Weekly News & Notes
Last Day of School Edition: June 22, 2023
News Briefs
2. Schedules for the 2023-24 school year will be posted in August. Please note: schedule changes are not typically allowed, unless a student is missing a core content area or is misplaced. Sometimes, elective requests are not always possible.
3. Families were emailed information regarding grade 8 orientation. Incoming students should sign up for one of the two dates.
4. The grade 8 civics projects were displayed around the building these past two weeks. Awesome work by our students in engaging the community for a number of initiatives!
5. Students in need of summer school will receive information from the school counseling office.
6. Please be aware that the school is not always open during the summer. Teachers and counselors typically are not available in July and August. Administration will also be in and out of the office.
A Few Thoughts on 2022-23
We look at the classroom experiences, the extracurricular successes, the growth of clubs and activities, the industry partnerships, the service projects, the recognition of staff, the outreach to our school as an exemplar for so much, and the many victories of our athletic programs. We look at the curricular adjustments that our staff made, the college acceptance data, the experiences of students in internships, and the feedback from businesses about our student workers. In all of these, we look at elements that went well, and we look at challenges on which we need to do better.
Some of the work that happens daily goes on silently from people that parents and community hardly see and rarely hear from: office secretaries, facilities staff, paraprofessionals, other support staff. Our administrative team has seen shifts in the past two years, with a new assistant principal and new athletic director, and we have managed to gel and build our own consistency, while challenging each other. It would be dishonest for us to say that the district-level turnover, from the School Committee to central office personnel, has not resulted in some tension and challenges within our schools and in our daily tidings. We are quite certain that the past few years have had their share of difficulties: shutdowns, protocols, masks, loss of events, and turnover of staff. We do our best to insulate ourselves from the difficulties that surround us, recognize the needs and responses we can control, do our best to manage those we cannot, and focus on students, and we hope that this work is not lost.
As we begin focusing on the next year, we remain grateful for the support and feedback we receive from families, students, and community. We wish everyone a relaxing, enjoyable, and refreshing summer!
Ms. Bernard Named Educator of the Year
Uxbridge High School Principal Michael Rubin is proud to announce that Sheila Bernard, a longtime English teacher, department leader, and advisor, has been named the 2023 Uxbridge High School Educator of the Year.
“The years of the pandemic were so difficult for so many schools, particularly in sustaining and enhancing a connection between school and community and growing school pride and spirit,” said Mr. Rubin. “Through Ms. Bernard’s efforts, we have found ways to build on our school culture and maintain so many traditions and opportunities that other schools have struggled to rekindle. Ms. Bernard always keeps students and their experience first - it is one of the reasons why she is so very special.”
The Educator of the Year Award is presented annually at UHS to an educator or member of the faculty and staff who has demonstrated outstanding commitment, leadership, and dedication to the school. In presenting this award to Ms. Bernard, Mr. Rubin shared that this year, “it was fitting to honor someone who brings so much to the community and culture of both our school and community.”
In addition to being an English teacher at the school, Ms. Bernard is the advisor to the Student Council, which recently earned Gold Medals of Recognition at both the state and national level. She also serves on the School Council and the Hall of Fame Committee. She previously served as a field hockey coach in Uxbridge, and she currently also serves the school as the Department Leader for the English department. She is the first UHS educator to earn the Educator of the Year award who is an alumnus of the school.
Dean of Students Moura Named President of MHSFCA
David Moura, currently the Dean of Students at Uxbridge High School, has been named the President of the Massachusetts High School Football Coaches’ Association. He has previously served the organization as a vice president, recording secretary, and league representative.
“I am very honored to serve as the President of the MHSFCA for this coming year,” said Mr. Moura. “Our outgoing President Tom Bingham did a tremendous job this past year taking on initiatives such as the current playoff proposal while getting football coaches from Central and Western Mass more involved with the Association. My hope is that I, along with our executive committee, will continue to do the great work that was done by our predecessors and give our coaches the resources and guidance that they may need as the season unfolds.”
As President of the MHSFCA, Moura will oversee the operations of the executive committee. The association sponsors coaches’ clinics, events for student-athletes, and all-state teams for students, while also offering feedback and guidance to state committees on such topics as practice procedures, game scheduling, and playoff formats. The MHSFCA also sponsors a Hall of Fame that recognizes the contributions of outstanding coaches across the Commonwealth.
Previously an assistant coach at UMass-Dartmouth, Dartmouth High School, and Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School, Moura also served as head coach at D-R, helping the team advance to Gillette Stadium and a Super Bowl bid in 2018. He has maintained a presence in coaching since arriving at Uxbridge, as he serves as a volunteer coach with the Spartans for both football and track and field. As Dean of Students, Moura assists with the daily operations of the school; the bulk of his responsibilities includes the coordination of Uxbridge’s robust internship program, which is a hallmark of UHS’ nationally recognized career pathway programs.
“When we hired Mr. Moura as our Dean of Students, we recognized his insight and ability to connect with students, which has obviously helped as he has grown our internship program,” said UHS Principal Michael Rubin. “It is not surprising that his peers share that respect for his knowledge, ability, and talent as a coach and educator, and I look forward to seeing his influence as the Association president provide insight to our programs, team, and league.”
Hall of Fame Induction Class Named!
The Uxbridge High School Athletic Hall of Fame will induct its Class of 2023 in a ceremony scheduled for November 11. This year’s class features nine standout student-athletes, one coach, and, for the first time, an entire team. While connecting the storied athletic past of UHS to its present, the Hall of Fame strives to recognize and honor deserving athletes, coaches, teams, and contributors for their impact and accomplishments.
The induction of the Class of 2023 will take place at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at Blissful Meadows Country Club, located at 801 Chocolog Road in Uxbridge. Individual tickets, priced at $50 each, will go on sale in September for the event. Inquiries regarding the event can be directed via email to uhshalloffame@uxbridge.k12.ma.us, or to the Secretary of the Committee, Chuck Paszkewicz, at cpuhshof@gmail.com.
This year’s induction class includes:
1981-82 Boys Basketball Team
The team credited with inspiring a new tradition of excellence at Uxbridge High School, the 1981-82 boys basketball team won the first district championship in school history. They finished with a record of 18-5. Coached by Mark Donahue and Dean Tourangeau, this will be the first group inducted in the “team category” to the UHS Athletic Hall of Fame.
Allison Cahill, Class of 1999
Arguably the best basketball player ever to play at Uxbridge, Allison graduated as the all time leading scorer in basketball holding the boys and girls record of 1446 varsity points. She was an excellent long range shooter for Coach Dean Tournageau’s squad, with a game-high of 42 points, which still stands as the second-best single game performance in school history. She was also a captain of the softball team at UHS. A graduate of Princeton University, she was a collegiate 1000 point scorer, graduating in 2003 after serving as the team captain in basketball. Allison plays professional tackle football as quarterback for the Boston Renegades. She has played on teams that have won 7 National Championships: 3 with the Boston Militia and 4 with the Renegades. She is in her 20th season in the league, and she just surpassed 25,000 career passing yards.
Emily Cahill, Class of 2013
Emily has been elected to the Hall of Fame in her first year of eligibility, having completed one of the most storied track and field careers in school history. She holds numerous school records competing in both indoor and outdoor track and field (considering the school did not have a track facility at the time). She set and broke - and continues to hold - school records in the high jump, triple jump, 100 meter hurdles, and 200 meters, and she also was part of a team that set the school record in the 800-meter relay.
Dan Clarke, Class of 1994
Dan Clarke excelled in Cross Country, Basketball, and Baseball as a Captain and All Star. He earned 10 varsity letters and played on District E champion teams in both basketball and baseball, while also earning a place as an individual in the Massachusetts Cross Country Championship race.
In his senior year, Dan was selected the Boys XC Coach's Award winner, named to the First Team All Academic in Basketball, won a District E Athletic Director Award, and was chosen Spartan of the Year.
Meghan (Gaskell) Creighton, Class of 2002
A rare four year varsity player in three sports, including field hockey, basketball, and softball, Meghan was a three time MVP for Coach Joe McCourt’s softball team. The crafty pitcher holds the school record for career strikeouts (725) as she compiled a 23-1 record her senior year. She amassed 224 strikeouts in a single season (2000-01) besides holding the school record for 61 varsity career wins on the mound. Also a feared hitter at the plate, Meghan ranks 4th all time with 113 hits in her varsity career. The multi talented athlete was named to multiple First Team All Star squads for all three sports as well as being recognized with the Coaches Award for those sports. Meghan went to play four years at Babson College, named League MVP her senior year while earning second team All American.
Mark Donahue, Coach & Athletic Director
Mark Donahue becomes the third coach inducted into the UHS Athletic Hall of Fame. In a coaching career that spanned parts of four decades, Mr. Donahue was the longtime head basketball coach, amassing 397 career victories, three Clark Tournament championships, and two district titles. In 35 years, his teams advanced to the state tournament 28 times. He also coached girls cross country, compiling a record of 195-32. He was inducted into the Massachusetts Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2014. He also served UHS as its athletic director before retiring from the post in 2015.
Kristen (Lane) Martin, Class of 1996
Kristen was an outstanding three-sport athlete for four years in field hockey, basketball, and softball. A dynamic field hockey star, Kristen amassed 64 career goals, which was a school record not broken for 26 years. She was recognized as three-time First Team all star, considered a total team player with a natural knack for scoring while maintaining qualities of leadership that earned the respect of peers, coaches, and opponents. Kristen is recognized in the record books for her pitching career on the softball team. She was named the Spartan Female Athlete of the Year her senior year. Kristen went on to play Division 1 field hockey at Providence College.
Jeff Parcells, Class of 1992
Jeff helped lead Uxbridge High School’s football team to its first-ever Super Bowl title in 1991, amassing 134 yards and a touchdown to lead the Spartans to victory over Bay Path. With 1144 career rushing yards during his varsity career at UHS, Jeff is listed in the UHS record books with 126 points scored in a season (2nd all time) and 20 TD’s in a season (2nd all time). For his career, his 34 touchdowns ranks second all-time. He was named to various First Team All Star squad teams for three consecutive years and was awarded the Spartan Male Athlete of the Year in 1992. Jeff went on to become the head football coach at his alma mater from 1999 - 2004.
Kelly Rosborough, Class of 1996
Kelly was a three-sport athlete, starring in field hockey, basketball, and softball. Field hockey was her strongest, as she went on to play collegiately at UConn after earning multiple conference All Star selections as well as serving as team captain. Kelly was a hard working midfielder who always managed to keep the ball in the opponent's end and was highly regarded as a two-way field hockey standout for the Spartans. In basketball, she was a fierce defender who approached the game with tenacity and intensity, regardless of the opponent. She was named the District E Athletic Director Award winner her senior year. Currently, she is the head coach of the two-time defending state champion field hockey team at UHS.
Steve Saulen, Class of 2004
Steve was a standout athlete in both football and basketball as he captained both squads his senior year. A sure handed football receiver with 12 receiving TD’s in a season (1st all time record list) and 18 varsity career receiving TD’s (2nd all time record list). In basketball, Steve was a prolific power forward varsity starter for 4 years, totalling 1155 career points (3rd all-time) as he was recognized by his coaches for being an impact defensive player as early as his freshman year of varsity basketball. Steve was also named to various First Team All Star teams in both football and basketball and awarded the Coaches Award as well as Spartan of the Year. He furthered his college education while playing football at Colgate University.
Chris Shaw, Class of 1993
Chris was one of the captains of the 1992-93 UHS Super Bowl Football Championship team that went 11-0. A highly touted wide receiver on offense and stalwart linebacker for the defense, Chris also holds the school record for interceptions run back for a touchdown. In basketball, Chris was a key member of a team in 1992-93 that won the SWCL, Clark, and District titles compiling a record of 23-1. Chris was named Spartan Male Athlete of the Year in 1993 while earning First Team All Star status in both sports.
Update on Lighting Project and Field Closure
Dear Families, Staff, Student-Athletes, and Extended Community:
We hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. As an integral part of our community, we are writing to inform you about an upcoming improvement project that will temporarily affect one of our outdoor recreational spaces. After much planning and engineering work, the turf field adjacent to Uxbridge High School will have lighting installed, which will enhance its usability and safety during evening hours.
We recognize the significance of the field’s use as important for our community members, athletic teams, and local organizations, and we understand that its temporary closure may cause inconvenience, particularly for sports teams and local clubs that intend to use it this summer. However, we firmly believe that the installation of lighting will significantly enhance the overall experience and extend the usability of the field for all residents, particularly in the long-term.
The installation process is scheduled to begin in mid-June and is expected to be completed within six weeks. During this period, the field area in its entirety will be closed to ensure the safety of everyone involved in the project. We kindly request your understanding and cooperation during the temporary closure. That means the field will be entirely off limits.
We have been through the arduous process of selecting a team of professionals to carry out the lighting installation, and we have been impressed with the company’s credentials. Their expertise will ensure that the project is completed efficiently and without compromising the quality of the field, though we do have a number of variables with which to contend as we enter the summer.. Once the installation is complete, we will be able to provide a well-lit environment for various outdoor activities, allowing community members to enjoy the field in the evenings and fostering a stronger sense of community engagement.
To minimize any inconvenience caused by the temporary closure, we encourage you to explore alternatives at nearby parks and fields, such as Hecla, McCloskey, Taft, and Sutton Street. Additionally, we will provide regular updates on the progress of the installation via our school district website, emails, and social media to keep you informed about the project's timeline.
We truly appreciate your patience, understanding, and support as we work toward improving our community's recreational spaces. Thank you for being an essential part of our community, and we look forward to the exciting enhancements that the lighting installation will bring to our field.
Sincerely yours,
Michael Rubin, UHS Principal
Martin Shaw, Director of Facilities
Yearbook Updates
Class of 2024 Senior Portraits
Senior portraits for the Class of 2024 will be due to the yearbook staff on Monday, October 16, 2023, which will be here sooner than you think!
This summer, you should:
- Have your senior portrait taken.
You can have any photographer take your photo, just make sure that it gets to the yearbook staff by October 16. - Choose a senior quote and make a list of your school activities.
- Select a baby picture for the yearbook.
This is optional, but due the same date as the rest of the info for the senior section.
Full guidelines for senior section information and the submission form are located at bit.ly/ybseniors. Please contact spartanyearbook@uxbridge.k12.ma.us with questions.
Spartan Yearbook
All students who ordered a 2023 Spartan Yearbook have been contacted, and should pick up their yearbook in the school library if they have not yet done so.
The 2024 yearbook will be available to pre-order beginning on Friday, June 23, at yearbookforever.com. The pricing for the yearbook will be the same as last year:
- Early Bird Sale: $60 June 23, 2023 - September 30, 2023
- Regular Sale: $75 October 1, 2023 - January 31, 2024
- Late Sales: $100 after February 1, 2024
Upcoming Events at the Uxbridge Free Public Library
- Teen Book-in-a-Bag (June 1 - 15)
- Teen Strength Training (June 12, 20, & 29)
- Summer Reading Kick Off Party, Featuring PanNeubean Steel (June 22)
- Art Contest (Submissions due August 14)
More information and a calendar of all events hosted by the Uxbridge Free Public Library can be found at uxbridgelibrary.org, or contact Youth Services Librarian Sonya Campbell.
An Advisory on Energy Drinks
We have always seen students come to UHS with energy drinks, and we realize that students have the capacity for making their own decisions. However, we wanted to share some information with families about energy drinks.
With their neon colors and flashy designs, energy drinks are very tempting to young eyes. Children, tweens, and teens seem to be the focus of most marketing campaigns. Many of these drinks actually have a warning right on the can or their website stating they are not suitable for kids under 18. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that energy drinks should be totally off-limits to kids and adolescents. They often contain 5 to 11 times the amount of caffeine that is in a cup of soda or coffee. Plus, the FDA doesn’t regulate the amount of caffeine in beverages so consumers cannot always trust what is on the label.
Many of these drinks also contain a variety of stimulants besides caffeine, including herbal supplements or other natural stimulants from plants. Energy drinks do more than make kids hyper. High amounts of caffeine can cause uncomfortable side effects and even harm a child’s health.
Problems include: sleep disruption, restlessness, jumpiness, increased anxiety, mood swings, high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms and even seizures. Caffeine is also addictive. Some healthier ways to give kids an energy boost are to move more, get plenty of sleep, eat balanced meals, take a multivitamin and drink enough water.
Healthy alternatives to energy drinks are WATER, unsweetened, flavored seltzer, plain water infused with sliced lemons or berries, herbal teas (hot or cold) or low sugar sports drinks. Many of these energy drinks are designed to look like a regular can of soda so a parent may not be aware what it is.
Again, we have no interest in policing what families buy at the grocery store! Just be aware of what these products contain.
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Uxbridge High School
Email: mrubin@uxbridge.k12.ma.us
Website: www.uxbridgeschools.com
Location: 300 Quaker Highway, Uxbridge, MA, USA
Phone: (508)278-8633
Twitter: @UxbHSPrincipal