Parent Newsletter #21: 1/10/25

Website: https://phs.piedmont.k12.ca.us/
Location: 800 Magnolia Ave, Piedmont, CA 94611
Phone: (510) 594-2626 | Instagram: @piedmonthigh

Parent Newsletter: Archives

2024-25 School Profile | Bell Schedule (Regular)

Road to Graduation | Yearbook Info

College & Career Newsletter | Athletic Newsletter

Principal: Dr. Yoshihara

Assistant Principal: Mr. Marik

Dear Highlander Families,

Happy, happy, happy New Year's to all our Highlander families. I hope the break was rejuvenating, memorable, and filled with joy.

We have hit the ground running in 2025 with course selection for students. I want to let all families of current 9th-11th grade students know that we will have the parent orientation for 2025-26 course selection next Wednesday, starting at 6:30 pm. The presentation will last about an hour with Q&A afterwards.

The event is geared towards parents, but students are invited to attend. We have much exciting information to share including a bevy of new course offerings and some changes with existing courses. We will plan to record the event and share it out, along with the slide deck, afterwards.

We will not be able to provide a concurrent remote session, however.

Warmly,

Dr. Yoshihara

January 13: 2025 Football Info Night (7:30-8:30 pm in the Student Center)

January 14: Basketball vs Bishop O'Dowd (see below)

January 15: Fire Drill (special schedule)

January 15: 9th-11th grade parent orientation night (starts at 6:30 pm in AHT)

January 30-February 2: PHS Musical

Wednesday - Fire drill. Special schedule.

Friday - Academic Support for all - students can tag their teacher for homework help, study support or assessment questions. Remind your child to tag a teacher in FlexiSched starting Tuesday morning at 8am.

I would like to throw a plug for an exciting game next Tuesday with our basketball teams. They will be playing O'Dowd and it would be wonderful if we can get our community to come in their purple and support out students. This should be an exciting, jam-packed competition from start to finish.

Boys JV at 4 pm

Girls V at 5:30 pm

Boys V at 7 pm

Go Highlanders!

We are in the midst of course selection for next year. As counselors begin to meet with students and staff provides informational nights, you can review the updated 2025-26 Course Catalog on our website or as a single document. Thank you for having your child(ren) at PHS.

Hello Everyone! As we start off the new semester, there are many things to think about and be ready for.

Seniors

• Mid year reports- Typically colleges on the Common Application ask for semester 1 grades. These will be ready by 1/14. So, unless you tell us otherwise, we will be sending in your semester 1 grades for any Common Application College at that time.
• If there is a college/ university not on the Common App ( does not include UC or CSU), please let us know if a college needs a mid year report.
• Early Decision- If you were able to be admitted to a college under Early Decision- Congratulations!!! This is a reminder that you need to withdraw your other college applications. This is noted in the Early Decision agreement and you are also keeping an admission spot for another student.
• Please see your counselor if you have any questions.
• Deferred or have not heard from your college yet or need support for an application decision? Please come by the counseling office for any support or help. AND Let's all support each other as you wait to hear from colleges. Many students will have to wait to hear about college decisions until March, and some students might be disappointed in decisions.
• No matter what happens, we should be uplifting and supporting one another through this process!
• Dropping a class- We encourage you to not drop a class at this time. Your applications are determined partly by your senior classes.

Juniors

• Set up meetings with C&CC! - If you haven’t already done so, please sign up to meet with Ms. M-L to discuss your plans for post graduation.

All students

• Course changes-Please use the QR code for any course changes to help us facilitate this process. And please go to your classes in your schedule until you hear from your counselor about any course changes.
• TAs- There is a TA form you need to have a teacher sign (outside on the bulletin board of the counseling office) in order to have a TA class in your schedule.

Course selection- Important dates

The time has come for us to look to the school year 2025-2026 and request our classes. You should utilize the resources under the “Course Selection process” in the counseling / PHS website (AP/Honors Course expectations, time management worksheet). Please be aware of these important dates:

1/15- Current 9th to 11th gr college and course request info presentation starting at 6:30 pm in the Alan Harvey Theater.

Throughout January, counselors will present course request information in classes to current 9-11th grade students.

Calling all artists and writers! The Piedmont Anti-Racism and Diversity Committee (PADC) invites all K-12 students to share personal art or writing inspired by the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The art and writing will be showcased at Piedmont’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration on Monday, Jan. 20. (Check out last year’s amazing work!). All participants will be entered into a drawing to win one of 10 gift cards to Mulberry’s. The deadline is Wednesday, January 15.

The theme of this year’s celebration is “Separate is Never Equal: Fight Injustice!” Students are asked to create a piece of art or writing in response to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s quote:

In a speech in March 1966, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called on people to never feel comfortable with any form of segregation, tyranny, or supremacy: “I never intend to adjust myself to segregation and discrimination. I never intend to become adjusted to religious bigotry. I never intend to adjust myself to economic conditions that will take necessities from the many to give luxuries to the few.”

What does this message mean to you?

Art should be made on 8.5. X 11 paper; writing should be limited to one page. It can be dropped off at the front office of your school or uploaded to PADC’s website. Please include your name somewhere on your work. If you are dropping it off, please fill out and attach this form.

Questions? Please reach out to Ellen Lee at hiellenlee@gmail.com.

The deadline to order the SAT is Wednesday, January 15th.

Please go to the school store and place your order. Note that you cannot order this exam through the College Board website. We are hosting a testing day just for PUSD and will order directly for all students who purchase through the IC Store.

PHS/MHS will host an in-person SAT administration on Monday March 17th, 2025. This will be a digital exam and students will need to use their school issued chromebooks. This exam administration will be for rising 11th and 12th graders.

Cost of the exam is $70. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Marik.

📢 Attention Parents and Guardians of Seniors!

Sign up today to take part in this important program, curated to prepare graduating Seniors for their next chapter. The series of workshops are designed to to equip students with practical life skills to confidently transition to college and beyond. The sessions offered cover socio-emotional, financial, and physical transitions and their challenges.

Sign up today by going to the Piedmont Store\PHS Essentials\Class of 2025 Senior Events\Senior Launchpad.

For ensure you receive the time and location details for the first session, after registering, email the LaunchPad Coordinators Stephanie Dang (beisner_dang@yahoo.com) or Caroline Santander (carolinesantander@gmail.com).

To learn more about the program, view the info session recording below, or view the program flyer attached.

Senior LaunchPad Info Session Recording

This week's student is Heiko Sexton-Boer. We start off by having staff share some thoughts on Heiko.

What quality(ies) best describes this student? Honest, thoughtful, kind, mature

How long have you known the student? 2 years

What is the most memorable event you have of this student? Presented to the entire sophomore class the “History of Piedmont”. A difficult topic that he covered with respect and dignity.

How does this student Achieve the Honorable? A great role model for his peers with his conscientious work ethic, his attention to detail, and the fact that all students enjoy working with him.

If there was one word to describe this student, what would it be? Magnanimous

And from Heiko himself:

1. So far this year, what has been your most memorable experience? I went up to Washington State (Seattle) back in October to visit some family. It was the first time I had been that far north and it was awesome to see the city and go to a Kraken game. Going in the fall was perfect as well, as it wasn't chilly enough to wear extra layers but was prime sweater weather with all the trees turning autumn colors.
2. If you were to describe PHS to someone who is thinking about coming, what would you say to them? A pretty challenging school environment built off success, with tons of ways to pursue your own interests/hobbies, with awesome people across the campus too!
3. If you were in charge at PHS, what is one action you might take to make it better? I would Advance the Student Belonging/Representation programs in Underclassmen grades, by expanding existing Leadership Experiences and Strengthening schoolwide involvement.
4. If you could share one sentence with your parents/guardians, what would you say? Parenting is one of if not the toughest jobs in the world and you guys do so much for me! Thanks for having my back through everything now and in the future!
   
5. What is your favorite word? Bodacious 😎
   
6. What is your favorite song? The Whole of the Moon - The Waterboys
7. What is your favorite food? Barbeque Baby Back Ribs
8. Can you share a photo of something from your summer and why it is special to you? Photo attached: I went down to Los Angeles to visit UCLA and take a summer course, directed by the school's mock court program. I had a fantastic time and met a bunch of great people during the program, including my former co council (pictured below).

• A shout out to all the Parent Clubs, PEF, and PPN for the underwriting of the Counted Out screening this past Tuesday evening. We had a decent turnout and a wonderful dialogue with the producer aftwards.
• A special "thank you" to Nairobi for always stepping up--this time for her willingness to help in the facilitation of speakers in the Counted Out event. Glad we have you for many more years!
• Kudos to our Parent Club and their awarding of nearly $5,000 in grants impacting every department from Special Education to the Humanities to the Visual and Performing Arts. We couldn't do it without you!

Thanks to all those that participated in the Highlander Trivia question in the last newsletter.

The question was: Back in the day (think Jurassic Park), I lived in a town called Clovis. Yosemite was in my backyard, so to speak. I was in the park all the time and often would climb Half Dome, among many other famous landmarks. So, the question is how many times have I climbed to the top of Half Dome?

From Mt. Lyell, to Mt. Dana, to Rodgers Peak; nothing beat the majesty of Half Dome. Back then, one didn't need reservations and crowds were much smaller (no we didn't hike with the dinosaurs).

I ended up going to the top of half dome 13 times over those years. That makes our winner Athena L. with her guess of 14. Congratulations Athena. Please come to the main office at your convenience to claim your prize.