It is National School Counseling Week. Our Counseling Department wants all of you to know that their role is to help students to develop the skills to be successful in school and life, including academics, social-emotional learning, and life readiness. Their number 1 goal is for students to feel like they are a vital member of this school community who is learning, leading, and succeeding alongside peers. While we’re celebrating National School Counseling Week this week, the counselors hope you know that they celebrate STUDENTS every single day.
And CONGRATULATIONS to our Counseling Department who have received the inaugural Excellence in School Counseling Programing Award (ESCPA) through the Massachusetts School Counselor Association!
The team has been recognized for its “comprehensive school counseling program, positive results for ALL students in the areas of: AcademicTechnical, Personal/Social-Emotional, and Workplace/Career Readiness, data driven decision making”, and its role in the school community.
Congratulations to: Nicole Graf, Shawnna Fontaine, Aimee Lombard, Jennifer Cronin, Brian Vieira, Ali Robidoux, Nicole Fereira, and to Lisa Craig! And we thank you during National Counseling Week!
This week, the Counseling Department has visited each English 10 classroom to conduct Sophomore College/Career Readiness Workshops with the Class of 2026. These sessions \have students exploring their career interests through small group discussions and a digital Career Interest Profiler survey using Naviance. Each student will complete the workshop having identified at least one career and/or career pathway and a corresponding draft academic plan for Junior year.
On February 12th, grades 9-11 will attend a grade-level presentation to examine the Program of Studies, academic pathways, and the road to graduation and beyond.
Watch for these opportunities:
The Laker Softball program will be holding its preseason meeting, after school on Tuesday, February 13th in room 122. Season information and schedules will be discussed at this time.
The Portuguese club is meeting after school on Tuesday, February 13th in room 218.
February 14th is Valentine’s Day! Don’t miss out on your chance to buy carnations for a special someone. Sold at lunch.
February 11th is International Day of Women and Girls in Science is a global initiative to promote full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls. Launched by the United Nations in 2015, this day acknowledges the critical role women and girls play in science and technology communities. The aim is to challenge gender stereotypes, change societal perceptions, and encourage and empower women and girls to pursue studies and careers in science.
It’s a day not only to celebrate the achievements of women scientists, but also to advocate for greater inclusivity and gender equality in the science and technology fields. This observance serves as a reminder of the ongoing effort required to overcome barriers and achieve gender parity in scientific disciplines, ensuring diverse perspectives and innovations for the future.
And here is how WE celebrate Science in the upcoming months:
Statewide Girls in STEM Summit--April 7, UMASS Lowell
The Girls in STEM Summit, held at UMASS Lowell on April 7th is a daylong event for females interested in pursuing careers in a STEM related field. The summit features many women in STEM fields and gives our students opportunities to learn about a variety of STEM careers and meet women working in a variety of STEM fields. We are fortunate to be taking 20 students to this year’s summit and are looking forward to the experience.
Physics Olympics Competition
We are hosting a Physics Olympics competition at ARHS on April 6th. Teams from a variety of schools will be joining our two teams from Apponequet for this fun-filled day of physics. Throughout the day, the teams will compete in many different physics themed events. Some of the events for this year’s olympics include building a car that runs on 10 Joules of gravitational potential energy, building paper airplanes that fly the farthest and that maintain the longest flight time, and a physics photograph competition. Our teams here at ARHS have started the preparations for the event and are looking forward to a great day of competition.
Solar Eclipse
On April 8th, we will experience a solar eclipse across parts of the country. Here in Lakeville, the sun will experience slightly more than 90% coverage and the eclipse will occur shortly after school lets out (starting around 2:15 PM and at maximum coverage around 3:30 PM). Weather permitting, we are planning on having a solar eclipse watch party on campus for students who would like to join in the viewing. We will be providing eclipse viewing glasses for all who attend and we will be covering eclipse viewing safety in our science classes. We are looking forward to sharing this great learning opportunity with our students.
Interested in learning to build, drive and program robots to play in robot games? Consider joining the Robotics Club. We will be meeting every other Thursday until 3:30 pm starting Thursday, February 1st. Join the robotics club google classroom by scanning the QR code on the flier or see Mr. Salmond in room 206 with any questions.
Core Value Recipients:
Shahin Zakeri- Honor
Phoebe Quinn- Achievement
Ava Mello- 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) - A. Robidoux
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!
Vex Robotics Club - M. Salmond - New!
A Note from the Nurse:
Dear Families,
The health and safety of our students, families and staff are always our top priority.
As we head into the new year, we want to acknowledge that there have been many illnesses this season, and that families have inquired about Covid-19 testing and/or the availability of sending home test kits. In recognition of this, our district nurses have acquired Covid-19 test kits through the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. We would like to offer, to those that may need it, a Covid-19 test kit for their child. The kits can be sent home per parent/guardian request. There is a limited supply and will be given on an as needed basis.
We would like to note that there have been no current changes to practices or guidelines on Covid-19 at this time. FLRSD continues to follow the MA guidance which can be found at: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-isolation-and-exposure-guidance-for-children-and-staff-in-child-care-k-12-out-of-school-time-ost-and-recreational-campprogram-settings
As always please contact your school nurse with any questions.
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
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.
Upcoming Dates:
February 12- Program of Studies presentations
February 16- Laker Choice Awards (E period)
February 19-23 - February Vacation
February 27- Course Selection day
February 29- ARHS Showcase- 8th graders
We are celebrating Black History Month and the theme of African Americans in the Arts
Check out Jean-Michel Basquiat and the Neo-expressionism movement