PLAINFIELD SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL

COUGAR NEWSLETTER

Volume IV, Edition II

November-December, 2004

 

 

Important Dates:

 

 

 

From the Desk of Dan Goggins:

We have come to the end of the twelve-week period and have much to be thankful for as we enter the holiday season.  On November 4th and 5th, we held over 1,000 parent teacher conferences.  The fall athletic season was a huge success culminating with a berth in the state finals for the boys’ cross country team.  The building leadership team has conducted a large number of staff evaluations and has observed excellent teaching and great potential from new teachers.  The students continue to brighten each day for us and serve as a constant reminder of our purpose.  In addition, we have defined our four improvement goals for this year.

·        To provide all students the opportunity to learn critical content necessary to meet or exceed standards on the PLAN, ACT, and PSAE tests, as well as local assessments.

·        To improve student literacy.

·        To improve parental and community involvement and communication.

·         To provide a safe and orderly environment with special emphasis on improving student attendance and understanding diversity and respect.

 

More and more we learn what we are capable of and reminded that the cougar’s graceful swiftness shows us how to understand the natural flow of our surroundings and move into positions of leadership.

 

Have a great holiday.

 

 

Student Services:

Sophomore students along with their parents are required to attend a Surfing for Success program.  One of these programs was held November 23rd and the second is on December 2nd at 7:00 p.m.  Items on the agenda include: PLAN test interpretation, career investigation, four-year planning and course requests for next year.  Any questions, please call Student Services Office at 577-5512.

 

 

French Club:

The theme for the national celebration of la Semaine du Français was “Speak French and Understand the World: Parler français et comprendre le monde”. 

 

The activities for the three days were:

Monday, November 8th:

Activities:

·        Henri Matisse papier  découpé (cutouts) were made by students in all French classes.

·         French music was played in all French classes.

 

After school:

·        French cheese tasting from 3:45 – 4:15, open to ALL students enrolled in French.  Cost per student was $2.00 to help defray the cost of the cheeses and Orangina.

 

Tuesday, November 9th:

·        Traditional French breakfast of croissants, baguettes, pains au chocolat, chocolat chaud, thé, & café for French Club members, administrators, office staff and modern language teachers.

 

Wednesday, November 10th:

After school:

·        «Trouver Nemo» in French after school from 3:45 – 5:30, open to all students enrolled in French.

 

This year’s activities were a huge success and le Cercle Français (French Club) continues to grow as a result.

 

 

German Club:

The German Club will be taking its 4th annual trip to the German Christmas Market in Daley Plaza in Chicago on Saturday, December 11th.  The students will get to visit an authentic German market and experience German food, drinks, music gifts and more.  The German Christmas Market invites vendors from Germany to share their wares with the citizens of the Chicago-land area.  Thus, the students will have an opportunity to use their language skills to speak not only with the vendors, but also the large number of Chicago residents of German heritage who visit this beautiful market every year.

 

 

 

 

Choir Director:

Mr. Chris Ruge, PSHS Director of Choirs, had the opportunity to study, rehearse, and perform with the world-renowned Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir in Brooklyn, New York.  Mr. Ruge spent three days in Brooklyn working with the choir on many different aspects of choral music, including vocal technique, choral performance, and musical style.  It was a great weekend of learning, and the students at PSHS will benefit greatly from Mr. Ruge’s broadened professional experience.  The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir has won five Grammy Awards, numerous Dove Awards, and countless other accolades.

 

 


INCOMING FRESHMAN PLACEMENT ACTIVITIES

Most of our District 202 eighth grade students completed the EXPLORE TEST at either Plainfield High School Central Campus or Plainfield South High School in November or December of 2004.

 

An informational brochure regarding the EXPLORE TEST was distributed to all of our eighth grade students through their middle school Language Arts classes during the week prior to taking this test.  The information generated by the EXPLORE TEST will be shared with students and parents by the staff of the Student Services Department at both high schools.  This sharing of information is part of the freshman placement activities that will take place in February 2005.

 

Freshman class options. Electives will be discussed.

 

In February, representatives from the Student Services Departments at both high school campuses will meet with the eighth grade Language Arts classes to discuss freshman class options and electives.  The representatives will also distribute freshman registration materials to the students.

 

Eighth grade students and parents are encouraged to attend

EXPLORATIONS NIGHT 2009 – February 15th & 17th 2005.

 

Plainfield High School Central Campus and Plainfield South High School have activities planned for our eighth grade students and their parents on EXPLORATIONS NIGHT 2009.  Eighth grade students and their parents should read and discuss the materials that will be distributed by the representative.  Students and parents should then attend EXPLORATIONS 2009 – February 15th and 17th, 2005.  Included, as part of EXPLORATIONS NIGHT 2009 will be a formal information program concerning course selections and graduation and college entrance requirements.

 

Don’t miss this opportunity to visit Plainfield High School Central Campus and Plainfield South High School Department Chairs, Teachers and Staff.

 

 

Following the formal presentations at EXPLORATIONS NIGHT 2009, eighth grade students and their parents will have an opportunity to visit the departments and teachers, hear presentations concerning curricular offerings, and ask questions about the courses and activities available to freshmen.  Attending EXPLORATIONS NIGHT is the single best thing our eighth grade students and their parents can do to help smooth the transition from middle school to high school.  It is extremely important for our eighth grade students and their parents to make plans NOW to attend this event.  All freshmen registration materials will be turned in to their middle school office or to the Student Services Department by mid-March.

 

 

PSHS Collage Concert:

On Wednesday, December 8th and Thursday, December 9th, the music department of Plainfield South will present its annual Collage Concert.  Both concerts are free to the public and will be held at 7:00 p.m. in Plainfield South’s state of the art auditorium.

 

A brief list of instrumental performers includes the Concert and Symphonic bands, the Wind Ensemble, the Jazz Band, and other small ensembles.  Choral performers include the Mixed, Treble, and Concert Choirs, as well as the Madrigal Singers, Soubrettes and Vox Concolor.

 

There will also be a collection box for the Toys for Tots program available.  There is no better way of showing that festive cheer than donating to a needy child.

 

So, come to the Collage Concert and be sure to bring new toys with you.