Gazettemay 08
Gazettemay 08
Gazettemay 08
Homestead HIGH
SCHOOL
21370 Homestead Road • Cupertino, CA 95014 • 408-522-2500 • Graham Clark, Principal
Volume 9, Issue 3 As summer approaches, I just wanted to express my thanks for the support that the
parents and community have given to Homestead this past year. The extra curricular
programs such as Athletics, Band, Cheerleading, Equestriettes and Future Business
CONGRATULATIONS Leaders of America (FBLA) have all flourished this year. This has been one of our
Class of 2008! best years in terms of league, state and national recognition for the various teams. The
support that parents and the community members provide is critical to the success of
June 12th these various student activity programs. The PTSA and the various booster groups
are vital links between school and community. I am particularly grateful to all of you
GRADUATION who attended the Homestead Auction and the Annual Golf Tournament. In total, these
5:30pm events raised over $60K in support of student activities and teams.
Football Field Spring is the season for testing in California High Schools. We just completed a very
successful round of STAR testing at Homestead High School. All freshman, sophomore
and junior students are required to take this important test and the school must test at
least 95% of the population. I am pleased to report that we had a very high turnout
SARC and students appeared to be focused and doing their best work. We are currently in
School Accountability
Report Card 2006-2007 the midst of administering the Advanced Placement Tests in many subjects.
www.fuhsd.org/sarcs.htm As we approach the end of the year, it’s time to bid farewell to the student class of
2008. We appreciate your achievement and many contributions to Homestead High
School. The fun and excitement of the Senior Ball, Graduation, All Night Party, and
other year-end activities await you. Please enjoy these once in a lifetime events to
the fullest, but also use good judgment. It seems as though every year at this time
an article appears in the newspaper about high school seniors who were seriously
injured in alcohol related accidents, or denied graduation privileges due to a violation
at inside cover
of school rules. Remember that graduation is for family and friends as much as it is
for District wide Info for the graduate. Please refrain from any thoughtless act that might keep you from
• 2008-09 District wide Calendar staying safe and sound on graduation night.
• Be Connected I would like to wish everyone a wonderful summer break
• District Honorees in Upcoming and all the best to the Class of 2008.
San Jose Magazine Articles
Sincerely,
• Foundation’s CRAB FEED
• Measure B Graham Clark
• Superintendent’s Message Principal
2
ATTENTION SENIOR PARENTS!
THE MEMORY WALL POSTER PARTY WILL BE
HELD ON SATURDAY, MAY 17TH FROM 10AM TO
2PM AT FAIRBRAE SWIM CLUB.
(690 Sheraton Dr. Sunnyvale, corner of Sheraton and Hollenbeck)
Of
www.hhs.fuhsd.org , click College & Career Center, Click
“Community Scholarships on file”
• Research colleges to find the ones that fit your interests and
2008!
goals. For help in what to consider in choosing a college and major,
go to the College & Career Center webpage, then “College Major”
links. These links provide comprehensive information of 2-year, 4-
year and vocational schools listed by states.
• Volunteer to gain practical skills and experiences, to build a
strong networking base, to explore possible career tracks and to
prove that you care.
• Get a job to gain work experience, to develop a good work
ethic, to learn about companies and business first-hand, to hone
communication skills, to learn money-handling and of course, to
earn money.
• Develop your passions. Learn more about what interests you.
Pursue your hobbies.
• Learn about yourself. Take a few self-assessment tests. One
Best of Luck is available at http://www.careerkey.org/.
in Future Endeavors • Explore careers. Talk to professionals in your field of interest.
Talk to any working persons about their jobs and careers. Browse
career websites to research different careers. A good one is
Plan Ahead! http:/www.bls.gov/oco/.
2008-09 Test Dates
PSAT Oct 15 or 18
SAT *Tentative Test Dates Summer Planning for next year’s Seniors
Oct. 4 or 5 Take time to think about what is important to you.
Nov. 1 or 2 Make up “D” or “F” by attending summer school before senior
Dec. 6 or 7 year.
Jan. 24 or 25 Fill out the “Brag Sheet” and “My Mustang Resume”, submit a
Mar. 14 or 15 copy to Ms. Chan in the College & Career Center
May 2 or 3 Follow “College Planning Calendar For 2009 Seniors” timeline
June 6 or 7 Visit colleges of different sizes, locations, public/private for
ACT *Confirmed Register by comparison
Sept. 13 Aug. 12 Get application info from your targeted colleges
Oct. 25 Sep. 19 Create a portfolio of essays, articles, artwork, and
Dec. 13 Nov. 7 achievements to use in an application
Feb. 7 Jan. 6 Make a list of potential “recommenders” – adults who know you
Apr. 4 Feb. 27 well (teachers, employers, coaches, clergy, community
Jun. 13 May 8 leaders). If possible, let them know that you’ll be asking them.
Start working on your college essay(s)
Homestead High School
College/Career Center News
Ms. Priscilla Chan – College Career Advisor May, June 2008
Priscilla_chan@fuhsd.org (408) 522-2521
Seniors: Things to do before you head off to college:
• Pay your enrollment deposit to the one college you will attend in the fall no later than May 1st.
• Send AP score report(s) to the college when it is available.
• Get the college reading list. Many colleges have a suggested summer reading list for
incoming freshmen. Contact the admissions office to find out about this.
• Arrange housing. Investigate the housing options available to you. Fill in those housing
questionnaires honestly and thoughtfully. Meet all fees and deadlines.
• Check on health care. Make certain that you have adequate health care - either coverage
from the school, or your parent’s policy.
• Have final transcripts sent from Homestead. If you have taken classes at the community
college, arrange to have your transcript sent to the college. Student athletes will need to
send a final transcript to NCAA. There is usually a deadline of mid-July, so be sure to turn
in the transcript request form, with a self-addressed and stamped *43 Cent stamped
envelope and $3 to the College & Career Center now.
• Attend the frosh orientation. Sometime before school starts, most colleges have an
orientation or get-acquainted trip (fee based). It is valuable to attend these if you can. You
will meet your new classmates and have fun too.
• Sign up and take Placement tests as required. Go to college’s website to find out the test
date, time and location. Register for classes. Be certain to abide by the registration dates
for your new school. You don’t want to be stuck with a 7:00AM class.
• Have fun. Senior year is almost over. Continue doing your schoolwork, but don’t miss out on
all the senior activities. Relax. You deserve it.
• Do a reality check. School will not be easy. Be realistic about your college years…they’ll be
fun but will require a lot of hard work too.
• Complete all requests. Double check that you have filled out and mailed back all forms
required by your college. Check your email messages regularly, college admission and
financial aid offices might want to contact you, or provide new information.
• Great books for seniors to ease the transition to college: • The Everything College Survival
Book From Social Life to Study Skills Everything; • How to Survive Your Freshman Year; •
Been There, Should ‘ve Done That: 50 Tips for Making the Most of College.
Craig Colvin, HHS PTSA Very Special Award Recipient for 2008, is a local business
person and owner of the Sawdust Shop in Sunnyvale, which has contributed materials and
services to the Wood program at Homestead High School.
Noriko Romanko, HHS PTSA Honorary Service Award Recipient for 2008, has served
for four years as a volunteer managing the Aquatics Snack Bar during the Water Polo season for
both boys and Girls, and during the summer for Water Polo Junior Olympics. Through her
purchasing, setting up, and staffing of the snack bar, goodwill has been extended to the visiting
teams at Homestead, and the funds raised enabled the purchase of the score board at the pool.
Noriko and Rob have a son Alex, who graduated from Homestead last year, and a daughter
Emily, who is a sophomore.
Vicki Feltman, HHS PTSA Honorary Service Award Recipient for 2008, has volunteered
countless hours to the Homestead Music program. Some of the myriad tasks that she takes on
include; taking inventory of the musical instruments, working the lobby at all the performance
concerts at Homestead, organizing the paperwork for all the field trips that the different music
groups take, and chaperoning almost every trip as well. Vicki has a daughter, Sara, who
graduated from Homestead in 2005.
Liz Williams, HHS PTSA Honorary Service Award Recipient for 2008, has been advisor
to Homestead’s Equestriette team for several years. She has gone above and beyond as a faculty
advisor, spending hours to attend meetings with parents, traveling to competitions with the team,
and providing support for the team.
Another informal role that Liz plays is as a mentor for seniors who are applying to colleges; this
runs the gamut from college selection to reading application essays. These two volunteer roles
are in addition to being an AP English teacher at Homestead.
Sue Stahmer, HHS PTSA Honorary Service Award Recipient for 2008, has been the
fundraising chair the 2008 Senior All Night Party, which has entailed a variety of events,
communication and coordination. Sue and Bryan have a son Kyle, who graduated from
Homestead in 2005, and a daughter, Erin, who will graduate in June.
Rex and Nancy Blodgett, HHS PTSA Honorary Service Award Recipients for 2008, has
been involved in Homestead Football in many aspects. This year Rex has served as President of
the Football Boosters, and Nancy has been the Football Registration Coordinator. Rex has also
coached many Serra Little League teams in years past. Nancy and Rex have two sons that
currently attend Homestead, Rex Jr., who is graduating in June, and Ryan, who is a freshman.
Donna Verna, HHS PTSA Golden Oak Award Recipient for 2008 – Homestead will be
sad to see Donna’s long and deep volunteer tenure conclude when her daughter Kimberly will
graduate this June. Donna has served in a variety of board positions in the PTA at Homestead
High School and Montclaire Elementary School, in addition to being the driving force behind the
Every 15 Minutes program at Homestead.
Homestead Music Department proudly presents:
The
2008 Annual Spring Concerts
Homestead Auditorium
At 7:30 p.m
PTSA President’s Message Thanks to the efforts of the Homestead School Site
Council, our community will soon have a new oppor-
tunity to support educational excellence at Homestead – the Mustang Capital Campaign. Our
In this issue: School Site Council is working with staff, students and administration to identify a list of class-
room needs. SSC will publicize those needs in a letter to the community before the 2008-09
PTSA President’s school year begins. When you have identified the project or item you want to support, your fam-
Message ily may make a tax-deductible directed donation through Homestead PTSA. All funds will be
Graduation Activities passed through to the school on a regular basis so the classrooms can be updated as soon as funds
for each project are available. We hope you will take advantage of this new opportunity to meet
Senior needs identified by our school staff, students and administrators.
Baccalaureate Finally, as I prepare to graduate and move to the next phase of my life, I want to person-
Graduation ally thank this wonderful community of parents, teachers, students and school personnel. You
Reception each take the education of our students and families so personally. I have been honored to work
and learn with all of you for so many years.
Grad Night Party
SAT Prep Courses My personal congratulations to the Class of 2008 – may fair winds carry you wherever you go!
Honorary Service All the best,
Awards Donna Verna
Reflections
Graduation Activities Senior Baccalaureate
2009 Grad Night Held the Monday before
graduation, the Senior Baccalaureate is a time of quiet reflection amidst the
Upcoming Events hustle and bustle of graduation and party excitement. It is a time to reminisce,
to look back over high school years. It is also a time to focus on the future with
June 9 joyful anticipation. Although the baccalaureate service is held in a local church,
Senior Baccalaureate it is not religious in nature. It is simply a meaningful time to spend with your student, your
family, and friends. Staff and student speakers, an inspirational musical program, and
June 12 refreshments at the conclusion of the service make this an extremely memorable event. This
Graduation, Reception year’s Senior Baccalaureate will be held on:
and Grad Night Party Monday, June 9, 7:00-8:00 P.M.
At The Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church, 728 W. Fremont Ave.
Seniors are to arrive at 6:30 P.M. wearing their graduation gown, to line up.
2008-2009 Please plan on attending.
School year
Starts Monday, Graduation Reception
August 25 The PTSA invites the graduating class of 2008 and their families and guests to a reception
outside the school cafeteria immediately following the commencement ceremony on Thursday,
June 12. Refreshments will be served.
Thank You!
2008 Grad Night Party
Here’s a big, heart-felt Parents, buy your Senior’s their Grad Night bid today!
‘Thank You!’ to all of Grad Night is June 12, 2008 and is at a fun offsite location! Bid prices are $150.00.
our hard-working Bid and waiver forms are available in the HHS office or online at
volunteers for your http://homepage.mac.com/gossard/ANP/index.html.
For more info about the party and volunteer opportunities, contact one of the co-chairs:
many hours of service
Tammy Salwasser tammy.salwasser@gmail.com
this year. You all help Nancy Blodgett nblodgett@aol.com Chris Taich ctaich@pacbell.net
make Homestead a
great place for our
students! Your SAT Prep Courses Homestead PTSA is working with Revolution Prep and
involvement is key to Princeton Review to bring discounted prices for SAT Prep courses to Homestead stu-
the success of PTSA’s dents. Check our school website http://www.hhs.fuhsd.org/ptsa/ for information and
programs! dates for prep classes and workshops.
Rob Crane, HHS PTSA Very Special Award Recipient for 2008, has been an active volunteer, mentor and contributor to the Ro-
botics Team. His countless hours have enabled the team to compete in the Silicon Valley Regional Robotics Competition.
Craig Colvin, HHS PTSA Very Special Award Recipient for 2008, is a local business person and owner of the Sawdust Shop in
Sunnyvale, which has contributed materials and services to the Wood program at Homestead High School.
Noriko Romanko, HHS PTSA Honorary Service Award Recipient for 2008, has served for four years as a volunteer managing
the Aquatics Snack Bar during the Water Polo season for both boys and Girls, and during the summer for Water Polo Junior Olym-
pics. Through her purchasing, setting up, and staffing of the snack bar, goodwill has been extended to the visiting teams at Home-
stead, and the funds raised enabled the purchase of the score board at the pool. Noriko and Rob have a son Alex, who graduated
from Homestead last year, and a daughter Emily, who is a sophomore.
Vicki Feltman, HHS PTSA Honorary Service Award Recipient for 2008, has volunteered countless hours to the Homestead Mu-
sic program. Some of the myriad tasks that she takes on include; taking inventory of the musical instruments, working the lobby at
all the performance concerts at Homestead, organizing the paperwork for all the field trips that the different music groups take, and
chaperoning almost every trip as well. Vicki has a daughter, Sara, who graduated from Homestead in 2005.
Liz Williams, HHS PTSA Honorary Service Award Recipient for 2008, has been advisor to Homestead’s Equestriette team for
several years. She has gone above and beyond as a faculty advisor, spending hours to attend meetings with parents, traveling to
competitions with the team, and providing support for the team.
Another informal role that Liz plays is as a mentor for seniors who are applying to colleges; this runs the gamut from college se-
lection to reading application essays. These two volunteer roles are in addition to being an AP English teacher at Homestead.
Sue Stahmer, HHS PTSA Honorary Service Award Recipient for 2008, has been the fundraising chair the 2008 Senior All Night
Party, which has entailed a variety of events, communication and coordination. Sue and Bryan have a son Kyle, who graduated
from Homestead in 2005, and a daughter, Erin, who will graduate in June.
Rex and Nancy Blodgett, HHS PTSA Honorary Service Award Recipients for 2008, has been involved in Homestead Football in
many aspects. This year Rex has served as President of the Football Boosters, and Nancy has been the Football Registration Coor-
dinator. Rex has also coached many Serra Little League teams in years past. Nancy and Rex have two sons that currently attend
Homestead, Rex Jr., who is graduating in June, and Ryan, who is a freshman.
Donna Verna, HHS PTSA Golden Oak Award Recipient for 2008 – Homestead will be sad to see Donna’s long and deep volun-
teer tenure conclude when her daughter Kimberly will graduate this June. Donna has served in a variety of board positions in the
PTA at Homestead High School and Montclaire Elementary School, in addition to being the driving force behind the Every 15
Minutes program at Homestead.
Seniors…….
Buy your bids now for the off campus Grad Night/All Night Party that
includes swimming, hot tub, games, all-you-can-eat, and so much more!
TShirts for Class of 2008 Senior Parents (dark green with HHS Mustang logo)
Wear this all year long to show your pride. Then it becomes your ANP chaperone "uniform".
$12 short sleeve, $15 long sleeve.
eScrip for Grad Night: Safeway shoppers especially--go to www.escrip.com and assign
your benefits to our account # 157978918 today, so we earn money all year long!
GOT MONEY? We need your donations, especially if you can't help with volunteer time. We are
campaigning for your donations now, so we can use the money to put down deposits on entertainment for the
Grad Night party. Donations are 100% TAX DEDUCTIBLE, and a letter will be issued to you for tax purposes.
Checks should be made out to: "HHS PTSA ANP08" and mailed to 845 Pear Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94087.
You will also receive emails and flyers in the mail with more detailed information on each of these fundraisers.
Please support these fundraisers generously with your checkbook--the kids will benefit. This year's Grad Night party is
going to be spectacular--your kids will have the time of their lives in a great setting, and will be safe! If you are interested in more
information on any of these fundraisers, or want to HELP with any of these events, please contact Sue Stahmer at (408) 733-
0350 or via email: suestahmer@aol.com
This parent newsletter cover is published by Communications Manager Cindy McArthur and printed by John Hott, Adult & Community
Education Print Center Technician. Thank you for sharing your suggestions — Cindy: (408) 522-2206 or e-mail: cindy_mcarthur@fuhsd.org