Dracut Senior High School

DRACUT SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Issue 2
Dracut
Senior
High
School
World
Languages
Department
THE WORLD IS YOUR CLASSROOM
And The Candidates Are…
The Dracut Senior High School World
Languages Department is pleased to
announce this year’s candidates for
induction into the Sancho Panza chapter
of the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica and
the Jeanne D’Arc chapter of the Société
Honoraire de Français. This year’s
candidates are: Gabrielle Burgess,
Meredith Conroy, Peter Cutrumbes,
Sarah DeSouza, Nathan Dubuque, Emily
Kelliher, Krystal Mellonakos, Disha
Patel, Jessica Patenaude, Brittany
Petros, Kevin Sargent, Karina Shepard,
Joshua Thomas, Jessica Toupin,
Kimberly Truong, Meghan Wells, and
Gabriella Zabbo.
The Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica is
sponsored by the American Academy of
Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese.
The aim of this organization is to
promote linguistic and cultural
awareness as they relate to Spanishspeaking nations the Hispanic
community-at-large.
The Société Honoraire de Français is
sponsored by the American Academy of
Teachers of French. Their goal is to
promote linguistic and cultural
awareness and to forge international
friendships between francophone and
non-francophone nations.
In accordance with national, state, and
local regulations, candidates are
selected based on scholastic
achievement in Spanish and French and
participation in cultural events and
activities. In order to be considered for
membership, students must be enrolled
in the seventh semester of language
study. Further, students must maintain a
cumulative average of “A” (93% or
higher) for induction into either society.
No more than one “B” (83% or higher)
yearly average may be included in this
calculation. Transfer students may be
considered for membership, but only
after they have been enrolled at DHS for
one full semester.
This year’s induction will take place on
March 4, 2014 at 9am.
Issue Date
Société Honoraire de Français
Jessica Toupin, Meredith Conroy, and Disha Patel will be
inducted into the Jeanne D’Arc Chapter on March 4th.
Félicitacions!
Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica
Sancho Panza inductees include: Gabbie Burgess, Peter
Cutrumbes, Sarah DeSouza, Nathan Dubuque, Emily
Kelliher, Krystal Mellonakos, Jessica Patenaude,
Brittany Petros, Kevin Sargent, Karina Shepard, Joshua
Thomas, Kim Truong, Meghan Wells, and Gabbie
Zabbo. ¡Felicitaciones!
DRACUT SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL | Issue 2
2
Celebrate!
Foreign language classes celebrated the
holidays in style! Some classes held
individual celebrations, while others opted to
spread some holiday cheer throughout the
school. Below are just a few examples of our
holiday festivities.
Students in French and Spanish classes
expanded their knowledge of the holidays
through thematic units of study, video
presentations, and hands-on learning
activities. In Mrs. Lord’s classes, for example,
students learned about “Las Posadas”, a
Mexican celebration of the Christmas season.
Students watched a brief video on the
customs and traditions of this important
holiday season, followed by in-class
discussions and activities.
Mrs. Dugan’s students discovered that Santa
Claus is not a holiday tradition in Peru. In
fact, he is not allowed in the country! They
also learned that holiday ornaments are
hand-made from bread dough in Ecuador,
and that children in most Spanish-speaking
countries leave out shoes instead of
stockings.
In Mrs. Asimakopoulos’ classes, students
designed and built three-dimensional shoes
from paper and other materials. These shoes
were filled with treats on January 6th, the
traditional gift-giving day in many Spanishspeaking countries.
However, the fun did not stop there! Mrs.
Asimakopoulos and her students also
participated in the tradition of caroling
during the holiday season. Students learned
traditional holiday songs, or carols, in
Spanish and traveled to other classes to
serenade their peers.
Students in Spanish V Honors worked
collaboratively with students in the Life Skills
Program to celebrate the holiday season.
Students played holiday bingo, sang Spanish
carols, and learned about holiday traditions
from throughout Europe and Latin America.
DID YOU KNOW?
“Las Posadas” is a nine-day celebration that
begins on December 16th and concludes with
the Misa de Gallo (Midnight Mass) on
December 24th. Las posadas reenacts Mary
and Joseph’s search for lodging prior to the
birth of their son.
恭喜发财! Happy New Year!
Dracut Senior High School welcomed the
Year of the Horse with a spectacular schoolwide celebration. On January 30th, Mandarin
students and invited guests were treated to a
traditional Chinese Spring Festival
celebration, organized by Ms. Jinyun Chen.
The celebration began with a buffet of
Chinese-style foods, including fried rice,
noodles, and dumplings. Each group then
participated in the celebration in their own
unique way.
Several groups performed traditional
Chinese songs, including “The Moon
Represents My Heart”, and “A Beautiful
Jasmine Flower”. The singers were
accompanied by our very talented student
musicians: Tim Koufogazos on saxophone
and Salina Nop on violin.
In addition to food and music, students
enjoyed playing traditional Chinese games. A
crowd favorite was the shuttlecock game,
which can be played by individuals or groups.
Students used their athletic skill,
coordination, and a little bit of luck to keep
the shuttlecock in the air without using their
hands. Students also used their dramatic
skills to perform the “Little Men” dancing
show to the delight of their audience.
The celebration culminated in the traditional
dragon dance. Ms. Chen and her students
designed and constructed a 25-foot dragon.
The dragon, carried by our Mandarin student
dragon dancers, blessed classrooms and
offices throughout the school. As a result,
Dracut High School is ready for a year filled
with good luck and fortune!
DRACUT SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Issue 2
From the Classrooms…
In addition to studying holiday customs and traditions, Spanish, French,
and Mandarin Chinese classes engaged in a variety of exciting lessons
and activities during Quarter Two.
As part of their study of Mexico, Spanish I students designed
scrapbooks, depicting their adventures on a month-long “trip” south of
the border. Students researched famous Mexican landmarks, places of
interest, local foods, music, and other key Mexican information.
In Spanish II, students “interviewed” famous Hispanic singers, past and
present. In their interviews, students learned how some of their idols
became musicians, how they use their fame to improve their
communities, and who some of their biggest influences were. Students
presented their interviews in class at a Grammy-style event, complete
with posters, multimedia presentations, and music. Mrs. FeboMiranda’s students even had a chance to “strut their stuff” on the Red
Carpet!
Students in Spanish V Honors work with members
of the Life Skills program to construct paper
shoes for Three Kings Day.
Spanish III classes compared and contrasted the technological
advances from today with the recent and distant past. Focusing on the
country of Venezuela, students discussed how the need for and use of
petroleum has changed significantly over the past one hundred years.
Additionally, students researched how these changing needs and uses
have affected the water, wildlife and vegetation in this South American
country.
In Spanish IV, Mrs. Dugan’s students continued their study of Central
American history and literature. Together, students learned about
Turrialba, a famous volcano located in Costa Rica. Students read the
legend of Turrialba and discussed how tribes used legends to explain
the natural wonders they encountered in their daily lives.
Holiday carolers stroll through the language classes
at DHS, spreading culture and holiday cheer!
French students used their language skills to learn about a variety of
customs and traditions in China. Many students were surprised to note
that there are historic ties between French and Asian countries. This
helped to promote a rich discussion on cultural diversity and
francophone national histories.
Students studying Mandarin Chinese began learning about sports. This
unit will continue as the world turns its eyes toward Sochi and the 2014
Winter Olympic Games!
DID YOU KNOW?
Turrialba Volcano National Park is one of the most beautiful-yet least
visited-of all the Central American volcanoes? For more information on this
hidden gem, visit:
www.anywherecostarica.com/attractions/national-park/turrialba-volcano
FUN FACTS
Turrialba Volcano National Park, located a short
distance from San José in the Central Volcanic
Corridor.

Before automobiles were invented, native Venezuelans used
petroleum to coat their canoes. This resulted in a more
waterproof vessel.

Shakira released her first album in the early 1990’s. However, it
wasn’t until 1996 that she achieved notoriety in the music
industry with the release of her album “Pies Descalzos”

Shuttlecock, a common Chinese game, is similar to hacky sack.
In fact, students often stand in large circles and take turns
kicking the shuttlecock as high as possible.

French has been spoken in Vietnam for more than two
centuries.
DRACUT SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Issue 2