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Acton-Acton-Boxborough Regional PTSO Newsletter
Volume 22, No. 2 November 2009
In This Issue
Tips for Freshman Parents
ABRHS Mission Statement
ABSAF
Everything You Wanted to Know
What's the Peer Leadership Group
School Committee
RJGJHS Updates
ABRHS Updates
Quick Links...
Tips for Freshman Parents...
Use the internet to get your answers...
Looking to get an answer to a question about an athletic team's schedule, what your child's course requirements are, what volunteer opportunities are available where to find a tutor, or how to reach your child's teacher? Look no further than the ABRHS Website Address: 
http://ab.mec.edu/abrhs/.  This well-designed website has it all, and is easy to navigate. [Read more]

ABRHS Mission Statement and Learning Expectations

Together we promote respect for self, others, and learning. [Read more]
Join Our Mailing List
ABSAF
The Board of ABSAF (Acton-Boxborough Student Activities Fund) would like to remind parents that it is not too late to order ABSAF passes for the 2009-10 academic school year.  ABSAF has donated close to $1,500,000 to our regional schools since it was formed in 1981. Contributions are used to help pay for extracurricular programs that activity fees, gate fees and tax revenues do not cover. [Read more]
Welcome to our first edition of our PTSO e-Newsletter!  This November issue features two articles that offer tips to parents and guardians about how to stay on top of all the news from RJ Grey Junior High and ABRHS.  We also introduce a new feature in our bi-monthly newsletter: people who are making a difference in our schools.  Read the article about ABRHS social studies teacher, David Green, who serves as advisor for the Peer Leadership group. 
We know that you were expecting to receive this around the first of the month, but as often happens when you try something new, we ran into some unexpected difficulties.  We welcome your feedback about format, ideas for content for future editions, etc.  Feel free to send your response to us by replying to this e-mail.  
We hope that you and your families can enjoy some time together over the holidays.  All of us on the PTSO Board say "Thank you!" for your wonderful support and the many ways in which you enrich our community!
Mary Ann Ashton and Becca Capodilupo
Editors, PTSO Newsletter
Everything You Wanted to Know about
RJ Grey and ABRHS - from the Student Handbooks
Many parents and guardians never have the chance to explore the Student Handbooks that students receive at the beginning of school, but the handbooks contain a wealth of practical information that families will want to keep handy throughout the year.[Read more]

What's the Peer Leadership Group?

Interview with David Green, Faculty Advisor

I've heard great things about this group, but what exactly is Peer Leadership?

The Peer leadership group coordinates with the police department to facilitate discussion and question/answers sessions with sixth graders regarding issues of alcohol and drug awareness.  Essentially, Peer Leadership students work with Elementary and Jr. High students to encourage them to make wise decisions about their behavior. [Read more]

School Committee Off to a Great Start
Sharon Smith McManus, Chair, AB Regional School Committee
The school year is well underway and it's been a great start.  We are very proud and honored that the high school has been designated a Blue Ribbon School for 2009 by the U.S. Department of Education.  Dr. Callen and Jerry McDonald (English teacher and SWAP program coordinator) will travel to Washington D.C. in November to formally accept this award. It is a special recognition of the achievements of our student body and of the hard work and caring demonstrated by our staff and their focus on helping all students succeed. Congratulations to the entire school community!  [
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RJGJHS Updates 
By Craig Hardimon, Principal 
Service Projects
Coat Drive
: November 2nd marks the kick off of the 14th annual Coat Drive by the 7 Green Team at RJ Grey.  The team collects an average of 500 per year during the month-long collection drive.  It is sponsored by Anton's Cleaners, a local Acton company, who clean each donated coat free of charge.  Coats are then distributed to those in need by social service agencies throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire.  Boxes will be set up in the lobby of RJ Grey during the month of November.  Please donate your warm, usable coats for all ages. [
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ABRHS Updates - Letter from Dr. Alixe Callen
Dear Parents,
We are in the midst of a tremendous fall - a wonderful first term in the classroom, an amazing production of Our Town, and a highly successful fall sports season (among other things!).
In addition to all of these successes, this year also presents a number of challenges - budget issues, our upcoming accreditation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), and the ever-present concerns about a flu epidemic. As you can imagine, just one of these in a year would stretch an organization. Juggling all three is a feat!
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