Routines, Growth Mind-Set, Self-Regulation (Managing Cell Phone Use)
On Tuesday, students participated in assemblies designed to review school routines and re-emphasize our growth mindset culture. One routine we focused on was our school cell phone policy. It is the school's expectation that cell phones will not be used during class time. To reinforce the "why" of this expectation, three students presented the impact of dialogues that took place in junior and senior ELA classes earlier this year using the texts Accountable and Atomic Habits. Our three presenters were Tyler Chorebanian, Gregory D'Ambrosio, and Emerson Leahy. They talked about their personal efforts to control cell phone use. Their stories ranged from journaling at night instead of scrolling to setting personal goals that limit the amount of time they spend on social media. The strategies they shared will help our school emphasize what it means to self-regulate so that we can all build stronger mechanisms of self-control and managing impulsivity, especially around our devices.
I also want to thank our Portsection fan leads, Drew Newman, Tyler Jay, Brian Lucey, Brendan Grossman, and Asher Kinsey. They also presented to all grade levels to reinforce sportsmanship at all of our events.
As a reminder, a conversation around the high school's cell phone policy took place during the October School Council meeting. Here is a link to read about what was discussed. Newburyport High School does not allow students to access cell phones during instructional time, but does allow students to use them during passing time and lunch. Be sure to review the meeting summary to learn more about what was discussed.
Disney Dreamers Academy: Congratulations to Maddie Jackman. She was recently selected as one of 100 teens in the country to attend the Disney Dreamers Academy. This was announced on Good Morning America last week.
Student Concerto Competition: Congratulations to Josh Burrell. He recently earned a placed finish at the Student Concerto Competition at Groton Hill Music Center. Playing with some of the best talent, his placement in the competition is quite an accomplishment.
Northeastern Districts and All State Chorus: Congratulations to Evan Lagueux. Not only will Evan participate in the Northeastern District Chorus, he recently auditioned for the All State Chorus and has earned a spot as a tenor. In the early spring, he will have the opportunity to sing at Symphony Hall. Another great accomplishment for our musicians.
USS Massachusetts Essay contest: You may have already read this in the Newburyport Daily News. Congratulations to Tommy Rich for winning the USS Massachusetts Essay contest. He will be invited to the commissioning ceremony of the USS Massachusetts in Boston and will have his essay framed and permanently installed within the submarine. You can read more about his accomplishments in the Daily News.
Thank you to the Red Cross Club for their work to raise money to donate to the Red Cross CA Fire Disaster Relief. The club would like to thank everyone who supported their cause. The Red Cross has mobilized thousands of disaster workers to support the wildfire victims and is moving truckloads of supplies like cots, blankets, food and water to be ready to support thousands of people in emergency shelters.
Our music program shined once again. On Wednesday, January 15, the 6-12 Music Program showcased their talent at the Nock Winter Concert. It was great to see the progression of skills, and all levels sounded awesome. I am very excited about the growth and energy that is taking place. I'd like to commend our students on the high quality performances they continue to provide and I want to give my heartfelt appreciation to their instructors, Steve Cohen, Brian Nickerson, Kathleen Sheperd, Risa Annicchiarico. Also, special thanks to Stephanie Phillips for her ongoing coordination of the k-12 music program.
Thank you to the students part of the Bring Change to Mind club. To help take the edge off of last week's assessments, they brought-in therapy dogs during the school lunch blocks over 2 days. This was a great way to promote mindfulness prior to the testing period. As a reminder, students are part of Bring Change to Mind design program to help destigmatize mental health.
Also, in the area of mental health, Morgan's Message sponsored Saturday night's hockey game against Triton. Congratulations to this group also on bringing awareness to mental health. Morgan's Message is similar to Bring Change to Mind but with an emphasis on the impact of sports on a student's mental health.
No different from the fall, the winter sports teams are all primed to extend their seasons into the postseason. Here are the current power rankings of our Boys and Girls Basketball and Hockey Teams. Both ski teams continue to rack up wins at Bradford. They are a young team, so we are primed for great seasons and championships to come. Last, our tradition of high placements on the track continues. Newburyport is definitely a running city, and our Clippers represent that to the max.
We also can't forget our swimmers and wrestlers. These 2 co-op teams have a large number of Clipper athletes. No different in year's past last, both the boys and girls swim teams are having a very strong season with girls already earning the CAL Kinney Title.
As for our wrestlers, be sure to take some time on Wednesday night and head over to City Hall where their next match will be hosted. This is an awesome venue. Last year's match did not disappoint, and I'm sure the same will be the case this year.
Alongside our athletics program, there are several competitive activities here at NHS. First, I want to highlight the Mock Trial team. Now three years into the program, they earned a great win against Hamilton-Wenham just over a week ago. Their research, preparation, and sharp presentation skills will take them a long way this season in their trials.
Other clubs who compete beyond the walls of NHS include our Slam Poetry Team, the Investment Club, Sailbot, Real. World Design Challenge, and our musicians. Also trying to make a comeback is Model UN. We have a group of students this year who have worked to bring back the club. Their competition will be in the spring.
Curious about how college admissions really work? Wondering what makes an application stand out? Join us for an engaging and insightful evening as Newburyport High School partners with Campus Bound by bringing you Mock Admissions: The Inside Look.
Date: Thursday, January 30, 2025
Time: 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Location: Zoom Link to Webinar
During this interactive session, you’ll:
- Explore the latest trends in College Admissions
- Learn how admissions officers evaluate applicants.
- Discover what matters most to decision-makers.
Together, we’ll review mock applications for three fictional students, giving you a behind the scenes look at how colleges make their decisions.
This event is perfect for students and families seeking clarity and confidence in the admissions process.
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.
