Trillium Learning Global 21st Century Schools Project
PV Culture
at the
Pascack Valley High School
Hillsdale, New Jersey, USA
Teachers: Nicole Olshalsky & Melissa Velez
Academics
• 1:1 Laptop eLearning
• Every student receives his/ her own computer
to be used for class
• They are used for research, note taking, extra
help, homework, and interactive simulations
• The laptops provide PV students with
opportunities to explore things via the internet,
that most students cannot
Life
of
a
PV
Student
• Come to school 5 days a week from 8:00am2:50pm
• Attend 8 (47 minute) periods of class each day
• Typically, a student will take all 5 types of
classes
• Mathematics, Science, History, English, and a
Foreign Language
Life of a PV Student
• Homework is assigned every night
• PV is known for its outstanding academic
achievement among all students
• Majority of the students at PV are involved in
some type of club or sport
• Sample Schedule:
Clubs
• Total of 40 different clubs at PV
• All types of clubs for every student
• The Arts
• Art Portfolio, Marching & Concert Band,
Literary Magazine, Theatre, School
Newspaper, Music Honor Society
Clubs
• Academic Clubs
• Academic Decathlon, Debate, Science &
Math League, Language Clubs, Language
Honor Societies
• Community Service/ Leadership Clubs
• Environmental, Gay-Straight Alliance,
Habitat for Humanity, Just About Caring,
Peer Leadership, Paterson Project (Winter
Wonderland)
Mascot: PV Indian
•
A “mascot” is a person or animal that represents a
team and a school
•
Our school mascot is an Indian
Valley Cup
•
“Valley Cup” is a school-wide competition that was
started in 2008 by the student council
•
The four grades earn points and compete against
one another. The grades are known as the
freshmen (youngest), the sophomores, juniors, and
seniors (oldest). The grade with the most points by
the end of the year gets their name inscribed on a
trophy (and, more importantly, bragging rights)
Valley Cup
•
During “Valley Cup” weeks, students participate in
theme days during which they dress up according
to that theme to earn points for their grade
•
Examples of “theme days”
•
Crazy hat day
•
80’s day (meaning 1980s)
•
Wild West day
an example of teens dressing
up for an ‘80s day
something a student might
wear on cowboy day
Valley Cup
•
At the end of the week, a “pep rally” is held
•
a “pep rally” is a gathering of the entire school,
usually in the auditorium to promote school spirit
•
the cheerleaders and dance team perform
•
representatives from each grade compete for
Valley Cup points
Valley Cup
•
The fiercest competition is between the two oldest
grades, the Juniors and Seniors
•
The Seniors have traditionally won, but there have
been upsets!
School fashions
•
Teens at our school dress quite casually
•
Most favor jeans, sweaters, sweatshirts, and
graphic t-shirts
Popular shoes