SHRHS Newsletter

Dear Shepherd Hill Learning Community:

On November 5th , Massachusetts voters passed Ballot Question 2, eliminating the requirement

that students must pass the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) tests in

math, science and technology, and English in order to receive a high school diploma. Since the

passage of Question 2, I have received a number of questions pertaining to the future of the

MCAS assessments, as well as Shepherd Hill’s local graduation requirements.

In response to the passage of Question 2, Acting Commissioner Johnston released a memo for

school districts. Below, please find several of the frequently asked questions included in the

Commissioner’s memo.

When does the new law take effect? According to guidance provided by the Secretary of the

Commonwealth, the earliest the law would take effect is December 5, 2024.

Do high school students still need to earn a Competency Determination (CD) in order to

graduate? Yes, high school students will still need to earn a CD in order to graduate. Since

2003, the CD has been based on achieving qualifying scores on relevant MCAS tests. When the

new law takes effect, the CD will be based on “satisfactorily completing coursework that has

been certified by the student’s district” as written in the ballot question. Guidance on

certification will be forthcoming.

What is the impact of the new law on students who have previously earned a CD before the

date that the new law goes into effect? Students who have already achieved the qualifying

MCAS scores in math, ELA and science by the effective date have earned their CD and are

eligible to earn a high school diploma provided they meet their local graduation requirements.

What is the impact of the new law on students who have not earned a CD before the date

that the new law goes into effect? As of the date the new law takes effect, students who have

not yet earned the CD would be eligible to do so through “satisfactorily completing coursework

that has been certified by the student’s district.” Guidance on certification will be forthcoming.

As I mentioned in a previous newsletter, we will be convening a vision of the graduate and

graduation requirements committee as part of our NEASC self-study process. Given the passage

of Question 2, we now have a renewed sense of purpose to carefully consider our local

competency requirements, and we are currently seeking parent and community representatives to

inform the committee’s efforts. If you are interested in joining the conversation, please add your

name to the form linked below. Although the competency determination requirements are in flux, please rest assured that our commitment to the highest academic standards and the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks will remain constant.

Finally, in this season of giving thanks, I am thankful for the efforts of our National Honor Society (NHS), under the direction of Ms. Ashley Racicot. The NHS is currently accepting donations for the Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. A number of local families will benefit, and I am grateful for the continued generosity of our learning community. Thank you!

Please accept my best wishes for a healthy and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday!

Sincerely,

Mr. Elwell

We are pleased to announce that this month Mrs. Festa's postgraduate students have started internships at two new job sites in our community: Advanced Auto Parts in Webster and Dog Orphans in Douglas.

Whenever possible, students are matched up with positions that align with their particular vocational interests. Initially, through student interviews, as well as interest inventory results, staff are able to determine where the individual student's interests lie. The next step in the process is to have the students take part in a job tour, and lastly, fill out a feedback form. Our students couldn't possibly gain such authentic vocational experience without the commitment of our dedicated community partners. We thank them immensely for their continued support!

Students in the Biomedical Innovation Pathway, along with other science students, recently had an exciting opportunity to tour Abbvie BioResearch Center in Worcester. Led by Dr. Jaber, Director of Comparative Medicine, students explored cutting-edge areas of the facility, donning protective gear to enter the neutral corridor of the Vivarium where breakthrough drugs like Humira and Skyrizi are produced. In addition to the site tour, students watched a virtual tour of the Cell Line Development Lab and learned about Abbvie’s animal facilities. This hands-on experience provided an inspiring look at how science translates into real-world medical advancements.

The National Honor Society is collecting donations for our annual Thanksgiving Food Drive at all four lunches and during school through November 15. Every year we provide full Thanksgiving meals to families in need in Dudley and Charlton. Last year we were able to feed over 30 families. We are collecting donations of any amount, via cash or Apple Pay. You can also bring in non-perishable food items, like cans of vegetables. Anything you are able to donate will be appreciated. Thank you for your consideration!

32 students visited the Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum in Boston.

1st place: Jaden Ingraham (Scary Nun)

2nd place: Riley Bowes (Rapunzel's Tower)

Tied for 3rd place: Emma Gasco (The Big Doodle Bob)

and Alaiza Wijangco (A Smaller Doodle Bob)

GSA Officers for the 2024-2025 School Year

President - Max Waron, Class of 2026

Vice President - Elaina Nelson, Class of 2027

Secretary - Abigail Nelson-Binienda, Class of 2025

Treasurer - Sam Angell, Class of 2025

We are having a lot of fun book folding this fall in the library.

Here are some of the completed Hedgehogs.

The Shepherd Hill Choirs will be presenting the annual Holiday Spectacular on Friday December 13th at 7pm, and Saturday December 14th at 2pm this year. Join in the 40th Anniversary of Show Choir at Shepherd Hill, Guest Alumni soloists and Readers, a staff and parent number, combined Dudley and Charlton 8th grade choirs, guest performances by Auburn's rock voices and of course a visit from the big man himself, Santa Claus. Tickets can be purchased at ticketleap.com/shepherdhill. If you use a computer you will be able to pick your own seats.

Members of the Shepherd Hill cultural coordination committee, communications certificate program ,and ELL program attended the Black and Red Showcase hosted by Nichols College and funded by a grant from the Pocasset Pokanoket Land Trust. Students viewed Afro-Indigenous art, heard tribal music, and watched a documentary about the history of local tribes. After a question/answer session with panelists who were subjects and producers of the documentary, students were able to tour the campus.

SAVE THE DATE: SHRHS Drama Club will be presenting Hamlet: Noir on Friday, January 10th and Saturday, January 11th at 7 PM.

Official Cast List:

Prince Hamlet: Korina Paliyannis

The Shepherd Hill Choirs held a Disney Character Dinner on Wednesday October 30th to great success. There was a packed house and lots of happy faces. Thank you to Matt Greenberg and his staff for making the great food we fed to all those hungry people.

Now that the Shepherd Hill Fire Science Program is in full swing, let us catch you up on some of the topics that the students have been discovering. In the classroom, students have been exposed to a few aspects of a career in the fire and EMS fields. The latest "hands-on" sessions included a tour through one of the Paramedic ambulances and a show and tell about some of it's more significant equipment. Many great questions were asked by students, answered by members of the on-duty crew. Students also recently had the opportunity to use some of the rescue equipment that is on Dudley Engine 3, our Rescue/Engine. They got to lift a vehicle with rescue airbags, and manipulated the "e-draulic" Jaws of Life combination rescue tool. Here's some photos of these sessions.

A representative from CT State Community College: Quinebaug Valley will be coming to SHRHS on Friday, November 1st to give a presentation to interested juniors and seniors on the opportunity to take college course(s) starting in January. Tuition and fees are covered but students do need to pay out of pocket for books. Students can enroll in online classes or in-person classes. Interested students can contact their guidance counselor for more information.

Community College is Now Free in Massachusetts!

No matter your age or income: community college is now free in Massachusetts!

The MassEducate and MassReconnect programs allow all Massachusetts residents who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree to attend a Massachusetts community college for free.

No tuition. No fees. And both programs include an allowance for books and supplies for certain students.

To be eligible for MassEducate or MassReconnect, you must:

· Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

· If you are not eligible to complete the FAFSA and are an approved “High School Completer” under the Massachusetts tuition equity law, you can complete the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA) and still attend for free.

· Apply to your local community college and enroll in an approved program of study. Applications are open all year long and there’s never an application fee.

· Have physically resided in Massachusetts for at least one year, as of the start of your first enrolled term.

· Have earned a high school diploma or the equivalent**

· Are enrolled in at least six credits (usually two classes) per semester in an approved program of study leading to an associate degree or certificate.

· Maintain satisfactory academic progress in accordance with the college’s requirements.

https://masscc.org/masseducate/

At Shepherd Hill;, we are committed to providing the best resources to support

CGN complements the systems you’re already using, like Scoir/Naviance/School

Links, by offering expert content and personalized guidance. While tools like

Scoir/Naviance/School Links focus on the logistics of college applications, CGN

provides additional support with in-depth advice from top experts to help your family

make well-informed decisions.

Through CGN, your family now has access to a personalized roadmap with tailored

timelines and checklists based on your student's unique goals and aspirations. We

encourage you to take full advantage of this valuable resource to support your

student's future success.

Set Up Your Account: Visit app.cgnroadmap.com, click on “Activate Your Account”

and select our school from the drop down.

CLASS CODE: 7whqbzf

Hard copy information on all scholarships is available in the Guidance Office.

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 requires that all schools receiving federal funds must provide the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of secondary students to military recruiters and institutions of higher education. The act also requires that military recruiters be given the same access to students that is given to recruiters for post secondary institutions and employers. If a parent objects to releasing this information he/she should notify the guidance office.

Purchase a Yearbook

Yearbook Website

2025 Senior Information

Baby Photo Submission Form due 11/1

Senior Portrait Submission Form due 12/6

Senior Ad Website due 2/14

Questions? E-mail Ms. Sullivan

at ShepherdHillYearbook@dcrsd.org

Our Fabulous Unified Basketball Team

This past Saturday Rams Cross Country participated in the Frank Mooney Coaches Invitational. The course was fast and there was one runner who really stepped up to the plate. Nathaniel Grant has become the first Ram to go under 16 minutes in a 5k. This breaks a 5k school record and solidifies himself as the fastest cross country runner the school has ever seen! Grant won the small school junior/senior race besting out the other 225 runners who stepped to the line. Congratulations Nathaniel Grant!!! We are proud of you!

The school hours for Shepherd Hill Regional High School are 7:40am-2:10pm. Students entering the building after 7:40am must check into the main office to receive a tardy pass to proceed to class.

To obtain an early dismissal please bring a written request from your parent or caregiver to the main office as soon as you arrive at school. The request will be reviewed and an early dismissal slip will be issued if warranted. If returning from a dismissal, students should check in to the main office to have their attendance record updated.

Students must be in school prior to or after 11:00 a.m. for the day to count for participation in school activities.

It is very important to follow this procedure whenever possible. Phone calls to classrooms for dismissals are very disruptive to the educational process. Advance notice of the dismissal with a note helps alleviate those disruptions. We appreciate your assistance!

Thank you! Mrs. Champagne and Mrs. Jalbert

SHRHS Main Office

The office will issue a bus pass for a student to ride a bus not assigned to them in emergency situations only. A parent/caregiver must call the main office at 508-943-6700 to explain the circumstances and request a bus pass for their student.

A bus pass will not be issued for social reasons.

Our Daily Announcements can be found on our website or by using the button below.

Our community and school take pride in the appearance that our students present. We expect that all students will dress and groom themselves neatly in clothes that are suitable for school activities. Students that dress in an inappropriate manner will be required to change into proper attire; the second offense will result in a detention and parent will be notified.

Class of 2025

Ms. Amanda Holton aholton@dcrsd.org & Mr. Daniel Duffy dduffy@dcrsd.org

Class of 2026 & Class of 2027

Ms. Sarah Armstrong sarmstrong@dcrsd.org & Ms. Jennifer McGrail jmcgrail@dcrsd.org

Class of 2028

Ms. Shannon Sullivan ssullivan2@dcrsd.org & Ms. Jennifer Kustar jkustar@dcrsd.org

Please email class advisors for questions pertaining to class dues, class activities, etc.

A student should stay at home:

• If they have a fever of 100 degrees F or greater (Must be fever free for 24 hours without medication before returning to school)

• If vomiting and or diarrhea has occurred in the last 24 hours

The Shepherd Hill Attendance Guideline designates six (6) unexcused class absences per subject, per semester (each 1/2 year) as the maximum allowed for normal circumstances of regular school attendance. The allowed number of days for absence is designed to accommodate:

· Personal illness

· Religious holidays

· Serious personal or family problems

· Professional appointments that could not be scheduled outside the regular school day

A reminder to parents and caregivers: Students should not be using their cell phone to contact parents if they are not feeling well. Our Health Center is staffed with a full time nurse who will meet with and assess students who are not feeling well. The Nursing Office will reach out to parents/caregivers if students who are ill need to be dismissed.

Thank you! Nurse Lombardo hlombardo@dcrsd.org

The Booster Club always welcomes new volunteers and new Junior Boosters (students). There are scholarship opportunities for those students who volunteer and meet the required hours.

President Scott Henault

Vice President Beth paradis

Treasurer Jim McGonagle

Assistant Treasurer Cady Maynard

Recording Secretary Michele McCarthy

Correspondence Secretary Michele McCarthy

First Member at Large Becky Faford

Second Member at Large Heather Gelardi

Email: rjalbert@dcrsd.org