Murdock Middle/High School

NEWS

Volume 10, Issue 4                                                   Quarter 4, 2007-08

 

Nicholas J. DeSimone                                                                                                                                   Kent H. Forty

Principal                                                                                                                                                      Steven C. Meyer

                                                                                                                                                                Assistant Principals

 

www.winchendonk12.org

 

 

From the Principal’s Desk…

As the 2007-2008 school year concludes, I would like to update you on year end student achievements and as well as plans being developed for the 2008-2009 school year. We are pleased to share with you all the students who received academic recognition this past quarter, including college plans for our graduated seniors.

                We are excited about changes for next year and we continue to focus on a challenging course of studies with as many options as possible.  The high school will be moving to a rotating schedule along with a long block (period) to allow for activities that require more time during the 7 day cycle.  We have also increased electives and eliminated study halls.  Students were issued initial schedules already and although there will be some changes this should give students something to prepare with.

                A special goodbye and best of luck to Mr. Steve Boccardy who retires after 19 years as a social studies teacher.

                We worked very hard as a school and district this year to soften the blow of budget limitations on an already strained system.  Murdock has unfortunately lost a full-time physical education position, a high school computer position, as well as a drop-out prevention position.  On that note I thank parents, community members, and local business for continued support of Murdock and its students.  I had the honor of participating in the first annual golf tournament to benefit Murdock football and cheerleading.  This event, organized by Mr. John Maliska along with new athletic director Tony Dellasanta and many others, was a tremendous success with an impressive turnout and generous sponsorship from local businesses.  Thank you again for your commitment to the children of this community.

                MCAS Update – As many of you may know, the expectation for MCAS performance is “proficient” which translates to a 240 score or better on the English Language Arts and Math MCAS tests.  This affects the class of 2010 and beyond and raises the bar from the former expectation of a “needs improvement” or 220 score to pass.  Students who do not meet the proficient expectation will not be held from graduation; however, the school is required to develop an “educational proficiency plan” to support students. The focus of the proficiency plan will not be remediation as much as finding opportunities for students to take part in more challenging course work.

                Studies continue to show that regular reading improves academic performance in school, vocabulary, and language skills.  Summer reading also helps students maintain knowledge while not in school.  Please encourage reading at any level as part of summer activities. 

                Finally, it was a positive year with a successful NEASC Accreditation visit, elimination of our underperforming label, and continued display of excellence by our students and staff.  Attendance has improved again to over 94% and discipline incidents in the middle school saw another substantial reduction for 07-08.   Have a great summer!

 

STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS

Students of the Month

                September–high school                           Lindsay Kuchta

                September–middle school                       Kara Komprathoum

                October–high school                               Edward Calvillo

                October–middle school                           Hunter Sevigny-Smith

                December-high school                             Jessica Wells

                December-middle school                         Alexis Doody

                January-high school                                Nicholas Budka

                January-middle school                            Ashley Hancock

                February-high school                              Zuleyka Lugo

                February-middle school                          Jordan Harris

                March-high school                                  Brianna Bell

                March-middle school                              Jacob DesJean

                April-high school                                    Jocelyn Agnelli

                April-middle school                                Sarah Huff

                May-high school                                     Evans Adonteng

                May-middle school                                 Hiral Patel

 

Students of the Week

High School                                             Middle School

Lauren Coderre                                      Jacob McClellan

Liam Boudreau                                       Jared Stephenson

Denyel Chalke                                         Meaghan Comeau

 

2008 Scholars Dinner

The following students attained a 3.2 GPA

for quarters 1, 2 and 3 of the 2007-08 school year:

Grade 12                                                                Grade 11

Kaitlyn Braman                                       Ashley Caisse

John Hushaw                                          Alexis Jenkins

Angeline Laflamme                                 William Lary IV

Jessica Murphy                                       Sarah Lewis

Kaitlyn Neal                                            Jack Maliska

Cameron Provost                                   Sarah McKellick

Sandra Van Der Molen                           Rebecca Petros

                                                                Joshua Parrott

Grade 10                                                                Jennifer Skawski

Kellie Broome                                         Kerri Spady

Ashley Clayton                                        Bekah Wheeler

Joel Demont

Kathryn Johnson                                     Grade 9

Amanda LeClair                                     Jocelyn Agnelli

Mary Grace Maliska                              Meredith Fournier

Molly Martorella                                     Zackerie Perrault

Sara Newton                                           Dominick Polcarie

Ashley Perry                                            Megan Provencial

Marcus Provost                                      Kaitlyn Vachon

Alexandra Rocheleau

Nicole Santonastaso

Katherine Storer

Ethan Wilson

 

The following students achieved high or highest honors

for quarters 1, 2, and 3 of the 2007-08 school year:

Grade 8                                                  Grade 7

Jordan Harris                                         Matthew Niles

Sarah Huff

 

Book Awards - Given to Top Juniors

Franklin Pierce UniversitySarah Lewis

Stonehill CollegeRebecca Petros

St. Michael’s College – Harmony Hill

St. Michael’s College – Jack Maliska

St. Anselm College – Jennifer Skawski

Assumption CollegeBekah Wheeler

Dartmouth CollegeAlexis Jenkins

Harvard UniversitySarah McKellick

 

Underclassmen Awards for Academic Excellence

English

Gr 7 – Alligators – Trisha Randall

Gr 7 – Griffins – Bronte Torres Pagan

Gr 8 – Griffins – Jordan Harris

Gr 8 – Eagles – Joshua Emerson

Grade 9 – Dominick Polcari

Grade 10 – Katie Johnson

Grade 11 – Sarah McKellick

 

Foreign Language

French 1 – Dominick Polcari

French 2 – Marcus Provost

French 3 – Felisha Kowlzan

Spanish 2 – NinoshkahCarolina” Padilla

 

 

Social Studies

Gr 7 – Alligators – Jacob DesJean

Gr 7 – Griffins – Allegra Harvey

Gr 8 – Griffins – Zachary Rocheleau

Gr 8 – Eagles – Sam Burdsall

Grade 9 – Dominick Polcari

Grade 10 – Timothy Shiebler

Grade 11 – Alexis Jenkins

 

Mathematics/Business

Gr 7 – Alligators – Jacob DesJean

Gr 7 – Griffins – Daniel Denette

Gr 8 – Griffins – Kara Komprathoum

Gr 8 – Eagles – Sarah Huff

Grade 9 – Jocelyn Agnelli

Grade 10 – Molly Martorella

Grade 11 – Sarah McKellick

Business – Will Lary

Computer Applications – Kaitlyn Vachon

 

Science & Technology

Gr 7 – Alligators – Jacob DesJean

Gr 7 – Griffins – Matthew Niles

Gr 8 – Griffins – Philip Tousignant

Gr 8 – Eagles – Joshua Emerson

Biology – Rebecca Rader

Chemistry – Kathryn Johnson

Technology Engineering – Benjamin White

 

Unified Arts

HS Art – Allen Williamson

MS Art   Gr 7 – Jessa Pereira

                Gr 8 - Selena Woodard

PE           Gr 9 – Connie Vaillancourt

                Gr 10 – Nick Chanthachack

Music      MS Band – Sean Feeney

                MS Chorus – Theresa Duval

 

Senior Academic Awards

English/Language Arts

                English – Kira Benson

                Mass Media – Kaitlyn Braman

                Mass Media – John Hushaw

 

Foreign Language

                Spanish 1 – Sandra van der Molen

                Spanish 3 – Crystal Pereira

 

Mathematics         Kira Benson

 

Science & Technology

                AP Biology – Amanda Higgins

                Anatomy & Physiology – Hannah Fletcher

                Chemistry – Kira Benson

                Physics – Kira Benson

                Computer Graphic Design – Brianna Baker

                Photography – Cameron Provost

 

Social Studies       Crystal Pereira

 

Unified Arts

                Art – Angeline Laflamme

                Band – Kaitlyn Braman

                Band – John Hushaw

                Chorus – Cameron Provost

                Foundations in Music – Hannah Fletcher

                Physical Education – Timothy Martin

 

Family & Consumer Science Awards

                FACS of Life – Ali Christian

                Iron Chef – Kayla Rice

                Sous Chef – Calvin Lopez

 

Safe Haven Awards

                Rebekah Casey

                Crystal Pereira

 

2007-2008 Murdock Middle/High School Perfect Attendance

Grade 7                                                  Grade 8

Taylor Doyle                                           Joseph Clark

Ryan Durgin                                           Erik Haney

Judith Figueroa                                       Steven Spady

Brianna Knight                                       Sarah Tousignant

Kendyll Knight                                        Alexis Williams

Shannon Lafrennie

Mariah Tenney

 

Grade 9                                                  Grade 10

Marissa Kaiser                                       Adiamond Grover

Jonathan Kaminsky                                                Dylan Muse

Brock Macarelli                                      Sara Newton

Tyler O’Malley                                        Ninoshkah Padilla

Maximin Rocheleau                 Ashley Perry

Kassandra Salcedo                                 Nicholas Race

Constance Vaillancourt                           Kristy Stevenson

 

Grade 11

Evans Adonteng

Brianna Bell

William Lary IV

Joshua Parrott

Kerry Spady

 

From Mr. Meyer, Assistant Principal

Senior Parking Permits

Parking permits for the 2008-09 school year will be issued beginning August 1, 2008, to seniors ONLY.  Applications are available in the high school office.  The fee set by the school committee is now $50.00.

                A parking permit will be necessary to park in the parking lot on the first day of school.  Call Mrs. Connelly at 978-297-1256 if you have any questions.

 

From Mr. Forty, Assistant Principal

The middle school staff is looking forward to an exciting and fruitful year.  With that in mind, we have a couple of important dates that you need to be aware of.  On Thursday, August 21 from 10:00 a.m. - noon, we will host our annual orientation and cookout for all seventh graders and their parents.  On Friday, September 5th from 7:00-9:30 p.m., we will have our kick-off dance for all seventh and eighth graders.  Please call the school at 978-297-1256 for more information.

 

2008-2009 Quarter 1 Calendar

August

21            Seventh Grade Orientation

26            First Day of School

28            Fall Sports Information Night

29            No School

 

September

1              Labor Day-No School

5              Middle School Dance

6              Walk-A-Thon

15-19       Bulb Fundraiser

16            No School

29            Rachel’s Challenge

29– Oct. 3 Book Fair

 

October

3              Progress Reports

13            Columbus Day-No School

15            PSATs

22            Half Day

25            High School Semi-Formal Homecoming Dance

30-Nov 10  Avon Fundraiser

31            Haunted High School

November

3-7           Poinsettia Fundraiser

4              No School

5-6           MCAS

7              End of Quarter 1

7              Shopping Night

11            Veterans’ Day-No School

12            Financial Aid Night

14            Middle School Dance

19 & 20   Parent Conferences-Half Days

26-28       Thanksgiving Holiday

 

English & Foreign Language - Mr. Nardini, Coordinator

MMHS SUMMER READING INCENTIVE PROGRAM

Murdock Middle/High School, in conjunction with its English and Social Studies departments, has initiated a voluntary summer reading program.  In the following pages you will find lists of suggested books for the upcoming summer break.  If a Murdock student wishes to be part of the summer reading initiative, he/she should follow the steps listed below.

1.   Choose one or more books (maximum of five) from the appropriate lists provided.  (Current grade 8 students may choose from either the 7&8 or the 9-12 lists).

2.   Over the summer, read your book(s) and compose an essay in which you react to the book.

3.   During the first week of the 2008-2009 school year, submit your summer reading essay(s) to your new English or social studies teacher.

For each summer reading assessment that you successfully complete (maximum of five), you will earn class credit and the reward of choosing a prize from the Murdock Middle/High School Summer Reading Activities Grab Bag.  This grab bag includes passes to:

        Selected Home Sporting Events

        The 2008-2009 Tournament of Plays

        The 2008-2009 Murdock Musical

        Selected High School and Middle School Dances

        Various Other Events Sponsored by Murdock Clubs and Classes

 

MIDDLE SCHOOL SUMMER 2008 READING LIST

One of our goals each summer is to inspire students to read --- and to keep reading. Just because school is out doesn't mean that reading and learning should stop. Summer vacation offers an opportunity to explore new books and find the perfect “beach read”.

                The popularity of the “book series” has encouraged reading for enjoyment and promoted the middle school’s successful Silent Sustained Reading (SSR) program. The following list includes a variety of interests and reading abilities. For book reviews and online ordering (save on gas!), check out the Barnes & Noble’s web site.

 

Book Series

Author                      Title                                     Series-Sequels-Triologies

Alexander, Lloyd      The Chronicles of Prydain         

Blackwood, Gary      The Shakespeare Stealer             “Shakespeare Stealer”

                                                                                       series

Brashares, Ann         The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants sequels

Black, Holly              The Spiderwick Chronicles        

Card, Orson Scott     Ender’s Game                             sequels

Christopher, John     The White Mountains                “Tripods Trilogy”

Colfer, Eoin               Artemis Fowl                              “Artemis Fowl” Series

Cooper, Susan           The Dark is Rising.                     "The Dark Is Rising"

                                                                                       series

DuPrau, Jeanne         The City of Ember                      "Ember" series

Farley, Walter           Black Stallion                              "Stallion" Series

Farmer, Nancy          Sea of Trolls                                sequel: Land of the

                                                                                       Silver Apples

Fletcher, Susan          Dragon's Milk                             “Dragon Trilogy”

George, Jean Craighead My Side of the Mountain       “Mountain Trilogy”

Funke, Cornelia         Inkheart                                       sequels

Gregory, Kristina      The Winter of Red Snow            "Dear America" Series

Haddix, Margaret      Among the Hidden                      "Shadow Children"

                                                                                       series

Horowitz, Anthony  Stormbreaker                               “Alex Rider” Series

Hunter, Erin              Into the Wild                               “Warriors” Series

Jacques, Brian           Redwall                                       sequels

Kerr, P.B.                  The Akhenaten Adventure         “Children of the Lamp”

                                                                                       series

Le Guin, Ursula K.   Wizard of EarthSea                     Earthsea Cycle” Series

MacHale, D. J.          The Merchant of Death              Pendragon” Series

Meyers, Stephenie    Twilight                                      “The Twilight Saga”

Nimmo, Jenny          Midnight for Charlie Bone          "Children of the Red

                                                                                        King" Series

Paolini, Christopher Eldest                                           “Inheritance” Series

Paulsen, Gary           “Brian's Saga” Series

Rabb,  M.E,              Missing Persons                         Missing Person Series

Rinaldi, Ann              A Stitch In Time                         sequels

Rowling, J. K.           Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone  sequels

Sage, Angie                Magyk                                        "Septimus Heap" Series

Shepard, Sara            Pretty Little Liars                       “Pretty Little Liars”

                                                                                       series

Steer, Dugold            The Dragon’s Eye                       “The Dragonology

                                                                                         Chronicles”

Stewart, Paul             Beyond the Deepwoods             “The Edge Chronicles”

Stroud, Jonathan       Amulet of Samarkand                 “The Bartimaeus

                                                                                         Trilogy”

Van Draanen, Wendelin Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief  sequels

Westerfield, Scott     The Uglies                                   “The Uglies Trilogy”

Yolen, Jane                Dragon's Blood                           “Pit Dragon Trilogy”

 

Author                              Title                     Other Books by Same Author

Alexander, Lloyd              The Book of Three

Anderson, Laurie H.         Fever, 1793

Avi                                    Crispin: The Cross of Lead

Avi                                    Ragweed                “Tales From Dimwood Forest

Barron, T. A.                    The Lost Years of Merlin

Beatty, Patricia                 Turn Homeward Hannalee

Carter, Dorothy                His Majesty, Queen Hatshepsut

Choldenko, Gennifer         Al Capone Does My Shirts

Christopher, Matt            Winning Stroke & Soccer Halfback         Top Wing

Clements, Andrew            Things Not Seen   Room One

Collier, James & C.           My Brother Sam Is Dead

Crowe, Chris                     Mississippi Trial, 1955

Curtis, Christopher Paul   Bud Not Buddy

Dowell, Frances                Dovey Coe

Dygard, Thomas J.           Infield Hit

Farmer, Nancy                  The Ear, The Eye, And The Arm

Ferris, Jean                        Underground

Fox, Paula                         Western Wind: A Novel

Giff, Patricia Reilly           Pictures of Hollis Woods

Gipson, Fred                     Old Yeller

Hiaasen, Carl                     Hoot                      Also:  Flush

Ho, Minfong                     The Clay Marble 

Hobbs, Will                       Far North

Ibbotson, Eva                    The Island of the Aunts

Kadohata, Cynthia            Kira-Kira

Keith, Harold                    Rifles for Watie

Konigsburg, E. L.              A View From Saturday                                                     

Krisher, Trudy                  Spite Fences

Larson, Kirby                   Hattie Big Sky

Levine, Gail                       Ella Enchanted

Lyons, Mary E.                Letters from a Slave Girl

Martin, Ann                      A Corner of the Universe

McCaughrean, Geraldine  Peter Pan in Scarlet

McDaniel, Lurlene            Angels in Pink Trilogy

McKinley, Robin              The Hero and the Crown

Myers, Edward                 Climb Or Die                                                                     

Na, An                              A Step From Heaven

Naidoo, Beverly                The Other Side of Truth

Namioka, Lensey              Ties That Bind, Ties That Break

O’Dell, Scott                     Black Star, Bright Dawn

Paterson, Katherine          Lyddie                                                                                Bridge to Terabithia

Peck, Richard                    A Long Way From Chicago   A Year Down Yonder

Reeder, Carolyn                Shades of Gray

Rinaldi, Ann                      Numbering All the Bones                                                   Girl in Blue

Ruby, Lois                        Steal Away Home

Sachar, Louis                     Hoot and Small Steps

Schmidt, Gary D.              Lizzie Bright and the Buckminister Boy

Schmidt, Gary D.              The Wednesday Wars                                                       

Sleator, William                 Interstellar Pig

Stanley, Diane                   Bella at Midnight

Tolan, Stephanie               Surviving the Applewhites

Van Draanen, Wendelin    Flipped

Wallace, Barbara               The Twin In The Tavern

White, Ruth                      Belle Prater's Boy

Yancey, Rick                     The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp

Yep, Laurence                   Dragonwings

 

Murdock High School Summer Reading List

Grades 9-12

Selection                                                  Author                    Subject

Bleachers                                                                John Grisham          Sports

Five People You Meet in Heaven            Mitch Albom          Fiction

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea               Jules Verne              Sci-fiction

Gospel According to Larry                     Janet Tashjian         Fiction

Ethan Frome                                           Edith Wharton        Fiction

Ghost Boy                                               Iain Lawrence          Fiction

Captains Courageous                             Rudyard Kipling     Fiction

Slam                                                        Walter Dean Meyers Sports

Siddhartha                                              Herman Hesse         Fiction

Johnny Got His Gun                               Dalton Trumbo       Fiction

Into Thin Air                                           Jon Krakauer           Non-Fiction

October Sky                                            Homer Hickman      Non-Fiction

True Grit                                                 Charles Portis         Fiction

Billy Budd                                                Herman Melville     Fiction

Inkheart                                                  Cornelia Funke        Fantasy

 

 

MURDOCK HIGH SCHOOL MANDATORY SUMMER READING

Murdock students entering the following classes for the 2008-2009 school year will be expected to read the corresponding selections over the summer.  Students will be assessed on this reading within the first few weeks of the new school year.  Most of these titles can easily be found at local bookstore or through online retailers.

 

Grade 9 Honors      And Then There Were None  Agatha Christie

Grade 10 Honors    Black Like Me                        J.H. Griffin

                                Call of the Wild                       Jack London

American Lit. Honors     Huckleberry Finn            Mark Twain

                                        The Natural                     Bernard Malamud

                                        The Maltese Falcon        Dashiell Hammett

British/World Lit. Honors      Othello                    William  Shakespeare

                                                The Return of the Native        Thomas Hardy

                                                Beyond the Chocolate War     Robert Cormier

Grade 12 Adv. Placement       Oedipus the King    Sophocles

                                                Utopia                     Sir Thomas More

                                                Othello                    William Shakespeare

                                                A Passage to India  E.M. Forster

                                                The Lord of the Flies              William Golding

 

Science and Technology - Mrs. Wright, Coordinator

Mr. Fontaine’s technology/engineering classes have just finished a great year.  The computer graphics class completed their restaurant and menu designs.  The woodworking classes finished designing and building another successful round of Adirondack chairs.  The photography students left with a wonderful portfolio of their work from the past semester.  The freshman Engineering the Future class successfully took the MCAS exam and have finished a number of projects through the school year.

                Mr. Fontaine’s robotics club would like to thank Rocheleau’s Tool and Die Company and Toy Town Auto Salvage for their contributions towards the robot.  We wouldn’t have been able to compete without their donations.  The technology department is eagerly looking forward to next year classes.

 

Social Studies - Mr. Forte, Coordinator

The social studies department would like to remind all students of the school’s summer reading program.  Summer reading lists have been distributed to all teachers at the appropriate grade levels.  Any student who did not receive a copy of the summer reading list will be able to find a copy on-line www.winchendonk12.org.  Summer reading for all United States History I honors students, United States History II honors and advanced placement United States History students is mandatory.  These reading assignments have been handed out to the individual students who signed up for the classes.  Again, any student who needs to find the assignment will be able to find a copy on-line.

                The social studies department would also like to recognize all of our outstanding students for their great effort and achievements over the past year.  The depth and talent of our students match or exceeds any high school anywhere.  Many of our students do not spend the summer just resting; they go on to further their studies over the summer.  The list of students and schools is impressive and again demonstrates the talent level and determination of our students.

Jennifer Skawski (West Point and Yale)

Alexis Jenkins (Bryant)

Nicole Sanonastaso ( Cornell)

Sarah Mckellick (Mount Wachusett Community College)

Bekah Wheeler (Mount Wachusett Community College)

Harmony Hill (Mount Wachusett Community College)

Molly Heinly (Mount Wachusett Community College)

Arielle Wood (Mount Wachusett Community College)

 

Guidance - Mrs. Weinhold, Coordinator

We’d like to congratulate the Class of 2008 for a job well done.  We will miss you next year and wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors, whatever or wherever they may be.  Here is a list of where you will be able to find some of our graduating students come September…

 

Student                                        College

Aidonidis, Joe                              U Mass Amherst

Batchelder, Jeremy                      MWCC

Benson, Kira                               University of Vermont

Boisvert, Evan                            Worcester State

Bradley, Caroline                        MWCC

Braman, Kaitlyn                          Rhode Island College

Bresnahan, Ashlee                      MWCC

Broome, Katie                             MWCC

Bullen, Dennis                             U Mass Amherst

Calvillo, Edward                         MWCC

Casey, Rebekah                           Fitchburg State College

Charlonne, Kayla                        U Mass Dartmouth

Christian, Ali                               Franklin Pierce University

Dancause, Jonathan                   MWCC

D'Andrea, Jacqueline                  MWCC

Desmarais, Kaitlin                      U Mass Amherst

Duval, Amanda                           MWCC

Ellsworth, Ashley                        MWCC

Fletcher, Hannah                        Westfield State

Gage, Jacob                                MWCC

Girard, Paige                              MWCC

Higgins, Amanda                        Fitchburg State College

Holly, Taryn                                MWCC

Hushaw, John                             University of Hartford

Kaye, Tia                                     MWCC

LaCroix, Hayleigh                      MWCC

Laflamme, Angie                         Franklin Pierce University

Laperle, Nick                              MWCC

LeBlanc, Joshua                          MWCC

LeBlanc, Zachary                        MWCC

LeClair, Kaitlyn                          Guilford College

Lopez, Calvin                              Fitchburg State College

Mahathirath, Steven                    MWCC

Maldonado, Angela                     Westfield State

Markeseines, Joseph                   MWCC

Martin, Tim                                 MWCC

Martins, Tyler                             U Mass Amherst

Mchome, James                          MWCC

Mills, Julie                                   Middlesex Community College

Montville, Jessie                          Keene State College

Murphy, Jessica                          MWCC

Neal, Kaitlyn                               U Mass Boston

Ordile, Amy                                 New England College

Pereira, Crystal                          U Mass Amherst

Prouty, Eric                                 MWCC

Provost, Cameron                      Alaska Pacific University

Rajaniemi, Chris                         MWCC

Rice, Kayla                                  MWCC

Rivard, Courtney                        MWCC

St. Pierre, Jacob                          MWCC

Shieber, Matt                               U Mass Amherst

Snay, Nick                                   Florida Institute of Technology

Storer, Sean                                MWCC

Thurlow, Ashley                          New England College

 

The following  juniors have been accepted into the Mount Wachusett Community College Presidential Academy: Sarah McKellick, Harmony Hill, Bekah Wheeler, Molly Heinly and Arielle Wood. These students qualified with high grades earned in their high school years. They will be taking the course entitled Introduction to Psychology, which is a “brick and click” format combining Internet usage and classroom involvement.

 

Attention class of 2009:

Don’t forget to sign up for the fall SAT test.  The test dates and registration deadlines are as follows:

                Test Date                                Registration Date   

                October 4, 2008      September 9, 2008

                November 1, 2008  September 26, 2008

You may register for the SAT at www.collegeboard.com.  This is also an excellent site to access practice tests and research test taking tips.  What a great way to spend those summer months!

                The summer is also a great time to visit college campuses.  Many colleges and universities will offer summer open houses and information sessions.  If there is a college that you are interested in, check out their website or contact their admissions office for dates.

                November, December and January will be a very busy months for the college applications.  Try to plan ahead by asking for letters of recommendation from your teachers, coaches, advisors, etc., before the end of the school year.  This will give the person more time to work on your letter. 

                For those students who are enrolled in the career internship course next year, please remember that you need to investigate your options and secure an internship before the start of the 2008/2009 school year.  Reliable transportation and parking permits are a must! 

                Any member of next year’s junior class who would like to take the PSAT on Wednesday, October 15th should call the guidance office at (978)297-4285 to sign up if you haven’t done so already.  We will be collecting the $13 fee in the fall.

 

High school students received their 2008/2009 schedules on the last day of school.  Please remember that schedules are subject to change.  If you need to make a change to your schedule, please call the guidance office at (978)297-4285 after August 18th for an appointment.  Schedule changes will not be made to accommodate teacher requests.

                Students who fail a subject with a grade of 50-59 may qualify for a summer make-up credit course to earn the credits that were lost. A student with an average of 45 or better may receive administrative approval to participate in a summer program. Gardner High School and Monty Tech are also offering summer school. Please call the guidance office if you would like more information.  Have a great summer.

 

Grade 9 and 10 Guidance

Congratulations to all grade 10 and grade 9 students who participated in MCAS testing this spring for their diligence and hard work.  Test results should be available shortly after school begins and results will be mailed home at that time.

                Grade 10 students were provided with career information to assist them with post high school planning.  The career information website “CAREER CRUISING” is available for all students and their families to access for career and college planning.  The website address is:

www.careercruising.com

username-murdock

password-careers

                Summer is a great time to begin using this website to explore and learn about the many different career options available.  Best wishes for a relaxing, fun and invigorating summer.  - Mrs. Borsky

 

Murdock Health Center – Renee Boucher, FNP

Another school year has ended.  With summer upon us, I thought some information on sun and tanning bed safety would be helpful.

                A major risk factor for developing skin cancer is excessive sun exposure before the age of 20.  Melonoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is a cancer seen in younger people, and it can start as early as adolescence.   Most kids get between 50% and 80% of their lifetime sun exposure before the age of 18, so it’s important that parents teach their children how to enjoy outdoor fun while being protected from the sun.  With the right precautions, you can greatly reduce your child’s risk of developing skin cancer.

                Practice these sun-protection basics all year round to give you and your child’s skin the best chance for long term health:

Avoid the strongest rays of the day; between 10am and 4pm.

Cover up with a hat, sunglasses (even the cornea of the eye can be burned by the sun) and tight woven clothing.

Apply sunscreen generously, a skim coating is not enough!

Sunscreen should have a sun protective factor (SPF) of 15 or more to block out harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Sunscreen should be put on every 2 hours and reapplied after swimming or sweating even if it’s waterproof.  Don’t forget hands, feet, ears, lips and back of neck.

Check your skin monthly for marks or moles and look for changes in size, shape, color, thickness and irregular edges.  For any changes in moles, freckles or a birthmark, see your health care provider.

Avoid tanning beds.  UVA radiation from tanning beds is more intense than natural sunlight and a UVA tan offers no protection from the sum.  Long term users of tanning beds have an eight times greater chance of developing melanoma later in life.

 

So remember to Slip on a shirt, Slop on the sunscreen and Slap on a hat to keep you and your child’s skin beautiful and healthy for a lifetime.

 

Winchendon Public Schools

Files

No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Grant Application

                Pursuant to President Bush’s No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation, the Winchendon Public Schools filed its NCLB grant application prior to June 20, 2008.  The No Child Left Behind Consolidated grant application consists of four titles:  Title I, Title IIA Educator Quality, Title IID Technology Enhancement, Title IV Safe & Drug-free Schools and Title V Innovative Programs.

                To meet the federal requirements of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) grant application, a thorough needs assessment based on the analysis of available data such as MCAS scores, standardized testing, attendance records, discipline records and other data as reported to the Massachusetts Department of Education must be submitted.  The strategic plan to address the needs within the Winchendon Public Schools is based on scientifically based research and must meet the “principles of effectiveness” and the definition of “high quality” as defined by the State Department of Education. 

                For further information, call Valorie M. Miller, Director of  Instructional Services, Winchendon Public Schools at 978-297-0261.

Dated:  05.23.08

 

Telephone Notification System

Winchendon Public Schools has implemented an emergency notification system called Global Connect.  This system allows administration to notify parents and staff of any emergencies or important reminders.  We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we learn to use all the features of Global Connect.  Questions regarding this system should be directed to your student’s school office.  Updates to phone numbers are made monthly.  The Winchendon Public Schools would also like to thank the many supporters who have donated funds to make this system possible.

 

 

PARENT NOTIFICATION

Please note that the following course curriculum at Murdock Middle/High School includes human sexuality curriculum:  Child Development I/II, Marriage and Family, Sociology, Psychology, Anatomy & Physiology, Biology, Health Education 7-8-9.  If you would like to review the curriculum or exempt your student from any portion of said curriculum, please contact the principal at 978-297-1256.