SHS Warrior Call
Respect: Earn It, Give It, Live It!
Welcome!
March 9, 2018 - Volume 3 - ISSUE 25
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
March 15 - The Junior Class will be attending the Credit for Life Fair in the SHS gym from 8:45-10:30. Remember to bring in at least one non-perishable food item that we will be donating to Doorways Food Pantry.
March 29 -
April 7 - Math Advanced Placement review session at SHS (8AM-12PM)
April 28 - Science Advanced Placement review session at NBHS (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
Hanna Saisselin Launches her own magazine!
Hanna has decided to make her own path by creating a magazine for her and others' work as a way to offer a voice to many who would not normally be afforded the opportunity. She is truly an inspiration as she models the concept of creating your own success by pursuing your passion. The Sun Chronicle reports that: "Hanna Saisselin is launching Modern Concepts, an independent literary magazine that accepts writing, poetry or photography submissions from any Seekonk resident. Modern Concepts is a magazine curated solely by Saisselin herself, who has taken on the initiative as a “performance-based project” through an independent study course at Seekonk High School."
Cam Garabian Takes New England by Storm!
Cam has been in the news a lot this past season, but the big story is how she is finishing. Just two weeks ago Cam became state champion in the shot put by handily out distancing all her competition. As the story in the Sun Chronicle reported: "Seekonk High School junior Cam Garabian extended the tape measure 42 feet during the preliminary rounds of putting the shot Saturday at the Reggie Lewis Center during the MIAA State Championship Track and Field Meet. Garabian, also tutored by legendary Warrior track coach Frank Mooney in the event, won the event by better than three feet to advance to the New England Championship Meet Saturday at the same site." Congrats and good luck this weekend Cammie! Check out the full article here.
This was clearly not enough for Cam. This past weekend she took home the gold at the New England competition by throwing "more than two inches over the runner-up from Connecticut who threw 43-5." As reported in the Sun Chronicle; "She threw 42-feet on her first throw and that set the tone,' Seekonk High coach Earl Berwick said of Garabian, who advances to the New Balance National Meet next weekend in New York City." Furthermore, "Garabian’s exploits have advanced her from competing in the 'emerging elite' division of the New Balance Meet on Saturday into the 'championship' division." Check out the full article here!
Congratulations and good luck!
around town
A Workshop on Guardianship, Alternatives and Other Transition Topics
summer program at the attleboro arts museum
The Attleboro Arts Museum’s weeklong summer art sessions combine looking at professional artwork in our gallery with fun, age-appropriate art-making experiences in the Museum studios. Students will try new approaches, materials and
gain self-confidence. Our faculty of artist/educators will provide individualized attention to our budding artists. See this flyer for more information!
Notary
Dr. Jones
Continuous Improvement Instead of Overnight Success
How often has the following scenario happened to you?
We look at the accomplishments of other people and get a little motivated. We think of what we would like to accomplish, set out to get it done, and then, when we do not find that big amount of success right away, we get down on ourselves and quit.
I propose that this is an engagement issue. When we expect quick, large accomplishments we are waiting for the world to engage us. Instead, we need to engage the world by setting goals, working the action steps required to accomplish each step, and continuously seeking areas in which we are mediocre so that we can improve.
When we expect overnight success we ignore the fact that those who achieve at high levels have done so by working hard and staying focused for a long time. More to the point, they didn’t just focus on the over-arching accomplishment. They stated what they wanted to do, identified how they needed to improve, and then focused on improving each area in smaller steps. By focusing on less they were able to improve more.
I challenge you…because there are only three months of school left.
Ask yourself you honestly want to be at the end of those three months. What does that look like? Select no more than three areas in which you need to improve.
Create a daily plan that includes small steps to take every day. Stay after a little longer. Do a little more homework. Run a little farther. Replace one bad snack with a healthy one. Read an extra 15 minutes. Go to bed 30 minutes earlier. Get the idea?
Focus on staying true to the plan. Say no to everything that tries to distract you. If it doesn’t help you achieve your goal, it is a distraction. Saying no more allows you to stay focused and say yes to success. Do this and you will achieve your goal.
Remember, it’s about you engaging the world around you rather than waiting to be engaged. There are many people who go through life in a mediocre way. They even say and think one of the worst phrases ever…”good enough”. Don’t be good enough. Be better. That is something you won’t regret. That is something that is engaging. That is how you continuously improve.
Around School...
Seekonk Students Go on Google Expeditions
On Thursday, March 1, nearly 300 Seekonk students had the chance to experience Augmented Reality (AR) when Google brought a sneak peek of their new initiative, called Google Expeditions, to the high school. During 30-minute sessions throughout the day, students and their teachers were able to examine virtual 3D objects, like one of Michelangelo’s statues, on the classroom tables.
The surprised gasps of students, along with comments like “Wow!” and “Cool!” were audible as they moved around the tables and viewed colorful objects, from a strand of DNA to a whirling tornado, through cell phones provided by Google for the day. Science teacher Eli Mello, who brought his AP Chemistry class to a session to see inorganic molecules up close, said “There is a lot of potential to AR - it’s a nice way to bring models to kids in a way that doesn’t require a ton of technology. It’s a way to freshen things for students and to spark interest in a topic.”
Thanks to all the students and teachers who took part, including Mrs. Borden, Mr, Bonneau, Mrs. Cunard, Mr. Gerbi, Mr., Hoogerzeil, Mr. MacKnight, Mr. Mello, Ms. Nelson, Mr. Perry, Mr. Petrucci, Mrs. Salisbury and Mr. Wills and our District Tech Integrator, Holly Quaratella.
guidance - Mrs. Whatley
Grades 9,10 and 11 students will be hearing about the 2018-2019 course selection process starting next week. All students will receive a presentation from a school counselor between March 12-22 in their English class. Teachers will be making course recommendations after March 22nd and final selections will be due by April 6th. The updated Program of Studies can be found on the high school home page. Please plan to speak to your student after they have received the course selection information.
There are several community service opportunities posted in the guidance office. If your student is in need of community service hours have them stop by the guidance office. Activities include an upcoming SHS court yard clean up and assistant coaching positions around town.
Assistant Principal - Kevin Aguiar
Positive Behavior Committee
January Winners
Random Acts Of Kindness
Daniella D'Amico
Angela El Jazzar
Erin Keough
Alex Killeen
Kate Lanzi
Jared Loureiro
Darius Saleeba
Josh Valente
Band - Mr. Smialek
On Thursday, March 8th, the SHS Jazz Band, along with seven other local high school jazz bands, performed at the Somerset/Berkeley Regional High School Jazz Festival. The group was adjudicated by URI Professor of Jazz Studies, Mark Berney. The group received ratings of “above average” and “outstanding,” and Jason Ho and Ethan Santos were recognized by Mr. Berney for outstanding solos.
On Saturday, March 4, 2018, SHS percussion students Nathan Costa, Cameron McLintock, Nathan Fournier, Casey L’Heureux, Sara L’Heureux, performed with the Mallet Maniacs Percussion Ensemble at the URI RI-PAS Percussion Festival. The group, led by SHS drum line instructor Rob Martin, won the Ron Stabile Memorial Trophy for first place. The Community Percussion Ensemble is currently in its 11th year, and it consists of Middle and High School students from various local school systems. Congratulations on this achievement!
Also on March 4th, the SHS Marching Band, led by senior drum major Sara Mallon and junior drum major Deidre Rocha, performed in the annual Pawtucket St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The band played to a rousing ovation at the reviewing stand at the conclusion of the parade.
And also on March 4th, senior Devlin Danner performed with the All-State Concert Band at Boston’s Symphony Hall, for the 52 annual MMEA All-State Music Festival. Congratulations to Devlin for this prestigious achievement!
Tickets for the 2018 Jazz Dinner will be going on sale in the beginning of March and will be $12. This event will be held on Thursday, April 5th 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.
The SHS Jazz Band will also be performing a set at the Hurley Middle School Jazz Dinner on Thursday, March 15th (note that this was originally going to be the date of the SHS Jazz Dinner, which is now moved to April 5). This will be at the Hurley Middle School Cafeteria starting at 6:30 pm.
art information - Mrs. Machado-Cook
UMASS DARTMOUTH is offering High School Students FREE Art Workshops during April Break!!
Creative thinking and critical response make the job of the emerging artist even more exciting. CVPA offers these young artists the opportunity to explore and develop their artistic voice and vision with four different April Break FREE Workshops (and PIZZA!)
Workshop choices:
SOCIAL PRACTICE - Never heard of it? Join Professor Ellen Mueller to collaborate, experience, and exchange ideas and more!
GRAPHIC DESIGN - Can your t-shirt be statement piece, and make you some $$$?
COLOR THEORY AND PRACTICE - Examine chromatic ideology by additive and subtractive color mixing, visual color relationships, tonality, contrast, and more.
UNCONVENTIONAL MATERIALS - Who ever thought you could wear these things? Challenge yourself with this unconventional workshop!
***See Mrs. Machado-Cook for more information***
Space is limited to 20 students per workshop so don't wait!! Deadline to register is Friday April 13 at 5PM.
Graphic Design - Ms. Jones
Introduction to Art - Ms. Jones
science - mrs. cunard
Science bowl
Ten Seekonk students participated in the Northeast Regional Science Bowl at UCONN on Saturday, March 3rd.
Science Bowl Team B:
Science Bowl Team A:
STEM Games
Thanks to the following teachers for their help: Mr. Devlin, Mr. Bonneau, Mr. Gerbi, Mr. Mello, Mr. Perry, Mrs. Horton, Mrs Costello & Mrs. Santos. Thanks to the following student assistants: Noah Brennick, Jason Ho & Kyle Sanborn. None of this would have been possible without them!
Water bottles are in. If you didn't get a chance to purchase one, there are bottles available to purchase. See Mrs. Cunard if you are interested.
College and Career readiness - Mrs. Fitzgerald
Student Experiences
We took 16 junior and seniors on a field trip to Attleboro High School on Feb. 28 for the Opportunities Career Fair. Students were able to talk to local employers and representatives from the military, vocational training programs and community colleges. They also filled out applications for summer jobs. It was a productive morning and everyone said it was a good experience.
We also had four students take part in Future Nurses Day at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro on March 1. The students learned about different areas of nursing and were involved in some hands-on activities such as taking blood pressure. They also took a tour of the hospital and enjoyed lunch courtesy of Sturdy.
Credit for life fair returns to seekonk high school!
Thursday, March 15 the junior class will be attending the Credit for Life Fair in the SHS gym from 8:45-10:30. The event is sponsored by BayCoast Bank with booths staffed by many local businesses and organizations, including the SHS Parent Advisory Council. The students will be imagining that they are 25 year olds trying to create a monthly budget--at various booths they’ll be doing things like buying a car, renting an apartment, selecting a cell phone plan and other personal luxuries.
At the Community Service booth, they can either get money deducted from their budget for charitable contributions or they can really do something good for our community and bring in a non-perishable food item that we will be donating to Doorways Food Pantry. Please remind your juniors to bring in at least one item with them to the fair on Thursday, March 15.
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
Congratulations to Junior Cammie Garabian who won the New England Regional
Championship in the shot put with a throw of 43 feet 8 and a quarter inches last
Saturday at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston. Cammie, currently ranked eighth in
the nation, will now compete in the New Balance National Indoor Championships in
New York City this weekend.
The Winter Cheerleading squad held their end of the year banquet last week. Junior
Olivia Soares was named Most Valuable Player, Junior Lily Carlson was named Most
Improved Player, and Sophomore Riley Ferreira won the Coach’s Award.
Registration for Spring Sports offerings at Seekonk High School closed today.
The first day of Spring Tryouts will be Monday, March 19.
The Seekonk High School Baseball Coaching staff is pleased to announce that they will be hosting a Baseball Clinic Monday March 12th through Friday March 16th from 5 to 6:30 pm in the Seekonk High School gymnasium. Both the coaching staff and current players will be providing instruction for all interested ballplayers. The cost will be $100 per player with all proceeds going to the Seekonk High School Baseball
program. Interested persons are asked to contact Head Coach Joe DeMelo.
Thanks to all those student-athletes who attended this week’s meetings about bringing lacrosse to Seekonk High School. Also in lacrosse news, Dawn Loomis, the co-founder and president of the Seekonk Youth Lacrosse Association, is looking for volunteer “coaching assistants” at the younger levels (grades 1, 2 and 3). Practices are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30-6:30 with games on Saturday’s beginning in mid April. High School students will be able to earn Community Service hours doing this. Interested students should contact Ms. Loomis directly or 508-336-1358.
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