FROM THE CHAIRS:

Beth Petr – ABRHS Co-Chair

Jan Couch – RJGJH Co-Chair

Superintendent Bill Ryan spoke at January’s PTSO Forum. Bill began by acknowledging the near completion of our third major building project on campus. He thanked the Acton and Boxborough voters who supported the High School, Junior High, and Parker Damon Building projects, as well as the volunteer members of the Building Committees who have donated unimaginable hours over the past TEN YEARS of meetings to make this happen: Chairwoman Lees Stuntz, Marie Altieri, Jo-Ann Berry, Steve Desy, Bob Evans, John Fallon, George Frost, Dore Hunter, Anne Kadlec, Carol Place, Duncan Wood, and former members Mike Scanlon and Tony Victor.

When it came to next year’s budgets, and the upcoming override, Mr. Ryan jumped right into questions:

“Why is Acton facing an override of $3.8 million just to keep the existing staff and service levels in place?” (with a similar vote in Boxborough) “How did this happen?”

Acton is currently receiving $2 million dollars less each year in State Aid than we did just two years ago. Over the last two years, reserves have been depleted and 45 school staff positions have been cut. The majority of our expenses are personnel salaries with contractual commitments. Health insurance costs have also risen dramatically. Special Education costs make up 20% of the budget and have also increased. Many communities in the state are facing these same serious financial decisions as their growing budgets are restricted by Proposition 2 ½. This is an ongoing structural problem with how we finance our schools and towns.

“Why wasn’t some of the Building Project money used for the operating costs that we now face?”

Expenditures like furniture, technology, and space are all specifically defined by state rules. The 62% state reimbursement that we gratefully received for the building projects is not permitted to be used for anything outside of these rules. Furniture, technology, and classroom space are not operating costs. They are capital expenditures.

“Why are many class sizes at the High School so big?”

Teachers have not been added at the High School for a number of years, again due to cost. Acton has seen student enrollment growth of 28% over the past 10 years. This is K-12, not including Blanchard students.

“Are we going to be accepting School Choice students again at AB next year?”

For each “Choice” (out of town) student, the school system receives $5,000. If 50 of these students were accepted, several teachers could be hired for the High School to help address some of the class size issues. This decision will be made by the Regional School Committee in the upcoming weeks.

“Why is money being spent to put artificial turf on Leary Field (the High School football field)?”

The $750,000 that is proposed for Leary Field is separate from operating budget funds. It comes from three sources: private donations (already raised), money from the school building project (already approved by the School Committee), and Acton’s Community Preservation Act funding (hopefully to be approved by the CPAC in February and by Acton’s Town Meeting in April). If successful, turfing the field will make it accessible full time, year round for school and community use.

“What is the “pyramid” override?”

The Acton Board of Selectmen has proposed a "pyramid" override. There will be two questions on the ballot, one to support a $3.8 million override, and a second to support a $4.5 million override. Approval of the $3.8 million override would allow municipal and school budgets to basically keep current staffing and service levels. Class sizes would grow in some cases, as additional students move through the system, but we would be able to keep our current teachers. If the $4.5 million override level is approved, the additional money would be used for capital and maintenance items that have been deferred over the last few years. Important note – If voters select the $4.5 million option, they are not automatically included in the $3.8 million option. If they want to support either option, they will need to check off both on their ballot on March 29^th.

In September, Superintendent Ryan will have worked for our school system for 30 years. He said, “This is the most serious budget crisis I have seen since I began here. No one will solve this problem for us but ourselves. We will run the schools at the level that we are told.”

Please join us at the next Forum on Tuesday, February 8^th at Noon in the Acton Memorial Library. Susan Horn, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, will be our speaker. We hope to see you there!

- Beth and Jan

Membership News

At several of our meetings last year, we were encouraged to send out a gentle PTSO dues reminder letter. The result of this letter was additional income of $7,500, which was divided between the High School and Junior High principals.

All parents, guardians, students and staff are automatically “members” of the PTSO, and it is asked that each family contribute $25 annually, no matter how many children they have in the school system. Currently only about 16.7% of our families have contributed, which is not unusual. It is understood that some families are experiencing financial hardship right now and this reminder would not apply to them.

If you would like to send in your 2004-2005 contribution, please make a check payable to ABRPTSO and mail it to P.O. Box 912, Acton, MA 01720. A membership form is not required.

It was mentioned that some people may not understand the difference between the ABSAF and PTSO organizations. ABSAF funds only extracurricular activities/items. The PTSO supports a variety of activities and areas in the Junior High and High School including support for the Shades of Grey, student scholarships, freshman orientation pizza party, etc. Please note that you will receive the PTSO Newsletter every month, whether dues are paid or not. Thanks for considering this annual membership to the PTSO.

- Holly Ben-Joseph and Debby Mozzicato

Membership Co-Chairs

ABSAF Thanks You
This year marks the 23rd year of ABSAF, the Acton Boxborough Student Activities Fund. ABSAF was created in 1981 to ensure that extracurricular programs at the regional schools remained strong in times of fiscal constraint, a charter that is as important today as it was then. On behalf of the ABSAF board, I would like to thank the AB community for their generous support in this year’s campaign. Over $85,000 in donations have been received from our fall mail campaign and over $16,000 was received in pledges from our November Phonathon. All of these monies will be used to support extracurricular activities at the junior high and high school.

We would like to thank everyone in the counseling center, the front office and the administration office at the high school for opening their offices to our student volunteers and allowing the use of their phones. We would also like to thank Steve Donovan, Kay Steeves, Susan Sousa and Jill Groener for their support in organizing the event, David Cass for obtaining and organizing both the mail and telephone databases, T.C. Lando’s for helping to feed all the volunteers, Louis Pistolis and the custodial staff at the high school and finally the many high school student volunteers who enthusiastically participated in the calling of our local residents.

If we somehow missed you during the phonathon or in our fall mail campaign, donations may still be sent to ABSAF, P.O. Box 662, Acton, MA 01720. With your support, we hope to avoid the high fees that many schools are assessing to participate in extracurriculars and/or the cancellation of any of our outstanding extracurricular offerings. Our goal is to make sure that the extracurricular activities at the regional schools remain strong and vibrant in the coming years and that as many students as possible have an opportunity to participate.

We are constantly reminded of the strength of our youth. Our students’ education is enriched through your generosity. A supportive community leads to a strong school system, which fosters the development of healthy young adults. Our sincerest thanks to all of you!

- Rebecca Scheier, ABSAF President

Communicable Disease Information
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) recently revised several aspects of the reporting and containment requirements for communicable diseases. In summary, health care providers, including school nurses and school physicians, are required to report to the Board of Health and/or DPH numerous communicable diseases. From such reporting, the local Board of Health may then use its powers to isolate and quarantine. The DPH defines these two basic concepts as the following:
Isolation: the separation of persons who have a specific communicable disease from those who are healthy for the purpose of stopping the spread of that disease.
Quarantine: the separation and restriction of movement of persons who, while not yet ill, have been exposed to a communicable disease and therefore may become infectious and spread the disease to others. Quarantine may involve exclusion from school for a specific time period.

The minimum quarantine periods for the following illnesses as they specifically address school students/employees are:
        · Chicken Pox (Varicella): 10th to 21st day after
exposure
        · Measles: 5th to 21st day after exposure
        · Mumps: 12th to 26th day after exposure
        · Non-Congenital Rubella: 7th to 21st day after exposure

If a student is not immunized due to religious or medical exemptions and has been exposed to a communicable disease, the parent/guardian will be notified explaining the exclusion requirements prior to the exclusion period. The child may only attend school with a doctor’s letter verifying vaccination or a blood test showing immunity. If you have any questions regarding communicable diseases and your child, please contact your school nurse, or the Massachusetts Department of Public Health at 617-983-6800.

ABRHS NEWS

FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

Steve Donovan

Community Service Program
We were pleased to honor 468 of our students at our fifth annual Community Service Awards Night on January 17. These students reported a total of 48,607 hours of volunteering during 2004! During January, February and March, groups of students will participate in community service projects developed through our Martin Luther King Service Initiative. On January 11th and 12th, a Volunteer Opportunities Fair at all lunches gave students an opportunity to pick up information about volunteering and to sign up for MLK projects. We are very proud of our extensive community service program at A-B.

Recognition
The following students have been selected recently to receive the Principal’s Recognition Award for service to school or community: Lee Dietterich, Andrew Kuo, Andrew Poulin, and Susan Yao. Nominations for this award from students, faculty and others in the community are always welcome. Senior Eugene Dao was recently named a semi-finalist in the Intel Science Talent Search.

Course planning
Report cards for second term will be distributed to students early in February. Before February vacation, students in grades 9 through 11 will receive the Program of Studies for 2005-06 in order to begin planning their courses for next year. Course selection is expected to take place in March. Specific dates will be announced on the school web site by mid-February. Parents are encouraged to review the course options with their students so that students make appropriate choices for next year.

Freshman study
After receiving second term grades, freshmen who have a satisfactory academic and attendance record and parental permission can apply to be excused from freshman study, using the form that will be distributed through freshman studies. Completed forms should be returned to the appropriate vice principal (Susan Atwater-Rhodes – last names beginning with A through G, Fran Riley – H through O, Larry Dorey – P through Z). Students whose applications are approved can spend their free period in any supervised area of the school (library, student center, commons, etc.).

MCAS
All students in Massachusetts must pass the MCAS English and mathematics tests in order to qualify for a high school diploma. Students in the Classes of 2005 and 2006 who have either not passed the English and mathematics tests or have not taken the tests, should be scheduled for the retest during the week of February 28. Any member of these classes who needs to take the retest and has not already been contacted by a counselor about the retake should contact Susan Serino, Chairperson of Counseling, at (978) 264-4700 ext. 3430.

Local scholarships
Applications for local scholarships will be distributed to all seniors through their English classes on February 15. One of the members of our Scholarship Committee, Jane Starr, will be stopping by each class to explain the scholarship process and the importance of filling out the form to be considered for any of the local scholarships. The applications must be turned in to Mrs. Groener in the Counseling Center no later than March 8. This is a firm deadline. The local Scholarship Ceremony will take place on Tuesday, May 31st at 7:00 p.m.

- Steve Donovan

From the Academic Support Center

Many of our wonderful Peer Tutors have devoted an entire semester to working with students in the Academic Support Center, and staff and students are very grateful for their commitment and excellent work ethic. We recognize and sincerely thank those who have helped: Amanda Ashton, Gregory Barr, Chris Bees, Vicki Blancha, Doug Breuer, Albert Chuang, Eugene Dao, Jim DeCristofaro, Lee Dietterich, Kendall Downer, Denise Duquette, Matthew Fisher-Post, Leslie Funk, Thomas Gibbons, Theresa Glaser, Avanti Golikeri, Molly Greene, Ally Grossman, Shaina Haber, Alison Herdeg, Brett Herrick, Anat Hochberg, Yaejin Hong, Deirdre Horvath, Nale Hwang, Jessica Janus, Anudeep Jassal, Willa Kaufman, Ted Keith, Andrew Kuo, Anton Li, Zack Luz, Susan Ma, Sohini Mahapatra, Paige Malinowski, Sam Matson, Kara Morris, Emily Nicholson-Gross, Katie Niro, Kent Owen, Brynna Patel, Ning Qin, Emily Reuman, Ariana Rosa, Kate Rosenkranz, Katelyn Saaristo, Daniela Sasson, Jake Segal, Jeffrey Shane, Jessica Shen, Anandh Swaminathan, Anna Tarakanova, Kelsey Torres, Sara Truax, Caroline Tulp, Xiao Annie Wang, Gladise Won, Chris Wu, Ji Xiao, Haoshu Yang, and Sarah Zhang.

Great Resources for AB Students

The High School Library web page provides links to great resources and databases for all students in all subject areas. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the vast resources on this site. The address is http://mail.ab.mec.edu/~hs_library.

RJGJHS NEWS

FROM THE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

Craig Hardimon

There are 917 students in 7th and 8th grades at R. J. Grey arriving each morning from homes in Acton and Boxborough at 7:15 and starting classes at 7:30 a.m.

Early adolescence can be a turbulent time for many seventh and eighth graders. They are at a challenging crossroads between childhood and adulthood and undergo tremendous developmental changes. Increasingly, R. J. Grey students come to the junior high school from many different backgrounds and experiences.

Perhaps more so than at any other time in their lives, these young adolescents are struggling with issues of identity and acceptance. The experience can be particularly difficult for the seventh grade students who are coming from six different elementary schools. Junior High provokes anxiety for many students who are worried about “fitting in” in light of their perceived differences. However, experience and research tells us that, “Students’ sense of belonging at school – of being known, liked, and respected by peers and adults – strengthens and expands their capacity for learning.” [1]

To provide this sense of belonging, students are organized into “teams” where a group of students have all of their major classes with the same set of teachers. The team structure allows teachers to get to know a group of students very well and to provide support for the students. Additionally, this team approach also allows students to concentrate on getting to know one group of kids very well, which helps alleviate anxiety and provides a supportive environment. Teaming helps give these students the chance to get accustomed to being in a more demanding school with nearly 1,000 other students each day.

An article by Social Studies teacher, Tim Nolan, states, “A ‘team,’ by general definition, is a group of students who have the same set of teachers, the same ‘team’ schedule, and one particular area of the school in which the team's rooms are located – it is a distinct community of learners, in which the many students from different elementary schools can gain a sense of identity and community in their new school.”

Below is an excerpt from the December 2004 issue of Middle Years. You can find the complete issue on our website (http://ab.mec.edu/rjweb/index.html) under the “Publications” link.

When you look at your child, you may see a middle grader with blue hair and an attitude. But you might also see a healthy youngster in search of herself. The difference? A little perspective. Truth is, the middle years are a time when kids adopt different styles and opinions to see if they “fit.” Often such shifts in appearance and behavior are a normal part of growing up, rather than rebellion. Here are some suggestions to help you and your child handle these changes.

·Count to 10.

As long as a new look doesn’t endanger your middle grader, consider a low-key attitude. Take a deep breath and count to 10, if necessary. After all, a little hair dye will wash out in a few days. Don’t let appearance spark an argument that keeps you both fuming for days.

· Show support.

If your child’s grades are good, thank her for the hard work instead of lecturing her. Sure, her use of “cool” words might not impress an employer, but that high-powered interview is a few years away. Now is an important time for her to express her individuality.

· Remember when…

Parents were middle graders once, too. Keep in mind the phases you went through as a kid. You might even share a laugh about your antics to ease tension after a busy day—it’s hard to be mad at each other when you’re both laughing.

[1] Anthony W. Jackson and Gayle A. Davis, Turning Points 2000, Educating Adolescents in the 21^st Century (New York: Teachers College, 2000), page 122.

-Craig Hardimon, Principal

REGIONAL SCHOOL CALENDARS

SCHOOL COMMITTEE NEWS

FROM THE REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Becky Neville, Chair

The School Committee is entrenched in budget season. Both Acton and Boxborough have determined that operational overrides of Proposition 2 ½ are necessary. The overrides will provide for the same level of service currently in the schools.

One of the many issues the School Committee is grappling with is the increasing enrollment at the High School. Enrollment has increased for the last several years but no additional staff has been hired, due to cost.

We are trying to find “creative ways” to add staff to the High School. One option the School Committee is considering is taking a limited number of “Choice Students.” Our high school was built to accommodate 2,050 students, and our current enrollment projections expect 1,850 students. If the School Committee decided to take “choice” students, we would enroll up to 200 students from other towns; for each student enrolled, we would receive $5,000 toward the cost of educating these students. If we took 50 Choice students next year, we would have to hire two teachers to accommodate them, but we would also be able to hire two additional High School teachers to help reduce class sizes for our existing students.

The School Committee spent Saturday, January 22nd reviewing the budget. We reviewed our "A" budget, which is basically a "level service" budget and would require Acton to pass a $3.8 million. The Regional principals, Craig Hardimon and Steve Donovan, then outlined what cuts would need to be made if the override does not pass. Although the two buildings will remain unchanged, the educational programs we offer will change drastically.

At the Junior High many reductions in staff were discussed. The "team concept" at the Junior High is in serious jeopardy if the override does not pass. The School Committee would have to cut $411,000 from the budget for the Junior High. This may mean the elimination of the Exploratory teachers, World Language teachers, classroom teachers, and an Assistant Principal.

At the High School, a failed override would mean that the budget would need to be reduced by $821,500. These cuts will result in a further increase in class sizes, as well as either a reduction in the supervision available for students or an elimination of programs, or both. Cuts might include 6.5 monitors, .5 counselor, a Vice Principal, and more than 6 teachers.

The scenarios for cuts and reductions in service will now be refined and the School Committee will review it again at our February 3rd meeting. The effect of these cuts will be compounded by growing enrollments at our regional schools.

On February 16^th the Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee along with the Acton School Committee and the Town of Acton will host a budget forum. This is an opportunity for citizens to give their input and have their questions answered about the three budgets. It will be at 7:30 p.m. in the High School auditorium. I would encourage you each to come.

Our next School Committee meeting will be February 3^rd at 7:30 p.m. in the Junior High Library. As always I hope you will attend.

I encourage you all to get involved in the budget process. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have. We are particularly concerned with hearing your feedback about the budget decisions that we are focused on, including program and staffing cuts, and School Choice. We welcome comments from the public. If you are unable to come to a meeting the School Committee may be reached via email at abrsc@acton-ma.gov.

- Becky Neville
Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee, Chair
neville317@juno.com

What Is It & How Can You Help?

For the past 15 years, undergraduate parents, with tremendous support from the community, have produced Acton-Boxborough’s Project Graduation, an all-night “lock-in” exclusively for ABRHS seniors. The event is always a huge success; almost 90% of the senior class attends. The night features live entertainment, games, food, prizes, and scholarships. Common areas of the high school are transformed into such venues as a set for the show “Survivor”, a western town, “Austin Powers” or a cruise ship, and the new graduates escape to a fantasyland with their friends. The only other people allowed to attend the party are the unobtrusive chaperones, limited to undergraduate parents and community members. Seniors’ parents can get a good night’s sleep after a long day of ceremony & celebration knowing that their young adults are safely enjoying themselves.

Project Graduation Donations

Project Graduation is sponsored by the PTSO and funded entirely through donations; we receive no financial support from the school budget. Parents of underclassmen, members of the business community, and other organizations have been very generous in the past. Knowing that your child will be a senior in the not-too-distant future, please consider making a donation. Every bit helps.

Send donations to: Project Graduation, c/o ABRPTSO, P.O Box 912, Acton, MA 01720. Make checks payable to Project Graduation.

Project Graduation Volunteers

Preparations for this year’s Project Graduation are underway, but help is still needed. We need volunteers for almost every committee. No special talents are needed, just a desire to work on this rewarding project. We encourage all parents of underclassmen (grades 7-11) to help with this wonderful and successful event. It’s a lot of fun! Support the Class of 2005 now and your future graduates will have the opportunity to celebrate in this exciting and rewarding (and safe) way.

To volunteer, please complete the form below or send the requested information to ABProjGrad05@aol.com.
If you already signed up, called or sent an email, we will be contacting you soon. Thanks for your patience!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Project Graduation Volunteer Form

Sign me up! I’d like to volunteer in the following area(s):

_____Theme Design & Decorations _____Food Planning _____ Set up _____Logistics

_____Lighting _____Food Serving _____Entertainment _____Crafts _____Casino

_____Challenge Games _____Photography _____Chaperone

OR _____No preference, just want to help out.

Name:__________________________ Phone Number:_________________________

Email Address:_________________________

Please send this form to: Project Graduation, c/o ABRPTSO, P.O Box 912, Acton, MA 01720.

Tuesday, February 8^th

PTSO Forum with
Assistant Superintendent Susan Horn

12 Noon
Acton Memorial Library

PTSO CALENDAR

February 3 7:30 PM Regional School Committee Budget Hearing

Jr. High Library

February 8 12 Noon PTSO Forum – Asst. Superintendent Susan Horn

Acton Memorial Library

February 16 7:00 PM Acton Town and School Budgets Forum

Hosted by the School Committees and Selectmen

High School Auditorium

March 8 12 Noon PTSO Forum – Speaker TBD

Acton Memorial Library

THE DEADLINE FOR ARTICLE SUBMISSION FOR THE MARCH NEWSLETTER IS FEBRUARY 9th.

This issue is scheduled to be mailed to families on February 17^th.

[1] Anthony W. Jackson and Gayle A. Davis, Turning Points 2000, Educating Adolescents in the 21^st Century (New York: Teachers College, 2000), page 122.

Newsletter of the Acton-Boxborough Regional Schools Parent-Teacher-Student Organization

RPTSO Web Site: http://abrptso.ab.mec.edu/

FROM THE CHAIRS:

Beth Petr – ABRHS Co-Chair

Jan Couch – RJGJH Co-Chair

PTSO CALENDAR