FHUHS Administration

Last Friday was a big day for Slater extracurricular activities. Mr. Wilson’s girls’ soccer team earned their third straight victory, thereby assuring the team of a winning record and a spot in the playoffs. The football team also had their third straight win, which put the team in the thick of the playoff hunt with two games to go. Our student drama leaders, Matt Couture and Kendra Densmore worked steadily with Mr. Ramey and me to see that all was in place for the December production of Nightfall with Edgar Allan Poe by Eric Coble. Drama Advisor Ms. Jenna Carlson will be holding auditions today (the 13th) at 4:00. I have included other club news below.

We are very proud to announce that the FHU Pumpkin Princess this year is senior Ali Mancuso. After a vote from the entire student population, Ali was the overall winner with nearly 1/4th of the total votes cast. She will be leading our awesome band at the annual Halloween parade in Rutland on October 31st. Ali will compete for the Pumpkin Queen title at the PEG-TV offices at the Howe Center on Tuesday, October 21st, at 7:00 p.m. With all her community and school spirit, we believe she is a shoo-in for the contest. Good luck, Ali, we sure are proud of you.

Two recent graduates of Fair Haven Union High School have earned the designation of AP Scholar by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement Program® (AP®) Exams. As many people have minimal information on what it means to be in an AP course, I have included some additional information provided by Mr. Bombard.

The College Board’s Advanced Placement Program offers students the opportunity to take challenging college-level courses while still in high school, and to receive college credit, advanced placement, or both for successful performance on the AP Exams. About 18 percent of the more than 1.4 million high school students in 16,000 secondary schools worldwide who took AP Exams performed at a sufficiently high level to merit the recognition of AP Scholar. Students took AP Exams in May 2007 after completing challenging college-level courses at their high schools. The College Board recognizes several levels of achievement based on students’ performance on AP Exams.

Two FHU students qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. These students are Nicholas Montello and Reggie Schulman.

Most of the nation’s colleges and universities award credit, advanced placement, or both based on successful performance on the AP Exams. More than 1,400 institutions award a full year’s credit (sophomore standing) to students presenting a sufficient number of qualifying grades. In 2007, thirty-seven AP Exams were offered in a wide variety of subject areas, each consisting of multiple-choice and free-response (essay or problem-solving or oral response) questions (except for the Studio Art exam which evaluates students’ original artwork).

The College Board is a not-for-profit membership organization whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the association is composed of more than 5,200 schools, colleges, universities, and other educational organizations. Each year, the College Board serves seven million students and their parents, 23,000 high schools, and 3,500 colleges through major programs and services in college admissions, guidance, assessment, financial aid, enrollment, and teaching and learning. Among its best-known programs are the SAT®, the PSAT/NMSQT®, and the Advanced Placement Program® (AP®). The College Board is committed to the principles of excellence and equity, and that commitment is embodied in all of its programs, services, activities, and concerns.

Ms. Carini’s Introduction to Sociology class is currently studying research methods. The class will work with surveys purely for the methods practice. The hands-on experience and working with some local data will help make the learning opportunity all the more valuable.

Civics students’ voter registration date has been moved to Monday, October 20. Any student who will be 18 by voting day, November 4th, may register to vote.

Candidates for the Vermont General Assembly are invited to speak to Civics students Tuesday, October 21, during Mrs. Kuehn’s classes. The Senate and House candidates who serve our school district have been invited.

CLUB NEWS:

• CHESS CLUB: meets every Thursday after school @ 3 – 5 p.m. in Mr. Cavacas room (213).
Enjoy Chess? Want to learn? Want to improve your game? Please see Ms. Decarolis or Mr. Cavacas for more details.
• COMMUNITY SERVICE: Will be meeting Thursday during T.A. in Ms. Carini’s Room (24).
• SCHOLAR’S BOWL: Will meet Monday through Friday @ 3:15 in Mrs. Cornell’s Room or Room 12. Mr. Allen is the advisor.
• VSAC PEER TUTOR: Meeting Thursday in Room 210 during T.A.. Anyone interested in being a tutor should attend to get paperwork and applications. See Mr. Eaton for more information.
• YEARBOOK: Will be meeting on Wednesdays – after school – in the back room off the Cafeteria. Mrs. Flood is the advisor and will be happy to answer and questions.

Enjoy what appears to be an unusually vibrant and colorful fall.

Brett C. Blanchard, Fair Haven Union High School Principal