Dear Parents:
As we enter the last months of 2009, I want to take an opportunity to update you on ongoing activities and upcoming plans for early 2010.
Thank you for your support at home each and every day. Your guidance and structure for your children increases our potential to educate your children.
I hope that iParent has helped to give you a window into your child's performance, and that it has helped foster conversations at home about the importance of achievement and good work habits.
On behalf of the faculty and staff, I hope you have had a promising start to the 2009-2010 school year. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
Thomas J. Hickey, Ed.D., Principal
781.878.8822, ext 445
thickey@ssvotech.org
School Security
SSVT works closely with Hanover Police and Fire Departments to ensure that we are prepared to handle an emergency. With this goal in mind, we will be practicing lockdown drills between January and June 2010. When we hold a lockdown or evacuation drill, I will notify you through a Connect-Ed automated phone message after the drill.
Winter Weather Review
Unexpected bus delay: In the event that your child’s bus route is more than 15 minutes late, please tell your child to return to the bus stop one hour after the originally scheduled time. (For example, if the scheduled time is 7:00 and the bus has not arrived by 7:15, the child should return at 8:00.) If we have a significant delay with a specific bus route, we will contact you using our Connect-Ed system.
Parental Contact Information
If you have changed addresses, phone numbers, or work contact information, please contact our guidance office at 781.871.4153. Also, if you have a new email address, let us know. Connect-Ed messages can be sent via e-mail, and this may be more convenient for you at work.
Adult Education
SSVT has a very popular Adult Education program. Our Adult Education Registration is January 7th, 14th and 15th, and classes start January 26th. Our Assistant Principal Gene Kelly is also our Adult Education Director, and he has done a fantastic job to ensure that the interests of the SSVT community are being met through our Adult Education program.
Please call Mr. Kelly or Mrs. Merrick at extension 414 for more information.
Budget Update
After meeting with the South Shore Regional School Committee at its regular December meeting, Superintendent Homer is in the process of crafting a 10.3 million dollar budget for the 2010-2011 school year. This proposed budget reflects just under a 3% increase from last year. For the 2009-2010 school year, the school budget was level funded.
As is always the case with the budget planning process, the district does not know how much Chapter 70 (state) aid it will receive at this point. Should the state aid be cut later in the spring, it may require further cuts in the proposed budget for 2010-2011.
We remain committed to maintaining the best possible vocational-technical education for your children in these difficult economic times.
The South Shore Regional School Committee meets the third Wednesday of every month, at 7:30 P.M. in the school's Brass Lantern Restaurant.
Students of the Month
We congratulate the following students for being named Student of the Month for October, November, and December 2009. These students were recognized at our monthly School Committee meetings.
October: Alison Donovan, Allied Health, Grade 12, Hanover
Alison is a hard working student who takes pride in both herself and her work, always putting forth her best effort. From the first day of class, Alison has demonstrated a great work ethic. She is never satisfied with "good enough". No matter how difficult or complicated the assignment, you can be sure that Alison will plug away at tasks until she meets success.
Alison's teachers described her as "competent, trustworthy, responsible and mature and a young woman with a great sense of humor. She is a true team player, who is always there to assist her peers, helping them with difficult concepts and she is receptive to their assistance. Alison is a member of the National Honor Society and our Cheerleading squad.
November: Alyssa Dutcher, Graphic Communications, Grade 11, Rockland
Alyssa is a young woman who has "come into her own". She is a mature, responsible, self-motivated young woman. She is dedicated and genuinely committed to excellence in her academic and vocational endeavors.
Alyssa is always willing to work and eager to learn. She is not afraid to challenge herself, to assist others or ask for assistance. Through her hard work, Alyssa carries a 3.5 GPA and is in the top 10% of her class. She is one of the most organized students in her class. Alyssa is described as "enthusiastic and always putting forward her best effort. She is a professional whose work is exceptional".
December: Scott Lowe, Culinary Arts, Grade 12, Rockland
Scott is being recognized for the effort he puts forth in his academic classes, his vocational area and in his extracurricular activities. Scott had consistently set challenging goals for himself going beyond just "doing okay". He works independently, but is always willing to offer a hand to his peers. Scott is a gentleman.
Scott Lowe is also an integral part of the Shout Shore Vocational Technical High School Viking community. Scott has been a captain of the varsity football team
School Council & Parents Association
The following parents serve in leadership roles on School Council and Parents Association. School Council: Ellie Grillo, Debbie Drago, Melissa McLaughlin, and Lisa Varasso. Parents Association officers: Adele Leonard, President; Debbie Drago, Secretary; Judy Pucci, Treasurer. Thank you for your service to our school and students!
When we return from vacation, the School Council will continue its work on the School Improvement Plan after soliciting input from students, parents and staff.
The Parents Association has worked very hard this year to raise money for student scholarships. We will be unable to hold our Toll Booth Fundraiser in Rockland this year, but the PA is planning a silent auction in the late winter/early spring. Stay tuned for this event...the PA is always looking for new parents to get involved and help out. The next PA meeting is January 13, 2010 at 6:45 in our teachers room.
Peer Leaders
The Peer Leaders had a late start this school year, but are making up for lost time by preparing for a number of social events simultaneously. They planned a half spirit week before Thanksgiving that culminated with a Pep Rally. They are also planning for a full Spirit Week in January, a Black and White Ball in February and in the spring an outdoor movie night on the football field and a possible field day in late June. They meet on Wednesday afternoons in Mr. Aubrey’s office and new members and ideas are always welcomed.
School Sports Schedules
Congratulations to our fall athletes for a great season of sports. A well attended Fall Banquet was held at school on December 8th.
Our winter student athletes seasons are underway! Our wrestling, hockey, and basketball teams’ game and practice schedules are at www.ssvotech.org. Click on the “Sports Schedules” link. Our Athletic Director, Mr. Joe Marani, can be reached at jmarani@ssvotech.org.
Student Government
So far this year, student government has sponsored a Powder Puff game, a Pep Rally before the Thanksgiving football game, and a Hats-On Day fundraiser for the Foundation for Children with Cancer. Student leaders also participated in the Southeastern Massachusetts Association of Student Councils meeting in November.
iParent
Technology Coordinator Crystal Paluzzi is happy to help parents use iParent, a web based program to view child’s grades, attendance and discipline records. Please contact Mrs. Paluzzi at cpaluzzi@ssvotech.org or 781.878.8822x449
National Honor Society
The 82 juniors who took the PSAT's will be traveling to Massasoit Community College to take the Accuplacer test. The results of this test are used to place college freshmen in the appropriate English and math classes. By having the juniors take it now, we can help them to achieve placement in credit courses when they do get to college.
NHS Induction: 7 seniors and 15 juniors were inducted into the SSVT Chapter of the National Honor Society. The candlelit ceremony was held on December 1 in the Lecture Hall. Congratulations to all of the students.
Seniors
Jake D. Chraska- Computer Information Technology
Rebecca M. Collick- Allied Health Technology
Charles J. Fuery- HVAC-R
Giovanni D. Gentile- Electrical
Bridget E. Loughlin- Cosmetology
Molly M. McKenney- Cosmetology
Julieann Tuffo- Allied Health Technology
Juniors
Nicholas T. Arthurs- Electrical
Alexander M. Bickford- Drafting
Nicholas C. Brady- Allied Health Technology
Michael C. Collins- Drafting
Stephanie A. Cruz- Computer Information Technology
Kevin R. Davidson- Electrical
Kyle S. Fitzgerald- Computer Information Technology
Victoria C. Greenleaf- Culinary Arts
Robert A. Hayden- Electrical
Joseph J. Higgins- HVAC-R
Steven M. Kimball- Electrical
Lisa N. Osgood- Drafting
Brenda S. Salino- Culinary Arts
Jennifer M. Sullivan- Allied Health Technology
Timothy A. Swanson- Electrical
Student Recognitions
In December we honored recipients of the MCAS-based Abigail Adams Scholarships, which will entitle recipients to free tuition at many Massachusetts state schools.
Cameron Barron- Abington
Andrew Barry- Rockland
Paul Bekas- Whitman
Jonathan Buresh- Rockland
Joseph Buresh- Whitman
Jake Chraska- Rockland
Alex Contois- Abington
Mark Curtis- Hanover
Christopher Dacey- Abington
David Dockendorff- Scituate
Thomas Doyle- Rockland
Taylor Eastman- Hanson
Corey Ferland- Rockland
Jesse Ferland- Rockland
Sean Fountaine- Scituate
Charles Fuery- Rockland
Sarah Hobbs- Hanson
Kyle Keegan- Abington
Daniel Krahe- Rockland
Shannon Larsen- Whitman
Zachary Laznick- Rockland
Kevin Lloyd- Whitman
Robert Lowry III- Humarock
Kamille McDonald- Hanover
Shannon Moran- Hanover
Caitlin Mortland- Hanover
Bryan Payne- Abington
Andrea Priolo- Hanson
Joshua Saltzman- Whitman
Thomas Scheible- Whitman
Briana Scolaro- Abington
Jay Smith- Abington
Peter Spaziani- Abington
Julieann Tuffo- Rockland
Jason Wettergreen- Abington
John Wilder- Scituate
Creative Writing Club
Club advisor Mr. Scopelleti informs me that the club's publication of creative work, entitled Real Good Stuff is now available for students and parents to review.
The Drama Club
The Drama Club has finished auditions and all parts have been cast for the 2010 Theatre Season.
On February 28th, we will be participating in the Massachusetts High School Drama Guild Competition. On that same day, 124 other schools also will be competing on sites around the state.Our entry will be a 20 minute played named Controlled Interest.
On April 8, 9, and 10, our annual Dinner Theatre Show will be performed. Our show is The Odd Couple.
Felix will be played by Senior Dan Krahe. Oscar will be played by senior Thomas Petruzzelli
SkillsUSA
Four students attended the SkillsUSA Fall Leadership Conference in Marlboro in November. Our students participated in workshops designed to develop skills in teamwork, leadership, time management, social skills and parliamentary procedure.
The students worked toward earning a Leadership merit pin by means of intensive leadership training in areas such as communication skills, group dynamics, community services, and employability skills. All students received their leadership pins and teamwork awards.
Upon returning to school, the students will serve as local chapter leaders for the SkillsUSA organization.
Attendees:
Alyssa Dutcher
Joshua Riley
Joseph Higgins
Jeremiah Beasley