WBMSHS Principal Update to Families

Dear WB Community,

I hope this newsletter finds you well. Please take some time to read it and learn about all the great things happening at the MSHS and any community opportunities. I hope it can provide you with some important information and give you a glimpse into what we are doing throughout the school year.

As always please feel free to reach out to us at anytime with any questions or concerns.

Have a great weekend.

Mrs. Page

We would like to provide information related to the Elementary School Building Project in West Bridgewater. This information was shared previously with all WB families through our Aspen email system and with all WB staff. It has also been posted on the website and social media.

Our 3 elementary schools are old with buildings that were built in 1956, 1958, and 1968. We are looking at a variety of options for consolidation projects. We are also experiencing overcrowding concerns at all 3 elementary schools and with the projected enrollment numbers by the MSBA this will only get worse in the future.

On Monday, September 18th there was a Feasibility Study and Schematic Design information night for the community to learn more about the project. If you were not able to attend the meeting here is the link https://youtu.be/NeT4u6p-SE0

If you would like more information we highly encourage you to visit the website dedicated to the project. Here you will find links to the SBC members, minutes of meetings, the presentation at the information night, and other important documents. https://sites.google.com/.../wb-elementary-building.../home

Mr. Gary Keith (Chair of the SBC) and Superintendent Mark Bodwell made a presentation to the Finance Committee at their October 5th meeting. The Finance Committee asked great questions and voted unanimously in support.

On Monday, October 16th at 6 pm there will be a Special Town Meeting at the Middle/Senior High School in the auditorium. At this meeting, there will be a vote to appropriate funding for a Feasibility Study and Schematic Design.

We encourage anyone with any questions to please reach out to Mr. Bodwell at mbodwell@wbridgewater.com. We want to make sure all questions are answered as we go through this process.

• October 5, 2023 - MCAS results mailed home
• October 9, 2023 - Columbus Day - No School
  
• October 11, 2023 - Picture Day
  
• October 13, 2023 - Guest Speaker - Education on Vaping and Damaging Affects
• October 16 - October 20, 2023 - Homecoming Week
• October 21, 2023 - Homecoming Dance - Grades 9-12 only
• October 27, 2023 - Half Day - Dismissal at 11:00am
• October 28, 2023 - Trunk orTreat

All Senior Section yearbook submissions are due on Tuesday, October 10th. This includes Senior Photo, baby photo, Senior quote and Bio. Students should refer to the Class of 2024 Yearbook Classroom for full instructions on how to upload photos and how to submit your quote and bio. No late submissions will be accepted. See Mrs. DeLorenzo or Mrs. DeSimone with any questions.

Prestige by Lifetouch is offering a free sitting option on October 12th for all students in the Class of 2024. If weather permits, the photos will be taken at the War Memorial Park. This free sitting includes one photo for the yearbook. They will also offer reasonably priced Senior Portrait packages to West Bridgewater Middle Senior High School students. Please contact Mrs. DeLorenzo at sdelorenzo@wbridgewater.com to set up an appointment or if you have any questions.

The annual tradition of the senior class dressing up and visiting SSS and Howard is upon us. We will be heading over on the 31st from 1:00pm- 1:45pm

Lifetouch Picture Day for Grades 7-11 will be on Wednesday, October 11th. Homeroom teachers will distribute picture day flyers closer to the date of photos.

Students who qualified for their letter jackets received them at our fist annual, Fall Jacket Night! A big THANK YOU to Boosters and all the parents/guardians involved in the group for their generosity in supplying the jackets for our student athletes.

Congratulations to all!

WB Athletics was highlighted in the MIAA Community Service Challenge for their work with the NOSOLO Company! Thank you to Ms. Hammel for connecting with this great organization in support of all those who have struggles with mental health. As always thank you to all the student volunteers who assisted to make this a great event.

Officer Pope came to the rescue for one of our students who left their car running and locked the door!

Thank you to the Assistant District Attorney, Liz Marvel and the Community Program's Coordinator, Jen Cantwell, for presenting, Cyber Sense, to our 8th and 9th grade students. The presentation was very informative and helped students to learn more about the dangers of social media and the internet.

Lisa Markland is a dynamic leader and team builder, specializing in facilitating training on leadership, gender-based violence prevention and racial justice. Lisa is a graduate of Northeastern University, where she achieved a BS in Human Services. A former collegiate athlete at Northeastern, she competed in track and field and is a two time American East Champion, former New England Champion and a former and was a nationally ranked competitor. Currently, Lisa serves as a Northeastern University's Associate Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Lisa did an outstanding job speaking to our student body. She had a powerful message for them: WORDS MATTER and REMEMBER, we may not always know the struggles of our peers. LIFT each other up and KINDESS MATTERS.

Students in Mr. Cray’s Documentary Filmmaking class created their first short documentary with footage that they shot during the summer. Each student created their own “Summer of “23” video. This project helps get students to start thinking about visual storytelling and gets them into the edit room right at the start of the school year. Bonus: they’ve produced a keepsake to enjoy for the rest of their life!

In Mr. Cray and Mr. Siegel's TV Pro I classes students worked in the lab learning how to edit videos.

Mrs. Pankowski's Life 101 class affords our juniors and seniors the opportunity to learn about "LIFE". The class was able to learn from Mr. Cray about how to change a flat tire. Additionally, two visitors from Re/Max Platinum in Bridgewater spoke to the class. Scotty Jones the Broker/Owner and Aaron Johnson shared their vast knowledge of the real estate business.

Student's in Mrs. Pope's Physical Science class worked on a lab in class. Students investigated the strength of spaghetti bridges using marbles. Students created scatter plot graphs and were introduced to R-squared values as a piece of evidence that may support their claims. The lab gives students the opportunity to practice new graphing skills and make correlations!

Student's in Mr. Pike's class were working on a lab to find the mass of certain materials.

Ms. Blye's science class showed their knowledge of the elements on the Periodic Table. They did a great job!

AP Biology students have been exploring macromolecules and laboratory techniques investigating carbohydrates in ripening fruits. These lab skills will translate right into the college science classroom. Well done!

Ms. Brogna's Anatomy and Physiology students took the dive investigating heart rate and the Mammalian Dive Reflex. Students were encouraged to hold their breath while taking the dive (face first!) into very cold water, then measuring the drop in heart rate. A wonderful lab experience that will not be forgotten!

Mrs. Aiello-Jones' ELA class collaborated to answer questions about the poem they were working on in class.

Students in Mrs. Theriault's class learning to collaborate and use their patience in a small puzzle race.

Student's in Ms. Almeida's Hero's Journey Class were discussing heroes, who is someone who brings happiness and beauty to the world. They created 3D art pieces that symbolize heroism to them.

Ms. Massa's Art I class practiced their sketching skills in class. Students rotated in intervals to gather different perspectives and lighting.

Students in Mr. Stanfa's Illustration class practiced mapping as a pre-activity to their larger project.

Mr. Finley's Art III class continuing to work on their projects, designing fashion of the future.

To start out the school year with PRIDE, some of our Spanish classes discussed what makes WB such a great community. Students created their own sentences in the target language to show off their pride, In addition, students created beautiful visuals to hang in our classrooms along with our Values Poster to remind us all of who who we are and why our community is special. Bien Hecho!

Ms. Oliveira's class practiced their interviewing skills in the target language! Students did a great job!

Students in Mr. Sylvain's AP Calculus class were collaborating to find limits as X approaches a value!

This month we would like to highlight sleep hygiene tips for adolescents! Here are some recommendations to help your child fall asleep and stay asleep:

-Keep your bedtime and wake up time the same on school nights and non-school nights to help the body get into a routine.

-Get outside! Exposure to sunlight is essential for the body’s internal clock.

-Exercising regularly will help your body fall asleep faster and get into a deeper sleep.

-Start winding down for the night and shutting off electronics, including the phone, at least 60 minutes before bedtime.

The photo club has developed some amazing pictures for our display case!

WB Buddies is off to a great start this school year. With over 30 new members, our club is a diverse group of students ready to make new friends and have fun. WB Buddies have enjoyed some crafting and games, and look forward to many new adventures this year.

Ski Club: It’s still a little warm for hitting the slopes but that doesn't mean students aren’t already thinking about Ski Club! The Ski Club will begin its 14th year this January. It is open to students in Grades 9-12 and no experience is necessary! We go to Wachusett Mountain for six Fridays starting after the holiday break. Lessons for new skiers and riders along with equipment rentals are also available at a cost. There will be announcements for our informational meeting sometime in October.

Video Club: The Video Club started meeting on 9/18 and will continue weekly every Monday after school until 3:30. The Video Club is open to all students grades 7-12. We will explore your interests in the video/film industry - no experience necessary!

Yoga Club is a group dedicated to the practice of yoga both on and off the mat to help manage stress, enhance mental clarity, increase strength and flexibility, and ultimately improve physical, mental and emotional well-being. Students will meet the first Thursday of each month from 6:45pm to 8pm in the MSHS Learning Commons with Mrs. Diedrichsen beginning on November 2. Mrs. Brogna will be providing enrichment yoga classes on Tuesdays during power block. Open to grades 9-12 at this time. There will be an informational meeting during power block on Friday, October 13 for interested students.

Jamie Sheedy did a great organizing the chess club with the help of Mr. Winchell. Students had some intense competitions in the Learning Commons during Powerblock.

Get ready for an unforgettable journey! This summer, our high school students are heading to Athens, Greece, and the stunning Greek Islands. After the last final exam has been submitted and we’ve crossed all of the items off of our to-do lists, we will be switching into vacation mode. An adventurous group of students in grades 10-12 will head to Logan airport and jet off to Greece. We’ll spend 4 days in Athens before embarking on a custom four day cruise of the islands: Mykonos, Santorini, and Rhodes. We’ll walk in the footsteps of ancient history visiting the Temples of Poseidon and Apollo, the ancient Olympic Stadium and more. We will take part in a cooking class where we’ll sample the best olives and feta cheese we’ve ever tasted.

Please join us for an informational meeting on Tuesday evening, October 24th at 6:00 pm in the cafeteria. This bucket list adventure promises to be an educational and cultural experience of a lifetime. Stay tuned for more details on dates and costs. Get ready to explore Greece's history and beauty with us!

Students have been signing up for the PSAT exam on Saturday, October 14th. There is still time to sign up in Guidance if not already done so. Payments can be made on-line, cash or check made payable to West Bridgewater High School. Any questions, please reach out to Paul Goulet at pgoulet@wbridgewater.com.

Guidance Counselors have met with seniors to find out their plans after graduating, and will continue to meet with them to ensure deadlines are met. Each of our Guidance Counselors’ goals are to meet with each of their designated students from grade 7 through grade 12.

AP exams cost $98 each and can be paid on-line, cash or check payable to West Bridgewater High School. The payment deadline is Wednesday, November 15, 2023.

Interested students have the opportunity to meet with colleges, universities and trade schools. Upcoming October visits are: Mass Maritime, Saint Anselm, Curry College, UMass Boston, Providence College, Montserrat College of Art, Salem State, Bay Path University, Worcester State, UMass Amherst, Massasoit Community College, Merrimack College, SCAD, and Johnson & Wales.

Financial Aid 101 night will be held Wednesday Dec 6th. FAFSA will open sometime in December.

Even with the weather not cooperating it still has been a busy start to the season! It is always very exciting when our Cats take the field/court! Make sure that you follow @WBMSHSAthletics for updates on the schedule and highlights from games and matches. Please check out some highlights from our WB Coaches below!

G and B XC

The cross country teams faced Southeastern Voke yesterday on the home course. The boys lost to a veteran Hawks squad 15 - 46, but Alex Kelley, Kaiden Boyd, Alex Cabrera, Sam Stapleton, Tyler Thorenson, and Rob Kominsky all ran personal best times for 5K. The girls beat Southeastern 19 - 40 to improve their record to 4-1 on the season. Alyssa Caldeira, Charlotte Farrell-Fren, Alanna Fidalgo, Kayla Moody, Emma Pope, and Eva Smith all ran their personal bests for 5 kilometers.

Field Hockey

The Varsity Field hockey team lost to a talented Case Team 5-1. But bounced back with an impressive 5-1 victory over Southeastern. Abby Matta had a trick netting three goals. Lauren Holland and Haylee Krakowski also scored. Great job defensively as a team holding Southeastern to 1 goal.

The JV girls field hockey team beat Joseph Case high school 5-2. Addy Holland led the team with two goals. Emma Maher, Abbie Rudolph, and Maeve Matta also had one goal each for the wildcats. Kathryn Robertson made some great saves in net. Overall great game by the whole team.

Girls Soccer

Girls Varsity Soccer fell to Cardinal Spellman 5-3. Rachael Geniuch scored 2 goals for the Wildcats and Kylie Fuller scored 1. Kerri Gomes had 19 saves in net. Bella Morash and Sophi Hulme also played strong games.

Football

The Varsity Football team lost to Norwell 26 to 14. The West Bridgewater touchdowns were scored by Ty Holmes and Christian Packard. The JV Varsity Football team also played Norwell. They lost by a score of 16-0.

The Varsity Football team lost to Rockland 23 to 27. Luke Destrampe had 2 receiving touchdowns from James Harris. Ty Holmes added a rushing touchdown as well. Luke Destrampe also had a 30 yard field goal.

Volleyball

JV Volleyball fell to Apponequet 2-0. Ella Holden set a solid match with assists and dump kills, while sophomore Anna Primack notched solid blocks to get our defense fired up. They were also victorious in straight sets over Diman. 7th grader Caydence Jones had a stellar game ending block to seal the victory. We are back in action Monday at home against Case! Show up and show out for support of the girls in a big SCC league matchup!

Varsity Volleyball lost 2 sets to 3 against conference opponent Apponequet. Great consistent play by Senior Kiara Brache helped lead the Wildcats. Amy Dangoia and Kiera Cogavin played amazing defense for the Wildcats. Varsity volleyball dropped the match against Diman 2-3. Jenella Jacobs had a career high match with a total of 15 blocks.

Boys Soccer:

Varsity Boys Soccer lost a close game to Bourne 1-0 on September 20th. The team got down a goal in the first half. However, they were able to hold Bourne scoreless in the second half while battling to score an equalizer. Keep up the good work!

The JV soccer team beat Bourne 4-1 on Wednesday September 20th. Goals were scored by Jackson Cupoli (2), Owen Seckinger, and Kyle Craven. Arran Hambly made some great saves in the net while Anthony DiMaggio, Ben Kelley, Brendon Lewis, and Gio Benjamin played great defense.

Golf:

Great match played by the WB and Seekonk golf teams today! Kids had a great time! Low score wins. WB shot a 281 and Seekonk posted a 252. They followed up that match with a tight match at Brockton Country Club that went to an extra golfer. They ended up losing by just one stroke! Solid scores were submitted by Aidan Delehoy, Ben LeGrice and Collin Baker. Great job to all!

Cheer

Varsity Cheer is off to a great start! There are 22 athletes on the squad which is made up of 7th through 12th graders. The squad has been practicing everyday and working hard perfecting their halftime routine which they were able to perform at the first home game against East Bridgewater. The team was able to take part in a skills clinic which was a nice tool to give the squad some new challenging skills to use throughout the season. The team is looking forward to putting together our competition team very soon, to begin to prepare for competition season.

Other Athletic News:

Ms. Hammel is selling a sports student pass on Go Fan. Pass costs $50 for the year and will get you into all football soccer and basketball season home games. You will need your SASID # to purchase the pass. Ms. Hammel will be sending more information.

Game schedule:

Please check out the WB game schedule on Arbiter Live! Link is below.

https://arbiterlive.com/Teams?entityId=25160

Avoid waiting in line! Please check out our online ticketing through Go Fan!

https://gofan.co/app/school/MA14770

High School Dates

Grade 10

March 26, 2024 - ELA Session I

March 27, 2024 - ELA Session II

May 21, 2024 - Math Session I

Mary 22, 2024 - Math Session II

Grade 9

June 4, 2024 - STE Session I

June 5, 2024 - STE Session II

Middle School Dates

March 27, 2024 - Grade 7 & 8 ELA Session I

March 28, 2024 - Grade 7 & 8 ELA Session II

May 1, 2024 - Grade 7 & 8 Math Session I

May 2, 2024 - Grade 7 & 8 Math Session II

May 15, 2024 - Grade 8 Science

Recognizing National School Lunch Week, October 10-13.

Learning is tough work—and kids need fuel if they’re going to learn! That’s why a healthy midday meal is crucial to the growing children who go to school. Since 1962, when President John F. Kennedy created National School Lunch Week (NSLW), this annual observance has promoted the importance of a healthy school lunch in a child’s life and the impact it has both in and out of the classroom. Today, the National School Lunch Program serves nearly 30 million children every school day. Not only does it reduce childhood hunger, but it also supports American agriculture.

The Wildcat Cafe is celebrating with raffles, Lucky Tray day, and taste testing at lunch next week! We hope your student chooses to participate!

Farm to School!

We are partnering this year with C.N. Smith Farm, Langwater Farm, and Vineyard Farm to provide fresh and local fruits and vegetables for our school meals and at test testing events in the cafeteria. The list includes local corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, melons, potatoes, summer squash squash, baby spinach, onions, red and yellow beets, lettuce, broccoli, and of course several varieties of apples!

At the beginning of each year all of our WB nurses are working diligently to update health information. Please ensure that you provide all necessary documentation, forms and/or medication promptly so that your student is appropriately cared for!

Just a reminder that updated physicals/immunizations are required for students entering grades 7 and 10 as well as all athletes and students new to West Bridgewater Middle Senior High School.

You may find the ANNUAL HEALTH UPDATE form on the health services website (https://www.wbridgewaterschools.org/page/health-services) to provide the most current information about your student and to consent to the administration of standing orders (Tylenol, ibuprofen, tums, Benadryl) during the school day.

Please don’t hesitate to contact MSHS School Nurse Julie Diedrichsen at 508-894-1220 x1305 or jdiedrichsen@wbridgewater.com with any questions/concerns or to update her on any pertinent health information for your student.

Email: cpge@wbridgewater.com
Website: https://www.wbridgewaterschools.org/o/ms-middle-senior-hs
Location: 155 West Center Street, West Bridgewater, MA, USA
Phone: 508-894-1220
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wbmshs
Twitter: @WBMSHS