November 21, 2008 The purpose of this newsletter is to provide the parents and community with information about programs and events at the high school. If you are no longer interested in receiving this or you have any questions, please email mcgovernm@seekonk.k12.ma.us. SHS Mission Statement All students will achieve their maximum potential by becoming responsible, productive citizens and life-long learners. Mark your calendars: Spirit Week November 24-26 o November 24 Hypnotist in the auditorium at 7 PM o November 25 Dodgeball in the gym at 7 PM November 26 Early Dismissal at 11:30 AM No School on November 27 and 28 Thanksgiving Recess Thanksgiving Day Football Game at Dighton Rehoboth Regional High School at 10 AM Graduation Friday, June 12, 2009 at 6:30 PM From the Principal, Mrs. McGovern There will not be a newsletter next week. Everyone at SHS wishes you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving. This Saturday and Sunday from 7 AM to dusk, a group of dedicated volunteers will be raising the new concession stand near the football field. Please stop by to check out what is happening and to cheer them on. Thank you to all of the members of the Seekonk Athletic Boosters Club for the countless hours they have spent to make this happen. Thank you to the many parents/guardians who attended Parent Conference Night. If you have any suggestions as to how to improve Parent Conference Night, please forward those to me. This past week, the eighth graders at Hurley Middle School visited the high school to check out the programs we have to offer. The format allowed the students to get to know some of the members of our Peer Helping Network who led the tours. Students also saw videos that highlighted school programs and Spirit Week events. Thank you to Mrs. Whatley, Director of Guidance, who planned and coordinated the visits. Following is a list of some of the eighth graders comments regarding what they learned about SHS: There is more freedom and more opportunities for your future. This school is fun. There is a book club. You can choose your classes. The school is bigger than I thought. 1
The band is amazing. There are a lot of clubs. Each class has different grades in it. Spirit Week looks like a lot of fun. This school is awesome. Sports and clubs are a good way to meet people. If you are interested in learning more about what causes bullying and how to stop it, check out the 15+ program explained on the National Mental Health Information Center s website: http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/15plus/aboutbullying.asp. Next week is Spirit Week, a very exciting time for everyone at the high school. The friendly competitions between the classes really set the tone for our annual Thanksgiving Day football game at Dighton-Rehoboth. The game begins at 10:00 AM. We hope to see you there. From Mrs. Whatley, Director of Guidance Parents should have received their child s report card earlier in the week. We did encounter an error. The community service hours that were earned over the summer were not included on the report card. Students can check with their guidance counselors for the actual number of hours they have earned. We will update the hours for the next report card. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused. From the Assistant Principal, Mr. Holcomb Tardies: Our average numbers of tardies to school each day have decreased! For the first quarter of 2007, SHS had 1406 tardies in 45 days for an average of 31 tardies/day. For first quarter of 2008 we had 1163 tardies in 45 days for an average of 26 tardies/day. We have seen an average decrease of 5 tardies/day! We are moving in the right direction. SHS continues to ask for your help so that the number of students arriving late to school continues to decrease. Thank you for your help! Dodgeball Tournament On Tuesday, November 25th, we will be holding our annual Dodgeball Tournament from 6 9 pm in the high school gymnasium. The Middle School Tournament will begin at 6 pm followed by the High School Sports Team Tournament, Faculty Tournament, and finishing with the Open Tournament for SHS students only. All proceeds will go to the S.H.S. (Staff Helping Students) fund. This fund is used to assist students in need of educational supplies and extra curricular fees. Admission: $2.00 Donations accepted We wish to thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity. Gratefully, The Friends of Staff Helping Students Class of 2009 Abigail Adams Scholarship Recipients 2
The John and Abigail Adams Scholarship is awarded by the Massachusetts Department of Education to senior who have score at the Advanced level on one or more MCAS subject tests and at the Proficient level in other areas. Up to 25% of the class is eligible to receive this award. Congratulations to the students and their families for this honor. The names of our students earning this award are listed below. Melissa Amaral McKayla Andrade Kaila Archambault Felicia Avila Jeffrey Ayers Catherine Balasco Mary Cantin Felecia Clodius Erin Corry Lauren DeLeo Sarah Demty David Eddins Renee Gendreau Ryan Hellan Samantha Ho Jessica Lopes Michael Maio Samuel Martin Joshua Mazick Kevin McDole Lauren Medeiros Jennifer Mello Ryan Meunier Patrick Mitchell Chelsea Moran Melissa Mussig Alexander Preston Matthew Quinn Nicholas Riccitelli Alexander Self Vanessa Senecal Kerry Silva Jennifer Small Emma St. Laurent Amanda Sweet Alicia Tavares Lucas Thompson Audra Vasterling Andrew Walski Heather Yany Science Department 3
Biology II teachers would be most grateful if anyone could donate anatomical models, posters, medical items and the like to enhance our upcoming unit in Anatomy & Physiology. Please contact Ms. Cunard. Thank you. Art Senior Brynne Putney has just completed her entry for the Art Institutes Passion for Fashion Competition. This competition offers high school students interested in Fashion Design or Fashion Marketing & Merchandising an opportunity to win a full tuition scholarship to study at one of the Art Institute schools. Brynne has been working for the past three months to complete her entry. Entries must include a short essay outlining why the fashion entry is unique and innovative along with an explanation of the candidate s interest in and motivation for a career in fashion, sketches, illustrations and photographs. Brynne created and constructed an original design for eveningwear. Inspiration for her gown came from the skyline of Chicago. She chose a variety of fabrics with colors and textures that were reminiscent of buildings. She even hand painted a skyline of skyscrapers along the hemline! Previous announcements --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Winter Sports: Practice / tryouts for Winter sports will begin on Monday December 1. Announcements will be made in school regarding location and times. All students who wish to participate in a winter sport must have had a physical on or after November 1, 2007. A copy of that physical must be on file with the school nurse. If you have any questions regarding your student's physical status, please call Mrs. Rok. Free sport physicals are being offered at the High School on Monday November 17 at 2:00 pm in the nurse s office. This is a great opportunity to get a physical for sports if you need one. Please contact Mrs. Rok for information. From the 09 Yearbook staff Dear parents, Would you like to purchase the 2009 yearbook? It is an all color yearbook including photos of students from every grade. The cost of this yearbook is still $70; engraving and a clear cover are extra. You can order a yearbook online with a credit card at www.shop.jostens.com or drop off a check made out to the town of Seekonk at the main office. If you have any questions email Mr. Devlin, devlinj@seekonk.k12.ma.us Thanks! Any family of a graduate of the 2009 class can place an ad in the yearbook to celebrate the occasion. This is a creative, fun way to tell your senior We love you and we re proud of you! All you have to do is send in your photos, message and payment (town of Seekonk) to Mr. Devlin c/o the main office. An eighth page ad is only $50, it goes up from there. The deadline for these ads is Friday, January 16. Thanks again. 4
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