Damien High School Parent Newsletter - May 2016
Contents:
Principal's Message
2016-2017 A.S.B. Election Results
World Robotics Competition One for the Record Books
Counseling Department Notes
Announcements & Events
Principal's Message
Dear Parents:
Welcome to the beauty and the gift of spring. It seems just yesterday that we started the school year. Now we are saying farewell to the Class of 2016. Where has the time gone? During this time we are putting the final notations in the detail calendar for next year and we realize that graduation for the Class of 2017 will be on Saturday May, 20 2017 and school will close for the rest of the students a week later on Friday, May, 26 2017!
We celebrate many joy-filled events this time of the school year. As we enter the series of events by which we say farewell to the senior Class of 2016 we celebrated many of their academic accomplishments in the Awards Ceremony on April 25th. We will also celebrate their accomplishments at Baccalaureate Mass on Thursday, May 19 in the Athletic Center. Of course all are aware that Graduation of the Class of 2016 takes place on Saturday, May 21 at 5:15 pm in the Athletic Center; tickets are required for campus parking and admission.
The challenge to our highest academic achievers will take place in the month of May with the external assessment of students in our Advanced Placement program. We are scheduled to administer 755 AP exams to 325 individual students over the two-week period this year. Please keep these students in your prayers as they show us all that they can accomplish on the world’s stage. When they are found worthy, we will have full confidence that our seniors are ready for the world of college life in which they will shortly find themselves.
In the meantime we want to congratulate English Department Chair and AP History and English teacher "Doc" Williams as Damien’s Teacher of the Year in the City of La Verne for 2015-2016. Several weeks ago I visited each of the junior and senior Religion classes and invited the students to nominate teachers who have been inspirational to them in their Damien experience. Virtually all of the teachers who encounter juniors and seniors received one or more nominations. Doc will be honored by the city at a dinner on May 17th. Congratulations, Doc Williams, you are truly inspirational! Each of the teachers nominated will receive their words of inspiration from the student after they submit grades in May.
We have submitted our 2016-2017 Calendar to the Archdiocese for approval. We plan the starting dates of school to be Thursday, August 4th (for new freshmen of 2020) and Friday, August 5th for all students to return. We are taking Thanksgiving week off November 21-25; Christmas break is scheduled to be December 21st through January 4, 2017; Easter week vacation will be April 17th through April 21st. The last day of second semester exams will be Friday May 26th while graduation day for seniors is set as May 20th, 2017 after their finals the week before.
We are also grateful to our parents for your trust and your sacrifices to make all this happen. A special school is a place where the values of the home are lived in the daily life of the school. For the most part we have been able to enjoy such support. Your financial support of our “Fund in Need” as well as contributions to “The Tradition Continues” have enabled Damien High School to implement projects and campus improvements at a faster pace. We now have approved bids to address the heat in the Activity Center as well as a new roof. We are submitting proposals for new bleachers, a new floor and interior paint. We will shortly meet with the City seeking our permit to install the planned additional lunch area which will include lights and charging stations.
We continue to pray for the success of our bus system that should help families with transportation costs to Damien High School. Once again we are grateful for the early response and support. Information for the fall can be found on the school website.
As the calendar fills up with the joys and farewells of this spring season, we express our gratitude to God for the wondrous blessings we enjoy here at Damien. It is not too early to keep the 40 young men scheduled to attend the first Kairos for the Class of 2017, May 27 – 30, in your prayers.
We wish all our mothers the best on your special day. We are grateful for the many ways you demonstrate love to your children.
God bless,
Merritt Hemenway, Ph.D.
Principal
2016-2017 Associated Student Body Officers
Congratulations to the following students who were recently elected as A.S.B. officers for 2016-2017 school year.
Class of 2019
Vice Presidents
Charles Baggarly
Jake Della Giustina
Bradley Mullan
Wyland Worley
President
Spencer Fleurant
Class of 2018
Vice Presidents
Ethan Chan
Joey Haddad
Jacob Turner
Brian Zozaya
President
Ronnie Anabi
Class of 2017
Senior Class Vice Presidents
Matthew De Guia
Sami Nazha
Nick Satchell
Senior Class President
Matthew Soriano
ASB Executive Vice Presidents
Daniel Acevedo
Joseph Aun
Chase Travisano
Connor Ward
ASB Executive President
Daniel Ashkar
World Robotics Competition One for the Record Books
Damien High School’s robotics team has been working hard all season and throughout the year has been competing in various tournaments. Through their hard work, the team was able to advance to the World Championships to showcase their skills and compete against students from all over the world.
The Robotics World Championship was held in Kentucky and was verified by the Guinness World Record for the largest robotics competition in the world. 16,000 teams from 42 countries vied for spots to compete in the World Championship competition. Those elite teams represented the top 8% of all robotics teams from around the world. Damien students made up two of those teams. Both teams ended up ranked 48th in their divisions, which were made up of 100 teams.
One of the teams from Damien ranked 33rd in programming skills out of the 500 teams competing. The Damien teams also scored one of five Community Awards, which are given to teams who make a difference in the community, demonstrates strong community building skills, supports students and teams beyond their school, and makes a concerted effort to raise support in their community for technology education.
The Damien High School robotics program is under the direction of Charity Trojanowski. The team competed at the Robotics World Championship April 21-23 in Kentucky. For more information about Damien's robotics program, including our upcoming summer camp for 7th through 12th grade students, please contact robotics@damien-hs.edu.
From the Counseling Department:
Seniors: Important UC & CSU Testing Information
Reminder for UC-admitted students – Entry Level Writing Requirement
The Analytical Writing Placement Examination (AWPE) is required for students admitted to UC who have not satisfied the Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR) by other means. The exam will be given the morning of the second Saturday in May. In early April, students will receive a letter directing them to the test center at which they must take the test.
Students are not required to take the AWPE if they have a record on file (by April 1) with the University indicating achievement of acceptable scores on one of the following: (a) the SAT Reasoning Test, Writing Section (required score: 680); (b) the ACT combined English/Writing test (required score: 30); or (c) the Advanced Placement (AP) English Language or Literature examination (required score: 3).
Comprehensive information about the Entry Level Writing Requirement and the Analytical Writing Placement Examination is available online at:
This site explains the examination process and includes previous examinations that can be downloaded and used by students to strengthen their skills in reading comprehension and writing proficiency. Pay close attention to all email and other communications from campuses for information.
Reminder for CSU-admitted students – Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) Examination / English Placement Test
The California State University (CSU) requires you to take the English Placement Test (EPT) and/or the Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) exam prior to enrollment in the CSU unless you are exempt by means of scores earned on other appropriate tests such as the CSU’s Early Assessment Program (EAP) tests in English and Mathematics, the SAT, ACT, or Advanced Placement (AP).
The EPT and the ELM are not admission tests; instead, they determine eligibility to enroll in specific courses. If you are required to take the EPT and the ELM but fail to do so, you will not be allowed to register for General Education courses at the CSU. You may take the EPT, ELM or both at a campus near you or where you plan to enroll.
The CSU Early Start Program requires students who do not perform well on the tests, or are not exempt by other means, to strengthen their English and/or math skills the summer before enrolling in the freshman year. Students who score below 147 on the EPT and below 50 on the ELM will be required to participate in Early Start Program. For further information regarding Early State, contact the CSU campus that you plan on attending or visit:
The Damien Counseling Department strongly encourages all students to inform themselves fully regarding the CSU testing requirements, paying close attention to all email and other communications from campuses. For more information visit:
Seniors: Second Semester Grade Reminders
All offers of admission to college are conditional. Students are expected to earn grades in the senior year (including the second semester) comparable to those earned in their first three years. A decline in GPA during the final semester of the senior year could therefore have potentially unpleasant consequences when colleges receive final transcripts in June and July.
Seniors: College Acceptance Slide Show
Many of you are aware we create a slide show of senior college acceptances, which plays (among other places) in the waiting area of the Administration Building. In order to be included in this presentation, seniors should bring a photocopy of college acceptance letters/emails to the Counseling Office. The first version of the Class of 2016’s slide show is running and the second version (acceptances received through March 23) is in process. However we know there are more seniors who have received acceptances. The slide show will be updated several more times, so seniors should submit acceptance letters as they receive them (and not wait to turn them in all at once).
Seniors Planning to Attend Mt. SAC
The Bridge Program at Mt. SAC offers several learning communities designed to increase students' academic and personal success through the structuring of the learning environment.
The Bridge Program is perfect for students who are under-prepared academically, are economically disadvantaged, and need additional support in their first year at Mt. SAC. Bridge students also form lasting friendships. They tend to share educational goals, interests, and similar backgrounds. Program staff works with students to promote their transfer success to universities. You might find this program to be the "bridge" you need to cross over your obstacles to success!
Find information about the Bridge Program, including the Summer 2016 Bridge Program application (due by April 18) here:
First Semester "D" and/or "F" Grades
Students receiving a semester ‘F’ grade receive no credit for the course(s) and must make-up the course(s) in Summer School this summer (2016).
Neither ‘F’ nor ‘D’ grades fulfill subject requirements for college entrance. Additionally, in most cases these grades do not fulfill prerequisites for proceeding to the next level of many courses at Damien.
Of particular importance for the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) systems are ‘D’ or ‘F’ grades in:
- Any semester of English
- Either semester of World History or U.S. History; also Government
- Either semester of a Visual/Performing Arts class
- Either semester of a Science class
- The second semester of Mathematics or World Languages classes
Un-remediated ‘D’ or ‘F’ grades in any of the courses above will make a student automatically ineligible for consideration at either CSU or UC.
Families should read page 16 of the 2015–16 edition of the Parent-Student Handbook, and carefully review the information regarding: Failing Grades, Repeated Courses, Making-Up Classes, and Online Classes.
Mathematics, Science, World Languages (Spanish), VPA, and Theology Grades:
Students receiving ‘F’ or ‘D’ grades should look for registration information for Damien’s Summer School. These courses can ONLY be made up in traditional (on-ground classroom) courses at Damien or at a comparable program. Information regarding Damien Summer School will be available on the website in the next several months.
NOTE: If a course is not available in Damien’s Summer School, students must receive counselor approval to make up the grade(s) in another on-ground program.
English, Social Science, World Languages (French, German, Chinese):
Students receiving ‘F’ or ‘D’ grades should look for registration information for Damien’s Online Academy (DHSOA) on the Damien website. Students may enroll in online courses at any time, beginning immediately.
NOTE: If a course is not available in the DHSOA, students must receive counselor approval for making up the grade(s) in another online or on-ground program.
Juniors: SAT, Subject and ACT Test Registration
Additional SAT and ACT test dates and registration deadlines are approaching. Families are reminded to refer to the “ideal” college admissions testing calendar, presented at the College Night presentations in the fall. (A reminder: a copy of the presentation, which contains the testing calendar, is available in the Naviance Document Library, along with the rest of the handouts from the presentation.)
Students must register online for these tests. You will need to create registration credentials (a login and a password) if this is the first time you are signing up for any of these tests.
Important note: Students taking the SAT and ACT should ALWAYS register to take the test with Writing (which is optional when you register for the tests). A majority of colleges (including those in the UC System) require a student submitting test scores do so with the Writing component.
Links to both the College Board (SAT) and ACT appear on the left of the Naviance home page.
The tables below indicate the upcoming test and registration dates:
Juniors: Common Application Personal Statement Prompts for 2016-17
The Common Application personal statement prompts for 2016-17 have been released. The prompts, which have not changed from 2015-16, can be found at:
Drafting these statements is something you can begin NOW, in order to get ahead of the game for next fall.
Juniors: University of California Personal Insight Questions for 2016-17
The last time the personal statement prompts were revised was in 2008, nearly 10 years ago. However, this is the first time that UC is departing from a longer format to a short-answer, multiple question format.
The new format aims to give applicants a greater say in the kind of information they want to share with us. Students can express who they are and what matters to them not only in how they respond to the questions, but also through their selection of questions.
At the same time, the new personal questions provide students with better direction and focus on topics that are important to campuses. It also reduces the chances that students will take a generic essay that they’ve created for other colleges or class assignments and simply transpose it to the UC application. Rather, it will help applicants use the application to its fullest by letting their own voices come through.
More information about the questions can be found here:
Drafting these statements is something you can begin NOW, in order to get ahead of the game for next fall.
Any Student Considering Engineering Majors
Students considering engineering will very likely need to take two (2) Subject Tests (produced by the College Board) in addition to the SAT and/or ACT.
One of these tests will be required in mathematics (Level 1 or 2) and the other test will usually need to be in one of biology, chemistry, or physics. The Department strongly encourages students to take the Mathematics Subject Tests at the conclusion of their Precalculus class. Subject tests are probably best taken at the June administration.
Announcements & Events
Textbook Buybacks
Textbook Buybacks will take place in the Activities Center for seniors May 17 - 18, from 9 am - 1 pm, and for all grades May 26 - May 27. Please generate a price quote at bookstore.mbsdirect.net and bring it with you when you return your books.
Attention All Athletes!
Our Annual Sports Physicals Fundraiser will be on Monday, May 16th beginning at 6pm. This physical will cover all of next years' (2016-2017) sports. It will be held at Pomona Valley Hospital in their Physical Therapy Department. Physicals are $25 each with the money going back to our Sports Medicine Program. Please email Mrs. Truax for an appointment or if you have any questions at jtruax@damien-hs.edu. Everyone needs to have an appointment in order to participate. Appointments are first come first serve. We are limited to 125 athletes. This is a great way to complete this CIF rule and help out your Spartans! We hope to see you there.
Reminder: All students planning on participating in ANY sport in the 2016-2017 school year needs to have a new physical turned into our Sports Medicine Staff by June 1st. Please be sure that it is signed by a Physician (MD or DO ONLY). Any physical signed by other healthcare practitioners other than an MD or DO will be returned. If you have any questions, please email Jessica Truax at jtruax@damien-hs.edu.
Athletic News:
The Damien Athletic Department announces that the athletic clearance process will now be completed exclusively online. Anyone wishing to participate in a sport MUST complete this registration. Click the link below for a step by step guide on how to register your son to participate in athletics.
Summer Athletics:
For a complete schedule of all summer activities please visit damienathletics.com and click on summer camps. There will be summer camps for both youth and Damien students in several sports.
Attention all athletes looking to participate in any summer athletic activity. It is MANDATORY that you pre-register and pay for all summer activities. Any athletes not registered and that have not completed a physical will not be allowed to participate. To register, please visit damien-hs.edu/summer and click on registration. Please contact the Athletic office with any questions.
