Hurricane Highlights

Vol. 6, No. 3 A PUBLICATION OF AMHERST REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL February 2008

Principal Mark Jackson

From the Principal

Dear ARHS Parents and Guardians,

Some highlights:

  1. The National Russian Essay Contest results are in. ARHS students studying Russian were awarded an unprecedented ten gold Advanced medals and ten gold Intermediate medals. As well, our Russian exchange group left yesterday[1.29]for Petrozavodsk, Russia yesterday for a four week stay. This year marks the 20th anniversary of our first exchange with our Russians hosts.

  2. This past week-end, January 23 -27th, twelve members of the ARHS Model United Nations delegation, moderated by Janie Baer-Leighton, our English department chairperson, attended the Yale Model United Nations Invitational Conference. The Yale Invitational attracts over 60 schools (approximately 1200 students) from across the United States and also includes several International Schools, such as The University School of Nigeria. The ARHS delegation was one of only two public schools attending this year’s conference. ARHS junior Thu Do was commended for her work in the Economic and Social Council -- Asia & Pacific. To attend the Yale Conference, the ARHS Model UN team raised nearly $2,900.00. A substantial portion of the funds came from bake sales, raffles, and the occasional car wash. In March, they hope to take an even larger delegation to the UMass MUN Conference.

  3. Rehearsals have begun for ’Aida’, our spring musical this year. Performance dates are scheduled for Feb 28, 29 and March 1 at 7:30 pm. There is also a March 1 matinee at 2:00. Please circle your calendars. Also on the theater front, the work of two ARHS students will be performed this year by Playwright’s Horizons Theater at Boston University. I’m told by John Bechtold, our theatre director, that this invitation is a much sought after recognition of quality writing.

  4. I wrote a letter to the editor that was published in the Gazette last week. Several folks have asked that I include it in the newsletter. It appears below.

    My interest here is in how we talk to each other. Resisting the lure of simple dichotomies is a good rule of thumb in framing difficult issues. It provides some protection against camp developing, which, if they do, results in discussion that is typically defensive and not about inquiry or exploration. Generally, I think the world could use more of the latter.

    In the important public discussion now afoot regarding the mission of the local public schools, I’d like to request a community-wide moratorium on the use of the phrase ’equity v. excellence’, which has become the popular reframing of the essential question ’who are schools for?’ Almost inevitably, someone in these discussions says something like: ’isn’t it really about both?’; ’shouldn’t schools work for all kids?’; ’they aren’t exclusive of each other, are they? they seem more complementary’.

    These comments reveal a recognition of the limits of a simple dichotomy to adequately capture the complexity of school life. The lengthy menu of programs to challenge, support and enrich all students along with the routine work of teachers who adjust themselves minute to minute to address a vast array of student need both illustrate that, in the end, it’s always about all kids.

    The irony of trying to push past an either/or orientation while relying on an either/or framing suggest that it might be time to look for a replacement or alternative. I’d like to suggest ’how can we help schools challenge and support all kids so as to keep them working at the outer edge of their capability?’. Not real catchy and it won’t fit on a coffee mug. But I do think it keeps the conversation properly grounded.

  5. On Friday, February 15, our Women’s Rights Club will sponsor a performance of The Vagina Monologues here at the high school. Last year, the performance was held off site. After watching the performance, which was entirely student performed and directed, I felt strongly that this was just the type of student work that the school should sponsor and support. I understand the topic is a challenging one and that, therefore, the performance is not for everyone. I do believe, however, that it can make an important contribution to the development of your women and men’s awareness of issues surrounding sexual violence. Important: For ARHS students, participation in the cast or attending the performance is dependent on parent/guardian permission. Permission slips must be signed. We will call home to verify the signatures. Lastly, middle school students are not permitted even with parent/guardian permission.

  6. As they are annually, ARHS students are again well represented in the National Merit Scholarship Program, which is sponsored by the College Board. 25 ARHS students were designated as ’commended’; three students were designated as semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Competition; two students were designated for recognition in the National Hispanic Recognition Program; and, one student was designated for recognition in the National Achievement Scholarship Program, which acknowledges high achieving African-American students.

  7. Congratulations to the following students for their award winning work in the Boston Globe Scholastic Art Awards:

    8. Honorable Mention: Wynn Campbell, Finn Olcott and Danya Rubin

    Silver Key: Chris Casey and Caitlin McGarigal

    Gold Key: Linnea Haviland and Gareth Morrow

Thank you.
Mark Jackson
Principal

Cap and Gown Measurement

Students who have not yet paid for then Cap and Gown stop by the HS main office to fill out the forms needed. The cost of this year’s program is $16.00. Approximately one week before graduation, students will receive a cap, gown and tassel that they may keep. This will enable families to take pictures at their leisure, both before and after the graduation ceremony. Checks should be made directly to "University Cap & Gown," but cash is also accepted.

Cancellation/Delay Information

With the possibility of future school cancellations or delays we want to be sure all families are aware of our school information number. Please call 362-1898 on questionable days to get information about school closings and delays. Be sure to check the date. If there is no message by 6 a.m., we are open as usual. Please do not call the school. Other sources of school closing information are the Hampshire Gazette Line (584 - 3200, Selection #3700), TV Channels 3, 22 and 40 and various local radio stations. Thanks!

Fall Season Sports Highlights

Once again our fall sports teams had very successful seasons. The following is a brief summary of their accomplishments: Records

Boys Cross Country -- 9-1 League Champions. Won PVIAC Championship and the Western Mass. Championship. They finished 8th at the State meet. PVIAC All Stars: Ray Dannenhauer, Michael Lawlor, Atticus Brigham, Barry Elkinton, Aidan Dumont-McCaffrey

Girls Cross Country -- 9-0 League Champions. Came in 2nd in PVIAC Championship and won Western Mass. Championships, finished 9th in the State Championship. PVIAC All Stars: Maya Nair Noonan, Leah Haake, Keri Lambert, Molly Krifka, Chloe Zimmerman, Lisa Rising, Maddie Fega

Field Hockey -- Record 15-3-1 Qualified for MIAA tournament and hosted a tournament game, defeating Westfield 1-0. Lost 1-0 in the Western Mass. Semifinals. PVIAC All Stars: Olivia Bass, Abby Fuhrman, Jackie Slocombe, Sam Roach, Anna Morgan-Trostle, Julie Riva

Football -- Record 0-10 struggled through a difficult season. Positive notes: Student athletes persevered, continuing to show up to practice and learn. No athletes failed off the team due to grades, an improvement over past years.

Golf -- Record: 13-5 League Champions.

Boys Soccer -- Record: 11-2-5 League champions. Qualified for MIAA tournament, lost in the quarterfinal on penalty kicks. PVIAC All Stars: Evan Coleman, Ian Waldron, Scott Jenkins, Evan Hazelett

Girls Soccer --Record: 5-10-3 The team made it to the last game almost qualifying for the MIAA tournament. PVIAC All Stars: Jackie Dougherty, Vanessa Larareo, Alyssa Leonard

Volleyball -- Record 16-5 Made it to the Western Mass. Championship losing in the final to Longmeadow. PVIAC All Stars: Danielle Lazarz, Heather Mears, Tyler Protano-Goodwin

Other highlights:

*Addition of jvb girls soccer and jvb volleyball and middle school volleyball intramurals increase the number of students participating. Also, with the addition of intramurals being added to the athletic department we increased our numbers to 517 this fall. Intramurals provide an opportunity for students to learn and participate in sport activity in a less competitive environment.

The flexibility in adding intramurals and teams to the athletic department allows us to better meet the needs and interests of our students.

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