PHA Family May 2018
Read to find out about how we engaged and inspired our students, families, and community in May 2018! We encourage all families to frequently check the school calendar throughout the remainder of the year for important events and reminders.
Year-End Address with Dr. Allen
All families are welcome and encouraged to attend the annual year-end address by Head of School Angela F. Allen, Ph.D. The presentation will be held on Tuesday, June 19th, 2018 from 5:30—7:00 PM at 54 Essex St , Cambridge . We hope you will join us for the year end address and strategic plan overview.
Save the Date K-12 FAB Meeting
On Thursday, June 21st at 5:30PM we will hold a K-12 FAB meeting at 54 Essex St. in the learning commons. All families are welcome and encouraged to attend. The goal of this meeting is to reflect on highlights/successes of the year, what has worked for the FABs, share strategies etc, build more K-12 cohesion, and make a plan for the upcoming school year.   
International Night

 Thank you to everyone who participated in International Night! We had a memorable evening celebrating our international community here at Prospect Hill Academy Charter School.

Pop Into Powerschool
We kindly ask that all families update their information in PowerSchool. Having your most up to date email address and phone number is necessary to receive crucial school announcements and updates! Please contact the main office administrative assistants at your child’s campus to update your information.
STEAM Saturday
The final STEAM Saturday for the 2017-2018 school year was held in May. Students enjoyed interactive classes ranging from Chess to Computer Programming. We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the families, teachers, volunteers, and students who made our first year of STEAM Saturday a success.

If you’d like to teach a class or volunteer during the upcoming school year please email Rachel Freedline (K-12 Expanded Learning Opportunities Coordinator) at [email protected] . See you in the fall!
Nature's Classroom
4th grade students embarked on the longstanding PHA tradition of visiting Nature’s Classroom. They spent three days and two nights on their excursion.

Nature’s Classroom is an outdoor environmental education program that provides unique programming out in the woods while building community among our students.

Our 4th graders enjoyed science lessons, nature walks, and sing alongs. Special thanks to our faculty who joined our students for this memorable experience.
Family Gardening Day
Students in grades K-3 enjoyed Family Gardening day in the Early Childhood garden. A local garden education program, Groundwork Somerville (GWS), led the day with activities and guidance on planting and sustaining the garden. Students loved digging up worms and planting flowers!

If you are interested in helping us plant or water the garden in July and August please email [email protected]
Art & Science Fair
The Early Childhood Campus enjoyed an interactive evening for our annual Art & Science fair. Students and families viewed projects and exhibits from K-3 students. The art work was creative, individual, and beautiful. The science activities were engaging, educational, and hands-on. Special thanks to Terri Deletetsky and Jayme Firing for organizing a meaningful event for all.
2nd Grade Field Trips
Our 2nd grade students were busy in May. They started the month with a visit to the Museum of Science, where they participated in a live animal exhibit and did a full tour of the museum.

Later in the month they headed into the City of Boston to explore the historical landmarks from their social studies unit. Students enjoyed bringing their learning to life on both field trips.
Fun in Physics
Students in AP Physics took a field trip to Boston University’s Physics lab. Students used high-end equipment to determine the charge-to-mass ratio of an electron.

Students in the Collegiate Institute’s Physics class showcased their knowledge of conservation of energy at the end of a rigorous unit. For their conservation of energy projects, students came up with their own question about conservation of energy, and designed a procedure for their experiments.

We’re proud of our students for engaging in this rigorous subject with enthusiasm!
AP Stats
Congratulations to Mr. Kelly’s AP Statistics class on some fabulous end of year presentations.
 
Our students crunched numbers on a variety of topics from the effect of music on memory to student motivation.
 
AP Statistics also hosted a statisticians panel where staff from SeatGeek, Flatiron Health, Boston BLS, and The Boston Globe came to speak to our AP Statistics students.
 
 Thank you to everyone who contributed to this culminating student showcase!
Senior Portfolio Defenses
On May 29th and 30th all Seniors from the PHA Class of 2018 led their Portfolio Defenses. The Senior Portfolio Defense is the final, culminating event that students experience with us here at PHA in their K to College Journey. In their portfolio defenses, seniors explain, or defend, why they are ready for college to a panel of adults. Families, friends, and the student’s advisor attends this powerful event. Congratulations to all of our seniors on completing and defending their portfolios!
Parent Spotlight: An Interview with Laura Soares
In our past newsletter , we featured our hardworking Student Literacy Task Force , student leaders who helped reopen the library and who encourage their peers to read more by serving as student librarians. This month, we are happy to feature Ms. Laura Soares as our K-12 Parent Spotlight. She is the parent volunteer who supports the efforts of the Student Literacy Task Force and who regularly spends time at our Middle School campus. Read about her work below:


Tell us a little about yourself? What grade is your student(s) in at PHA?

My daughter is a senior. She is a lifer at PHA. My son is in the 8th grade.

What do you do in your volunteering at the Essex Street library here at PHA?

When I came in the library in January, all the books were in the closet. I started by pulling all the nonfiction books out moving them into place in the library. My job is to get all the nonfiction books in order – [labeled, organized by genre].

Why do you volunteer with us here at PHA?
It is important to me to be involved in the school. The library is so important to have in the school. When I heard they almost closed it, it made me sad because not everyone has Kindles to be able to read electronically. Being to help get the library open is very meaningful to me.

How do you find the time to volunteer at PHA?
Volunteering for the library is one of the top of my priorities. I like to come here in the mornings when it is quiet, work, and then I go home to take care of other things. Since evening volunteering is not possible for me, I like being able to volunteer in this way.

What would you want to say, if anything, to any parents thinking about volunteering at PHA in general or who may be worried about volunteering because of the demands on their time?
Volunteering doesn’t have to be a time huge commitment. You can volunteer for an hour here and there, wherever you may be needed. I found it difficult to find places to volunteer in the upper grades, so I was happy to find the opportunity that fit my needs.

Even if parents cannot physically be in the school, what other ways do you stay engaged with PHA when you are not here?
I reach out to the teachers a lot to find out what is happening. I also reach out to Juana (9-12th grade CFA) or Anne (7-12 FAB Chair) to find out what happened at an evening meeting or what is going on [in general in the school]. They are a great resource and are always happy to share [updates] with you. I also follow all the PHA social media accounts.

Where can other parents connect with you if they have any questions?
Any parents wondering about my volunteering experience or anything else can email me here: [email protected].
THRIVE Fundraiser
Thank you to everyone who came to the THRIVE fundraiser. We raised over 4,000 dollars! All funds raised go directly toward purchasing food for THRIVE. A tremendous thank you goes to PHA parents and founders of THRIVE pictured here, Barbara Goguen & Aswita Tan-McGrory.
Where are they going?
Our seniors will attend the colleges and universities below! Be sure to read the June newsletter for a special feature on graduation.