DUXBURY HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER NEWSLETTER September 17, 2018

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Benedict Kelley
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1 DUXBURY HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER NEWSLETTER September 17, Alden St., Duxbury, MA Web site: Follow us IMPORTANT DATES September METG State Play Auditions 3:00 October 1-3 DHS Musical Auditions 3:00 October 3rd DHS PTO 7pm Breakfast will be served in the cafe s for both the middle and high school. Breakfast will be available from 7:45am to 8:30am Reminder to check and renew your child s laptop insurance. The Worth Ave Group Insurance form to renew laptop insurance is available on our website. Dear Students, Teachers and Families, One of the most discussed topics over the last few years among students, parents and school staff at DHS and around the country has been the use and impact of vaping in young adults. The US Surgeon General has a very robust website about vaping ( and just last week, the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration declared youth vaping an epidemic. (USA Today, Jayne O Donnell, Published 9:44 a.m. ET Sept. 12, 2018 Updated 11:23 a.m. ET Sept. 13, 2018) In an effort to bring the most current information to parents of both Duxbury High School and Duxbury Middle School students, Mrs. McGuire and I would like to invite you to an informational presentation, The Truth About Vaping on Monday, October 15, 2018, in the Performing Arts Center. Ms. Traci Wojciechowski, the regional Director of Education at the Caron Treatment Centers will present the most up to date research on the effects and consequences of electronic vaping products in young adults. She will also share strategies to empower parents and community members when talking with young people and your children about these products. Ms. Wojciechowski is a very engaging and informative speaker who has presented to both parents and staff in Duxbury many times. At the conclusion of her program, we will display various types of vaporizers and vape accessories which have been confiscated at both the Middle and High Schools over the last few years. Although this program is intended for parents, students are certainly welcome. The DHS Parent Teacher Organization is having its annual membership drive. The DHS PTO supports all students at Duxbury High School through innovative Mini- Grant funding for teachers and by providing support in many volunteer roles throughout the school year. Already this year they have funded nearly $1000 in mini-grants, provided a welcome back lunch for teachers during convocation and have provided organizational and in person support to students having their school pictures taken over the last two days. As part of their membership drive, the PTO will hold a drawing for members to win one of two $50 gift certificate to the Winsor House or to the Oysterman. For just $25, you can become a member of the PTO and be part of the effort to make special experiences for students possible from LINK Day to Graduation. Please consider following them on to get information on meetings and volunteer opportunities. Please join at and any questions to duxhspto@gmail.com. The PTO would like to invite any interested parents to their next meeting on Wednesday, October 3, 2018, from 7-8PM in Room B103.

2 From the Guidance Office: Follow us on Twitter Updated website: Please be sure to check out the Guidance website under Student Services on the main high school page. We have been working hard to update it with information that will be helpful to you and your student. Parent feedback: We are hoping to get some information from parents about topics they would like to see presented and best times and format for this information. We will be ing out a quick survey later this week and hope that you can complete it so that we can plan. College Admissions Planning: The Guidance website has been updated with all information regarding the college application process for the class of Counselors will be presented to all seniors in ilab last Wednesday. The presentation is on the web. Counselors will be setting up on the spot college app help times during upcoming ilabs. These will be ed out to students. Save the date MEFA College Finanacing Seminar Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at 6:30pm. Parents of sophomores and juniors are invited to attend the MEFA College Admissions Seminar on December 4th at 6:30pm in the DHS Presentation Hall. Counselors will begin going into junior classrooms in late fall to discuss postsecondary options. There is a timeline for all grades in regards to the college process on the website. Juniors should plan to take the SAT or ACT at some point beginning in January a2019. Test dates are listed below. College Visits: Once again this year, representatives from various admissions offices will visit DHS. These visits will occur during the lunch block and students are welcome to stop by the tables, located on main st by the breadboard area, to speak with an admissions rep during their lunch period. The list of visits is available in Naviance by going to the colleges tab. It will also be available on the Guidance website. Check Naviance weekly as schools may change. PSAT: This year the PSAT will be offered on Saturday, October 13, Sophomores and Juniors are strongly encouraged to take this test. Students will need to sign up in Guidance with the registration form and their $25 payment in cash or check. The registration form, which can be found on the Guidance website, is due by Friday, September 28th. We are only able to accommodate the first 300 students that sign up so please do not delay. Students who believe they have accommodations such as extra time etc should see their counselor to ensure they will have these accommodations for the test. Communication with Guidance: Please note that counselors are busy meeting with students and families during the day. s and phone calls will be returned within hours. We appreciate your patience as this is a very busy time in Guidance. Remember that if it is an emergency please do not use as this often is not checked until the end of the day. If a student is having trouble getting an appointment with a counselor they should speak directly with that counselor so a time can be found. Upcoming SAT/ACT dates: Oct 6 SAT at DHS Oct 13 PSAT at DHS Oct 27 ACT at DHS Nov 3 SAT at DHS Dec 1 SAT at DHS Dec 8 ACT at DHS

The Truth About Vaping Community Presentation Monday October 15, 2018 at 6:30pm Duxbury Performing Arts Center (PAC) FREE and open to the public Caron Treatment Centers Education Alliance will

3 The Truth About Vaping Community Presentation Monday October 15, 2018 at 6:30pm Duxbury Performing Arts Center (PAC) FREE and open to the public Caron Treatment Centers Education Alliance will provide an educational presentation on vaping and e-cigarettes for parents/community members in Duxbury. This program is intended for an adult-audience. Vaping is a term introduced by the electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) industry to refer to any electronic vaporizer, also known as E-cigs, vapes, vape pens and E- hookahs. Though originally designed as harm reduction products for cigarette smokers, they have recently morphed into a trend that is becoming increasing popular with youth. This rise in use is of concern for health professionals, educators and parents; in part because of the common misconception that these products are harmless and because long-term consequences are still not known. Presentation Objectives: Provide information on the effects and consequences of electronic vaping products Empower parents and community members with effective communication skills when talking with young people about these products Review the importance of establishing clear rules and consequences at home regarding substance use Evaluate resiliency factors that help protect young people from substance use Provide local resources should community members require addiction support For questions or further information about this program, please contact: Sarah McGuire Principal Duxbury Middle School smcguire@duxbury.k12.ma.us James Donovan Principal Duxbury High School jimdonovan@duxbury.k12.ma.us ex. 4104

National Voter Registration Day Tuesday 09.25.

4 National Voter Registration Day Tuesday Register in September Vote in November Midterms on My Terms Duxbury Free Library September 25 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM Special Thanks to Our Sponsors: Supported by National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) National Association of State Election Directors (NASED) #NationalVoterRegistrationDay NatlVoterRegDay NationalVoterRegistrationDay.org

Upcoming Music Events DHS Chamber Singers & Wind Ensemble with Monte Sant'Angelo Mercy College Chorus & Band from Sydney, Australia Tuesday, October 2

Chorus their Concert students and our great program through becoming a member Tuesday, of the October Music Promoters.

5 Upcoming Music Events DHS Chamber Singers & Wind Ensemble with Monte Sant'Angelo Mercy College Chorus & Band from Sydney, Australia Tuesday, October 2 at 7:30pm DHS Fall Band Concert Tuesday, October 16 at 7:30pm DHS Fall String Concert Wednesday, October 17 at 7:30pm Parents DHS can Fall support Chorus their Concert students and our great program through becoming a member Tuesday, of the October Music Promoters. 30 at 7:30pm Membership supports instruments, instructor clinics, scholarships and initiatives throughout the year. For More Information, Visit

8 CLAY SOPER MEMORIAL FUND PRESENTS If They Had Known They had no idea that combining prescription drugs with alcohol could kill them or their friend. A Shaw and Nesson Production 2017

9 DHS PTO Membership Drive Join the DHS PTO by October 3rd and be entered to win a $50 gift certificate to the Winsor House or to the Oysterman! Membership is just $25. All current members are eligible to win. Get your school calendar before they sell out! Available at Westwinds Bookshop or on line at Print sets and digital version available DHS PTO Next meeting: Wednesday, October 3rd 7-8PM Room B103 Questions? duxhspto@gmail.com

South Shore Habitat for Humanity - Family Partnership Program Feinberg Bog Road Duxbury, MA These duplex style townhomes will have 2-bedrooms, 1.5 baths with approx. 1,200 sq. ft.

Monthly payments will include a condo fee Application Deadline has been extended to 4:00 PM on October 15, 2018 Size of Maximum Annual Individuals will be accepted in to the Habitat Family Household

10 South Shore Habitat for Humanity - Family Partnership Program Feinberg Bog Road Duxbury, MA These duplex style townhomes will have 2-bedrooms, 1.5 baths with approx. 1,200 sq. ft. 3 Low income homes will be available to qualified households earning no more than 60% of Area Median Income. The Purchase Price will be $160,000. Monthly payments will include a condo fee Application Deadline has been extended to 4:00 PM on October 15, 2018 Size of Maximum Annual Individuals will be accepted in to the Habitat Family Household Income Partnership Program based on the following guidelines: 1 $45,300 Ability to repay a low interest mortgage 2 $51,780 Minimum annual gross income of $37,000 3 $58,260 Annual maximum income not to exceed 60% of the 4 $64,680 Area Medium Income as determined by the Department 5 $69,900 of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) See *Subject to change Chart* annually Willingness to partner with South Shore Habitat, including sweat equity hours volunteering at events, ReStore and building a Habitat home Willingness to attend financial education workshops Level of housing need as determined by your current living conditions Qualified households who are approved for the Family Partnership Program will be eligible to apply for a low interest mortgage to purchase the homes in Duxbury. Households will be selected without respect to race, color, national origin, disability, age, ancestry, children, familial status, genetic information, marital status, public assistance recipiency, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran/military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. For More Information visit: or nbrowne@sshabitat.org or call x10 Applications are available for pick up at the Duxbury Library, SS Habitat ReStore in Hanover or downloaded from the website.

EMS Newsletter. As you read these resources I would encourage you to consider the following questions:

EMS Newsletter. As you read these resources I would encourage you to consider the following questions: EMS Newsletter October 19, 2018 Dear EMS Families, Today our faculty spent our in-service day with Joelle van Lent - a consultant working with us to consider how we Foster Resilient students. Joelle s