Last week, the high school held its annual Showcase Night for middle school families. As this event has evolved over the years, more and more students have become involved. Last Thursday, we had close to 25% of our students volunteering at the event. On Friday, I addressed the school as the feedback from families who attended centered on how impressed they were with the professionalism displayed by our students. This was a great example of when we give our students opportunities to lead, they demonstrate their readiness to the highest level. I am extremely appreciative to be able to serve as our students' principal.

Another exciting example highlighting our students came recently from the Student Section Report which rates student fan sections. Newburyport's fan section was ranked 4th in Massachusetts. Our fan section has been exemplary throughout the fall season, demonstrating sportsmanship, inclusivity, and fun energy. I'd like to thank again Brendan Grossman, Tyler Jay, Asher Kinsey, Brian Lucy, and Drew Newman for taking on this year's role as Student Section Fan Leads. They have done an exemplary job.

If you have some time, in just over an hour, the NHS Performing Arts will present its Annual Winter Concert in our auditorium. Come on over to the high school to get into the festive spirit. The concert will start at 7:00 PM and will feature the NHS Band with the 8th grade band, NHS Orchestra, NHS Chorus, NHS Dance, Guitar Jam Rock Class and the Clippers Up Band.

Note that tonight's message emphasizes happenings around College and Career. Please see below for updates in the following areas:

• Environmental Open House - Dec 17 (service, internships, jobs in the environmental sector)
• Important College and Career Programs for Families to Register
• Spring Endicott College Course - Social Media: Theory and Practice
• USA Gap Year Fair at NHS - January 13
• Congratulations
• Student Happenings

Students will have the opportunity to participate in our annual Environmental Open House during Clipper Block on December 17th from 1:30-3:00pm. The event will include a series of short, meaningful talks from community leaders and industry experts, table discussions hosted by various organizations to discuss internship/service opportunities, career pathways, and networking opportunities for students. There will be ample project-based internships opportunities available for students that address real environmental challenges.

We are asking students to sign up beforehand using this link HERE. The open house will happen on December 17th during Clipper Block.

Thank you to Alliance of Climate and Environmental Stewards (ACES) for partnering with us to organize this event.

Our advisory program gives time for students to reflect on their future selves while working to develop flexible post-secondary plans. By the end of their junior year, It is our goal that students have developed a LinkedIn-like profile that not only supports their post-secondary planning but highlights themselves personally and as a learner.

There are 2 platforms students will be using for the above purpose. I am encouraging all parents to also register for these programs so that you can be in partnership with your student as they develop and evolve their profile and planning across their time at NHS.

2 Planning Programs Parents/Guardians Will Register For to Support Their Student

• School Links
• College Guidance Network

School Links is a post-secondary planning tool that allows students to house their best work products across their schooling. This resource also gives them a space to reflect on interests, learning and work experiences as a means to develop a flexible plan for after high school.

• For parents to register with School Links, please visit this page: School Links Overview and Student/Parent Login

College Guidance Network (CGN) provides students and families with resources surrounding the college and career search process. Students and parents can create a free account to access the following content: 1) Individualized student plan with a virtual librarian search assistant, 2) Year-round live access to experts: College & Career TV Channel (6-8 events per month during the school year), 3) CGN Library: Comprehensive resource library of content, 4) Customizable content to NHS's specific college planning content and events.

• For parents to register with the College Guidance Network, watch This video to create your account. When it asks for a student or parent pin, please use the following: Student PIN: 486966 || Parent PIN: 352380

Thanks to the support of the NEF, we are able to host 3 Endicott College courses a year. Courses are free and students only need to pay for the cost of books. This is a tremendous opportunity for our students to gain college and high school credit simultaneously.

The spring course is Social Media: Theory and Practice. This course offers a comprehensive overview of social media's role in society, employing a research-based approach to analyze the internet and digital communication technologies and their intersection with various facets of communication. Students will explore the historical, cultural, and theoretical dimensions of social media, while also evaluating effective strategies for its use. Additionally, participants will engage with social media platforms and take part in online communities. See the links below for registration information.

Spring Endicott College Course

• Endicott College Registration Form - Social Media
• Endicott College Transcript Request Form

With growing interest of students to explore taking a Gap Year before applying to college, NHS will host a regional fair on Monday, January 13th. The event will start with a speaker at 6:00 PM followed by the fair at 6:45 PM. The fair will allow students and families to learn about gap year options and connect with gap year program providers. USA Gap Year Fairs provide students and their families with broad exposure to gap year programs that encourage active learning through travel, cultural immersion, service, work experience, and mentorship. Opportunities for face-to-face conversations with gap year program providers, trip leaders, advisors, and alumni offer attendees a personal and individualized experience.

• To register for the FREE USA Gap Year Fair: https://www.gooverseas.com/gap-year/usa-fairs/schedule
• For more information on USA Gap Year Fairs, visit www.USAGapYearFairs.org or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Last week, Conner DeMann was awarded the US Marine Corps ROTC scholarship. This is a very impressive accomplishment as only a small percentage of applicants in our region are awarded this honor and scholarship. Way to go, Conner.

This past Saturday Night, the National Arts Honor Society hosted its annual Art Auction. Students and their advisors Ms. Hart, Ms. Rakoski, and Mr. Smith hosted a high quality event. Student and local artwork were on display and available to the highest bidder. The products created by our students are definitely of gallery quality.

The Art Honor Society has definitely been busy. Recently, students visited residents of the Atria Assisted Living Facility. They used their talents to create holiday cards to share with the residents. They visited Atria and spent an afternoon at Atria.

November was Native American Heritage Month. Students in the Global Citizenship Program participated and spoke at the Flag Raising Ceremony at city hall and held a workshop with story teller and historian Todd Warfield of the Pennacook tribe. At the workshop, participants learned about the history of our region before it was called Newburyport. To help raise awareness, beach stones painted with Native American symbols by the students can be found along the rail trail.

Newburyport Recreation and Youth Services is hosting a city wide talent show for all ages. You can sign up as a solo or group act- with any kind of talent- from music and singing to magic and comedy! Newburyport’s Got Talent. Sign-ups are now open until Dec 6th. The show is Saturday, Jan 25th. Information is available on the home emails and on the city website.”

DOWNLOAD THE NEW ARBITER SPORTS APP TO FOLLOW THE SCHEDULES AND STANDINGS OF OUR WINTER SPORTS TEAMS. THIS IS THE NEW SCHEDULING APP BEING USED ACROSS THE CAPE ANN LEAGUE.