Principal’s Message  Welcome back! The 2016­2017 school year at Burrillville High School had                     a successful start with an opening day focused around our Positive                     Behavior Interventions and Supports program (PBIS). The feedback and                 suggestions provided from our Student Council and Faculty during the                   summer planning meetings contributed to added value for the day.  

All Broncos were reminded of our four overarching expectations (Be here;                     Be respectful; Be responsible; and Be prepared). Students rotated among                   various stations in the building and took part in team building activities,                       reviewed graduation requirements, learned about the various offerings of                 after school programs and clubs, and met with class advisors and the                       school administrative team.   

Dr. Whaley emphasized the importance of positive work habits, taking an                     increasing amount of ownership and responsibility for their education and                   focusing on some key areas to stay on the path of receiving a high school                             diploma. Specifically:  

● attendance (on time every day and to all classes)  ● striving to receive passing grades in all classes for first quarter                     

(and knowing when, where and from whom to ask for support) ● finding a connection to the school through involvement in                 

athletics, clubs, and/or after school activities (Bella, etc...)  

As a reminder to all parents, September is Attendance Awareness month.                     Please be sure to review our attendance policy in the student handbook                       with your child. Again, being here on time every day matters and is a key                             component to your child’s success at Burrillville High School.  

On another note, we would like to wish Miss Johnston the best of success                           in her new position as principal of the Middle School, and welcome our                         new Assistant Principal, Mr. Mitchell Cournoyer, who comes to us with a                       wealth of experience in education at the high school level. He will be                         supporting students in Grades 9 and 11. Dr. Alba will loop with the                         student cohorts from last year and focus on Grades 10 and 12.  

Additionally, our School Improvement Team (SIT) is reaching out and                   looking for newmembers! If you are interested in joining our team, please                         email albad@bsd­ri.net and look for an upcoming date for our first                     meeting! 

 

 

INSIDE THIS ISSUE  Music             2 

Technology            3 

Student Support           3 

Student Assistance           4 

Clubs             5 

Guidance            6­9 

  

BURRILLVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS  Superintendent Dr. Frank Pallotta  Principal Dr. Michael Whaley  Assistant Principals Dr. David Alba Mr. Mitchell Cournoyer  Department Leaders English ­ Richard Goudreau Math ­ Kristi Craig Science ­ Nick Servidio Social Studies ­ Kevin Cash Special Education ­ Jack Jalette Student Wellness ­ Barbara DeMasco Technology ­ Timothy Durigan  Guidance Kristin Abbate A­F Mary­Lou Tupper G­M Peter Berthelette N­Z 

 

 

From the Music Department  Freshman Band Orientation a Great Success!  Forty enthusiastic band members gathered on Tuesday,             August 16th for the annual Freshman Band Orientation.               Attending freshman students were given insight into the               various aspects of the band year through the eyes of                   upper­class band personnel and, in turn, the upper­class               members were able to get to know their freshman                 classmates.  It was a beautiful summer day and Senior Drum Major                   Jillian Cash and Junior DrumMajorMichaela Caseymade                 superb use of their time with the group explaining                 marching maneuvers and skillfully leading them through             most of the commands used throughout marching             season. 

 

After nearly perfecting basic marching maneuvers,           students joined together in a spirited game of train                 wreck.  The day concluded with sections meeting with their               section leaders and a final rehearsal with all participants                 playing music for the coming year all together. 

 Special thanks to Mrs. Cash, Mrs. O’Connor, Mrs. Raimond and                   Mrs. Benjamin for helping throughout the day and especially to                   the Band Officers and section leaders for their presence,                 preparation and organization. Thanks for your continuing efforts               for the good of the group!  Upcoming Music Department Events For further information regarding Music Department activities,             please visit Mrs. Favali’s Blog at: http://favalisblog.blogspot.com.  

● Music Boosters Meeting: Monday, September 12, 2016 6:30­7:30 PM ● Extra Band Rehearsal: Tuesday, September 20, 2016 5:30­7:30 PM ● Home Football Game: Saturday, September 24, 2016 10:30 AM 

Submitted by Mrs. Favali 

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From the Technology Department

Freshman “Technology Exploratory” comes to BHS

The Technology Education department at BHS has begun to develop and implement CTE (career & technology                               

education) “academies” for several technical areas. The academies are designed to provide students with a                             

multi­year program in their chosen technical area with the intent on developing useable job skills and certain                                 

certifications to help our students successfully transition into the workforce after graduation. The three­year                           

commitment makes it necessary for students to get an introduction to the available technology areas before                               

making their program choices. Each freshman will spend approximately one month with each of the                             

technology teachers in the areas of Automotives, Engineering & Automation, Child Care, Construction, Graphic                           

Communications, and Green Technologies, becoming familiar with the program information and instruction                       

styles. The belief is that not only will our students be able to make more informed academy choices but that                                       

they will gain valuable information and skills in even those programs that they do not choose. 

Submitted by Mr. Durigan 

 

 

Student Support Services Information  We have clothing closets at both BMS/BHS to help students who may be in need of gently used clothing                                     and/or shoes. If you have a middle or high school student who is in need, please contact school social worker                                       Mandy LeComte at lecomtem@bsd­ri.net or 568­1310/1320.   ATTENTION MILITARY FAMILIES: Are you in the military and the parent or guardian of a student at BHS?                                   Would you like to receive information about resources related to events and activities for military families?                               For more information, please contact school social worker Mandy LeComte at 568­1310 or                         lecomtem@bsd­ri.net.  

   

           

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Student Assistance Information  

Fall 2016 

  

Dear Parent, 

  

Burrillville High School, along with 40 other Rhode Island secondary schools, is implementing a Student                             

Assistance Program based on a national model called Project SUCCESS. The program is provided by Rhode                               

Island Student Assistance Services (RISAS) and is funded by the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Health                               

and the school department. 

  

The goals of Project SUCCESS are to prevent and reduce alcohol, tobacco and other drug use and to improve                                     

school performance. To accomplish these goals, the program provides school­wide awareness programs,                       

classroom presentations and individual and small group sessions to correct erroneous perceptions about                         

substance use and teach skills to identify and resist social and situational pressures to use substances. Parent                                 

meetings and workshops will also be available to assist you in prevention efforts. 

  

Janet McLinden, our Student Assistance Counselor, will be responsible for implementing and coordinating the                           

Project SUCCESS prevention and education activities at Burrillville High School. She works at the school on                               

Monday, Thursday and Friday, and has some evening hours available to see parents and make presentations                               

to community groups. Ms. McLinden has a Master's Degree in Education, previous experience working with                             

adolescents and specialized training in prevention and early intervention strategies. She is an employee of                             

RISAS and is supervised by RISAS and the school. 

  

Ms. McLinden is available to see students who are using alcohol, tobacco or other drugs, or have personal,                                   

school or family problems that could lead to substance abuse or other unhealthy behaviors. If you are worried                                   

about your child's behavior and would like to speak to the Student Assistance Counselor and/or have the                                 

Student Assistance Counselor see your child, please call her directly at 568­1310, Ext. 2335. All calls will be                                   

confidential. 

  

This program has helped many students make responsible choices, has educated students about the dangers                             

of drug use, and has helped others get outside help for related problems. In order to evaluate the                                   

effectiveness of the Student Assistance Program/Project SUCCESS and tomake continuing improvements, the                         

state requires us to collect data from students who participate during the school year in order to measure                                   

changes in attitudes and behaviors that decrease the risk for substance abuse. The data collected is                               

confidential. No names are on any collected data. If, for any reason, you do not want your son or daughter to                                         

be seen by the Student Assistance Counselor, please contact the Student Assistance Counselor or me directly.                               

We are very pleased to offer this valuable program to the students in our school.  

  

Also, please feel free to call if you have any questions about the program. 

 

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Clubs

CHESS CLUB With Mr. Daigneault in room A­17 Every Monday from 2pm­3pm  

Starting September 12th 

10 Reasons to Join Chess club: 1) It’s a great way to learn more about chess strategies and moves 2) Chess helps improve memory and thinking skills (which will help you in school) 3) Your future wife or husband will play chess and it’s something you’ll both have in 

common to start your relationship off strong 4) Unlike most sports or clubs, you can play chess your entire life 5) Psychology class gets competitive during the chess unit...have some self­respect and 

know what you’re doing ahead of time 6) Dr. Dre plays!  (Google image “Dr. Dre chess” if you don’t believe me) 7) Tired of the same old thing?  There are more combinations of different chess games 

than there are grains of sand in the world! 8) It looks great on a college resume 9) Mr. Daigneault brings snacks 10) You will be able to understand this cartoon: 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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From the Guidance Department  

 

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College Fair in Uxbridge!

Any senior interested in attending a College Fair in Uxbridge on Friday, September 16th (during the school day),                                   

please pick up Permission Slips in Guidance. Colleges from all over New England will be present to meet with                                     

seniors and answer their questions. Deadline to return permission slips to the Guidance Office is Friday,                               

September 9th.  

Test Dates

2016­2017 ACT Test Dates & Registration Deadlines   

Test Date  Registration Deadline 

Late Registration Deadline 

September 10, 2016  August 7, 2016  August 8–19, 2016 

October 22, 2016  September 16, 2016  September 17–30, 2016 

December 10, 2016  November 4, 2016  November 5–18, 2016 

February 11, 2017  January 13, 2017  January 14–20, 2017 

April 8, 2017  March 3, 2017  March 4–17, 2017 

June 10, 2017  May 5, 2017  May 6–19, 2017  

Students can register online at www.actstudent.org Additional fees apply if you register late or make changes to your test type, center or date after registering. 

Burrillville High School Code is 400055        

 

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The Pepper by Paul B. Onion

This past summer was filled with wonderful things, from the                   

Olympics to half of BHS getting married, but no event was as                       

popular as the release of Pokémon GO!  

 

Pokémon GO is an app where players walk around trying to catch                       

them all. There are currently 20million active users in the U.S. and                         

100 million active users around the world, but on the forefront of                       

these users is Burrillville High School’s own Molly Gouveia.  

 

Molly Gouveia, or as she likes to be referred to in the Pokémon                         

community, Molly Pokémon GOuveia, spent the summer traveling               

the world for very rare Pokémon. She traveled to catch Europe's                     

exclusive Mr. Mime, then Hong Kong in search of Farfetch'd, and                     

then she went to Sydney for two days to catch Australia's                     

Kangaskhan. Molly Pokémon GOuveia has been training/searching             

very hard and is hoping to be America's next PokémonMaster. Be                       

sure to stop in and compare Pokémon with her or let her know                         

when a rare Pokémon appears. 

                  

  

 

This newsletter is published once a month.  Please send news, announcements, and photos to Mrs. Bruscini at bruscinid@bsd­ri.net.  

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