Class of 2021

Leah Bloch

A – Cincotta

Karen Halloran

Ciulla - Fournier

Susan Lynch

Franklin - Kahn

Brian Doherty

Kim - McCabe

Jill Karatkewicz

McCarthy - Owen

Tracy McLaughlin

P - Schultz

Heidi Hider

Schwab - Vinith

Wendy Pechacek

W – Zheng

Homework
 Late Bus
 Study Skills
 Time Management
 Communication with School


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Listen to teenagers with your eyes as well as your ears. As hard as it is in our busy lives, stop what you’re doing and make eye contact. “Not now - later” doesn’t work with teenagers. If you aren’t “available” when they want to talk, you may not get a second chance.

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Use “BUT” sparingly

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We have a shared goal of helping students become self-advocates.

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As adults we forget how tough it is at times to be a teenager. We say things like “these are the best days of your life.”

1) When checking in after a long day at school… 2) When it comes to homework… 3) When it comes to performance in school… 4) Make time for PDF 5) Create a tech-free environment during mealtimes. 6) Collaborate with your child’s teachers. 7) An extra hour of sleep > an extra hour of studying. 8) There is no one correct formula for success!

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English 20 credits Math 20 credits Science 15 credits History/SS 15 credits w/ 10 in U.S. History World Languages 10 credits (same language) Electives 25 credits P.E. 10 credits (4 semesters) Visual and Performing Arts 2.5 credits Health 2.5 credits Technology 2.5 credits

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117.5 credits total w/ a minimum of 25 credits earned each academic year

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MCAS grade 9 (Science) MCAS grade 10 (English, Math)

Westford Academy 4-Year Academic Plan





Content Area/ Required Credits English/20 Math/20 Science/15 Social Studies/15 5 WH II and 10 US (I and II) World Lang/10 Health/2.5 PE/10

Grade 9

Grade 10

Grade 11

Grade 12



























































































Technology/2.5 Visual/Performing Arts/2.5

Electives/25 117.5 Total required credits to graduate



Westford Academy website Counseling Department website Freshman Timeline WA Guidance Blog

GUIDANCE TIMELINE FOR FRESHMEN 2017 - 2018 ! August September October

November

29

! Freshman Orientation (9th only attend first day of classes)

25-28

! Guidance counselors meet with small groups of freshmen during Health/PE classes

3

! Progress Reports available in iPass

5

! Back to School Night – 2:00 – 9:00pm

6

! Big Picture Presentation/Peer counselors visit homerooms during Advisory

3

! 1st quarter ends

9

! Advisory block

15

! 1st quarter Report Cards available in iPass

December

12

! Progress reports available in iPass

January

5

! Counselors and peer counselors visit homerooms to discuss midterms - Advisory

12

! ASVAB administered (Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery)

18-19, 22-23 February

! Mid Term Exams

24

! 2nd quarter ends

2

! Mid-year Report Cards available in iPass

7

! Sophomore Course Selection presentation (Advisory Block)

16

! Course requests due for sophomore year classes

March

1

! Progress Reports available in iPass

April

5

! 3rd quarter ends

14

! 3rd quarter Report Cards available in iPass

11

! Progress reports available in iPass

May

! Arrange for summer work, volunteer positions and exposure to careers of interest June

6 - 13

! Final exams

11

! Schedules available in iPass for 2018-2019, 2:10 pm

14

! 4th quarter ends

21

! Final Report Cards available in iPass

**!All!dates!subject!to!change!due!to!snow!days!

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REMIND

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text @wa21 to 81010

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Naviance

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User ID and Password

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Guidance Blog

◦  Each student ◦  Each parent/guardian ◦  Subscribe to receive important information from the Guidance Department ◦  waguidance.blogspot.com Westford Academy Guidance Department

Mr. Robert Ware - Mr. Dan TWOMEY - Ms. Betsy Murphy -Mr. Antonelli

A-F

Mr. Ware

G –M

Mr. Parent

N–Z

Ms. Murphy

Absence, with no verification within 24 hours, will be considered TRUANT and may be assigned one day of ISS along with 4 OD’s _________________________ More than two (unexcused) absences in a term will result in loss of credit for that class __________________________ If you are unexcused absent from a class more than six (6) times in a quarter, you will not receive credit for that quarter.

School Starts @ 7:35AM Each Quarter

CONSEQUENCES WHEN LATE TO SCHOOL: 3 tardies = 1 OD

6 tardies = 2 OD’s

9 tardies = 3 OD’s 12 tardies = Suspension

CLASSES START AT 7:35

Once you arrive at WA you are NOT allowed to leave unless granted permission by an administrator

92 pages Issued in Homeroom on 8/29/17

Acknowledgement Sign-Off Form Student Handbook was communicated to all Freshmen on Day One by the administrators. By signing off, students agree to abide by the policies described in the handbook.



OUR MISSION

CELL PHONES and SEARCHES Recording, videoing or photographing students or staff without permission is prohibited.

(1) Text during a test (suspected of cheating) (2) Take a picture which is suspected to harass or bully a classmate (3) Text a threat regarding a student or staff member (4) Any other inappropriate behavior which creates individualized suspicion of a violation of law or school rules (5) In the event of a health or safety emergency

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“DIGITAL TATTOO”

The impact of social media on the college admissions process has increasingly become a two-way street. Admissions departments are also checking up on prospective students' social media profiles.

A student’s online presence will tell admissions officers and future employers, how they present in public, and how their projected image fits in with a particular institution or job.

CHEATING & PLAGIARISM







Communicate with your teachers if you













have questions



CHEATING & PLAGIARISM 1st Offense: Grade = ZERO !  Parent and Dean notified 2nd Offense: School suspension 3rd Offense: Out of School suspension Communicate with your teachers and ask for clarification

Students found with illegal substances may be excluded from school for the remainder of the school year.

You may also lose your right to a public education

MAKE GOOD DECISIONS

1st OFFENSE= 1 DAY SUSPENSION $100 FINE 2nd OFFENSE = TWO DAY SUSPENSION $200 FINE

MIAA CHEMICAL HEALTH RULE 1ST OFFENSE =25% OF SEASON 2ND OFFENSE = 50% OF SEASON

Electronic cigarettes and Vaporizes

MIAA CHEMICAL HEALTH RULE 1ST OFFENSE =25% OF SEASON & 2ND OFFENSE = 50% OF SEASON

Provided there is reasonable suspicion….. Westford Academy reserves the right to search students, lockers, students possessions, automobiles on school property.

School officials are not required to obtain a warrant before searching a student under their authority

If an incident occurs outside of WA and involves a police report, the administration WILL be informed and school action may occur

MAKE GOOD DECISIONS

$50 CLUB FEE COLLECTION TONIGHT and Tomorrow in all four lunches – Check to WPS or cash. $50 to join 1 or all 70 clubs and organizations. See Mrs. Moore and Mrs. Mahoney tonight outside PAC.

What are you so stressed about…?

“These are the best days of your life…”

Finances

AP’s

Family

Sports

= “PRESSURE”

What is Challenge Success? Community Service

Relationships

Friends SAT’s PSAT’s

College Admissions

Social Media

Work A scary world!

Appearance

SelfWorth

Image Other Activities

Who am I?

Insert Video

What defines success in your family?

Administrators, Faculty, and Guidance Counselors also feel the same pressures…

MIT

Newsweek Magazine # 4 in the country Boston Magazine # 6 in Massachusetts Niche- #12 in Massachusetts National Blue Ribbon High School

Brown Yale

Harvard

…does success come at a price? • Hospitalizations have increased

• Mental health issues are on the rise

• Additional staff and

programs need to be added to support the social and emotional needs of our daughters and sons

Challenge Success Vision Statement: We envision a school where students, faculty, staff, and parents collaborate to create a healthy and inclusive community that inspires a sense of purpose and a love of learning while supporting increased engagement and a broader definition of success.

Changes made at Westford Academy in support of our Challenge Success Vision: • Vacations free from homework • Added an additional minute to passing time due to increased enrollment

Exploring… • More homework free weekends • Providing parameters to teachers testing “prior to” mid-year and final exams • Expectations for summer for work