Blue Hills News

In this week's newsletter, you will find key school contacts. Please refer to this list if you need to contact the school. In an emergency, you can always dial the school number (781-828-5800) and speak with the security booth.

There is a lot of information in this newsletter - please take a few minutes to review and reach out if you have questions.

**9th Grade Photos - September 25, 2026**

Buses

We are working with the bus company to address some overcrowded buses and bus route issues. Thank you for your patience as we work to resolve these issues. 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.

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, special education)
• 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
• Jennifer Hall, Coop Coordinator - jhall@bluehills.org
• Laura Serpa, Director of Admissions and Guidance - lserpa@bluehills.org
• Assistant: Laurie Driscoll - ldriscoll@bluehills.org
• Ellen Sabina (DiSalvatore) - esabina@bluehills.org
• Nicole Piela, Counselor - npiela@bluehills.org
• John Davis, Counselor - jdavis@bluehills.org
• Sarah Small (Titus), Counselor - ssmall@bluehills.org
• Athletics - Ed Catabia, Athletic Director - ecatabia@bluehills.org

Grade 9 Exploratory Uniform & Safety

Our Grade 9 students have the exciting opportunity to explore our vocational programs beginning Friday, September 11. On Friday morning all freshman students should report to the cafeteria at 7:40am.

Because students will be rotating through different shops, Grade 9 exploratory students do not need to purchase a specific shop uniform.

Dress Code Reminder for Exploratory Students:

• Acceptable pants: Long pants such as jeans or khakis (no rips or holes).

• Not allowed: Sweatpants, pajama pants, leggings.

• Footwear: Closed-toe shoes are required, such as sneakers or work boots

• Not allowed: Uggs, slip-ons, flip-flops, Crocs, or similar footwear.

• An Open Mind: Come prepared to try new things, get hands-on, and learn about the many opportunities available at Blue Hills!

Guidance Counselor Caseload Assignments 2026–2027

John-Henry Davis — Lead Guidance Counselor
Ext. 2261 | jdavis@bluehills.org

Vocational Programs: Computer Information Systems, Design & Visual Communications, Electrical, Engineering, Metal Fabrication

Grade 9 Last Names: A–D

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Nicole Piela — Guidance Counselor
Ext. 2263 | npiela@bluehills.org

Vocational Programs: Culinary Arts, Drafting/CAD, Early Education & Care, Legal & Protective Services

Grade 9 Last Names: E–K

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Ellen Sabina — Guidance Counselor
Ext. 2264 | esabina@bluehills.org

Vocational Programs: Automotive Technology, Dental Assisting, Graphic Communications, Health Assisting

Grade 9 Last Names: L–P

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Sarah Small — Guidance Counselor
Ext. 2262 | ssmall@bluehills.org

Vocational Programs: Automotive Collision Repair & Refinishing, Construction Technology, Cosmetology, Electronics, HVAC & R

Grade 9 Last Names: Q–Z

Shop Uniform Reminder for Grades 10, 11, and 12

As we kick off a new school year, here’s a friendly reminder that shop uniforms are required for all students in Grades 10, 11, and 12 when they are in their vocational program.

A few important reminders:

• Wear your required shop uniform every day you are in your vocational program.
• Uniforms should be clean, appropriate, and in good condition.
• Zip-up sweatshirts must be worn properly and may not be hanging off the shoulder(s). This can create a potential safety hazard, especially when working around equipment and machinery.
• Some programs, including Culinary, Auto Repair, Graphics, and Metal Fabrication, have specific uniform requirements or use vendors other than the school store.
• Not sure what your program requires? Check with your vocational teacher before purchasing or wearing uniform items.

Uniform Ordering Deadline: Wednesday, September 30, 2026

The uniform store will not reopen until the end of January, so be sure to place your order by the September 30 deadline.

Blue Hills Uniform Store

Thank you for doing your part to help keep our vocational programs safe, professional, and ready for learning! We’re looking forward to a great school year!

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.

As we begin a new school year, we look forward to partnering with families to support the health, safety, and success of all students. Please take a few moments to review the important information below from the Health Office.

Medications at School

If your child requires medication during the school day, please remember that all medications administered at school require a physician's order that must be renewed each school year. Medications must be provided to the nurse in their original prescription container, and only up to a 30-day supply may be kept at school.

For student safety, controlled substances must be delivered directly to the Health Office by a parent or guardian and cannot be brought to school by students.

Students are not permitted to carry medications at school unless they have physician authorization for emergency medications such as inhalers, EpiPens, or seizure rescue medications. If your child requires an emergency medication, please provide an updated Action Plan from their healthcare provider, dated within the past year.

If your child may need over-the-counter medications during the school day, please complete the Health Authorization form in PowerSchool. Verbal consent cannot be accepted.

When Students Feel Sick During the School Day

If a student becomes ill during school, they should report directly to the Health Office. Our nursing staff will assess the student and determine the appropriate next steps. If a student needs to go home, the Health Office will contact a parent or guardian to arrange dismissal.

To ensure students receive proper assessment and care, we ask families to remind students not to text or call home independently when they are feeling unwell. Parents are always welcome to contact the main office directly if they wish to arrange a standard parental dismissal.

Helping Prevent the Spread of Illness

If your child is not feeling well, please keep them home and consider contacting your healthcare provider for evaluation and testing when appropriate.

Students must remain home until they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications such as Tylenol or Advil. Attendance notes should be sent to the attendance coordinator at: attendance@bluehills.org.

Physical Examinations and Athletics

All new students must have a physical examination on file dated within the past 13 months.

Students participating in athletics must maintain a current physical examination throughout the sports season. If a physical is set to expire during the season, an updated examination must be submitted to remain eligible to participate.

Please send all physical examination documentation directly to the Health Office. Coaches are unable to review or clear physicals for participation.

Families utilizing a religious exemption for immunizations must renew that exemption at the beginning of each school year.

Important Reminder for Juniors and Seniors

Massachusetts immunization requirements require students receive one booster dose of the meningococcal vaccine on or after their 16th birthday. Families of 11th and 12th-grade students should check with their healthcare provider to ensure this requirement has been met and submit updated immunization records to the Health Office.

Thank you for your partnership in helping us maintain a healthy school community. If you have any questions, please contact the Health Office at nurse@bluehills.org.

Congratulations to Meaghan Walsh on being selected to serve as the
SkillsUSA Massachusetts State Secretary! Meaghan was officially
installed into office this summer during the SkillsUSA State Officer
Installation Ceremony.

We are incredibly proud to have Meaghan representing Blue Hills
Regional Technical School and our SkillsUSA chapter at the state
level. We wish her a successful and exciting year of leadership!

BOOSTER STORE is OPEN on

Wednesdays and Fridays 10-1

Follow us on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BHckiywjE/

Please come and get involved! We look forward to meeting you!

Bluehillsboosterclub @gmail.com

The Blue Hills Booster Club is a charitable, non-profit, fully recognized 501(c)(3) organization formed to support and aid students and staff of Blue Hills Regional Technical High School. This support is provided in a variety of ways by our many volunteers, local businesses, and community members. We work very closely with administrators, teachers and the student body to promote pride, sportsmanship, and enthusiasm for all programs. Scholarships are awarded to qualifying seniors for post graduate education or entry into the trades. We provide teacher grants when needed, as well as volunteer and monetary support to many school activities. We work to achieve these goals through a variety of fundraisers such as our Snack Shack during sporting events, merchandise sales at our School Store, our annual Holiday Fair, and creative, fun fundraisers throughout the year.

Parent membership and involvement is the key to a successful Booster Club. We ask the parents of all students to consider becoming members. For information on joining our group, please email: Carol Mahoney at Bluehillsboostersmembership@gmail.com

Please note the following Boosters 2026-2027 Dates:

Tuesday, September 15 6:30pm Welcome Potluck Dinner / Meeting

Wednesday, October 14 7pm Boosters Meeting

Tuesday, November 10 7pm Boosters Meeting

Saturday, December 5 10am - 3pm HOLIDAY FAIR

Tuesday, December 8 7pm Boosters Holiday Meeting

Tuesday, January 12 7pm

Boosters Meeting

Wednesday, February 10 7pm Booster Meeting

Tuesday, March 9 7pm

Boosters Meeting

Wednesday, April 14 7pm

Boosters Meeting

Wednesday, May 12 7pm

Boosters Meeting

All meetings are held in the

BHR cafeteria

We look forward to getting to know you!

Please be sure to complete all required/mandatory sections under “Forms” in PowerSchool, and to check to make sure your emergency contacts are listed for your students. Please also confirm that the following are complete:

• Permissions/Agreements

• Health Authorizations

• Student and Emergency Contact Information

• Bus Stop Registration (if applicable)

• Bus registration is required for any student taking the bus; there is no fee to take the bus.

• Title I Parent-Student Compact

Twenty-five years ago today, our country changed forever. On the morning of September 11, 2001, 2,977 people were killed in terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Virginia and aboard United Flight 93, which went down in a field in Pennsylvania. Firefighters, police officers and paramedics ran toward danger that day to help total strangers. Many never made it home.

In the days and weeks after the attacks, people came together to help and support each other. Heroes gave their lives to save others. That’s really what today is about: not just remembering a tragedy, but remembering how people responded to it.

As we take time to remember the event that happened 25 years ago today, one powerful way to honor the memories of those who lost their lives is to help support and care for each other in the same way people did in response to that tragedy.

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

BHR on:

Instagram
Facebook

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.