September Newsletter
SHS Principal
We're Back!
The 2023-2024 school year is now underway. The opening was a great start! It has been wonderful to reconnect with our students and staff. There is excitement and a positive energy permeating the building. Parents/guardians are getting the hang of student drop off and pick up, students are successfully finding their way around the building, learning has begun, and clubs, activities, performing arts, and athletics are kicking off. Here is some information you may find helpful as you and your student continue to navigate school and student life at SHS.
We have many clubs, activities, sports, and performing arts programs for students to participate in and attend to support their classmates. You can find more information by following the links below.
SHS Back to School Knight is scheduled for Wednesday, September 20, 2023 beginning at 6:00 pm and ends at 8:00 pm. The presentation begins in the Auditorium where SHS Administration shares some key information and updates for the school year and provides a copy of your student's schedule (if needed). Parents/Guardians then follow their student's A Day schedule (Periods 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) and meet each of their student's teachers, receive a copy of the course syllabus and grading expectations, and hear information about the course their student is enrolled in. The schedule for the evening's program can be found here.
Would your student like to have a locker assigned to them for their use during the school day? Students must supply their own combination lock. Once they have their combination lock, they can complete the Locker Google Form to request a locker. Dean, Mr. Hiltz, is in charge of lockers and will assign the next available locker to your student.
September 20, 2023 - Back to School Knight @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
September 27, 2023 - Senior Parent/Guardian Night @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Save the Date:
October 18, 2023 - Parent/Guardian Teacher Conferences @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Principally Speaking
By Juliette Miller
Since our return to typical schooling following COVID, we have seen a rise in student absenteeism. On average, students at SHS missed 8.1 days of school in the 2022-2023 school year and 25.6% of our students missed 10 or more days of school. We know how important attendance is for the success of our students. When students are chronically absent, defined as missing 2 or more absences a month, they are more likely to be retained in school and are at risk of dropping out of school. At SHS, students who miss more than 10 days of school in a full year class lose credit for the class, meaning the student will get the grade they earned but will lose the credit for the class. Loss of credits leads to retention in their grade and can lead to the student not graduating on time with their class.
This year student attendance is a priority area for SHS. We are working to increase student participation in school attendance and have implemented several strategies to help us identify those students at risk sooner and implement supports.
This year you can expect:
- To receive a phone call in the morning notifying you early in the school day if your student is absent in the first class period of the day. If you know your student will be absent, please call the high school office attendance line at (781) 344-7001 and press 1.
- Notification if your student has been absent for part or the whole day at the end of the school day.
- Letters of attendance when a student reaches 5 absences in a class with a meeting request with administration inorder to work together to address any obstacles or issues in attending school regularly. With another follow up letter and meeting if the student reaches 10 absences.
- The high school student support team will work with families of students who may be at risk.
- Educational programming for students and families on the attendance policy at SHS and the resources available for students.
- Our school counselors and adjustment counselors are available to meet with students to discuss any issues that may be negatively impacting them and their attendance.
We are looking forward to partnering with you for the success of your student.
Spotlight: New Staff
Faculty
Ms. Antonella Achille
We are delighted to welcome Antonella Achille to our esteemed Business Department. Ms. Achille brings a wealth of expertise to her role and will be instructing courses in Principles of Business, Financial Literacy I & II, as well as Business Communication Tools. A proud alumna of Stoughton High School, Ms. Achille, furthered her education by earning a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Administration from Boston University. With over a decade of experience in the dynamic hospitality industry, Ms. Acille has excelled in various capacities, including roles as a Restaurant Manager, Sales & Events Manager, and North American Event Planner. Her extensive background and passion for education make her an invaluable asset to our team. Ms. Achille is eager to impart her knowledge and empower SHS students on their academic journey. We look forward to the positive impact she will undoubtedly have on our students and the Business Department as a whole.
Ms. Kim Jeffrey
Ms. Kim Jeffery is a new Business teacher at SHS. She started her career in the hospitality industry which then transitioned into owning her own retail store. In 2018, she closed the doors to the brick and mortar location and transitioned it to an online company which she still runs to this day. She also runs a spin off company with her 17 year old daughter. While she is new to Stoughton High School, she has taught previously at the Foxborough Regional Charter School and the Milford High School. She is the proud mother of 6 and an avid scuba diver in her spare time! She loves reading and gardening but her true passion is underwater photography. We are excited to have Ms. Jeffrey as part of the Stoughton school family and she is looking forward to a great school year.
Ms. Sarah Mawn
Sarah Mawn, Soprano, received her B.M. and M.M. from the University of Southern Maine in Music Education and Voice (Classical/Opera) Performance. As an educator, Ms.Mawn is excited about bringing music to students of all ages. She was the Music Director at Coyle & Cassidy HS in Taunton where she conducted four award winning choruses and bands, as well as teaching AP Music Theory and Ukulele. In the summers, she has also taught for the Boston Symphony’s Days in the Arts program at Tanglewood as a Vocal Music Instructor. Ms.Mawn has had a private voice studio for the past 15 years and was a guest choral conductor for both the South Central District Honors Chorus and the Lakes Region Honors Choirs in NH. As a performer, her roles include Madame de la Grande Bouche (Beauty & the Beast) in 2022 at the Norwood Theater, Maria Elena in the World Premiere of Always Remember in Miami 2017, Suor Angelica (Suor Angelica) and Rosalinda (Die Fledermaus), Kate in The Yeomen of the Guard with The Bostonians and as Just Jeannette (Too Many Sopranos) with PORTopera’s Emerging Artists. She has been a featured soloist with the Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra, the Portland Symphony Orchestra, the Lincoln Arts Festival Chorus, the Granite State Chorale, Fire Haus Productions Miami, Cranberry Coast Concerts and toured Europe twice as a soloist. Besides teaching and performing, Ms.Mawn enjoys coaching & playing sports, but especially softball, golf, and volleyball. She also loves DIY projects, boating, fishing, trivia, and all things neon!
Ms. Wendy Miller Anello
Ms. Anello is very excited about the transition to high school. For the past six years, she has been teaching Visual Arts at the Hansen and South Elementary Schools in Stoughton and she looks forward to seeing her previous students in the art room this year. She has recently completed her Master's in Art Education with a 4.0 GPA and looks forward to sharing beginner, intermediate and advanced skills to her art students. Outside of her teaching role, she loves spending time with her family. She has been married for 23 years and they are now official empty nesters. We have 2 children in college and a Boglen rescue dog named Ali.
Who to Contact?
- The process begins online at https://www.stoughtonschools.org/page/central-registration-office
Need a work permit?
- Students may drop off their work permit applications in the main office at the start of school. The SHS Main Office then issues the work permit Monday - Friday at 2:15 pm.
Questions about Athletics?
- Our Athletic Director, Mr. Robin Ireland, can be reached at r_ireland@stoughtonschools.org