Announcements October 28 - November 1, 2013

Morning Announcements

Don't forget to turn in your Military Run registration forms to Anna Young or Taylor Russell.  The Military Run will be held on Saturday, November 16th.  Forms are in the office - please consider participating!

The monthly NHS meeting will be held on Thursday, October 31st.  Also, seniors who have submitted portfolios, please see Mrs. Kyrka in room 217 this week.

Ski club registration will take place on Wednesday, October 30th at 7 p.m. in the Nipmuc auditorium.  Please fill out medical and emergency details on the Nipmuc Ski Club website (www.nipmucskiclub.weebly.com ) before coming to the meeting and bring payment with you that night.  Please see Mrs. Ahmed-Jussaume in room 312 with any questions.

Skiers looking to Alpine ski race this winter as a member of the Nipmuc Ski Team must attend an informational meeting on Wednesday, November 6th at 7 p.m. in the Nipmuc Media Center.  Both parents and students should attend.  Any questions should be directed to barbaragriscom@gmail.com.

Students interested in the World Challenge trip to Costa Rica in the summer of 2014 should stop by Ms. Reardon's room 136 to pick up an application.  All applications and deposits are due by Thursday, October 31st to the World Challenge office. 

The Nipmuc Swim Team is a real thing!  If you're looking for a winter sport, why not try swimming?  The only swim experience necessary is knowing how to float.  This is a co-ed team - anyone can join.  Please contact Carly Thibodeau on Facebook or Mr. Leaver in the Athletic Director's office for more information.

Attention All Students!  Join us for a school-wide community service project.  Nipmuc will be raking leaves for senior citizens on Veteran's Day, Monday, November 11th.  Volunteer sign-up sheets are available in the office or in Sr. Soto's room 313. 

Guidance Announcements
Admission representatives from several colleges will hold information sessions at Nipmuc in the next few weeks.  Please sign up in the guidance office if you are interested in learning more about the following colleges:

• October 31 - University of New England
• November 7 - Plymouth State University
• November 19 - Mount Ida College

A United States Army Recruiter will hold an information session in the guidance office on Tuesday, October 29th at 10:30 a.m.  Sign up in guidance to learn what the Army can do for you!

Attention Sophomores!  Information regarding the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Seminar (HOBY) is now available on the Nipmuc Guidance Blog and in the guidance office.  One sophomore will be selected to attend this all-expense paid leadership seminar in the spring.  It is a great opportunity to meet young people from around the state and to learn new leadership skills.  Deadline to apply is Friday, November 15th.

Any junior or senior interested in taking the Armed Services Vocational Apptitude Battery (ASVAB) exam should sign up in the guidance office.  You do not have to be entering the military to take this career assessment.  If you have any questions, please contact your guidance counselor.

All students are reminded to check out the guidance blog for an updated list of college open houses, college planning, SAT and ACT information, and scholarships.

Humanities Scholars Collaborative



Nipmuc Regional High School Representatives:   Emily Ambrosino, Patrick Carey, Chereen Chalak, Tyler Costello,
 Ashley Dodd, Jenna Fitzgerald, Erin Gagnon, Nickie McGrath, Evan Offord, Kurt Robakiewicz, Anna Young
Not pictured: Maddie Davidshofer and Patrick Luck. Advisor: Mr. Matt Merten

The first outing of the Humanities Scholars Collaborative will take place at the College of the Holy Cross today.  The Humanities Scholars Collaborative is a group of students from the Blackstone Valley who take a series of visits to area colleges. The Collaborative's mission is to enhance students' studies of American history and American culture by attending lectures and seminars presented by the host universities professors. These lectures and seminars ask students to think critically and creatively while challenging them to accept responsibility in shaping the future of the United States. In future months, the group will travel to Assumption College, Clark University and Worcester State University. 

Announcements October 21 - 25, 2013

Morning Announcements

All students who drive to school must have a parking permit and must park in their assigned space. Your parking sticker must be visible at all times. Any car that you drive to school must be registered with Mrs. Grady.  Any student who drives to school without a permit or does not park in their assigned space is in violation of the parking rules and may be assessed a fine. Please see Mrs. Grady in the office if you have any questions.
  Attention Nipmuc!  The Nipmuc Swim Team is a real thing!  If you're looking for a winter sport, why not try swimming? The only swim experience necessary is knowing how to float!  Male and females are both welcome to join.  Contact Mr. Leaver or Carly Thibodeau on Facebook for more information.

The Ski Club registration meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 30th at 7 p.m. in the Nipmuc auditorium.  Please fill out medical and emergency details on the Nipmuc Ski Club website (www.nipmucskiclub.weebly.com) before the meeting and please bring your payment with you to the meeting.  Please see Mrs. Ahmed-Jussaume in room 312 with any questions.

Nipmuc Drama presents "Anne Frank and Me".  Please come see your classmates perform this weekend - Friday, 10/25 and Saturday, 10/26 at 7:30 p.m. in the Nipmuc auditorium.  Tickets are $6 for students and senior citizens and $9 for adults.  Hope to see you there!

The members of the Humanities Scholars need to pick up their permission slip from Mr. Merten in room 334 today.

Attention all students! Join us for a school-wide community service project.  Nipmuc will be raking leaves for senior citizens on Veteran's Day, Monday, November 11th.  Volunteer sign-up sheets are available in the office or in Sr. Soto's room 313.

Students who are interested in World Challenge to Costa Rica this coming summer should stop by Ms. Reardon's room to pick up an application.  All applications and deposits are due by October 31st to the World Challenge office.
 
Guidance Announcements
Admission representatives from the following colleges will hold Information Sessions at Nipmuc in October.  Please sign up in Guidance if you are interested in learning more about these colleges. 

• October 22:     University of Hartford School of Art
• October 23:     Mass College of Liberal Arts
• October 31:     University of New England

Juniors and Seniors:  Please mark your calendars for the Mini College Fair scheduled for Thursday, October 24^th from 9:30-10:15 in the Nipmuc  gym. 

A United States Army Recruiter will hold an information session in the guidance office on Tuesday, October 29^th at 10:30.  Sign up in guidance to learn what the Army can do for you!

Any junior or senior interested in taking the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) exam should sign up in the guidance office.  You do not have to be entering the military to take this career assessment.  If you have any questions, please contact your guidance counselor. 

All students are reminded to check out the guidance blog for an updated list of college open houses, college planning, SAT and ACT information and scholarships.

Athletic Announcements
A reminder to all fall athletes - yearbook pictures will be taken this Thursday, 10/24.  Times are posted on the board across from the AD's office.

 

 

 

NEASC Showcase of Model School Programs

Later today Nipmuc will have the opportunity to present at the NEASC Showcase of Model School Programs. This annual conference provides member schools of our accrediting organization - The New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) - a chance to share some of their successful practices. Through this conference NEASC is able to highlight the variety of approaches and programs that schools use in meeting the standards for accreditation.

I am excited that Nipmuc Regional has been asked to present at this year's conference, highlighting our recent work at providing heterogeneously grouped core classes to all of our students. During the presentation Mrs. Moran and I will be joined by Ms. Julie Ahmed-Jussaume, Ms. Jennifer Field, Ms. Courtney Henry, and Mr. Robert Messick. Together, we will share information about the four heterogeneously grouped core classes offered to freshmen and sophomores: 

• Communication and Literacy
• 21st Century Skills
• Ecology and Populations
• Fundamentals of Mathematics

We're looking forward to sharing the successes we have experienced, the challenges we've faced, and the strategies that support this research-based practice of untracked core courses. Additionally, we are thankful for the invitation to share this part of our journey with other schools. 

You can access today's presentation below:
(Please note that the presentation may not be visible on tablets or mobile devices.)

Presentation Materials:

Announcements - October 15 - 18, 2013

Morning Announcements

The next World Challenge trip is to Costa Rica in July 2014.  There will be an informational meeting for students and parents this Thursday, October 17th at 7 p.m. in the Nipmuc auditorium.  Please join us to find out more about this awesome opportunity.

Attention all students!  Please join us for a school-wide community service project.  Nipmuc will be raking leaves for senior citizens on Veteran's Day, Monday, November 11th.  Volunteer sign-up sheets are in the office and in Sr. Soto's room 313. 

Seniors planning on submitting a portfolio for National Honor Society, please remember the due date is October 23rd.  For all other candidates, your hours are due in December and portfolios will be due in January.  Check the NHS website for more details.

The Nipmuc school store now accepts debit and credit cards.

A collection box is set up in the office for unwanted Halloween costumes.

Guidance Announcements
 
Admission representatives from the following colleges will hold information sessions at Nipmuc in October:
·         October 18:     UMaine Farmington
·         October 22:     University of Hartford School of Art
·         October 23:     Mass College of Liberal Arts
·         October 31:     University of New England
Please sign up in Guidance if you are interested in learning more about these colleges. 

Juniors and Seniors:  Please mark your calendars for the Mini College Fair scheduled for Thursday, October 24^th from 9:30-10:15 in the Nipmuc gym. 

A United States Army Recruiter will hold an information session in the guidance office on Tuesday, October 29^th at 10:30.  Sign up in guidance to learn what the Army can do for you!

A Mendon resident is looking for a babysitter for two small girls two evenings a week.  More details about this part time opportunity are available in the guidance office. 

 

Women in Engineering Day at Northeastern University will be held on Friday, October 25^th.   To reserve a space, RSVP by October 18^th.  For more information pick up a flyer in the Guidance Office. 

Any junior or senior interested in taking the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) exam should sign up in the guidance office.  You do not have to be entering the military to take this career assessment.  If you have any questions, please contact your guidance counselor. 

AttentionSeniors:   Please stop by the guidance office to pick up a copy of your unofficial transcript.  Seniors are reminded to make an appointment with your guidance counselor ASAP if you are planning to apply early action or early decision to a college. 

All students are reminded to check out the guidance blog for an updated list of college open houses, college planning, SAT and ACT information and scholarships.

Professional Development - Curriculum and the Common Core

Many thanks to our curriculum director, Maureen Cohen, and the district's professional development committee for putting together a valuable day of professional learning activities. Throughout the day teachers in our district worked collaboratively on curriculum. Specifically, our work focused on curriculum mapping and meeting the needs of the Common Core State Standards Initiative.

The Common Core is a rigorous set of learning standards that was designed to ensure American students are learning and achieving at the highest levels. Forty-five states in the nation have adopted these standards, helping educators across the country to ensure similarly challenging learning experiences for their students. 

Massachusetts' schools adopt the Common Core initiative from a strong starting point. Our state curriculum frameworks already provide students with high quality education. Massachusetts' students continually achieve at the highest levels on rigorous standardized tests. For instance, in a recent international test, our eighth graders demonstrated the strength of our curriculum. On that test, if Massachusetts were a country, our students would rank second in the world in science and sixth in the world in mathematics.

As we work to implement the Common Core, our teachers will build off the strength of our current curriculum to provide learning experiences that fully prepare our students for the challenges of the 21st century. 

Announcements - Week of October 7 - 10, 2013

Morning Announcements

All seniors who are part of the STEM program should report to the PDC at 11:20 this morning (Wednesday, 10/09).

Please join us for a school-wide community service project!  Nipmuc will be raking leaves for senior citizens on Veteran's Day, Monday, November 11th.  Please sign up to volunteer in the office or in room 313. 

Art Club will meet today, 10/7, in Mr. Campbell's room 117.  Everyone is welcome to attend.

 

Do you have any unwanted Halloween costumes?  There is a donation box in the lobby.

 

Any Senior planning on submitting an portfolio for National Honor Society, please remember the due date is October 23rd.  For all other candidates, hours are not due until December and your portfolios will be due in January.  Check the NHS website for further details.

 

Guidance Announcements

Admission representatives from the following colleges will hold Information Sessions at Nipmuc in October:
October 10: College of St. Rose and Bentley University
October 15: East Carolina University
October 18: U Maine Farmington
October 22: University of Hartford School of Art
October 23: Mass College of Liberal Arts
October 31: University of New England
Please sign up in Guidance if you are interested in learning more about these colleges. 

A United States Army Recruiter will hold an information session in the guidance office on Tuesday, October 29^th at 10:30.  Sign up in guidance to learn what the Army can do for you!

Lampin Corporation in Uxbridge is looking for a part time office worker and a Mendon resident is looking for a babysitter for two small girls two evenings a week.  More details about these part time opportunities are available in the guidance office. 

Attention Juniors:  It is now time to register to take the PSAT scheduled for Wednesday, October 16^th at 7:30 a.m.  The registration fee for juniors is $25 cash or check made payable to Nipmuc Regional High School and deadline to register is Thursday, October 10. 

Women in Engineering Day at Northeastern University will be held on Friday, October 25.  To  reserve a space, RSVP by October 18^th.  For more information pick up a flyer in the Guidance Office. 

Any junior or senior interested in taking the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) exam should sign up in the guidance office.  You do not have to be entering the military to take this career assessment.  If you have any questions, please contact your guidance counselor. 

Attention Seniors:   Please stop by the guidance office to pick up a copy of your unofficial transcript.  Seniors are reminded to make an appointment with your guidance counselor ASAP if you are planning to apply early action or early decision to a college. 

All students are reminded to check out the guidance blog for an updated list of college open houses, college planning, SAT and ACT information and scholarships.

 

 

Scholarship Quote Essay Contest

At the beginning of the school year, Nipmuc Regional High School voted to commit itself to a set of core values and beliefs that guide the work, relationships, and responsibilities of everyone in our school community. These values – academics, respect, high expectations, and accountability – are posted in the lobby of the school. More importantly, they are evident in the work of our students and staff members.

In order to communicate these values, six quotations that represent these ideals have been posted in the halls of our school. Through the 2013-14 school year, we are asking students to share the spirit of these values by participating in an essay contest in which they will write about these quotations. This essay contest will be offered once per term. Each quarterly winner will receive a $50 scholarship, and an overall winner will be chosen at the end of the school year to receive an additional $200 scholarship.

Students are asked to write an essay in which they discuss one of the quotations posted in our halls and how it represents a core value at Nipmuc. Participants are encouraged to be specific in how they explain how the values detailed in the quotations are connected to life at Nipmuc.
 
The first submission deadline is October 28th by 2pm.

The Nipmuc core values are academics, respect, high expectations, and accountability.

The quotes that are posted in the academic wings of our building are as follows:

• "High achievement always takes place in the framework of high expectations." - Charles Kettering  
• "To be one, to be united is a great thing. But to respect the right to be different is maybe even  greater." - Bono
• "It is not only what we do, but also what we do not do, for which we are accountable." - Moliere 
• "The willingness to accept responsibility for one's own life is the source from which self respect springs." - Joan Didion 
• "In times of change, learners inherit the Earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped for a world that no longer exists." - Eric Hoffer
• "Remember that our nation's first great leaders were also our first great scholars." - John F. Kennedy

   Good luck, students. We can’t wait to read your essays!