Principal's Update 1/19/24
No School Jan 24
Just a reminder that there will be no school for students on Wednesday, January 24th for staff professional development.
Graduation
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 AND LESS THAN HALF THE CLASS HAVE ORDERED THEIR CAP AND GOWN!
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
Handbook Changes
We have made a few updates to the Student Handbook which can be found on the LHS and CTEI websites.
Probably the biggest change is an update to our attendance policy to bring our practice in-line with guidelines from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Students who have more than 20 unexcused absences in a full-year course (or 10 in a half-year course starting with the new semester) will lose credit for the course and have to repeat it. Unexcused absences can be excused with doctor or dentist notes, court paperwork, driver’s test appointment letters, and college visits. Students can also make up unexcused absences, usually through Saturday Academy. Deans will reach out to students and families when they are approaching or have more than 20 unexcused absences.
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 66 days (not school days, calendar days!) The Math MCAS is in 122 days, and the Biology MCAS is in 136 days.
School Schedule next week: Shop Week B
Monday: Day 4
Tuesday: Day 5
Wednesday: No School
Thursday: Day 6
Friday: Day 7
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