at thePascack Valley High School

Hillsdale, New Jersey, USA

Teachers: Nicole Olshalsky & Melissa Velez

Trillium Learning Global 21st Century Schools Project

PV Culture

Academics•1:1 Laptop eLearning

•Every student receives his/ her own computer to be used for class

•They are used for research, note taking, extra help, homework, and interactive simulations

•The laptops provide PV students with opportunities to explore things via the internet, that most students cannot

Life of a PV Student•Come to school 5 days a week from 8:00am-

2:50pm

•Attend 8 (47 minute) periods of class each day

•Typically, a student will take all 5 types of classes

•Mathematics, Science, History, English, and a Foreign Language

Life of a PV Student•Homework is assigned every night

•PV is known for its outstanding academic achievement among all students

•Majority of the students at PV are involved in some type of club or sport

•Sample Schedule:

Clubs

•Total of 40 different clubs at PV

•All types of clubs for every student

•The Arts

•Art Portfolio, Marching & Concert Band, Literary Magazine, Theatre, School Newspaper, Music Honor Society

•Academic Clubs

•Academic Decathlon, Debate, Science & Math League, Language Clubs, Language Honor Societies

•Community Service/ Leadership Clubs

•Environmental, Gay-Straight Alliance, Habitat for Humanity, Just About Caring, Peer Leadership, Paterson Project (Winter Wonderland)

Clubs

Mascot: PV Indian

• A “mascot” is a person or animal that represents a team and a school

• Our school mascot is an Indian

Valley Cup• “Valley Cup” is a school-wide competition

that was started in 2008 by the student council

• The four grades earn points and compete against one another. The grades are known as the freshmen (youngest), the sophomores, juniors, and seniors (oldest). The grade with the most points by the end of the year gets their name inscribed on a trophy (and, more importantly, bragging rights)

Valley Cup • During “Valley Cup” weeks, students

participate in theme days during which they dress up according to that theme to earn points for their grade

• Examples of “theme days”

• Crazy hat day

• 80’s day (meaning 1980s)

• Wild West dayan example of teens

dressing up for an ‘80s day

something a student might wear on cowboy

day

Valley Cup • At the end of the week, a “pep rally” is held

• a “pep rally” is a gathering of the entire school, usually in the auditorium to promote school spirit

• the cheerleaders and dance team perform

• representatives from each grade compete for Valley Cup points

Valley Cup

• The fiercest competition is between the two oldest grades, the Juniors and Seniors

• The Seniors have traditionally won, but there have been upsets!

School fashions

• Teens at our school dress quite casually

• Most favor jeans, sweaters, sweatshirts, and graphic t-shirts

Popular shoes