Principal's Message 2/28/22

 2/27/2022 

Hello,

 

I hope this message finds you well rested from the Winter Break and in good spirits and mindset as we enter the month of March and a seven week stretch until our next vacation in April.  This stretch is the longest unbroken part of the school year with seven weeks of full week school days.  It is a time of much activity in our Music and Drama programs, athletics, clubs, senior college and career planning process, MCAS and other school related activities.  It is extremely important for students to establish healthy routines and habits to support their academic success as they balance the many activities they may be involved in. 

 

Thoughtful and consistent use of FLEX block opportunities to support learning and academic growth is critical for student progress.  The next seven weeks of a consistent academic schedule before them provides an opportunity for students to effectively schedule FLEX time to support their academics.  Students should speak with their teachers about how to schedule and make best use of FLEX to support their learning and progress.

 

An added component for tomorrow is our return to school without masks and like so many things of this pandemic it affects each individual differently.  For some their experience with COVID might be something they are ready to move forward with in their day to day lives with no safety requirements and for others their experience with COVID may require their forward view to include continued safety requirements.  For some it will be a welcome relief and for some it will raise worry and anxiety.  It is important that we respect each person's experience and decision.  It is our expectation that all members of the school community respect others' decisions to wear masks and that all members feel safe.

 

This is no small event in our school community.  For two years our interactions with each other have been guided by social distancing and wearing masks.  We have two classes, Class of 2025 and 2024, who have only experienced SHS and interactions with their teachers fully masked. Tomorrow is not just a return to school, but a return to personal engagement and interaction that has been tested these past two years.  Let’s move forward together with acceptance, respect and kindness for all. 

 

Welcome back and here’s to a good week.  Make the next seven weeks how you want it…Go Spartans!

 

 

 

Communication

We kindly ask that you utilize the following links as first resources to find the information you are seeking prior to contacting the  Main Office.

 

SHS Handbook Here

 

Daily Bulletin

        New

        2/28/2022

 

        Old

        2/18/2022

 

 

5 Day Schedule HERE

 

Updated 2021-2022 SHS School Year Calendar HERE

 

SHS Web Page:

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

 

FaceBook:

 https://www.facebook.com/Stoneham-High-School-113064453732609

 

 

Save the Date

Monday, 2/28 - Friday, 3/4; Course Selection (details below)

Wednesday, 3/1; Student athlete spring sport season mandatory meeting, 3pm SHS Gymnasium

Tuesday, 3/22 & Wednesday, 3/23: Grade 10 ELA MCAS Testing

        Grade 10 MCAS 8:15 - 10:30 / Classes 10:41AM - 2:50PM

        Grade 9 full day schedule 8:15AM - 2:50PM

        Late start grades 11 & 12; 10:41AM - 2:50PM

 

 

Stoneham Public Schools / Mask Update

Beginning Monday, February 28th, 2022, masks will be optional for all students, staff, and visitors in all Stoneham Public Schools.   Please see the link for more information.

 

Stoneham Public Schools Mask Update

 

 

2022 - 2023 Course selection

Course Selection for the 2022-2023 academic school year will occur the week of February 28.  Here are specific dates for each class.  Students will be able to remotely select their courses on the date the portal opens for their class.  School Counselors will meet with those students who did not complete their selection the following day during FLEX block.

 

Grade 11

        Portal Open 2/28

        Meetings with School Counselors 3/1 (Day 2 Flex)

 

Grade 10

        Portal Open 3/2

        Meetings with School Counselors 3/3 (Day 4 Flex)

 

Grade 9

        Portal Open 3/3

        Meetings with School Counselors 3/4 (Day 5 Flex)

         

2022-2023 SHS Program of Studies: HERE

 

 

Counselor’s Corner

Pre-College Summer Programs

Many colleges and universities offer pre-college summer experiences for students who are interested in career exploration and academic enrichment.  Please see the Guidance page of the high school website for more information:

https://www.stonehamschools.org/schools/stoneham-high-school/guidance/summer-programs-for-high-school-students

 

 

ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)

        SHS will be hosting the ASVAB on Friday, March 4th at 8:15 a.m. 

        Please sign up in the Guidance office by February 15th. 

        If you have any questions, please see your counselor.

 

 

All Parents

        MEFA ( Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority) is offering a variety of upcoming webinars related to college planning and financing.  More information and registration here:

        https://www.mefa.org/events

 

SAT / PSAT Information

        SAT test dates at SHS

        June 4, 2022

        Registration deadline: May 5, 2022

 

 

Athletics / Required Coaches  Meeting for all Spring Sports Athletes

Spring Sports Meeting Wednesday, March 2nd

        After school / 3:00pm

        Required all Spring Sport Athletes

 

 

 

Spring Sports

        First day of practice

        Monday, March 21st

        FamilyID, physical and payment must be completed and received by the Athletic Office  prior to first day of practice; Monday, 3/21

        FamilyID will be open starting Wednesday, 3/2

 

 

Morning drop off and afternoon pick up

Our traffic pattern / route has been established with student safety, vehicle and driver safety, drop off and pick up efficiency.  All drivers are strongly reminded to follow the established traffic routes for student drop off and pick up. 

 

Drivers are not to cut through open parking spaces or drive over, through or around orange parking cones.  Not following the established routes causes confusion and complicates an already congested parking lot of drivers and students. 

 

Please do your part to help maintain a safe and efficient student drop off and pick up routine by thoughtful driving and compliance with our traffic routes.

 

 

SEO / Spartan Enrichment Organization

February Newsletter HERE

 

 

Junior Prom

Junior Prom

 

When: Friday, April 8th

        Bus leaves SHS at 5:30pm and returns at 11:00pm

 

Where:  Spirit of Boston; 200 Seaport Blvd, Boston, MA

 

Cost: $125 tickets

        Price includes

        Round trip transportation from SHS to Commonwealth Pier

        Boston Harbor Cruise

        Dinner

        DJ on the cruise

 

      All students attending prom MUST ride the coach buses - no meeting at the pier.

 

        How to purchase

        On sale 2/28/2  -  3/4/22

        Payment

        Cash

      Checks (payable to SHS Activity Fund)

        Venmo (@Kurt-vonSneidern) 

 

 

Student Fundraising

Dear Parents of Stoneham High School:

 

A few  students at SHS are fundraising to help homeless people here in Massachusetts.

 

They’re accepting empty soda cans and sparkling water cans, but they must contain the 5 cent label.

If you have any cans, please drop them off at the high school lobby, where there'll be a box to put them in.  Cans / bottles must be cleaned and delivered in plastic bags.

 

Anything helps, let's help them reach their goal of raising $250 by the end of March.

 

If you can’t make it to the highschool this week, a follow up will be sent to organize another available area where you can donate your cans.

 

 

Parent / Guardian Support

Stoneham Coalition for A Safe and Healthy Coalition: Join us for this year's Parent University, a fun, half day event for parents with students of any age that provides knowledge and advice from community experts through a series of free workshops focusing on student's educational experience and well-being

 

More information on the Parent University can be found here: 

          https://www.stonehamcoalition.org/parent-university