GREETINGS FROM THE PRINCIPAL!

From the desk of Principal Dave Jackson…

As Spring begins we begin the last few months before graduation and summer vacation. We have made some changes over the last two months here at CHS. We have modified our Support Period to ensure that all students are in a classroom during that important time of day on Wednesdays and Thursdays. We are still looking to improve the system further in the near future.

SUMMER VACATION PLANS - Please remember that registration for next year begins the week of August 21st so please adjust your vacation plans to make sure students are here to register in person.

WASC - (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) is the accreditation vehicle for California schools. We are in the middle of this process , as we have our visit in March 2007. There will be an online questionnaire for all parents next month and we hope you will take the time to fill it out so we have accurate data.

PFC - I would like to personally thank our PFC here at CHS for all the support, both financially and by being here when we need you to help. We would not be able to function on a day to day basis without the tremendous support from PFC. Thank you again from the entire staff of Calabasas High School.

Dave Jackson, Principal

PARENT FACULTY CLUB

Dear CHS Family and Friends:

March was a very busy month for PFC volunteers. Thanks to hardworking volunteers Christine Seth, Red Godfrey, Debra Ceizler and Lisa Moriartyand their committees, PFC has welcomed our future 9 th grade class, held a coffee/Q&A session for their parents, and sold tickets for Senior Grad Nite. We also want to thank our parent volunteers who welcomed the incoming 9 th graders with cookies and water, and all the moms who helped with the Israeli Partnership luncheon. We couldn’t do it without YOU!

We need all parents to come to our next big event, a parent -only evening of Texas Hold’em and Bingo. On April 21 at 7 PM at the Agoura-Calabasas Community Center, all adults are invited for a fun social evening of poker, bingo and dinner. All proceeds will be used to help improve the Lower Quad lunch areas with more tables, landscaping and, if the event raises enough, shade cover! For ticket information, call Christine Seth at 340- 4777.

Hard to believe but we are already planning and preparing next year, and we need everyone to take part. At our April 3rd PFC meeting (9:30 AM, Lecture Hall) we will present the 2006-07 PFC Budget and take suggestions for committees and Board positions for next year. Please be there to make your voice heard!

PFC offers many opportunities to be involved. If you are interested in being a volunteer but haven’t found your niche, give us a call. We will help you get connected!

Joann Melancon 225-8952 & Carolyn Cusick 225-7942 CHS PFC Co-President

Grad Nite - ATTENTION ALL SENIORS : Planning on celebrating grad night at an all night party???? Tickets go on sale March 29, 30, 31, and April 3rd during nutrition in the lower quad. qaud. Remember to bring $85.00, the signed student and parent agreement, medical forms, (previously mailed to you), and your CHS student ID and/or your driver's license. Remember to sign up at the same time as your friends, so that you can be on the same bus. ( Space is limited to 50 people per bus.) So don't miss out, let’s make Grad Night a night to remember. Any Questions?? Call Cori Marcus at 880-1900 or Sharon Greenwald at 223-993 3

PFC Meetings – Monday, April 3 at 9:30 AM, and Monday, May 1 at 9:30 AM in the Lecture Hall. Las Virgenes Special Education PTA - Attention, parents of Special Education Students: The Las Virgenes Special Education PTA is holding our Third Annual Exceptional Educator Award presentation on May 8th, 2006 at 7:00pm in the LVUSD District Office, 4111 N. Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas, CA.

Spring Fundraiser !!!!! The 2006 Calabasas High PFC Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament and Bingo Fundraiser will be held Friday, April 21, 2006 at 7:00 PM at the Calabasas Agoura Community Center. Join us for an evening of fun and “Help us help our Students!” For ticket information click on this link: Texas Hold Em Fundraiser 03-06

PFC’s Town Hall Meeting will be held on Monday, May 1 at 6 PM in the library. This is a chance for parents to ask questions and share concerns with Principal Jackson.

CURRICULUM

Please note that the The STAR testing dates have been moved to from April and will now occur May 15-17, 2006. Click on the following link to view the schedule: STAR Testing 04-06. We ask you to Please encourage your 9 th through 11 th grade student to take these exams seriously. The scores are used to While they are not a graduation requirement and do not appear on the high school transcript, they do impact our API score. The API score in turn is one measure your student’s progress. They are also used to define academic rigor at CHS and to measure how well our school is meeting educational standards set by the state and federal government. The quality colleges to rate high schools for purposes of the education at CHS as measured by these tests is something all colleges and universities consider when evaluating college admissions applications from CHS students. .

This year our Juniors will be taking Early Assessment Program testing (EAP) as part of STAR testing. EAP is used by the California State University system for placement in English and Math courses in CSU schools. Students who score well can be exempt from taking CSU’s English and Math placement tests. Note: EAP is NOT an indicator of CSU admissions or eligibility. Participating in EAP cannot negatively affect a student’s CSU admissions or eligibility.

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF ACTIVITIES

From the desk of Assistant Principal, Sherry Bronow…

April is the time of our school elections. Students may run for class office and student body positions. 9 th, 10 th, and 11 th graders will vote on April 5 th at lunchtime after viewing a video presentation of the candidates presenting their platforms. Good luck to all our candidates. Please encourage your child to vote. Students simply present their id card at the voting booths located on the upper quad. Our campus becomes quite colorful with all the campaign posters and the passing out of campaign pins and stickers.

Lip Sync is a very popular show that takes place on April 26, 27, and 28 th. Imagine American Idol with students lip syncing and dancing to dynamic music. Each evening the audience votes for the best act through applause. The show is always packed. Buy your tickets early.

On Tuesday, April 18 th, we will have a lunchtime rally in the quad as a kick off for our Relay for Life. The Relay for Life takes place on June 24 th and 25 th at Calabasas High School. It is a wonderful cause that supports cancer research and is the American Cancer Society’s National Signature Event.

Have a good April. I wish you and your families a wonderful Spring Break.

Sherry Bronow

Senior Activities during STAR testing – We are planning some awesome activities for our Seniors during STAR testing week. On Monday, May 15, seniors will be going to Disneyland. Tuesday, May 16, will be Senior Beach Day. Detailed information will be mailed home soon. Parent chaperones are needed to help with these activities, as well as to help sell tickets during the week of April 16.. If you are interested, please call Ms. Bronow’s office to volunteer (222-7177, ext. 470).

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF DISCIPLINE AND SPORTS

From the desk of Assistant Principal, Mark Capritto…

Thefts continue to plague Calabasas students - There seems to be no end to the mindless thefts occurring at Calabasas High School. Our students report their lockers are being broken into, electronic equipment, cash, and other personal items missing. While there has been reconciliation for some of the lucky ones, a large number of students will never have their items returned.

The school administration has worked countless hours with moderate success when it comes to the return of items. Occasionally, we get lucky when a respectful person provides information leading to recovery of an item or the person that may have stolen the item. There have been arrests and suspensions of those found in possession of stolen property and those who have taken the property of others.

We are asking for your help in this important matter. With the hours spent interviewing students, researching potential leads, visiting with law enforcement, making every attempt to appease parents and students, the time factor has now become a real issue. We are spending so much time in this arena we have little time left to perform our day to day responsibilities.

Please work with your student to have them keep all personal belongings at home. The school setting is simply not immune from students who do not respect the property of others. Truly, we are referring to a minimum number of students who steal from others, yet all of our students are potential victims. Also, should your student have information that will help us to solve some of these crimes, we ask that they come forward. It is really shameful that so much of our great culture can be affected by a few.

Sports - The National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association has named Calabasas High School swimming athletes Emily Kalan and Shani Shousterman as academic all-Americans. There are over 267,000 students involved in aquatics at the high school level nationally. Approximately 2% of these students are recognized as high school all-Americans.

COLLEGE AND CAREER

From the desk of Susi Weisman, our College & Career Advisor

April is an important month for high school students preparing to go to college. For seniors, it is a month of decision making. Students have received college admission acceptance and/or denial letters. Most of them will be deciding which college will get the commitment letter and deposit check. Some will be evaluating financial aid packages. Many students will be rushing off to visit colleges. Others will re-evaluate their post-secondary options; community college, work, gap year programs.

For those going away to college, remember to send housing deposits as soon as possible. In May seniors need to order a final transcript for the college they are attending in the fall. AP scores are available in July. Remember to order reports from the College Board so your college can determine if you will get credit for your AP course/exam.

Students attending community college should apply now if they have not done so already. Don’t forget to take English and math placement tests. Each college has its own protocol for doing so. For example, at Pierce and Santa Monica Colleges the tests are taken on site in the assessment center while at Moorpark College, everything is done on line including the self assessment.

Senior Awards night is on June 6 th. Students who have completed a minimum of 25 hours of community service since March 1, 2005 may apply for the Community Service Award. The application form is available on calabasashigh.com, click on College & Career then when the menu pops up, click on Community Service and print the application. Follow the instructions and due date on the form.

Seniors may also apply for Community Funded Scholarships. The application form will be available in the College & Career Center on March 31 st and is due April 28 th. The awards will be announced and presented at Seniors Awards Night. These are a surprise and should not be counted on in making decisions about which college to attend.

Each year seniors are required to complete the Senior Survey. This information is vital to our school. Students must provide a photocopy of their acceptance letter from the college they will attend. Please do not attach all letters of acceptance. Other information required will be on the survey form, details and the due date will be announced. Students must sign the form guaranteeing the accuracy of the information which they provide and indicate whether or not they want their post secondary information publicized on the senior map or in school publications. The information gathered, such as test scores and GPA is treated with respect and confidentiality. It is used for statistical purposes, affects our school’s ranking in the college admissions arena and aids us in planning future programs.

Juniors are gearing up for the college admissions process. In February I went to all of the U.S. History classes where I spoke to the juniors about the college admissions process. Hopefully the students brought home the materials I distributed and have reviewed them with their parents. English teachers were asked to extend an invitation to any students who took U.S. History during summer school, to sign up in the College & Career Center for a “make up” session. Unfortunately, only a handful of students came. Juniors who missed these information sessions should be encouraged to contact me. In the meantime, juniors should have registered for SAT, SAT Subject and ACT college entrance exams. Registration for the SATs can be completed at www.collegeboard.com and for the ACT at www.actstudent.org . . Refer to the Testing section of calabasashigh.com, College & Career portion of the website for more testing information. Test preparation resources were included in the materials distributed to juniors and are also available in the College & Career Center.

In addition to college entrance exams juniors will also be taking the STAR tests and in May many will take AP exams. Please help your students do their best by making sure they get a good night’s sleep and have a nutritious breakfast before coming to school especially on test days. Remind your students that only approved calculators may be used during exams. Cell phones and other electronic devices are not permitted. Students should have their “ticket”, picture ID, social security number, #2 pencils and an eraser. A snack which can be eaten during a short break and a bottle of water are also a good idea

Financial Assistance with fees - Students who have financial need, who have applied for and qualify for the school lunch program should see Mrs. Weissman for financial assistance with test fees. College application fee waivers are only available for students who have used fee waivers on their SAT exams. Requests for financial assistance are strictly confidential.

Read the website for important information - Other things that juniors should be doing include attending as many organized programs as possible, including college fairs, information sessions with colleges, college visits, college recruiter meetings on campus. These resources are available to younger students and their families as well. These events are posted on calabasashigh.com click on College & Career Center, click on Upcoming Events.

Summer program options are extensive and varied. Parent volunteers are busy every week preparing the listing of these programs which my aid, Josh, programs to the website. Our team also posts scholarships, jobs, and community service information on the website.

Gap Year In Israel - Last month, I had the privilege of participating in the first ever college counseling trip to Israel It was an incredible experience! I had the opportunity to see the five major universities: Hebrew University, Tel Aviv University, Bar Ilan University, Ben Gurion University of the Negev and Haifa University. We saw these institutions in conjunction conjuction with their respective overseas departments (classes conducted in English) and gap year programs which fall under the umbrella of Masa, the organization that organized this trip. The event was also sponsored by the Avi Chai Foundation.

I first became aware of the gap year concept when I visited colleges in the UK a few years ago. Students in other countries are generally older and thereby, arguably, more mature when they begin their college educations, as compared to American college students. I found the programs in Israel to be very impressive. There is a tremendous variety of programs which incorporate academic studies, travel, language and service learning for a unique and life altering experience. The students we met were enjoying amazing personal growth. Most of them had asked their colleges to postpone their freshman year. Many will return with transferable credits, although this will vary by program and by the college the student attends upon return to the U.S.

If you would like to learn more about Masa or other gap year options, please call me.

For additional College and Career information, visit our CHS Webpage by going to: www.calabasashigh.com, then click on the link: College & Career Center. By Susi Weissman, College & Career Advisor

ASSOCIATED STUDENT BODY

The senior/junior powder puff football game, organized by sports commissioners Brian Frankel and Samantha Marter, was held on March 24 th during lunch at the football field. Lunch was extended in order for the students to have their game. The junior class sold In N Out during lunch.

The Freshman class officers, Erin Horland, Nathan Hass, and Shayna Nagel, held their class night at the Commons in Calabasas on March 22. Participating restaurants were Johnny Rockets, Pick Up Stix, La Salsa, and Cold Stone.

The ASB Elections, organized by ASB Vice President Elizabeth Lee, will be held on April 5 th. Students are allowed to vote for participating candidates during lunch and nutrition. Candidates are allowed to post campaign materials only in the lower quad and lower part of the campus. There will be a video of campaign speeches playing during support that day.

Entertainment Commissioners Christina Rackohn and Andrea Weisz are organizing Lip Sync for April 26 th-28 th. Lip Sync is a show where students perform an act while lip syncing to a particular song. Many students and parents attend the fun nights.

HEALTH OFFICE

We’re all aware of how the world has changed and how many challenges and temptations our children face. Your team here at C.H.S. cares deeply about the safety and well being of all of the students here. For your peace of mind and the security of your children, we are now able to supply Five-Panel Urine Dip Kits that you can purchase in the C.H.S. Health Office and use in the privacy of your own home if you fear your child may be at risk. These kits test for drug use: amphetamines, benzodiazepines, cocaine, opiates and marijuana. The results are instantaneous and for your eyes-only. There is no need for an outside lab’s involvement. This test usually costs between $19.95 and $29.99 but we are able to offer it to you for $5.00. Cash or checks made out to C.H.S. are fine. No credit cards please. Please contact the Health Clerk, Joey Levin at 222-7177 ext. 223 to confirm the kits availability and with any other questions or concerns. The Health Office is open between 7:15am and 3:45pm Monday through Friday.

A word of advice from our PFC Co-Presidents: Our own Lost Hills Sheriff’s Juvenile Intervention team has told us that using kits like these to occasionally test your child, even if you don’t suspect drug use, can give him or her the comfortable excuse they need to “just say No” to a peer offering them drugs or alcohol.

MUSIC BOOSTERS

Carnival 2006 was a great success! Thank you to our carnival committees, sponsors, and all of our parent and student volunteers for their hard work at our carnival last month. You helped make this event a success and we appreciate your support. April will be a very busy month for our music program at CHS. Wind Ensemble will be traveling to Boston, March 30 – April 4 for the Heritage Festival of Gold. Vivace will then be flying to New York City to perform in Carnegie Hall April 19 – 23. Jazz A Band will be preparing for their participation in the 2006 Essentially Ellington Competition at Avery Fisher Hall in New York City on May 18 – 20. We wish the best of luck to all of these groups. We are very fortunate again to host “A Grand Spring Recital”, an intimate gathering at a private home in Calabasas on Sunday, April 30 at 5:00 p.m. This magical afternoon features a trio of world-renowned musicians, Andrew Shulman, Randall Kerber and Roberto Cani . Tickets are priced at $85 each and can be purchased by e-mailing CHSMusicBoosters@charter.net. You can learn more about these talented musicians and stay informed about the music program by visiting our website at www.chsmusic.co m . Join us at our next Music Booster meeting Thursday April 6 at 7:00 p.m. in the band room. We would love for you to get involved. We thank you for your continued participation and support in all of our endeavors. Sherri Schreiber and Jill Gaines

THEATER BOOSTERS

Congratulations to the Cast, Tech Crew and Pit Band on the production of "Seussical, the Musical!" Our students and staff are so talented and continue to bring the level of CHS Theater up with every show! BRAVO! Thank you to all of the parents without whose support we would not be able to continue the level of excellence that we have achieved in our program. We truly cannot do it without you!

On April 22, the theater classes will be attending the DTASC (Drama Teacher's Association of Southern California) Shakespeare Festival ~ good luck to everyone involved!

Our Cookie Dough Fundraiser is always very successful - thanks to all who participated! The date to pick up Cookie Dough will be on April 27th in PA2 after school. Please make arrangements to pick up your orders, as we cannot store the refrigerated dough!!!

Have a wonderful, restful Spring Break! For further information on what's going on with the CHS Theater Department, visit our website at www.chstheater.com.

CITY OF CALABASAS

School Area Traffic Safety – The City of Calabasas’ School Area Traffic Safety Committee is celebrating National Volunteer Week. The 2006 National Volunteer Week is April 23 – 29 and it’s about thanking one of our school's most valuable assets – our volunteers – and calling the public's attention to all that they do to improve our communities. Thank you!

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Las Virgenes Special Education PTA - Attention, parents of Special Education Students: The Las Virgenes Special Education PTA is holding our Third Annual Exceptional Educator Award presentation on May 8th, 2006 at 7:00pm in the LVUSD District Office, 4111 N. Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas, CA.

Nomination forms were distributed to special education students and hopefully, made it home to you. If not, we have included a copy. If you are interested in recognizing a teacher, administrator or staff member who has demonstrated extraordinary dedication and excellence toward enriching the lives of special education students, please print the form by clicking here: EE Award 04-06 , fill it outand return it by 4/21.

Spirit of Calabasas Foundation - 6 months on from Katrina and lives are still fraught with worry and uncertainty, families are still not re-united, children are still not certain of the future of their education and the world has passed this story by. This is why the Spirit of Calabasas Foundation is continuing its support of Plaquemines Parish Louisiana. It is more important now than ever to help in any way we can, so, it gives me great pleasure to announce 4 projects; projects that will keep the students and families of this tragedy in our minds. Included you will find 2 flier's, one inviting you to a public town hall meeting where we will talk in detail of what we are about to do, click on this link: SOCF Meeting 04-06..and the second flyer is on over view of the SOCF calendar, click her for the calendar: SCOF Calendar 04-06. Please read both and pass them on to others. Even if the media has passed Katrina by, we don't have to follow. It is up to us to make sure this does not become yesterday’s story. Thank you as always for your support and generosity. Red Godfrey www.spiritofcalabasas.org

Fourth of July Parade – Mark your calendars to join the Spirit of Calabasas Foundation for a 4 th of July parade. Click on this link for additional information: 4 th of July Parade 03-06 .

NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS

This newsletter will be posted on the Calabasas High School Website at the beginning of each month October through June. You may submit articles for the eNewsletter in a Microsoft Word document format to the eNewsletter Coordinators at nfisherusa@charter.net. Articles are due by the 4 th Tuesday of each month. For the May eNewsletter, which will be posted the first full week in May, the articles are due April 25 th.

LINKS:

If you haven’t already done so, please click on and read each of the following eNews links. You may find important information, may know of someone who can help when needed, or may find the names of those who have donated their time, money or services to assist CHS in one way or another. Support the Coyotes!

EE Award 04-06

Texas Hold Em Fundraiser 03-06

STAR Testing 04-06

www.collegeboard.com

www.calabasashigh.com .

SOCF Meeting 04-06

SCOF Calendar 04-06

www.spiritofcalabasas.org

4 th of July Parade 03-06

www.chsmusic.com

www.chstheater.com

It Pays to Advertise 2005-06

ADVERTISING IN THE CHS Enews