High school May

May 2009 Donna M. Nuzzo-Mueller, Principal Tracy Curley, Asst. Principal John Mills, Asst. Principal Message from Principal Nuzzo-Mueller Dear Parents and Community Members, We are so proud of our sophomores for what proved to be one of the most intense efforts put forth on this exam that we have seen. We are very hopeful and confident that our students are doing an excellent job on these state exams. Please remember that sophomores will take the Math MCAS during the week of May 18 -22 and freshmen will take the Science MCAS on June 4-5. Please ensure that students get several good nights’ rest leading up to the exams and eat a healthy breakfast the mornings of the exams. Parents, the warm weather (or not such warm weather) brings out all the clothing that is against school rules. The list of prohibited styles and items are in our handbook page 66. It may be easier to just remember that any piece of clothing that exposes “chests, backs and a lot of leg” should not be worn to school. Please add sheer clothing to that list. If students come to school inappropriately dressed they will be given a T shirt to wear. Donations are needed to help in this effort. We are hoping that some parents may have leftover stacks of T shirts from different projects, road races, fundraisers, etc. We will need them this spring to cover many of our students from the embarrassing clothing they will choose to wear to school. If the skirt or shorts are too short they will call home to have a change of clothing dropped off at the main office. If students refuse to comply they will be sent home. As a staff we are disappointed by the level of suggestive clothing that is being worn by some students. This year, we have already given enough warnings. Please remember this is a very embarrassing issue for your student’s teachers to deal with in the classroom and teachers often call for an administrator. This is not a healthy way to establish student-teacher relationships. Plunging necklines and short skirts and shorts create a very difficult conversation. Also warm weather and the close of school provide, at times, irresistible temptation for adolescents. Please remind students of these rules that seem to be broken more often during the springtime: skip days, leaving the building without permission and going to the parking lot without permission. All of these will result in suspensions from school. Sincerely, Donna M. Nuzzo-Mueller Cell Phone Restrictions Help Students Focus Jim Rohn once said “Give whatever you are doing and whoever you are with the gift of your attention.” Nowhere is this truer than school. However, many students are hopelessly tempted and distracted by the cell phones they carry in their pockets. Scituate High School, like thousands of other schools across the nation, bans student cell phone use during school hours. The purpose of the ban is to allow students to focus on instruction and school while they are in the building. We ask parents to refrain from calling or texting their students while in school. If you need to talk to your student during school hours, please call the main office. Your student will be given the message or the opportunity to return your call. If a student needs to contact a parent, the student may come to the main office and make their call. If a student is found using their phone in school during school hours, he/she will be asked to surrender the phone. A conference with an Assistant Principal is the consequence for the first offense. For second and third offenses, students receive detentions and a parent must come to school to retrieve the phone. Please help your student stay focused in school by reinforcing this rule with them and refraining from calling/text your student directly while in school. Science News The Scituate high school Biology Department received a grant from the Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation with the sole purpose to provide science teachers with lab equipment, supplies and teacher professional development to incorporate biotechnology into the biology curriculum. On Thursday, May 14 and Friday, May 15 biology students will engage in two biotechnology labs. During our science “in-house” field trips, students will investigate The Mystery of the Crooked Cell, an exploration of the connection of hemoglobin to the symptoms exhibited in sickle cell anemia. Students will perform agarose gel electrophoresis and pipetting to distinguish normal hemoglobin from sickle cell hemoglobin; which is a genetic disorder. In addition, students will investigate DNA Restriction Analysis also known as DNA fingerprinting. Biology students will investigate restriction enzymes as “DNA scissors” and understand their use in research & criminal justice with the use of micropipetting and agarose gel electrophoresis. SHS Environmental Science class testing water using vernier hand held computers. Summer Community Service Opportunity in Science Ms. Annette Moore, chemistry teacher at Scituate High School, is looking for science savvy students interested in community service. This summer we will do research at Mushquashicut Pond in North Scituate in accordance with testing protocol established by the Cohasset Center for Student Coastal Research. Interested students should see Ms. Moore in Room 120. There will be an informational meeting in Room 120 on May 13, 2009 to inform interested students of this fantastic opportunity. We’re Making History On Wednesday March 18, eight juniors and seniors participated in the first annual American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program by preparing and delivering an eight to ten minute speech on the Constitution of the United States. Jennifer King won first place and a $1,000 scholarship; Krissy Reimels and Katie Jacobsen each won a $350 scholarship as they tied According to a June 1, 2008 article in the Boston Globe, for second place. Thanks go to the American Legion for which used the Mass. Department of Labor & sponsoring the contest and to Ryan Lynch, the Chair of Workforce Development; employment in the life- the ELA Department, for hosting the event. sciences sectors grew by 15% between 2001-2006, while the overall state employment growth declined by 2.4%. The Model United Nations Club, under the direction of Heather True, William McNeil and Amanda Fanelli Also, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics states that by made a very impressive showing at the University of 2011, approximately 400,000 workers will be directly Massachusetts Model United Nations on March 20-22. employed in the biotech industry & thousands more will The school won the outstanding large delegation award be indirectly associated with the industry. Currently, the as they represented Sudan, Romania, India and Austria US does not have a workforce adequate enough to meet and participated in the CIA/KGB Joint Crisis. In the industry’s needs. addition, Amy Tolman and Alex Wood were awarded a coveted Best Delegate in Committee Award. Emily Loeb, John Ohrenberger, Kevin Williams, and Tom Demers won Outstanding Delegate Awards, while Elise Silence at SHS hope the observation will help build Mercer and Brendan Horgan earned honorable mentions. towards tolerance for diversity throughout SHS. Rachel O’Malley was awarded first place in the League of Woman voters 10th Annual Online Student Essay Contest. Her essay was judged to be the best of the 1,400 that were submitted, earning her a $500 savings bond for her ideas on President Obama’s priorities during his first two years in office. Congratulations to Rachel’s teacher, Samantha Arena, for encouraging and supporting her students’ participation. On Wednesday March 18, fifty students from the high school travelled to the State House to learn about the workings of our state government, to represent their town, and to support their classmates as a part of METCO Lobby Day. The students met with Senator Robert Hedlund, and with aides from the offices of Representatives Bradley and Cantwell. A number of people remarked on the Scituate students’ insightful questions and impassioned statements on the benefits of the program in our community. Senator Hedlund commented that the students’ level of knowledge and civic engagement was “a tremendous reflection not only on the students themselves, but also on the high level of education they are receiving at Scituate High School.” On Friday, April 3, Katie Jacobson and Pat Falaro were elected by their peers to represent Scituate at Massachusetts Student Government Day. They joined more than 200 students from schools across the state as they learned about the procedures of the General Court. In the afternoon they spoke from Representative Jim Cantwell’s seat as they debated bills in the house chamber. Day of Silence Observed by Some SHS Students What is the Day of Silence? It is a nationally recognized day of tolerance and awareness. The day was created in an effort to stop the silence, literal and figurative, many members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community face. Students who choose to observe the Day of Silence may not speak on this day. This year the recognition of the Day of Silence at SHS will be on May 7. How can students get involved? Members of SHS’s gay-straight alliance, Pangea, will be available in the cafeteria during lunch May 4-6 for students who want to sign up to participate or learn more about the day. How does the Day of Silence affect students’ learning? Students participating in the Day of Silence will sign up ahead of time, and their teachers will be notified of their participation. They will also carry information with them about the Day of Silence, so if others have questions about their observation of the day they can communicate information about the day without speaking. Students participating in the Day of Silence will participate in their classes fully without being verbal. If they are asked a question they can answer that question in writing, though some teachers may choose not to call on students observing the day. But learning is the focus of the day on another front as well. One reason members of Pangea are observing the Day of Silence is because they believe that the learning of GLBT students, and those perceived to be, is affected by homophobia. For example, in one survey of 6,209 middle and high school students the reported grade point average of students who were more frequently harassed because of their sexual orientation or gender expression was almost half a grade lower than for students who were less often harassed (2.8 versus 2.4) (www.glsen.org). For more information: Please visit the Day of Silence Website: www.dayofsilence.org, or contact Amy Heffernan at 781-545-8750 x440 or aheffernan@scit.org. Message from Tech Ed Architectural Design students will be building an 8’x12’ shed for the Walter/Malley family of Scituate. This shed will have some new design aspects to the building program, including a shed-dormer and loft area. The shed will be built at the High School and transported to the site by Officer Dom D’Archangelo and Scituate Why in Scituate? Concrete Pipe, whose continuing help with this program Scituate, and more importantly Scituate High School, is is much appreciated. If any Scituate resident would like a community, and building tolerance towards all people more information on our building program, please is a crucial part of building a strong community. contact Mr. Sullivan at 781-545-8750, ext. 393. Students organizing the observation of the Day of Class of 2009 Parents of Seniors The following information was reviewed with your student during academic advisory on April 28, 2009. If you would like more information, or would like to review your student’s file, please make an appointment with their guidance counselor. Release and Destruction of Student Records A school may release the following information: • • • • • • • • • • Student’s Name Address Telephone listing Date of Birth Major Field of Study Dates of attendance Height and weight of athletic team members Class participation in officially recognized activities and sports Degrees, honors and awards Post high school plans without the consent of student or parent; provided that the school gives public notice of the types of information it may release under 603 CMR 23.07 and allows eligible students and parents a reasonable time after such notice that this information not be released without prior consent of eligible student or parent. Such notice may be included in the routine information letter required under 603 CMR 23.10. 23.06: Destruction of Student Records (1) The student’s transcript shall be maintained by the school department and may only be destroyed 60 years following his/her graduation, transfer, or withdrawal from the school system. (2) During the time a student is enrolled in a school, the principal or his/her designee shall periodically review and destroy misleading, outdated or irrelevant information contained in the temporary record provided that the eligible student and his/her parent are notified in writing and are given opportunity to receive the information or a copy of it prior to its destruction. A copy of such notice shall be placed in the temporary record. (3) The temporary record of any student enrolled on or after the effective date of 603 CMR 23.00 shall be destroyed no later than seven years after the student transfers, graduates or withdraws from the school district. Written notice to the eligible student and his/her parent of the approximated date of destruction of the record and their right to receive the information in whole or in part, shall be made at the time of such transfer, graduation, or withdrawal. Such notice shall be in addition to the routine information letter required by 603 CMR 23.10. (4) In accordance with M.G.L. c 71, section 87, the score of any group intelligence test administered to a student enrolled in a public school shall be removed from the record of said student at the end of the school year in which such test was so administered. Scituate High School temporary student records will be destroyed on or after August 15th of each school year. If you choose to inspect or request these documents after graduation, you must set up an appointment for review and/or procurement with your guidance counselor. Graduation Week Activities June 1 Graduation Rehearsal 9am-12 pm Mandatory Large Gym Graduation rehearsal starts at 9:00 am sharp. Please be punctual. In order to participate in graduation you must attend graduation rehearsals. If there is an issue please meet with Ms. Nuzzo before graduation week begins. Return text books, library books and athletic equipment. Baccalaureate 7:30pm Auditorium This is a non-denominational service for all seniors and their families. Refreshments will be hosted by junior class officers. June 2 Graduation Rehearsal 9am-12 pm Mandatory Large Gym Graduation rehearsal starts at 9:00 am sharp. Please be punctual. In order to participate in graduation you must attend graduation rehearsal. If there is an issue please meet with Ms. Nuzzo before graduation week begins. Return text books, library books and athletic equipment. Graduation Rehearsal 9am-12 pm Mandatory Large Gym After graduation rehearsal today you will pick up your cap and gown. (Please take care not to LOSE your tassel. Honor Roll Students will report to the main office and see Ms. Hunter to pick up their gold tassels.) This is not the time to find out you have lost books! Students with outstanding obligations will not receive a cap and gown. Awards/Scholarship Night 7:00pm By Invitation Auditorium Seniors receiving awards or scholarships will be sent an invitation to attend this event. If you receive an invitation please be sure to RSVP 781-545-8750, ext 375, Ms. Adducci. If you cannot attend, your award/scholarship will be held in the Guidance office until you can collect it. June 4 Open Day Please make safe choices. Graduation 4:45pm Seniors Line up All seniors must arrive at the high school by 4:45. Please come prepared with your cap, gown and tassel. Line up in the outside the small gym. Ceremony 6:00pm Football Field (weather permitting) or Gymnasium (inclement weather) June 3 June 5 1) Folding chairs on the field are reserved for ONE family photographer and people with special seating needs due to impairment. 2) There is additional seating available in the bleachers. 3) Please contact Robin Hunter at ext 363 regarding any special accommodations and handicapped accessibility. 4) Tickets (6) are distributed to each senior once all school business has been finalized. These tickets are used if the ceremony is held in the gymnasium All Night Party 2009 The All Night Party committee is still looking for parents to get involved in the graduation All Night Party by attending the decorating sessions that are currently held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7-9pm in the high school cafeteria. We will continue to meet until the beginning of June. Please join us prepared to paint, cut and stencil! If you have any questions, please contact Diane Roder, dtroder@comcast.net or Wanda Lind, itseweasy@comcast.net. Anyone who would like to make donations for prizes that will be awarded to seniors the night of the party should contact Judy Pollard, judypollard@comcast.net. We also would like any photos of the seniors (baby pictures right up to this year). Please bring them to a The entire group wishes to thank the Scituate decorating session or drop them off at the high school community for supporting this trip. Without your office. support and donations, this experience would not have been possible. For more information, please see Also, chaperones are still needed for the night of the www.commlinks.org or contact rbrogna@scit.org or party. If you haven't already signed up, please contact khallihan@scit.org.
 Katy Falaro, kfalaro@yahoo.com. First Annual Scituate SHORE Run Presented by MBTA Train Passes Dunkin Donuts The MBTA offers high school and junior high student The first annual Scituate SHORE Run Presented by passes to ride the train for 1/2 price provided the student Dunkin Donuts will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2009. has one of these passes to show at the time of purchasing This race includes both a 5K race and a 2 mile walk their ticket. They also serve as Charlie Cards where they along the scenic Atlantic coastline. can load money on to them to use and when the card is swiped it is recognized as student pass and it only This USTAF sanctioned race will begin at 10am at deducts 1/2 of the normal fare. These particular passes Peggotty Beach. The entire route provides beautiful are only good through June 30, 2009. SHS will receive views of the ocean and harbor. Registration and new passes next fall for the 2009/2010 school year. activities begin at 9am. In addition to the race and walk, there will be complimentary music, food and beverages. News from Maryanne Bernard, RN After the race the celebration will continue where you can enjoy a free massage, browse the vendor tents and Hospice of the South Shore offers purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win some fabulous bereavement support groups for adults and prizes. A race photographer will be taking pictures at children. Call 781-843-0947 for more information. the finish line that will be available for purchase online. The event will end with a ceremony, where there will be Save the date! Hospice of the South Shore’s 18th Annual awards for the top two male and female finishers in each Walk for Hospice will take place at the Hanover Mall on ten year age category. This race will utilize professional Saturday, May 9, 2009 from 7am to 10pm. timers, and results will be posted at www.coolrunning.com. For more information, call 781-340-4061 or e-mail Jennifer_dallaire@sshosp.org. Register by May 1, 2009, and to receive a race t-shirt at Students Travel to Mexico Over April vacation, five students and two teachers traveled to Puebla, Mexico for a week-long community service trip. While there, the students worked with Community Links, a non-profit organization that matches student groups with pre-established grassroots efforts (usually agricultural and educational). Each morning the group helped to water an organic field, (a model farm for the local community), and spent each afternoon working with neighborhood children in an enrichment program. The students learned about the native culture and cuisine of Puebla and visited several historical sites, including an Aztec pyramid. One of the trip’s highlights was spending two nights with local families where the students learned about their everyday generosity and family life. The trip was a tremendous success for all involved. no additional cost. Early registration is $25, with race day registration costing $30. To register online, go to http://www.coolrunning.com/major/09/scituateshorerun where you can also download an application to mail in. Applications are also available at the Scituate Town Library, or by contacting Jim Trevena at 617-571-3551. Proceeds of the race will benefit Scituate High Opportunities and Resources for Education. SHORE was established in 1990 when widespread budget cuts threatened the quality of education. Over the years SHORE has worked to promote opportunity and education for our youth through many fundraising events. Since inception, SHORE has contributed over $700,000 to the advancement of education, athletics and enrichment at Scituate High School. The Mission of Scituate High School The Scituate High School strives to provide an environment conducive to the fullest possible development of each student. Our programs endeavor to meet the needs of students with diverse learning styles and a wide range of abilities and goals. The ongoing renewal of those programs is sustained by the belief that enabling students in the present is helping them build lives as contributing adults. Our graduatio n requirements encourage students to participate in a program where they are exposed to a variety of courses, activities, and instructional approaches. Student Expectations In accordance with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, the members of the faculty of Scituate High School offer to every student the opportunity to demonstrate by graduatio n each of the following: • To be an effective reader • To be an effective writer • To be an effective speaker/presenter/performer • To be an effective problem solver • To be an effective information seeker/organizer • To contribute to the community at large Important Dates May 1-2 May 2 May 4-8 May 11-15 May 6 May 7 May 8 May 15 May 19-20 May 20 May 21 May 22 May 26 May 26-29 June 4-5 SEMSBA SAT testing AP Exams AP Exams All Night Party Parent Info Mtg Spring for Arts Progress Reports Junior Prom Math MCAS NHS Induction Spring Concert Senior BBQ Advisories Senior Exams Science MCAS Scituate Public School Mailing List If you are not receiving important email announcements from the school please sign up for the SPS web mail. Visit the SPS website (www.scituate.k12.ma.us) and click on the “SIGN UP FOR SCHOOL MAILING LIST” button!