NEWS FROM THE HILL - Needham High School

NEWS FROM THE HILL
NEEDHAM HIGH SCHOOL’S NEWSLETTER OF RECORD
Monday, December 5, 2011
Number 14
Number 4
Principal’s Message
Mission Statement
Needham High School draws from
the strengths of the community to
create teaching and learning
partnerships between faculty,
parents, and students, both on an
individual level and in groups, in
order to provide a high quality
education.
The school offers students a variety
of opportunities to excel and a
diversity of perspectives from which
to learn in an environment that is
both nurturing and challenging.
The balanced student is able to
participate actively in school and
society, be creative, and selfadvocate while determining his or
her unique path to fulfillment.
It was such a thrill to be a part of the Super Bowl excitement this week. I
am incredibly proud, not only of our football team and the dedicated
coaching staff, but also of our entire student body and high school faculty
and staff who supported our team throughout this incredible season.
This culminated in the outpouring of positive energy and school spirit that
we witnessed at the Saturday send-off and at Gillette Stadium. A special
thanks to the marching band, cheerleaders and dance team and their
coaches for their dedication to excellence, and for providing spirited
music and entertainment throughout the season. Once again, I was truly
impressed by the respect our students showed not only to the other team,
but also to each other during the games.
I am especially proud of the football team for receiving the prestigious
MIAA Sportsmanship Award, which was presented during halftime at the
Super Bowl. This award is presented to the team that has demonstrated a
sincere commitment to the highest ideals and objectives of sportsmanship
during their season of play. I commend our student athletes and coaching
staff, as well as Athletic Director Micah Hauben, for their commitment to
fair play and integrity, both on and off the field.
In This Issue!
Upcoming Events
Student Activities
F&PA News
Guidance Dept. Notes
Athletic Information
Community Partners
Announcements
News from the Hill is published
electronically each Monday by
the Needham High School
throughout the school year.
Information to be included in a
Monday issue must be submitted
to Ms. Mary Piltch in the Main
Office by the preceding
Thursday.
Upcoming Events
Thursday,
12/8
Friday,
12/9
Saturday,
12/10
Saturday,
12/10
Wednesday,
12/14
Winter Sports User Fee Payment Deadline
NHS Theatre Arts: Spoon River Anthology
7:30 pm Auditorium
Habitat for Humanity Silent Auction
10:00 am – 2:00 pm Main Lobby
NHS Theatre Arts: Spoon River Anthology
7:30 pm Auditorium
2-Hour Delayed Opening
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Student Activities
Habitat for Humanity Silent Auction On Saturday, December 10, the Habitat for
Humanity Club at Needham High School hosts its annual Silent Auction. The Auction
runs from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. in the main lobby of the high school. This is the Club's
main fundraising event and all proceeds are donated to various Habitat affiliates. Items at
the auction include lunch with the Superintendent, Red Sox tickets, Bruins tickets, a week
at a local basketball camp, jewelry, various gift baskets, seasonal items, and many other
things! Please come, bid often, take home a great buy, and help support a wonderful
organization! For more information, contact Emily_Will@needham.k12.ma.us.
NHS Spring Musical is The Drowsy Chaperone! Audition materials and sign-ups will be
posted on Monday December 5 outside 612. Auditions are December 12th and 13th.
Rocket Express Holiday Shopping Looking for a unique gift for your student? Look no
further than the school store, Rocket Express! Needham Rocket themed T-shirts, sweat
pants, fleece jackets and more can be ordered through the on-line Holiday Order form.
Go to:
http://nhs.needham.k12.ma.us/bulletins/News-from-the-Hill and click on
RocketOrderForm2011.pdf.
National Honor Society Review and Timeline A committee of faculty members is
currently reviewing and revising the by-laws and selection process to the National Honor
Society. In December, the final documents will be posted on the high school website, and
announced in News from the Hill. The following is an outline for the 2011-2012
application process:
o February (following 2nd term grades) - Students with qualifying GPAs will
receive letters of invitation to complete the Candidate Form
o February - Information sessions for candidates
o March - Candidate Forms will be due (exact date TBA)
o April - Letters issued (to all students completing Candidate Forms)
o April 26, 2012 - Induction Ceremony
New Arrivals Congratulations to Art Teacher Sofia Koza-Topp on the birth of daughter
Maisie Nozomi, and to Media Technology instructor Samantha Bookston, and husband
Math teacher David Bookston on the birth of their son Robert Leo, both born on the same
day, November 30.
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Fine and Performing Arts News
MMEA Eastern District 2012 Music Honors Groups
We are very proud to announce that a record number of our music students, based on
their auditions Saturday, November 19, have been selected for membership in the MMEA
Eastern District 2012 Music Honors Groups. The list of our 29 students is below. They
will be rehearsing and performing a concert with the Eastern District Honors Band,
Chorus, Jazz Ensemble, and Orchestra on January 6th and 7th at Boston Latin High
School. Furthermore, 13 of our students also performed at a high enough level of
excellence to receive coveted recommendations to audition to All-State. We want to not
only recognize and congratulate the students, but also their teachers, Margaret Mclallen
and Jonathan VanderWoude, for providing our students with the coaching, instruction,
inspiration, and opportunity to take part in these types of events.
NHS SENIOR DISTRICT MUSICIANS 2011-2012
BAND
Francis Arbogast
Alex Caulfield
Brendan Chin
Amy Lipman*
Will Myers
Edward Pantridge
Sarah Warner
Broderick Woodward
Snare Drum
Trumpet
Trumpet
Flute
Clarinet
Tuba
Flute
Trumpet
CHORUS
Drew Boisvert
Liam Butchart
Elizabeth Healy
Sarah Hooper*
Melissa Mullen
Jacob Nikolajczk*
Aaron Peckham
Max Quinn*
Erica Serrano*
Haydn Spitz
Bass
Bass
Alto
Alto
Alto
Bass
Bass
Tenor
Soprano
Tenor
JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Paul Bloom*
Piano
Jill DiMeo*
Trumpet
ORCHESTRA
Lucinda Chiu
Violin
Thomas Colgrove
Cello
Ted Morin*
French Horn
Emily Munstedt*
Cello
Stanley Normile*
Trumpet
Danielle Penny*
Violin
Ryan Schott*
Timpani
Noah Teplin*
Viola
Mulin Xiong
Violin
* Denotes also received recommendation to audition for All-State.
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Needham High School Theater Arts presents: Spoon River Anthology by Edgar Lee
Masters. A series of dramatic monologues from beyond the grave given by the deceased
inhabitants of the fictional town of Spoon River. Come out to the NHS Auditorium on
December 9th and December 10th at 7:30 pm to see this outstanding play by our High
School Theater Arts class and the Theater Arts Society. Tickets are $5.00 and can be
purchased at the door, or reserved by emailing David_Neves@needham.k12.ma.us.
From the Guidance Department
http://nhs.needham.k12.ma.us/guidance/Home%20Page
The Senior Bulletin is posted weekly on our website http://nhs.needham.k12.ma.us/Guidance/Postsecondary
Community Service Opportunities
12/2/11 Tutors needed
o For third grade student at Community Room on Chambers Street from 3:45pm-4:
30pm any day except Tuesday.
o Mentor/tutor for 6th grade girl who is also interested in sports/music. Weekends
best.
o For 8th grade student - all subjects
o For 8th grade boy who is studying advanced math
12/2/11 Internships in the Arts needs a couple of more students. As part of the
Needham Town Hall renovation, the town has restored the top floor of the building for
use as a high quality performance space, seating approximately 450 people. A group of
Needham citizens has formed the not-for-profit Great Hall Performance Series
Foundation and will begin its season with four concerts in 2012. Student interns are
needed to assist in a variety of ways including web site and collateral materials
development, marketing and promotion, project management, and ticket sales. For more
information, please contact Ms. Margie Brodsky at 781-444-7418 or
margiebrodsky@yahoo.com.
11/28/11 The Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress seeks volunteers for
Advocates in Motion (AIM), one of their programs specifically geared towards teens and
young adults with Down Syndrome. Volunteers serve as positive youth role models to
participants and assist with monthly events. Meetings are held one Sunday each month
from 12:30pm-3: 30pm at the West Suburban YMCA in West Newton. Volunteers are
also needed for the AIM Holiday Party on Friday, December 9th from 7-9:30pm at the
West Suburban YMCA. This is one of the highlights of the AIM program year with
dancing, singing, crafts, and fun with friends! For more information on volunteering,
please contact Ms. Endres at cendres@mdsc.org.
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11/28/11 Cradles to Crayons Teen Leadership Corps is now accepting applications
for Corps members for Spring 2012. Cradles to Crayons is a non-profit organization
dedicated to providing essentials so that every child will feel warm, safe, valued, and
ready to learn. To find out more and to download a Leadership Corps application, please
go to www.cradlestocrayons.org.
11/28/11 The Charles River YMCA needs volunteers for their after school program,
which runs Monday-Friday, 3:30-6:30pm. Students must be responsible, mature, and love
being around children. The age range is grades K-6. Students help with homework,
engage in activities, and act as positive role models/mentors for younger children. For
more information, please see Ms. Ayoub or contact Ms. Ashley Gropman at:
agropman@ymcaboston.org
11/18/11 Needham Relay for Life 2012 There is a new procedure in place this year for
students who wish to receive community service for this event. Please pick up a Relay for
Life Community Service Information Packet in Ms. Ayoub's Office or go to
http://fcw.needham.k12.ma.us/~gretchen_ayoub/ and click on 2012 Relay for Life.
Exchange Club Youth Community Service Award 2011-2012
The Needham Exchange Club wants to recognize and support Needham students who are
leaders in community service. Each year, the Exchange Club plans to acknowledge the
accomplishments of up to five students who through their active involvement have made
an impact on an organization providing service to the community. Each of the students
selected to be recognized for this award will also be invited to submit a brief proposal to
the Exchange Club for support of the organization with which the student is active. The
Exchange Club will select one or two of the organizations so nominated and make a cash
donation of between $500 and $1,000 to the organization on behalf of the student
nominating the organization. This award is for students in the 9th, 10th, or 11th grade.
Please go to the following link to apply for the Award:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGtuckVDbVl4YVgxZ1g0VnV
LeHhLZ0E6MA
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Athletics News
http://nhs.needham.k12.ma.us/athletics/
For up to the minute news and events information go to
NHS Athletics: Rockets Review & Weekly Calendar of Events
http://nhs.needham.k12.ma.us/athletics/ROCKETS.REVIEW
Rockets Football finishes as
MIAA EMASS Division I Runner-Up!
Needham came out swinging against BC High School in the Division I Super Bowl
on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium, recovering an on-sides kick on the opening
kick-off, then marching down the field to score the first points of the contest to build
a 7-0 lead. BC High marched down the field to tie the game at 7-7, which remained
the score until the start of the 2nd quarter, when BC High got a 91 yard touchdown
from their back-up running back to build a 14-7 lead going into the half.
BC High got on the board first in the 3rd quarter, to go up 21-7, and although the
Rockets managed to get inside the 30 yard line four more times, they were unable to
get into the end zone, and although they put up a tough, hard-nosed fight against the
Eagles, dropped the program's first ever Super Bowl 21-7. The Rockets end their
historic season as the BSC Carey Division Champions with a final record of 9-4.
Boston Herald DI Super Bowl Story:
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/high_school/football/view/2011_1204rameydoe_runs_wild_rb_hits_200_yards_as_eagles_rip_rockets/
Boston Globe DI Super Bowl Box Score:
http://www.boston.com/partners/globesports/schools/events/13/282863.html
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Game Shots from www.WGDActionPhoto.com
(L to R: Charter takes the snap; McCarthy with the hit; N. Panepinto elevates; No time left.)
Needham Fans & Students Came Out in Full Force to Support the Rockets!
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NHS ATHLETIC EVENTS/DATES & IMPORTANT INFORMATION
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
FOR ALL NHS WINTER ATHLETES & COACHES:
MANDATORY BULLYING/HAZING & CONCUSSION
MANAGEMENT PRESENTATION
Tuesday, December 6th - 2:45-3:15pm - NHS A Gym
FOR ALL NHS WINTER ATHLETES:
USER FEE PAYMENT DEADLINE: THURSDAY,
DECEMBER 8th
Athletic User Fee is $285.00 per season and must be paid in
order for athletes to receive uniforms and be eligible to
compete.
WINTER SEASON SURCHARGES:
Boys Swimming & Diving = $50.00
Boys & Girls Ice Hockey (Var/JV) = $250.00
Boys & Girls Ski = $250.00
Visit http://nhs.needham.k12.ma.us/athletics/NHS%20Athletic%20Info for
complete User Fee policy information and details.
CONCUSSION MANAGMENT TRAINING:
•
All coaches and student-athletes, as well as parents of
student-athletes, are now required to take one of the two
approved online concussion education courses each school
year (coaches must submit course completion certificate to
Athletic Office):
• NFHS Course -
www.nfhslearn.com/electiveDetail.aspx?courseID=15000
• CDC Course - www.cdc.gov/concussion
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NEEDHAM ROCKETS ATHLETIC EVENTS: HOME & AWAY
12/5-12/11
Home Varsity Events (All other Home HS Events)
Away Varsity Events (All other Away HS Events)
Scrimmages (Home/Away)
Date
Start
Time
Team(s)
Monday
12/5 5:15PM Boys Var Basketball
H/A
Opponent(s)/Event
Facility
Home Scrimmage vs Concord Carlisle HS
Needham HS A Gym
Mandatory Bullying/Hazing &
Concussion Workshop
Home Scrimmage vs Weston HS
Needham HS A Gym
Needham HS A Gym
ednesday
12/7 4:00PM Girls Var Ice Hockey
12/7 5:00PM Boys Var Ice Hockey
12/7 6:00PM Boys Var Basketball
Away Scrimmage vs Watertown HS
Away Scrimmage vs Malden Catholic HS
Home Scrimmage vs Dover-Sherborn Reg HS
Ryan Arena (Watertown)
Valley Forum (Malden)
Needham HS A Gym
Thursday
12/8 4:15PM Girls Var Basketball
12/8 5:30PM Boys Var Wrestling
12/8 7:00PM Boys Var Ice Hockey
Away Scrimmage vs Stoneham HS
Home Brookline HS
Away Practice @ North End
Stoneham HS
Needham HS A Gym
North End Rink
Tuesday
2:45- ALL WINTER
12/6 3:15PM ATHLETES
12/6 4:15PM Girls Var Basketball
Saturday
12/10 9:00AM
10:00A
12/10
M
12/10 6:40PM
12/10 9:00PM
12/10 TBA
Boys Var Wrestling
Girls Var Basketball
Boys Var Ice Hockey
Boys Var Basketball
Girls Var Ice Hockey
Sunday
12/11 1:00PM Girls JV Ice Hockey
12/17 9:00AM Wrestling
12/17 5:10PM Girls Var Ice Hockey
Quad: Belmont HS/Boston Latin/North
Home Andover
Play-Day: Assabet Reg. & South Kingston
Home (RI)
Away Scrimmage vs Duxbury HS
Away Scholar Roundball Invite vs Lexington HS
Away Scrimmage vs Arlington HS
Needham HS A Gym
Eliot School
Duxbury Rink (BOG)
Babson College
Veteran's Memorial Rink (Arlingto
Away
Away
Away
Martha’s Vineyard HS
Wayland Tournament
Scrimmage vs Oliver Ames HS
Martha's Vineyard Rink
Wayland HS
Iorio Rink (Walpole)
Away
Away
MSTCA Winter Festival
Braintree HS
Reggie Lewis Center
Shea MDC Rink (Quincy)
Sunday
Boys & Girls Indoor
12/18 9:30AM Track
12/18 12:00PM Girls JV Ice Hockey
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Community Announcements
Needham Youth Services
Contact the Youth Services office for information at 781-455-7500 or online at
www.needhamma.gov/youth.
Beyond Bossing, Begging, and Bribing Join Parent Talk for a funny and informative
lecture on Wednesday, December 14, 2011, 7 pm at Needham High School. Parenting
expert, author and owner of The Better Behavior Bureau, Jeanine Fitzgerald, will offer
specific and effective strategies to improve everyday communication with our children.
For more information and to register: www.parenttalk.info – offerings – lecture series
RECOGNIZE A TEACHER OR STAFF MEMBER WITH AN NEF DONATION
FOR THE HOLIDAYS! A donation to the Needham Education Foundation (NEF) is a
wonderful way to honor a teacher or staff person, family member, or other important
person in your child's life at the holidays, or any time! New this year is the ability to
order cards and donate online, or you can still order and pay by check through U.S Mail all at http://www.nefneedham.org/donate-trc.php. NEF and the children of Needham
thank you for your support!
The Needham Athletic Booster Club Christmas tree fundraiser is scheduled to begin on
Sunday Nov. 27th ! through Thursday Dec. 22nd! !or until supplies last. We are located at
Claxton Field across from the transfer station on Central Ave.
Our hours are:
Monday-Friday 5 PM -8PM
Saturdays: 9AM-7PM
Sundays: 10AM-6PM
We have quality Scott trees in many sizes (with FREE NETTING) and also wreaths and
garland. Please support your Needham High School student-athletes as ALL proceeds benefit
Needham High Athletics.!
Wednesday, December 14th, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Broadmeadow Cafeteria: in lieu of our
regular monthly speaker series the SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) will
be gathering for a family evening of socializing, playing board/card games and making
holiday cards that give thanks to our active duty men, women, their families and veterans of
the US Armed Forces. Please contact amymbrown@verizon.net for further information and
to rsvp.
Child Assault Prevention Program (CAP) is seeking volunteers to join our Needham Task
Force! New training begins January 3rd. The training has been revised to more easily fit with
busy schedules. For more information and an application visit our website
h t t p : / / w w w . n e e d h a m c o m m u n i t y c o u n c i l . o r g / or email Jessica Hoguet at
Jhoguet@needhamcommunitycouncil.org.
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Chinese Friends of Needham is very happy to announce its 2nd Annual Chinese New Year
Celebration in Needham on Saturday January 14, 2012 at Pollard Middle School Auditorium!
The special event will usher in and celebrate The Year of the Dragon and will feature a
diverse and tasty potluck, kids game, adults social and a grand Chinese traditional
performance. We welcome all NHS students and families who are connected to or interested
in Chinese culture and traditions. Due to our space limit, we require pre-registration, please
contact CFN's President Mr. Lin at johnlin7@yahoo.com. For a read on our historic first
Chinese New Year party last year, please check the following links at
http://www.wickedlocal.com/needham/photos/x517524500/Chinese-Friends-of-NeedhamChinese-New-Year-celebration.
Needham High School
609 Webster Street
Needham, MA 02494
Tel. (781) 455 – 0800
Fax (781) 449 - 5111
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