Principal’s Newsletter
The “Real” Deal
April, 2014
Dear DBHS Parent/Guardian,
Below you will find my Principal’s Newsletter. The goal of the newsletter is to include you as part of the DBHS family as well as make you aware of all the great activities and opportunities available to you and your students. Time sensitive activities/events are highlighted in red.
Be sure to scan the opportunities listed below. Most activities have an embedded link so that you can quickly and conveniently get more information and/or register if interested.
Thank you for your ongoing support and for all that you do to make Diamond Bar High School one of the best schools anywhere, near or far. We couldn’t do it without you!
Sincerely,
Principal Catherine Real
AP and IB Testing Begins: IB and AP Testing will take place during the first three weeks of May. We expect to administer approximately 3000 exams that cover 30 subjects. It is a tremendous undertaking to accomplish the administration of these exams during regular school days with minimal disruptions to classes. The combined efforts of many individuals will provide the opportunity for our students to earn outstanding AP scores again this year. These individuals include:
- Parent volunteers who serve as proctors for the exams. If you have time during the two weeks of AP testing to serve as an exam proctor, we are still looking for volunteers. Proctors assist with the distribution and collection of examination materials and monitor the testing environment – no experience necessary. If you can help, contact David Hong or Lisa Krueger at extension 33424 or 33272, or by email at [email protected] or [email protected].
- Dena Lordi, our IB coordinator, who organizes the administration of all IB exams, and proctors most of them herself.
- Chelsea Grunseth and the USB students, who will arrive early to school every day and work through their lunch to provide meals for each student prior to their exam.
- The custodial team who must arrange and rearrange nine different testing venues numerous times during the two weeks of AP testing.
- Our AP and IB teachers, who provide our students with outstanding preparation for these challenging exams.
- The entire DBHS staff who shows unparalleled flexibility, patience and support to their students during AP and IB testing.
Boosters May Meeting: The Brahma Boosters Organization would like to invite all DBHS Supporters to attend the next Brahma Boosters meeting which will be held on Tuesday, May 27 at 7 pm in the Golden Horseshoe. Come to this meeting and get insights on how you may become a Booster Member and be a part of the Booster support team. They are a tremendous part of our ability to continue to provide educational opportunities to your children.
CAHSEE & Practice CAHSEE: The Practice CAHSEE (designed by Stephanie Duenas, DBHS Intervention Counselor) was delivered to over 750 ninth grade students on April 11, 2014. CAHSEE prep classes for the May 13th and 14th exam will commence the week of April 21, 2014. These classes will take place after school. More information will be posted on our school website
Denis R. Paul Aquatic Center: The Total Body Fitness students began their aerobic swimming unit this week, becoming the 1st PE class to utilize the new aquatic facilities. All Kinesiology 1 students will make their way into the pool at the end of the month. We are thrilled to have our new swimming pool up and running for our athletic and PE groups!
Do you want your child to attend a UC or CSU? If you are not familiar with the A-G Requirements for eligibility, please click on the following link to inform yourself so that you can properly guide your child in making the right choices in high school. If you’re not familiar with these yet, it’s time to start asking some questions! http://www.calstate.edu/sas/publications/documents/csu-uc-a-gcomparisonmatrix.pdf
Pirates of Penzance Musical: Diamond Bar High School’s Spring Musical The Pirates of Penzance, a Gilbert & Sullivan operetta, opened on April 24th.
Remaining performances are and May 1st, 2nd & 3rd at 7pm each night. Regular ticket prices for adults are $18/$15 (depending on seating section) and for students $15/$12. You can purchase tickets during lunch in front of the theater, at the box office up to 10 minutes before curtain, or online at:
www.seatyourself.biz/dbhsdrama
Washington Post & US News Rankings: Washington Post rankings came out this month. Their rankings are based on the number of free/reduced lunches as well as the Equity & Excellence quotient (Total number of AP/IB exams divided by # seniors). We have, and continue to increase the number of AP sections available to our students.
Diamond Bar High School improved nationally from 399 to 318.
We also improved in California from 45 to 38.
Keep in mind that among the ranked schools are private and special magnet/charter schools. If you go through the California and remove just those schools indicated at private schools like Harvest Westlake, we are 30th. Out of the remaining 30 schools, there are schools that have special screening admission processes in place. To be in the top 30 high schools in California AND be an open enrollment school is extremely impressive and our students, parents, and staff should be proud of themselves!
Here’s the site if you’d like to look at the rest of the rankings:
http://apps.washingtonpost.com/local/highschoolchallenge/
US News & World Report also ranked DBHS among the best high schools in the nation. They have given Diamond Bar Gold Status and ranked us 40th in the state, 230th in the nation. In order to view their webpage, please click here.
Please feel free to visit our website at dbhs.org for more updates, information, athletic calendar, and other important information.
Sincerely,
Principal Catherine Real