The Week Ahead 9/29

Mckayleigh Rousseau was the winner of this week's trivia contest! Make sure to pay attention to the notices every Friday for the trivia question of the day. When you have an answer, make sure to email Ms. Smalarz, bsmalarz@webster-schools.org, to see if you win the weekly prize.

We began our after school Academic Support Center this past week. If you would like your student to stay after for extra help please make sure that they go directly to the cafeteria after school (no Tuesdays), and they bring their work with them as well as their charged chromebook! Even if their teacher is not available, someone will be available to help each day.

Days: Every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (not offered on half days)
Time - 2:15pm-2:45pm
Location - BHS Cafeteria

**Snacks will be provided
**Late bus available (for bus students) at 3:10pm (bus passes will be given out in the cafeteria)

Students and Families,

Welcome to Jostens - Bartlett High School's official class ring partner!!

This week, we are offering a special promotion on your students' class ring. Please watch the short video below for important info and a schedule of events.

RING ORDER DUE DATE: Friday, October 3!!

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO LEARN HOW YOU CAN SAVE UP TO $100 AND GET A FREE HOODIE!

Our contact information is:

Email: office@myjostens.com

Phone: +1(888) 248-9084

Address: PO Box 598, Charlton, MA 01507

Here is the link to this year's handbook. Please make sure to review this book with your student(s). https://bhs.webster-schools.org/for-students/student-handbook/handbook

Saturday School began this past week, and we had a small group of students attend. Just as last year, the program will serve several purposes throughout the year. Students may access Saturday sessions for extra academic assistance. The program may also be assigned as a consequence by administration if in school behavior warrants it. At times it may being given as an alternative to suspension. The high school's attendance policy will also be tied to Saturday School once we get further into the first quarter. If students lose academic points due to their daily attendance, student's will be able to earn these points back by attending a specific number of sessions. Students and families will have meetings with guidance if there is a need for this.

Students and families will be notified again this week if the school feels as though their student would benefit from attending based on current grades. We will be focusing on all students who continue to have a failing grade in at least one or more courses. Please keep an eye on emails for these notifications. If you do not get an email, but would still like your student to attend this week, please reach out to your student's guidance counselor and they will add your student's name to the list.

Saturday School will be held at the Webster Middle School. It will run from 8am-12pm, and students must stay the entire time. Breakfast and a snack will be provided to those that attend. Students will need to bring their work with them, as teachers will not be able to provide it to individual students while at the middle school. They should also come with a fully charged chromebook and charger, as there will not be any loaners available. There will be no cell phones allowed out from 8am-12pm. There is no bus provided to or from Saturday School.

If you have any questions, please reach out to guidance or administration.

Community service hours available for Student Council, Seniors, and National Honor Society Members!

Ms. Stawiecki has organized a few opportunities for students to gain Community Service hours either by helping with Volleyball or with The Gridiron Club. If interested, please make sure to email Ms. Stawieck, cstawiecki@webster-schools.org.

The Basement in C Section is considered to be an Unauthorized Area at all times, unless you are directly with a staff member. If a student is found in the basement, a consequence of a Saturday School will be assigned immediately.

If you play a sport and need to access the basement to drop off athletic equipment, the only available time to do so is before school starts from 7:10am - 7:20am. If you do not make it between that time, you will be responsible for carrying your own equipment with you throughout the school day.

Attached is the schedule of when after school clubs meet each week. Students will need to arrive on time, and stay with the advisor for the length of the meeting. Students are held by the standards as listed in the handbook, and must remain in good academic and social standing, and be in school by 8am in order to participate on any given day.

Regular Schedule

Members of the Sophomore Class:

We will be administering the PSATs at the end of October. This is not a graduation requirement. It is practice for the SATs. All 10th graders will be taking this exam unless the student or parent completes this form to opt them out.

PSAT OPT OUT FORM

Members of the Junior Class:

Please complete this form if you wish to take the PSATs. If you do not sign up, you will not be able to take the test. If you have questions please see your counselor.

PSAT Registration

School Guidelines

If a student is going to be absent, tardy, or dismissed on any given school day, the parent/guardian must call the main office at 508-943-8552 to report it. When calling, please state:

• Your student’s name

• Reason for absence/tardiness

• Phone number where you can be reached during the day in case a return call is necessary

A note documenting the reason for the absence, tardy, or dismissal must be sent into the main office within two (2) days of the conclusion of the absence or tardiness. However, please note that a phone call and/or note only verifies the student's absence; it does not excuse the absence. When an absence, tardiness, or dismissal can be anticipated, advance notice is requested.

Absent

From School

• If a parent/guardian has notified the school of their student’s absence, the student will be coded as “Absent” in PowerSchool

• Students who are absent from school on any given day are not permitted to participate in any school or extracurricular activities on that day.

From Class

• On the 5th+ absence from class, the teacher will engage in two-way communication with the parent/guardian to develop a plan to make-up academic deficits resulting from absences

• All missed assignments due to absences (not truancies) will be graded as a “0” (with the icons “missing” and “absent” both highlighted in Powerschool) until the assignment has been completed and submitted

• Students are required to make-up all missed assignments due to any absence (not truancy)

Truant

• Students who are absent from school without a documented reason (ex. doctor note, call from parent/guardian) will be considered truant

• Missed assignments due to truancy will receive a grade of zero (0) without the ability to make it up

Tardy

To School

• Tardiness will be excused only if you have a note of acceptable explanation, such as a dentist or doctor appointment. Extenuating circumstances will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Tardiness to school is counted as time lost within the provisions of the Attendance Policy.

• Students are considered tardy if they are not in their 1st block classroom by 7:25am (Please note: Being in the school building by that time is not the same as being in class by that time)

• Tardy students are required to report to check in with the main office upon arrival

• Tardy students will be required to dispose of any purchased coffee/morning beverages upon arrival. If a student refuses to dispose of their beverage immediately, they will be issued a Saturday School

• Students that are chronically tardy to school (more than 3 times in a quarter) will be subject to progressive disciplinary action

To Class

• Promptness to class is as important as promptness to your job when you go to work. Good school citizens are never tardy to class because that interferes with their own education and disrupts the whole class. You have five minutes to pass between classes, and during that time you can reach any place in the school from any other place.

• If you are with a staff member or doing an errand that cannot be done at some other time, and if this results in your being late to class, please be sure that you get a pass from the staff member in charge before leaving that staff member. It is YOUR responsibility to get a pass whenever you are going to be late to class.

• Students who are not inside of the classroom when the bell rings are considered “tardy” to class.

Dismissal

• There are times when illness or personal family business of a serious nature occurs and you need to miss part of the school day. At that time, you may request an early dismissal. To obtain an early dismissal, bring a written request from your parent/guardian to the main office as soon as you arrive at school. All notes should include the first and last name of the student, phone numbers where the parent/guardian signing the note can be reached, time to be excused, reason for the request, and first and last name of the parent/guardian signing the note. Eighteen year olds must also have a pre-approved note from a parent/guardian. BHS reserves the right to verify all parent/guardian notes prior to approving student dismissals.

• Students will be called to the main office when being dismissed

• All students, who are dismissed for any reason, must sign the dismissal log before leaving school

• ALL individuals dismissing students will be expected to come into the building and present a valid picture ID before any student will be released from the school

• Students must be in school for 4 hours from the start of the school day to be considered present for the day. Students attending school for less than four hours will be considered “absent” from school that day.

• Students dismissed from school are ineligible to participate in athletics or extra-curricular activities on that day or the ensuing weekend should it occur on the day before a weekend.

• For eligibility purposes, with respect to athletics or extra-curricular activities, students dismissed for medical, dental, legal appointments, etc., must have the appointment verification documentation turned in to the office or to the coach or activity advisor upon their return to be eligible to participate (parental/guardian notes will not suffice)

• Any student clinically dismissed by the nurse due to illness may not return to school and is ineligible to participate in athletics or school activities

• If/when a student returns to school from a dismissal, they must sign back in on the dismissal log in the main office and produce their documentation for the time out of the building

• No student, except in emergencies, will be signed out after 1:30 pm

The first quarter progress reports will go live on Tuesday at 2:00pm in PowerSchool. Please make sure to log into your student's PowerSchool account to see how they are doing at the halfway mark of the First Quarter. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of their grades, please make sure to reach out to their teachers first, and then to guidance if further assistance is needed.

Applications are now open for grade 9 and 10 students. If interested in becoming a member of the Nichols Leadership Academy, please make sure to apply online using the link below. The deadline to apply is this Wednesday, October 1, 2025.

From the Program of Studies (pages 12-13):

The Nichols Leadership Academy (NLA), is a unique partnership program with Nichols College that was established in 2014. The Academy has a strong focus on leadership and promotes community involvement and service with the goal of preparing the student for post-secondary success. The Academy accepts students in grade 9 and 10 who fully intend to pursue post-secondary education and have exhibited both academic and leadership potential.

The admission process begins in the eighth grade and students must apply and be accepted into NLA. A review of student application, teacher recommendation, and academic record will be used to determine admission.

The program begins freshman year with an official induction ceremony at Nichols College. Students will receive a Nichols College ID which grants them access to the library, cultural events, and sporting events. The students will visit the campus several times throughout the year for events as well as leadership focused activities and workshops.

• Community Involvement: NLA students are required to perform a minimum of 10 hours of community service each year. Students are encouraged to link their individual community service to their personal interests and develop a meaningful community service project that they continually commit to and expand upon throughout high school. Students are encouraged to begin to participate in extracurricular activities at Bartlett during this time. Participation in NLA events through Nichols College is required.

• Academics: Students are encouraged to enroll in honors level or above for all core courses (English, Math, Social Studies, and Science).

The emphasis during grades 11 and 12 continues to be on leadership with deeper discussion around future planning and college admissions. Students will continue to have the same benefits at Nichols as the freshmen and sophomores and are eligible to enroll in college courses through the Nichols College Accelerator Program at a discounted rate.

• Community Involvement: Students are expected (but not required) to continue participating in community service and extracurricular activities. Continued participation in NLA events through Nichols College is required.

• Academics: NLA students are required to take two courses above honors level (combination of: AP, Nichols Accelerator, or Dual Enrollment courses) and are encouraged to take honors level in their other courses. NLA students must take the PSAT and SAT exams.

NLA students should uphold high character throughout their Bartlett career. They must remain in good academic standing and fulfill the above mentioned requirements to remain an active member. A student may be placed on probationary status or released from the NLA if deemed appropriate.

Incorporating academic rigor, leadership, and community service, the Nichols Leadership Academy provides a unique and transforming learning experience which will prepare and benefit its members for their post-secondary endeavors and the college admissions process.

We are pleased to inform you of Bartlett High School’s participation in the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy for the 2025-2026 School Year. The Seal of Biliteracy is an honor offered to any student who demonstrates proficiency in English and any other language, whether they speak or sign the language other than English at home or learned it at school or in the community.

The State Seal of Biliteracy aims to:

1. Encourage students to study and master languages;

2. Certify attainment of biliteracy skills;

3. Recognize the value of language diversity;

4. Provide employers with a method of identifying people with language and biliteracy skills;

5. Provide universities with a method to recognize and give credit to applicants for attainment of high-level skills in languages;

6. Prepare students with skills that will benefit them in the labor market and the global society; and

7. Strengthen intergroup communication and honor the multiple cultures and languages in a community.

In order to earn the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy, students must:

1. Demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English by earning a score of 472 or higher on the Grade 10 ELA MCAS,

2. Demonstrate a high level of proficiency in a world language by attaining a minimum score equivalent to Intermediate-High on an assessment approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and

3. Satisfy all other graduation requirements.

The Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction is available to students who:

1. Earn a score of 501 or higher on the Grade 10 ELA MCAS

2. Demonstrate a proficiency level of Advanced Low or higher on a Department-approved assessment, and

3. Satisfy all other graduation requirements.

The ELA MCAS Retests will take place on Nov 5 & 6, 2025 and again on March 3 & 4, 2026; Grade 10 ELA tests will take place on March 24 & 25, 2026. We will be administering Proficiency Assessments of Approved Language Other than English as soon as we know which assessments our students are interested in taking. More information to come…

We look forward to honoring the language expertise and diversity in our district through this initiative. If you have any further questions, please contact Seal of Biliteracy Coordinator, Dr. Patricia Mackay, pmackay@webster-schools.org 508-943-0104, x. 40030.

This week in Principles of Biomedical Science students worked on analyzing fingerprints. They learned about the different patterns and characteristics of fingerprints and analyzed both their own, and the fingerprints of the five people of interest in the case of Anna Garcia's death.

In Human Body Systems, students worked on constructing their own models of a long bone and learned about the four different types of bones and what differentiates them from one another. They also did more work on identifying anatomical areas on their mannequins.

In Medical interventions, students presented their findings and their care plans for their cases. Each case was a person or family dealing with a newly diagnosed genetic disorder and students not only researched the conditions each person had, but what options those patients would have in a care plan.

Our Marketing Pathway students will be holding a Homecoming Fundraiser from now through 10/3. They will be selling homecoming t-shirts. Shirts will be available in either black or pink to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Make sure to order yours today for just $10. Fill out the attached order form, and bring it or email it to Mr. Jenness, bjenness@webster-schools.org.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the return of our Honors Banquet. This past week we recognized all students who earned and maintained Honor Roll Status throughout the 2024-2025 school year.

Congratulations, again, to all of the following students:

Seniors

Nathan Cole - Honors

Neil Duszlak - Honors

Omar Medina Perez - Honors

Eryk Piwowarczyk - High Honors

Juniors

Caden Case - Honors

Nathan Casper - Honors

Cheyanne Grundel - Honors

Megan Milligan - High Honors

Dhyey Patel - Honors

Irelyn Pottle - Honors

Michael Stawiecki - Honors

Sophomores

Zuaylianice Benito Torres - Honors

Matthew Czernicki - Honors

Natalia DosSantos - Honors

Elijah McKenna - Honors

Angela Sarfo - Honors

Don Ta - Honors

Julia Urato - Honors

Please join us for our first community wide event! Our school's PBIS team will be hosting a Trunk or Treat fundraiser to raise money for positive incentives for all students at the high school. Check out the flyer below for more information! If you have any additional questions please reach out to Sam Beaudette, sbeaudette@webster-schools.org.

This past week, our Student Council President, Georgia LaPierre, attended the Student Council Presidential Dinner.

All athletes MUST enter and exit through the back of the gym after school. There should be absolutely no entry in or out of the C section hallway that is labeled as "Gym" on the outside door. Parents should plan to pick up their athletes at the back entrance to the gym after practices or games, not at the entrance closest to the BHS basketball courts.

Athletes MUST be supervised at all times when in the locker room hallway. If there is not a coach with you, then you will need to wait to go downstairs. All BHS athletes must use the bathrooms in the basement hallway, not the ones in the main part of the building once games and practices begin after school each day.

Winter sports start on December 1st.

This survey is only for girls to check interest in participating in any of the sports listed.

The Webster Police are looking for volunteers to help at their 7th Annual "Cruise In" on Sunday, October 5th. If interested please sign up with Ms. Grzembski in the main office.

Are you a Grandparent raising a grandchild(ren)? Have you wondered how other grandparents are handling the stress of raising grandchildren? Are you looking for a “judgment-free zone” to vent?

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!!!

Please check out the attached flyer for important information regarding the dates and times of the support group's meetings.