Newsletter
Issue 7 | Volume 3 | February/March 2018
The stretch that comes between February and April break generally brings with it some challenges. While teachers generally enjoy the momentum that can be built, provided there is good weather, it is a long stretch where sports seem to end with the culmination of the winter season, activities have some breaks, and Mother Nature is less than cooperative. There will be work to complete for students as teachers provide opportunities to recover and enhance grades that may have struggled at the end of semester one. And there will no doubt be some excitement starting to mount with the coming events of the spring, such as prom, awards events, and, of course, graduation. One of the primary goals of any school is to encourage student participation and voice. In the most simple of times, this is a challenge - every schoolteacher and administrator will describe a conversation with a student where that student will say that they knew or know of some situation, but "won't give any names." We certainly do not employ any hardcore interrogation tactics, but one of the very basic tenets that we need from our students is their voice - their ability to stand up and speak up when they perceive something is going awry. They are our best eyes and ears. It used to be easy to monitor- who among the adults do not remember a parent eavesdropping on a phone call from time to time, or checking on a curfew? Kidding aside, communication is more furtive and clandestine than ever, as students communicate with each other via apps that erase those conversations in mere seconds, as if they never happened. However, we know they did happen, and they do happen, so encouraging a trustworthy, open conversation between adults and the young adults we are shepherding is critical. There is also the added burden of seeing, hearing, and reading opinions in a never-ending flow of information, from phones, blogs, comment threads, video casts, social media - an endless list. The unfiltered brain can be easily corrupted, and it makes it all the more challenging for us to even have, sometimes, conversations where multiple perspectives are appreciated and respected. To those ends, we have an even greater responsibility to the next generation, for without true civic discourse, we lose the republic. We are not trying to be melodramatic, but rather trying to underscore how regardless of pew, politic, or personality, we have a collective responsibility to each other, to this community, and to our school. Urge students to stand up and speak up. They have a group of adults in this building, faculty, staff, counselors, support staff, administrators, who stand at the ready to help them when help is needed. We hope to provide that help before it seems it is even really required. Yours in black and orange, Michael Rubin, Principal
Uxbridge High School 300 Quaker Highway Uxbridge, MA 508-278-8633
February/March
marching on and on
PLTW Grant
UHS earns
The Uxbridge Public Schools announced today that it has received a grant to offer high-quality science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs from Project Lead The Way (PLTW). PLTW is a nonprofit organization that provides a transformative learning experience for K-12 students and teachers through pathways in computer science, engineering and biomedical science. More than 10,500 schools across the country offer PLTW programs to millions of students. “Our entire team has been committed to partnering and expanding our existing opportunities to ensure that students are prepared for the world that awaits them,” said Kevin Carney, Uxbridge Public Schools superintendent. “That we are able to grow a program to bring even more robust offerings to more students is very exciting.” Uxbridge High School and McCloskey Middle School are just two of 73 schools across the commonwealth to receive the grant, which is supported by the Administration of Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, the One8 Foundation, and Mass STEM Hub. “It is essential that we engage our students throughout their K-12 school years with hands-on lessons in science, engineering, computer science, technology and math,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. Both schools will use grant funds to start and strengthen its PLTW program with PLTW Gateway Programs at the grade 6-7 and biomedical engineering programs at the 8-12 level, over the next three years. For Whitin Intermediate School, the school district will be able to expand technology education programs to build curriculum and offerings for students in Design and Modeling, as well as Automation and Robotics. The Project Lead the Way Gateway program will naturally expand the already established program in Engineering at Uxbridge High School, which includes a four-year engineering sequence that culminates in internship opportunities through partnerships with the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce. Funds from the grant will also support teacher professional development and the purchase of materials and equipment that will be used in the hands-on, activity-, project-, and problem-based courses. Over the past three years, the Uxbridge Public Schools have earned more than $100,000 in grant money to support district goals and programming. “We are proud to partner with the Uxbridge Public Schools to empower students to develop the in-demand knowledge and transportable skills to thrive in our evolving world,” said Vince Bertram, PLTW president and CEO. “Thank you to the Governor’s Office, the One8 Foundation, and Mass STEM Hub for making these grants possible and further investing in Massachusetts’s students.” “These opportunities are relevant, real, and engaging for students across several grade levels, and the skills that students take from these classes will provide them with a strong foundation for the future, regardless of what they study,” Mr. Carney said. “We are grateful for our partners, and we thank them for believing in our programs, students, staff, and community.” About PLTW Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is a nonprofit organization that provides a transformative learning experience for K-12 students and teachers across the U.S. PLTW empowers students to develop in-demand, transportable knowledge and skills through pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science. PLTW’s teacher training and resources support teachers as they engage their students in real-world learning. More than 10,500 elementary, middle, and high schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia offer PLTW programs. For more information on Project Lead The Way, visit pltw.org.
Academic News
As Uxbridge High School continues to build its partnerships with the manufacturing industry in the Blackstone Valley and become part of the Blackstone Valley Education Hub, we will be afforded the opportunity to bring state-of-the-art equipment to UHS, which will naturally create opportunities for our students as they enter post-secondary life. In the coming weeks, an M2 Laser Cutter will become part of the manufacturing and engineering program, which will enable our students to work in modern manufacturing technologies, including computer integrated manufacturing, in both the PLTW and manufacturing engineering courses. This is quite the robust piece of equipment, and as we partner with both our colleagues at Northbridge High School and the Chamber of Commerce to support more opportunities for students, we are excited about the future!
Though it seems as though we have just started another semester, third quarter progress report grades will be distributed later this week. The third quarter ends in early April. In particular, for seniors who are concerned about graduation requirements, we need parents, students, counselors, and teachers to be in communication with each other to ensure that we do not have any unforeseen challenges in May. By the same token, underclassmen sometimes lose sight of grades, and the month of March is a long stretch where much academic progress can be made!
Course selections for 2018-19 complete
Laser cutter to become part of engineering program
Be on the lookout!
Thanks to our parents, students, and counselors, we were able to complete nearly all of our course selections this month, and we are full steam ahead with scheduling for next year. We do hope to be in touch with rising seniors with respect to Internship information very soon - as those plans start to come to fruition, please make sure that students and counselors are in touch!
Congratulations go out to both the Whitin Elementary School and Uxbridge High School as they are both recipients of the Fuel Up to Play 60 grant which is awarded by the New England Dairy Farmers.This program was created by the New England Dairy Council, NFL and the USDA to encourage students to be more active, eat better and live healthier lifestyles. For the second year in a row, Whitin Elementary has received this award. This year they received a grant in the amount of $1,360. Bonnie Dimmick, physical education teacher at Whitin Elementary, will be able to purchase new flag football equipment and other materials to enhance their program.The food service department will be able to purchase kitchen equipment to enhance the Farm to School Program. Whitin Elementary was also the Northeast winner of the New England Dairy Council contest to visit a local dairy farm with an NFL player in the Spring of 2018. Uxbridge High School is also the recipient of this grant for the first time.The high school received a grant for the amount of $3,469. Michael Catalano, physical education teacher at UHS, has purchased new and exciting equipment to incorporate into their classes.The food service department was able to purchase a mobile breakfast cart to launch a “Second Chance Breakfast” program for students.
Food Service Earns
Above (l-r): Ms. Dzivasen, Kali Sander, Mr. Catalano, Ashley Greene, Ms. Clark, Olivia Picotte, Mr. DiMeglio, Kaylie Gonya,
Fuel Up Grant
Key Dates
DATE
EVENT
March 1, 6:00 p.m.
Grade 7 Scheduling Night
March 14
College Planning Night, Grade 11
March 27-29
ELA MCAS, Grade 10
March 30
No School
April 16-20
April break
May 5
SAT
May 7-18
AP Testing
May 22-24
Math MCAS
June 5-7
Science MCAS
Drama Club to present "Urinetown"
The Uxbridge High School Drama Club will be proudly presenting their spring musical, “Urinetown,” with book and lyrics by Greg Kotis and music and lyrics by Mark Hollmann, on March 16th, 17th, and 18th. “This show is different from any other production that we have ever done before” says senior cast member, Wesley Mattson. The show takes place in a world that has suffered a twenty year drought. The government puts a ban on household bathrooms, so everyone must pay to use the public restrooms. If anyone in the society chooses to disobey the law, they are sent to an ominous and dreadful place referred to as “Urinetown.” In this satire, the poor rise up against the rich and all sorts of secrets about the society are revealed. “We wanted to change things up a little bit” says co-director Kathleen Penza. This musical has an abundance of fun and quirky characters, dazzling dance numbers, and side splitting comedy. Tickets are $8 for students/senior citizens and $12 for adults. Tickets will be available from any cast or crew member and at the UHS main office beginning in mid-February. “Urinetown” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theater International (MTI).
Uxbridge High School
Issue 6 | Volume 4 | 2013
SPARTAN ACTIVITIES
Drama/Musical
at UHS
Friday, May 4 Leicester Country Club 5:00-10:00 Promenade: UHS, 3:00
Athletic Awards Banquet May 24, 6:00pm Wright's Chicken Farm Restaurant Senior Awards Ceremony May 30, 6:30 p.m. Uxbridge High School Senior Graduate Parade June 1, Time TBA Starts at McCloskey Middle School Baccalaureate June 1, 6:30 p.m. St. Mary's Church Graduation Ceremony June 3, 2:00 p.m. Uxbridge High School
Some important dates and times for the Class of 2018!
for Seniors
Junior Senior Prom
Important Info
School Council Agendas and Minutes:
Updates from school council
Michael Rubin, Co-Chair Principal mrubin@uxbridge.k12.ma.us Emily Luuri, Co-Chair Community Representative emilyabbo@hotmail.com David Lyman Teacher Representative Michael Catalano Teacher Representative Natalie Daverio Teacher Representative Melissa Fischer Parent Representative Mary Sherlock Community Representative Susan Hirtle Parent Representative Lexi Nowicki Student Representative Jack Schreiber Student Representative Michael Smutok Teacher Representative Mary Guilmette Teacher Representative Emily Fernandes Student Representative Jennifer PIcotte Parent Representative Tonya Allegrazza Parent Representative Emily Costa Parent Representative James Hogan Parent Represetnative Jennifer Modica School Committee Liaison jmodica@uxbridge.k12.ma.us John Morawski School Committee Liaison jmorawski@uxbridge.k12.ma.us
Issue 1 | Volume 1 | 2015
In March, our School Council will be looking at the Class Rank proposal as part of our School Improvement efforts, as well as considering language for our next School Improvement Plans. Additionally, we will be sharing information about our growing relationship with the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce and newly-forming Blackstone Valley Education Hub.
School council for 2017-18
UHS on UCTV
February Interview
Senior Joey DuBois recently interviewed Mr. Rubin as part of our ongoing "Spartan Showcase" feature on UCTV!
CORE VALUES:
Schoolwide
Text
Uxbridge High School students are generally assessed at least twice per quarter using the school-wide rubric. Additionally, teachers will establish areas of growth and adapt assessments based on these skills. Individual student progress is reported to families twice per year: at the mid-year, quarter two report card and and the year-end, quarter four report card.
Learning Expectations
To access all info on UHS schoolwide learning expectations, click the button at the left.
A member of the Uxbridge High School Community: Shares responsibility for excellence and integrity Perseveres through challenges and adversity Accepts new ideas and thoughts Respects self and others Teaches effective communication, compassion, and balance Accountable for a high standard of academics and behaviors Nurtures personal independence and responsibility
To access the UHS report of schoolwide progress toward meeting schoolwide learning expectations, click the button at the left.
