Is it possible that the year is almost half over? We are

in the third six-week period and Winter Break is just around the corner. While we are all looking forward to time off with our children and families, there are many things still going on at Dear Old Paschal.

Parents, don't forget the Gold Seal Programs of Choice sign-up for next year's freshman class begins Dec. 10, 2012, and closes on Jan. 11, 2013. The three programs offered at Paschal are Engineering; Graphic Design for Web and Print Publication; and the Scholars Program. Registration is available online only at www.fwisd.org/choice. Even if you live in the Paschal attendance zone and have attended a Paschal pyramid school, you still need to register for one of the Programs of Choice to ensure that your child has a spot in his or her preferred program.

No matter how you choose to celebrate during the holiday season, I'm sure we all can agree that it is a time for giving and thinking of others. There are so many opportunities right here at PHS to do just that. You can donate a toy to the JROTC Toys for Tots Drive or donate new hats, gloves mittens or hand soap to those affected by Super Storm Sandy (details below).

Also, instead of buying a gift for a teacher, consider making a donation to a Paschal Booster Club in their honor. There are Booster Clubs for many organizations at PHS, including Band, Orchestra, Choir, Theater and Athletics.

You could also make a donation to our largest PTA fundraiser: The Paschal Silent Auction and Dinner, which will be held on Feb. 9 at the Cendera Center. The theme this year is "Lucky 13" as it is the 13th Annual Auction. The funds raised at the auction really do benefit every student at Paschal. It's a fun evening that gives you the opportunity to meet new friends or catch up with old ones and help Paschal students and teachers in the process. Please plan to be there!

Now you have a list of some of the things going on at Paschal. Make sure you check it twice. Santa may know if you've been naughty or nice. Either way, enjoy the break with your family. I know I am looking forward to my college girl coming home and all of us being together. Warm wishes for a blessed holiday season!

P.S. Be prepared to hit the ground running when school resumes after Winter Break on Jan. 8. Finals Week will follow shortly, from Jan. 14 through Jan, 17. Reviews will be given out in all classes. Remember, Honors, Pre-AP and AP class finals count for 25 percent of your student's grade. On-level class finals count for 10 percent of your student's grade. 

The Paschal Toy Drive ends Friday, Dec. 14. JROTC is collecting new and unwrapped toys to benefit the Marines' Toys for Tots  program. Paschal clubs and everyone in the Paschal family are being asked to join in this project.

Please help by bringing toys to JROTC or to club sponsors who are participating in the drive. Bring your new toys to the JROTC room 189. (NHS members can bring toys to room 203.)

If we have at least 500 toys, students will be allowed to wear hats on Friday, Dec. 21 (the day before break). But our real goal is to help children who are in need during the holidays. 

Help Super Storm Sandy Victims!

Please help FCCLA (Family Career & Community Leaders of America) collect gloves, mittens and hand soap for those affected by Super Storm Sandy. There are tens of thousands of people still struggling to recover from the aftereffects of those storms.

Please bring donated items to room 257 by Thursday, Dec. 13. We must put them in the mail before Dec. 17. Monetary donations are also welcome to help with postage.

Have You Ordered Your 2013 Panther Yearbook?

Time is running out! The DEADLINE TO ORDER IS JAN. 31! Don't wait until after the yearbooks come out in May. Look for your order form in the mail or stop by room 229 to pick one up! You can also visit www.jostensyearbooks.com to place your order. It's really easy and you can do split payments, pay by credit card, check or money order.  Pre-ordering also saves you $5 and you don't have to wait in line hoping to get one after the books are delivered!  Email Crissa Sigl, the yearbook advisor, at crissa.sigl@fwisd.org with any questions. 

Auction Items Needed!

Do you have something -- or know someone who has something -- great to donate to the auction? Please consider being part of this large fundraising effort and consider donating to the Paschal Auction. We would love plane tickets, tickets to various sporting or arts events, a piece of jewelry or art, etc. If you have an item or service to donate, please follow this link.

NOTE: All donations are due by Jan. 11 to be recognized in the brochure.

The Paschal Auction is the only fundraising event that benefits the entire school body. Funds raised at the auction are used to support all academic, arts, and athletic groups based on desire and need.

PHS Reflections Winners Named

The Reflections art contest, themed "The Magic of a Moment," had a record 65 entries.  The winning entries will be submitted to the next level of competition on Dec. 12.  Congratulations to all of our students on their exceptional work!!

Visual Arts

Batey Grassl

Maria Sandoval

Poetry

Emma Pritchett

Photography

Laura Allison Hix

Lauren Godby

Emma Howard

Mason Fitzwater

Ellie Schwartz

Mary Layne Million

Page Trotter

Victoria Basaldu

Anna Cook

Photography - Honorable Mentions

Maya Arneson

Emma Gensheimer

Mary McMillan

Abigail Blake

Laura Allison Hix

Senior Celebration: Help Needed!

On June 6, 2013, PTA will sponsor Senior Celebration, an all-night alcohol- and drug-free party for PHS seniors. Total estimated cost for this event is $30,000! Fundraisers are under way to cover the costs; every other Wednesday we sell pizza at the concession stand, and we sell senior T-shirts through the Rascal spirit store PLUS we will have a huge garage sale this spring. But you can make a donation of any amount to help. Go here for more info about how you can help or for more senior news.

Note, help is also needed with raffle items given away as prizes at the celebration.

HAVE A SAFE & HEALTHY WINTER BREAK!