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Administration | Main Office Staff | ||||||
| David Uminski, Principal | Gin Koski, Registrar | |||||||
| Greg Smith, Assistant Principal | Pegi Deshayes, Administrative Assistant | |||||||
| Brian Sargent, Dean of Students | Sharon Olson, Administrative Assistant | |||||||
PRINCIPALS' NEWS
COURSE SELECTIONOn January 14, 2008, all parents of next year’s Oakmont Freshmen class are invited to attend a Course Selection workshop at Oakmont’s Alumni Auditorium. Parents of upper classmen will have the same opportunity on February 7, the night of second semester Open House. Oakmont Regional High School offers a wide variety of courses at Advanced Placement, Honors, and College Prep levels.
When selecting courses, students and parents should consider many factors. There are core requirements such as English, History, Math, and Science. Teachers will make recommendations to help families determine the appropriate course and level based the student’s academic habits and abilities. Students can also choose from numerous electives in the Technology Education, Business, Art, Music, Fitness and Health, and Foreign Language Departments.
Students are encouraged to explore as many courses as possible to determine their likes and strengths as they begin to make decisions about their post-secondary plans. We also encourage all students to challenge themselves academically. In ice hockey, players are encouraged to practice and perform drills at OVERSPEED. That means to get outside of their comfort zone. To skate drills at such a speed that they are on the verge of falling down. The idea being that by practicing at OVERSPEED they will increase their comfort speed and perform better in games. The analogy is easily transferred to academics. Students should take courses that will be challenging, study at OVERSPEED to increase their capability of learning, and improve their outcomes and results. This will better prepare students for success in college, the work force, or the military. This is especially true for seniors. Many seniors like to register for courses that they perceive to be less challenging. They feel they have earned the right to take it easy for a year because of all the work they’ve needed to do to become seniors. “According to the 1998 High School Transcript Study and the High School and Beyond Study conducted by the federal government that followed students through high school and college, “the most important factor in determining college success is the academic challenge of courses students take in high school.” This is especially true of math courses: “An interruption of math in high school can have large-scale ripple effects when a student reaches college.” (David T. Conley , College Knowledge, p. 38)
The skills students will learn by completing a challenging curriculum will not only contribute to the success of the college-bound student. Problem-solving, reasoning, expository writing, verbal articulation, discipline, and motivation to succeed will also benefit students who choose not to go to college but enter the work force or the military. It is important to challenge and prepare all of our students regardless of academic ability. Parents and students share that responsibility by making decisions to create an academic schedule that will challenge students to exceed everyone’s expectations. We firmly believe that a student will get out Oakmont what a student puts into Oakmont. Take advantage of the wonderful courses and programs that Oakmont has to offer.
Mr. Uminski Mr. Smith
(978) 827-5907 x2157 (978) 827-5907 x2155
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STUDENT HANDBOOK FOCUS Incomplete Course Work
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MISSION STATEMENT
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PARENT FEEDBACK We want to hear from you.
Mr. Uminski
Mr. Smith |
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ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
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IMPORTANT YEARBOOK DEADLINE:
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CALENDAR
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SCHOOL COUNCIL
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SEMESTER I FINALS January 18 C and D Blocks |
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Record Breaking Salvation
Army
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HOLIDAY COMMUNITY SERVICE
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F.A.S. Calendar Sale 2008 Calendars are available now in the Oakmont Main Office. The cost is $10. The calendars feature the art work of district students. Proceeds will benefit the Future Activities and Sports Foundation (FAS). FAS was established to ensure the
continuation of sports and activities in the |
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November Spartan
of the Month –
School Committee’s Student Voice
Amanda Wrigley
When you tune into Ashburnham-Westminster School Committee meetings, you may notice a young lady who frequently gives the Student Advisory Council report. That student is Amanda Wrigley, this year’s chairperson of the Oakmont Student Advisory Council, and November’s Spartan of the Month. Amanda, who is currently a junior, has been a member of the Student Advisory Council since her freshman year. During the past few years she has made it a priority to attend as many School Committee meetings as possible. “I try not to miss meetings,” she says. “I think I’ve only missed two meetings since I’ve been chairperson of the Student Advisory Council.”
Other than her Student Advisory Council position, Amanda, who is the daughter of Scott and Karen Wrigley of Westminster, leads a very busy life.
She’s a percussionist in the Oakmont Concert Band and teaches Sunday School at the First Congregational Church in Westminster.
During ski season, she also works at Wachusett Mountain. She even finds time during the school day to help out in the main office. “Amanda is fabulous,” says Mrs. Sharon Olsen, Oakmont Attendance Secretary. “She’s a huge help to us because we can depend on her to handle incoming calls and interact professionally with parents, other students, and visitors.”
With all of the demands on her time, how can she manage to attend almost every School Committee meeting? “It’s something I’m passionate about,” Amanda explains. “It’s important to give the School Committee the students’ perspective, so it doesn’t get lost when decisions are made.”
Amanda’s interest in government has been encouraged by Oakmont Principal, Mr. David Uminski. “Mr. Uminski helps me a lot by taking the time to answer my questions,” she says. “He gradually gives me more responsibility when he thinks I can handle it.” Even with all the demands of his job, Amanda finds that Mr. Uminski is there for her. “I can talk to him about anything, I can ask him about anything, and he’ll do anything to help you.”
Amanda isn’t quite sure about where she wants to attend college or what career she’ll pursue, but she keeps an eye on national politics. “Equal taxation is an important issue,” she explains, “and I’m concerned about violence in our nation.” Perhaps you might find Amanda Wrigley’s name on a ballot someday, stepping forward to enter government at the local, state, or even national levels. -- Greg Smith
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GUIDANCE NEWS
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OAKMONT BOOSTER CLUB NEXT MEETING February 4, 2008 7:00 p.m. Kiuru Health Room. |
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7th Annual Community Benefit Hockey Game Saturday, March 29, 2008 at Cushing’s Iorio Arena --5 p.m. Ashburnham-Westminster Educators
v. Local Law Enforcement |
Winter sports schedules can be found here.
Posted January 10, 2008
