PRINCIPALS' MESSAGE: COMMUNITY AND SCHOOLS

We are in the midst of completing a successful year at Oakmont Regional High School. That success was dependent upon our excellent working relationship with our community. Oakmont’s Mission Statement states that we will provide an inclusive, nurturing environment where students pursue academic excellence, practice respect, and prepare for life-long participation in a global society. The values of family, charity, empathy and work ethic that are found in our community are clearly evident in the mission and everyday routines of the school. Over the past year we have witnessed a remarkable amount of support for our students, not only from Ashburnham and Westminster, but from the entire region.

As a result of budgetary constraints the golf, freshmen basketball, and winter track programs were eliminated. The community, led by a dedicated group of parents and the Booster Club, stepped up and raised the necessary funds to run those sports. Donations were limited not only to people from Ashburnham and Westminster but individuals and businesses from North Central Massachusetts. The golf team had a tremendous season; the highlight was the Midland-Wachusett League Sportsmanship Award. Eighty students, due to community support, participated on the freshmen basketball and varsity winter track teams.

It is unfortunate that we are dependent upon private fundraising for these activities for our students, but to deny them this once in a lifetime opportunity to participate in high school athletics is unforgivable. We are particularly grateful to those who donate as we all are inundated with fundraisers. We do not expect a small group of individuals in our community to sustain these programs year after year, but hopefully the community at-large will see fit to properly fund these activities in the future.

The community once again showed its support during the tragic death of one of our students in the weeks before the holidays. The outpouring of help given our students by individuals and organizations was awe inspiring. A very difficult time was made easier by the solid foundation of our community, who came together again this spring to celebrate Jordyn Kalagher’s life and raise money for the scholarship fund in her name.

We have a very successful Work-to-Career program. Over forty local businesses and employers work in cooperation with the school to provide authentic work experience to our students. This program helps them make future career decisions and acquire skills for success in college and careers.

The community models a sense of community that is evident every day in the hallways of our school. Like many high schools our students divide themselves into groups of similar interests. However, our students are supportive of each other’s interests. At any Oakmont event: athletics, music, art, drama, a large of students will be supporting their peers.

Our student organizations focus on community service, specifically the Student Council, National Honor Society, Interact Club, Peer Leaders, and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD). These groups raise money and give time to community-oriented activities, such as: the Montachusett Opportunity Council, St. Jude’s Hospital yard work for families going through difficult times, sponsoring a child from a third-world country, St. Denis Church and Ferncol Fairs.

Schools and communities must work together to provide a safe and productive society. We are fortunate to be in a place where this is the norm. We have come to expect that the school is the community and the community is the school. We recognize that we are a reflection of our community which makes Oakmont Regional High School a special place. The students, faculty, and staff mirror the values of the community in which we live and work..

Mr. Uminski                                  Mr. Smith
(978) 827-5907 x2157                    (978) 827-5907 x2155

STUDENT HANDBOOK FOCUS
Summer School Eligibility

Students who have failed a course and want to retake it in summer school must have a semester average of 50-59% in order to be eligible. Only summer school classes that meet for a minimum of forty (40) hours may be approved by the Oakmont Guidance Department to replace a failure. Summer school enrollment must be approved by the Guidance Department before a student begins classes.

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2008-2009 Courses

A few new courses will be offered next school year. World Religions Seminar and the History of Rock and Roll will debut. We are also happy to announce the return of French and Mass Media to our Program of Studies. Unfortunately, we had hoped to introduce Criminal Justice and Chinese; however, due to budget constraints, those courses will not be available

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CHECK OUT THE LIBRARY BLOG!

Several teachers have developed blogs (web-logs) for their courses that have restricted access to only the course members. However, Mr. Anderson, our librarian, has also created a blog for the library. To check it out click here.

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PLEASE VOTE

JUNE 17, 2008

6th Annual Dan Farrell Memorial
3 on 3 Tournament

Saturday, June 14, 2008
9 am – 6 pm
Sweeney Playground
South Main Street, Ashburnham

Half-court Games
Certified Refs
4 players to a team
All Proceeds go to two $1500 scholarships for Oakmont graduates

Entry forms available at the Main Office
$40 per team
($32 if received before May 15)

Checks payable to the
Daniel J. Farrell Scholarship Fund

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Do you want to receive the Oakmont Newsletter via email?

Send your email address to Mr. Uminski

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ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

To join the Oakmont Alumni Association please contact Mr. Uminski at (978) 827-5907 or email

Oakmont’s “Women in Technology” Leave a Legacy

Tech Prep Site Coordinator, Mrs.Wendy LeBlanc, was recently informed that Oakmont Regional High School was the recipient of a $2,500 mini-grant from the North Central Mass. Tech Prep Consortium. Tech Prep is a program designed to forge linkages between high schools and colleges that help high school students build career skills. Oakmont received the grant award because of the energy and skill of three senior students, Desiree Hamelin, Randi Swihart, and Joanna Gustafson.

The Oakmont seniors were all participants in the Women in Technology Program during their junior year. Women in Technology gave them the opportunity to explore the world of technology by working with engineering teams at Simplex Grinell in Westminster. “I worked on a project where we examined time and space management in the manufacturing process,” explains Joanna Gustafson. “My experience at Simplex kind of helped me decide on a career in engineering.” Gustafson, who is also one of the leaders of an initiative to bring solar panels to Oakmont, will study electromechanical engineering at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston next year.

Randi Swihart, who will also attend Wentworth in the fall, worked on a new fire alarm with an amber alert last year at Simplex. “It was really cool to think of new products and have the chance to work up a prototype,” she recalls. Randi offers this explanation of her interest in the grant proposal: “The Tech Prep Mini-Grant proposal was an opportunity for us to take our knowledge of technology and give something back.”

Senior Class President and Women in Technology participant, Desiree Hamelin, is passionate about the need for Oakmont to keep pace with new technology. “Technology is all around us,” she states emphatically. “We need to keep up with new developments in the workplace to enrich our educational experience and prepare us for the future.” Desiree will major in a science-related course of study at Mount Holyoke College next year.

The grant funds will be used to purchase state-of-the-art classroom technology, such as a scanner, color laser printer, digital camera, and computerized drawing tablets. Mrs. LeBlanc has high praise for her Women in Technology students: “I’ve depended on them for years, and they’ve never let me down,” states Mrs. LeBlanc. “They’re my go-to girls. They’re amazing!” Even though the new technology won’t arrive until after Joanna, Randi, and Desiree have graduated, they’re proud of their accomplishment. Desiree sums it up this way: “We’ll be leaving a legacy for others to benefit from.”

Dennis Driscoll Park

Dennis is a teacher, coach, veteran, community member, and most importantly, a friend to everyone he meets.

We are soliciting donations to help defray the cost of a sign, flagpole and landscaping to honor this great man.

Please send a check payable to:

AWRSD
(Write Driscoll Park in the memo section)

Mail to:

David Uminski
Oakmont Regional High School
9 Oakmont Drive
Ashburnham, MA 01430

THANK YOU!

Summer Reading

All students are responsible to read at least TWO books prior to their courses next year. You need to read at least one book for your English course and at least one book for your Social Studies course. This is true whether you are taking the course first or second semester. We advise that you look at the list right away and get started on your reading early in the summer. The books are available at local libraries, bookstores, and on-line distributors such as Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and half.com.

Here are all the details and lists of required and recommended books.

PTO NEWS

Upcoming PTO activities will include staff appreciation and planning for next year's Johnny Appleseed event. If you have any "gently used" stuffed animals that can be used for prizes at our booth, contact one of the officers listed below to arrange for pick up of your donation.

In addition, two current board members will be "retiring" at the end of this school year. If you are interested in helping out for next year in one of the vacant positions or have questions about involvement, contact one of the officers.

Nancy Kochan 874-6294
Ellen Sheehan 874-2986
Karen Quinones 252-5052
Nancy Knihtila 874-1662
Ruth Murphy 874-6388

NEXT MEETING WILL BE HELD JUNE 17 AT 7 PM IN THE FACULTY ROOM AT OAKMONT

MDA Fundraiser
Jason's MDA fund raiser for the annual Stride and Ride is being held June 22, 2008 at the
Nashawtuc Country Club again in Concord.

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