Winchendon Weekly News -- April 5, 2024
From the Desk of Dr. Goguen - Superintendant's Update February 16, 2024
Watch the April 5, 2024 Student-Produced Blue Devil Weekly!
Kindergarten Registration Open for 2024-25 School Year
If you have a child that will be eligible for Kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year, the registration forms and more information can be found at:
2024-2025 Kindergarten Registration
Eligibility Requirements:
- Your child must be five (5) years of age by August 31, 2024.
- Original Birth Certificate must be provided.
- Proof of Residency must be provided (current utility bill, lease or mortgage)
- Physical examination, including vision and hearing screening by your physician, dated after August 31, 2023 must be provided.
- Immunization verification must be provided by the end of August, 2024. (Must include lead screen results.)
WPS Pre-K Screening Scheduled for May 8 and 15
Winchendon Public Schools Preschool Screening will take place on Wednesdays May 8 and 15, 2024 by appointment only. Children must be age 3 or 4 by August 31, 2024 to be eligible. Screening is optional and looks at a child's development in the areas of speech and language, fine and gross motor skills, cognition and social emotional skills.
If you have any concerns about your child, suspect your child may have a disability, or if you did not receive an information packet by mail, please call Kathy at the Winchendon Pre-K Program office at 978-297-3436 or email kbrooks@winchendonk12.org.
Read and Rise Literacy Workshop April 23
A Literacy Workshop for parents will be held on Tuesday, April 23 from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Memorial Elementary School, 32 Elmwood Road, Winchendon. At this workshop, we will discuss the importance of reading aloud to your children, and learn fun techniques that will keep your chil engaged! Each family will receive a bag of children's books and a Family Reading Guide. To register, call email Kristin at kmoran@winchendonk12.org or call 978-297-3436.
Annual Regional High School Art Exhibition at MWCC
GARDNER, MA - April 8, 2024 - The 38th Annual Regional High School Art Exhibition is happening now through April 18, 2024 at the Raymond M. LaFontaine Fine Arts Center's East Wing Gallery at Mount Wachusett Community College's Gardner campus.
Each spring the Art Department, led by its Chair, Professor Joyce Miller, welcomes all area high schools to participate in the annual exhibition. The exhibition provides an opportunity to celebrate the work of high school art students, as well as their dedicated instructors.
The 2024 Annual Regional High School Art Exhibition includes student work from Athol High School, Contoocook Valley Regional high School, Fitchburg High School, Leominster High School, Lunenburg High School, Ralph C. Mahar Regional High School, Oakmont Regional High School, Shepherd Hill Regional High School, and Wachusett Regional High School.
The exhibit is open through April 18, 2004, with a reception and award ceremony on Thursday, April 11, 2024, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm in the gallery. The gallery is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am until 8:00 pm, and on Friday until 5:00 pm, as well as during performances at the Theatre at the Mount, with the exception of April 15, 2024 for Patriot's Day.
Survey Says: Early College Students deep in data mode
Sizer School's Early College High School participants have been hard at work recently completing research projects for their college writing course at Fitchburg State University.
These 11th grade students have been sharing surveys with their peers, hoping to get crowd-sourced data on the topics they are researching.
For instance, Alexis Al-Tukhaim of Gardner surveyed students about their knowledge of musician and Activist Bob Marley.
Joel Acquaye of Fitchburg is working on a project about Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Also of Fitchburg, Alexander Guy is doing his research on Persona 5, the RPG video game and its themes!
Robin Casaubon of Leominster is researching the relevance of Horror Film/Media. As Robin explained in her introduction, "I've created this survey so I can get insight on why people do or don't like horror content/media. It is anonymous so you don't have to worry about people knowing what you said."
Oliver Malley of Winchendon is also researching the horror genre. Malley is focusing on horror video games and the impact they may or may not have on players.
All of the student surveys were anonymous and did not require submitting personal information.
Charlie Scobie of Rutland is doing his research project on Fitness Influencers and their effects on fitness.
As Scobie wrote for his survey, "The purpose of the survey is to gather an idea of the relevancy of fitness influencers" asking participants questions about how often they access fitness information through influencers.
Jeter Velazquez of Fitchburg surveyed his peers for his research topic, "about how children are treated in the film industry and the trauma it leaves behind" focusing on recent information released in a documentary about Nickelodeon.
Jeffrey Cadorette of Fitchburg is completing a research project on The Dyson Sphere.
"The Dyson sphere is a hypothetical space structure made of highly advanced solar panels, meant to collect most of the sun's energy. It would be so massive that multiple planets would have to be entirely scrapped for resources to build it, and there would be major technological and engineering challenges that would come with it. If built, however, the energy it would produce would be quintillions times more than we have access to now. It would be virtually unlimited energy. This survey has questions about your opinions on the idea," explained Cadorette.
Chacko Mathew of Fitchburg is doing his project on Computer Evolution.
Audrey Langham of Lunenburg is completing a research project on Humanitarianism.
She stated, "My goal here is to understand how many people already know what Humanitarianism is all about, and to express to those who don't already know about this topic how important and vital doing good for others is not only for you, but for others as well."
Through the Early College High School Program with Fitchburg State, Sizer School students can take their first year college writing course with their peers while still at Sizer School. In their senior year, they can take almost any FSU course that aligns with their interests. By the time they graduate, if Sizer students participate in Dual Enrollment as well, they can earn more than a year of college credits with little to no cost to their families. Not even for course materials.
According to Jessica Burris, College & Career Access Counselor and ECHS/Dual Enrollment Advisor, "Early College High School is designed to be a free transitional and experiential program - an opportunity for students to experience a college class on a college campus without being worried about money or access. Students who take advantage of both Early College High School and Dual Enrollment (discounted college courses) have the ability to graduate with over a year's worth of college credits."
At Sizer School, hands-on, project-based learning takes place in small classrooms and real laboratories with endless opportunities for new experiences. Early College High School and Dual Enrollment are just a few of the programs students have access to at Sizer, along with apprenticeships, internships, Job Fairs, and College Fairs.
Sizer School was voted one of the best Charter Schools in North Central Mass, find out why at www.sizerschool.org. Apply now in grades 7, 8 & 9 to join us next year!