Category Archives: School

Sources of Strength

Sources of Strength

AMS has been nominated by her teacher to participate in this new program at Paly.  See the excerpt of the email sent out to her parent.

“Dear Paly parent,

Congratulations! Your child has been nominated by the school’s teachers and administrators because theyve been identified as a leader on campus and someone whose voice is heard by other students. They will be receiving an invitation letter this week (SEE ATTACHED) to participate in a new school-wide program at Paly called Sources of Strength.

What is Sources of Strength?

Sources of Strength ( sourcesofstrength.org) is a training program that brings peer leaders together in partnership with caring adults. Sources is a widely used national best practice program. More than 10,000 youth leaders have participated from across the U.S. and Canada. The program uses a fun-filled style of active learning to encourage open discussion about the very real problems that youth face and the sources of strength that help in navigating those problems. It trains peer leaders on how to connect their friends – and themselves – to the help and support they need when they’re struggling, aiming in particular to significantly reduce those in severe distress who may consider ending their lives by suicide. The program will be led by a certified trainer and adult leaders from Paly. Ultimately, Sources is an “upstream” wellness program designed to leverage student voice to help change the culture of our school for the better – one that helps youth identify, discuss openly, and strengthen protective factors in their lives.”

Celebrating the Birth Centennial of NVM Gonzalez

September 11, 2015

Joining friends and family to celebrate NVM Gonzalez’ Birth Centennial at the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco.  A postage stamp will be issued by the Philippine Government in early 2016 to commemorate NVM.

NVM Gonzales Birth Centennial
NVM Gonzales Birth Centennial

 

“The Bread of Salt”: http://nvmgonzalez.org/works/pandesal.pdf

We also got on the official Department of Foreign Affairs web site for this celebration.

Aikido

August 20, 2015

AMS started training in Aikido by joining the Saturday Teen Class at the Aikido Center.  After about a month she was invited to start attending the Beginning/Basic Aikido class on MWF.  So she’s going to Aikido 4 times a week.  Her progress has been meteoric due to the amount of time she’s spending on the mat and her 10 years of ballet training.

The Way of Harmonious Spirit
The Way of Harmonious Spirit

September 19, 2015

AMS is now attending the Adult program on Saturday.  Soon she will join the other adult classes on Tuesday/Thursday.  We’re still trying to balance her schedule between school work load and Aikido.  She is also a founding member of the Paly Aikido Team.  Her teacher for that is also a black belt at the Aikido Center.  He has suggested she’s ready to test and because she’s training with the adults she will be able to skip two belts and go straight to BLUE.

November 21, 2015

Amelia has been accepted by the circle of black belts practitioners.  Although she has enough practice time to rank, she will wait to test for 5th kyu in March 2016.

The Warrior Novitiate
The Warrior Novitiate

 

Palo Alto High School – Social Justice Pathway

AMS has been accepted into the Social Justice Pathway at Paly starting in 10th grade.

From the Social Justice Pathway Blog (http://palysocialjustice.blogspot.com/:

“The Social Justice Pathway is a three-year program featuring self-direction and project-based learning in an interdisciplinary model rooted in community action and collaboration. This program is for students interested in empowerment, conviction and the passion to build a better world. It’s an opportunity for authentic education and experiential learning beyond the high school walls.”

Mission Statement:

The Social Justice Pathway is a three-year program featuring self-direction and project-based learning in an interdisciplinary model rooted in community action and collaboration.  This program is for students interested in empowerment, conviction and the passion to build a better world.  It’s an opportunity for authentic education and experiential learning beyond the high school walls.

While our vision gives us a “North Star” and provides direction, our mission statement simply defines our purpose and it is a biggie: build a better world. It helps us to answer three questions about why Paly Social Justice Pathway exists:

WHAT—a three-year high school program that blends subject curriculum with community action to empower students to make positive change to “their world”

WHO—students and teachers who want more control over and value from their education

HOW—give students and teachers to the responsibility and opportunity to connect individual convictions to real world change. To, Access, Adapt, and Act to make our community and world a better place

–Eric Bloom

 

 

The Nutcracker Ballet 2014

Pacific Ballet Academy’s 24th Annual Nutcracker Ballet

September 6, 2014: Auditions

September 16, 2014: Parent’s Meeting

November 28 – 30, 2014: Performance Dates

This will be Amelia’s 6th Nutcracker performance for the Pacific Ballet Academy.  She was allowed to audition for both Level VI and Level VII roles.  These are her roles:  Lead Mouse, Spanish Corps, Chinese Demi-soloist.

 

PBA_Nutcracker_2014

 

Amelia is thrilled to announce that she will be dancing these roles in the Nutcracker:

  • Mouse Leader (Level VI)
  • Spanish Corps (Level VII)
  • Chinese Demi-soloist (Level VI)

Nice!

Jordan Middle School Drama 1A Showcase

May 16, 2014 @ 7:00 PM

Program

“Slightly Left of Paradise” by David S. Rayne performed by the 7th & 8th grade students of Jordan Middle School.

Sabrina……………………………………..Ria V.
Lydia………………………………………..Amelia S.
Helen………………………………………..Ada U.
Barb…………………………………………Iris B.

Seasons of Love: A Spring Pops Concert @ Jordan

May 13, 2014

A musical performance by the Jordan Middle School Choral Program.  Amelia received two awards: the Jordan 8th Grade Choral Leadership And Outstanding Choral Musician Award and the Jordan Choral “Expression” Award.  Congratulations!

8th Graders
8th Graders

 

Choral Leadership Award
Choral Leadership Award

For leadership in the choir!

Expressions Award
Expressions Award

For most expressive singer in the 8th grade choir!