Friday Notes: From the Plymouth Public Schools

By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.

Confucius

Concert Dates for December 2009:

12/12 - Federal Furnace Treble Chorus with Ply. Philharmonic @ Memorial Hall - 8 PM
12/13 - Federal Furnace Treble Chorus with Ply. Philharmonic @ Memorial Hall - 3 PM
12/14 - Manomet Holiday Concert @ Manomet Elem. 2 PM & 6:30 PM
12/14 - Nathaniel Morton Chorus Holiday Concert @ PNHS 7 PM
12/15 - PSMS Grade 5 & 6 Band, String & Chorus Concert @ PSMS 7 PM
12/15 - PCIS Holiday Concert - Grades 5,6,7 & 8 Bands @ PCIS 7 PM
12/16 - PN/PS High School Holiday Concert @ PNHS 7 PM
12/17 - Cold Spring Holiday All School Show @ PNHS 7 PM

Early College Awareness: 8th Grade Field Trips to Bridgewater Sate College

As part of our effort to help to increase early college awareness and career planning all of the Plymouth Public Schools 8th graders recently had the opportunity to visit one of our local state colleges. During the first week of December over six-hundred 8th grade students visited Bridgewater State College. Over the course of three days groups of approximately 200 students, teachers, counselors and administrators visited the college. Prior to the trip guidance counselors gave a PowerPoint presentation explaining to students the importance of strong academic preparation for college as well as some valuable information concerning their group visits to Bridgewater State. While at Bridgewater Sate College students enjoyed an hour-long, student-led tour of the campus and then ate lunch at one of the campus dining facilities. Upon their return to the middle schools students were debriefed and given discussion questions, student surveys and writing prompts. Later this winter guidance counselors will continue to work with 8th grade students on more career and college exploration by introducing them to Career Cruising, a web-based resource that students will use throughout their high school career. Both the PowerPoint presentation and the Career Cruising link are available on the middle school guidance websites. In addition, Plymouth Public Schools will also be hosting an Early College and Career Awareness Night for parents of 8th graders on February 10th at 6:30 p.m. at the PSMS Lecture Hall.

Seniors: Getting Ready for College

This past Wednesday the Guidance Department in collaboration with the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) sponsored a College Financing Seminar at the Plymouth North High School Auditorium. About 150 parents came to take part in this free workshop about the college financial aid process. The information was particularly timely for seniors and their parents. Topics included: applying for financial aid, completing the FAFSA, the CSS Profile and institutional financial aid forms, options for paying the college bill, and information about scholarships, grants and loans. Parents were also given an additional free workbook to help them successfully navigate through the college financial aid process. Families who were unable to attend can pick up the workbook in the guidance office at either high school. The Power Point presentation can be found on either of the Plymouth High School guidance websites at www.plymouth.k12.ma.us. The MEFA website (www.mefa.org) also has a host of free financial aid and college planning resources for families and students of all ages.

College Goal Sunday will be held on Sunday, January 31, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at locations across the state. The closest site to Plymouth is Cape Cod Community College. This is a volunteer driven effort to provide FREE assistance to students and families seeking to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Please visit www.MassCollegeGoalSunday.org for more information.

An early reminder to parents of Grade 12 students: the Guidance Department will also be hosting A Local Scholarship Information Evening on Wednesday March 3, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at the Plymouth North High School Auditorium. Seniors and their parents will learn the specific steps involved in the Plymouth Public Schools local scholarship application process. There will also be additional information presented to help families as their students approach making the adjustment to college.

Rachel's Challenge is coming back to The Plymouth Schools:

With the Support of the Grants and popular demand, the Plymouth Schools will hold assemblies for middle and high school students as well as an evening presentation for the public. If you want to find out more about Rachel's challenge, go to http://www.rachelschallenge.org/
The dates of the presentations are Monday, January 11th and Tuesday, January 12th We will follow up with more information.

Massachusetts Music Educator's Association - Southeastern District Festival Ensembles

On November 21^st, students from Plymouth North and Plymouth South high schools auditioned for the MMEA Southeastern District Senior All-District Band, Chorus or Orchestra. The following students were selected:

Allie Abate/PSHS - Chorus

Cyr Chantelle/PNHS - Chorus - recommended for All State audition

Alyssa Deloso-Reyes/PSHS - Chorus - recommended for All-State audition

Dexter Driscoll/PNHS - Chorus

Allen Graham/PNHS - Chorus

Noel Hulse/PSHS - Orchestra - recommended for All State audition

Melissa Jaworski/PSHS - Band

Kyle Maynard/PNHS - Band

David Neri/PSHS - Chorus

Katie Ozelius/PSHS - Chorus - recommended for All State audition

Emily Richard/PSHS - Orchestra - recommended for All State audition

Lindsay Swanton/PSHS - Chorus - recommended for All State audition

Zachary West/PSHS - Band

These students will prepare independently and participate in two days of collaborative rehearsals and a culminating performance with a guest conductor and peer musicians from southeastern Massachusetts on January 9^th in Easton, Massachusetts.

On December 5^th, students from Plymouth North, Plymouth South, PCIS and Plymouth South Middle auditioned for the MMEA Southeastern District Junior All-District Band, Junior Jazz Band, Junior Mixed Chorus, and Junior Treble Chorus. The following students were selected:

Deanna Boutchia/PSMS - Band

Maria D'Ambrosio/PCIS - Jazz Band

Veronica Cavanough/PNHS - Mixed Chorus

Jacqueline Duggan/PNHS - Mixed Chorus

Kelsey Frahlich/PCIS - Mixed Chorus

Rebecca Geary/PSMS - Treble Chorus

Shaelyn Helminiak/PCIS - Mixed Chorus

Nicolas Hovey/PCIS - Band

Margaret Mori/PSMS - Treble Chorus

Casey Quin/PCIS - Band

Allison Rogers/PSMS - Band

Sydney Stelter/PSHS - Treble Chorus

Dawna Vella/PCIS - Mixed Chorus

Students Organize to Give Back:

Over the past few months, the warehouse has received donations from dozens of groups organizing food drives, including the Plymouth North football team, which collected more than 1,000 pounds of food, or the equivalent of 775 meals, at a drive in early November. The Plymouth South football team will have to play catch-up with 390 pounds of food collected. In Addition, the students of Indian Brook Elementary School collected 997 pounds of food. Great work Plymouth North Football and Indian Brook staff and students.

Graphic Arts Student is student of the month at PSHS:

Walter Cicchetti, a junior in Graphic Arts program, received the student of the month award based upon his contributions to Plymouth South High School and to the community. He used the technological skills he has developed in Graphic

Arts to help him achieve this award. Walter is highly advanced in video production and is one of our outstanding Broadcast/Journalism students who produce Panther TV. He is also an excellent all around student and was the captain of the PSHS Cross-country team.

Congratulations Walter!

Gary E. Maestas, Superintendent
Plymouth Public Schools

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