Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Good afternoon,

WHEW! We made it!  The last day of school for the school year 2019-2020! Unchartered waters for sure! We are awaiting guidance from Jeff Riley, the Commissioner of Education regarding the school year 2020-2021.  I will be sending out emails throughout the summer with updates as I receive them so please continue to look for my “Friday emails.”  Brick and mortar education, remote learning education or a hybrid model has all been discussed to date with no clear direction at this point.   Superintendent Olsen has created a Re-opening of School Task Committee and the planning process has begun.  

***Student Voice is IMPORTANT:  Please ask your student to complete the survey below by this Friday, June 19, 2020.***

The survey is anonymous, voluntary, and asks students about their remote learning experience; as well as how they managed their feelings during the school closure and remote learning. 

Survey Link: https://forms.gle/DcmFFREiVq1PWft39

Things you should know:

• Schedules have been shared, everything is subject to change based on guidelines from the State

• Book, other obligations and personal items for grades 9-11 will be kept in lockers for the summer, and students will have the opportunity to collect their personal items in the school year 2020-2021

(Please have your student keep ALL books and in their book bag for next fall.)

• Grades closed today at noon and the Parent/Student Portal will be open on Friday, June 19, 2020

• Junior Book Awards were shipped today.  If you have a junior student who received an award, it should arrive by U.S. Mail this week

• Grades 9-11 department awards will be sent home through the U.S. Mail the week of June 22, 2020

• Senior Academic Excellence Awards and Class Most Worthy Representative Awards will be handed out on August 7, 2020 at the graduation ceremony. Note: Grade 9-10-11 Most Worthy Representatives will be invited to attend the graduation ceremony.)

•  Required: AP Summer Assignments are designed to help you keep your skills fresh. In most cases, they include a review of prerequisite content and/or give you a preview of the foundational topics you will need to know in class. They may be graded and you may be tested on this material when school begins. Please refer to the Guidance Department

• Yearbooks will be distributed in the fall at some point, if your student ordered a 2019-2020 yearbook

Finally, I want to wish everyone a safe and healthy summer.  I have received numerous emails of support during this most difficult time and the energy that I garnered from each individual message helped me to power through leading a high school through such unprecedented times. Thank you to the parents and students that took the time to reach out to me along the way.  It meant more to me than you will ever know!  

It is my sincere hope that this awful virus continues to decline in the Commonwealth and that we are able to welcome our students back to school in the fall. I miss the hustle and bustle of the day and the “energy” that the students bring to our schoolhouse! Please stay healthy, stay safe, and stay strong this summer! 

This too shall pass!  

Enjoy the beautiful New England weather that we all cherish!

Respectfully, Jim Antonelli

Other Announcements: 

College Essay Writing Workshop:

Roudenbush Community Center is offering a College Essay Writing Workshop taught by WA English teacher Lynn Bonakdar and WA Guidance Counselor Tracy McLaughlin.  The course begins June 22 and will include remote instruction (three evenings), ongoing instructor feedback throughout the writing process, and one-on-one conferencing. For a full course description and to register, please visit Roundenbush's website: https://www.roudenbush.org/events/college-essay-writing-workshop-3.

SAT English Prep class:

Roudenbush Community Center is offering an online SAT English Prep class taught by WA English teachers Lynn Bonakdar and Emily Coates. The course will meet July 7th-9th from 5-7pm. For a full course description and to register, visit the Roudenbush website: https://www.roudenbush.org/events/sat-english-online-prep-course

HAPPY SUMMER!  :-)