First Day for Students!

Greetings,

We are eagerly approaching our first day of school with students next week! Our week of preparation and learning as a staff this week was reflective, inspiring, and, most importantly, grounded in building relationships, as we seek to start the 2018-19 school year on a positive note. We look forward to seeing our Spartans back this year with a renewed focus and commitment to excellence and inspired learning.

Please remind all students that lockers have changed. They should check schedules on iPass, as we have changed all student lockers in reconfiguring. Grade 8 and 9 students accessed lockers at orientation, so upperclassmen should be aware of new locations. Also, some teachers have moved within the building, so please be aware of classroom locations. We have emailed lunch schedules to students as well.

One of our themes for the year will be for our education to be "REAL": grounded in relationships, engagement, active/authentic learning, and love for what we're doing. We are hoping to provide more opportunities for students to own their learning, to explore topics of interest, and to find real-world purpose to continue learning as they seek to enter life beyond UHS. Most importantly, we have a renewed commitment to tackle these challenges together, as we welcome grade 8 to UHS and take new steps in ensuring the Class of 2019 is ready for the post-secondary world.

On a challenging note, next week's forecast promises to be hot. We do have a water filling station in the building, as well as traditional water fountains/bubblers. We urge students to bring a refillable water bottle for hot days, and we will do our best to manage hot conditions.

We look forward to partnering with you for the coming school year. As always, if we can be of any assistance, do not hesitate to reach out.

Sincerely,

Michael Rubin, Principal
Uxbridge High School

Orientation FAQ's

Good afternoon,

First, thank you to everyone who came to the orientation days over the past two days. In meeting with the students, we were able to gauge their anxiety and comfort, and most of the students seemed to be in good spirits and easing toward the first day of school in a couple of weeks. We hope that you found the days meaningful and worthwhile as well, and for those who were able to join us, we hope that the time was well spent.

We are pasting below some of the FAQ's that came up, which are also linked at the principal blog site.

Have a great couple of weeks, and we will see all your students very soon!

Sincerely yours,

Michael Rubin
Principal
Uxbridge High School

Some FAQ’s

Q: Is there a school supply list?

A: Generally, we do not publish a true supply list per se. We do recommend that students each come with a writing utensil and something on which to write, like a notebook or three-ring binder. Many teachers will recommend some other supplies that could be helpful, such as special art supplies, but they are not required. In sum, if students bring a three-ring notebook with loose-leaf paper and dividers, at least one pen, a pencil, and a highlighter, s/he will be ready for the first several days of school.

Q: Where do we wait for student pickup at the end of the day?

A: Parents are asked to park in the student lot. When parents park in the road or in the staff area in the front of the building, or line the driveway parallel to the turf field, we run the risk of the building not being accessible to emergency vehicles. Students can walk to meet parents in the parking lot. It is not ideal, but it is the safest.

Q: What time does the building open for drop-off in the morning?

A: The building is generally open by 6:45 a.m. Students who come in have breakfast available around 7:10. First bell is at 7:25, and the first class starts at 7:30.

Q: Are there specific apps a student could use in school that people recommend?

A: We have a list of some helpful apps located on our high school webpage. On the “technology” tab, there is a link for “Helpful Apps.” Feel free to check any of those out.

Q: You mentioned that you keep information on a blog. Where is that?

A: Bookmark uhsprincipal.blogspot.com. If you follow it by email, you will get a notification any time it is updated. Generally, the same message that is sent via the school email account will get posted to the blog.

Q: What generation iPad have the students been assigned?

A: The fifth generation iPad - and they are all the same size, so a case for the 5th generation iPad will fit any device provided to our students.

Q: How will you notify parents in the event of an emergency?

A: After any event, including fire drills, lockdown drills, or non-emergency lockdowns, we will send a message home indicating the purpose of the event, while being sensitive to confidentiality. We typically try to send these messages out within a few minutes of things concluding, along with any explanation that is appropriate.

Guidance Update for Class of 2019

UXBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL

300 Quaker Highway

Uxbridge, Massachusetts 01569

Main Office: 508-278-8633   Fax: 508-278-8647

UHS School Counselors:

Amber Hampton: (508) 278-8633 x7114: ahampton@uxbridge.k12.ma.us   Senior Caseload: A-K

Chris Barry: (508) 278-8633 x7115: cbarry@uxbridge.k12.ma.us                 Senior Caseload: L-Z

Ashley Smith: (508) 278-8633: asmith@uxbridge.k12.ma.us   Guidance Caseload: 8th Grade

Secretary:  Jen Robertson: (508) 278-8633 x7112: jrobertson@uxbridge.k12.ma.us

August 2018

Dear Class of 2019 Parents and Guardians:

Though summer is in full swing, we know many Uxbridge High School Seniors are thinking about the upcoming college application process starting this fall. To prepare them for this exciting time in their life, the school counseling department would like to remind you of key actions they can take during the summer to prepare them for their college application process and post high school planning.   

Login to NAVIANCE

All members of the Class of 2019 should have access to their own personalized NAVIANCE account. NAVIANCE is an online career/college preparation tool meant to help students search for careers and prepare for the college admissions process. Under the College tab, students have the ability to search for colleges using available tools such as SuperMatch College Search. Under the Career tab, students have the ability to explore occupations and complete interest surveys. Under the About Me tab, students can access several self assessment tools that will help them explore college and career matches in relation to their personality and interests. In the fall, NAVIANCE will be used to send transcripts and letters of recommendation electronically to colleges and universities. If your son/daughter does not have an account, they should contact the Guidance Department or email their guidance counselors in order to get registered on NAVIANCE. Only with an access code available from your son’s/daughter’s counselor can he or she gain entry to their NAVIANCE account. To login to NAVIANCE/Family Connection, go to: http://connection.naviance.com/uxbridge

In addition to NAVIANCE, BigFuture by The College Board is an easy to use, online, personalized college and career planning kit for all students. To access this tool, go to https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search. You may also access PSAT and SAT scores through www.collegeboard.com/quickstart. In order to access your son’s/daughter’s scores, use the access code printed on the student’s PSAT Score Report. If students cannot find their PSAT Score Report, they should contact the School Counseling Department to get their access code. This useful tool incorporates responses students provided when they took the test and presents personalized information in four main parts:

1. View questions and answer explanations with My Online Score Report
2. Get a personalized SAT study plan with My SAT Study Plan
3. Find colleges with My College Matches
4. Take a personality test and find compatible majors and careers through My Major and Career Matches and MyRoad

Visit College Campuses

There is nothing like visiting a college or university campus to know if it is the right fit. As such, we highly recommend that members of Class of 2019 get out and visit college campuses during their summer. Campus visits and tours can be arranged by calling the admissions offices at the respective colleges or universities. Students should also be researching college websites online and inquiring through the admissions office(s) with any questions. It is recommended that students use the time between now and the end of summer to establish a tentative list of schools in which they may be applying to in the fall. They may also begin requesting interviews with admissions counselors at their preferred colleges and universities.

College Fairs

Plans are in place to give members of UHS Class of 2019 an opportunity to attend a College Fair hosted by Uxbridge High School on Friday, September 14th. More specific information regarding the Fair will be available in September. Some other upcoming college fairs in the Fall include:

Date and Time	Event
Sunday September 9, 2018 10am – 12pm	NEACAC College Fair University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Tripp Athletic Center
Friday September 14, 2018 Time: 8am - 12pm	Uxbridge High School College Fair 300 Quaker Highway Uxbridge, MA. 01569
Sunday September 16, 2018 1pm – 3pm	NEACAC College Fair Western New England University Alumni Healthful Living Center
Tuesday October 9, 2018 9:30am – 11:30am	NEACAC College Fair Sacred Heart University William H. Pitt Health and Recreation Center
Tuesday October 16, 2018 6pm – 8pm	NEACAC College Fair Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) Sports and Recreation Center
Wednesday November 7, 2018 6:30pm – 8:30pm	Boston Performing Arts and Visual Arts Fair Emmanuel College Jean Yawkey Center

Prepare for the SAT/ACT

Though many colleges today are becoming test optional (to review a list of these schools go to: http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional), it is still wise for college bound students to take the SAT and/or the ACT. It is recommended that most students take BOTH SAT and ACT at least once each, then try to improve their scores a second time on whichever test they scored higher on the first time. Higher selective colleges also require students to take SAT Subject tests. Students should check with the schools to which they may apply to see if they require the SAT Subject Tests. Students wishing to register for the 2018-2019 tests may do so online (w/credit card) for SAT’s at www.collegeboard.com and for ACT’s at www.actstudent.org. The High School Code Number for UHS is: 222 – 155.  Free Study Guides and practice tests for SAT’s, ACT’s and SAT Subject Tests are available on the aforementioned websites. Students may also obtain study guides for each of the standardized tests in the Guidance Office when they report back to school this fall. The testing schedule for the 2017/2018 school year is as follows:  

Date	Test	Registration Deadline	Late Deadline + $28 fee (SAT) +$30 fee (ACT)
August 25, 2018	SAT and SAT Subject Tests	July 27, 2018	August 15, 2018
September 8, 2018	ACT	August 10, 2018	August 26, 2018
October 6, 2018	SAT and SAT Subject Tests	September 7, 2018	September 26, 2018
October 27, 2018	ACT	September 28, 2018	October 14, 2018
November 3, 2018	SAT and SAT Subject Tests	October 5, 2018	October 24, 2018
December 1, 2018	SAT and SAT Subject Tests	November 2, 2018	November 20, 2018
December 8, 2018	ACT	November 2, 2018	November 19, 2018
February 9, 2019	ACT	January 11, 2019	January 18, 2019

Write a College Essay Draft

Though colleges and universities evaluate each application with a holistic approach, many admission counselors consider the essay written by the applicant the most important part of an application. The essay allows an admissions counselor to assess the student’s application in a more personal light. According to one admissions counselor, “It makes the facts in the student’s folder come alive for us. Because it is the student’s personal statement, no single piece of admissions evidence gets as much attention and provokes as much discussion.” Due to the essay’s significance, the School Counseling Department recommends students begin writing their college essay during the summer. In order to get your son/daughter started, we have listed the 7 Common Application prompts bellow. Please have them select one only. Once they have completed the first draft, we recommend the essay be reviewed by your son’s/daughter’s guidance counselor or English teacher in the fall.  

2018-2019 Common Application Essay Prompts

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Complete a Student Information Sheet

Most colleges and universities require students submit two letters of recommendation from teachers and one letter of recommendation from his/her school counselor. In order to provide students with the best letters possible, we highly recommend students fill out a Senior Information Sheet detailing their interests, extra curricular activities, work experience, goals, and other information important to the student. The information sheet can be accessed through NAVIANCE. To access the form your son/daughter should:

1. Login to NAVIANCE
2. Click on the “My Planner” Tab
3. Once in this section, Click on the “Tasks Assigned to Me” tab
4. Scroll to the task that states “Complete Senior Information Sheet”
5. Download the document and complete the questions thoroughly

Students can submit it to their recommenders and guidance counselor in person in the fall or upload it into their NAVIANCE account. This form should be provided to recommenders at least one month before their first college application deadline. For any questions, please contact your son’s/daughter’s guidance counselor or the Guidance Department.

Employment

Students looking into employment (rather than college) after graduation should research careers and occupations. Developing a resume for the job search process should be an objective at this point in time. Under the About ME tab in NAVIANCE, students will find a user-friendly link to develop a resume. Reviewing options for technical schools and the military is also encouraged. All students are encouraged to explore and pursue some form of postsecondary education to increase their future employment opportunities.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s school counselor when school re-opens in the fall. Our email addresses and extensions are listed at the top of this letter. The UHS School Counseling Website can be found at: https://sites.google.com/a/uxbridge.k12.ma.us/the-uxbridge-high-school/guidance-department. We look forward to helping your sons and daughters as they pursue their post-secondary goals. Please let us know how we can be of assistance.

Enjoy your summer!

Amber Hampton and Chris Barry

UHS School Guidance