ORHS - Parent & Community Updates
December 2022
Notes from the Principal
Happy New Year!
I hope you were able to spend some quality time with your family and friends. As I write this I am surrounded by boxes as we are packing and getting ready to move. I will be cutting my commute by about 20 minutes each way which is exciting. It is certainly bittersweet to leave. Packing and moving is on the top of my list of things I have repeatedly said, "I never want to do that again" But I am happy I ill be closer to Oakmont! Wish me luck!
I want to take a moment to remind all students AND their families and friends to please read the "Oakmont High School Fan Expectations." (Included below) With all sincerity, if you can not come to our events and behave with class and respect, please don't come. At a recent event, the players on the court had a really intense game with great plays being made both ways. At the end of the game, the players shook hands and congratulated each other for a great game, hugged it up, and started cleaning up. Our students cheered our players and were respectful to the other team,coaches, and the referees. Unfortunately it was some parents and some older siblings that marred this game by using profanities and making racist comments. This is absolutely NOT going to ever be acceptable and I hope if you see or hear any fan behaving in this way, you report it to school staff immediately so we can address it. Please do not retaliate, just report it. Please do not stoop to the level of these people. We are better than that.
Believe it or not, Semester one is wrapping up in only FIFTEEN school days. Students, please be sure you know where you stand in each of your classes. Remember, if you are struggling, please seek help. If you have a hole in your Semester 2 schedule, please make an appointment with your school counselor so you can be sure you have a full schedule.
If you have not checked out the Oakmonitor, please do! The Oakmonitor is full of great articles written by our students and gives good insight into things happening here at Oakmont.
Thank you for reading this month's newsletter and updates and I hope you and your family have an amazing, positive start to 2023!
Most Sincerely,
Jeff Lizotte - Principal
January Events
January 2 - NO SCHOOL - New Years Day celebrated
January 3 - Classes Resume
January 4 - School Council Meeting 5PM Lecture Hall
January 16 - NO SCHOOL - MLK JR. Day celebrated
January 20 - Adjusted Rotation (C, HR, D, A, B) - Block C & D - Semester Final Assessments
January 23 - Block A & B - Semester Final Assessments
January 24 - Semester 1 Final Review and Wrap up
January 25 - NO SCHOOL - Professional Development (Semester 1 Report cards available in Portal)
January 26 - Semester 2 Begins
Science MCAS
Current 9th graders who are in semester 1 biology are preparing to take the Biology MCAS. The test will be administered on February 1st and 2nd. Look for emails regarding the schedule in the coming weeks.
Hannaford Helps Schools
Do you shop at Hannaford at Timpany Plaza in Gardner? Be sure to collect yout "school dollars" from the associate you check out with and drop them into the Oakmont slot on your way out. It only takes a few seconds but the funds we receive help us with many things. THANK YOU!
SHOP – Look for shelf tags on over 1,500 participating products.
CHECK OUT – Collect your School Dollars from an associate at checkout.
DEPOSIT – Drop your School Dollars in the Hannaford Helps Schools collection tower in-store.
Fan Expectations Reminder
As we begin our winter sports season, this is just a friendly reminder to all students, parents, staff, and anyone attending our games that we follow MIAA policies with regards to fan behavior and additionally hope that everyone is familiar with the OAKMONT HIGH SCHOOL FAN EXPECTATIONS. Please read through them so you are familiar with our expectations. ~Thank you!
SPARTAN of the MONTH
Junior Jack McInnis recognized as the December Spartan of the Month
Congratulations to Junior Jack McInnis for being selected as the December Spartan of the month. Jack was nominated by Mrs. Malnatti for taking on a leadership role by supporting other students as well as advocating for others. Jack has shared his feelings with other members of his classes and in doing so has helped them also process when they are worried, distracted, or stressed. She writes, “Jack demonstrates empathy, compassion, respect, and understanding for other students who may be struggling. He also demonstrates sympathy, and understanding for those others when they are having difficulties.”
School Counselling News
Attention Seniors:
- The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) needs to be filled out by
families of students applying to college. It is important that you file as soon as
possible, if you have not already done so. Additionally, if your student has applied
to a school that requires the CSS Profile application for financial aid, make sure to
fill that out and submit as soon as possible.
- Reminder: Check Financial Aid deadlines at the colleges students have applied to.
Many have a February 1st deadline. More information is available on the School
Counseling webpage (Financial Aid Information) on the Oakmont website.
- Students should indicate, on Naviance, any college or university that they have
been accepted to. We are obligated to track these for state reporting and it helps us
advise future college-going students. Students should see Ms. McLoughlin, the
guidance secretary, with any questions.
- Seniors are responsible for tracking their progress with the application process
with individual colleges or universities on-line. As soon as a senior submits an
application to a college or university they are given an individual account with
that institution. They can then track the progress with the application process for
that college or university.
Much of January will be spent with rising 9th graders to explain the course of studies and
complete course selection.
School Counselors will be meeting with 10th graders beginning in February for course
selection.
Students who took the PSAT on October 15th received their score reports on December
19th. Please ask your child to review their results with you.
Thomas Anderson Collection Honor Fund
The Thomas Anderson Collection was created to honor Tom Anderson’s years of teaching and of providing outstanding resources to students and faculty in support of Oakmont’s educational mission. Tom inspired and promoted curiosity and a love of learning. Tom was never alone in this pursuit, and
through the Honor Fund, we similarly recognize those teachers who shared in Tom’s inspiring work. Donating to the Thomas Anderson Collection to honor a beloved Oakmont teacher on their retirement or at their passing will help keep their legacy in the building and inspire new generations of readers, just as Tom envisioned.
Music Department News
The music department travelled to Florida in December representing Oakmont, Overlook, our communities, and the state. Our Jazz Band and Select Choir performed at Universal Studios on December 10th, and the Marching Spartans proudly marched down Main Street U.S.A. in the Magic Kingdom on Sunday December 11.
Get Involved with SEPAC
General membership to the Ashburnham-Westminster Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) is open to all AWRSD parents/guardians of children with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and Section 504 Plans and other interested parties. We are in need of volunteers to help plan workshops, staff tables at local school and community events, become future leaders, assist other parents, and plan new activities and projects.
We welcome you to learn more about SEPAC and our work on our website, https://sites.google.com/view/ashburnham-westminster-sepac. You can also follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ashwestsepac. Please contact the current co-chairs about getting involved with SEPAC at awrsdsepac3@gmail.com (Kim Caisse's email) and awrsdsepac4@gmail.com (Dorene Francis' email)
Spain & Portugal Trip Information
If you have ever wondered what it would be like to see Barcelona or Lisbon then do we have the trip for you!
In the summer of 2024, Ms. Bergin and Mr. Ethier will be chaperoning a trip to Spain and Portugal through EF Tours to see the wonders and sights of the region. (This trip is not sponsored by AWRSD)
Please see this PowerPoint for additional information
Contact Ms. Bergin or Mr. Ethier with any questions
School Council
The School Council consists of school administrators, parents, teachers, students, and community representatives who serve as an advisory committee, assisting in the identification of educational needs of the students and making recommendations to the principal. Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month from October to May. The 2022-2023 School Council representatives are...
Administration:
Jeff Lizotte (Co-Chair)
Jennifer Spear (Ex-Officio)
Brian Cote (Ex-Officio)
Parent Reps:
Sarah Fichtel,
Holly Garlock,
Deborah Hooper (Co-Chair)
Katie Kamenski,
Jessica Mulhall
Faculty Reps:
Amy Dubovick,
Dan Dufour (Secretary),
Lincoln Stiles,
Jakki Therrien
Community Reps:
William Waight(West.)
Ron Putnam (Ash.)
Student Reps:
(Student Council and Class Presidents)
Helen Yan(Student Council President),
Ani Seppelin(Sr. Class President),
Cooper Carignan(Jr. Class President),
Harris Fagan(So. Class President), and
Brian Sandjong(Fr. Class President)
2023 New England Secondary School Virtual Art Competition
CONGRATULATIONS to the Visual Arts students participating in the New England Secondary School Art Competition hosted by Anna Maria College Department of Art & Design. The virtual exhibition is now online for your viewing pleasure! Congratulations to Carly Allen – 12; Ava Bjorkman - 11; Tyler Boyce – 12; Hannah Peer – 11; Colleen Schubmehl – 12; Vic Vallee – 12; Kayleigh Williams – 12; and Piper Zimirowski – 12. Have fun looking through the work of all these talented artists. Enjoy!
On-line exhibition runs December 21, 2022 – February 24, 2023
https://annamaria.edu/academics/undergraduate-studies/graphic-design/new-england-secondary-school-virtual-art-competition/
The Program and Awards Presentation will be held Wednesday February 15, 2023 at 7pm via Zoom Invitation.
Reminder - Attendance Procedure for Tardiness, Absences, and Dismissals
Tardy
Parent note upon entry
e-mail to main office (oakmainoffice@awrsd.org) at start of day
Call to main office at start of day
Medical or Legal note trumps all and verifies missed time
Absences
Parent note upon entry
e-mail to main office (oakmainoffice@awrsd.org) at start of day
Call to main office at start of day
Medical or Legal note trumps all and verifies missed time
Dismissals
Parent email or note brought to office at the start of the day
Student can meet parent outside for pick-up
Parent may call but written notification will be needed for record. (email or notes)
Medical or Legal note trumps all and verifies missed time - They can be brought in after or faxed to 978-827-1413. (future appt. reminder cards do not qualify)
Any questions: please visit Attendance policy in the handbook
Student Handbook Focus
Consequences of Absences, Tardies, and Dismissals
- Any student absent more than 10% of the time from a semester class will receive no credit for the course unless documentation is provided showing that the absences should be considered excused. This means that students who have more than 9 unexcused absences in a full semester course will not earn credit for the course. Likewise, students who have more than 5 unexcused absences in an every other day course will not earn credit for the course. Seniors are allowed no more than seven (7) unexcused absences in a full semester course and four (4) for an every other day course during the second semester of senior year.
- For students who transfer during the semester the maximum absence limit will be ten (10) percent of the remaining days of the semester.
- In the case where a student loses credit for a course, the course grade earned will be put on the student’s transcript but no credit will be listed.
- In the case where a student receives a passing grade but no credit for a required course (e.g. U.S. History), as a consequence of excessive absences, the graduation requirement will be considered fulfilled. The student may have to repeat this course or pass some other course in order to achieve the minimum credits required for graduation from Oakmont.
- If students change their classes during the semester, the total accumulation of absences will be carried over into the new class.
- Any student not present for one half (1/2) of the school day (2 complete blocks) is ineligible for any athletic or co-curricular activities that day. This includes attendance as a spectator at sports or co-curricular events after school hours.
- A student is tardy to school if a student is not present in their assigned class when the 7:30 A.M. tardy bell rings. Students are expected to report immediately to the main office when they arrive at school tardy and complete the necessary tardy procedures for signing into school.
- Students will be granted two (2) 15-minute tardies a semester for extenuating circumstances.
- Parking privileges may be revoked or suspended for excessive absences, tardiness, or dismissals.
Appeal Procedure
Students with extenuating circumstances may appeal the credit loss to an Attendance Review Board comprised of an administrator, school counselor, and a faculty member. Students and parents/guardians should file an appeal for waiver of absences with the assistant principal within ten (10) days of notification of loss of credit; the appeal should contain an explanation of the extenuating circumstances and/or documentation that would excuse the absences. The Review Board will be permitted to waive or modify the attendance policy where, in their judgment, reasonable grounds for the absences exist. The appeal decision of the committee will be presented to the principal for final approval. Final decisions approved by the Principal may be appealed to the Superintendent.
Making up Missed Work
Students are expected to make up all work missed when they are absent from school or not present in class. Students and/or parents must communicate with teachers to receive assignments and arrange for the submission of assignments. Previously assigned long-range reports or projects are due on the established due date.