here - Lexington Public Schools
Transcription
here - Lexington Public Schools
Lexington High School January/February 2015 From the Principal A –Laura Lasa, Principal Dear Parents and Guardians, s I sit down to write the first newsletter that is accompanied by recent winter weather, I am reminded how the sparkle and glitter of a holiday season can lift my spirits amid the cold, rain, ice and snow. The month of December holds several cultural events or holidays, such as Bodhi Day, Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa, to name a few. Yet, no matter what we hold as our beliefs and/or celebrate at this time of year, the high school community remains unified in its commitment to awareness, tolerance and respect. I am grateful for the ways in which the school and the community work together to recognize, promote and celebrate various cultures, and I am equally proud of our collective efforts to place the human spirit above all else. On a daily basis, I am astounded by the capacity of our faculty, staff and students to do their best to appreciate similarities and differences, and to continuously grow as we foster relationships across this large campus. At times, each of us may stumble in our efforts to immediately recognize what another person is communicating, but I truly believe we are aware of the need to actively listen and understand to the best of our ability. As we know, teenagers are all about socialization; they live to connect with peers and they are earnest in their efforts to do so whenever possible. Given the rapid pace of the world today, and the high expectations we all have for academics and interpersonal conduct, it would be easy for students to ignore others and/or forget to be accepting. However, I believe our students get it right the majority of the time; they understand the value of relationships, appreciate differences at a mature level that contributes to a positive classroom environment and limited disciplinary situations at LHS, and they respond in a positive manner to adult intervention that is designed to promote growth and learning. The myriad of clubs Continued on page 2 Newsletter Volume 31, number 5 December Wednesday17Seasonal Concert II, aud, 7:30pm, jazz & choral Friday19 Chamber Orch. concert, 4-5:15 pm, aud, $5 and one can/box of food for the Lexington Food Pantry. Wednesday 24 No School till 1/5 January Thursday 8 8 Prof. Dev. half day; 11:15 dismissal Parent discussion group with Assoc. Prin. Murray, Library classroom, 7:45-8:30am 8 PTSA Forum, 7:30pm, Sci.Lec.Hall [p.3] Thursday 15 Incoming freshmen Parent Night, 7-8:30pm, aud Friday 16 End of Second Quarter Friday16 Jazz Nite II, Commons II, 7:30pm 16 NHS Talent Show, aud, 7 pm Monday 19 No School - Holiday Tuesday 20 Red Cross blood drive, gym, 8am-2:30pm Wednesday21All-Town Winter Band Fesitval I; aud; 7:30pm; $5; LHS, Dia., Estabrook, Hastings, Fiske; Snow date 1/29 Thursday22 All-Town Winter Band Fesitval II; aud; 7:30pm; $5; LHS, Clarke, Bowman, Harrington; Snow date 1/29 Saturday 24 SATs (at LHS) Monday 26 Q2 Report Cards open on Portal, 6pm Fri-Sat 30-31 Winterfest, Blackbox, 7-9:30pm; $5 February Wednesday4 All-Town Orch. Concert I, gym, 7:30pm, $5; Gr. 4 (Est. Fiske, Hast.), Gr. 6 Combined Dia Gr. 7/8, LHS Rep Orch, LHS Chamber Orch [snow2/9] Thursday5 All-Town Orch. Concert II, gym, 7:30pm, $5; Gr. 4 (Bow, Bri, Harr),Gr. 5-all, All-TownEle Orch, Clarke Gr. 7/8, LHS Symphony Orch [snow2/9] 5 Parent discussion group with Assoc. Prin. Murray, Library classroom, 7:45-8:30am Friday6 Improv Troupe Show, Blackbox, 7:30pm Wednesday11LHS Curriculum Night. 7-8:30pm, gym, aud. [Snow: 2/12] Mon-Fri 16-20 No School Wednesday 25 Spring Student-Athlete and Parent Sports Night; 6-7:30pm, aud, Commons I & II Friday 27 Career Day for sophomores, aud Continued on page 6 8 The calendar was compiled in mid December, and events are subject to change. Call the department involved for up-to-date information or go to <http://lps.lexingtonma.org/Page/10 >. Lexington High School Newsletter January/February 2015 From the Principal continued from page 1 that foster acts of kindness generosity and service to others are excellent examples of the ways in which our students and faculty attend to human needs; these organized activities are enhanced by so many affirmative personal interactions that occur on a daily basis. I am currently sitting in the lobby of a hotel in Tennessee, having just finished attending a conference, waiting to head to the airport; a line of five and six-year-olds on a school field trip are close by, mesmerized by the holiday decorations they have come to see; their excitement is palpable, and I have to admit, contagious. Squeals of laughter, giddy behavior, and constant smiles remind me how precious our future generation is. I hope we are always able to help our young children and young adults sustain a sense of wonder and hope, as well as a belief in the good that is all around us. On behalf of the high school community, I wish you the best as you celebrate your holiday season. Best Wishes, PHONE NUMBERS REFERENCE Principal Laura Lasa......861-2320, ext. 69103 Assoc. Principal John Murray.......................... .......................................861-2320, ext. 69102 Dean Nicole Canniff......861-2320, ext. 69332 Dean Kate Hermon........861-2320, ext. 69530 Dean Scott Kmack......... 861-2320, ext. 69111 Dean Jaffrie Perrotti.......861-2320, ext. 69720 For attendance, call the appropriate administrator for your child before 9:30 am on the day of the absence. Laura Lasa Principal Delayed Openings Due to Weather ONE-HOUR DELAY (all classes begin at 8:45) Monday........ Begin Tuesday........ Begin Wednesday... Begin Thursday...... Begin Friday. . ......... Begin at at at at at 8:45 8:45 8:45 8:45 8:45 with B1 with B2 with A3 with B3 with C4 block block block block block (no A1 block) (no D2 block) (no X block) (no C3 block) (no B4 block) TWO-HOUR DELAY (all classes begin at 9:45) Monday........ Begin Tuesday........ Begin Wednesday... Begin Thursday...... Begin Friday. . ......... Begin at at at at at 9:45 9:45 9:45 9:45 9:45 with with with with with C1 block (no A1 or B1) HOMEROOM (no D2 or B2 ) C2 block (no X or A3) HOMEROOM (no C3 or B3) D4 block (no B4 or C4) Newsletter Policy The Newsletter will print items directly related to the schools and their PTAs. This includes curricular, cocurricular, and extracurricular activities which are PTSA- or system-supported, and school-sanctioned projects. All articles are subject to editorial discretion. LHS homepage..http://lps.lexingtonma.org/ lexingtonhs PTSA website...http://lhsptsa.org/ School Committee email: [email protected] The Lexington High School Newsletter Editor Jean Cole email: [email protected] Next deadline: Friday, February 13, 2015 2 Lexington High School Newsletter PTSA News January/February 2015 Visit our website: www.LHSPTSA.org Thanks to ALL A s we approach the half way mark in the school year, we would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful LHS community including teachers, staff, administrators and LHS families for all your contributions to our school. Working together, we help keep LHS a dynamic, caring and successful community. We wish you a happy and healthy 2015 and look forward to all that the new year will bring our way! – Jen Vogelzang & Kara Brandes LHS/PTSA Co-Presidents Seeking PTSA Members for the Nominating Committee Vote will take place January 8 at PTSA Forum The PTSA is currently seeking three members to serve on our Nominating Committee to begin in January 2015. The purpose of this committee is to develop a diverse slate for the PTSA (President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer) and to present this slate to the membership in the spring. In addition, this committee works to help fill openings for PTSA Committee Chairpersons. The PTSA membership will take a vote to elect the Nominating Committee at our meeting on January 8 at 7:30 p.m. before the start of the PTSA Forum, “Life After LHS.” If you are interested in volunteering for this committee, please contact Jen Vogelzang <president@LHSPTSA. org>. Nominations can be made at any time before January 8 and we will take nominations from the floor that night before the vote. LHS/PTSA Forum Dates The LHS/PTSA will sponsor forums on four or five evenings from 7:30-9:00 p.m. over the course of the year for parents of High School students. Please send suggestions for topics or speakers to the co-chairs <[email protected]>. January Forum Thursday, January 8, 2015 Science Lecture Hall 7:30-9:00 PM “Life after LHS Graduation” A Panel of LHS Alumni Please join us to hear recent LHS alums who have pursued a variety of post-high school paths (four-year college, community college, gap year, work/vocation, etc.) as they candidly share their experiences, observations and suggestions. The panel will be comprised of recent graduates who, not too long ago, were thinking about their options and possibilities. Come meet them to hear first-hand how it has worked out, how LHS prepared them, and about the many roads that can lead to post-LHS success. Earn A+ Rewards with Our Holiday Grocery Shopping Are you a Stop & Shop card customer? While doing your holiday grocery shopping, make sure your Stop & Shop card is registered in the A+ Rewards program to earn cash for LHS! Participating shoppers will see Reward Points listed on each receipt. Register anytime during the month and all your purchases for that month will earn points! Points continue to accrue through March. Go to <www.stopandshop.com/aplus> to register your card for the A+ program. New this year: You will NOT have to re-register your Stop & Shop Card to support the same school or schools as last year. But be sure to check back when registration opens to verify your school designation. Any relative or friend who shops at Stop & Shop in any state is eligible to designate LHS as their A+ school. The Stop & Shop Corporation is giving away $2.5 million to schools–– please help us get our share! To register <www.stopandshop/aplus>: • First, enter our school ID (09208) or find Lexington in the drop down menu. • Then enter the 13 digit number on the back of your S&S card and the first three letters of your name. It’s that easy! If you run into a problem or want to do it over the phone, CALL 1-877275-2758. This does not affect gas points that you also earn from Stop & Shop. more PTSA news on page 6 3 Lexington High School Newsletter Performing Arts Department Northeastern District Senior Music Festival E ighty-six Lexington High School student musicians were selected to participate in the Massachusetts Northeastern District Senior Music Festival. After auditions of over 1100 students from more than 50 public and private schools held in November, 450 students from grades nine through 12 were selected to participate in this prestigious Massachusetts Music Educators Association event. The program is offered by the MMEA as an enrichment opportunity providing a musical experience to talented young people. The students were selected to perform in the Senior District Concert Band, Orchestra, Chorus and Jazz Ensembles. They will rehearse with guest conductors and then perform in a concert to be held at Lowell High School in Lowell, MA on Saturday, January 10, 2015. Representing Lexington High School in the concert will be: Band Arthur Abbate Joseph Blumberg Elias Carver Daniel Cherenson SungWoo Cho Minseong Cho Ben Choi John Guo Joshua Kim Jungwan Kim Allison Lee Ryan Lee Michelle Lim Harrison Liu Stephen Mock Joshua Park Mitchell Parus Hugo Phelps Natalie Ramesh Matan Silver Hannah Wang Rebecca Ye Sophia Zeng Rohan Zeng Victor Zhang Ada Zhu Abbie Zhuu Jazz Jeff Buchanan George Estey Hersh Gupta Sean Kim Brian Nam Sam Schultz Michael Wu Chorus Will Blumberg Katharine Courtemanche Vivek Gopalakrishnan Jongtae Jeon Yooni Park Mallika Purandare Peter Rowley Peter Sifre Aleesha (Zhiyu) Ye Orchestra Emma Atwood Corinne Auger Devin Bilge January/February 2015 12 LHS Musicians to Attend All Eastern Music Festival T welve LHS students have been accepted to the All-Eastern Festival in Providence, RI this coming spring. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is sending 80 students, from 335 towns, and 15% of those students are from the Lexington Public schools music program. This is the largest representation of any school system in the entire Eastern Division. All-Eastern is the biennial follow-up to the All-State Festival. It includes all of the eastern states from Washington D.C. and north: Connecticut, Delaware, D.C., Europe, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. The students are: Daniel Katz - Orchestra - Trumpet III Joshua Kim - Band - Clarinet II Joseph Blumberg - Orchestra - Trumpet I Hersh Gupta - Jazz - Alto Saxophone I Karina Wen - Mixed Chorus - Alto I Katharine Courtamanche - Mixed Chorus - Alto I Shai Dinnar - Treble Chorus - Alto II Meena Chakraborty - Mixed Chorus - Alto I Jueun Lee - Orchestra - Cello Emma Atwood - Orchestra - Violin II Grace Wu - Orchestra - Violin II Jae Kim - Orchestra - Cello The Friends of Lexington Music, Art and Drama Students, Inc. (FOLMADS) will provide 25% support to each of our 12 AllEastern students for the Concert/Conference in April of 2015. Catherine Cheng Julia Chiang Thomas Chin Jeana Choi Jeongwon Leah Choi Olivia Choi Emily Chuang Morgan Daciuk Julian Dong Angela Gong Luke He Valerie Hsieh Richard Huang Sophia Hwang Afareen Jaleel Daniel Katz Sam Keilar Albert Kim Jae Kim Richard Kuang Nick Lanich Jueun Lee Andrew Li Tevin Li Sarah Oh Sarah Park Danny Roh Minki Seo Ben Sheehan Olivia Sheena Jinyung Suh Minyung Suh David Tu Michael Tu Charlotte Wong Labow Grace Wu Michael Yang Maggie Zhang Emily Zhang Carol Zhu 4 Lexington High School Newsletter January/February 2015 Performing Arts Department Fine Arts Department Friday, January 16 Focus on the fine arts 3 T Jazz Nite II New feature: What’s in the Display Cases? 8 his month the entry-level display cases at LHS feature artwork by students in Rachel Durocher’s sculpture class and Damian Barneschi’s visual imaging classes. The colorful, large-scale sculptures, inspired by the eccentric “sound suits” of renowned visual and performing artist, Nick Cave, include: Giraffe by Jessica Wang, Fish by Eric Sirkovich, Dragon by Skylar Levey, and Octopus, a group project by Megan Lepore, Grace Murnaghan, Caroline Taylor and Nikita Selvan. The photographs by Colby Yee, Jazi Charbit and Rhiannon Flynn were created for a documentary photography assignment. Stop by the glass cases for a closer look! Commons II, LHS, 7:30 pm Wednesday, January 21 All-Town Winter Band Festival 1 featuring LHS, Diamond, Estabrook, Fiske & Hastings LHS Auditorium, 7:30pm 8 Thursday, January 22 All-Town Winter Band Festival 2 featuring LHS, Clarke, Bridge Bowman & Harrington LHS Auditorium, 7:30pm, Help the Lexington Food Pantry during the winter months and flu season. Bring personal hygiene products to the All-Town Winter Band Festival. The LFP welcomes soap, kleenex, hand sanitizer, moisturizer, shampoo and dental hygiene products. This event is coordinated by the LHS Concert Band. 8 Friday-Saturday, January 30-31 Winterfest presented by LHS Drama Department, Blackbox Theatre, LHS, 2nd floor, 7 pm, sugg. don. $5 8 Wednesday, February 4 All-Town Orchestra Concert 1 [snow2/9] $5; Gr. 4 (Est. Fiske, Hast.),Gr. 6 Combined Dia Gr. 7/8,LHS Rep Orch, LHS Chamber Orch Ralph Lord Gymnasium LHS, 7:30 pm 8 Thursday, February 5 All-Town Orchestra Concert 1 Winterfest January 30 - 31 T he Drama Club is sponsoring WinterFest on January 30 and 31 in the BlackBox Theatre (Room 200). This is an evening of student directed plays, many of which are also student written. Each play runs approximately 15 minutes and is performed on both nights. Performances begin at 7 p.m. and cost $5 per night. [snow2/9] $5; Gr. 4 (Bow, Bri, Harr),Gr. 5-all, AllTownEle Orch Clarke Gr. 7/8, LHS Symphony Orch Ralph Lord Gymnasium LHS, 7:30 pm 5 Lexington High School Newsletter January/February 2015 Calendar Continued March June April _____________________ Saturday7 Winter A Cappella Jamboree, 7:30pm, aud, $10 ($5 students & seniors) Thursday 12 Prof. Dev. half day; 11:15 dismissal 12 Parent discussion group with Assoc. Prin. Murray, Library classroom, 7:45-8:30am 12 Concerto Concert, aud, 7:30pm Saturday 14 SATs (at LHS) Monday 16 Band Festival Concert, aud, 7:30pm Tuesday17 Spring String Celebration, aud, 7:30pm Friday 20 Improv Troupe Show, Blackbox,7:30pm,$5 Tuesday 24 10:40 am-2:25pm; MCAS ELA Long Comp Sessions A&B-Delayed Opening (9-11-12) Wednesday 25 10:40 am - 2:25pm; MCAS ELA Reading Comp Sessions 1&2-Delayed Opening (9-11-12) Thursday 26 9:15am- 2:25pm;MCAS ELA Reading Comp Session 3-Delayed Opening (9-11-12) Fri-Sun 27-29 MICCA Festival, aud, Comms I&II Fri 3-10pm; Sat 8am-5pm; Sun 12-5pm Friday Monday Thursday 3 6 9 No School- Holiday Q3 Report Cards open on Portal; 6pm Parent discussion group with Assoc. Prin. Murray, Library classroom, 7:45-8:30am Friday17 LHS Jazz Festival Concert, aud,7:30pm, $10 ($5students & seniors) Mon-Fri 20-24 No School - holiday Monday Tuesday 1 2 Monday Recital-Senior Gala, 7:30 pm 9:30 am-2:25pm MCAS Biology Delayed Opening (9-11-12) 2 Senior Awards Night, aud, 6:30pm Wednesday 3 9:30 am-2:25pm MCAS Biology Delayed Opening (9-11-12) Thursday 4 Senior Prom-Danversport Yacht Club Saturday 6 SATs (at LHS) 6 Spring A Cappella Jamboree, aud, 7:30pm, $10 ($5 for students & seniors) Sunday7 LHS Graduation Monday 8 Portal open for Senior report cards-June 11 Wednesday 10 Fall Student Athlete & Parent mtg, 6-8pm, aud, Commons I & II Friday 12 Improv Troupe Show, Blackbox, 7:30pm Tuesday 16 Planned Final Day Of School;1/2 day for students Full day for staff. Weds-Tues17-23 Make up days if needed For Athletics schedules, visit http://lps.lexingtonma.org/domain/657 May Saturday 2 SATs (at LHS) Thursday 7 Prof. Dev. half day; 11:15 dismissal 7 Bus evacuation drill 10:25-11:15 Thurs-Sat7-9 Musical, aud, 7:30pm; $15 ($10 students and seniors) Tuesday 12 5 10:am-2:25pm MCAS Math Session 1-Delayed opening (9-11-12) Wednesday 13 10:00 am-2:25pm MCAS Math Session 2-Delayed Opening (9-11-12) Friday 15 Junior Prom-Burlington Marriott 15 Improv Troupe Show, Blackbox, 7:30pm Thursday 21 Parent discussion group with Assoc. Prin. Murray, Library classroom, 7:45-8:30am Thurs-Fri21-22 Spring Pops Concert, gym, 7:30pm, $10 Saturday 23 Jazz Nite 4 at Discovery Day, noon-3pm; Town ctr or Commons II if rain Monday 25 No School - Holiday; Memorial Day Tuesday 26 Last Day of Classes for Seniors 26 Senior Student-Athlete Awards Buffet Dinner, Commons II, 6-8:30pm Wednesday 27 NHS Induction Ceremony, 7-8pm, aud Thursday 28 World Language Awards Night, aud, 6-8pm Friday 29 Improv Troupe Show, Blackbox, 7:30pm PTSA News Continued Subscribing to the LHS/PTSA Listserv The listserv is simply the electronic mailing list of LHS parents who want to receive updates about school activities. Parents are not automatically included on the listserv. To sign up go to the LHS/PTSA website <www.LHSPTSA.org>. Click on the “LHS PTSA Listerv” tab located along the top header and follow the directions. We strongly encourage the parents of all high school students to sign up for this communication service. It’s one of the best ways to keep informed about what is happening at LHS. 6 Lexington High School Newsletter January/February 2015 Nursing Office “No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.” ~ Aesop Ninth-Grade Health Screening The school nurses engage students in annual health screenings that include vision, hearing, body mass index (BMI), and scoliosis; the nurses follow the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) regulations for all screening activity. The screenings are not diagnostic but identify children who need further evaluation. Vision, hearing, and growth screenings in the elementary grades are conducted in October and early November. The seventh graders are screened in November. The ninth graders are screened in late January. This year ninth graders will be screened January 20, 21 and 22 in their physical education classes. Please make sure your child wears his/her glasses on the day they are screened for vision. Vision Children in the first–fifth, seventh and ninth grades are screened for near and far vision acuity. Stereopsis screening is done with children in the first–third grade to identify potential for amblyopia. Kindergartners are screened if the Primary Care Provider has not submitted evidence of a recent vision screening exam. Hearing Elementary schoo-aged children in kindergarten–third, seventh and ninth grades are screened for hearing problems. Growth Exam The child’s height and weight are taken to find the child’s BMI. The height and weight are taken in first, fouth, seventh and ninth grade. Measurements are done in a way that is objective and confidential. Results are reported to DPH. For more info, see the Guidelines <http://lps.lexingtonma.org/Page/1484> Postural (Scoliosis) Screenings Postural screening is done for the fifth through ninth grades. Postural screenings take place at different times than the hearing, vision and BMI screenings, except for ninth grade. Referral Notice Parents/guardians are only notified if a screening has abnormal findings. If you receive a notice, please have your child evaluated as soon as possible, and return the completed form to the school nurse. Children who can see or hear more clearly are better learners. Request for waiver A parent/guardian may request in writing their child be waived from the screening. Please notify the school nurse a week in advance of the screening program if you want your child excluded from being screened. Freshmen Physicals Needed This means a healthier community for Lexington families and a healthier environment for your children in school. Cold vs. Flu: What to Look For In the nursing office we often see trends in illness due primarily to the contagion factor of infections. More often than not several forms of illness are circulating at any given time. Sometimes infections present themselves during certain seasons such as the cold and flu season which is typically anytime between late fall and early spring. How can you tell if your child has a cold or the flu? It’s not always easy to know. The chart on the next page gives some basic guidelines. Continued on page 8 Thank you to all the parents of freshmen students who have provided the nurse’s office with physical exams. If you have not turned in a physical exam completed in the last 12 months, please do so as soon as possible. Of the 560 students in the class of 2018, 214 freshmen have not turned in their physicals. Feel free to call us if you have any questions or are uncertain if you passed one in this year. Exciting News… Flu Clinics Were A Success Nearly 1,200 people have been vaccinated against the seasonal flu this fall through a joint initiative between The Town of Lexington Health Department and Lexington Public Schools. 7 Lexington High School Newsletter January/February 2015 Nursing Office Continued Symptoms....................Cold.............................................Flu Fever.................................. Rare.................................................. Characteristically high (102-104), sudden onset, lasts 3-4 days. Headache........................... Rare.................................................. Prominent General aches and pains.... Slight................................................ Usual; often quite severe Fatigue and weakness........ Quite mild........................................ Extreme; can last 2-3 weeks Prostration/ sweats............. Never................................................ Early and prominent Runny, stuffy nose............. Common........................................... Sometimes Sneezing............................ Usual................................................ Sometimes Sore throat......................... Common........................................... Sometimes Chest discomfort............... Mild to moderate; hacking cough.... Common, can become severe To avoid the spread of illnesses, remember to practice good personal hygiene, such as hand washing, especially after sneezing. Carefully dispose of all used tissues and avoid rubbing your eyes and nose. Most importantly, stay home and rest when these symptoms do occur. ALWAYS STAY HOME WITH A FEVER OF 100 DEGREES OR HIGHER. Source: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. As always, we welcome your ideas, questions and comments. – Janet Foley, RN ext 69913 [email protected] Susan Kaftan, RN ext. 69919 [email protected] Kristi Burns, RN ext. 69918 [email protected] Confidential Fax 781-861-2611 LPS School Committee Information For information and updates on the LPS School Committee, please go to their website <http://lps.lexingtonma.org/Page/463>. For copies of the LPS School Committee Minutes and Agendas, please go to: <http://lps.lexingtonma.org/site/Default. aspx?PageID=1220>. And to view past School Committee meetings, please go to LexMedia <www.lexmedia.org>. SAT 2014-2015 LHS test dates January 24, 2015 March 14, 2015 May 2, 2015 June 6, 2015 8 Lexington High School Newsletter January/February 2015 Science Department 2015 LHS Science & Engineering Fair Tuesday, February 10, 2015 4:00 - 7:30 p.m. LHS Field House For those of you with science backgrounds, please consider volunteering to judge at the fair, please email: <[email protected]> or call (781 861 2320, ext 69330) The Science Department Welcomes New Biology Teacher Rebecca Chapman C eanne Tzimopoulos has been teaching Biology at Lexington High School for nearly 20 years. Since that time, she has worked tirelessly in the classroom and in her support of students’ independent research projects. Ms.Tzimopoulos will retire as of December 23 of this year. We are tremendously grateful for her service and we wish her good health and happiness in retirement. We are delighted to welcome Rebecca Chapman who will join the biology faculty on December 19 and take over Ms. Tzimopoulos’ classes in the new year. Ms. Chapman recently graduated from Framingham State University where she found her passion for both biology and teaching while working as a teaching assistant in the freshmen introductory biology class. Her favorite topics include the “blossoming field of genetics,” and the “dynamic field of ecology.” During her time in college, Ms. Chapman completed several ecological studies, including research on invasive plants and our important pollinators, bees. In her spare time she enjoys reading a good book or going for a walk in the woods with her dog, Holly. She is also an avid Boston sports fan. Ms. Chapman is well known to the LHS Science Department, having completed her pre-practicum with Ms. Tzimopoulos in the fall of 2013. We are excited to welcome her back! – Jacalyn Crowe, Ph.D. Science Department Head 2015 LHS Yearbook - Important Info!! • All Parents - Don’t miss out! Yearbooks have been selling faster than usual. Buy now to avoid the December 31 price increase. On January 1, the price will go up to $90.00. Purchase your yearbook today. • To purchase your 2015 book by credit card, simply click this link: <https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/ index.cfm/job/4219>. • To purchase your 2015 book by mail or in person, download this form: <http://lexingtonyearbook.jimdo. com/buy-a-yearbook/>. • Share Your Photos - We would love to consider your photos for the yearbook! Click this link to share any photos with us that feature your LHS student in action: <jeshare.com/eShare/Index.jsp?code=lexington>. • There is still time to purchase your senior tribute ad in the yearbook! We will accept ads until we run out of space. You may create your own ad online or download a form for instructions on submitting your senior congrats ad: <http://lexingtonyearbook.jimdo.com/ parent-ads/>. If you have any questions, please contact Harriet Wallen in the LHS Library (781-861-2320, ext. 69151) or via email <[email protected]>. 9 Lexington High School Newsletter January/February 2015 N e w y Ye p p a a r! • Sign up now for expert, individualized instruction for the English, math, and writing SATs. Six session classes run for two hours each and cost $195. Scholarships are available. • For the March SAT, Writing class starts on Saturday, January 10 at 8:30 a.m. English class starts on Thursday, January 15 at 6:30 p.m. Math classes start on Monday, January 12 at 6:30 p.m. or Wednesday, January 14 at 3:30 p.m. • To sign up, please call Lexington Community Education (781-862-8043) or go online <[email protected]>. • Classes for the May SATs start in March. H SAT Prep Classes at LHS in 2015 3 3 Lexington Community Education’s Winter 2015 Catalog L exington Community Education’s Winter 2015 catalog is now available online and will soon be mailed to all Lexington residents. Help warm the cold winter evenings with a class on cooking, creating art or music, learning a new language or enjoying an evening of exercise. LCE’s speaker series continues this winter offering many new, exciting and engaging topics. This winter’s special events begin with a performance by Stämbandet, The Scandinavian Vocal Ensemble. They will present Jul: An Exploration of Nordic Winter Traditions Celebrated Through Folk Music. Robin D’Antona, Ed.D., Certified National Olweus Bullying Prevention Trainer, will discuss her book, Bullying Solutions: Understanding, Preventing and Overcoming. Author and artist Shaun McNiff has been honored for his pioneering contributions to the creative arts therapy field. Join him this evening to discuss Accessing the Universal Creative Process: Removing Blocks and Unleashing Creativity. Sven Birkerts, author of The Gutenberg Elegies: The Fate of Reading in an Electronic Age will explore the transformation of reading and the impact of the digital age on our intellectual, contemplative and literary culture. Join Leora Tec, daughter of Holocaust survivor and scholar Nechama Tec, for a thought-provoking exploration of how we remember the Holocaust at: The Persistence of Memory: What Happens When All the Survivors are Gone? MIT Professor and author Max Tegmark will take us on a journey through Our Mathematical Universe: The Quest for the Ultimate Nature of Reality. Our winter speaker series will close with an evening with Dr. Kyle Pruett, Clinical Professor of Child Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine as he discusses his book: Fatherneed: Why Father Care is as Essential as Mother Care. In addition to these featured speakers the Fiveash Legacy Lecture Series continues with a reading and discussion of The Aeneid and the Art of Translation with National Book Award Winning Poet and Translator David Ferry. Classes for LHS Students continue with Driver Education classes and SAT Prep classes (in both English and Math) to be held at the High School. For parents there will be workshops on Finding the Right College Fit, a seminar on the College Financial Aid Process and a workshop to help Navigate the Student-Athlete College Search and Recruiting Process. Please view the Lexington Community Education winter catalog for a full listing of classes. A PDF of LCE’s catalog, and a searchable class database, are available online <www.lexingtoncommunityed.org>. Questions, or to register by phone, please call Lexington Community Education (781-862-8043). Pre-registration is required for all classes. 10 Lexington High School Newsletter January/February 2015 Guidance 2014-2015 Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Schedule and Payment Info A s per College Board programming, Advanced Placement exams are offered at LHS as the culminating exam for students enrolled in AP courses. Parents of students currently enrolled in an AP course will receive an email with information about how to register and pay through our online payment system. If you are not enrolled in our online payment system, please click here to register.<https://www1.mcc.net/OneSource/OSPayer/ePayer_registration.aspx>The preferred method of payment is through our online system. However, if you are unable to process your payment online, check payments can be made to the “Town of Lexington” including student’s name and name of exam, and brought to Ms. Tringale in Rm. 705. AP fee payments will be made available online beginning on Monday, January 5, 2015, and must be paid by Friday, February 13, 2015. It is very important that payment is received by Friday, February 13, 2015. The cost per exam is $95. Financial assistance is available for those students who qualify. AP Exam Fee Refund Policy: A refund is available upon request until March 1, 2015. Please contact Ms. Tringale at ext. 69722 or Jane Aronson at ext. 69127 for more about how to request a refund. Lexington High School only offers the AP Exams listed above that correlate with the AP Courses that are currently taught at the High School. If you have any questions about the AP program at LHS, please contact the following: Regarding the AP exam payment process, please contact Joanne Tringale, ext. 69722. Regarding AP testing arrangements and registration, please contact Jane Aronson, ext. 69127. Regarding general AP program questions, please contact your child’s guidance counselor. AP Exam Dates May 4, 2015 - May 15, 2015 The following AP exams will be offered in the 2014-2015 school year. Chemistry...........................May 4, 2015............ 8 a.m. Psychology.........................May 4, 2015..........12 p.m. Calculus AB.......................May 5, 2015............ 8 a.m. Calculus BC.......................May 5, 2015............ 8 a.m. Chinese Lang and Cult.......May 5, 2015..........12 p.m. Physics 1............................May 6, 2015..........12 p.m. Computer Science A...........May 7, 2015............ 8 a.m. Spanish Lang and Cult.......May 7, 2015............ 8 a.m. Physics 2............................May 7, 2015..........12 p.m. United States History.........May 8, 2015............ 8 a.m. Biology...............................May 11, 2015.......... 8 a.m. Physics C: Mechanics........May 11, 2015........12 p.m. Physics C: Elec and Mag......May 11, 2015............2 p.m. French Lang and Cult.........May 12, 2015........12 p.m. Statistics.............................May 13, 2015........12 p.m. World History.....................May 14, 2015.......... 8 a.m. Macroeconomics................May 14, 2015........12 p.m. Italian Lang and Cult.........May 14, 2015........12 p.m. Human Geography.............May 15, 2015.......... 8 a.m. Microeconomics.................May 15, 2015.......... 8 a.m. fo n i w [ Ne 11