Penncrest High School
March 2016 Freshman Newsletter
March Calendar
2
World Language Contest
7
Spring Sports Begin (Orientation after school)
21-25
Student/Teacher Holiday
29
Jazz Night, 7:00 p.m., Penncrest Auditorium
Student Highlight!
On Friday, March 11th, freshman Kiersten Busch will participate in her 4th US Indoor
National Archery Championship, which is being held on the campus of James Madison
University, in Harrisonburg VA. Kiersten is a nationally ranked recurve archer and
completes both indoor and outdoor at a local, state and national level. She has been
training since September for Indoor Nationals and has set a goal this year to once again
finish in the top three in the region and top ten in the country in her age bracket. She
trains across the street from Penncrest at Middletown Archery Club, with USA Archery
Coach (and PHS Grad and Sports Hall of Famer) Cindy Bevilacqua. Kiersten is a 4-time
PA State Indoor Champion and 3-time Outdoor State Champion. She was ranked 6th
Nationally Indoor last year and has finished in the top eight Nationally outdoor for the
last three years, finishing in 4th last year. Best of luck to Kiersten!
Course Selection
Last month you chose your sophomore year courses. This month, you will be receiving
in the mail a recommendation and selection list. This is NOT a schedule. It’s simply a
way for you to double check for mistakes and that you selected what you meant to select.
If you notice any mistakes, please schedule an appointment with Mrs. Graham.
REMINDER: If you are choosing to sign a waiver to enter into a higher level course, you
must print, sign, and hand in the form to guidance by April 1.
Naviance Registration
Earlier in the year, parents and students received registration information for Naviance, a
web-based program used to help track your progress in high school, explore careers,
interests, and colleges, and to complete the college application process. It’s important for
all students and parents to register so that you explore the site and receive communication
about programs and services at Penncrest. If you need your log in information, please
contact Mrs. Graham.
STAR Program
Members of the Penncrest STAR team are available to identify and help students who are
struggling in school because of a variety of personal problems, including depression and
other mental health issues or maybe abuse of alcohol/drugs. Any member of the team
would be happy to talk privately with you about the help that is available here at
Penncrest and in the community.
You may also be concerned about a friend. Friends care about each other. When friends
are going through hard times, we want to be there for them. Sometimes it is difficult to
know what to do to help. We invite you to share your concerns confidentially with a
member of the STAR team. If there is an adult with whom you feel more comfortable
(another teacher, counselor, or a family member), you can ask that person to contact the
STAR team for you.
The members of the STAR team are:
Mrs. Scott, Mr. Fuhr, Ms. Seeley, Mr. Silva, Mrs. Carter, Mrs. Dacanay, Mrs. Graham,
Mrs. Lobitz, Mrs. Rice-Spring, Mr. Mattson, and Mrs. Hermann-Liu.
Community Service
Before you graduate, you must complete two community service activities; however, we
encourage you to do as much service as you can fit into your schedule. For opportunities,
please stop by the 9/11 office before or after school or during your study hall or lunch
period.
Third Marking Period ends on April 8. Students are reminded that a third ‘E’ in a
subject will make it extremely difficult to pass the course for the year. If you are
experiencing difficulty, seek help. Teachers are available to provide extra help. See Mrs.
Graham for help with study skills. Take action to address your academic progress.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Mrs. Graham
sgraham@rtsmd.org
610-627-6207