Paul McKnight: new Collumb House dean
Arlington High Principal Matthew Janger sent the following email to the community Tuesday, Aug. 15: ” … the beginning of school is still a few weeks away for many, but the school is already a buzz of activity. The network capacity has again been doubled to support digital learning and student devices. Curricula have been reviewed, new staff hired, staff trained, schedules revised, programs planned and policies updated.”
Here is a summary of his remarks.
Facilities: The staff has been cleaning and repairing all summer to keep the aging high school running as steps new building project continue. The project management company, Skanska, has been hired, and we expect to have our design firm in place by the beginning of October. [Read details here >>]
Look forward to more communications about our planning process. For more information, look for updates at the building-project website >>
New Collumb House office: This year, because of rising enrollment, the school welcomes a new dean — Paul McKnight, who has been an English teacher at AHS. The new house office is situated to the right of the main entrance, near guidance. Houses are assigned by the first letter of the student’s last name.
Downs House: Dean Veronica Tivnan, seniors only A through K; freshman, sophomores and juniors A through G;
Collumb House: Dean McKnight, no seniors; freshman, sophomores, juniors H through N; and
Fusco House: Dean Rob Diloreto, seniors only L through Z; freshmen, sophomores, juniors O through Z.
Online communication
In this digital age, it is easier to keep in regular contact with the school. To remain connected, set up your information at the following three sites:
— Powerschool Demographics and Alerts. Check the student name, email, phone numbers and address in the demographics section on the Powerschool parent portal. The settings have changed. The administration plans to make greater use of the email lists in Powerschool to communicate and update information.
— AHS News Email List. Register your email address to receive emails and newsletters from the AHS administration and guidance. This will provide you with important information about activities and life at AHS.
— AHS Calendars and News Site. A central location for AHS information is the Calendars and News of the high school website, where you can see the main events calendar, athletics calendar and links to read or sign up for our Google+, Facebook or Twitter news feeds. AHS Calendar. Early release days are included. Click here >>
— Mailings. Many families still prefer paper mailings. Not every digital announcement is mailed, but major communications can be. If you need mailed notices, call Carolyn Simmons (781-316-3658).
The AHS website is scheduled to be updated. Watch for changes.
Student schedules, guidance
They will be distributed online through the Powerschool parent portal. The portal is scheduled to open by Monday, Aug. 21.
Some fluctuation may occur in the schedules before guidance meetings. Check your schedules before you see your counselors.
Counselors will be available Thursday, Aug. 24; Friday, Aug. 25; Monday, Aug. 28, and Tuesday Aug. 29, from 8 a.m. go 2 p.m., to assist students with schedule problems. Only students who are missing blocks of classes or whose schedules are inaccurate should come during these days. Check the school calendar for specific guidance-counselor schedules >>
Mailing information
Students should bring all signed forms to their homeroom teachers during the first week of school. Your attention to this will help your student begin the year smoothly. These forms, including the Student Health and Emergency Information Form, updated every year, are all required for all students in the first week of school
AHS Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) agreement. To support connected learning, AHS invites students to bring their own digital devices to school, to use as educational tools.
All student and parent/guardians must read and sign the agreement, to ensure safe access to the Arlington High School network and digital devices. The program is explained in BYOD FAQs and the BYOD agreement.
Important dates
Freshman orientation, Sept. 5, the first day of school. All freshmen should report directly to the auditorium at the beginning of the school day, at 8 a.m.
Parent/guardian/athlete night, Sept. 6, from 6 to 7 p.m. This mandatory meeting for parents, guardians, coaches and student-athletes of all seasons is backed by the MIAA. It is an important opportunity to share philosophies, expectations and procedures for the athletic department.
Sept. 14: Three meetings
— Bring Your Own Device info sessions, starting at 6:30 p.m.: Support in the AHS Media Center during the parent open house, for parents/guardians to learn more about or get assistance with student devices.
— Freshmen parent/guardian meeting, 6 to 7 p.m.: This informational meeting is exclusively for freshmen parents/guardians as an opportunity to ask questions and learn about the high school.
— Fall open house, 7 to 9 p.m.: One of three opportunities for all parents/guardians to meet teachers and receive important class information.
End-of-School: Because of Labor Day, opening day is later. This means the last day of school, including snow days, is scheduled for June 25. No student will be able to take an early exam before the beginning of the finals week. Make summer plans accordingly.
Various forms, letters
— Authorization form to publish names and pictures of students: AHS is working to improve communications, and the administration regularly shares student work and achievements. Make sure to fill this out whether or not you want your student’s work published.
— Military Exclusion Statement (juniors and seniors only). Complete this form, if you do not want your child’s name to be forwarded to a military recruiter.
— Letter from Health & Nursing Services
— Parent Notification Law
— Information flier for mandatory athletics night, Sept. 6
— School lunch information
— Friends of AHS request form (donations help to pay for enrichment activities)
— AHS teacher-appreciation donation form (committee is organized to acknowledge and thank our faculty and staff at several events throughout the year)
— A letter from your student’s dean
— Parent directory form (your name will not be included, if you do not complete this form)
This news announcement was published Friday, Aug. 18, 2017.
