We have a few updates from UHS this week.
Planning Ahead
We have been working diligently on a number of plans for bringing students back to UHS. We are, as you know, awaiting more guidance from the Commonwealth, but with more educators getting vaccinated, we are keenly aware that some of the barriers to the return to normalcy are being torn down. In that spirit, we assure you that we are hard at work at a number of different scenarios.
Class of 2021: Senior Events
We are moving forward with plans for both the senior prom and graduation, and there will be some opportunities for families and students to provide us feedback coming in the next few days. Though the Governor is relaxing restrictions, we are trying to be sensitive to the wants and needs of many, with consideration for the safety of our community as well.
Class of 2023: Dues
A link to pay dues from the sophomore class (Class of 2023) is available via FamilyID: https://www.familyid.com/organizations/uxbridge-public-schools/. With questions, contact Ms. Smith or Ms. Ritacco, the class advisors.
MCAS and AP Test Dates
We are sharing below the MCAS and AP test dates, as well as the formats for those tests:
With Gratitude
As some of you may know, I spent the first 11 years of my career at Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School, which is about the same distance from Providence as Uxbridge, looking east instead of northwest. While there, I had the privilege of coaching track and soccer, and our teams had a pretty fair amount of success; in track, we amassed 277-45-3 as a record, won about 14 championships, rewrote our school record book, and, truthfully, built what many of our student-athletes called a family.
For those who follow me on social media, you would note that I shared the news of the passing of one of the iconic students of my formative years in education. He was more than a kid on my team, certainly to me and absolutely to his teammates, and Jared's passing has really rocked a number of us to our core, particularly since it was so sudden. To those who shared messages of condolences with me, I sincerely appreciate the sentiment.
When I think of who I am as a principal, and who I aspire to be as a leader of this school community, many of the characteristics my former student-athletes, many of whom are married and raising families of their own, have shared about our team are still so important. They have said that "we are a family," "Jared brought out our best," and "we never treated anyone badly, no matter what." Others told me that they looked forward to the work since they knew they could get better.
My sorrow has been matched only by this unmistakable pride, an odd paradox as I think about how committed those student-athletes were to their school, their community, and our program. As I think about Jared's goofy smile, his intensity upon getting to a starting line, his triumph over incredible adversity, and his passion for lifting up those around him, it gave me cause to pause and rededicate, so that his memory will not be in vain and will continue to inspire me.
When he was a sophomore, and just learning how talented he could be as a student-athlete who would eventually be state decathlon champion, I shared with Jared an index card on which I had written a quote from Steve Prefontaine: "To give anything less than your best would be to sacrifice the gift." Jared kept that card his entire high school career and used to quote it to his teammates. He lived that as a mantra. I hope I do the same.
Writing has long been therapeutic for me, and so I apologize for the lengthier and somewhat personal post. To Jared, I will miss you, and I will never forget your influence. As I said all those years ago, run fast, and rest well.
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