SHS Warrior Call
Respect: Earn It, Give It, Live It!
Welcome!
February 9, 2018 - Volume 3 - ISSUE 22
Welcome to the Seekonk High School Newsletter! It is designed to keep everyone (parents, students, staff, and community members) informed of the many events that are happening around the school. It contains links, pictures, and videos so that you have a more interactive experience and the ability to learn more (if you wish) about various topics.
As always, we welcome feedback! Let us know what you think by contacting us and sharing our news!
important dates
February 10th, 2018 - The SHS Winterball will be held at the Venus De Milo in Swansea from 6:00-10:00. Be sure you your completed Breathalyzer forms have been submitted! If you have any questions please email Ms. Nastari or Ms. Jones for more information!
February 16 - Early Release (11:25AM)
February 19 - 23 - NO SCHOOL - Winter Break
March 3 - Science Advanced Placement review session at SHS (8AM-12PM)
April 7 - Math Advanced Placement review session at SHS (8AM-12PM)
May 11, 2018: Junior/Senior Prom at the Newport Marriot
May 30 2018: Senior Class Night at 7:00PM
June 1, 2018: Graduation at 6:30PM
Bristol Community College Palooza at Seekonk High!
On February 7th, 28 seniors participated in our first Bristol Community College Palooza at Seekonk High. Seniors had the opportunity to meet with admission counselors, schedule their placement tests, and meet directly with a financial aid counselor. The high school was excited to partner with our local community college to offer this excellent opportunity to our students.
around town
Interested in knitting for a cause?
The “Little Hats, Big Hearts” project is helping raise awareness for babies born with congenital heart defects by knitting red baby hats to be distributed in local hospitals throughout the month of February. Our goal is to make a minimum of 15 hats to donate to participating hospitals. We need you to help us reach our goal! We are looking for donations of either knit baby hats, red yarn, 6 mm (US size 10) knitting needles, or even ziploc sandwich bags. As far as yarn is concerned, the American Heart Association asks that all yarn be red, either cotton or acrylic, and medium or heavy weight. An example would be Red Heart yarn. Any simple hat patterns are recommended. We currently have a group at the high school knitting hats for this project Fridays after school and your donations of red yarn and knitting needles would help us tremendously! A bin will be located in Mrs. Marinucci’s room 341 for all donations. If you wish to donate, all donations are due by February 16, 2018. All donations help! Thank you for your support!
Taste of The Towns is here again!
Kiwanis Club of Greater Seekonk is sponsoring their 22nd Taste of the Towns on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Grand Rose Ballroom in the Clarion Inn, 940 Fall River Avenue (route 114A), Seekonk.
Restaurants offering samples of their menus include: Applebee's, Bone Yard Barbeque,
Buffalo Wings, Chick-fil-A, Clarion Inn, Country Kitchen, Davenport's, Ds'Lectables, Honey Dew Donuts, Lemon & Oil, Longhorn Steakhouse, Old Grist Mill, Sullivan's Publick House, Toti's, Tropical Smoothies, Wharf Tavern and Young's Catering. The Dublin Rose Sports Bar will offer Wine and Beer Tasting. There will be raffles of gifts from the various vendors and local businesses and a 50/50 raffle.
We would like to thank our GOLD SPONSOR Herb Chambers of Seekonk for his generous support. Also, thanks go to our SILVER SPONSORS: Angell Street Dental, Blu-Sky Real Estate, Frank Casarella DMD, Lisa Daft DMD and Associates, Michael Gross Chiropractic, Beverly Haley, Horizon Beverage Group, State Representative Steve S. Howitt, Lynn Kent Certified Medium, and David & Lisa Spencer Atlantic Paper Company.
Tickets are $30 and are available from Beverly Della Grotta at 401-749-4841 or dellagrotta24@aol.com, Bev Hart at 508-336-9352 or russellhart@comcast.net, or the town clerk's office at 508-336-2921.
Kiwanis is a world-wide organization dedicated to helping children and their communities. For questions or information call Bev Hart.
Notary
Dr. Jones
How Well Are You Working?
"We think, mistakenly, that success is the result of the amount of time we put in at work, instead of the quality of time." - Arianna Huffington
The second semester is in full swing and it is important that students (and even parents) realize it is very important that their focus be on quality rather than quantity. Many students often begin to feel overwhelmed as the year progresses. Especially with all the pressures at the end of the school year. Here are three ways students can be more efficient with their time so that they are not just working more, but with more quality.
- Get rid of distractions. Shut off the phone, notifications, the TV, and find a space where you will not be interrupted. Your brain takes a large amount time to reset back to the task you were working on when it is interrupted. The less interruptions you have, the more your brain focuses, and the more you can get done in a shorter period of time.
- Be clear about the task. It is a waste of time for you to try to complete work when you are not sure what it is you are supposed to be completing. You should not leave school without a clear understanding of what is expected. If you do, reach out to a classmate or other person who will know before you start. Few things are worse than doing your work to discover that it was not what the teacher assigned.
- Create a habit. It is difficult to do with how busy schedules are, but that makes this point even more important. Schedule when you are going to get your work done and then keep the appointment. For example; my son starts his reading on the bus ride home and then completes his homework as soon as he gets in the house. He grabs a snack and sits at the kitchen table until it is finished...every day. Its a habit. It doesn't have to be at the table, but that's his place. Find one that works for you.
Students are going to have work. Often, there will be a lot. This also happens to adults at their jobs. Its a fact of life. The trick is to find something that works for the individual based on the three strategies above. After all, if you are going to work hard, you might as well be smart about it by reducing the level of stress with which it comes. You will be amazed at how much quicker you can get work done when you have an efficient process. Make progress, not excuses. It's more valuable to your growth in the long run.
Around School...
guidance - Mrs. Whatley
Seekonk High School will once again be offering an eight week evening SAT Prep class for juniors looking to take the SAT this spring. Classes meet on Wednesday evenings from 7-9 pm beginning March 7th and Ending on May 2nd. The cost of the class is $120 which includes the 2018 Official SAT Study Guide from the CollegeBoard. You can print out the registration slip here. More information is available in the guidance office.
Assistant Principal - Kevin Aguiar
The start of Semester Two is a good time to remind all students about fulfilling all obligations. The following is the Obligations List language from the SHS Handbook. Please be sure that obligations are taken care of as soon as possible.
OBLIGATION LIST
Obligations for the purpose of this handbook include, but are not limited to text books, library books, detention hours, and materials / fees. It is important that part of the learning process include responsibility and accountability for fulfilling one’s obligations. Therefore, students who do not fulfill their obligations to Seekonk High School by the designated times will receive consequences.
Specifically, students who have outstanding obligations will be restricted from the following:
• participation in or attendance at any extracurricular activity including Spirit Week.
• all sports
• all dances (including prom)
• participation in graduation ceremony
The administration holds the right to assign additional, appropriate consequences based upon the circumstance if necessary. Obligations as well as their consequences carry over from year to year.
Band - Mr. Smialek
Congratulations to senior Devlin Danner who was selected to perform on the bass trombone with the Massachusetts All State Concert Band at Boston's Symphony Hall on March 3rd. He will participate in the All State Music Festival at Boston's Seaport World Trade Center with the top Massachusetts high school musicians for two days to rehearse with the ensemble before playing in the concert.
Tickets for the 2018 Jazz Dinner will be gong on sale before February vacation. This event will be held on Thursday, March 15th from 6:30- 8 pm in the SHS Cafeteria. This dinner will feature an Italian buffet from Uncle Tony's along with two sets of music from the SHS Jazz Band. Tickets will be available from the Band Office or from any Jazz Band member.
Information about the Band's May 4, 2018 trip to the Great East Band Festival and Six Flags New England was sent home with students in January Permission slips and the 1st payment are due by February 7th. This year the Concert Band and Symphonic Band will be giving adjudicated performances at the North Middle School in Westfield, MA.If there are any students who are not able to get this in (or if there is an issue with payments), please Mr. Smialek as soon as possible
Other upcoming Music Department events: Jazz Band performs at the Somerset-Berkley Jazz Festival on Wednesday, March 7th at 5:30 pm and the SHS Marching Band will be marching in the Pawtucket St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 3rd at noon. The SHS Marching Band will also be performing a concert at the Hurley Middle School on Monday, March 5th during periods A and B.
Art
Sculpture
Graphic Design
Ceramics II
Opportunities Fair – Registrations now being accepted
The Attleboro School to Career Partnership is once again holding its Opportunities Fair for students who are looking for alternatives to a 4-year college. The Opportunities Fair is designed to allow Juniors and Seniors to explore post-secondary options such as full-time jobs, part-time jobs, vocational training programs, internships, and volunteer work. The Fair will take place at Attleboro High School on Wed, Feb. 28 8:30 am to 10 am. A bus will be provided to and from Seekonk High School for the event. Anyone interested, please see Laura Calverley in Rm. 447 to pick up a Field Trip Request Form.
College and Career readiness - Mrs. Fitzgerald
Seekonk High School Job Shadow Program
Local Professionals Needed to Help Guide Students' Career Exploration!
Can you help a student make more informed choices about their career and college plans? Consider volunteering to be a job shadow host and/or the subject of an informational interview. We will put your name on a list of possible contacts for students interested in doing in depth career exploration.
We welcome professionals from all fields to come forward; currently, however, we have three specific areas in which students would like to make contact. We are looking for a social worker and an engineer. If you or anyone you know works in one of those areas and are willing to help a student investigate career paths, please reach out to Mrs. Calverley, Career Specialist, at 508-336-7272, xt.62447.
FYI: Job shadow hosts allow a student to visit you at your place of business to get a first-hand look at the job and have time to ask questions and get expert advice. Informational Interviewees would come to Seekonk High School to meet with a student or small group of students who are interested in knowing more about your line of work. There is no minimum time commitment in either role--this is done at your convenience.
Anyone wishing to be on the list must consent to a CORI (background) check, which can be processed at the Main Office.
Feel free to spread the word to your friends, neighbors, and SHS alumni.
Questions? Please contact Janet Fitzgerald, Transition Coordinator, 508-336-7272, ext. 62459
Nurse - Mrs. Rok
The flu is widespread in the state. Please read this CDC link to understand the difference between the flu and a cold. If your child has the flu or flu-like symptoms, please keep them home until the have no fever for 24 hours(without taking Tylenol or Ibuprofen/Advil/Motrin).
February is National Heart Health awareness month. The American Heart Association and the Heart Foundation state that “ heart disease is the number one cause of death for both men and women in the United States. It is an equal opportunity killer which claims approximately 1 million lives annually.” If you think someone is having a heart attack, call 911 immediately. Every minute you delay can result in more damage to the heart muscle. Begin performing CPR immediately to double or triple a victim’s chances of survival.
Screening for vision, hearing, height and weight (grade 10) and scoliosis (grade 9) will begin for second semester physical education classes. If you do NOT want your child screened, please send me an email stating this.
Pat Rok: My hours are 7:15 AM to 2PM. My phone number is (508) 336-7272 ext. 62119.
athletics - Mr. crippen
Seekonk High School has been selected as a finalist for the Spirit of Inclusion category of the Varsity Brands National School Spirit Awards. The Warriors are one of seven finalists nationwide for this award which honors the school that goes out of its way to welcome new students, accommodate students with diverse needs and educate students about issues related to diversity and inclusion. Seekonk has received a formal invitation to the Varsity Brands School Spirit Awards Show at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Orlando, FL on Saturday, May 12th. Winners of each category will be announced during the show.
The Seekonk High School Winter Cheerleading squad has won the MIAA “Gold Award,” presented to those teams with an Grade Point Average exceeding 3.0. The Team will compete this Sunday afternoon in the Whitman-Hanson Competition. Good luck!
Congratulations to Coach Earl Berwick and the Seekonk High School Girls’ Indoor Track Team who will be awarded the 2018 Division 5 Joan Doherty Team Sportsmanship Award by the MIAA on Thursday, February 15th at the Division 5 Championship Meet at the Reggie Lewis Track Center.
Good luck to the Seekonk Girls Basketball team who will travel to Case High School tonight to battle the Lady Cardinals. The Lady Warriors are coming off their fifth and most compelling victory of the year, a 49-43 overtime home thriller over Fairhaven Tuesday night. Desperately shorthanded due to illness and injury, Freshman Lauren Paulo led the Lady Warriors with 18 points including 4 three-point field goals. Junior Kiarra Sandoval added eight first-half points and fellow Junior Deirdre Rocha added 13 second-half points. Junior Jayde Monteiro and Freshman Mackenzie Gingras contributed clutch shots and rebounds.
Another fantastic Championship season for the Seekonk Boys and Girls Swim teams is drawing to a close. Good luck to Lady Warrior swimmers Emily Rieben, Lauren Shanahan, Lyla Carvalho, Natalie Kach, Erin Broadmeadow and Haley Fournier who will compete in the Sectional Swim Meet at MIT Saturday morning, and to SHS divers Brett Mancini and Mike Nadeau, as well as swimmers Robert Strycharz, Brady Fournier, Tommy Ciolfi, Robert Gerardi and Blake Anderson who will all compete Sunday morning at MIT in the sectionals.
Lady Warrior swimmers Emily Rieben and Natalie Kach as well as diver Jenna Dunphy were name to the SCC All Conference team last week while Lauren Shanahan and Lyla Carvalho received Honorable Mention and Haley Fournier won the Sportsmanship Award. On the Boys’ side, divers Brett Mancini and Michael Nadeau were named All Conference, while Tommy Ciofi and Robert Gerardi received Honorable Mention. Tommy Ciofi also won the Sportsmanship Award.
Good luck to the SCC Gold Division Champion Seekonk Boys and Girls Indoor Track teams as they attempt to take the Conference Championship this Saturday morning at New Bedford Voke in the SCC Championship Meet. Last Saturday, Andrew Cabral won the mile, Jacob Klang won the 1,000 and Hannah Bradbury won the Ladies’ mile race at the Freshman/Sophomore Janiak Meet held at New Bedford Voke.
Good luck to the Seekonk High School Boys Basketball team as they head into the last week of season play. The Warriors (7-10) are now pushed to the limit and must win their remaining three games to qualify for the State Tournament. Monday Seekonk will host Somerset-Berkley, on Wednesday the Warriors will host Norton High School on “Senior Night,” and then conclude regular season play next Friday in a cross-over game with an opponent to be determined upon league records. Thursday night the Warriors fell to division-leading Case High School 60-45. Mitch Blanchard led Seekonk with 11 points and Junior Dom Lopo added 10.
Spring sports registration is now open and will close Friday, March 9th. The first official date of tryouts for Spring Sports will be Monday, March 19th. No student-athlete will be permitted to try out without a completed registration and a current physical on file. Spring offerings included Unified Track and Field, Boys and Girls Outdoor Track and Field, Baseball, Softball, Girls Tennis and Boys Tennis.
The Athletic Department wishes to express its thanks to Seekonk High School Nurse Pat Rok who has set up an opportunity for all of our student-athletes to obtain free physicals at 2 PM on Thursday, March 1st. Anyone who wishes to take advantage of this opportunity needs to see Nurse Rok ahead of time in order to get the proper paperwork signed.
The Seekonk Public Schools strives to provide a safe, respectful, and supportive learning environment in which all students can thrive and succeed in its schools. The Seekonk Public Schools prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation and ensures that all students have equal rights of access and equal enjoyment of the opportunities, advantages, privileges, and courses of study.
Contact Information
Email: jonesc@seekonkschools.org
Website: http://shs.seekonk.sharpschool.com/
Location: 261 Arcade Avenue, Seekonk, MA, United States
Phone: (508) 336-7272
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeekonkHighSchool/
Twitter: @SeekonkHS