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Revised May 2008 |
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Pal-Mac High School Principal’s Newsletter—April 30, 2008
Hello Everyone:
Seven weeks left until the end of the fourth marking period. This year has really flown by.
This year the Dollars for Scholars program will be awarding Pal-Mac seniors approximately $100,000 in scholarships. All students need to do is complete the application form that counselors will be delivering to them in English classes on Tuesday, April 29th and Wednesday, April 30th. Senior parents will also be receiving information about the scholarships as well as information on graduation in the mail within the next few days. It is imperative that the forms be completed and turned in on time. No late applications can be accepted so please help your senior to meet the deadline. The deadline is 3:00 on Friday, May 9th.
Yearbook News for Everyone: Yearbooks will be released on Moving Up Day, June 16th, this year. Yearbooks can still be purchased through Mr. Perry, although our extras are dwindling. The cost is $65 and checks should be made out to Yearbook or Zenobia. There were more than 20 students wanting to purchase a yearbook last year on Moving Up Day and unfortunately we ran out, so PLEASE purchase your yearbook now. Do you have a yearbook ordered? You can check your order for certain on the NEW high school yearbook web page. Click on “Yearbook” and you should find your name listed right on the yearbook homepage. You can also check out “sneak peaks for 08” through the Purchase Link.
Summer School: We will again be offering a summer school program for students needing to repeat a course or to take a course for the first time. The first time credit courses will include Participation in Government, Economics and Health. These are great options for students with full schedules. Information can be obtained from the counseling office.
Evening review classes for June regents’ exams will be offered. Dates, times and locations will be listed in the Counseling Newsletter which you will be receiving in the mail next week.
April was Alcohol Awareness Month, and there is a great website for parents to view. The website offers tips for parents, underage drinking facts and figures, the laws and statistics. When you open the web page you will find information about underage drinking parties. With prom and graduation coming up you may find some of this information helpful. The website is www.nydas.org/parentswhohost.
Texting Information Sending and receiving text messages has become widespread with teens. Cell phones have become so small and easily hidden that students can be sending and receiving messages while at the same time convincing their teachers that they are paying attention in class. We do take cell phones away from students when we see them out in class. The problem lies in our ability to actually see them!
Did You Know? · 22% of 16-17 year olds have had a face-to-face meeting with someone they met online · 1 in 7 teens have been sexually solicited on the internet · 1 in 3 have been aggressively pursued online · 1 in 11 minors have been threatened or harassed online
Here are some of the frequently used ‘shorthand’ text messages and their meanings. It’s a whole new language!
AITR = Adult in the room P911 = Parent Emergency PAW = Parents are watching PIR = Parent in room POS = Parent over shoulder PRW = Parents are watching MOS = Mom over shoulder PAL = Parents are listening CD9 = Code 0 – means parents are around MIRL = Meet in real life LMIRL = Let’s meet in real life ASL (R P) = Age sex location (race/picture) E or X = Ecstasy (the drug) S2R = Send to receive (pictures) TDTM = Talk dirty to me GNOC = Get naked on cam (web cam)
These are just a few examples; there are many, many more. If you would like more information regarding the internet and internet use, try the following web sites: SchoolSafety.org: A useful guide to online safety for teens and social networking safety. WiredSafety.org: All-inclusive, free resource focusing on Internet safety, help and education for internet users of all ages. MissingKids.com: The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Upcoming Events: April 30 Jazz Night at 7:30 p.m. in the Auditorium May 6 Board of Education Awards Ceremony at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium May 6 National Teacher Day May 7 National School Nurse Day May 9 Scholarship applications are due in the counseling office no later than 3:00 p.m. May 11 Mother’s Day May 13 Board of Education Meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the LGI May 14 Spring Band Concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Auditorium May 15 Class of 2009 Senior Trip Parent Info. Meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium May 17 Junior/Senior Prom at 6:00 p.m. at Locust Hill Country Club May 20 School Board Election and Budget Vote from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. May 21 Senior Vocal Recital at 7:30 p.m. at the Western Presbyterian Church May 22-23 FBLA/Business Trip to New York City May 23-25 Band Trip to Cleveland, Ohio May 23 Memorial Day Recess - School is Closed May 26 Memorial Day – School is Closed May 26 Memorial Day Parade at 9:00 a.m. in Palmyra and 11:00 a.m. in Macedon May 27 Board of Education Meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the LGI June 4 Athletic Awards Assembly at 6:30 p.m. in the Auditorium June 5 Senior Awards Night at 6:30 p.m. in the Gymnasium |