Principal's Update - March 17th 2023

Dear Shawsheen Students, Parents/Guardians, and Colleagues,

I want to thank the Billerica Substance Awareness & Prevention Committee (BSAP) for generously funding the speaker presentation we provided to students and families this week from the national speaker, Tony Hoffman, who connects important topics like mental health and substance use. Mr. Hoffman's message to students was truly inspiring. At the end of each presentation, we reminded students that if they find themselves struggling with substance use, they can turn to a trusted adult at Shawsheen for support and they will not get in trouble for doing so. If you'd like to learn more about the perspective Tony Hoffman shared with us this week, you can learn more by visiting: https://www.tonyhoffmanspeaking.com/. I also want to thank BSAP, the Wilmington Substance Abuse Coalition, Hope's Room, MPY Inc., and Shawsheen staff for supporting our first Substance Use Awareness Night.

Congratulations to Our Newest Members of NHS & NTHS!

On Wednesday night, 28 Shawsheen students were inducted into the National Honor Society and the National Technical Honor Society. We are so proud of these students - please join me in congratulating them!

Name	Shop	Grade
Camden Atwood	Business Technology/Marketing	11
Alice Bollinger	Electronics/Engineering Technology	11
Reagan Bowden	Electrical	11
Leslie Cota	Graphic Communications	12
Michaela Crowe	Design and Visual Communications	11
Adrianna Damiano	Design and Visual Communications	11
Brianne Dillon	Business Technology/Marketing	11
Allison Dinelli	Culinary Arts/Hospitality Management	11
Jayden Donaher	ISSN/Programming & Web Development	12
Anna Doughty	Medical Assisting	11
Skyla Doyle	Medical Assisting	11
Addison Dunham	Health Assisting	11
Finley Dunham	Health Assisting	11
Brenna Follett	ISSN/Programming & Web Development	11
Everett Healy	Electronics/Engineering Technology	11
Sarah Johansen	Electronics/Engineering Technology	11
Gabriella Lentini	Design and Visual Communications	11
John McLaughlin	Drafting	11
Jaycee Mitchell	Design and Visual Communications	11
Gordon Noble	Design and Visual Communications	11
Allie Oliver	Health Assisting	11
Christiana Poirier	Design and Visual Communications	11
Logan Pyles	Business Technology/Marketing	11
Adam San Clemente	Electronics/Engineering Technology	11
Patrick Tassone	Design and Visual Communications	11
Methun Thayaaparan	Drafting	11
Christina Tsoukalas	Health Assisting	12
Mackenzie Ware	Graphic Communications	11

MCAS Trial Run - Wednesday, March 22, 2023

During 2nd period next Wednesday, sophomores will participate in a trial run for MCAS to ensure all student devices are up-to-date and able to connect appropriately to the program used for MCAS in advance of the ELA MCAS on March 28 & 29, 2023. Students must bring their fully charged school devices and power cords to school for the MCAS test run and both ELA MCAS dates. Thank you in advance for your cooperation with this to ensure the test runs smoothly for all students.

Senior Class Meeting - Wednesday, March 22, 2023

During 2nd period next Wednesday, a senior class meeting will be held to review important end-of-year information with seniors. That information will also be shared with families by the end of next week.

Online Spanish Registration

The following information was originally shared on Wednesday by Director of Academic Programs, Ms. Danica Johnston:

Shawsheen will be offering online Spanish next school year, 2023-2024. These classes will be asynchronous and self-paced. Students may take Spanish 1, 2 or 3 during the offered sessions, in the summer, fall, or spring. Please note that although Shawsheen is offering online Spanish, we will still be offering Spanish 1 and 2 during the school day next year.

This form is intended for students to select their preferences for taking online Spanish next year. Please complete the form by March 24, 2023, so that the information can be included in your course discussion with guidance. Only current Shawsheen students may complete this form, it cannot be completed by a student's parent/guardian.

https://forms.office.com/r/AbU2KhqeVC

FREE Rams Academy MCAS Workshop - April Break 2023

The following information was originally shared earlier today by Director of Academic Programs, Ms. Danica Johnston:

This year Shawsheen is excited to offer students an opportunity to attend the Rams Academy MCAS Workshop during April break. The goal of this program is to help students prepare to take the MATHEMATICS and BIOLOGY MCAS exams in the weeks leading up to the tests. Students will have the opportunity to review curriculum and practice the skills to needed to succeed on the upcoming MCAS tests that will be administered to all sophomore students in May and June, 2023.

The April Vacation Rams Academy will take place April 18th, 19th & 20th. (A make-up day will be tentatively scheduled for the 21st in the event of inclement weather.) The program is scheduled to have two sessions. Session 1 will run from 8am to 10am. Session 2 will run from 10am-12pm. Students can opt to sign up for one subject per session. Students registering for both math and biology workshops can register for both sessions (ex: Math session 1, Biology session 2; OR Biology session 1, Math session 2). A verification email will be sent to confirm student registration and provide program logistics.

To register please click below.

https://forms.office.com/r/QPhc7bBu2e

Reminder: 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: Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) for 9th Grade Students

The following information was originally shared by the Shawsheen Guidance Department:

Starting on April 24, 2023, our school counseling and health staff will begin a health screening called SBIRT. SBIRT stands for Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment. SBIRT is used to screen for alcohol, nicotine, tobacco, and other drug use. This health screening is required by Massachusetts’ law.

Please follow links below for more information:

If you would like to opt your 9th grade student out of the screening, please complete the Opt-out form below by Friday April 21, 2023. Your student may also opt out at the time of the screening.

SBIRT OPT-OUT FORM

Best,

Jessica Cook

(she/her/hers)

Principal

Quick Links:

Reminders:

Friday, March 17: Deadline to Register for Spring Sports - Click Here to Register
Monday, March 20: Spring Sports Tryouts Begin
Wednesday, March 22: MCAS Trial Run & Senior Class Meeting (period 2)
Thursday, March 23: Junior Parent/Guardian College & Career Information Night , 6pm-7pm
Friday, March 24: Deadline to submit the Online Spanish Survey - https://forms.office.com/r/AbU2KhqeVC
Tuesday, March 28 - Wednesday, March 29
Friday, March 31: Quarter 3 Ends
Thursday, April 13: Sophomore Sem-Formal Dance
Friday, May 5: Senior Prom
Thursday, May 11 - Friday, May 12: The Shawsheen Drama Club Presents "Bye Bye Birdie"
Friday, May 19: Junior Prom