We have reached the sixth week of the year - the first big milestone that allows us to look at all of our students and assess their progress in their classes. With the provision of Chromebooks for every student (and new, modern furniture in the vast majority of classrooms), students now have many powerful learning tools at their disposal. We’ve never been in a better position to own our future as a school, yet this is a time when many students may get very anxious or experience severe self-doubt as they feel the weight of that responsibility. As the first report card nears, students often face their first moments of adversity; as a school and a community, we must prepare and support them to work through these difficult moments.
Teachers will collaborate soon about the nature of grading as a feedback tool for students. What are the messages that grades convey, and are we certain that students are hearing and interpreting the feedback that we intend to give them? Similarly, what are the messages conveyed at home in response to grades? Are those messages mindful of the young minds that are still very much developing? Is the message competitive or compassionate? Our students have proven, time and again, that they are a terrific support system for each other. But can they be the right role models, as well, demonstrating that seeking help is a sign of strength, and that feeling overwhelmed is not a sign of weakness? Can they lean into each other, so that all of Prospect’s learners don’t just feel better, but perform better in the classroom?
I’m confident that they can do that for each other, illustrating for all of us that the our in Prospect’s vision is just as crucial as owning and future. I’d love to see all our Panthers receive a report card they can be very proud of. But it’s also equally important to make sure that each student’s response to their report card inspires just as much pride.
Principal's Letter - May 6, 2019
Therapy Dogs on Campus! Monday, May 6: The BioMedical club will be hosting the Alliance for Therapy Dogs, as they bring some canine companions for students this Monday during Study Hall and Lunch. The dogs will be kept with their handlers in the Science Plaza, between the Gym and the Performing Arts Center. Students who visit with the dogs must wash their hands after each visit in the gym lobby.
Boys Volleyball in CCS!!! The first round match-up for our Boys Volleyball team will be Tuesday night, May 7, at 7pm at Christopher High School in Gilroy! The tournament runs through the week, with the following rounds on Thursday and Saturday. Good luck, Panthers!
Principal's Letter - February 2019
Good morning Panther families.
This is Paul Pinza, the Principal at Prospect High School. I hope you found plenty of time last week to rest and spend quality time together with your students.
The Boys Soccer team won the CCS Championship last Saturday, and will play in the Northern California tournament this Tuesday at 4pm at Galt High School near Sacramento. Congratulations and good luck!
The District Jazz Festival is tomorrow night at 7pm at Del Mar High School. Prospect’s Jazz Ensemble will be performing alongside their peers from across the Campbell Union High School District. It should be a great night of music.
Our Biology classes will be showcasing students’ Green Ninja films on Wednesday from 4-7pm in the PAC. These are short videos created by students to highlight environmental issues. We hope you can join us to see these great projects.
Please note that on Wednesday, we will have a short earthquake drill at the beginning of Study Hall, and on Thursday, about sixty seniors will miss class in order to take the National Assessment for Education Progress, a nationwide test that measures students’ skills in English, Math, and Science. Seniors who have been selected to take the test have already been notified. Testing will occur in the Library and Room 29.
Sports for the Week
Tuesday:
Boys Tennis vs Leigh at home, 3:30
Badminton at Yerba Buena, 4:00.
Wednesday:
Badminton vs Branham, 4:00.
Thursday:
Boys Volleyball at Christopher, 4:00
Friday:
Badminton vs Gunderson, 4:00
I’m excited to see you all back at school. Report cards will be sent home in the next week, and students are encouraged to contact their teachers this week if they need any support at all in any classes. Now is the time to Excel and Be Well.
Go Panthers!
Paul C. Pinza
Principal, Prospect High School
Principal's Letter - December 2018
Principal's Letter - December 2018The holidays bring a flurry of errands and emotions that pull us in several directions. The push to finish the semester strong overlaps with students’ laying plans for next year – by building class schedules or completing college and scholarship applications. As 2018 closes, we’ll reflect on the many triumphs of the year, seek the perfect gifts for our loved ones, all while staying mindful of our neighbors who struggle through Winter’s harshest months.
If you are a family in need: Please contact Jovanie Ascencio at ext. 8141 to get connected to resources in our community. Prospect is proud to partner with Second Harvest Food Bank and One Warm Coat, and we’re also gathering resources for our own Winter Wishes program.
If you are looking for unique gifts: Plan on visiting our annual Holiday Craft Faire this Saturday, December 8th between 10am and 5pm in the gym. We also recommend ordering some of our 50th Anniversary gear from our online store. J
If you’re wondering what “gifts” are on Prospect’s wish list: I urge you to join or donate to our PTSA: Parent Teachers & Students Association – a critical nexus that provides all sorts of gifts to all our Panthers throughout the year. Your support of PTSA really is as versatile as an Amazon gift card! See pages 1-2 for details.
Here’s to a wonderful December!
Principal's Letter - September 2018
Principal's Letter - "Community Support" September 17, 2018
It hasn’t taken long for the warmth of August to shift into the breezy bustle of September (even if the temperature hasn’t cooled off that much.) Our staff has committed ourselves this year to the values of building community and resilience, and our student activities and athletics programs play vital roles in creating both. From sports, robotics, and mock trial to art, culture, and social justice, we hope your student is able to pursue their most passionate interests and stay authentically engaged beyond the classroom walls. As educators, we hope to bring that spark into the academic learning as well, providing lessons that resonate with students’ interests and experiences so that their growth and development isn’t confined to or defined by points and grades. That’s the rich, authentic engagement we strive for in our Prospect learning community.
It’s ambitious work that tests the resolve of our students and our staff. As the first report card approaches, we recognize that students and families are feeling more anxious as the challenge of preparing for college becomes very real. We also know that, when teens feel overwhelmed, they can be tempted to give in to unhealthy choices or give up entirely. Students, families, and teachers should communicate directly in order to support students in ways that build their capacity to work through adversity. Our counselors and administrators are always willing to help facilitate that dialogue. We become resilient, and we make our students resilient, when we authentically engage with each other to overcome a low test score or a tough loss, a social setback or even a family hardship.
As our 50th Anniversary events and Homecoming Week get under way, we’ll have plenty of great times in the month ahead. That communal Panther spirit is all the more special knowing that we believe in and support each other during challenging times as well.
-- Paul Pinza, Principal
EV Chargers
*** NEW CHARGERS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES AVAILABLE AT PROSPECT!!!
Hello Panthers!
The Campbell Union High School District is committed to supporting electric vehicles (EV) as a sustainable transportation option for the community to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. This is in accordance with the goals and guidelines set forth by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD).
Due to a generous donation this summer from Powerflex Systems, we are able to pilot EV charging stations at Prospect. Testing of the new systems is now complete and as of XXXX the stations will be fully functional.
GUIDELINES FOR USE
Eligible Vehicles
All EV and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) are eligible to park in the designated EV charging spaces. Examples of all-electric vehicles include Nissan LEAF, Tesla Model S, and Fiat 500e. Examples of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles include Chevy Volt, Ford C-Max Energi, and Toyota Prius Plug-in.
Ineligible Vehicles
Non-electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles without charge ports are not eligible to park in EV charging spaces. Examples of ineligible vehicles include Toyota Prius (non-PHEV), Ford Fusion Hybrid, and Accord Hybrid.
Where to Park
Ø Staff and Faculty
Eligible vehicles with employee permits may utilize EV charging spaces located in the Employee Lot at all times.
Ø Students
Students may charge in the Employee Lot after 5:30 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends.
Ø Visitors and Guests
Visitors and guests may charge in Employee Lot after 5:30 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends.
EV Charging Fees:
To pay for the operation and maintenance costs associated with the charging stations, the District must charge fees, as outlined below.
Ø Students, Staff & Faculty ($0.10/kWh)
District staff, faculty, and students are eligible for EV charging at cost.
Ø Visitors, Vendors, Guests, etc. ($0.40/kWh)
Campus guests, visitors, vendors, and other groups may charge their vehicles on campus by paying the guest rate of $0.40/kWh. Fees will be charged until the end of the transaction.
Fees will be periodically reassessed to ensure that costs are being recouped and stations are utilized.
If you have any questions please feel free to call Eric Wasinger, Director of Construction and Facilities for CUHSD, at (408) 371-0960 ext. 2081.
Thank you,
Paul C. Pinza
Principal, Prospect High School
Summer letter
