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LURGIO NEWS
February 9, 2018
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Dear Parents,
Last month I found myself writing a difficult note about students who have decided to experiment with vaping. Unfortunately, in the intervening weeks since sending that message, the phenomenon has only appeared to grow. We now suspect that there have been cases of students vaping while on school grounds, and we have heard rumors of students selling vaping devices on school property. Because of this, I feel the need to reach out again to all parents and implore you to partner with us in talking to our children about the dangers of vaping.
As a reminder, vaping is the relatively new phenomenon of inhaling the vapor released when liquid--often candy-flavored and nicotine-laced--is turned into gas using a “vape pen” or other device. Because our students are under the age of 18, all vaping, even when the liquid does not contain nicotine, is illegal. Like smoking cigarettes, vaping is also forbidden on school grounds, regardless of the user’s age.
Beyond the legal ramifications of vaping, we also have health and habit-forming concerns. While some dangers (like those inherent in any consumption of nicotine) are well understood, other long-term detriments of vaping are not fully known. Furthermore, we know that the habits that we form as adolescents are extremely hard to break in adulthood, and learning to inhale at an impressionable age creates a significant risk that the habit will become a gateway to other risky behavior.
Because of all of these concerns, I am asking that you join our school community in making our students aware of the dangers of vaping and the consequences that they will face if they are caught vaping. In light of our new awareness of the scope of this issue, we will be heightening our vigilance in monitoring student behavior here at school. Any possession or use of a vaping device while on school property will be met with immediate, significant consequences including a school suspension and a resulting police report.
I want to thank all of you in advance for supporting this message on the homefront. We are truly fortunate in Bedford to have such great families and such great kids. This is a moment when too many of those great kids have begun to make a poor choice, but I am confident that with our mutual efforts, this is a moment that will pass.
Sincerely,
Ed Joyce
Important Dates
Feb. 14 (Wednesday)
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Happy Valentine’s Day!
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Feb. 13 (Tuesday) to
Feb. 23 (Friday)
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RAL Read-a-Thon Fundraiser & Book Drive - INFORMATIONAL FLYER
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Feb. 19 (Monday) to
Feb. 23 (Friday)
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RAL Spirit Week - THEMES
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Feb. 23 (Friday)
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RAL Read-a-Thon Literacy Day
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Feb. 26 (Monday) to
Mar. 2 (Friday)
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February Break - No School
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Mar. 15 (Thursday)
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SAVE THE DATE - Grandparent’s Day
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Cub of the Week
Each week, teachers nominate students for the Cub of the Week Award. Nominated students are those who have shown exceptional kindness, tolerance, and respect during the week. Each Friday, the Lurgio administration and guidance staff will review all nominees and will select the the “Cub of the Week.”
This week’s Cub is Olyvia Frongillo. Olyvia is being recognized for being super inclusive of all students. The kindness and positivity that she brings to Lurgio everyday is so impressive. Olyvia, thank you for helping make Lurgio such a great place to learn. Congrats!
New News
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You Be The Chemist Challenge Registration
Lurgio students have the opportunity to participate in the "You Be the Chemist" (YBTC) Challenge, organized by the Chemical Educational Foundation. The YBTC Challenge is a fun and interactive academic competition that engages students in learning about important chemistry concepts, scientific discoveries, and laboratory safety.
To qualify for the state competition, students must take a 25-multiple-choice qualifying exam on Thursday, March 8 at 2:30 in the media center. The top students from Lurgio will advance to the state competition to be held on April 7 at Bishop Guertin High School. The top student from the state will win an expenses-paid trip to the National Challenge in Washington D.C. in June.
If your child is interested in participating, please fill out this Google Form to register. The registration deadline is Friday, February 23. If you have any questions, email Mrs. Rockwell at rockwella@bedfordnhk12.net.
To prepare for the exam, CEF recommends students explore all of the study materials at ChemEd, as well as other outside chemistry resources.
MIT Spring HSSP Registration is Now Open
What: HSSP is a 6- to 8-week academic program that runs on Saturdays during the Spring and Sundays during the Summer.
When: Spring HSSP 2018 will be held on Saturdays from February 24th through April 7nd, skipping March 17th (for Spark!)
Who: 7th graders through 12th graders.
Where: All classes will be held on the MIT campus.
Catalog: Spring HSSP offers exciting classes such as Memory and Mind Control, Writing for Social Change, and Creating Mobile Apps! Check out the catalog here and register here.
Cost: $40
Contact E-mail: spring-hssp@mit.edu
Classes will be assigned by lottery; all registrations before February 13 will be considered equally. The lottery stage of registration will close at 11:59 p.m. on February 13. They expect to publish lottery results on Feb 15. After results go live, you'll be able to add and drop classes on a first-come-first-serve basis until 11:59 pm Tuesday 2/20, when registration is entirely closed.
Weekly Features
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Last Day of School Update
We have had six school cancellations this year, so the current last day of school is Thursday, June 21.
Book Buzz
We had a great turn out for Books for Breakfast Cafe today! Here's our Book Buzz:
Tucker in 8th Grade:
Tucker in 8th Grade:
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The Adventures of Tintin by Herge is amazing! Tintin and his faithful dog Snowy take on Chicago. Tintin survives one dangerous encounter after another. Read this for the action!
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AND
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I also want to talk about the James Patterson Maximum Ride series. I cannot get enough of it! Best series ever. I could talk all day about Maximum Ride adventures of genetically modified kids who have to get away from the Erasers.
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Mrs. Detwiler shared the popular graphic novel Awkward by Svetlana Chamakova.
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Cardinal rule #1 for surviving school: Don't get noticed by the mean kids. Cardinal rule #2 for surviving school: Seek out groups with similar interests and join them. On her first day at her new school, Penelope--Peppi--Torres reminds herself of these basics. But when she trips into a quiet boy in the hall, Jaime Thompson, she's already broken the first rule, and the mean kids start calling her the "nerder girlfriend." How does she handle this crisis? By shoving poor Jaime and running away!
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Gwyneth in 7th Grade:
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I love the Selection series! 35 girls and 1 prince, Prince Maxon, who has to decide his future queen. Mrs. Detwiler can't keep these books in the library at all! The series is by Kiera Cass.
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Elsie M. in 7th Grade:
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I read the amazing book The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. It's an intense book about a black girl whose lifelong friend gets killed by a white police officer. She is the only one who saw it happen. Everyone wants justice for the death of this boy but police are not pressing charges. It is intense with the talk about gangs and guns, but this happens in our society.
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Guidance Corner
This week’s Asset Newsletter article can be found here. “Adult Role Models” can help your teen develop strategies essential for the prevention of risky behavior. Click here to further explore what you need to know about Why Teens Use Alcohol and Drugs.
RAL Guidance Counselor, Donna LaRue, MA, MLADC, LCMHC posts a weekly, helpful parenting newsletter article, as well as other relevant material on her website. Check out Ms. LaRue’s web page for past ‘Asset Newsletters’ by clicking here.
Lurgio Tech Corner Update
Just wanted to let you know we are currently experiencing an issue with the way the PowerSchool Grades and Attendance, Assignment Scores page is sorting... You will find newer assignments at the bottom of the assignment list. We are working to fix this issue. Please feel free to have students stop by and see us if they have questions...
PTG Corner
Yankee Candle Fundraiser
Our Yankee Candle Fundraiser runs this year from February 2nd through February 16th. Renowned for their quality and true-to life scents, Yankee® candles are America’s Best Loved gift to give and get! Full color brochures should have come home in backpacks (K-6) or are available in the front offices at Lurgio and BHS. Visit Bedford PTG Yankee Candle for more information and to order online to have it ship directly to your home, 40% of sales go back to the schools!
Color Blast 2018 Community Event
Save the date for Sunday June 3rd! Get Ready for the Most Colorful, Fun-Filled Day of Your Life as PTG hosts another Color Blast Fun Run. Stay tuned for more exciting details.
Stay Connected to the PTG
Please visit our PTG website and be sure to “like” our Facebook Page to see all the exciting things happening at our schools. Thank you for your support!
Reminders
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BHS Course Registration
The Bedford High School course request portal for the 2018-2019 school year is NOW open through Friday, February 9th until noon. Watch THIS VIDEO for assistance with the process. You can also get a great deal of information about each course on the BHS website and visiting the Program of Studies. Please strongly consider teacher recommendations.
Softball Winter Workouts - UPDATE
~Winter workouts will not be held on February 24 and March 3 due to February break~
Winter workouts for softball began on Saturday, January 6th and continue weekly through mid-March. The workouts are held at St. Elizabeth Seton from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Anyone interested in playing softball in the spring is invited to attend. The workouts include throwing, fielding, pitching, catching, and hitting drills. Please make sure to bring a bat, glove, sneakers, and plenty of water. For additional information contact Softball Coach Chris Lemay at 603-674-7164 or e-mail lemaynh@comcast.net.
Student Handbooks
Over the course of this fall, the Bedford School District made several additions to our student handbooks.
- Notice of Rights under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA)
- Teaching about Human Sexuality
- Volunteers in the Bedford School District
- Use of Personal Vehicles for School Business
- Student Use of Electronics on Buses (in the Transportation Handbook)
The for each school can be found on the school website under School Info.
BHS Theatre Company present Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”
The Bedford High School Theatre Company will proudly present William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” Thursday- Saturday, February 15-17, @ 7:00 p.m. in the Bedford High School Theatre. An alumnus of the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, director Tim Hackney brings a unique treatment of “Twelfth Night” to the stage. In addition to the timeless words of Shakespeare, the cast will bring Tim’s original musical compositions to life. Tickets are $10 for Adults and $5.00 for students, and can be purchased in advance at www.seatyourself.biz/
Save the Date - Grandparents Day March 15
Ross A. Lurgio’s Annual Grandparents & Senior Citizen Visitation Day is planned for Thursday, March 15 at 9:30 a.m. Guests will be treated to a dress rehearsal of the play High School Musical followed by tours of the school and a lite luncheon sponsored by the Bedford PTG will take place in the library. More details and pre-registration forms to follow.
