PHS MEDIA NEWS

Tonight everyone is welcome to watch the final show of the year for the PHS choir. The variety show will begin at 6 p.m. in the auditorium and is free of charge.

The students, along with teacher B.J. Crowder, have been working on the show entitled “It’s a Total Mood” for five weeks. It incorporates different genres of music and will feature skits prepared by the choir members.

“We will be singing songs from musicals such as Phantom of The Opera, Dear Evan Hanson, The Greatest Showman, as well as several pop songs,” said Crowder.

They are displaying color in their concert in order to portray the feelings of their musical performances. The songs Crowder and the choir have chosen are also being used to tell a story. The choir has carefully selected the music in order to maintain the emotions they want the audience to feel.

It is the final show for seniors Tessa Robbins and Jillian Keen, and Crowder wants them to finish on a high note. He also wants to bring excitement to the remaining students in the junior high, beginning and advanced choir classes for future years.

“I hope we have a big turn-out,” said Crowder.

Story by: Masden Embry

A little encouragement can go a long way for students, and ISTEP is no exception. This is what English teacher Rachel Miller had in mind when creating The Testing Encouragement and Motivation Project (TEMP).

“The Testing Encouragement and Motivation Project (TEMP) is a way for teachers and administration to show their support for the students during ISTEP testing and to reward them for putting forth their best effort,” said Miller.

This two-part project included staff members writing personal, uplifting notes to boost students’ confidence and prompt them to do their best on the standardized tests. An incentive was also put in place, which was watching Aquaman in the auditorium with snacks and drinks.

After noticing that there wasn’t much support for students who were taking ISTEP, Miller decided to do something about it. She chose to restart the project she had previously done at Marion C. Moore High School, her previous school in Louisville, Kentucky. With a little help from Principal Chad Johnson and guidance counselor Brandi Kerley, Miller was able to put her plan into action.

“Students work very hard to prepare themselves for the ISTEP and it’s often not a very fun experience, so a little added levity can be encouraging,” said Miller.

Miller hoped that she would be able to motivate students, alongside other teachers and administrators, to look at ISTEP as something more than just another pointless exam, but as a preparation for the future.

“I want students to understand that although these tests may not be fun or seem relevant, they’re actually a good model for obstacles they will face in life,” said Miller.

Feedback from students showed they enjoyed the notes and rewards, and teachers saw that students were positively affected by them. Through this, Miller was able to see the ability staff had to help students. That only reaffirmed her plans to continue and expand this project in years to come.

Story by: Masden Embry

Today, FCCLA will be hosting a blood drive for the American Red Cross from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the lower gym of PHS. Anyone 17 and older may donate blood without parental permission, but 16-year-olds must have parental permission before donating. A sign-up form has been sent out to emails.

Story by: Chandler Hinton

Congratulations to sophomore Kyra Gegner for being named one of the three Indiana finalists for the SPJ/JEA essay contest.

The contest, sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists and the Journalism Education Association, asked students to answer the question: What is the role and importance of the Fourth Estate in American society?

Gegner’s essay will be submitted by the Indiana High School Press Association to be judged in the national contest. She will also be recognized at the First Amendment Symposium on March 14 and awarded $50.

National award winners can earn a scholarship up to $1000 and are funded by the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation of the Society of Professional Journalists.

On Monday, January 14, the Paoli School Board voted to approve the school calendar for the 2019-2020 school year. Mark your calendar with the dates below.

PAOLI COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION 2019-2020 School Calendar

Thursday, August 1, 2019………..…………………..Professional Development Day 1

Friday, August 2, 2019…………………………………Professional Development Day 2

Monday, August 5, 2019…………………………….First Student Day

Monday, September 2, 2019………………………..LABOR DAY – NO SCHOOL

Friday, October 4, 2019………………………………First Grading Period Ends (9 Wks) – 44 days

Friday, October 11, 2019…………………………….Professional Development Day 3

Monday-Friday, October 14-18, 2019………………FALL BREAK – NO SCHOOL

Wednesday-Friday, November 27-29, 2019………THANKSGIVING VACATION – NO SCHOOL

Friday, December 20, 2019…………………..…….Second Grading Period Ends (9 wks) – 46 days

Friday, December 20, 2019……………….……….Students dismissed at the end of the day for CHRISTMAS VACATION

Thursday, January 2, 2020…………………………Classes Resume after Christmas Vacation

Monday, January 20, 2020…………………………Professional Development Day 4

Friday, March 6, 2020………………………………Third Grading Period Ends (9 wks) – 46 days

Monday-Friday, March 23-27, 2020………………SPRING BREAK – NO SCHOOL

Friday, April 17, 2020………………………………No School – Snow Make-up Day (if needed)

Friday, May 15, 2020………………………………Fourth Grading Period Ends (9 wks) – 44 days Last Day for Students

Saturday, May 16, 2020………………………….Graduation

Monday, May 18, 2020……………………………Last Day for Teachers Professional Development Day 5

Grading Periods Days in Attendance Student Instructional Days

Teacher Days Student Days

1st Grading Period August 1 – October 4       46      44

2nd Grading Period October 7 – December 20       47      46 First Semester       93      90

3rd Grading Period January 2 – March 6       47      46

4th Grading Period March 9 – May 15       45      44

Second Semester       92 ___________90

Year      185    180

Cancelled student instructional days will be rescheduled April 17, 2020; or after the last scheduled student instructional day (after May 15, 2020); depending upon the number of days cancelled.

 

Designed by Briannah Andis