ABRPTSO

Weekly Chatter

AB Regional High School

January 14, 2024

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Calendar of Events:

• Monday, January 15 - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No School
• Thursday, January 18 - Term 2 Ends
• Sunday, January 21 - AB’s Quiz Bowl Team Competition Taping at 11:00 am
• Thursday, January 25th - Alumni Connections Program, 6pm in Room 218E
• Monday, January 29th - Early Release, 1:15pm Dismissal 
• Wednesday, January 31st - School Council, 5-6pm ABRHS
• Monday, February 5th - Report Cards Issued
• Wednesday, February 7th - 8th Grade Parent Night, 6-7:30pm 
• Monday, February 12th - Early Release, 1:15pm Dismissal

Calendar: 2023-2024 School Calendar

As you are aware, issues have come up with the school budget. The ABRPTSO is here to guide you as to where to find the latest information. Not to persuade you one way or another. That is not our job. Every household can make up their own minds. Most of the information you will seek can be found on the ABRSD website https://www.abschools.org/ once it has been made available to parents/guardians. Let us not talk over the fence about what we have heard, hear the facts on the website. All we can hope for is that you be there for your kids. Ask about their day, ask about their after-school practice, club, their game, their successes. They notice when you are not there, so please be present. That is the best gift of all. Keep an eye out for our mailer requesting your $50 donation to support all the students at RJ Grey and at the High School. Our next ABRPTSO Meeting will be on Tuesday, January 16^th @ 7:00pm in Room 115N at the High School.

Project Graduation: New Year, New Web Site!

Drumroll please. Introducing our revamped, super-informative NEW WEB SITE! It's everything you need to know about our community-wide annual undertaking: a substance-free grad party for the WHOLE CLASS. Check it out right now, we'll wait.

...

Wasn't that exciting? Now you definitely want to pick out your volunteer role for the big night. We need all hands on deck to keep our kids safe on commencement night. Fill out this volunteer interest form to let us know how you can help. We promise you will have almost as much fun as the kids. And the way time flies, June 7 will be here before we know it!

Jennifer Martin and Julie Schwartz

AB Project Graduation 2024 Co-Chairs

abprojectgraduation@gmail.com

https://www.abprojectgrad.org

Seniors: Double Check Names for Diplomas

CLASS OF 2024: The list of names for seniors will be posted on Tuesday, January 16th on the bulletin board across from the Administration Office. Seniors are being asked to stop by and review their name to make sure it is correct. These names come directly from Power School and are what will be used for diplomas. If a student needs a change of some type, please see Ms. Tejeda in the Admin Office.  The deadline for changes will be Friday, February 2nd.

Save the date! Alumni Connections Program - January 25th

On Thursday, January 25th at 6:00pm, the ABRHS Counseling Department is sponsoring 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. This event will take place at ABRHS in room 218E (lecture hall). Questions? Please contact Lindsay Rosenman, Stephen Hitzrot, or Nikki Morrissey in the Counseling Department.

Student Handbook

The Student Handbook contains all policies, regulations, and practices that govern our school community and create an inclusive and respectful environment at ABRHS. All students must review and agree to the content in the Student Handbook.

Students and families are required to log into the PowerSchool Public Portal to confirm they have read and understood our handbook.

Please reference the Student Handbook (p. 48-55) for detailed information about excused and unexcused absences. 

Annual Fund Drive for the ABRHS Community Service Program

Did you know that our students completed over 70,000 hours of volunteering during 2023? Even though volunteering is not a graduation requirement, our students have made service a part of our school culture. Each year, ABRHS needs to raise funds to support our students and our annual events including Community Service Awards Night, Junior Class Raking Day and Senior Community Service Day. General donations in any amount are appreciated and will help us keep up our service traditions. Please click here to donate or visit this link for full details. Thank you for your support! 

ABRHS Makerspace

As we return to school please keep the ABRHS Makerspace in mind! One man's trash is another man's treasure, and we are happy to sift through your trash for our students to tinker, design, and create in the Makerspace!

The ABRHS Makerspace is seeking donations (click here to see requested items). If you want to donate any of the items listed or something you have that is not listed, please drop them off at the high school's main office. You may also leave them in the box outside of the high school's main entrance. Contact Megan McGrath at mmcgrath@abschools.org if you have any questions. Thank you!

Community Education

Pencils Down: Transitioning from the Paper SAT to the Digital SAT, Tuesday, 1/23 online

Did your student take a paper-based SAT, and now they are preparing for a digital SAT? If so, this is the perfect class to help them make a smooth transition and prepare for the new digital test.

US History AP Review Class, Sundays, 2/25-4/28

Join AB High School teachers, Mary Price Maddox and Maura Champigny for this class which will help students prepare for the AP and SATII in US History. Each week will cover, in chronological order, a specific time period from both USI and USII beginning with Colonial America and concluding with contemporary American history. Key terms and important figures, events, and concepts will be highlighted for each era with additional focus on major themes across history.

School Store

There are lots of things for sale at the school store - apparel, winter hats, school supplies, snacks, drinks and more! Students work at the store for community service hours and credit - feel free to visit us, right in the main lobby of the High School. Find us online to see what apparel we have available.

AB Quiz Bowl Team - Recording on Sunday, January 21 at 11 am.

The AB Quiz Bowl Team has qualified for Season 15 of the High School Quiz Show! Use this link to join the GBH Studios recording of their match against Littleton High School on Sunday, January 21 at 11 am. You will be able to cheer on the AB Quiz Bowl team during this match!

Revive Retreat for Teens - Weekly on Tuesdays from 5:30pm-7pm at Danny's Place



Join us for this free program to explore relaxing activity stations for teens. This drop-in program offers a welcoming space for young people to explore mindful activities including self expression, creativity, and further develop habits for well-being. Each week there will be a blend of activity stations focused on providing opportunities for teens to test out different approaches to well-being including: mandalas, zen-tools, arts-based expression activities, painting, drawing, crafting, mini-house making, STEM activities, aimed at helping you find your OWN way of relaxing using a blend of different modalities.

In this everything-is-optional drop-in program. We provide lightly structured time to focus on play and expression without creating another item on teens’ already maxed-out schedules.

Register here or email info@dannys-place.org with questions.

*Note: Although this program is “drop-in style,” registration is requested in advance for the full season BUT we know you may not be able to attend every week. Teens can register at the door if needed with a guardian.

Mosaic at Danny's Place - Weekly on Fridays from 4pm-5:30pm

Calling all junior high and high schoolers! We’re so excited to offer this new free drop-in space for LGBTQIA+ folks and their allies in grades 7-12. Mosaic provides a safe space for young people to connect, ask questions, and have fun. We welcome people of all identities, orientations, and backgrounds to join. Mosaic is a judgment free community that does not require any prior knowledge regarding LGBTQIA+ topics, and we understand that everyone coming in is on their own journey of acceptance and understanding. We invite you to add your unique personalities and experiences to the Mosaic of Danny’s Place!

Register here or email info@dannys-place.org with questions.

*Note: Although this program is “drop-in style,” registration is requested in advance. Teens can register at the door if needed with a guardian.

Trainings At Minuteman Technical Institute

Minuteman Technical Institute (MTI) in Lexington MA. is open to individuals 18 years of age or older who have earned a High School Diploma or equivalent. MTI offers the following training with many COST-FREE for Mass. residents, who meet the following criteria: unemployed, Middlesex County resident earning less than $63,900, and most recent high school graduates. Automotive Technology, Carpentry (pre-apprentice), Cosmetology, CNC Machine Operation, Facilities Management, Electricity, Plumbing Code and Welding.

Clubs & Activities

Would your student like to learn more about clubs and activities at AB?

To view the list of ABRHS Extracurricular Activities visit our website at this link. 

Do you have a job opening for an ABRHS High School Student?

If yes, we post openings to the student body.

Complete a job posting HERE

Would your student like to volunteer this winter?

There are many fun winter volunteer positions available including Danny’s Place, Household Goods, Special Olympics Ski and Snowboard Buddies and more! 

To view the list of volunteer opportunities, please visit this link. 

Academic Support Offered by Math, Science, & Social Studies Departments

The Math and Science departments at ABRHS are offering academic support/extra help after school! Please click here for detailed information regarding Math and Science.

For information about the Social Studies Academic Support (SSAS) click here.

Are you planning to move?

If you and your family are planning a move soon, please notify Mrs. Holden-Webber at pholdenwebber@abschools.org a week before the move to allow for the necessary documentation to be collected and a new bus route.

Community Coffee with Superintendent and School Committee Chair

Here is the zoom link.

The remaining schedule of Community Coffees is:

Tuesday, January 30; 7:00-8:00 pm (virtual); focus: School Resource Officer Program

Friday, March 15; 8:30-9:30 am (virtual); focus: open Q&A

Wednesday, May 8; 7:00-8:00 pm (virtual); focus: open Q&A

High School Directory



The NEW 2023-2024 High School online searchable Directory is ready! 

Log into your PowerSchool Portal. You can download, view/search, or print out your directory from the portal. Or do all 3 - it's FREE!! This is our gift to you from the ABRPTSO! Get them while they're hot!   

Senior parents: Please note that at the end of the school year this directory will be pulled down, so kindly download the directory, so you may use it even after this school year.

How to access the High School Student Directory:

Step 1: Log into your student's portal on PowerSchool at https://powerschool.abschools.org/public/      

Step 2: Click on your child's name on the top bar

Step 3: Then, click on the "Student Directory" in the left-hand menu (see picture HERE)

Step 4: On the page, click on "Click here to access the ABRHS Student Directory" (see picture HERE). The student directory opens in a separate tab.

Step 5: View, download or print your directory! Once downloaded to your computer or phone, it is easily accessible for search. If you prefer hard copies, you can print the downloaded file.