WHS Newsletter
Fall 2 2023 (9/20/23)
A Message from Principal Callaghan
Dear WHS School Community,
I hope this communication finds you and your families doing well. While I thoroughly enjoy every season the New England region affords us, my favorite is autumn. It's the fresh and cool air, the start of a new school year, and the opportunity to enjoy fall festivals and activities. It's perhaps also in part that there is comfort in getting back into steady routines after Summer. I wish you all an awesome autumn.
We are at the midpoint of quarter 1 and it is time for teachers to show the academic progress made by students thus far. Most students and teachers have been having ongoing conversations since the start of the new year about learning and achievement
As a district, we are committed to student learning and believe that effective communication is an essential part of the process. We believe that this system involves three invested parties--teacher, student, and parent/guardian--with the student at the center. Therefore we have adopted an online gradebook with a desire to share details of academic progress and increase student responsibility. We hope access to information helps both students and parents/guardians track and understand student progress in individual classes.
At WHS we also recognize that grades are but one of several tools that can be used to monitor student achievement. Our high school believes that although reporting grades is necessary, it is more important to emphasize the learning, growth, and development of all students.
Enjoy reviewing the contents of our newsletter. Mostly, though, enjoy all that this season has to offer whether you're picking pumpkins, apples, going on a hike, or just spending time in the great outdoors. Any of these activities can offer a healthy boost to our mind and body.
Sincerely,
Brian Callaghan
Principal
IMPORTANT FAMILY "TO-DO" FROM THE NURSE'S OFFICE
This needs to be completed every year for each student. Please update all sections which include:
- Health Care Providers
- Health Concerns
- Parental Consent for Over-The-Counter Medication
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
- ON A BROWSER FROM A COMPUTER (NOT VIA THE APP), log into PowerSchool, and review your child’s contact information and health information
- Complete all required sign-off sheets. Here are the directions for completing this process.
- Make sure to hit the submit button at the bottom of the page when completed
- Please complete this by September 27th
Viewing Progress/Grades Online
As a district, we are committed to student learning and believe that effective communication is an essential part of the process. We believe that this system involves three invested parties--teacher, student, and parent/guardian--with the student at the center. Therefore we have adopted an online gradebook with a desire to share details of academic progress and increase student responsibility. We hope access to information helps both students and parents/guardians track and understand student progress in individual classes.
At WHS we also recognize that grades are but one of several tools that can be used to monitor student achievement. Our high school believes that although reporting grades is necessary, it is more important to emphasize the learning, growth, and development of all students. To view, please sign in to your PowerSchool Parent Portal.
When viewing your student’s academic progress online, please be mindful of the following:
Use the online grade information as a means for a productive and positive conversation about the learning process with your student. For example, you can discuss the experience of completing the work and what was learned.
Encourage your student to monitor his/her own progress online. High school students should take ownership of, and have responsibility for, the grades they have earned. Students should address questions or concerns about their progress directly with the teacher.
Talk to your student. Often, students have additional information about assignments, class work, and grades. Bear in mind, that ongoing assessments may raise or lower a grade prior to the conclusion of the marking period.
Different courses and instructors have varying systems for evaluating work and calculating and reporting grades. This information will be communicated to students by their teachers.
Online updates will vary from class to class. However, all online grades will be up to date at mid-quarter and at the end of each marking period.
Please refer to the following dates:
(range: mid-quarter date plus 7 days; end-of-quarter reporting date is 1 week after end-of-quarter)
Quarter 1: Sept. 26- Oct. 2 (Progress Report); November 2 (End of Term Grade)
Quarter 2: December 4-11 (Progress Report); January 17* (End of Term Grade)
Quarter 3: February 26 - March 4 (Progress Report); April 2* (End of Term Grade)
Quarter 4*: May 6-13 (Progress Report); last day of school (End of Term Grade)
(3rd & 4th quarter dates are subject to change)
Procedure for addressing issues/conflict:
Parents should encourage students to address issues with their teachers directly.
If the student is not satisfied, the student should seek out the respective department head
If further clarification is needed, a parent/guardian should contact the teacher
If the parent is still not satisfied with the outcome, the parent should contact the appropriate Assistant Principal.
WHS Homecoming Weekend
WHS Homecoming Festival
Homecoming Spirit Week
Homecoming Dance
Fine Arts Update
We hope that the start of the school year has gone smoothly for families and that you are just as excited as we are to be performing and creating with students again.
We would like to welcome Lexie Dowgiert & Nicole Carriere to our faculty. Ms. Dowgiert will be teaching 3D Art for the entire school year while Ms. Ballachino is on sabbatical, and Ms. Carriere will be joining us in Digital Arts through the new year as Ms. Jane begins her maternity leave. Both Ms. Dowgiert and Ms. Carriere come with an amazing skill set and we are so happy to have them as part of the Westborough High School Community.
Our students have been busy since school started. Highlights of the year so far include:
National Art Honor Society has welcomed 18 new potential members
The Ranger Marching Band has had successful halftime performances of their show “The Latin Moods of RMB”
Concert Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, and Chamber Singers are working with renowned violinist Vijay Gupta and Kuchipudi dancer Yamini Kalluri for a collaborative concert in November
Auditions are underway for One Acts, Jazz Bands, Chamber Singers, & A Cappella
We hope you will join us at one of our upcoming events:
Arts In Common: Saturday, September 30th
WFAEA Meeting: Tuesday, October 10th at 7pm (WHS Library)
Orchestra Field Trip to BSO: Thursday, October 12th
WHS Fall Choral Concert: Thursday, October 19th @ 7pm
Center Stage One Acts: Friday, November 3rd & Saturday, November 4th
Vijay Gupta Collaborative Concert: Tuesday, November 14th @ 7pm
Band-O-Rama: Wednesday, November 15th (5pm & 7pm)
EV Expo - October 1st 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
October 1, 2023 - 2 to 5 pm
Location: Amazon Robotics
50 Otis Street Westborough
The Get Charged Up Regional EV Expo is the perfect opportunity to learn more in a no-pressure community event. We expect to have a large variety of vehicles including all Tesla Models, Chevy Bolt, Nissan Leaf, Toyota RAV4 PRIME, VW ID.4, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Polestar, Hyundai, Kia, and others. We will also have a variety of e-Bikes and vehicles from the Westborough Police and Hopkinton Police. Some owners may even take you for a ride!
Calling EV owners! We are continuing to recruit more participants and would love to have you join us to share your story. Please click the Participate button below to register.
Please let us know if you have any questions and comments for the organizers by clicking the "Contact Us" button.
Westborough Arts In Common 9/30/23 @ Bay State Commons
The Cultural Council is excited to be hosting the 13th annual Arts in Common arts festival on Saturday, September 30 at Bay State Commons from 11-5. The 13th annual AIC will feature juried artisans, live bands and performers, community art activities, gourmet food trucks, and a craft beer garden.
Arts in Common brings together people to experience and celebrate creativity in all forms of artistic medium and expression such as visual arts, culinary arts, music, and more. This free community event has become a popular town event that highlights local talented artists and performers, and features food trucks and craft beer, in addition to community art activities. Funds raised will enable the Westborough Cultural Council to bring more arts-based programming to Westborough.
The Interboro Community Band will kick off the performances at 11. Professional musicians, Paul Courchaine, the Worcester Jazz Orchestra, and We and the Dawg will be taking the stage along with the Hung Gar Kung Fu and Lion Dance Academy. You can learn Bollywood dance from Ekta Jain. There are many other demonstrations and activities including Henry the Juggler, Cartoonist Don Landgren Jr., Danielle Adams’ Custom Typewriter Poetry, Henna, David French Music Petting zoo, face painting, art activities, and more.
You will have an opportunity to shop for local art, and make some art, as well! There will be a number of art activities planned to engage every age.
Food trucks Veg Out, Mrs. Moriconi’s Ice Cream, Grub Guru, Anzio’s, and Sabrosa Venezuela will be on site and more food vendors such as Yummy Mummy, Edward’s Coffee, and the Baking Bean will be found in the tent section. We hope you'll come share the day with us!
To learn more about the festival, please visit www.artsincommon.net and like our social media pages to stay up to date on all things Arts In Common.
23/24 Calendar Highlights
09/22/23: Early Release
09/25/23: School Closed - Yom Kippur
10/09/23: School Closed - Indigenous People's Day
10/13/23: Lifetouch Picture Day (9th - 11th Grades)
10/14/23: Homecoming
11/03/23: Early Release
11/07/23: School Closed for Students: PD for Staff
11/10/23: School Closed - Veterans' Day
11/22/23: Early Release - Thanksgiving
11/23-24/23: Schools Closed - Thanksgiving
Click here for the 23/24 District School Calendar.
Click here for the WHS Website Calendar.
Click here for the WHS Athletics Schedule
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