Weekly News and Notes

Instead of the cursory update this week regarding "updates" and "events," I wanted to include a couple of notes that should make community members very proud. I hope you will take a minute to read this week's message.

Often times, communities like ours become places where it is easy to hear the rancor and discontent of a few people, and let that drown out the good. This week, we were able to enjoy so much of what makes Uxbridge a great place, and we share some of the reasons why our student-body and community can be such a source of pride.

I was able to speak with several students this week and receive a couple of emails from parents, regarding college acceptances and scholarship awards that have rolled in. For educators PK-12, and certainly for parents, the joy that comes in seeing that letter (or, as it is now, the update on the online application portal) is validating, exciting, and invigorating. It speaks to a process that started with first steps, sounds, and letters, and it marks the first step of a new experience and a life that is ready to soar. It is October - which means that we not only have many successes left to achieve this year and many more moments like these, but also can start feeling good about the process and the work so many of us do in support of the students.

At the same time, our school is simply buzzing with action. Walking through dozens of classes this week, our observations are of classes engaged in learning, with students solving problems, teachers structuring inquiry-based activities, and the learning happening in diverse ways. The vision many people would have had for the building, where disruptive behaviors are minimal, where educators are working to their fullest capacity, where our core values and learning expectations can be seen on display at any given moment - is starting to come to fruition. We know the results will come, and we are seeing improvements in many areas, all of which have significant impact on achievement.

Finally, today we hosted a building study team from Wahconah Regional High School and the Central Berkshire Regional School District, which is looking at UHS as a model school as it starts its feasability study. We know that UHS was not built in a day, that programs and facilities ought to be married in excellence, and that we have a place that should be a source of pride for anyone who lives in this town or calls UHS his or her alma mater. The remarks from people as they left today was that our school left them "inspired," that the "students are awesome," that "people are really happy and good to each other here," and, most importantly, that we "have a great place."

Buildings are brick and mortar and wires. Schools are about people. We have the makings of a strong culture here, where the lessons, the students, the activity, and the buzz are all worthy of the community's investment and trust. I will walk out of UHS today feeling validated in the work we are doing, proud of a staff that is shifting its mindset and enhancing the skills of students, and grateful for a student body that is pushing itself toward new standards, every single day.


MEFA Financial Aid Night

MEFA Financial Aid Night will be held on Wednesday, November 1, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Parents/guardians of seniors should attend.

Senior Play
The Senior Play, The Curious Savage, will be held on Thursday, November 2, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $3 for students and senior citizens, $5 for adults.

Football Can Drive
The football team is collecting canned goods for donation to the local food pantry. Please bring items for donation - there is a box in the main foyer of the building.

Finally, many thanks to our booster club parents, for their creation of signs for our senior student-athletes, who wrap up regular season play here at home this week. Playoff brackets will be posted next week, so stay tuned for updates of postseason play!