TMHS Principal's Newsletter
NOVEMBER 2018
From the Principal's Desk - Kristen S. Vogel
At TMHS we believe that kindness is a quality that we want all of our students to practice and experience on a daily basis. It is a quality that we believe is essential to a strong and safe school culture. Because we believe so strongly in kindness, we are committed to having all tenth graders participate in Challenge Day each October. One of the Challenge Day goals is to create a culture of kindness and love in our school. When Haverhill High School had a field hockey player that died in a car crash in late October after having played a game against our girls field hockey team, I was reminded of our culture of kindness at TMHS. The girls on the field hockey team attended the wake of the young woman from Haverhill and comforted the girls on the Haverhill field hockey team. They also put her number on their sticks, sent flowers to the family and attended Haverhill's senior night for field hockey. The field hockey team was not told what to do, they just did what they did because it was compassionate and loving. Isn't this how we want all of our children to be? I believe that we do. However, I recently read an article where high school students and their parents were interviewed about what they felt was most important in life. I was struck by the discrepancy between what the students feel their parents believe to be the most important and what the parents believe to be most important. This article is a reminder to us all about the messages we send to our children/students about what is important in life. As the author points out, kindness is one of the most important qualities we should be fostering in our children/students. It is easy to be put all the focus on college acceptances, SAT scores, GPA, college majors, AP classes, etc. The 2015 Gallup poll indicated that hope and engagement are greater predictors of post secondary success than what we currently measure in school as success. I believe what makes our students exceptional and successful human beings is their kindness and compassion toward each other and others outside our community. At TMHS, we are committed to preparing our students for success beyond high school by preparing them well academically and socially by reinforcing the power of kindness. This month, the freshman class is having a coat and mitten drive for high school students in Wilmington, North Carolina. The students learned that the students in Wilmington lost everything during Hurricane Florence and they wanted to collect donations to send to the high school. Our students care about others and we want to support, encourage, and celebrate their kindness!
Here is the link to the article: https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/48259/how-making-kindness-a-priority-benefits-students
TMHS Theatre Company Presents The Outsiders
Thursday, December 6th at 7:00pm
Friday, December 7th at 7:00pm
Saturday, December 8th at 2:00pm and 7:00pm
Tickets will be available at the door. $7 for students / $10 for adults
Or visit tmhstc.org.
TMHS Super Bowl Gear Online Store
Here is the link to order: https://championschoice.tuosystems.com/stores/tewksburyfbsuperbowl18
Halloween at TMHS!
Students Against Destructive Decisions
This year, SADD supported Red Ribbon Week from October 23-31st. This annual national campaign is aimed at promoting healthy, drug-free lifestyles. As a result, members had students join a "Pledge to Live Drug-Free" by signing a banner at lunch; they tied small red ribbons to the cars of those who drive as a constant reminder to live drug-free, and finally, we planted red tulips along both sides of the granite TMHS sign that lines the entryway of school. When they bloom in the spring, they will serve as a colorful, vibrant reminder to everyone about the importance of being healthy and drug-free. Additionally, with the help of Principal Vogel, our members hung posters in the bathrooms aimed at curbing the number of students who vape during school hours.
Follow Up Article on Effects of Vaping
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/16/health/vaping-juul-teens-addiction-nicotine.html
Fine and Performing Arts Department News
Halloween Costume Winners
The Fine & Performing Arts Department were the proud recipients of this year’s Witches Cauldron. The Department had a great time dressed as the cast of characters from Alice in Wonderland. A walk down B Hall this Halloween was like “falling through a rabbit hole.”
Recipients of the Witches Cauldron
Alice in Wonderland
B Hall Looks Like Falling Through a Rabbit Hole
TMHS Theatre Company
The Fine and Performing Arts hall has been a flurry of activity. The Theatre Company’s production of The Outsiders will run December 6-8th at the Dr. Christine L. McGrath Performing Arts Center at TMHS. Tickets can be purchased at www.store.tmhstc.org and can also be purchased at the door. Members of the Painting 2 class are planning an exhibit in conjunction with the show. Please join us for a memorable evening of drama!
Music
In Music news, the TMHS Band came in 4th place at the New England Scholastic Band Association competition held in Lawrence on November 4th. Congratulations on a job well done! Affinity Winter Color Guard held a clinic on November 18th in the TMHS gym from 9:00am-3:00pm.
The band and chorus have been busy preparing for the Winter Concert which will be held on December 13th at 7:00pm in the Dr. Christine L. McGrath Performing Arts Center.
Special thanks to the TMHS band for performing at the town-wide Veterans Day ceremony located at Town Common. We are very proud of the band for helping celebrate an important holiday and honoring veterans.
Special thanks to our amazing Marching Unit parents for a surprise trunk or treat on Halloween after practice!
Visual Arts
Senior Art Studio and Painting 2 had a great art field trip to Boston on November 2nd. The group visited the North Bennet Street School and the Institute of Contemporary Art. The North Bennet Street School is the oldest trade school in the nation. The NBSS’s mission is to train students for careers in traditional trades that use hand skills in concert with evolving technology, to preserve and advance craft traditions, and to promote greater appreciation of craftsmanship. One of the many interesting demonstrations students were able to view was the handmade construction of violins. Students also enjoyed an interactive exhibit by William Forsy at the ICA. Many thanks to Ms. Arnold for organizing! A great time was had by all!
TMHS art classes, in conjunction with Mr. Zimmerman and the Larrabee Library, are in the process of creating a literacy tree to add to the collection of community-decorated trees which the Tewksbury Public Library annually displays. This year’s tree is based upon “Snow”, a children’s book written and illustrated by Uri Shulevitz. Thank you to senior, Sansan Nguyen, for drawing the ornament templates. The tree will be on display at the Tewksbury Town Library throughout the month of December. Visit the library and enjoy the trees!
Through the end of November, the Painting 1 and Painting 2 art students have beautiful festive fall farm themed paintings on display at the Town Hall Annex, as well as a revolving monthly exhibit at the Superintendent’s office. Please stop by and see both!
Media
On last Friday, November 9th, TMHS Morning Update had their biggest production to date. Special guest star Mr. Aylward (aka BA) joined the cast and crew in a moving tribute to veterans. The crew expanded their equipment use to record levels. We are hoping to use these new skills to keep on rocking it in the TMHS newsroom!
TMHS Morning Update
Mr. Aylward (aka BA) joined the cast and crew.
The crew expanded their equipment use.
She’s the First
On Saturday, November 10th, TMHS She’s the First held their first official event at the football game. The chapter participated in the November Bake for a Change event. President Katie MacDonald did an amazing job organizing and her family frosting recipe was out of this world! Thank you to Coach Aylward, Mr. Drouin, and the TMHS football team for their support! We hope the cupcakes made your victory even sweeter! All proceeds go to scholarships.
We hope the cupcakes made your victory even sweeter!
November Bake for a Change
An Amazing Job Organizing
November Hats Off Award
Congratulations to Matthew Fronduto’19 and Rosalyn Impink’19 who have been nominated for the Tewksbury Rotary Club November 2018 Hats Off Award. The award recognizes those students who have distinguished themselves academically, have contributed to the co-curricular program at the High School, and have been actively involved in the community. The students will be honored at a Rotary Club Luncheon to be held on Thursday, November 29, at the Tewksbury Country Club.
Seal of Biliteracy
The Seal of Biliteracy is an award in recognition of students who have studied and attained proficiency in English and one or more languages by high school graduation. The Seal of Biliteracy encourages students to pursue proficiency, honors the skills our students attain, and can be evidence of skills that are attractive to future employers and college admissions offices.
Research shows that becoming bilingual has long-term cognitive, cultural, and economic benefits. At TMHS students are given the opportunity to take Spanish, French, and Latin. Additionally, there are 16 languages spoken by ELL students walking our corridors.
Daryl Quek is a senior who speaks five languages. His aspirations are for a future career in International Business. He has achieved proficiency in English in addition to Mandarin, Cantonese, Taiwanese, and Malay. In the spring Daryl will partake in standardized testing to qualify for the new State Seal of Biliteracy.
In order to be considered for the Seal students need to complete an application. Please go to https://tpssealofbiliteracy.weebly.com/
For more information on the Seal of Biliteracy around the country, please see: http://sealofbiliteracy.org/
National Honor Society Website
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent-Teacher Conferences take place on Thursday evening, November 29th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. We will once again use online sign up for conference times.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
November
21 Half Day & Pep Rally - Dismissal 10:24am
22-23 No School - Thanksgiving Recess
26 School Council 3:00pm
29 Hats Off Luncheon 12:15pm TCC
29 Parent-Teacher Conference Night 6-8:00pm
December
6 Half Day - Teacher Workshop
6-8 Play - The Outsiders 7:00pm
8 Play - The Outsiders 2:00pm
13 Hats Off Luncheon 12:15pm TCC
14 Admin Chat 7:30am (Mathematics/Spec. Ed)
17 School Council Meeting 3:00pm
19 Progress Reports available in Aspen
24-January 1 December Recess
Tewksbury Memorial High School
Website: https://www.tewksbury.k12.ma.us/high/
Location: 320 Pleasant Street, Tewksbury, MA, United States
Phone: 978-640-7825
Twitter: @tmhstweets