Blue Knight Highlights

For Accessibility Features or this newsletter translated, please click here

For a straight text version of this newsletter, please click here

This week Sandwich Middle High School Peer Leaders visited the Oak Ridge School to begin in earnest the Playbook Initiative, a program co-sponsored by Project 351 and the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation. The Playbook Initiative aims to reduce incidence of student harassment and bullying. The program, which resulted in the creation of a “social playbook”, inspires a dialogue on race, religion, gender, disability and sexual orientation and ultimately equips kids with the tools to intervene in challenging social situations. The intent is foster a culture a being an "upstander" rather than a bystander in situations where a peer is being targeted because they are different.

The SMHS Peer Leaders are being led by juniors Shreya Shukla and Peter Milburn, who have received extensive training in the Playbook Initiative. During Wednesday's visit to Oak Ridge, Shreya and Peter gave 5th and 6th grade an overview of the program, and the Peer Leaders worked with smaller groups of 6-8 students each (like pictured below, with Peer Leader Marty Mulroy, '26) on hypothetical social scenarios where stereotyping is harmful. The Peer Leaders initial work with the Playbook Initiative will continue throughout the year with students at Oak Ridge and SMHS in grades 5-12.

Last Saturday Sandwich Middle High School Cross Country Team runners Kylee Beaudoin, '26, Peter Milburn, '26, and Alex Palomar-Nelson, '29 qualified at the Division 3 Championships. Kylee (20:23.8), Peter (17:41.6), and Alex (17:43.7) tore up the 5K in Wrentham and advanced to compete among the fastest runners at the State Championships on Saturday, November 16, at Fort Devens, MA.

Best of luck to these talented student athletes!

On Tuesday there was an uplifting and exciting assembly for Forestdale students featuring the Red Hawk Singers and Dancers from the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. Cheenulka Pocknett, along with his brother David and another tribe member Nicki, led the students in an hour of singing and dance and storytelling weaving history and culture. The celebration was apropos as November celebrates National Native American Heritage Month.

Cheenulka spoke to students about the three sisters: bean, corn and squash, and the traits that allow them to grow stronger together despite having quite different characteristics. He brought up a parallel to how we as people have different and unique traits, but how we can work well together in our communities. This visit was part one of a two part series. Cheenulka will return in the spring and plans to work in grade levels to develop a farmer's market (in conjunction with the Sandwich Elementary PTA, who sponsored the assembly) as well as helping students get our garden beds thriving again with new plantings. Stay tuned for more updates!

Congratulations to the outstanding Sandwich Middle High School students who last evening were inducted into the school's chapter of the Mu Alpha Theta National Mathematics Honors Society, the Science National Honor Society, and the Computer Science Honor Society. These students excel in STEM studies and apply their higher order thinking across all areas!

The newly inducted students are the following: Maylin Alty, Stephen Baecker, Ashlyn Beaudoin, Luke Caleshu, Sabrina Davison, Nathan deBlank, Addison DeCesare, Katelyn Enos, Breigh Falwell, Lauren Frazel, Emma Grady, Isabella Ghirardini, Megan Jakubicka, James Lehane, Thomas MacDonald, Colin MacQuade, Jane Malcomson, Owen McElroy, Ella Muhlebach, Martin Mulroy, Sean Naro, Emily Noble, Joey Pannoni, Nicholas Pearce, Alexandra Price, Breanna Prindle, Helen Rhodes, Olivia Ring, Aislin Russo, Shreya Shukla, Jack Steele, Luke Steele, Connor Steuerwald, and Nathan Surla.

This week Sandwich Community Media released the latest episode of "Ask the Supt," the monthly interview show where host Greg Anderson asks SPS Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joe Maruszczak about pressing issues in the school district. In this episode, Greg and Dr. Joe discuss the implications of Ballot Question #2 (elimination of MCAS as a graduation requirement), the role of local politics in K-12 education, enrollment trends and much more. To watch this episode on YouTube, please click on the above picture or on this link.

Once again, Sandwich Middle High School will spotlight its outstanding academic, co-curricular, and athletic offerings through its Sandwich Showcase event this Thursday, November 21 from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm. Oak Ridge students, middle school students and underclassmen, do not miss this event to learn about what the high school aspect of SMHS has to offer for your future! Explore the diverse academic offerings within the various departments and learn about what new opportunities are available to you after 9th grade through SMHS’ extensive elective options in all aspects of education from arts to science and everything in between.

Pneumonia and Pertussis

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has asked that school nurses be on “high alert” for possible cases of whooping cough and walking pneumonia among students. Below is the official brief from DPH, and attached are some articles with more information.

If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact your child’s building-based nurse or the Nursing Department Head, Nicola Bordelon, MSN, RN. The school nurses will be conducting a review of student immunization compliance and reaching out to families who need to or may wish to speak to their family care provider regarding immunizations or booster vaccinations.

“Mycoplasma pneumoniae (walking pneumonia) and Bordetella pertussis (whooping cough) are spreading in Massachusetts, particularly among school-age children and adolescents. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) is asking Massachusetts healthcare providers to have a high index of suspicion for mycoplasma pneumonia and pertussis in patients presenting with respiratory symptoms and to ensure that all patients are up to date on DTaP and Tdap vaccines.

M. pneumoniae is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia, especially in children, and can cause community outbreaks. Symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia often include persistent cough, fever, and fatigue, though symptoms are often mild and patients do not require hospitalization.

Pertussis, also known as "whooping cough," is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable respiratory illness caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. Following a significant decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, cases of pertussis in Massachusetts are increasing to pre-pandemic levels, particularly among adolescents.” (DPH, 2024).

Walking Pneumonia on the Rise Among Children

Brigham & Womens: Walking Pneumonia in Children

Mass General: Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

Pertussis Surveillance and Trends

Tickets are on sale now for Knights Theatre Company’s fall production of Almost, Maine. This amazing cast and crew features 56 talented SMHS across all grade levels, from 7 to 12! The show will premiere this evening at 7:00 pm in the SMHS Auditorium. Shows will also run tomorrow evening at 7:00 pm, on Sunday at 2:00 pm, and next weekend on both Friday (11/22) and Saturday (11/23) at 7:00 pm. Tickets will also be sold at the door and will be $15 for adults and $12 for senior citizens! Cash or checks should made out to SMHS.

This sweet show about a small town in Maine and the magic of the Northern Lights, and love is exactly what you need right now! ❤️

The Cape Cod Commission is developing a Vision Zero Action Plan for Cape Cod to identify and eliminate fatalities and serious injuries from vehicle crashes for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, and drivers. Roadway fatalities impact not only those involved in the crash but also families, friends, and the community as a whole.

The next meeting will take place at the Center for Active Living (70 Quaker Meetinghouse Rd. in East Sandwich) on Thursday, November 21 at 6:00 pm. All are welcome!

The Sandwich Elementary PTA will be hosting its annual Sugar Plum Fairy Shopping Event on Sunday, November 24 from 12:00-4:00 pm. This is a fun event and fundraiser, giving yiour students an opportunity to shop for their family and friends while also supporting local Sandwich small businesses! Please join us!