5th Annual NHS/Student Council Food and Clothing Drive

Over the past two weeks students from the Hull High School National Honor Society and Student Council have worked to organize a food and clothing drive at HHS.  Boxes were placed throughout the building, and our classes competed to see which group could be the most generous during the holiday season.  Our students continue to demonstrate that our core values of service and citizenship are alive and well at HHS.

All of the donations were bagged and boxed on Thursday afternoon and when the dust settled over 1500 items will be sent to Wellspring this holiday season. 

Enjoy a few photos of the students who made this drive possible.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Hull High School!

A Wonderful Holiday Concert

Congratulations to our student-musicians, who presented tow AMAZING concerts this week.  On Wednesday, the concert band and after-school music students had the entire student body enthusiastically yelling and cheering, and last night they performed again for parents and guests. 

Special shout-outs to soloists Matthew Menice, Noah Kellem, Devonte Riley, Kevin Caufield, Andrew Ollerhead, Noah Smyth, Angela Bulter, Mackenzie Harte, Alexa Perez, Rose Hijdra, and Morgan Leeber.

Congratulations also to Mr. Gasaway and Mr. Benson, who have worked tirelessly to prepare the students for these shows.  As I said last night, a school without a music program is a school not worth attending, and our music teachers have raised the bar on the music performed by our students.

College Decision Time

Congratulations to all the seniors (and their families) who have already been accepted to college!  We are very excited for all your good news!

Please continue to update us on your admissions decisions as they trickle in.  The best place to do this is on Family Connection.  When you sign in go to the "Colleges I'm applying to" link.  Next, click the pencil next to the school's name and you'll see the pull down menu to update your status.  Also, if you have a minute, stop down and let us know in person! 

Many of you are still plugging away at your applications.  If you have a 1/1 or 1/2 deadline please come by the office sometime this week so we can make sure we are all set before vacation.  We will not be back in the office until January 3rd!

We wish you the best for a safe and happy winter vacation!  Stay warm!

Happy Holidays!

Ms. Vaughan, Mrs. Kelliher, and Mrs. Troy

Thank You for Supporting HHS's Drive for Troop #1173

Thanks to the leadership and hard work of Student Body President Molly Kane, Hull High School  partnered with the Department of Conservation and Recreation over the month of November to help create care packages for soldiers in Troop #1173.  Troop #1173 is made up of active Army reservists currently serving in isolated locations throughout the Middle East. 

The goal of the drive was to create care packages for 53 men and women currently serving in the Middle East.  Hull High School students wrote letters to the troops during one of their advisory periods in November. It was a part of a month-long (November) citizenship unit in our advisory program.

Below you will find a thank you, which was recently received by Student Body President Molly Kane:

Dear Molly,
         
    My name is Captain James Bouchard from the 1173rd Deployment and Distribution Support Battalion, out of Brockton, Massachusetts and currently stationed in Kuwait. Today, we received some care packages from Hull High School and I wanted to write and say thank you to all involved. The thoughtfulness of folks back home always lifts the spirits of our soldiers over here. We are away from our family and friends and tend to get lonely, but thanks to your efforts, we have a reason to smile and feel good. Thank you again from all the men and women of our Battalion.

James H. Bouchard
Cpt., LG
Commanding

Hull High School's 55th Annual Winter Concert

Hull High School's 55th Annual Winter Concert

December 22nd at 7 PM

The Hull High School Music Department Proudly Presents the 55th Annual Winter Concert on Thursday December, 22nd at 7 PM at the Joseph C. Doniger Auditorium in Hull High School. The concert will feature performances from the Hull High School bands and conclude with a choral performance from our music department and Hull High School Alumni singing traditional holiday music! All alumni, family and friends are welcome to join the music department in filling the auditorium with the spirit of the holidays in this performance! The performance is free to the public. We look forward to seeing family and friends to help carry the tradition!

Let's Hear It For Our Ultimate Fans!

Our Ultimate Fans made a great showing last night at our Pirates basketball home opener.  Led by Becca Garber, DJ Clasby, John "Fitzie" McGowan, and Adam London, the Ultimate Fans sported their new t-shirts and cheered on the Pirates as they struggled against the Rockland Bulldogs.  Even though our boys lost the game, I have no doubt that the Ultimate Fans, together with our outstanding Pirate Cheerleaders, will be doing a LOT of cheering this winter.

A special thanks to Sunshine Pet Parlor, Pizza Box, Roof Solutions, Wyrosdic Design and Construction, and Goodwin Graphics for helping to make the Ultimate Fan t-shirts possible.

Congratulations to Our Cafeteria Staff!

Last night at the Hull School Committee meeting, our cafeteria staff was recognized for their outstanding service and dedication to the students of the Hull Public Schools.  I can say with absolute certainty that the cafeteria staff here at Hull High School makes delicious and healthy food, and serves it to our students and staff in a professional and very friendly way.

So, a HUGE thank you and congratulations goes out to HHS's “Cafeteria Ladies":

Joan Burke

Jeannine Mason

Linda Pompey

Pam Rivieccio

Bonnie Willdridge

Looking for that perfect holiday gift for your student?

This year's yearbook can now be ordered on-line at www.ybpay.com.  Don't hesitate in ordering your book as the cost will be increased slightly the first of the year.  If you have any questions, you can contact Mrs. (Canniff) MacKenzie at pcanniff@town.hull.ma.us.

Congratulations to Our November Students of the Month!

Internship                     Natalie Larsen

Media                            Tiara Ervin        

Art                                 Grace Ryan                  

Social Studies              Thomas Bellew

Foreign Language        Taylor Gibson   

Wellness / PE               Nick Garofalo

Science                         Nathalia Fonseca

Academic Support       Kristen Landers-Thompson

Math                             Stephanie Striglio

English                         Lily Garofola              

Music                            Vinny Smyth

Student - Athlete         John McGowan

Hull High School Theatre Arts Presents Cinderella!

Hull High School Theatre Arts Presents

Cinderella

Friday, December 9th @ 7:30 pm

Saturday, December 10th @ 1:30 and 7:30 pm

Sunday, December 11th @ 2:00 pm

Tickets are availble at the theatre office

Monday thru Thursday 6:15 - 8:30 pm

December School Council Meeting

Hi everyone.  Just a reminder that we have a school council meeting scheduled for tomorrow evening at 6:30 PM in the library.

The agenda is as follows:

1. Updates
2. Gallop Poll Survey
3. 2012-2013 Handbook
4. Quiz Night
5. Other

All are welcome and encouraged to attend!

Class Cup Update Through Event 5 of 12

Our students have been working extremely hard over the past three months, earning Class Cup points for their respective grade levels.  The competition has served to motivate our students and has brought the grade levels closer together.

Each contest is worth between 1-4 points for a given class.  So far we have had five different challenges.  Below, you will find the updated results.

Challenge #1

Which class will get the largest percentage of their members to the home football game vs. South Shore VT?

1st (4 points):  Freshmen

2nd (3 points):  Seniors

3rd (2 points):  Juniors

4th (1 point):   Sophomores

Challenge #2

Which class will get the largest percentage of their class to the homecoming dance?

1st (4 points):  Freshmen

2nd (3 points):  Juniors

3rd (2 points):  Seniors

4th (1 point):    Sophomores

Challenge #3

Which class will get the largest number of students and family members out to the NEASC Panel Presentation?

1st (4 points):  Freshmen

2nd (3 points):  Seniors

3rd (2 points):  Juniors

4th (1 point):    Sophomores

Challenge #4

Which class will fundraise the most money for the Boosters' Fundraisers?

1st (4 points):   Sophomores

2nd (3 points):  Juniors

3rd (2 points):  Seniors

4th (1 point):  Freshmen

Challenge #5

Which class will win the annual Thanksgiving Wall competition?

1st (4 points):  Seniors

2nd (3 points):  Sophomores

3rd (2 points):  Juniors

4th (1 point):   Freshmen

Overall Standings after 5 of 12 Challenges

Seniors          14pts

Freshmen       14 pts

Juniors           12 pts

Sophomores   10 pts

First Term Academic Honor Roll

The first term was an extremely successful start to the academic year for many students at HHS.  We are proud to announce that 113 of our 343 students made the honor roll for the first term.

Honors status is earned by receiving no grade below a B- for the term.  High Honors status is earned by receiving no grade below an A- for the term.

This list has already been published in the Hull Times and around the school.  It was about time that we recognized these scholars on our blog.

Hull High School First Term Honor Roll

Grade 9, High Honors:  Katie Hulverson, Emily Williamson

Honors: Flavio Andrade, Kelsi Brunke, Angela Campbell, Kyle Carpenter, Kathleen Dunn, Joshua Eliason, Alexis Gardiner, Christopher Geary, Douglas Gibbons, Roosmarijn Hijdra, Erica Hurley, Briana Johnson, Morgan Leeber, Hannah London, Madeline McNamara, Molly McNamara, Matthew Mullen, Alexa Perez, Hailey Preston, Allison Rosenbaum, Grace Ryan, Thomas Saide, Erynne Steen, Allison Tarnovean, Daniel Tramontana

Grade 10, High Honors:  Kathryn Chaney, Joseph Dunphy, Noah Kellem, Ryan O’Donnell, Katherine Pearson

Honors: Rachel Ashley, Jessica Baldwin, Alexander Barkas, Alaina Bennett, Alexandra Brown, Marco Caparrotta, Cassidy Dahill, Isabela Fonseca, Mark Genninger, Taylor Gibson, Julia Heavern, Brian Jarvis, Calvin Karski, Jacen Kurciviez, Joanna Larsen, Alexis Lenardis, John Marcinkewich, Christopher Meagher, Haley Muir, Christopher O’Neill, Isabelle Seal, Desiree Tivnan, Emily Vermilya, Michael Warren, Joshua Whelan, Stella Willis

Grade 11, High Honors:  Dominick Marcella, Deasia Raymond

Honors: Laura Bender, Anna Bregoli, Brian Chase, Mari Anna D’Angelo, Kelsey Diemer, William Doyle, Ashleigh Dunn, Meaghan Dunn, Dylan Grey, Cassedy Gwynn, Casey Hague, Mackenzie Harte, Denise Hunt, Kelsey Long, Brianna McQuaid, Andrew Mele, Ariel Olivieri, Marissa Panetta, Mary Pearlman, Robert Spitz, Molly Weber, Gabrielle Williamson, Katelyn Williamson, Jon Young, Gerard Zinkus

Grade 12, High Honors: Sara Benjamin, Amber Carpenter

Honors: Kevin Caulfield, Brendan Clifford, Michael Corcoran, Paul Dunphy, Jade Dunstan, Raven Dunstan, Nathalia Fonseca, Mackenzie Gamble, Lauren Geary, Jessica Hagerty, Abigail Hulverson, Brittany Jenkins, Molly Kane, Brianna Kelly, Lucas Mackenzie, John McGowan, Andrew Ollerhead, Jessica Paula, Rebecca Petrocelli, Lissette Santiago, Dylan Shea, Jaime Lee Simmons, Alyssa Steen, Brianna Wyrosdic

AMAZING Parent Workshop!!

Hull Special Education Advisory Council (SEPAC)

And

Judith Kuehn, Director of Student Services

Presents

Maria Trozzi

Maria’s style delivers user- friendly words and strategies with humor, pathos and a clear knowledge of both the parent and child. She is an assistant professor of developmental pediatrics at Boston University School of Medicine, Director of the Good Grief Program at Boston Medical Center, author of Talking With Children About Loss (Penguin-Putnam), and faculty for T. Berry Brazelton’s National Lecture series. 

Helping our Children Develop Resilience

as They Face a Complicated World

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Memorial Middle School

Grade 7 Community Room

81 Central Avenue

Hull, MA

Some of the topics Maria will address:

¨ Creating the mix to produce an outstanding person: the surprising research

¨ Dealing with life’s disappointments: when our children hurt, what to say and not to say

¨ To push or not to push.  The race to get ahead and what it means to your child.

¨ Too many choices:  How affluence can complicate parenting decision-making.

¨ Self-efficacy: what it is, why it’s important; what to do about it

¨ How to ‘not hover’; moving towards scaffolding your children as they problem solve

¨ The world news events; facing them with your child

Congratulations to Coach of the Year Liz Londergan!

This past weekend, Hull Girls' Basketball Coach Liz Londergan was presented the 2010-2011 Massachusetts Basketball Coaches Association Division 4 South Girl's Coach of the Year Award by MBCA President and Hull Athletic Director/Coordinator of Community Outreach Jim Quatromoni at the Hall of Fame Banquet at Holy Cross.  Liz was nominated for the honor of Division 4 South Coach of the Year by a number of her fellow coaches from the region.  The MBCA Executive Board reviewed the potential coaches and Liz’s resume stood out by far. Based on the magical run to the State Title, and the quality of the opponents beaten to accomplish such a feat, it was obvious to all that Coach Londergan was really the only choice for Coach of the Year. 

Congratulations, Liz, and we are all looking forward to another fantastic season.

Thanksgiving Rally: Wednesday, November 23rd

Hull High School will be holding its annual Thanksgiving Day Rally from 10:00 to 10:50 on Wednesday, November 23rd.  The families of our senior fall student-athletes are welcomed to join us as their students are recognized during the rally.  Any parent of a senior attending the rally should arrive around 9:45 and take a seat in the black chairs setup in the gym.

A connect-ed call will go out to all families of senior athletes reminding them of this invitation.

Our students have been busy preparing their traditional Thanksgiving walls. As always, it fosters a healthy sense of competition amongst the grade levels. We look forward to our annual celebration in the gym and victory on the football field on Thanksgiving morning.

Sidewalk Sam Helps Our Art Students Make Our School Their Canvas

This week, Hull High School has welcomed acclaimed artist Sidewalk Sam to our community for the second consecutive year.  Thanks to the efforts of art teacher Amanda Held, Sidewalk Sam has been able to work with each and every art class in our school.  If you would like to learn more about Sidewalk Sam click here.

Both this year and last year, the classes have come together to work on large scale mural projects.  Last year's project made our library entrance warmer and more inviting with a mural highlighting the things that make our school and our town unique.  This year, in more of a Michelangelo approach, our students have taken to painting their mural on the ceiling of the sail shaped portico outside of the main office and auditorium.  This mural has a mythological sea theme with animals and creatures both real and imagined.

The students are still in the early stages of their work, but we are providing a few pictures to show their progress.  Here at HHS.....our school is our canvas.

Financial Aid Information Night: December 1, 2011

Date:  December 1, 2011

Time: 7:00 pm

Place: Exhibition Room

A representative from MEFA, the state’s agency on education financing, will be on hand to give a presentation and answer questions about financial aid.  MEFA is your best resource for all things financial aid!  Email Ms. Vaughan if you have any questions.

Raven and Jade Dunstan in The Boston Globe!

Our very own Raven and Jade Dunstan were featured this week in the Boston Globe.  Click on the link below to read all obout the Class of 2012's current #1 and #2 students.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/south/2011/11/05/competitive-streak-vaults-twins-top/Lxj4eAQYT4LuukO3mpiecN/story.html

Hull High School Announces Our 2011 John and Abigail Adams Scholarship Recipients

Congratulations to the Hull High School Seniors who are eligible to receive a John and Abigail Adams Scholarship!  The John & Abigail Adams Scholarship provides a tuition waiver for eight semesters (four consecutive years) of undergraduate education at a Massachusetts state college or university. 

To be selected for this honor, students must score at the advanced and/or proficient levels on the grade 10 ELA and Math MCAS exams, and have a combined score that places them in the TOP 25% of the scores in the district.

The Hull High School John and Abigail Adams Scholarship winners are:

Sara Benjamin

Paul Cardoos

Brendan Clifford

Michael Corcoran

Paul Dunphy

Jade Dunstan

Raven Dunstan

Nathalia Fonseca

Mackenzie Gamble

Lauren Geary

Jessica Hagerty

Abigail Hulverson

Kevin Hulverson

Brittany Jenkins

Molly Kane

Natalie Larsen

John McGowan

Myles O’Laughlin

Jessica Paula

Rebecca Petrocelli

Christopher Shaffer

Dylan Shea

Dylan Silvestri

Jaime Lee Simmons

Congratulations to Hull High School's October Students of the Month

Internship                     Jessica Paula

Media                            Douglas Gibbons

Art                                 Ariana Cane

Social Studies              Ryan Weber

Foreign Language        Kate Pearson

Wellness / PE               Jake Mahoney

Science                         Taylor Sprague

Academic Support       Meaghan Dunn  

Math                             Thomas Saide

English                         Joshua Whelan

Music                            Brendan Mitchell

Student - Athlete         Rebecca Garber

Support Hull High School: Join Us for Our NEASC Welcome Reception and Panel Presentation



On November 6, 2011, a team of 16 educators from throughout New England will arrive at Hull High School for our NEASC accreditation visit.  The New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) provides accreditation services for more than 2000 public and private institutions in the six state region - Pre-K through university.  Emanating from high quality standards, NEASC accreditation uses self-reflection, peer review and best practices as integral components of its assessment process and monitors the follow-up endeavors leading to continuous school/program improvement.   The faculty, staff and students at Hull High School have been working diligently for almost three years preparing for this visit. 

We are inviting the entire Hull community to be a part of this visit, which takes place every ten years.  On Sunday, November 6^th, there are two events open to the general public.

Hull High School Panel Presentation                1 - 2 PM                                   Auditorium     
This is a chance for our school to show the visiting team what we are all about.  A group of teachers, administrators, and students will share with the visiting team our strengths, weaknesses, successes, and plans for the future.

Welcome Reception                                          4:15 – 5:15 PM                         Cafeteria         
Come and meet the men and women who will spend four days examining every aspect of our school, while socializing with other members of our community.  Refreshments will be provided.

This visit, and the accreditation process, is one of the most important things that a high school does.  Please join us and show the visiting team that Hull values the education of its youth.

As always, we thank you for supporting Hull High School.

Hull High School Makes the Honor Roll!

Hull Public Schools Placed on the College Board’s 2^nd Annual AP^® District Honor Roll for Significant Gains in Advanced Placement^® Access and Student Performance

367 School Districts Across the Nation Are Honored

Hull Public Schools is one of fewer than 400 public school districts in the nation being honored by the College Board with a place on the 2^nd Annual AP^® Honor Roll, for simultaneously increasing access to Advanced Placement coursework while maintaining or increasing the percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher on AP exams.  Achieving both of these goals is the ideal scenario for a district’s Advanced Placement program, because it indicates that the district is successfully identifying motivated, academically-prepared students who are likely to benefit most from AP coursework.  Since 2009, Hull Public Schools increased the number of students participating in AP from 47 to 82, while improving the percentage of students earning AP Exam scores of 3 or higher from 47% in 2009 to 59% in 2011.  The majority of U.S. colleges and universities grant college credit or advanced placement for a score of 3 or above on AP exams. 

The 2^nd Annual AP Honor Roll is made up of only those public school districts that are simultaneously expanding opportunity and improving performance. The list includes 367 school districts across 43 states and Canada. Pennsylvania led all states with 34 public school districts named to the 2^nd Annual AP Honor Roll, followed by Massachusetts and New York, both with 30.

“Participation in college-level AP courses can level the playing field for underserved students, give them the confidence needed to succeed in college, and raise standards and performance in key subjects like science and math,” said College Board President Gaston Caperton. “The AP Honor Roll districts are defying expectations by expanding access while enabling their students to maintain or improve their AP Exam scores.”

Many U.S. school districts have focused on expanding access to AP courses as part of a strategy to improve college readiness. These efforts have resulted in more students earning scores of 3 or better.  They have also resulted in more students earning scores of 1 or 2. Accordingly, there has been a slight decline since 2001 in the overall percentage of AP students scoring a 3 or better, a decline that can be expected in any program attracting a much broader cross-section of students.

Helping more students learn at a higher level and earn higher AP scores is an objective of all members of the AP community, from AP teachers to district and school administrators to college professors. Many are experimenting with a variety of initiatives and strategies to determine how to expand access and improve student performance simultaneously.

“This school district has achieved something very remarkable. It managed to open the doors of its AP classrooms to many more students, while also increasing the percentage of students earning high enough AP Exam grades to stand out in the competitive college admission process and qualify for college credit and placement,” said Trevor Packer, the College Board’s senior vice president of Advanced Placement and college readiness.

Hull High School Institutes an Athletic Captains Council

On October 20, 2011, the recently name Athletic Captain's Counsel (ACC) held it's first meeting with Hull High School Athletic Director and Community Outreach Coordinator Jim Quatromoni and Principal Mike Devine. Whether by student-athlete vote or coach appointment, captains have been selected based on qualities that peers or coaches see in them. It is our goal to help develop additional qualities within our team captains to help them better lead our teams and departments.
This first meeting took the form of professional development. Captains considered their roles and responsibilities in dealing with themsleves, their teams, their school and their community. During our meeting, we worked through an intereactive video presentation to actively consider and put to paper these roles and responsibilities. Our captains have begun the process of outlining their expectations for themselves.
Moving forward, this group will continue with workshops designed to develop leadership tools. Additionally, the group will work as a leadership organization with the charge of advising the principal and athletic director on matters of the Athletic Department.
The ACC is off to a tremendous start with this first meeting. We are excited to see the direction that our student-athletic leaders will bring this group.

HHS Students Provide Support for Troop #1173

     Thanks to the leadership and hard work of Student Body President Molly Kane, Hull High School has partnered with the Department of Conservation and Recreation to help create care packages for soldiers in Troop #1173.  Troop #1173 is made up of active Army reservists currently serving in isolated locations throughout the Middle East. 

    The goal of the drive is to create care packages for 53 men and women currently serving in the Middle East.  Hull High School students will be writing letters to the troops during advisory this Wednesday as part of a month-long (November) citizenship unit.  Students will also be able to donate goods to the drive through Veteran's Day.

    If community members would like to donate, please read the poster below for details.  Donations may be placed in the boxes and bins located in Hull High School's main entrance.

Hull High School

DRIVE FOR THE TROOPS

 

In an effort to support our troops currently serving overseas, Hull High School students are asked to bring in supplies from their suggested donations lists. These items will be mailed the day after Veteran’s Day so that Troop #1173 (currently stationed in Afghanistan and Kuwait), with soldiers from all over New England, will receive care packages in time for Thanksgiving.

Freshmen: Practical & Entertainment

• beige & dark green t-shirts  • padded shoe insoles  • socks  •strong flashlights with batteries

• water bottles with straps  • flexible cloth bandages  • batteries  • board games  • cards 

• puzzles  • DVD’s  • CD’s  • books & magazines  • comic books  • footballs  • baseballs

• soccer balls  • Nerf balls  • baseball gloves  • dart boards

Sophomores: First Aid

• lip balm  • sunscreen  • no-water aspirin  • eye drops  • saline nasal spray  • throat drops

• Vaseline  • Aloe Vera burn gel  • bug repellant  • suntan lotion  • blister care  • pocket tissues

• oral pain reliever  • baby powder

Juniors: Food

• canned fruit  • breakfast, protein, and granola bars  • beef jerky  • crackers 

• canned chips & pretzels  • tuna in a pouch or pop-top can  • raisins, trail mix, & dried fruit

• hot sauce in plastic containers  • bean and cheese dips  • cereals  • powdered drink mixes

• popcorn in packages  • coffee  • non-melting candy or gum  • canned or dry soups

Seniors: Hygiene

• cotton swabs  • eyeglass wipes  • hand/body lotion  • non-aerosol shaving cream

• disposable razors  • dental floss  • toothpaste  • tooth brushes  • baby wipes  • foot powder

• deodorant  • hair products  • combs and brushes  • waterless and antibacterial soaps

• shampoo & conditioner

Additional donations outside of your grade’s list are also appreciated!

Please see Molly Kane with any questions.