Talon Talk Newsletter
Sebastian Bull, Principal
April 22, 2020

April 24

May 22

March 25
Holiday

May 29
Last Day of School
PUSD Distance Learning Thought Exchange: Share Your Input and Feedback
PUSD is seeking input from our families and staff on some of the most important issues to think about as we experience distance learning during COVID-19. To gather your feedback, we're using a tool called Thought Exchange. All of our voices matter, so your participation is crucial and valued. Click here for the full story and link to participate.
Grading Policy Update
The PUSD Board of Trustees unanimously approved temporary grading practices to set reasonable expectations and to hold students harmless during our transition to distance learning in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. At the high school level, Quarter 4/Semester 2 grades are to be calculated as follows :
  • Students who earned 3rd Quarter grade of A, B, or C will earn that grade for Semester 2, and the grade may increase on teacher evaluation of work submitted by the student.
  • Students who earned 3rd Quarter grade of D will instead earn CR (Credit) as baseline, and may raise grade to a C or higher based on student work
  • Students who earned 3rd Quarter grade of F will instead earn NC (No Credit), and may raise status to a credit, or grade of C or higher based on student work.
For more information, please visit the PUSD website here .
Yearbooks
Foothill's tiny but mighty yearbook staff led by Teacher Adviser Heather Richey pushed incredibly hard to submit the yearbook's final pages a full week before the final deadline of 3/30/20. However, the publishing plant shut down, and will remain closed until at least the end of April. Because we have no clear idea of when the books will be shipped or when social distancing guidelines will allow it, we do not know when and how we will be able to distribute them - yet. We are keenly aware of the importance of the task and are having ongoing discussions. All students -- especially seniors -- are encouraged to find and print their email receipt from the Yearbook Order Center to confirm that they have ordered a 2020 book. We have about 40 left available for sale at www.yearbookordercenter.com .
4/24 Friday Forum - Virtual Edition!
On Friday, April 24th at 10:00 am, the Foothill Administration will be holding a Friday Forum, organized by the PTSA. We know that there is a lot going on and a lot of uncertainty for students and families so we felt it would be important to find a way to still have a Friday Forum to help review some updates and answer any questions.

Please use the form provided to submit a question by noon on Thursday, April 23rd so that we can make sure to cover as many questions as we can during the Friday Forum.

We will attempt to record the Friday Forum to post for anyone to view who can't make it during the scheduled time.

We appreciate the support of the entire Foothill Community and know that this is a challenging time for everyone!
Instructions for Principal's Friday Forum - virtual edition!
 
Click here for link to question form and how to join.
30th Annual Excellence in Education Awards
Nominations Due May 6th
Has a special teacher or other PUSD employee made a positive impact on your or your student’s educational experience?

Here is a way to honor them and let them know how much of a difference they have made in your or your student's life.


Please submit by noon on Wednesday, May 6, 2020.
Although we will not be able gather this year, we are looking forward to celebrating our most excellent educators in new ways, so please keep those nominations coming!
An Update from Your FHS Counseling Team
Recommendations for Summer School will be sent to applicable students via their PUSD email accounts by the end of next week! Please be on the look-out for this information and reach out to your counselor with questions. 

While school is dismissed, current students and 2019 graduates can still request official transcripts through the Transcript Order Request Form . Be aware that mailings can take a couple days to prepare, so advance notice is appreciated to meet any deadlines.*SENIORS* Please note that this is NOT an order form for final transcripts to be sent to the college you are committing to. That will be a separate process and more information will come out next month!

During the school dismissal, if your student would like to connect with their counselor, we will be available virtually during regular school hours Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 8:35 am - 2:58 pm and Tuesday, Thursday 8:00 am - 2:58 pm. Students can reach out to their counselor with questions via email, and we can set up an appointment via Google Hangouts with them for brief counseling. 

General Information
  • Check your email! Counselors will be communicating important information and updates via your student email. Please check this often.
  • Explore the FHS Counseling Website! Counselors will be updating our website regularly with information as it comes. Please click here to access our website.
  • Google Classrooms: Every student has been invited to a grade-specific counseling Google Classroom. Students can also choose to opt-in to the “Self-Care” Google Classroom (using code: bmothz6)
  • FHS Counseling Resources - Click here to find out more how we can support you during the school dismissal. 
  • Please check out this COVID- 19 Resource Doc for available resources and technology questions.

Please take care of yourselves and don’t hesitate to reach out.
Call for Entries! PUSD's 6th Annual Student Film Festival
Did you know this year will be  PUSD's 6th Annual Student Short Film Festival ? Check out  this year's Promo Video . This K-12 event is an opportunity for student FilmMakers to submit and showcase their work on the big screen. We have categories for all types of curricular and fun projects including: Documentary/New Story, PSA, Animation, Narrative, Music Video/Poetry, Tasty, and Other. Find out more or  submit  your film on our website  PUSDFilmFestival.com . The event will be held at the  FireHouse Arts Center on May 13. Submissions are due by April 12 .
Thank You, 

Your Film Festival Committee
Scott Padway , Sarah Landis, Sophie Wells and Isabelle Morales
The Reflections Theme for 2020-21 is:
" I Matter Because..."
Creating art can give students a way to work out any stress they may be feeling over our current situation. This is also the perfect boredom buster for your student. Encourage your student's creativity, artistic expression, and growth by participating. The Reflections Program is designed to provide opportunities for students to express themselves and to receive positive recognition for their artistic efforts.

Student submissions begin in Fall, but take advantage of your child’s time away from school and have them start work now. When teens express themselves through words, pictures, music, dance, and other art forms, they grow intellectually and socially. They learn to analyze their thoughts, feelings, and ideas; learn to look at things, people, and experiences in a fresh and exciting way; and become more interested in the ideas and works of others.  

The program has six arts areas and all grades enter  —dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography, and visual arts.

General Guidelines
  • All entries submitted must be original works and must relate to the current year’s Reflections Program theme.
  • Each entry must be the work of only one student. Assistance from teachers, parents, or friends is not permitted except in special cases (such as students with physical disabilities).
  • Specific rules for each category and Participation rules must be followed at all times. Rules can be found at: http://www.peraltadistrictpta.org/reflections
  • More info on the Reflections Program can be found at: http://www.pta.org/programs/artsineducation.

All rules from last year will be in place. No changes have been announced.
Junior Parents!
Seeking Parents Leads for Senior Activities
Junior parents.... A fun and exciting way to keep up with your senior next year is to become a chairperson for the Senior Activities for the class of 2020-21, or perhaps you can help chair an event. Currently, there is no one slated for most roles. If interested, contact Senior Activities Committee Chair Shawna Lombardi at [email protected]
Attention Juniors:
University of California’s ELC Program - COVID-19 Update
It’s that time of year when, typically, we would be seeking authorization from potentially ELC eligible Juniors, to release their information to the University of California. This Spring however, is anything but typical!

What is the UC ELC Program?
The UC’s Eligibility in the Local Context program identifies the top 9% of students from a given school, such as Foothill High School, once they have applied to a UC.  

How do you qualify?
The UC identifies the top 9% of students based on GPA. After coursework and grades are entered in the UC application, your GPA is compared to the historic top GPA for Foothill High School. If you meet or exceed that GPA, you’ll be designated ELC on your application.  

What is the benefit?
ELC status adds value to the application and is one of the 14 factors considered when applications are reviewed. Additionally, ELC students not admitted to any of their campus choices are offered a spot at a UC campus that has space. 

When will you find out if you’re designated ELC?
As an applicant from California, your application will be automatically screened for ELC eligibility when you apply. After submitting the application, you can return to the MY UC Application page to see whether or not you’ve been designated as being in the top 9% of your class. 

What’s different this year?
Due to COVID-19 and school closures throughout the state, the UC is suspending the 2020 student data collection process for the ELC program. This means that we will not be forwarding GPAs or contact information of the estimated top 9% of the class of 2021 to the UC this Spring. These students will not be receiving letters from the UC identifying them as strong candidates for admission.

What’s the same?
Students’ eligibility for the program will not change. ELC determination for students applying for fall 2021 admissions will continue to be made at the time of application. The only difference for this fall is that high schools will not be asked to submit GPA and contact information for the top students in advance.

Still have questions? Please email them to Mrs. Burnett, Registrar, at [email protected] . 
Spotlight on Local Senior Scholarships
Pleasanton North Rotary Foundation
Each year Pleasanton North Rotary awards scholarships to Foothill High School graduating seniors. This year we will be awarding three $1,000 Memorial Scholarships. The Scholarships will be awarded in memory of Chuck Pickens, the first President of Pleasanton North Rotary; Robin Barnett; a former teacher at Foothill High School, and Stephen Parker, a 1978 graduate of Foothill. All seniors planning to attend college are encouraged to apply by May 1. Click here for application.
Ryan Gordon Memorial Scholarship
Ryan Gordon was a 2003 graduate of Foothill High School. He played soccer at Foothill for 4 years and was planning on attending Santa Barbara City College where he planned to continue playing soccer, but was killed in a boating accident shortly after graduating. Open to senior members of the Foothill Boy’s or Foothill Girl’s Soccer Team. Application due May 8. Click here for Scholarship Application and details.
Click here for more info on scholarships . Scholarships are added to Naviance on a continuing basis so check back often.
Senior Scholarship Awards
Seniors, although we may not be able to mass-gather as in years past, we still want to recognize you as your time at Foothill comes to an end. If you accepted a scholarship award and wish to be recognized, please submit this form by May 7, 2020.
Senior Parents!
The Senior Parents group organizes activities outside of the school umbrella to help make your student's senior year an exciting one.

How do you get informed about events such as Disney Grad Nite and Baccalaureate which are not sponsored by PUSD?

1. Sign up for email updates by completing the Google form
2. Join our Facebook group here. The name of the group is "Foothill Class of 2020 Families"
3. Check out ALL of the pages on our website and get the important dates in your calendars! tiny.cc/fhsclassof2020

Questions? Please contact Shawna Lombardi, Senior Parents Committee Chair at [email protected].
Athletics Newsletter
Foothill sports fans -    sign up to receive the Foothill Athletics Boosters newsletter , The Fighting Falcon , to receive athletics news straight to your in-box.
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You can also update your e-mail profile  here . You'll want to stay on the main Talon Talk list to continue getting the school newsletter. You should also choose the year your student graduates so that you can get e-mails targeted at specific grade levels, especially during senior year.
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Talon Talk is an online publication brought to you by the Foothill Parent Teacher-Student Organization (PTSA) in cooperation with school administration.