OAKMONT REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
	9 Oakmont Drive
	Ashburnham, MA 01430
		William A. Waight II, Principal
	(978)827-5907	D. Jeff Lawrence, Vice Principal
	(978)827-1413 Fax	Linda DiGeronimo, Dean of Students

January 2002

Dear Oakmont Parents,

During the next two weeks we will end the first semester of the school year and begin the second.

We continue to be pleased with overall student academic achievement. During the first quarter, average daily attendance was 97%. Thirty eight percent of the student body was on the honor roll, and only seven students were declared ineligible. On the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment Survey, which took place last spring, our present Grade 11 students scored among the top 20% of Massachusetts high schools with the fewest failures. Please review the enclosed report card on student achievement at Oakmont over the past six years.

Please note the following important dates over the next two months: (More than one snow day will cause the final assessment schedule to shift.)

• Thursday, January 17 -- Grade 8 Orientation - 7:00 P.M.
• Monday, January 21 -- Martin Luther King Day - No School
• Thursday, January 24 -- A & B Block Final Assessment - 11:30 A.M. Release (Teachers available for extra help and make-up 12:15 P.M. – 2:15 P.M.)
• Friday, January 25 -- C & D Block Final Assessment - 11:30 A.M. Release (Teachers available for extra help and make-up 12:15 P.M. – 2:15 P.M.)
• Monday, January 28 -- Teacher Professional Day - No School for Students
• Tuesday, January 29 -- Semester II Begins
• Thursday, February 7 -- Grade 9/10/11 Parent Course Selection Meeting at 6:30 P.M.
• Thursday, February 7 -- Open House for Semester II Teachers 7:30 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.
• February 18 – 22 -- Winter Vacation

As we look toward the 2002-2003 school year, the Oakmont community faces many challenges. On an academic note all Massachusetts State colleges and universities now require a minimum G.P.A. of 3.0 for admission. All future graduates will also have to receive a minimum MCAS score of 220 in Language Arts and Math in order to receive a high school diploma. I would urge parents of Grade 8-11 students to pay close attention to the 2002-2003 budget process. Without additional financial support from both the towns and the state we are in jeopardy of losing both academic programs and teachers in addition to the continued self-funding of sports and co-curricular activities. In order for our students to stay competitive beyond high school we need to find ways to maintain our existing programs.

Please stay informed and support your Oakmont student in 2002. If you have questions, please contact us.

Sincerely,

William Waight	D. Jeff Lawrence
Principal	Vice Principal

GUIDANCE NEWS VOLUME 7, NO. 2 (978) 827-1401 x126

Early Acceptances to Colleges Congratulations to the following seniors who recently received good news.... Michael Bradley -- Fitchburg State College Miranda Bushey -- University of Hartford & Moore College of Art & Design Chad Cellana -- New England Institute of Technology Jake Cormier -- University of Hartford Steve Fredette -- Worcester Polytechnic Institute Marcie Gagnon -- Fitchburg State College Kiel Geanacopoulos -- Wentworth Institute of Technology Samantha Gravino -- Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Raymond Kalagher -- Fitchburg State College James Lang -- Daniel Webster College Anthony McMahon -- Fitchburg State College & Nichols College Jason Raymond -- Wentworth Institute of Technology Jill Thibeault -- University of Rhode Island Bethany Wilson -- Fitchburg State College David Wolfe -- Eastern Nazarene College & Houghton College Seniors who still have applications to process need to get them into guidance promptly, including January 15, February, March and "rolling" deadlines. Dollars for Scholars Are you concerned about tuition bills? Do you have a plan for financing your post-secondary goals? Check out the Oakmont Guidance bulletin board for an updated list of scholarships and awards available to senior students. Below is a list of some of the scholarship opportunities most recently posted. Visit us to read a full description of each program and to pick up applications. Scholarships and deadlines: 1/11 -- Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Contest 2/1 -- Henry David Thoreau Scholarship 2/15 -- Massachusetts Elks Association Scholarship Award 2/15 -- Tomorrow’s Teachers Scholarship Program 3/1 -- The Rebekah Assembly of Massachusetts 3/15 -- National Kidney Foundation Academic Award 3/15  -- Greater Worcester Community Foundation 3/29 -- Chevrolet/Michelle Kwan R.E.W.A.R.D.S. Scholarship Program 4/1 -- Society of Plastics-Pioneer Valley Scholarships 5/1 -- The Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship Also, please be reminded that there are a number of financial aid sights available through the Oakmont Guidance web page here.

Alumni Return Day A program that has become a tradition at Oakmont is the return of our graduates during January vacation to talk with current seniors about the college experience. On Tuesday, January 8, returning alumnae will be here to share their stories and wisdom with the class of 2002. It’s FAFSA Time! Seniors: just a reminder that your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) forms should be filed during the month of January if possible. This form must be submitted in order to be eligible for any federal and state financial aid. Forms are available in the Guidance Office along with the Title V code numbers that you may need. Try to mail the FAFSA as soon as possible! (Also - all eighteen-year-old males - don’t forget to register for the Selective Service System - failure to do so may effect your financial aid eligibility! You may register online or see Mr. Denny in the Guidance Office.) Course Selection 2002-2003 The course selection process for next years classes will begin on January 16th and 17th when Grade 8 students will visit Oakmont and be presented with options for next year. Please note the following dates: January 17 -- Grade 8 Parent orientation 7:00p.m. January 24 -- Grade 8 Students select classes February 7 -- Grade 9-11 Parent selection meeting 6:30p.m Jananuary 28 -- February 15 -- Course selection for Juniors February 25 -- March 15 -- Course selection for Sophomores March 18 -- April 5 -- Course selection for Freshmen Students and parents are asked to give considerable thought to this process in order to better ensure appropriate placement for the 2002-03 school year. Tomorrow’s Teachers Scholarship Program Future Teachers….you may be eligible for a four-year college scholarship if you: Commit to teaching in the Massachusetts public schools for four years. Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class. Plan to enroll in a Massachusetts Department of Education certified teacher preparation program at any regionally accredited college or university in the Commonwealth. Maintain a 3.0 minimum grade point average while in college. Check out Tomorrow's Teachers Scholarship Program or call the Office of Student Financial Assistance at (617) 727-9420.

ATTENTION PARENTS

GRADE 9-10-11

COURSE SELECTION PROGRAM

OAKMONT AUDITORIUM

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2002

6:30 P.M. – 7:25 P.M.

GET INVOLVED IN YOUR STUDENT’S

2002-2003 PROGRAM OF STUDIES PLANNING

**************************************

SEMESTER II OPEN HOUSE

GRADE 9-10-11-12

COME AND MEET YOUR STUDENT’S TEACHERS

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2002

7:30 P.M. A BLOCK

7:45 P.M. B BLOCK

8:00 P.M C BLOCK

8:15 P.M. D BLOCK

*********************************************************************

OAKMONT PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION NEWS

The officers will be meeting in January to prepare for the next general meeting. When details are available they will be posted on our web page.

If you would like to receive e-mail notification of activities, you can e-mail Ruth Murphy at oakmontpto@yahoo.com.

There are still opportunities for volunteers to help out in various areas. Betty Kazan (978-874-0290) is coordinating the volunteer program and has the sign-up sheets.

Note for Junior Class Parents: As a major fundraiser the junior class sells popcorn at Oakmont every Friday and needs parents to assist. Please consider volunteering some time on a Friday morning. If we get enough parents it is not a major commitment for each person. Contact class advisors Mrs. Kiuru or Mrs. Louney for questions about the project, or contact Betty Kazan to sign up.

November 2001 Newsletter

To Oakmont Online