MRHS Parent Newsletter
VOLUME 31, ISSUE NO. 4
List of High Honors - First Marking Period
9 Ayden Alves ----10 Morgan Hastain ----11 Gabrielle Williams
9 Gabrielle Amato ---- 10 Emily Howard ----12 Kaitlyn Acciardo
9 Gianna Angelica ---- 10 Olivia Knode ----12 Kayla Anderson
9 Katherine Annear -- 10 Dominique LaBranche - 12 Jacob Bailey-Provencher
9 Emma Arendt ---- 10 Nicholas Lang ---- 12 Jacob Balbino
9 Camryn Baroni ----10 Ryan Lee ----12 Blaise Barbeau
9 Ashleigh Barrett ----10 Kaileigh Letourneau ----12 Alexander Black
9 Ava Barton ----10 Jillian Long ----12 Elizabeth Blask
9 Lauren Beaudin ----10 Jillian Mawaka ----12 Jocelyn Boudreau
9 Erik Beckel ---- 10 Maire Murphy ----12 Neve Branconnier
9 Sydney Bonsant ----10 Evan Murray ----12 Adam Brown
9 Catharine Brennan ----10 Zachary Payne ----12 Luke Caltabiano
9 Adrianna Britton ----10 Jaclin Robinson ----12 Caroline Campbell
9 Bianca Cardano ----10 Joseph Robinson ----12 Audrey Cordis
9 Grace Debney ----10 Ava Sirois ----12 Kyle Cunningham
9 Jacqueline Dolaher ----10 Ruby Sweetman ----12 Rachel Cunningham
9 Regan Donohue ----10 Margaret Szpakowski ----12 Mia Drumheller
9 Cailyn Doyle ----10 Dominic Terzi ----12 Scott Dunbar
9 Kailey Elmasian ----10 Trijal Thakkar ----12 Ashley Evans
9 Taylor Fahey ----10 Kayla White ----12 Cristina Fiore
9 Isabelle Fergus ----10 Olivia Yarrows ----12 Serena Fiore
9 Joseph Gentile ----11 Andrew Aguilar ----12 Sara Garete
9 Kiana Gonzalez ----11 Ameer Al-Maliki ----12 Maximus George
9 Tyler Gragowski ----11 Carolynne Avery ----12 Kathryn Gormally
9 Isabella Gravanda ----11 Paige Baker ----12 Brandon Gregoire
9 Cameron Kolisko ----11 Nicholas Bernier ----12 Jessica Hanna
9 Kate Kosiorek ----11 Francesca Bongiorni ----12 Noah Hanson
9 Peter Kuselias ----11 Adam Bredvik ----12 Kristianna Henriques
9 Olivia LaDouceur ----11 Nathaniel Brown ----12 Mackenzie Howard
9 Willy Li ----11 Nicola Carnevale ----12 Willow Hresko
9 Olivia Long ----11 Richie Chau ----12 Karalyn Jones
9 Rachael Lowe ----11 Ada Cheng ----12 Jennifer Kovarik
9 Genevieve Matthews ----11 Molly Cronin ----12 Timothy Ladd
9 Isabela Meeker ----11 Juliana D'Agostino ----12 Zachary Lussier
9 Linh Nguyen ----11 Theodore Dobosz ----12 Katherine Malandrinos
9 Nha Nguyen ----11 Nicholas Frangie ----12 Cameron McGaffigan
9 Abigail Nickerson ----11 Christian Fuehr ----12 Logan Mitchell
9 Colin Ostrander ----11 Lindsay Gagnon ----12 Kellen Moore
9 Isha Patel ----11 Alexis Herrera ----12 Michelle Moskvitch
9 Emily Patrick ----11 Benjamin Jalbert ----12 Brianna Odom
9 Ella Perry ----11 Alassandra Kakley ----12 Jeet Patel
9 Elyse Roberts ----11 Chase Konstantakos ----12 Madison Poisson
9 Claire Robinson ----11 Samantha Kularski ----12 Angel Reyes
9 Joseph Sarno ----11 Isabelle Labbe ----12 Molly Roy
9 Cally Seyler ----11 Mikayla Langlois ----12 Sarah Schultz
9 Samuel Sibilia ----11 Harrison Larson ----12 Caroline Sepulveda
9 Quinn Suomala ----11 Isabelle Lemire ----12 Jessica Smith
9 Kalie Thomas ----11 Marina Long ----12 Bridget Smith-Epaul
9 Luke Wadzinski ----11 Isabella Minchella ----12 Olivia Springer
9 Megan Youmell ----11 Preston Niccum ----12 Emma Szumowski
10 Brooke Baker ----11 Julia O'Keefe ----12 Laura Tomlinson
10 Gabrielle Bartolomei ----11 Shelby Pace ----12 Daniel Tracy
10 Madeline Belemjian -----11 Janan Patel ----12 Sarah Walker
10 Sarah Champagne ----11 Olivia Ranck ----12 Sophia Wegrzynek
10 Justine Cheng ----11 Katherine Rettura ----12 Elanore Worthington
10 Morgan Cloutier ----11 Madison Roy ----12 Nicholas Zeimbekakis
10 Adrianna Daigle ----11 Rhiann Ryan
10 Maya Damiano ----11 Morgan Sanborn
10 Emma Delamarter ----11 Gabriella Stellato
10 Kendall Garvey ----11 Thomas Taylor
10 Shea Harrison ----11 Tyler Walsh
List of Honor Roll - First Marking Period
9 Nico Alves -----10 Austin Graveline -----11 Jacob Pronovost
9 Leah Arel -----10 Benjamin Gregory -----11 Caroline Quinn
9 Izabella Arroyo -----10 Lillian Grono -----11 Mason Raschi
9 Jessica Baker -----10 Gianna Guidi -----11 Kasi Ray
9 Cody Biermann -----10 Landen Gurski -----11 Annina Rettura
9 Madison Bigda -----10 Gavin Guyer -----11 Victoria Reyes
9 Patrick Boland -----10 Joseph Hackett -----11 Connor Richard
9 Janyia Cameron -----10 Sydney Harrison -----11 Emma Robinson
9 Zachary Capen -----10 Madison Hastain -----11 Joseph Rosati
9 Sofia Carlson -----10 Gianna Hickson -----11 Hannah Ross
9 Allison Clifford -----10 Sophia Hrycay -----11 Brian Rostowski
9 Madison Coite -----10 Jacob Ice -----11 Savannah Russell
9 Paige Coite -----10 Timothy Jodoin -----11 Sarah Sampson
9 Adriana Cosentini -----10 Sandra Joseph -----11 Madison Sanborn
9 Christopher Cronin -----10 Leah Kagan -----11 Taylor Schirmer
9 Olivia Crooks -----10 Jacob Keller -----11 Katie Shea
9 Audriana Croteau -----10 Kendall Kessler -----11 Kelsey Sheehan
9 Malyna Dansereau -----10 Lauren King -----11 Carly Sleboda
9 Anthia Daubon -----10 Joelle Kovarik -----11 Kelsey Stewart
9 Joseph Davenport -----10 Morgan Kowal -----11 Haley Stiles
9 Kyla Desmarais -----10 Jonah Kozub ----- 11 Daniel Strand
9 Alyssa Desso -----10 James Kumpulanian -----11 Michael Talaia
9 Matthew DeVine ------10 Ryan Leary -----11 Sydney Tenczar
9 Jeremy Diehl -----10 Thomas Leary -----11 Alexandra Trombley
9 Riordan Donahue -----10 Janiah Lee -----11 Loel Tronsky
9 Julia Downey -----10 Michael Magalhaes -----11 Samantha VanZandt
9 Luke Duffy -----10 Shawn Major ------11 Sydney Webb
9 Ryan Dufresne -----10 Nya Maldonado -----11 Madeleine Wilson
9 Luke Dunklee -----10 Mia Manteria -----11 Gianna Zeo
9 Jeffrey Duperre -----10 Corby Marini -----12 Hunter Acconcio
9 Jacob Evans -----10 Amelia Mazzuca -----12 Laura Alexander
9 Jace Falcone -----10 Robert McDonald -----12 Kelsey Allard
9 Jacob Ferri -----10 Dillon Moriarty -----12 Skyler Allard
9 Halley Fidalgo -----10 McKenzie Murphy -----12 Ethan Alves
9 Nathan Figuerado -----10 Cassidy Mylonakis -----12 Leah Anderkin
9 Mary Flynn -----10 Ai Nguyen -----12 Ziad Awkal
9 Shenel Fosuah-Asamoah -----10 Chloe Nitri -----12 Dylan Baker
9 Matthew Fournier -----10 Jack O'Toole -----12 Fiona Bass
9 Francesca Fusco -----10 Marielle Pastore ------12 Kendal Bates
9 Trevor Galenski -----10 George Patrakis -----12 Grace Beaupre
9 Madison Gallant -----10 McKenna Patterson -----12 Brandon Bernier
9 Alex Garete -----10 Daniel Perez -----12 Kyle Biermann
9 Taylor Garvey -----10 Timothy Person -----12 Madelyn Birtwell
9 Carly Goodrich -----10 Jenna Petrie -----12 Caitlin Bonavita
9 Ella Greenwood -----10 Margaret Petruzzelli -----12 Alison Boudreau
9 Madelynn Grono -----10 Hope Pettengill -----12 Rianna Brathwaite
9 Nicholas Guidi -----10 Daniel Picard -----12 Philip Brehart
9 Angelina Guzzo -----10 Olivia Picard -----12 Alejandra Brenes
9 McKenna Hatch -----10 Emily Podworski -----12 Seamus Butcher
9 Arianna Hawley -----10 Jack Pszeniczny -----12 Brendan Carmichael
9 Sienna Hebert -----10 Chelsea Ramos -----12 Jing Chen
9 Clare Heinold -----10 Sophia Ramos -----12 Vivian Cheng
9 Ella Henry -----10 Camden Rigney -----12 Elizabeth Christman
9 Abigail Hotaling -----10 Isabella Rita -----12 Meghan Clark
9 Melanie Jalonen ----- 10 Jalexia Rivera -----12 Mikayla Clark
9 James Jolicoeur -----10 Isaiah Roberson-Barron -----12 Timothy Connors
9 Christopher Kange -----10 J Ross -----12 William Coscore
9 Ava Kavanagh -----10 Katherine Russell -----12 Harrison Coutu
9 Andrew Keith -----10 Erik Saarela -----12 John Cowles
9 Evan Kennedy -----10 Abigail Scheer -----12 Anthony Craig
9 Tyler King -----10 Simon Serra -----12 Cameron Cupka
9 Joshua Kozub -----10 Carlie Simpkiss -----12 Andrew Davignon
9 Marcelina Kumiega ----10 Margaret Skorka -----12 Chiara DeGuglielmo
9 Marlayna Labbe -----10 Lena Sotiropoulos -----12 Annabella DeMattia
9 Madison Laliberte -----10 Tatiana Steed -----12 Gianna DeRose
9 Mikhaila Latourelle -----10 Diego Suprenant -----12 Bailey Donovan
9 Gavin Lee -----10 Sawyer Tirabassi -----12 Savannah Doughty
9 Alexandra Long -----10 Tyler Tranghese ------12 Katherine Duncan
9 Isabel Lopes -----10 Therran Trumbull -----12 Benjamin Dunklee
9 Thomas Manning -----10 Ruth Villeneuve -----12 Lily Elkhay
9 Abigail Maurer -----10 Brian Walker -----12 Brian Fett
9 Gabriella Maynard -----10 Georgia Webster -----12 Angelina Flebotte
9 Trent Maziarz -----10 Timothy Whalen-Sylver -----12 Amy Footit
9 Madison McGrath -----10 Peter Wurszt -----12 Luis Forrest
9 Sean McMinn -----10 Luke Wyman -----12 Ethan Fowle
9 Madison Meunier -----10 Jewel Young -----12 David Franco
9 Amayah Monell -----10 Joseph Zebian -----12 Ryan Frangie
9 Austin Monteiro -----10 Joseph Zeno -----12 Bria French
9 Grace Moriarty -----11 Joseph Albano -----12 Abbey Gentile
9 Jacob Motyl -----11 Tanner Alves -----12 Colin Gleason
9 Veronica Nault -----11 Luke Angelica -----12 Sara Goodrich
9 Elijah Naylor -----11 Lauren Barry -----12 Andrew Gordon
9 Jaclyn Nguyen -----11 Lauren Baskin -----12 Olivia Goulet
9 Adam Niemi -----11 Ann Bianchi -----12 Sophia Grasso
9 Michael Nordstrom -----11 Abbie Boilard -----12 Mitchell Guzzo
9 Jason Ofcarcik -----11 Samantha Borsari -----12 Rhea Harrigan
9 Anna O'Keefe -----11 Joshua Brennan -----12 Alex Hill
9 Erin O'Keefe -----11 Julia Britton -----12 Elisabeth Huijing
9 Molly Oldread -----11 Taline Brubach -----12 Nicholas Hunt
9 Lela Osmani -----11 Van Brubach -----12 Cameron Hunter
9 Hallie O'Toole -----11 Clark Butcher -----12 Hunter Jalbert
9 Ryan Peabody -----11 Erin Camire -----12 Nicole Kagan
9 Steven Pollard -----11 Isabella Cardaropoli -----12 Jared Kelleher
9 Collin Prendergast -----11 Jonathan Champagne -----12 Timothy Keyes
9 Brett Proto -----11 Thomas Cheng -----12 Adam Kierkla
9 Emma Pszeniczny -----11 Grace Crochiere -----12 Katelyn King
9 Haldimand Putnam -----11 Samantha Daniele ------12 Timothy Kirk
9 Ethan Quill ------11 Sage DeCarolis ------12 Matthew Kowal
9 Anthony Rachele -----11 Victoria Dias -----12 Olivia Kozub
9 D'Nyzha Reddick -----11 Julia Dinoia -----12 Ryann Kuhn
9 Bridget Reilly -----11 Sophia Dobosz -----12 Kaela LaDouceur
9 Benjamin Richards -----11 Briana Doran -----12 Avery LaMotte
9 Kayla Rivera -----11 Brian Douglass -----12 Sarah Langone
9 Ethan Robins ------11 -----Samantha Druckenmiller -----12 Abigail Lavoie
9 Devyn Rodrigues -----11 Aidan Duquette -----12 Michelle Leckey
9 Michael Rosso -----11 Andrew Esteves ------12 Paige Lessard
9 Amanda Rubner -----11 Natalie Falconer -----12 Jacob Long
9 Mia Scatolini -----11 Isabella Ferrara -----12 Isabella Lopez
9 Jessica Semanie -----11 Iain Ferreira ------12 Brooke MacDonald
9 Timothy Shannon -----11 Olivia Ferreira ------12 Eli Maller
9 Matthew Sherman -----11 Riley Fitzgerald -----12 Joshua Martin
9 Natasha Sherwood -----11 Olivia Foley -----12 Mary Martin
9 Olivia Skoczylas -----11 Nicholas Ford -----12 Grace McConnell
9 Katie Slattery -----11 Shawn Fryer -----12 Brennan McMahon
9 Maisie Straut -----11 Evan Garcia -----12 Bridget McMahon
9 Emily-Jane Sullivan ------11 Damian Gilrein -----12 Claire McMahon
9 Olivia Terzi -----11 Josalyn Girard ------12 Aleksei Mendrala
9 Kevin Tessicini -----11 Haley Granger -----12 Olivia Mitchell
9 Jacob Thomas -----11 Ethan Grycel -----12 Sean Monteiro
9 Sophia Varelakis ------11 Zach Haislip-Hansberry -----12 Julia Moraitis
9 Devin Voisine -----11 Tavis Haluch -----12 Ethan Moretti
9 Bethany Whalen-Sylver -----11 Taylor Hapgood -----12 Lily Mulcahy
9 Kiel Williams -----11 Tristan Hebert -----12 Grace Murdoch
9 Thomas Wilson -----11 Mack Hicklen -----12 Carson Murphy
9 Isabella Woodbury -----11 Sofia Hickson -----12 Lainey Mwangi
9 Andrew Yau -----11 John Hill -----12 Jenna Nebel
9 Michael Ziemba -----11 Colby Jacek -----12 Julia Nemphos
10 Ianos Balaur -----11 Edward Jahn -----12 Truong Nguyen
10 Alexa Barber -----11 Zeena Joseph -----12 Sean Oldread
10 Connor Beaulieu -----11 Alexandra Karpinski -----12 Bryce Ostrander
10 Emily Birtwell -----11 Jeffrey Kasper ------12 Michael O'Toole
10 Julian Bixler -----11 Filip Kumiega -----12 Caitlyn Pelletier
10 Katherine Bradford -----11 Lea Kuselias -----12 Gracie Pighetti
10 Ceirra Bradway ------11 Maya Latour -----12 Grace Proulx
10 Grace Caltabiano -----11 Kailey Leclerc -----12 Teagan Quill
10 Grace Cantalini -----11 Gage Lee -----12 William Raffaele
10 Ji Cao -----11 Jaehee Lee -----12 Savannah Rescia
10 Kayleigh Carlin -----11 Jaeyoung Lee -----12 Abigail Roebuck
10 Niya Carrasquillo -----11 Nolah Lee -----12 Brianna Rossini-Beamon
10 Kayla Catellier -----11 Alexandra Linarez -----12 Angelo Ruggeri
10 Jing Chen -----11 Teddy Loddo ------12 Jarrett Ruggiero
10 Daniel Cherkashin -----11 Wan Ho Lung -----12 Lydia Ryan
10 Juliana Chiarella -----11 Mariah Mahabir -----12 Kate Salerno
10 Adrianna Clark -----11 Joseph Manning -----12 Erin Simmons
10 Owen Comeau -----11 Ryan Marquez ------12 Asher Simon-Plumb
10 Cade Connor -----11 Julia Mastrio -----12 Angelo Siniscalchi
10 Brendan Connors -----11 Joseph Maurer -----12 Aniello Siniscalchi
10 Leah Cooney -----11 Grant Maziarz -----12 Lauren Skala
10 Grace Coopee -----11 Syniya Morris ------12 Hannah St. Jean
10 Emily Corey -----11 Siobhain Murphy -----12 Kacey St. Jean
10 Sara Coughlin -----11 Jenna Murray -----12 Michael Streeter
10 Emma Cowles -----11 Reagan Nadeau -----12 Ashley Strout
10 Nasayah Crenshaw -----11 Kevin Ngo -----12 Mary Struthers
10 Angelina Delnegro -----11 Kevin Niemiec -----12 Daniel Taylor
10 Ani Diefenderfer -----11 Jasmine Nieves -----12 Michael Tirabassi
10 Abigail Donahue -----11 Julia Noel -----12 Yaritza Toledo
10 Daniel Ducey ----11 Sophia Noel ------12 Franche Torres Garrafa
10 Ethan Ducey -----11 Andrew Norris -----12 Adam Tran
10 Abigail Edgecomb ------11 Emma O'Connor -----12 Brandon Vreeland
10 Ryan Eplite -----11 Riley O'Connor -----12 Martin Wadzinski
10 Abigail Fernandes -----11 Gabriella Ofcarcik -----12 Alexander Webb
10 Jaime Fisher -----11 Andrew Paquette -----12 Dylan Wehr
10 Chelsea Foulis -----11 Austin Pedersen -----12 Terrell Weir
10 Joseph Garvey -----11 Yamalis Perez-Moreno -----12 Angelina Williams
10 Thomas Garvey -----11 Mason Perham -----12 Andrew Wysocki
10 Zoe George ------11 Joseph Picard
10 Cameron Gilrein -----11 Marisa Polhemus
10 Liam Gleason -----11 Allison Pollard
10 Maya Glenn ------11 Derek Porcello
10 Kayla Gotta -----11 William Prendergast
From the Athletic Director
December Newsletter:
Attention all Falcons Fans! Stay connected with the MIAA app. Download it for free from the android store or App store for IPhone. This free tool will keep you up to date with schedules, directions to sites, bus departure times, rosters and so much more. This is your way to be sure that what we have is what you have! You can also follow us on twitter and Instagram @chaugathletics.
All Fall athletes should have returned all school issued equipment and uniforms by now. If anything is outstanding, then bills will be sent home for the replacement cost of the missing item(s). Please call us if you have any questions.
Athletic Passes: Athletic passes good for any 12 charged home events will be available at the ticket window whenever admission is charged. Adult passes are $50 for 12 events. That’s a $10 savings. These are great stocking stuffers!!!!!!!! You can call our office to order them as well at 413-599-1831.
We look forward to seeing many people at our winter events. Happy Holidays…….
WE ARE CHAUG!
From the Front Office
From the Nurse
Student Health Screening – Postural screening (for scoliosis) is ongoing for ninth graders during their swimming block in gym class. We will perform height & weight, vision, and hearing screening for all tenth graders during January and February. All screening results are strictly confidential. If there is an area of concern we will mail a letter to you with referrals to appropriate health care providers. If you have concerns or do not want your child screened, please contact the nurses in the Health Office at 279-3815.
Cold and Allergy Medication – is not available in the Health Office and must be taken at home if needed. We have a limited supply of cough drops, so we ask students to bring their own to school after the first day of use. The best way to prevent the spread of colds is to practice good handwashing. Thank you for your help with this.
Flu and Flu-like Illness – we like to track how many people in the Minnechaug community have diagnosed flu and flu-like illnesses. If your child is suffering from one of these illnesses, please leave that information when you call in to report their absence, or call the Health Room and let one of the nurses know at 279-3815. Thank you so much. And remember, now is a great time to get your flu vaccination from your doctor’s office or pharmacy!
Avoid Acetaminophen Overdose – we are well into the cold and flu season; with that comes increased use of over-the-counter medications. The Acetaminophen Awareness Coalition suggests you check medication labels carefully as it is really easy to overdose on acetaminophen (Tylenol). Too much acetaminophen is toxic to your liver – over the counter cold & flu medications and prescription pain medications commonly contain acetaminophen. The Coalition recommends you follow four easy steps to use acetaminophen safely:
1. Always read and follow the medicine label.
2. Know if your medicines contain acetaminophen.
3. Take only one medicine at a time that contains acetaminophen.
4. Ask your healthcare professional or pharmacist if you have questions.
For more easy to understand information, including how to read a medication label, go to www.knowyourdose.org .
Happy Holidays! The nurses wish each of you a safe and happy holiday season!
From the Fine Arts Department
ANNUAL WINTER CONCERT TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 5TH
The annual winter concert will begin at 7:30pm on Wednesday, December 5th in the Minnechaug auditorium. Featured will be selections by the mixed choir, the honors camerata, the vocal vibe a capella group, a combined concert & symphonic band, honors wind ensemble the string ensemble and a full orchestra! General admission is $5. A one-dollar discount will be given to senior citizens and MRHS students with a Renaissance card. Please join us for a reception of refreshments and good cheer immediately following the concert!
TOP MUSIC STUDENTS ACCEPTED TO WESTERN DISTRICT FESTIVAL!
Congratulations to the ten instrumental and seven vocal students from the Minnechaug music program who will be performing in the Western District Music Festival at UMASS in January. The following students auditioned at Westfield State College in early November against more than 500 students from across western Mass: Ada Cheng, principal jazz trumpet; Andrew Aguilar, principal orchestra French horn; Logan Mitchell, principal orchestra flute; Liz Blask, principal orchestra tuba; Caitlyn Pelletier, orchestra double-bass; Steph Toth orchestra double bass; Olivia Knode 2nd oboe orchestra; Thomas Cheng 3rd trombone band and Allison Clifford, first part 6th chair band flute. In choir, Jacqueline Dolaher, Sara Goodrich, Aelan Lisowski, Julia O’Keefe and Anna O’Keefe sopranos; Charmaine Liu, alto; and Nick Hunt, bass. Based upon high scores, eleven of these students will be trying out for all-state ensembles in January.
P.A.V.A.S. TALENT SHOW WINNERS ANNOUNCED!
Congratulations to all the performers at this year’s talent show held on November 19h. The following students were recognized with these awards:
Honorable Mentions: Julia O’Keefe and Sara Goodrich
Third Place : Nick Hunt
Second Place: Natalie Falconer
First Place Charmaine Liu
Many thanks to the Theater Tech team for their work on this event and to all the members of Minnechaug’s Performing and Visual Arts Society!
ALL NEW-ENGLAND AUDITIONS
Good luck to Asher Simon-Plumb, Andrew Aguilar and Logan Mitchell as they prepare for the All-New England Music Festival auditions taking place on December 8th at Griswold HS in Griswold, CT. Each student must prepare an entire solo to be performed with an accompanist. Students are accepted to the honor ensembles from all the New England state and will perform together the weekend of March 15, 2019.
THANK YOU TO THE ALBERT & AMELIA FERST CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
A very public thank you for the continued support of the Minnechaug Regional High School music program by the Albert & Amelia Ferst Charitable Foundation. The Ferst Foundation has chosen to support the Spear Music Foundation by making a contribution to our private lesson fund for students in need of financial support.
From the Student Council
The Student Council will be holding its annual Toy for Joy drive from Monday, November 26-Friday, December 7. All money collected will be donated to the Salvation Army’s annual drive, which is in its 96th year of running this drive. The money will stay in the local area. Any amount of monetary donation is greatly appreciated. The classes that raise the most money will receive a special treat!
On Friday, December 21, the Student Council will be holding a Dress up/Dress Down Day to benefit the Toy for Joy program. Students and faculty are asked to wear their “ugliest” sweater on this day. Donations may be made upon entering the building in the morning.
Celebrate Life Blankets
SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, February 28th, 2019 (6:30 p.m. Minnechaug Regional High School)
Dr. Ruth Potee: The Physiology of Adolescent Addiction, Effects of Drug-Taking Behavior on the Brain
· There is increasing attention to teen brain development and how it impacts how teens behave and take risks - such as using alcohol and drugs - and what this means for parents of teens.
· Come learn more about what parents and other interested members of the community can do to keep our teens safer, healthier, and substance-free through the middle and high school years.
Dr. Ruth Potee is a board certified Family Physician and Addiction Medicine physician at Valley Medical Group in Greenfield, MA, who engages communities in discussions surrounding substance abuse through her wide ranging series of talks. She is a native of western Massachusetts and attended public schools in the North Quabbin region. She attended Wellesley College, Yale University School of Medicine and did her residency at Boston University where she remained as an assistant professor of Family Medicine for eight years. In addition to practicing full- scope family medicine, she is currently the Medical Director for The Franklin County House of Corrections, the Franklin Recovery and Treatment Center and the Pioneer Valley Regional School District as well as the Chair of the Healthcare Solutions of the Opioid Taskforce of Franklin County. She was named Franklin County Doctor of the Year by the Massachusetts Medical Society in 2015 and is the Chair of the Department of Medicine at Baystate- Franklin Medical Center.
Watch for additional information and flyer. RSVP to RDiCristoforo@hwrsd.org before February 20th.
Hampden-Wilbraham Partners for Youth Coalition
United for Safe, Healthy, and Drug-free Communities
WWW.HWP4Y.ORG
Hampden-Wilbraham Partners for Youth
United for Safe, Healthy, and Drug-free Communities
Winter Events – Opportunities to Get Involved!
Coalition Meeting Dates: Dec 20th, Jan 25th, Feb 22nd
Youth Initiative Meeting Date: Dec 13th MRHS
Upcoming Events Contact Ruth DiCristoforo for more information at: rdicristoforo@hwrsd.org
December 1st Youth Mental Health First Aide (YMHFA) Community Workshop 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The course teaches you how to recognize signs of a mental health challenge and how to provide support. For more info go to: HWP4Y.ORG/eventcalendar.
December 6th Youth Risk Behavior Survey Review Work Group
This Work Group will review the questions from the 2018 and new 2019 survey.
December 13th Positive Community Norm Underage Drinking Prevention Work Group
This Work Group will be creating a Positive Social Norms campaign focused on high school underage drinking prevention/reduction. The group will develop, pilot test, and release positive youth messaging that supports increasing accurate perceptions and decreasing use rates for underage high school drinking. This campaign is expected to launch in April 2019.
January 22nd – 27th National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week
The Coalition Youth Initiative (YI) will be working within the school district to participate in this national event. The YI will develop a local awareness and education event. This is open to youth ages 11-17. Additional details will be available following the YI meeting December 13th.
February 3rd – 7th CADCA National Leadership Forum 2019 (Gaylord National Hotel National Harbor, MD)
Coalition Adults and Youth will attend this National Leadership Forum & SAMHSA's Prevention Day for community-based substance abuse prevention coalitions.
February 28th Dr. Potee: The Physiology of Adolescent Addiction: Effects of Drug Taking Behavior on the Brain. (6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Minnechaug Regional High School Wilbraham)
This well-known physician, board-certified in Family medicine and Addiction Medicine, will be back in our community to speak on the vulnerabilities of youth and addiction, prevention strategies, and other family and community considerations about access to these harmful substances. RSVP to RDiCristoforo@hwrsd.org before February 20th.
Community Workshops Contact Ruth DiCristoforo for more information at: rdicristoforo@hwrsd.org
Youth Mental Health First Aide (YMHFA) Community Workshops
This training is for Adults who have contact with Youth (ages 12-25), including Parents, Grandparents, Neighbors, Friends, and Relatives. The course teaches you how to recognize signs of a mental health challenge and how to provide support. This class is offered at no cost. More info at: HWP4Y.ORG/community/youth-mental-health-first-aid-training.
Teen Vaping: Get the Facts Community Workshops
Sara Moriarity, from the Hampden County Tobacco Free Partnership, will continue to work with the Coalition, offering Community workshops, upon request. This program is suitable for anyone raising and/or working with youth. This effort supports the Coalition strategy to reduce Teen Vaping use and increase accurate perceptions about this growing concern. To date, Sara has presented 4 workshops: at the Scantic Valley YMCA, to HWRSD Staff, Community-At-Large, and Evangel Assembly of God Church community. Check out past program flyers at https://www.hwp4y.org/about/news.html. If interested in hosting a workshop, (adults only) or to learn more about how a program can be coordinated at your location, contact Ruth at rdcristoforo@hwrsd.org or call (413) 566- 5060 (Ext.17)
H-W Partners for Youth Coalition Resources
HWP4Y.ORG Website
· Go to our website to find resources promoting healthy youth development and the prevention/reduction of drug use, as well as HELP finding treatment/recovery resources in our area. Read articles, watch videos, download resources, and learn more about HWP4Y. Take the Parent Perspectives Survey and tell us about your successes and challenges raising kids in Hampden and Wilbraham. The Survey is also found on HWRSD District Home Page.
Follow us on Facebook @HWP4Y
- Follow us on Facebook to stay up to date!
Resource Library
- Visit our Resource library (located at Thornton W. Burgess 85 Wilbraham Rd Hampden) to browse a wide selection of booklets, provided at no cost to help adults talk to kids about staying safe, healthy, and drug-free. Resources are geared toward the age and stage of your child (elementary, Middle School, High School). Topics include communication, healthy habits, as well as specific resources for the prevention/reduction of alcohol, marijuana, Rx Drugs, Tobacco use. Contact Ruth to make an appointment by email at rdicristoforo@hwrsd.org or call her (413) 566 – 5060 (Ext. 17).
Community Partnerships
The mission of the Hampden-Wilbraham Partners for Youth Coalition (HWP4Y) is to collaboratively initiate, coordinate, and sustain evidence-based prevention and intervention efforts that prevent and reduce youth substance use, and promote healthy childhood development in the communities of Hampden and Wilbraham.
We want Hampden and Wilbraham to be towns where youth, parents, schools, businesses, health care professionals, youth-serving agencies, law enforcement, religious and fraternal groups, media, and community leaders collaborate to promote safe, healthy, drug-free, and positive youth development.
We believe that preventing and reducing youth substance use is our collective responsibility. The philosophy behind our program is that “local problems require local solutions”. Together, we will use effective, evidence-based public health and educational strategies proven to reduce youth substance use. Ultimately, we want all of our young people to have the best chance to grow into strong, happy, healthy, productive adults.
Membership is open to any individuals or organization that support the mission of the Coalition and participate in Coalition activities.
If you are interested in learning more about the Coalition, please contact:
· Gina Kahn, Director of the Coalition and the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District Safe Schools/Healthy Students program by email at gkahn@hwrsd.org or call (413) 566-5060 (Ext. 12).
· Ruth DiCristoforo, Coalition Coordinator by email at rdicristoforo@hwrsd.org or call (413) 566- 5060 (Ext. 17)
· Tracy Bauduccio, Coalition Youth Liaison at tbaudducio@hwrsd.org or call (413) 566 – 5060.
COUNSELORS’ CORNER, DECEMBER 2018
PSAT RESULTS: Student PSAT scores will be available online on December 10, 2018. Students will get an online score report, a customized SAT study plan and practice tests based on individual results once connected to Khan Academy via their account on collegeboard.org.
SAT & ACT TEST information is available in the Counseling Center. “My SAT Online Score Report” is available free to any student who takes the SAT. The report gives students a wealth of personalized, practical information about their SAT results. It identifies specifics about how the test is structured and scored. It provides detailed insights into how they performed on each section of the test. You can see how their scores compare to students in their school, state, and nationally. It provides information on how to improve scores on a future test through targeted preparation. To access the report, the student should log into or create a free collegeboard.com account with a self-selected username and password, click on “My SAT”. It will show the upcoming tests for which the student is registered (or registrations that are in progress), plus scores from all previous SATs taken. Next to the relevant test date, you will click on “My SAT Online Report”.
ASVAB TESTING: The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Test (ASVAB), a free vocational test for juniors, will be given on February 13, 2019, 7:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Announcements will be made when sign-ups start.
FINANCIAL AID FORMS: The FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid) is available as of October 1, 2018. Apply on line at fafsa.gov. All seniors going to college and their parents must have a FSA ID for the “electronic signature” to submit the FAFSA forms. Create your FSA ID at the FAFSA.Gov web site.
The FAFSA website is http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.
WARNING: There are commercial websites that look like the government FAFSA website; these sites will charge you a fee to submit your FAFSA. Make sure you are in the “FAFSA.gov” site before you put in your personal financial information. Remember the FAFSA is FREE! A direct link is located on the Minnechaug home page under “For Students” “Counseling Center” “Links and Resources” tab.
SCHOLARSHIPS: Scholarship information can be found on Naviance under Family Connection, College tab and scholarship list. To order transcripts and counselor’s letter of recommendations please see Mrs. Lavoie.
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS DEADLINE: If colleges have January 1 deadlines, students must submit their requests no later than Friday, December 7. Please keep in mind that this is the busiest time for processing applications and that the office will be closed during the December break, December 24 through January 1, 2019.
SENIORS --- KEEP GUIDANCE INFORMED: Please notify your Counselor and update Naviance when you receive decision letters from colleges and when you decide to attend a specific college. We need to know if you have been accepted, wait listed or denied.
NAVIANCE – All students should be using NAVIANCE to help with career and college planning. Freshmen and sophomores can do any of three Interest Inventories available on the site. Juniors should be checking out colleges they may be interested in attending. Seniors should be finalizing their plans by completing their applications and looking into scholarships, all on NAVIANCE. Freshmen will be registered on Naviance during Developmental Guidance lessons in January and February.
COURSE SELECTIONS: The time is rapidly approaching for students to think about what courses they want to take next year. The Program of Studies will be available in late January.
HELP IS AVAILABLE
STAT, the Student Teacher Assistance Team (STAT) is a school-based prevention and early intervention program for students in kindergarten through grade 12. The goal of STAT is to foster student success and healthy development, enhance a safe school environment and promote opportunities for knowledge, skill, attitude, and behavior development. The STAT accepts referrals from the school community and parents for students who are exhibiting behaviors that are interfering with their education. A student may be referred when a teacher, parent or fellow student has concerns in the areas of academics, behavior, social or emotional difficulties. If parents have concerns about their student, they can contact any of the student’s teachers or their guidance counselor for a possible STAT referral.
CAREER CENTER NEWS
CAREER INTERNSHIPS - Juniors
Applications are available in the Counseling Center and on the Minnechaug web site under the Counseling Center tab, beginning December 1 for juniors who are interested in participating in the Career Internship Course during his or her senior year. For more information, students should see their Guidance Counselor or Mrs. Considine in the Career Center. The application deadline is January 31, 2019.