Dear Shawsheen Students, Families and Colleagues,
Last weekend, Shawsheen senior James Tildsley set a record when he became the first wrestler in New England history to reach 200 pins during his wrestling career! Please join me in congratulating James for this impressive accomplishment!
School Rules Reminder
With the start of the new calendar year, we want to remind students of the school rules (listed below) that are in place and that students are expected to adhere to on a daily basis:
Cell phones/personal electronic devices (including ear buds): students are only allowed to use these devices before school, after school, and inside the cafeteria during a student’s assigned lunch block. Students are not allowed to have these items out at any other time during the school day, including in the hallways.
Coffees, food, and beverages: After the 7:24am bell (when students begin passing to homeroom) students are not allowed to have coffees, food, or beverages other than water. All students can receive free breakfast in the cafeteria prior to homeroom (starting at 7:00am) and free lunch in the cafeteria during their assigned lunch blocks.
Digital pass system: Students must receive permission from staff to leave their assigned areas during the school day and are expected to use the digital pass system anytime they leave their assigned areas.
After-school: Students are welcome to stay after school in supervised areas, but they are not allowed to roam the building after school hours. Supervised areas after school include:
o Classrooms/shops with teachers to stay after for extra help.
o Athletics practices or events supervised by coaches.
o Club and activity meetings/events supervised by staff advisors.
o The library on Mondays-Thursdays until 5:30pm (except on half-days).
o The fitness center on Mondays-Fridays until 5:00pm (except on half-days).
Junior Parent College and Career Planning Night – Wednesday, January 14, 2026
The following message is from the SVTHS Guidance Department:
Parents and Guardians of students in the Class of 2027 are invited to attend Shawsheen Valley Technical High School’s Junior Parent College and Career Planning Night on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, from 5:00–6:00 PM in the SVTHS auditorium. This session, presented by the Guidance Department, will cover postsecondary pathways, junior-year timelines, college and testing resources, financial aid, and additional planning opportunities. Guidance counselors will also meet with juniors in March to continue college and career planning conversations.
Families who are unable to attend will receive the presentation materials via email. Those materials will also be posted on the Guidance Department webpage. Please note that the Shawsheen Tech Community Open House for prospective students will follow on the same evening from 6:00–8:00 PM.
SVTHS Community Open House – Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Please help spread the word about next week’s Open House to prospective Shawsheen students and families in our sending communities. The event will take place from 6pm-8pm. We look forward to seeing you there!
Seal of Biliteracy Information and Registration Details
The following message is from Ms. Anastasia Campbell, English Learner Education Coordinator & Seal of Biliteracy Coordinator:
We are pleased to inform you of SVTHS’s participation in the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy (SoBL) for the 2025-2026 School Year. The SoBL is offered to any student who demonstrates proficiency in English and any other language, whether they speak or sign the language other than English at home or learned it at school or in the community. The State Seal of Biliteracy aims to:
Encourage students to study and master languages;
Certify attainment of biliteracy skills;
Recognize the value of language diversity;
Provide employers with a method of identifying people with language and biliteracy skills;
Provide universities with a method to recognize and give credit to applicants for attainment of high-level skills in languages;
Prepare students with skills that will benefit them in the labor market and the global society; and
Strengthen intergroup communication and honor the multiple cultures and languages in a community.
In order to earn the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy, students must:
Demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English by earning a score of 472 or higher on the Grade 10 ELA MCAS;
Demonstrate a high level of proficiency in a world language by attaining a minimum score equivalent to Intermediate-High on an assessment approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; and
Satisfy all other graduation requirements.
The Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction is available to students who:
Earn a score of 501 or higher on the Grade 10 ELA MCAS;
Demonstrate a proficiency level of Advanced Low or higher on a Department-approved assessment; and
Satisfy all other graduation requirements.
We will be administering the SoBL language assessment February 24th & 26th, and March 2nd and 5th. Use this link for exam information and test practice. To register for the SoBL, click here.
We look forward to honoring the language expertise and diversity in our district through this initiative. If you have any further questions, please contact the Seal of Biliteracy Coordinator: Anastasia Campbell: acampbell@shawtech.org
Billerica Scholarship Foundation’s 31st Annual Trivia Night
Please view the flyer below to learn about a fun opportunity to help the Billerica Scholarship Foundation raise funds that enable them to support students with scholarships on an annual basis.
Sincerely,
Jessica Cook
(she/her)
Principal
Click here to view links to important resources (School Calendar, Student Handbook, Etc.)
Important Dates/Reminders:
Wednesday, January 14: Junior Parent College & Career Planning Night, 5pm-6pm
Wednesday, January 14: Community Open House, 6pm-8pm
Thursday, January 15: Snow Date for Open House
Monday, January 19: NO SCHOOL – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Friday, January 30: End of Q2