Nipmuc Updates

Included below are some updates that went out in today’s AlertNow message.

Parent/Teacher Conferences:

On Wednesday (11/16) and Thursday (11/17) of this week we will hold parent/teacher conferences. Wednesday’s conferences will run from 12pm – 2pm and Thursday’s conferences will run from 6pm – 8pm. Please note that you do not need to set individual appointments to meet with teachers on those days. Teachers are available in their classrooms during each of the two-hour sessions. We look forward to seeing you on those days.

Author in Residence:

If you are attending conferences on Thursday evening, feel free to stop by the main lobby to visit with junior Christopher Leduc. Christopher recently published his first novel, The Orb. He will be displaying his book during conferences and will be available to discuss the process of writing the novel. The Orb can be purchased on the days of conferences or by checking www.TheAireaidLord.com.

Spring Volleyball Informational Meeting

As a reminder, on November 16 there will be an informational meeting for those interested in boys’ junior varsity volleyball. The meeting will provide information about this new team, athlete expectations, key spring dates, the season schedule, and expected fees. The meeting will take place at 6pm in the Nipmuc gym.

Faculty and Students Together/Celebration of Giving:

Nipmuc is preparing for its "Faculty and Students Together" or F.A.S.T events on Wednesday, November 23. F.A.S.T. is a day focused on school spirit and Nipmuc pride during which students in each class compete against other classes in activities and events. This year's F.A.S.T - which is run by Nipmuc's Student Council - will be the culminating event of the "Nipmuc Celebration of Giving." As part of the Celebration of Giving, the students have organized a number of community service events to be run by each class which will take place throughout the month of November.

Canned Food Drive: November 19, 2011

As part of the “Nipmuc Celebration of Giving” the school is holding a canned food drive on Saturday, November 19 at Nipmuc. The event will take place from 10am to 2pm in the courtyard behind the school. It will include fun-filled family activities, music, food, and more. Nipmuc will accept any type of nonperishable food donations. The students will be taking all the cans received to the Milford Food Pantry. The Nipmuc Student Council would officially like to invite the community to "join the craze of giving and kindness that the students are hoping to bring to the towns of Mendon and Upton while having fun at the same time."

Great Seasons

Congratulations to both varsity soccer teams on tremendous seasons. Unfortunately, both teams came up a bit short in today's district finals. The girls lost a hard-fought game against Auburn in overtime. The boys fell to top seed Groton-Dunstable.

Despite the losses, it's a huge accomplishment to have both teams playing for the district title. Congratulations on great seasons.

District Final Doubleheader

Good luck to Coach Cohen and Coach Leaver and our girls' and boys' soccer teams in their district final games this afternoon. I'm looking forward to a great afternoon of Nipmuc soccer!

Community Leaf Raking Project

Our leaf raking crew getting ready to
head out to the community.

"Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve."
 - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

As this year has started, I've often been asked about my new position and what part of my job I like the most. When asked about my new role, I'm never at a loss for words in sharing my excitement about the achievement of our students, the work of our teachers, or the strength of our art, music, and athletic programs. There are many aspects of our school that deserve recognition; however - as the quote above references - nothing is "greater" at Nipmuc Regional than the dedication of our students to giving back to the community.

On Friday morning, our students once again demonstrated this commitment to service by participating in a community leaf raking project to benefit the senior citizens of our communities. On an holiday morning when they could have been sleeping late or relaxing, a group of our students joined me at Nipmuc to be part of a service project that we hope to make an annual tradition.

After a rain soaked Thursday, we were hopeful to get some cooperation from the weather as we headed out to a number of homes in Mendon and Upton. Our students braved the cool temperatures and fought the wind as they made their way to the homes of our senior citizens. After splitting up into teams, they put their rakes, tarps, and leaf blowers to good use across our communities. Within a few hours, they were able to lend a helping hand and make a difference for a number of our seniors. The day provided another opportunity to see just what makes our kids so great to work with. 

Mrs. Moran and I would like to thank Mr. Mike Clements for all of his help in running the day. We'd also like to thank Jamie Gardner, Holly Whalen (Upton Senior Center) and Amy Wilson Kent (Mendon Senior Center) for their help in connecting us with senior citizens who could benefit from this service.

Check out some pictures from our day on the Nipmuc Regional High School Flickr page or on the slide show in this blog.

Leaf Raking Tomorrow!

With the weather for Friday looking cool but sunny, we will continue with our leaf raking project on Veteran's Day morning. I am so proud of the students who are volunteering on a holiday morning to dedicate their time to our senior citizens by cleaning up their yards and helping them get ready for the winter. Earlier this morning, I had the chance to speak with each of the senior citizens who will have their yards raked tomorrow. They are so thankful for the support of our students!

As a reminder, we will plan to meet at Nipmuc at 9am tomorrow in the school lobby. From Nipmuc, our teams will head out to our community members' homes to rake their leaves. Parents are encouraged to come into the school in the morning so they can get the address and directions to the home in order to pick up the students at the end of the project. We are hopeful that each yard will take no more than 60 - 90 minutes with everyone providing help.

If parents would like for their students to get rides with another adult or other students, they should be sure to have the student complete a transportation waiver. The waiver is included below and will be available in the school lobby tomorrow morning. I have also attached the informational sheet that was handed out to students yesterday afternoon.

Since our soccer teams will be competing in the afternoon in district semi-finals, we know that those players will not be able to participate in leaf raking. We are especially thankful for everyone else who will be able to lend a hand on Friday.

Anyone who would like to help out but who did not have a chance to sign up can feel free to arrive on Friday morning at 9am. Students and parents are welcome.

Thank you for your support of our community!