During the summer, several teachers participated in Course One - Introduction to Standards-Based Instruction: Mr. Christopher Morello, Mrs. Maggie Stormont, Mrs. Heather Dailey, Ms. Leah DiChiaro, Mr. George Head, Mrs. Otilia Nobrega, and Mr. Larry Filippelli. This three-day workshop was conducted at Scituate High School, and was made possible with Article 31 professional development funds. Also during the summer, three teachers participated in a RIDE Summer Institute for Scoring Student Writing Samples (Grade 11). Participants were Mrs. Heather Dailey, Mr. Christopher Morello, and Mrs. Amy Grundt. Teachers will be offered the opportunity to participate again this year.

Ms. Patricia Armitage and the mathematics department chair worked together to formulate a proposal/application for a grant from the Champlin Foundations. This year the Champlin Foundations made the grant proposal process competitive. Our proposal was focused on interdisciplinary use of technology in the Mathematics and Science departments. Thirty-eight applications were received by Champlin. Unfortunately, Scituate High School was not selected to continue in the process. 

 Bravo to Mr. David Lewis! Last year Mr. Lewis was selected as the Chepachet Grange Teacher-of-the-Year. He has just been named State Grange Teacher-of-the-Year!

Mr. David Lewis

Student Council conducted a Freshmen Welcome on September 7. Thirty-five freshmen participated. A variety of activities were conducted to focus students on leadership, communication, and the importance of working together. Student Council Advisor Mr. Christopher Morello, Mrs. Maggie Stormont, and Mrs. Heather Dailey served as chaperones. A cookout concluded the Welcome. That evening a Welcome Back Dance was held for all students and their guests. Over two hundred and thirty-five students attended. Chaperones were Principal David Light, Assistant Principal Patricia Hines, Mrs. Otilia Nobrega, Mrs. Donna Whitehead, Mrs. Deirdre Spadazzi, Ms. Leah DiChiaro, Mr. & Mrs. Michael Nehring, Mr. Christopher Morello, Mr. Scott Battey, Mr. Richard Bowes, and Mr. Nick Bousquet.

Congratulations to seniors Albert Fassbender and Meghan Donaldson. Albert was selected as a National Merit Semi-Finalist (one of 16,000 seniors nationwide), and Meghan was selected as a National Merit Commended Student (one of 34,000 seniors nationwide).

The events of September 11 have impacted our country and its people greatly. The events have stirred us to disbelief, anger, anxiety, and compassion. This senseless tragedy has brought us closer together as a country, and has made us more aware how precious life is. Our immediate response was to convene the crisis management team for both the high school and middle school. Collectively we mapped out how we would respond. Assemblies with students were conducted; a letter was sent home to parents; and a meeting with all teachers as one group was held. I'm very proud how the students, teachers, and staff of Scituate High School have pulled together to help one another during this anxious and uncertain time. The caring and compassion shown for people whom we have never met has been overwhelming.

A meeting for the parents of freshmen was conducted on September 13. Presenters included Principal David Light and Assistant Principal Patricia Hines; Mrs. Karen Kruth, Student Assistance Counselor; Mr. George Tracy, Grade 9 Guidance Counselor; Ms. Jean Angell, Athletic Director; Mr. Christopher Morello, Student Council Advisor; Mrs. Heather Dailey, National Honor Society Advisor, and Mrs. Joan Ricci, School Psychologist. Twenty-four parents attended this meeting. 

Congratulations also go out to seniors Jamie Johnston and Jessica Raimondi. Jamie and Jessica won the People’s Choice Award in the recent 2nd Street Painting Competition held in Providence.

Jessica and Jamie

Winner of People's Choice Award

Open House was held on September 25. Over two hundred and fifty parents were in attendance. I spent the evening visiting classrooms. I can't tell you how impressed I was with the student-centered, teacher presentations. Standards were explained, expectations clarified, a willingness to maintain communications with parents, and genuine concern for student achievement was expressed. During the evening members of Student Council and the National Honor Society served as student guides. They also distributed notices for Parents for Educational Pride and also gave parents a Parent Feedback Form. Each and every feedback form returned was very complimentary of the teachers and their presentations. Comments included "enthusiastic, energetic, and well-prepared teachers," "well organized," and "professional, positive attitudes of the teachers."

This year Scituate High School has four new class advisors. Ms. Abbie Groves will advise the freshmen; Mrs. Theresa Rescorl is the advisor to the sophomores; Ms. Leah DiChiaro will advise the juniors; and Mrs. Donna Whitehead and Mr. Scott Battey will co-advise the seniors. Starting this year, each advisor will follow his/her class through graduation.

Congratulations to junior Robert Gauvin, who was selected to the National FFA Chorus. Robert was one of one hundred FFA members nationwide to be selected.

Robert Gauvin

On October 5, all high school teachers participated in a teacher in-service day. The focus of the day was technology. There were two sessions of four workshops. The workshops were PowerPoint, Web Site Design, Electronic Gradebook, and Digital Camera/Adobe Software/Scanning. Each workshop was facilitated by two staff members. Several high school students were teacher assistants.

Congratulations

Mr. David Neves

Rhode Island Teacher-of-the-Year

November 1 Harvest Concert, 7:30 PM

November 5 Parents for Education Pride Meeting, 7:00 PM

School Report Night