Category: School News

Spring Musical

We are excited to announce that Mr. Kyle Pleasant will be directing a spring musical production!

Due to COVID constraints, we will not be producing a full blown production, but rather a smaller staged workshop of a new musical in progress.  We often do this sort of work in our New Works Lab with Drama 4 students and it can be as exciting and exhilarating as a fully staged production.  There is no title yet, but we will use Musical Workshop as a working title for now.

Auditions for the Musical Workshop will be held virtually by video submission.  Record your name, grade, and major along with 32 bars of a pop or musical theater song that best shows your range.

Email your video audition to director Kyle Pleasant.

Submission Deadline:  Monday, January 31st at 10:00 AM.

Rehearsals will begin February 2nd, Monday-Friday 4PM-8PM.  Saturdays 10AM-2PM.  Performances: March 3rd, 4th and 5th.

Any questions?  Email Mr. Pleasant.

Peer Tutoring Is Back!

We want to inform you about an exciting new initiative at PPAS!

The PPAS Peer Tutoring program is up and running! In fact, tutors are already working in a number of PPAS classrooms and we are now initiating phase 2, which is one to one peer tutoring: that is, individual students tutoring other students.

Who can seek a peer tutor?
Any high school student who needs help in one or more core subject classes

When are volunteer PPAS peer tutors available to meet?
8:00-8:30am
8:30-9:14am: First Period
10:45-11:20am: High School Lunch

Where will peer tutoring take place?
Initially, students will be working in specific locations under the guidance of an adult on staff.

How were student tutors selected?
PPAS peer tutors have been endorsed by a teacher in the core subject area for which they will tutor. Peer tutors are students who are dedicated to helping their peers, and are committed to the program.

What happens if a student is not able to attend regularly scheduled tutoring sessions?
That student must email the tutor or student they are helping and cc Ms Conn and Isabella Tinney, one of the peer tutoring reps, to maintain status in the program. All students must maintain a good record of attendance in order to practice mutual respect between peer tutoring partners.

How are tutors trained?
Tutors completed an orientation training session where they learned expectations for conduct, professionalism, and a growth mindset approach to their work as a tutor. They have signed an agreement to maintain good attendance and to attend regularly scheduled training sessions to address tutor-related skills.

How does my student gain access to a tutor? And will they have the same tutor each time?
If your student would benefit from extra help in any subject area, please have them sign up by filling out a request form. Students will then be matched with a peer tutor who meets at a time that is convenient to your student. If all tutors’ schedules are filled for the time and subject area for which your student needs help, our peer tutoring representatives and I will work to find a qualified tutor as soon as possible. The expectation is that each student will build a working relationship with one peer tutor per core subject area for which they are seeking help.

When should students sign up for tutoring help?
Please note that sign up can happen at any time during the year. The best time to sign up for tutoring is when your student first feels the need for some extra support or when their teacher indicates to them or you that tutoring would be beneficial. Please urge your student not to wait! Please direct any and all related questions to Ms. Conn at sconn@ppasshare.org

Thank you for encouraging your student to take advantage of this exceptional academic support at PPAS.
Ms. Conn
PPAS Peer Tutor Coordinator

PPAS Student Film Screening

Coming soon: a film screening! In-person for selected PPAS audience and streaming premiere of “The Hidden Force” by new wave filmmaker and actor Denis Prendi. 

Cast
Júlia Calgaro
Ananda Loizzo
Nareh Aseyan
Denis Prendi

The Knowledge Project Coaches

Direction: Jose Esquea, award winning film and theatre director

Production: MB Hunnewell, feature motion pictures and award winning educational animation, commercials and documentaries. 

Production & editing: Adriana Davis, award winning producer and editor for documentaries and short films with her company, D-Squared Productions.

Talent Show

Please join us
Friday, April 30th – 7:00PM

All school talent show and fundraiser

Live streamed on YouTube:

Instead of selling individual tickets
this year, we’re asking our PPAS families to Please Participate by:

1. Watching the show.
Everyone involved has worked hard to make it special & would love to entertain you!

2.  Donating to the school.  
Any amount will help towards reaching our funding goals for this year. Your contribution will make a big difference in our students’ success! 

Invite your relatives and friends!


You can donate now, right before, or during the SLAM performance.

*Participating donors will be recognized during the show “telethon style”. 

Please go to this link:  https://donorbox.org/ppas-slam-2021