
Blue Hills News
October 27, 2023

Dear Blue Hills Families
Report cards will be issued tomorrow, February 2, 2024. They will be available on PowerSchool.
Check out some great culinary news below, as well as this week's teacher spotlight!
If you have not already, please take a minute to complete the survey below. Every three years, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requires districts to complete a Student Opportunity Act plan. This year, similar to the first plans submitted in 2020, they are asking for districts to prioritize one or more "gaps" in student achievement by using evidence based programs. This survey simply asks for your feedback on how you would prioritize these evidence based programs. Thank you!
https://forms.gle/NKZU3Bv9REBqy4mm8
February Celebrations:
- February is Black History Month. There are many, many resources that commemorate Black History month; PBS has a very good list of lesson plans, articles, and videos here: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/classroom/posts/2023/01/black-history-month-resources-for-the-classroom
- National School Counseling Week: Massachusetts school counselors will participate in National School Counseling Week from February 5 through 9. National School Counseling Week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association, highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students be successful in school and plan for their future. For more information, please visit the Massachusetts School Counselors Association’s web site.
- February 12-16 is Entrepreneur Week here at Blue Hills! We have a host of activities and special events planned, including:
- A "Shark Tank" themed competition for budding entrepreneurs
- "Building a Better Business Bootcamp" for students who are interested in learning more about what it takes to start and grow a business.
- Cafeteria window decorating
- A moderated panel of successful entrepreneurs to share with students about what entrepreneurship is like.
First Place for Culinary!
Mr. Spada, Lead Teacher for Culinary Arts is proud to report:
Two teams from the Culinary department competed at the Skills USA MRE Challenge at the Natick armory. 27 total teams from across the state had to create an appetizer, entree, dessert, and beverage using only the items contained in 6 randomly selected MRE ration packs. They also were not able to use any kitchen equipment, and could only use the MRE field heater packs to cook their meals. Students were given 30 minutes to plan a menu and sort through the contents of the MRE packs, and 90 minutes to execute the menu. The team of Nafisa Apatira, Ayianna Rosa, and Ian Kreger came in first place overall for the competition. The dish pictured was their appetizer, an Italian Sausage "Enchilada".
COOP Student of the Month
DVC Teacher Spotlights!
Teacher Spotlight: Mr. Killeen, Special Education
DVC Student: Dylan Seastrand, Grade 11
Attendance Reminder
The student attendance guidelines are contained within the Parent-Student Handbook. Please be advised:
A student will be required to attend summer school upon the accumulation of sixteen (16) absences in order to fulfill BHR attendance requirements. An additional course will be required for every five (5) absences accumulated after (16). All such courses must be taken at the Blue Hills Regional Summer School. All course subjects must be approved by the (ARB) Academic Review Board. If a student is absent on consecutive days it will be counted as one day’s absence if accompanied by a doctor’s note. Notes must be provided within one week of the student’s return to school. All notes must be originals with an authorized signature and date(s) on the doctor’s office stationary. The student’s home phone number and homeroom must be on all doctors’ notes. Absences on special days, assemblies, etc. will be counted as a full day’s absence. A student must be in attendance for at least half the school day to be counted present. Half the school day means being in school from 7:47 am to 11:00 am or 11:00 am to 2:20 pm.
All out-of-school suspensions will be counted day for day towards a student’s maximum number of absences.
If you are not in class or homeroom by 7:48 AM, you are considered absent from school. You must sign in at Student Affairs Office and receive an admittance pass in order to attend class. If you arrive late for school, you are considered tardy and you must report to the Main Office prior to admission.
On the 4th tardy per term and every 4 tardies thereafter, you will be subject to Saturday detention. You and your parent/guardian may be required to meet with the Principal. Parking privileges may be suspended or revoked. Continued tardies may result in more severe penalties being assigned.
Senior Trip Fundraiser
Chronic Absenteeism: Letter
Click the link below for a larger copy!
February Lunch Menu
Booster Club Updates
1. Next meeting will be the FIRST Wed of Feb @ 7, in the school restaurant
3. Trial Online Boosters Store: https://blue-hills-boosters-store-2022-23-copy.cheddarup.com/
Upcoming Events
February 2: Report Cards Issued
February 8: In-Service, Late Arrival (10:40 a.m.)
February 12-16: Entrepreneur Week
February 19: Presidents' Day
February 19-23: School Closed, February Vacation
February 26: School Reopens (X8)
Health Office
Health Authorization Form
Thank you to the many of you that have completed this already on PowerSchool. In order to provide any medications (even over the counter) to your student, we must have parental authorization. Log into PowerSchool and complete the Health Authorization Form.
Bus App Instructions - FirstView
Please use this First Student provided app to track your bus route. It updates frequently, and is a tool to help provide real-time (or close to it) information.
Past Information
PowerSchool & Attendance note:
We have had some questions from parents about attendance on PowerSchool, particularly around "class attendance." Please note: we do not track class attendance for students, and PowerSchool is not set up to keep this accurately. Therefore, particularly in vocational programs, the system may significantly overstate the number of absences your student does have. The best way to look at your student's actual attendance is to click on "Grades and Attendance" - this will show you a daily attendance list at the bottom with attendance for the year.
- Lunch is free, but students who wish to have a second lunch or snacks must still purchase these. You can add money to your child's myschoolbucks account to enable them to purchase additional meals and food in the cafeteria.
- Pickup and Dropoff - Please DO NOT use the main entrance/driveway to drop off or pick up students. This is causing a logjam at the entrance/exit to the building. Please enter through the East entrance, closest to Massasoit, and proceed toward the main entrance/exit.
- If your student is out, please email attendance@bluehills.org to report them absent. You can also call 781-828-5800 x 2250 - leave a message if it goes to voicemail.
- Athletic Schedules Available Here!
Emergency Contact Information
- Please, if you have not signed up for a parent account on PowerSchool, do so now! Please complete all required forms as soon as you can. Grade 9 students may not receive a Chromebook until permissions/agreements are completed!
- NEW - If you are calling your student in sick, please call the attendance line (781 828 5800 x 2250) OR email attendance@bluehills.org.
- Thank you for bearing with us as we work to safely navigate drop-off and pick-up times. Please enter the entrance closest to Massasoit and proceed along the front of the gymnasium to the main entrance/exit.
- Please be reminded: Earpods/headphones may not be worn during the school day except with the explicit permission of the teacher. This includes breakfast, lunch, and passing times. Earpods will be confiscated if seen, and consequences assigned.
2023-2024 School Year Calendar
Blue Hills Regional Technical School’s mission is to continue its history of academic achievement, technical training and character development through a curriculum which emphasizes the integration of cutting-edge technical programs and challenging academic courses, enabling its students to become competent, caring and productive people in a diverse and changing world.
Core Values:
Community, Opportunity, Relevance, Employability
Website: www.bluehills.org
Location: 800 Randolph Street, Canton, MA, USA
Phone: 781 828 5800
BHR on:
The Blue Hills Regional Technical School District is an equal opportunity educational institution. All programs, courses of study and activities are open to all students without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin or disability. The School District is in full compliance with Massachusetts Law, Chapter 622 of the Acts of 1971, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (U.S. Code), and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Individuals may make inquiries relative to Chapter 622 and Title IX from the coordinator, at the school address or by phoning 781-828-5800.