Winchendon Weekly News -- January 12, 2023
From the Desk of Dr. Goguen - Superintendant's Update January 5, 2023
Watch the January 12, 2024 Student-Produced Blue Devil Weekly!
Murdock Middle School Offers Band, Choir and Guitar Club
Band, Choir or Guitar Club is now available for all middle school students!
Band: Monday/Thursday
Choir: Tuesday/Friday
Guitar Club: Wednesday
For more information, contact: Mr. Freitag, Middle School Music Teacher at: kfreitag@winchendonk12.org
Sizer Senior sees future in Drama and Design at Champlain
Sizer Senior Stories presents: Ian Susman of Winchendon
Ian Susman
Photo courtesy of Lindsay Alweiss
There has been a Susman at Sizer for as long as the building at 500 Rindge Road has been open.
"It's a beautiful feeling to know we've had families with us for multiple generations," according to Director of Communications & Recruitment Lindsay Alweiss.
The week before Winter Break, Sizer School senior Ian Susman of Winchendon received his early acceptance letter to Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont, complete with financial aid package.
"I received two scholarships from Champlain - the Leahy Scholars Program Scholarship and the Trustee Scholarship giving me a grand total of $32,000 a year," said Susman.
Ian will soon join his other three siblings as Sizer School graduates that began with his oldest sister Deryn who graduated in 2015 and is now a full time teacher in Portland, Oregon. Then it was Jenna, who graduated in 2018 and is now a full time medical assistant at a private health office in New Hampshire. In 2021, Ian's sister Libbie graduated and is now a full time hairdresser at Ulta beauty in Leominster and does nails part-time.
"When Ian graduates this spring, it will be the end of an era. Such an amazing group of humans - we're excited to see what Ian does next!" said Alweiss.
Ian applied to Champlain College Early Decision, a move that he never would have considered before visiting the college in person.
"Originally I was super against early decision because it is essentially a binding contract that forces you to go to that college if you get in. Then I went to Champlain's open house and learned about all the amazing things that happen there and got to meet some counselors, students and professors and they all told me their real opinions and I could tell it wasn't just some script they were reading off of," reflected Susman. "I instantly fell in love... it was my number one choice because of its unique core curriculum and small class sizes, which is the environment I learn best."
Small class sizes are a key component to the Sizer School experience. Getting to know each student helps Sizer educators offer personalized learning opportunities.
Currently those opportunities include two Apprenticeships this year for Susman.
"I'm the Student Apprentice for Ms. Tuttle, the 7th grade ELA teacher and a Communications Apprentice working with Mrs. Alweiss," said Susman. Through these learning opportunities, Ian has helped with lessons, tutoring and mentoring and assisted in writing articles for the school newspaper The Friday Flash.
Soon Susman will begin a newspaper series documenting his Senior Project process. All Sizer School graduates must complete a Senior Project on the topic of their choice, unpacking essential questions that lead to deeper understanding. Susman's topic will focus on video game design and social influence, using the Skylander series to understand mass appeal and capitalism. As part of his project, Susman will be interviewing Joby Otero, who provided creative direction and strategy for the multi billion dollar game, Skylanders.
"In my second year [at Champlain] I will be in my chosen major of Computer Science and Innovation with a focus in game programming," said Susman. "In the future I will be using our Think Care Act motto to understand people in order to make a game everyone will love."
Ultimately Susman hopes to go into game design.
"I was to learn about game design and programming and be able to make games people will love for years, just like Skylanders," said Susman.
When Ian isn't working as an apprentice, he is either working part-time as a dishwasher or participating in Sizer's Theater Arts program.
"I am part of the drama club and I absolutely plan to join Champlain's drama club. It is called The Champlayers and actually I'm friends with the alumni that founded that club!" said Susman.
Ian is also a Student Ambassador and, with his peers, has helped organize several events including Homecoming for the last two years and Sizer's recent Holiday Craft Fair.
When asked what advice he might give to an upcoming Senior or someone thinking of attending Sizer, Ian said, "I would honestly say, while it is stressful don't feel like you're going it alone. There are so many helpful people here at Sizer and each and every one of them is here to support you no matter what."
DA Early Offers Grants for Safe Post-Prom, Post-Graduation Events
Photo courtesy of Lindsay Corcoran
WORCESTER (1/16/2024) - The office of Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. is now accepting applications for its grants to support safe post-prom and post-graduation events that keep students from driving impaired.
The grant program has supported these events, organized and overseen by adults, which offer safe drug- and alcohol-free alternatives to the high-risk activities that often follow end of the year celebrations for high school students.
"Prom and graduation are supposed to be the best nights of high school. We want to avoid seeing these celebrations turn into tragedies," Mr. Early said. "We know that life can change in the blink of an eye, and often does. By encouraging kids to celebrate in safe, fun environments, we can prevent a tragedy before it happens and ensure all our youth go on to fulfill their bright futures."
The grant program is now in its sixth year and has supported post-prom and post-graduation events at more than 20 different schools across Worcester County.
District Attorney Early felt it was vital to continue supporting these prevention programs and is utilizing his Drug Forfeiture Reinvestment Program this year. Funding to support these grants was previously provided by the Massachusetts Office of Victim Assistance Drunk Driving Trust Fund.
Schools and parent groups can apply for these grants to either support existing events or to assist in establishing new events. Applications for funding requests are due by Feb. 15, 2024. To request a grant application, contact Julia Baronowski at Julia.baronowski@mass.gov or 774-317-2321.