WHS Newsletter
Winter 1 2022 (12/21/2022)
A Message from the Principal
Dear WHS School Community,
I hope this message finds you and your families doing well. As we look to find joy in the upcoming holidays, it is my sincere wish that each of you receives and returns the good tidings this season annually affords us. While we understand how hectic and stressful this time of year can be for some, it's also a time to reflect on the positive people and things in our lives. The holidays mixed with a vacation provides wonderful opportunities to share experiences with one another, too.
Whether we're learning together, working in partnership, sharing a meal, or just hanging out with family and friends, the shared experience provides more meaning to the relationship. And, ultimately a happier existence. The famous quote is inspiring this time of year: 'Happiness multiplies when you share it.'
In this newsletter, we're happy to share many of the wonderful teaching and learning activities that have taken place so far this year. I am so proud and thankful to the students and staff that have worked so hard to be part of the high-quality learning experiences here at WHS.
On behalf of the entire WHS staff, I wish you and your families peace, joy, and relaxation over the holidays and vacation. See you when you return from Winter Break in what we all hope is a Happy New Year.
Warm Winter Wishes,
Mr. Brian Callaghan
WHS Principal
Updates from the Nurse
Illness Guidelines
As many of you know by reading or listening to the news, there is an overall increase in respiratory illnesses in the U.S. right now. We are definitely seeing this at WHS. Symptoms of COVID, RSV and the flu can look similar for many, including congestion, cough, runny nose, muscle aches, fever, and headache. Since each virus typically begins as an upper respiratory infection, it can be difficult to know which one you are dealing with when you or a loved one gets sick. The only way to determine which virus is causing an infection is by getting a test. We continue to recommend at home COVID testing; please note that testing more than once is recommended as it may take time for the virus to show on a home test. If your child continues to feel unwell, please reach out to your pediatrician for further guidance.
When to keep your child home
A cold or COVID-like illness, in the early contagious stages (frequent sneezing, coughing, nose stuffed up, nose constantly running, child feels ill ) Please use a rapid antigen at-home COVID test prior to their return to school.
A temperature of 100.0 degrees or higher. Students should not return to school until their temperature is normal for 24 hours without fever reducing medications (Tylenol, Motrin etc.), regardless of a negative COVID test.
Vomiting or diarrhea. Students should not return to school for 24 hours after the last episode.
Infections such as strep throat, conjunctivitis (pink eye), ringworm, or impetigo. Keep your child home until they have been on prescribed medication for 24 hours.
If your child has been sick and is still requiring frequent over the counter medications for cough, fever, or other symptoms, they are not well enough to return to school. Please be sure to keep them home until they are able to make it through the day at school.
Be sure to contact the school nurse if your child tests positive for COVID. If your child has been diagnosed with an illness that requires them to be out for more than 2 days, it is helpful to let us know so we can help you plan a safe return for your child and keep track of potential trends and outbreaks in school.
Returning to school Following Illness
It is important that sick individuals stay home to reduce the spread of illness to others. Your child may return to school when:
- Their symptoms are improving
- They have been fever free for 24 hours (less than 100.0 without the use of fever reducing medication)
- Their symptoms have improved
- They feel well enough to make it through the school day.
- Best practice would include wearing a mask while symptoms are present.
Download the NRT Bus Tracking App - "Where's My Kid"
North Reading Transportation (NRT) and Westborough Public Schools will be using the “Where’s My Kid” bus tracking and parent communication app for your iPhone, Android, or desktop that shows you the live location and direction of your student's bus.
With the application over the last several years, we found the app useful; however, it does have some limitations.
Your first step in this review process is to download the “Where’s My Kid” app. Once downloaded and installed, sign-up and then follow the instructions/steps below.
- The bus app requires a 24-hour reset in the system. (i.e. it may not function properly until a day after sign-up)
- School District access code is WBORO10
- Student ID in-app. To enter your student ID you must enter a code and then your student ID number (making it an 8-digit number). If your student has a four-digit student ID number, enter 3210 then the student ID or if your child has a five-digit number, enter 321 then the student ID.
- When inputting bus numbers a W must be before the bus number. (The bus number is located on the back bumper of the bus. e.g. W then the number, WS then the number, or WHB02, Westborough Half Bus #2.)
- You are likely to receive multiple notifications each morning and afternoon. This is a GPS-based app and therefore, every time your bus travels through the radius you have set up, a notification is sent. This means you will see three sets of notifications for three separate bus runs your bus completes in the morning and afternoon.
- Set up instructions for IPhone and Android exist in six languages including Arabic, Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, Hindi, and English.
- A reminder that the bus app itself is in English and Spanish only.
- Technical issues - the app. has a link for help: PMOOperationsSupport@gobeacon.com
WHS Department Updates
English Department
Several classes this fall have included assignments that ask students to prepare a performance for the class. For example, many 9th graders participated in Our Town scenes, some 9th graders wrote and performed a slam poem while reading The Poet X, and some 10th graders engaged in the Antigone Trial. In addition to these types of performance-based assignments, students consistently and meaningfully practice their speaking and listening skills through class discussions, formal Socratic Seminars, class participation, and collaborative assignments. It is through this practice that students develop their voice and gain confidence in sharing their ideas.
Special Education Department
From the special education department, we would like to introduce our new hire, Mary Kate Lehman!
"Hi everyone! My name is Mary Kate Lehman. I graduated from Westborough High School in 2018 and UConn in 2022. I have always been passionate about special education and am looking forward to growing as a professional. I worked during my undergraduate career to gain experience at The New England Center for Children and facilitating early intervention home services. Outside of work, I love to run, spend time with my family, and eat lots of Ulhman’s ice cream. I am so excited to be joining the WHS community!"
Social Studies Department
In Social Studies and History courses, students have been engaged in activities surrounding the curriculum while keeping up with current events, including the recent town meetings and state wide elections.
On election day this November, Mr. Cullen's Civics class helped election workers at the polls. The town had around five thousand mail-in ballots and needed help processing the votes. The students could not fully open any of the envelopes but instead had to carefully cut open each one so as to not damage the ballot and then pass it to an election official who then pulled out the ballot and ran it through the machine. It was a great opportunity for the students to see how the election process worked and it was a great help for the town. The class is currently working on their civic action project and will meet with school administration in January to discuss their findings and proposal.
In Legal Studies students are hard at work preparing for the Mock trial with Ms. Power and Mr. Belbin. Students have been fortunate to be able to work with members of the Westborough Police Department as well as local attorney Geoff Spofford.
Mr. Chapman's Sociology class recently worked in conjunction with the Westborough Post Office with their annual "Letters to Santa" project. The post office collects letters to Santa Claus from local kids and WHS student "elves" spread holiday cheer by writing responses to kids that will be delivered by letter carriers. Students helped write over 100 letters this holiday season.
While in18th and 19th Century United States History course, students in Ms. Kraus' classes have been diving into local history, researching historic homes in town. They have studied their architecture and learned to identify when a home was built based on where the chimney is and what their windows look like. And, we've learned about how some of Westborough's early families were connected to major moments in American history, from the Industrial Revolution to the Civil War.
Finally, in our Grade 9 program students engage in our history lab on the Middle Ages including examining artifacts and primary documents that date back 500 years.
Science Department
In Biology, students have studied a number of topics ranging from the “Properties of Life” to all the different “Macromolecules” that make up all living organisms. They are currently exploring the world of cells- studying the different structures and functions of Prokaryotic (primitive- like bacteria) as well as Eukaryotic cells (more advanced- example-plant/animal cells).
Students have recently completed a microscopy investigative lab, where they prepared and examined microscope slides and recorded their observations. Some examples are below:
World Language Department
The World Language Department provides opportunities for students to become more effective communicators. Our courses also provide students with opportunities to reflect on their own language and culture and develop and communicate insights into the arts, history, customs, linguistic heritage, and influences of others.
As an illustration, this fall our Spanish 3 teachers debuted a new unit about Hispanic Heritage Month. During this unit, students learned about why we celebrate Hispanic heritage, a few key points in Hispanic history, and the stories of several leaders of social movements in Latin America.
In addition to providing students with opportunities to connect with their peers in the classroom, our courses provide students with opportunities to connect with their community and speakers of the target language. For example, 10th-grade French students interviewed their parents and grandparents about what school was like when they were younger, and then compared past and present school experiences in the United States with those of French-speaking communities around the world. Learning experiences like these enable students to participate with cultural competence and understanding in multilingual communities at home and around the world.
Wellness Department
- Making a to-do list each morning
- Having the last 2 minutes of your shower be cold water
- Practicing mindfulness at night
- Going for a walk outside with a friend
- Including walnuts in an afterschool snack, etc.
The next day students engage with stations specifically targeting these opportunities. As always, we encourage our students to take this learning home and use it in their everyday life.
Library Science Department
WHS Library welcomed Jennifer De Leon, author of Don't Ask Me Where I'm from during LatinX Heritage Month. De Leon’s book was a suggested title on the Summer Reading List for 2022. Ms. De Leon spent the day with students and returned for an evening event. This day was made possible in collaboration with the WPS and the Westborough Public Library. All students in grades 9-12 attended an inspirational and informative assembly with the author. After the assemblies, De Leon held a class discussion with English Language Learner students and facilitated a writing workshop with Mr. Lewis’ 10th grade English class.
Guidance Department
In addition, as students begin to hear back from schools we ask that they update the status (accepted, denied, waitlisted) to their college list on Naviance. And, finally, for those seniors who are still working through the process and figuring out their plans beyond high school please know that your counselors are here for you!
Math Department
In addition, several students participated in the annual Math Olympiad Competition in October, as well as both the “A Exam” and “B Exam” for the American Mathematics Competition (AMC) in November. Congratulations to Sriaditya Vaddati who has been invited to continue into the second round of the competition. Information about qualifiers for the second round of the AMC has not been released yet.
The team meets in room A308 each Wednesday after school and new students are always welcome!
Engineering, Computer Science, FASC Department
Engineering:
- The Engineering Design Sequence students have been working on learning advanced manufacturing techniques. Intro to Engineering students are finishing up their desk organizers, in which they used AutoCAD to create the files necessary to cut their work on a laser cutter. Engineering Design students also used the laser cutter to cut and engrave a self-directed project.
- Advanced Engineering Design students have been using 3D modeling software to learn how to set up the 3D printers and Desktop Manufacturing are creating .STL files to use on the CNC mill.
- Applied Engineering has just finished up a unit on beams, in which students built, tested, and mathematically modeled their beams in order to understand the behavior of structures when a load is applied. They will now use that knowledge to design a truss bridge
- Materials Engineering students have been working at making and testing their own solder, learning how to manipulate glass, and are about to start a unit on concrete.
- Engineering Department members Bill Parsons and Tim Hall visited the Mill Pond First Lego League to talk to them about their competition presentation. The students did a great job and Bill and Tim can’t wait for them to make it to the High School!
Computer Science:
- Students in AP Computer Science A and Principles are diligently working on their studies and preparing for their exams in May.
- ECS, Python, and Java are all working on programming-based projects.
- Family and Consumer Science is helping the Community Cooking Club to make desserts for the Westborough Senior Center’s Senior Care Program. This is a great opportunity for students to hone their skills for a great cause!
- Integrated cooking is about to embark on whoopie pie production, easily the messiest thing we make all year.
- Three sections of Wood Tech have completed their first two projects of the semester, including the fan favorite clock project, and they are now working on the final project of a wall-mounted mail and key organizer.
- Robotics recently completed their Lift Bot and are now working on their Golf Bot design and build. The plan is to allow them a final project where they set their own criteria and constraints.
Composting Comes to WHS
District Updates
Winter is here, so I wanted to review our procedures for canceling or delaying school. Please read and review the procedures outlined below. They are also available on our district webpage by clicking on the snowflake under Quick Links.
The decision to delay or close schools involves a range of important factors. I consult with the Department of Public Works, the Police Department, and surrounding area superintendents. We assess the condition of area's local roads and the regional roads that our faculty and staff are traveling in order to reach Westborough.
I will try to communicate the decision by 5:45 am to 6:00 am so that people can plan work and childcare accordingly. A phone message will be sent to the phone number selected in PowerSchool for cancellations or delays and the e-mail will be sent to both parents' addresses, so please check that this information is up-to-date for your child(ren).
Cancellation and delay information will also be broadcast on:
- WBZ TV Channel 4 and WBZ Radio AM 1030
- WCVB TV Channel 5
- WHDH TV Channel 7
- WFXT TV Channel 25
- Westborough Cable TV
- The Westborough Public Schools District website will display the information (www.westboroughk12.org).
Delay and Cancellation Details:
In the case of a one-hour delay there will be no AM Preschool. Buses will run on a schedule that will be one hour later than the normal pick-up time. In the case of a delay, the AM: Extended Day Program (EDP) is delayed by one hour as well. Visit the website for updates on after-school and evening activities.
In the case of a two-hour delay, there will be no AM Preschool. Buses will run on a schedule that will be two hours later than the normal pick-up time. In the case of a delay, the AM: Extended Day Program (EDP) is delayed by two hours as well. Visit the website for updates on after-school and evening activities.
In the case of a cancellation, all Extended Day Programs are canceled (AM & PM) and all before and after school activities are canceled.
Always visit the website for clarification if you have questions.
Calendar Highlights
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the 2-day September WHS closure and in order to achieve the state-mandated number of days in school, the WHS School Committee voted that the last regularly scheduled day for Westborough High School classes will be Wednesday, June 21, 2023.
12/23/22: Early Release
12/26-12/27: Schools Closed for Christmas Eve/Day
12/28-12/30: Schools Closed for Winter Break
01/02/23: Schools Closed for New Year's Day
01/16/23: Schools Closed MLK, Jr. Day
Click here to see the full 2022/2023 WHS District Calendar.
Click here to see the WHS Calendar on our website.
Ask the Office
Westborough High School
Principal: Brian Callaghan
Assistant Principal: Jessica Barrett
Assistant Principal: Kate Mercadante
Email: mcdermottm@westboroughk12.org
Website: http://whs.westboroughk12.org/
Location: 90 West Main Street, Westborough, MA, USA
Phone: 508-836-7720
Twitter: @WboroPrincipal