Principal's Update 1/12/24
Early College Course
I am pleased to share with you that we will be offering Early College Intro to Special Education on site at Leominster High School for the Spring 2024 semester. Students should see their guidance counselor for information.
Seal of Biliteracy
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education offers an amazing program called the Seal of Biliteracy. The Seal is an additional endorsement on a student’s transcript and diploma that signals they have achieved proficiency in two languages. Students have to have earned a qualifying score on the Grade 10 ELA MCAS and on a test of foreign language proficiency to earn this. This is a great opportunity for students whose first language was not English as well as students who have excelled in learning a foreign language at LHS. A list of languages we offer is at https://avantassessment.com/languages, but if the language you speak is not on that list let me know ASAP and we can find other assessments for you.
LHS will be offering the foreign language proficiency tests the week of February 26th. If your student is interested have them fill out this google form: https://forms.gle/PojTmyRDzNaf9Ggh6
They must have earned a score of 472 or higher on the ELA MCAS to take the test. Students can check with guidance to see if they met the ELA score.
The deadline to sign up for this round of the test is January 19th, 2024.
Graduation
Parents/Guardians of Senior Class
Graduation is quickly approaching! One of the first things your student must do is order their cap and gown. The link has been provided below. DEADLINE IS JANUARY 22, 2023
You will notice there is more than one option to choose from. For graduation you need the basic; cap, gown and tassel (essential package). Any additional items are optional.
https://jostens.my.canva.site/leominster2024-gradpage
Blue Devil Spotlights
Two spotlights: Senior girls' ice hockey player Liliana Giannoni and senior boys basketball player Terrance McCormack:
https://bluedevilsportsspotlight.blogspot.com/2024/01/blue-devil-athlete-spotlight-terrance.html
https://bluedevilsportsspotlight.blogspot.com/2024/01/blue-devil-athlete-spotlight-liliana.html
MCAS Countdown!
The six days your student takes the MCAS are the six most important days of a student’s entire K-12 experience. Passing the MCAS is a requirement to get a diploma in Massachusetts. Students take the ELA MCAS in March of Grade 10, the Math MCAS in May of Grade 10, and the Biology MCAS in June of the year they take Biology, usually Grade 9.
MCAS is coming up fast. The ELA MCAS is in 73 days (not school days, calendar days!) The Math MCAS is in 129 days, and the Biology MCAS is in 143 days.
Articles of Interest
School Schedule next week: Shop Week A
Monday No School
Tuesday: Day 7
Wednesday: Day 1
Thursday: Day 2
Friday: Day 3
Next Week’s Athletic Schedule
https://arbiterlive.com/Teams?entityId=12673
Reminders:
After School Tutoring Center
LHS offers drop-in afterschool tutoring from 2:15 to 4:00 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Students can also be assigned to attend sessions if parents feel they need to catch up or get extra help. Spanish and/or Portuguese interpreters are available on particular days.
Scholarships
Google Classroom is now open with scholarships uploaded! Join the google classroom for scholarships. Check back often as new scholarships will be posted as they become available.
Copy the link below and paste it into your browser:
https://classroom.google.com/c/NjMxODM0Mzg4ODYz?cjc=2grufkm
When prompted use Class code: 2grufkm
Calling in a student absent
If your student is going to be absent please call the school at 978-534-7715. The absence line is option 1.
If you get an auto-call that your student is marked as absent and you think they are at school, don’t panic. Sometimes they accidentally get marked absent (especially with a sub) and sometimes they do cut class. Call the school and we will confirm they are not here.
Student Dismissals
If you need to dismiss your student you can send them to school with a note to bring to the office when they get to school. Your student will receive a pass to be dismissed and can just check out at the office when it is time for them to go. You won’t need to come into the school and it’s much faster than coming in to dismiss your student.
Joshua Romano
Principal
School Instagram at lhsbluedevilnation