Tuesday, June 22, 2021

Weekly News and Notes: Last Day of School, 2020-21

When we set out on this crazy journey, we really had no idea the twists and turns the 2020-21 school year would take.  While it seems like just yesterday, at the same time, it was eons ago that Mr. DiMeglio and I were touring the building with representatives from the cleaning company - none of whom work here anymore, by the way - and the UTA, showing and showcasing our cleaning procedures. We actually had an actual lesson in Mr. Balunas' classroom on how to sanitize a desk. I looked over my shoulder and said to him, “can you actually believe this is happening? This is like a Twilight Zone episode.”

It’s been a long road since then. We’ve changed schedules, 3 or 4 times. We changed our entire athletic program around, switched just about every class routine we had, put on masks, took masks off, put them back on again. We taught in person, from home, from quarantine. Some of us got sick. Some of us got shots. Most of us cried at some point. All of us got frustrated, angry, heated, disappointed, confused, agitated, nervous, and tense - usually before second period. We learned about Zoom ghosts and phantoms, we taught students we never met in person, we listened for clues about who was traveling illicitly, who just wanted a day off, who was really home sick, and who just didn’t show up to the latest lesson. We made sure that words like “nimble,” “flexible,” “pivot,” “asynchronous,” and “Hybrid” became part of our every day vernacular, and we dealt with untold criticism and pressure, local and otherwise, from people who could not possibly fathom what we do on a daily basis but who have expertise on the basis of sitting behind a keyboard and maybe once having attended school. We walked around with our trusted tape measures, wiped down desks, ate lunch in isolation, feared a sneeze, cough, or fever, and we struggled to keep track of attendance, assignments, accountability, and all the things that we described as normal - as people told us to “embrace the new normal.”

But we triumphed. We have 10-12 pages of bullet points of things we accomplished, which I will be sharing out this afternoon. Ms. Larkin would occasionally tweet something out with “covid won’t stop us,” and it did not. We piloted standards-based grading - and did it well - in foreign language. We had students sell prototypes now being used internationally. We secured grant funding for clinical supports for students, and we kept social groups and academic advisories intact for some of our neediest kiddos. We designed a new business pathway, provided art packs for students to work on their projects while remote, had students earn statewide recognition for their artistic, community service, extracurricular, athletic, and social prowess. We kept alive our work in the state social-emotional academy, developed virtual and interactive notebooks, finished curricula on time and on schedule, implemented individual conferences, learned to deal with Chromebooks over iPads, and increased access to supports for English Language Learners. We had staff members cracking the vaccine code and helping each other get appointments - not once or twice, but just about everyone. We hosted prom, senior week, graduation - things that some schools wouldn’t touch. Not one department stayed complacent and sat as the days passed by, and, yes, we inspired our students. In fact, to quote one of our teachers in some of the interviews we have held, we now have students who actually have more resourcefulness, more independence, and, especially, more appreciation for what we do, and who have a whole lot of gratitude for what school actually means for them.


Some people may think that school culture took a hit. I started the year by requiring lesson plans - a page out of the Herb Brooks mentality of coaching, that if you couldn’t rally against the coronavirus, I would help people by rallying them around tasks, and work, and even against me. In the end, some of that worked - we had our entire staff rowing in the same direction in the service of students, and we did so with our core values - the Share responsibility, Persevere, Accept Ideas and Thoughts, Respect each other, Teach, Articulate, and Nurture - at the forefront of every decision.

We rolled with more challenges this year, some of which may be leveraged into successes. Our students genuinely appreciated the use of dedicated time for office hours, and we have developed a program for next year to support some of our students in need of additional emotional support, because of the havoc this year has wreaked on many students. We have reimagined the purpose of what we teach and why, and we once again have reflected on the essential skills that all students need to be successful, not just at UHS, but in life. We have identified some new staff and allowed our culture to shift, and, just as the year seemed to hit its end, we were once again back in stride with all we hope to be, for each other and this community.

To our students and parents, we thank you for your cooperation and commitment. This was not easy. This was not what anyone expected. Unique and challenging only begins to capture the essence of what this year was like for all of us, but we are grateful for the commitment, support, flexibility, and grace most shared, and, when people pushed back, we know it came from a place of passion, caring, and even frustration or fear. We tried not to take things personally, even when civil discourse would turn into unfortunate or personal attacks. We hope that we were stewards of your trust and the awesome responsibility of educating our students.

In the coming weeks, the work of UHS will be highlighted in a couple of published works, and our school will be leading workshops for other schools across the Commonwealth. We will be working over the summer to ensure a seamless transition to 2021-22. We will be finalizing quite a few new hires. Most importantly, we will be using the summer months to recharge, individually and collectively, following what has been a brutal stretch with countless changes and challenges, so that we can repair, restore, and renew for the coming year. 

A few updates:

  • We know that people have been accustomed to almost instant responses when it comes to email and phone messages. Please know that much of our staff will be off and not checking messages, and those who do may not be able to do respond as quickly, including the administration. We appreciate your patience.
  • Sports teams that are still competing or just concluded (tennis, track, baseball, softball, cheer): please make sure that uniforms are turned into coaches or Mr. Carbone.
  • Students not returning to UHS next year: please return all technology to Mr. Egan in the technology office or leave with the main office.
  • The high school office will have summer hours starting next week. The office is open 8-3 most days. If the office is closed the message will be reflected to identify that.
  • Report cards for the final quarter of 2020-21 will be mailed home.

We are hosting a summer academy in August. The flyer and registration information is below - the academy is free and is just a great opportunity for students to connect, learn, have some fun, and get a jump start on the school year.




As the next school year approaches, we will plan on publishing additional dates regarding orientations, office hours, town halls, and procedures, particularly as the state continues to relax some requirements. We certainly hope that these messages continue to turn us toward a more normal routine, particularly after the challenges of last summer. Until then, we hope that our entire Spartan family has a restful, enjoyable, and safe summer break, and we look forward to returning, #StrongerTogether and with #SpartanPride, come August.

With gratitude,

Michael Rubin, Principal




Friday, June 18, 2021

UHS Educator of the Year


Earlier today, Uxbridge High School held a staff lunch at which we celebrated the coming end of the 2020-21 school year. As had been past tradition at UHS over the past five years, we were able to recognize one of our staff members as the Uxbridge High School Educator of the Year, which this year was presented to our school nurse, Ms. Tara Schiller.

UHS began the year with a theme of #StrongerTogether, and, with that in mind, Ms. Schiller united the staff around themes of compassion, safety, and care. She was an integral part of all COVID-19 responses, and she communicated constantly with various boards, physicians, families, students, and staff with the utmost attention to keeping the UHS family safe. Her work and professionalism extended to all departments, all of whom spent time this year sharing ways to support the impossible task of safety, even as the challenges of a global pandemic seemed to close in around our classrooms, campus, and community.

"Without keeping us all safe, without helping with students and families, without constant compassion and communication, without constant attention and detail to all of our collective safety, we simply are not able to enjoy this success, we have no possibility of being stronger together," said UHS Principal Michael Rubin.  "This year, there has been nobody more integral to our collective and individual successes beyond our incredible school nurse."

Ms. Schiller has just completed her sixth year at UHS as the school nurse, and prior to her time in Uxbridge worked in the Bellingham Public Schools. She also had a tenure at Boston Children's Hospital.




Tuesday, June 15, 2021

UHS Summer Academy

 











June 2021


Dear Families:


It goes without saying that the past year has been complex and challenging. We know that many students struggled with the lack of continuity that came due to hybrid learning, and, consequently, families may be concerned about skill development. As a result, we have developed a summer academy, to take place over two weeks in August, that will help students invigorate their academic and social skills, in the form of a unique summer camp opportunity.


The Spartan Summer Academy will run over two weeks in August, August 16-19 and August 23-26, with learning opportunities scheduled from 8-12 each day. We will be providing lunch, and we are working on transportation. As part of the camp, students will arrive and get a schedule for the day’s activities, much like summer camp, and be able to participate in a variety of skill developing workshops, including art and laser engraving, creative writing, history, math, anatomy, and a number of physical activities.


There is no requirement to participate, but we believe that students who attend this camp will have opportunities to enhance their learning experiences, fill some needed learning gaps, and reconnect with students and staff after a challenging year. There is no charge, and students can attend one or both weeks of the program. Details on some of the activities can be found at this page: https://www.uxbridgeschools.com/Domain/325


Questions can be directed to our Spartan Summer Academy camp director, Mr. Hurley Silbor. In addition, to help us plan accordingly, we are asking you to fill out this brief registration form if you are planning to attend.


We look forward to supporting our Spartans this summer, and enjoy the closing days of the 2020-21 school year!


Sincerely yours,



Michael Rubin, Principal Hurley Silbor, Spartan Summer Academy Director


Friday, June 11, 2021

Weekly News and Notes, June 11

We have a couple of updates from UHS this week:

Field Day and Final Grades

Next week, we will be having several half-days that have traditionally been used for final exams. However, given the peculiarities of this year, we have elected to use those days for final presentations, opportunities for students to present work, or days for students to catch up on missing work. On Monday, June 21, we will be hosting a Field Day for all students, as well as a picnic lunch. We greatly appreciate the efforts of Ms. Bernard and the Student Council to organize what we know will be a fun day - with both indoor and outdoor activities.

For students who have academic requirements to finish up, we'll be spending time over the next few days connecting and even referring some, initially, to summer school for course recovery.

Final grades and report cards are mailed home before July 1. 

Last Day of School

Our Last Day of School is June 22. Students are dismissed at 10:30 a.m.

Summer Academy

Be on the lookout next week for information regarding the Uxbridge High School Spartan Summer Academy, which will include opportunities for students to extend both academic and social learning. The academy will be taking place in August, and it will be free of charge to all students.


There will be no weekly update shared next Friday.

Have a great weekend.

Monday, June 7, 2021

Sunday, June 6, 2021

Graduation Photos

 Good morning!


We hope everyone enjoyed yesterday's ceremony. We so appreciate your continued cooperation, and, for a first time on the turf, we were thrilled with how everything worked out.


Photos from the parade and the graduation ceremony, as well as formal portraits of the graduates, are available via our school photographer's website: Graduation 2021. There are hundreds of amazing shots of our graduates, and we are grateful for the amazing eye and skill of David Silverman. Please take a look through. A portion of the proceeds from purchase are donated back to the school, which we then use to update the banners we have around the building with candids from the current school year.


If that link is not working, you can copy and paste: https://davidsilvermanphotography.zenfolio.com/f938444901


Have a great rest of your weekend!


Mike Rubin, Principal

Uxbridge High School


Friday, June 4, 2021

Final Updates for Graduation

 Greetings!


A few final updates for tomorrow, or, as I like to refer to them: Top 10 Things to know before Saturday's Graduation Ceremony!


1. The field will be open at 9:00 a.m. for seating. 


2. Please remember: NO HEELS are allowed on the track or turf. If you are wearing them, we will ask them to be removed. We do not want to risk permanent damage to the field, and heels will cause significant problems for the track, turf, and surrounding area.


3. We had received some information that individual families were considering bringing tents for shade. These are not permitted. Please be respectful of those sitting around you.


4. Some other folks had inquired if there are additional seats. At this point, our field is set up completely based on the numbers indicated upon registration. We do not have many extra chairs. If people come and wish to sit in the few unassigned chairs or on a beach towel from home, no problem - but no outside chairs are permitted on the field area, track, or turf.


5. If you need assistance with handicapped parking, please look for Ms. Hamelin, Ms. Maconi, or any of our chaperones/ushers. Handicapped parking will be by the scoreboard of the field, in the small lot by the gate.


6. The ceremony will stream live on Uxbridge Cable.


7. There is an area in front of the stage for families to come up and take pictures. Again, please be respectful.


8. Before leaving, it would be incredibly helpful if guests could fold their chairs. That will enable us to get things cleared pretty quickly.


9. Photos from today's parade and senior graduate portraits are available from our school photographer. The link to both can be found at: https://davidsilvermanphotography.zenfolio.com/f938444901


10. We are so very excited to celebrate tomorrow's graduation. It will be a privilege and pleasure to hand our Class of 2021 their diplomas tomorrow, and we thank you for adhering to guidelines, for being flexible, and for sharing in tomorrow's occasion. 


It's go time! See you tomorrow!




Mr. Rubin

Thursday, June 3, 2021

Weekly News and Notes, June 4

Only a couple updates this week from UHS, as we finish preparations for Saturday's graduation!

Schedules for 2021-22

Our counselors are working diligently on finalizing schedules for students for next year. If you have questions about specific course selections or levels, please reach out to them. Some students may have been under the impression that these are complete - we assure you that they are not!

When schedules are finalized, the only changes that are permitted are for true errors. We do not honor requests for students to be in class with specific students or teachers. We will sometimes make adjustments if there is a known conflict between students, but fortunately those situations are rare.

School Council

We are hoping to identify at least two parents to serve on School Council for next year. We already have a great group of students and staff who will help us work on school improvement planning, and we truly value the input of families. Send an email to Mr. Rubin if interested!

College Redesign Opportunity

In collaboration with our partners from the CAPS Network, our students have a unique opportunity to work on a design project with six colleges and universities from across the country to help reimagine college admissions standards. We need to have a group of 5-10 students, and we are not sure if the educator who will be facilitating the project will be one of our teachers or from one of our national partners.

The students will be working to transform learning opportunities in higher education. Beyond that, there are opportunities for application and tuition waivers, participating in design thinking workshops, and potentially presenting ideas to a national audience.

Please reach out to Mr. Rubin directly if interested.

Podcast

Our latest podcast episode is linked here: https://anchor.fm/uxbridgehighschool/episodes/Spartan-Podcast--June-4-e124lbs