Blue Hills News
June 6, 2024
Dear Blue Hills Families
The first week of Exploratory for grade 9 is nearly complete! We have been very impressed by the attitude of the freshmen class in approaching a different style of learning. A few observations and reminders from the first 8 days of school:
- Headphones and ear buds are not allowed in hallways or classes, unless a teacher grants specific permission to use them. They are only allowed in the cafeteria during breakfast or lunch. Students will receive detention hours if they are not complying with this rule.
- Hoods are not allowed during the school day (7:48 to 2:20)
- Bus arrival times at bus stops are approximate. Students should arrive 15-20 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. Traffic patterns greatly impact how fast bus routes are completed.
- ONLY students who are eating breakfast should get off the bus upon arrival. All students not eating breakfast should remain on the bus until released at 7:40.
- Attendance has been outstanding to start the year for most students. Please review the attendance policy at the bottom of the newsletter - tardies, dismissals, and absences all contribute to the total absences a student has during the year. Be here and be on time!
There are a number of "around the school" pictures and highlights this week. Enjoy!
School Pictures and more from Mr. Aubrey, Assistant Principal:
We have had a strong start to the school year with the implementation of our school expectations including no hoods in the buildings, as well as limiting the usage and access to cell phones, ear buds and headphones. We thank you for your continued support at home on these matters.
School Pictures and IDs
All 9th, 10th and 11th graders will have the opportunity to have school pictures taken over the next month. If you wish to purchase picture packages, you will receive information in the near future. No matter if a student is buying a picture package or not, they will have their photo taken for a school ID on the following dates.
9th Grade - Tuesday, October 1st, 2024
10th Grade - Wednesday, September 25th, 2024
11th Grade - Tuesday, October 15th, 2024
Superintendent-Director's Student Cabinet
Want to make a difference and have your voice heard? Apply for the SDSC Superintendent-Director’s Student Cabinet! This is your chance to elevate student voices and make an impact. Applications are due by Friday, September 20th. Interested? Email Ms. Donnellan for an application. Don’t miss out!
Picture Day - Grade 10
Senior Jeans - School Opening Spirit!
The seniors were amazing with their custom "Class of 2025" jeans to open the school year, as well as their decorated cars - some still might need a car wash! Looking forward to a great year with the seniors!
Captains Council
On Tuesday, Athletic Director Catabia met with fall sport captains and team leaders to discuss sportsmanship, integrity, communication, and leadership.
Construction Tech - Outside Jobs
Two jobs this year, one in Dedham and one in Norwood - students are working on laying the sills on the foundations. A lot of good integration of math and building techniques taking place!
Boosters Potluck
The Blue Hills Boosters held an inaugural "Freshmen Parent Potluck" last week - approximately 45 attended, and got to know one another and learn more about being a Blue Hills parent. The Boosters are a great partner for the school and are always looking for members and volunteers. Find information here: https://www.bluehills.org/students-and-parents/booster-club
Vision of a Graduate
This year, we are rolling out our "Vision of a Graduate." Each month, there will be a theme that we'll focus on around the building. Our students of the month will be selected using the theme as one of the criteria. The Vision of a Graduate is a great tool to help focus the entire school community on our ultimate outcome - producing graduates that are equipped and ready for their future.
Key Contacts
To give you an idea of who to contact when or if an issue does arise, or you just need some more information, please see these key contacts below.
Key Contacts:
- Geoff Zini, Principal - gzini@bluehills.org
- Assistant: Cindy Fama, cfama@bluehills.org (Family ID/registration issues)
- Mr. Aubrey, Assistant Principal - maubrey@bluehills.org discipline, attendance, bus -
- Assistant: Christine Connolly - cconnolly@bluehills.org attendance (tardies, dismissals, absences)
- Angelo Dimitriou, Director of Special Services - adimitriou@bluehills.org (IEPs, 504s)
- Assistant: Tracey Monti, tmonti@bluehills.org
- Paul Bavuso, Academic Director - pbavuso@bluehills.org (MCAS, grades, academics)
- Assistant: Courtney Wall, cwall@bluehills.org
- Michelle Sylvia, Vocational Director - msylvia@bluehills.org (exploratory, vocational placement)
- Assistant: Madelyn Kewer, mkewer@bluehills.org
- Kim Poliseno, Coop Coordinator - kpoliseno@bluehills.org
- Guidance Office
- Assistant: Laurie Driscoll - ldriscoll@bluehills.org
- Laura Serpa, Counselor - lserpa@bluehills.org
- John Davis, Counselor - jdavis@bluehills.org
- Emily Burns, Counselor - eburns@bluehills.org
- Sarah Titus, Counselor - stitus@bluehills.org
- Athletics - Ed Catabia, Athletic Director - ecatabia@bluehills.org
Nurse's Office - Important Notice
As the new school year begins, the Health room is open and in full swing! Here are a few reminders to help ensure and great start to the new school year.
Updated Physical Exams
Up-to-date physicals (dated within the past 13 months) are required for all new students to BHR. Physical Exams are required for new students. Please fax these to (781) 828-3872 or bring or send a hard copy in with your student to the School Nurse office. *Note: religious exemptions for vaccinations MUST be renewed at the beginning of each school year.
Medication
All medications requiring administration at school require a physician order. This order must be renewed each school year. Medications need to be given to the nurse in the original prescription container.
All controlled substances must be brought to school by a parent/guardian. These medications will not be accepted from students. Students are not permitted to carry or possess any medication (prescription or OTC) at school, EXCEPT emergency medications (per physician order) such as EpiPens and inhalers.
If your child requires an emergency medication, such as inhaler, EpiPen, or seizure medication, an updated Action Plan, dated within the past year, will need to be provided. This Action Plan is provided by your child’s pediatrician.
Should your child require an over the counter medication while at school, you must consent to this on the Health Authorization form in PowerSchool. Verbal consent will not be accepted.
Please notify the school nurse at letheart@bluehills.org if you have any questions.
Blue Hills Boosters Club
2024-2025 Meeting Schedule
~ Wednesday 9/11
~ Tuesday 10/8
~ Wednesday 11/13
~ Tuesday 12/10
~ Wednesday 1/8
~ Tuesday 2/11
~ Wednesday 3/12
~ Tuesday 4/8
~ Wednesday 5/14
~ Tuesday 6/10
- Meetings are held at 7 p.m. in the Chateau de Bleu (School Restaurant)
- Dates subject to change; changes will be posted to the Blue Hills Boosters Facebook Page
September Lunch Menu
Visit the cafeteria's page for more information!
https://www.schoolnutritionandfitness.com/index.php?sid=1708116494561
Prior Information
(September 2024)
- PowerSchool is our student information system. Login here: PowerSchool Parent Login. Parents who wish to see grades during the term or final term grades need to have access to PowerSchool. Access remains the same for all returning families; new grade 9 parents were sent login information by the Admissions Department.
- See below for Health Office updates
- Please review attendance requirements. Students will face summer school if absences exceed the policy limit!
- Grade 9 Students and Families: Check out the Exploratory Program Guide for help in managing exploratory this year!
- Drop-off and Pick-up are always busy. Please use the entrance closest to Massasoit and exit through the "main" entrance/exit. Pull all the way up. Do not block buses. We will have staff to help direct folks for the first few weeks.
- Make sure your student arrives at the bus stop early. Bus pickup times are approximate!
- Phones are not allowed during any instructional time, except with the express permission of the teacher. "Earbuds" and head phones follow the same rules, and may not be worn during the day.
- Dress Code: We expect students to be in shop uniform during vocational weeks, and dressed professionally during their academic weeks. Per the handbook, tops and bottoms must provide "sufficient coverage" to be allowed, and hoods are not allowed in the building. Clothing must also be appropriate; offensive language or logos are prohibited.
- All juniors and seniors are required to register their vehicle in order to park on campus. A $25 fee is required for the entire school year. Students, and it must be the student, should fill out the parking form in the form section of their PowerSchool account. Once completed, a message will go to Ms. Fama in the Main Office, and she will send a bill to the student's parents through myschoolbucks.com. Once the payment is received, Ms Fama will issue the parking pass within a few weeks of the start of school.
Bus App Instructions - FirstView
Please use this First Student provided app to track your bus route. It updates frequently, and is a tool to help provide real-time (or close to it) information.
2024-2025 School Calendar
Upcoming Events
September 12 - Faculty Meeting
September 16 - 3:10 late buses start (typically Monday through Thursday each week)
September 26 - In-Service, Late Arrival (10:40 a.m.)
Attendance Reminder/Policy
The student attendance guidelines are contained within the Parent-Student Handbook. Please be advised:
A student will be required to attend summer school upon the accumulation of sixteen (16) absences in order to fulfill BHR attendance requirements. An additional course will be required for every five (5) absences accumulated after (16). All such courses must be taken at the Blue Hills Regional Summer School. All course subjects must be approved by the (ARB) Academic Review Board. If a student is absent on consecutive days it will be counted as one day’s absence if accompanied by a doctor’s note. Notes must be provided within one week of the student’s return to school. All notes must be originals with an authorized signature and date(s) on the doctor’s office stationary. The student’s home phone number and homeroom must be on all doctors’ notes. Absences on special days, assemblies, etc. will be counted as a full day’s absence. A student must be in attendance for at least half the school day to be counted present. Half the school day means being in school from 7:47 am to 11:00 am or 11:00 am to 2:20 pm.
All out-of-school suspensions will be counted day for day towards a student’s maximum number of absences.
If you are not in class or homeroom by 7:48 AM, you are considered absent from school. You must sign in at Student Affairs Office and receive an admittance pass in order to attend class. If you arrive late for school, you are considered tardy and you must report to the Main Office prior to admission.
On the 4th tardy per term and every 4 tardies thereafter, you will be subject to Saturday detention. You and your parent/guardian may be required to meet with the Principal. Parking privileges may be suspended or revoked. Continued tardies may result in more severe penalties being assigned.
Blue Hills Regional Technical School’s mission is to continue its history of academic achievement, technical training and character development through a curriculum which emphasizes the integration of cutting-edge technical programs and challenging academic courses, enabling its students to become competent, caring and productive people in a diverse and changing world.
Core Values:
Community, Opportunity, Relevance, Employability
Website: www.bluehills.org
Location: 800 Randolph Street, Canton, MA, USA
Phone: 781 828 5800
BHR on:
The Blue Hills Regional Technical School District is an equal opportunity educational institution. All programs, courses of study and activities are open to all students without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin or disability. The School District is in full compliance with Massachusetts Law, Chapter 622 of the Acts of 1971, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (U.S. Code), and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Individuals may make inquiries relative to Chapter 622 and Title IX from the coordinator, at the school address or by phoning 781-828-5800.