Principal's Update

Week One Down. Are You Ready for Week Two?

Patriots, we made it through the first few days! Now that everyone is settling into classes and routines, things are picking up quickly. This week brings our first assembly, first home football game, Picture Day, important deadlines, and a few changes you will want to know about.

Are you in the know this week?

☐ I know Wednesday is Picture Day and I need to be in dress code.

☐ I know Wednesday is the FINAL deadline for schedule changes.

☐ If I drive to school, I have my parking pass before enforcement begins Thursday.

☐ I have reviewed the new stadium rules before Friday’s home football game.

☐ I know Friday has a different bell schedule for our Welcome Back Assembly.

☐ I know the PH fight song and I am ready to sing it at the assembly and game!

Can’t check them all yet? Keep reading. Everything you need is in this week’s newsletter.

There is a lot happening at PHHS this week, and that is part of what makes the start of a new year so exciting. Show up, get involved, cheer on your classmates, and make the most of it.

Choose to have a great week, Patriots!

Ms. McPhail
PHHS Principal

You’ve probably seen the words Think. Communicate. Act. around Providence Hall before. They aren’t new, and they aren’t just words for a wall. They describe what we want every student to be ready to do, both here and long after they graduate. These three words also give students, families, and staff a common language we can use when challenges, choices, and opportunities come our way.

Think critically when something doesn’t make sense. Communicate effectively even when it would be easier to stay quiet or send the angry text. Act responsibly when the choice is yours and no one is standing there telling you what to do.

Aristotle wrote, “For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.” That’s the goal. We learn to think by asking questions and solving problems. We learn to communicate by listening, speaking up, and working through disagreements. And we learn responsibility by making choices, owning our mistakes, fixing what we can, and trying again.

• When you face a decision or problem, pause and ask yourself: Am I thinking it through? Am I communicating well? Am I making a responsible choice?

• Try using the same three ideas in a conversation at home. Ask: "What do you think? "How could you communicate that?" What is the responsible next step?"

Monday, August 17:

• Schedule Changes (sign up in front office)

• Schedule Changes (sign up in front office)
• Away Girls Volleyball Game

Wednesday, August 19:

• School Picture Day!
• LAST DAY for Schedule Changes (sign up in front office)

• Home Volleyball Game (3:30, 5:00, & 6:30pm)
• Away JV Football Game

Friday, August 21:

• Welcome Back Assembly
• Home Football Game (7:00pm)
• Away Cross Country Race

• September 7: No School
• September 23 & 24: Parent Teacher Conferences
• September 25: No School
• October 1: Picture Make-Up Day
• October 2: Homecoming Assembly
• October 3: Homecoming Dance
• October 16: End of First Quarter
• October 19 - 23: Fall Break

Our seniors officially welcomed their final year at PHHS with one of our favorite traditions, Senior Sunrise! As the sun came up, the Class of 2027 gathered together to celebrate the beginning of a year filled with opportunities, memories, milestones, and plenty of firsts and lasts.

Senior year is just beginning, and the best is still on the horizon. Seniors, take the chances, show up for the moments, make the memories, and make this year count. Class of 2027, this is your year!

*Music mixed by Casen Barclay

All students must be in dress code for pictures.

The FINAL DEADLINE is Wednesday, August 19.

• No exceptions will be granted, this includes absences excused by the school, a parent/guardian, or a doctor.
• Students who will be absent must email their counselor before the deadline to request changes.

Please do not wait. Get your parking pass before enforcement begins!

We love seeing our Providence Hall families in the stands supporting our student athletes! As our fall sports season gets underway, we want every game to be safe, fun, and welcoming for everyone. Before heading to the PHHS stadium, please take a minute to review our updated Stadium Rules below with your family.

A few expectations have changed this year, so even if you are a regular at PHHS games, please give the graphic a quick read before your next visit. Then come ready to cheer loud, stay positive, and support our Patriots!

Our first assembly and home football game of the year are here, which means it is time to make sure you know the Providence Hall fight song! The fight song is one of our traditions at assemblies, games, and other school events, and we want everyone singing loud and proud.

Students, take a few minutes this week to listen to the music and learn the lyrics below. When it is time to sing together, we want the whole student body ready.

Our first assembly of the year is here! Friday’s Welcome Back Assembly will be held outside, weather permitting. We will follow our assembly bell schedule, with the assembly taking place after the first period of the day. Please see the adjusted schedule below.

Students should leave backpacks and other bags in their classrooms and will not bring phones to the assembly, in accordance with Utah’s requirements regarding student cell phone use during instructional time. Students must remain on campus during the assembly and may only leave through the regular checkout process with the front office.

Classes will be a little shorter on Friday, but it is still a regular school day. Teachers will be providing instruction and assigning work, so the assembly is not a reason to miss school.

If your student has concerns that may make attending an assembly difficult, such as noise or sensory concerns, please contact the front office before Friday so we can work with you on an appropriate plan.

Legislation requires no phones in class from bell to bell. Teachers will collect phones at the beginning of each period to ensure a focused learning environment for all. If your student doesn't have a phone, please follow the steps below based on the situation.

• There are no annual registration fees; however, students may still be responsible for class-specific fees (art, theater, production, etc.).
• Class fees can be found in the online course catalog.
• First semester class fees will be added to student accounts after August 19, once schedule changes are finalized.
• Since registration fees have been eliminated, students will no longer receive a school sweatshirt. High school-specific sweatshirts will be available for purchase through the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO).

Families applying for financial assistance should be aware that meal benefits and school fee waivers require separate applications. Completing one application does not automatically qualify a student for the other, and submitting a fee waiver application does not guarantee eligibility.

A new fee waiver application must be submitted each school year. Fee waivers are not retroactive and take effect only after approval; previously assessed or past-due fees will not be waived.

The Fee Waiver Application and Free & Reduced-Price Meal Application can both be found on the school website.

We are looking for parents who would like to be involved in helping shape programs and decisions at Providence Hall High School. Serving on a committee is a great way to provide feedback, represent the parent perspective, and support our students and school community.

High School Committees

-Book Review Committee (Meets as needed)

• Reviews instructional materials or library resources when requested.

-Sex Education Advisory Committee (Meets once each year in April)

• Reviews the school's sex education curriculum and provides parent input in accordance with state requirements.

District (K-12) Committees (Meet once per quarter)

-School Community & Culture

• Share ideas to enhance student activities, athletics, and school spirit.

-Health & Safety

• Help promote a safe, healthy, and supportive school environment.

-Curriculum

• Provide Parent feedback on academic programs and instructional resources.

-Leadership

• Collaborate with district leaders to help shape the future of Providence Hall.

If you are interested in serving on one or more committees, please complete the interest form below. Committee membership may be limited depending on the number of volunteers, and we will contact you with additional information if you are selected.

Providence Hall conducts yearly hearing screenings as recommended by the Utah Department of Health. All students in grades K-3, 7 and 11th grades will be screened, as well as all students in every grade who are receiving special education services. Hearing screenings will commence in August. Please contact Mrs. Collingridge at jcollingridge@providencehall.com with any questions or specific requests.

Our sponsorship program provides students with a structured way to seek sponsorships from local businesses and community members to help offset school fees for athletics and activities.

If you are interested in participating, please review the attached sponsorship packet and complete the required forms before reaching out to potential sponsors.

ATHLETICS: Scott Fields - sfields@providencehall.com

ACTIVITIES: Jill Stark - jstark@providencehall.com

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