Bronco Bulletin

The Out and About Club meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month with Chef Tony in the East Side Room. Come join the fun!

No school - April 3, 2026 - Good Friday

Save the Dates for "You're a Good, Man Charlie Brown" Upcoming shows on April 10th and 11th!

April Break - April 20 - 24 - no school

The Fine Art Department is excited to announce our upcoming Art Show on April 30th, from 6-8pm at The Mill Contemporary Art studios in Saxonville (Framingham). We hope you will join us for an evening of Art and Community, and celebrate our incredibly talented students' hard work. More details to come, but we hope to see you there!

How to add money to your myschoolbucks account: see the attached document from our Food Service Department

A little Saint Patrick's Day cheer this week @KT!

February 13, 2026

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct an Integrated Monitoring Review of South Middlesex Regional Vocational School during the week of April 6, 2026. Each school district, charter school, vocational school, and virtual school undergoes an Integrated Monitoring Review every three years. The areas addressed during an Integrated Monitoring Review are organized into two groups, known as Group A Universal Standards and Group B Universal Standards.

South Middlesex Regional Vocational School will be undergoing a Group A monitoring review that addresses student identification, IEP development, programming and support services, and equal opportunity.

The process includes interviews with district staff and administrators, a review of policies and procedures, and school building visits. The process may also include parent/caregiver, student and teacher focus group meetings to gather additional information. Interpretation will be provided, if needed.

The Department will also send a parent survey, in multiple languages and formats, as needed, to parents /guardians of special education students to gather key information on the special education processes and procedures.

Parents/guardians and other stakeholders may call Henry Ndakalu, Monitoring Review Chairperson, at (781) 338-3706 to request a telephone interview. If anyone requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, the Department will make the necessary arrangements.

Within approximately 60 business days after the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the district with a report that includes information on further actions that may be required. The public can access the report at https://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/default.html.

They listened to multiple speakers, including the Commissioner of the Department of Agricultural Resources. The event was a great opportunity to network and promote agriculture.

Horticulture students participate in and assist Natick Community Organic Farm’s annual maple sugaring operations!

Grade 9 Health Assisting Students Learning Vocabulary by playing HeadBands!

The award comes with a $500 scholarship for continuing education and a $500 tool kit. Congrats to Patrick for earning this award.

Students had to research and defend their Theorist through four rounds until the Champion was crowned!

The sophomores in ECT are working with the infants, toddlers and preschoolers at one of the many childcare centers that we volunteer at in exchange for MA Teacher licensing hours.

As we gear up for the ELA MCAS next Tuesday, March 24th, and Wednesday, March 25th, we want to remind you that your effort on this test can open doors for your future.

Why Give It Your Best Effort?

• High scores can qualify you for the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship, which provides tuition credits for Massachusetts state colleges and universities.

• If you are planning to pursue the Seal of Biliteracy, your ELA MCAS score is a critical piece of that achievement.

• Your hard work demonstrates the talent and effort within our school. Your teachers have worked hard to provide the skills you need to succeed and show what you can achieve.
  
  

Please remember to:

• Charge your Chromebook and bring it with you!
• Get a good night’s sleep before each test.
• Be on time each morning.
• Grab a healthy breakfast here at KT before testing.
• Read each question carefully and take your time.
• Double-check your work before submitting.
• Stay calm and confident—you’ve got this!

Seeking Your Feedback! Please see the link below for more information about the Student Opportunity Act!

https://forms.gle/taM9poc4LfZfZksZ8

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct an Integrated Monitoring Review of South Middlesex Regional Vocational School during the week of April 6, 2026. Each school district, charter school, vocational school, and virtual school undergoes an Integrated Monitoring Review every three years. The areas addressed during an Integrated Monitoring Review are organized into two groups, known as Group A Universal Standards and Group B Universal Standards.

South Middlesex Regional Vocational School will be undergoing a Group A monitoring review that addresses student identification, IEP development, programming and support services, and equal opportunity. The process includes interviews with district staff and administrators, a review of policies and procedures, and school building visits. The process may also include parent/caregiver, student and teacher focus group meetings to gather additional information. Interpretation will be provided, if needed.

The Department will also send a parent survey, in multiple languages and formats, as needed, to parents /guardians of special education students to gather key information on the special education processes and procedures. Parents/guardians and other stakeholders may call Henry Ndakalu, Monitoring Review Chairperson, at (781) 338-3706 to request a telephone interview. If anyone requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, the Department will make the necessary arrangements.

Within approximately 60 business days after the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the district with a report that includes information on further actions that may be required. The public can access the report at https://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/default.html.

It is time to begin planning for the upcoming school year. We want to ensure you are supported throughout this process.

The Course Selection Process:

• Step 1: Teacher Recommendations (Starting Now) In the coming weeks, you will first work with your teachers during the academic cycle to discuss potential courses. Their insights are invaluable for choosing classes that align with your current skills and future goals. This is the time to ask questions about course content and the level of challenge that is right for you.

• Step 2: Counselor Meetings (Late-Winter & Spring) Following your consultations with your teachers, you will meet with your school counselor in late-winter and spring. In these meetings, you will review your teacher recommendations, select your electives, and ensure your schedule is well-balanced.

• Step 3: Final Parent/Guardian Review To ensure a smooth transition into the new year, we will invite your parents and guardians to review your final selections before you leave for summer break. This final look ensures that your academic plan is supported by both your school and your family.
  
  

Finding a Healthy Balance:

While we encourage you to challenge yourself, balancing your workload is essential to your well-being. For those interested in Advanced Placement (AP) courses, we will share additional information later this spring to help you make informed choices.

What's Next For You:

1. Explore: Please review the attached course offerings to see what interests you!

2. Consult: Talk to your teachers and your school counselor about their recommendations for your next level of study.

3. Prepare: Please look at how your elective choices align with your overall interests and graduation plan.

We look forward to supporting you as you make these important decisions!

Please take some time to review our updated Competency Determination (CD) Policy for the Class of 2026 and Beyond

State law requires that students meet the Competency Determination (CD) standards to earn a high school diploma, as defined in G.L. c. 69, §1D(i). In December 2024, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education updated the CD requirements.

Mrs. Guastella's 9th grade students built and tested paper boats as a 'tribal challenge' during their unit on Lord of the Flies.

• Fill out this counselor request form online
• Stop by the counseling office to fill out an appointment request
• Email your School Counselor
• Call your School Counselor

Seniors who are planning to apply to 4-year colleges and universities should be working on their college applications, completing necessary essays and making sure they have connected with teachers about recommendations. Counselors are planning to do presentations in grade 12 English classes this month to review the process. After these presentations, students are encouraged to make an appointment with their School Counselor to review their plans. Deadlines come up quick and we want to make sure they everyone is on track.

SAT/ACT Dates:

While the SAT and/or ACT is still not required for a lot of colleges/Universities, we want to make sure that seniors are aware of the testing dates and deadlines to register. Please check with individual colleges about their testing policy. Our school code is: 220854

Here is the link to the SAT dates for the 2025-2026 school year

Here is the link to the ACT dates for the 2025-2026 school year

Accommodations for the SAT:

Students who feel that they require accommodations for the SAT must request accommodations through the College Board. This typically is for students who maintain a 504 plan or IEP. Your counselor can help facilitate this process, but is not in charge of it. Decisions are made by College Board. In order for your counselor to help you apply for accommodations, you parent/guardian must sign the attached form, giving Keefe Tech permission to release some of your personal information. Get this form to your counselor ASAP because the College Board processes these requests as they receive them.

Check out the presentation from our College Planning Night on January 29th!

Federal Student Aid ID Reminder
As high school seniors and their families wait for the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be available on October 1, there is an opportunity to apply now for their Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) so that they will be ready when the application opens. Other resources available to help students afford a college degree include:

• MassEducate provides free tuition and fees at the state’s community colleges for all eligible Massachusetts students.
• MASSGrant Plus can provide significant discounts (up to free tuition and fees) at the state’s four-year universities depending on family income.
• Eligible, non-U.S. citizens can apply for state financial aid through the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA).
• Information about applying for financial aid, including links to information and one-on-one help, is available online.

MEFA (Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority) provides excellent information and free webinars:

Flyer with all the FAFSA info included - one stop shop!

Dear Parents/Guardians:

The month of March is self-injury awareness month. Self injury or self harm is a response to severe emotional distress. In some cases self injury can have a temporary calming effect. In others, a self inflicted wound is a means of "feeling something" to combat emotional numbness.

Most common among teens and young adults, these behaviors may include burning, hair pulling, and cutting. Self-injury often co-occurs with other mental health conditions and may be used as a coping mechanism by individuals that have experienced trauma, according to the National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI).

Self-Injury Awareness Month is an important time to highlight the prevalence of self-harm to reduce stigma and promote compassion and understanding for individuals who engage in this behavior. Parents may struggle to understand why their child is engaging in this behavior. NAMI suggests if you suspect your child is doing so, to take into account the following ways to support them:

• Demonstrate listening and empathy.
• Remain non- judgmental.
• Avoid using stigmatizing language such as referring to self-harming behavior as “attention-seeking.”
• Seek support through a school counselor or therapist.
• Help to identify alternative, healthier coping strategies when experiencing urges to self-harm.

For more information, visit https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-a-z-mental-health-guide/self-harm/

Thank you,

Julia Fairclough LICSW, SAC

Adjustment Counselor

Skills USA District Competition Winners - Good luck at States in April!

Spring sports at up and running!

Varsity Cheer Banquet and Team Photo Shoot!

As an intern, you'll gain valuable experience and have opportunities to network within the clean energy sector.

If you are over 18, you can get matched with an employer for a MassCEC-sponsored internship by creating an intern profile on our online Workforce Portal. You'll then have access to view internship postings, and potential employers will have the opportunity to review your qualifications and invite you to an interview. Our internship program runs throughout the year, with sessions available in Spring, Summer, and Fall. Various internship opportunities are available for individuals with diverse educational backgrounds.

Get more information on Eligibility, Program Schedule, or How to Participate in the sections below, or skip to the online Workforce Portal now. Population:

• A Massachusetts vocational or technical high school student approved to participate in a co-op program
• A high school After Dark student
• A Career Technical Initiative (CTI) program participant
• A high school graduate or training programs student who graduated within the past year

https://www.masscec.com/clean-energy-internships#:~:text=The%20Massachusetts%20Clean%20Energy%20Internship,technical%20high%20schools%2C%20or%20training%2F

Internships (Spring 2026) Openings:

• Kona Ice (Framingham/ regional): 2-3 positions open as an Associate (Age 16+) - Will receive mentorship on entrepreneurship and business.

• Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce(Marlborough): 1 tentative position open (Age 17) - Marketing and Admin

• Blush and Ivy (Marlborough): 1 tentative opening (Age 16+) - Social media intern. Will receive mentorship on entrepreneurship and business.

• Acton Fire Department ( Acton): 2 positions open (Age 16+) - Inventory/ Emergency Management and Statistical Analyst

• Dina Decor (Framingham) 3 positions open (Age 16/17 +) - Photographer, Sales Outreach and, Social Media Intern

• Pelham Lifelong Learning Center (Framingham): 1-2 positions available (Age 15+) - Program Aide

• Robie Canvas (Bellingham): 1-2 positions open (Age 17+) - Marine Canvas Fabricator (Trade)

• Marlborough/ Hudson Boys and Girls Club: Multiple tentative positions open (Age 15+) - Part-time instructor

• The Lashary (Wayland): 1-2 positions open (Age 16+)- Intern at a Lash studio

• Winter Properties (Framingham): 1-2 positions - Real Estate Office (Age 16/17+) - real estate Admin

• RE/MAX (Hudson): 1-2 positions (Age 16+) - Real Estate - Admin

• Downtown Framingham Inc. ( Framingham): 1-2 positions (Age 16+) - Community engagement/outreach - Social media content creator

Tax Preparation: FindYourFunds Online Tool

FindYourFunds offers tools to help individuals and families access free tax filing options, locate VITA tax prep sites, and learn about tax credits like the Child and Family Tax Credit. Downloadable flyers are available in 11 languages.

Important Changes to SNAP Eligibility

Due to federal changes in law, new SNAP work requirements and eligibility are in effect for Massachusetts. Visit Legal Key’s MA Digital Digest-Food and Income Security page for more information on General Work Rules and links to helpful resources.

These materials are designed to help caregivers better understand and respond to the youth mental health symptoms they may be seeing amplified in their children.

Brazilian-Portuguese:
https://www.mcleanhospital.org/crescer-portuguese

Spanish:

https://www.mcleanhospital.org/crescer-spanish

A.R.T. on the C.R.T

Please see the Call for Artists on the City of Framingham website:https://www.framinghamma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3358

The Framingham Public Library has free homework help at both the main library and McAuliffe.

Website: keefetech.org
Location: 750 Winter Street, Framingham, MA, USA
Phone: (508) 416-2100
Facebook: facebook.com/keefetech

Instagram: @keefe.tech.hs