Boothbay Region High School

Newsletter

March 21, 2008

Dear Parents and Community Members,

As always, there are many things going on during the academic day and in the hours after school officially closes. This newsletter contains many notes of interest; we hope you’ll look it over carefully and pay special attention to those items that pertain to you or your high school student. And please remember, if you have questions, accolades, or comments, we are happy to hear from you. We can be reached at 633-2421, or by email:

Jack Tourtillotte, Principal – jtourtillotte@brhs.boothbay.k12.me.us, or

Joel Austin, Assistant Principal – jaustin@brhs.boothbay.k12.me.us.

March is "Youth Art Month"!

We have two high school art students who are currently being exhibited out there in the "real world". Sophomore, Drew Schmid has a beautifully executed, atmospheric collage of a landscape that is on display (during March) at a show in the Maine Education Association offices located in Augusta. The opening reception for this exhibition was held on Sunday afternoon, March 9. Drew was recognized and given a certificate in a presentation in Augusta. Senior, Haley White has a highly realistic, graphite rendering (of corn!) exhibited at the Portland Museum of Art (also during the month of March). The gala, opening celebration for this show was held on Saturday evening, March 8, at the museum, where Haley received a pin and a certificate of honor. Both of these exhibitions were co-sponsored by the Maine Art Education Association in celebration of "Youth Art Month". Haley, additionally designed the invitation to the Portland Museum "Youth Art Month" show, a document which was distributed to students, teachers, parents and administrators throughout the state. Congratulations to Haley White and Drew Schmid!!

On Wednesday, March 12th, the students of BRHS and BRES were treated to a wonderful concert performed by four members of the Maine Jazz Alliance. The musicians are part of a program called "Jazz Goes to School," which brings the music of our nation's history to students all over Maine. While in Boothbay the musicians worked for the rest of the day with student musicians from both schools, introducing improvisation to all attendees. In the evening they performed a wonderful concert featuring a song with students from the clinics taking turns improvising. Boothbay Band Director Meredith Duke was also featured on trombone on one song during the concert. The Jazz Goes to School program is entirely without cost to schools, due to grants and sponsorship of the Maine Jazz Alliance.

Technology Education

Though the name has changed through the years the mission remains the same, to prepare young men and women with the skills and knowledge they will need as they continue their education, increase their job effectiveness and pursue domestic activities that may include home, auto or boat maintenance and repair as well as the pursuit of hobbies through interest and ability.

This spring finds the completion and startup of the ever-present myriad of projects and activities taken on by the Tech. Ed. students. Supporting other programs with prepared materials for science, art, and drama classes, a small construction project for the Boothbay Region Fish and Game Club (they supplied all the materials), an independent study project which included some support work for the local chapter of Rebuilding Together and another independent study project exploring the schools computer assisted design (CAD) system. The full array of simple and complex design projects includes music and jewelry boxes, bird feeders, bedside tables, coffee tables and bookcases of all sorts. In addition, there was work in the metal lab fabricating and repairing snowmobile parts and automotive repairs with a few students involved in casting some 10” brass marlinspikes.

A very big Thank You to Wayne Closson for a very generous donation of assorted lumber for student projects and the team at Washburn and Doughty for scrap metal we picked up in the Fall. We are very grateful for these donations as well as the offers to receive boats, cars, and small construction projects often too numerous to accept, but please, before you drop it off at the dump (transfer station) swing by the shop or give us a call for it may be just the thing we’re looking for.

Thanks to the sophomores: Mrs. McKenna would like to extend sincere congratulations to her Sophomore English classes for their academic work during the second semester. 65.6% of the 64 students improved their grades from the first semester. This is a noteworthy achievement considering the second semester covered the longest period of time on the calendar, endured numerous interruptions in the flow of coursework with snow days and delayed starts, and suffered several rounds of serious colds and flu. Many sophomores have shown themselves to be motivated and responsible for their learning and performance for which I am so grateful. I wish them a prosperous and rich third semester, which we now begin.

Latin news: On February 29, Latin I and II students competed in the Regional Latin Certamen (college bowl) at Greeley High School. Both teams placed second in the meet and proved to be fierce competitors even against Class A schools. Mrs. Roberts was extremely proud of their competitive spirit and diligent preparation. The next contest is the State Certamen at Camden Hills on March 28.

LIBRARY NEWS

A reminder that the BRHS Library Catalog is now online! You may search the library’s 11,000 items by visiting the BRHS web site at www.boothbayschools.org and clicking on the BRHS Library Catalog tab in the left margin. If we don’t have an item you need, we can order it via interlibrary loan through the Maine State Library.

Looking for a good read? Check out the Student Book Review display. See what your fellow students are reading. Thanks to Mrs. Hammond’s English 9 classes for participating.

March is Women’s History Month. Our monthly display features books about influential women and their contributions in the arts, sciences, and government. Among the women highlighted are Marie Curie, Susan B. Anthony, and Maine’s own Margaret Chase Smith and Rachel Carson.

BRHS students have been busy researching presidential candidates for persuasive speeches second trimester. The library owns biographies of the major presidential candidates: Living History by Hillary Clinton, Dreams From My Father by Barack Obama, and Faith of My Fathers by John McCain. In addition, we have subscriptions to Time, Newsweek, and USA Today, which all provide excellent election coverage. Make an informed decision when you head to the polls in November.

New Fiction

A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly (Printz Honor Book), Gentlemen of the Road by Pulitzer Prize winning author Michael Chabon, Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri (Pulitzer Prize winner), Maximum Ride: The Final Warning by James Patterson, The Appeal by John Grisham, and The Memory Keeper’s Daughter by Kim Edwards.

New Nonfiction

Fodor’s Exploring China, Fodor’s Exploring Spain, Moving the Chains: Tom Brady and the Pursuit of Everything by Charles Pierce, The Assist: Hoops, Hope, and the Game of Their

Lives by Neil Swidey, Physics of the Impossible: A Scientific Exploration into the World of Phasers, Force Fields, Teleportation, and Time Travel by Michio Kaku, and You’ve Got To Read This Book! : 55 People Tell the Story of the Book that Changed Their Lives compiled by Jack Canfield.

On the light side...Many thanks to nationally acclaimed Maine humorist Tim Sample for donating several of his books, audio cds, and DVDs to the BRHS Library. We are all looking forward to meeting Mr. Sample on Career Day next Wednesday, March 26.

We celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with Irish music and books about Ireland’s history and culture. It was a little taste of The Emerald Isle right in Boothbay Harbor!

Yearbook News - Well, the 2007-08 version of "The Log" has been sent to the printer and barring any unforeseen problems, should be back in Boothbay in early May. If you did not take advantage of pre-ordering a yearbook, they will be on sale when they arrive for $45. We should have plenty of "extras" for sale. Thank you to all the parents and community members who supported the yearbook through advertising in this year's yearbook. We are now focusing on the editing and producing our year in review DVD that will encompass many of this year's events from the Homecoming Rally to productions in the drama department, music videos and random video clips that have been collected from projects throughout the year. I have seen some of the footage that we have available and there is a TON of funny stuff that will make it's way into this video. Look for more information about the video as we approach the end of the year.

Sprachfest

On Thursday, March 12th the German III and IV classes attended the annual German "Sprachfest" which this year took place at Bates College. A number of schools participated. Among them Mt. View, Mt. Ararat, Maranacook, Deering and BRHS. Activities include board games, singing, dancing, videos [produced by the students], bag skits, obstacle course and a junior and senior cultural trivia competition as well as a baking competition.

Bates provided the space, the judges for the several activities and pizza and beverages for lunch. It was, as always, an exciting time and an opportunity for our students to see what their peers in other schools are doing.

German American Partnership Program (GAPP) April 8th- April 29th, 2008

For the past 3 months the Gapp students have been meeting every Thursday from 2:30-3:30 pm in Mrs. Baade's room to get ready for the exchange with the Realschule in Bad Harzburg, Germany as well as their 5-day stay in Berlin, the capital. They have been studying useful vocabulary for everyday life situations, cultural differences, German government and some German history. Everyone is very excited about the upcoming trip and the opportunity to apply what they have learned in the classroom. The students also have been in close contact with their partners who were here in October and who can't wait to show our students the beauty of the Harz Mountains and the picturesque small towns and cities close to Bad Harzburg. They are also eager to share their homes and traditions, their school life and free time activities. Their teacher, Peter Kerlin, has planned an exciting program for our students. It includes a day tour through the beautiful Harz, a trip to the VW factory and exhibit halls at Wolfsburg, which is the youngest city in Germany, only existing since they 1930's when the factory was built. Also planned is a day trip to the amusement park in Soltau where the students can ride the highest wooden roller coaster in the world.

The students participating in the exchange are: Seniors- Lexa Panagore, Haley White, Kimberly Reed, Grady Kelly and Rugge Benoit. Juniors: Amanda Cotier, Dylan Brandt, Sally Monroe, Rachel Reed, Mary Fuller, Zak Vanderlaan. Sophomores: Ntina Rigas, Ben Gottlieb, Julian Hauser, and Ben Maddocks. Also joining us for 10 days is Bruce White, whose hosts, Birte and Klaus Neumann, hosted Peter Gilchrist [junior] and Frances Avery years ago. They are looking forward to being hosts again.

I, as always, am looking forward to seeing my students represent our school and country with thoughtfulness and accepting a different way of life with courtesy as they immerse in the German culture. It is always a treat for me to hear my students speak German in natural surroundings. I am also looking forward to spending time with my gracious hosts, Peter and Karin Kerlin as well as their son and daughter who are like second family to me.

Ragnhild Baade -German teacher

P.S. You will get a complete report after our return.

Are you ready, Spain?

On Friday, April 18, nine BRHS students and their teacher, Sra. Karol Clark, as well as her friend, Nancy Graslewicz, will be traveling to sunny Spain for ten days, returning on Monday, April 28. The students who will be taking this trip are: Scott Bennett, Brooke Chaney, Tallie Colcord, Dan Hallinan, Rob Hallinan, Morgan Mitchell, Spencer Myshrall, Aleesha Pinkham and Claire Unda. During the trip we will be touring central, northern and northeastern Spain visiting the cities of Madrid, Burgos, San Sebastian and Barcelona. While in Madrid the group will see the National Palace, the Prado Art Museum, a flamenco show as well as a walking tour of the old city. With luck and a bit of fortitude we will also get to do a bit of dancing Spanish-style. When leaving Madrid we will travel to see El Escorial, a huge monastery and burial place of the past kings and queens of Spain, the wonderful medieval city of Segovia and settle next in the city of Burgos to see its famous cathedral. From Burgos we travel to San Sebastian and stop at the Guggenheim Museum along the way. While in San Sebastian we will visit its well-known beach as well as the old quarter and the Miramar Palace. Next to Barcelona, with a stop in the city of Pamplona where the Running of the Bulls is held every July 17, and in the Mediterranean city of three million we will visit the famous church of La Sagrada Familia, stroll down Las Ramblas, stopping at la Boqueria, an immense indoor food market and end up at the monument to Christopher Columbus. It was in Barcelona that Columbus was commissioned by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel to sail to the "New World". A replica of the Santa Maria can be seen in Barcelona's harbor. To wind down our trip we will travel up the coast from Barcelona to the Costa Brava and relax the last two days on the beach.

The students and I want to thank the community for their support during our fundraising efforts and let you know we will hold one last bottle drive on Saturday. March 22 and a car wash on April 5, weather permitting. We are greatly looking forward to this experience and being able to use our Spanish. ¡Gracias!

GUIDANCE NEWS

Career Day (7^th-12^th grade) has been organized for this upcoming Wednesday, March 26^th. Our students so rarely get to tap the “world of work” knowledge of adults in our community and over 60 volunteers have stepped forward to share their expertise. Students will be hearing from local entrepreneur, Vic Taylor, to start the day, attend 4 career presentations hosted by the region’s local workforce, and end with day with Maine Humorist, Tim Sample. Career Day will be a highlight event for many students, so please make sure your child attends.

College Planning Night (10^th and 11^th Grade) all juniors, sophomores, and their parents are invited to attend an evening presentation on COLLEGE PLANNING being held Wednesday, April 2nd, at 6:30 PM in the high school. This is the first of three sequential presentations done for parents and students to assist them through the college admissions and financial aid maze. The second presentation, in September, will focus on the college application process; the third, in December 2008, will provide the information you need to manage financial aid applications.

Shaye Paradis, BRHS Guidance Counselor, will be discussing the basics of college admissions and how to begin the college search process. She’ll be covering college visits & interviews, admissions testing, high school class selections, and much more.

Class Registration (All grades) All 8^th, 9^th, 10^th and 11^th graders are currently registering for classes for the 2008-2009 school year. Your child should be bringing home his or her course selection sheet for your approval. It is important that parents participate in THIS process to ensure that our students are thoughtful in their choices and that there is sufficient rigor in their plans for next year. The Program of Studies, with course descriptions and information about graduation requirements, is available online at the High School website (boothbayschools.org); you will find a link on the left hand side that will take you directly there. If you have questions that aren’t answered there, please feel free to call Mrs. Paradis at the High School. It is our goal to have draft 08-09 schedules ready for students before they leave for the summer.

SATs for Juniors

This may be old news for some of you, but I want to remind you that all juniors (or third year students) in Maine high schools must take the SAT on May 3^rd. This is the third year in which Maine has used the SAT, augmented by additional math and science items that are administered during April, serving as the State’s assessment of high school students for NCLB purposes. In addition to meeting our statutory requirements that all students be assessed, this provides a free opportunity for all juniors to take the SAT in a manner that will allow these scores to be used for college admissions purposes. This fits into the State’s goal of having all graduates of Maine high schools ready and able to apply to a post-secondary program. We will be getting more information to juniors and their parents in the coming weeks, but we want you to have a ‘heads up’ so you don’t make plans that interfere with this testing.