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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

November, 2001

Dear Oakmont Parents,

As we pass the midpoint of Semester I, please note the following school updates. First quarter grades will be mailed by November 13, 2001. If you have any questions about your student’s report card please contact her/his guidance counselor.

We continue to be pleased with our students’ academic successes. Five members of the Class of 2001 were recognized as Advanced Placement Scholars. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation commended seniors Tim Fredette, Steve Fredette, and Ashley J. Bourgault for their high P.S.A.T. scores. On the 2001 M.C.A.S. 92% of our Grade 11 students met the Commonwealth’s required standard to graduate, which ranked us 49th out of 268 high schools. We are also pleased to note that in English Language Arts 65% of our students scored in the advanced/proficient range. In mathematics 58% of our students scored in the advanced/proficient range. All Grade 10 scores are significantly better than the past three years. We are also pleased to note that last year our average daily attendance was 96.4% and our dropout rate of .4% was again the lowest among area high schools as reported by the State.

Oakmont students continue to be successful in student activities, despite very high user fees. Our marching band again received a silver medal and placed third in Division 3 state finals. Adam Johnson took first place in the Mid-Wach cross-country league race. Both the girl’s field hockey and girl’s soccer teams qualified for their district tournaments. Finally, our Student Council has organized a week of homecoming events, starting November 5, to enhance school spirit. Unfortunately, the following student activities will not operate this year due to the user fee/self funding requirement; Academic Decathlon, Forum Literary Magazine, Oakmont Environment Action Club, Media Club, Spanish Club.

The building project continues to move along on schedule. Most of the foundations are in place with the steel framework scheduled for erection at the end of November. The fall 2003 completion date is now only two years away!

If you have any ideas or concerns, please contact me.

Happy Holidays,

William Waight, Principal

FUTURE IMPORTANT DATES

OAKMONT BOOSTER CLUB UPDATE

The Oakmont Booster Club has been busy planning and running fundraisers during this fall sports season. Many thanks go out to all club members who have given so tirelessly toward these efforts, as well as the generous supporters of our athletic programs at Oakmont. In the past, the OBC’s objective was to promote and reward excellence in athletics. With the absence of funding for the athletics budget, our sole purpose now is to raise money to help reduce the user-fees that our student/athletes are paying this year. So far we have been very successful, with a letter-writing campaign and the Gigantic Yard Sale raising more than $20,000.00! Other ongoing events are the Adirondack Chair and Ski-Pass raffles, with the winners drawn at the Thanksgiving football game. Also, a spaghetti supper will be held at Overlook Middle School on Wednesday, November 14, from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Show your support by displaying the "OAKMONT PRIDE" window decals, available at home football games or from Club members.

Save this date: February 2, 2002 (02-02-02!). This will be a night of entertainment you will not want to miss. Plans are finalized for an evening of fun with renowned comedian/hypnotist Steve Wronker. His show, "Funny Business", is quality family entertainment, suitable for all ages. This major fundraiser for the winter season will be held in the Grand Ballroom at the Royal Plaza Best Western in Fitchburg. Tickets will be available soon from club members.

As a reminder, everyone is always welcome to attend our monthly meetings, held the first Monday of each month, at 7:00 P.M. in the Oakmont Faculty Lounge.

GUIDANCE NEWS

VOLUME 7, NO. 1

(978) 827-1401 x126

APPLYING TO COLLEGE GOES HIGH-TECH

The days of filling out a college application by hand or typewriter are virtually gone. This year our seniors can complete applications on line. Some colleges will waive the application fee when the students applies electronically. Helpful hint…have the essay ready before beginning the electronic application!   There are links to a number of web sites for completing college applications here.

RESOURCES, RESOURCES, RESOURCES

Although technology continues to play an ever-expanding role in the college research and application process here at Oakmont, students and parents should feel free to come in and review these recent purchases available in the Guidance Office.

  • Rugg’s Recommendations on the Colleges
  • College Handbook 2002 – The College Board
  • The Insiders Guide to the Colleges
  • Choosing the Right College
  • Profiles of American Colleges – Northeast Edition
  • The Fiske Guide to Colleges
  • The Best 331 Colleges – The Princeton Review

These resources and our college videos can add color and dimension to the search process.

ATTENTION PARENTS OF SENIORS

Financial Aid Night

November 29, 2001

Oakmont Library, 7:00 p.m.

Review the Federal form, FAFSA, with an expert advisor from Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) and learn about alternative methods for financing higher education!

PSAT TURNOUT RECORD HIGH

One hundred-seven juniors and fifty-seven sophomores responded to the challenge to take the PSAT on 10/20/01. The PSAT provides students with an opportunity to practice for the SAT. By the time a student is ready to take the SAT in the spring of the junior year, he/she will be comfortable with the test format and types of questions. Junior PSAT scores are used to determine eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship Program. The test results will arrive during the first week of December. The guidance counselors will distribute the scores and assist in the interpretation of the results at that time.

 COLLEGE VISITS IN OAKMONT GUIDANCE:

Don’t forget to come to Guidance to check the list of college recruiters coming to Oakmont, sign up early!

 

ATTENTION – MALE STUDENTS

Don’t give up your financial aid eligibility. Register online with the Selective Service System or at your local post office within 30 days of your 18th birthday; it’s your civic and legal obligation to do so. See Mr. Denny for more information.

 

SENIOR OPPORTUNITIES
SCHOLARSHIP:

DEADLINE:
Coca Cola Scholarship 10/31
Toyota Scholarship 12/3
Cherolet/Michelle Kwan R.E.W.A.R.D.S. Scholarship Program 3/29
Society of Plastics Engineers, Inc. 4/1
Check the folders in the gray file cabinet for the criteria.

NCAA ATHLETICS ELIGIBILITY

If you hope to participate in the athletic programs at a Division I or II college or university you must complete a NCAA eligibility application. It only takes a minute. See your counselor now.

WANT A TUITION BREAK?

Can’t find your college major at a Massachusetts public college or university? Use the New England Regional Student Program (RSP) and receive an out-of-state tuition break when you study certain majors at state colleges in the other New England states. Visit The Apple Book catalog online or the Guidance Department.

 

PLANNING FOR COLLEGE

Check out the Guidance homepage on the Ashburnham/Westminster School District’s website for links to sites that will provide career and college information.

Here are a few helpful websites to navigate in your college search process:

  • The College Board – registering for the SAT and taking a practice test are just a few of the features of this extensive website.
  • The Princeton Review – provides much more than test taking tips, such as researching colleges, financial aid information, and tips on applying to college.
  • U.S. News online – a GREAT site to research and compare colleges
  • The Common Application – check to see which colleges accept the Common Application. This is a time saving way to apply to several schools by filling out just one application.
  • WiredScholar – a site created by Sallie Mae that provides information about paying for college.
  • CollegeNews – links to college newspapers across the country.

COLLEGE BOARD SERVICES STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

The College Board has begun a new process for students who may require accommodations when taking the PSAT, SAT I, SAT II, and Advanced Placement Exams. The Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) now requires that students and parents only need to submit the SSD form ONCE - beginning this year - for all three exams during the student’s high school career (unless the students transfers to another school).

To qualify for accommodations, such as extended time, the student must have a documented disability, and a plan already established and in use at Oakmont. The SSD Student Eligibility forms can be submitted early, prior to the student registering for any test.

Please remember to speak with your Guidance Counselor about the necessary paperwork, and to submit a paper application when registering the first time you take the PSAT, SAT or AP exams.

FINANCIAL AID

All colleges use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. Some colleges may also require the CSS/Financial Aid Profile or their own financial aid application. Registration forms for the CSS/Financial Aid Profile are available in the Guidance Office or online at CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE. FAFSA forms will be available in the Guidance Office in late November and online at FAFSA on the Web. Be sure to use the form for the 2002-03 school year!

GOOD CITIZEN WINNER NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

Congratulation to Hilary Alves for being voted "Good Citizen" by the class of 2002.

This award is sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution and goes to a senior who best exemplifies qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism.

Hilary Alves, Emily Clune and Lauren Racine were nominated earlier by the faculty for this award. We’re proud of all three!

Oakmont Guidance Office:

PHONE (978) 827-1401

Mr. Robert Denny x122

Ms. Amy Dubovick x124

Mrs. Suzanne Saven x125

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