October 2018

Newsletter Issue 3 | Volume 4 | October 2018 Uxbridge High School 300 Quaker Highway Uxbridge, MA 508-278-8633 Dear Parents, Guardians, and Extended Community: Within a couple of weeks, our first quarter report cards will be out, registration will be sent for winter sports, and we'll be arranging for our fall parent-teacher conferences. Our accreditation visit is around the corner, college applications are in the mail, and even some acceptances are starting to roll into the guidance office. As tends to happen, October is when grades and assessments start to happen with more regularity, and when, for some students, the number of assignments that are required becomes more challenging, particularly as teachers try to gauge progress, keep students focused through rigorous curricula, and prepare students for outcomes that are sometimes outside our control, like MCAS and SAT's. In those times, particularly in high school, some students put some things off while focusing on others, which obviously has an impact on success. Zero's hurt - and while we work with teachers to give students multiple opportunities to hand work in, re-take assignments, and provide second chances, sometimes messages of accountabiilty and personal responsibility are difficult to learn. Please monitor Google classroom, work with teachers, and reach out to counselors in case there are things that are potentially going to be impactful. Some reminders about attendance: - Vacations excuse students from truancy, as parents have notified us about the absence. However, absences due to vacations taken during the school year may count against our school attendance procedures regarding credit accrual. We generally do not condone or excuse absences due to vacations taken during the school year, so if those are the absences that students use, please make sure that any additional absences are accompanied by proper documentation. - For students who turn 18, and exercise their Age of Majority rights, they are held to the same standards as if parents were to dismiss them. That means they should provide a note or proper documentation, and, if they sign out of school, they are typically not permitted to return without a note, such as for a doctor's appointment. Age of Majority does not excuse student accountability. - If students need to generate a dismissal because they do not feel well, that procedure should be initiated with the school nurse, Ms. Schiller. Students should not text home to begin dismissal procedures, since if they are not well, we will want the nurse to make sure the student is okay before being picked up or attempting to drive him or herself home. Finally, we have our accreditation visit coming in early December. Any parent who wishes to help should reach out to Mr. DiMeglio, Ms. Yakstis, or Ms. Hendrickx, since we will have parent forums and a community forum as well, for which we are planning a great deal. That said, we are looking forward for the visit's validation and guidance in terms of our school improvement planning. We look forward to seeing many of you in the coming weeks. Yours in black and orange, Michael Rubin, Principal October A great start Uxbridge HIgh School UHS begins partnership with lenze As part of UHS' Innovation Pathway and continued commitment to bridging outcomes between the academic and the local economy, the high school has enhanced its relationship with Lenze America, a manufacturing engineering company located in Uxbridge. Lenze is a gloab manufacturer of electrical and mechnical drives, motion control, and automation technology, offering products, drive solutions, complete automation systems, and engineering services. Lenze's products are found in many industries, including automotive, packagin, material handlings, logistics, robotics, and commercial equipment, and is a company that has its global headquarters in Hamelin, Germany. The American subsidiary's headquarters is located right in Uxbridge. As part of our building relationship, UHS and Lenze are planning on improving curricular outcomes, assisting with career exploration activities like job shadows, and increasing critical thinking and authentic learning projects for courses in English, mathematics, and technology engineering. As part of the visit to Lenze, UHS Principal Michael Rubin, Assistant Principal Michael DiMeglio, Engineering Teacher Michael Smutok, Counselor Amber Hampton, and School Committee chair Deb Stark were able to tour the manufacturing lab floor and meet with the Director of Marketing to discuss potential opportunities for UHS students, from which a couple of action plans have since been developed! Issue 1 | Volume 1 | 2015 Innovation Pathway at UHS Students who enroll in the Innovation Pathway at UHS will complete a three-course technical sequence in engineering and manufacturing, at least two courses that align for college credit, and either a senior project/Capstone or an internship placement with one of our industry partners. Some students will be contacted by counselors in the coming weeks about their eligibility, but if you have interest or questions, please reach out to your student's guidance counselor! On October 18th seventy students from the UHS Music Department took a field trip to attend Multibands 2019 at UMass Amherst. It was spectacular! Each year, the music department at UMass presents a music-filled performance spotlighting the many different music and performing ensembles at the university. This year, the ensembles ranged from as few as four members (saxophone quartet) to 400 (the UMass Minuteman Marching Band). Featured ensembles included vocal ensembles, homogeneous instrument choirs (french horn, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, cymbals) jazz bands, mallet percussion ensembles, full concert band and symphony orchestra, a dance troupe, the university’s colorguard, and the marching band. Our students had the opportunity to experience a wealth of musical idioms and to see the opportunities that exists for them should they continue to study music in college. Thank you to the Uxbridge Friends of Music for their help in providing the transportation for this annual event.   Music Students Visit UMass Issue 3 | Volume 4 | October 2018 Issue 3 | Volume 4 | October 2018 Visits Social Studies Chief Montminy Following our successful crisis response drill with students earlier in October, our Criminal Justice classes welcomed the new Chief of Police for Uxbridge, Mark Montminy, to visit. The Chief touched on some of the issues that law enforcement officers are currently facing, the training required for different aspects of the position, and ways that the school and community partner. We are fortunate to have a strong relationship with our Public Safety partners and appreciate Chief Montminy taking time to work with our students! UHS Accreditation Visit set for December 2018 Michael DiMeglio Tracy Larkin Molly Hendrickx, Co-Chair Christine Prior Nicole Yakstis , Co-Chair Michael Rubin (Principal) Issue 1 | Volume 1 | 2015 NEASC Steering Committee Uxbridge High School is due to be visited in December 2018 as part of its decennial reaccreditation review. As part of the process, we will spend the coming year reflecting on our core values, which appear below, and determining ways that we can improve over the next ten years. We will report on our work in the seven standards of accreditation, and during the reaccreditation visit in December 2018, a team of educators will study UHS, meet with parents, students, and staff, observe our classrooms, and, ultimately, make commendations and recommendations with respect to our reaccreditation. The self-study process includes the gathering of student work, considering evidence that supports our core values, and surveying families about our adherence to our learning expectations in our decision-making. We have some parents who will be serving on standard committees as well, as they will help us look at ourselves through different lenses. With any process, we will need the insight and feedback of families. In the fall, we will be sending out the "Endicott Survey," which provides data samples that we need for completing the self-study. The data is gathered and reports generated though NEASC, and we are provided only reports. We completed our self-study last year, and thank the members of the staff, student body, and parent groups for their participation. The process will be reflective, challenging, and validating, as we are proud of many steps we have taken at UHS over the past several years, both as a faculty and as a broader community. If anyone has specific questions about the process, please do not hesitate to reach out to us directly. Uxbridge HIgh School UHS Accreditation Needs December 2-5: NEASC Visiting Team How can parents help? - There will be a parent panel that will meet with the visiting committee. - Provide us feedback on our school initiatives when surveys are sent. - Attend the kickoff to accreditation visit, which will be held on Sunday, December 2. Teams visiting UHS for inspiration, ideas Issue 1 | Volume 1 | 2015 Over the next several months, UHS will be visited by a number of teams looking to use several UHS programs as their model, which is a credit to our hard work over the past several years to transform opportunities for students and the community. On October 23, the MassSTEMHub will be hosting teams of educators visiting UHS to learn more about our biomedical and engineering courses.In addition to visiting engineering and biomedical science classes, the teams will be meeting with administration to discuss how we have used grants to leverage professional development opportunities. There will also be a panel presentation from teachers and students, at which experiences in those classes will be shared. Over the next several months, a number of other schools will be visiting to learn how UHS has re-imagined courses through its Innovation Pathway and through the Program of Studies redesign to grow opportunities. Also, there are a couple of schools who will be joining us to learn about the way we have developed our Pathways, Phoenix, and Learning Lab programs, particularly looking at ways we have made attempts to support some of our most reluctant and struggling learners, from academic, social-emotional, and behavioral challenges. Our counseling team will highlight the referral processes and ways we have helped develop new strategies for both students and teachers. Finally, Mr. Rubin and recent graduate Emily Philbrook were featured at the fall Project Lead the Way Networking conference. Emily presented as part of a student panel that shared how PLTW classes impacted her decision to study engineering and biomedical science at WPI, as well as the difference between PLTW classes and traditional science classes. Mr. Rubin presented on considerations adminsitrators should have in developing programs at the secondary level, paticularly in building the capacity of counselors, teachers, partnerships, and budgets. Uxbridge HIgh School School-wide Learning Expectations Use technology as a resource to access, evaluate, and effectively apply information, as well as enhance communication Communicate information clearly and effectively, with consideration of audience Work independently and collaboratively to solve problems, think critically, and create original products Value and demonstrate personal responsibility, character, cultural understanding, and ethical behavior Become an active owner of his/her learning, demonstrating adaptability and independence. CORE VALUES: As part of our reaccreditation process through the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, our school will be examining our practices in terms of curriculum, instruction, and assessment, as well as the ways our school interacts with the community, provides support to students, and demonstrates sound leadership practices. The foundation on which all of these are built is the statement of core values and our beliefs about student learning. Individual student progress toward meeting expectations is reported out on report cards, and school-wide progress is compiled twice per year. Core Values & Learning Expectations Issue 3 | Volume 4 | October 2018 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 Issue 1 | Volume 1 | 2015 Michael Rubin (co-chair) Principal mrubin@uxbridge.k12.ma.us David Lyman Teacher Representative Michael Catalano Teacher Representative Melissa Fischer Parent Representative Mary Sherlock Community Representative Emily Fernandes Community Representativ Dawn McCarthy Parent Representative Jennifer PIcotte Parent Representative Tonya Allegrazza Parent Representative Eion Goulet Student Representative Sonila Murati Student Representative Lexi Nowicki Student Representative Abby Cohen Student Representative Elisa Croteau Student Representative Emily Costa Parent Representative Jim Hogan Parent Representative Michael Smutok Teacher Representative Natalie Daverio Teacher Representative Mary Guilmette Teacher Representative The School Council is established as a decision-making body for schools in Massachusetts. Comprised of students, staff, community members, and parents, and chaired by building principals, the organization helps drive the school agenda, designing and approving the school improvement plan, and providing guidance to School Committee in matters such as budget and school critical needs. Some of our goals for the coming year include redefining success criteria and looking at student assessment practices, building relevant, real-world opportunities for students to learn, expanding advisory, and continuing to offer additional supports for students when they struggle, including building emotional and academic capacity. All School Council meetings are open to the community. Agendas for the monthly meetings will be posted on the school website. Goals for 2018-19 Uxbridge HIgh School School council 2018-19 - Redefining definitions of student success and criteria for assessment - Enhancing advisory program, Innovation Pathway, and instructional techniques - Building academic and social-emotional capacity in students and staff - Improving academic supports for struggling learners, including regular education supports - Integrating additional early college and career learning opportunities for students Congrats to Cross Country, unbeaten SWCL Champs! Issue 6 | Volume 4 | 2013 SPARTAN ATHLETICS Uxbridge High School It has been an amazing run for our cross country teams! Both teams finished the regular season undefeated following their sweep of Tantasqua, which marked the first loss of the season on ths boys' side for a talented Warrior team. In their final home meet of the season, (and their careers), seniors Ryan Semle and Hannah Jones both established course records to lead the Spartans to victory. The seniors have concluded an incredible dual meet career that saw the girls lose just two times in their four years and both teams take consecutive league titles in 2017 and 2018! Congratulations to both teams and best of luck at the SWCL and district championships! With Homecoming scheduled for the week of September 24, here are the theme days and Class Advisors, should you have any questions: Monday- Lazy day; Tuesday- Jersey day ; Wednesday- Dynamic Duo day; Thursday- Tourist day; Friday- Spirit day/Pep Rally Advisors: Class of 2019: Ms. Yakstis and Ms. Daverio Class of 2020: Mr. Lui Class of 2021: Ms. Prior Class of 2022: Ms. Durkin and Ms. Robertson Class of 2023: Ms. Mason and Ms. Smith Mark your calendars Half Day: October 5 No School: October 8 PSAT/Senior College Visit Day: October 10 No School: November 12 First Quarter Report Cards: November 13 Parent-Teacher Conferences: November 15 CLASS ADVISORS!