September 2, 2013

Dear Paschal Community,

 

A new school year presents opportunities for various beginnings - new classes, new faces, sometimes new courses, and often new materials and policies. Summer and vacation can be great healers; and as we embark on the new school year, the end-of-the year pressures that plagued us in June seem remote and inconsequential.

 

Newness alone, however, cannot produce transformation.  We ourselves must be willing to be caught up in the rebirth that is possible with each new school year. Starting a new year gives us the opportunity to make plans, design new strategies, and implement new ideas.

 

One of the Paschal High School new plans and ideas is to revise the way we view Howdy Week and the introduction dance and/or celebration for the 2013 -2014 school year. During the past three years, the student behavior at the Howdy Dance has brought about numerous concerns from our staff, parents and students. Further, these issues are not as pronounced at the other school dances throughout the year. Therefore, the PHS faculty sponsors and the administration have decided to alter the way the Howdy Dance has traditionally been scheduled and create different activities as a celebration of what Howdy traditionally means - a celebration and welcoming back to school.

 

For the 2013 -2014 school year, Paschal Howdy week and activities will be the following:

 

Monday

 

Labor Day

 

No School

 

Tuesday

 

Western day

 

Cowboy hats and boots allowed

 

Wednesday

 

 

Thursday

 

Friday

 

Friday

 

 

 

Senior Polyester Day

 

 

Gatsby20's (Glamour Day)

 

Spirit Day

 

Welcome Back Howdy Celebration

 

 

Senior Picture and Skating Party at Rollerland West,  7:00 -9:00 pm.

 

 

 

Pep Rally, Auditorium

 

Cafeteria 4:00 to 6:00 pm.   At 6:00 pm, all students are encouraged to attend the first Paschal Volleyball Home game to support our Panthers.

Saturday

 

 

Tailgate at Farrington Field

 

5:00 to 7:00 pm

 

 

Saturday

 

PHS Football vs. Arlington Heights7:00 pm.  Most historical rival in our history.

 

We realize this is a change that will not be welcomed by all members of our community.  However, we are committed to stepping back from the traditional Howdy dance for one year and continue discussion on how this will look in our future. In addition, Paschal will be bringing back another tradition, the treasured Fall/Winter dance that will be held at an outside location and celebrate the season before winter break.  More information on this is forthcoming.

 

Next, Paschal is a waiting final approval of utilizing breath analyzers at each dance this school year. It is important that our students are alcohol free at student functions, and this process can assist us in our efforts to ensure this is occurring throughout the year.

 

Finally, the PHS faculty sponsors and the administration have charged the Paschal Student Government with creating and organizing various activities for our student body throughout the year. Paschal is committed to having student activities that exhibit the best of who we are and who we want to be.   We ARE Paschal High School and have high expectations for all.

 

We are looking forward to a great school year! See you at our annual open house on Monday, September 9, 2013 at 6:00 pm.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Terri Mossige, Principal