• Shawsheen Valley Technical High School

    Principal's Update

    Friday, September 22, 2023

     

    Dear Shawsheen Students, Parents/Guardians, and Colleagues, 

     

    We look forward to welcoming parents/guardians to Shawsheen next Thursday, September 28 for the Meet & Greet, which will run from 6pm-8pm. Please review the information previously shared about this event to ensure you know what to expect when you arrive: Wednesday, September 13, 2023 - 'Meet & Greet' Parent/Guardian-Teacher Night. 

     

    Title I Parent Meeting - September 28, 2023 at 5:30pm

    The following message is from Danica Johnston, Director of Academic Programs:

    The annual Title I parent meeting will be held on September 28, 2023, at 5:30 in the Shawsheen Valley Technical High School Cafeteria.

    Title I is a federally funded program with the goal of providing high-quality supplemental instruction for students identified as needing the support.

    Title I has three primary objectives:

    • to improve student achievement for all participants
    • to improve staff development
    • to improve parental and community involvement

    Title I funds are annually allocated to districts based on the number of low-income families served. However, once a school qualifies for Title I funds, academic need, not economic status, determines which students receive extra services. Every year, each school has the discretion to determine which students receive these supports.

    The meeting will include an introduction to Title 1 programming, a review of the supports we will be offering this year, and an opportunity for parents to ask questions and provide feedback about the program.

    We hope to see you on September 28, 2023.

     

    Attention Seniors - It's Time to Order Your Graduation Cap & Gown Packages!

    Orders are due by October 27, 2023. There are many packages to choose from, but the Essential Package has all of the items you will need for graduation day (cap, gown, stole, and tassel) for a cost of $34.

    cg

     

    Senior Photo - Friday, September 29, 2023

    At the end of the pep rally next Friday, we will gather seniors on the bleachers to take a senior class photo for the yearbook. 

     

    Grade 9 Museum of Science Field Trip

    The following message is from Danica Johnston, Director of Academic Programs:  

    On Tuesday, October 17, 2023, we will be taking the entire freshman class to the Boston Museum of Science.  Every student will be provided with a meal at the museum and will also be scheduled to see an OMNI show.  We will depart Shawsheen at 8:00 a.m. and will return by 2:00 p.m. Chaperones will be responsible for approximately 10 students, and we will have a nurse as well as two school administrators attending the field trip.  There is no cost to your student for this trip, however they are allowed to bring spending money should they want additional snacks or something from the gift store. 

    Today, your student received a permission slip to attend this trip. Please sign it and send it back with your student ASAP. 

    If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.

     

    Reminder: PSAT Registration Closes on Monday!

    The following information is from the SVTHS Guidance Department:

    The PSAT for 11th grade students is scheduled for Tuesday October 17th from 8:30-11:30 AM here at Shawsheen.  The PSAT-11 will be digital (computer based) for the first time this year.  The cost is $20. On Monday September 18th, school counselors will be visiting shops to distribute registration forms. Registration forms can begin to be turned into the Guidance office beginning Tuesday September 19th between 7:35-7:50 (Homeroom). Registration will continue until spots are filled or be closed on Monday September 25th. 

     

    Reminder: Spirit Week

    Next week will be spirit week (as outlined below) with the pep rally scheduled for the morning of Friday, September 29.

    • Monday-Adam Sandler Day
    • Tuesday-Duos Day
    • Wednesday- Barbie Day
    • Thursday-Country vs. Country Club Day
    • Friday-Shawsheen Pride Day

     

    Reminder: COVID Consent and Guidelines

    The following information was originally shared by Nina Brophy, School Nurse Leader:

    Please read below to provide consent for COVID-19 testing for symptomatic students.

    I am writing with information regarding COVID-19 and how it is affecting this school year. Current guidelines (COVID-19 Isolation and Exposure Guidance for Children and Staff in Child Care, K-12, Out-of-School Time (OST) and Recreational Camp/Program Settings | Mass.gov) state that “any student with symptoms of COVID-19 can remain in their school or program if they have mild symptoms, are tested immediately onsite, and that test is negative. Best practice would also include wearing a mask, if possible, until symptoms are fully resolved. For symptomatic individuals, DPH recommends a second test within 48 hours if the initial test is negative. If the symptomatic individual cannot be tested immediately, they should be sent home and allowed to return to their program or school if symptoms remain mild and they test negative, or they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and their symptoms are resolving, or if a medical professional makes an alternative diagnosis. A negative test is strongly recommended for return.”

    With these guidelines in place, Shawsheen Tech has initiated a symptomatic testing program so that students do not have to be dismissed if symptomatic.

    **Please click on the following link to provide consent for COVID-19 testing: https://forms.office.com/r/rDi5x9X1Qg

    If you choose to decline testing, your student will not be allowed to be in school if they exhibit signs/symptoms of COVID-19 and will need to be picked up. Please feel free to call my office or email me with any questions.

    Please see below for bullet points, or follow the link for complete protocols regarding COVID-19 isolation and what to do if exposed or symptomatic.

    COVID-19 Isolation and Exposure Guidance for Children and Staff in Child Care, K-12, Out-of-School Time (OST) and Recreational Camp/Program Settings | Mass.gov

    • Quarantine after exposure to COVID-19 is no longer required nor recommended for children or staff in these settings, regardless of vaccination status or where the exposure occurred. All exposed individuals may continue to attend programming as long as they remain asymptomatic. Those who can mask should do so until Day 10, and it is recommended that they test on Day 6 of exposure. If symptoms develop, follow the guidance for symptomatic individuals, below.
    • Children and staff who test positive must isolate for at least 5 days. If they are asymptomatic or symptoms are resolving and they have been fever free without the use of fever-reducing medicine for 24 hours, they may return to programming after Day 5 and should wear a high-quality mask through Day 10:
    • Symptomatic individuals can remain in their school or program if they have mild symptoms, are tested immediately onsite, and that test is negative. Best practice would also include wearing a mask, if possible, until symptoms are fully resolved. For symptomatic individuals, DPH recommends a second test within 48 hours if the initial test is negative.
    • If the symptomatic individual cannot be tested immediately, they should be sent home and allowed to return to their program or school if symptoms remain mild and they test negative, or they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and their symptoms are resolving, or if a medical professional makes an alternative diagnosis. A negative test is strongly recommended for return. 

    Please let me know if you have any questions, or if I can clarify anything for you. Please continue to report positive results to me. Thank you everyone!

    - Nina Brophy RN, BSN

     

    Best,

    Jessica Cook

    (she/her)

    Principal

     

    Quick Links:

     

    Reminders:

    • Wednesday, September 27: Homecoming Dance
    • Thursday, September 28: Elections for parent/guardian reps to the School Council, 5pm-8pm
    • Thursday, September 28: Title I Parent Meeting at 5:30pm in the cafeteria
    • Thursday, September 28: Meet & Greet Parent/Guardian-Teacher Night
    • Friday, September 29: Pep Rally
    • Friday, September 29: Half-day - 10:43am dismissal for students     
    • Thursday, October 5: Professional day for staff only - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
    • Friday, October 6: Q1 Mid-term
    • Wednesday, October 11: Monthly staff meeting at 2:15pm
    • Thursday, October 12: School Council meeting at 2:30pm in the School Committee Room