TMHS Principal's Newsletter
September 2019
From the Principal's Desk - Kristen S. Vogel
In December, the Surgeon General of the United States issued a warning about the use of e-cigarettes (vapes, juuls). This warning was precipitated by the data that shows that the use of e-cigarettes by young people is at epidemic levels in the United States. There is no doubt that it has risen to epidemic levels. Just for perspective, the last time the Surgeon General issued a warning about the effects of smoking was in 1982. The increase in e-cigarette use has driven a 38 percent increase in use of any tobacco product among high school students (from 19.6% in 2017 to 27.1% in 2018). The use of e-cigarettes (vapes, juuls) by high school students increased by 78% from 2017 to 2018. We have a health crisis among our young people. In fact, there have been six deaths attributed to e-cigarettes just this summer and 450 reported cases of lung illness as a result of vaping. Here at TMHS, we have witnessed the increased use of e-cigarettes among our own student body. Last year, there were 56 students suspended as a result of e-cigarette use in school. We want our students to live healthy lives and are concerned about their addiction to nicotine and the chemicals they are putting into their growing bodies and brains. We address these dangers in our 9th and 11th grade health classes. This year we will be having students who are caught using an e-cigarette on school grounds or at a school sponsored event take a five hour course on vaping instead of being suspended from school. We strongly believe that education is the key to eliminating this growing health crisis among our young people. We also ask that you have ongoing conversations with your children about the dangers of e-cigarette use. I have included a link with quick facts on e-cigarettes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and one on how to talk to your high schoolers about vaping. We hope that by working together we can keep our students healthy and safe.
https://www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/2019/01/24/the-dangers-of-vaping-monica-bharel
TMHS Open House - Thursday Evening, September 26th
Our Open House will take place on Thursday evening, September 26th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Please print out your child's schedule and follow the open house schedule below. We look forward to seeing you on the 26th!
Commended Students in National Merit Scholarship Program
Megan Cunningham '20 and Kyle Morris '20 have been named Commended Students in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program.
These two TMHS seniors are among 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation who are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2020 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2020 competition by taking the 2018 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).
PSAT Day - Wednesday, October 16th
On Wednesday, October 16th all sophomores and juniors will be taking the PSAT test during the school day. The district covers the costs of all of our sophomores and juniors participating in the test. This test is an opportunity for students to practice taking an SAT test before they take the SAT for college admission later their junior year and senior year.
While the sophomores and juniors are taking the PSAT test, all freshmen will be engaged in a program on local Native American culture and history by the Greater Lowell Indian Council.
We encourage all seniors to use this day for college visits. This day will be excused for seniors as long as they let the Guidance Office know what they will be doing that day toward their post high school plans.
We will dismiss students at 12:17pm after lunch. There will be buses for students.
Upcoming Trips
Traveling is a wonderful way for students to broaden their perspectives of other cultures. For the 2019-2020 school year TMHS has the following additional travel opportunities planned:
MONTREAL-QUÉBEC CITY
DATE: Memorial Day weekend (May 22nd to May 25th)
ITINERARY: Go to: https://enrollmentbyprometour.com/travel/759/tk/4uaPvb
NEW YORK CITY
DATE: April vacation
ITINERARY: https://www.efexploreamerica.com/tour-website/2267728MR
Fine & Performing Arts Department
Thank you to Ms. Ware and our band students that performed at the 9/11 ceremony at the Tewksbury Public Library!
Alice in Wonderland
The TMHS Theater Company has been hard at work preparing for their fall production of Alice in Wonderland. Alice in Wonderland is a classic tale cherished by audiences of all ages. Based on the novel written in 1865 by Lewis Carroll, it tells the story of a young girl Alice falling through a rabbit hole into a fantasy world. Come see our talented students’ amazing show on November 14th, 15th, and 16th in the Dr. Christine L. McGrath Performing Arts Center.
Please encourage your student to consider and explore our extracurricular offerings this year.
Fine & Performing Arts Department Extracurricular Activities
TMHS Theater Company
Three season club with varying hours depending on participation in cast or crew
Includes Fall Play, Winter One Act, and Spring Musical
Advisors-Ms. Heather Ware hware@tewksbury.k12.ma.us and
Ms. Jade Scarpa jscarpa@tewksbury.k12.ma.us
TMHS Marching Unit
Meets August-November on Mondays & Wednesdays, 5-8:00pm
Performs at TMHS football games and New England competitions
Advisor-Ms. Heather Ware hware@tewksbury.k12.ma.us
TMHS Affinity Winter Color Guard
Meets November-April on Sundays 4-7:00pm, Mondays and Wednesdays, 5-8:00pm
Competes in the New England Scholastic Band Association winter circuit
Advisor-Ms. Heather Ware hware@tewksbury.k12.ma.us
Dance Team
Students choreograph and perform routines for school events.
Advisor-Ms. Kayla McLaughlin@tewksbury.k12.ma.us/Gymnasium
Important Senior Information
Seniors Must Order Cap and Gown
Click on this link for your CAP AND GOWN RESERVATION SITE.
Please complete the information on the above link. Once your information has been completed, you and your parent will receive a link to PAY for your cap and gown at Jostens.com. Remember, the purchase of your cap and gown is your responsibility and you will have 3 weeks to complete payment online. Your cap, gown and tassel unit is $19.00.
Orders will be taken online until Friday, October 11, 2019. Please order soon to avoid late fees! JOSTENS is the name of the company. AVOID LATE FEES
Questions? Call 800-JOSTENS (567-8367)
Yearbook Information
Yearbooks are on sale and can be purchased at jostensyearbooks.com for $60. The price will go up after September 30th! So buy on-line now! Jostensyearbooks.com
Senior Portraits
Portraits for the yearbook should be taken by November 1st. Please contact O’Connor Studios on Main Street in Tewksbury to make an appointment; You can also book appointments on their website. Remember, November 1st is the deadline!!
O'Connor Studio's fall hours are Mon.-Fri. from 3:00pm to 7:00pm and Sat. from 9:00am to 4:00pm. All sittings are by appointment only. Seniors can make their appointment online at www.oconnorstudio.com/seniors or call 978-640-6250.
O’Connor Studios has a working relationship with the yearbook, and they support the yearbook by providing free photography coverage for all the sports, proms, plays and various events.
National Honor Society Website
Challenge Day - October 2nd and 3rd
On Wednesday, October 2nd, and Thursday, October 3rd, all sophomores will participate in Challenge Day. The sophomore class will be divided in half by last name so that approximately 100 students and 25 faculty members will participate each day. Challenge Day is an organization out of California that works with schools to develop a positive and safe school culture for all students. Opt out permission slips were emailed to parents in September. If we did not receive that form back, your student will participate in Challenge Day. We are really excited for all of our sophomores to have this experience!
The Challenge Day organization is the world leader in building school communities where students and adults feel safe and connected. Here is the link to their website:
Math Department News
The math department has adopted new Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 textbooks this school year. The math teachers will be asking students if they would like a copy of our old textbooks to take home and keep. These are great to use as an additional extra help resource at home. Students may also want to use them to review for assessments such as the PSATs, SATs, MCAS, or college placement tests. Copies will be available at TMHS during open house for parents or guardians to take. If any parent, guardian, or Tewksbury resident would like a copy, please reach out to Shelli-An Ryan, Mathematics Department Head at TMHS, via email at sryan@tewksbury.k12.ma.us. All requests need to be made by October 11th.
A Reminder from the Nurse
When a student texts home asking to be dismissed for illness, that is not considered a medical dismissal. If a student does not feel well, the procedure is go to the Health Room, be evaluated and if deemed appropriate, a parent will receive a call from the nurse indicating the need for dismissal. Thank you for understanding.
Kelly Constantino, RN
Lead Nurse
978-640-7825, ext 2131
Tewksbury Public Schools
Forensics Class
Biology Class
First in Flight
Mr. Malynn's Engineering and Design #1 class witnesses a successful launch of a hot air balloon designed in class.
Guidance Events - Fall 2019
Thursday, October 3rd 6–8:00pm College Financial Aid Presentation
Sophomore and junior parents are invited to attend a very important Financial Aid presentation conducted by MEFA. The recent changes in the FAFSA process and informative tips will assist parents in navigating this process.
Friday, October 4th 7:45–8:45am Freshman Parent Breakfast
Freshman parents may come and enjoy breakfast while meeting your student’s guidance counselors and other members of the TMHS community. This is a wonderful opportunity to review graduation requirements and programs available to students.
Wednesday, October 16th 7:40am–12:15pm PSAT Exam for all Sophomores and Juniors
It is recommended that all sophomores and juniors participate in the PSAT exam. Junior students who excel at PSAT exam may qualify for the National Scholarship Program. This exam gives our sophomores and juniors practice with the type of questions on the new SAT exam. It also gives the students feedback on their strengths and specifically what Advanced Placement courses they should consider taking.
Calendar of Events
2-3 Challenge Day for Sophomores
3 College Financial Aid Presentation 6–8:00pm
4 Freshman Parent Breakfast 7:45–8:45am
4 Music Talent Show 7:00pm in Auditorium
9 Progress Reports Available in Aspen
11 No School - Professional Development
14 No School - Columbus Day
16 PSATs for Sophomores and Juniors
17 Hats Off Luncheon 12:15pm
17 Picture Retakes
18 Homecoming Dance 7-10:00pm
26 Applefest Craft Fair 9:00am-3:00pm
28 School Council 3:15pm
Tewksbury Memorial High School
Website: https://www.tewksbury.k12.ma.us/high/
Location: 320 Pleasant Street, Tewksbury, MA, United States
Phone: 978-640-7825
Twitter: @tmhstweets