ABRPTSO
Weekly Chatter
AB Regional High School
March 20, 2022
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Table of Contents
- Calendar of Events
- National Umbrella Month?
- Senior Community Service Day - Class of 2022
- Discovery Museum Scholarship - Juniors & Seniors!
- Starting the Conversation: College & Your Mental Health Webinar
- Course Scheduling for 2022-2023
- Spring Community Ed Programs
- Leadership Conference Opportunity for Sophomores
- Save the Date: Alumni Connections
- Parents Supporting Parents Groups
- Project Graduation 2022: Henna, Gift Cards & More!
- ABRHS Spring Concert
- Interact Club Pop-up Thrift Store
- Proscenium Circus
- Summer Jobs Board
- ABSAF Spring Fundraiser
- AB Food Pantry Outpost
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March 21st - Early Release Day - Dismissal at 1:15pm
Late Start Day for MCAS - March 22nd & 23rd Grade 10 arrive at regular start time, Grades 9, 11, 12 arrive at 11:00am
March 22nd - Alumni Connections 6:00pm
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National Umbrella Month?
Did you know that March is National Umbrella Month? Here are some wacky things to celebrate this month while we wait for all the potholes around town to be filled: March 1st was Mardi Gras; March 3rd - What If Cats and Dogs Had Opposable Thumbs Day! March 8th was Int’l Women’s Day - We can totally support that! March 9th: International Fanny Pack Day - So 90’s! March 13th: National Earmuff Day (does anyone still use those?) and of course, Daylight Savings Time. Hiss, we’re tired already! March 15th: The Ides of March, so keep your eye on your best friend ;-). March 16th: National Panda Day (We are totally behind Panda Day!); March 17th: Goes without saying Happy St. Patrick’s Day! March 18th: Full Worm Moon; March 21st: Absolutely Incredible Kid Day (We know a lot of those!); March 23rd: World Meteorological Day (In MA, wait a minute and the weather will change!); March 29th - 31st are known as the Borrowing Days. According to lore, the last three days of March have a reputation for being stormy. (One more large snowstorm, and we’re tempted to move out of state.) March 31st: World Backup Day (It’s your data, keep it safe!) When you finish celebrating your favorite panda or your favorite child, come join us for the ABRPTSO monthly meeting on April 12th at 7:00 PM at the High School, Room 115N. See you then!
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Senior Community Service Day - Class of 2022
On Friday, April 29th, the ABRHS Class of 2022 will hold the twenty-eighth annual Senior Community Service Day. On that day, you'll see all 450 seniors in matching t-shirts, raking, painting, cleaning and gardening at over 60 service projects. Senior Community Service Day builds strong bridges in the community as the seniors celebrate the end of senior year and every senior is invited to participate. The registration form has been emailed to the seniors, the deadline to sign up is March 23rd. Please contact Melissa Dempsey with questions at mdempsey@abschools.org
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Discovery Museum Scholarship
Discovery Museum announced the 2022 Discovery Museum Scholarship in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Museum. The program will award two $1,000 scholarships to high school juniors or seniors in MA.
All high school juniors and seniors residing in MA are eligible to apply. Award money can be used for any educational or developmental experience, such as college or trade school tuition, travel expenses to support an exciting volunteer opportunity, or costs to provide a learning experience for young children. Video or written applications are being accepted now at https://bit.ly/3hDXUnL and must be received by May 1, 2022. Recipients will be announced later this spring.
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Starting the Conversation: College and Your Mental Health Webinar - March 21
NAMI Central Middlesex will be presenting its annual college panel discussion, "Starting the Conversation: College and Your Mental Health Webinar" on March 21, 7:00-8:30 p.m.. This is our 9th year for this program and it has always been well-received. It will again be presented virtually. Our co-sponsors are Acton-Boxborough United Way and Mystic Valley Behavioral Health Coalition. Panelists will include college administrators, a youth counselor, and a student currently in college. Advanced Registration Required at namicentralmiddlesex.org.
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Course Scheduling for 2022-23
All students in grades 9, 10, and 11 are required to make their course selections for next year via the PowerSchool Parent Portal by Wednesday, March 23rd.
The Parent Portal will remain open for course selection for all grades until March 23rd. Once the portal closes for course selection, information related to course changes and corrections will be available on the portal. Students may see their counselor if they need assistance with the course selection process.
Documentation to help students with course selection can be found at the following links and on the ABRHS website:
After the portal closes for registration, students will be able to view their course selection on the portal. Student schedules will be available in mid to late August.
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Spring Community Ed Programs
Community Ed is offering a myriad of teen and college prep courses this winter and spring. 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.
Crossman Speed and Agility Clinic (Gr. 5-12), Sundays, April 24 - June 19
Crossman Speed and Agility is a program dedicated to FUNdamental skills that improve the athletic experience and performance of young athletes. Our goal is to help improve speed, agility, strength, and power, as well as proper running mechanics through drills and exercises that will eventually lead to success in sports. Course Code: CROSSMANSP22
SAT Bootcamp: Math, Tues-Thur, April 19-21 (Vacation Week)
The SAT Math section covers a wide range of content, and students need to be prepared to answer questions from across the full spectrum of math they have learned. In this class, we will review the content that students need to know, we will teach strategies that help students to answer even the most difficult questions, and we will prepare students to recognize common patterns in how the SAT attempts to create difficulty. Course Code: MATHSATSP22
SAT Bootcamp Reading/Writing, Tues-Thur, April 19-21 (Vacation Week)
The Reading section of the SAT is notoriously difficult, and the Writing section will put students' knowledge of grammar and punctuation to the test. Students will learn and practice effective and intuitive techniques for each type of reading passage, they will learn the essential punctuation rules and important patterns to look for, and they will learn to recognize and respond to all question types. Course Code: SATREADINGSP22
SAT Practice Test, Saturday, April 30
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: SATTESTSP22
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Leadership Conference Opportunity for Sophomores
Each year the Rotary Club invites sophomores to apply for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) conference, an exciting leadership opportunity available only to current sophomores, the Class of 2024. The application has been emailed to all sophomores. Additional information can be found at the AB Rotary Club Website. The applications are due on March 8th. Please contact the Rotary Club representative, Marianne Fleckner with any questions.
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Save the Date: Alumni Connections
On Tuesday, March 22nd at 6:00 p.m. the ABRHS Counseling Department will sponsor a panel of AB alumni who will speak about their paths to choosing majors and careers. The Alumni Connections program is aimed at students in grades 10 - 12 and their families. A Zoom link will be sent to students/parents/caregivers ahead of the event.
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Parents Supporting Parents Groups
Our district has enjoyed a 6-year partnership with the Brookline Center for Community Mental Health, which provides a host of mental health services for students and families, as well as education for parents, teachers, and staff. ABRSD has been a part of their Bridge for Youth in Transition (BRYT) Network which provides programs for teens reentering school following an extended mental health/health-related absence.
The BRYT Network also offers free weekly Parents Supporting Parents Groups open to any parent/caregiver in a school that belongs to the Network.
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Project Graduation 2022: Henna, Gift Cards, and More!
Project Graduation, the annual substance-free all-night party for all AB seniors, is funded almost exclusively through donations. Thank you so much to those who have already given via our parent donation letter! If you have not already done so, please consider making a donation back through the mail or on our website. It's a great feeling to be a part of keeping our community's kids safe on graduation night! In addition to our mailing, we have the following ongoing requests:
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Every year at the big event, our volunteers give out gift cards as prizes at the game and activity stations throughout the evening, and the kids love it. Would you like to donate? Complete this donation form, and the Gift Card Coordinator will be in touch.
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We are still looking to add some henna art to the Class of 2022's all-inclusive graduation celebration. 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. Thanks!
Jennifer Mabardy and Jennifer Philion
AB Project Graduation 2021 Co-Chairs
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ABRHS Spring Concert
To celebrate the fantastic community of student artists at ABRHS, this year’s spring concert, Colors of Spring, will be at the historic concert venue, Mechanics Hall in Worcester. Come enjoy the excitement as the ABRHS Music Ensembles return with a live performance on Tuesday, April 12 at 7 PM. Don’t miss this wonderful evening of music featuring our Concert Band, Chamber Choir, Madrigal Singers, Orchestra, Bella Voce, and Jazz Band. The evening will also feature works by students in the ABRHS Visual Arts Department.
Tickets are $15 and must be purchased in advance at www.universe.com/abrhsmusic. (ABSAF passes are not accepted at this fundraising event).
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Interact Club to host "Pop-Up Thrift Store"
Ready to get a head start on spring cleaning? The Interact Club will be collecting donations of clothing, shoes, and accessories from March 14th-25th in the lobby. These donations will be featured in our “Pop-up Thrift Store,” which students will be able to shop during April! All proceeds go to Dress For Success Boston and any excess clothes will be donated.
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Proscenium Circus
Tickets are now on sale for Proscenium Circus’ winter one-act play, The Importance of Being Earnest. Earnest will be performed at the ABRHS auditorium on Thursday March 24th as students prepare to travel for the METG Theatre Festival throughout the month. Tickets online at www.ABDrama.org.
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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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Great News!!!! ABSAF (Acton Boxborough Student Activity Fund) is kicking off a Spring Fundraiser!!!!!!!
Support ABSAF by purchasing an AB logo umbrella and beautiful pansies for the spring!
Spring Is Here.... Rain or Shine....Be prepared for Spring Season!
Everyone can stay dry with the signature Acton-Boxborough Logo Umbrella for $15, as well as purchase fun festive flowers to decorate your home with an 8 inch multi- colored pansies pot for $12- Purchase combinations of both to receive a discount!
Purchase an AB Umbrella and a POT OF PANSIES!
*All orders must be submitted by Sunday, March 27th- pick up your items on April 9th from 10am-1pm at the St. Elizabeth’s parking lot - 89 Arlington St, Acton
ABSAF is a non-profit organization led by adults and high school students board members.
The purpose of ABSAF is to raise money each year through ABSAF sales and donations. These funds are then donated to the Acton Boxborough Regional High School and RJ Grey Jr High to support performing arts groups, athletic teams, academic teams and community service efforts.
To learn more about ABSAF, please visit www.absaf.net. Thank you for your support!
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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. Kelly) 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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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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