PGHS September Newsletter

Warm Regards,

Dr. Gonzalez

PGHS Principal

Ms. Buonanno brings a passion for student success and a rich background in educational leadership. Recognized as a two-time Allentown School District "You are the Light" Teacher of the Year award winner, she is deeply committed to building safe, inclusive, and positive environments where all students can thrive.

Her extensive background spans special education, student support, and school leadership. She has served in pivotal roles including Emotional Support Teacher, Dean of Students, and Behavior Management Specialist. She partners closely with teachers, students, and families to implement positive behavior supports, foster restorative practices, and ensure every child has the guidance they need to succeed academically and socially.

Outside the classroom when she isn't at school, Ms. Buonanno loves spending time outdoors immersed in nature, whether she’s hiking, kayaking, paddleboarding, or working in her garden. An avid reader and sports enthusiast, she enjoys both playing and watching sports and unwinding with a good book.

Ms. Buonanno looks forward to connecting with our parents, guardians, and families to make this a wonderful school year!

Greetings PGHS Families,

Welcome to the start of a new year. I hope you and your family had a restful and enjoyable summer. The fresh new year is a chance to meet new people, build positive relationships and habits, and set goals for success.

A strong partnership between home and school is one of the greatest factors in student success. We value open, honest, and consistent communication with our families. It is important to stay current with communication that is sent home. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

A change that you may have heard about includes bookbags. We heard your voices and are allowing only clear or mesh bookbags. They also make a clear tote if you decide to go that route. All other forms of bookbags will need to be stowed in their locker for the school day.

I would like to take some time to review expectations of certain things.

• Unexcused tardies to school has been our biggest infraction in the past. Please encourage your student to arrive at school on time. If your student is running late, please provide a written note or email HSabsent@pgsd.org with an approved excuse.

• With warm weather still here, students are still required to abide by our dress code. Shoulders, backs, and midriffs should not be exposed.

• Students are allowed three passes per day with a seven minute limit. Anything over seven minutes on a pass is a pass violation, and a referral will be submitted.

• Here is the student handbook for you to review.

Get Involved! It is important for students to get involved in our many clubs and activities for the social aspect and a break from curriculum. There is something for everyone! There is a list of our student activities and clubs on our website at the following link: https://hs.pgsd.org/athletics-activities/student-activities-clubs. You can’t go wrong for joining a club for all the value it holds.

Thanks,

Mr. Zacharda

PGHS Asstistant Principal

• Friday, September 4: No School
• Monday, September 7: No School - Labor Day
• Tuesday, September 8: CADY Senior Portraits in PGHS Auditorium from 8:15AM - 5:15PM
• Wednesday, September 9: PTSA Meeting in PGHS Library @ 6:00PM
• Tuesday, September 15: CIT Committee Meeting in DO Board Room @ 6:30PM
• Wednesday, September 16: School Photo Day in PGHS Gymnasium
• Tuesday, September 22: School Board Meeting in PGHS LGI Room @ 7:00PM
• Thursday, September 24th: Post Secondary Transition Night @ 6:00 PM in the Auditorium
• Wednesday, September 30: ACT 80 Early Dismissal (AM Tech to WMCTC)

Celebrate your student with a Yearbook "Baby Picture" or "Parent Recognition Ads" -- Create a yearbook recognition ad to celebrate your student's remarkable journey.

Submit your ad by Friday, November 20, 2026 at the following link:

First Day Packets should be available to parents/guardians for all students at this time. Please check your email (including spam/junk folders) to locate this email from noreplyregistration@powerschool.com, regarding "Pottsgrove Annual First Day Packet SnapCode." First day packets must be completed for each student enrolled at PGHS. If you are unable to see your student's schedule in Powerschool, please double check that the First Day Packet for your student has been completed and submitted.

UNDERCLASSMEN PHOTO DAY

Picture Day is coming soon.

Save the Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2026

You can save $10 on photo packages when you order before picture day! Just click the photo below to be directed to the CADY website to order your photo package for your student.

CLASS OF 2027 -- SCHEDULE YOUR SENIOR PORTRAITS NOW!

Senior portrait scheduling opened on May 1.

We still have seniors that have not yet scheduled their senior portrait session.

Don't wait! Schedule your formal senior portrait session as soon as possible. November 16 is the final day for Pottsgrove seniors to be photographed for inclusion in the 2027 yearbook.

Book your appointment at: cady.com/schedule

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Didn't we used to use Lifetouch Prestige?

A: Yes! Lifetouch Prestige was our previous senior portrait photographer. This year, we have partnered with CADY Photography for all formal senior and undergrad portraits.

Q: Why do I need to schedule with CADY?

A: CADY is the only photographer contracted with Pottsgrove High School for formal senior portraits. The formal drape/tux and cap-and-gown photos used in the yearbook's senior portrait section must be taken by CADY.

Q: Can I use photos from another photographer?

A: No. Only formal senior portraits taken by CADY can be used in the official senior portrait section of the yearbook.

Q: Are there appointments available at Pottsgrove High School?

A: CADY offered in-school portrait sessions, but those appointments filled very quickly. We are working with CADY to see if additional Pottsgrove dates can be added.

However, CADY encourages students to visit their Exton studio, where they can enjoy the full senior portrait experience and often have more appointment options available.

Q: When will CADY be at Pottsgrove High School?

A: CADY is currently scheduled to photograph seniors at Pottsgrove on (these photo spots are already filled):

Monday, September 8, 2026

• 8:15 AM – 5:15 PM
• Senior Formal Portraits
• High School Auditorium

Thursday, October 1, 2026

• 1:00 PM – 8:30 PM
• Senior Formal Portraits
• High School Auditorium

Q: What photos are included?

A: Your formal senior portrait session includes the yearbook-required:

• Formal drape or tux portrait
• Cap-and-gown portrait

Q: What should I do now?

A: Schedule your appointment today!

Visit cady.com/schedule and reserve your session!

We want every member of the Class of 2027 represented in the yearbook!

Check out the flyer below to see how you can get help in any subject from your NHS peers:

The Class of 2028 is selling Applebee's Burger Coupons to fundraise for a class trip next year! A burger and fries coupon can be purchased for $10 (cash only). Burger coupons can be purchased at home sporting events or by contacting Mrs. Tina Cappiello with any questions! (tcappiello@pgsd.org)

If your child was not able to participate in Montgomery County's annual Special Olympics this school year, they need a new physical. Be sure to secure a doctor's appointment and have this attached medical form returned to Ms. DeStefano by January 4, 2027.

• Have you ever wanted to feel like you're a part of our global community, but don't have the opportunity to travel the world?
• Has your kid come home all excited about exchange students from far off places?
• Are you the kind of person who likes to show new people around & tell them about our community?

Then hosting a German exchange student for two weeks could be for you!

meetings, and other important information

from our Athletic Department.

Attention Seniors – College Application Season is Here!

Fall is an exciting and busy time for college-bound seniors! Two important platforms—Common App and Naviance—work together throughout the application process.

• Common App is one website students can use to complete and submit applications to participating colleges.
• Naviance is used to request transcripts and teacher recommendations and to track college application materials.

Seniors and families, please check out our College Application PowerPoint to learn how to use Common App and Naviance together and successfully complete each step of the application process:

All seniors must have a Parent Release of Records form on file before the counseling department can send initial transcripts as part of the college application process.

The form is:

• Available at the link below
• Available in the High School Guidance Office
• Located in the Document Resources folder in Naviance

Please note that this form does not send a transcript. It simply gives the counseling department permission to send transcripts to colleges you request through the application process.

Finally, seniors are encouraged to review the attached College Application Overview, which contains important information and timelines to help you navigate the application process successfully.

PSAT

• The PSAT will be administered to all 10th grade students and registered 11th grade students on Wednesday, October 14th.
• The PSAT (Preliminary SAT) is a standardized test for high school students, usually taken in 10th and 11th grade. Its main purpose is to serve as a practice run for the SAT, which is a key part of the college application process.
• The test will begin at 7:30 am and end at approximately 10:00 am. Students are required to bring a fully charged laptop to the test.

SAT

• This is a reminder that the SAT will be administered to registered 12th grade students on Wednesday, October 7th.

• The test will be begin at 7:30 am and end at approximately 10:15 am.
• Students: Please bring a fully charged laptop to the test.

PGHS Students are assigned to guidance counselors based on last name. Please see the alphabetic breakdown below to find which counselor to contact for your student, should you need to do so.

A-E - Mrs. Bossler, jbossler@pgsd.org

F-Le - Mr. Kincaid, skincaid@pgsd.org

Li-Ror - Mrs. Ebert, kebert@pgsd.org

Ros-Z - Mrs. Childs, lchilds@pgsd.org

Guidance Assistant - Mrs. Kelly Crowell - kcrowell2@pgsd.org

Pottsgrove High School has an onsite Drug & Alcohol Counselor, Samantha Leonard, available. Parents, feel free to contact her if you have any questions about her services and how she may be able to assist your student. Her email address is samantha.leonard@pgsd.org .

SENIOR CLASS OF 2027: Per the PA State Immunization Regulation Incoming Seniors are required to have a 2nd dose of Meningococcal A Immunization. The 2nd dose is not required if the first dose was after the age of 16. Please send in immunization records to the School Nurse to prevent your student being excluded from school at the beginning of the new school year beginning today, September 1, 2026.

Hello Pottsgrove

Once a Falcon, always a Falcon! We’re working to reconnect with our incredible alumni and build a strong Falcon Family that lasts a lifetime. Whether you walked our halls last year or decades ago, we want to stay in touch, celebrate our shared history, and invite you to future alumni events, reunions, and special gatherings.

Your involvement can make a difference! By staying connected, you’ll have opportunities to:

🦅 Attend alumni events and reunions

🦅 Support student programs and initiatives

🦅 Network with fellow Falcons

🦅 Give back through mentorship and community involvement

We’d love to have your updated contact information so we can keep you in the loop. Please take a moment to share your phone number, email, and social media details so we can reach out with exciting updates.

Please click here to share your info!

Let’s keep the Falcon spirit alive—because our community is stronger together!

The Pottsgrove Village is a collaboration between families of children with special needs and the school district's Special Education Department with a goal of increasing understanding, inclusion and advocacy through education and networking. Learn more about the Pottsgrove Village on our website or in the brochure below.

Dr. Felicia Gonzalez

PGHS Principal

fgonzalez@pgsd.org

610-326-5105 x 7385

Mr. Mike Zacharda

PGHS Assistant Principal

mzacharda@pgsd.org

610-326-5105 x 7399

Ms. Brittny Buonnano

PGHS Dean of Students

brittny.buonanno@pgsd.org

610-326-5105 x 7302

The MCIU is hosting a virtual Parent Information Session on October 13th at 11:30! Please join them to explore the career, training, and support options available to students after graduation. Hear from regional experts about pathways to meaningful employment, career-focused training, and a successful future after high school.

In addition, the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit is offering paid internships and Manufacturing specific training scholarships (up to $2,000) for young adults, ages 18–24, who live in Montgomery County and are looking to enter the manufacturing workforce. Get real, hands-on experience with a local manufacturer — and a foot in the door for a full-time job. If interested, please fill out the Interest Form on the flyer and someone will reach out to you with next steps!

Click the photos below for more information and sign-ups...

Stay Well, Build Your Skills is a VIRTUAL mental health/wellness group for youth grades 8-12. The first half of the session is an open support group. In the second half, youth learn about a specific mental health skill.

The skills topics for the fall will include: managing academic stress (the Sept. 24 topic), mindfulness, breathing for balance, managing strong emotions and more. We've attached a general flyer to share - once the topics/dates are all set, we will send out an updated flyer.

The group will re-start on Thursday September 24, 7-8:30pm, and will run for 6 sessions every other Thursday night.

You can find more information online at https://namimainlinepa.org/ OR to register for the fall sessions, click on the photo below:

Victim Services Center of Montgomery County offers trauma-specific counseling for victims of abuse, harassment, community violence and other crimes. See additional information below or click on the picture to be directed to their website:

Please see below for some available assistance programs in our community:

This oil program supplies heating oil or propane to qualifying, low-income families in Montgomery, Chester and Bucks counties. If you are in need of oil assistance, please check our website for oil program updates.

Questions? Contact Kelli DeSieno by calling: 610-970-5995 ext. 121.

Orion Communities is a local nonprofit organization that offers services and resources to marginalized and at-risk neighbors. ORION is currently running a program in which they can support those in need of Oil or Propane for their Heating Systems. They also may be able to assist families experiencing hardship with paying PECO bills. Please reach out to the phone number on the attached Flyer for more assistance!