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Principal's Update - February 17th 2023

Dear Shawsheen Students, Parents/Guardians, and Colleagues,

Every year, each public school and school district in Massachusetts receives a report card that is designed to show families how our school is doing in different areas. To learn more about this year's report card, please view the letter at the following link: 2022 SVTHS District Report Card Letter to Families. You can view the report card itself by visiting the following link: 2022 SVTHS District Report Card. Both of these links are also available on the SVTHS Principal's Office website. I hope everyone has a wonderful February break, and we look forward to welcoming students back to a week 1 schedule on Monday, February 27.

Quarter Three Mid-Term - Friday, March 3, 2023

Quarter three mid-term grades close on Friday, March 3, 2023. Quarter three progress reports will be published in the Aspen Family Portal by Friday, March 10, 2023. Parents/guardians and students will be notified via email once progress reports are available to view in Aspen.

Walk a Mile Reading Challenge

The following information is from our School Librarian, Ms. Katie McGinness:

I am challenging our students to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes. They were given a list of 40 books that encourage them to read about people who may be different than themselves. For each book a student completes, they will be awarded two tickets to enter a raffle where they can win prizes. It is my hope that with this initiative, students will discover a love of reading, enhance their literacy skills, and continue to grow as well-educated and empathetic young adults.

Student rules:
- For every book you read, you’ll come to the library and talk about the book with Ms. McGinness.
- You will then be awarded two tickets that you can use to enter different raffles for prizes.
- There are forty titles on the list, so you have the chance to get up to 80 tickets!
To view the full list of texts, review the flyer below or visit the following link: Flyer - Walk A Mile Challenge

Upcoming Schedule Changes Due to MCAS

Below you will find an overview of schedule changes that will occur this year to accommodate MCAS testing.

Wednesday, March 22, 2023 – MCAS Test Run During Period 2 (week 2)
- During 2^nd period:
  - Grade 12 students = report to a Senior Class Meeting
  - Grade 10 students = report to assigned testing locations
  - Grade 9 & 11 students = remain in shop as scheduled
Tuesday, March 28 & Wednesday March 29, 2023 – ELA MCAS Testing Days (week 1)
- Homeroom: abbreviated – ends at 7:35am
- Grade 10 Students:
  - report to cafeteria for breakfast from 7:35am until 8:00am
  - report to MCAS testing rooms at 8:00am and then to assigned areas after testing is complete
- Grade 12 students:
  - Already reporting to co-op (if on co-op)
  - Report to directed study hall (or to shops if shops have enough room for remaining seniors)
- Grade 9 & 11 students = report to shops instead of academics
  - Grade 9 students will report to the shops they had for cycle 14
- Lunches:
  - 1^st =12^th graders, Autobody, Culinary, Drafting, ISSN/Programming & Web
  - 2^nd = Advanced Manufacturing, Business Tech, Dental Assisting, DVC, Graphics, Health Assisting, HVAC, Medical Assisting
  - 3^rd = 10^th graders with completed exams
  - 4^th = Automotive, Carpentry, Electrical, Electronics, Masonry, Metal Fab, Plumbing
  - 5^th = 10^th graders remaining & Cosmetology
Tuesday, May 16 & Wednesday, May 17, 2023 – Mathematics MCAS Testing Days (week 1)
- Homeroom: abbreviated – ends at 7:35am
- Grade 10 Students:
  - report to cafeteria for breakfast from 7:35am until 8:00am
  - report to MCAS testing rooms at 8:00am and then to assigned areas after testing is complete
- Grade 12 students:
  - Already reporting to co-op (if on co-op)
  - Report to directed study hall (or to shops if shops have enough room for remaining seniors)
- Grade 9 & 11 students = report to shops instead of academics
- Lunches:
  - 1^st =12^th graders, Autobody, Culinary, Drafting, ISSN/Programming & Web
  - 2^nd = Advanced Manufacturing, Business Tech, Dental Assisting, DVC, Graphics, Health Assisting, HVAC, Medical Assisting
  - 3^rd = 10^th graders with completed exams
  - 4^th = Automotive, Carpentry, Electrical, Electronics, Masonry, Metal Fab, Plumbing
  - 5^th = 10^th graders remaining & Cosmetology
Tuesday, June 6 & Wednesday, June 7, 2023 – Science MCAS Testing Days (week 2)
- Homeroom: abbreviated – ends at 7:35am
- Grade 10 Students:
  - report to cafeteria for breakfast from 7:35am until 8:00am
  - report to MCAS testing rooms at 8:00am and then to assigned areas after testing is complete
- Grade 9 & 11 students = report to shops as usual
- No seniors at this point in the year
- Lunches: lunch assignments will be altered – schedules will be sent closer to the MCAS dates
  - 1^st = Autobody, Culinary, Drafting, ISSN/Programming & Web
  - 2^nd = Advanced Manufacturing, Business Tech, Dental Assisting, DVC, Graphics, Health Assisting, HVAC, Medical Assisting
  - 3^rd = 10^th graders with completed exams
  - 4^th = Automotive, Carpentry, Electrical, Electronics, Masonry, Metal Fab, Plumbing
  - 5^th = remaining 10^th graders, Cosmetology
Reminder: 2023 Spring Sports Registration is Open - Spring Sports: Baseball, Softball, Boys Lacrosse, Girls Lacrosse, Tennis and Track/Field

The following information is from the Shawsheen Athletics Department:
- Tryouts begin on Monday, March 20.
- Sport Specific Tryout Information will be posted at a later date.
- All Student-Athletes interested in playing a Spring sport; MUST register through FamilyID (Click Here to Register) by Friday, 3/17/23. All student-athletes must have a current physical uploaded to their FamilyID account.
- Student-Athletes MUST also complete the following two Concussion Protocols: NFHS Concussion in Sports Course (you do not need to turn in the certificate of completion) and ImPACT Baseline Concussion Test (The ImPACT test must be completed by all NEW (9th graders & transfers) as well as RETURNING 11th graders and those student-athletes who are new or have not previously taken it) prior to tryouts.
- If you completed these two concussion items during the Fall/Winter season; you do not need to take them again. Any questions regarding the concussion protocols; please email our Athletic Trainer, Conner Holland
- If you have any questions/issues setting up a FamilyID account - Click Here for FamilyID Registration Information
- If you have any additional questions, please contact the Athletic Office at jlee@shawtech.org
- Please follow Shawsheen Athletics on Twitter or visit our website: ST Athletics
Reminder: Substance Use Awareness Night - Monday, March 13, 2023

The following message was originally shared in the January 20, 2023 Principal's Update:

In November, I wrote to the Shawsheen community about vaping concerns at Shawsheen Tech. In that message, I shared that we were planning a Substance Use Awareness night for later in the school year to provide additional information and resources to families. In partnership with the Billerica Substance Awareness and Prevention Committee, Shawsheen Tech will be hosting a Substance Use Awareness Night for Shawsheen families, staff, students, and community members on Monday, March 13, 2023 from 5:30pm-8pm. To learn more about that evening, please view the flyer and links below.
- More Info - Substance Use Awareness Night, March 13, 2023
- Registration: Substance Use Awareness Night - Shawsheen Tech - Monday, March 13, 2023
  - Note: registration is not required, but we encourage you to register to help us plan accordingly to accommodate all guests.
Click the following link for a PDF version of the flyer below: Substance Use Awareness Night Flyer

Best,

Jessica Cook

(she/her/hers)

Principal

Quick Links:
Reminders:
- February 20-24: February Break - NO SCHOOL
- Tuesday, February 28: PSAT 10
- Friday, March 3: Quarter 3 Mid-Term
- Wednesday, March 8: School Council Meeting at 2:30pm
- Monday, March 13: Substance Use Awareness Night, 5:30pm - 8pm
- Wednesday, March 15: National Honor Society Induction Ceremony
- Thursday, March 16: Half-Day - 10:43am Dismissal for Students
- Thursday, March 16: SkillsUSA District Competition
- Friday, March 17: Deadline to Register for Spring Sports - Click Here to Register
- Friday, March 31: Quarter 3 Ends