Parent Newsletter #10: 9/26/25

Website | Phone: (510) 594-2626

Location: 800 Magnolia Ave, Piedmont, CA 94611
Instagram: @piedmonthigh

Parent Newsletter: Archives | Parent Club

Bell Schedule (Regular) | Library Schedule

Road to Graduation | Athletic Newsletter

College & Career Newsletter | Yearbook Info

2025-26 School Profile | Student Handbook

Principal: Dr. Yoshihara | Asst. Principal: Mr. Marik

Dear Highlander Families,

Welcome to October...almost. It was an amazing Spirit Week. I would like to thank ASB, our staff, and students for such great participation on the varied themes this week. Everyone was amazing.

Earlier this week, I was incredibly proud to show off the accomplishment of your students and our staff at the State of the School presentation. The Board's accolades are a testament to what you as a school community have accomplished. Every day, I get to see amazing, and for that I am thankful. You may view the slide deck here. You may view the presentation here.

Everyone is welcome this evening to the homecoming game in your full purple regalia as we welcome Arroyo into the Highlander House. It should be a great time. Bring food, buy food, mingle with family and friend, but most importantly, root on the home team!

Warmly,

Dr. Yoshihara

October 4: PreACT at PHS

October 4: Oktoberfest (more info below)

October 5: PUSD Rainbow Connections (11-12:30pm, Piedmont Park)

October 8: Financial Aid Night (6-8pm, AHT)

October 13: Indigenous People's Day and non-student day

October 18: PSAT at PHS

November 1: Day of the Dead Celebration (5-7pm, Student Center & Amphitheater)

November 2: Daylight Savings Time ends

This is your last chance to purchase Homecoming Dance tickets on Infinite Campus for $10. Students will be charged $15 at the door if they do not buy tickets beforehand. We look forward to seeing our schools come together this Friday and Saturday for the rally, football game, and dance. Wear Purple for the game tonight!

The dance will be on Saturday 9/27 from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Please wear flat soled shoes. Students, please line-up at the top of the Binks staircase for check-in (which will include an outdoor breathalyzer test). Small purses/handbags will be allowed in after being searched. Backpacks and large bags will be taken and stored until after the dance. Once at the dance, students will not be allowed to leave until 9:00 pm.

If you have any questions, please reach out. We look forward to a fun and safe night!

We still need a few parent volunteers! Please sign up if you are available.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090B4AAAAB22A75-58585392-phshomecoming#/

We are making great progress in our attendance for the current year. We are hovering just around 98% thus far. We are also making strides in reducing our tardies. I see students moving to their classes with less time loitering in the halls and outside areas.

I would like us to increase our on-time attendance during the first class of the day--periods 1 and 2. As such, I will consider positive incentives to support this. The general idea is that students who arrive before the first bell (8:20 am) can get a raffle ticket from me. They can then put it into a raffle jar. Then, once a week, we will draw a winner to get some prize. And of course maybe spotlighting the student with a photo and their prize would emphasize our efforts in this space.

I'm a few weeks to a month from putting this fully into place, but wanted to let our families know that this is coming. My goal is to get to zero tardies to periods 1 and 2. Let's do this!

Some parents who attended the August Parents' Club meeting provided feedback that Friday mornings were not easy to attend. They asked us to consider nighttime and Zoom meetings. To be responsive, and to welcome and encourage greater participation and involvement from a wider group of parents/families, we are changing the October meeting to nighttime on Monday, October 20, 7:00-8:30pm, and the November 14 meeting to Zoom only (still Friday morning). Please join us!

REVISED 2025-2026 Meeting Dates, 9:00-10:30am in the Alan Harvey Theater Lobby (unless specified below)

• August 15
• September 19
• October 20, 7:00-8:30 pm
• November 14, Zoom only
• December 12
• January 16
• February 13
• March 20
• April 17
• May 15

Have a fun and spirited weekend,

Sally Baack and Dana Lung

Co-Presidents, PHS Parents' Club 2025-2026

The PHS Parents' Club will celebrate World Teacher Day next week Friday, October 3, to honor the dedication and commitment of our faculty and staff. Our fabulous Hospitality team is organizing a catered lunch and is asking parents to sign up to contribute drinks, dessert, coffee pods (for the teachers' lounge and front office) and monetary donations if they can. Here's the sign-up and thank you in advance!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508044CA5AD2DA20-58740767-phsworld

Later this evening, an important survey will go out to all 9th-11th grade students seeking input on potential course offerings for 2026-27. This is an important step in the decision-making process of offering new courses. We ask that you encourage your children to check their email and answer the 9 questions as honestly as possible. The survey will close at 5pm on Wednesday, October 1. I have attached the questions for the survey below.

Believe it or not, Oktoberfest is just around the corner. The committees are in full gear and are seeking volunteers. The committee is seeking both adult and student volunteers to make this fundraising event a success.

Students, you can earn service hours towards Honor Society. Student volunteer roles include food service, help with setup and decorations, and distributing flyers before the event. If you're interested, please sign up here.

Parents, the committee would love your help as well. From pouring beverages, to helping setup/teardown, to delivering the many items that are needed to make this event happen, there is something for everyone. Shifts are only 1.5 hours, and then you have the rest of the day to enjoy Oktoberfest. Please sign up here or reach out to Erin Dando for more information.

As for tickets? Yes, we have those too. Buy 1 or buy 10. Come alone or come with the whole neighborhood! These dollars directly support PHS athletics via Boosters. We thank you in advance for your support. Buy Oktoberfest Tickets

This is a reminder that students must attend school to participate in after school activities (i.e. athletic practice, athletic competition, musical production rehearsal, etc.). See language from our handbook below:

Attendance & Absences Day of Event

A student participating in extracurricular activities may not have any unexcused absences on the day of an extracurricular event in order to participate in the event.

Failure to attend the majority (+51%) of a student's assigned classes prior to time for dismissal for the extracurricular event, even when the absences from these classes are excused by the parent/guardian, will make the student ineligible to participate in the event. In compelling circumstances, the principal or designee may make exceptions to this rule.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Marik.

Students, are you interested in learning more about the life of a professional actor? Do you want to know more about the world of Broadway musicals?

Attend Ms. Taylor's Academy on Friday, October 3, to hear from PHS alum, Tyler Ellis as he discusses his current experience touring with the Broadway show Shucked. Don't miss this opportunity to learn about the realities of life on the road with a major production!

The voluntary Academy discussion will be in the Drama Classroom, Room 212 (the second floor of the theater building), or in the Alan Harvey Theater depending on space needs. Please tag Ms. Taylor for Academy to get permission to partake in this amazing opportunity.

At the school board meeting on September 10, the Piedmont Education Foundation (PEF) proudly presented a giant check for $4,116,427 to PUSD. This record-breaking grant represents a year of dedicated fundraising and highlights the incredible support from our community.

94% of this grant directly funds the people who make Piedmont schools exceptional: our classroom teachers, librarians, paraeducators, classroom aides, intervention specialists, technology coordinators, counselors, nurses, psychologists, athletics staff, and special education professionals.

This year’s Giving Campaign launched on Tuesday. PEF encourages everyone to keep the momentum going at PiedmontEdFoundation.org/donate.

We have confirmed with Berkeley City College our Dual Enrollment courses for Spring 26. We are excited to let you know that we have two courses that we are offering:

• Math 3E: Linear Algebra. In this course, students will study linear equations, vectors, matrices, and vector spaces, and their associated linear transformations.
• Instructor: Professor Parasiuk-Zasun (same as Math 3C)
• Dates of Instruction: January 21-May 15
• Final Exams: Week of May 18-23
• Units: 3
• Meeting Times: W/F: 1:20-2:35 pm
• Pre/Co-requisite: Math Analysis, Honors Math Analysis, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, Math 3E
• Instruction during breaks: TBD
• Business 45: Small Business Management. This course will provide an overview of the factors involved in starting or growing a business: Business plan development; marketing, sales, and promotional strategies; financial management and forecasting techniques; human resources management; and information systems management.
• Instructor: Professor Langford
• Dates of Instruction: January 20-May 14
• Final Exams: Week of May 18-23
• Units: 3
• Meeting Times: T/Th: 2:05-3:20 pm
• Pre/Co-requisite: Financial Literacy recommended, strong writing skills
• During President’s week (2/16-20) and Piedmont’s Spring break (4/6-10) no in-person classes will be held, but students will be expected to complete work asynchronously. On March 24 and 31, class will run from 2:30-3:45 pm.
• During PCCD’s spring break (March 30-April 3) no in-person classes will be held, but students will be expected to complete work asynchronously.

Students should see their counselors to sign up for either/both of these courses. Please note that these are college-level courses, are all weighted, and do not apply against the credit limit defined in the Alt Credits Policy.

The test orders have been placed! Students who have registered will receive direct emails next week with logistics and test set-up information. See Ms. Low or Mr. Marik with questions after you have received this email.

If you are available on October 18 and can volunteer to help proctor the PSAT, please sign up below.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090B4AAAAB22A75-58942430-satparent

There will be a virtual training for all volunteers on either September 29 or October 14 at 4:00pm. Zoom information will be sent to volunteers after they sign up. If volunteers can't make the training, all materials will be available for review.

PHS Arts is thrilled to partner with local Piedmont artist Will Mouat in support of our incredible student artists! From September 17 through October 5, when you make a $150 donation to the PHS Arts Materials Fund, you’ll receive an archival giclée print by Will Mouat — a beautiful piece of art and a meaningful way to support the next generation of Piedmont artists. Please visit this website for details and donation information.

The Piedmont community's support of the Visual Arts has always been strong, and we are deeply grateful for it. Your contribution helps ensure our students have access to the materials they need to learn, grow, and create. Our current kiln has served PHS Arts faithfully for over 9 years, but it's finally reached the end of the line, the cost to repair it now exceeds the cost to replace it. Our goal? To see 30 of Will’s beautiful, posters proudly displayed throughout Piedmont — each one supporting the future of visual arts at PHS. The first $3000 in donations will go toward buying a new PHS kiln, and any amount in addition to that will be shared by the arts departments at all grade levels.

Let’s kick off the school year together!

When: Thursday, October 16 · 6:30–8:30 pm

Where: 51st & Tel

5018 Telegraph Ave. @ 51st St.

Casual attire

The owners are happy for us to bring in food—you can order pizza from Pizzaiolo or delicious Ethiopian from next door. Beverages available for purchase.

Come out and join us - we hope to see you there!

Hosted by: Julia Ruthven, Amelie Kappes, Susan Fizzell & Ramya Srinivasen

AP Test Ordering will go live in the next two weeks. Students must indicate in their College Board profile if they are taking the test AND pay for the test through the IC store. More details to come.

Any student taking an AP exam or any of the SAT exams must create a College Board account. Directions can be found here. We encourage students to use a personal email address so they can access their account after graduating high school. If a student has already made an account with their school email, they should update the email address for their account. DO NOT make a second account. Students should see Mr. Marik if they have any questions or can call College Board directly.

College Board's Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) provides approved testing accommodations for the PSAT, SAT, and AP exams. Students work with their school's SSD coordinator to request accommodations through SSD Online, College Board's online management system. The process involves the school submitting the request with documentation of the student's disability and the need for accommodations. Once approved, the student can use these accommodations on College Board exams throughout high school.

How to Request Accommodations

1. Contact your school's SSD Coordinator:

   Each school has a designated SSD coordinator, such as a special education coordinator or guidance counselor, who serves as a liaison with College Board.

2. Submit the Request:

   The SSD coordinator uses the online system, SSD Online, to submit accommodation requests for the student.

3. Provide Documentation:

   The student's parents/guardians must consent to the request, and the school provides appropriate documentation of the student's disability and how it impacts their ability to take the test.

4. Track the Status:

   The SSD coordinator can use SSD Online to track the status of the accommodation request.

   
   

Please email Chris Hartford, if you want to request official accommodations on College Board exams. chartford@piedmont.k12.ca.us.

All student chromebooks feature a web content filter that works at school and at home. Unlike many student phones, the chromebooks run a CIPA (Children's Internet Protection Act) compliant filter that does a good job blocking students from inappropriate content, including pornography, obscenity, gambling and other types of undesirable content. Additionally our filter blocks access to many non-educational resources to help reinforce the devices' use as a tool for school. Of course, no filter is perfect, and interpretations of "appropriate" content differ, and the internet is an ever-growing landscape where new sites are created everyday.

In addition to the filter already at work on your child's school issued chromebook, we also have a tool that provides parents with more control over the school issued chromebook after school hours. The GoGuardian Parent App gives parents and guardians the ability to see their child's browsing history, turn off their child's internet access at any time after school hours, and/or block specific sites, among other things. Of course-- this only applies to activity on the school chromebook.

To access the app, please follow the below instructions:

1. Download the app

1. Download via Apple Store

2. Download via Google Play Store

2. After the app is successfully downloaded and installed, open it up and enter the email address you have provided to the school (the address that bulletins, etc. get sent to).

3. Login/Check Email: Check your email on your phone for a link to log in to the app. Tap the "Verify your email", and it will take you straight to the app. Note: If you don't have access to your email through the device you used to log in, tap on "Login with verification code", and copy and paste the verification code from the email into the app.

If you have any questions, please reach out to asaville@piedmont.k12.ca.us.

More information about the service can be found here: GoGuardian Parent for Guardians.

Step by step instructions for setting up access can be found here: Getting Started with GoGuardian Parent.

Sun Oct 5, 11-12:30 pm. Join us for PUSD’s first LGBTQ+ Family & Staff Meet Up - Rainbow Connections. Come join us in Piedmont Park to meet and connect with other LGBTQ+ families in PUSD. This event is open to all parents/guardians and staff (and their kids!) within PUSD who identify as LGBTQ+.

Our families are fantastic, and I notice from time to time donations of items that may not be used anymore. I am reaching out to see if any of our families may have an extra keyboard or two that they would consider donating to a great cause. We have two distinct needs for keyboards:

1. Our World Languages program does a singing competition each year, twice a year. Our students often like to have music accompany their performance and a keyboard is a staple of this performance.
2. Our music program is growing and with multiple pianists in some of our classes, we could use an additional keyboard.

If this is something you may have or know someone who may be able to help, please reach out to me so I can verify if the item matches the need of our teachers. Thanks so much.

During Office Hours Academies, you can:

RECEIVE TUTORING SUPPORT

If you want peer support in IM1, IM2, IM3, biology or chemistry (more subjects coming soon) TAG Mr. Ortak for Wednesdays in Rm 127 and Ms. Branisa on Fridays in the library in Responsive Scheduler.

PROVIDE TUTORING SUPPORT

If you want to be a peer tutors in IM1, IM2, IM3, biology or chemistry (more subjects coming soon) and earn community service hours, send an email to peertutoring@piedmont.k12.ca.us for sign-up details AND tag Mr. Ortak for Wednesday in rm 127 and Ms. Branisa on Fridays in the library

IN RESPONSIVE SCHEDULER::

Scroll down to Peer Tutoring and tag the appropriate teacher and day.

The Wellness Center needs your help with donations of allergen free granola bars for students. These delicious goodies help make the Wellness Center a warm and welcoming place.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044EA9AD2EA1FC1-57876095-wellness#/

You can drop the items off anytime during school hours of your selected week (preferably on Monday) at the Wellness Center, located in the Library/30s building at the high school.

Thank you so much for supporting student mental health in our community.

Take care,

The Wellness Center Support Committee

I wanted to share that not only are our students great on the sportsfield and in the classroom, some are amazing performers on nationally recognized exams. In this case, we have 6 students who qualify as national merit semifinalists based on their PSAT performance in their junior year.

Test takers who score in the top 1% of the PSAT become Semifinalists, a significant accomplishment. Each year the NMSC awards semifinalist status to around 16,000 high school students.

Here are our National Merit Semi-Finalists who may go on to compete for the scholarship and become a National Merit Finalist.

• Milo Bakshi
• Miles Kim
• Athena Li
• Maddox Ma
• Aidan Patty
• Nathan Tuan

I wanted to take a moment to share the Commended Students on the 2024 PSAT. This is the next 34,000 students and are also among the top scorers in the nations. Along with the above, they are in the top 50,000 overall student. This is a great accomplishment and I wanted to recognize each of them below. Congratulations to all of these scholars!

• Alex Chin
• Cassie Colby
• Audrey Dickinson
• Julian Gird
• Sam Huynh
• Kate Jumper
• Niko Kalamas
• Darcy McKee
• Nate McKenzie
• Petro Papahadjopoulos
• Luck Peterson
• Olive Reining
• Noah Sohn
• Kalyani Spieckerman
• Naomi Treichler
• Nate Welch
• Jerry Jialin Yu

Do you have these PUSD Google Calendars ADDED to your PUSD Google Calendars?

1. PHS Events Calendar - Click ADD Google Calendar in bottom left corner
2. PHS/MHS Bell Schedule - Click ADD Google Calendar in bottom left corner
3. PHS/MHS Academy Schedule -- Click ADD Google Calendar in bottom left corner

OR ADD ALL THREE CALENDARS from the PHS website Calendar page
----> Click the "+" at the bottom right of the embedded Google Calendar.

Forty year veteran Acalanes High School teacher and nine year Mock Trial Coach Larry Freeman will take the stand as PHS Mock Trial Coach for the 2026-7 season.

Freeman, a Rhetoric Major at UC Berkeley and informal pre-law student with his sights set on becoming a prosecuting attorney, ultimately answered a deep seated calling to teaching which ultimately led him to attend Cal's School of Education.

The Cal Bear who graduated with High Honors, holds three secondary teaching credentials in Social Studies, English enhanced by professional Journalism experience.

Freeman takes the gavel from past PHS Mock Trial Coach, Hillary Freeman, his daughter, now in her sixth year as a Highlander Social Studies teacher.

"PHS Mock Trial has a powerful, inspirational ethos of student leadership from veteran members, and I am excited to help channel that energy and esprit de corps to carry on a program designed to let the kids have fun in a powerful immersion learning environment," said Freeman.

"We want to get as large a group of student members as possible to be a part of this special program, including ninth graders. I am looking towards the PHS parent community to also become active and engaged team supporters and fans," he added.

"To be honest, watching a Mock Trial in action in a County Courthouse setting rivals or surpasses conventional student drama or sporting events. You have to see one to believe it, and it's amazing how kids can internalize the learning and literally take it to court.

It is a high impact character and critical thinking skills builder. Plus, it's like living in a mystery story where we get to develop our own plot lines and twists," he said.

Tryouts start soon. Please reach out to Heiko for more information.

Well, our first orders have arrived, and we are delivering them to our students and families. With sports well underway and Spirit Week fast approaching, this may be a great time to consider PHS Spirit Wear. You can purchase a variety of items in the IC Store. You can wear these on Friday or any day you like.

Dear PHS Families,

By now you should all have access to our Learning Management System, Schoology. If you had logged in to a parent account in Schoology prior to this year, you will be able to access Schoology the same way you have in the past. If you are a new parent to PHS or have not accessed Schoology in the past, this week you should have received an email from Schoology with information that includes your username and temporary password, as well as a link that will bring you where you need to go to access Schoology. If you have questions about accessing your account on Schoology, please reach out to Adam Saville (asaville@piedmont.k12.ca.us).

Once you have logged into Schoology, click on your name in the top right hand corner. You should get a drop-down menu that includes your child's name. When you click on their name, you'll then get access to their class information in Schoology, including updates, assignments, and grades. Our school uses Schoology to provide a central location for homework assignments (and digital submissions), grades, class activities, interactive discussions, announcements, and more. The flexible system provides one place for all students, teachers and parents to go for day-to-day classroom information. For more on what you can access when viewing your child's activity in Schoology, click HERE

What is PPN?

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 All parents of students at PHS/PMS/MHS are welcome - there are no membership dues - RSVP and show up!

When are the next meetings?

12th Grade:

Tuesday, October 21: 7:30-9:00 pm

Facilitators: Sara Ironside, Jen Ferguson

RSVP: jen.c.ferg@gmail.com for more information

Meetings for the remainder of the year:

• Wednesday, November 19: 7:30-9:00 pm

• Wednesday, December 17: TBD (tentative date)

• Thursday, January 22: 7:30-9:00 pm

• Wednesday, February 25: 7:30-9:00 pm

• Wednesday, March 25: 7:30-9:00 pm

• Thursday, April 23: 7:30-9:00 pm

• Tuesday, May 19: 7:30-9:00 pm

11th Grade:

Wednesday, October 22: 7:00-8:30 pm: College Choices: What’s the best fit for your child? We are still looking for a host for this meeting and seeking input for topics for future meetings. If you have thoughts, please fill out this form: Google Form for 11 Grade

Facilitator: Kristen Brett

RSVP: kbrett@srvusd.net

Meetings for the remainder of the year:

• Thursday, November 20: 7:00-8:30 pm

• Thursday, January 22: 7:00-8:30 pm

• Wednesday, February 25: 7:00-8:30 pm

• Thursday, March 26: 7:00-8:30 pm

• Thursday, April 23: 7:00-8:30 pm

10th Grade

Next Meeting Date: Coming Soon!

Facilitators: Sarah Puckett, Maggie Mittan

RSVP: sarahbeamish@hotmail.com or maggie.mittan@gmail.com to be added to the 10th grade PPN email list.

9th Grade:Wednesday, October 15: 7:00-8:30 pm

Facilitators: Judy Lin, Yoko Ichikawa, Anne Hawkins

RSVP: hawkins42@gmail.com for location information

Upcoming Meetings:

• Thursday, November 13: 8:45-10:00 am

• Tuesday, December 9: 7:00-8:30 pm

• Shout out to Saniyah for representing both PHS and MHS at the last Board meeting. Also, I appreciate her knowledge of NCAA requirement for college. They are tougher than the state requirements for graduation.
• A special Thank you to Kim Hunter. You are amazing in so many ways and an invaluable asset to the PHS community. We are lucky to have you!