ABRPTSO
Weekly Chatter
AB Regional High School
May 15, 2022
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Table of Contents
- Calendar of Events
- PTSO General Body Meeting, 5/17
- In. An. Instance.
- Project Graduation 2022: Please Volunteer (And Clambake & Ice Cream)
- Term 4 Interim Reports
- Volunteer Opportunities Fair
- ABRHS Madrigal Dinner
- Bystander Training
- Spring Community Ed Programs
- AB Food Pantry Outpost
- Calling all Douglas Alumni
- AP & SAT Prep
- Summer Jobs Board
- AB Cares Gun Buyback Program
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May 16th - Early Release
May 16th - Interims mailed Grade 9 - 11
May 17th - ABRPTSO Meeting 7:00pm
May 19th - Student Volunteer Fair
May 24 & 25 - Senior Chromebook Return Dates
May 27th - Senior's Last Day
May 27 & 28 - Madrigal Dinner
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PTSO General Body Meeting
May 17th, 7pm (room 115N, High School)
We hope you can join us at the next PTSO meeting on Tuesday, May 17th. We will be discussing the budget for 2022-2023 academic year. We also anticipate having many open positions on the Board. We hope you will be able to volunteer some of your time to help us support the students at the Junior High and High School.
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In. An. Instance.
“As you look back upon your life, the moments that stand out are the moments when you have done things for others.” -Anonymous
Seems like a fitting quote after seeing our Seniors volunteer all over the place doing community service. The school grounds look great, and it must warm your hearts to know that your work has brought such joy to so many. Thank you! Have you personally volunteered any of your time? Want to try to start off with something small, as simple as just listening? We can help. The ABRPTSO is always looking for ideas to help our students, staff, parents/guardians. We support you, but we need a little support sometime too. Why not check it out for yourself at our next meeting on Tuesday, May 17th in Room 115N at the High School. Meeting begins at 7pm. Hope to see you there!
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Project Graduation 2022: Please Volunteer (Also: CLAMBAKE AND ICE CREAM)
Just a few weeks to go until the Class of 2022 dons their caps and gowns. We've got a lot to cover, so let's get at it!
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Volunteers needed! Calling all parents of kids in lower grades: we need YOU to VOLUNTEER AT THE BIG PROJECT GRADUATION EVENT on Friday, June 3. Parents of seniors are not allowed to volunteer at Project Graduation. Someday, that will be you! But right now, you can pay it forward. We need YOUR help—as chaperones, food servers, and entertainment helpers—to run the all-night, substance-free party that all grads will enjoy and remember for the rest of their lives. Click through to the GIGANTIC PG2022 Main Event SignUpGenius today! It's so big because we need so much help. Thank you! We are still collecting gift cards to be handed out as prizes, which the kids love. Here is a separate SignUpGenius for gift card donations.
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Henna artist wanted! We're still on the hunt for a henna artist. If you are a parent with henna art skills and you'd like to volunteer your time at this year's event, please send us an email.
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Time to get tickets! We promise that Project Graduation is a night to remember! Seniors should purchase their tickets online at this link (which is also a button on our website). They cost $20; there will be tickets at the door for $25.
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Now for something completely different: A CLAMBAKE RAFFLE! Our pals at Twin Seafood in West Acton have cooked up an amazing treat. Head over to Twin and enter to win a DELICIOUS clambake for four, including four one-pound lobsters, steamers, clam chowder, corn on the cob, and coleslaw. Tickets are $10 and the drawing takes place Tuesday, May 31. Twin Seafood will donate the proceeds to Project Graduation!
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And just down the block from Twin Seafood is the fabulous locally-owned purveyor of homemade frozen goodness, West Side Creamery. They will generously donate 20% of their take on this Wednesday, May 18! YUM.
As always, thanks so much!
Jennifer Mabardy and Jennifer Philion
AB Project Graduation 2022 Co-Chairs
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Term 4 Interim Reports
Term 4 interim reports were emailed for seniors on Friday, April 29th, and will be emailed to Gr.9-11 parents/guardians and students on Thursday, May 12th. An interim report is sent at the midpoint of the term if a teacher has comments or concerns about a student's performance that they would like to share with parents/guardians. Not all students will receive an interim report.
Because interim reports are sent by email to the parent/guardian contacts listed on the Emergency Card Information screen on the parent portal, we encourage you to check the portal to verify that all parent/guardian email addresses are accurate (click here for directions).
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Volunteer Opportunities Fair Thursday, May 19
Is your student looking for a volunteer opportunity now or over the summer? Have them join us on Thursday, May 19th at the Volunteer Opportunities Fair, during all lunches in Student Center East. There will be a few representatives from local agencies, handouts, and over 50 volunteer organizations.
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ABRHS Madrigal Dinner
Hear ye, hear ye! Don't miss the 18th annual Madrigal Dinners on Friday, May 27 & Saturday, May 28. Enjoy a catered, four-course meal while our ABRHS Madrigal Singers recreate the romance of Renaissance Europe. Appearing in period costumes, the performers will serenade the audience with vocal, instrumental and comedic arts.
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BYSTANDER TRAINING
Thanks to a grant from Danny's Place Youth Services we are holding an Active Bystander Training at AB. This program will take place on Monday, May 16th (early release) from 1:45-4:15pm via Zoom. We are limited to the first 25 students who register at THIS LINK.
A bystander is a witness—someone who sees a harmful situation and has a choice to make: Do I do something? If so, what do I do?
Training Active Bystanders (TAB) helps participants recognize when they are bystanders, analyzes the situation in which they find themselves, and evaluate the consequences for everyone involved. The TAB curriculum heightens bystanders’ power. It teaches how bystanders can interrupt harm doing and generate positive actions by others. We emphasize that active bystandership does not mean aggression against the harm doer. It means taking responsible action to help people in need, instead of remaining passive and becoming complicit. TAB gives bystanders the competencies they need when they witness something they feel is unfair, or wrong, or troubling. When people have the tools to create justice in the moment of need, it can transform those who take the training, the trainers, and the community.
More information on TAB Training cab be found here:
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Spring Community Ed Programs
Community Ed is offering a myriad of teen and college prep courses this spring and summer. Visit our website or sign up for our email list to receive updates regarding new classes. You can reach our office at 978-266-2525 with questions or to register.
SAT ADVANCED Bootcamp, with Open Door Education, virtual 5/17-6/5
Intended for students who have previously scored at least 1300 on the SAT. During this 6-session class, students will focus on the most challenging question types, the most advanced content areas, and the most important strategies for high-scoring students. This class will cover all three sections of the SAT: Reading, Writing, and Math. Course Code: SATADVANCEDSP22
SAT Practice Test, Saturday, May 21 - In person at Concord Carlisle High School
This full-length practice SAT provides students with the opportunity to sit for a low-stakes test in a simulated Test Day environment. In addition to the valuable practice, students will comprehensive receive score reports that will help them to understand their test performance and make a well-informed decision as to whether the SAT or the ACT is a better fit for them. Course Code: SATTEST2SP22
Personal Statement Writing Lab with Amy Smalarz, Sundays, June 5th & 12th
Students will learn what a personal statement is (and what it isn’t…) and understand the process it takes to write one. Your college application essay is a chance to tell the admissions committee who you are and what is important to you. It needs to go beyond grades, test scores, and recommendations and be unique to you and your experiences. This writing lab will provide you with the tools do to this because, by the end of the class, students will have a final draft of their personal statements. Course Code: WRITINGLABSP22
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AB Food Pantry Outpost
Students in need of food or personal care items can access these items through the Food Pantry Outpost in the Counseling Center at no charge. Students can “shop” in the outpost in the Counseling Center (see Mrs. Holden-Webber) or submit this order form online and pick up bagged items in Counseling. Of course, all information and participation will be held in strict confidence. For more information on the Food Pantry Outpost, please contact Lindsay Rosenman or Elizabeth Warren in the Counseling Center. The Acton Food Pantry (including the Acton Community Supper) has been providing food assistance to residents of Acton and surrounding towns since 1984 and partnered with the high school in 2020 to provide in-school access to food pantry items.
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Calling All Douglas Elementary Alumni!
The C.T. Douglas Elementary School PTO is hosting a Farewell to Elm St Party on June 1st from 5pm-7pm. Our entire Douglas Community (alumni too!) is invited to party together and give Elm St. the send-off it deserves before we move over to the Boardwalk Campus. Picture warm weather, food trucks (BYO option too), yard games and just plain hanging out with people…it’s going to be FUN! *Held rain or shine
RSVP HERE by Sunday, May 15 as we need a headcount for our food trucks/vendors to prepare. Those who RSVP by the deadline will be entered into a gift card raffle announced at the party!
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Students can access PrepSTEP for free through the library website, and then sign-in with their abschools information to create personal accounts to track their progress. PrepSTEP includes seven targeted learning centers containing practice tests, self-directed tutorials, e-books, articles and flashcards to help students:
- Score higher on ACT®, SAT® and AP® exams
- Improve core English, math, science and social studies skills
- Acquire basic computer skills
- Search for colleges
- Explore careers
- Prepare for the ASVAB
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Summer Jobs Board
If your student is looking for a summer job, several can be found at our Student Jobs Board. Please bookmark this page as new postings for current and summer opportunities come in regularly.
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AB Cares to host Safer Homes, Safer Community: A Community Gun Buyback program to be held Saturday, May 21st, 2022
Acton-Boxborough, Mass. – May 1, 2022 - AB Cares is once again partnering with the Acton and Boxborough Police Departments and the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office to host a gun buyback initiative on Saturday, May 21st at the St. Matthew’s Methodist Church located at 435 Central Street in Acton. The event will run from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Individuals turning in unwanted firearms are asked to transport them to the site unloaded and in the trunk of their car. Ammunition will be accepted as well. No ID required, no questions asked - and each person turning in a firearm will have the option of receiving a gift card to a local grocery store. All firearms and ammunition will be handled by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office and will be destroyed by the Massachusetts State Police.
This event was first held in 2021. While it was our community’s first gun buyback, the results exceeded our expectations, and those of the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office. We collected a total of 34 firearms and an assortment of ammunition last year. Many of those who turned in firearms expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to do so in a safe manner. In addition, most participants opted to “pay it forward” and donate their grocery gift cards to low-income residents of Acton and Boxborough, allowing us to not only take a step towards improving the safety of our community but help needy residents at the same time.
Gun violence is a leading cause of premature death in the U.S., causing more than 38,000 deaths and nearly 85,000 injuries each year. Gun violence is an epidemic, and public health measures such as gun buyback programs are necessary steps to help address this crisis.
“This event is incredibly timely; we know that mental health across the lifespan has suffered as a result of the pandemic; in fact, some now refer to the “dual pandemic” of suicide and COVID-19. AB Cares is committed to suicide prevention, and helping reduce the risk of suicide by firearms is a good place to start,” said Deborah Garfield, LICSW Director of The Eliot Center and member of the AB Cares coalition.
“We know that nearly 6 out of every 10 gun deaths in Massachusetts are suicides, and firearm is the most lethal mean of suicide, with 22% of all suicides by firearm. This event will provide residents the opportunity to safely, securely dispose of unwanted and unused firearms to make our homes and our communities safer by reducing the chance of accidental discharge, self-harm, and theft,” said Katie Neville, Acton-Boxborough United Way Communications Manager, and member of the AB Cares coalition.
“This event will allow individuals to discard unwanted firearms in a simple, non-judgmental way. It is a tremendous public safety initiative that could prevent unwanted guns from ending up in the hands of someone that may wish to do harm to themselves or others,” said Acton Police Sargent Scott Krug, member of AB Cares.
“The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office is glad to be assisting the Acton-Boxborough community and our law enforcement partners in this effort for a second year,” said Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian. “Providing residents the opportunity to safely, securely dispose of unwanted firearms makes our homes and our communities safer by reducing the chance of theft, self-harm and accidental discharge.”
The initiative is funded through the generosity of numerous organizations including Acton-Boxborough United Way, Danny’s Place Youth Services, Minuteman Senior Services, West Acton Baptist Church, Acton-Boxborough Regional School District and the towns of Acton and Boxborough. Many local organizations have also stepped up to support this event as partners, including the Acton and Boxborough Police Departments, the League of Women Voters – Acton Area, the Acton Council on Aging, NAMI Central Middlesex, the Boxborough Well-Being Committee, and St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church.
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AB Cares, a community-based collaborative, seeks to prevent suicide across the lifespan and support all who are impacted by suicide. AB Cares aims to support community-wide conversations, awareness, and connections across Acton and Boxborough in order to prevent suicide.
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The Weekly Chatter is distributed each Sunday. If you have a submission you'd like to include in the Chatter, please email it to chatter@abrptso.org by noon on Friday. The Chatter was created solely for the purpose of communicating school-related events, groups and forums to parents and students.
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