PPS Voyager Magazine Summer 2016 by Plymouth Public Schools

A Publication of the Plymouth Public Schools

SUMMER 2016

Superintendent’s Message

Inspiration Award

Plymouth High Schools: Fostering Diversity of Dreams

Isabelle Maggelet

Student Spotlight

News & Noteworthy

Nine Students, Nine Future Plans

South High Psychology Teacher Appointed to the American Psychological Association

College Plans of Seven Superstar South Seniors

North Engineering Program = Teamwork

Our Two National Merit Scholars

For the Love of Their Country

Alumni Spotlight Plus

Thalles Nunes, Renaissance Man

Parting Words: The Trask Family

Facilities Management Program Shaped Future Carpenter and Welder

Harvard, Dartmouth, or Cornell?

Voc/Tech Student Headed to Virginia Tech to Study Architecture

Faculty Spotlight

53 AP Classes—From Shakespeare to Molecular Genetics

Learn more about us at www.plymouth.k12.ma.us or follow us on: @PlymouthPublicSchoolsMA @PlymouthSch @Plymouth Public Schools

Student Engagement

Freshman Academies Ease the Transition to High School

Biomedical Program—Creating Future Doctors

Financial Benefits of AP Classes

58 Community 58

Co-op Education Program Melds Classroom and Real-World Learning

Foreign Travel Opens Minds

@plymouthpublicschools Sign up for our Friday e-newsletter, Plymouth Voyager Express, at http://www.plymouth.k12.ma.us/page.cfm?p=3327 For questions or comments, contact Superintendent Gary Maestas at gmaestas@plymouth.k12.ma.us; Writer, Photographer, and Editorial Contributor Tara Woomer at twoomer@plymouth.k12.ma.us; or Editorial/Production Contributor Nancy Dargie at ndargie@plymouth.k12. ma.us.

Disclaimer. The materials provided by Plymouth Voyager, a publication of the Plymouth Public Schools, is provided “as is” without any warranties of any kind to the full extent permissible pursuant to applicable laws. PPS and RE/MAX Spectrum further does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information, text, graphic, links, materials, and other items contained within the Plymouth Voyager pages. 46 THE SPECTRUM MAGAZINE www.SpectrumListings.com JUNE–AUGUST 2016

Superintendent’s Message Plymouth High Schools: Fostering Diversity of Dreams

n this edition of Voyager Magazine, we bring you a mere glimpse of life at Superintendent of Schools Plymouth South and Plymouth Gary E. Maestas, Ed.D. North High Schools. We could not begin to describe all we offer here, but we have tried to show you a small slice of what our students experience at both high schools.

about the endless hours our teachers dedicate to their students before and after school. We could have shared pages of statistics with you to prove our programs are top notch. Instead, we decided to share our students’ stories. We hope you enjoy reading about their experiences and the paths they have chosen for their post high school lives.

Our experience with student Morgan Whitfield sums up what this edition hopes to convey to our readers. Our reporter interviewed Morgan who is in the Automotive program at We hope to convey that there is a place for every student Plymouth South. Morgan gave up her lunch period to discuss at our high schools. Whether a student plans to attend an her experiences at Plymouth South. She suited up in her Ivy League college, a state school, the military, or join the world of work after graduation, we can help them along with safety goggles and work boots without complaint for her photo op. She answered questions their dreams. Our students travel with patience. She got her hands diverse paths after graduation, but As I look back at my high school years, I our hope is that they all leave with a realize that education has evolved enormously. filthy with motor oil so our reporter could capture some great shots of strong work ethic, a secure sense of I would have really enjoyed being a student in our high schools today. I believe that our her under the hood of a car. When themselves, a realistic view of their schools are preparing for a global work place. her interview was over, Morgan talents, and the desire to take on the Now that’s exciting! graciously volunteered to walk our world. reporter to her next interview in a ~ Dr. Gary E. Maestas, Superintendent of Schools We would like to thank all of the different part of the school. high school students for their help Morgan said she grew up building everything instead of and generosity with the making of this edition of Voyager. buying it. She plans to open her own auto body shop one Students met with our reporter during the school day, after day. This is the kind of student our high schools produce. school hours, and on weekends with sometimes only a Morgan walks a unique path suited to her, and our goal is to moment’s notice. Each student in this edition could not have help her along on her journey. been more generous and gracious with their time and the stories they shared about their lives. We are grateful for their We hope that our readers will not only learn a bit about maturity and willingness to discuss sometimes very personal our two high schools, but will also get a sense of the issues in order to help other students. hardworking, diligent, ethical, and kind teenagers who live in our community. It is our pleasure to share their stories We could tell you about the dozens of awards our two high with you. n schools have won in the past few years. We could tell you

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Student Spotlight Nine Students, Nine Future Plans

e offer a glimpse at the future plans of nine of our seniors. Their pathways are as unique as they are. Whether they plan to become an artist, an engineer, a dietician, a writer, a teacher, or a medical professional, we know their work ethic and strong character will guide them well. Congratulations to all of our seniors who are entering college, headed to work, joining the military, or starting an apprenticeship.

Kailey Marani from North High will attend Florida International University where she will major in Dietetics and Nutrition. She plans to become a dietician. Kailey’s personal experience with Crohn’s disease led her to discover her desire to help others who struggle with medical issues.

Jared Cole from South High will attend Bowdoin College. He plans to become a writer. Jared was a finalist in the Massachusetts Boys State program, a member of the International Club, a member of the South High soccer team, and president of the National Honor Society. He also is a soccer referee. He took Advanced Placement Latin during his senior year, and he said the Foreign Language department at South pushed and encouraged him to study not only Latin but also Spanish. Jared plans to major in Political Studies or English with a concentration in Creative Writing and a minor in the Classics.

“I’m going to Florida International University in Miami. My favorite thing about North is the atmosphere. It’s very accepting. Our teachers push us to do our best. The teachers and kids are accepting of everything and are very peaceful and friendly. I’m going to major in Dietetics & Nutrition because I want to become a dietician. Sophomore year I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. It made me think about things. I just want to help others with their issues and problems and help them change their diet,” said Kailey.

“I’m very determined to be successful in life. I strive for greatness. I want to be the best,” said Jared. Emily Whynott from North High will attend Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) where she will major in Fine Arts with a concentration in History and Philosophy. She plans to become an artist. Emily is looking forward to living in a community of artists during her time at RISD. “Providence is an artistic community. I’ve always wanted to live in the city. North offers a large variety of academic and nonacademic courses. There are so many different programs at various levels. If a classroom course is not available or doesn’t work with a student’s schedule, he or she can take advantage of North’s connection with the Virtual High School. I took a VHS class called The Glory of Ancient Rome. North is equipped with fantastic resources. We have multiple kilns for ceramics classes and wonderful amenities for the tech programs as well,” said Emily.

Karen Marquis from North High will attend UMass Amherst. Her major is undecided, but she plans to become either a math teacher or an animal researcher. “My favorite thing about North is the support teachers give us in our classes. They’re always encouraging students to push themselves to take harder classes to get into a college routine. I like teachers who don’t necessarily go by what’s given to them. They let us experience the joy of learning. They expand their lessons beyond the curriculum. Ms. Hughes is my Philosophy teacher, and she has a different structure than a normal class. She had us reflect on what we were doing in class and connect it to our own lives. We learned about different consolations for life’s difficulties and consolations for being frustrated. We learned to understand things from different perspectives,” said Karen. Nicholas DelRusso from North High will enter Project Growth this fall. He plans to work in Plymouth through the program. Nicholas currently volunteers at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Plymouth. He loves riding his bike, playing video games, listening to music, going for walks, swimming, and fishing. Nicholas told us about two of his favorite teachers from the Plymouth Public Schools.

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Student Spotlight (cont)

“I look forward to working and getting out of school. Mr. Wiernicki is one of the best teachers. He’s funny! Mr. Strohschneider was my science teacher at PCIS. He was funny, and he did science experiments outside,” said Nicholas. Quinn Carey from South High will attend UMaine Orono next year where he will major in Mechanical Engineering. He plans to become an engineer. “I like the whole design process and problem solving. I took an Engineering Design class with Mr. Yeager which I liked a lot. There’s a lot of math and physics involved in engineering. Speed, velocity, gravity, and different laws affect the design process. There are a lot of different things I can get into with an engineering degree,” said Quinn. Heather Brzykcy from South High will attend Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts where she will double major in English Communications and Secondary Education. She plans to become an English teacher. She is the editor of the school newspaper. “I was chosen to speak at AP Orientation Night for underclassmen. I talked about my AP Literature class. It’s like a big book club. I’ve been the editor of the school newspaper for three years. It’s called The Prowl. Our website is plymouthsouth.com. I wanted to go to a college that has a school newspaper. That was on the list of what I looked for. I want to be an English teacher. My own teachers have impacted me so much. My mom is an English teacher. I love learning, and I want to make people fall in love with learning and literature,” said Heather. Alec Marcucci is a senior in the Alternative High School program that is housed at North High. He will attend Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences where he will earn a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. Alec struggled with anxiety, depression, and panic attacks which led to missed school days and missed assignments. He tried to catch up, but he was not able to. He joined the Alternative High School where he was able to regain his footing. Alec has an extremely heightened sense www.SpectrumListings.com

of empathy towards others which he credits to his own mental health struggles. He said his nonlinear path to get where he is now will serve him very well as a medical professional. “Josh and Rachel from the Alternative program were really nice. It gave me a lot of hope talking with them. My outlook on mental health is different from someone else’s who isn’t familiar with it. I think I’ll be able to try to understand people a little bit more. People ask me what I want to do with my life and what my purpose is. The only thing that comes to mind is that I want to help people. I would tell other kids who are struggling to talk to their parents, teachers, and guidance counselor. They need someone who can create that bridge for them. I want to tell them not to give up. I want them to realize that how their life is right now isn’t the way it is going to be forever. There are so many different options for people to move forward. The Alternative program is one of those options. Everybody’s in a different situation, but it’s definitely important to graduate with a diploma. If I hadn’t come to the Alternative program, I would have repeated a year, dropped out, or maybe gotten my GED. This gives me the opportunity to graduate on time, get my diploma, and go to college,” said Alec. Spencer Potter from North High will attend Wesleyan University where he will major in either Economics or Law. He carries a 4.03 grade point average, and is in the Marketing program at Plymouth North. “At this point in my life, I’m unsure of what I want to be, but I know I want to be a family man and a dependable father. My favorite thing about the academics at Plymouth North is the Marketing program which taught me numerous skills such as public speaking, how to create an effective presentation, and real world applications. This is stuff that students don’t learn in a normal classroom. I was able to maintain my GPA because I placed myself in situations that would lead me to succeed in the classroom. I surrounded myself with great friends who had common academic goals. Playing sports also helped me to maintain focus in the classroom. I chose Wesleyan because they offered me the best chance to be successful later in life. When I made my decision, I was thinking about the next forty years, not just the next four years. They also offered me a chance to continue playing football, so that was a huge deciding factor,” said Spencer. n

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Student Spotlight (cont)

College Plans of Seven Superstar South Seniors A few editions ago, we wrote about the college dreams of seven top seniors at Plymouth South High School. These students recently finalized their college plans. We wish the best of luck to these super intelligent, super kind, and super talented superstars! n Shannon Colbert (Tilton School) Luke Goldring (Providence College) Veronica Holmes (Messiah College) Shelly Jarman (Stonehill College) Jacob Jobe (Loyola Marymount University) Vanessa Kanter (Emerson College) Sadie Perlow (UMass Amherst)

Our Two National Merit Scholars The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has recognized two of our high school students for their academic acumen. Congratulations to Griffin and Veronica! n Griffin McNamee

Veronica Holmes

National Merit Finalist

National Merit Commended Student

Plymouth North High School, 2016

Plymouth South High School, 2016

University of Vermont Honors College

Messiah College

Undeclared college major

“I hope to be in a position to express myself and pursue my interests freely.”

Trumpet Performance major, Chemistry minor “My favorite thing about South is the learning environment. The teachers are super helpful, and everyone cares about each other.”

For the Love of Their Country We spoke with two students who have chosen to serve their country after high school graduation. Both chose this path for the love of their country. John Maloney from Plymouth South High School will enter the United States Army. Shawn McIver from Plymouth North High School will enter the United States Air Force. n “It’s been a calling for me. I’ve always wanted to serve my country. It’s my dream.”

“America is the best country in the world. I would like to serve it. I love America.”

~ John Maloney, United States Army

~ Shawn McIver, United States Air Force

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Student Spotlight (cont)

Thalles Nunes, Renaissance Man Plymouth North High School student Thalles Nunes immigrated to the United States from Coronel Fabriciano, Minas Gerais, Brazil when he was six years old. He left behind his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Although he is thriving in the States, he misses many of his family members who still live in Brazil. “I was young, so it was all a big adventure. I miss my family back there. After high school, I want to go back to see my people and my family. Our family is really big. They’re kind and helpful people. I miss them a lot. My grandmother was a huge influence on me. Her name is Maria Barbosa,” he said. When Thalles was six, he entered Nathaniel Morton Elementary School. He didn’t speak English. He remembers a special teacher who welcomed him and taught him how to speak English. “My ELL (English Language Learner) teacher was Mrs. Simonsen. She’s awesome,” he said. Thalles is now a junior at North. He’s a member of the a cappella group Northern Lights, captain of the soccer

team, a member of the theater group, and a member of the advanced choir. He recently performed with the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra. Next year, he wants to join Plymouth News Network at North. Thalles dives wholeheartedly into everything he does. “I love North. It’s the next step to becoming a contributor to society. I get to play soccer, act, sing, and make new friends. The basic thing I’ve learned is to work hard and get after it, and you’ll have it. That’s what I’ve learned here. Hard work pays off,” he said. Thalles is grateful for the opportunities North has given him, and although he misses his homeland, he loves America. “There are so many opportunities here. Whatever you want to do in life, North will set you up for it. I take advantage of all the programs. It will set me up for life. There’s Engineering and the medical side of things. Whatever you like, you’ll find it here. The teachers are so helpful. I’m thankful for that, and I like that about North. I’m grateful to live here and for the chances that I have here. It’s just a great place to live. It’s the American Dream. You work hard, and you can have anything you want,” said Thalles. n

Facilities Management Program Shaped Future Carpenter and Welder Chris King and Noah Jesse are both seniors in the Facilities Management vocational and technical studies program at Plymouth North High School. Chris wants to become a carpenter, and Noah wants to become a welder. Both credit their Facilities Management coursework with putting them on the paths to their future professions. Chris King “I’m in Facilities Management. I’ve done carpentry, masonry, and all the trades. I want to be a framer. I’m eventually going to take some business courses. I’m very hands-on. I like being outside. I don’t want to work in an office at a desk just sitting there all day. My goal is to have my own carpentry business,” said Chris.

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Noah Jesse “I’m going to do welding. I want to do something outdoors, and I like working with my hands. I like staying after school with Mr. Mei, my Facilities Management teacher. He teaches me something new every day. He taught me stick welding, which is a difficult form of welding. I welded the robot that went to the Engineering competition in California. I also welded an electric drift trike. My favorite thing about North is Facilities Management. It’s time away from the daily struggle of academics where I can feel comfortable and skilled. I’m going to get my foot in the door with a trade. I’m going to join the union for welding. It will be good on my resume to have hands-on experience in the trades,” said Noah. n

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Student Spotlight (cont)

Harvard, Dartmouth, or Cornell? Plymouth North High School student Rebecca Soilson recently had a difficult decision to make. Accepted at three Ivy League colleges, her dilemma was as complicated as choosing one’s favorite child. Should she choose beautiful Dartmouth, nestled in the woods of New Hampshire? Or perhaps Cornell with its unlimited academic resources and programs? Her decision was made at 5:05 p.m. on December 10. That’s the day Harvard sent acceptance emails to all prospective students.

Rebecca said her AP Environmental Science class was one of her favorites.

“I saw the C for ‘Congratulations’ and I screamed with my mom! It was so surreal! I was hysterically crying! I didn’t expect to get in. You never know what they’re looking for. My goal was not to go to the best party school or one with the best athletic program. I wanted to go to a college that would give me the most opportunities and the best education,” said Rebecca.

“I want to do something that makes a difference and makes a change, not necessarily something that makes a lot of money,” she said.

She said the Advanced Placement (AP) classes at North have prepared her for the workload she will face at Harvard. “The AP classes at North have definitely helped. They’re college level courses that prepare us for the workload in college. All of the papers, projects, and lab reports have prepared me. I would also encourage students to take a Foreign Language class all four years in high school,” she said.

“My teacher made us aware of current events and helped us form our own opinions and ideas about certain issues. I had always known about global warming, but learning about it in class made me think seriously about it,” she said. Rebecca’s major will probably be a combination of Biology and Psychology. She is also interested in Neuroscience and Comparative Literature. She is sure about what kind of impact she wants to make on the world.

As Rebecca looked forward to Harvard’s accepted students’ weekend aptly named “Visitas” as a play on their motto “Veritas,” she was adamant about thanking the people and high school that got her there. “I would like to thank Plymouth North in general. I’d like to thank my teachers and friends and all of the opportunities at Plymouth North. Without all of the opportunities at Plymouth North, I never would have gotten into Harvard. I’m really thankful,” said Rebecca. n

Voc/Tech Student Headed to Virginia Tech to Study Architecture Cullen Murphy has spent years building model cars, planes, and buildings. His love of building led him to the Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) vocational/ technical program at Plymouth South High School. Cullen will head to Virginia Tech in the fall where he will major in Architecture. Cullen shared a bit about his love of building and his plans for the future. “I’ve always been pretty creative. Building things has always been an interest of mine. I’ve known since freshman year that I’ve wanted to study Architecture. I’ve always liked the design process. I like the artistic side of it. In my CAD class I’m building a scale model of a two car garage for Senior Showcase. I like drawing on the computer. I drew out the schematic design of the spaceship from Battlestar Galactica on the computer. I took an art class freshman year, and we had to put together a portfolio for college. It was kind of cool. I could see

that I was starting to work towards my future. When I found out what the field really included, it sounded like me. Virginia Tech has a campus house in Switzerland which I can’t wait to see. I’m very excited to tour Europe and see the different styles of architecture. I’m very excited for that,” he said. Cullen loaded his schedule this year with five Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and he also took two other AP courses as a junior. He is a busy young man with big dreams for the future. No doubt, he will accomplish his goals. “This year I’m taking AP Calculus, AP Statistics, AP Physics, AP Spanish, and AP English Literature and Composition. Last year I took AP History and AP English Language and Composition. I play basketball and soccer, I’m a member of the National Honor Society, and I’m a busboy at Cabby Shack. I want to build a mansion out in California and own my own architectural firm. I want to build residential properties and houses,” said Cullen. n

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Faculty Spotlight AP Classes—From Shakespeare to Molecular Genetics

olecular Genetics, Differential Calculus, Probability Theory, Aesthetics, Shakespeare and More: Advanced Placement (AP) classes are a taste of college during high school. Students are taught how to think deeply about topics as diverse as cellular biology and Shakespeare’s King Lear. We asked a few of our superstar AP teachers to share a bit about their curriculum and classroom methodology with us. We would like to thank these excellent educators for taking the time to help us show how rich and varied our AP classes are. Patty Glynn, AP Biology, Plymouth North High School, teaching for 39 years “I teach molecular biology including molecular genetics, biotechnology and how advances have impacted biology and our lives in general, cellular biology, ecology, evolution, human anatomy and physiology, and much more with a strong emphasis on lab experience and experimental biology such as experimental design process. In my opinion, what is most beneficial to the students who take the course is that they transition to taking more responsibility for their own learning, which is so important if they are to be successful in the college classroom. What I enjoy most about biology is that it is always changing as we learn more thanks to the work of research scientists. What I enjoy most about science in general is that EVERYTHING can be questioned and should be.” Mary Humberd, AP Calculus AB, Plymouth North High School, teaching for 29 years “I teach limits, differential calculus, and integral calculus. It is equivalent to approximately 1.5 semesters of college calculus. I think the benefits the students get from the class are the experience of taking a college level class, having to meet high expectations, learning how to study math for maybe the first time, and time management, which they will really need in college. I really enjoy watching students work hard to learn the concepts and then being able to apply them to subjects in the real world such as science, finance, and business. I love seeing them get excited about math. I am happy to say I have the best job in the world.”

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Janet Simpson, AP Statistics,

Plymouth South High School, teaching for 28 years “I teach AP Statistics. In AP Stats we learn about methods of collecting, displaying, and interpreting data as well as some probability theory. We then apply the probability theory to data collection to learn about inferences that can be made from the data at hand to the world at large. My favorite thing about teaching AP Statistics is that no student ever asks ‘Why do I have to know this’ – especially in a Presidential election year! Just turn on any news program and there are examples of statistical inference being used and misused. I think there are two things that are most beneficial to students. One is becoming informed consumers of statistics so they understand how to question data and statistics that they see on the news. The second is that the class prepares them for college majors that require a course in statistics because many do. AP Statistics is a challenging course, but the content is accessible to any student who has acquired Algebra 2 skills unlike some other AP classes that may have strict prerequisite requirements.”

David Yaeger, AP Physics 1, Plymouth South High School, teaching for 16 years “I am teaching AP Physics 1 this year. The topics include Newton’s Laws of Motion, energy, momentum, waves, and electric circuits. Physics is important because it develops critical thinking skills. In particular, it develops the ability to collect data and use it to create models of how objects behave. Then students learn to use those models to predict behavior on a broader scale (broader than the experiments that generated the data). This class emphasizes the process by which all scientific knowledge is generated. I enjoy the variety of hands-on activities that help students understand new concepts.”

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Faculty Spotlight (cont)

(AP Classes continued) Matthew Carpenito, AP Spanish Language and Culture, Plymouth South High School, teaching for 14 years “AP Spanish Language and Culture is taught almost entirely in Spanish. It explores six themes as they relate to the Spanish-speaking world. The themes are science and technology, global challenges, contemporary life, personal and public identities, families and communities, and beauty and aesthetics. Students read and listen to a wide variety of texts and audio intended for native speakers. The course includes some review of important grammar points, but it mainly focuses on the development of reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills around the major themes. Research has repeatedly demonstrated the cognitive benefits of second-language study. Cultural awareness and bilingualism are invaluable assets in today’s global economy. I enjoy helping students grow in their ability to speak Spanish over the course of the year. I also enjoy exploring contemporary topics with the students, such as the impact of technology, that are worth discussing in any language.”

Erik Walker, AP English Literature & Composition, Plymouth South High School, teaching for 16 years To be in an AP Literature classroom is indeed a wonderful experience because it is just that—an experience. Students are actively engaged and talking and often passionately arguing about the content itself. There is nothing more wonderful as a teacher than walking into a room even before class, and students are already coming up with theories of meaning, arguing about characters, or attempting to connect what they read last night with other works we’ve read in the past. This is what the course is truly about, and students leave AP Literature with the confidence that they can succeed in any college English class they will ever encounter. Our AP Literature program has really expanded the past few years, and 73 students have signed up to take AP Literature next year, which is simply incredible for a school the size of Plymouth South. It truly shows that the entire English department is creating a passion for reading and writing at our school. The class is a joy to teach because of how students engage with the material. I have three AP classes this year. They are all unique, and even when studying the same novel, they always have stunningly different insight, which makes my day incredible. Not every student in America is enthusiastic about reading sophisticated material, so the fact that students are willing to battle great works of literature and write about them and talk about them each day is truly a blessing as a teacher.” n

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Student Engagement Freshman Academies Ease the Transition to High School

he transition from middle school to high school is an enormous step for every student. Freshman Academies were created years ago at both Plymouth North and South High Schools to help students as they move from the familiarity of their middle schools to the new world of high school. Marc Loranger, Assistant Principal of the Freshman Academy at South High, and Ben Janulewicz, Assistant Principal of the Freshman Academy at North High, told us a bit about their programs.

Club where students can be tutored by National Honor Society students. Throughout the year, students attend a freshman ice cream social, a freshman cookout, a Freshman Academy field trip, and a spring end of the year celebration.” Ben Janulewicz, Freshman Academy Assistant Principal, Plymouth North High School “The Freshman Academy is a model that is becoming more and more popular in high school. Essentially, it creates a ninth grade school within a school. The Academy at North is housed on the third floor and includes 15 dedicated teachers and one each of a secretary, guidance counselor, and assistant principal. Students are housed on one of three teams (blue, red, gold), and each team has five core teachers. The purpose of the Academy is to aid students as they transition to high school by supporting them to be successful academically, socially, and emotionally in and beyond their ninth grade year.

Grace Curtin (front row center) among other freshman enjoying time spent at Freshman Academies

Marc Loranger, Freshman Academy Assistant Principal, Plymouth South High School

“The Freshman Academy is a team approach that has been developed around the concept of a small learning community. All freshman students are placed on teams for the four academic content area classes. The team of teachers work together to assist incoming ninth graders in adjusting to high school expectations. Teaming personalizes education by Another benefit is that Mrs. Nickerson, our guidance councreating a closer student-to-staff relationship. Students feel selor for the Academy at North, can get to know each and more comfortable because they get to develop positive conevery student personally and supnections with their teachers. port them with regard to academic Most of my classes, other than electives, planning, social and emotional Freshman students mature and grow are on the third floor, which helped me wellbeing, and navigation of the quickly throughout their freshman get comfortable with the school quickly. differences between middle and year of high school. It is our goal Freshman Academy was very helpful, high school. She works closely with to help them feel part of Plymouth especially with scheduling and rescheduling. families, community organizations, South High School when they arrive They are very welcoming to all the kids and and agencies. on campus. We leave no child behind. made the transition from middle to high We try to instill confidence in them It’s the job of all Academy staff to school much less nerve-racking. and allow them to mature. By the help students grow, improve, and time they become sophomores, they ~ Grace Curtin, North Freshman learn what it means to be a happy, have adjusted well to high school. healthy, learned, and mature young adult. In the Academy, students ideally develop the study Each team consists of approximately 90 students. An adminskills necessary to succeed in grades 10–12. Perhaps most istrator, two guidance counselors, and a special education importantly, they learn to navigate the complex social world teacher are assigned specifically to the teams. Our teachers that high school presents and learn how to become positive, share a common planning time where they meet regularly accepting, and collaborative school citizens.” n with parents and guardians. We have set up a Homework

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Student Engagement (cont)

Biomedical Program—Creating Future Doctors

he Biomedical programs at Plymouth North and South High Schools are creating the future doctors and medical staff members of tomorrow. Last year, 133 students applied to participate in the first year of the program. This year, current eighth grade students from Plymouth Community Intermediate School (PCIS) and Plymouth South Middle School (PSMS) submitted 175 applications to the program which has space for a total of 125 students each year. Alison Riordan, Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum Coordinator for the Plymouth Public Schools, said there will be a temporary wait list for the program.

“We are looking for funding for a possible white coat ceremony at the conclusion of four years in the program around graduation and also for a second year scrubs celebration to happen at the conclusion of the second year course. In addition, we are trying to put together a career fair for this time next year for first year students. We could use volunteers with varied backgrounds in the Biomedical field to participate and interact with students,” she said.

Bella Christensen and Julia McDonald

“A wait list will be put together and used only if a student selected for the program does not enroll in the program. This wait list will dissolve at the start of the school year,” said Mrs. Riordan. Plymouth North freshman Isabella Christensen is a student in the Biomedical program who plans to become a surgeon. “I love how hands on and complicated Biomedical is. It always gets students thinking outside of the standard Biology box. Biology is all about cells and is pretty much a broad look at the human body. Biomedical goes so much deeper into detailed learning about what could go wrong with cells and how that affects the body. I also love how involved it is with projects. We do labs almost every week, and we read books and learn so much,” said Bella. Mrs. Riordan hopes to establish a second year scrubs ceremony and a fourth year white coat ceremony to recognize the accomplishments of students within the Biomedical program.

Julia McDonald is a freshman in the Biomedical program at South High who plans to become either a doctor or an anesthesiologist.

“I like the amount of labs that we do and the diversity of the material we learn in the program. I do hope to study Pre-Med in college as well as enter the medical field,” said Julia. Bella also plans to declare Pre-Med in college. “I definitely think I’m going into Pre-Med in college because Biomedical has given me a clear look into what exactly a medical examiner, a doctor, a technologist, or anyone else actually does. When we perform labs such as the blood pressure lab, we learn exactly how to find blood pressure, and we learn what the difference between diastolic and systolic is. We make sure the patient, or in our case student, has a healthy heart and blood pressure,” said Bella. Thank you to Mrs. Riordan for bringing this great program to so many students at North High and South High Schools who will become the future doctors of tomorrow! n

56 THE SPECTRUM MAGAZINE www.SpectrumListings.com JUNE–AUGUST 2016

Student Engagement (cont)

Financial Benefits of AP Classes

dvanced Placement classes (AP) can be an excellent way for students to save time and money in the college process if they score high enough on their AP exams to earn college credit. It’s not enough just to take AP classes. Students have to take exams in these subjects, and they need to score well on these exams. Each college and university has its own policy on the amount of college credit they award for AP exam scores. AP exam college credit policies vary widely from college to college. Some colleges have very generous policies. Some do not.

many courses, I was able to take more classes early on. A few counted as general education requirements as well. I think many of the AP classes I took in high school helped prepare me for college and definitely put me ahead,” said Amanda. Lexy Halpin is another example of a smart and savvy student who leveraged her AP course load to its best advantage. Lexy graduated from Plymouth South High School in 2014. Lexy was able to transfer 18 college credits to Mass Maritime Academy, which is equivalent to six courses at this school. Lexy earned five of the six courses through her AP exam scores.

Amanda Marcotte’s AP course load in high school will save her a semester of college costs. She graduated from Plymouth South High School in 2013 and is currently a junior at Clemson University. Amanda’s major is She earned the sixth course through a dual enrollment Anthropology, and her minor is Psychology. She took course called Introduction to Emergency Management, seven AP courses during high school, and she scored high which she took at Mass Maritime when she was a sophoenough on six of her AP exams to earn college credits from more at South. Lexy also had the foresight to take an extra Clemson in these subjects. These credits will allow Amanda course each semester at Mass Maritime. Her strategic, to graduate from Clemson a semester well-planned approach to her college early. Her AP college course credits I took six AP classes in high school. I course load will enable her to gradualso allowed her to bypass some looked at it like it was my job as a student to ate a year early. Lexy’s parents, Lisa introductory courses at Clemson and work hard and put in my best effort to get it and Sean Halpin, were grateful for her take more electives. done. I took two AP English classes in high hard work and effort that contributed school, so I didn’t have to take any English Clemson’s AP exam credit policy towards the cost of her education by classes in college. I’m grateful that South enabled Amanda to begin her freshearning college credits. offered both of these classes. It allowed me man year in college with 26 credits, “As parents, we are grateful that Lexy to take my major courses earlier so that I can which was equivalent at Clemson to listened to us while she was in high seven classes. Amanda is thrilled with graduate a year early. It pays off! school about really pushing herself the credits she received in college for ~ Lexy Halpin, South High graduate, and taking AP and Dual Enrollment her hard work and diligence in high current student at Massachusetts courses. The college financial savings school. Maritime Academy from this are significant. Lexy “These credits put me over a semesgraduating one year early will help us ter ahead when I began college. Even after switching my as we try to plan and save for her three younger sisters. Also, major sophomore year, I will still be able to graduate a seI believe the experience of taking rigorous classes while in mester early, which will save me some money. Another benhigh school is invaluable in terms of preparation for college efit of the AP classes was that most of them counted as intro level studies,” said Dr. Halpin. n classes in college. Since those tended to be prerequisites for

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Community

Co-op Education Program Melds Classroom and Real-World Learning

tudents at both Plymouth North and Plymouth South High Schools have the opportunity to take part in a phenomenal program called Cooperative Education. Maureen Kelleher is the Cooperative Education Coordinator. She explained a bit about what the program entails. “There are numerous benefits to this program. According to Mrs. Kelleher, students can earn money while also earning class credit, obtain real-world experiences, learn time management skills, learn how to work under a deadline, learn about teamwork, learn about dependability, learn about presentation skills, and learn to appreciate the value of hard work. “Many students find themselves working with his or her coop employer well after graduation. Oftentimes it becomes a career for some students. I believe at least half of my co-op kiddos from last year are still working with their co-op placements,” said Mrs. Kelleher. We spoke with a few students who are involved in the Cooperative Education program to hear about their experiences. Nicole Quinn is a senior at Plymouth North High School. She is in the Allied Health program at Plymouth North through which she has earned her Certified Nursing Assistant license. She has taken part in co-ops at Life Care of Plymouth and Laurelwood at The Pinehills. Nicole will attend UMass Dartmouth next year where she will major in Biology. She plans to become a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit doctor. “I really love the sciences. Human Anatomy is a really intriguing class. I like seeing people recover, go home, and be happy. The recovery process is fascinating. I want to be a NICU doctor,” said Nicole. Emma Ciaranca is also in the Allied Health program at North High. She took part in a co-op at Mt. Pleasant Preschool where she worked with autistic children. She now has a co-op at Newfield House. She also has her Certified Nursing Assistant license. Emma will attend Franklin Pierce University where she will major in Pre-Physical Therapy Studies. She will earn her doctorate in that field after she completes a six year program at Franklin Pierce. She has greatly enjoyed her co-op experiences. “I think it’s way better than just being in class because it relates to real people. A lot of kids these days aren’t interacting with adults. I think I learned a better work ethic, how to schedule my time, and time management. It’s also nice to get a paycheck. I’m trying to save up for college. It’s the real world versus school. It’s an even bigger opportunity to grow as a person. Students can figure out what they want to do and where they

want to go. They learn what is leading them and what they want to be when they’re older. I learned that this is what I want to do. I’m loving what I’m doing. I knew that it was a fit for me,” said Emma. Josh Williamson is a South High student who has a co-op with Glynn Electric. He plans to work there after graduation, earn his Master Electrician’s License, and open his own company called Williamson Electric. I like this field. There’s always something to do and a mission to accomplish. I love being hands-on. There’s a sense of accomplishment when I complete each talk. I’m 18, and it’s cool to experience the real world while I’m still in high school. It’s so different from school. I love getting a paycheck. That’s my favorite part. I’ll be licensed by the time I’m 21. Most guys aren’t licensed until they’re 24 or 25. I’m beyond grateful for the program. Some of my friends are stressed out. I’m at ease knowing I have a future ahead of me, and I like doing what I’m doing. Plymouth South created this path for me. It will help me achieve my dream by creating a future for me,” said Josh. Although Toni Salamone is not in a co-op placement, her work experiences at the Old Sandwich Golf Club are a direct benefit of South High’s cooperative relationships with local business. She works in the kitchen with Plymouth South graduate Molly Ruemker who was hired at Old Sandwich seven years ago. Toni plans to attend the Culinary Institute of America after graduation. She plans to open her own breakfast and lunch restaurant after she graduates from culinary school. Toni is very thankful for the opportunity to work at Old Sandwich. “I’m thankful for Mr. Levy. He’s the one who brought this job to me. I like this because I’m learning how a kitchen runs,” she said. Whether co-op students are cooking for golf legends, taking care of elderly patients, or learning how to provide electricity, they are learning how to make their way in the world of work. “I love this program for numerous reasons, but perhaps the best is to witness the students’ growth socially, emotionally, financially, and academically. Some of these students were quite shy at the outset of their placements. Some were not the most confident students. By the end of their placements, they come away with confidence, personal skills, and growth that money cannot buy,” said Mrs. Kelleher. n

58 THE SPECTRUM MAGAZINE www.SpectrumListings.com JUNE–AUGUST 2016

Community (cont)

Foreign Travel Opens Minds

tudents at Plymouth North and a mixture of Spanish, English, French, Plymouth South High Schools and German with my host family. They have numerous opportunities to travel spoke Spanish, English, and German abroad. This year, students have travto a level of fluency and were learneled to France, Spain, Costa Rica, and ing French. The oldest daughter was the Dominican Republic. North High also knowledgeable in Greek, Latin, junior Curtis Sheppard recently traveled and Arabic. We also had a German girl to Cordoba, Sevilla, and Granada during named Nina living with us on a differhis trip to Spain. He has studied Spanish ent exchange program.” for four years. Next year he will take an I feel like by starting a Foreign LanAdvanced Placement Spanish class and guage Club at PCIS, students will learn French for the first time. He plans to start that language isn’t just a different set of a Foreign Language Club at Plymouth words for the same things as portrayed Community Intermediate School next in a dictionary, such as table equals year for middle school students. Curtis mesa. Language is a culture within wants to study Spanish, French, German, itself. I hope that students will not only Alexandra Daly and Curtis Sheppard and Latin in college, and he plans to be more open to the idea of learning become a foreign language teacher or a another language but also more actranslator. Curtis shared a bit about his cepting of other people. With political trip to Spain and his love of the Spanish language with us. slogans and ideals that are basically saying ‘get out of our “In Spain, I loved La Alhambra and La Mezquita. La Alhambra country’ being backed up in America, it goes against our idewas a fortress built on a hill near Granada by the Moors in als of who we are as people. We’re people. We’re all people 711. In 1492 it was conquered by the Catholics and was conwith different views on the world. Language shows us that.” verted into a more Catholic site. The Mezquita was a mosque Language is more than learning a new way to describe also built by the Moors that was later converted into the the world around you. It’s a different way of viewing and third largest Catholic cathedral in the world. We also went describing the world around you. It’s an experience, not just to two small towns to explore the olive oil process. I spoke a class,” said Curtis. n

Inspiiration Award

sabelle Maggelet is a paraprofessional at South Elementary School. Second grade teacher Nancy MacCune nominated Mrs. Maggelet for an Inspiration Award because of her positive attitude and dedication to the students and staff of South Elementary. “I have known Issy since I came to South Elementary School in 1996. She worked as a para in my second grade classroom. She now serves as a receptionist. Issy is the first person I see in the morning when I enter South Elementary School. She volunteers to come to school and man the desk and phones at 7:00 a.m. every day. She is always there. Her paid hours www.SpectrumListings.com

don’t begin until 9:00 a.m. She has been doing this since I’ve been at South, and I’m sure even longer! She is so positive and inspiring. “Issy battled cancer a few years ago and continued to come to school every day. She was actually wearing a chemo pack that pumped medication into her body as she worked and volunteered. Issy is an amazing person! From Issy I have learned that every child deserves to learn no matter their disabilities. She has taught me to face each day with a positive attitude and to be thankful for every blessing in my life. Issy is South Elementary,” said Mrs. MacCune. n

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News & Noteworthy South High Psychology Teacher Appointed to the American Psychological Association

lymouth South High School Psychology teacher Allison Shaver was recently appointed to the board of the American Psychological Association Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools (TOPSS). Ms. Shaver will serve at least a two-year term and possibly a third year. The board’s goal is to provide leadership and professional development opportunities for high school psychology teachers according to Ms. Shaver. As the only Psychology teacher at South High, Ms. Shaver said she can feel isolated at times. Her board position allows her the opportunity to discuss changes in her field and collaborate with colleagues from different high schools. “Teaching Psychology can be a very isolating job. As the only Psychology teacher at Plymouth South, face to face networking and collaborating is tough. TOPSS encourages networking of high school Psychology teachers. As a mem-

ber of this committee, I’m meeting new people and making connections in the field of Psychology that will ultimately benefit my students. We are also planning a weeklong high school Psychology summit in Ogden, Utah next summer. To be able to be a part of the future path of high school Psychology is something I am very much looking forward to,” said Ms. Shaver. South High students will certainly be the benefactors of Ms. Shaver’s board involvement. This opportunity allows her to stay up to date with current research in Psychology, which will translate to some fascinating lessons for her students. “It was pretty incredible to be a part of the American Psychological Association’s Spring Consolidated Meeting that was held in Washington, D.C. in April. Listening to the current research in Psychology and meeting with people who influence policy is very exciting. I am the luckiest teacher at Plymouth South. I fell into a subject that I am passionate about. I have so much fun teaching, said Ms. Shaver. n

North Engineering Program = Teamwork

lymouth North High School Engineering students recently traveled to California to compete in the RoboGames with their robot named Over Easy. Robotics team member Harrison Drake shared a bit about the trip with us. He will study Mechanical Engineering next year at Wentworth Institute of Technology.

His favorite part of the Engineering program is the teamwork that teacher Mike Bastoni encourages.

“Joining the Engineering program at Plymouth North is the best decision I’ve ever made in high school. The facility that we have is brand new and up-to-date on the latest technologies, but that’s not my favorite part about joining this pro“It was very exciting but also stressgram. I still remember my first day ful. There’s a location called The Pits, in Mr. Bastoni’s classroom. The first which is like a NASCAR pit where task that was assigned was to conPlymouth North Engineering Students our crew worked on the robot very struct a 3D model in SolidWorks. I’d vigorously and tried to fix whatever never done a model in SolidWorks, problems we faced. I was one of the but that didn’t matter because I drivers who drove the robot at the competition while Lianne had the support of my classmates. The atmosphere that Mr. Ureneck fired the flipper. Driving the robot was definitely the Bastoni has developed is more than just a classroom. It is a best experience while we were in California,” he said. hardworking team that helps each other in accomplishing difficult tasks. The robot that we constructed as a team could Most students join the Engineering program during their not have been created if the group of students working on it freshman year in high school, but Harrison didn’t join until could not work or communicate as a team,” said Harrison. n he was a sophomore. He was accepted from the waiting list. 60 THE SPECTRUM MAGAZINE www.SpectrumListings.com JUNE–AUGUST 2016

Alumni Spotlight Plus Parting Words: The Trask Family

audition for the very professional shows they put on at North.

he Trask family of Plymouth has firsthand experience with both Plymouth North and Plymouth South High Schools. Juliette shared the experiences of her four children, James, Grace, Oceanus, and Oliver.

“The feel I get from both schools is a little biased because I’ve had two kids go through South. I worked there myself for a number of years, so I’ve seen a lot of the inner workings firsthand. For instance, I would always see Principal Fry greeting students by name which made them feel welcomed. She always knew what was going on. She was kind but not a pushover, and everyone else in the staff followed suit.

“I believe both North and South offer unique programs. My two older children, James and Grace, went to South. They both did very well academically. They were involved The Trask Family in the technical programs Marketing and Cosmetology, respectively. Right now, my son, Oceanus, is at North performing exceptionally in academics and the “I’ve only had Oceanus in North for two years now, and so Engineering program. I feel the strengths of both schools lie far, it’s been fantastic. He’s a great student, he’s on the chess in their abilities to balance between academics and techniteam, and he likes all his teachers. We were able to attend cal studies. The techs are challenging, but they are also a the High Honors breakfast last spring, and it was done very welcome change from just sitting in a classroom. I feel both nicely. I look forward to going again. Next year, I will have two schools also help to prepare the kids for real world situations children in Plymouth North at the same time, and I’m excited with this hands-on approach the techs provide. to learn more about the school. “I feel the Marketing program at South allowed my son James “I feel the big misconception in the community is that only great opportunities. He was not only taught to make a resume South has Technical Studies, but North does as well. Also, and how to approach people and interview, but also how to I think people believe that kids who go through the tech market himself to help get him where he is today. He graduprograms don’t do well in school and don’t go to college, but ated from college and is now a manager at TD Bank. While in reality, the students have to do well in academics or they in school, the Marketing program also allowed him to work are taken out of the program. It truly is a privilege. As for colwithin the community and travel all across the United States lege, my two kids who have already graduated from the tech through DECA (Distributive Education Club of America). program have both gone to college. I also think that people believe that kids from North and South aren’t friends. That “Grace was in Cosmetology at South, and she is now fully couldn’t be further from the truth. All of my kids have friends licensed after passing her State Board test two years ago. I in opposite schools, and my daughter’s best friend went to feel because the Cosmetology department taught her how to work with the public, she was given confidence to go after North when she went to South. what she wants. She is now a sophomore at UMass Dart“Frequently, I am asked why I had two children in each mouth Charlton College of Business. She continues to style school. It was not my choice to have my first two go to South hair in her dorm to keep up with her craft and help suppleand my second two go to North. When the new North was ment her education. built, we were redistricted. I would also like to add that all of my kids started at South in the preschool program there. “Finally, my son, Oceanus, is also in technical studies, but It was a great start to their education. I also feel that learnthis time at Plymouth North in Engineering. He is an Honors ing is best helped by a good support system. Your family, student and plans to go to college as well. I really feel that the teachers, and the administrators are really there to help. the tech programs are great opportunities but not the only When kids take that help, I’ve found that they succeed,” said opportunities. My fourth child, Oliver, does theater in and Mrs. Trask. n out of school and is excited to be a freshman next year and www.SpectrumListings.com

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