Talon Talk Newsletter
S ebastian Bull, Principal
November 15, 2018
Check school calendar on foothillfalcons.org for the most current calendar information


November 19-23
Thanksgiving Break

November 27

November 29 - Dec 1
and December 6 - 8

November 30
Principal's Friday Forum
9am in Room C-6

December 15
Yearbook Order Deadline
to Guarantee On-Time Delivery

December 15
Next Generation Science Standards Community Meeting

December 19-21
Finals

December 24- January 7
Winter Break

January 7

January 8
First Day of 2nd Semester














The Falcons are with all the families affected by the fires. It is so unfortunate to see such devastation and to see so many people impacted.  

If you would like to help, please note that area agencies have reported that they are at capacity for many physical goods. Paradise High School is referring people who want to help to the North Valley Community Foundation website ( https://www.nvcf.org/ ) since it may provide some updates on what is needed while the recovery begins.

We want to acknowledge the hard work of the firefighters and emergency crews working so hard to support the Butte County community, as well as the numerous fires blazing around the state of California.  

Car Raffle and Falcon Royale Appreciation
Thank you for all of the hard work that went into the car raffle and the Falcon Royale events organized by the Foothill Athletic Boosters (FAB) in supporting programs here at Foothill. A big push is to raise money to replace the turf on the field for use by our P.E. classes, athletic programs, and band program. As a school, we truly appreciate the hard work put in to support our students here on campus!!
FHS Drama Program Presents "Avenue Q"
C ome enjoy this hilarious musical filled with puppets and all of life's questions about what to do with your life after college. 
All performances are in the MPR at 7pm on
November 29 to December 1 and December 6 - 8
Admission is free
(donations gratefully accepted at the door)
Produced by the FHS Drama Program with the generous support of the Foothill PTSA and the Pleasanton Cultural Arts Council. Adapted for High School performers and audiences.
Senior Class Holiday Wreaths Drive
Orders are due November 23rd, and must be emailed to  sophiaembarletta@gmail.com . All products will be delivered on December 1st, and may be picked up at Foothill between 11-1 pm on Dec. 1st. Checks are payable to FHS 2019 and can be given at pick-up. 
Holidays of Hope: Gift Card Drive

The winter holidays are approaching rapidly. For the past several years, it has also been a time at Foothill to call upon our generous and kind families to help those in our school community who are struggling - by donating gift cards.  

Foothill families who are going through difficult financial times are identified confidentially by staff and treated to gift cards to help with food and gifts during the holidays and beyond. 

Gifts cards for grocery stores, Target, Walmart, Kohl's and similar businesses are most appreciated

You can drop off your gift cards at Ruth Highstreet's desk (Principal's Assistant) in the front office through Friday, December 14th. 

Thank you in advance for your wonderful support. 

Holidays of Hope is hosted by the Foothill PTSA
Please join us for an evening of information about the new California Next Generation Science Standards. We will be discussing the shift in instruction and learning.

Our state has adopted new standards based on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) because we understand that a robust science education in middle school will pave the way for increased opportunities in high school, college, and future careers.

The California NGSS enable our teachers to offer all students interactive science instruction that promotes analysis and interpretation of data, critical thinking, problem solving, and connections across science disciplines—with a high set of expectations for achievement
  • K-8 Community Meeting at Pleasanton Middle School MPR on Thursday, November 15, 2018. 7-8pm
  • 9-12 Community Meeting at AVHS Library on Wednesday, December 5, 2018. 7-8pm

Questions?
Please email Jenifer Perazzo jperazzo@pleasantonusd.net
I MPORTANT HOLIDAY 2018 MESSAGE FROM STUDENT SERVICES:
Are you planning a family trip for the holidays? As you think about your arrangements, we want to stress the importance of sending your child to school every day possible. Each year, absences spike in the weeks before and after the winter holiday as families squeeze in a few more vacation days. It’s time to reconsider that cycle. We know that just a few missed days here and there, even if the absences are excused, can add up to too much lost learning time and put your child behind in school. This is as true in kindergarten as it is in high school. Simply stated, too many absences at any age can affect a student’s chances for academic success and eventual graduation.
We recognize that holidays are an important time for reconnecting with families near and far. Keep in mind, however, the impact on your children’s education if they miss too much school— and the message you will be sending about the importance of attendance. Even if students have an Independent Study contract from their teachers, it doesn’t make up for the interaction and learning that happens in the classroom. Our teachers will be teaching and our students will be learning right up to the start of the Thanksgiving and Winter breaks and the first day class is back in session when returning from these breaks. You can help us convey that message. This holiday season, give your children the gift of a complete education including the practice of regular and timely attendance.

We at Student Services wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season!

Kelly Mills and Deborah Tomlin
Child Welfare and Attendance Specialists
PUSD Community Meeting on November 27th
To strengthen PUSD's connection to the broader community, all families and community members are invited to attend our next community meeting on Tuesday, November 27, 6 - 7:30 p.m. in the Alisal Elementary Multipurpose room. PUSD Cabinet members and Board of Trustees will start the meeting by sharing information related to our District goals for the year, engage in some informal Q&A, and take time to connect personally with attendees. We hope to see you on November 27!
Drug Trends You Need to Know About
To learn more, click here to access the PUSD Parent Education Series on Substance Abuse.
Students and Parents: Confused About Where to Start in the College/Career Planning Process? 
Every Foothill student is provided a free Naviance account that allows them to:
  • conduct interest inventories
  • link interests to careers
  • explore colleges and other post-high school educational options
  • register for college rep visits on the Foothill campus and more!
Parents can also participate in the process with read-only access to their student account to help with those parent-child college and career planning conversations.
and
All new incoming parents to high school would have received an email with login instructions from Naviance in the beginning month or two of the school year. If parents can't find that email, reach out to your alpha counselor for assistance.
Yearbook Orders
Order your yearbook by December 15, 2018  to guarantee your on-time yearbook delivery and free engraved name plate. Yearbooks can be only be purchased online at  www.yearbookordercenter.com/ . Our school code is 7378.
Cash for College Workshop
Senior Families! Need help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act (CADAA) and Chafee Grant for Foster Youth applications? Sari Haskell from AVHS and Molly Allen from FHS have been trained by Cash for College and have volunteered to organize a free workshop on Thursday, February 21 in the AVHS Library from 6-8pm - just before the March 2nd state deadline.
Counseling Updates for Seniors
SENIORS, please remember that if you are applying to a private or out-of-state college, you must return your manila envelope to your counselor  at least two weeks before your first application deadline, not including holidays. If you are applying early, please make sure to get your manila envelope to your counselor on time!
           
**A few reminders**
On the front of the manila envelope, only list private or out-of-state colleges you are applying to (do not list UC’s or CSU’s).
 
Remember to include:

  • Your name and an email that you check regularly
  • Due dates for each application
  • Check the box provided if the school is not on the Common App
 
In the manila envelope include:

  • The completed student information sheet, also known as the yellow brag sheet!
 
For private or out of state colleges  not   on the Common App,  also include in the manila envelope:

  • The completed secondary school report in your best handwriting, blue or black ink (Colleges will see this, so please be neat!)
  • Envelopes addressed to the college in your best handwriting, blue or black ink, with two stamps and leave the return address blank
  • Order official transcripts by completing the Senior Transcript Request Form
 
Mark your calendars now! Seniors may sign-up for our College Application Labs during FLEX time in room B-1 on the following dates:

  • Thursday, November 15th
  • Tuesday, November 27th
  • Thursday, November 29th
 
We realize that this is a very busy time of year, and completing college applications can be overwhelming. The college application labs are offered as an opportunity for students to work on their applications in the computer lab and ask additional questions. Students must sign-up in order to attend. 
 
As always, all students may complete an appointment slip request form to meet with their counselor individually. 
Graduation Start Time Changed to 5:30 pm
The Foothill Graduation Ceremony start time has changed back to 5:30 pm on Friday May 31st. Students will need to arrive at 4:45 pm and gates will open at 4:45 pm. 
Seniors Community Service Requirement
Seniors- please check Google Classroom, Class of 2019 for graduation requirement information for community service. Due by March 1. Click here for more info.
From the Senior Parents Committee
Parents of Seniors, the Senior Activities Parent Committee for the Foothill Class of 2019 has a website: https://sites.google.com/site/foothillseniorparents2019/ . They also have Facebook group you can join called Foothill Senior Class 2019.

We have some exciting fundraisers going on!
  • Parent T-shirts
  • Graduation Lei's
  • Savor the Moment
  • Jewelry
For details, go to the Foothill Class of 2019 Google Site using the link above.

We are also still looking for corporate sponsors for our Safe and Sober Grad Nite.

Thank you from the Senior Parents Committee!
Athletics Newsletter
Foothill sports fans -  sign up to receive the Foothill Athletics Boosters newsletter , the Fighting Falcon, to receive athletics news straight to you in-box. Winter Sports Schedules are now available on foothillfalcons.org under Athletics & Activities .
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Talon Talk is a twice monthly online publication brought to you the 1st and 15th of each month by the Foothill Parent Teacher-Student Association (PTSA) in cooperation with Foothill High School Administration.