In case you were not paying close attention, we have entered the month of May and that means high-stakes testing season. It also means the quick march to Graduation on June 6th. This month is fast and furious so don't forget to check out the listing of Important Dates in this edition of the Principal's Blog.
Please visit the High School Webpage to view the May Newsletter. It will provide additional details to events, activities, photos and calendar reminders.
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Here are some Highlights from the
2014 Senior Class Trip to Disney that took place over the April break.
Please click and watch our very own Jake Nadreau (Mayor of Swag City D-Town) as he performs an Indiana Jones segment where he is the victim of a simulated poisonous arrow attack. He is hysterical.
Mr. Wing
On April 28, 2014, Dr. John Wing gave a presentation to the Honors and AP Biology students. Dr. Wing started his career working at a biotech company in Maryland. In April of 2001, Dr. Wing received his doctorate after researching genes with such lovely names as reaper, grim, sickle, and hid which are involved in program cell death. After receiving his doctorate, he went on to work at other area Biotech companies doing research and was a visiting professor at Boston College for 3 ½ years. He currently is the Director of Global Medical Affairs Training Effectiveness at a Biotech Company in Lexington. He gave a presentation about his career path sprinkled with advice and some information on science discoveries. Some student comments that we received were:
“ He helped me understand Biology and the jobs out there for it better.”
” He was knowledgeable and interesting to learn from.”
“It was really interesting and gave us a look into what we can do in the future”.
8th Grade Speaker Sergeant Grear
Critics seem to flood the world with judgments, complaints,
and challenges for everything to be bigger, faster, or stronger. This past Tuesday, one of our largest and
most naturally critical audiences gathered in the Douglas High School
auditorium per the request of their English teacher. The only fact that was clear was that the
eighth grade would miss D period and congregate as one. What came from that experience could not have
been predicted. With capricious
perspectives, moods, and expectations, the students began to file in.
Sporting camouflage pants, hat, and a Mission Continues
t-shirt, Sgt. Denoh Grear awaited his audience.
Being a stranger to all at the beginning, was just one obstacle he
intended to surmount in the hour and half presentation.
“What makes up your environment?”
“What is a community?” he asked to a skeptical
audience.
Natural conversations began to flow with an immediate
question and answer period: a little
unconventional start to a student assembly.
The presenter posed the questions and the students slowly began to flood
the front of the space waiting patiently for their chance to share with their
class.
After months of conservative lesson plans reading and
analyzing texts like The Warrior’s Heart by
Eric Greitens, “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley, and Nelson Mandela’s inaugural
speech, the 8th grade was ready to take their learning to a new
medium. With texts, iPads, and creative
lessons in all academic areas, raising the bar for this class was a bit of a
challenge. Seeing their enthusiasm every
day granted me the inspiration to bring in a new element to our learning.
Sgt. Grear was the
perfect fit. He has served the United
States both within and beyond our borders.
After retiring from thirteen years in the military, he continues to
serve his community through his writing, poetry, and music. Tuesday was simply an extension of his
service.
As a group, we conversed, wrote, and created. We talked about what makes our world. We
reflected on who we are and where we are headed. And with only this brief time spent together,
the learning is taking on a life of its own.
With numerous requests to stay a little later and shake Sgt, Grear’s
hand, take a selfie, or the excitement to join the class photo, this day didn't seem like it could have gone any better.
As a class we hope to emulate Sgt. Grear’s determination to
serve the people in his environment for the better. The Class of 2018 plans to
start clubs, continue writing, and making our world a great place to live. With comments about heroes, hope, and
strength, we are proud to report that this assembly was like no other. We boldly claim that Tuesday was a new way
for our class to achieve all of its greatness in the future. Look out world, these critical thinkers, learners,
and doers are coming!
The Humanities Scholars Collaborative
Gun Control, Abortion, Women's Rights, Freedom of Speech were just some of the featured topics students from 10 Central Massachusetts high schools showcased on April 27th at Auburn High School when they "put a modern day face" on our Constitutional Amendments. Presentation Night is the culminating activity of this year-long study focused on this year's theme: The United States Constitution: Static or Dynamic? The program included visits to The College of the Holy Cross, Assumption College, Clark University and Worcester State University. Each session included seminars with college professors who challenged them to think historically about the Constitution as the framers intended and how the Amendments to the Constitution have changed over time.
Spring Concert
The annual spring concert
will be held on Thursday, May 8th beginning at 6:30 PM. The program will
feature many groups from the music department including the High School Chorus,
Grade 8 Chorus, Concert Band, Marching Band, Indoor Guard, Majorettes, Marching
Percussion, Jazz Band and Blue Light Special. Performances will take place in
the gym and the auditorium. Everyone is cordially invited to attend.
Drama Club Presents "The Thug & The
Thugless"
Friday May 23 – 7:00pm DHS
Auditorium
Admission - $5 at the door
Proceeds to benefit the
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
"The Thug & The
Thugless" is a play written and directed by two seniors, Luke Daly and
Mitchell Dunn, and performed by members of the DHS Drama Club. Join us for a madcap
tale about lost siblings, found symbols, and science experiments gone bad.
Sober Celebrations
(Article from the April edition of Principal Leadership)
*More than 6,500 people under the age of 21 die annually from alcohol-related accidents, and thousands more are injured.
*Alcohol is the number one drug of choice for America's young people and is more likely to kill young people than all illegal drugs combined.
*Each day, 7,000 kids in the United States under the age of 16 take their first drink.
*Those who begin drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop alcoholism than those who begin at age 21.
*More than 1,700 college students in the United States are killed each year - about 465 a day - as a result of alcohol -related injuries.
*25% of US children are exposed to alcohol-use disorders in their family. www.ncadd.org/indexphp/programs-a-services/alcohol-awareness-month.
*As middle and high schools enter the last few months of the school year and prepare for school dances and proms, as well as promotion and graduation ceremonies, now is an important time to discuss the dangers of teenage drinking. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) promotes Alcohol Awareness Month in April and offers information and rescourses, such as Ten Tips for Prevention (www.ncadd.org/index.php/for-youth/prevention-tips).
DOUGLAS TIGERS
BANGLE BRACELETS
AVAILABLE AT THE
DHS SCHOOL STORE
$22.00
GREAT FOR
GRADUATION GIFTS!! BIRTHDAYS!! SPECIAL OCCASIONS!!
OR FOR EVERYDAY!!
Some Upcoming Events:
* “Adopt
a US Soldier” is a non-profit organization that seeks volunteers to help show
the brave men and women fighting for our freedom that their sacrifices will not
go unnoticed and expresses gratitude to those brave men and women serving in
the United States Armed Forces. Come and support your U.S. Military by bringing
in the following items: Toothpaste, Deodorant, Shaving Cream, Razors, Soap,
Brushes, Non Perishable Snacks, Magazines, and Novels/Books. The Drop-Off Box will be
located in room C207 and in the Library! Make Douglas Proud!! Any questions–
Please contact John Chrul.
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*There will be a College
Admission Seminar for parents and students on Wednesday, May 7th at 6:30 in the auditorium. All
families are welcome but this would be very important information for junior
parents and students!
**************************
These are the dates that I mentioned at the start of this blog.
Important End of Year Dates!
These are the dates that I mentioned at the start of this blog.
Important End of Year Dates!
5/2 Adviser/Advisee
Evidence
Submitted
5/5 Faculty
Meeting
AP
Chemistry Test
AP
Environmental Science Test
5/6 MCAS Grade 8 Math
Selectman’s
Meeting on Solar Project
5/7 4th Quarter Senior Project
Report Grades Due
MCAS
– Grade 8 Math
AP
Calculus Test
5/8 Academic
Standards
MCAS
– Grade 8 Math – Makeups
AP
English Literature Test
DHS
Spring Concert at 6:30 – Auditorium
5/9 Senior
4th Quarter Progress Reports Issued
AP
ELA Test
AP
Statistics Test
5/12 AP
Biology Test
AP
Physics B Test
DVC
Principals Meeting
5/13 MCAS –
Grade 10 Math
AP
US Government Test
5/14 MCAS –
Grade 10 Math
AP
US History II Test
5/15 4th
Quarter Progress Reports Grades Due
Department
Chair Meeting
MCAS – Grade 10 Math –
Makeups
MCAS – Grade 8 Science
AP Microeconomics Test
5/16 MCAS –
Grade 8 Science
Junior/Senior
Prom at Raphael’s in Walpole
5/18 Start
of Play Week
5/19 4th
Quarter Progress Reports Issued
MCAS
– Grade 8 Science – Makeups
5/21 AP
Teacher’s Meeting
5/22 School
Council Meeting
Adviser/Advisee
Grade 8 Field Trip to
the Boston Science Museum
5/23 Professional
Development Day
Early
Release (C, D, E & F)
Play
Night 7:00
5/26 No
School Memorial Day
5/28 Senior
Exams – B&C
5/29 Senior
Exams – D&E
Senior
Sports Awards
Spring
Sports Awards
Fall
Sport Information
5/30 Senior
Exams – F&G
Grade 8 Band/Chorus
Trip – Great East Festival
6/2 Faculty
Meeting
4th
Quarter Grades Due for Seniors
Senior
Final Exams – Makeups
Senior
Rehearsal
MCAS
– HS Science Test
6/3 MCAS
– HS Science Test
Senior
Rehearsal
Senior
Night 7:00 Auditorium
6/4 MCAS
– HS Science – Makeups
Senior Picnic
Senior
Rehearsal
6/5 Senior
Rehearsal
Baccalaureate
at St. Dennis Church 7:00
6/6 Graduation
at 5:30
6/10 Music
Awards Night
