Newsletter
Issue 10 | Volume 3 | June 2018
When we think of 2017-18, we will think of many things - almost all of them positive. Three years into our work together at UHS, we see ourselves on the cusp of so much greatness, with so many positives on which to reflect. With these letters, we often spend some time sharing inspiring words, updates, and ideas. This month, we are going to share a quick anecdote. Back in the spring of 2016, our School Council approved a very ambitious School Improvement Plan with several goals. At that time, the Curriculum Director, Dr. Carol Cavanaugh, stated to us: "If you accomplish only half of this, boy, what a place that school will be in!" We are so proud to report that, two years later, every single action step we had hoped to put in place is complete. Some steps we have put in place include: developing common planning where student work is consistently analyzed, updating curriculum maps, integrating high school advisory, increasing the number of staff using Google Classroom, supporting more student activities, and completing our reaccreditation self-study. We are recognized as a leader in the Blackstone Valley and Commonwealth of Massachusetts for what we are doing, and our Guidance model, practically nonexistent as of two years ago, is being hailed as a model by partners at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. This year alone we have seen the purposeful investment of nearly $100,000 worth of equipment because others see the value in what we are doing. We have schools visiting UHS in the hope of replicating some of our success. We have, at the same time, reduced disciplinary referrals and improved many aspects of student attendance, even while we continue to combat ambivalence, apathy, and anxiety on the part of some of our learners. I share this because it is easy to rest on our laurels and past successes, but now, we feel, the real fun is about to begin. Next year, we will be partnering with other school districts and faculties in order to shift a mindset of students, families, and communities, away from class as a "what did I get" exercise to "what did I learn" from students. We are hoping to adopt a philosophy where we celebrate the positives, reduce the anxiety that many people are feeling about secondary and post-secondary life, while increasing authentic, real-world learning. We are building school improvement goals that will help support struggling learners, regardless of need, and in particular, focusing on students who may not have disabilities but present with challenges. We are challenging academic norms, and looking for ways beyond grades to help gauge what students have learned and how they are successful. We are looking at ways we can enhance our physical site, to ensure that all our students have opportunities and so that UHS remains a flagship for many years to come. We do this with the backdrop of another grade joining us, a reconfiguration for which we are ready in spirit and logistics alike. So, as we bid farewell to the Class of 2018 and prepare for a new school year, we are thrilled with the journey this school has been on, and we look forward to the opportunities that the future may hold. We appreciate so much your partnership and feedback, and we hope everyone enjoys the summer months ahead. Yours in black and orange, Michael Rubin, Principal
Uxbridge High School 300 Quaker Highway Uxbridge, MA 508-278-8633
June
Summer Days approaching!
Class of 2018!
Text
Click on the link at left to be brought to our entire gallery of photos, available through our official school photographer!
Congratulations
Kyle Robert Ahern Marissa Mae Allegrezza Zachary K. Almy Hope Jeannine Anderson Leah Isabel Anderson Amanda Ann Antetomaso Isabelle V. Azize Delanie Baldwin Lauren E. Bangma Abigail O. Bates Zachary Stephen Beauregard Alex Benjamin Elizabeth Bernard Madison Rose Blake Kayla M. Brandel Anna K. Breau Andrew M. Bretana Alexandria M. Brown Arianna Brundage Nicholas T. Burke Olivia Jane Burke Joseph Timothy Caffarelli Sarah Bethany Calkins Joshua Carter Christopher Caruso Frank Cattani Jason D. Chabot Madison Ann Cole Zachari E. DaSilva Nolan Anthony DeMers Amy Desruisseaux Caitlin Mary Devlin Jacob Devlin Grace DiMarco Joseph Michael DuBois Brenden Raymond Dullaghan Samantha Nicolle Dumais Benjamin David Eason Robert Alexander Farrell Emily Cecelia Fernandes Hayley Ferreira Chloe Ellen Gardner Gianna Louise Garille Kyle James Gauthier Evan James Goulet Sarah Gray-Galante Nicholas R. Hirtle Garrett Arthur Holzer Erin Carol Hynes Matthew Johnston Scott Kelle Kaeller Jason Kindl Dylan King Marissa Katelyn Kirk Emma Sophia Kraich Jillian Mari Krouner Amber Ashley Lamontagne Emily Alexandra Lavigne Michael D. Lawrence Connor Legg John Francis Pires Lesack Jade Starr Letendre Cassandra Lobe Erick Brandt Lopes Benjamin Lyons Matthew MacSween Alexandria E. Maietta Riley Malone Alexander D. Matkowski Christopher D. Matkowski Wesley Mattson Morgan Millina McCarty Colleen Amanda McNamara Tyrese L. Mello Liam Joseph Morawski Alyssandra Noel Morganelli Justin M. Morvan Hailey Olivia Muggeo Brody Ryan Neill Alicia Kaeline Nelson Johnny Cam Nguyen Abby Rose Pasichny Ryan R. Paul Emily Elizabeth Philbrook Nicholas J. Poulin Trevor Matthew Emerson Rafferty Jenna Michelle Raleigh Keely Renee Rancourt Gurdeep Randhawa Julia Reissfelder Zoey Retamoza Jessica Angela Rice Emily Nicole Roberts Matthew John Robertson Kayte Wei Mazzone Rooney Jenna Patricia Rosado Ryley Donald Rosborough Jack Michael Schreiber Savannah Schreiber Macoy T. Shanley Tara Elizabeth Simonini Darian Spencer Isabelle Theresa St. Andre Dennis Stanley James Allen Stark Jillian Sylvia Colby Talamini Holden E. Thiebault Rachel Elizabeth Tominsky Branden R. Trahan Grace Victoria Turgeon Victoria Tzeremes Austin Cole van Lingen Samantha Nicole Walker Jordan A. Washington Evan John Wiencek Russell Sherwood Wise IV Conner Alex Young Sierra Elizabeth Yuras Miia Eleanor Zellner
THANK YOU TO THE STUDENTS, STAFF, AND ADMINISTRATION OF MCCLOSKEY, WHITIN, AND TAFT FOR YOUR ENERGY AND EFFORT AT THE ANNUAL PARADE!!
Seniors participate in signing days
A number of UHS seniors recently signed letters of intent, with one student continuing her athletic career and three seniors participating in the MassSTEM Hub's STEM signing day event at WPI, continuing their study of science/engineering. Clockwise from left: Morgan McCarty will play field hockey next year at the University of New Haven. Senior Nick Hirtle will continue his environmental science studies at URI, Jack Schreiber will study engineering at UNH, and Emily Philbrook will be studying biomedical science at WPI.
We were able to welcome home Seaman Jonathan Tomlinson of the United States Coast Guard, brother of Senior Michael Lawrence, himself entering the Marine Corps, in time to see graduation!
Academic Medalists announced
We are pleased to announce so many of our scholarship and award winners from our Awards Night. While the number of individual department award winners are too numerous to include in full, some of them appear below. We congratulate all award recipients and their families and thank the generous patrons of these scholarships, who combined to reward UHS students with nearly $100,000 in awards! Andrews Technology Foundation Scholarship Nicholas Hirtle Emily Philbrook Jack Schreiber Barry McCloskey Scholarship Olivia Burke., Emily Philbrook, James Stark, Russell Wise ForJake Scholarship Morgan McCarty, Holden Thiebault Georgiana Richardson Baker Scholarship Sarah Calkins, Alexander Matkowski Christopher Matkowski Leon Belanger Memorial Scholarship given by the Uxbridge Baseball Association Ryley Rosborough, Jack Schreiber Lydia A. Rondeau Memorial Sarah Calkins Milford Federal Savings & Loan Association Jordan Washington Officer Chet Dzivasen Memorial Scholarship Christopher Matkowski, Morgan McCarty, Matthew Robertson The Shawna E. Shea Memorial Scholarship Hope Anderson Joseph DuBois – In Memory of Michael Liberty Russell Wise Town of Uxbridge Scholarship Riley Malone Unibank for Savings Scholarship Emily Fernandes Uxbridge Education Foundation ScholarshipI n the Name of Dr. Walter McCloskey Marissa Allegrezza Uxbridge Education Foundation Scholarship In the Name of Daniel J. Stefanilo Scott Kaeller Uxbridge Education Foundation Scholarship In the Name of Ronald C. Paszkewicz Chloe Gardner, Cassandra Lobe Uxbridge Grange Scholarship Russell Wise Uxbridge Lions Club Scholarship Keely Rancourt, Kayte Rooney Uxbridge Rotary Club Scholarship Matthew Robertson, Russell Wise Uxbridge Scholarship Fund Dollars for Scholars, Inc. In the Name of Forest & Carolyn Andrews Hope Anderson Kayte Rooney In the name of Milton and Annie Tucker Kayte Rooney In the name of Daniel Whitehouse Kayte Rooney In the name of Kevin Glode Kayte Rooney Uxbridge Softball Association Marissa Allegrezza, Morgan McCarty Uxbridge Special Education P.A.C. Scholarship Matthew Robertson, Miia Zellner Uxbridge Teacher’s Association Scholarship Emily Fernandes, Morgan McCarty, Alicia Nelson Uxbridge Woman’s Club Helen M. Ryan Memorial Scholarship Kayte Rooney Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1385 Scholarship Marissa Allegrezza VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 1385 Scholarship Alicia Nelson The Walter T. Murphy Scholarship Joseph DuBois US Veterans Motorcycle Club Scholarship Russell Wise SWCL Principal’s Award Morgan McCarty Department Medalists: Awarded to individual students for outstanding performance and commitment to the disciplines: Art: Miia Zellner Band: Kayte Rooney Chorus: Chloe Gardner Drama, Cast: Emily Fernandes Drama, Crew: Zachary Beauregard English: Riley Malone Family Consumer Science: Grace Turgeon World Language: Riley Malone Mathematics: Riley Malone Science: Emily Philbrook Ed Naroian Social Studies: Riley Malone Physical Education: Alicia Nelson and Trevor Rafferty Technology Education: Jack Schreiber Spartanette of the Year: Marissa Allegrezza Spartan of the Year: Jack Schreiber
Issue 10 | Volume 3 | May 2018
The annual Graduation Parade has become one of our favorite traditions in just three short years. Many thanks to our colleagues and friends at Uxbridge Cable Television for providing us with this coverage, and especially thanks to all our PK-12 educators, students, and school administration for making this such a memorable experience for our graduates!
Uxbridge High School's latest student organization, the Tri-M Music Honors Society, hosted its first induction on Tueday, May 22, during which several talented musicians were honored for their commitment to service through excellence in music. The induction ceremony featured each student performing, sometimes as a solo and others in collaboration with peers. The students inducted as part of the inaugural class included: Samantha Arroyas Ainsley Ayers Olivia Burke Kristen Connors Elise Croteau Jonathan Fabian Drew Gauthier Chloe Gardner Devon Gokey Ashley Greene Jocelyn Hinchcliffe Sallie Hogan Nathaniel Holden Daniel Klos Cassandra Lobe Madison Manning Ashley McQueston Alicia Nelson Erin Newhall Bridget Redgate Kayte Rooney Kevin Siefken Jack Streichert Samuel Warner Jordan Washington Tyler Washington Russell Wise Wesley Wright
Inaugural Induction
Tri-M Music Honors
Recognized for Excellence
UHS Staff & Students
Above, l-r: Principal Rubin, Iona Waterhouse, Michael Flanagan, Amber Hampton, Chris Barry, Superintendent Carney Below; The 2017 field hockey team receives a statewide recognition
Our high school and middle school counseling teams were recognized by the Blackstone Valley Superintendents' Association at the annual Promising Practices breakfast. The guidance team was recognized for its redesign and implementation of the comprehensive guidance curriculum for grades 6-12, including the classroom lessons, models, and other units that are designed.
The Central Massachusetts Field Hockey Officials' Association recognized our field hockey team for its outstanding sportsmanship and commitment to the ideals of the sport. The team is only the third school to earn this recognition, which was given at our annual Sports Banquet, held on May 24. Congratulations to the team and its coaches!
Competition
MassSTEM Hub
Mr. Michael Smutok's classes recently participated in a statewide engineering competition, held at WPI and sponsored by the MassSTEM Hub and Project Lead the Way. UHS had four teams of students compete. Senior Emily Philrbook and Principal Michael Rubin both served as state spokespersons for the event, which enabled our school to share its successful integration of engineering classes, the opportunities it provides students, and the real-world application of the schoolwork. Emily was able to speak with several news media outlets!
Summer Reading
The link at left provides information regarding Summer Reading. Students who complete an assignment will be eligible to add two points to a course average in the fall of 2018. All details can be found at the site linked at left!
LIFE Conference planned
In the fall of 2018 and spring of 2019, we are hoping to host two authentic learning conferences in at Uxbridge High School. Collaborating with our colleagues at Nipmuc Regional High School, we are hoping to put learning in the hands of students, asking the students from UHS to choose topics in life about which they wish to learn. For example, at Nipmuc, some students asked to learn about filing taxes, learning about auto insurance, even blacksmithing and fishing. In Advisory this month, our teachers and students will be working together to develop some ideas , with the hope of sharing the ideas from students and enlisting community support regarding the facilitation of this event. When we release the topics, if there is something you feel like you can contribute to assisting with, please reach out to our coordinators. Staff coordinators of this include: Nicole Yakstis, Bryan D'Amico, Brennan Bennett, and David Balunas. Feel free to reach out if you have ideas or questions!
Wednesday, August 22: Grade 9 Orientation Thursday, August 23: Grade 8 Orientation Tuesday, September 3: First Day of School Thursday, September 13: Grade 8-12 Open House Friday, October 5: Half-Day (Teacher Professional Development) Wednesday, October 10: PSAT Administration (Grades 10 and 11) College Visit Day (Grade 12) Thursday, October 18: Parent-Teacher Conferences Monday, November 12: Veterans' Day (No School) Wednesday, November 21: Half-Day November 22-23: No School Friday, November 30: Half-day (Teacher Professional Development) December 2-5: UHS NEASC Decennial Visit
Some important dates for the coming school year!
IMPORTANT DATES
Final exams are scheduled for 2017-18 during the week of June 19-22. Our last day of school is scheduled for June 25, 2018. If the inclement weather has caused days to disrupt family travel plans or other summer activities, please reach out to school administration regarding final exam reschedules - these should not be handled individually by students with teachers. June 19-25 will all be half-days of school!
Fishing Team
The UHS Fishing Team recently competed at a tournament in Mashpee, and will be competing against on Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester on June 23. Junior Nathan Smith took the crown of "lunker," having caught the largest fish of the day, while he and teammate Brody Trask took third place overall on an overcast day on Cape Cod. Next year, our hope is to coordinate a regional or SWCL fishing tournament, having completed a successful first season this year! Thanks to all who participated!
Above: freshmen Nick Allegrezza and Jeremy Okenquist are ready to go! At left, Nathan Smith and Brody Trask show off their catches prior to weigh-in.
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
As we look ahead, our School Council has started taking steps to building our next School Improvement Plan, which we look at in two-year windows. Some of the procedural updates for next year will include updated "Age of Majority" documentation for 18-year old students, as well as stipulations regarding the incoming grade 8 students.
Uxbridge High School
School council for 2017-18
CORE VALUES:
Schoolwide
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.
