SHRHS Newsletter

Dear Shepherd Hill Learning Community:

I hope this message finds you enjoying summer!

Earlier this month, several thousand family members, friends, and well-wishers gathered for the 51st Shepherd Hill Regional High School Commencement. The pride and unity of the Class of 2024 was on full display, and it was an honor to award diplomas to this extraordinary group of individuals! We are all proud of what the Class of 2024 has accomplished, and I am confident that our graduates are well-positioned for post-secondary success!

With the conclusion of the 2023-2024 school year, I want to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the support of parents, families, and caregivers. We recognize that educating students is a collaborative effort, and from tragedy to triumph this year, your support and encouragement along the way has been critically important; thank you! I also want to commend the faculty and staff for their dedicated service to our students, families, and communities this year!

In addition to the Class of 2024, we recently bid farewell to two veteran members of the Shepherd Hill learning community. On June 12, members of the faculty gathered to celebrate Mr. Nathaniel Hardt, who officially retired after 34 years of service. Mr. Hardt, also known as Maestro Hardt, served as a teacher of both French and Spanish at Shepherd Hill. Mr. Hardt’s dedication, knowledge of other cultures, and congenial nature will be greatly missed by students and colleagues, alike. We wish Maestro Hardt health and happiness in retirement!

Additionally, on the last day of school, students and staff lined the Shepherd Hill driveway with signs and flags in celebration of Sergeant Megas, who has served as our District School Resource Officer for 8 years. Throughout his tenure, Sergeant Megas developed positive relationships with students, staff, and families as he worked to maintain a safe learning environment. Embracing the educational mission, this year, Officer Megas instructed the first-ever criminal justice class at Shepherd Hill. We are thankful for Sergeant Megas’ service, and we wish him the very best in his next professional chapter!

Even though school is no longer in session, per usual, the Shepherd Hill campus is abuzz with activity. This summer, Shepherd Hill will be hosting Extended School Year programming. The Shepherd Hill Sports Academy is in full swing, and Show Choir and Band Camps will bring the music back to campus in the coming weeks. All the while, our maintenance staff are working tirelessly to prepare the building and grounds for the 2024-2025 school year. During the months of July and August, please be advised of the following updates.

Main Office Coverage – Throughout the summer, office staff will occasionally be out of the office on vacation. Please understand that phone calls and emails will be returned as soon as possible as we work to be responsive to your needs in a timely manner. If you have business to conduct in-person, it is suggested that you call ahead to ensure that staff are available to receive you. We appreciate your patience as our office staff enjoy well-deserved vacation time! From July 1 through August 9, office hours will be Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., The office will be closed on Fridays.

Work Permits – Students in need of a work permit should either email or call Mrs. Champagne (cchampagne2@dcrsd.org) in the Main Office, first, before visiting the school. Mrs. Champagne will walk students through the process and advise when permits are available for pick-up.

Jumpstart for Incoming Freshmen – With great anticipation, we are finalizing details for this year’s Jumpstart event on August 20 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.! We look forward to welcoming the Shepherd Hill Class of 2028! Invitations and registration instructions will be sent separately in the coming weeks. Please contact Assistant Principal Resener with questions.

Summer Reading – As a reminder, summer reading is required for all students. Advanced Placement students should have received additional summer reading assignments from their teachers. Please scroll down in this newsletter for more detailed information.

Student Parking – At this time, seniors may apply for a 2024-2025 parking space. If spots are available, a lottery for Juniors will take place after Labor Day. Per the Dudley-Charlton Regional School Committee, the cost for a parking permit is $200 for the full year, and $100 for permits granted after the beginning of second semester in January. Please contact Assistant Principal Leach with any questions.

School Bus Transportation – Please review student bus information in the SchoolBrains portal. To change the transportation plan, please click on the link below. This form will close on August 1, 2024. After August 1, all changes need to be made through the main office by calling (508)-943-6700. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScO7GkydpcVJdi16VENpJFSzz3WlHXcfpuBczxO5YI47zFesg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Student Schedules – Student schedules are typically released in SchoolBrains by mid-August. A message will be sent when student schedules are available in the portal.

The faculty, staff, and administration look forward to a positive, productive 2024-2025 school year. In the meantime, I wish you all a safe, enjoyable summer vacation, filled with fun -- and learning!

Sincerely,

Mr. Elwell

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

Click the button below to see the latest edition of the SHRHS Alumni Program Newsletter!

2024-2025 School Calendar:

Thank you to everyone who donated to our Best Buddies Walk in support of inclusion. We met so many new friends and had a great time at Polar Park. Mrs. Ayotte

The library is always a busy place, and lately it has also been very "puzzling". Puzzles have been very big in the library this year. As a calm, relaxing activity, a puzzle seems to draw you in. Many students and even some staff members (with a few minutes to spare) have enjoyed working on them. We have had up to three going at one time!

Friendship bracelet making has been another big draw this spring. Students were able to choose the colors and styles they wanted to make. Many students decided to wear their own creations, while others gave them to friends. I lost count after 127 had been made!

The Summer Reading List for 2024 is below. Scan the QR code for more information about each book. Want a look at the actual books? Stop in the library and check out the books on display.

I wish you all a great summer of reading! Mrs. Briere

The National Honor Society hosted our fourth annual Cornhole Tournament on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. The weather was perfect, and 24 great teams came out to compete. The winning team was "Airmail" - Owen Kondek and Ryan Taylor. Owen and Ryan won a custom set of cornhole boards made by Shepherd Hill's own Mr. Ducharme. Also taking home a $20 prize were Anthony Graves and Lucien Gary, who won for best team name. Thank you to Mr. Ducharme for the awesome prize boards, and thank you to all teams who contributed to the event! We were able to raise over $100 to help jump start an Active Minds chapter here at Shepherd Hill.

A big part of the transition curriculum is learning to navigate social situations within our community. Taking part in social-recreational opportunities through our program immensely benefits our students when it comes to acquiring these crucial skills. This past month, our students got to visit the New England Botanic Garden in Boylston. It was the perfect weather for such a trip!

Our students also got to collaborate with neighboring districts with postgraduate programs to practice these skills. Last month, they took a trip to D.Q. with the postgraduate students from Shrewsbury public schools, while this month they collaborated with the Auburn postgraduate students by visiting Green Hill Park in Worcester.

On May 30th our students went to Mapfre Insurance to receive their leadership awards from the Mapfre/Best Buddies Foundation. Our students did a great job this year practicing their skills as part of the postgraduate program.

The Global Awareness Program will be traveling to France and England during the April, 2025 school vacation. Highlights will include Paris, Versailles, the chateaux in the Loire Valley, Mont-St.-Michel, the D-Day Beaches in Normandy, the Tower of London, the London Eye, and a London theater production. Shepherd Hill students in grades 9-12 next year with a record of good school citizenship and conduct are eligible to participate. Students may pick up an information request form in the main office or parents may email Mrs. Pierangeli ( mpierangeli@dcrsd.org ) for detailed information. There will be a

$200 discount for enrollment in May. A limited number of openings remain on a first- come, first-served basis. Don’t procrastinate! Join the group on next year’s adventure!

The Memory Project gets its name from its first intention, which was to provide handmade, heartfelt portraits as special memories to children in orphanages. Now our intention has expanded to touching the lives of youth around the world facing many types of challenges, while opening our hearts and minds so they can touch our lives in return.

Together we are using art to reach a distant destination: a kinder world in which all youth see themselves in one another regardless of differences in their appearance, culture, religion, or the circumstances of their lives. Millions of other people in our society are traveling towards this same destination by many different methods. I like to think that everyone in the Memory Project is traveling together in a ship made of art. For all who believe in the existence of that kinder world on the horizon, it is impossible to turn the ship around. We would love for you to join us.

We are now creating portraits and identity art for children living as refugees in Malaysia. Their families arrived in Malaysia after fleeing war and conflict in numerous countries throughout south Asia and the Middle East. All of the children now attend a school for refugees together, and they would be so touched to receive these gifts of international kindness, friendship, and support from our students.

Shepherd Hill Art 2, 3 and Advanced students are making these portraits for the children in Malaysia and the original artworks will be delivered to them in June.

Mrs. Hines ceramic students created a monster out of clay based on drawings

by Mrs. Paquette's (Heritage School) 4th grade students.

The high school students had a great time taking the imaginative creatures and turning them into a 3D piece of art. We have some great ideas to expand upon this project for next year!

Our District Wide Art Show was a huge success and

we are very grateful to all of those who made it possible!

The Webster-Dudley Veterans Council presented Mrs. Bussiere a certificate of appreciation with sincere gratitude for her generous support and efforts through the years in their mission of supporting our local veterans.

The talented cast of Mamma Mia!

Central Massachusetts Show Choir Boot Camp

Hosted by Fantasy and Illusion

Shepherd Hill Regional High School

July 29-August 2nd

Dancing, Singing, Pizza, Ice Cream, Crafts and More!

Special auditioned dance ensemble and talent show

Everyone at all talent levels are invited to attend

Students from any district can attend

3-7pm daily

Grades 3-9

Please fill out the portion below and mail back with your payment of $125.00.

Mail to:

Shepherd Hill Regional High School

Attn: Becky Bussiere

68 Dudley-Oxford Rd

Dudley Ma 01571

Name of Student: _________________________________________

Current Grade of Student: ___________________________________

Parent/Guardian Name: _____________________________________

Parent/Guardian Phone Number: ______________________________

Student T-Shirt Size ______________________

School Student Attends: ____________________________________

Is your child struggling? Here's how we can help:

• Reach out to your child's guidance counselor. See the link to the guidance office below.
• Encourage your child to seek help. They can speak with our adjustment counselors or their guidance counselor.

We are excited to inform you that we have partnered with College Guidance Network (CGN) to help you with your student’s career and college planning. CGN will provide you with a personalized project plan with timelines and checklists based on your student’s interest, all supported by content from over 250 nationally recognized college and career experts to guide you through every step in the process. Additionally, you will have access to live, online programming from leading admissions, financial aid, and career experts and college admissions officers.

Create your account today at www.cgnroadmap.com Parents PIN 104507

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.

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. Stay tuned for concession stand volunteer sign ups.

A reminder to multilingual families about how to translate the newsletters.

Email: rjalbert@dcrsd.org