Principal's Message 4/11/21

Spring Break 4/19/21-4/23/21

Spring Break 4/19/21-4/23/21

PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

Greetings,

 

I hope you had an enjoyable weekend.  Much going on at SHS; start of the 4th quarter, April Vacation, Spring Sports, music and theatre productions, return to full in person and many other exciting activities in the works for our final months of school.  All these events bode well for students with increased engagement with teachers and peers and participation in events and activities of interest and celebration.  

 

The key to all of this is to keep strong and focused with our COVID safety guidelines.  Our biggest worry is not that we can safely conduct in person learning and school events and activities, but rather the worry is will we be able to hold them if people are sick or in quarantine.  So please keep strong and mask up, socially distance, wash and hygiene hands frequently in and especially, out of school.

 

As always, students please continue to communicate and engage with your teachers and avail yourself of afternoon extended sessions for any additional help or support for your academics.  

 

Have a great week.

 

Communication

·  4/12/2021 Day 5b

·  4/9/2021 Day 5a

·  4/8/2021 Day 4b

·  4/7/2021 Day 4a

·  4/6/2021 Day 3b

·  4/5/2021 Day 3a

 

SHS FaceBookhttps://www.facebook.com/Stoneham-High-School-113064453732609

SHS Web Page:  https://www.stonehamschools.org/schools/stoneham-high-school/index

 

Mark Your Calendar

April 19 - 23:  School Closed / April Vacation

 

April 26:  Spring Athletics Begin

 

April 27:  SAT’s / Class of 2022

 

May 5 - 24: AP Testing

 

May 6 & 7:  ELA MCAS

·  Testing @ SHS; Grades 10 / 11* (*pending DESE)

·  Asynchronous learning remote schedule; Grades 9 / , 11*, 12

 

May 21:  Seniors / Class of 2021 last day of classes

 

May 27 & 28: Math MCAS

·  Testing @ SHS; Grades 10 / 11* (*pending DESE)

·  Asynchronous learning remote schedule; Grades 9 and 11*

 

June 1:  Senior Scholarships and Academic Awards

June 2:  Senior Celebration

June 3:  Senior Parade

June 4:  Class of 2021 Graduation Commencement

 

Return to Full in Person

As we prepare for a full return to in person learning we should prepare for an increase in walking and driving traffic for arrival and dismissal times.  Please plan accordingly to allow for a timely, safe and orderly process.

·  Adjust travel times to avoid traffic and being tardy

o    Students may enter SHS at 7:45am

·  Pay attention to increase student walkers

o    Watch crosswalks

·  Pay attention to increase in car traffic

 

Course Selection  / Final Review

Final review of student course selections for the 2021-2022 school year academic schedule.  

·  Parents and students can review selected courses in PowerSchool.

o    directions are provided below.  

o    The window for review is now open until Wednesday, 4/14, at 3:00pm.  

o    If you have any questions or concerns please contact your student’s School Counselor.

 

·  Please remember, these are only course selections and do not indicate any schedule.  

 

·  The final schedule for the 2021-2022 school year will be released to all households in June / July.

 

Directions to review course selections

·  Parent log into PS (or have their student login) 

o    click on the Class Registration link along the left hand menu 

§  Highlighted in yellow

 

 

 

MCAS  Update / Class 0f 2022

 

Class of 2022 Testing Update

 

·  On Thursday, April 1, Commissioner Riley recommended to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education that they modify the state graduation requirements for the Class of 2022.

 

o    If approved, this year’s 11th graders would not be required to take the MCAS test. 

 

·  Given this announcement, we anticipate that Grade 11 / Class of 2022 students will not participate in any MCAS testing during this current school year.  

 

·  We will provide further information once further details are provided from DESE

 

·  No change in Class of 2023 MCAS testing

o    Testing dates provided below in Spring Testing Dates Section

 

 Guidance Department Announcements / Class of 2021

Senior Parents / Financial Aid resource

MEFA is a great resource for families when comparing college financial aid offers, calculating net cost, and developing college payment strategies.  They offer a variety of "After the College Acceptance" webinars in addition to other resources (Click here to go to their website.): 

 

 Guidance Department Announcements  / SCHOLARSHIPS!!! – CLASS OF 2021

 

2020-2021 Stoneham Scholarship Application - REMINDER

For interested senior students we are providing directions and links for the 2020-2021 Stoneham Scholarship Application. Due to our current circumstances we will move to an electronic application.  The application contains two parts. You must complete both parts to be eligible to receive a scholarship (if you have not completed the FAFSA you still must complete Part II):

 

Part I:  Student Information

        Please go here for PART I of application (students have access to this link under their school account)

 

Part II:  College and Financial Information

        Requires that you indicate the school you will be attending in the fall.

■                  If you do not have this information by the due date of Friday, April 16, you must notify your guidance counselor.

        Contains special instructions if you and your parents have completed the FAFSA with the College Board. 

■                  Only students who have completed the FAFSA will be eligible for need-based scholarships.

        Please go here for PART II of application

 

The completed application of Part I and Part II are due no later than 5:00pm, Friday, April 16. 

        Applications without all required information in Part I and Part II or if received after the due date of  Friday, April 16 will not be moved forward for applicant review and selection. 

        Please ensure you answer all required questions, provide all required information and submit by application deadline.

 

If you have any questions, please contact your guidance counselor.

 

 

 

Guidance Department Announcements / CLASS of 2022

Juniors and Junior Parents:

·  There are several upcoming virtual college fair opportunities.  

o    Details here:

§  https://www.collegefairguide.com/boston-national-college-fair 

 

Athletic Department Updates / Spring Season Registration

Spring Sports Registration Info HERE

 

Senior / Class of 2021 Senior Activities and Graduation Information UPDATES

·  Latest updates

o    Senior / Class of 2021 Celebration and Graduation Updates HERE 

 

Student Pictures / Grades 9 - 11

Recent COVID developments have permitted us to reconsider Student Picture Day for students in grades 9 - 11.  Student Picture Day will occur on April 14 and 15.  (Note: Cohort “D” students come in on April 15th from 1:00pm-3:00pm.)

 

Further details  and ordering information is available HERE

 

SEO / Spartan Enrichment Organization

April Newsletter HERE

 

Stoneham Special Education Advisory Council (SEPAC)

The Stoneham Special Education Parent Advisory Council will have its next meeting on April 12, 2021 at 7 PM via Zoom.  Please see the zoom invitation at the below.  A flyer is attached with more information about the role of the SEPAC.  Even though this has been an unusual year, the SEPAC has been hard at work on behalf of all students with disabilities.  We hope to resume more regular in person meetings and gatherings next year.  We need help to make that a reality. You will also find a document describing each of the special officer roles current open. If you feel called to help out but not to be an officer, we need you too! If you are passionate about special education rights, are a strong advocate for children, are a skilled written or oral communicator, are a born leader, or you just want to learn more and if you like to be part of a fun team, join us! 

Email Erin Alarcon (erin.mccoy.alarcon@gmail.com) for more information.     

 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84947137900?pwd=STZ3enUvNERSVDJhd0xSaUxFSUl4UT09

 

Meeting Invite HERE

 

SEPAC Info Flyer HERE

 

SEPAC Officer Roles HERE

 

 

 

 

 

Spring Testing Dates

MCAS:

·  May 6 & 7 / ELA

o    Testing Grades 10 & 11

 

·  May 27 & 28 / Math

o    Testing Grades 10 & 11

 

·  All testing is in person / school based

·  No synchronous / In School Classes for grades 9 & 12 all test dates

o    Attend courses remotely / Asynchronous Work and Activities

 

AP:

·  May 5 - 24

o    Specific content test dates HERE

SAT:

·  April 27

o    Class of 2022 / Grade 11 only

o    In person / school based

 

COVID Safety Updates

1.       Reminder:  No coffee / drinks / food are permitted in classrooms.  

·         Food is to be eaten in the Cafeteria or alternative areas when directed.

·         If a student requires water then they should discuss with their teacher and work within classroom expectations and safety requirements.  

 

2.            ALLERGIES

·         Many allergy symptoms are on the COVID-19 Daily Self Checklist

 

·         Now is the time to contact your child’s pediatrician.

 

·         Come up with a plan to handle your child’s allergy symptoms: 

o    Daily medication

o    Nasal 

o    Sprays

o    Eye drops 

o    etc.

 

·         It is possible to have Covid-19 and other health conditions at the same time.

 

·         Please review the Covid-19 symptom checklist every day before you bring your child to school.

 

o    COVID-19 Daily Self Checklist

 

·         Call or email us before sending your child to school with any symptoms on this list.

o    781-279-3810 x1317

§  Sandra Malzone RN

§  Angela Celli RN

 

 

 

 

 

 

Return to Full in Person

The return to a full in person learning model is the first step in bringing our school community back together as we continue to navigate COVID safety guidelines and school operations.  This return will be a transition that for many students and faculty may be experienced with much excitement and some cautionary anxiety.  

 

There is no doubt of the excitement for all students returning to school for in person instruction and learning activities,  peer and teacher engagement and the overall impact on a thriving school community.  It is exciting to think of this return!

 

However, there is some caution.

 

The schedule transition from hybrid to full in person is quite simple, as students will follow the exact same schedule as the hybrid schedule over five days instead of ten.  Class rotation and meeting times, length of each class, transition times between periods and the start and dismissals times of school and afternoon extended sessions are all the same.  

 

The COVID safety guidelines of correctly wearing a face mask at all times while on school grounds, social distancing of 3 - 6 feet, frequent washing and hand sanitizing, no food or drink in classrooms and  following directional markings for movement within the school are still in place and will require all students strict adherence. 

 

There is some concern as to the ownership and self responsibility of COVID safety guidelines by all members of our school community.  

 

This will be our biggest challenge and needs to be the point of focus we all rally around;  All students and families strictly following our school COVID safety Guidelines.  

 

As we prepare for our return to full in person students and families are requested to assist with our transition by continuing to follow and adhere to COVID safety guidelines.  We need to curb our excitement and keep our guard up, not down.  

 

Let’s use this time to best prepare for a successful return to full in person:

Masks on correctly at all times

Socially distance

Follow hallway arrows

No food / drink in classrooms

Frequent wash / hand sanitizing

 

Return to Full In Person Schedule and Updated School Calendar

·  April 28

o    Day 4a

o    All grade 9 attend in person

o    Grades 10 - 12 follow hybrid schedule

 

·  April 29

o    Day 4b

o    All grade 9 attend in person

o    Grades 10 - 12 follow hybrid schedule

 

·  April 30

o    Day 5a

o    All grade 9 attend in person

o    Grades 10 - 12 follow hybrid schedule

 

·  May 3

o    Day 1

o    All grades attend in person

 

Updated School Calendar HERE