Hello Clippers Families,

First and foremost, I want to thank the students of the Red Cross Club and their advisor, Ms. Fallon for hosting yesterday's Veteran Panel Discussion and Reception for our students. I’m appreciative to all of the veteran speakers for taking time to help our students gain a deeper understanding around the purpose of Veterans Day while also allowing time for us to recognize and honor those who have provided service for our country.

Don't forget this weekend is the opening of the fall play, the Play That Goes Wrong. Curtain call is at 7:00 PM this Saturday and 2:00 PM on Sunday. Break a leg to all students part of the show. Also be sure to see the announcement section for information on the upcoming Art Auction on Dec. 7th. This event not only showcases our student artists but also supports the National Art Honor Society.

Please see below for updates in the following areas:

• Advisory
• Vocational Apprenticeship Hours
• Katie Greer - Social Media + Internet Safety Expert - Meets with Junior Class
• Social Media - Students Take Action
• Community Service
• Athletics
• October Clippers of the Month
• Announcements - Art Auction - Don't miss out on seeing our students' creations. - Dec 7

Over the past few years, our school improvement plan has guided us to develop an advisory program that allows our students to reflect on their future selves and provide them with time to develop flexible post-secondary plans. I want to thank all members of our School Council as well as participants in parent, student, and teacher panels over the past few years for guiding us in this direction.

Here is a summary of what students have worked on in their grade level advisories.

Freshmen continue to have support from our CLIPS Peer Mentors. CLIPS Peer Mentors design activities to help freshmen strengthen their connection to NHS and support our goal that all students have a sense of belonging at the high school.

Sophomore and Juniors are becoming familiar with School Links which as a post-secondary planning tool as well as a place for students to house their best work products across. Through School Links students will create a LinkedIn-like profile to support post-secondary planning and the application process. PSAT scores have been uploaded into School Links and students have participated in activities to understand the College Board reports and how they can use these to target areas for growth and explore career areas.

Seniors are in the process of finalizing post-secondary applications. We have many students who are applying to college as well as to career areas.

Through our relationship with the Peterson School and the state's Pathways program, we have more and more students preparing to go into vocational and technical careers after high school. As a result, we are seeking professionals who can support apprenticeship hours. Please see the note below for this information.

To support students who are currently taking courses in the trades, our college and career center is looking for certified electricians and plumbers to support apprenticeship hours for our students. Please contact our College and Career Counselor, Aaron Ribaudo-Smith if you have any connections that can help with this.

I'd like to commend our junior students for the work they have taken on around the book, Accountable. Many students have created action plans and reflections to promote healthier habits with their access to social media. One project designed by Cassidy Bolcome, Skyler Ikemoto, Rachel Casson, Drew Pavao, Charlotte Kealey connects students to mental health resources that reinforce self-regulation. These students plan to work with Bring Change to Mind and Morgan's Message, 2 groups that offer resources around mental health while also reinforcing resilience, to promote their message.

Today, Katie Greer spent the day with our juniors. Working with groups of about 40 students at a time, she helped them reflect on their social media habits while also learning of the dangers and legal implications that have resulted from inappropriate use of cellular devices. Her workshops today supported instruction and dialogues our teachers have facilitated with grade 11 students around the book, Accountable, by Daska Slater.

I want to extend thanks and appreciation to our English teachers and Lynne Cote for their planning to help us ensure students are exposed to education around their use of cellular devices. 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.

There are many opportunities for students to become involved in community service. Over the past week students supported events for the Newburyport Education Foundation and other organizations in the Newburyport area.. Participating in service activities is a great way to meet new people while supporting the community.

The Interact Club is our largest student organization with over 120 students. Students part of the club are regularly updated on service opportunities happening in the community. Volunteering is a great way to help out as well as meet new peers and build a sense of involvement.

Here is a link to upcoming service opportunities through the Interact Club.

Also don't forget that for every 75 hours of logged service, a student can earn 2.5 credits.

I want to congratulate all of our fall athletes for a tremendous season. Every team extended their play beyond the first round of their respective tournaments with football continuing this Friday at Shawsheen Technical High School. I also want to extend good luck to both our Boys and Girls Cross Country Teams who will participate in this weekend's State Championship race at Fort Devens.

Last, congratulations to the following student athletes who signed their letters of intent last night to the schools they have accepted.

• Reese Bromby - UMass Amherst - Lacrosse
• Lucy Buchmayr - Washington and Lee University - Track
• Edward Caron - St. Lawrence - Football
• Ciera Geraghty - Bates College - Field Hockey
• Alexis Greenblot - Marist University - Soccer
• Brian Lucey - St. Anslem - Lacrosse
• Evan Luekens - Roger Williams - Baseball
• Devin Stroope - US Naval Academy - Track

The following students have been recognized as Clippers of the Month. Accomplishments for these students range from embracing learning and demonstrating growth in the classroom as well as collaborating and persevering through difficult tasks in and out of the classroom.