text of December 10 and ARHS Updates, December 10, 2023 in different colors against a yellow background

It’s that time of year…for Civics! We introduced the Massachusetts Civics Project to you in November and here you can see almost 100 students meeting in their groups, with the History Department, to plan the next phase of their project. We could not be prouder of these students engaging in after school achievement!

We have been celebrating December by sharing facts about the major holidays of the month. This week, we honor and share knowledge about Hanukkah through our morning announcements and digital signage:

This week is the beginning of Hanukkah which in Judaism is the “festival of lights.”  On eight consecutive nights, Jewish people gather with family and friends to light one additional candle in the menorah which is a candelabra of 9 candles representing the miraculous burning of one day’s worth of oil over eight days in a battle in the second century in which they reclaimed their temple. 

Hanukkah is celebrated on a different date in the western calendar each year. This year it begins at sundown today and lasts through December 15th. In addition to lighting the candles of the menorah each day, fried food such as a type of jelly doughnut and potato latkes are served to celebrate the holy oil lasting 8 days.

Next week will feature Christmas facts across the world and our final week of December will share information about Kwanzaa.

Next Monday, students in the Art of Healthy Living and Psychology will pair up for a collaborative project. Psychology is being introduced to Art Therapy and Art of Healthy Living is focusing on collaboration and communication through art.  A guest speaker via zoom (Amanda Medas - ARHS graduate) will speak about her education and her background as an art therapist and will share the methods she incorporates into her practice.  Students will be exposed to the benefits of art therapy both in the presentation and with a pinch pot project in which they would use clay to create their pot and a symbol of themselves.  Stay tuned for an overview of this great event!

Core Value Recipients:

Kayden Lynch - Resilience

Dominick Snyder - Honor

Bilong Baptista - Honor

Colby Blais - Random Act of Kindness

Aisling Richards - Achievement

Here is a list of clubs to join:

Student Government (class)

Student Council - J. Solomon, L. Mordini

Art, Share, Travel Club - K. Lima

Chorus/Select Choirs - E. Ledwith

DECA - F. Rosa, J. Cronin 

LIFE (Lakers) - N. Briggs

Environmental Club - K. Marshall

Game Club/SHAPE - J. Giorlando

GSA (Gay/Straight Alliance) - K. Desrosiers

Math Team - S. Pacheco

NHS (National Honor Society)-by invite - B. Ferreira

Tech and Engineering Club - J. Mare

Unified Basketball - N. Briggs

Yearbook - K. Desrosiers

All Booked at Apponequet - J. O’Brien

*Debate Club - M. Macek- New!

* Programming - coming soon

Events and opportunities

We are so grateful for your support of the Laker Care Closet which stocks items for students with unmet needs or unexpected "situations" so that they may be able to better focus on school and achieve. 

Please visit our regularly updated wishlist for needed items! 

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2EJ3DPB697U1O?ref_=wl_share

The Apponequet winter athletic season began this week with a record number of winter athletes (187) registering to participate. Sports offered in the winter are girls basketball, boys basketball, girls indoor track, boys indoor track, boys ice hockey, girls ice hockey, boys swim and girls swim.  Well done Lakers!

Please check www.southcoastconference.org for all of our contest schedules and join us for exciting competition and please see the daily announcements on the ARHS website for shoutouts to our students. 

Student dismissal: Please visit freelake.org and choose the Apponequet website. Click on the “ARHS Parent Dismissal button” and complete the form to dismiss your student.

Reminder of Driving Instructions for Parents/Guardians 

Drop Off - The school opens at 7:00 am and students are supervised in the Lecture Hall until the bell rings at 7:30 am. 

Please note that both entrances are open for drop off this year. Vehicles must exit by the same side as they entered and are cautioned to drive carefully as our student drivers enter the building from the parking lot.  Please contact the Main Office or SRO Bartholomew with any questions. 

Pick Up - We continue to ask parents and guardians to park when arriving for pick up to ensure that cars do not block the bus lanes and Howland Road. If you have any questions about this process, please contact the Main Office or SRO Bartholomew.

Follow ARHS on Instagram - Arhs.lakernation - where we celebrate every day Laker life, events and our Core Value Award recipients. We have honored multiple students for their achievement, honor, resilience, self-advocacy and random acts of kindness.

Upcoming Dates:

December 14- Winter Concert 

December 15 - John and Abigail Adams Scholarship presentation 9 am     

December 22- Half-Day                        

 Class of 2024 Important Dates & Information.pdf