There is a lot happening this month at Newburyport High School. I am using tonight's message to highlight important upcoming events and conversations that are taking place. Please see below for information in the following areas:

 

 

• January Events - Including Mid-Year Schedule + AD Community Interview (Thurs)
• School Council - Waiver Policy and Competency Determination Discussion (New MCAS Law)
• Recognitions
• Peace Education Program - 2nd Semester Course Opportunity

 

 

Have a great night and Go Clippers!

The screening team has selected four finalists to move onto the community interview phase of our search process. Our finalists are:

 

Aaron Abood - Currently at Winnacunnet High School

Steven Burndrett - Currently at Minnechaug Regional High School

Anna DeVitto - Currently at Fontbonne | Early College of Boston

Richard Pace - Currently at Newburyport High School

 

This Thursday from 6-8:00 PM at Newburyport High School there will be our Community Interview. Finalist applicants will rotate among four groups: students, parents/community members, coaches/teachers, athletics partners. Each group will have leads respective of the group who will ask questions to the candidates. After hearing responses from all finalists, attendees at the interview will complete a feedback form and provide a rating for each candidate. This information will then be passed on to the team responsible for making the final decision.

 

Thank you to the following members of the screening team. They were an amazing group to work with over the past week and a half.

 

Parents: Joe Devlin, Matt LaCava, Elizabeth Pahgian (All Athletics Boosters) and Dana Rimer

Coaches: Shawn Bleau, Shannon Haley, Meghan Marlar, Ben Smolski

Students: Rachel Casson and Bhavy Patel

Admn: Mike Testa

As with prior years, our students will participate in the End of Semester Week during which they will wrap up their first semester coursework. To accommodate for assessments and/or other course activities happening during this week, students will have an early release schedule all four days. Please see this link for the schedule.

 

Note that bus pick-up Jan. 21-24 will be at 12:45 PM. The early pick-up is for the high school only.

College Planning Night - Jan 23: 6:00 - 8:00 PM

 

Other February College and Career Center Dates to Know. See below.

 

Feb 4th or Thursday, Feb 27th at 2:05pm

To learn more about our Scholarship Program sign up for one of the following Scholarship Info Sessions. Use Enriching Students to register with Mr. Ribaudo-Smith. Sessions will be on Tuesday, Feb 4th or Thursday, Feb 27th at 2:05pm during both Clipper Blocks.

Saturday, February 8 - SAT Practice Exam

Register here: https://www.revolutionprep.com/partners/588

Our friends at Revolution Prep are supporting our families by offering a SAT experience that accurately reflects the official College Board test in format, user experience, adaptivity, and content. They have carefully modeled their testing experience after the official test, so that students feel confident in navigating the intricacies of the digital format—the closest experience to the real thing that you can get!

 

Thursday, February 13th, from 7:30am - 11:00am - ASVAB

The College and Career Center will be offering a Career Exploration Program Evaluation using the ASVAB Career Exploration Program. Students in grades 10, 11, and 12 are eligible to register for this Career Exploration Evaluation. Students will be given a designed post-secondary plan that meets their goals, abilities, and career aspirations for where they are currently in the process. Email Mr. Aaron Ribaudo Smith to register,

During the January School Council meeting, members reviewed and gave feedback around the updated Course Waiver Policy.

 

Additionally, the team engaged in conversation around the new law regarding MCAS as a graduation requirement. Local Districts will now be responsible to determine how students meet the Competency Determination in their 10th grade year. Please be sure to read the meeting summary to gain greater information about the conversation so far. The School Council will also work collaboratively with the School Committee to draft its Competency Determination proposal.

 

JANUARY 7TH, 2025 SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY

 

School Council Members

 

• Teacher Representatives: Chris Cain, Jaime Calisi, David Clay, Richard Pace
• Parent Representatives: Renee Ames, Amber Barbere, Jean Coffey, Erin Seaton
• Community Representative: Stacy Gijsbers (NYS)
• Student Representatives: Declan Hochheiser, Emerson Leahy, Rourke Lee, Priya Kaur

I'd like to commend the following students for serving as this year's Portrait of a Graduate ambassadors. During Friday's Staff Development Day, these students presented their educational journeys to the entire NPS faculty. By hearing what lessons have inspired them and how educators have impacted them, our teachers are able to better understand what they can do to make learning powerful.

 

Thank you to Alex Ames, Calleigh Curran, Colin Fuller, Ciara Geraghty, Cooper Grant, Brendan Grossman, Lizzy Homer, Charlotte Kealey, Sophie Lavallee, Emerson McCormick, Laney Pare, Theo Roberts.Kamilly Russi, Cedar Schumacher, Jose Velasquez-Perez, and Jalen Wise.

Way to go Aiya Al Khatib. Over the past month she has initiated a book drive to support the NEF sponsored book vending machines at the Bresnahan and Molin schools. With well over 400 books. Be sure to check out the recent article in the Newburyport Daily News to learn more about her endeavor.

The Peace Education Program is an innovative course designed to help you better understand yourself and discover your own potential for peace. It consists of videos and activities on 10 themes: Peace, Appreciation, Inner Strength, Self-Awareness, Clarity, Understanding, Dignity, Choice, Hope and Contentment.

 

The course is designed to help you experience your own inner resources. After viewing short videos, you will have time to engage in conversation and share insights with your peers.

 

There will be an introductory session on January 27 during Clipper Block starting promptly at 1:55 in the main office conference room. Students who successfully complete the course can earn 1.25 credits.

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 the take 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.