Pali News - Palisades Charter High School

Pali News
Edited by Julia O'Grady, Parent Liaison
Volume II Issue VI May 2010
In This Issue
Letter from the Executive
Director
Letter from the Principal
Letter from the Board Chair
Attendance Policy
Counseling Office News
"Every 15 Minutes" Follow-Up
Magnet News
College Center News
Parent Night for Board
Governance Policies
Presentation 5/13
Policy Committee Seeks
Candidates
Booster Club News
Parent Advisory Council
PTSA News
Career Day Needs Parents
VAPA News
Drama Department News
Parent Liaison
Calendar of Events
May 10 - Budget & Finance
Committee mtg-3:15 pm, F201
May 12 - Policy Committee
mtg-3:30 pm, Library
The Spring Fever Edition
LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR
Dear Pali Parents,
I hope everyone's doing well as we head into testing
and the home stretch of the school year. Here are
some important updates:
The Leadership team evaluations are underway and
contracts will be coming forward at an upcoming
Board meeting on May 18th. Any input into
evaluations should go directly to the individual's
supervisor (in most instances it will be Marcia or
me). Feel free to email or come meet with either of us
or submit input anonymously in sealed envelopes in
our mailboxes in the Main Office.
A salary schedule for the leadership team will also
be coming forward for Board action. Administration
will have 6 furlough days for 2010-2011 and no salary
increases. Movement on the salary schedule would
occur when it resumes for all staff. The salary
schedule will be used to standardize compensation
and ensure transparency and equity, and will come
forward with comparisons to surrounding districts
and charters.
The job posting for the interim ED is on the Pali
website (palihigh.org/About Pali/Job Opportunities)
Interested applicants should submit a resume, the
requested references, and answers to the 3 questions
in the posting to Erik Hinders
(ehinders@palihigh.org) in the HR office by 5/14/10.

May 13 - Communications
Committee mtg-3:30 pm,
Library
May 13 - Board Chair Presents
Governance Policies to Parents-
6:30 pm, Library
May 14 - Senior Prom-7:00-
11:00 pm, Park Plaza Hotel,
downtown LA
May 18 - Board of Directors
mtg-5 pm, Library
May 23 - PCHS Leadership
Class Golf'n Dolphin Campus
Challenge-10:30 am-4:30 pm,
Pali
May 25 - Professional
Development-No 7th Period
May 25 - Booster Club mtg-
6:30 pm, Staff Cafeteria
May 26 - New Parent School
Tour-8:00 am, Flagpole
May 27 - PAC's 3rd Annual
Senior Speak-Out -6:30 pm,
Library
May 28 - Career Day-8:00 am-
12:15 pm, Quad
May 31 - Memorial Day-School
Holiday
June 2 - Educational Programs
Committee mtg-3:30 pm, Study
Center
June 3 - PTSA mtg-8 am,
Library
June 3 - "Realities of Drugs and
Alcohol"-8:30 am, Library
June 6 - Pali Spirit & Gilbert
Awards-4:00 pm, Riordan
Home
Marcia, Greg, Jennifer and I are screening all
candidates to bring forward finalist(s) to the Board
for hiring as soon as possible.
The budget process continues and the Budget
Committee and negotiating teams have worked on
parallel tracks to ensure the shortfall is addressed for
next year. I want to applaud these two groups as
well as the Educational Programs and Operations,
Facilities and Technology Committees for the many
hours and thought dedicated to ensuring Pali is
financially solvent into the future without
undercutting our mission or vision.
Fundraising: The Pali Fund has raised $100k this
year and plans are already underway to dramatically
increase fundraising next year. Traveling parents
have pledged approximately $100k toward the cost
of busing next year. June 6 th is the date of the 2nd
Annual Pali Spirit & Gilbert Awards event, to be
held this year at the home of Mayor Richard
Riordan. This event will benefit the transportation
fund with proceeds going to support busing for
continuing students. Please come if you can!
Leadership and governance policies: We are
planning to schedule a separate period-by-period
meeting on Charter 101, ED v. Principal roles and the
governance policies the Board is currently
considering next week (tentatively Monday 5/10 and
Tuesday 5/11). All staff are invited to these meetings
(classified please coordinate with your supervisor to
figure out which period to attend). This means this
week's May 5 th and 6 th CST period-by-period faculty
in-service meetings will run only a third or so of the
conference period.
I hope all families have a great month.
Sincerely,
Amy Dresser Held

June 7 - O perations, Facilities
& Technology Committee mtg-
3:15, Library
LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Parents,
We are coming to the home stretch in what has been a most extraordinary semester.
Much has happened on a daily basis; however, I feel that we are emerging as a strong,
more cohesive community, ready to tackle what lies ahead.
First, let me sing some "Pali Praises":
Sandra Martin- Sandra was a speaker at Marymount College as part of the Women's
History Month Celebration! Did you know that Sandra is an award-winning children's
book author? The New York Public Library named Sandra's middle grade biography
Alicia Alonso: First Lady of the Ballet as among the best 100 books for teenage
readers. Congratulations, Sandra!
Lisa Kraus- Lisa and her amazing Drama students recently won a First-Place
Sweepstakes Trophy at the Shakespearean Festival where 80 schools competed for the
coveted spots. Many of Pali's Drama students also took home individual honors.
Congratulations to Lisa and her class. (Please see "Drama Dept. News", in another
section of this newsletter, for a complete story on this accomplishment.)
Monica Iannessa- Congratulations and a huge "thank you" to Monica for her year-
long planning and organization of the "Every 15-Minutes" assembly for the Pali
community. Thanks also go to Marike Anderson, Bella McGowan, Chris Lee, Jeanne
Saiza and all of our wonderful parents and students who participated in this most
incredible experience. If we are able to change the behavior of just one teenager, then
all of the planning was 100 per cent worth it.
Steve Burr- Steve was recently named as a Petrick Award winner! Congratulations
Steve! The judges who observed Steve mentioned in an article in the Palisadian Post
that they were impressed by the amount of "peer engagement" they observed in
Steve's advanced level class.
Tideline- Congratulations to the Tideline staff and Mary Cappelli for their recent

achievements at the JEA Convention in Portland, OR. Tideline editors and writers
took home many writing awards and Honorable Mentions. We are all proud of the
accomplishments of this fine organization and the leadership of their advisor.
Rose Gilbert- On April 22 nd , I had the honor of attending one of the most enjoyable
community events of the year: the presentation of the Citizen of the Year Award to
our own Rose Gilbert by the Palisadian Post. The event was held at the American
Legion Center in Pacific Palisades and included dinner, a show put on by the Post,
award presentations, and speeches by the recipients.
Rose was beautiful in her gorgeous silver dress and absolutely eloquent in her
acceptance speech. She read a letter she had recently received from a former student
whom she taught in the early 60's!!!! Everyone was captivated by the message in that
missive: that Mama G had made an impact on the life of that student in English
class which stuck with him throughout his entire adult life. After all these years, he
simply felt he had to write and let her know.
A skit with original songs poked fun at all of Mama G's famous trademarks, including
"BUNK" and Cheerios.
Rose received Resolution certificates and a plaque from City Councilman Bill
Rosendahl, State Assemblywoman Julia Brownley and State Senator Fran Pavley.
Attendees at the dinner also included several Pali staff members and several of Rose's
grandchildren.It was a wonderful tribute to Mama G.
Unfortunately, just after receiving the Citizen of the Year award, Rose slipped and fell,
breaking her hip. She was taken to St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica where she
received excellent care. On April 30 th she was discharged from St. John's Hospital and
taken to Berkeley East, a live-in rehabilitation center. She would like those who wish
to visit her to first call her at the rehab center: Berkeley East, across from St. John's
Hospital on 20th Street in Santa Monica.
Rose is eager to get back to work. She calls every morning with her class lesson plans
and keeps asking for papers and essays to grade! What an amazing lady.
UCLA Process
Our work with UCLA's SMP team is fruitful and coming full circle. The team met with
the Faculty last week as well as with the Classified Staff and students on April 30.
Remember, this is a process....a means to an end. We must be patient and realize that
120 teachers will have varying opinions as to how to reach a decision. We must trust
the leaders and the process.
What has emerged to date is that, although there are differing opinions as to how to

structure the management team at Pali, the interests, leadership traits and job
descriptions for upper management are more alike than they are different among the
school community. We will schedule another meeting during which a definitive
discussion and decision-building outcome can ensue around the information that has
been amalgamated to date from all stakeholders. The UCLA team will meet with the
Board of Directors on May 11, 2010. I will take the results of our work, thus far, to the
Board on May 18.
Amy, Greg, Jennifer and I are meeting to initiate a selection process for an Interim
Executive Director for the 2010-11 school year. This is a temporary position which is
needed to ensure a smooth transition in the fall semester, given the challenges that
will need implementation through the summer and into September.
I must end by thanking the entire faculty, staff, administrative team, Board and
parents for your continued dedication, support and amazing resilience this past
semester.
Always,
Marcia
LETTER FROM THE BOARD CHAIR
Dear Stakeholders,
This is an update on the PCHS Board of Directors. We have been discussing the
adoption of PCHS governance policies. The proposed policies are posted at
www.palihigh.org. Click on "Governance," and then click on "Board of Trustees," and
then click on "Policies Under Consideration."
The policies under consideration were adapted directly from Policy Governance, as
described by John and Miriam Carver. These policies were proposed at the April 8 th
Board meeting. At the April 20 th Board meeting, at the request of parents, the Board
agreed that the Carver model of Policy Governance and its underlying principles are
acceptable as the basis for the PCHS governance policies.
We have not formally adopted the policies because we need your input. Email me at
kperkins@palihigh.org, and/or attend the presentation about Policy Governance on
Thursday, May 13th, at 6:30 pm, in the Library. The Governance Process Policies can
be found by clicking here or by going to "palihigh.org/Governance/Board of
Trustees/Policies Under Consideration".
Important dates: The Board will be discussing the adoption of these policies at the

May 18 th Board meeting. We need your input prior to that time. The FINAL date for
input is June 8 th ; at the June 15 th Board meeting, we will be acting on the adoption of at
least a subset of these policies.
At the April 8 th Board meeting, the Board agreed on the need to find an Interim
Executive Director. This position will act as a temporary bridge between Amy Held,
who is departing June 30 th , and the new management leader. The Board tasked Amy
Held, Greg Wood, Marcia Haskin and Jennifer Eustice, to work as a team to find an
Interim Executive Director. We will hear their results at the May 18 th Board meeting.
The UCLA School Management Program will hold a special meeting with the Board
on May 11 th to describe their progress working with Pali stakeholders to define future
leadership and organizational structure.
Many exciting changes are happening at Pali. Because we are a fiscally independant
charter school, all stakeholders are called upon to be part of the changes, rather than
being told what to do by a "downtown" higher bureaucracy. I encourage you to get
involved. We can't be a charter school without your help. Please come to Board
meetings and other Committee meetings to stay informed. Email me with any
questions, comments or to provide input into the policies. I appreciate hearing from
everyone.
Karen Perkins, Ph.D.
Board Chair
PCHS ATTENDANCE POLICY
The Attendance Policy is designed to make students aware of the relationship
between achievement and good attendance. This policy recognizes the fact that
regular in-class instruction is essential in assuring student achievement.
ABSENCE: A student will be considered absent if:
He or she is not present for an entire class period or entire school day, or
If he or she is thirty (30) or more minutes late for class without a signed school
pass; or
If he or she has three (3) unexcused tardies, this will be equivalent to one (1)
absence.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR STUDENT IS ABSENT
Please send a note with the student to the Attendance Office with the following
information:

Date of Absence
Student's Name, Printed Clearly
Date of Birth
Student's Grade Level
Reason for the Absence
Parent Signature
Phone Number Where Parent Can Be Reached
ABSENCES: If A Student Is Absent 7 Times In One Class, Periods 1-6, The Student
May Receive A Final Mark Of Fail (F) In That Class. (See Attendance Policy in your
Parent Handbook).
TARDIES: 3 Unexcused Tardies In Any One Class = 1 Absence.
EARLY CHECK OUTS
Does your student have a doctor's appointment? Need to leave school early? If so,
your student should bring a note to the Attendance or Magnet Office before school or
by Nutrition. The note should include the:
Student's Name, Printed Clearly
Student's Grade Level
Date of Birth
Time Student Needs to Leave School
Reason for Leaving
Parent Signature
Phone Number Where a Parent Can Be Reached
If a student leaves campus without checking out through the Attendance or Magnet
Office, it will be considered a class cut. Detention will be assigned for each period
missed. We must know the whereabouts of your student during the school day. Help
us by requiring your student to follow these procedures. SIMPLY CALLING YOUR
CHILD OUT OF CLASS USING YOUR CELL PHONE IS NOT PERMITTED!
WE ALWAYS CALL TO CONFIRM THE EARLY CHECK OUTS
Monica Iannessa
Director of Student Services

COUNSELING OFFICE NEWS
2010 Fall Programming
Fall programming for the 2010 fall semester began April 14. Counselors are visiting
classes and discussing programming options with students through the end of May. If
students are absent during the scheduled time for programming, the student will need
to contact their counselor. Students must meet all deadline dates for submitting
program request and take any placement tests for required Honors/AP classes. It is
recommended that students and their parents/guardians discuss course selections for
the fall semester. Parents/Guardians and students should sign off on the plan sheet.
Please contact your student's counselor if you have questions regarding fall
programming. The counselors are in the classrooms programming students, please
leave a voice or email message if you want them to contact you.
California State Testing (CST) - May 17 thru May 21
The CST tests will be administered May 17 - 21. All students are required to take the
test. Palisades must administer the tests to at least 98% of the students in grades 9 -
11. Students must participate in all mandatory testing programs during their
enrollment at Palisades in order to participate in the graduation ceremony. The scores
from the tests are used to validate Palisades' status as a charter school. The scores are
also used for program placement and GATE identification for students. Please insure
that your student is present during the tests administration. More information will be
mailed and/or sent home with students.
Report Cards
Ten weeks report cards were mailed home the week of April 26. If your student
received 'D' and/or 'F' please insist that your student attends tutoring in the Study
Center or with his/her teachers. Attendance is also important, because a student may
fail a class if the student has 7 or more absences in periods 1 - 6 and 14 or more
absences in periods 0 or 7. The 15 weeks report cards should be mailed out the week
of May 28.
Senior Parents/Guardians and Students
In order for a student to participate in the graduation ceremony and receive a
diploma, all graduation requirements must be met by June 17. Letters were mailed
out after the 10 weeks report cards to seniors who are not on schedule for graduation.
Letters will be mailed after the 15 weeks report cards to again inform students who
will not be on schedule for graduation. Seniors, please stay focused so you can be a
participant in the graduation ceremony on June 24.
Summer School
Palisades will not be offering a traditional summer school program. Extended
Summer School (ESY) for students in the SDP programs will be offered at Pali July 5 -
30. This is a mandated four weeks program for SDP students. Students participating

in this program should have submitted their applications to Mrs. Bush. The deadline
for submitting applications was April 30.
The counselors distributed the summer school applications as they programmed the
students for the fall semester. Students who plan to attend a LAUSD summer school
program must take the application to the LAUSD school site to register.
CAHSEE Make-up Testing
All 10 th grades students who missed one or both parts of the CAHSEE tests in March
are required to take the tests on May 11 and/or May 12. This is also the last
opportunity for 12 th grade students who need to take the test during the school year.
The scores will not be received until after graduation therefore any senior needing any
part of the CAHSEE to graduate will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony.
EVERY 15 MINUTES FOLLOW-UP
PCHS successfully participated in the CHP-sponsored safe driving program, "Every 15
Minutes" on April 28 and 29. The program brought the campus and community
together to teach the importance of making the right choices when it comes to safe
driving.
The program was geared to preventing another car accident (alcohol, distraction or
racing oriented) and the aftermath of unsafe driving. For the majority of students at
Pali, this program, especially the 11th and 12th grade simulated memorial service, had
a profound effect. Teens, parents, teachers, and administrators (and community
workers) made the connections needed for student support. This program allowed
teens to be vulnerable while dispelling the illusion of invincibility. Parents need to be
aware that students may be still grieving the loss of friends - even in this simulated
assembly. Watch your teen for signs of dealing with grief.
According to Gina Kornfeind, M.S.W., M.S., Bereavement and Support Coordinator
Children's Comfort Care Program-Department of Pediatrics Mattel-UCLA Children's
Hospital, "Children grieve differently than adults. They can compartmentalize their
grief. They will feel, express, and cry and then be able to go out on the playground,
the sports field or to school and put it on the back burner for awhile. This does not
mean they are not thinking about the death/grief, but that they can only handle so
much at a time. Therefore, since even our 18 year old teens are in many ways still
children who need plenty of parenting, keep communicating with them about how
this experience has affected them.

First of all, try to share your own feelings about this as it sets the tone of honesty,
permission and vulnerability for them. Try to ask them open-ended questions such as,
'How has that crash simulation and memorial been coming into your thoughts lately?'
or, 'Are you having any dreams about what happened last week at school?' Tell them
how heavy it must have been and that even just hearing about it stirred up a lot for
you as a parent. Give your children permission to talk about their feelings and fears
about the intensity about a death of a local teen. Many seniors who are about to leave
for college and are approaching a big transition, will be stirred up by this, as they
make their big separation from their parents.
When speaking with groups of parents I encourage them to continue parenting their
child who is an older teen. I often tell them, 'We kept them safe when they were little,
why would we stop now? Their frontal lobe (judgment center) is not very developed
so they need us to guide them. Yes, they need to make mistakes and experience
consequences, but let's not have the mistakes be the big ones that cost them their lives
and change our lives forever.' I've ended my discussions with this quote from Barbara
Lazear Ascher: 'To live in remorse is to live backwards. If death is to have any
meaning at all it is to teach us the power of love and to allow that power to propel us
through the rest of our days.' "
Please make the effort to talk to your student about their impressions and feelings
about these powerful assemblies.
Monica Iannessa
Director of Student Services
MAGNET NEWS
As the school year starts to wind down there are many exciting things happening at
Pail. The Senior Prom and Graduation are among the high profile events we have
going on. Please remind your child that It's Okay to Say "No" to all the temptations
that surround these activities.
We had an assembly that focused on these issues recently and it is our hope that your
child will take their responsibility as a young adult seriously. It's not only drugs and
alcohol that cause accidents, but it's also excessively talking to friends and texting that
distract drivers. The chances of getting in an accident increase 100% for each
additional passenger that is riding in the car. Please remind your child to remain

focused on the task at hand....getting to and from the event safely.
Programming for the fall semester is underway with the freshmen class starting the
week of May 6th. I will be in each of the students' Integrated Science rooms to discuss
their choices for next year. Parents are reminded to sign the programming sheet for
your child indicating your approval. Students that want to go to Summer School need
to see me or Ms. Ello-Kay (grades 10-11) to get approval. Students can take Summer
School at another high school or at community college, but need our signature prior to
enrolling.
It is official; the Math & Science Magnet Program will be phased out over the next 3
years. We will be taking no new students next year and transportation will be limited
to students that are currently enrolled. We offered one of the most successful Magnet
Programs in the District and it is sad to see it end. Each year we had over 600
applications for only 115 openings, to put it in perspective. I want to thank all the
parents, teachers and students and staff that made it such a success. We have the very
best students and teachers in the school, but now it is time to move in a different
direction. We still offer one of the best comprehensive high school educations in
Southern California.
Thank you, again, to everyone that made the Magnet Program a success. Hopefully,
the Valedictorian in this year's graduating class will come from the Magnet Program.
If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me tseyler@palihigh.org or
calling at (310) 230-6634.
Sincerely,
Thomas P. Seyler
Magnet Coordinator/Counselor
COLLEGE CENTER NEWS
Seniors! Share your good news with the College Center! Please bring copies of all
your acceptance letters to the College Center. You should have received a letter from
the College Center with information about the "Etiquette of Accepting an Offer of
Admission" and instructions for requesting a final transcript to be sent to your
college. Also enclosed was a "Post-Graduation Plan Card
Seniors! Check your Family Connection account! There are several scholarships still
available. Convey Egan Mortensen and Palisades Optimist Foundation applications
are available in the College Center.

Seniors! IMPORTANT DATE CHANGE! Our Senior Awards Program has been
moved to Thursday, June 17 at 6 pm (Paul Revere will be holding their graduation at
Pali on Friday, June 18). Seniors who are receiving awards will be notified in person
by the College Center, but all seniors are invited to attend to celebrate the
accomplishments of their classmates. Parents interested in helping with hospitality,
please contact College Center at palicollege@aol.com.
Juniors! Last call for junior college planning appointments! Appointments are
available after AP testing, starting May 17. The College Center will be closed this
summer, so please schedule your appointment now! Starting June 1, we will schedule
juniors for second appointments on a space-available basis.
Juniors! Need help with the SAT Writing exam or want to get a head start on your
college essays? See College Center staff to schedule an appointment with our writing
coach.
AP exams are being administered from May 3 through 14 and the College Center
may be closed on certain days for extended time testing. Important: backpacks,
purses, tote bags, etc. are NOT permitted in the testing room. Only the following can
be brought into the testing room: pens, pencils and calculator (if permitted for the test
they are taking), bottled water, and snack food in a Ziplock bag to be eaten during the
break.
Remaining SAT and ACT dates for this school year:
SAT: June 5 (register at www.collegeboard.com)
ACT: June 12 (register at www.actstudent.org)
Athletes! Athletic advisor is available for appointments with student athletes on May
5 and May 18; sign up in the College Center.
College Center Staff
Helene Kunkel - Aileen Scibetta - Ruth Grubb - Mary Ann Doll
PARENT NIGHT for BOARD CHAIR PRESENTATION of
GOVERNANCE PROCESS POLICIES - MAY 13 - 6:30 pm LIBRARY
Board Chair Dr. Karen Perkins will give a presentation to parents on the Carvermodel-based
Governance Process Policies currently under consideration by the Board
of Directors. These policies will be discussed at the Regular Board Meeting on May 18,
2010, at 5 pm, in the Library.
Dr. Perkins' presentation on the Governance Process Policies will be given on

Thursday, May 13th, at 6:30 pm, in the Library. A brief question & answer period will
follow the presentation.
Input from stakeholders about the proposed policies is sought by the Board of
Directors.
Please send your comments about the proposed policies to Dr. Perkins at
kperkins@palihigh.org, using the subject line "Governance Process Policies".
Comments may also be left in her mailbox in the Main Office.
If possible, the Board of Directors would like to receive your comments by 5:00 pm,
on May 17, 2010.
POLICY COMMITTEE SEEKS CANDIDATES
Declarations to Run due May 11, 2010
The Policy Committee will be holding elections for stakeholder seats at its June 9, 2010,
meeting. If you wish to place your name in nomination for a seat, please send me your
information and a candidate's statement by May 11th, 2010. The list of those running
for seats will be published after the May 12th meeting.
The Policy Committee meets on the 2 nd Wednesday of each month from 3:30 pm-5:00
pm, in the Library. Committee members are expected to attend every meeting.
For those unfamiliar with the Committee's function within the school's governance
structure, you can read the Policy Committee By-Laws by going to www.palihigh.org,
then clicking on "Governance/Policy/By-Laws."
Please send your notification of desire to run for a seat to me at jogrady@palihigh.org.
Sincerely,
Julia O'Grady
Policy Committee Chair
jogrady@palihigh.org
BOOSTER CLUB APRIL 27, 2010 DRAFT MINUTES
Meeting was called to order at 7:00pm.

Dorothianne Henne ran the meeting for Dick Held, who was unable to attend.
A big thank you for Fred Votto from the Riviera Masonic Lodge for their generous
donation to the Palisades Booster Club! Again congratulations to the Silent Auction
Committee for the Fabulous Job on the Event at UCLA. It was an amazing night and
incredibly successful!
The Visual and Performing Arts Department (Susan Curran and Rick Steil
representing) thanked the Booster Club for all of our support and for the panels used
during showcase night. Rick brought in some artwork to share with the group and
Susan presented the group with a poster made to thank the Booster Club. Congrats to
the VAPA department for putting on such a wonderful showcase night!
Dan Kelly from Special Education thanked the Booster Club for our support of the
Best Buddies program at Pali. This program matches mainstream students with
special needs students and is very successful for all student involved. The group
recently they went on a field trip with busses paid for by the Booster Club and the Pali
Buddies had a wonderful time. Thank you Dan for sharing with us and for involving
us in this worthwhile program.
Introductions were made.
Secretary's Report: The minutes from the March meeting were approved as read.
Treasurer's Report: Dorothianne Henne went over the treasurer's report and the
report was approved as written. Thanks to Dorothianne for preparing the report. The
treasurer's report included the Silent Auction Income and Expense and the Profit and
Loss Statement. For more information regarding these reports or any financial
question please contact Dorothianne Henne, this information is available to anyone
who has an interest.
Current Funding Requests and Approvals
1. Steve Engelmann (not present), EAST requested $755.00 to cover cost paid
(out of pocket) for the environ-thon that Pali participated in. The Booster Club
was curious about expenses and tabled the request for more information.
2. Perry Jones, Coach for the Pali Football Team requested and was approved
$8749.40 for new helmets with facemasks. These helmets will be used with the
reconditioned helmets the team already uses. Helmet cost is $5500.00. The
Football Team uses these helmets year after year and also lets another
organization use them. Also requested were travel bags for the team, these
bags are school property and will be returned at the end of the season to the

team. Bag cost is 100 at $32.00 =$3200. 00
3. Steve Burr and John Rauschuber, AP teachers, requested $3250.00 to cover
cost of subs for 3 teachers for 8 days so they can grade AP Exams. This is an
excellent opportunity for our teacher s well as our students. It helps our AP
teachers to better communicate to our students the intensity and requirements
of the exam and has statistically increased Pali's AP scores. The Booster Club
recognizes the value in this endeavor and would like to fund ½ of the fee,
$1625.00. In the past the Pali Fund has helped to pay for subs for teachers and
the Booster Club hopes this will be the case in this instance.
4. The Pali Master Plan committee is requesting $5000.00 as a retainer towards
renderings for the new plan estimated total amount is $15,000.00. This request
was tabled; hopefully the committee can come in and speak to the Booster Club
about the plans and costs related to it.
5. Erik Lopez from the Rocket Team/Club at Pali requested and was approved
$500.00 for miscellaneous materials that his club needs to equip new energy
sources for a go-kart he is creating to be propelled with a fuel cell, an onboard
hydrogen generator or solar panels. The club has previously worked on a
rocket (you can check it out at palisadesrocketteam.com) they have already
begun construction and have a functioning go-kart that uses a combustion
engine. Other donors to this project are Solar World.
6. Bud Kling-- Pali Tennis Coach requested $2,152.28 for reimbursement for
expenses incurred from lodging for tournaments the tennis team has
participated in. The California High School Tennis Classic, All American
National Team Championship, and the Ojai Valley Tournament. The Booster
Club agreed to finance ½ of the request, $1,076.00 and asks that, in the future,
organizations request funding in advance of their project, tournament or trip.
Total Funding Approvals for April: $11,950.40
New Business
The Slate of officers was proposed and approved.
Welcome to our officers for next year:
President: Dick Held
Treasurer: Dorothianne Henne
Secretary: Rachel Galper

Vice President of Communications: Lori Vogel
Vice President of Major Fundraising: (still seeking)
Vice President of Direct Fundraising: Ellen Pfahler
Vice President of Community Outreach: Stacie Borah
John and Debbie Warfel have generously volunteered their home for our last
meeting/end of the year party. The date was kept for Tuesday June 8th starting at
6:30 pm. It is pot luck so think about what you'd like to bring and look for an email.
Silent Auction News: The approval of a date and a venue was tabled until we find a
Chair and also until we find out if this will be part of the 50 th Anniversary party. There
is a reservation for Saturday March 12, 2011 at UCLA for our next Silent Auction
Party, so we'll keep the reservation until we have to release it or decide on a venue.
Next meeting: Tuesday May 25th at 6:30 in the school cafeteria. Dan
Kelly's students will be cooking chili for us!
Meeting Dates:
Meetings scheduled are: May 25 th , June 8 th , 2010. All meetings are Tuesday.
All meetings are in the Teachers Cafeteria except when noted.
Meeting adjourned at 9:15 pm
Rachel Galper, Secretary
Dick and the Team
PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL
PAC's April 29th parent meeting featured a panel of experts on teenage drug and
alcohol abuse. We also had a surprise guest on the panel. A former Pali student
caught parents off guard when he bluntly introduced himself as an alcoholic and drug
addict. He proceeded to captivate the audience with his candid account of the short
road from student/athlete to someone who lied to his family, stole to support his
habits, left Pali, lost all his friends, and finally ended up in residential rehab.
Fortunately, he could also tell of his recovery. He's been sober for 10 months.
It was a sobering story for everyone in the room and it made the experts' advice all the
more vital. All of them counseled parents to stay involved in their children's lives and
to pay attention to behavioral changes.

There are numerous resources at Pali to turn to for help if you think your child may
have a problem, including the school psychologist, administrators and teachers. They
can assist in finding further professional help if it's needed.
PAC's next parent meeting will be our third annual Senior Speak-Out. If you have a
typical teenager, you may feel that you're not privy to much of what goes on at
school. This meeting is your chance to hear about Pali from the student perspective.
Please join us on Thursday, May 27th, at 6:30 pm, in the school Library.
PAC IS LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD PARENTS!
PAC's monthly parent meetings are planned and hosted by a small group of parents,
called the Core Leadership. We welcome your suggestions for future meetings. We
also would welcome new parents to the Core Leadership. Please contact Susan Frank,
at susanfrank1@gmail.com, or Ellie Bertwell, at elliepac@gmail.com, if you are
interested in joining us for the 2010 -2011 school year. Our Mission Statement and
contact information are posted on the Pali website under "For Parents".
Ellie Bertwell and Susan Frank
PAC Co-Chairs
PTSA NEWS
As we enter the last weeks of school, PTSA is thankful for all the support provided by
parents, school administration, the Booster Club and guest speakers. Our most recent
programs have concluded with gratifying results. In conjunction with Booster Club,
we were able to provide gourmet sandwiches or salads, drink and dessert to all Pali
staff attending Showcase Night and sell to parents and children throughout the
evening. In addition, we extend our sincere thanks to all the wonderful parents who
had donated a variety of delectable desserts for our bake sale Showcase Night.
Although the weather left uncertainty, all those who attended Showcase Night
regarded it as a success and the campus was graced with the boundless energy and
passion of our young artists all demonstrating their special talents. It was a wonderful
experience to see such diversity in our small community.
The Catalyst program in April had 25 students attend for preparation of the upcoming
S.A.T. exams. We will be holding the next Catalyst program the weekend of May
22nd and 23rd for the June 5th S.A.T. exam. This two-day seminar is a great
opportunity for students to obtain insight into the exam and give them more
confidence in taking the test. Light refreshments and snacks are provided both days.
Our first partnership with Barnes & Noble the weekend of April 23-25th provided an
opportunity for Pali families to obtain books for the Mandatory Summer Reading List
and Recommended Grade Level reading material for the upcoming year. We are

discussing another venture with Barnes & Noble to offer these books on hand some
time in June to prepare students for summer. Stay tuned.... exact dates and details to
be announced.
As many of you may be aware, it is our goal to assist graduating seniors so they may
further their education after high school. The majority of funds raised from our
various events go directly into the Senior PTSA Scholarship Program. This deadline
for scholarship applications was April 30 th . The Class of 2010 recipients will be
announced at our PTSA meeting on June 3 rd , to be held in the Library. Recipients will
receive a $500 scholarship from Pali's PTSA to assist them on their way to college.
We are awaiting final results from the Reflections National Contest for Pali's own
Kimberly Cronin who advanced to the National level. We will sharethe results with
all Pali families and friends upon receiving an update. Several of the entries were on
display on Showcase Night, including an array of artwork; photography, poetry and
writing; all of which were displayed with their respective awards by our Reflections
Chair, Hillar Kaplan-New.
We hope that you were be able to stop by our meeting on May 6th, which featured
speakers from "Sugar and School" and "Farm Fresh To You". "Farm Fresh To You" is a
cooperative of local farmers offering a variety of fresh organic fruits and vegetables
brought from their farms and delivered directly to your home for your enjoyment at
an affordable cost. Please feel free to visit their website and sign up for your own array
of fresh summer fruits and vegetables for your family and support your Pali High
PTSA. (Available May 6th - June 24th.) All information was provided at the meeting,
if you are unable to attend, email bonniejoon@gmail.com for more information. We
concluded the meeting with Of One Mind's Richard Cohen providing one of his many
parent educatioon seminars.
PCHS PTSA has organized a one-week Student Driver's Education Program, June 28th
- July 5th, 2010. This is a course in driver and traffic safety education geared toward
developing proper habits, attitudes, knowledge and skills for the safe, efficient control
of motor vehicles. This instruction is a requirement for all individuals from ages 15 1/2
- 17 1/2 who wish to obtain a Drivers Permit. Students who are interested, please send
an email registration request to Debra Meiers at dsm.emailaddress@verizon.net, with
student's name & parent's name, along with phone number, to register for the class.
Parent signature and payment must be received by JUNE 18, 2010 in the PTSA Box in
the Main Office. More information can be found on the palihigh.org homepage under
"For Parents/PTSA" and flyers can be found in the Main Office.
Bonnie Rejaei
PTSA President
bonniejoon@gmail.com

PARENTS NEEDED FOR CAREER DAY - MAY 28th
CALLING ALL PARENTS. CALLING ALL PARENTS.
Your assistance is needed on Friday, May 28th, from 8:30AM to 12:00 PM, when Pali
will be holding its annual Career Fair 2010 in the outdoor quad. If you are interested
in participating as an exhibitor at Career Fair 2010 and speaking with students about
your career and professional experiences, please contact Mr. Santana in the Career
Center (310-230-6662 or ssantana@palihigh.org).
Traditionally, exhibitors representing careers ranging from the medicine, finance, and
legal professions, to public safety (including the FBI) and apprenticeships in the
trades, participate in the Fair. Organizations that offer students summer jobs and
those that hire high school graduates full time have also exhibited at the Fair.
Colleges, such as Los Angeles Trade Tech and Santa Monica College, which offer
programs that prepare students for direct entry into specialized jobs and careers, are
also represented. Many thanks to the past exhibitors, the Pali PTSA, the Booster Club,
Pali's Leadership Class and Mrs. Meinen (Pali's Tutoring Coordinator) for their
assistance with past Career Fairs.
Sincerely,
Simon Santana
MA Education
Career Advisor
Work Experience Education
VISUAL AND PERFORMING ART DEPARTMENT NEWS
The Visual and Performing Art department would like to acknowledge the following
students who have received scholarships based on their portfolio submissions and
academic achievements from their colleges of choice:
Sierra Ragazzo was awarded$100,000 from Pratt Institute
Chloe Shenassa was awarded $44,000 from the School of the Art Institute of
Chicago
Emily Hunziker was awarded $64,000 from the The Cleveland Institute of Art
Kevin Barrios was awarded $8000 from the Academy of Art University in San
Francisco
Colton Callahan was awarded $20,000 from the San Francisco Art Institute

Lily Emitaz was awarded $40,000 from Pratt Institute
Alan Klug was awarded $12,000 from Art Center College of Design
Val Karuskevich was awarded a $106,000 from the Maryland Institute College
of Art for his outstanding portfolio in photography.
There are also several students in the art program who are attending universities and
also received academic scholarships:
Marilyn Areceo received $36,000to California Lutheran University
Sophie Rivera was awarded a $40,000 Emerging Artist Scholarship from Notre
Dame de Namur University
Julia Gullotti was awarded a $40,000 academic scholarship from Loyola
University in New Orleans
Tara Raoufi was awarded a $46,000 scholarship from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA
We are very proud of their accomplishments and wish them well!
DRAMA DEPARTMENT NEWS
DRAMA DEPARTMENT SWEEPS DTASC FESTIVAL
Palisades Charter High School Drama Students, under the direction of Lisa Kraus,
won the annual Shakespeare Competition held by the
Drama Teachers Association of Southern California (DTASC) on April 24, 2010 in
Sherman Oaks, California. 80 Pali students joined 50 other schools at the festival. Not
only did the Pali Thespians win 1 st place in two divisions of the competition, but they
swept four of the large group categories: Theme Collage, Julius Caesar and the
Comedy of Errors.
Large group scenes last up to eight minutes and require 4 to 10 actors. The
productions are timed and are judged on technique, characterization, group
interaction, staging and overall effectiveness. In C Division, (grades 9-12) Theme
Collage, directed by Katie Lantz and Elena Loper, wove together scenes from Hamlet,
Othello, and Measure for Measure. The scene featured Madeline Packer, Tehmina
Dinshah, Eli Shavalian, Alana Best, Nick Giggins-Hill, Katie Lantz, Elena Loper, and
Ryan Steinberg. Large Group Drama, Julius Caesar, directed by Gabby Bonder and
Hannah Gross, featured Sean Pinto, Travis Fearing, Mark McGowan, Tasha Solomita,
Gabby Bonder, and Hannah Gross. Gross composed an original score, sung a capella
by the actors. Finally, Large Group Comedy, featuring Julian Schwartzman,
Alessandra Varsano, Vivien Huba, Peter Atkinson, Amy Mahoney, and Brandon Papo,
captured the veteran directing talent of Mariel Redlin and Vivien Huba in a bold scene

that brought out hilarity of Shakespeare's characters and writing.
Congratulations also to Pali students Mia Canter and Devon Baur for their 3 rd place
Disguises scene. Actors in this scene included Dylan Palladino and Igor Schvartser in
addition to the two directors. Working Class, awarded 4 th place, was directed by Jesse
Roth and included actors Jeremy Warfel, Carmen Rosales, Tucker Best and Jesse Roth.
Honorable Mentions went to Neda Dallal for her monologue entry and Romantic
Couples directed by Missy Jamieson with actors Austin Williams, Riley Kershaw,
Romi Messer, and Lucy Pogoriler.
In addition to C-Division festival, freshman actors worked with upperclassmen
directors to compete in B division. The Large Group Drama scene Julius Caesar earned
a 1 st place trophy for directors Jazmine Rivera-Hackley and Menasha McNeal. Actors
included Rachel Kermani, Leor Tehrani, Maddy Price, Niki Bina, and Ashley Nobel.
The Romantic Couples scene earned a 3 rd place trophy for director Casey Swanson and
actors Ryan Cronin, Caitlin Blake, Perry Rubin, and Mary McGowan. Working Class,
directed by Shelby Walker, earned a 5 th place award. The scene included actors
MollyAnn Davis, Sky Young, Chynna Wyrgatsch, and Sophie Hall. Disguises, directed
by Katie Takakjian, featured actors Nura Ferdowsi and Julia Levitan. The large group
Comedy of Errors scene directed by Lisette Piette, received 5 th place and featured
actors Helia Bidad, Katie Strachan, Nia Wahl, Sanam Enyati, Bailey Higgins, and
Maddie Travis. Anastasia Rivera-Hackley and Alex Cogbill both received Honorable
Mentions for their monologues and were directed by Sarah Etaat and Mila Feldsher.
Large group theme collage also received an Honorable Mention. The award went to
directors Neda Dallal and Kiona Parker with actors DJ Smith, Rinako Matzuzawa,
Sarah Freedland, Rebecca Yadegari, Maayan Kraus, and Melissa Pinion.
These award-winning scenes were invited to perform in the 47 th Annual Salute to the
Winners on Sunday, May 2 at Barnsdall Gallery Theatre, in West Hollywood. It has
been a stunning year for the Pali Drama department with numerous other critical
accolades. The California Educational Theater Association (CETA) previously
awarded Pali's fall production of The Diviners, which ran in December, second place
from among all fall high school productions in Los Angeles County. Lexi Rubaum and
Katie Lantz received technical scholarships at the CETA festival and Sean Pinto was
awarded Best Actor for his performance at the festival.
Pali's next production will be its spring musical, City of Angels. The production will
run June 3, 4, 5, 11, and 12.
FROM THE PARENT LIAISON
Dear Parents,

Many many thanks to all the Pali families who have contributed to the Pali Fund
thus far. We have raised over $100k to date.
The budget balancing plan is built upon the premise that Pali will be
receiving parental donations to the Pali Fund. We still need every family to give
according to your ability and, if you have already given, please consider an additional
contribution.
We need an average of $500/family in order to avoid:
increasing class size
cutting smaller specialized programs including APs,
reducing college supports
reducing extra curriculars.
Please give whatever you can to help keep Pali whole and help the school get through
this budget crisis.
Thank you!
Most sincerely,
Julia O'Grady
Parent Liaison
Classified Representative to the Board of Directors
Palisades Charter High School
jogrady@palihigh.org