LHS Principal's Update 2/24/25
District Calendar: Click here
School Instagram at lhsbluedevilnation
MCAS is Coming Up
So I know what you’re thinking: “what are you talking about MCAS for, you crazy man? That thing got voted away!”
Well yes and no.
Last November Massachusetts voted to eliminate the requirement to pass MCAS as a graduation requirement. By federal law, students still have to take an assessment of their skills, which is the MCAS, it just doesn’t determine whether or not they receive a diploma. LHS still has to have a high enough number of students take the MCAS to meet the requirements of the law, and the school itself still gets evaluated based on how well students do on the test. The MCAS is also still used to determine if students qualify for things like the Adams Scholarship, the Presidential Scholar Program, and the Massachusetts Seal of Bi-Literacy.
So the good news is that the MCAS should be a less stressful experience for students. The data collected from it will only be used to help us make education better, not to pass judgment on your students. And doing well on it can help them to get additional benefits.
The ELA MCAS will be taken by grade 10 students on March 25 and 26.
Course Selection
It’s time for students to choose their classes for next year!
We have a lot of information to help you to help your students make good choices for their classes. You can go to the school counseling department website to see the Program of Studies (that’s the course catalog), a presentation we did with students with different options at LHS, a FAQ for parents, and directions on how students will pick classes in Aspen.
Teachers will make recommendations for your student’s core classes (like their next English and Math classes). If you or your student disagree with the recommendations of the teacher, have your student discuss it with the teacher. In the end we will comply with the student’s wishes, but that conversation will help you know what your student may need to do to be successful at the next level.
Students will pick electives and other program offerings at LHS such as foreign language, the arts, and Early College. Remember that we do our best to put students in their top choices, but we can't always make things fit so make sure they have some alternate choices as well.
Students should select their classes by March 7.
ASVAB Test
The Armed Services Vocational Battery Career Exploration program (ASVAB CEP) is a multiple aptitude battery that measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational successes in the military. It is designed to help students make informed career decisions based on their skills and interests. The ASVAB CEP offers students a chance to explore all paths to careers - college, certifications, apprenticeships, licensure programs, and the Military - in one place
The ASVAB is being offered to juniors and seniors on Thursday, March 13th at 7:30 in the media center.
Please copy and paste the link below to register:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf86TSEjEGKUKGd5BiUDs2TNs8wIimNrICxBD7en0sb9x63vA/viewform?usp=dialog
Graduation. Seniors, order your cap and gown!
There are still a lot of students who have not stopped by the office to verify the spelling of their name for their diploma. It feels like it is a long way off but graduation will be here before you know it and it takes time to prepare diplomas! Check in with your senior to make sure they have verified their name with the office.
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 HAS BEEN EXTENDED BUT OVER 100 SENIORS HAVE STILL NOT 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/leominster-class-of-2025
Yearbooks
Students can order the 2025 yearbook! Deadline to order one is March 28, 2025. Use this link to buy yours:
https://www.buytheyearbook.com/en/
Attendance Data
Attendance is absolutely essential for academic success. Ideally, our attendance would be above 95% of students present every day.
Right now we are at around 91.7% for the year. Please make every effort to get your student to school as much as possible.
Attendance over the last 10 school days:
Grade 9: 90.6%
Grade 10: 90.1%
Grade 11: 90%
Grade 12: 88.5%
Substitute Teachers
LHS has need of a few people with a lot of patience and savviness to help us out as substitute teachers. Please email me if you are interested.
School Schedule next week: Shop Week B
Monday: Day 6
Tuesday: Day 7
Wednesday: Day 1
Thursday: Day 2
Friday: Day 3
Next Week’s Athletic Schedule
https://arbiterlive.com/Teams?entityId=12673
Reminders:
MCAS Update
The state department of education has published a Frequently Asked questions page to address the ballot question change to the MCAS. The page can be viewed at https://mcusercontent.com/d8f37d1a90dacd97f207f0b4a/files/8eaaf0b1-29d7-6ec7-18d3-a45618a560e4/DESE_CD_FAQ_updated_12_11_2024.pdf
To summarize, passing the MCAS test is no longer required for students to receive a diploma; instead they must meet the local graduation requirements, which can be found on page 15 in the LHS Student Handbook (https://www.leominsterps.org/schools/leominster-high-school/index).
In compliance with federal law, students will still take the MCAS, but do not need to pass it to graduate. Leominster High School itself will still be evaluated by the state based on MCAS scores. MCAS scores will also be used to determine eligibility for the Adams Scholarship, the Koplik Certificate of Mastery Award, and the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy, so there is still significant incentive for students to perform well on MCAS, without facing a negative impact if they do not pass the test.
Tutoring
LHS drop-in tutoring is on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays right after school in Room C221 and every day before school. Students can stop by for help with their classes or just a place to get homework done.
Transportation
This year we are continuing the use of the First View bus app. This user-friendly tool allows families to monitor school bus routes in real time. The link to instructions can be found on our website and Facebook page. The district code is T7G3. If you have questions or issues with buses, please email transportation@leominsterps.org. School bus routes are on the district website at https://www.leominsterps.org/.
Calling for student absences
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.
School Attendance:
It is essential for you to get your student to school as much as possible. I am compelled by law to work to get your student to school as often as possible. Absences are excused by a doctor or dentist’s note, court appearance, college visit, driving license appointment. Vacations are not excused absences.
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.
Please have the note state the time you need the student to leave, not the time of the appointment!
FAFSA/CCS Information
Attention College Bound seniors!
If you haven't heard, the 2025-2026 FAFSA will not officially open until December 1st this year. Make sure you create your studentaid.gov usernames between now and November so you're ready to go once it opens.
Don't forget the CSS Profile is required by MANY local colleges and is currently OPEN and ready to complete. Are you curious if a college on your list requires this form? Check here!
Have questions about completing the CSS Profile? Feel free to reach out to College Affordable via email at financialaid@collegeaffordable.org or call/text (781) 343 - 1941
Immigration Resources
The District has added a page of resources related to immigration.
Joshua Romano
Principal