Blue Hills News

A big congratulations to SkillsUSA competitors, as we had a number of medalists and two that have earned spots in Nationals. Congratulations to everyone who competed, attended, and participated in this important CTE leadership event. Congratulations to:

Aidan Baker – Bronze, Information Technology Services

Ayla Duros – Gold, Technical Computer Applications
Hannah Jernigan – Bronze, Criminal Justice
Leon Mallon – Bronze, Photography

Meaghan Walsh – State Officer Candidate

This week, we've celebrated faculty and staff here at Blue Hills in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week 2026. It is a team effort, and we are grateful for those that make it work. A special thank-you to the Student Council for providing goodies to folks on Tuesday, and a big thanks to the Boosters for sponsoring and serving an awesome lunch on Thursday and a one-of-a-kind mug and sock set on Tuesday!! The Blue Hills argyle socks are (hopefully) here to stay! We are so thankful for our partnership with the Boosters and all they do to support the school. It takes a village!

On Wednesday, the Neponset Valley Sunrise Rotary Club honored six seniors with scholarships, as well as two sophomores who are receiving the RYLA leadership award. We are very thankful for our partnership with the Rotary and for their generosity toward our students. Thank you to Culinary for the wonderful breakfast, and to all those behind the scenes who helped coordinate this great tradition. The club also paid tribute to Kim Poliseno, who contributed so much to the Rotary and Blue Hills.

Congratulations to the scholarship recipients and award winners!

Scholarships:

Thalia Bazile

Matthew Mahoney

Dean Batsinelas

Ace Nasanofsky

Jaina Kimble

Issachara Odom

RYLA:

Cillian Bravo

Keith Farmer

Juniors from the Criminal Justice program at Blue Hills Regional spent the day at the State Fire Academy in Stow MA. While exploring the fire fighting Career path, these students had a chance to learn and participate as a team.

Students were taught fire fighting techniques and had to demonstrate what they had learned. The academy instructors were awesome and gave our students a great experience. Special thanks to Instructor Michael Gelinas (pictured in photos) for showing us all that the fire services has to offer for employment.

A big thank you as we recognize School Nurses Day on May 6, 2026 - Thank you Ms. Etheart and Ms. McCaffrey for all that you do!

Students attended the Law Day celebration at Dedham Superior Court and led the pledge of allegiance during the ceremony. They had a chance to meet with officials from Norfolk County. Special thanks to Walter Timility, Norfolk County Clerk of Courts, for inviting us to participate!

The upcoming Relay For Life event on May 30th, in Braintree, Ma. It is a community event dedicated to raising funds and awareness for cancer research, support services, and prevention. Participants walk, run, or volunteer to show their support and help make a difference in the fight against cancer.

*All donations made to support this event are 100% tax-deductible*
*Company matching is available*
*Any and all companies get advertisement at the event with any donation above $250*

Link For Event Information
Link To Donate Or Join The Team "Fearless Fighters"

May 7: DVC Art Show 5:30 - 8:00

May 11: MVADA Track Meet

May 13: Senior Field Day

May 15: Early Release, 10:50 a.m.

May 15: Prom

May 18: Mayflower Track Meet

May 21: Senior Awards Night, 6 p.m.

May 29: Graduation, 6 p.m.

As spring is in full swing, so is allergy season! Many students are affected by increased pollen levels, which can lead to symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, and congestion. These symptoms can make it difficult for students to stay focused and comfortable during the school day.

To help your child manage seasonal allergies and feel their best at school, please consider the following tips:

• Be sure to provide their allergy medication at home before arriving at school.
• Keep windows closed at home and in the car to help reduce pollen exposure.
• Encourage your child to wash their hands and face after outdoor activities.
• Have your child change clothes after spending time outside to limit bringing pollen indoors.
• Monitor local pollen counts and limit outdoor time on high pollen days when possible.
• Use air purifiers or clean air filters at home to improve indoor air quality.
• Consult your child's healthcare provider for guidance on the best allergy treatment plan.

Please note: The school does not provide seasonal allergy medications. It is important that students come to school prepared to manage their symptoms.

Thank you for your support in helping keep our students comfortable, healthy, and ready to learn during allergy season!

In the attachment below, you'll see the May/June calendar. X and Y days are labeled, as is the last day of school. This is based on no additional school cancellations, and is subject to change.

Graduation has changed - the new Class of 2026 Graduation Date is Friday, May 29, 2026. This will remain the last day of school for seniors. Seniors will have an early release as usual. Graduation will take place at 6 p.m. and the rain date will be Saturday, May 30, 2026. This change is due to the change of the National SkillsUSA Competition, which will take place this year during the first week of June.

Find menus and more through our cafeteria website.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR
As we begin the year, please review the following guidelines to help ensure a safe and healthy school environment.

Medication Guidelines
If your child requires medication during school hours:

• All medications must have a current physician’s order (renewed annually), and be delivered in the original prescription container.

• Controlled substances must be brought in by a parent or guardian.

• Only emergency medications (EpiPen, inhalers) may be carried by students, with a valid Action Plan sent to the nurse’s office, dated within the past 12 months.

• Over-the-counter meds require consent through the Health Authorization form in PowerSchool. *Verbal consent cannot be accepted.

Viral Illness Guidelines

To help prevent the spread of illness:

• Keep your child home if they are not feeling well.

• Consult with your health care provider to determine if testing is needed (i.e. flu, strep, COVID-19).

• Students must be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication before returning.

• All illness-related absences require a doctor’s note submitted to the main office (this is typically done by communicating your child’s symptoms with their PCP via a patient portal).

Meningococcal Vaccine – 12th Grade
State guidelines recommend that all 12th-grade students receive a booster dose of the Meningococcal vaccine on or after their 16th birthday. Please consult your child’s provider and send updated records to the nurse’s office.

More info: CDC – Meningococcal Vaccine Recommendations

Updated Physical Exams
If you haven’t yet submitted a current physical exam for your new student, please do so. All new BHR students must provide a physical dated within the past 13 months. You may send physcial exams via email to nurse@bluehills.org, fax 781-828-3872, or send a hard copy with your child. Thank you to all families who have already submitted! Note: Religious exemptions must be renewed at the start of each school year.

For Student Athletes: If a physical will expire during the sports season, an updated exam is required to continue participation.

At BHR, we recognize students with our Student of the Month program - each month, we will take a theme from the Vision of a Graduate and use it to secure nominations for the Student of the Month. February's theme is "Empathy" - honoring a student who exemplifies a team player.

There are no earbuds and headphones allowed in hallways from 7:48 until 2:20. Please help us reinforce this rule as we strive to foster a professional learning environment for all of our students and faculty. Detentions will be issued for students who are not following this rule.

There are no food drop-offs or food deliveries allowed during school hours. Thank you.

To give you an idea of who to contact when or if an issue does arise, or you just need some more information, please see these key contacts below.

Key Contacts:

SICK LINE and DISMISSALS: email or call - attendance@bluehills.org, 781 828 5800 x 2250

• Geoff Zini, Principal - gzini@bluehills.org
• Assistant: Cindy Fama, cfama@bluehills.org (Family ID/registration issues)
• Mark Aubrey, Assistant Principal - maubrey@bluehills.org discipline, attendance, bus issues
• Assistant: Christine Connolly - cconnolly@bluehills.org attendance (tardies, dismissals, absences)
• Angelo Dimitriou, Director of Special Services - adimitriou@bluehills.org (IEPs, 504s)
• Assistant: Tracey Monti, tmonti@bluehills.org
• Paul Bavuso, Academic Director - pbavuso@bluehills.org (MCAS, grades, academics)
• Assistant: Courtney Wall, cwall@bluehills.org
• Jill Ferris, Vocational Director - jferris@bluehills.org (exploratory, vocational placement)
• Assistant: Madelyn Kewer, mkewer@bluehills.org
• Michelle Sylvia, Interim Coop Coordinator - msylvia@bluehills.org
• Guidance Office
• Assistant: Laurie Driscoll - ldriscoll@bluehills.org
• John Davis, Lead Counselor - jdavis@bluehills.org
• Ellen DiSalvatore, Counselor - edisalvatore@bluehills.org
• Sarah Titus, Counselor - stitus@bluehills.org
• Athletics - Ed Catabia, Athletic Director - ecatabia@bluehills.org

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Buses

We are working with the bus company to address some overcrowded buses. Thank you for your patience as we work to resolve this issue. If you have bus issues or questions, please contact Mr. Aubrey.

Dress Code

Please help us to provide a welcoming environment for all students at BHR by enforcing the dress code. Clothing must provide sufficient coverage and may not display offensive or inappropriate logos, including drugs/alcohol related imagery or branding. Exploratory: Be sure you are following the required dress code as it is part of your overall safety grade in vocational programs.

Cell Phones

Cell phones are only allowed during breakfast, lunch, and during passing times. At all other times, cell phones are to be away and students are to follow the rules in the classroom.

Earbuds/Headphones

These are not allowed during the school day except with the express permission of the teacher. They will be allowed at lunch, but are NOT allowed during passing times or in the hallways.

Drop Off/Pickup

Thank you for helping us with an orderly drop off and pickup to start the year. Please enter the campus on the East side (closest to Massasoit) and proceed along the front of the building, exiting the main entrance/exit. Please pull as far forward as possible. If the line of traffic is stopped anywhere along the sidewalk, please allow your child to exit the vehicle. This will speed up the process. Do not enter and/or drop off students in the main entrance circle in the morning. This causes significant traffic backup and delays.

School Closings

In the case of weather or other emergency, you will be notified of school closings via our blackboard connect phone system. Please ensure that your contact information is up to date in PowerSchool. The system contacts the first contact listed in PowerSchool - if you need a second contact for the automated calls due to a split household or other issue, please contact me via email.

Attendance

Positive school attendance is paramount to success in school. Students may not exceed 15.75 absences for the year; if they do, they will be required to attend summer school to be promoted. Absences that are more than one day that are documented by a doctor's note will be "excused" and count as only a single day's absence. The full attendance policy will be at the bottom of the newsletter for the rest of the year.

Important: Food Deliveries

Just a reminder about food deliveries: Students may NOT receive any type of delivery during the school day, whether purchased or brought from home. Please do not bring or send food to school for students during the school day.

A student will be required to attend summer school upon the accumulation of sixteen

(16) absences in order to fulfill BHR attendance requirements. An additional course will

be required for every five (5) absences accumulated after (16). All such courses must

be taken at the Blue Hills Regional Summer School. All course subjects must be

approved by the (ARB) Academic Review Board. If a student is absent on consecutive

days, it will be counted as one day’s absence if accompanied by a doctor’s note. Notes

must be provided within one week of the student’s return to school. All notes must be

originals with an authorized signature and date(s) on the doctor’s office stationery.

The student’s home phone number and homeroom must be on all doctors’ notes.

Absences on special days, assemblies, etc. will be counted as a full day’s absence. A

student must be in attendance for at least half the school day to be counted present.

Half the school day means being in school from 7:47 am to 11:00 am or 11:00 am to

2:20 pm. Participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities may be denied or

removed at the Assistant Principal’s discretion for excessive absence. Two dismissals

will equal one absence. Four tardy arrivals after 8:30 will equal one absence. All

out-of-school suspensions will be counted day for day towards a student’s maximum

number of absences.

To receive course credit, students will be required to make up all missed work. All work

must be made up within three weeks. Extenuating circumstances will be addressed on

a case by case basis by the (ARB) Academic Review Board. Family vacations will not be

considered extenuating circumstances and will not be excused.

Blue Hills Regional Technical School’s mission is to continue its history of academic achievement, technical training and character development through a curriculum which emphasizes the integration of cutting-edge technical programs and challenging academic courses, enabling its students to become competent, caring and productive people in a diverse and changing world.

Core Values:

Community, Opportunity, Relevance, Employability

Website: www.bluehills.org
Location: 800 Randolph Street, Canton, MA, USA
Phone: 781 828 5800

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The Blue Hills Regional Technical School District is an equal opportunity educational institution. All programs, courses of study and activities are open to all students without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin or disability. The School District is in full compliance with Massachusetts Law, Chapter 622 of the Acts of 1971, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (U.S. Code), and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Individuals may make inquiries relative to Chapter 622 and Title IX from the coordinator, at the school address or by phoning 781-828-5800.