May 10, 2001

Dear Parents, Guardians, Students, Faculty, Staff and Interested Others:

Can you believe that only 6 weeks remain of the 00-01 school year? Many events that signal the end of the school year are in the final planning stages and are listed below. I want to call your attention to two new items before I begin the calendar.

The MCAS test for grade 10 is scheduled for 4 days this year (in addition to the Long Composition, which has already occurred). Required preparatory work will begin on Monday, May 14 but the actual testing will begin on Tuesday, May 15 and continue through Friday, May 18. Sophomores will begin testing at about 7:50AM and continue to about 11:00AM each of these four days. Please note that the required time needed is substantially less than it has been in the past. In order to devote the appropriate attention and energy to this important task, we will delay the beginning of school for juniors and seniors ONLY until 10:55AM on each of these days. (All students in grade 9 and 10 will report to school at the normal time). At 10:55AM, juniors and seniors will report to homeroom and then begin an abbreviated day. We have surveyed students in these classes and have determined that the majority provide their own transportation to school on a regular basis. However, for those who use school transportation, we have made arrangements for bus pick-up beginning at about 10:30. Those involved will be given specific details of time and place for pick-up during this week. In addition, because of this adjusted bus schedule, we will not be running late buses Tuesday through Thursday.

One very important date we would like everyone to mark on their calendar is Monday, May 21. At 7:00PM, members of the Worcester County District Attorney's Office will present a program in the auditorium concerning the increased use of ecstasy and other designer drugs in the Blackstone Valley. This program is designed for parents, teachers and staff but students are invited to attend. Information concerning the signs and symptoms of use, the possible physical and emotional effects and other ramifications of use of these newly popular drugs will be provided. The program will be followed by a question and answer session.

Now to the calendar:

May 14 - 18 MCAS Testing 7:50 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
May 18 NHS Induction 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
May 21 Drug Assembly 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
June 1 Semi-Formal Dance 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
June 1 - 3 Senior Class Trip  
June 4 - 8 Senior Week  
June 9 Graduation Day 11:00 a.m.
June 19 Exams Begin Full Day
June 20 - 22 Exams Dismissal @ 11:00 a.m.
June 25 Last Day of School Dismissal @ 9:30 a.m.
  • Congratulations to all seniors for their success in college acceptances/military enlistment and career planning.
  • Juniors are reminded to visit colleges this summer. If you are taking SAT tests next October, register this summer. Visit the guidance web calendar for Open House and college tours.
  • Parents are reminded to e-mail counselors with questions and to refer to the planning calendar you received in the mail in reference to junior-senior year college planning.


Sincerely,

Mary E. Shimkus, Principal