Our recent Talent Show was a beautiful event in so many ways. Mr. Miller, our music teacher, shares the details of this annual event:
“The Talent Show is a long-standing tradition at PHS. It’s greatly anticipated by the students – in fact, some kids come to me in September and October asking when the Talent Show will take place!”
“The process for being in the show is quite simple – we have a form for the students to complete, so that we know they will be participating. There is no audition process per se; the Wednesday before the event we all meet at lunchtime in the Library and discuss the pertinent information. I put the acts in order with an eye to balance and flow. I am also very flexible as to when parents, grandparents, and friends can be on hand to watch their particular child’s presentation.”
“This is a time for students to share their talents; some children present traditional performances such as singing or playing an instrument. For others, it’s a chance to stand before the entire student body and share something of their own choosing. This is the only event of the year where we don’t direct the children in what they are doing – the students get together on their own, design, and practice their acts. The Talent Show is also a wonderful culmination and a chance for our students to show what they have learned with Miss Deb Wilcox and I in the Performing Arts Department during the year and over their years at PHS. In a relaxed and friendly environment, each child has a chance to shine.
“This year an event occurred that encapsulates the spirit of both the Talent Show and of our wonderful school. One girl told me that she would be singing in the show, but as the day of the performance neared, she was less sure that she would be participating. Right up to the end she was wavering. I moved her position in the order of the acts until later in the show when she felt she was ready. At first we had technical difficulties with her backup music, but when that was solved, her voice cracked as she began singing, and she could not proceed. Then a beautiful thing happened: at the end of the show, when we thought we had concluded, she came forward with a large group of girls from her grade, and they supported her as she sang. The boys from her class were also on the side, cheering her on. Her classmates were there for her, and together they brought the event to a beautiful conclusion. As Mrs. Cailler observed, ‘That’s what PHS is all about!’”

As our wonderful Art At Your Fingertips (AAYF) program comes to a close for this school year, our School Chair, Mrs. Wendy Nguyen, shares with us the highlights:
“First, we would like to thank all of our parent volunteer Docents and also our parent volunteer Helping Hands. Without them, the full Art At Your Fingertips program just wouldn’t happen!”
“All of the projects this year were intertwined with nature, as it was called ‘A Year of Celebrating the Environment through Art.‘ We explored how artists use the natural and built environment both as subject and as medium for their art.”
“I was thoroughly amazed at the depth of art technique that is discussed and taught to the School Chairs and Docents at the PV Art Center prior to each project. We also learned the background of each local artist and the period of art history that the project reflected. Our Librarian, Mrs. Charnofsky, often discussed these concepts with our students during Library Time and selected certain books for the children that coordinated with the current artwork.”
“Prior to each project, we picked up the supplies, made the individual preparations, and set up all the materials for the children. Now the art experience began for our students! Following a short discussion about the artist and the project, it was fascinating to see how each child had a different way of envisioning the work. It was amazing to see the children individualize the concepts being taught so that every completed work was a unique masterpiece.”
“During the year, we have hung our students’ artwork at the PV Main Library and at Starbucks in the Promenade. As a finale, our Third and Fifth Graders’ work is now hung at the Art Center in the Promenade, so students experience the joy of having their work exhibited.”
“AAYF has been a wonderful learning opportunity for me; my eyes have really been opened as to the artistic and curricular depth of this program. As School Chair, I have had the fabulous opportunity to see art created by all of our students from Kindergarten through Sixth Grade, as well as the chance to work with all of our great parent volunteers.”
“We were recently given a peek at next year’s AAYF projects, and they are simply amazing! If you would like to volunteer as a Docent or Helping Hand for the coming school year, please contact our Parent Association Co-Presidents – your assistance will be greatly appreciated!”

Our PHS Robin Hoods are hard at work on the field these Thursday afternoons, perfecting their archery skills! Our own certified Level 2 Archery Instructor (by the National Archery Association), Mrs. Kim Nygaard shares the details:
“We are now using re-curved take-down bows with a 20 to 25 pound pullback. The 18 students we have in Grades Two through Six learn to follow the whistle commands so important to the safety and success of this sport. One whistle permits shooting the arrows, two whistles permit retrieving the arrows, and three or more whistles require the children to stop and freeze immediately.”
“The students learn the nine basic steps in archery: take a stance, nock the arrow onto the bowstring, set, pre-draw, draw, anchor, aim, release, and the all-important follow-through. Initially, the polyfoam targets on metal stands are placed at a distance of 10-12 yards from the students. When a child can hit the target four times in a row, the target is moved back to increase the challenge.”
“We feel that this individual sport offers participants the chance for self-achievement. It also exposes our students to another interesting sport and a connection to the past, since Native Americans and other ancestors used this method to provide food for themselves and their families.”
“Because of the interest shown in this class and since there is no other program of this type available in the community, we will be offering an Archery Camp this summer each day from July 15-19, 10:00 to 12:00 noon. This camp will include additional activities that help to expand the participants’ skills in this interesting and fulfilling sport.”
A sign-up form for this Summer Archery Camp is available on our school website at http://www.peninsulaheritage.org/summer_school

Miss Jessica, our Third Grade teacher, shares with us her class’s recent Outdoor Education trip to Rawhide Ranch in Bonsall, CA:
“Every year our Third Graders at PHS have this wonderful independent educational experience outside of the classroom at Rawhide Ranch. The children have the responsibility for many of the animals at the ranch – horses, goats, sheep, cows, and chickens. While learning how to care for others, this experience also gives our students a great deal of self-worth as they realize that other living things are depending on them. ‘Animal care’ time was in the morning and in the afternoon and involved both the feeding and cleaning of the ranch animals’ pens and stalls.”
“Horsemanship was taught through a graduated series of experiences beginning on the first day. This was the initial horseback riding opportunity for some of our children, and they all loved the experience! We also learned horse psychology – how and why horses act as they do, both in domesticated situations and out in the wild. In a group of horses there is an alpha (usually a female), a beta (her friend), and the omegas (the rest of the group or herd). In the ring at the ranch, the trainer becomes the alpha, and the horses change their behavior accordingly. Our students really enjoyed this information.”
“This trip was also a growing experience as it was the first time for many of our children to be away from home for three days and two nights. The girls bunked in Fort Rawhide and the boys were in Teepee Village. Each year our science teacher, Ms. Mallon, accompanies us and adds a great deal to the experience. We also appreciate the wonderful parents who were with us.”
As Third Grader Gavin Kim commented, “The Second Graders should know that next year they will have a lot of fun at Rawhide Ranch!”