WHS Newsletter
Winter 2 2023 (1/13/2023)
A Message from the Principal
Dear WHS School Community,
Happy New Year! I sincerely hope 2023 is filled with peace and joy for you all.
In just a couple of weeks, WHS will be taking time to conduct Mid Year Assessments in year-long courses (Final Assessments in some half-year courses). Below you will find the assessment schedule and reminders, as well as some tips to help students best prepare for these important and meaningful assessments. If you have any questions about the schedule feel free to reach out to a teacher, counselor, or administrator.
According to Lunar New Year traditions, January 22nd begins the year of the Water Rabbit. The rabbit is known to be one of the luckiest animals and is associated with kindness, confidence, and strength. Wishing you all a year of prosperity, good fortune, and hope.
Best Wishes,
Brian Callaghan
WHS Principal
PLEASE READ: IMPORTANT SAFETY REMINDER - AFTERNOON STUDENT PICK UP
We have noticed a breakdown in the process set forth at the beginning of this school regarding student pick-up. PLEASE HELP US KEEP OUR CAMPUS SAFE AND FOLLOW THESE STEPS.
AFTERNOON PICK-UP*:
THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO STUDENT PICK-UP AT EITHER THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF WHS OR OUTSIDE OF THE CAFETERIA UNTIL 3:00 P.M. OR LATER. There should not be any unauthorized vehicles doing student pick-up immediately after school in these areas.
STUDENT PICK UP TAKING PLACE IMMEDIATELY AFTER SCHOOL IS ONLY ALLOWED AT THE AUDITORIUM DOORS AT THE UPPER PARKING LOT.
*Students who require medical or handicap assistance are permitted to use Main Entrance to drop off or pick up.
WHS Mid-Term Exam Schedule
Monday, January 23
- All 7 Periods meet- Review Day (Day 3 cycle)
Tuesday, January 24
- Period 1 Exam 8:10 - 10:10
- Period 2 Exam 10:40 - 12:40
Wednesday, January 25
- Period 3 Exam 8:10 - 10:10
- Period 4 Exam 10:40 - 12:40
Thursday, January 26
- Period 5 Exam 8:10 - 10:10
- Period 6 Exam 10:40 - 12:40
Friday, January 27
- Period 7 Exam 8:10 - 10:10
- Make-Up Exam(s) 10:40 - 12:40
Monday, January 30
- All 7 Periods meet-Exam Review-last day of Sem 1
Tuesday, January 31
- FIRST DAY OF 2ND SEMESTER ( Day 2 cycle)
Important Exam Reminders
The Mid-Year Assessment is worth 10% of the student’s overall average for full-year courses (20% for half-year courses because it’s the final exam).
Reporting Absences:
Parents/Guardians, please call to report all student absences on exam days to the Main Office.
Exemptions:
- There are NO EXEMPTIONS from exams for full-year courses
- Students can NOT change the date of the exam without prior approval from an administrator and the teacher.
Time of Exam:
- Each exam is scheduled for 2 hours (there will be ½ hr. break between exams, 10:10 - 10:40)
- The exam should be designed for a 90-minute assessment (30 minutes built in for students who need extra time)
- Students with prescribed needs for additional time (re: IEP, 504 Plan), will be scheduled accordingly.
- Students must remain in the exam room for the entire 2-hour exam period.
- Students who are exempt from the second scheduled exam may leave at 10:10; and, students who are exempt from the first scheduled exam may enter by 10:10 am
- Students who are absent during their scheduled exam must secure permission from an administrator to make-up their missed exams; in addition, students must take responsibility for meeting with teachers to arrange for make-ups
- Students with conflicts must make arrangements with their teachers to schedule their exam
- Students, please keep in mind: All caution will be exercised to ensure that no copying or cheating takes place during this exam. If cheating is suspected all exam papers will be immediately collected, the office notified and the student will be sent directly to the office. Please be forewarned that students caught cheating during their exam will receive a zero as an exam grade.
- No student is to leave the room.
- In case of illness or an emergency, the teacher will call the office for an administrator to assist
Inclement Weather
- School Cancellation: if a cancellation the exam schedule (including all 7 review) will be advanced by one day.
- 2-Hour Delay: if there is a delayed opening the exam period that was missed will be moved to the Make-Up period. The remainder of the schedule will be unchanged.
Here are some helpful ideas to prepare for studying:
Find a quiet place to study without distractions.
Set-up your study space. Make sure it’s not too cluttered and has everything you might need.
Find out as much as you can about the exam so you can prepare.
Ask your teacher- engage in review sessions and seek extra help after school
Learn to make ‘mind maps’ and use them to collect ideas and thoughts, use bright colors to help remember important links.
Make a plan of what you want to work on in each study session. Break it down into small tasks and work on one task at a time.
Take regular short breaks – use this time to have a drink, get something to eat or play with a pet.
Ask for help - If you’re having trouble with something you’re studying, ask a teacher, friend, sibling or parent to help.
5th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration
We hope you can join the FIFTH annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration, an “all ages,” free event taking place on Monday, January 16th from 6:30pm-8:30pm at Westborough High School.
This year’s theme is “Believe the Dream; Join the Journey” and will feature a theatrical performance by social justice theater company, Dialogues on Diversity, called “Shared Dreams.”
To cap off the evening, local a cappella group, Ball in the House will be performing!!! Their signature “music that’ll move ya” will energize our hearts and bodies for the journey ahead!
Live language interpretation will be available in Spanish, Portuguese, and American Sign Language.
HERE is a link to the event flyer (Portuguese, Spanish). More information can be found at www.westboroughconnects.org/programs.
Please note: The content of the theater performance is meant to foster meaningful, open and honest dialogue about the struggle of racism in America. We believe that there is opportunity for everyone at all ages and stages of life to gain something from the experience, but we also recognize that some of the language and imagery may be objectionable and/or triggering for some. Please see the Program Disclaimer HERE. There will be coloring sheets and an art project available for anyone who would like a kinesthetic experience.
WASA WHITE OUT CHALLENGE
WASA (Westborough Athletic and Social Assoc/www.westboro.org) is holding our 2nd Annual Ice Out Challenge. It is going to start on Saturday, Jan. 14 at 12:00 at Hastings School. This is a unique, community fundraising event where a large ice sculpture is built in the front of the school and for $5, people can guess when the ice sculpture will melt. 100% of the proceeds go back to the community. Closest guess wins $500. Last day to enter a guess is Feb. 14. It is fun to watch the sculpture being built so anyone can come watch on Saturday. We will have hot chocolate and coffee.
Since 1935 WASA has been dedicated to supporting Westborough youth in their academic and athletic endeavors. In the last 10 years, WASA has donated over $100,000 to support our local youth including providing $30,000 in college scholarships to promising, young Westborough High School students. WASA reaches far beyond sports and helps the entire community (Special Olympics, Food Pantry, Westborough Council on Aging, Wounded Warriors, Westborough Fine Arts, etc.).
(https://www.communityadvocate.com/2020/05/27/wasa-members-kindness-extended-to-local-seniors/)
https://spectrumnews1.com/wi/green-bay/news/2021/01/17/westboro-ice-sculpture
Thank you for all your support
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.
01/16/23: Schools Closed MLK, Jr. Day
01/19 - /1/21 - School Play "The Laramie Project" @ WHS-7pm
02/03/23: Early Release
02/20 - 02/24: School Closed February Break
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