Scarborough High School
January 6, 2023
Dear Students, Families, and Staff,
Happy New Year and welcome to 2023! We hope everyone had a good break. January is a busy month at SHS. We are creating our building budget for FY 24, department heads turn in their budgets today so the building budget can be pulled together to present to our Central Office staff on Monday, January 23. Also, we are working on updating our Program of Studies for course selection this spring. The Program of Studies usually goes before the School Board at the first meeting in March which fits in with our timeline for students to register for next year’s classes. Also, Tuesday through Friday, January 17 - 20, will be our Midterm Exam week. Details are in this letter. It is hard to believe that by the end of this month we will have begun the second half of the school year. With that in mind, here are some important dates for January:
Wednesday, January 4: Sophomore Class Meeting to be introduced to the Career and Technical School (vocational)l offerings at both Westbrook Regional Vocational Center (WRVC) and Portland Arts and Technology High School (PATHS). Please talk to your sophomore student to see if they would have an interest in attending one of these programs as an upperclassman.
Monday, January 9: 7:00 - 8:30 PM - Understanding High-Potency Marijuana, presentation and panel discussion at Yarmouth High School Performing Arts Center
Tuesday, January 10: Band and Chorus Concert, 7:00 PM, Auditorium (snow date - Friday, January 13)
Monday, January 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, No School
Tuesday, January 17: Midterm Exams - WHITE DAY Blocks 1 and 2
Wednesday, January 18: Midterm Exams - WHITE DAY Blocks 3 and 4
Thursday, January 19: Midterm Exams - RED DAY Blocks 1 and 2
Friday, January 20: Midterm Exams - RED DAY Blocks 3 and 4
Monday, January 23: Semester II begins
Monday, January 30: Grades available for Semester I
The Voices of Hope documentary series with help from SEED (Students Empowered to End Dependency) will be presenting their latest documentary “Understanding High-Potency Marijuana” at the Yarmouth High School Performing Arts Center on Monday, January 9, from 7:00 - 8:30 PM. The program includes a panel of experts, as well as students and staff, most who appear in the documentary series, to answer any questions.
Scarborough students and staff have contributed to this documentary, along with staff and students from Cape Elizabeth, Greely, Yarmouth, Portland, Bath and Windham. The program offers students, families, and school community members the opportunity to come together to learn more about cannabis, mental health and the impact on our teens and young adults.
With an increased concentration of THC in the cannabis that our teens have available to them, we are now seeing increases in anxiety, sleeplessness, reduced motivation, cannabis induced psychosis (similar effects as schizophrenia), and addiction among our teens and young adults. This event gives us an opportunity to increase our understanding and connect with a supportive community on a challenging topic that often remains in the shadows. Mary Record, one of our health teachers at SHS will be a panelist. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience, Mary!
COVID Testing Kits
Currently, there are two links that families can go to in order to get free COVID test kits. We are hoping families might order some through this avenue so that everyone has some testing kits available for their household. Thank you for your help with this. We think you can order some from both sites if you’d like. Here are the two links:
Yearbook 2023
Since August, the yearbook staff has been photographing the events of SHS in classrooms, in the halls, on the stage, on the courts, rinks and fields, covering all grades. The goal of the staff is to capture the spirit of Scarborough High School through the eyes of the students. We are confident this year’s yearbook will do just that. If you would like to purchase a 2023 SHS Four Corners Yearbook, now is the time.
In just five months, our seniors will be graduating. TIME is running short to purchase a 2023 YEARBOOK and Student Recognition Ad. There will not be books available for purchase after February 24, 2023. There is LIMITED space available for Ads. Please login and purchase a book or ad today: https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1067379/Scarborough-High-School/
We thank you for your support.
Diploma Names: An Update
There has been a change in the law regarding diploma names. Students are now allowed to choose a preferred name for their diploma. A survey went out to seniors in December with this updated information and an option for seniors to give us their requested name for their diploma. Their formal transcript, which goes out to colleges after graduation, will still have the student’s legal name on this document as it is a legal record.
Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS)
Music Concert
On Tuesday, January 10th (snow date Jan 13), the music department will present their second concert of the year! The Winter Concert will feature both the SHS bands and chorale. Please join us in person or via livestream at 7:00 PM.
Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flwZ7Kpmljg
Spring Music Dates for Your Calendar
SHS Winter Concert: January 10, 7:00 PM (snow date January 13)
- Livestream link: https://youtu.be/flwZ7Kpmljg (This is different from the link directly above, but they both work)
Maine Band Directors Association Festival: March 22 & 23 (2:40-9:00 PM both days)
District All Choral Night: Match 28, 7:00 PM (snow date March 31)
- Livestream link: https://youtu.be/cNO6SxKoxm0
Maine Choral Directors Association Festival: April 27 & 28 (2:40 - 9:00 PM both days)
Memorial Day Parade: (SHS Bands) May 29
SHS End-of-Year Concert: May 31, 7:00 PM
- Livestream link: https://youtu.be/IPPV6eiGEPE
Alternative Education Program: What is Alternative Education?
Alternative Education (Alt Ed) allows students who are struggling to succeed in traditional, mainstream classes to access their education in a more individualized way. The Alt Ed program at SHS is located within the high school and addresses the individual academic, social and behavioral needs of students at risk of dropping out of school. Classes in the program involve small groups, participation-based grading, and a focus on social/emotional needs. While most core courses and many elective courses are offered through Alt Ed, students are welcomed and encouraged to take any other courses offered at and through SHS, including vocational offerings, at any time. Alt Ed students earn the same diploma as other students at SHS!
SHS’s Alternative Education program serves up to 22 students in grades 9-12. Alt Ed is a program of choice–all students who are in the program are enrolled because they have chosen it. This program is open to students who receive IEP or 504 services, but it is not a special education program and is open to all students at SHS. The program staff two full-time teachers, one focusing on math and science and the other specializing in English and social studies. Currently, we still have a few openings for new students looking to start Semester II.
If you are interested in learning more about Alt Ed, especially if this sounds like a program that would help your student, please contact your student’s administrator (Mr. Brown or Mr. Theriault), your student’s school counselor, or any of the school’s social workers.
Updates from Senior Placement
Scholarships: Scholarship Season is starting. We are emailing seniors, posting in google classroom, and keeping Naviance updated with outside scholarship opportunities that we know about. The local scholarships for Scarborough students will be available in March. Make sure that students check out where you work, churches, or organizations you might be connected to. Often they also have scholarship opportunities, which we do not know about.
The Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) has some great resources as you navigate this process.
- Scholarship Search: https://www.famemaine.com/affording-education/pay-for-school/maine-scholarship-search/
- FAFSA Support: https://www.famemaine.com/affording-education/pay-for-school/get-financial-aid/fafsa/
- Comparing Financial Aid Offers: https://www.famemaine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Comparing-Awards-online.pdf
Mid-Year Transcripts/Reports: The Senior Placement Office will send these out to colleges and universities as soon as grades are available, around the first week of February. Schools are aware of our timeline, but if you have concerns, please contact us.
Post-High School Planning Timeline
Seniors
- Check your email for messages from colleges and universities you have applied to, and follow up with them.
- Finish applying to colleges and universities.
- Complete and submit your FAFSA (and CSS Profile if required)
- Keep the Placement Office updated on decisions! Or schedule a time to meet with any questions you may have.
Juniors
- Meet with Mr. Harris.
- Organize your spring testing schedule. While many colleges and universities continue to be test-optional, it doesn’t hurt to have this in your back pocket if needed!
- Get Involved: Colleges are looking for well-rounded students engaged in more than just school. However, do not just join something to add it to your resume. Be thoughtful and authentic and jump right in for opportunities for leadership at SHS and in the larger community too!
- Start Visiting Colleges: Get on some local college campuses to get an idea. Plan your February and April Trips with a visit to some campuses in the area. Even if you are not interested in attending these schools, it allows you to start seeing what you like and dislike about a campus.
Freshman and Sophomores
- Focus on earning good grades: Develop those study habits, see what classes you might want to challenge yourself in, and talk with your teachers about this too.
- Financial Aid: While it seems early, it is always a good idea to begin discussing how to pay for school and the possibilities. FAME has some great resources to consider too. https://www.famemaine.com/affording-education/make-a-plan/planning-by-age/high-school/
- Get Involved: Colleges are looking for well-rounded students engaged in more than just school. However, do not just join something to add it to your resume. Be thoughtful and authentic and jump right in for opportunities for leadership at SHS and in the larger community too!
Please get in touch with us with any questions and update us on your decisions!
- Betsy Henderson: ehenderson@scarbroughschools.org
- Scott Harris: sharris@scarborough schools.org
Midterm Exam Schedule and Information
Friday, January 13: Regular School Day, Red Day 1
Tuesday, January 17:
- 8:15 – 9:45 – White Day Block 1 (Period 1-2)
- 10:15 – 11:45 – White Day Block 2 (Period 3-4)
- 11:45 – 12:30 – Lunch
- 12:30 – 2:40 – Make Up Exam Time
Wednesday, January 18:
- 8:15 – 9:45 – White Day Block 3 (Period 5-6)
- 10:15 – 11:45 – White Day Block 4 (Period 7-8)
- 11:45 – 12:30 – Lunch
- 12:30 – 2:40 – Make Up Exam Time
Thursday, January 19:
- 8:15 – 9:45 – Red Day Block 1 (Period 1-2)
- 10:15 – 11:45 – Red Day Block 2 (Period 3-4)
- 11:45 – 12:30 – Lunch
- 12:30 – 2:40 – Make Up Exam Time
Friday, January 20:
- 8:15 – 9:45 – Red Day Block 3 (Period 5-6)
- 10:15 – 11:45 – Red Day Block 4 (Period 7-8)
- 11:45 – 12:30 – Lunch
- 12:30 – 2:40 – Make Up Exam Time
PLEASE NOTE: Every course at SHS is expected to give a mid-term exam during these blocks. Exams are to be given during the period assigned. There is no exam exemption for seniors for midterms.
SNOW DAYS: If school is canceled due to inclement weather during mid-term exams, the schedule will push forward one day so students have what they need to study for exams. For example, if school is canceled on January 17, then on January 18 we would have the White Day Blocks 1 and 2 Exams. Everything else would also push forward one day for the duration of exams.
BUSSES: Busses will run at the regular times.
NOTE: Students are expected to be at SHS during their exam times only during this week. If they can make transportation arrangements, they may do that. The Cafeteria, Learning Commons, and Study Center will be open and supervised during school hours so that students may study.
We hope that everyone is starting off the New Year in a good way! Good luck to those of you who made New Year’s resolutions for 2023. May you be healthy and happy.
The Building Leadership Team
Jacob Brown, Assistant Principal (9 & 11)
Susan Ketch, Principal
Michael LeGage, Director of Athletics and Activities
Nathan Theriault, Assistant Principal (10 & 12)