Archived February 2023
Weekly Newsletter
Upcoming Events
2/20 - 2/24 - No School - February Break
3/3 - Midpoint Quarter 3
3/17 - Early Release - 10:55am
3/28 & 3/29 - MCAS English Language Arts (Grade 10)
4/7 - Early Release - 10:55am
4/14 - Early Release - 10:55am
4/17 - 4/21 - No School - April Break
5/12 - Early Release - 10:55am / Prom
5/16 & 5/17 - MCAS Math (Grade 10)
5/29 - No School - Memorial Day
6/1 - MHS Graduation - 6pm
6/6 & 6/7 - MCAS Biology (Grade 9)
- NEWS FROM MHS -
Sights from our First Winter Pep Rally
Quarter Two Honor Roll Released
Congratulations to the following students for making the 2022-23 Millis High School Honor Roll for Quarter Two. Students earning High Honors carried all grades of A- or better, while students earning Honors carried all grades that were A's and B's.
Grade 12 High Honors
Abraham, Leah Hanna
Antony, Lillian Barbara
Arian, Mirola Hany
Borst, Jackson Walker
Burns, John Patrick
Cassidy, Lilly Elizabeth
Fabian, Eva Cathryn
Heredia, Adrian Francisco
Howley, Brooke Nicole
Jurgelewicz, Nora Ann
Leone, Ryan Charles
Lyons, Daisy Rosemarie
Mahoney, Aiden Brian
McHugh, Graceanne Raffa
McKersie, Alexa Marie
Pasquantonio, Daniel William
Spies, Elise
Sugrue, Norah Gertie
Walsh McCarter, Kayla Marie
Whelan, Brooke Hope
Grade 12 Honors
Arguijo, Cynthia
Ashiagbor, Abena Acheampoma
Bennett, Luke Gerard
Bouret, Joseph Robert
Braccio, Mia Sofia
Catalano, John Patrick
Connors, Jane Ryanne
Cyr, Maryn T
Daron, Austin Chase
DiBartola, Connor Michael
Ferrantino, Shea Matthew
Ferrimy, Amany Maritza
Hockman, Ava Katherine
Hockman, Olivia Maurita
LaDuke, Katherine Olivia
Maher, Alexander Patrick
Molinari, Mia Marie
Orrico, John Anthony
Petrush, Ryan Ferguson
Pizzarella, Francesca Lucia
Scanlon, Lydia Anne
Skerry, Jack Robert
Sullivan, Mackenzie Katherine
Tessler, Leah Brook
Grade 11 High Honors
Bassett, Hailey Rose
Copice, Wilson Sydney
Kale, Manasi Amod
Schneiderat, Macy Mcguiggin
Sisto, Lucy Ana
Grade 11 Honors
Athanasi, Antonio
Berube, Ryan Dennis
Blanchette, Troy David
Breslau, Ryan Ward
Carmichael, Dorothy Elizabeth
Carr, Amelia Dorothy
Chansky, Malachi Franklin Louis
Corcoran, Declan Van
Doherty, Isabella Frances
Dulac, Kayla Marie
Ferzoco, Mark Richard
Figueroa, Genesis Vanessa
Giardi, Beckett Michael
Goes, Manuel
Gordon, Andrew James
Hastings, Lucian Merelina
Herrlein, Marissa Elizabeth
Jakubowski, Jacey Marie
Jehu, Cian
Johnson, Arijus Timothy
Legere, Ava Nanine
Macfarlane, Jack Brian
McCarthy, Benjamin Nathaniel
Miller, Andrew Christopher
Pillai, Aditya Sethumadhavan
Powers, Abigail Rose
Rice, Kyra Evelyn
Roy, Julianne
Rubalcaba, Sophia Julianne
Ruggeri, Scarlett Snow-Angel
Ryan, Jack Joseph
Scolponeti, Jennifer Marie
Steiner, Emily Rose
Villacis, Adriana Michelle
Whooten, Annika Kristine
Works, Julia Fay
Zarnofsky, Paige Alena
Grade 10 High Honors
Adams, Madison Claire
Briones, Isabella Marie
Chandler, Emma Grace
Conroy, Shealin Irene
Cyr, Macy T
Doherty, Margaret Elizabeth
Ferguson, William James
Fiala, Andrew Marc
Fong, Olivia Elizabeth
Goldstein, Johanna Chihiro
Loer, Addison Campbell
Malaquias, Lauren Elizabeth
Medvedeva, Vera
Ryan, Declan Philip
Silva, David Joseph
Sparks, Daniel Joseph
Stapels, Amelia Danielle
Wallace, Abigail Grace
Grade 10 Honors
Aten, Ashley Julia
Breslau, Ramsey Leigh
Covitz, Avery Nicole
Delaney, Daniel Kenneth Van
Delaney, Kiyra Rowena Ruth
Duggan, James Constantine
Fraulo, Anthony Dimitrios
Gatz, Meredith Grace
Gerasimov, Alexander Dmitrievich
Grattan, Lindsey Rose
Heredia, Kaylee Gessie
Hohman, Nicholas James
Johnston, Ryan Forrester
Kiggen, Henry Joseph
Leach, Emilia Kelly
Lopes, Thaynara Silva
Louati, Hedia
Manning, Logan Patrick
Molinari, Tessa Jean
Molloy, Norene Elizabeth
Nutile, Layla Grace
O'Toole, Taylor Emma
Ortiz, Devan Sachin
Powers, Emma Jane
Richards, Kaitlyn Marie
Rollag, Anne Elizabeth
Ruo, Emily Sophia-Eileen
Sugrue, Aidan James
Sullivan, Kevin Michael
Sullivan, Riley Elizabeth
Grade 9 High Honors
Arian, Marina H
Avakian, Alexandra Kate
Cranton, David Brian
Ferguson, Mia Grace
Fuentes, Leyna Therese
Higgins, Grace Anne
Krusz, Devan Paul
Lebak, David John-Paul
McGuire, Dylan Francis
Silvia, Rylee Shaye
Steiner, Madeline Paige
Streck, Taryn Mackenzie
Young, Mia Dorothy
Grade 9 Honors
Banks, Corinne Michaela
Chajon Navas, Aliyah Neila
Deluca, Frank Joseph
DiIorio, Reagan Grace
Ensminger, Rylee Marie
FitzGerald, Ryan McHugh
Fournier, Jason Banks
Ghobrial, Fady Asem
Gordon, Alivia Lorraine
Halloran, Patrick Christopher
Hasenfus, Jason Daniel
Judkins, Leeland Timothy
Judkins, Luca Jeffery
Kerstens, Simone
Koronios, Nicoletta Savina
Kramer, Gabrielle Marie
Krauss, Timothy John
Maguire, Kevin Patrick
McGhee, Noah William
Migaly, Jasmin Ehab
Mulkern, Keara Ann
O'Connell, Chace Thomas
Parikh, Aaron Advait
Scannell, Nora Sweet
Schaad, Isabella Rose
Smith, Charles Wallace
Sparks, Zoe Elizabeth
Tavarez, Kristina Elvera
Tobin, Michael Roland
Trusevitch, Ash Gianna
Vasta, Mia Nicoletta
White, Sophia Isabel
January Students of the Month Announced
During the Winter Pep Rally, we took the time to honor our January Student of the Month nominees and winners. The winners all received a gift card to Dunkin' Donuts. Congrats to everyone for the honor of being recognized by the faculty and staff for your accomplishments inside and outside the classroom!
Grade 9 Nominees: Charlie Smith, Nora Scannell, Pat Halloran
Winner: Pat Halloran: "Pat has an outstanding work ethic and a great attitude towards his studies. He's always ready to help his peers and is always a great contributor to class discussions. He has a great sense of humor and is wise beyond his years. Pat is the Bees Knees. Keep it up big fella."
Grade 10 Nominees: Kaitlyn Richards and William Ferguson
Winner: Kaitlyn Richards: "Kaitlyn is a quiet, yet very steady force in class and in dance. She is very busy outside of school but does an excellent job at not overcommitting at school to ensure she can always honor her commitments. In class she strives to do her best work and will come through in the clutch with participation."
Grade 11 Nominees: Genesis Figueroa, Drew Miller, Drew Rodick, Isabella Doherty, Auron Flint
Winner: Drew Rodick: "Drew is a pleasure to have in class and is an extremely hard worker. He is conscientious and punctual. Drew contributes effectively in group discussions, especially with his humor, and is a caring, understanding individual. He is truly a model student."
Grade 12 Nominees: Alexa McKersie, Joe Bouret, Maddie Miga
Winner: Maddie Miga: "Maddie has produced and edited a beautiful documentary about dance and body image. It is a powerful and insightful film for a first time filmmaker. Maddie brings a positive attitude to every class. She recently assisted in a middle school TV class by helping out on a show about dance. By the end of the show she had the whole class up and learning ballet positions. She made this young person's day by coming to class and being a part of her show. She has also worked as a student rep on the JED team."
Safety Drills/Trainings at MHS
Hopestill Farmer Visits AP HUG
Richard Robinson, head farmer at Hopestill Farm, just over the Millis line in Sherborn, visited Mr Bigelow’s AP Human Geography classes this week. Students had just completed a unit on agriculture and learned firsthand about organic farming, soil maintenance, commercial vs. small-scale farming, no-till farming, and the challenges and rewards of being a small-scale farmer in New England. Students had a great time asking Mr. Robinson questions and getting inspired to start their own home gardens! Follow the farm on Instagram @hopestillfarm or visit www.hopestill.com for more info.
Artist of the Week
Congratulations to Dominic Barisano for being selected as a Finalist for the "Artist of the Week" contest on Artsonia. His birds-eye view of a city demonstrates the concept of linear perspective. The artwork with the most votes by Saturday, Feb. 18 will win a Blick Art Materials gift certificate.
Please vote for Dom at https://www.artsonia.com/museum/aotw/vote.asp?group=3
Black History Month Connections in Science & Sophomore Research Project
Pictures from Cabaret 2023
"Selkie" - A One-Act Play - March 3rd
Come see the one-act play, Selkie, written by Laurie Brooks, in a student run production directed by Kayla Walsh for her senior project!
The cast stars Lilly Cassidy, Amany Ferrimy, Austin Daron, Eva Fabian, Abena Ashiagbor, Mia Braccio, Troy Blanchette, and Anna Keomorokot, with sound and lights by Jack Burns and Matt Clarke.
Join us on March 3rd, at 7pm, for our one night Millis performance, before we go on to compete against other schools at the Massachusetts Educational Theatre Guild High School Festival!
Admission is $6.00 for students and $8.00 for adults.
February 10, 2023
TONIGHT IS CABARET 2023!
Cabaret 2023 is tonight, Friday, February 10th, at 7pm. It’s a fun night of Broadway favorites by the MHS Band and Chorus. It will be held in the Cafeteria. Tickets will be sold at the door. We look forward to seeing you there!
National School Counseling Week
Black History Month at MHS
As we do every year, Millis High School spends the month of February acknowledging Black History Month. It is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event was the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every American president has designated February as Black History Month and endorsed a specific theme. The Black History Month 2023 theme is "Black Resistance".
We thought it would be nice to highlight some of the classroom activities taking place at MHS that celebrate Black History Month this year. This week, we're highlighting the work students are doing in Mr. Ingraham's freshman English classes and US History class. In Mr. Ingraham's English classes, students have chosen a black poet, author or playwright who has made significant contributions to America's literary history. They are in the process of producing slideshows which they will present to their classes. Some of the names are pretty familiar to many of us, like Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes and Toni Morrison. However, many students went with writers less familiar, with their interest sparked by research in Mr. Ingraham's class.
In Mr. Ingraham's U.S. history class, there is similar work going on. These students researched African-Americans who have stood out in many fields - education, business, athletics, entertainment, politics.
District Report Card Issued
Notices From the Nurse...
Any student interested in getting CPR certified please email Mrs. Molinari at lmolinari@millisschools.org. If there is interest from students, she will work with the Millis Fire Department to set up some classes this spring.
Grade 9 - The mandated postural (scoliosis) screening will take place in the health office this month. Please contact the nurse if your child is already being followed by a provider for scoliosis or if you wish to have your child OPT out of this screening.
Grade 10 - Mandated screenings including height, weight, vision and hearing will take place next week in the health office. Please contact the nurse if you have any questions or if you wish to have your child OPT out of this screening.
STEAM Scholar Applications are Open
The STEAM Scholar Application for members of the Class of 2025 is now open. The STEAM Scholars program is designed to provide Millis students with a programming that allows them to focus their studies on the STEAM Disciplines. Review this presentation for more information including the mission of the program and program requirements. Interested students should enroll in the STEAM Scholar Application Google Classroom and complete the application materials by Friday, February 17, 2023 at 4:00 PM. Questions can be directed to Stephanie Copice at scopice@millisschools.org, subject line “STEAM Scholars”
Chem II Builds Wet Cell Batteries To Explore Electrochemistry
Chemistry II students have been continuing their studies of redox reactions and applying their skills of glass bending to construct working wet cell batteries. They bent large bore glass tubing to create the exoskeleton of their salt bridge and then made electrolytic agar to fill the bridges with this mixture. Then they prepared 1 M solution of copper sulfate (the same stuff used as root killer in your sewer systems) and zinc sulfate to build a galvanic cell at standard conditions. They calculated the expected voltage produced and compared it to the actual results. Finally, they are in the process of developing new testable questions and hypotheses based on observed phenomena ,and then will be testing these next week.
Airplane Contest Takes Off - February 17th
- Best Design
- Distance
- Flight Accuracy
Deadline to Help is Friday February 17th
Graceanne McHugh is collecting items to make birthday boxes to benefit local families. For the Birthday Boxes she is looking for cake mix, birthday banners, streamers, new childrens gifts, candles, or any other birthday decorations. These donations will be put together in boxes for donations going to the food pantry. The goal is to help give children of low income families who can not afford birthday decorations a special birthday. The collection boxes will be placed in the main office and library and will be labeled. Any donation is appreciated.
Advisory Happenings This Week
Happening Around Millis
February 3, 2023
Tiered Focused Monitoring Review Announced
Student of the Month Announced
December 2022 Student of the Month
Grade 9 Nominees: Lexi Ryerson & Mia Young
Grade 9 Winner: Mia Young: "Mia shouldn't be overlooked for an award like this simply because she is a consistently excellent student. She clearly puts work, and thought, into each assignment. Her intellectual curiosity is always evident. She offers to read in class and volunteers regularly in class discussions. She is kind and personable and a pleasure to have in class."
Grade 10 Nominees: Lauren Malaquias and Hedia Louati
Grade 10 Winner: Lauren Malaquias: "Lauren is a hard worker and has great character. She is a super role model for all of her peers."
Grade 11 Nominees: Nick Hill and Annika Whooten
Grade 11 Winner: Annika Whooten: "Annika is a hard worker and a great role model for her peers. She is able to do her work and drown out any distractions in class. She also helps others out when they are confused."
Grade 12 Nominees: Lillian Cellitti, Graceanne McHugh, Eva Fabian
Grade 12 Winner: Grace McHugh: "Grace is always on task and working hard, even in a big, noisy class. She is calm and focused and is always willing to help another student with the content, especially helpful in such a large class. She is very kind, and even though she is new to the school this year, she is very approachable to her peers. I appreciate the good energy that Grace brings to the class!"
(Pictured Below from L-R: Graceanne McHugh, Annika Whooten, Mia Young, Nick Hill, Hedia Louati - missing from photo were Lexi Ryerson, Lauren Malaquias, Lillian Cellitti, and Eva Fabian).
CPR/AED Certification
The Fit for Life I classes finished the second quarter by taking the American Heart Association First Aid CPR/AED class. Congratulations to the following students who are now certified!
Kelan Riggs, Tessa Molinari, Addison Loer, Kaitlyn Richards, Andrew Morse, Olivia Fong, Aidan Sugrue, Johanna Goldstein, Nate McGhee, Kaylee Heredia, William Ferguson, James Duggan, Nathalya Oliveira, Macy Cyr, Ashley Aten, Amelia Stapels, Lindsey Grattan, Isabella Briones, David Silva, Sophia White, Matthew Clarke, Emma Chandler, Thaynara Lopes, Shealin Conroy, Chloe DiSciullo, Nicole Lauria, Abigail Wallace, Andrew Fiala, Vera Medvedeva, Emilia Leach, Henry Kiggen, Logan Manning, Mia Young, Leyna Fuentes, Kevin Sullivan, Lauren Malaquias, Hedia Louati, Michaela Vasta, and Luke Wanders.
Chem II Working with Glass
Mr. Carter & Mr. Caulfield Team Up for Book Buffet
Ella Bender Emerging Young Artist
Ella Bender's artwork "The Pieces of Us" was selected for the Emerging Young Artists 2023 Juried Exhibition! This award celebrates the exceptional artistic merit of New England high school students through a highly competitive online exhibition. Nearly 600 submissions were received and 120 works were chosen to be in the online exhibition. Here is a link to the online exhibition.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=umassdcvpa&set=a.628636115936303
Silver Key for Cynthia Arguijo
Cynthia Arguijo received a Silver Key in the 2023 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, presented by The School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University, for her art portfolio, Weaponization of Faith. Since 1923, the Awards have recognized some of America's most celebrated artists and writers while they were teenagers, including Tschabalala Self, Stephen King, Kay WalkingStick, Amanda Gorman, Charles White, Joyce Carol Oates, and Andy Warhol. Congratulations to Cynthia to be among these esteemed Scholastic Awards alumni!
Operation Parent
OperationParent is an organization that supports parents and the challenges they face in today's world. They are offering a webinar on Opioids and Prevention on Tuesday, February 7, from 1:00-2:30. Registration information is below. If you cannot attend live, you can get a recording of the webinar by registering. Click on the links below for more information.
https://www.operationparent.org/parent-webinars
February 15th in Mansfield
Junior College Planning & Admissions Panel Night - Feb. 8th
The School Counseling Office is excited to announce that our Junior College Planning & Admissions Panel Night for junior students and parents will be held on Wednesday, February 8th, 2023, starting at 6:00 pm in the High School Auditorium.
The school counselors will begin the night with a brief presentation on the college planning process followed by a college admissions panel presentation. Representatives from Boston College, Suffolk University, UMass Amherst, Quinnipiac University, and Massachusetts Bay Community College, are expected to be on hand to discuss the college admissions process and take questions from parents and students.
For those of you unable to make it, we will provide a recording of the night in the School Counseling area of the Millis High School website following the event.
This promises to be a great night you don’t want to miss, where both parents and students will take away a host of useful information as our juniors begin the college process. Please contact the School Counseling Office at 508-376-7010 with any questions. We look forward to seeing you all on February 8th!
2022-23 MCAS Schedule & Tutoring
As we move into the second half of the school year, we continue to prepare our students for this year's MCAS Exams, and wanted to update you on the upcoming schedule. Students in the Class of 2025 (sophomores) will be taking MCAS exams in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math this year, while students in the Class of 2026 (freshmen) will be taking the MCAS Biology Exam. These exams, sponsored by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), are part of the competency determination required for students to graduate from Millis High School. All exams will be computer-based this year.
In addition to preparing our students in the classroom, we have been identifying students in need of extra tutoring support, and recently mailed home letters containing contracts for tutoring. MCAS English Language Arts tutoring started in Flex Block last week, and MCAS Math tutoring will be starting next week. If you receive one of these letters and would like your child to take part in the tutoring support (which we strongly encourage), please return the contract to the main high school office as soon as possible. The schedule for MCAS Exams at MHS is as follows:
English Language Arts (Grade 10) - March 28 & 29
Math (Grade 10) - May 16 & 17
Biology (Grade 9) - June 6 & 7
LEO's Making Valentine's Day Special
Great job, Leah Abraham, Jack Burns, and the rest of the Millis Leos for making 23 Valentine’s Day bags to be donated to Project Just Because in Hopkinton.
Attendance Line Contact Options
Options to Report Your Students Attendance
email: hsattendance@millisschools.org
Call: 508-376-7010 ~ press 1*
*PLEASE NOTE DISMISSALS CAN NOT BE CALLED IN.
PARENT/GUARDIAN MUST SEND A NOTE/EMAIL OR COME IN TO THE BUILDING TO DIRECTLY SIGN THEIR STUDENT OUT.
Dismissal Reminders
- Student brings a note from home and presents to the office first thing in the morning.
- Parent emails main office at hsattndance@millischools.org, student must still come to the office to get a dismissal pass.
- Parent comes in to school at dismissal time and completes a dismissal notice. Student will be called out of class at the time the parent comes in.
We are unable to accept phone calls or voicemail messages for dismissals. The hsattendance email can be used for all attendance notices.
Millis High School
Small School.. Big Family
The Millis Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, gender identity, religion, national origins, sexual orientation, disability or homelessness.
Website: https://hs.millisps.org/
Location: Millis High School, Plain Street, Millis, MA, USA
Phone: 508-376-7010
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Millis-High-School-1743691028988870/
Twitter: @millishigh