ABRPTSO
Weekly Chatter
AB Regional High School
February 6, 2022
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Table of Contents
- Calendar of Events
- Always. Moving. Forward.
- ABRPTSO Open Positions
- Principal Drop-In Zoom Meetings
- School Council Meeting
- Local Scholarship Information
- Upcoming Community Ed Programs
- Food & Personal Care Items Available at A-B
- Used Clothing Drive
- Annual Fund Drive for the ABRHS Community Service Program
- Project Graduation 2022: Bamboo is Officially a Tradition!
- Financial Literacy, & Self-Defense for Teens
- Looking for a New Volunteer Opportunity - Join the ABSAF
- Acton Memorial Library Programs
- Looking for a Mental Health Provider?
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Monday, February 7th - Early Release Day - Dismissal at 1:15
Wednesday, February 9th - School Council Meeting - 5:00 pm 115N
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Always. Moving. Forward.
With the New Year comes reflection on the year past; a year which a lot of us would like to forget. But the PTSO is looking forward: To warmer and longer days and to the scholarships for the class of 2022. With that comes our financial obligation. The PTSO hasn’t really fundraised for the past two years, but we still need your support to help students and their families by giving out these scholarships. Won’t you consider donating today? Please visit https://www.abrptso.org/donate to make your $50 donation. It would mean so much to help many at the ABRHS and RJ Grey as we try to give every student and staff something to make this year special. We wish you and yours the Happiest and Healthiest New Year!
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ABRPTSO Open Positions
We currently have positions available on the PTSO Board. We hope you will consider joining the team. The PTSO strives to provide opportunities for all the students/staff at the HS and JH through grants given to the schools. We support student groups and enjoy bringing cultural and motivational speakers/artists to the school.
- Chair of the ABRPTSO
- Newcomer Welcome for the JH
- 8th Grade Dance Committee Chair(s)
If you are interested in any of these positions, please email secretary@abrptso.org. You can read more about these positions here.
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Principal Drop-In Zoom Meetings
Principal Dean is offering optional Zoom meetings for parents to allow an opportunity to share thoughts in an open discussion on AB’s strengths and future opportunities. Please see the email that went to all families dated Tuesday, January 25th with dates, times, and Zoom links. If you cannot find the Zoom link, you can email lhurley@abschools.org.
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School Council Meeting
The next School Council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 9th. The School Council meeting is open to the general public. All School Council Meetings are held in Room 115N at 5:00 pm.
If you are interested in attending a meeting, please reach out to Lynn Hurley.
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Local Scholarship Information
In the upcoming two weeks seniors will receive information regarding our Local Scholarship Program in their English classes. The application for this program will be available for all seniors to fill out starting Wednesday, February 9th with a firm submission deadline of March 7th. We strongly encourage all seniors to participate in this program; a wide variety of scholarships are made available to our seniors every year from a wide variety of sponsors. We always strive to recognize as many members of the senior class as possible, but we can only do that for students who complete the application.
A separate email regarding the Blanchard Scholarship has been sent to all Boxborough seniors with directions for filling out the Blanchard Application. Please note: you will need to fill out both the Blanchard Application and the Local Scholarship Application to be considered for the Blanchard Scholarship. Students should have all information for both applications by February 9th.
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Upcoming Community Ed Programs
Community Ed is offering a myriad of teen and college prep courses this winter. 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.
American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI) Certification, February 18-21
This course will train you to teach a variety of water safety courses including the Basic Water Rescue and Personal Water Safety courses, six levels of Learn-to-Swim, three levels of Preschool Aquatics, and two levels of Parent and Child Aquatics. Course Code: WSIW22
Jumpstart: A College Admissions Primer, with Sue Wachter, Acton College Consulting, Tuesday, February 15
When do I begin thinking about college? How will the COVID Pandemic change the college admissions process? How do you tour a college during a pandemic? Are colleges still conducting interviews? Questions asked by many students and families during these uncertain times. Bring your questions to this interactive seminar, which will help organize and prioritize your college search and application process. Course Code: JUMPSTARTW22
US History AP/SATII Review Class, Sundays, 6-7 pm, February-April
Students will 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. For more information click on the Course Code: USHISTORYW22
SAT Bootcamp with Open Door Education, February 22-24
The perfect course to help your student prepare for the March SAT! For more information, click the Course Code: SATBOOTCAMPW22
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Food and Personal Care Items Available at A-B
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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Used Clothing Drive
The Korean Language Club is holding a used clothing drive to collect used winter clothes for the International Institute of New England to help refugees who have recently arrived from Afghanistan. Please have students donate gently used winter clothes to Room 102 East or in the drop-off boxes in the front lobby of the high school. We will accept children and baby clothes as well. We will accept the donations for two weeks from now until February 14, 2022.
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Annual Fund Drive for the ABRHS Community Service Program
Did you know that our students completed over 54,000 hours of volunteering during 2021? 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 support the program and our event traditions. Please click here to donate or visit this link for full details. Thank you for considering making a donation!
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Project Graduation 2022: Bamboo is Officially a Tradition!
Mark your calendars! Long-time Project Graduation supporters Bamboo, the delicious Westford spot for fine Asian cuisine and sushi, has once again agreed to donate a portion of its proceeds to our efforts. ALL day on Thursday, February 17—lunch AND dinner!—you can get fantastic food for your fam while supporting the Class of 2022! Stay tuned for all the details. And thanks for your continued support!
Jennifer Mabardy and Jennifer Philion
AB Project Graduation 2021 Co-Chairs
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Financial Literacy, & Self-Defense for Teens
Workers Way at Danny's Place - Financial Literacy for Teens
Join Danny’s Place Youth Services and Workers Credit Union for a special financial literacy program. These programs will cover the following topics: budgeting, saving, credit, college financing, banking, and charitable giving. This free program is for high school students in grades 9-12 who are interested in learning more about finances. The first session is Monday, February 28th at 5pm - learn more and sign up here: dannys-place.org/partners/workersway
Self-Defense Seminar for Teens with Concord Self-Defense Academy and Danny's Place
This hands-on seminar for teens is taught by Internationally Certified 5th Degree Black Belt Instructors from the Concord Self-Defense Academy. Participants will learn techniques and strategies to keep yourself safe, build confidence and power and more! Recommended for teens aged 14-18, this program includes a lot of partner-work so we encourage you to sign up with a friend! This one-night event is happening on March 9th at 7pm. Learn more and register here: dannys-place.org/partners/selfdefense
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Looking For A New Volunteer Opportunity....Join the ABSAF Board!
What is ABSAF?
ABSAF (Acton Boxborough Student Activities Fund) 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 pass 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.
ABSAF contributions support athletic teams (Junior High to Varsity), academic teams (Math Team, Science Team, Speech and Debate Team, and Academic Decathlon Team), performing arts groups (Band, Chorus, and Theater), and community service at ABRHS and RJ Grey. Some examples of how ABSAF funds have been used include: donations to Proscenium Circus (the High School Theatre group), purchase of band uniforms and instruments, new stage curtains and sound system for the Junior High, supplies and equipment for all athletic teams, study guides and league dues for academic teams, athletic uniforms, and transportation to events for all the groups mentioned above.
Come Join Our Board!
ABSAF board members meet the second Tuesday of each month at 7pm via Zoom (except June, July, and December). Active participation and ability to attend meetings and fundraisers are required of board members. The deadline for submission of nomination interest is February 27, 2022. If you are a student in grades 8, 9, or 10 are, able to make this two year commitment and are interested in the potential of being a board member, please click on this link: Acton Boxborough Student Activities Fund --Board Member Application (google.com) We are also looking to add adults to our board. If you are interested in joining, please fill out the application as well.
What do we expect from you?
Active participation and an ability to attend meetings and fundraisers is a requirement of being a board member. As a selected student board member, you will be asked to:
- Serve on the ABSAF board for 2 school year terms beginning May 2022 – May 2024
- Attend monthly meetings, approximately 1 hour in length, which are currently being held the 2nd Tuesday night of each month at 7:00pm (meetings are NOT held in June, July and December). If we meet in person, meeting are held in the library at RJ Grey Jr. High School.
- Participate in a two-night phonathon each October, where AB students call Acton and Boxborough families to solicit donations and pass sales.
- Volunteer at a few events throughout the fall to represent ABSAF and to sell passes (i.e., back to school nights, AB Football games, AB Fall and/or Winter sports meeting/meet the team nights, etc.)
- Participate in fundraisers
- Participate in select ABSAF committees to increase awareness for ABSAF
The ABSAF Board will review all applications and notify you after we meet in April. Thank you for considering serving the AB community through the ABSAF Board!
If you would like to learn more about ABSAF and our membership, please visit us at www.absaf.net.
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Acton Memorial Library Programs
The Acton Memorial Library has several programs coming up (all free to participants) open to just teens, and some are open to 16+. See flyers below as well as links to register:
Creative Feast - Passionate Dishes for your Valentine
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Looking for a Mental Health Provider?
INTERFACE Referral Service is a mental health resource and referral Helpline that helps children, adults and families, in subscribing communities, become connected with mental health and wellness resources. Part of your ABRPTSO Membership Donation goes towards the funding of this service.
INTERFACE Referral Service looks forward to continuing to help residents of Acton & Boxborough find a successful match with an outpatient mental health provider in their area, who is able to see them at a convenient time, takes their insurance or meets their fee requirement, as well as meets their clinical needs.
Please call the William James College INTERFACE Helpline at 617-332-3666 Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM, for resource information and/or provider referrals from a mental health professional. Please also review the very extensive website at interface.williamjames.edu for additional information about the service, as well as resources on mental health and wellness across the lifespan.
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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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