Laker Nation Newsletter 12-13-24

Last week, you picked a dusting to lots of snow! Fourteen percent of us are wishing for spring!

12/17 DECA District Testing

12/18 Holiday Bonanza

12/19 ARHS Chorus goes caroling in the district

12/20/24 ½ Day

12/23/24-01/01/25 - Winter Break

01/20/25 - Martin Luther King Day - School Closed

Core Value Recipients:

Luca Rubini - Achievement

Jordan Joy - Achievement

Elizabeth Ollerhead - Achievement

Keira Soundara - Achievement

Braley DiCarlo - Honor

Olivia Diorio - Random Act of Kindness

Congratulations to Niamh Gallagher!

The Francis W. Gallishaw, Jr. Memorial award for academic excellence was designed by South

Coast Educational Collaborative’s Board of Directors to honor one student from each high

school in each district, for the student’s excellence in leadership, service, and academics during their high school career. Our winner is Niamh Gallagher- we are very proud of her!

We never miss a chance for spirit!

Spirit week themes for 12/16-12/20 from Student Council

Monday - Holiday PJ Day: Wear Holiday/winter pajamas

Tuesday - Ugly Sweater Day: Wear an ugly sweater or get creative and make your own!

Wednesday: "SantAppon" Day: Dress up as Santa!

Thursday: Heatmeiser vs. Snowmeiser Day: Wear cool colors / winter clothes OR wear warm colors / summer clothes

Friday: Holiday Hat Day: Wear Holiday Headwear, e.g. Santa hats, elf hats, reindeer antlers, etc.

We are very fortunate to have received a donation of forty tickets to the musical "Hamilton" at the PPac from Maria Wilson at Theatre for Kids. We also thank FLMS Principal Jackie Francisco for initiating this endeavor. The students had a wonderful time and many a song was sung and a tear or two shed. Great event!

For this Portuguese Club meeting the members were in groups making blankets for the Annie's Kindness Blankets organization. This is where you make blankets for people in need. Once finished with the blankets the club members plan on passing them out to people who need love and support in a time of need/hardship.

-Arianna Camara, 2025 Yearbook member and photographer

Anyone interested in learning to build, drive, and program robots to play in robot games? Consider joining the Robotics Club. We will be meeting every Tuesday until 3:30 pm. Join the robotics club google classroom by scanning the QR code on the flier or see Mr.Salmond in room 206 with any questions.

Student Government (class)

Student Council

Art, Share, Travel Club

Chorus/Select Choirs

DECA

LIFE (Lakers)

Environmental Club

Game Club/SHAPE

GSA (Gay/Straight Alliance)

Math Team

NHS (National Honor Society)

Tech and Engineering Club

Laker Leaders

Yearbook

All Booked at Apponequet

Debate Club

Robotics

Laker Athletic Development

Majorettes

Cheerleading

Jazz Band

Select Choir

Apponequet's Student Council is hosting a Winter Bonanza on December 18th from 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm in the courtyard. We will be having a bonanza tree lighting, free hot chocolate, pictures with Santa O'Connor, winter games, winter crafts and a wide assortment of winter holidays to learn about and experience! We will also be collecting new toys to donate for toys for tots and for each toy you bring you get to walk our special Cake Walk

for a chance to win a Gregg's Death by Chocolate cake! The event costs 5 dollars at the gate! It is also open to students at FES, AES and GRAIS; so if you have a younger sibling in those schools, bring them along!

This event will benefit the Courtyard Project.

AP Computer Science adopts "ducks" to aid the coding process. Learn more about Rubber Duck Debugging:

https://www.masterycoding.com/blog/rubber-duck-debugging-history-and-benefits#:~:text=The%20technique%20involves%20explaining%20code,where%20the%20problem%20is%20occurring.

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Clothing Bin - We are happy to "Go Green" by reducing textile waste from the local landfill with a FREE, No-Work Clothing and Shoes Recycling Fundraising Program. This clothing bin is located by the fence of the upper lot between GRAIS and ARHS. Please donate your clothing, rags, linens, shoes, handbags, and more to be recycled. Funds earned by this program will be used by our Laker Leader group to support community initiatives and school-wide needs.

By exploring the traditions and history of holidays, we deepen our understanding of how cultures celebrate and share values. We wish you all a joyous season.

Christmas December 25

Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated holidays worldwide. It originated as a Christian tradition, marking the birth of Jesus Christ. The holiday is associated with themes of love, giving, and unity, and its customs are different all over the world.

Common traditions include decorating Christmas trees, exchanging gifts, singing carols, and sharing festive meals with family and friends. While its roots are religious, Christmas has evolved into a season that emphasizes community, generosity, and joy with secular elements of foods, shopping, and fun.

Hanukkah- December 26- January 2

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday about the “Festival of Lights” to celebrate the miracle that occurred in the 2nd century BCE, when a group of Jewish rebels, the Maccabees, reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem from the Syrian Greeks. After rededicating the temple, they found only enough oil to light the menorah (a seven-branched candelabrum) for one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, long enough to prepare more oil.

To celebrate this miracle, Jewish families light a special menorah with nine candles, one for each night of Hanukkah, and another candle, called the shamash, used to light the others. The holiday lasts for eight days and is marked by prayers, festive meals, family gatherings, and the giving of gifts.

Hanukkah is a time for reflecting on perseverance, faith, and the power of light overcoming darkness.

Kwanzaa December 26- January 1

Kwanzaa is an yearly celebration that honors African heritage, culture, and values. It begins on December 26th and lasts for seven days. The holiday was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga to promote unity and pride within African American communities.

Each day of Kwanzaa focuses on one of the seven core principles which are: Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith. These principles guide families and communities in celebrating togetherness and supporting one another.

Kwanzaa is celebrated with a variety of traditions, including lighting a candle on a special kinara (candleholder), sharing meals, exchanging gifts, and reflecting on the values that strengthen family and community. It is a time for cultural enrichment, personal growth, and a renewed sense of pride in one’s heritage.