NHS Principal News

First, I'd like to commend our 10th and 11th graders for perservering through last week's PSAT. Score reports should be available to families in approximately 6 weeks. I'd also like to note the enthusiastic participation of our freshmen class on PSAT Day as they engaged in Proejct-Based Learning activities with the wellness team and Gr. 9 teachers while also engaging with their counselors and motivational speaker, Kevin Mecchella on decision-making and personal growth.

Also as a reminder this Saturday is the annual ALS cup during which our boys and girls soccer teams will host Pentucket. This longstanding doubleheader and community tradition is a great night and strong fundraiser for ALS, specifically towards the Walk to Defeat ALS in Boston, this year held on Sunday October 25th.

DALTON AWARD

While on the topic of athletics, Newburyport High School has been recognized with the state’s Division 3 Dalton Award for the 2025–26 school year. This award is presented to one school in each division and is based on the combined win percentage of all athletic teams across the school year.

This marks Newburyport’s fourth Dalton Award since the 2021–22 school year, a testament to the dedication and success of our student-athletes and coaches across all sports. Congratulations to our students, coaches, and the entire Clipper community on this outstanding accomplishment!

With the way this fall season is going, maybe we’ll be celebrating a 5th Dalton Award next year!

Congratulations to both our girls’ and boys’ cross-country teams and our golf team on winning their respective CAL Championships!

ADDITONAL CONGRATUALTIONS

And finally, congratulations to Tom Rich, this year’s recipient of the Superintendent’s Award! Last night, the School Committee and Superintendent Gallagher recognized Tom for his many accomplishments over his four years at Newburyport High School, particularly in the areas of leadership, scholarship, and service.

In tonight's message you will be able to learn about the following:

• October School Council Meeting Summary
• School Improvement Plan Discussion
• Developing a 4yr Portfolio and a Senior Capstone Project

• ONWARD Block
• What is it?
• What are students doing this month?
• NHS Activities Fair - Oct 22

• Upcoming Dates To Know
• Parent Conferences - 10/28 + 11/4 (See Below for Info on how to schedule a conference)
• Nov 3 - Early Release
• Nov 4 - High School Only Late Start (Buses Still Run @ Regular Time)

• College Visits in the College and Career Center

• NEF AUCTION - NOV 14

• ALS Cup - Saturday Oct 17 (Girls Game: 5:00 PM, Boys Game 7:00 PM)

Have a Great Night and Go Clippers!

The School Council held its first meeting of the school year last week. Here is a link to the Oct. 6 Meeting Summary.

A main part of the meeting involved discussing our School Improvement Plan, including our work around student engagement, the Portrait of a Graduate, and the development of student portfolios and a capstone experience.

This year's School Improvement Plan focuses on:

• School Climate and Engagement
• Post-Secondary Planning + Student Learning through Portfolios
• Improve Achievement Through Academic Interventions

Council members also had an opportunity to share their thoughts on how we can involve students in helping to shape the development of the four-year portfolio and senior capstone experience.

Onward Block is our school’s advisory program. Depending on their grade level, students participate in lessons designed to prepare them for their post-secondary plans.

The program provides students with a space to reflect on their interests and passions and, with guidance from their advisor, connect these to their current coursework. Over time, students develop a flexible post-secondary plan that aligns with our Portrait of a Graduate and guides their work into senior year and beyond.

Below you will see what each grade level did during their October 8th Onward Block. You will also find some helpful prompts you ask your student to support their thinking around the goals of the advisory program. Later this month in Onward, our upperclassmen will hold a student activities fair for all grade levels. A main goal is for students to connect with a club that aligns with their interests. Prior to the fair, students will participate in a mini-lesson on networking, a skill emphasized by recent alumni speakers to our upperclassmen, who highlighted how important it is for students to practice networking so they feel comfortable doing it.

Ninth graders worked with their CLIPS peer mentors to explore common obstacles that can get in the way of success in school and life. Through a “Minefield” team-building activity, students practiced communication, trust, and problem-solving as they guided partners through a series of challenges. Students then reflected on real-life obstacles they face and discussed strategies for overcoming them. The activity reinforced the importance of seeking support, working collaboratively, and developing a plan when challenges arise.

Parent/Caregiver conversation prompts:

• What did you learn about communication and teamwork during the Minefield activity?

• What is one challenge you identified, and what strategy could help you overcome it?

Sophomores continued exploring the connection between personal goals, motivation, and purpose. Using the Game Plan materials, students reflected on what gives their lives meaning and examined how autonomy, competence, and relatedness influence their motivation. They identified and prioritized personal goals, considered how their daily activities align with their longer-term aspirations, and reflected on distractions that can get in the way. Students also began thinking about how smaller, weekly goals can help them make progress toward larger goals.

Parent/Caregiver conversation prompts:

• What is one goal you identified, and why is it important to you?

• What is one thing you spend time on that helps you work toward your goals, and what is one potential distraction?

Juniors revisited their WOOP goal trackers to reflect on their progress and consider whether they are on track with their timelines. Using the WOOP framework (Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, and Plan) students identified goals, considered the outcomes they hope to achieve, and anticipated obstacles that might stand in their way.

Parent/Caregiver conversation prompts:

• What goal are you working toward, and what obstacle might make it difficult to achieve?

Seniors checked in on their WOOP goal trackers, reviewed their progress, and assessed whether they are on schedule with their post-high-school plans. Students reviewed the college or non-college planning checklists and identified next steps toward their post-secondary plan. Advisors also informed students that the FAFSA is now open and reviewed resources to help them navigate the process. As seniors prepare for life after NHS, the focus remains on setting meaningful goals, identifying obstacles, and taking concrete steps toward their next chapter.

Parent/Caregiver Resource to Review With your Senior

• Post-Secondary Planning Check-list and Resource Guides
• NHS Career Pathways Roadmap
• NHS College Application Roadmap

The College and Career Center has been a busy place this fall. Mr. Ribaudo-Smith has scheduled over 80 colleges and universities to send representatives to talk with our students as they explore possibilities for after high school. In the first five weeks of school, 398 of these information sessions have already taken place. It has been great to see many juniors and seniors (and some sophomores) taking advantage of this resource.

Below is the list of the schools that have been scheduled. Students can see the dates of upcoming visits by logging into their SchooLinks Accounts. Parents and guardians can also register for a SchooLinks account by using their primary contact email registered with the school.

Colleges Visiting NHS

Thank you to the NEF for building the College and Career Center right in the cafeteria of the high school. This has helped increase students taking advantage of this resource and these visits.

Don't forget the NEF Auction is just under month away. Be sure to get your tickets before they sell out. See the link below for purchases and to register for the on-line part of the auction.

NEF LIghthouse Auction Link

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES

Parent Teacher Conferences will be held on Wednesday, October 28th from 5pm - 8pm and November 4th from 8am - 11am.

On the Friday before the first conference (October 23rd) you will receive an email with the link to sign up for a spot with your child's teachers.

That link will also be posted on the NHS website on October 23rd once it is active under the tab "About Us" and then "News and Announcements

Conferences are by appointment only. Please be mindful to select teachers you feel the greatest need for a conference.

EARLY RELEASE FOR STUDENTS (11:45 DISMISSAL)

To Accommodate for parent conferences, the high school will have a delayed start the morning of November 5th. First period will begin at 11:15 AM for students. Since all other schools in the District will start at their regular time, bus pick-up will still take place at its regular time. Students coming to school by bus will be able to access our library and breakfast will be served at its regular time.

Buses will still run at regular time in the morning.

Girls Game: 5:00 PM, Boys to follow at 7:00 PM vs Pentucket. The event is sponsored by Newburyport and Pentucket Bank.

Presale Tickets: $5

Tickets at the Game: $8

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