An old-fashioned clambake will be held at The Knights of Columbus, 57 Fairhaven Road in Mattapoisett, on Sunday, June 25 at 1:30 pm for $40. For tickets, please call Jim at 508863-3496.
Rising Freshmen Get a ‘Step-Up’
Last week, what is hoped to be the first “Step-Up Day” of many to come was held at Old Rochester Regional High School. Students from the eighth grade at the junior high joined the rest of the current high school students to practice a run through of their academic schedules for next year. Over the course of two hours, ten-minute sessions were held of all eight periods of next semester, allowing classes to meet with their teachers and receive summer work in-person.
In the past, students found out their schedules during the summertime via the school’s online gradebook or during sessions with their guidance counselor. This year brought the introduction of the “Step-Up Day,” giving the classes and teachers a chance to prepare for the upcoming school year.
“The Step-Up Day was reminiscent of shopping periods at universities, and I liked it because everyone seemed a lot less anxious about their new classes,” commented librarian Allison Barker. “I also appreciated the opportunity for the English teachers to hand out summer reading homework in person.”
With the exception of a few teachers who were either absent or positions that have not been filled yet, students were able to meet with teachers for classes. In some cases, this included course additions or position changes; for instance, M.J. Linane has taught history for the past ten years but will fill the position of the technology teacher beginning next year.
“It went pretty smoothly. I think it was a good idea generally,” said Linane. “Personally, I had some trouble using the time most effectively because I had new preps and courses, but it was nice to be able to meet and converse with students.”
It was a general consensus among students that being able to see classes beforehand and understand the requirements of each course was beneficial, as it allowed time for last-minute schedule changes. Since the high school does not allow course switches after the end of the previous school year, the week between Step-Up Day and the beginning of finals meant that students could make more informed choices before it was too late.
“Most of the [eighth graders] are probably going to forget how to get to classes over the summer, but I thought it was useful to be able to get to know our teachers,” rising freshman Andrew Cucci said.
“It was kind of fun because you get a little taste of next year,” added fellow rising freshman Jack Caynon.”You get to see who you’re with.”
“It was informational,” rising senior Bella Rodrigues said. “I like to know what I’m getting into.”
While the Step-Up Day was successful for its inaugural attempt, there were several critiques shared between many of the student participants. One of the main comments revolved around the short span of ten minutes that was spent in each class, assuming all students arrived at the room on time.
“I thought it was okay, but it’d be better if it was longer,” said rising senior Hanil Kang. “I did like that we got to see our teachers for next year,” he added.
Rising sophomore Ryu Huynh-Aoyama agreed with this sentiment. “It would have been better if it wasn’t just ten minutes in each class and if the tables in the cafeteria were marked for the different classes, so if our teacher was not present we could still meet with our classmates.”
Altogether, the Step-Up Day was beneficial to many of the staff and students at the high school, and will hopefully run again in the years to come to better prepare students for the following academic cycle.
By Jo Caynon
Fundraiser to Simplify Back-to-School
Folks at Sippican School are hoping to raise a little money for extracurricular activities while making the back-to-school ritual for parents both easier and less expensive.
The Marion School Committee on June 7 approved a new fundraiser with “SchoolKidz,” a subsidiary company of Staples, which allows parents to purchase the entire school supplies list for each grade level in one kit.
Teachers from each grade submit their supplies list, as well as an additional “wish list” for extra optional classroom supplies such as tissues and other office-like teacher supplies to offset the teachers’ costs.
The kits, which are 100 percent voluntary for parents, are customizable and coded for each grade level, and will be sent to the school one week before the start of the next school year.
The benefit: not only does it make it easier to purchase all the list items in one fell swoop, but it also offers a cost savings to the parents and an extra boost to the school fundraising efforts.
The kits range in price from $25 to $35, depending on the grade.
School Committee Chairman Christine Marcolini said she loves the idea, since the school is always looking for ways to save parents money and make things more convenient for parents, students, and teachers.
“I like the idea of the cost savings for sure,” said Marcolini, but she questioned the logistics of establishing a fundraiser like this one so close to the end of the school year.
Although the service will be offered to parents under a tight timeline, said one VASE representative to the committee, it is completely optional and would still be delivered in time for the first day of school.
“I think that this one would really benefit the parents as well,” said committee member Kate Houdelette.
The next scheduled meeting of the Marion School Committee is September 6 at 5:45 pm at the Marion Town House and will start with a tour of Sippican School.
Marion School Committee
By Jean Perry
Center School Field Day
Students at Center School enjoyed a day of fun in the sun on Friday, June 9, during the annual Field Day. The last day of school for students in the district is Wednesday, June 21. Photos by Jean Perry
Florence Eastman Post 280
The monthly meeting of the Florence Eastman Post 280 will be held at the Post Hall at 7:00 pm on June 21. This meeting will cover the normal reports and will also review the Memorial Day program that, due to weather and road concerns, was held indoors at the Center School. A big “Thank you” to Mrs. Bowman and her staff.
Our special guests for this meeting as per our discussion last month will be Donald and Frank Linhares, Life Members of Post 280. They will lead a discussion as to their efforts to provide Flags and a Memorial Display for the Park. Please return your Proposal Kits to review during the meeting. Donald and Frank have spent much time in preparing their presentation and I hope we will have a large turnout for this meeting.
Ned’s Point Lighthouse Opening
Flotilla 6-3 of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will open Ned’s Point Lighthouse to the public free of charge on Thursday, July 13, Thursday, July 20, and Thursday, July 27 (weather permitting) from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. Children must be at least 10 years old. There are 32 steps and a seven-rung ladder lead up to the lantern room.
JHS Students Raise Nearly $2K for Cat Shelter
Even before the ‘big check’ was officially presented, the Old Rochester Regional Junior High School main office was purring with praise for the team of eighth graders who participated in a 100-minute long walkathon outside in the rain for a cause with paws.
The Orange Team of 125 students on June 9 welcomed Pam and Oren Robinson, owners and operators of It’s All About the Animals, a no-kill cat shelter on Marion Road in Rochester, to present them with a check for $1,913 so that the couple can continue their mission of saving sick and homeless kitties.
The Robinsons weren’t expecting to be chosen as the community organization benefitting from the Orange Team’s first ever large-scale community project to support a local charity, and they certainly weren’t expecting an amount that almost reached $2,000.
Pam was overwhelmed with emotion when she saw the grand total, and tears of joy dropped from all corners of the room.
When asked how many cats the couple has saved over the ten years the cat shelter has been open, Pam replied, “Thousands. Thousands.”
The students and their Orange Team teachers erupted in applause for the Robinsons.
“I don’t know what to say,” said an emotional Pam. “We appreciate it so much, and I know it was a long day in the rain, but you kept plugging away and we are very honored that you chose us.”
The funds will likely go towards food and medical expenses for the cats. Medical expenses, the Robinsons said, are by far the highest expense at the shelter.
“I never expected anything like this,” said Pam.
All the teachers who led the students were present: Nicole Charbonneau, Carol Fletcher, Rick Regan, Jeff Lombard, Hope Perkins, Margaret Benson, Sarah Enos, Carla Cafarella, Chuck Jancaterino, Kathy Bobrowiecki, and Andrea Shaw.
Fletcher embraced Pam after the big check presentation and said, “We exceeded what we’d hoped for and we’re just so happy.”
“They kids had a great time,” said ORR Website Coordinator Erin Bednarczyk. “Even in the rain. They were soaking wet.” She continued, “It’s amazing what kids can do when they’ve got great leadership.”
“You don’t know how good this makes me feel,” said Fletcher.
It’s All About the Animals is located at 103 Marion Road in Rochester. Visit their website for more information on cat adoption, donations, or volunteering at www.itsallabouttheanimals.org.
By Jean Perry
Community Service Award
Jillian Zucco will be among those honored at the 49th Annual John S. Brayton Jr. Memorial Community Service Awards Banquet on Thursday, June 22 at White’s of Westport.
The Outstanding Community Service Award, presented by the Bristol County Chamber of Commerce, recognizes volunteer participation of extraordinary nature by an individual or a company.
The Mattapoisett resident is lauded for averaging more than 750 hours of community service per year. Her service work includes organizing annual blood drives, food drives, and the annual “Miss Inspirational” program she created to provide a platform for girls and young women with special needs and disabilities to showcase their talents and abilities so that the public can be educated and inspired by them.
She also works with the United Way of Greater New Bedford, serving on their planning committee for the Hunger Heroes project and as a volunteer at its various functions throughout the year. She serves as co-director of the Showstoppers community-service singing troupe and as a volunteer at the Share The Harvest Community Farm in Dartmouth and Gifts To Give in Acushnet.
She has organized annual fundraisers for the Children’s Miracle Network that have raised over $25,000 for Boston Children’s Hospital since 2013. She serves as a cantor at St. Anthony’s Church and as a volunteer and performer at many community fundraisers and civic events throughout the area.
While the total number of Ms. Zucco’s community hours alone is impressive, the impact of her efforts is compounded by the work of the great many she has influenced to get involved with her. She inspires everyone in her sphere of influence to join her in her service work or to choose a cause they are passionate about and make an impact through volunteerism, donorship, and/or advocacy. As a local titleholder in the Miss America Organization, Ms. Zucco carries the title of Miss Bristol County and promotes her personal platform, “Choose A Cause, Make A Difference” everywhere she goes.
Ms. Zucco is a 2011 alumnus of ORRHS and a 2016 Magna Cum Laude graduate of UMASS Dartmouth’s Nursing program, now working full time as a registered nurse at a regional hospital in the area. She will vie for the title of Miss Massachusetts on June 30 and July 1.
ORR Class of 1987
The ORR Class of 1987 will hold their 30th Class Reunion on July 8 from 6:30 – 10:30 pm at the Brew Fish, 210 Spring Street, Marion. RSVP with check to Joyce Messier, 56 Totten Road, Attleboro, MA 02703. For questions, email mikaski@aol.com. Can’t wait to see you all there.
Mattapoisett Woman’s Club Scholarship Winners
For over 60 years, The Mattapoisett Woman’s Club has been striving to help young people in their education pursuits. This year, the club is happy to award two scholarships of $2,500 to students from our area high schools. The recipients are:
Michelle Randall, who will attend SUNY Cobleskill, NY and study Animal Science. She is the daughter of Maria and Robert Randall.
Maxxon Wolski, who will attend Berklee College of Music and study Music Education. He is the son of Lorraine and Peter Wolski.
Both students possess excellent academic achievements, have done multiple community service tasks, and have participated in several extracurricular activities.
The Mattapoisett Woman’s Club especially thanks the community for its support of our Garden Tour, which will take place again in 2018, and “Taste of the Town,” which takes place during Harbor Days. These fundraising activities make our scholarship possible.
Congratulation to Michelle and Maxxon.