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Page 1: NEWSLETTER April 2010 - …doversherborn.comcastbiz.net/highschool/newsletter/apr/AprilNews... · NEWSLETTER April 2010 _____ Dear Parents and Guardians, April traditionally is ...

NEWSLETTER

April 2010 ______________________________________________________

Dear Parents and Guardians, April traditionally is the beginning of the fourth and last quarter of the school year. The Senior Project Program is also scheduled to begin this month. A listing of upcoming events follows this letter. I remind you to check the weekly email for additional information. Third Quarter Ends Grades closed for the third quarter on April 1st. Report cards will be issued the week of April 12th. If you have any concerns about your son’s or daughter's standing in a course, please contact the subject teacher and encourage your son or daughter to regularly attend after school help sessions. MCAS The English Language Arts MCAS was administered March 23rd through March 25th. The mathematics sessions are scheduled on May 17th and May 18th; and the science MCAS will be administered on June 2nd and June 3rd. MCAS Preparatory Sessions The Mathematics and Science Departments are offering after school MCAS preparatory sessions to support those students who will soon be taking MCAS tests. A schedule for the mathematics preparatory sessions follows this letter and has been emailed to students and to their parents. A schedule for the science sessions will be forthcoming. These are held free of charge. We reserve the right to cancel

these grant-funded sessions if they are under-enrolled. The English Department held review sessions prior to the March testing. Senior Project Program The Senior Project Program began on April 5th. If there are questions related to this program, please contact Ms. Janae Barrett or Ms. Deirdre Clancy-Kelley. The Senior Project Presentations are scheduled for the afternoon of May 20th. More specific information will be forthcoming in the May newsletter. SADD Assembly Cara Filler, inspiring author, speaker, and advocate for safe teen driving, addressed students at assemblies on April 5th. Ms. Filler is committed to helping students put life and its challenges in perspective. Sponsored by the DSHS SADD Chapter, through her dynamic, yet entertaining presentation, she will help students learn how to make powerful and positive choices. Bruins Captain Zdeno Chara to Speak at DSHS The Dover-Sherborn High School Boys Hockey Team is being recognized for the community service team members performed over the course of the season. As a result, DSHS was offered an opportunity to have Bruins Captain Zdeno Chara speak to our students about his Need to Lead Program. Zdeno was scheduled to speak to high school

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students on Tuesday, April 6th, but the event had to be postponed because of an injury he sustained. No date has been set at this time. China Exchange Program and Fundraiser Seniors Cassandra Dunn, Alexander Kwatcher, Alaina Smith, and Lauren Springett, accompanied by Living, Fine and Technical Arts Department Head Sandra Thibeault, this year’s participants in the China Exchange Program, are scheduled to return home on April 10th. We are looking forward to greeting the Chinese delegation from Hangzhou High School the first week in May. One administrator and two teachers will be accompanying five Chinese students who will be residing with host families while attending classes at DSHS. If anyone is interested in obtaining information about planning an activity for our guests, please contact social studies teacher Rebecca Vizulis at [email protected]. In advance, I thank everyone who is hosting or planning an event or activity for our guests. The annual China Banquet, the China Exchange Fundraiser, is scheduled for April 15th at 6:30 p.m. Reservation forms for the banquet can be downloaded by accessing the following link: http://mindsparkinc.com/DSChina/banquet/BanquetPoster-2010.pdf.. METCO Directors' High School Youth Conference Four students, Taishon Skinner, Lourdes Pena, Ashley Cooper and Deanna Biddy, will be attending the METCO Directors' High School Youth Conference accompanied by METCO Director Sandra Copeland on April 16th at Bentley University. Once Upon a Mattress I congratulate everyone involved in this year’s musical production, Once Upon a Mattress. The performances and the set were outstanding. I offer thanks to those

who worked on lighting, sound, costumes, makeup, publicity, and programs. I send a round of applause to the members of the pit band. I also commend those students and adults who heretofore have not been mentioned and who worked behind the scenes to make this year’s show such a resounding success. I recognize Scott Walker, Tom Duprey, Ardys Flavelle, Judy Grassia, Joseph Catalfano and the members of Friends of the Performing Arts (FOPA) for their efforts and support. Spring School Committee Visit On March 10th, two members of the Dover-Sherborn Regional District School Committee - Chair Ellen Williamson and Richard Robinson - spent the day at the high school attending classes. In the fall, three other School Committee members visited classes. Seminar Day Seminar Day, held on March 11th was well received by students who chose from a number of offerings. This event was funded through a grant from the Dover-Sherborn Education Fund and was organized by a committee of students and faculty members. I offer special thanks to Rebecca Vizulis and the committee of students and faculty who coordinated this undertaking and to staff members who offered sessions. Seminar Day was funded through a DSEF Grant. Final Freshman Seminar The last Freshman Seminar of the year, Transition to Sophomore Year, was held on March 19th. I thank the Peer Helpers, Director of Guidance, Joann Kenney, and Jane Biagi for coordinating this seminar series which is part of the Freshman Transition Program.

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Red Cross Blood Drive The Red Cross Blood Drive that was organized by Student Council was a great success. Approximately fifty pints of blood were collected during the day-long event on March 23rd. I thank members of the Student Council, the advisors, Mr. Hickey and Mr. Potts, and all those who donated. March Madness On Friday, March 26th, Student Council hosted a March Madness Assembly that featured interclass competitions, and the traditional Student-Faculty Basketball Game. Congratulations to the teachers who were victorious. Concert to Commemorate "Music in Our Schools" Month On March 31, students performed in a concert planned by Mr. Martel and Ms. Flavelle. This was a diverse musical program to commemorate "Music in Our Schools" Month, an annual month-long celebration of school music whose purpose is to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children. The theme of this year’s MIOSM is “Music! Just imagine." I congratulate all of the students who performed. Senior Lunches Director of Guidance Joann Kenney and I are hosting Senior Lunches again this year. All seniors have been invited to attend and to share their high school experiences in our continuing efforts to effect positive change. I thank the members of Guidance Advisory who deliver the lunches and provide the desserts. Community Service Graduation Requirement I take this opportunity to remind parents/guardians of seniors that forty hours of approved community service (or ten hours for each year of enrollment at Dover-Sherborn High School) are required for graduation. Many seniors

either have not completed this requirement or have not yet submitted documentation for hours completed. Please encourage your son or daughter to attend to this matter as soon as possible. Verification of community service hours must be completed before seniors will be signed out for Senior Project. Field Trips Both the Close-Up Washington, DC and the Winter Leadership Programs received high marks from the students who participated. I thank the chaperones, Thomas Bourque (Close-Up), Elliott Lucil, Jim Baroody, Jessica Vanderhoof and Amy DiSanto (Winter Leadership). Congratulations Congratulations to our winter athletic teams. A summary report follows. Congratulations are also sent to students who have received recognition in other areas, and these individuals are mentioned following the Winter Sports Summary. 2009 - 2010 Winter Sports End of Season Report Girls Basketball The Girls Basketball Team finished the season with a 6 and 14 record. Natalie Heffernan and Catherine Oglevee were named Tri-Valley League All-Star Team Honorable Mentions. Boys Basketball The Boys Basketball Team finished the regular season with 2 wins and 18 losses. Colin Jamerson and Timothy Torigian named Tri-Valley League All-Star Team Honorable Mentions. The team won the Tri-Valley League Sportsmanship Award.

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Gymnastics The Dover Sherborn /Medfield/Ashland Gymnastics Team finished the regular season with 11 wins and 2 losses. Jennifer Cutler finished in Second Place on the beam at the State Championship Meet. Girls Ice Hockey The Girls Ice Hockey Team competed in the Southeastern Mass Girls Hockey League this past season. The team finished the season with a record of 9-10-1. Jodi Forward and Alizabeth Knapp were named to the SEMGHL All-Star Team. Boys Ice Hockey The Boys Ice Hockey Team finished the season as Co-Champions of the Tri-Valley League with a record of 14 – 4 – 2, and qualified for the State Tournament for the first time in eighteen seasons. The team won the First Round game verse Marian by a score of 6 to 1, before falling to Bishop Stang High School in the Quarter Finals. Ryan Ebzery and Eamon Murphy were named to the Tri-Valley League All-Star Team. Dusty Burke, Paul (PJ) Copponi, Cary Crocker, John Kornack, Jared Spence and Michael Williamson were named Second Team All-Stars. Alpine Skiing The Boys and Girls Alpine Ski Teams finished the regular season in First Place in the Mass. Bay League East Small School Division. The girls’ team finished in Sixth Place at the State Championship race and the boys’ team finished in Eighth Place. Nicholas Barbier, Stefano Barbier and Kristen Barnett were named to the MBL All-Star Team. Nordic Skiing The Boys and Girls Nordic Ski Teams finished the regular season with 5 wins and no losses, winning the Mass Bay East League Small School Division. The girls’ team placed 6th at the State

Championship Race and the boys team placed 7th. Michael Bramante, Georgiana Burruss, William Dawson, Olivia Finnegan, Scott Hershey, Jessie High, Toby Howe, Julia Keefe, Lee Milne, Mark Moruzzi, Rion O’Grady, Thomas Rummel, and Eliza Weintraub were named Mass Bay East League All-Stars. Thomas Rummel, with his Second Place finish at the State Championship Race, was named the Mass Bay League East MVP, and was named to the Boston Globe All-Scholastic Team. Swimming The Boys Swimming Team finished the regular season with a record of 5 wins and 4 losses, while the Girls Swimming Team had a 4 - 4 - 0 record. The girls’ team finished the State Championship meet in Fifth Place, while the boys finished in Twenty-ninth Place. Bianca Cutler, Sean Donovan, Carly Eckles, Mary Keough, and Alexandra Schroeder were named TVL All-Stars. John Benson, Stephen Mayfield, Grant Rice, and Benjamin Williams were named to the Second Team. Robert DeBevoise and Courtney McCurdy were named Honorable Mentions. USABO Three students, Elizabeth Briskin, Phillipp Gaissert, and Jake Jordan, were named Semifinalists in the USA Biology Olympiad Exam, scoring in the top 10%. Math Team Playoffs The Math Team placed fifth in our league of 32 teams (Southeastern Massachusetts Mathematics League) and qualified for the State Meet, which will be held at Shrewsbury High School on April 9th. Congratulations to team members Olivia Cannon, Taylor Coutts, Phillipp Gaissert, Allen Liu, Stephen Mayfield, Alexander Qian-Wang, Achutha Raman, Brett Stevens, Caitlin Van Dore and Jason Zhong. Junior Phillipp Gaissert and sophomore Allen

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Liu were the high scorers for their age group in the league. Words of Thanks Be the Match Bone Marrow Drive I thank everyone who helped to make the recent bone marrow registration drive a great success. More than 110 people signed up. Monthly Morsels On behalf of the faculty, staff and administration, I thank the PTO and all of you who contributed to the March Monthly Morsels. Upcoming Events Please refer to the calendar that follows this letter for a more comprehensive list of upcoming events. A listing of Senior Events is also included and will be posted on the high school web site. Most sincerely, Denise Lonergan

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Calendar of Upcoming Events

Term 3 Ended Report Cards Distributed the Week of April 12th

April 1st

SADD Assemblies Guest Speaker – Cara Filler

April 5th

Senior Project Program Begins April 5th Bruins Captain Zdeno Chara Need to Lead Program Presentation to Students

April 6th

MCAS ELA Composition Make Up Exam

April 7th

HS/MS Jazz Band Spectrum Concert

April 8th 7:00 p.m. Alan Mudge Auditorium

PTO Meeting April 8th 8:45 a.m. Room 113 D-Stress DS April 9th School Council Meeting April 12th 4:00 p.m. Room 113 Early Release Day Dismissal at 10:50

April 14th

Teacher Appreciation Luncheon, Sponsored by the PTO

April 14th

GSA Movie Night April 14th T/B/A HS Faculty Room China Banquet April 15th 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Lindquist Commons

Cafeteria No School – Spring Vacation April 19th -

April 23rd School Reopens April 26th

Goldin Foundation Awards Recipient: Mr. Joshua Bridger

April 26th Alan Mudge Auditorium

Athletic Advisory April 28th 7:00 p.m. Room 125 Interim Reports Close for Seniors

April 30th

AP Exams Begin May 3rd Interim Reports Close for Grades 9 – 11

May 7th

Freshman/Sophomore Semiformal

May 7th Sherborn Community Center

7:00 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.

AAU Banquet May 11th 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Lindquist Commons Athletic Advisory May 19th 7:00 p.m. Room 125 Senior Project Presentations May 20th Spring Concert May 20th 7:30 p.m. Alan Mudge

Auditorium Early Release Day May 21st Dismissal at 10:50 Pre-prom Reception

May 21st Kraft Hall 4:40 – 5:30 p.m.

Junior/Senior Prom

Please note: No dismissals prior to 10:50 for students who are attending the prom and students must be present in school on May 21st in order to attend the prom.

May 21st The State Room, Boston

6 p.m. – 11 p.m.

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MCAS Mathematics Preparatory Sessions

Date Time Room Teacher April 5th 2:30 – 3:15 203 Ms. Luskin April 6th 2:30 – 3:15 202 Mr. Amber April 7th 2:30 – 3:15 207 Ms. Collins April 12th 2:30 – 3:15 203 Ms. Luskin April 13th 2:30 – 3:15 202 Mr. Amber April 15th 2:30 – 3:15 207 Ms. Collins April 26th 2:30 – 3:15 203 Ms. Luskin April 27th 2:30 – 3:15 202 Mr. Amber April 28th 2:30 – 3:15 207 Ms. Collins May 3rd 2:30 – 3:15 203 Ms. Luskin May 4th 2:30 – 3:15 202 Mr. Amber May 5th 2:30 – 3:15 202 Mr. Amber May 10th 2:30 – 3:15 203 Ms. Luskin May 11th 2:30 – 3:15 202 Mr. Amber May 12th 2:30 – 3:15 202 Mr. Amber

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Calendar of Senior Events

Friday, April 30th Warnings close for seniors; issued the following week Friday, May 7th Deadline for the Graduation Speech Declamation Contest - If you would like the opportunity to speak to

your class at graduation, submit a speech or a poem to Mr. Catalfano, chairperson of the Graduation Speech Declamation Committee, by May 7, 2010. The speech may be on any topic and should be approximately five minutes in length; the poem may also be on any topic and should not exceed three minutes. You must email your speech or poem to Mr. Catalfano ([email protected]) by Friday, May 7 at 2:15 PM; there will be no extensions. The committee will read all submitted speeches and poems and select four finalists in each category (speech and poetry) to present in front of the committee after school on Thursday, May 13. The winners will then go on to become the Speakers for the Class of 2010.

Wednesday, May 19th Senior Tea - High School Library 2:00-3:00 PM (Seniors and Faculty only) Librarians from the Chickering, Pine Hill, DSMS and DSHS are hosting a Senior Tea for members of the Class of 2010 and faculty, support staff and administrators from all schools and from Central Office will join in this celebration.

Thursday, May 20th Senior Project Presentations will be held from 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM in the High School Math Wing. Friday, May 21st

Early dismissal at 10:50 AM-NO DISMISSALS BEFORE 10:50 AM ON MAY 21st PRE-PROM RECEPTION, Kraft Hall at The Dover Church, 4:30-5:30 PM (Kraft Hall must be clear at 5:30 PM for later event) JUNIOR-SENIOR PROM, The State Room, 33rd Floor of Sixty State Street, Boston 6:00-11:00PM. Tickets will cost $100.00 (checks made payable to DSHS) A brief word of caution – the Junior-Senior Prom is a school-sponsored activity. Despite the off-campus presence of this activity, the same school rules prohibiting the possession or use of alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs or tobacco products or being under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be strictly enforced. Failure to observe these rules could result in police involvement and will prohibit your participation in other senior activities, including graduation. Please communicate to your guests, who may or may not be of the legal age for use of tobacco products or alcohol, their need to follow school rules and to respect the safety of their dates even if they do not attend Dover-Sherborn High School. We remind you that Dover-Sherborn High School reserves the right to administer a breathalyzer test at any school-sponsored event on or off campus. We have confidence in your judgment and in the positive influence of your concerned parents and classmates. Students must be in school on that day in order to attend the prom – there will be no dismissals. Seniors participating in Senior Project must be in attendance at their sites or have been released for the entire day. Those not released for the entire day must be in school and/or at Senior Project in accordance with their schedules.

Friday, May 21st Senior grades close for fourth quarter – last day of classes for seniors Tues, May 25th to Fri, May 28th Senior Exams Thursday, May 27th All detention hours must be completed by 3:15 PM; all financial and other obligations must be met. Thursday, May 27th Senior Dinner Dance/Cruise

The Provincetown II (Bay State Cruise Company) Seniors ONLY. Transportation by bus only, with buses leaving from Lindquist Commons at 5:00 PM. Sailing time is 7 PM to 10 PM and buses will return at approximately 11:00 PM to the high school. This is a school sponsored activity and the guidelines for student behavior detailed for the Prom apply here. Please see Ms. Ryder and Ms. Sullivan for tickets (price tbd).

Tuesday, June 1st @ 8:00 AM

Senior Breakfast and Senior Class Meeting and Assembly (Sponsored by the Freshman Class) in the Cafeteria at 8 AM GRADUATION REHEARSAL immediately following breakfast, distribution of caps, gowns, final report cards and yearbooks, if outstanding obligations have been met. Any outstanding obligations must be satisfied (fines, disciplinary, etc.) by 3:15PM on Thursday, May 27th. Students with unsatisfied obligations will not be permitted to participate in graduation rehearsal or ceremonies. All obligations must be cleared in the main office. Your participation in the Commencement Exercises is voluntary; however, by participating, you signify agreement to abide by established procedure. ALL SENIORS WHO PLAN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GRADUATION CEREMONY MUST BE IN ATTENDANCE AT THIS REHEARSAL. SENIORS NOT AT REHEARSAL WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES. In the event of a family emergency, parents should contact the Headmaster's Office at (508) 785-1730 ext 8611

Tuesday, June 1st @ 7:30 PM Baccalaureate – Most Precious Blood Church, 30 Centre Street, Dover @ 7:30 PM. All students are welcome to attend.

Wednesday, June 2nd @ 7:00 PM Senior Awards Night - Lindquist Commons @ 7:00 PM. Many scholarships and individual awards will be presented to seniors at this program. Participation is voluntary; all seniors are welcome.

Thursday, June 3rd Graduation Rehearsal at 8:00am, if necessary COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES, 6:00pm, Frothingham Field - Graduates should assemble in the cafeteria NO LATER THAN 5:15pm. Caution – High heels may sink into the field and/or become a tripping hazard. Commencement Exercises will be held in the Wakely Gymnasium in the event that the weather is inclement on Thursday, June 3rd. Graduating seniors will receive 7 tickets for family and friends for admittance into the Gymnasium. It is expected that seniors conduct themselves with dignity and respect. Please remember your obligations to your parents, fellow classmates, friends and school during this ceremony.

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SCIENCE NEWS Over the past few months, students have been working on a project to convert a diesel engine car to a vegetable oil fueled car-“The Veggie Car!” The project was generously funded by the Dover-Sherborn Education Fund after a grant was written by Environmental Science teacher, Elizabeth Friedman. She, along with Nick Grout and Mike Sweeney, who teach Science & Tech and TV & Media, led a group of students in this interdisciplinary project. Some students did the actual conversion while others created a DVD, book, PowerPoint, and website documenting the whole process. This project could absolutely serve as a model for other schools/settings. The actual car conversion could be repeated on different diesel engine vehicles, and the project materials (handouts, extension projects/assignments) are being developed into a curriculum to be used as a supplement to existing Energy curricula. Physics teacher Joshua Bridger spent last summer working at the nano-technology labs at Harvard University, developing educational software and curriculum related to contemporary medical technologies. Bridger implemented a unit on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) with his AP Physics class this past Fall, and presented his summer work at the National Science Teachers Conference in Philadelphia this past March. He will continue developing this work this summer, in addition to taking 14 students on a month-long trekking and service expedition to Tanzania during the month of July. Bridger's AP Physics students, defending champions from last year, will be competing in the Eastern Mass. Physics Olympics on April 10th. Three members of Mr. Tucker’s AP Biology class were named Semi-finalists in the pursuit of becoming members of the USA Biology Olympic team which will compete in Changwon, Korea. Philipp Gaissert, and Elizabeth Briskin, and Jake Jordan achieved scores in the top 10% of the country on a test provided by the USABO. The three

students recently completed another exam to compete for one of the top 20 finalist positions. The results will be released later this month. Achutha Raman competed in this year’s Regional Science Fair at Bridgewater State College on Saturday March 13th. Achutha won second place this year for his research entitled, “Epigenetic Exploration of Cancerous Tumor-Specific Biomarkers .” Achutha was presented with an award from the Massachusetts Medical Society and was publicly recognized for representing Massachusetts at last year’s Intel International Science Fair. Achutha will be competing at MIT in the State Fair April 29th – May 1. Last Spring, one hundred and sixty-five ninth grade students took the MCAS test in Biology. Ninety-nine percent of them scored Advanced or Proficient, placing D-S number one in the state according to rankings in the Boston Globe. The results of the 2009 AP Examinations in Science are as follows:

Chemistry Number of Students

AP Grade

4 5 3 4 1 3 1 2 1

Physics Number of Students

AP Grade

7 5 7 4 2 3 1 2

1 Biology

Number of Students

AP Grade

3 5 3 4 3 3 4 2 1

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Finally, I am sad to report that Mr. Wayne Relleva will be retiring at the end of the school year. He began his career at D-S in 1980 and taught CP, Honors, and Advanced Placement Chemistry. He also was the indoor track coach for boys and girls and the outdoor track coach for boys. In 1987, because of declining enrollments, he left D-S and took a position at Westwood HS where he taught chemistry until 2003 when he rejoined the D-S science staff. Recently, he was the recipient of the Norfolk County Teachers “Honor” award for the work he has done throughout the years for the Dover-Sherborn Education Association. He will be missed by students and colleagues for his professionalism, passion for chemistry, and great sense of humor.

Living, Fine and Technical Arts

Department News The Arts Department would like to thank Mrs. Anne-Marie Kott who has been the long term substitute teacher for Mrs. Sandra Thibeault while Sandy was living and traveling in China with the Dover Sherborn China Exchange. Although we’re happy to be getting Mrs. Thibeault back this month, we’ll be sorry to see Mrs. Kott leave. So we send a special thank you to Mrs. Kott who finishes her six weeks with us on April 9.

Dover-Sherborn Yearbook The very first FULL COLOR Dover-Sherborn yearbook is now in the hands of our publisher, and yearbook staff members eagerly await an early June arrival. If you haven't already purchased your copy, it's not too late. Supplies are limited, though. Send your check for $95 ($85 + $10 late fee, incurred after January 1, 2010) to: Darren Buck, Yearbook Advisor, Dover-Sherborn High School, 9 Junction Street, Dover, MA 02030.

Music Department Annual Jazz Spectrum Concert The annual Jazz Spectrum Concert will take place on Thursday, April 8 at 7:00 PM in the Alan Mudge Auditorium. The concert will feature performances by the middle school’s “Jazz Eclipse”, “Sharp 9 Big Band” and the high school’s Jazz Band. The special guest artist this year is the Doug Olsen Latin Jazz Combo. The concert is free and open to the public.

Get Your Reservations Now and Support

the China Exchange The Dover-Sherborn Hangzhou China Exchange will hold its 8th annual China banquet fundraiser. All proceeds from the event go to support the cost of the exchange program. Welcome back our returning delegation and hear about their amazing adventures and enjoy a wonderful Chinese meal catered by the Tian Fu Restaurant in Wellesley. Bring the whole family and support this unique program. If you can’t make it, please consider sending a donation to help keep this program running. • Time: Thursday April 15, 6:30-8:30 • Place: Lindquist Commons • Cost: $15 for students, $20 for teachers,

$25 for adults • Reservations: Reservations need to be

made by April 10. Reservation forms are available on the China Exchange Website or China blog or from the link on the DS community website.

http://www.doversherborn.org/ChinaXF.pdf

http://mindsparkinc.com/DSChina/

Return forms and/or donations to Rebecca Vizulis, China Exchange, DS High School, 9 Junction St., Dover, MA 02030

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Dover Sherborn Guidance Corner

April 2010 

SCHOLARSHIP REMINDERS

LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS  

Applications for local scholarships are available in the guidance office.  The completed applications are due back into the guidance office or to the designated 

destination no later than Monday, May 3rd (unless otherwise specified).

SAT TEST REGISTRATION DATES DEADLINES

0 March 25, 2010 10 April 29, 2010

the SAT and SAT Subject Tests

May 1, 201 June 5, 20 Remember cannot be taken on the same day www.collegeboard.org

ACT TEST DATE REGISTRATION

DEADLINE

010 March 5, 2010 010 May 7, 2010

www.act.org

April 10, 2 June 12, 2

When  you  hear  from  a  college,  pleaseremember  to  let  your  guidance  counselor know  about  the  decision  and  update  your Naviance College List. 

SENIORS 

Test Dates for 2010

KOPLIK CERTIFICATE OF MASTERY WITH DESTINCTION  

 This scholarship waives tuition at Massachusetts’ public colleges and universities. Eligible students need to file an application during the enrollment 

period of December 15, 2009 through May 14, 2010.

During  the months  of March  and April,  seniors are  invited  to  attend  a  small  group  luncheon  to provide  each  student  the  opportunity  to  reflect upon  their  educational  experience  in  the Dover‐Sherborn Schools.  

 Make  sure  you  have  fulfilled  all  your Community  Service  hours  (minimum  of  40) and that you have brought in the appropriate forms  to  guidance.  Don’t  forget  that  forty hours  of  community  service  is  a  graduation requirement! 

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Many colleges state that they do not require any additional information. However, students who send well-written letters assuring admission officers that they will enroll, if admitted, in general stand a better chance. Successful candidates often provide updates on their second-semester senior grades, awards, and other achievements. If you are a strong athlete, musician, artist, or performer, contacting the coach or director may also help. Another strategy, when appropriate, is to follow-up with your alumni or on-campus interviewer, or with an admissions officer if you built a relationship during the admissions process. A well-timed, and well-received, telephone call to the admissions office can also increase your chance.

There’s the thick envelope from the college admissions office bearing congratulatory news; the very thin envelope signaling rejection; and the slightly thicker thin envelope with a post card enclosed explaining that the admission people have not rendered a final decision on your application. Welcome to Wait List Limbo Land.

Waiting in limbo need not be a passive activity. Many savvy applicants have launched successful campaigns to gain admission. The first step is to understand the wait list situation.

All colleges and universities desire a full entering class. The school’s financial health is dependent on revenue from students. In order to avoid an oversubscribed situation with crowded dorms and classrooms, admissions officers tend to conservatively estimate yield (percentage of admitted students who will enroll) when deciding how many students to admit. Yield varies from year to year, and can fluctuate significantly based on student preferences, the economy, and the availability of financial aid. When yield is less than projected, admissions officers turn to their wait lists to fill the incoming class.

The wait list contains a pool of qualified students to draw from to replace admitted applicants who chose to enroll elsewhere. The protocol at most schools is for wait listed students to complete a post card indicating their desire to remain on the wait list. Some schools encourage students to send in a letter indicating their interest, along with any additional information for their file that they wish to add. Some schools rank their wait listed candidates, while others do not.

For most colleges the deadline for regularly admitted students to notify the school of their intentions is around May 1, after which admission officers reconvene to discuss yield and decide on the wait list.

Since most colleges are concerned about yield (a proxy for selectivity, and a component of many popular college rankings), admissions people tend to favor applicants considered likely to enroll if admitted. This is especially true when it comes to the wait list, where the yield can be managed to approach one hundred percent.

While politely demonstrating sincere interest and providing updates often helps, tread carefully because going overboard can diminish your chances.

Some schools go on record with the number of students on their wait list, while others do not. Judging from the size of the list, past yield, and class size, you can get a sense of your odds. Usually they are not very good. At some prestigious colleges and universities the wait lists are very large and relatively few students are admitted. It’s been speculated that it is not unusual for these schools to place qualified, but unremarkable children of alumni, or those recommended by influential people, on the wait list for courtesy or development purposes. Depending on their qualifications, these candidates may not be real contenders and may have a lower probability of admission than others on the wait list.

Whatever you do, do not make a pest of yourself, flooding the admissions office with irrelevant updates and questions. Bribery is also considered taboo. Generally, it also does not make sense to visit the campus hoping to meet with an admissions officer.

While some students seek creative opportunities to stand out from other waitlisted applicants, they run the risk of doing something considered childish or inappropriate that could dim their chances completely.

While most students are admitted off of the wait list in May and June, it is not unheard of to be accepted much later, even on registration day. Most schools advise students on the wait list to commit to another school, even if it means sending in a deposit to another college, and to only remain on the wait list if they are seriously interested.

Finally, while your parents may be key members of your college planning and admission team, it is best for the student to be their own advocate when seeking admission from the wait list. Mom or Dad should not be the ones communicating with the admissions office.

**Article from InLikeMe

Page 13: NEWSLETTER April 2010 - …doversherborn.comcastbiz.net/highschool/newsletter/apr/AprilNews... · NEWSLETTER April 2010 _____ Dear Parents and Guardians, April traditionally is ...

JUNIORS 

Please turn in your autobiographical letters and Senior Surveys to your counselor before the end of school in June!!!

Please remember to ask your parents and guardians to sign your “Transcript Release Form” and return the signed form to Mrs. Benatti in the Guidance Office. The “Transcript Release Form” was distributed during the past two meetings. Transcripts can not be mailed to colleges without a completed form on file in the Guidance Office.

 

FRESHMAN  

  

The last Freshman Seminar was held on Friday, March 19th. Peer Helpers discussed issues relating to the transition into sophomore year and to remind freshmen about the dangers and possible legal implications involved with sending electronic “sexting” messages.

It is possible to experience a stress-free, successful college search process that ends with a college fit that is right for each student. This is the message that Colleges That Change Lives will bring to 26 cities during the 13th annual series of national tours.