TMHS Principal's Newsletter
October 2018
From the Principal's Desk - Kristen S. Vogel
During the month of October the Town of Tewksbury sponsors a week called Substance Abuse Prevention and Awareness Week where they provide many forums for members of the community to learn about the effects of drugs, alcohol and vaping. Vaping has become a significant health concern for the young people in our community. In the past year we have seen a significant increase in the number of students whom we have found vaping or in possession of vaping paraphernalia. In fact, last year at TMHS 82% of our discipline referrals were for students vaping or in possession of vaping paraphernalia. And these are only the students we know of who are vaping. When asked about vaping, many students report that it is not bad for them and that what they are vaping is just a flavored liquid. Our student organization SADD has organized a campaign to educate our students about the negative health effects of vaping. They have created posters to hang around the school and posted a powerful video on twitter. Last month there was a significant research study released about the prevalence, frequency, and negative health effects on adolescents. The study was published in the Wall Street Journal on September 21st. Despite my awareness about vaping among TMHS students, I was shocked by the data presented in this study about the numbers of adolescents who are engaging in vaping. As the adults in this community, we need to be educated about what vaping is and what it is doing to our children. I hope that you will take time to read the article and twitter chat, look at the posters created by SADD and share the video with your children.
Native Games at TMHS
While the sophomores and juniors took the PSAT test on October 10th, all freshmen were engaged in a program on local Native American culture and history by the Greater Lowell Indian Council. All seniors used this day for college visits and career preparation.
The photo below shows a collection of freshman students participating in Native Games.
Challenge Day 2018
The entire sophomore class along with 35 staff members participated in Challenge Day on October 1st and 2nd! They were days of music, laughter, dancing, sharing, apologies, caring and the breaking down of barriers. We immediately saw the positive impact these two days have had on our community! Next year we will have 50 students who participated this year, serve as peer leaders during the Challenge Days! Below is a picture of the students being greeted by staff at the beginning of the day!
Applefest Craft Fair Reminder
On Saturday, October 27th from 9:00am to 3:00pm our TMHS PAC will be hosting the Applefest Craft Fair here at the high school! There are wonderful homemade crafts, jewelry, candles, fudge (my favorite) and Redmen gear and items sold by our student organizations! We hope to see many of you there!
Seal of Biliteracy
The Seal of Biliteracy is an award in recognition of students who have studied and attained proficiency in English and one or more languages by high school graduation. The Seal of Biliteracy encourages students to pursue proficiency, honors the skills our students attain, and can be evidence of skills that are attractive to future employers and college admissions offices.
Research shows that becoming bilingual has long-term cognitive, cultural, and economic benefits. At TMHS students are given the opportunity to take Spanish, French, and Latin. Additionally, there are 16 languages spoken by ELL students walking our corridors.
Daryl Quek is a senior who speaks five languages. His aspirations for future career is International Business. He has achieved proficiency in English in addition to Mandarin, Cantonese, Taiwanese, and Malay. In the spring Daryl will partake in standardized testing to qualify for the new State Seal of Biliteracy.
In order to be considered for the Seal students need to complete an application. Please go to https://tpssealofbiliteracy.weebly.com/
For more information on the Seal of Biliteracy around the country, please see: http://sealofbiliteracy.org/
Commended Students
Aklilu Aron ‘19, Cameron Grace ‘19, Colton Rusch ‘19, and Emma White ’19 have been named Commended Students in the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program. A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program, was presented by Principal Vogel to these scholastically talented seniors.
Hats Off to Jessica Caredeo'19 and Kerry Shea'19
These two outstanding seniors have been recognized for their contributions to the co-curricular program at TMHS and their active involvement in the community.
Unified Basketball
Project Adventure
Movie Mile Field Trip
Mrs. Peloquin's Film Analysis & Appreciation class had a fantastic field trip to Boston. We had a great time walking the Movie Mile Tour & would like to thank Mr. Zimmerman for joining us!
The Boston Movie Mile Walking Tour took us through the Boston Common and Beacon Hill. Movies and TV shows filmed in and around the Boston Common and Beacon Hill included Cheers, The Departed, Ted, Ally McBeal, Amistad, The Company Men, Glory, The Thomas Crown Affair, Boondock Saints, What’s the Worst That Can Happen?, MTV’s Real World, and Blown Away. One of the most notable filming locations on the Boston Movie Mile tour is the bench where Robin Williams and Matt Damon sat in Good Will Hunting.
AP Psychology Class
Students made edible brains to practice parts and functions of the brain. Then they ate them!! See all the fun they had below.
GUIDANCE UPDATE
The Guidance Department is buzzing with the college applications and post-graduate planning. At this time 57% of our graduating students are applying early action (EA) to their colleges. Students are completing their applications, and counselors are writing recommendations, completing evaluations, and submitting school-related application materials to colleges. All EA applications with November deadlines will also require a first quarter grade report. After the first quarter grades are released, guidance staff are uploading transcripts to submit to all identified colleges on behalf of each student.
All college bound students and parents need to complete the FAFSA (https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa) form in order to be considered for student loans and institutional-based aid. Please remember there are many private colleges which require the CSS Profile (https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/getting-started-your-css-profile-application), which is separate from the FAFSA form. Students applying to schools that require the CSS will need to complete both forms for financial aid consideration.
(Please visit https://profile.collegeboard.org/profile/ppi/participatingInstitutions.aspx for the full list of schools that require the CSS Profile.)
All senior students should be visiting the Guidance web page for relevant information. Available scholarship information can be found on the Guidance web page, on Naviance, and in the Career Center. We recommend that students check weekly. As the year progresses the number of available scholarships increases.
Attention junior students interested in the health field: The annual Careers in Healthcare Day at Lowell General Hospital will be held on December 12th. Applications will be available beginning October 29th and are due in Guidance by November 20th.
National Honor Society Website
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent-Teacher Conferences take place on Thursday evening, November 29th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. We will once again use online sign up for conference times. We will send an email and post the directions for signing up on our website sometime in November.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
27 Applefest Craft Fair 9:00am-3:00pm
November
2 Grades Close
6 No School - Professional Development Day
9 Veterans Day Assembly 1:00pm
12 No School - Veterans Day Observation
15 Hats Off Luncheon 12:15pm at TCC
15 DECA Fashion Show 7:00pm
16 Admin Chat 7:30am
16 Report Cards Issued
21 Half Day & Pep Rally - Dismissal 10:24am
22-23 No School - Thanksgiving Recess
26 School Council 3:00pm
29 Parent-Teacher Conference Night 6-8:00pm
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