Important Information for the Summer

Good afternoon, 

Congratulations to our students on successfully completing the 2013-14 school year! It’s been a pleasure to work with them throughout the year, and we are already looking forward to 2014-15. As we get ready for the summer, I wanted to share some key information that will be helpful to you this summer. 

Summer Reading: 

Please be aware that summer reading assignments are available on the Nipmuc Media Center webpage and the Principal’s Blog. These locations include links to grade-level summer assignments as well as Advanced Placement assignments. 

Summer Hours: 

From June 30 – July 11 the Nipmuc main office will be open for reduced hours, from 9am – 1pm. Beginning July 14 the office will re-open from 7:30am – 3:30pm, Monday – Friday. 

Guidance Department: 

The Nipmuc Guidance Department will close for the summer. However, counselors will be available on a series of Wednesdays during the summer to assist students and their families. Counselors will be available in their offices during regular school hours on the following dates: 

July 9, 16, 23, & 30

August 6

Counselors return to the guidance office for regular hours on August 18. 

iPad Distribution: 

Students who are participating in Options 2-6 (view options here) of the 1:1 learning program will be able to set-up their iPads this summer during four sessions to be held in the Nipmuc auditorium. Please click the links below to sign up for these sessions. Attendance at each session will be limited to 100 students. 

August 7 @ 10am 

August 14 @ 10am

August 14 @ 1pm

August 21 @ 1pm 

An additional set-up training will be held on the first day of school for any students who were unable to attend any of these August sessions. 

Enjoy the summer!

Feature Friday: Nipmuc Junior & Boston Ballet School Participant Philip White

Throughout the year my "Feature Friday" posts have given me a chance to share the achievements, interests, and success of our students. In taking time to meet with the students I've featured, I've continually been amazed at what they have been able to accomplish. The final featured student of the 2013-14 school year is no exception. 

Junior Philip White is an elite ballet dancer and a member of the Boston Ballet School. His dedication to his craft stems from his "pursuit of perfection." As a participant in the Boston Ballet School, he trains six days per week, receiving training and direction from some of the world's best teachers and dancers. His skill and ability as a dancer have provided him the opportunity to travel across the country as well as to England where he will train with the Royal Ballet School this summer. He has a rare and impressive talent that I am proud to share with you today. 

Q: How did you become involved in ballet?

A: When I was 10 my mom suggested I take classes with a friend who was teaching at the Walnut Hill School, from there I joined their after school program and have been dancing since. 

Q: What has it been like to be part of the Boston Ballet School?
A: Overall it is demanding, but the purpose of the program is to prepare you for a professional career. Classes and rehearsals can run six or seven days a week so it does get strenuous but it is worth it. Stamina is a big part of ballet training and the schedule obviously focuses on that but classes like pilates help to balance things out. 

Q: What summer programs have you participated in? What are your plans for this summer?

A: I have been to Walnut Hill's summer program, Princeton American Repertory Ballet, and Miami City Ballet. This summer I will be going to Ballet Austin for three weeks and the Royal Ballet School in London for two weeks.

Q: What do you enjoy most about ballet?

A: I enjoy that ballet is a constant problem, it will never be perfect. There is only the idea of what a perfect position looks like but getting there is nearly impossible and this struggle keeps me determined.

Q: What are your plans for dance after your senior year?

A: I plan to dance in college as an activity but not as a major as many universities have great clubs and extracurriculars for dance.

Good luck, Philip, as you travel to Austin and London this summer!

Announcements June 16 - 20, 2014

Morning Announcements
Reminder to those who signed up for the Driver Education Class - Class begins tomorrow morning (Saturday, 6/21) at 8 a.m. in the Nipmuc auditorium.  Remember to bring a lunch and $5 for the driver education manual.

Golf Meeting in Mr. Connors' room 214 during G block today (Friday, 6/20).  All those interested, please stop by.

Please join us at Writers' Night II this Wednesday night, 6/18, from 6-8 p.m.  Come hear your fellow classmates present arguments, narratives, and creative writing in the Nipmuc Media Center.

Any students taking AP Physics next year - please meet at either break on Monday, 6/16, or Tuesday, 6/17, in Mr. Hall's room 338  to get summer work.

Attention to all students who played a sport or took a P.E. class this year - Locker rooms will be cleaned out this week.  Please be sure to remove all your belongings by the end of the day on Friday, 6/20.

Attention Sophomores - Students who have selected AP Language and Composition for grade 11 are asked to meet with Mr. Michael Clements (room 220) on Friday at either break to get their summer assignment.

Any student taking A.P. Literature Comp. next year - Please meet with Mrs. Kyrka and Mr. Evans at both breaks on Tuesday, 6/17.  Attend whichever break you are free.

Back by popular demand!  Tuesday is Sundae! Genuine Friendly's sundaes on sale in the cafeteria on Tuesday (6/17) for $2.00.  Proceeds to benefit the Opwall Dominica scientific research effort.

Attention all next year's VHS students - there will be a quick meeting on Monday, June 16th at the beginning of B block in the media center.

NHS members - Hours sheets for 2014-2015 are available in Mrs. Kyrka's room 217.  Completed hours sheets (also good to use for college applications) are also available.

Any current junior wishing to submit a portfolio as a senior to the National Honor Society for membership next year, please see Mrs. Kyrka ASAP.  Portfolios will be due in October.

Dairy Queen Fundraiser  - Monday, June 16th - at the Milford DQ.   Join us for a night filled with great food, and fun.  Contact Autumn Morrice with any questions.

Reminder to all students intending to play a fall sport - pick up your green cards now and start getting appropriate signatures as soon as possible.  Do not wait until the first day of practices!  Monday, August 18th for football and Thursday, August 21st for field hockey, golf, cross country, soccer and volleyball.  Any questions, see Mr. Leaver.

Any 9th grade girl interested in playing in the JV Summer Basketball League - please see Mrs. Grady in the office.

All Students - Please return any library materials you have borrowed to the media center by Tuesday, June 17th.  All public library materials are due by Tuesday, June 17th as well.

The Class of 2015 is still selling Nipmuc logo bracelets.  $20 each - please see Madi Neri or Sra. Soto.

Driver's Education Classroom Program begins June 21st.  The class will run for one week.  Please pick up an application in the office for details.  Please return the completed application with payment to the office.



Guidance Announcements
A small company in Upton that installs ponds, waterfalls, and patios is looking for a part time laborer with carpentry and good math skills.  Pay is $12-$13 per hour.  The worker must provide own transportation.  See Mrs. Moore in Guidance for more information.

An Upton resident is looking for students to do yard work.  Pay is $10/hour.  See Mrs. Moore in Guidance if you are interested in this opportunity.

Two after-school sitter positions are available for the fall.  For more information about these opportunities, please see Mrs. Moore in the guidance office.  An Upton resident is looking for a sitter during the summer (varied hours) for two boys.  More details are available in the guidance office.

Attention Juniors:  The Student College Planning Worksheet (yellow form) is now available.  Juniors should log into Naviance, click the "About Me" tab and survey can be found on the left side.  The survey must be completed by the end of the school year in order for your counselor to write your college letter of recommendation.  Please see your counselor if you have any questions.

Feature Friday: State Champ Kurt Robakiewicz

For most of Nipmuc's athletes the spring season comes to end just as our seniors are graduating. However, as we get ready for one of the final weekends of the school year, junior Kurt Robakiewicz is gearing up for his most important competition of the season. Last weekend Kurt earned a state championship in the triple jump by leaping more than 46 feet. This all-time best jump for Kurt not only crowned him as a state champ, but also gave him the opportunity to compete in the New England championships this weekend at Bridgewater State University. I had the chance to speak with Kurt to ask him about this awesome accomplishment. 

Q: How did you first become interested in triple jumping?

A: I first became interested in triple jump going into my sophomore outdoor track and field season for two reasons. First of all, because I planned to participate in the Decathlon which encompasses triple jump (at our age level and school division), and second because I have always enjoyed long jump and triple jump.  It is the same concept to jump as far as you can, so my jumping coach and ex-teammate Brendan Wood wanted me to try out triple jump. 

Q: What type of training do you participate in during the season and during the off-season?

A: For track, we practice every day after school for anywhere between 30 minutes to 2 hours; all of this depends on when our next meet is being held. As far as my personal training for triple jump, I vary my practices as well, usually focusing on primary parts of my jump on specific days when needed. I also do some weight training twice a week during season and three to four days a week with more intensity in the off-season. In the off-season, I also do some running here-and-there, but I'm usually playing soccer when I'm not doing track, so that keeps me in shape as well. In the summer, I also attend one or two track camps in order to refine and/or improve my jumping techniques.

Q: What was the most memorable part of competing in the state championship?

A: The most memorable part of the meet (if not the hot weather) was probably the feeling after I heard the distance of my furthest jump. It was a feeling that is hard to explain, but the best way for me to explain it is that I was just overwhelmed with joy at how I jumped.

Q: What are you most excited about as you prepare for the New England competition?

A: In regard to the upcoming New England meet, I am most excited for the competition as I am currently seeded first and the same guy I competed against in the All-State meet is seeded second, so I am excited to find out what the competition will be like.

Q: What are your future plans as a track athlete (senior year and beyond)? 

A: As I am only a Junior, I plan to continue Triple Jump as a senior next year as well as Long Jump, the 400m dash, and the 4x100m relay, all in which I usually compete during the regular season. Kevin Hack and I also plan to learn how to Pole Vault this summer in one of our track camps and we both plan to compete in one Pole Vault competition next year and be the first athletes from Nipmuc to ever compete in the Pole Vault. In college, I also plan to continue my jumping career as many of the coaches to which I have already spoken would be willing to have me compete on their track team. As far as after college, it would be a dream come true to compete in the Olympic Trials for Triple Jump and then go on to compete in the Olympics to represent our entire country, but as of now, I am just going to focus on making myself as good of an athlete as I can make myself.

Nipmuc STEM Scholars Program

We are thrilled to kick-off the second year of the Nipmuc STEM Scholars Program. This year the program graduated 37 students who are destined to make an impact in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Through this initiative Nipmuc built off of its academic strengths to provide workplace readiness training, to connect students to colleges & universities, and to provide connections to STEM professionals through career shadowing.

The students who participated in this group continually impressed us. Some of the highlights of the STEM Scholars experience are included in the presentation below. Additionally, you can view the video of this year's participants and their inspiring STEM goals.




Today we introduced the program and opened enrollment for the 2014-15 school year. Next year's juniors and seniors will have the chance to participate as STEM Scholars. The application for the Nipmuc STEM Scholars Program is below. All applications must be submitted by 2pm on June 19. Acceptances will be announced on June 23.




The Nipmuc STEM Scholars has been supported through a community-based board of advisors. Through their support we have been able to strengthen our curricular offerings and develop a program that extends our students' experience beyond the walls of Nipmuc. If you are a STEM professional and would like to be part of this advisory board, please contact me at jclements@mursd.org.

WPI STEM for District Leaders

Our district team is thrilled to be sharing our experience with WPI's STEM for District Leaders Program. Through this year-long effort we have collaborated across all schools and grade levels to develop a long-term STEM plan for our students.

You can access today's presentation below:

Announcements June 9-13, 2014

Morning Announcements
Attention all next year's VHS students - there will be a quick meeting on Monday, June 16th at the beginning of B block in the media center.

Attention to all students who played a sport or took a P.E. class this year - Locker rooms will be cleaned out next week.  Please be sure to remove all your belongings by the end of the day on Friday, 6/20.

NHS members - Hours sheets for 2014-2015 are available in Mrs. Kyrka's room 217.  Completed hours sheets (also good to use for college applications) are also available.

Any current junior wishing to submit a portfolio as a senior to the National Honor Society for membership next year, please see Mrs. Kyrka ASAP.  Portfolios will be due in October.

Back by popular demand!  Tuesday is Sundae! Genuine Friendly's sundaes on sale in the cafeteria on Tuesday (6/17) for $2.00.  Proceeds to benefit the Opwall Dominica scientific research effort.

DECA Double-Dare Design Contest!  The Nipmuc DECA E-board is holding 2 design contests at the same time! One contest is for new t-shirts that will be sold in the school store, and the second is a "Cookie Friday" logo that will be used in advertising the store's weekly cookie event.  We're asking everyone to try their hand at the contests.  As an incentive, we're throwing in a couple of rewards.  The winner of the T-shirt contest will receive the t-shirt they designed.  The winner of the Cookie Friday Logo Contest will receive free cookies on Cookie Friday for a month. Designs for both contests must be submitted to an art teacher by June 13th.

Reminder to all students intending to play a fall sport - pick up your green cards now and start getting appropriate signatures as soon as possible.  Do not wait until the first day of practices!  Monday, August 18th for football and Thursday, August 21st for field hockey, golf, cross country, soccer and volleyball.  Any questions, see Mr. Leaver.

Attention Sophomores - Students who have selected AP Language and Composition for grade 11 are asked to meet with Mr. Michael Clements (room 220) on Friday at either break to get their summer assignment.

Attention to all students planning to take AP Environmental Science next year - There will be a mandatory meeting in room 336 during either break on Friday, June 13th to discuss summer work.

All Students - Please return any library materials you have borrowed to the media center by Tuesday, June 17th.  All public library materials are due by Tuesday, June 17th as well.

Attention - anyone interested in running cross country next fall - Coach Auger will be at Nipmuc on Wednesday, 6/11 and Thursday, 6/12 during both breaks in room 144 to meet with you.

Cheerleading tryouts will be held Tuesday, 6/10 and Wednesday, 6/11 from 6-8 p.m. at Miscoe.

Registration for VHS classes for next year has been extended.  Any student wishing to take VHS classes, please see Mrs. Venkataraman in the media center ASAP.

Lindsay Bailey please see Mrs. Kyrka today (Monday, 6/9).

The Class of 2015 is still selling Nipmuc logo bracelets.  $20 each - please see Madi Neri or Sra. Soto.

Friendly's Ice Cream sundaes will be on sale during all lunches Tuesday, 6/10.  Sundaes are $2.  All proceeds go to the Opwall Dominica scientific research effort.

Any 9th grade girl interested in playing in the JV Summer Basketball League - please see Mrs. Grady in the office.

Class Elections are coming up!  Pick up a nomination form in the office if you want to run for class office, student council, or student advisory council.  Nomination forms are due by Friday, 6/13.  Speeches are Tuesday, June 17th and elections will be held on Wednesday, 6/18.  Contact Autumn Morrice with any questions. Good luck to all running! 

Driver's Education Classroom Program begins June 21st.  The class will run for one week.  Please pick up an application in the office for details.  Please return the completed application with payment to the office.

Dairy Queen Fundraiser sponsored by Nipmuc Student Council will be held Monday, June 16th at the Milford DQ.  Twenty-five percent of the proceeds will benefit StuCo.  Join us for a night filled with great food, and fun.  Contact Autumn Morrice with any questions.

Student Council Members - Mandatory StuCo meeting tonight - Monday, June 9th, from 6-8 p.m.  Please contact an Eboard member with questions.

Guidance Announcements
Two after-school sitter positions are available for the fall.  For more information about these opportunities, please see Mrs. Moore in the guidance office.  An Upton resident is looking for a sitter during the summer (varied hours) for two boys.  More details are available in the guidance office.

Attention Juniors:  The Student College Planning Worksheet (yellow form) is now available.  Juniors should log into Naviance, click the "About Me" tab and survey can be found on the left side.  The survey must be completed by the end of the school year in order for your counselor to write your college letter of recommendation.  Please see your counselor if you have any questions.

Feature Friday: "Like a good neighbor...Eli is there!"

From student council to the role played by class officers to National Honor Society, Nipmuc has a proud tradition of student leadership. Our student leaders have an important voice in running our school and impacting our community. I'm proud to say that from time to time our student leaders also expand their leadership contributions to the regional or state level. That is the case for junior Eli Tamagni who recently was elected President of the Central District Massachusetts' Association of Student Councils. In that role, Eli will have the chance to serve as a leader of leaders. He spread the word about his candidacy and leadership skills through his "Like a good neighbor, Eli is there!" campaign. As you will read in this week's feature, Eli is certainly a "good neighbor" for his fellow student council members. His tremendous enthusiasm for student council and passion for leadership will guide our region well.

Q: How did you first decide to run for President of the Central District Massachusetts’ Association of Student Councils?

A: This year I was a delegate on executive board for CDMASC, the Central District of Massachusetts Associations of Student Councils. This year has been one of the best of my life, a great deal for the reason that I was fortunate enough to be a member of this executive board. CDMASC is the largest of the four student council regions in Massachusetts, consisting of about 35 schools between the Worcester and Middlesex counties.  CDMASC and MASC have meant more to me than anything else I’ve crossed paths with in my life thus far, and I want to share this feeling and bring it to others who would enjoy it just as much as I do.  I want to inspire others to be the best leaders they can be through student council, and I felt that this was an incredible way for me to accomplish this, meanwhile having a tremendous amount of fun in the process.  They have become some of my best friends and greatest inspiration. To take all that I've learned this year to the next level, I decided to run for president of the organization. Running against two of my good friends, both of whom also happened to be members of the 2013-2014 board, was not easy, but we all knew that whoever came out victorious would do an incredible job. Hearing my name announced as the new president of CDMASC, I was more grateful and excited than ever. I have an amazing year ahead of me.  My campaign was a lot of work. My theme was "Like a good neighbor, Eli is there! Vote Eli for CDMASC President". I created t-shirts for my campaigners, constructed posters, and ordered hundreds of pairs of sunglasses to hand out with my slogan on the sides. I prepared a 3 minute speech to present in front of over 400 student council members, coming from schools all over central Massachusetts, CDMASC being the largest of four regions in the state.  The conference was held on Wednesday, April 16th at David Prouty High School in Spencer, MA. Student council has been the most important thing to me in high school, and I’m glad to be chosen to such a position of high importance. I cannot wait to inspire others to be better leaders themselves.

Q: What have you learned about leadership through your experience with student council?

A: Through student council I have most of all learned be a successful and effective leader.  I have attended various regional and state conferences in addition to charity events and even MASC Summer Camp, where I have made lifelong friendships with leaders around Massachusetts, allowing myself to grow in my leadership.  I will even be attending the NASC conference in Orlando, FL this summer, where I will expand my leadership to the National Association of Student Councils, consisting of all student councils in the United States.  CDMASC and MASC have meant more to me than anything I’ve experienced in high school and it has taught me to be a better version of myself.  By surrounding myself with such an incredible group of leaders, I am truly inspired to further myself as a person, for I feel like they are a second home, where I can be myself without a care in the world.  I have been taught valuable skills in leadership, all of which I love taking back to my own council at Nipmuc to share.

Q: What do you hope to achieve during your term as president?

A: As president it is my job to serve CDMASC as their leader and connection to MASC, the Massachusetts Association of Student Councils. In addition to being the head of the Central District's executive board, it is also my duty to serve as an officer on the MASC Executive Board, attending meetings throughout the year for both of them. As an officer on the MASC board, I look forward to standing on stage at MASC Summer Camp, the Annual State Conference at Hyannis, Officer Shop, the President’s Dinner, as well as working closely with both executive boards and creating best friendships. I would like to take CDMASC to the next level of leadership: such as participating in charity walks such as the annual Walk for Multiple Sclerosis, and the Color Run. I want to inspire my region to become a group of even better leaders, by showing them the way. I can say that I feel as if I have what it takes to do it, learning from my experience and peers on the 2013-2014 executive board. I can't wait for an amazing year of learning and leadership.  As president, I will help in planning events for CDMASC such as conferences, a dodgeball tournament, a charity dance, and laser tag.  My biggest goal is to inspire other Student Council leaders to be the best that they can be, and to show to them all the amazing things that come from it.

Q: What is most exciting to you about this leadership challenge?

A: The most exciting thing to me about this leadership challenge is being able to have such a committed group of students to lead and show the way, inspiring them to become the best they can be.  Being a leader gives you a kind of rush – standing in front of a wild crowd, doing good for your community, and having an amazing time doing it all.  That sense of accomplishment one feels after doing an act of kindness is indescribable.  It is my goal to spread that feeling to as many people possible.  I want to bring the wonder of MASC and CDMASC back to my own council, for I feel that getting them involved could only improve us as student council members.  Participants in these organizations feel as if they are a second home to them, and to that I absolutely agree.  These associations are not things that help people only in high school – they stick with you throughout the rest of your life.  I can say that I have changed as a person because of student council.  If it can happen to one person, I believe that anyone has the ability to become an amazing leader if they try.  I am truly inspired by my peers of student council, and I am greatly looking forward to leading them in a new year, for a new journey.

Eli Tamagni (far right) and his CDMASC
leadership board. 

Announcements June 2 - 6, 2014

Morning Announcements

Attention Nipmuc - Class elections are coming up.  Pick up a nomination form in the office starting Monday, June 9th.  If you're running for class office, student council, or student advisory council - nomination forms are due by the end of next week (6/13).  Speeches will be held on Tuesday, June 17th and elections will take place on Wednesday, June 18th.  Good luck to all running!  Any questions, please contact Autumn Morrice.

Any football players that would like to attend the Five Star Camp this Monday from 3:45 - 6:00 p.m..  Please pick up a form in the office.

Cheerleading Tryouts will be held next Tuesday, June 10, Wednesday, June 11, & Thursday, June 12 from 6-8 p.m. at Miscoe.

Attention STUCO Members - There will be a mandatory STUCO meeting on Monday, June 9th from 6-8 p.m.    Contact an E-board member with any questions.

Attention Nipmuc!  A Dairy Queen Fundraiser will be held on Mon
day, June 16th sponsored by the Student Council.  Come out for a night filled with great food and fun.  Contact Autumn Morrice with any questions. 

Friendly's Ice Cream Sundaes will be on sale during all lunches on Tuesday, June 10th.  Sundaes are $2.00.  All proceeds go to the Opwall Dominica scientific research effort.

The class of 2015's  Do or Dye Color Run is this Saturday, 6/7!  The pre-registration fee is $20 and $25 registration the day of the race.  The race is a 5K loop course held at Nipmuc.  Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the race will begin at 9:30 a.m.  Be sure to wear appropriate race attire and which t-shirt which will collect the color.  Please register ASAP!  Volunteers are also needed.  Contact Junior Lindsay Doyle or Sra. Soto for more information.

Any 9th grade girl interested in playing in the JV Summer Basketball League - please see Mrs. Grady in the office.

Registration for VHS classes for next year has been extended.  Any student wishing to take VHS classes please see Mrs. Venkataraman in the media center.

June Driver Education Classroom Program Applications are available in the office and on-line.  The class will be one week.  Please see application in the office for details.  Please return completed application with check to the office.

The class of 2015 is now selling Nipmuc bangle bracelets with the Nipmuc logo for $20 each.  Please see Sra. Soto in room 313.

Guidance Announcements
Two after school sitter positions are available for the fall.  For more information about these part time opportunities, please see Mrs. Moore in the guidance office.  An Upton resident is also looking for a sitter during the summer for two boys with varied hours.  More details are available in the guidance office.

Attention Juniors:  The Student College Planning Worksheet (yellow form) is now available.  Juniors should log into Naviance, click the "About Me" tab and survey can be found on the left side.  The survey must be completed by the end of the school year in order for your counselor to write your college letter of recommendation.  Please see your counselor if you have any questions.