Wanted to update with the latest on all things PDA ...

Scholars of the Week

And what a week it has been as we release the largest list we've ever had for the best and brightest at PDA.

Accounting - Arthur "Tre" Jordan, 2013

Algebra 2 - Oliver Storh, 2014

Algebra 1 - Julian Blackwell, 2016

Biology - Emmanuel Orji, 2015

Chemistry - Oliver Stroh, 2014

College Prep Seminar - Joshua Farmer, 2013, Juan Johnson, Jr., 2013, Justin Turner, PG

Economics - Tommy Heard, 2014

English - Xavier Johnson, 2013

Forensics - Shawn McGee, 2013

Geometry - William Tchiengang, 2015

Pre Calculus - Joshua Farmer, 2013

Physical Science - Chris Rauch, 2016

Spanish 1 - Kenneth Evans, 2016

Spanish 2 - Brandon Dyke, 2014, William Tchiengang, 2015

Statistics - Oliver Stroh, 2014

Technology - Gregory Prather, 2017

U.S. Government - Chris Rauch, 2016

U.S. HIstory - Emmanuel Orji, 2015

World History - Giacomo Zilli, 2013

Athletics Update

I made a huge mistake in the e-mail I sent earlier. The varsity boys are scheduled for three games for Saturday and not two - please see the amended schedule below:

SATURDAY

The JV Boys will practice at 7:00 a.m. at Laurel Boys and Girls Club.

V Boys vs. Largo at 12:00 noon @ Riverdale Baptist

JV Boys vs. Coolidge at 1:00 p.m. @ Friendship Collegiate HS DC

V Boys vs. Wilson (MTB Undefeated Summer League Champions) at 3:00 p.m. @ Friendship Collegiate HS DC

V Boys vs. Bladensburg at 9:00 p.m. @ Friendship Collegiate HS DC

SUNDAY

V Boys vs. Milford at 1:00 p.m. @ St. Frances HS Balt

JV Boys vs. Northwestern at 5:00 p.m. @ Friendship Collegiate HS DC

V Boys vs. Northwestern at 6:00 p.m. @ Friendship Collegiate HS DC

V Boys vs. Spingarn at 8:00 p.m. @ Friendship Collegiate HS DC

Also - please see the link below for an really nice article on our school and our basketball program:

http://dmvelite.com/news/spotlight-princeton-day

Go Storm!

Dr. Van W

I was so focused on getting the essay lesson complete that it slipped my mind to give the vocab test today, but don't worry I have not forgotten about it and your studying skills will have the chance to surface when we will have the chance to take the test on monday.

Be Prepared Next week:

For English - there are 3 tests scheduled for this week...

                       - Monday - Vocab Test

                       - Wednesday - Chapter Test on Essays

                       - Friday - Vocab Test

For Economics - There is a Test scheduled for next week

                       - Tuesday - Chapter Test on What is Economics?

                                                 (Check Sunday for Study Guide)

                       - Thursday - Begin the chapter on Budgetting

Get Excited your entering your 3rd week of school...Good Luck

Go Redskins!!!

Mr. Trupe

Your Student Profile: Hold Nothing Back on Your College Application

By Dave Berry

High school students often have difficulty putting their best foot forward. Sometimes this is a matter of modesty. Sometimes it's a matter of low self-esteem. When it comes to applying to college, hold back nothing.

Remember the old Canon camera television commercial with tennis star, Andre Agassi, where he says confidently, "Image is everything!"? In the world of college admissions, you have to have substance behind your application. But it doesn't hurt to work on your image a bit.

That's where your student profile comes in. What is a student profile? Well, there is no such thing as a "student profile form." You have to create an image of yourself through many means. The result is that the admission staff at the colleges where you are applying will get a complete picture of you from smaller pieces. It's the mosaic principle.

One piece is your application information. Don't just quickly dash off answers to questions without first checking to see how it can help your cause. Give it some thought. Sometimes an application will ask for seemingly minor information such as, "Write a brief description of how you spent your time last summer." This is really a mini-essay. For this one, don't tell them how bored you were or how late you slept in. Tell them about your summer job and how you pursued your photography hobby. Show them that you are a vital and energetic person. Get the idea?

Another piece comes from your essay(s) (personal statement). This is your big chance to shine. Don't be mundane or cute. Imagine how many essays these folks have to read. Make yours stand out. Whatever your choices are for an essay topic, avoid the typical topics--sports, pets, vacations, and so forth. Dig deep down and come up with a significant statement that applies to you in a special way. These people want to know what goes on inside you.

Finally, don't overlook your recommendations. When you ask a teacher or your counselor to write for you, make sure they know enough about you to sound convincing. You might suggest some personal information about yourself that will help them.

Keep an eye on your image. It's not everything, but it can't hurt to optimize it.

Reminder to: 

               Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, and Pre-Calculus

Review for a Quiz

Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn...

These are the element set you need to memorize. You will be quizzed on them and will need to know them well in order to be successful in chemistry.

Attached you will find the syllabus for Ecology. We will be studying the Earth and the impact humans have on the sustainability of the Earth. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

This periodic table and equations are used as part of the California Standards Test.

Attached you will find a syllabus for Physical Science for the 2012-2013 school year. I look forward to helping you learn about the world we live in. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Welcome to College Prep Biology at PDA! Attached you will find a syllabus for the year. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Its a new day at PDA! the bell has rang, which indicates the end to our summer break and the beginning of a new and exciting school year!  We have hit the ground running for the 2012-2013 school year and I am more encourged then ever before!"

New beginnings" is the theme which we have started the new school year off on! and as you have heard and some have seen, it is a "new beginning" for our scholars, their families, our staff and leadership! This school year has awesome opportunities awaiting for you!  Do something different, set new goals, renew your spirit, step out of your comfort zone, step up your academics believe that this is the year you do all you have been wanting to do! I believe this student body is the one to set a new tone at PDA. As we strive for excellence in every area of our lives, we expect nothing less then the best! and in order to have the best, you must begin anew! change that thinking and be determinted to be the best you, you can and will be from this day forth!

"From small beginnings come great things."

Well, ladies and gentlemen, you've made it through the first week, unscathed and unharmed. Keep up the good work and stay strong and prosper, the classes only get more challenging and the work becomes more plentiful. So far it's been a pleasure in my classes.

God Bless,

Mr. Trupe

P.S. Go Redskins!!! 

Welcome to College Prep Physics at Princeton Day Academy! We will learn how the world works with fun, challenges and hard work. 

I've attached the syllabus for Physics. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Ms. Nolen

The work starts tomorrow morning.

8:45 is our start time and we won't ease up until 2:30.

Top 10 Things You Need to Know for Your First Day at PDA

1. Uniform shirts will be on sale at the school store for $20 - 1st come, 1st served.

2. Bring your lunch - the microwaves will be ready.

3. You will have homework in every class.

4. Get your mind prepared for the 3-hour mock SAT on Wednesday morning.

5. Transportation will pick-up at Greenbelt Metro at 7:45 a.m. - look for the black van.

6. Thank your parents or whomever made it possible for you to receive a PDA education!

7. Wi-Fi will be up and running on Wednesday.

8. Be prepared for vocabulary lists in English and SAT Prep classes - The first Scholars of the Week for the school year will be announced on Friday.

9. Start thinking about the subject, characters, story-lines and title of the book you will write this year.

10. Go Storm!

Dr. Van W

Welcome to College Prep Chemistry!

I'm excited about the new school year and I'm looking forward to helping you discover the excitement of looking at the world through the eyes of chemistry. 

The course syllabus is attached. 

Please feel free to contact me at any time if you have questions or concerns.

Fran Nolen

I would like to wish everybody a very happy Labor Day. To my future students enjoy the weekend because we start working on Tuesday...God Bless

Mr.Trupe

As the school year comes to a close I begin to reflect on the job I did. I feel a bit disappointed that I may not have covered all the areas in each subject that I intended to.  I feel sad for the students that were unable to finish the term. I wonder if my lessons were too advanced. Did I give too much homework? Or maybe was I too lenient?But those thoughts are quickly overshadowed by the many academic success stories that prove that we as teachers were doing something right. I think about the many new students that joined us and how well they’ve adjusted. I hear the laughter from the friendship bonds that were formed and recall the first day of orientation when the room was silent with nervousness. I read the college acceptance letters and am reminded that this is why I do what I do.

My mind will still ponder over the many ideas and plans I wanted to execute as it does at the end of each year. But I rest easy, confident that I did my very best. Before I know it the school bells will ring and I’ll be blessed once again with another chance to get it right.

~K.Jointer

Its what you learn after you know it all that counts- Coach John Wooden

May 2, 2012   

            PreCalculus/Calculus     

April 30, 2012

            Computer Applications    

            Accounting

May 15, 2012

           Keyboarding

           Computer Science

May 16, 2012

            Algebra 1

            Algebra 2

            Geometry

Class of 2012 Update ...

The balance for the senior trip is past due. All monies must be in by Monday, April 30th. The total cost is $400 which includes transportation to and from Williamsburg, VA, 2 night hotel stay and tickets to Busch Gardens.

Orders for cap & gowns will be placed on Monday, April 30th as well; the $40 fee is due at that time.

Students who plan to attend the prom must purchase tickets for $70 by Wednesday, May 2nd.

Commencement rehearsal will be held on Monday, May 14th from 9am-11:30am and Wednesday, May 16th from 1pm-3pm in the main sanctuary here at Hope Christian Church.

Both practices are mandatory for all members of the Class of 2012.

Commencement dress for men:

Black dress slacks
Black dress shoes
Dark socks
White button shirts
Dark tie

Commencment dress for woman:

All white dress/skirts
No pants
Neutral or silver shoes/sandals
Modest jewelry

Go Storm!
 

Wanted to share news of the most recent PDA College Acceptance.

We are pleased to share that Cleve Stewart, 2012 has been accepted to Saint Leo University.

St. Leo is the oldest Catholic university in Florida and has very small class sizes with an incredible 15-1 student-to-teacher ratio.

Cleve is our third scholar from the Cayman Islands to be accepted to college!

When you next see Cleve and his family, please congratulate them on continuing PDA's tradition of 100% college acceptance and attendance.

Go Storm!
 

Laugh out Loud!

• You are about 1 centimeter taller in the morning than in the evening!
• The can opener was invented 48 years after the can.
• More Monopoly money is printed in a year, than real money printed throughout the world!

A Few Brain-Numbing Questions

If anything is possible, is it possible that nothing is possible?

Why do you park on a driveway but drive on a parkway?

How does Hawaii have an interstate?

If a convenient store is open 24 hours a day seven days a week then why are there locks on the doors?

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money or the most awards. They are the ones that CARE

LINDSEY: Five little ways to save:

1. Know your priorities: Avoid making a huge Target or Wal-Mart run before you leave for school. Bring only the necessities and make a list over the next few weeks of what you really need. After I got to school, I realized that some of my must-haves, like a printer and a desktop mirror, weren’t necessities at all.

2. Make the most of your meal plan: At the end of my first semester at school, I still had 50 meals that I hadn't used, which made me regret all those trips to Chipotle and McDonald's. Many dining halls offer take-away lunches that you can use instead of buying lunch on campus or picking up snacks at the grocery store.

3. Identify local student discounts: Many college town businesses, such as local shops and restaurants, will offer great savings if you show your student ID. When visiting my friend at the University of Tulsa, she managed to score us half-price breakfasts at a restaurant near campus by using her student discount.

4. Skimp on the small stuff: When it comes to school supplies, pretty floral notebooks and sets of 24 highlighters may be tempting, but these can be double the cost of more basic items. During my freshman year, I stuck with 87-cent notebooks and made my own note cards out of regular printer paper.

5. Know when to say "no": It's a hard pill to swallow, but you can’t buy every last t-shirt, baseball cap, or tote bag that your club or organization offers. In my sorority this year, I had to make a conscious effort to buy only the apparel that I loved—and even then I ended up regretting some of my purchases. Limiting yourself is also a great way to keep your closet (and that tiny dorm room) clutter free

What Leader Would You Invite to Speak at Your School?

Seniors at Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan recently created a YouTube video to try to entice the Knicks star Jeremy Lin to speak at their graduation. And students in Chicago had the opportunity recently to be taught by Nobel Prize winners as well as other world leaders and celebrities. If you could invite any living leader – in politics, science, religion, entertainment, sports or anything else – to speak to your class, whom would you invite and why?

Final Exam Schedule

Forensics:Monday, April 30

Ecology: Tuesday, May 1

Physical Science: Tuesday, May 15

SAT Prep: Tuesday May 15

Life Management: Tuesday May 15

Chemistry: Wednesday, May 16

Biology: Wednesday May 16

SCHOLARS, BE ADVISED THAT THIS WILL BE THE LAST WORK THAT YOU WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR BEFORE YOUR FINAL EXAM ON WENDESDAY 16 MAY 2012.

1. YOUR CHAPTER 9 EXAM WILL BE A COMBINED VOCABULARY AND CHAPTER TEST. IT WILL BE ON MAY 9TH AT 1:45PM. SEE ME TODAY BEFORE SCHOOL IS DISMISSED FOR YOUR STUDY GUIDE.

2. YOUR FINAL EXAM WILL BE ON MAY 16TH. IT WILL COVER MATERIAL FROM CHAPTERS 1-9. I WILL PROVIDE YOU A STUDY GUIDE. GOOD LUCK SCHOLARS AND STAY FOCUSED!

“People think that a liar gains a victory over his victim. What I’ve learned is that a lie is an act of self-abdication, because one surrenders one’s reality to the person to whom one lies, making that person one’s master, condemning oneself from then on to faking the sort of reality that person’s view requires to be faked…The man who lies to the world, is the world’s slave from then on…There are no white lies, there is only the blackest of destruction, and a white lie is the blackest of all.” 

SCHOLARS, BE ADVISED THAT THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE IN YOUR FINAL WORK SCHEDULE. YOUR LAST WORK OF THE SEMESTER WILL BE AS FOLLOWS.

1. WATCH THE BLACK HOLOCAUST VIDEO (first 40 minutes) AND WRITE A TWO PARAGRAPH SUMMARY ON IT. DUE FRIDAY.

2. CHAPTER 9 VOCABULARY QUIZ AND CHAPTER TEST ( same dates ).

3. FINAL EXAM 16 MAY 2012

IF YOU HAVE ANY MISSING ASSIGNMENTS THEY ARE DUE NO LATER THAN FRIDAY 27 APRIL., I WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY WORK AFTER THAT!!!

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE EMAIL ME ASAP.

I’m planning on coming home from college every weekend to see my friends and family, but my teacher doesn’t think that’s a good idea.  What do you think? 

I think your teacher is right, and I think you’ll feel differently before Christmas.  Either way, you need to start connecting with your new environment, get to know new people, do new things…  This doesn’t mean leaving behind the people at home, only adding to your support system and expanding your experience.  Students who ‘get connected’ at their new schools are more likely to stay in school and be more successful there.