PRESTON PARENT BULLETIN
November, 2014
Best wishes to all as you celebrate Thanksgiving!
Let us give thanks for the bountiful love of God
in all we enjoy as Americans and as people of faith.
May our hearts and homes be filled with joy
on Thanksgiving Day.
FIRST QUARTER REPORT CARD GRADES available on Netclassroom
Tuesday, November 18th.
Parent / Teacher Conferences: Thursday, November 20th
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. & 5:30p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
(Please note that students will be dismissed that day at 2:30.)
November 12, 2014
Dear Preston Parent:
The NY Archdiocesan Superintendent of Schools Office is happy to announce that TriState Italian American Scholarship funds will be available for the 2014-15 school year
for students of Italian heritage.
∙
Application form (attached) must be filled out for each eligible family and returned to
Mrs. Murphy in the Main Office by TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18TH at 3:00
p.m. Applications received after that date will not be considered.
∙
These scholarships are based strictly on financial need and proof of family income
not exceeding $75,000 is required. You must include documentation of family
income (W-2, federal income tax or 1099 forms only). Original documents will be
returned to you once they have been reviewed by the Principal to ascertain that the
applicant is income eligible. Application forms not stating the family income or with
income exceeding $75,000 will not be considered.
·The Principal may submit only one application per family. If you are applying for
scholarship funds for more than one child, you must provide us with the names &
schools of all the siblings, as the family will receive only one award.
The Archdiocese of New York receives a limited amount of funds for this scholarship,
therefore, an application or past receipt of the award is not a guarantee of receiving a
scholarship award for the 2014-15 school year.
Families who are chosen to receive the Tri-State Italian American Scholarship funds will
be notified by early December, 2014.
Please note that it is expected that scholarship recipients be present to accept their award
from Cardinal Egan and Judge Fusco. The award ceremony will be held on
Thursday, December 11, 2014, at 4:00 p.m. at the Catholic Center, 1011 First Avenue,
in Manhattan.
The application form may be found at the end of this bulletin.
______________________________________________________________________
PARENT ASSOCIATION NEWS AND THANKS
Oh What a Night! On Thursday,
November 6, Preston students and their
dads, grandfathers, and other important
male role models enjoyed the annual
Father Daughter Dance at the Marina
Del Rey.
Senior
Juliette Michilena and
her dad Michael were
crowned the King and
Princess of the dance
while they danced to
Butterfly
Kisses.
Special thanks to the
Parent
Auxiliary
volunteers who work so closely with the
Advancement Office to organize this
PHS tradition!
A big thank you in advance to all who
plan to volunteer or attend the Preston
High School Flea Market! We are sold
out of vendor space and anticipate a
fantastic event on Saturday, November
15!!
Last call!!!!! Don’t forget to return your
Super Raffle Tickets! The
drawing takes place Thursday,
December 11. If you would like
to buy or sell additional tickets
please contact Gianna Dell’Olio,
Director of Advancement at ext.
195 or [email protected].
Finally,
the
next
Parent
Auxiliary meeting is Tuesday, December
9 at 6:30pm in the café. Please plan on
attending – especially if you want to be
part of the PHS Card Party Committee.
We hope to see many of you there!!!
2
The Board of Trustees and the Administration of Preston High School is proud to announce the
Winter Holiday Gala Celebration,
Friday, December 5, 2014
Beckwith Pointe, New Rochelle, 7pm - 11pm
Join Preston High School as we pay tribute to our strong ties to the Bronx Community by
honoring three amazing Bronx natives and members of the Preston family: Sr. Carol Wagner,
RDC '69, PHS Alumna, former faculty member and current President of the Sisters of the Divine
Compassion
Mary Hussey Piscina '80, alumna and member of the Board of Trustees; William "Bill" Twomey
(posthumous), Husband and Father of Preston alumnae, prominent Throggs Neck community
leader and legendary Bronx historian. In addition, a special tribute will be made to the first
graduating class of Preston High School, the "Preston Pioneers," the Class of 1951.
Enjoy Cocktails, Dinner, and Dancing while you browse an extraordinary Silent Auction
featuring a New York City Getaway, VIP Yankee tickets, a Peter Thomas Roth Cosmetics Basket
(valued at $1,000), White and Warren Cashmere, sports memorabilia and much more.
Contact the Gianna Dell’Olio, Director of Advancement at [email protected] or (718)
863-9134 ext. 195
for more information regarding tickets, tables, sponsorships and journal ads.
Preston Happenings
Preston High School’s student body
officially welcomed their new executive
board members and officers at
the Student Council Induction Ceremony on Friday, October 17th. The
Executive Board is comprised of
members of the Class of 2015 and
includes the "Big Four" Nazeli Acosta
(President), Christina Hamelos (VicePresident), Anelis Acevedo (Executive
Secretary), and Alis Urena (Treasurer),
as well as Tiffany Barizano, Geina
Serrone,
Jada
Williams,
Elvira
Acciarino, Tashin Jahin, Naomy De Los
Santos, Juliette Michelina, Michelle
Perez, AnaRose Fragale, Nhi Nguyen,
Caitlin Walter, and Smanatha Lauriola
(who emceed and organized the
ceremony).
In addition to the Senior Executive
Board, 57 students were inducted as
homeroom officers who will represent
their sister students. Class officers (a
president and treasurer) for each grade
level were also welcomed at the
ceremony: Madeline Giannini '15,
Antonella Carovillano '15, Michevi
Dufflart '16, Stefanie Agovino '16,
Ashley Vargas '17 and Victoria DePew
'17.
3
Student Council is conducting a drive for
Catholic Charities.
We will be
collecting
toiletries
and
other
miscellaneous items for homes of special
needs adults.
Student Council is also hard at work
organizing the Sophomore/Junior Social
scheduled for Saturday, December 6th.
The Festivale was Thursday, October
17th. Over 150 people attended. Parents
made and served delicious homemade
food and desserts. Guests danced to
Italian and American music provided by
DJ Nelson Viera. Sales from tickets,
raffles, chances, and donations totaled
over $900.00. The proceeds will all be
used to help the Italian Club and Italian
Honor Society fund charitable activities
throughout the year. Thank you to all
who worked so hard to make the
Festivale a success this year!
On Friday October 25th, the Spanish
Club of Preston High School held its
Annual Masquerade Ball in the school
cafeteria. Proceeds from the event will
benefit the Spanish Scholarship Fund
that the Club has maintained for the last
13 years. More than 100 students from
Mount St Michael, Salesian, and
Fordham Prep joined our Preston
students for a night of salsa dancing and
entertainment.
Catholic High School (TACHS) exams
for 183 8th graders.
On November 9, 2014, staff and students
represented Preston proudly as they
marched in the Throggs Neck Veterans
Day Parade. In conjunction with
honoring our military veterans, Preston
also conducted a special assembly
featuring a video created by History
teacher Philine Vega to educate the
community on the origins and
importance of Veterans Day.
Our College Financial Planning
meeting for Sophomore and Junior
Parents was held on Wednesday,
November 12th.
Certified Financial
Planner Anthony Becker discussed
financial aid, loans, federal and state aid
and scholarships with approximately 50
parents in attendance.
Thursday, Nov. 13th, the senior citizens
returned for the Italian Club's 4th
Annual Thanksgiving Party, held in
the cafeteria after school. Italian food &
desserts were served, enlivened by
music, and seniors played TOMBOLA
(Italian bingo) for prizes. The students in
Italian classes wrote letters and prayers
for the senior citizens and they created
candy goody bags for them. This year,
the Compassion Connection helped by
providing desserts to this year’s event.
On Friday, November 7th, Preston hosted
the annual Test for Admission into
SPORTS NEWS
Our Varsity Volleyball team defeated St. Joseph by the Sea in the ¼ finals but couldn’t get
through the semi-finals and consolation games. The team ended its season in 3rd place; Our
JV Volleyball and Soccer teams continue to improve and look forward to next season.
Basketball season is coming up next.
Varsity Team: Kylah Blake, Tanielle Brown, Paige Castiello, Marissa Denner, Madeleine
Giannini, Kayla Gutierrez (Manager), Alicia Jones, Asia Landaverde, Shania Ketcham, Erin
Neville, Brittany Peters, Christine Rice and Ivanna Vazquez.
JV Team: Gabriella Adorno, Zuleika Briceno, Francesca DiMaggio, Francesca D’Ottavi,
AnnaMarie Evers, Amanda Maldonado, Kristen Marcus, Kelis Middleton, Ashley Nova,
Monika Popovic, Angelina Signore and Tassia Turner.
4
Dear Parent or Guardian,
Our school is very fortunate again this year to have our 10th grade students participating
in the ADAPP High School Education Refuse, Remove, Reasons Curriculum.
Refuse, Remove Reason, listed on the National Registry of Evidence-based Programs
and Practices, is a compelling, digital and print substance abuse prevention curriculum
developed by the New York Archdiocese Drug Abuse Prevention Program (ADAPP), in
partnership with the Connect with Kids Education Network. It features five classroom
lessons which provide accurate and age appropriate information about alcohol, tobacco,
marijuana, steroids, over-the-counter and prescription drugs, heroin and other illegal
drugs.
The curriculum utilizes a multimedia approach with interactive activities to engage
students in discussions with their peers about ways to refuse and remove themselves from
situations where substances may be present. It also provides a forum to discuss the
negative consequences of substance use and strategies for making wise choices.
This year, there will be anonymous and confidential pre- and post- survey given to our
students in order to assess the impact of the lessons on their learning.
We believe parents are the most influential resource when it comes to helping youth
remain drug free and encourage you to have conversations with your children about their
experiences with this program.
You may visit the program website at www.rrr.connectwithkids.com. To log in: user name is
parent and password is adapp.
Thank you,
Principal
5
SUMMARY OF APPROACHING EVENTS ~
; Saturday, November 15th Preston’s Annual Flea Market – 10am -5pm
; REPORT CARD DISTRIBUTION TO PARENTS, THURSDAY November
20th Teachers and Guidance Counselors are available at the following times:
3:pm-5pm and 5:30-7:30pm. Please note that there will be a 30-minute dinner
break between sessions.
; Friday, November 21st - 1:16 p.m. Early Dismissal for Faculty meeting
; Thursday, November 27th & Friday, November 28th Thanksgiving Holiday
; November 30th - First Sunday in Advent
; Wednesday, December 3rd – Admissions Art Competition & Exhibition, 6:00pm 7:30pm
; Friday, December 5th – Preston High School Gala at Beckwith Pointe, 7:00pm –
11pm
; Saturday, December 6th Sophomore/Junior Winter Social, 7pm-11pm
; Sunday, December 7th – Second Sunday in Advent
; Monday, December 8th – Feast of the Immaculate Conception Liturgy
; Tuesday, December 9th , Parent Auxiliary meeting, 6:30pm, café, room 102
; Friday, December 12th Faculty Conference Day, no classes in session
; Sunday, December 14th – Third Sunday in Advent
; Wednesday, December 17th NHS Senior Induction Ceremony, 6:00 p.m
; Thursday, December 18th – Senior Class Luncheon @ Marina del Rey
2nd Quarter Interim Reports Grades are available on NetClassroom
; Wednesday, December 24th – January 2nd – Christmas / New Year Holiday
; Classes Resume – Monday, January 5th. 6
2014-15
TRI-STATE ITALIAN AMERICAN CONGRESS
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
List the names & provide school information for all siblings for whom you are requesting scholarship funds. PLEASE PRINT: STUDENT
NAME(S)_______________________________________________GRADE________
SCHOOL NAME _________________________________________________________
SCHOOL ADDRESS ____________________________________________________
CITY __________________________________________________________________
SCHOOL PHONE NUMBER______________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
ITALIAN LINEAGE VIA: (LIST PARENT OR GRANDPARENT NAME)
MATERNAL________________________________________________________
PATERNAL_________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME CANNOT EXCEED $75,000
(Please document CURRENT household income by attaching most recent W2 or
1099 forms or federal income tax statements. Original documents will be returned
to you. )
TOTAL CURRENT HOUSEHOLD INCOME $_______________________
APPLICATION FORMS MUST BE RECEIVED BY Mrs.
Murphy in the Main Office no later than TUESDAY,
NOVEMBER 18, 2014 FOR CONSIDERATION 7
SUBJECT: THURSDAY TIPS
Volume 7, Issue 11
DATE:
NOVEMBER 13, 2014
Topic:
Four Healthy Habits That Support School Success
If you are involved in any sports, you know that you have to be in physical good condition to play and
compete. Your mind, too, needs to be sharp to focus on your game. Similarly, if you’re going to play to
win in the academic field, you need to be in prime condition. Let your body boost your brain! Here are
four healthy habits to help support success in school.
1. Eat well.
In studies, students who regularly ate healthy meals did better on tests than those who did not. Energize
your body and mind throughout the day with nutrient-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains,
yogurt or low-fat cheese, and lean proteins. Good nutrition starts with the first meal of the day. On any
given day, about 20 percent of teens skip breakfast. Eating a healthy breakfast not only provides good
energy and helps you to concentrate in school, but it also sets the stage for making better healthy eating
choices throughout the day. If making time for breakfast in the morning is challenging for you, plan
ahead by preparing a to-go breakfast the night before: for example, a banana and a whole-wheat minibagel. A lunch of lean proteins, fiber, and complex carbohydrates (such as a turkey sandwich on wholegrain bread with zucchini slices on the side) will help boost your energy for the second half of the school
day; no zoning out in your afternoon Spanish class!
2. Get some sleep.
If you drag through your mornings each day, you’re probably not getting enough sleep. Teens need to get
between 8.5 and 9.5 hours of sleep every night. If you are regularly getting less sleep than that, chances
are you’re less able to concentrate in school and even end up with lower grades over time. Manage your
time so that you are able to get to sleep early enough to get a full night’s sleep every night. An hour or so
before you hit the hay, power down electronics and spend your time on calming activities, or just
completing pen-and-ink homework or reading. This will help you get ready to rest. Adjust your sleep
habits to be well-rested and watch the difference it makes in your day-to-day world!
3. Exercise.
Physical activity has been shown in studies to stimulate neural development. In other words, it energizes
your brain and gets you ready to work. Exercise also is linked to higher self-esteem and lower anxiety
levels. If you’re feeling good, you’re more likely to do well in school. Set a goal to be active for at least
30 minutes every day, even if it’s just moderate exercise. Walking to school, walking the dog, dancing,
riding a bike, playing a sport: Do whatever is fun and feels good to you. An added bonus: Exercise also
helps you sleep better.
4. Think good thoughts.
Positive thinking has been shown in studies to boost learning. Why? Because if you tell yourself you can
do something, you feel more confident. If you are assigned an in-class presentation on the Russian
Revolution, take some time to sit quietly and imagine what a successful presentation would look like and
feel like. Visualize yourself giving the presentation. This type of exercise readies your mind for doing the
work and succeeding. You can turn school anxieties around by changing the way you think about them:
Instead of thinking, “I can’t give that presentation. I know nothing about the Russian Revolution, and I
hate speaking in front of the class,” you can turn that around and think, “This is an opportunity to learn
something new. I’ll learn all I can so that it will be fun to share that learning with my classmates.”
Sending yourself that message helps you build the confidence to get it done.
Summary
Many demands are placed on you every day, and you work hard to meet those demands. You need to be
present at school, focused in class, on top of your homework and studying, and involved in your
extracurricular and social activities. All these demands can take a toll on you and exhaust you, so make a
commitment to taking care of yourself. By eating right, getting enough sleep, exercising, and keeping a
positive outlook, you’ll be better equipped to do all the things you need to do — and to do them well.
What topic would you like to see in Thursday Tips?
Connect with us and let us know!
Successful Study Skills 4 Students, LLC
Skills for School, Tools for Life™
107 John St | Southport | CT | 06890
NEW NUMBER!
203-418-2003 | [email protected] | S4StudySkills.com
Copyright © 2014 S4 | Successful Study Skills 4 Students, LLC
Reproduction in any sort without permission is strictly prohibited.