset comes from psychologist Carol Dweck, who said, “Becoming is better than being.” This reminds us that learning is a process, not a race. When students adopt this mindset, mistakes stop feeling like proof that they “aren’t good enough” and start becoming opportunities to learn. A tough test, a challenging skill, or a new experience becomes a step toward improvement instead of a reason to quit.

Building a growth mindset can start with one small word: yet. “I can’t do this” becomes “I can’t do this yet.” Students can review mistakes for lessons, set small goals, and recognize progress as it happens. Parents can support growth by praising effort, strategy, and persistence instead of focusing only on the final result. Sharing your own stories of learning something new shows teens that everyone struggles at first, and that struggle is part of growth.

A growth mindset strengthens teens far beyond academics. It encourages resilience, confidence, and a willingness to try new things. When students believe they can grow, they take healthy risks and recover faster from setbacks. When parents encourage effort over perfection, teens begin to trust their own ability to improve. Together, these habits build a positive learning environment both at home and at school.

Students, Try This:

• Use the word “yet” when you feel stuck.

• Look for what your mistakes can teach you.

• Set small goals and notice your progress.

• Focus on effort, not perfection.

• Ask, “What can I try differently next time?”

Parents, Try This:

• Praise effort, strategy, and persistence.

• Share stories of skills you learned over time.

• Let your teen work through challenges before stepping in.

• Encourage reflection instead of immediate solutions.

• Help your teen set reachable goals and celebrate progress.

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

• Upcoming Events: Cap & Gown Ordering Deadline & Tuesday Dress Down Day

• Patriot Spotlight: Guitar Workshop & Students of the Month

• Important Information: Giving Tree Donations, Sportsmanship Scholarship, Holiday Lights in the Park Fundraiser, Winter Choir Concert, Sora, Second Semester ACT Prep Course, Family Support Resources, & Lunch Balance Fundraiser

• Senior Section

• Scholarship Opportunities

• RAVE Reviews

• Community News

Choose to have a great week, Patriots!

Melissa McPhail
PHHS Principal

• Mon. November 24: (Seniors) Deadline to Purchase Graduation Cap & Gown
• Tue. November 25: Dress Down Day || Away Boys Basketball || Non-Friday Short Day (School Ends 1:15pm) || Away Girls Basketball || Home Wrestling Tournament
• Wed. November 26: No School: Thanksgiving Break || Away Girls Basketball || Home Wrestling Tournament
• Thur. November 27: No School: Thanksgiving Break
• Fri. November 28: No School: Thanksgiving Break

• Fri: December 5: Midterm Deadline
• Mon. December 8: Band & Orchestra Concert (Gym, 6:30pm)
• Tue. December 9: Guitar Concert (Gym, 7pm)
• Thurs. December 11: Choir Concert (PHJH Gym, 6:30pm)
• Fri. December 12: Winter Waltz Assembly & Sportsmanship Applications Due
• 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

Our guitar program enjoyed a wonderful outreach experience last Friday, November 14, with the Kossler Duo. Students from Guitar 2, Guitar 3, and Ensemble performed and received valuable feedback from the touring concert guitarists.

The Kossler Duo also treated our students to a performance of their own and spent time answering questions about musicianship, technique, and the life of a professional guitarist. We extend a big thank-you to the Utah Classical Guitar Society for making this experience possible.

Congratulations to our Students of the Month! These students have demonstrated the core values of Providence Hall High School through their actions and character. Whether by making thoughtful and strategic decisions, working collaboratively with classmates and teachers, or showing resilience during challenging moments, each of these students has set a strong example for our school community. We are proud to recognize their hard work, positive attitude, and commitment to personal growth. Great job, Patriots!

Last year, our amazing Providence Hall community helped provide more than five thousand dollars in gifts to families in need. This year, we are excited to support seven families through our Giving Tree. If you’d like to spread a little holiday cheer, please use the QR code to donate cash (which will be used to purchase items on each family’s wishlist) or drop off gift cards at the front office.Thank you for sharing the joy of the season — our community shines brightest when we lift each other up.

Providence Hall was recently awarded a one thousand dollar sportsmanship scholarship for our video submission showcasing what sportsmanship looks like at PHHS. We are excited to use this award to offer four Sportsmanship Scholarships of 250 dollars each to PHHS students who consistently demonstrate excellent sportsmanship on the field and strong character off the field. All applications are due December 12, and late applications will not be considered.

*The video will appear in the next Athletics and Activities Newsletter.

Join us for Holiday Lights Night at the Ballpark on Friday, December 5. Families can stroll the field, walk through glowing tunnels, enjoy themed zones like Candy Cane Lane, and watch the stunning light show featuring a 60-foot synchronized Christmas tree. Kids and adults can enjoy interactive games, snowball toss areas, stomp pads, mini golf, and festive photo ops. Warm up at the Mistletoe Market with hot cocoa, treats, and holiday snacks. Discounted tickets are available, and four dollars from every ticket is donated back to Providence Hall High. It is a magical holiday experience for all ages.

Come out and join us for a festive evening of music as our Junior High and High School choirs present a special holiday performance. This is a wonderful opportunity to support our talented students and enjoy some cheerful seasonal songs that are sure to put you in the holiday spirit. We hope to see you there as we kick off the season with music, community, and celebration!

Have some extra time this holiday season? It is a great opportunity to catch up on reading just for fun.

Check out Sora, our digital reading platform for students. Sora lets you read or listen to ebooks and audiobooks from home on any device, completely free. Whether you want something new, something relaxing, or something exciting, Sora has plenty of great choices to explore.

We are excited to offer another round of our ACT Prep Course starting January 12. This program has been highly successful — on average, students who participate increase their cumulative ACT score by two points from the pretest to the post-test. Even small score increases can open doors to more scholarships, better college opportunities, and increased confidence heading into test day. If your student is planning to take the ACT this spring, this is a great chance to prepare, practice, and boost their performance.

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

• 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)

The purpose of this Newsletter is to keep students, parents, and guardians informed on key updates and important milestones as students prepare for life after high school.

Ken Garff Keys to Success

Providing students with an accessible tool, Keys to Success enables users to discover, connect to, and endeavor to achieve future possibilities. There are several scholarships available to Utah students through this program.

More information: https://www.ktsutah.org/

Deadline: varies

Rumba Meats Scholarship

Rumba Meats, part of the Cargill family of brands, helps the Hispanic community celebrate their culture and preserve their heritage through food. Through a partnership with United States Hispanic Leadership Institute, Rumba is awarding 25 post-secondary academic scholarships of $1,000 each and helping empower today’s Hispanic youth to become tomorrow’s leaders.

More information: https://www.ushli.org/rumba-meats-ushli-partner-to-award-25000-in-scholarships/

Deadline: November 30, 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

Ron Brown Scholarships Program

The Ron Brown Scholarship honors the legacy of Ronald H. Brown through a selective scholarship program that advances higher education for community-minded and intellectually gifted African Americans. RBSP competitively awards 20 four-year $40,000 scholarships ($10,000 each year) to the most talented and economically-challenged high school seniors who demonstrate a keen interest in public service, community engagement, business entrepreneurship and global citizenship – the four pillars of the late Ronald H. Brown’s mission to uplift people of all races, cultures and ethnicities – especially our disadvantaged youth.

More information: https://ronbrown.org/ron-brown-scholarship/

Deadline: December 1, 2025

Ray Stoesser Memorial Scholarship

In partnership with the US Rice Producers Association, the Stoesser family is offering a $5,000 scholarship to one deserving high school senior or current college student who is interested in or is currently pursuing a career in an agriculture-related field. In addition to the monetary award, the selected recipient will serve as a student ambassador for USRPA in 2025, expecting to participate in at least two activities during the calendar year. The recipient will be invited to participate in various USRPA activities, including but not limited to Field Days, legislative activities, Texas Rice Council meetings, conferences, and more. In addition to completing the online application form, applicants should submit a self-produced video no longer than 5 minutes answering the following question:

What is your vision for the next generation of the U.S. rice industry? Please cover topics relevant to the future of the US rice industry, such as food security/safety, sustainability, etc.

More information: https://usriceproducers.com/scholarship/

Deadline: December 6, 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

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Scholarship

The Trustees of the Richard F. Walsh/Alfred W. Di Tolla/Harold P. Spivak Foundation are pleased to offer ten scholarship awards each year. Each winner of a scholarship will receive a total of $10,000 in scholarship funds which will be paid out at $2,500 per year over a four year period. To be eligible for this scholarship, the applicant must be the child of a member in good standing of the IATSE, grandchildren are not eligible to apply.

More information: https://iatse.net/scholarship/

Deadline: December 31, 2025

Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick Undergraduate Scholarship

The law firm of Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD awards an annual $1,500 scholarship to the child of a veteran of the U.S. armed forces. Open for high school seniors with a cumulative GPA of 3.0.

More information: https://cck-law.com/undergraduate-scholarship/

Deadline: December 31, 2025

William B. Ruggles Journalism Scholarship

The William B. Ruggles Journalism Scholarship honors the esteemed Texas journalist who coined the phrase “Right to Work” and contributed greatly to the movement’s advancement. One $2,000 scholarship is awarded annually to the student who exemplifies the dedication to the Right to Work principles and high journalistic standards of the late Mr. Ruggles.

More information: https://nilrr.org/resources/online-ruggles-journalism-scholarship-application/

Deadline: December 31, 2025

Washington Crossing Foundation Scholarship

The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the annual National Washington Crossing Foundation Scholarship Awards for students completing twelfth grade (or final high school year) in 2026 who are planning careers in government service. Scholarship applicants must be citizens of the United States. The Trustees and Members of the Foundation, mindful of the significance of the important event in our nation’s history that occurred at Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, believe that if our country is to continue to progress, we must have thoroughly trained, dedicated young people to carry on our government’s work in future years. Each interested student is invited to write a one-page essay stating why he or she plans a career in government service including any inspiration to be derived from the leadership of George Washington in his famous crossing of the Delaware. This essay must be accompanied by a recommendation from the high school principal or guidance counselor evaluating the student’s achievements, along with transcripts, national testing scores, and other supporting information of the applicant’s choice as described in the Official Rules.

More information: https://www.gwcf.org/scholarship

Deadline: January 15, 2026

Dr. Aura-Lee A. and James Hobbs Pittenger American History Scholarship

The Dr. Aura-Lee A. and James Hobbs Pittenger American History Scholarship is awarded to graduating high school students who will pursue an undergraduate degree with a concentrated study of a minimum of 24 credit hours in American History and American Government. Renewal is conditional upon maintenance of a GPA of 3.25. This award is intended to promote the study of our country's history among our finest students.

More information: https://www.dar.org/national-society/scholarships/history-etc

*There are multiple scholarships available through this organization

Deadline: January 31, 2026

Out-of-State Scholarship

At Fawell & Fawell, we understand the issues that affect students who travel to other states to attend college, and we have created a scholarship program to provide assistance for these students. Through the Fawell & Fawell Out-of-State Student Scholarship, we award $1,000 each semester to a qualified student who will be pursuing educational opportunities in a location outside of the state where they attended high school or where their parents currently live. Scholarship winners can use this money to pay for tuition, housing, other educational costs, or transportation-related expenses.

More information: https://www.fawelllaw.com/scholarship

Deadline: February 9, 2026

Scholarships for Military Children

The Scholarships for Military Children Program was created to recognize military families' contributions to the fighting force's readiness and to celebrate the commissary's role in the military family community. The Scholarships for Military Children program is open to unmarried military dependent children under the age 23 who possess a valid Uniformed Services Identification (USID) card. In addition, a student's parent(s)/sponsor(s) must be one of the following: active duty, reserve/guard, deceased, or retired from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, or Space Force.

More information: https://fisherhouse.org/programs/scholarship-programs/scholarships-for-military-children/

Deadline: February 11, 2026

American Council of the Blind Scholarships

The American Council of the Blind’s (ACB) Scholarship Program was established in 1982. The American Council of the Blind (ACB) in partnership with other organizations and individuals, offers educational scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $7,500 for entering freshman, undergraduate and graduate students, and those attending technical college. This program awards students with scholarships to help with post-secondary education financial needs such as tuition, fees, room and board and other additional costs associated with assistive technology. To be eligible for a scholarship, applicants need to be legally blind, maintain a 3.0 GPA to be eligible for most scholarships, be a full-time student or a part-time student who works at least 32 hours per week, and be involved in their school and local community. Scholarships are awarded to students who attend post-secondary institutions in the United States.

More information: https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/29558/american-council-of-the-blind-scholarships

Deadline: February 14, 2026

Do you know of a teacher or staff member that is deserving of praise and recognition? If so, please submit a RAVE Review.

Browse previous communications from the Principal to stay connected with past announcements, highlights, and reflections from our school community.

ATHLETICS: Austin Crapo - acrapo@providencehall.com

ACTIVITIES: Jill Stark - jstark@providencehall.com

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