Term 2 Report Cards and Semester course final grades are now available on School Brains. We encourage families to review their child's progress and take this opportunity to have open, supportive conversations about their academic journey. If your child is facing challenges, remind them that learning is a process, and help is always available. Our school offers a variety of support resources, including teacher office hours, tutoring, and guidance counselors who can assist with academic planning and goal setting. When discussing grades, focus on growth, effort, and strategies for improvement rather than just the final numbers. Together, we can help students build resilience, confidence, and a positive approach to learning!

February

Monday, 2/3-2/7 Skills USA Week

Tuesday, 2/4 Wachusett Ski Trip 2:20-9:00 PM

Thursday, 2/6 Skills USA SAIL (Senior Adventures in Leadership Conference) @ Gilette

Tuesday, 2/11 Wachusett Ski Trip 2:20-9:00 PM

Wednesday, 2/12 Math Meet #4 @ THS 2:30 PM

Monday 2/17-Friday 2/21 No School February Vacation

Wednesday, 2/26 School Council Meeting 5:00 PM (Main Office Conference Room)

Wednesday, 2/26 Parent-Teacher Partnership Meeting 6:00 PM (Presentation Room)

Thursday, 2/27-3/1 MA State DECA Competition Boston

Friday, 2/28 Skills USA District 1 Conference/Qualifying Event (Virtual @ THS)

As we approach Black History Month, I want to take this opportunity to emphasize the importance of this celebration and encourage your active participation in the planned activities.

Throughout February, we have organized a series of events and initiatives, including:

Wednesday, February 5th:

Grade 11 Student Assembly 8:35 AM (Auditorium) James Lambert III NSLDC

Grade 12 Student Assembly 9:35 AM (Auditorium) James Lambert III NSLDC

Students will be called to the auditorium over the intercom. Staff should help supervise students in the auditorium.

Wednesday, February 12th:

Door Decorating Competition

Decorate your A Block Classroom Door by Wednesday, February 12th. The decorations must celebrate black history. Judging will occur on Thursday, February 13th. The winning classroom door will win breakfast for A Block students.

Friday, February 28th:

For Black History Month, students and staff come together to celebrate and honor the rich legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) by wearing gear that represents these institutions. Participants proudly sport clothing such as sweatshirts, t-shirts, or hats adorned with HBCU logos, colors, and mottos on this special day. The event encourages school spirit, fosters cultural awareness, and creates a sense of unity around the history and significance of HBCUs in shaping African American education, culture, and leadership.

Throughout the Month

Films of the Month

• Take a trip back in time with us! This year’s feature films will take us to NASA, Hollywood, and Europe during WWII. Sign-up sheets will be shared as we get closer.

• Outlier: The Story of Katherine Johnson

• Auditorium

• Period B on Tuesday, February 11th

• Period E on Thursday, February 27th

• Hollywood Architect: The Paul R. Williams Story

• Auditorium

• Period E on Tuesday, February 11th

• Period B on Thursday, February 27th

• The Six Triple Eight

• Auditorium

• After School on Thursday, February 13th

• Student Registration Link

Book Features

• In addition to a dedicated display in the Library, each week will feature a book by a Black author. Students and staff can look forward to hearing the short but enticing summary, typically on the back cover of each book, read over the PA system at the beginning of each week.

Poetry Tribute

• This year, the African American Club will pay special tribute to the works of Author Maya Angelou. Join us in the auditorium on Tuesday, February 25th (time TBA), as we honor and celebrate her legacy.

Announcements

• African American Club members will read daily announcements spotlighting the work and contributions of Black scientists, artists, authors, community leaders and more.

These three scholars are the first Latin students ever at THS to earn qualifying scores on the ALIRA exam for the Seal of Biliteracy. Congratulations Madeline Cabral, Jessica DePina, and Lucian Mickelwait! And thank you Mrs. Ouellette for your exceptional work with the Latin program!

The students of Taunton High School’s Robotics Team achieved an outstanding milestone at the FTC Robo Rally at Brookline High School, securing 2nd place out of 25 teams. This remarkable accomplishment comes in just the second year of the program, showcasing the team's dedication, innovation, and collaborative spirit.

Their hard work and perseverance have not gone unnoticed, earning them recognition within both their school and the broader robotics community. This achievement is a testament to their talent and determination, setting the stage for even greater success in the future.

Congratulations to the Taunton High School Robotics Team on this well-deserved honor! Thank you to Mr. Langille for going above and beyond to support the students.

SATs will be offered to Juniors (Class of 2026) on Friday, April 11th at THS. The district will pay all exam fees for all students. If you would like your student to be registered for the test, the Google form below must be submitted by Friday, March 7th. If you have questions about whether or not your student should take the exam, please contact your student's Guidance Counselor. If you have more than one student, please complete a separate form for each student.

Students will receive more detailed directions about test procedures after registration has closed. Free SAT prep materials, including full-length practice tests, are available at www.collegeboard.org and through Khan Academy.

SAT Registration: Class of 2026

Taunton High School proudly celebrates the induction of 92 outstanding students into the National Honor Society (NHS) during the 76th Annual Induction Ceremony held on January 30, 2025. This event recognized students who have demonstrated exceptional scholarship, leadership, service, and character, embodying the core values of the NHS.

The ceremony featured inspiring speeches from school administrators, community leaders, and NHS officers, including President Emersyn DePonte, who encouraged inductees to embrace their roles as future leaders. Special guest speaker Michael Quinn, a former NHS member and current medical student at Boston University, shared words of wisdom on perseverance and excellence.

The following students were honored as the newest members of Taunton High School’s National Honor Society:

Maya Aminova, Patricia Andrade, Benjamin Andrade, Madison Angers, Jasmine Barsallo, Emmie Barton, Isaiah Batista-Windle, Shauna Belgrave, Olivia Bellas, Grace Bennet, Brayden Blennau, Holly Brennan, Alexandra Briggs, Harrison Brown, Ava Burke, Madeline Cabral, Christian Cardenas-Rodriguez, Anderson Catley, Kaitlyn Chaves, Maddox Chaves, Abigael Constantino, Daylan Corpus, Meaghan Cunningham, Keilane Da Silva, Nana Ama Darko, Jilian Delos Reyes, Primo Dias, Madison Dias, Nicholas Dorr, Samantha Duarte, Calvinne Dwuye, Rashmyre Etienne, Falynn Faria, Giana Foster, Naariida Hemenway, Shelby Jerman, Dylan Keenan, Adam Kerfien, Rowan Kimmer, Jeremy Knief, Nathan Koulouris, Meghan Krockta, Emily Lane, Kaisten LaValle, Nevaeh Leandres, Luke LeMaire, Julia Lewry-DaRosa, Ethan Lobo, Eric Lobo, Alexiyah Maldonado, Alex Mangott, Rachel Maynard, Reagan McLaughlin, Dylan Medeiros, Nathan Medeiros, Corbin Melo, Mia Mendes, Liana Moura, Alaney Murphy, Kizzy N’gola Lopes, Tyler Narciso, Olive Nyomo, Talia O’Leary, Oforiwa Obeng-Appau, Nana Obeng-Appau, Moyin Odebunmi, Sophia Olaniyan, Gracie Oliveira, Sarah Paizante, Max Pelczarski, Andrew Pepin, Kayleigh Pereira, Jacob Pereira, Adam Pereira, Delia Podgurski, Logan Rebello, Alexa Rinehart, Nildaliz Rivera, Madelyn Rodrigues, Kayla Rogers, Meaghan Seng, Aliya Sequeira, Leah Surabian, Gabriella Taforo, Mellissa Tourinho, Monica Vital, Megan Viveiros, Qwanell Voltus, Gregory Westberg, Trinity Wilson, Athena Yang, Radyah Zaman.

The Taunton High School community extends heartfelt congratulations to these exceptional students and looks forward to seeing their continued contributions to both the school and the greater community. Their hard work and dedication are an inspiration to all!

Check out this nice article in the Taunton Gazette over the THS students working in the school's Food Truck.

I am pleased to announce the release of the 2025-2026 Program of Studies, an essential guide to help students and families navigate the course selection process for the upcoming academic year. This is an exciting time to explore educational opportunities and make informed decisions about courses that align with students' goals and aspirations. In addition to the Program of Studies, here is a slideshow summarizing our course offerings with several helpful visuals.

We also have these course offerings for each grade level.

• Grade 8

• Grade 9

• Grade 10

• Grade 11

• Grade 12

Key Dates and Steps in the Course Selection Process:

January 23 - February 6, 2025
Teachers will discuss the Program of Studies course offerings with students before February 6th. These discussions are an excellent opportunity for students to learn more about the courses available and ask any questions. Teachers will also provide individual recommendations for core courses, considering each student’s strengths, interests, and academic progress.

All teacher recommendations will be completed through School Brains by January 31st. These recommendations are critical in ensuring students are placed in courses that best meet their academic needs and plans.

February 3 - March 7, 2025
Guidance counselors will meet with students to complete elective requests and review teacher recommendations. These meetings provide personalized student support and help them create a well-rounded and balanced schedule.

How Families Can Support the Process:

• Review the 2025-2026 Program of Studies together. The guide describes all courses, including prerequisites and graduation requirements.

• When considering their course selections, encourage your student to reflect on their academic interests, career aspirations, and extracurricular commitments.

• Discuss teacher recommendations and elective options with your students to ensure their choices align with their goals.

At Taunton High School, we are committed to providing students with a rich and diverse academic experience. The course selection process is a vital part of shaping their educational journey, and we are here to support them every step of the way.

If you have any questions about the Program of Studies or the course selection process, please do not hesitate to contact your student’s guidance counselor for assistance. If you have questions about specific course recommendations, it is recommended that you contact your child’s teacher.

We look forward to a productive and exciting planning season for the 2025-2026 school year.

Swim Team Updates

Results- Taunton V. Milford on Friday, January 24 at home:

Taunton High School Boys Varsity Swim Team lost to league opponent Milford in their last dual meet of the season at home on Friday, January 24, with a score of 56-29. The 200 Medley Relay Team of Ryan Ducharme, Maddox Chaves, Harrison Layden and Blake Couto finished third. Harrison Layden placed second in the 200 Freestyle and third in the 50 Freestyle. Maddox Chaves placed second in the 500 Freestyle and finished third in the 100 Breastroke. Ryan Ducharme placed third in both the 200 IM and 100 Butterfly. Blake Couto finished third in the 100 Freestyle and 100 Backstroke. The 200 Freestyle Relay Team of Ryan Gagliardi, Benjamin Oliveira, Hamilton Layden and Danny Murudumbay finished third. The 400 Freestyle Relay team of Chaves, Couto, Harrison Layden and Ducharme finished third.

Record: Boys- 0-6

Next Up: Hockomock Championships on Friday, January 31, 2025 at Milford.

________________________________________________________________________

The Taunton High School Girls Varsity Swim Team were victorious in their last dual meet of season against league opponent Milford on Friday, January 24, with a score of 55-39. The 200 Medley Relay Team of Abigail Fernandes, Eliana Gay, Megan Viveiros and Elizabeth Tobolski placed second while the 200 Medley Relay Team of Rachel Maynard, Clara Siongers, Briella Fernandes and Victoria Tavares placed third. Megan Viveiros placed first in both the 200 Freestyle and 500 Freestyle. Abigail Fernandes placed first in both the 50 Freestyle and 100 Backstroke. Eliana Gay placed first in the 200 IM and third in the 100 Butterfly. Elizabeth Tobolski placed first in the 100 Freestyle. Rachel Maynard placed second in both the 200 IM and 500 Freestyle. Clara Siongers placed second in the 100 Breastroke. Briella Fernandes placed third in both the 200 Freestyle and 100 Freestyle. Morgan McAloon placed third in the 100 Backstroke. Victoria Tavares placed third in the 100 Breastroke. The 200 Freestyle Relay Team of Briella Fernandes, Samantha Nye, McAloon and Tavares placed second while the 200 Freestyle Relay Team of Leila Sento, Mackenzie Veilleux, Singers and Samantha Duarte placed third. The 400 Freestyle Relay Team of Viveiros, Maynard, Tobolski and Abigail Fernandes placed first, while the 400 Freestyle Relay Team of Nye, Duarte, McAloon and Gay placed second.

Record: Girls- 4-2

Next Up: Hockomock Championships on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at Milford.

Track Updates

• Both the girls and boys' varsity team finished the regular season with a record of 2-3. The girls beat Sharon and Milford while the boys beat Sharon and King Philip.

• The JV boys' and girls' teams competed at four meets this season. Many of the athletes set personal records in their events.

• On February 6th, the varsity athletes will compete at the Hockomock Championships at the New Balance Center.

• The team competed in our first post-season meet at the Coaches Invitational this past weekend. Emersyn DePonte ran sub 5 (4:59.92), placing 2nd in the mile. The team also had the girls 4x4 (Bella Coughlin, Sophie Almedia, Emersyn DePonte, and Sierra Obazuaye) team place 6th overall with a time of (4:17.60).

• Current athletes who have qualified to compete at Division 1 Championships on Feb 12th: Sophia Olyanian (Shot Put), Jaedan Thompson (Shot Put), Renee Leao (Hurdles), Elderson Moreira (Hurdles), Emersyn DePonte (Mile, 1000m, 2 mile, and 600m), Brayden Bleanneu (300m and 600m), Bella Coughlin (300m), Neveah Young (300m), Usman Yusif (300m), Boys 4x200 (Carlos Cruz, Kadon Jordan, Usman Yusif, and Brayden Bleanneu), Girls 4x4 (Bella Coughlin, Sophie Almedia, Emersyn DePonte, and Sierra Obazuaye)

• Current Senior College Commitments: Emersyn DePonte (Division 1 - Northeastern), Ciara Pina (Division 2 - SNHU)

Taunton HS and Milford HS had a competitive basketball game this week!

Wrestling

Milford, 48 @ Taunton, 29 – Final – Milford pinned down its fifth straight Kelley-Rex title win a win on the road over Taunton. Amelia Hough (106), Dylan Wright (120), Cameron Zicherman (126), Aidan Baum (144), Ryan Flis (150), and Michael Boulanger (165) each earned six points with pinfall wins, Brayden Boccia (113) added five points with a 20-2 tech fall win, Josiah Carney (138) had a major decision (18-6) for four points, and Derek Marcolini (132) added a 10-4 decision for three points. William Buffington (175), Elijah Prophete (190), Antonio Maldonado (215), and Thomas Hoye (285) each won via pin for the Tiers and Joshua Millerick had a tech fall (20-4) win at 157.

Michael Leskoski becomes the FIRST Taunton wrestler with over 100 career PINS in his career.

Hockey Update

Taunton, 4 vs. Somerset Berkley, 3 – Final – Holding a one-goal lead in the final moments, Taunton senior Cam Tomaszycki made a massive point-blank save to preserve the win and the Tigers earned a spot in the state tournament for the fifth straight season with a 4-3 win over Somerset Berkley. Tomaszycki finished with 31 saves in the win for Taunton, who had a one-goal lead after both the first (1-0) and second (2-1) periods, and scored the first two goals of the third to go up 4-1. Cayden Clancy (assist), Jon McGrath (assist), Jameson Vallarelli (assist), and Breighdyn Simmons each scored once for the Tigers, and Braden Lachance, Noah Bloom, Matt Maher, Tre Nedeau, and Drew Nadeau each had an assist.

Basketball Update