SHS Weekly Newsletter
September 10, 2021
Message from the Principal, Dr. Maguire
A Reflection for 9/11.
Tomorrow marks the 20th anniversary of 9/11, a day for those of us of a certain age that will forever be etched in our minds and our hearts. Like the assassination of JFK, the Columbine school shootings, or the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger, the 9/11 attacks are not just some distant event of history that we have studied on paper, but a really life experience we have lived through, wrestled with, and grieved over as individuals, as humans, and as Americans.
I am sure it is difficult for those of you who were born after 9/11 to fully understand the magnitude of the day and its aftermath, but I do believe you have the empathy, care, and love within you to consider the impact it has had on us as a society and why it is important that we never forget the sacrifices made as a result. The grades 10-12 class presidents prepared remarks to share with our school community. Please take a moment to consider their reflections and perspectives on 9/11.
Sophomore Class President Brooke McCarthy:
As many of you know, tomorrow marks a very important day in history that deserves the recognition and remembrance of the severe tragedies that occured. Twenty years ago from tomorrow, the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001, the four attacks of 9/11 took place.
The series of four coordinated attacks performed by the terrorist group Al-qaeda against the United States killed 2,996 people and first responders, changing the world forever. Though we students were not alive at the time, the date marks a devastating time in history that cannot be forgotten.
At 8:46 a.m the hijacked American Airline plane crashed into floors 93-99 of the North Tower of the World Trade Center killing all 92 people aboard and hundreds in the building. 17 minutes later, the hijacked United Airlines plane crashed into floors 75-85 of the South World Trade Center killing the 65 people on board and hundreds in the building. At 9:37 a.m, another hijacked plane crashed into the western side of the Pentagon killing 59 aboard and 125 military and civilian personnel inside the building. At 9:59, the South Tower collapsed killing everyone inside. 8 minutes later, another hijacked plane was intentionally grounded by passengers and crew who attempted to save lives and keep others safe by deliberately crashing into a field in Pennsylvania killing all 40 passengers aboard. After, the North World Trade Center collapsed killing hundreds inside.
Junior Class President Grace McNamara:
Today, we remember all of the victims, service members and first responders who died on the deadliest terrorist attack in world history. On 9/11, 343 fire fighters charged into the burning towers with fear in their eyes, helping hundreds of trapped individuals to safety. They carried people on their backs and arms as they trudged through the flames and out the broken doorways and windows where they handed the victims off to medics. First responders also were present at the Pentagon and in Shankesville, Pennsylvania after the two additional planes crashed and burned.
First responders are our world’s super heroes. They are some of the most courageous and selfless people you will ever encounter. They are the ones who answer the phones when we call for help and will show up at the scene within minutes to help save the day. Not only today, but forever, these first responders will be remembered in our hearts for their heroic, selfless actions. We express great gratitude to all of our current and former first responders. Without these selfless, kind hearted people in the world, we wouldn’t be here today.
Next time you see one of these heroes out in life, go out of your way and thank them for all their selfless acts of bravery. That’s the least we can do to show our gratitude and respect.
Although our generation was not born when this historic tragedy occured, it’s important that we grieve this day together because we were all impacted as a country. Tomorrow, please take a moment or two to pause and remember all the people that lost their lives 20 years ago.
Senior Class President Celia Rees:
As members of a generation who cannot remember “where we were during 9/11” it's vital to understand in our hearts the significance of the lives lost during the 9/11 attacks. Without warning, ordinary Americans acted with unparalleled conviction to the most paramount questions of human nature. On that harrowing day, the courage and compassion of Patriots responded with speed and selflessness, and in the aftermath of destruction, the nation united as one.
We, as citizens of a global nation, must continue to honor the valiant legacy of fallen heros through purposeful remembrance, honor, and respect to their bravery. We must go on with steadfast loyalty to the preservation of memory, legacy and lives lost, and remember their courage in our efforts to serve and protect our beloved nation. The question is: how can we thoroughly honor their spirit and keep their legacy alive.
Some honor through service. Men and women who join the nation to protect, those in uniform and those in domestic and global national protection agencies, protect our nation and the ideals that we hold so dearly. May we honor and respect those in service today as we reflect on 9/11, and always.
Those of us not in service can pay respect by upholding the principles of the fallen victims and bravehearted heroes, and the values of the true American message through our actions. Seek to acknowledge the sacrifice, compassion, love for neighbor, devotion to our country in pursuit of our freedoms.
To the survivors and families who lost someone, extend your greatest sympathy: twenty years may seem like just yesterday to the ones who have lost. The strength you expel to move forward and unite, despite reckless tragedy, is continually inspirational and reminds us all that with unity, there is nothing Americans cannot overcome.
9/11 was designated a national day of service and remembrance in 2009. The goal was to transform the anniversary of 9/11 from a day of tragedy into a day of doing good. Since that time, it has become the largest day of service in the US with over 35 million Americans engaging in service on this day. In the words of President Obama, “Even the smallest act of service, the simplest act of kindness, is a way to honor those we lost, a way to reclaim that spirit of unity that followed 9/11.” Please consider how you can contribute to “doing good” this weekend, and contributing to make this day of service and remembrance the lasting legacy of 9/11.
Thank you.
Your partner in education,
Dr. Maguire
Assistant Principals Luette (9&10) and Hughes (11&12)
Attendance Procedure
To report a student's absence:
Call the attendance line, 781.545.8750, menu option #8. Please leave student's name and grade only. For COVID related or other long term illnesses please contact the nurse directly.
The morning call does not excuse the student absence. A student must submit a parent or doctor's note to the main office upon return in order to excuse the absence.
To dismiss a student:
We encourage that all student appointments are made after school hours so that loss of classroom time can be avoided. If a student is going to be dismissed they need to bring a written note to the main office in the morning of the dismissal. The student will receive a dismissal pass. With this pass a student can be dismissed from class, sign out and meet the parent/caregiver at the car. If a note was not submitted, the parent/caregiver will need to come in to the main office to dismiss their student.
Phone or email dismissals will not be accepted unless it is an emergency situation and the Assistant Principal will need to approve the dismissal.
Community Service
Class of 2022: 25 Hours
Class of 2023: 30 Hours
Class of 2024: 40 Hours
Class of 2025 and following: 50 Hours
Student and Family Handbook
News Around the School
Art
Principal's Advisory Council
SHS Expectations Night
We are excited to welcome all parents and guardians to Scituate High School’s Expectations Night on Thursday, September 23rd at 6:00pm. Parents and caregivers will have the opportunity to follow their student’s schedule for a brief classroom orientation. Please have your student assist you to save/print out their schedule from Aspen. You will be following the FY, S1 or Q1 classes. Your student can screen capture their schedule for you, or you can view online from the Aspen portal, or print out a schedule (click on the Schedule tab in the portal and make sure you are on List View – (not Matrix View).
The library will be open during the evening for anyone who needs Aspen help. Also, there will be student ambassadors in the hallways assisting with directions to classrooms.
6:00PM – Parents/guardians follow their student’s schedule, Blocks A – G, starting in homebase (H Block)
If your student has a study block, you are welcome to visit the school store and various fundraising tables.
We are looking forward to seeing you!
Athletics, Mr. Paine, AD
The fall season is off to a great start with almost 400 students participating in Athletics. A few important items we would like to point out.
Schedules - The MIAA has instituted a new platform for scheduling called Arbiter. All of Scituate High Schools athletic schedules can be found at SHS Athletic Schedules. You can sign up for Arbiter and receive notifications for schedule changes.
Tickets - SHS is implementing a digital ticket system. The company is called GoFan. Tickets for Scituate High School home football games can be found here, Tickets. Many other districts will be implementing this new practice as well. Also, during the MIAA Tournament all ticket sales will be digital for MIAA sponsored games.
Please follow the Scituate Athletic Department on Twitter @ScitAthletics
Digital tickets and cash will be accepted at the gate.
Follow us on Twitter!
@scituatehigh
@ScitAp2020
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