Brought to you by the Providence Senior High School’s Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO)

December 2018 Volume 31, Issue 2

Dear PHS students, parents, and families:

This week, we were visited by former Providence students who are now at UNC, UPenn, Northwestern, NC State, Appalachian State, NC School of the Arts, Queen’s University, and Central Piedmont. It was a pleasure for us to talk with them about their adventures beyond high school. We asked them if they were prepared for college. The answer was a resounding, “YES. Providence really prepared me!” Our graduates discussed that they know how to write, to annotate, to research, to study, and they have been successful from the start of their college career. As the Principal, I love hearing from former students about their experiences in college and their life after high school. That is why we work so hard with them for four years. This group of graduates represents students with an array of talents and interests. Our students from all academic abilities, interests, and skills are reaping the benefits of the education they received while at Providence.

To further highlight the accomplishments of our recent graduates, did you see this on CNN? It is a clip which highlights the Army/ Navy football game (from a few weeks ago) and two of our recent graduates, Tyler Pistoro (who plays football at Navy), and Jack King (who plays football at Army). It is a great story about friendships on the field and off (except, of course, the day they play against each other). We are very proud to have both of them at US Military Academies. CLICK HERE to see clip

A few weeks ago, I shared with you that our guidance office conducted a “needs assessment” to get feedback from students about guidance services and our students’ experience at school. Here is some of what our students said:

• Most students (77%) said they know their counselor’s name, however, only (58%) know how to make an appointment with their counselor. To address this gap, we have planned new morning announcements for students to highlight the ways an appointment can be made. As parents you can help with this as well - simply, remind your child to stop by the guidance office before school, at lunch, or after school to make an appointment.

• We found that less than 18% of our students frequently visit the school counseling website. The website is listed here and we invite you to share it with your child. We are also sharing this tool with them in school via the morning announcements. Here it is for your quick reference - https://www.providenceschoolcounseling.com/.

• As I reported previously, the top 3 topics that students said they wanted to see addressed by their counselors are: 1) providing college information, 2) Career Exploration Information, and 3) help with stress and anxiety. In addition to the parent /student workshops we have already hosted this year for 9th, 11th, and 12th graders, we are organizing classroom guidance sessions to further highlight college information and career exploration information. Our 10th grade parent / student workshop will be on January 31, at 6:30pm, and is entitled, “Demystifying the College Admissions Process.”

Also, to help our students with the stresses of life and high school we have added greater focus on the work we are doing with Sources of Strength, and we have added an on-site Mental Health therapist who is available to students. We will continue to focus on the “whole” student and update our parent community when we have finalized plans for new student workshops on managing stress and anxiety.

• Fifty-seven percent of students reported that if they have a serious problem, they know they can get help at school. We are building awareness through morning announcements and a peer to peer structure through the international Sources of Strength program which is a program that helps our students develop resiliency skills and turn to their strengths and supports in difficult times and situations. We are adding 9th graders to our Sources of Strength Peer Leader team in January and are planning 3 additional Sources of Strength campaigns for the 2nd semester.

• As we prepare to launch the course registration process for 2019-2020 (which will begin in late January), our counselors wanted feedback from students on how well they were balancing school and life. To that end, questions about hours of homework were asked. A large majority of students (81%) reported that they spend less than 4 hours per weekday evening on homework. A large majority (75.9%) reported that they spend less than 4 hours on homework on the weekend. As your principal, I will continue to work with our teaching faculty to be sure what we are assigning for homework is meaningful and that it extends the classroom instruction.

• Of students who responded to the survey, 74% said they slept 6 hours or less during the weekday evenings.

• We also looked at the percentage of students enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) college level classes and honors level classes. Approximately 12% of students are enrolled in 3 or more AP classes and 52.4% are enrolled in 3 or more honors level classes. This is an area we will again highlight as we help students make course registration decisions for next year. Students are strongly encouraged to consider a balanced schedule which includes all of their extra- curricular events, job, private lessons, volunteering, socializing, and school course work. Students tell us they feel the pressure from college admissions criteria, their personal expectations, family expectations, and expectations at school to do well in everything. Our message at Providence has consistently been to do what is right for you! We need our parent and family partners to help us reinforce this message of a balanced schedule and realistic expectations.

• We asked our students about the environment at Providence. We are proud to report that 80% of students said their teachers care about them and nearly six in ten said there was at least one adult who knows them well and shows interest in their education and their future. We are working to make our large school feel smaller. Some of the ways that we are working to accomplish this are by having students stay with their homeroom teacher for all 4 years, keeping the same guidance counselor, and encouraging students to get involved at school so they develop relationships with the advisors in a closer way than can be done in the classroom.

• Seventy-six percent of students reported that they are doing well in school. Fifty-percent of students said they enjoy attending school while we know that about 50% of students have other interests. This statistic is one we would like to improve. Over the next few months and in the years ahead we want to continue to create the feeling that Providence High School is a great place to go to school, we want our students to work hard but also enjoy their time with us. We want our students to walk across the stage at graduation with a sense of pride – but also a sense that their days at Providence were filled with great accomplishments and a joy that will be tough to replace.

I am pleased that we already have many plans and programs in place to address the areas students identified as needs. We are on the right track and with your support; we plan to continue to support the wonderful students at Providence!

Sincerely,

Dr. Tracey Harrill, Principal

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE CONTINUED

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Thanks to your generous donations and the support of our community partners the PTSO has recently been able to fund a number of initiatives including:

• The Staff Support Team provided all PHS staff members with Bonjangles’ Tailgate Party in September, Spooky Treats in October, a Harvest Breakfast in November, and a Holiday Luncheon in December.

• We have been able to stock the teacher work rooms and health room with supplies along with providing popsicles for all the Freshman for their Team Building Program.

• Purchased Final Cut Pro X editing software which will be used by our TV Productions team to strengthen the PHS daily announcement system.

As we enter into 2019 we look forward to your ongoing support as we continue to focus on our #OneProv campaign designed to bring together all students and staff to help create a Providence High School community where everyone feels welcomed and appreciated.

We are excited to break ground on Providence Plaza and begin work on other campus improvements around our school to increase the comfort and morale of our students and staff. Our PTSO also looks forward to continuing to invest in #OneProv activities that support all the members of our school community.

Thank you for your support as together we are all #OneProv!!

Julie Knafelz, PTSO President

Double Your IMPACT with an Employer Matching Gift

Matching gifts can be requested electronically or by completing your

employer’s matching gift form. Indicate PHS PTSO, Inc. as the intended beneficiary on the hard

copy or electronic form.

Contributions are tax-deductible Please contact Stacey Ellis, PTSO

President-Elect, with any questions at staceyellis11@gmail.com.

1) Online at pay4schoolstuff.com:

a) Select “Login” at the top left. If you haven’t created an account, follow steps below, Otherwise skip to step b.

• Select “Create Parent Account” at the bottom of the pop up screen.

• Receive email confirmation. Click link to activate your account.

• Login and Add a Student

b) Select your Student at PHS

c) Select IMPACT Campaign

d) Choose your level of giving (President’s Circle, Platinum, Gold, Silver, or any amount.) Place a √ in the “Select” box

e) Complete the Donation form... don’t forget to scroll down and select “Save”

f) Select “Add to Cart”, then complete your payment

There are 2 Easy Ways to Donate

2) Just print the PHS PTSO Order and Contribution Form, complete and include your donation. Drop off at the PHS office or mail to PHS PTSO, 1800 Pineville-Matthews Rd., Charlotte, NC 28270.

The Providence High School PTSO is the one organization at our school that works to benefit all students. From funding campus improvements, to supporting our teachers with monthly events and professional development opportunities, to supporting the #OneProv community building effort, the work of the PTSO supports everyone at Providence. That's why we ask all parents to support our efforts by donating to our annual IMPACT campaign.

HELP THE PTSO MAKE AN IMPACT ON PHS!

Thank you to the families who have already contributed to the 2018-19 IMPACT Campaign as of November 30, 2018!!

*Designates a corporate match contribution

Michael and Kathy Brown The Luther FamilyThe Burfield Family Madison, Scott and Karen MartinThe Chadwick Family * The McGill Family *Anthony Chen Family Greg and Margaret MusaAshleigh Clark Jamie PittmanThe Cotton Family The Schubert FamilyMatthew and Jessica Daitch David and Krista SigmonThe Dancausse Family The Wallach FamilyDave and Daphne Katz Hank and Aven Williams *The Liu Family

YOUR SUPPORT MAKES A HUGE IMPACT!

PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE $750+

GOLD LEVEL $250+

The Busse Family The Dock Family *

The Kaeppler Family Ananth Kendapadi and Vidya Singan *

The Kirkland Family The Knafelz Family

The Shi Family Michelle Thiny and Pete Voorhees

PLATINUM LEVEL $500+

Sheila and Kwasi Ankrah The Dexter Family *

Dr. Margaret Divish and Dr. Edward McMIllan Brian and Stacey Ellis *

The Erwin Family * The Kiang Family

The Nygren Family *

The Anderson Family Jeff and Kristen LyonsPaul and Allison Arena Steve and Ginger MarquisKimber and Burt Arrington Mr. and Mrs. Lance McAlisterThe Asofskys The McConnell FamilyThe Baptiste Family The Meehan FamilyThe Beissert Family * Chris and Marty MetzlGreg and Carol Bender * Mr. and Mrs. Darren Mond and FamilyThe Blake Family * Ron and Lisa NelsonThe Breedlove Family The Novak FamilyThe Brincefield Family Julie and Roger NussmanBryan and Robin Buckler * Joe and Susie OringelMitch and Elizabeth Campbell * Jessica and Gustavo Barriga-PageWes and Margaret Carter The Pan FamilyThe Choffin Family The Parrish FamilyThe Cox Family The Peltz FamilyThe Crews Family John and Karen Perry *Janet and Randy Darden * The Pomilla FamilyDan and Karen DeVries * The Prakash FamilyChuck and Kaysi Dixon David and Staci RiceMark and Kristen Ellis * The Rice Family *Scott and Sarah Fligel * Katy Ridnouer and Terrance McCafferyThe Fox Family The Rogovin Family *Jeff and Laura Fricano * The Rohlinger FamilySteve and Lisa Garfinkle * The Rossi FamilyAlan and Julia Godel The Ryder Family * N. Grant The Sallette FamilyCasey Griner * Jack and Joyce SchmollThe Holland Family Mr. and Mrs. Chris SchwartzMichelle and Brad Howington The Shaw Family *The Jackins Family Chris and LeAnn SquierDarrell and Haydee Johnson * The Stallings FamilyBetsy and George Kaperonis Bob and Robin StebbinsMr. and Mrs. David Kautter The Sugg FamilyJohn and Kelly Keeling The Sutcliffe FamilyJames and Helen Kim * The Thomas FamilyScott and Karen Kirchner Mr. and Mrs. Richard ThomsonDavid and Kristen Knox * The Trimble FamilyKelly Kucsma * The Webb FamilyThe Kurtz Family Katharine and Scott WillisThe Legros Family Gary Wyatt *The Leslie Family Jason and Minkyung YangAndy and Nicole Love Liza ZhangThe Lyon Family

SILVER LEVEL $100+

YOUR SUPPORT MAKES A HUGE IMPACT!

BRONZE LEVEL UNDER $100

YOUR SUPPORT MAKES A HUGE IMPACT!

The Asby Family The Levin FamilyThe Belk Family Chris MengelScott and Kerry Bloomingburg The Miller Family *Dean and Melanie Brown The Novak Family *The Butte Family O’Conner/Seegers FamilyThe Castillo Family The Pelliciotta FamilyThe Clarkson Family Michelle and Dan PlaisanceThe Cole Family The Purcell Family *The Denno Family The Reinhard FamilyJason and Beth Finland Jennifer Rorie *The Fisher Family In Memory of Ana SistareThe Jensen Family Ms. Ann StegallThe Kagan Family Lucy ThorpeThe Landingin Family The Zolotorofe Family

#ONEPROVProud sponsor of Providence High School

sigconsult.com

PHS #OneProv

SPONSORSHIP

SOURCES OF STRENGTH IS MAKING PROGRESS

Recently, the National Institute of Mental Health reported that one in five adults has a mental health condition. Young adults who struggle with mental health conditions can face barriers to their learning and success in high school or even in middle school. At Providence, we are working to help our students develop resiliency skills and realize they have multiple avenues or “sources of strength” to help them get through tough times. We have partnered with a national program entitled Sources of Strength where all of our staff and our student peer leaders have received excellent training in embedding the eight sources of strength within school events. October’s Sources of Strength Campaign focused on Trusted Adults, and we reminded our school community that we have support and strength as we move through stressful times. Hundreds of students participated during their lunches by writing the name of a trusted adult on a panther paw for our display, and students wrote a thank-you note to that trusted adult. Our peer leaders created a mural of all of the panther paws and displayed it in the mall. In our classrooms, teachers reminded students that they have many strengths in their lives, and that the staff at Providence and their trusted adults are here to help them find that strength. Some teachers shared a story about a trusted adult in their lives so students could recognize that we all experience times when we need support.

In November, our campaign focused on the Spirituality component of the Sources of Strength wheel, and our focus was the Thankfulness Challenge. Peer leaders handed out handprint turkeys during lunches, and students wrote five things for which they were thankful. At the end of the week, a large Thankfulness Tree was displayed in the mall. Another group of peer leaders produced a video to promote being thankful, and all peer leaders were challenged to participate in 21 days of gratitude and encourage their friends to do the same. Senior Damilola Ayinde posted on social media things that she was thankful for. “Doing this helped me to be more grateful for my friends around me and for the little things in my everyday life,” Ayinde said. Another peer leader, senior Ariana Rivera, participated in several ways. “I kept a journal for 10 days, and I texted and called people I was thankful for. I also posted on social media my gratitude each day. Doing this made me feel whole and happy because it made me feel good that I let the people in my life who have helped me be where I am today feel appreciated,” Rivera said.

Mr. Patrick Sahd’s Multimedia and Webpage Design classes took part in the Thankfulness Challenge. “We committed to 21 straight days of journaling three things we're thankful for on a daily basis. We began the exercise on Thursday, November 8th and ran it through Thanksgiving, to Wednesday, November 28th. My hope is that kids will not just recognize the benefits of gratitude reflection through the holidays, but they'll continue journaling long after as a daily practice. This has been shown to scientifically improve mental and physical health, not to mention boost self-esteem and enhance empathy,” Sahd said.

Our partnership with Sources of Strength is financially expensive, but we believe the investment is worth it. National training, materials, on-call personnel, etc. are part of the package so that we can make sure we are embedding the program correctly. We would like to thank The Foundation for the Carolinas for their financial support in helping us pay for the 1st year of implementation at Providence.

We are excited about the campaigns our students will plan for the spring semester and about incorporating 9th graders onto our Peer Leader team.

Columbia Scholastic Press Association has named Roars and Whispers a Crown Finalist for the fourth year in a row. The Crown is the highest national award a publication can receive from CSPA and recognizes overall excellence in head-to-head competition across the nation. During Crown consideration, publications are judged on their excellence as shown by their design, photography, concept, coverage and writing. Crown Finalists are actual winners, not nominees. Some will be announced as Gold Crowns; the rest are Silver Crowns. Last year Roars and Whispers was awarded its second Gold Crown. Final results will be announced and presented at the CSPA ceremonies in March 2019.

ROARS AND WHISPERS

LITERARY MAGAZINE AWARDS

National Scholastic Press Association also announced that Roars and Whispers was once again a finalist for two Individual Awards in the Design of the Year Category: Magazine Spread Design and Magazine Cover Design. This is the second year in a row that Roars and Whispers has been a finalist in both categories. Winners were announced at the JEA/NSPA Fall National High School Journalism Convention, Nov. 1-4, 2018 in Chicago. Roars and Whispers won Honorable Mention for Cover Design and 2nd Place for Spread Design.

Columbia Scholastic Press Association has awarded Roars and Whispers three prestigious Gold Circle Awards. Gold Circle Awards are offered to recognize superior work by student journalists working with either print or online media. These media are published in schools or colleges throughout the United States and in overseas schools following an American plan of education. Our winners are:• Ella Rasmussen, Third

Place Poetry, Sophomore• Paige Thomas, Second

Place Humor (graduated in June)• Zoe Knepp and Caroline Macurda,

Third Place Use of Typography on One Page or Spread (senior and graduate)

ROARS AND WHISPERS LITERARY MAGAZINE AWARDS

The National Scholastic Press Association has named Emma Carter one of eleven finalists for the National Designer of the Year Award. This is the first year NSPA has sponsored this award, one of several Portfolio of the Year Awards that honor the top students in art, broadcast journalism, design, marketing, multimedia, photojournalism and writing. Emma received Honorable Mention at the national convention in Chicago in November. 

Emma was the Design Editor for Lit Mag last year. She graduated in June and is currently attending the School of Design at NCSU.

Seniors Will Taylor and Emmy Sistare led the cast in the roles of Winston and Julia, with each revealing that they are suspicious of Big Brother and his propaganda. They resolve to commit small acts of rebellion, like marrying, in order to be together and set society free. In the roll of Party official O’Brien, senior Nia Alexander manipulates Will and Julia, eventually separating and torturing them to break their spirit and crush any hope of uprising.

Other seniors in the cast included Sallie Perry in the role of Parsons, a devoted Party employee; Madeline Rorie, as a landlady who provides a private space for Winston and Julia to be together; Lorena Richez, as a member of the Big Brother Thought Police; and, Steve Guitano, as a Party guard. Senior Eliza Martin served as stage manager. Other seniors leading behind the scenes included Kara Kucsma (assistant stage manager), Thomas Wilkinson (lighting director), and Maria Zannos (assistant stage manager).

1984 was directed by PHS theater arts teacher Ms. Jacki Altmeyer. Mr. Richard Turski, PHS technical theater arts teacher, was the technical director. All fall, Mr. Turski’s technical theater classes built versatile sets meant to evoke the dark, highly controlled environment prescribed by Big Brother. The cast and backstage crew regularly moved walls and ascended platforms as the show progressed. Novel to 1984 was the addition of cameras and screens pointed at the audience. During scene transitions, Big Brother was revealed to be watching US!

Please support the PHS Drama Department as their performance season continues. The first ever PHS dinner theater production, “Trouble at the Talent Show Murder Mystery” is February 8-9, 2019. Then, this spring PHS will be one of the first high schools in the state to present Disney’s Newsies! Come out for an evening of high energy singing and dancing March 20-24, 2019!

Despite being written over seventy years ago, the themes of George Orwell’s 1984 remain relevant today. His book, and the play presented by the PHS Drama Department in mid-November, teach important lessons about the dangers of a society where speech, private thoughts, and even facial expressions are regulated and controlled by technology and a single-voiced government. With “The Party,” also known as “Big Brother,” always watching, freedom, creativity, and love are prohibited.

PHS DRAMA PRESENTS “GEORGE ORWELL’S 1984”

Providence High School students have the opportunity to participate in the Sprint 1Million Project through CMS. The 1Million Project is focused on providing internet access to students without current in-home connectivity. If you would like to receive a “Free” take-home wifi access point for any or all of your PHS students, please see Ms. Mulligan in the Media Center for a permission form.  

Current students and staff members in all CMS schools are able to download Microsoft Office Pro-Plus applications on up to 5 PC’s or Macs, and up to 5 tablets including iPads. These applications include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote*, Access*, and Publisher*. Find out all the information on the CMS website: CLICK HERE.

Important Note: Students must not include the word “student” in their email address as they do when they login at school. All email addresses used to login to the Office Online portal should be look like this: ID#@cms.k12.c.us.

Passwords will be the same as used in school, YYYYMMDD, unless it has been changed by the student. If you are having any issues getting into the Office Online Portal: http://portal.office.com please see Ms. Mulligan in the Media Center before school or during lunch. 

SPRINT WIFI HOTSPOT FOR STUDENTS

MICROSOFT OFFICE PRO-PLUS FREE FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS

The choir department has been busy this year! Despite the lost of class time due to hurricanes, the students pulled off their fall concert and a wonderful Winter Concert on Monday, December 17th.

This year we had three students selected for the NC High School Honors Chorus out of over a thousand students from around the state that auditioned. Congratulations to Sophia Rohlman, David Benton and Holly Neddo! (Seen here just after their performance in Winston-Salem at the NC Music Educator’s Conference with Mrs. Johnson.)

PHS CHOIR NEWS

Thank you to Kendra Scott jewelry store for hosting a giveback night! We appreciate PHS Moms coming out for sipping and shopping-(shout out to the Dad who came and bought a gift for his daughter!)

There will be many delighted gift recipients! A portion of sales from the party will be donated to PTSO for #ONEPROV activities. Congratulations to our raffle winner Shari Hackman!

KENDRA SCOTT SIP AND SHOP

NIGHT

The PHS Horticulture department put on their first Silent Auction November 9 at the Homecoming football game. The Horticulture Advanced Studies students and their families reached out to many local businesses and families to get an amazing assortment of items donated for the auction, ranging from restaurant gift cards and jewelry to a weekend trip to Myrtle Beach. The students organized all of the promotions and worked for weeks lining up all the details. Even in the cold, rainy weather, they were able to raise over $1,600 to fund their trip to Disney World’s Sustainable Agriculture Center in Orlando that they will visit in January. This group of students works hard to keep our campus beautiful throughout the school year through planting projects and maintenance. Advanced Studies students are 3rd or 4th year Horticulture students that are approved directly by Ms. Edens.

PHS HORTICULTURE SILENT AUCTION

PHS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE 2018-2019

PHS MEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE 2018-2019

December 27 Thursday Myers Park Tournament Away TBA

December 28 Friday Myers Park Tournament Away TBA

December 29 Saturday Myers Park Tournament Away TBA

January 3 Thursday Central Cabbarus Home 7:30

January 4 Friday A L Brown Away 7:30

January 8 Tuesday West Mecklenburg Home 7:30

January 11 Friday Olympic Away 7:30

January 18 Friday Berry Home 7:30

January 22 Tuesday South Mecklenburg Away 7:30

January 25 Friday Ardrey Kell Home 7:30

January 29 Tuesday Harding Away 7:30

January 30 Wednesday Hickory Ridge Home 7:30

February 5 Tuesday West Mecklenburg Away 7:30

February 8 Friday Olympic Home 7:30

February 12 Tuesday Berry Away 7:30

February 15 Friday South Mecklenburg Home 7:30

Has Your Email Address Changed? If your email address has changed recently, let us know so we can make sure you continue to receive timely issues of the PHS MEWS and the Paw Prints. To submit your email change request (or unsubscribe), go to phs.ptso@cms.k12.nc.us. Please include your complete email address, your child’s first and last name, and your child’s grade level. Make sure to tell us if you want to add, delete, or update our email list. Thanks for keeping us up-to-date!

Providence Senior High School 1800 Pineville Matthews Road Charlotte, NC 28270

Dr. Tracey Harrill, Principal

PTSO Executive Board Julie Knafelz, President Stacey Ellis, President-Elect/IMPACT Campaign Chair Margo Wells, VP Communications Cathy Kirkland, Secretary Margaret Musa, Treasurer Beth Cotton, Assistant Treasurer/Membership

Paw Prints is published four times a year for students, teachers, staff, parents, and friends of Providence Senior High School.

Sam Wallach, Paw Prints editor Phs.pawprints@cms.k12.nc.us