SHS Weekly Newsletter
October 15, 2021
Message from the Principal, Dr. Maguire
One of the goals of SHS for this year falls under the SPS District Pillar of Educational Excellence. This goal is to increase access to, participation and success in advanced coursework.
Students who experience advanced coursework perform better in college and career. In addition, improving AP coursework access and success is widely recognized as a high-leverage strategy for closing persistent racial and socioeconomic disparities in college outcomes.
There are several ways to increase access to, participation and success in advanced coursework. We have received a MA grant to expand access to STEM Advanced Placement courses and have over 20 students taking AP Principles of Computer Science and AP Environmental Science courses this year, which are not traditionally offered through the Program of Studies. In addition, we are working with MA Insight, a grant through which we are considering the addition of new AP course offerings to students and with whom we are strategizing to increase participation across all demographics. Teachers who currently teach an ELA, math or science AP courses are receiving additional advanced placement training, resources, and opportunities for professional discussions about their AP Programs. In addition, we have developed an AP steering team that is working to incorporate best practices at SHS for AP courses.
In addition to Advanced Placement, we are also going to be exploring dual enrollment opportunities in order to forge partnerships that are beneficial for our SHS students. There are many benefits to Dual Enrollment:
- Less time required after high school to finish a college degree
- Provides students with a head start on the college experience
- Dual-enrollment classes often save students money on tuition
- Students may enjoy access to the college library and resources
- Grades earned become part of the student’s permanent transcript
- Students may be able to transfer credits earned to a four-year school
- Classes may offer a lower ratio of students to instructors
- Students may explore fields of study that help them choose a major later
- Students may choose from classes not currently available at their high school
We will continue to keep you updated on our progress and will share new programs as they become available.
We are very much looking forward to the Clubs Carnival 4:30-6:30 outside the gym and PAC lobby areas, Friday night football, and the Homecoming dance tomorrow. Hope to see you at these events!
Your partner in education,
Dr. Maguire
Upcoming Dates
October 15 Clubs Carnival 4:30-6:30 p.m. outside the gym
October 16 Homecoming Dance, 6:00 p.m.
October 16 PSATs
October 19 SHS Fall Concert, 7 p.m., Center for Performing Arts
October 20 NO LATE START
October 21 Early Release
October 22 Credit for Life Fair- Grades 11 and 12
October 28 Picture Day for Students and Staff
November 10 Last Day of Quarter 1
November 13 S.H.O.R.E Arts & Crafts Show in the Large Gym
Assistant Principals Luette (9&10) and Hughes (11&12)
It's only a few weeks until the end of the quarter, which closes on November 10th. Now is a good time to review grades, check in with teachers, and make a plan for any catch up that may need to happen. If you had a slow start to the quarter academically, a strong finish can help balance out the outcome, so don't give up now! Don't wait until last minute to reach out for support. We are always here to help!
Around the School
Biology
Psychology
Algebra 2
Algebra 2
Psychology
Spanish
Fine Arts
3D I students excelling at their Ghoul or Gourd projects. They are doing an incredible job going above and beyond and are very enthusiastic about the project and their work. Some will be incised and illuminated, while others will stand strong on their own. Ms. Pace will put them in the display case for all to see when they are finished. Happy fall!
Photography Class
The work from student photographers:
Parrot Photo - Sean Seymour
Hydrangea - Alex Christianson
Pumpkins - Molly Flannagan
Bee on Flower - Cody Morrison
iExcel
Environmental Club
Counsling Corner, Mrs. Rundle
Counseling Corner will provide families and students with important information and updates from the SHS School Counseling Department. This will augment email notifications that are sent periodically from the Department. Please be sure to check this often, as well as all emails sent to the primary contact email address listed in ASPEN from “Scituate, School Counseling.”
Advanced Placement Course and Exam Information:
All students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses should have created or accessed their College Board account to: complete the AP Course on-line registration process for each AP course they are enrolled in, join their AP class section(s), and receive AP assignments from your teacher(s). AP teachers shared their codes to join their AP Classroom sections last month. Students who did not complete this process should contact their AP teacher to obtain their code. Students taking VHS AP COURSES must obtain their codes from Ms. Rundle (trundle@scit.org). NOTE: This process must be completed by each student for each AP class (including students enrolled in VHS AP courses) by OCTOBER 15th so that exam orders may be placed.
Students must decide if they wish to take the corresponding AP exam NO LATER THAN WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10th. Here is a copy of the AP exam schedule. Exams will take place at SHS in early May 2022. Note that this schedule is set forth by the College Board.
The cost is $96.00 per exam.* For students who qualify for a free or reduced lunch, the reduced cost is $53 per exam*. Payment is due via an online payment system (on the SPS Website - under the Business - Online Payment tabs) Here by WEDNESDAY, November 10th. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS FEE IS NON-REFUNDABLE. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify. Families requesting financial assistance should contact Tammy Rundle, Department Chairperson, School Counseling, PK-12 and AP Coordinator for the Scituate Public Schools at trundle@scit.org.
(*Please note that the exam fee for AP VHS Environmental Science and AP VHS Computer Science Principles is covered through a grant and the exam fee is waived for these two exams only.)
Please continue to check your emails as listed in Aspen for updated information as we proceed through the AP process.
Practice ACT exam
The Counseling Department has teamed up with Revolution Prep to offer a practice ACT exam
This is a great chance to get started on your testing plan, or if you have already started, it will provide additional practice. Taking practice tests under timed conditions is essential to being ready for the official test. A proctored practice exam will help your child build testing endurance and give a real-time snapshot of their testing performance. See Scituate ACT flyer [4].pdf.
Date: Saturday, November 13th, 2021
Time: 9:00AM-1:00PM EST
Where: Live Online!
Register here: https://www.revolutionprep.com/partners/749/
If you have additional questions or want to learn more about Revolution Prep, you can reach out to a dedicated Revolution Prep team member at (800) 878-1850 or by email at newengland@revolutionprep.com
Athletics, Mr. Paine, AD
PEAR Tip of the Week
Reflection
In this busy time of year, it can be easy to get overwhelmed. Research has shown that mindfulness can ease stress and anxiety. Try out some simple mindfulness activities. Start small! Take 6 deep breaths, spend 1 minute sitting quietly and find 2 things you notice with each of your senses, or tense and release one muscle group at a time. If you need ideas, there are many videos online with guided meditations you can try. Short mindfulness activities can be good for doing with your students too!
Follow us on Twitter!
@scituatehigh
@ScitAp2020
@ScitAthletics