Achieved MHS February 2022
Weekly Newsletter
February 18, 2022
Upcoming Events
- 2/21 - 2/25 ~ No School ~ February Break
- 3/1 - 3/31 ~ Millis Madness the Sweet 16
- 3/2 ~ Early Release (dismissal at 10:55)
- 3/4 ~ Mid-Point of Quarter Three
3/22 - 3/23 ~ MCAS English Language Arts (Grade 10)
5/17 - 5/18 ~ MCAS Math (Grade 10)
6/7 - 6/8 ~ MCAS Biology (Grade 9)
~ This Week at Millis ~
Cabaret 2022!
Fundamentals of Art II in Action
Fundamentals of Art II students learned about and created Batiks - a technique of wax-resist dyeing applied to cloth. It is an ancient art technique that originated in Indonesia.
Staff Trivia Winners
MHS Quarter Two Honor Roll Announced
Congratulations to all of our students that made the 2021-22 Millis High School Honor Roll for Quarter Two. Students earning High Honors carried all grades of A- or better, while students earning Honors carried all grades that were A's and B's.
Announcing Millis Madness the Sweet 16
What is Millis Madness the Sweet 16?
Heres a look at the first week of March fun...
March 1st ~ We Are Millis
Show your school spirit and wear your Millis gear or Crimson and Gray. Add your hand to the Happiness Wall.
March 2nd ~ "Fox in Sock" Challenge
Read "Fox in Sock" without stumbling. Check it out in the Library. See Mrs. Divver for a prize!
March 4th ~ Art Shirt Friday
Wear your art. Wear a graphic with your favorite art piece on it. Name the artist for a prize. See Mrs. Haggerty.
Student Safety Drills
Student At-Home COVID Test Kits
Students participating in the at-home COVID testing program received their test kits on Thursday. They should test Sunday February 27th before returning to school.
Host Families Needed
Would you enjoy sharing your home with our incoming Spanish Consular Classroom Assistant beginning in late August? Each year, the Spanish government makes it possible for Millis to host a language and cultural assistant through their international exchange program. The consular assistant arrives in late August and stays until the end of April sharing the Spanish language and culture with students in our immersion and non-immersion classes on the elementary and secondary level while also learning about the culture of the United States through both the classroom and homestay experiences. For the 2022-23 school year, Millis Public Schools will have at least one, most likely more than one, Spanish assistant so we are looking for two or three families. Please let us know if you are interested! If you have a preference of gender, we may be able to accommodate that.
A number of Millis families have shared their homes with consular assistants over the past decade; all that is required is a private bedroom for the student, breakfast and dinner, and wireless access. The family would also be responsible for picking up the student at Logan Airport in late August. The homestay is designed as a cultural exchange experience and does not include childcare or household responsibilities. The district provides bus transportation to school each day and lunch in one of our cafeterias. Students hold medical insurance and have had a full series of vaccinations. All assistants are non-smoking. They are eager to share their language and culture with a family!
Please contact the district's main office at 508-376-7000 X 619 or aosborne@millisschools.org if you would be interested in hosting for the 2022-23 school year.
School Counselor Booking Links
Do you need to make an appointment to see your School Counselor?
You Can Book Me is a quick way to make an appointment.
Mrs. Dunn ~ YouCanBookMe Link: https://rileydunn.youcanbook.me
Ms. McCarthy ~ YouCanBookMe Link: https://mmccarthy-2.youcanbook.me
~ Happening Around Millis ~
ALUMNI TEACHER FEATURE
OLIVIA ZITOLI
Credentials: M.Ed School Counseling
Job Title/Role: Adjustment Counselor
MHS CLASS OF 2010
Did you attend college?
I attended William Smith College and graduated with a degree in history and education in 2014. After graduation I worked for a mid-size consulting firm for two years before switching over to education. In 2019 I completed my masters degree in education in school counseling from Bridgewater State University.
What is your profession?
I work as an adjustment counselor for a Bridge Program at Millis High School. I support students returning to school following extended absences. My responsibilities include direct counseling, crisis intervention, collaboration with outside providers and family engagement. I work closely with staff to create reentry plans for students returning to school.
What skills do you find yourself needing most at work?
The skills I need most at work include teamwork, communication, and empathy. As a counselor, interpersonal skills such as flexibility, patience and active listening are also key.
Do the skills and values that you learned at MHS help you in your professional life?
Yes! I loved my experiences at MHS so much that I found my way back here six years later. At MHS, I always felt supported and empowered and that was a feeling I wanted to return to current students. MHS taught me the importance of communication, leadership and accountability. I was also exposed to the power of inclusion and mentorship in creating a great culture.
February 11, 2022
~ This Week at MHS ~
January 2022 Students of the Month Announced
Grade 9 nominees: Anne Rollag, Daniel Delaney, Andy Veres
Winner: Daniel Delaney - "Daniel is a quiet, yet always pleasant presence in the classroom. He is kind to all students and always respectful in class. Daniel frequently volunteers to participate in class and adds to the learning of everyone in the class. He asks questions when he needs assistance, but tries to problem solve on his own first. Daniel stays caught up with all his assignments and puts maximum effort into all his work. His sense of humor is always appreciated!"
Grade 10 nominees: Nick Hill and Marissa Herrlein
Winner: “ Nick Hill (Nominated 3 times): "Nick always has his work done, always participates, helps others out in class, and is polite and respectful" and "Nick participates consistently and has a positive attitude. I appreciate his daily approach and help in the classroom." and "Nicky is the top contributor in his English class and one of the contributors in the entire grade. He listens closely, is always engaged, and consistently offers insightful comments. You always know what you're going to get from Nicky, and it's always positive."
Grade 11 Nominees: Alex Ramos, Shea Ferrantino, and Jack Borst
Winner: Jack Borst: "Even in the dark days of January, Jack always brings energy to the class. He is always involved in the class discussion and is inquisitive and willing to share his ideas. He has a great sense of humor and I appreciate his contributions to the class."
Grade 12 Nominee: Andrew Hatch
Winner: Andrew Hatch: "He completely exemplifies our core values of integrity, empathy, kindness and respect, and civic competencies. He is always doing the right thing and is such a kind person. He deserves this award month after month."MHS Continues Celebration of Black History Month
As we continue to celebrate Black History Month, we thought it would be nice to share a little about what our students have been doing in the classroom not only this month, but over the course of the school year.
In Mr. Caulfield's sophomore American Literature classes, students have been reading African-American writers throughout the year, such as Frederick Douglass, Maya Angelou, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and spoken-word poet, Rudy Francisco. This month, students will start an African-American poetry unit that includes Phillis Wheatley, the first published black poet in America, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Langston Hughes.
Students in Mr. Ingraham’s freshman English I classes have been working on a project honoring African-American writers, poets and playwrights. Some of the writers are more well-known, such as Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes and Toni Morrison. Amongst the others are men and women, like Gwendolyn Brooks and Ralph Ellison, who certainly deserve more attention for their work. All students will share their slide presentations with their classmates.
Similarly, in Mr. Ingraham's period 7 US History class, students researched and produced slide presentations about African-Americans who have made significant contributions to the rich and varied history of our country, be it through politics, industry, music, athletics, or other fields. Thurgood Marshall, Willie O’Ree, Hiram Revels, and Amanda Gorman are some of the notable African-Americans who were studied.
Mr. Kraby has posted a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. quote outside his classroom each day this month. The purpose is to educate the students about the power of non-violent protest and that it is the cornerstone of the First Amendment. The students have then compared Dr. King's intensely spiritual quotes to the intensely totalitarian quotes of Orwell's 1984. The quotes have lead to vibrant discussions in the class and the halls.
Our librarian, Mrs. DIvver, has cultivated an "Book Buffet" of titles from African American authors for our students to sample both in the middle and high schools. She has also transformed many of the displays in the library to feature a variety of important African-American figures who left their mark on the history of our nation.
Chem 1 Having Modeling Fun
Ball and Stick Model
Pencil and Paper Lewis Structures
Space Filling PHET Model
Students stretching the diaphragm of the bottom of the cup to seal the chest cavity.
Chem 1 in Action
Finished Model - bright pink balloon represent the lung.
Learning History Through Song
Staff Trivia Continues
MHS/Jed Foundation Mental Health Focus Group - Parents/Caregivers Needed!
As part of the assessment phase, the Jed Foundation will be hosting a 60-minute parent/caregiver focus group to learn more about the emotional health of MHS. They also use this focus group to get to know community members and learn more about the needs of our community. Your voice matters! Jed will keep identifiers confidential and only share themes they have learned so your identity will be protected.
The focus group will be held on Wednesday, February 16, from 4-5 pm via Zoom. If you are interested, please register by Monday, February 14 by clicking here.
School Safety Drills
On the morning of February 17, we will be practicing a full “Lockdown” drill in the building. The safety of our students and school is always a top priority. While we hope to never activate any of these protocols, trainings such as these help prepare our staff and students in the event we experience an emergency situation. Thank you for your help and support as we work to ensure the safety of your children.
Attention Juniors
Teen Industry Series
February 12 ~ 3PM
Summer Internship
~ Happening Around Millis ~
Open Now ~ April 1st
February 19th
VICTORIA ROBBINS
B.A. Communication Studies, Merrimack College (2018)
M.Ed. Student Development in Higher Education, University of Maine (2020)
Assistant Director, Academic Center for Excellence and Career Studio at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine
MHS CLASS OF 2014
Did you attend college?
Yes! I attended Merrimack College (MC) and, at first, majored in Elementary Education. I always knew I had a passion for helping and leading others, but felt the academic classroom was not the right fit for me. I ended up switching my major to Communication Studies with a minor in Marketing after my first semester at MC because of my passion for photography and videography. While at MC, I was involved in several leadership positions on campus, which ignited my interest to work professionally in these areas of student engagement, involvement, and leadership. After I graduated from MC in 2018, I went to the University of Maine to obtain my Master’s of Education in Student Development in Higher Education, as I had a desire to work professionally in higher education.
What is your profession?
I am currently the Assistant Director of the Academic Center for Excellence and Career Studio at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine (SJC). I am very fortunate to say I love the work I do. The main focus of my job at SJC is student transition programs for first- and second-year students. I manage student leadership groups in my department, teach a First Year Experience class, meet individually with students focusing on their academic success, and manage all social media platforms for my department.
What skills do you find yourself needing the most at work?
My work is very student-centered and I find myself working with all different types of students with varying personalities, strengths, challenges, and interests. One of the most critical skills I need to have are strong interpersonal and relational skills. I try to get to know each and every student I work with on an individual level to ensure they feel seen, heard, and valued. I also find myself needing excellent public speaking skills, as I lead several trainings for student leaders and teach first-year students. Above all, I need to be approachable, friendly, and supportive to all those I work with - students, staff, and faculty at the College.
Do the skills and values that you learned at MHS help you in your professional life?
At MHS, I never once felt like I was “just a number.” I remember building strong relationships with teachers and feeling like I mattered to them. Everyone wants to feel seen and I can specifically remember the measures teachers took to ensure we felt like we were part of a community. Whenever I talk about my high school experience with college friends or co-workers, I realize how unique MHS is. I had so much fun in high school and I absolutely believe that is not only because of the friends I made, but also because of the meaningful relationships I built with the teachers. The sense of community and belonging I felt at MHS is what I aim to create for the students I work with at SJC.
February 4, 2022
~ This Week at MHS ~
Black History Month Begins
Outdoor Pursuits Building Lockers
MHS and CFB PenPals Meet in Person
Feb 7-11 National School Counselor Week
COVID At-Home Test Kit Pick Up
For students that were opted into the new at-home testing program, the first distribution of test kits took place Thursday, February 3rd, during the lunch period. High school students are responsible for picking up and signing for their own tests. Parents, please make sure your student knows they have been enrolled in this program - we had a number of kits that were not picked up yesterday. If your student did not pick up their first kit, they can grab it during the lunch period on Monday in the main office.
Each kit contains two individual tests. You should administer one test each week on Sunday. If you test positive on the at-home antigen test, you should inform the school of the positive result by contacting Mrs. Molinari, or by notifying the school when you are called in absent (you do not need to report a negative result). The school will keep the results confidential and will not make individual results public. In addition, it is strongly recommended that you inform your healthcare professional of the positive result.
Happy 5th Birthday Harry
Our beloved school therapy dog, Harry Sullivan, celebrated his 5th birthday last month. Student Mia Braccio celebrated by gifting Harry some dog treats!
Deadline February 11th
SOUPer Bowl for the Food Pantry
Ms. Young & Mrs. Divver's Advisories are collecting Soup for the Super Bowl, now through February 11th. Donations are for the Millis Food Pantry. Please bring any non-perishable canned/boxed food (does not need to be just soup) to the library, room 120 (Ms. Young's room) or drop in the HS Office.
Everyone is welcome to do this - including Middle School! Mrs. Divver will be happy to pick up donations from Middle School classrooms on Friday's.
Dress up in your game day jersey on February 11th. Photo op in the cafeteria.
Junior College Planning & Admissions Panel Night
The School Counseling Office is excited to announce that our Virtual Junior College Planning & Admissions Panel Night for junior students and parents will be held on Thursday, February 10, 2022, starting at 6:30pm on Zoom.
The school counselors will begin the night with a brief presentation on the college planning process followed by a college admissions panel presentation. Representatives from Boston College, Suffolk University, UMass Amherst, and Massachusetts Bay Community College, are expected to be on hand to discuss the college admissions process and take questions from parents and students.
Though we'd love to be meeting with all of you in person, due to current circumstances we'll be hosting our night live on Zoom. You need to register ahead of time for the evening, and can do so by going to the following link: https://millisschools-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMocOivqTotHdw2J6jI1QHKJ0iJMZNMwo0a After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. For those of you unable to make it, we will provide a recording of the night in the School Counseling area of the Millis High School website following the event (hs.millisps.org/for_students/counseling).
This promises to be a great night you don’t want to miss, where both parents and students will take away a host of useful information as our juniors begin the college process. Please contact the School Counseling Office at 508-376-7010 with any questions. We look forward to seeing you all on February 10th!
2021-22 MCAS Schedule & Tutoring
As we move into the second half of the school year, we continue to prepare our students for this year's MCAS Exams, and wanted to update you on the upcoming schedule. Students in the Class of 2024 (sophomores) will be taking MCAS exams in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math this year, while students in the Class of 2025 (freshmen) will be taking the MCAS Biology Exam. These exams, sponsored by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), are part of the competency determination required for students to graduate from Millis High School. All exams will be computer-based this year.
In addition to preparing our students in the classroom, we are in the process of identifying students in need of extra tutoring support, and will be mailing home letters in the coming weeks with a contract for tutoring. If you receive one of these letters and would like your child to take part in the tutoring support (which we strongly encourage), please return the contract to the main high school office as soon as possible. The schedule for MCAS Exams at MHS is as follows:
English Language Arts (Grade 10) - March 22 & 23
Math (Grade 10) - May 17 & 18
Biology (Grade 9) - June 7 & 8
Allies, Inc.
We have a new club at MHS. Allies, Inc., strives to promote diversity, cultural awareness, and give support to students and staff on multicultural issues in the school and community. Allies, Inc., meets both lunches, F days, in room 103.
JAMIE DAVIS
PT, DPT, CSCS
Doctor of Physical Therapy/Strength and Conditioning Specialist
MHS Class of 2012
Did you attend college?
I graduated from Quinnipiac University with my Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2018 and also got my Bachelor’s in Science from Quinnipiac in 2015. During my undergrad at Quinnipiac, I worked in basketball operations with the men’s basketball team for two seasons and during grad school I interned at Yale University with strength and conditioning with various teams as well as completing three physical therapy internships in outpatient and hospital settings.
What is your profession?
I am a doctor of physical therapy and work in the outpatient & sports rehab realm. I help athletes of various levels return to sport and help human beings get back to the things they enjoy. This involves a combination of physical & performance assessments as well as getting to know the individual and what drives them.
I also run an online performance and return to sport training service for athletes, mainly basketball players, called Hoop Dreams Performance. I have been able to work with college & professional basketball players around the country to help them get back to basketball after an injury or train for an upcoming season, all done virtually.
What skills do you find yourself needing the most at work?
Empathy and active listening are key components of what I do when listening to a patient’s story or collaborating with a colleague on a patient’s case. These two skills are probably more important than the technical skills and background knowledge I need to work as a PT as it helps to create a comfortable environment for everyone involved and allows me to be a good teammate for the people I work with.
Problem solving and critical thinking are essential as well for me. Sometimes we are taught things in school in black and white but the real world is a bit more grey. Being able to think for yourself based on your background knowledge, your experience and the patient’s unique situation is essential to help come up with a solution to help them.
Do the skills and values that you learned at MHS help you in your professional life?
Definitely. Through school and athletics at MHS, I learned about hard work and dedication in order to achieve a goal. I also learned about a sense of community and creating meaningful connections/friendships. One of the special things about MHS, that often gets taken for granted, is how tightly-knit and supportive everyone is with each other. All of these components, working hard to achieve a goal, creating meaningful connections and facilitating a supportive environment, are all key components that I use every single day with myself professionally and with supporting my patients in their goals.
Millis High School
Small School.. Big Family
The Millis Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, gender identity, religion, national origins, sexual orientation, disability or homelessness.
Website: https://hs.millisps.org/
Location: Millis High School, Plain Street, Millis, MA, USA
Phone: 508-376-7010
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Millis-High-School-1743691028988870/
Twitter: @millishigh
Attendance Line Contact Options
Options to Report Your Students Attendance
hsattendance@millisschools.org
or
508-376-7010 ~ extension 713*
or
508-376-7010 ~ press 1*
*PLEASE NOTE DISMISSALS CAN NOT BE CALLED IN. PARENT/GUARDIAN MUST SEND A NOTE/EMAIL OR COME IN TO THE BUILDING TO DIRECTLY SIGN THEIR STUDENT OUT.