November 2004
Volume 18
Number 3
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November 2004 |
Newsletter
of the Acton-Boxborough Regional Schools Parent-Teacher-Student Organization
RPTSO Website: http://abrptso.ab.mec.edu
We had another good turnout for the second PTSO Forum of the year. Updates from our principals were shared, followed by our featured speaker, Susan Serino, Chairperson of the Counseling and Psychological Services Department.
In an attempt to vary the schedule of our meetings slightly, the next PTSO Forum, will be held on THURSDAY, November 4 at 9:30 a.m. at the Acton Memorial Library. Along with our Principal updates, Bill Noeth, Math Department Leader, and Claire Dix, Department Leader for World Languages, will present overviews of their curriculums and the challenges they continue to face with budget reductions. They will begin promptly at 9:30 due to their class schedules.
Craig Hardimon, R.J. Grey Junior High School Principal, began the October meeting with an update on this year’s first “Night Life,” which was held on October 2. “Night Life” is now in its second year and has been enjoyed by our 7th and 8th graders. The idea is to create a type of “drop in” center for young teens where they can hang out in a safe and supported environment. Sixty-eight kids attended and played a variety of games, including video games and foosball. This month’s feature movie was 13 Going on 30, with most of the attendees enjoying the movie. The next “Night Life” will be held on Saturday, December 18, from 7:00–9:30 p.m. Tickets will be sold during lunch in the cafeteria, beginning December 13.
The first 7th grade social was held this past Friday afternoon and attended by 250 students. Overall it was a problem-free afternoon and we expect another good turnout for the next social. Fall sports involve 181 students from R.J. Grey. There are 108 girls and 73 boys participating in either field hockey, soccer, or cross country.
Steve Donovan, ABRHS Principal, opened his presentation with updated figures for the high school. The official count on October 1st, was 1725 students, which will now be utilized as the budget process proceeds. There is an increase of approximately 50 students from last year, yet no additional teachers have been hired. In addition, the high school had a reduction of $250,000 in its budget. They have gone to alternative sources to try and maintain certain services, which include monies from increased parking fees and ABSAF. Courses and programs have also been eliminated as a result of the budget reductions, including independent study programs, foreign exchange program, and electives such as probability and statistic, Latin, and both French and Spanish Practicums.
Publicity from Boston Magazine and the Boston Globe about our football program has been impressive, with Bill Maver, Head Varsity Football Coach, being named Coach of the Week. Andre Tippet, former Patriots football player, presented the award along with $1000 for the ABRHS football program. Universal Pictures has also invited the Varsity Team to view a screening of “Friday Night Lights.”
As the final stages of construction continue, the challenges include identifying traffic “hot spots.” Patterns of student movements are constantly changing as wings open and close. The high school continues to utilize the faculty to monitor these changes as best as possible, especially with the next traffic flow change to take place on November 12.
Unacceptable large class size continues to be an issue, while teachers continue to find ways to maintain the quality of work without lowering the standards. Unfortunately the large class work loads make some tasks extremely difficult for many teachers, including the English Department where teachers are expected to review and grade 140 writing assignments. Teachers are now no longer required to provide narrative comments when grading papers. The school staff faces these types of issues as they continue to work with the superintendent and Regional School Committee in the current budget process.
The high school is also feeling more strapped for discretionary funds. Without school choice monies, which were utilized for program development, other revenue sources must be sought. Revenues from the school store and vending machines contribute to the salaries for campus monitors as well as other positions. Two monitors are also being paid by the building project fund, which will also cease when construction is completed in the very near future.
ABSAF will be asked for continued payment of advisor stipends in FY06. PTSO funds will be distributed beyond their current programs as well.
Our community has benefited from the generous contributions of two individual families. Both families recognized English and Social Studies teachers, as well as programs where they have requested that these funds be directed.
The DAR Good Citizen Award was presented to David Emer. Both faculty and students were involved in the selection and election of David’s accomplishments.
Questions from the audience included:
Will school choice be revamped?
Steve Donovan indicated that the Regional School Committee has been asked to reevaluate the program, which state law requires a committee vote. Jo-Ann Berry, a School Committee member, added that they realized the high school has the space to accommodate the students, yet the issue must still be discussed by the entire committee. The current fee for the school choice program is $5000 per student.
Who receives the gate receipts from football games?
The school receive 100% of the funds on all home games except for the Thanksgiving Day game vs. Westford, where the receipts are split between the two towns. Overall, these funds are put into the Athletic Revolving fund.
Comments:
Rebecca Scheier of ABSAF complemented the staff on handling the Concord-Carlisle football games, which seemed to run so smoothly. Steve Donovan then read a letter from the head referee of the football game to commend the staff and players for outstanding sportsmanship, which is a reflection of this community.
Susan Serino, Department Chairperson of Counseling and Psychological Services, began with the department’s philosophical goals of addressing the needs of the whole student: academic, social and emotional developments, electives, attendance, workload, and extra-curricular needs.
At R.J. Grey Junior High, each of the three counselors is assigned 290 students based upon team assignments. There is also a full-time school psychologist who has a caseload of approximately 40 students and a part-time psychologist who handles assessments. The regional high school has seven full-time counselors, who handle grades 9–12, and are assigned students alphabetically, which averages to 247 students per counselor. In addition there are two full-time psychologists. The department is involved with both transitions to the junior high and the transition into the high school, which includes a summer orientation program for incoming freshman.
The department assists students with various disorders, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and stress management. Many of the students are self-referred with approximately 285 being seen for personal and non-academic needs on both short-term and long-term periods. During crisis intervention, the priority of the staff is to support the student, the student’s family, the student’s teacher, and their greater community. Counselors are “generalists” and are stretched to meet the needs of all students. There are more significantly needy students today than in the past, yet the primary goal is to support the “whole student.”
The high school runs a variety of group sessions centering on a range of themes, which include college planning, academics, extracurricular activities, and stress management. With greater flexibility within the schedules of the high school students, there is more opportunity to conduct these programs throughout the day, whereas in the junior high, lunch periods are utilized for group discussions.
The department’s staff will work within the classroom with presentations and discussions regarding respect, bullying, teasing, and sexual harassment. There are also specific programs for particular grades. In the 10th grade, students will begin planning for their final two years of high school and in the 12th grade there are writing programs to assist students with their college essays.
The Academic Support Center provides a variety of programs to assist students. Structured support programs and peer tutors are among the services offered. When there are problems between students and faculty, the Counseling Department will mediate the situation.
The college search process is an ongoing program beginning in the 10th grade. MyRoad.com is aimed at sophomores to aid them in both career exploration and the college search. Through a variety of tasks, the program will help to create a list of potential careers. In the junior year of high school, the Counseling office continues to meet with students in smaller groups. Discussions not only focus on the college search program but also on work and alternative programs for those not intending to enter a four-year college program. The department continues to assist students in the 12th grade with a thorough offering of services.
The key to success when dealing with a large student body and facility is the level of communication between the Counseling Department and the administration. Yet even with these challenges, by utilizing the technology available to them, interaction between all groups is ongoing and productive.
Regular communication with the parent community is another priority of the department. The junior high’s monthly publication, Shades of Grey, contains updates from the Counseling Department. A web site at the high school is also under development. Parent Information Nights are offered with topics including the college search, financial aid rights, college athletics, and a program for juniors and their parents regarding the college search process.
Programs and goals outside the general counseling duties of the department are numerous. Other objectives include: participation in Project Wellness, involvement in the diversity program V.O.I.C.E. , reaching “at risk” students, continuing to enhance the communication with the faculty and staff, upgrading the student crisis and dating violence programs, 9th grade transition issues, alternative programs, and collaboration with the United Way to hire a social worker to address students exhibiting high-risk behaviors.
The Counseling Department’s services are complemented by the Career Exploration Task Force. Kay Steeves explained that there are over 250 students seeking job shadowing experiences, and the department is always interested in people and programs who can assist. The center also has three sets of career speakers who address both juniors and seniors.
Questions from the audience included:
How frequently is depression being seen?
There is an increase in the incidence of this disorder. Students come on their own and are referred by both parents and teachers. The counseling staff continues to work with the faculty to educate them to the signs of depression as well as other mental illnesses. Many parents try to have their child seen by professionals outside the school system, yet they are encountering long waiting lists.
Why doesn’t the department switch the college essay program to the spring of the junior year to assist those students applying for early placement in the fall of their senior year?
The department will consider this alternative as counselors have noticed that more students are applying for early decisions. The staff sees the college process becoming more stressful each year and urges parents to help ease this process for their children.
Are all students using MyRoad.com?
It is unknown at this time as to how many students were actually accessing the program, and to take full advantage of it, several online forms and questionnaires are necessary. It was suggested that there be more education of sophomore parents to assist students in utilizing the program.
Comments:
Parents appreciated the 9th grade orientation program.
- Jan and Beth
A-B Alumni Association Update
As part of the PTSO, the A-B Alumni Association has been keeping very busy. In late September, we visited the 2004 Acton High School reunion. This reunion included alumni, from as long ago as 1933, who attended Acton High before the regionalization with Boxborough. It truly was our pleasure to say “hello” to everyone there and to share information about the A-B Alumni Association. The class of 1974 had their reunion recently and will be sharing their experiences with us. Are there any more reunions coming up? Please contact us to help us understand more about your class needs and reunion plans.
We are very excited to have confirmed 9000+ addresses in our database thus far. We are beginning to communicate with class representatives to locate any “lost” alumni. Please do introduce yourself if you can help us keep your class alumni current in the A-B Alumni database.
- Carol Jette and Suzanne Brozek, Co-Chairs
A-B Alumni Association
ABSAF Phonathon Coming Up
On Sunday November 7, and Sunday November 14, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., student volunteers will be calling members of the community in a Phonathon to benefit ABSAF, The Acton-Boxborough Student Activities Fund. The calls will be made from the Acton-Boxborough Regional High School Counseling Center.
Over one hundred students are expected to give their time to make calls to
those in the community who have not yet made a pledge to support the 2004–2005
ABSAF campaign. Supporting a broad range of extracurricular activities
is a challenge for us all, particularly when school finances are under pressure,
forcing some communities to completely eliminate extracurricular programs.
Although taxes, gate receipts, and activity fees help to fund these programs,
revenue from these sources is not enough to cover the
total cost.
ABSAF was founded in 1981 to help bridge the gap. Since that time, the organization has been making a significant difference in the number and quality of extracurricular activities at the Acton-Boxborough Regional Schools.
Thanks to the generous support of the community, the schools have been able to create and maintain a high-quality, diverse, and vibrant extracurricular program that helps students to gain self-esteem and develop leadership and teamwork skills. ABSAF supports activities as varied as sports programs (junior high to varsity), performing arts groups (band, chorus and theatre), academic teams (math team, science team, speech and debate team, and academic decathlon), and the community outreach group. Among other things, it helps to pay for transportation, materials, printing, and uniforms.
Last year alone, student volunteers were successful in securing almost $19,000 in pledges during the Phonathon. In combination with the mail campaign, ABSAF was able to donate $94,000 to the Acton-Boxborough Regional Schools in 2003 thanks in large part to contributions from over 1400 Acton and Boxborough residents. The need has never been greater. If you receive a call from an Acton-Boxborough student during the Phonathon, please respond as generously as you are able.
For a donation of $150 or more, you and your immediate family will receive an ABSAF pass admitting you to most home extracurricular events sponsored by the regional schools. This includes most sporting events and two tickets to the school plays/musicals at the junior high and the high school for the 2004–2005 academic year. In addition to supporting extracurricular activities, the pass is a bargain for many families. ABSAF passes can be obtained by mail at P.O. Box 662, Acton, Massachusetts 01720. For more information, contact Rebecca Scheier at 978 263-7047 or absafinfo@yahoo.com.
Thank you for supporting ABSAF.
ABRHS NEWS
FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Steve Donovan
· Back to School Night
We had a good turnout at Back to School Night in spite of the Red Sox game. I hope that those of you who attended were able to get a good feel for the courses your son or daughter is involved in this year and to meet the teachers and other school staff. We heard many nice comments about our building.
· November 19 Early Release Day
On November 19 students will
be dismissed at 10:46, and faculty will spend the remainder of the day working
on curriculum issues and other school improvement projects. A second early release
day is planned for
April 8.
· National Merit Recognition
Ten members of the senior class were recently named semi-finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Competition. These semi-finalists are: Kevin Aderer, Matthew Chia, Charles Fisher-Post, Andrew Kuo, Prasad Patil, Sylvia Schwartz, Jacob Segal, Song Wang, Linda Yan, and Susan Yao.
In addition to the semi-finalists, the following members of the Class of 2005 have been named as commended students in this program. They are Larry Abare, Katherine Ames, Damian Ancukiewicz, Gautam Bhatnagar, Evan Brown, Nicholas Cartier, Matthew Curley, Ryan Deck, Erica Diesl, Denise Duquette, Laurene Dykiel, Thomas Egge, Jonathan Eisenberg, Marc Emond, Matthew Fisher-Post, Timothy Glick, Kathleen Goble, Joshua Gogan, Anudeep Jassal, Nicholas Jessop, Sean Jin, Mark Kagan, Kostya Kovtun, Michel Lee, Danziang Li, Amelia Lindgren, Patrick Little, Valerie Marrion, Kathryn Niro, Rebecca Nourse Van Meter, Olga Podluzhnaya, Nikhil Pradhan, Matthew Reiter, James Richards, Kate Rosenkranz, Stephen Scanlon, David Shi, Nathan Sun, Elizabeth Tindal, Emma Torzs, Nidhi Tripathi, Swetha Valluri, Natalie VanRoggen, Annie Wang, Gladise Won, David Xiang, Haoshu Yang, Lisa Yi, and Ivan Zlatar.
· Grade 9 Elections
At the end of September our freshman class elected officers and Student Council representatives. These include: Miles McDonald, president; Dave Margolius, vice president; Kate Rodophele, secretary; Josh Crofton-MacDonald, treasurer; and Alexandra Azzolino, Kiki Boyles, David Cronin, Jyoti Jasrasaria, and Yi Liu, Student Council representatives.
· Building Project Update
The building project is due to be completed in November. We look forward to having full use of our new facilities. A community open house is being planned for January to let everyone see the results of the construction and renovation. Watch for further details of this event.
- Steve Donovan, Principal
10 Things I Hate About You
Please come and enjoy ABRHS Proscenium Circus in their Fall Play, 10 Things I Hate About You, which is a take on Shakespeare's hilarious Taming of the Shrew. Performances are November 12,13,19, and 20 at 7:30 pm and a Sunday matinee November 14 at 2:30. Come early for a special treat - The original Taming of the Shrew condensed for pre-show entertainment, beginning at 7:00 for evening performances and 2:00 for the Sunday matinee. This mini-performance will be complete with Elizabethan costumes and played out in the round, just as Shakespeare intended. All shows will take place at the ABRHS auditorium. Tickets are $10 adults and $8 students/seniors and are on sale now at Willow Books, Roche Bros, West Acton Market, ABRHS school store, and at http://www.mktix.com/. See you at the show!
ABRHS School Directories
Sold in The School Store
$3 Each or 2 for $5
RJGJHS NEWS
FROM THE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Craig Hardimon
Have you ever wondered what happens to old American flags?
Each year across the country, local fire departments hold formal flag burning ceremonies to dispose of retired flags in a respectful manner. This honorific event only recently came to my attention in a discussion regarding the paper cranes that had been hung in the RJG lobby.
As many of you know, on the first anniversary of 9/11, the students and staff of RJG came together as a community to honor the memory of those who died by making paper cranes. These cranes have been displayed in the lobby for the last two years.
Over time, however, these wonderful cranes slowly began to deteriorate. It became clear that they were ready to be retired, which brings us back to where I started. In an effort to honor these works of tribute in the same manner in which we honor the American flag, RJG is working with the Acton Fire Department to add the cranes to the next American flag retirement ceremony. I will keep you updated regarding the specific date when it is scheduled.
I have received many emails from parents expressing concern that they are no longer receiving our daily announcements and Grey Matters. The good news is that everyone who has requested to be on the list is indeed on the list. The bad news is that for the last two weeks, due to technical difficulties, we have lost the ability to send electronic messages to large lists of addresses. Our tech support department has prioritized this issue, and hopefully this will be resolved before you read this article. I greatly appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding.
Please remember that all of our communications can also be found on our web site at http://ab.mec.edu/rjweb/index.html. Daily announcements are under the “What’s New” link, and Grey Matters and other letters can be found under the “Publications” link.
The following are excerpts from the November issue of Middle Years, a periodical written by Resources for Educators (Aspen Publishers), specifically for parents of middle-level children. The complete November issue can be found on the RJG web site under the “Publications” list.
· Practical independence
Does your middle grader want to do things his way? That’s a sign of budding independence, a trait all parents want their kids to develop. But middle graders are sometimes confused about what it means to be independent: It’s not about doing whatever they want to do; it’s about doing what should be done without constant reminders. Follow these suggestions to chart a smooth voyage to independence.
· Be clear
There are certain issues that middle graders aren’t ready to decide for themselves. Parents should set clear guidelines on things like personal behavior and safety (no swearing, no friends visiting without a parent at home). Giving your child boundaries makes him feel secure and will help pave the way to more responsible behavior.
· Be appreciative
Be willing to reward your child with extra privileges when she shows maturity. Does she help around the house without being asked? Finish a project ahead of deadline? Consider offering her a later bedtime or an extended curfew. Acknowledging a job well done can encourage a more mature independence in your middle grader.
-Craig Hardimon, Principal
REGIONAL SCHOOL CALENDARS
High School Dates of Interest
November
2
Job Shadowing Kickoff
5 SAT I & II
5 Hypnotist, sponsored
by the Student Council, 7:00 p.m.
5 & 6 Cabaret Night – Parker Damon Building, 7:30 p.m.
11 Veterans Day - No school
12 End of Term 1
12 Jamnesty (student bands
performing), 2:30 p.m.
12 & 13 Fall Play – 10 Things I Hate About You, 7:30 p.m.
14 Fall Play – 10 Things I Hate
About You, 2:30 p.m.
15 – 19 MCAS retests
16 Career Breakfast – First
period
19 Early release day for
high school students
19 & 20 Fall Play – 10 Things I Hate About You, 7:30 p.m.
23 Report cards distributed
24 Fall Recognition Assembly/Early
Dismissal
25 & 26 No School – Thanksgiving Recess
Junior High School Dates of Interest
November
3 Student Council Meeting, 7:36 a.m.
9 School Council Meeting, 7:00–8:30 p.m.
12 End of Term 1
19 Grade 7 Social, 2:30–4:30 p.m. 24 Early Dismissal 25-28 No School – Thanksgiving Recess
SCHOOL COMMITTEE NEWS
FROM THE REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Becky Neville, Chair
Our October School Committee meeting was full of information. It started with a very exciting presentation from the Friends of Leary Field about their proposal to put artificial turf on the field, making it much more useable for the schools and the community. If successful, this proposal would be funded with a combination of private and public funding.
This was followed by Mr. Donovan's annual State of the High School address. It is clear that our students continue to do well academically and in extracurricular activities. However, the fact that no additional staff have been added in the last several years while our enrollment numbers continue to increase is impacting the school.
We spent a good deal of time going over our budget assumptions for the 2005–2006 school year. The superintendent was asked by the School Committee to create a budget that includes additional staff at the high school and the junior high, and inflationary increases for other budget items. This budget will be a jumping off point for us.
The School Committee will then examine the budget in detail, adding and subtracting items to create a budget we feel is fiscally responsible while maintaining our high standards for a quality education for our students.
The November School Committee meeting on Thursday, October 28 will include
Mr. Hardimon’s State of the Junior High report. It will also include a report
from the Assistant Superintendent, Susan Horn, on our Health Education curriculum.
Budget and override discussions will also continue.
I cannot say emphatically enough how important it is to let the School Committee
know how you feel about the budget by calling or emailing us, or attending a
meeting. Members of the Committee are: Marie Altieri, Mary Ann Ashton,
Jo-Ann Berry, Michael Coppolino, Terry Lindgren, Liz Markiewicz, Becky Neville,
Bruce Sabot, and Jeff Vandegrift. All nine members can be reached by using
abrsc@acton-ma.gov.
Our next meeting is Thursday, October 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the R.J. Grey Junior
High School library. These meetings are open to the public and your participation
is welcome and encouraged. School Committee meetings are also usually
broadcast live on cable channel 8.
- Becky Neville
ABRSC, Chair
978-263-3285
THURS, Nov 4 9:30 a.m. PTSO Forum – Bill Noeth & Claire Dix
Math & World Language Department Chairs
Acton Memorial Library
December 2 7:30 p.m. Regional School Committee Meeting
Jr. High Library
January 11 12 Noon PTSO Forum – Superintendent Bill Ryan
February 8 12 Noon PTSO Forum – Asst. Superintendent Susan Horn
THE DEADLINE FOR ARTICLE SUBMISSION FOR THE DECEMBER/JANUARY NEWSLETTER IS NOVEMBER 5.
This issue is scheduled to be mailed to families on November 18th.